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, March 8, 2016 at 8:20 p.m. Mayor John Labrosse Jr. called the meeting to order and the City Clerk Deborah Karlsson announced that the meeting was being held in accordance with the Sunshine Law, notice having been published according to law, with a copy on file in the City Clerk’s office, and a copy posted on the bulletin board in City Hall. Attendance Ms. Karlsson called the roll: Mayor John P. Labrosse Jr., Deputy Mayor Kathy Canestrino, Councilman Leonardo Battaglia, Councilman David Sims and Councilwoman Deborah Keeling-Geddis were present. City Manager David Troast was in attendance. Judge Carver was in attendance. Flag Salute Proclamations – National Poison Prevention Week Youth Art Month Women’s History Month Police Department Promotions – Captain Prise, Captain Aquilla Approval of Minutes A motion to approve the C.O.W. and Regular Meeting Minutes from February 23, 2016 was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino, seconded by Councilman Battaglia and approved by Mayor Labrosse, Deputy Mayor Canestrino, Councilman Battaglia, Councilman Sims, and Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis. City Manager’s Report I want to comment about International Women’s History Month, everybody has a mom or grandma or an aunt or somebody who has influenced them. My grandmother has long since passed away but had a tremendous effect on my life by accepting me, who I was, where I was, and how I was and I needed that. Of course my mom and more importantly my bride of almost 37 years, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’ll leave you with this- a happy wife leads to a happy life. Every day is Women’s Day as far as I’m concerned. We are introducing the 2016 budget; the presentation will provide an overview of the 2016 budget. This marks the turning over of the budget process from the CFO and City Manager to the Mayor and Council. We did have a meeting with the Finance Committee several weeks ago which includes two of the Council members. The staff has worked extremely hard to meet the policies of the City Council and Mayor despite the challenges of the past years. A brief overview- in February 2014 Jim Mangin was appointed CFO, in September 2014 I was appointed City Manager, that budget of 2014 had a 6% increase. In 2015, Jim and I along with the Council passed a budget of 3.99% despite having to have bonded millions of dollars for the tax appeals which actually held a lot of the increase. Now in 2016, the budget 03/08/2016 1 that we are turning over to the Council this evening, is at a 2.54% increase and that is in and out of CAP and that includes an extra million and a half a year for the next 7 years on the debt service for the tax appeals. What that equates to is $103.07 on the average assessed home which is $239,263. The professionalism and dedication of Jim Mangin, our CFO, he closely monitors and prepares the budget based on a lot of criteria that the state provides and the Council policies and of course he has to deal with me and multiple department heads wanting to get blood out of a stone. We have done it again. I am so proud of this budget and more importantly of Jim because we are continuing to move this city forward to stabilize property taxes in the city despite all the challenges. I only see a brighter future. We are not even accounting for the additional revenue from redevelopment in the city. We will be in a good position in years to come because of the hard work we have been doing. Thank you Jim. 2016 Budget Presentation CFO- We are characterizing this budget as a turning point which means in 2014 we faced rough waters and we had a hard time developing a budget that would maintain services without a high tax increase which was the city’s history - big spikes of tax increases. So we put some fiscal policies into effect. Our financial problems did not happen overnight. Accountability dictated we should be seeing progress. Those policies were designed to achieve our financial goal which is long term tax stabilization. That is the key to make Hackensack a place to invest in and redevelopment to occur. The first policy is less reliance on surplus as revenue. Prior to 2014 surplus was used too much. The problem with using surplus as revenue is it is unreliable. It is good while you have it but if it’s not there the following year then you have a problem. If the surplus isn’t regenerated than taxes need to be raised to make up for the short fall. We cut that back to only a million dollars, this year 2.7 million which is a number we know we can regenerate. The second policy is we eliminated “revenue at risk,” which is one shot revenue. It is going to be here this year but may not be here next year. If it doesn’t recur then you need to raise taxes to make up for it. We replaced the revenue at risk with recurring, sustained revenues. The third policy is to plan for inevitable expenditures through Trust Funds. These are things we budget for but sometimes we don’t budget enough for them so we have to do an emergency appropriation for them. That drives up the next year’s taxes so we set up a bunch of trust funds to take care of these inevitable