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 Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at 8:07 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, Councilwoman Karen K. Sasso, Councilman John P. Labrosse, Councilman Marlin G. Townes, City Attorney Joseph C. Zisa and City Manager Stephen Lo Iacono. Approval of the minutes of the April 2, 2012 and April 3, 2012 meetings was held for the next meeting. City Manager’s Report – Mr. Lo Iacono said that he hoped the press would report that there will be a free shredding event on May 5, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the recycling center. Mr. Lo Iacono advised that the remediation work on Linden Street is complete. The tank was removed last week and the City will be using this as a public parking facility. Mr. Lo Iacono also advised that Friday, April 27, 2012 is Arbor Day and that the Shade Tree Commission is planting a tree at Hiller’s School at 9:00 a.m. He also said that the City of Hackensack is being honored for the 20 th year in a row as a “Tree City USA” and will be recognized at a state wide ceremony which will be attended by Councilwoman Sasso. Mr. Lo Iacono announced that New Jersey Transit will be rebuilding the Anderson Street train station. NO. 155-12 OFFERED BY: TOWNES SECONDED BY: LABROSSE FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 7-2012, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 159 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK ENTITLED “TOWERS AND WRECKERS” This ordinance has been advertised pursuant to law and now calls for a public hearing. Will someone so move?” Motion offered by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Deputy Mayor Melfi that there be a public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Melfi and seconded by Councilwoman Sasso 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. 7-2012 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses 4/18/12  ORDINANCE NO. 7-2012 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 159 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK ENTITLED “TOWERS AND WRECKERS” BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey that the following language be added to Chapter 159-4 (2)(a)[1] as follows: (2) Towing charges. (a) Towing charges shall be: [1] For automobiles and motorcycles: $125.00, plus an administrative fee of $25.00 payable to the City of Hackensack. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, SUV’S AND MINI-VANS WITHOUT COMMERCIAL PLATES SHALL BE CONSIDERED AN AUTOMOBILE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ORDINANCE. This Ordinance shall take effect after publication of a Notice of Final Adoption as required by law. NO. 156-12 OFFERED BY: TOWNES SECONDED BY: SASSO FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 8-2012, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 170-50, SCHEDULE 1 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK ENTITLED “PARKING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES” TO PROHIBIT PARKING ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF FRANKLIN STREET BETWEEN WASHINGTON AVENUE AND HUDSON STREET AND ALSO TO PROHIBIT PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF FRANKLIN STREET BETWEEN WASHINGTON AVENUE AND JACKSON AVENUE “This ordinance has been advertised pursuant to law and now calls for a public hearing. Will someone so move?” Motion offered by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Councilman Townes that there be a public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Melfi and seconded by Councilwoman Sasso 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. 8-2012 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. Roll Call: Ayes- Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses 4/18/12  ORDINANCE NO. 8-2012 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY ORDINANCE 2-82 CHAPTER 170-50, SCHEDULE 1, “PARKING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES” TO PROHIBIT PARKING ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF FRANKLIN STREET BETWEEN WASHINGTON AVE AND HUDSON STREET AND ALSO TO PROHIBIT PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF FRANKLIN STREET BETWEEN WASHINGTON AVE AND JACKSON AVE. BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, as follows: Section I Chapter 170-50 “Parking Prohibited at All Times” is amended as follows: Name of Street: Franklin Street Sides: South Location: East Bound Lane between Washington Ave and Hudson Street Name of Street: Franklin Street Sides: North Location: West Bound Lane between Washington Ave and Jackson Ave Section II It is the express intent of this Ordinance to prohibit parking on the south side of Franklin Street between Washington Ave and Hudson Street as well as on the north side of Franklin Street between Washington Ave and Jackson Ave. Section III If any part of this Ordinance is held to be invalid, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. Section IV This article shall become effective immediately upon its final passage and publication as required by law. This Ordinance shall take effect after publication of a Notice of Final Adoption as required by law. NO. 157-12 OFFERED BY: LABROSSE SECONDED BY: SASSO INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 9-2012, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 170-10, ARTICLE II, SECTIONS 170-10, TO ESTABLISH FIFTEEN MINUTE PARKING ON FAIR STREET. BE IT RESOLVED that the above ordinance, being Ordinance 9-2012 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 May 8, 2012 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 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 CITY OF HACKENSACK 4/18/12  ORDINANCE NO. 9-2012 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY ORDINANCE 24-74 CHAPTER 170-10, ARTICLE II, SECTION 170-10 “PARKING TIME LIMITED” TO LIMIT PARKING TO FIFTEEN MINUTES BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:00AM AND 7:00PM ON FAIR STREET NORTH FROM THE INTERSECTION OF KANSAS STREET TO 27 FAIR STREET; AND TO LIMIT PARKING TO TWO HOURS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:00AM AND 7:00PM FROM 23 FAIR STREET NORTH TO ESSEX STREET; PARKING AT NIGHT AFTER 7:00 IS ALLOWED. BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey, as follows: Section I Chapter 170-10 “Parking Time Limited” is amended as follows: Name