City Council

The Reorganization Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hackensack was held at City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, on July 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. The City Clerk called the meeting to order and 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.” The City Clerk called the roll: Present – Mayor Jorge E. Meneses, Deputy Mayor Michael Melfi, Councilman Marlin G. Townes, Councilman John P. Labrosse, Councilwoman Karen K. Sasso, City Attorney Robert Hitscherich and City Manager Stephen Lo Iacono. Mayor Meneses asked everyone to stand for the flag salute. Father Brian Tomlinson gave the invocation. Mayor Meneses said that it had been a hectic year and he spoke about the rehabilitation plan for Main Street and said that it will revitalize our downtown and City. He further said that meetings had already been held with potential developers. The Mayor also thanked Father Tomlinson and thanked all department heads, the city clerk and Bob Hitscherich who was in attendance due to the absence of the City Attorney. The Mayor thanked Mr. Lo Iacono and the Council for their support during the past year. Mayor Meneses also introduced his parents, brother and sister and girlfriend for their support, as well as his children. The City Clerk read a letter of resignation submitted by Mayor Meneses effective June 30, 2012. The City Clerk then distributed ballots to the Council for them to cast their votes for the Mayor’s position. The City Clerk collected the ballots and there were four votes for Deputy Mayor Melfi and one vote for Councilwoman Sasso. Councilman Labrosse said that he had cast the vote for Councilwoman Sasso as he felt that she did a great job of being Mayor in the past. Mayor Melfi was sworn in by Congressman Scott Garrett as his family looked on. Mayor Melfi said that the chair is more worn than last time. He thanked everyone including Congressman Garrett, County Executive Kathe Donovan, Father Brian, citizens, department heads and his family for being in attendance this evening. Mayor Melfi also thanked Mayor Meneses for his service as Mayor. The Mayor also said that it is a true honor to serve the City as Mayor again and spoke about accomplishments that had been made by the Council including the abandoned property ordinance, significant improvements in the parks, the establishment of a number of shared service agreements with other municipalities and the creation of the rehabilitation plan for Main Street. Mayor Melfi said that this is the first step needed for our new downtown. He also said that there had been a great team working here in the City. Mayor Melfi thanked his family, including his wife and two sons and said that being a council member takes a lot of time and that some things need to be sacrificed. However, he said that he welcomes the opportunity to serve the City and make this a better place for our 44,000 residents over the next year.  NO. 246-12 OFFERED BY: MENESES SECONDED BY: SASSO ________________________________________________________________ BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that Marlin G. Townes be and is hereby designated to act in place and instead of Michael R. Melfi, as Mayor of the City of Hackensack and that he be given the title Deputy Mayor of the City of Hackensack and that there be conferred upon him all rights and privileges incident to his appointment. Roll Call: Ayes - Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Meneses, Melfi Deputy Mayor Townes was sworn in by his son, Marlin Townes, Esq. He thanked his family and said that he could not have gotten through these last seven years without them. He also thanked all of the City employees and said that without them nothing would get done. He further thanked Mark Stein, Jack Zisa and Mike D’Arminio and said that this is what makes Hackensack what it is. County Executive Kathe Donovan came to speak to the Council and make a presentation to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on behalf of the 905,000 residents of Bergen County. NO. 247-12 OFFERED BY: LABROSSE SECONDED BY: SASSO _______________________________________________________________ BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the appointment of Councilman John P. Labrosse, Jr., as Council representative to the Local Assistance Board, for a one year term, made by the City Manager, be confirmed. Roll Call: Ayes – Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Meneses, Melfi NO. 248-12 OFFERED BY: LABROSSE SECONDED BY: SASSO _______________________________________________________________ BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that Councilwoman Karen K. Sasso be appointed as a Planning Board Class III member. Roll Call: Ayes – Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Meneses, Melfi NO. 249-12 OFFERED BY: LABROSSE SECONDED BY: SASSO ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, R.S. 40:2-35 provides that monies held in any separate fund shall be treated as monies held in trust and shall not be diverted to any other purpose.  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following banks be made the depositories for various accounts effective immediately; Bank of New Jersey Capital One Bank TD Bank Lakeland Bank Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank of America TD Bank North MBIA Class Program New Jersey Cash Management New Jersey Asset & Rebate Management Program PNC Bank Pascack Community Bank/Hackensack Valley National Bank Oritani Savings Bank Washington Mutual Mariner’s Bank North Jersey Community Bank Bank of Hackensack Greater Community Bank BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Custodian shall be Tammy Zucca and that all disbursements shall be made by checks signed by Mayor Michael R. Melfi, City Treasurer Tammy Zucca and City Clerk Debra Heck or in her absence City Treasurer Tammy Zucca. Roll Call: Ayes- Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Meneses, Melfi NO. 250-12 OFFERED BY: LABROSSE SECONDED BY: SASSO ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, NJS 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 $131,828.80 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: 2012 Summer Food Program in the amount of $131,828.80  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the like sum of $131,828.80 is hereby appropriated under the caption of : General Appropriations: (a) Operations Excluded from CAPS State and Federal Programs Off-Set by Revenues: 2012 Summer Food Program - Other Expenses BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above is the result of funds from the State of New Jersey, Department of Agriculture in the amount of $131,828.80. Roll Call: Ayes- Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Meneses, Melfi NO. 251-12 OFFERED BY: LABROSSE SECONDED BY: SASSO ________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, NJS 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 $18,956.00 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: 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program in the amount of $18,956.00 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the like sum of $18,956.00 is hereby appropriated under the caption of : General Appropriations: (a) Operations Excluded from CAPS State and Federal Programs Off-Set by Revenues: 2010 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program Other Expenses BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above is the result of funds from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the amount of $18,956.00. Roll Call: Ayes- Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Meneses, Melfi  NO. 252-12 OFFERED BY: LABROSSE SECONDED BY: SASSO ________________________________________________________________ BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the following liquor license be issued in the City of Hackensack, effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, applicant having complied with the ordinances of the City of Hackensack and any special conditions which may be determined by the City Council, and having paid the required fee: 0223-33-062-006 Green Grill, Inc. $1500.00 450 Hackensack Avenue Roll Call - Ayes: Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Meneses, Melfi NO. 253-12 OFFERED BY: LABROSSE SECONDED BY: SASSO _______________________________________________________________ BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that Councilman Jorge E. Meneses be appointed to the Library Board to serve as an Alternate for the Mayor when necessary. Roll Call: Ayes – Labrosse, Townes, Sasso, Meneses, Melfi A motion was made by Councilman Meneses and seconded by Deputy Mayor Townes to open the meeting to the public. Chief Freeman thanked the Mayor and Council and former Mayor Meneses for their tremendous support of the Fire Department. He said that he was looking forward to working with everyone again this year. Interim Police Chief Tomas Padilla spoke on behalf of the Police Department and said that there is a restored cooperation between the police and fire departments. He thanked the Mayor and Council for putting their faith in him and said that he will continue to do the best he can not to let them down. He also added special thanks to former Mayor Meneses and said that they are both from Colombia and they are proud of this. Joe Mellone offered his congratulations to everyone and said that there has been a flurry of activity in the Building department. He further said that he welcomes all new developers who have been meeting with him on almost a daily basis and thanked the Council for supporting his department. Congressman Scott Garrett offered his congratulations and said that if there was any way that he could be helpful to the Council to please call him. Darlene Damstrom, Executive Chairman of the Hackensack Chamber of Commerce said that she looks forward to another wonderful year. Greg Liosi, Superintendent of Recreation, thanked the entire Council and especially Mayor Melfi for guidance and vision for our parks and recreation department and also said that he is looking forward to working with the Council again this year.  Tim Hoffmann, former president of the graduating class of Hackensack High School said that the Council has the support of his administration and the entire school system. He also said that he wished everyone the best. Jerry Some offered his congratulations to Mayor Melfi as he is sworn in for the second time as Mayor and made a presentation to him on behalf of the Main Street Business Alliance of an official insignia of the USMC as well as a sculpture of a US Marine in uniform which he said looks just like the Mayor. Mr. Some also said that the City is going to explode and that the Council is providing a situation where the City of Hackensack will be renowned throughout the State of New Jersey and the United States. Sid Wilson, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees at Bergen Community College congratulated former Mayor Meneses and said that he looks forward to the continuing collaboration between the City and the College. Mr. Lo Iacono said that he is sure that it will be an eventful year on the positive side and said that at times it was a very difficult year. He also said that Mayor Meneses had led the town through some of its darkest days but that he is leaving office on a higher note with the Main Street rehabilitation project ready to move forward. He also said that all of the Council members are committed to doing whatever needs to be done. A motion was made by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Deputy Mayor Townes to close the public portion of the meeting. Further acknowledgements of officials that were sitting in the audience were made. Former Mayor Meneses told Mayor Melfi that whatever he needs during the year don’t hesitate to let me know and I will be there. Councilwoman Sasso said that the community will miss Father Tomlinson a lot as he is relocating soon. She also said to Deputy Mayor Townes how much better can it be that you can see your children come up and swear you in! The Councilwoman also said that it had been a tough year but said that it had been wonderful to sit with Mayor Meneses as he steered the Council through the year with dignity and respect. She also wished Marlin and Mike congratulations and said that she would continue to help them in any way that she could. Deputy Mayor Townes said that there is only one year to go and urged the Council to keep up the momentum. Councilman Labrosse congratulated former Mayor Meneses and said that it had been a tough year with its ups and downs. He also congratulated Mayor Melfi and Deputy Mayor Townes and all of the City employees. Councilman Labrosse said that Mr. Some is right, the City is going to explode and that there is tremendous work coming down the road for Hackensack and that he is looking forward to working with everyone. Mayor Melfi thanked Father Tomlinson for everything that he had done for the City and said that it was great to have the opportunity to get to know him. He also wished him the best of luck in his future assignment. Mayor Melfi also thanked everyone for coming tonight and said that the City is at a great point with the redevelopment ordinance that was passed and that a lot will happen.  A motion was made by Councilwoman Sasso and seconded by Councilman Meneses to close the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Father Brian Tomlinson gave the benediction. ___________________________________ MAYOR MICHAEL R. MELFI ________________________________ DEPUTY MAYOR MARLIN G. TOWNES, JR. ________________________________ COUNCILMAN JORGE MENESES. _________________________________ COUNCILWOMAN KAREN K. SASSO _________________________________ COUNCILMAN JOHN P. LABROSSE, JR. _________________________________ DEBRA HECK, CITY CLERK