expenses. The forth policy is budget accuracy and transparency. What we did was we eliminated budget accounts with no expenditures, tried to include all known expenditures into the budget, and we tried to communicate as much budget information as possible to the public for example all the budgets are on the website including the user-friendly budget, annual financial statements, debt statements, and audits. The fifth policy is debt management to achieve financial goals. In the past the city has been reluctant to issue debt, which leads to significant unresolved tax appeal issues. Without issuing debt, there is no progress in separating the City’s combined sewers. Without issuing debt, there is a deterioration of the City’s infrastructure and the aging of our heavy-duty vehicle fleet. The debt management policy we put into place is to offer short term financing for tax appeals. The next part of the policy is all the capital investments (infrastructure improvements, facility upgrades, equipment such as firetrucks) must remain without in debt service budget. So there becomes no new taxes for capital investments. 03/08/2016 2  Final policy is aggressively attack the tax appeal refund issue. The 2016 Budget goal is to craft a budget that is accurate and sets the framework for long-term tax stability, while providing the funding and planning necessary for redevelopment and community improvements. This year the budget is increased by 2.4 million. The main drivers are debt services, health benefits, insurance, pensions, reserve for tax appeals, and capital. The reserve for uncollected taxes has actually decreased. By doing the accelerated tax sale, we are able to lower the reserve for uncollected taxes. When we look ahead, we see much smoother sailing. We should serve as the financial model for the rest of the county. The policies and practices that we put in the budget show the best really is ahead for us. At this point we turn the budget over to the City Council. The public hearing is April 18, 2016 at 8:00PM. Copies are available in the clerk’s office and it is up on the website. Councilman Battaglia- We were losing money on recycling and not anymore. Deputy Mayor Canestrino- Thank you, excellent presentation, great team effort. It is great to show possible developers that the city has financial stability that is a key component of what had to happen. There have been a number of things that we have uncovered and corrected. Councilman Sims- Great job, a lot of effort was put into this budget. Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis- A few things, the SRO from the BOE is $180,000 for 2 officers? The PILOT for the Housing Authority? CFO- it’s not a PILOT, it’s more like if we complete this formula, then we receive this payment. I don’t have any details on it yet, it’s a Housing Authority thing. One more thing, the surplus regenerated? CFO- It comes from revenue that comes in that we didn’t anticipate in the budget like from when say the budget lapses anything left over from 2015 will go to surplus. It is money that wasn’t spent. 2.7 million is a very conservative number Mayor- It is always better to be conservative with that so we don’t get caught like we have in the past A great job! Based on what you said, every CFO in the county should be thanking you for this model. Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at a symposium about real estate and the development community is paying attention to this city. They are looking and checking on numbers in the city. Thank you to everyone who did their part and did whatever it took to get us to this point. City Manager’s Report (cont.) City Manager- More good news, our brewery in Hackensack has received all its permits and approvals. They are planning an April grand opening. It will be the second brewery in Bergen County, Hackensack’s first. I commend the Council for seeing that vision and making that happen through zoning and planning boards. Looking forward to that! When those details come in, I will share that with the Council. 03/08/2016 3  The next item is we have the possible NJ transit strike; they still haven’t come to an agreement. We have information posted on our website and we have a lot of residents dependent upon public transportation. We will keep them updated on this potential stroke A grant update- on February 8, 2016 the city was awarded $11,408 for recycling in our parks. We will be buying more recycling containers for the parks and instructing the employees on how to pick up and separate recycling. A reminder, please visit the website to see the update on our Performing Arts Center which is coming along well. There is information on the seat tag donation program if that is a charity that you would like to donate to. A motion for a public hearing on the 2016 Main Street Business Alliance Budget offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilman Sims. Public Hearing on 2016 Main Street Business Alliance Budget A motion to open the public hearing part of the meeting was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilman Battaglia. Albert Dib- Patrice Foreman took over as Executive Director of MSBA in September. The budget was approved on January 