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 Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 8:23 p.m. Mayor Meneses called the meeting to order and City Clerk, Debra Heck, stated: “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 the County Seat and by posting a copy on the Bulletin Board in City Hall.” Mrs. Heck called the roll: Present – Mayor Jorge E. Meneses, Deputy Mayor Michael R. Melfi, Councilman John P. Labrosse, Councilman Marlin G. Townes, Councilwoman Karen K. Sasso, City Attorney Joseph C. Zisa and City Manager Stephen Lo Iacono. Mayor Meneses asked everyone to stand for the flag salute. A motion was made by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Councilman Labrosse to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2011 th meeting and a motion was made by Councilman Townes and seconded by Councilman Labrosse to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2011 meeting. Councilwoman Sasso abstained. City Manager’s Report – Mr. Lo Iacono advised the audience that the County Senior picnic would be held on September 14, 2011. He said that this is a significant event and that much information is disseminated to seniors. Mr. Lo Iacono also spoke about recent hurricane Irene and said that the City’s emergency services did an outstanding job during the storm. He said that there were water problems, but no significant wind damage. He also said that there had been some serious flooding and that approximately eighty families are still not back in their homes. Seven residents are still in the temporary county shelter. He further advised that Emergency Management Coordinator John Niland is compiling data so that the City can apply for FEMA funds. NO. 312-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 16-2011, AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT TRAFFIC REGULATIONS FOR CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS AND AMENDING THE APPLICABLE CITY ORDINANCES TO PROHIBIT ANY KIND OF THRU TRAFFIC AND LEFT-TURNS AT THE FOLLOWING INTERSECTIONS: ESSEX STREET AND SECOND STREET (SOUTHBOUND APPROACH) AND ESSEX STREET AND PARKWAY STREET (NORTHBOUND APPROACH), EXCEPT FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF RIGHT HAND TURNS ONLY. BE IT RESOLVED that the above ordinance, being Ordinance 16-2011 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 September 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. 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 9/6/11 reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage. Roll Call: Ayes- : Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 313-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE _______________________________________________________________ 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 Fund $9,115,433.78 Escrow 42,278.22 Grants 23,514.78 Payroll 145,899.69 Self Insurance 115,156.49 Public Parking System 8,872.22 Capital 299,647.38 Trust Account 79,278.61 Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses The City Clerk announces that the following items are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion; any items requiring expenditure are supported by a Certification of Availability of Funds; any item requiring discussion will be removed from the Consent Agenda; all Consent Agenda items will be reflected in full in the minutes including any exceptions and/or additions.” NO. 314-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ 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 refund for the reason stated: $100.00 payment for a Hackensack Youth Track registration fee Refund to: Mr. Marco Morillo 456 Kaplan Avenue Hackensack, N.J. 07601 Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 315-11 9/6/11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ 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 refund for the reason stated: $100.00 payment for a Hackensack Youth Track registration fee Refund to: Mrs. Claudia Garica 463 Hudson Street Hackensack, N.J. 07601 Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 316-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, N.J.S. 40A:4-87 provides that the Director of the Division of Local Government Services may approve the insertion of any special item of revenue in the budget of any county or municipality when such item shall have been made available by law and the amount was not determined at the time of the adoption of the budget; and WHEREAS, the Director may also approve the insertion of an item of appropriation for equal amount. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, hereby requests the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the insertion of an item of revenue in the budget of the calendar year 2011 in the sum of $27,061.88 which is now available from: Miscellaneous Revenues: Special Items of General Revenue Anticipated With Prior Written Consent of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services: State and Federal Revenues Off-set with Appropriations: 2009 Recycling Tonnage Grant In the amount of $27,061.88. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the like sum of $27,061.88 is hereby appropriated under the caption of: General Appropriation: (a) Operations Excluded from CAPS State and Federal Program Off-Set by Revenues: 2009 Recycling Tonnage Grant Other Expenses BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above is the result of funds from the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Recycling Fund in the amount of $27,061.88. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses 9/6/11  NO. 317-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the governing body of the City of Hackensack has been advised that and emergency affecting the safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Hackensack and the general public did occur when Emergency Sewer Repairs were needed on Main Street (Lateral Repair); and WHEREAS, the Project Manager notified the City Manager setting forth the circumstances regarding the emergency; and WHEREAS, the governing body is satisfied that an emergency exists and that immediate action is necessary to restore the aforementioned. WHEREAS, the total cost of said repairs is $8,104.75, which was a fair and reasonable quotation; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in current account 1-02-26-311-311-204. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6 which authorizes the governing body to award contracts without benefit of public bidding in emergency situations and the vendor Montana Construction Corp, Inc., 80 Contant Avenue, Lodi, New Jersey, 07644 be paid therefore. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 318-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Hackensack Board of Education desires to secure school nurse services for certain Hackensack non-public schools from the City of Hackensack through an inter-local agreement in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:8A-1 et .seq,; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack’s Department of Health can provide duty qualified personnel to carry out said school nurse services; and WHEREAS, as the Hackensack Board of Education and the City of Hackensack have prepared an inter-local agreement for the provision of said services for the 2011-2012 school year; and WHEREAS, as the maximum amount of this agreement is $18,852; and WHEREAS, it has been certified that this meets the statutes and regulations for the execution of said agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack as follows: 1. That the Mayor and City Clerk be and are hereby authorized and directed to execute an agreement with the Hackensack Board of Education to perform school nurse services for the period September 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. 9/6/11  2. That this agreement be executed without publication or hearing as it is expressly excluded in N.J.S.A. 40: 8A-3. 3. The action of the Mayor and City Clerk in executing said agreement is hereby ratified. 4. That this resolution shall be effective as of September 1, 2011. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 319-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, permission is required of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services for approval as a dedication by rider of revenues received by a municipality when the revenue is not subject to reasonably accurate estimates in advance; and WHEREAS, N.J.S. 40A:4-39 provides for receipt of Unemployment Compensation Insurance by the municipality to provide for the operating costs to administer this act; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-39 provides the dedicated revenues anticipated from the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund are hereby anticipated as revenue and are hereby appropriated for the purpose to which said revenue is dedicated by statute or other legal requirement: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, New Jersey as follows: 1 The Governing Body does hereby request permission of the Director of Division of Local Government Services to pay expenditures of the Unemployment Compensation Insurance Trust Fund. 2. The Clerk of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen is hereby directed to forward two certified copies of this Resolution to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services. Roll Call Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 320-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, a Workers’ Compensation claim brought by a City employee, File Nos. HCK 3875/3876/3536, Claim Petition Nos. 2008-23214/23215/2448, who was injured while in the employ of the City of Hackensack; and WHEREAS, this employee sustained an injury as a result of a job-related activity; and WHEREAS, a Claim Petition was filed on behalf of the City employee; and 9/6/11  WHEREAS, the City has received a recommendation from Bergen Risk Managers, Inc. to settle this matter for a total amount of $30,000.00; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the residents of the City of Hackensack to amicably resolve this matter. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Workers’ Compensation matter, File Nos. HCK 3875/3876/3536, Claim Petition Nos. 2008- 23214/23215/2448, be and the same is hereby approved for settlement in accordance with the recommendation of Bergen Risk Managers, Inc. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 321-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, permission is required of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services for approval as a dedication by rider of revenues received by a municipality when the revenue is not subject to reasonably accurate estimates in advance; and WHEREAS, N.J.S. 40A:10-13 provides for receipt of Workmen’s Compensation Insurance by the municipality to provide for the operating costs to administer this act; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:40-39 provides the dedicated revenues anticipated from the Workmen’s Compensation Trust Fund are hereby anticipated as revenue and are hereby appropriated for the purpose to which said revenue is dedicated by statute or other legal requirement: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, New Jersey as follows: 1. The Governing Body does hereby request permission of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to pay expenditure of the Workmen’s Compensation Insurance Trust Fund. 2. The Clerk of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen is hereby directed to forward two certified copies of this Resolution to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 322-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, pursuant to LPCL 40A:11-6.1 three quotes were received from All American Ford/Isuzu, Able Ford and Paramus Ford for One New 2012 Ford Focus SE; and WHEREAS, the Health Officer advised the Director of Purchasing that he had reviewed such quotations and found that All American Ford’s quotation for One New 2012 Ford Focus SE is reasonable and satisfactory; and 9/6/11  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack award the purchase of One New 2012 Ford Focus SE for the Health Department from All-American Ford, 520 River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601, for the total price of $15,560.00; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief Financial Officer has certified that the funds will be available in current account 1-1-27-330-331-261 in the amount of $15,560.00. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 323-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, 90 Main Street Realty 1998 is the owner and taxpayer of certain real properties designated as Block 204, Lot 11 and Block 206.01, Lot 16; known as 88 Moore Street and 90 Main Street, respectively; and WHEREAS, the taxpayer filed appeals to its 2010 real property tax assessment which matters are presently pending in the Tax Court of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, the yearly assessments were $178,300 for Block 204, Lot 11 and $3,676,200 for Block 206.01, Lot 16; 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 which may be necessary to effectuate the settlement of litigation entitled “90 Main Realty 1998 Marcus Associates v. City of Hackensack”, Docket No: 006053-2010 presently pending in the Tax Court of New Jersey, so that the assessment be set as follow: BLOCK/LOT ORIGINAL NEW YEAR ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT 204/11 $ 178,300 $ 178,300 2010 206/16 3,676,200 2,721,700 2010 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the foregoing settlement is predicated upon a waiver of any interest. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 324-11 9/6/11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the Hackensack Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse(H.A.P.A.D.A.) has proposed a grant in the amount of $16,765 for prospective 2012 funding under the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (G.C.A.D.A.); and WHEREAS, funding will implement seven (7) programs: Keeling-Manning After-School Homework and Support Program, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior Center, After-School Homework and Support Program(s), H.H.S. ATOD Prevention/Education Program, M.S. ATOD Prevention/Education Program, Latino Neighborhood Initiatives, M.S. At-Risk Karate and Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement (T.A.S.E.) Merchant Inspections; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack agrees to develop a comprehensive plan to provide matching funds equivalent to $4,191.00 in cash and $12,574.00 in-kind expenses in addition to the D.E.D.R. Grant award of $16,765.00 designated by the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack will act as the financial agent for the Hackensack Municipal Alliance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack that Mayor Jorge E. Meneses be authorized to sign the grant application jointly with the Chairperson of the Hackensack Municipal Drug Alliance to meet the September 16, 2011 grant deadline. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the County Alliance Coordinator at the Bergen County Health Department, Office of Alcohol and Drug Dependency. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 325-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, permission is required of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services for approval as a dedication by rider of revenues received by a municipality when the revenue is not subject to reasonably accurate estimates in advance; and WHEREAS, N.J.S. 40A:5-29 provides for receipt of Donations for the Fire Department, DARE Program and National Night Out Program by the municipality to provide for the operating costs to administer this act; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-39 provides the dedicated revenues anticipated from Donations for the Fire Department, DARE program and National Night Out program are hereby anticipated as revenue and are hereby appropriated for the purpose to which said revenue is dedicated by statute or other legal requirement: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey as follows: 9/6/11  1. The Governing Body does hereby request permission of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to pay expenditures of the Donations for the Fire Department, DARE Program and National Night Out Program Trust Funds. 2. The Clerk of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen is hereby directed to forward two certified copies of this Resolution to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO.326-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ________________________________________________________________ BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the following organizations be granted permission to conduct a Raffle in accordance with the applications on file in the office of the City Clerk: RA: 1973 Hackensack University Medical Center RA: 1974 Lodi Moose #1971 RA: 1975 St. Joseph’s RC Church RA: 1976 Fairleigh Dickinson University Roll Call - Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 327-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ______________________________________________________________________ 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 reasons stated: AMOUNT BLOCK LOT NAME YEAR REASON $ 5,557.42 2.02 2.03 Selman So. River St. Prop., LLC 2011 Duplicate pymt 3,751.53 128 37 Nashel&Nashel Trust Account For TD Banknorth 2008 STB 28,701.91 100.01 6.01 Bruce J. Stavitsky, Esq. for the Benefit of Rite Aid 2010 STB Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 328-11 9/6/11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE ______________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, there exists in the City of Hackensack a need for the services of a Special Litigation Attorney for the City of Hackensack; and WHEREAS, such professional services will be rendered or performed by a person authorized by law to practice a recognized profession pursuant to N.J.S.A.19:44A-20.4, 20.5, et seq.; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the Fair and Open Process Rule, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et. seq., advertisements for proposals were published on the City of Hackensack’s Web Site, and received and reviewed for the aforementioned professional services which anticipated cost will be over $17,500 per year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack that: (l) The Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, through the City Manager, are hereby authorized and directed to retain the services of Robert S. Dowd, Three University Plaza, Hackensack, New Jersey, to perform the position as Special Litigation Attorney for the City of Hackensack. (2) This contract is awarded pursuant to a fair and open process. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk be and is hereby directed to retain a copy of the contract for public inspection. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso , Melfi, Meneses NO. 329-11 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: LABROSSE _______________________________________________________________ BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack that the following appointments to various boards be made; CONDOMINIUM & COOPERATIVE UNIT OWNERS ADVISORY BOARD Marilyn Santiago is appointed with a term to expire 12/31/2011. ZONING BOARD David Dungey is appointed as an alternate with a term to expire 12/31/2012. LIBRARY BOARD Robin Coles is appointed to replace Kenneth Martin, with a term to expire on 12/31/2011. Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses 9/6/11  A motion was made by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Councilman Labrosse to open the meeting to the public. Kathleen Salvo, 184 Hudson Street, said that at the last meeting a resolution was passed to spend $90,000 of county trust funds for soccer fields in Pulaski Park and that the neighbors do not want them as they will ruin the neighborhood. She said that at Columbus Park no one enforces the soccer permits and asked the Mayor and Council to rescind this resolution. Mrs. Salvo also said that there is a problem with the pumping station on Hudson Street and that the DPW did an excellent job during the storm. She further said that there is a problem with the police department not working on weekends and that the department needs to be run more thoroughly and suggested outside help. Emil Canestrino, Brook Street, said that he has been asking about televising Council meetings and asked for a status report. Mr. Lo Iacono said that he has looked into it and has gotten some prices, but is still looking for someone less expensive. Mr. Canestrino asked if the Council is considering bringing in outside help to run the police department and Mr. Zisa said that it is not appropriate to discuss personnel issues, but that the Council is having discussions pertaining to same. Mr. Canestrino said that he hoped that an outside search be made in order to leave politics out of it. Roslyn Casserta, 450 Jackson Avenue, also voiced her opposition to the creation of soccer fields in Pulaski Park and said that the Council must take care of the problem with the sewers. Anthony Lucente, 315 Clinton Place, said he has lived in Hackensack for forty-five years and spoke about his tax bill which included a 28% increase. Mr. Lo Iacono said that Ms. Coccia had notified him about the situation and that it is being researched. Ms. Losaro, 433 Williams Avenue, also spoke about Pulaski Park and her opposition to the project. Kathy Canestrino, 37 Brook Street, spoke about Officer Ferraioli and asked for attorney’s fees on the matter. Mr. Lo Iacono said that he would get back to her on this. Mrs. Canestrino also said that there are no superior officers on the road between three and five p.m. and Mr. Lo Iacono said that it is unfair to represent that no detectives are available all weekend. Luis Ladlee (sp?), 425 Williams Avenue, also objects to the soccer fields for Pulaski Park and said that people urinate there and sit on his porch. Regina DiPasqua, said that she had missed the memo about the first meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. She said that she had driven up Passaic Street and that the sewers were all blocked and that the City should be more proactive. Ms. DiPasqua asked what the closed session discussion was about and said that it is a violation of the Open Public Meeting Act, but that she would request copies of the closed session minutes. Ms. DiPasqua also questioned resolution no. 322-11 wherein it was stated that the health officer had advised the director of purchasing that he has reviewed the quote, etc. Mr. Lo Iacono said that all department heads review the quotes also. Mr. Zisa said that he disagrees with Ms. DiPasqua and that any discussion involving current personnel is not subject to disclosure. Ms. DiPasqua said that a lot of things that Mr. Zisa thinks are confidential are public in nature. Rosemarie Oceda, 466 Jackson Avenue, said that she is opposed to the soccer field being built in Pulaski Park and that she agrees with everyone who had spoken earlier. She said that the park should be kept for the neighborhood and the neighborhood children. 9/6/11  Mary Branch, 433 Williams Avenue, said that her car is always blocked in on weekdays. She said that the creation of the soccer field would most likely result in her having to park down the street and carry her packages and that she does not want that. A motion was made by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Councilman Townes to close the public portion of the meeting. Mr. Lo Iacono spoke about the issue of soccer fields at Pulaski Park and said that no decision had been made as of yet. He explained that the resolution was to make an application for an open space grant since the recreation director had made a recommendation that small children need a place to play, so they would be mini soccer fields. He further said that nothing has been decided and that the issue will be discussed as the application is not going anywhere for a few months. The intent is to do something for the kids. Councilwoman Sasso said that she wasn’t here for the August 15, 2011 meeting but spoke about the resolution regarding the tenth anniversary of September 11th. She also said that there are several ceremonies going on in the area and mentioned them. Mayor Meneses said that he had gone to the command center on the day of hurricane Irene and that he saw a well run emergency department with everyone working together. He also drove around the City to see the condition of each area and said that compared to the nor’easter of two years ago there was not as much destruction. The Mayor asked Mr. Lo Iacono to tell all department heads that he was very proud of them. He also said that NJ Flood Assistance (211) needs volunteers, but also provides assistance for cleaning out basements and small businesses. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Melfi and seconded by Councilwoman Sasso to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. _________________________________ Mayor Jorge E. Meneses _________________________________ Deputy Mayor Michael R. Melfi ________________________________ Councilwoman Karen K. Sasso _________________________________ Councilman Marlin G. Townes _________________________________ Councilman John P. Labrosse _____________________________ Debra Heck, City Clerk 9/6/11 9/6/11