of Street: Fair Street Sides: West Location: Fair Street north from the intersection of Kansas Street to 27 Fair Street 15 minute parking only between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00pm. Name of Street: Fair Street Sides: West Current Fund $3,447,760.83 Escrow 15,212.51 Grants 31,233.84 Payroll 139,227.10 Self Insurance 88,742.24 Public Parking System 6,626.87 Capital 102,967.83 Trust Account 65,098.88 Location: 23 Fair Street north to Essex Street 2 hour parking only between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm Section II It is the express intent of this Ordinance to limit parking to fifteen minutes between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm on Fair Street north from the intersection of Kansas Street to 27 Fair Street; to limit parking to two hours between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm from 23 Fair Street north to Essex Street; and parking at night after 7:00pm is allowed. Section III If any part of this Ordinance is held to be invalid, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. Section IV This article shall become effective immediately upon its final passage and publication as required by law. This Ordinance shall take effect after publication of a Notice of Final Adoption as required by law. NO. 158-12 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: Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses 4/18/12  At this point in the meeting, Fran Reiner and Doug Doyle were in attendance to present the Main Street Rehabilitation Plan to the public. Councilman Labrosse said that Hackensack will be an exciting place for the next five to ten years and that this is a great undertaking, long needed and awaited. He also congratulated everyone on their hard work. Councilman Townes said that this process started a long time ago and that municipalities need to make a decision about their main streets, which is either to let them go or to build them up. He also said that this is not an easy road as people fear change but hoped that the Planning Board would agree with the plan. Councilwoman Sasso said that the natural order of things is chaos and that we need to take a well thought out approach on things. She also said that this is what the Main Street Business Alliance has been leading up to all of these years and congratulated them. She also said that she is very much in favor of the plan. Deputy Mayor Melfi said that this is an exciting opportunity for the City as we are about to take action on something so significant which will have a major impact on our community. He thanked everyone for their efforts and is hoping that the plan will move forward. Mayor Meneses said that this plan and the tools that go with it will move our City into the future. He said that this Council will be remembered as the Council that took action and made the City much better for the future of our children. The Mayor thanked Jerry Lombardo, Chairman of the Upper Main Alliance and everyone involved. He also said that the plan will transform Main Street and the City over the long term. NO. 159-12 OFFERED BY: SASSO SECONDED BY: MELFI _____________________________________________________________________ RESOLUTION REFERRING THE REHABILITATION PLAN FOR THE MAIN STREET AREA IN NEED OF REHABILITATION TO THE PLANNING BOARD WHEREAS, on March 1, 2011, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 112-11 which authorized an investigation into whether the city blocks and lots listed and marked in cross-hatch on the map entitled “Area in Need of Rehabilitation, City of Hackensack – New Jersey Delineation Map Study Area”, prepared by DMR Architects, dated January 18, 2011 and attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit A, including the portions of the following right of ways that border upon and/or bind together the cross- hatched city blocks and lots: Bergen County Place, Essex Street, State Street, New York Susquehanna / Western Railway, Union Street, Central Avenue, State Street, Ward Street, Anderson Street, Pangborn Place, Clinton Place, Main Street, University Plaza Drive and River Street. i Hereinafter the “Study Area”) constitute an area in need of rehabilitation; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council received and reviewed the report prepared by DMR and dated April 18, 2011 which supported a finding that the Study Area qualified as an area in need of rehabilitation because a majority of the storm water and sanitary sewer infrastructure in the Study Area is at least 50 years old and is in need of repair or substantial maintenance and a program of rehabilitation as defined in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3 may be expected to prevent further deterioration and promote the overall development of the community; and 4/18/12  WHEREAS, the City Council provided the Planning Board with a copy of the resolution designating the Study Area as an area in need of rehabilitation and the Planning Board provided its recommendation dated June 8, 2011; and WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 208-11 on June 21, 2011 wherein it: a) it accepted the recommendations of the Planning Board dated June 8, 2011 and adopted the findings and recommendations of the April 18, 2011 report prepared by DMR; b) declared that the Study Area known as the “Main Street Rehabilitation Area” is an area in need of rehabilitation because a majority of the storm water and sanitary sewer infrastructure in the Study Area is at least 50 years old and is in need of repair or substantial maintenance and a program of rehabilitation as defined in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3 may be expected to prevent further deterioration and promote the overall development of the community; c) directed the City Manager and City Attorney to supervise the undertaking of a planning, engineering and legal analysis to develop a program of rehabilitation for the Main Street Rehabilitation Area, including the preparation of redevelopment plan for the Main Street Rehabilitation Area that complies with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-15; and WHEREAS, a redevelopment plan entitled “City of Hackensack Rehabilitation Plan for the Main Street Area in Need of Rehabilitation” (the “Plan”) has been prepared by DMR Architects for the City of Hackensack and is attached hereto as Exhibit B; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt the Plan as authorized by N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-15 and N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-7 and the City Council hereby refers the Plan to the Planning Board in fulfillment of the referral requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-7. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack as follows: 1. The aforementioned recitals are incorporated herein as though fully set forth. 2. The City Council hereby directs the Planning Board to review the Plan, and transmit a report containing the Planning Board’s recommendation concerning the Plan to the City Council pursuant to the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-7. 3. A copy of this resolution shall be available for public inspection at the offices of the City Clerk. 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses The City Clerk announced 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. 160-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ 4/18/12  WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack has carried on its book balance outstanding checks in the amount of $7,403.02 which are in excess of one year old; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to cancel these outstanding checks in order to place these funds into fund balance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the following outstanding checks are hereby cancelled. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 161-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ 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 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 2012 in the sum of $159,200 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 Revenue Off-set with Appropriations: 2012 NJDOT Local Aid-Main Street (sections 6) In the amount of $159,200 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the like sum of $159,200 is hereby appropriated under the caption of: General Appropriations: (a) Operations Excluded from CAPS State and Federal Programs Off-Set by Revenues: 2012 NJDOT Local Aid-Main Street (section 6) Other Expenses BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above is the result of funds from the State of New Jersey, Department of Transportation in the amount of $159,200. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 162-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the governing body of the City of Hackensack has been advised that an emergency affecting the safety and welfare of the City of Hackensack and the general public did occur when an intersection traffic light repair at State and Passaic Street was needed; and 4/18/12  WHEREAS, the signals department notified the City Manager setting forth the circumstances regarding this emergency; and WHEREAS, the cost of repair was $5,814.67 which is fair and reasonable; and Allan Briteway Electric has supplied all materials and overhead for such; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that funds are available in account 2-01-25-240-242-267; current account. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City of Hackensack pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6 which authorizes the governing body to pay Allan Briteway Electric of 130 Algonquin Parkway, Whippany, New Jersey, 07981 for this emergency and therefore be paid. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 163-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is desirous of entering into an agreement with the State of New Jersey, Department of Children and Families for the use of 104 parking spaces located at Trinity Street – “Area T” and Atlantic Street – “Area A”; and WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey, Department of Children and Families and the City of Hackensack have entered into this agreement in the past; and WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey, Department of Children and Families has agreed to pay $55 per parking space per month for a total cost of $68,640 for the period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013; and WHEREAS, the agreement may be terminated at any time during the term upon 30 days written notice to the City. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and the City of Hackensack is hereby authorized to enter into this agreement with the State of New Jersey, Department of Children and Families for use of parking spaces. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Tammy Zucca, Chief Financial Officer, is authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Hackensack. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 164-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11 (5) authorizes contracting units to establish a Cooperative Pricing System and to enter into Cooperative Pricing Agreements for its administration; and WHEREAS, the City of Englewood, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, hereinafter referred to as the “Lead Agency” has offered voluntary participation in a Cooperative Pricing System for the purchase of goods and services; and WHEREAS, on April 2, 2012 the governing body of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey duly considered participation in a Cooperative Pricing System for the provision and performance of goods and services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows: 4/18/12  1. This resolution shall be known and may be cited as the Cooperative Pricing Resolution of the City of Hackensack. 2. Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(5), the City Manager, Stephen LoIacono, is hereby authorized to enter into a Cooperative Pricing Agreement with the Lead Agency. 3. The Lead Agency shall be responsible for complying with the provisions of the Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.) and all other provisions of the revised statutes of the State of New Jersey. . 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 165-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack wishes to apply for a project under the Safe and Secure Communities Program; and WHEREAS, the Hackensack City Council has reviewed the application and has approved said request; and WHEREAS, the project is a joint effort between the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Applicant Local Unit of Government, for the purpose described in the application. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Hackensack City Council that: 1. As a matter of public policy the Applicant’s Unit of Government wishes to participate to the fullest extent possible with the Department of Law and Public Safety. 2. The Attorney General of New Jersey will receive funds on behalf of the Applicant. 3. The Division of Criminal Justice shall be responsible for the receipt and review of the applications for said funds. 4. The Division of Criminal Justice shall initiate allocations to the applicant as authorized by law. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 166-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack has received change order No. 10 from Kaycon General Contracting, Inc., for the 102 State Street ADA Upgrade, in the credit amount of $24,000.00 for the deletion of the rear stair case from the base bid; and WHEREAS, the contract amount will reflect a credit of $24,000.00 for a new contract total of $412,737.50; and 4/18/12  WHEREAS, the Project Manager has reviewed this change order and has recommended that said change order be approved. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that change order No.10 in the credit amount of $24,000.00 for deletion of the rear stair case from the base bid be approved towards purchase order No. 11-02432 Kaycon General Contracting, Inc., 150 Leuning Street, South Hackensack, New Jersey, 07606. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 167-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, pursuant to LPCL 40A:11-6.1 three quotes were received from Glen Toyota of Fairlawn, Toyota of Hackensack and Muller Toyota-Scion for a 2012 Toyota Sienna for the Police Department for undercover surveillance; and WHEREAS, the A.O.I.C. advised the Director of Purchasing that he had reviewed such quotations and found that Toyota of Hackensack, 278 River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601 is reasonable and satisfactory. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack award the purchase of one 2012 Toyota Sienna from Toyota of Hackensack, 278 River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601 for the total price of $26,694.50; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief Financial Officer has certified that the funds are available in account T-03-56-850-836-801 of the DEA Fund. Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 168-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES ________________________________________________________________ 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: $45.00 is a refund for a Hackensack Youth Volleyball registration fee. Refund to: Mrs. Abigail Pascual 228 Allen Street Hackensack, N.J. 07601 Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses NO. 169-12 OFFERED BY: MELFI SECONDED BY: TOWNES _____________________________________________________________________ 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: 1996 Holy Trinity Church RA: 1997 Holy Trinity Church RA: 1999 Holy Trinity Church RA: 2000 National Council of Jewish Women 4/18/12  Roll Call – Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Melfi, Meneses A motion was made by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Deputy Mayor Melfi to open the meeting to the public. Jerry Lombardo said that he wanted to cheer at the end of the presentation. He said that it is clear how much time and effort and study has gone into the plan and thanked the Mayor and Council and City Manager for their vision and courage. He also said that it has taken eight long years to unravel the problems facing Main Street today but that the plan which is before you will provide the necessary framework to build the Main Street of tomorrow. He said that the plan does not contemplate any eminent domain or taking of property and will create value in the downtown area. It will also generate needed tax ratables and he again thanked the governing body and city manager for their input, leadership and support. Mr. Lombardo also thanked members of the steering committee as well as members of the Main Street Business Alliance. Reverend Carolyn Davis said that she was very excited about this revitalization and congratulated everyone. She told the Council to remember the seniors with benches! Lucy Wildrick of Street Works, who has been a consultant for the Upper Main Alliance, said that this is a wonderful collaborative process. David Sanzari commended Mr. Lombardo and the rest of the Upper Main Street Alliance. He said that the project is long overdue and he truly looks forward to it. A motion was made by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Councilman Townes to close the public portion of the meeting. Councilman Labrosse said that this is a very exciting time and that he can’t wait to see the final results and thanked everyone again. Councilman Townes thanked all of the City’s legal representation and spoke about their valuable assistance. He also spoke about the recent shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida and Mayor Meneses said that they are looking at changing the law in Florida. Councilwoman Sasso said that the rehabilitation plan is very forward thinking. Deputy Mayor Melfi said that he was also very happy to see so many people with a vested interest in our City here and that he is also very excited. He also congratulated everyone in the City for all of their work. The Deputy Mayor also spoke about renovations made to two of the fields in Foschini Park and said that this was done from obtaining grants from the County and the federal government at no cost to taxpayers. Mayor Meneses thanked everyone for coming tonight and said that everyone has wanted to see this project moving forward. He also asked the City Manager to extend his gratitude to City workers for making Hackensack a tree city again. A motion was made by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Deputy Mayor Melfi to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. _____________________________ Mayor Jorge E. Meneses 4/18/12  ______________________________ Deputy Mayor Michael R. Melfi _____________________________ Councilwoman Karen K. Sasso ______________________________ Councilman Marlin G. Townes ______________________________ Councilman John P. Labrosse __________________________ Debra Heck, City Clerk 4/18/12