16, 2016 by the Alliance and was posted on their website. Two Council meetings ago it was introduced and it is here for you tonight. Jerry Lombardo- Congrats to all who are involved on the budget this is the best I have seen yet for the city. As far as the MSBA all our money is raised by special assessment of our own property so we do not use any tax dollars from the city. Patrice Foreman- Thank you to current city administration for their support. The budget for 2016, most programs were carried over from 2015. They are the reason for keeping Main Street looking great and posting signs to show people where to go and where to park. The mission and focus of the Alliance is to enhance business on Main Street, seek development of Main Street, continue to revitalize Main Street, and to reinforce the message if anything is happening on Main Street. In 2016, we want to provide an educational program reaching out to corporate, academic, and community groups of Hackensack and create alliances with them and strengthen collaborations. Thank you for the adoption of our budget and I am looking forward to a productive year! Larry Eisen – If you are not receiving any monies from the city why do you need to present to the Mayor and Council for adoption. CFO answered it is by statute. Ok then congratulations on all the good improvements. Kathleen Salvo – The Main Alliance is doing a good job, but I am concerned about the first block that you see when you come into the city. We need to extend the line. The manager stated that they are looking into that. A motion to close the hearing part of the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilman Battaglia. 03/08/2016 4 Resolutions CITY OF HACKENSACK Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia x x Deputy Mayor Canestrino x x Sims x Keeling- Geddis x Mayor Labrosse x RESOLUTION NO. 93-16 FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 06-2016, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART II ENTITLED “GENERAL LEGISLATION,” CHAPTER 170 ENTITLED “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC” OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK MUNICIPAL CODE TO AMEND SECTION 62 ENTITLED “SCHEDULE XIII: BUS STOPS” This ordinance has been advertised pursuant to law and now calls for a public hearing. Will someone so move?” Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis that there be a public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING – Kathleen Salvo – This bus stop is very important. Don’t know why it was not done sooner. Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilman Battaglia 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. 06-2016 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. CITY OF HACKENSACK ORDINANCE NO. 06-2016 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART II ENTITLED “GENERAL LEGISLATION,” CHAPTER 170 ENTITLED “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC” OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK MUNICIPAL CODE TO AMEND SECTION 62 ENTITLED “SCHEDULE XIII: BUS STOPS” WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2, the governing body of a municipality may make, amend, repeal, and enforce such other ordinances, regulations, rules and by-laws not 03/08/2016 5 contrary to the laws of this state or of the United States, as it may deem necessary and proper for the good of government, order and protection of person and property, and for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare of the municipality and its inhabitants, and as may be necessary to carry into effect the powers and duties conferred and imposed by this subtitle, or by any law; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to amend Chapter 170 entitled “Vehicles and Traffic,” Section 62 entitled “Schedule XIII: Bus Stops” to add and delete bus stops, WHEREAS, the City Council finds it in the City’s best interest to make this change. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, as follows: SECTION 1. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39-4-8(e), the City of Hackensack Municipal Code, Part II entitled “General Legislation,” is amended such that Chapter 170, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic,” Article XIV states: § 170-62. Schedule XIII: Bus Stops. [ADDED STOPS] 1. Along Main Street, northbound on the easterly side thereof at: Between Mercer Street and Atlantic Street (mid-block) Beginning 250 feet south of the southerly curb line of Mercer Street and extending 135 feet southerly therefrom 2. Along Jefferson Street, westbound on the northerly side thereof: Between Main Street and Johnson Avenue (mid-block) Beginning 100 feet east of the easterly curbline of Main Street and extending 135 feet easterly therefrom [DELETED STOPS] 1. Along Main Street, northbound on the easterly side thereof at: Between Mercer Street and Atlantic Street (mid-block) Beginning 380 feet south of the southerly curb line of Mercer Street and extending 135 feet southerly therefrom Section 2: This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage, adoption, and publication in the manner prescribed by law. 03/08/2016 6  Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia x Deputy Mayor Canestrino x x Sims x Keeling- Geddis x x Mayor Labrosse x CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 94-16 FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 07-2016, AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING BLOCK 315 REDEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSISTING OF BLOCK 315, LOT 8, LOT 9, LOT 11, LOT 14, LOTS 15-16, LOT 17, LOT 18, LOT 21, LOT 24, LOT 25, LOT 26, LOT 27, LOT 28.01, LOT 28.02, LOT 29.01, LOT 29.02, LOT 30.01, LOT 30.02, LOT 31, AND LOT 34 This ordinance has been advertised pursuant to law and now calls for a public hearing. Will someone so move?” Motion offered by Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis and seconded by Councilman Battaglia there be a public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING – No one wished to speak at this time. Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis 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. 07-2016 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. CITY OF HACKENSACK ORDINANCE NO. 07-2016 ORDINANCE ADOPTING BLOCK 315 REDEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSISTING OF BLOCK 315, LOT 8, LOT 9, LOT 11, LOT 14, LOTS 15-16, LOT 17, LOT 18, LOT 21, LOT 24, LOT 25, LOT 26, LOT 27, LOT 28.01, LOT 28.02, LOT 29.01, LOT 29.02, LOT 30.01, LOT 30.02, LOT 31, AND LOT 34 WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey (“the City”) is authorized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-5 to determine that a delineated area in the City is an area in need of redevelopment; and WHEREAS, in order to make that determination, the City’s governing body must first authorize its Planning Board to undertake a preliminary investigation to determine whether the 03/08/2016 7 delineated area is a redevelopment area according to the criteria set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-5 and N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 516-15 adopted on December 8, 2015, the City’s governing body authorized and requested that the Planning Board undertake a preliminary investigation (“the Investigation”) to determine whether Block 315, Lot 8 (270 State Street), Lot 9 (276 State Street), Lot 11 (280 State Street), Lot 14 (288 State Street), Lots 15-16 (294-298 State Street), Lot 17 (21 Camden Street), Lot 18 (17 Camden Street), Lot 21 (275-283 Main Street), Lot 24 (271 Main Street), Lot 25 (269 Main Street), Lot 26 (265 Main Street), Lot 27 (263 Main Street), Lot 28.01 (257 Main Street), Lot 28.02 (261 Main Street), Lot 29.01 (255 Main Street), Lot 29.02 (253 ½ Main Street), Lot 30.01 (251 Main Street), Lot 30.02 (253 Main Street), and Lot 31 (245-249 Main Street) (“the Block 315 Area of Investigation”) constitutes an “area in need of redevelopment” for condemnation eligible purposes according to the criteria set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-5 and N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 515-15 adopted on December 8, 2015 (amending Resolution No. 479-15), the City’s governing body also authorized and requested that the Planning Board undertake a preliminary investigation to determine whether various City-owned properties, including in relevant part hereto, Block 315, Lot 34 (Lot D) constitutes an “area in need of redevelopment” according to the criteria set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-5 and N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3; and WHEREAS, consistent with the requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:12A-6, the Planning Board specified and gave notice that on January 13, 2016 a hearing would be held for the purpose of hearing all persons who are interested in or would be affected by a determination that the properties in the Block 315 Area of Investigation, as well as Block 315, Lot 34, are collectively qualified as redevelopment areas as that term is defined in Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq. (“LRHL”); and WHEREAS, DMR prepared a Report of Preliminary Investigation for Determination of an Area in Need of Redevelopment for the Block 315 Area of Investigation (the “Investigation Report”) that was publicly presented after adequate notice before the Planning Board on January 03/08/2016 8 13, 2016, as well as a separate Investigation Report for scattered City-owned properties including Block 315, Lot 34 that was presented after proper notice that same evening; and WHEREAS, the applicable Investigation Reports determined that the Block 315 Area of Investigation and Block 315, Lot 34 evidenced conditions and characteristics that qualify the respective Areas of Investigation as an “area in need of redevelopment” because they collectively satisfied either, and sometimes both, the “d” and “e” criteria of the LRHL under N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-5; and WHEREAS, on January 13, 2016, the Planning Board held a public hearing concerning the above-referenced Areas of Investigation during which Joseph Mecca, Esq. represented the Planning Board of the City; and WHEREAS, on January 13, 2016, the Planning Board received the uncontested testimony of Fran Reiner, L.L.A., P.P. of DMR and Mr. Reiner provided an eye witness account of the conditions that he observed at the Areas of Investigation which confirmed the description of conditions found in the Investigation Reports and Mr. Reiner also gave testimony concerning the relationship of the observed conditions to the redevelopment criteria and the decadent effect that these conditions were having on the surrounding properties; and WHEREAS, the Planning Board hearing was opened to the public on January 13, 2016 for the purpose of hearing all persons who are interested in or would be affected by a determination that the Area of Investigation is a redevelopment area; and WHEREAS, after completing its hearing and investigation of this matter on January 13, 2016, the Planning Board determined to recommend that the City’s governing body designate the respective Areas of Investigation as redevelopment areas because the Investigation Reports and testimony of Fran Reiner provide substantial evidence that the Areas of Investigation meet the criteria enumerated in the Investigation Reports and that the Areas of Investigation are having a decadent effect on surrounding properties; and WHEREAS, on February 23, 2016, the City’s governing body adopted resolutions concurring with the Planning Board’s findings and has determined to designate the respective Areas of Investigation as an “area in need of redevelopment” pursuant to the LRHL; and 03/08/2016 9 WHEREAS, at the direction of the City’s governing body and the Planning Board, DMR has prepared a Redevelopment Plan entitled the “Block 315 Redevelopment Plan” dated January 2016; and WHEREAS, the City’s governing body wishes to adopt the Block 315 Redevelopment Plan for the areas designated in need of redevelopment consisting of Block 315, Lot 8 (270 State Street), Lot 9 (276 State Street), Lot 11 (280 State Street), Lot 14 (288 State Street), Lots 15-16 (294-298 State Street), Lot 17 (21 Camden Street), Lot 18 (17 Camden Street), Lot 21 (275-283 Main Street), Lot 24 (271 Main Street), Lot 25 (269 Main Street), Lot 26 (265 Main Street), Lot 27 (263 Main Street), Lot 28.01 (257 Main Street), Lot 28.02 (261 Main Street), Lot 29.01 (255 Main Street), Lot 29.02 (253 ½ Main Street), Lot 30.01 (251 Main Street), Lot 30.02 (253 Main Street), Lot 31 (245-249 Main Street), and Lot 34 (Lot D) in their entirety; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-7 requires the adoption of redevelopment plans by ordinance with the Planning Board reviewing the plan for consistency with the Master Plan of the City prior to final adoption, which referral has taken place, and a report being returned from the Planning Board as to such consistency with the Master Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Hackensack in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: SECTION 1. Block 315 Redevelopment Plan. The Block 315 Redevelopment Plan prepared by DMR and attached hereto as Exhibit A and by the reference made a part hereof is hereby approved and adopted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.. SECTION 2. Severability. If any section, subsection or paragraph of this ordinance be declared unconstitutional, invalid or inoperative, in whole or in part, by a court of competent jurisdiction, such chapter, section subchapter or paragraph shall to the extent that is not held unconstitutional, invalid or inoperative remain in full force and effect and shall not affect the remainder of this ordinance. 03/08/2016 10  SECTION 3. Repealer. All ordinances and resolutions, and parts of ordinances and resolutions which are inconsistent with provisions of this ordinance shall be, and are hereby, repealed to the extent of any such inconsistency. SECTION 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect after final adoption and approval pursuant to law. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia x x Deputy Mayor Canestrino x Sims x Keeling- Geddis x x Mayor Labrosse x CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 95-16 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 09-2016, AN ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14) BE IT RESOLVED that the above ordinance, being Ordinance 09-2016 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 March 22, 2016 at 8:00 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. CITY OF HACKENSACK ORDINANCE 09-2016 CALENDAR YEAR 2016 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14) 03/08/2016 11  WHEREAS, the Local Government Cap Law, N.J.S A.. 40A:4-45.1 et seq., provides that in the preparation of its annual budget, a municipality shall limit any increase in said budget to 0% unless authorized by ordinance to increase it to 3.5% over the previous year’s final appropriations, subject to certain exceptions; and, WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.15a provides that a municipality may, when authorized by ordinance, appropriate the difference between the amount of its actual final appropriation and the 3.5% percentage rate as an exception to its final appropriations in either of the next two succeeding years; and, WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Hackensack in the County of Bergen finds it advisable and necessary to increase its CY 2016 budget by up to 3.5% over the previous year’s final appropriations, in the interest of promoting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens; and, WHEREAS, the City Council hereby determines that a 3.5% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $2,710,679.02 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap law, is advisable and necessary; and, WHEREAS, the City Council hereby determines that any amount authorized hereinabove that is not appropriated as part of the final budget shall be retained as an exception to final appropriation in either of the next two succeeding years. NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen, a majority of the full authorized membership of this governing body affirmatively concurring, that, in the CY 2016 budget year, the final appropriations of the City of Hackensack shall, in accordance with this ordinance and N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14, be increased by 3.5%, amounting to $2,710,679.02, and that the CY 2016 municipal budget for the City of Hackensack be approved and adopted in accordance with this ordinance; and, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that any amount authorized hereinabove that is not appropriated as part of the final budget shall be retained as an exception to final appropriation in either of the next two succeeding years; and, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that a certified copy of this ordinance as introduced be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services within five (5) days of introduction; and, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that a certified copy of this ordinance upon adoption, with the recorded vote included thereon, be filed with said Director within five (5) days after such adoption. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- X 03/08/2016 12  Geddis Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 96-16 RESOLUTION ADOPTING MAIN STREET BUSINESS ALLIANCE 2016 BUDGET WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A-4-8, as amended, provides that budgets be passed by title only at the time of public hearing if a resolution is passed by not less than a majority of the full governing body, providing that a least one week prior to the date of hearing a complete copy of the approved budget as advertised has been posted in City Hall and copies have been made available by the City Clerk to persons requiring them; and WHEREAS, these two conditions have been met; and WHEREAS, the 2016 Budget for the Main Street Business Alliance was introduced on February 9, 2016; and WHEREAS, the public hearing on said proposed budget was held on March 8, 2016 at 8:00 P.M. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Main Street Business Alliance budget shall be read by title only. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Hackensack that the 2016 Budget of the Main Street Business Alliance in the amount of $360,595 be and is hereby adopted. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 97-16 03/08/2016 13  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TAX COLLECTOR TO CONVERT BELOW CHARGES TO PROPERTY LIENS WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the City of Hackensack finds and declares that N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.14 states in all cases where brush, weeds, including ragweed, dead and dying trees, stumps roots, obnoxious growth, filth, garbage, trash and debris are destroyed or removed from any dwelling or lands under any ordinance adopted pursuant to section 1 of P.L. 1943, c.71 (C.40:48-2.13) or section 1 of P.L. 1994, c.167 (C.40:48-2.13a); and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40:48-2:27 states in all cases where brush, hedges and other plant life are cut from any lands within the limitations of section one hereof under any such ordinance, by or under the direction of an officer of the municipality; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40:65-12 states the governing body may make, amend, repeal, and enforce ordinances to compel the owner or tenant of any lands abutting upon the public highways of the municipality, to remove all snow and ice form the abutting sidewalks and gutters of such highways within twelve hours of daylight after the same shall fall or be formed thereon, and all grass, weeds and impediments therefrom within three days after notice to remove the same, and remove all grass, weeds and impediments from the portion of any street, or highway abutting on such lands, and to provide for imposition of penalties for violation of any impediments by the municipality where the owner or tenant of any such real estate shall fail to remove the same as provided in the ordinance. The cost of removal of any such snow, ice, grass, weeds or impediments from any sidewalk, gutter or public highway by the municipality shall be certified to the governing body of the municipality by the officer in charge thereof; and WHEREAS, by or under the direction of an officer or code enforcement officer of the municipality, such officer or code enforcement officer shall certify the above costs thereof to the governing body, which shall examine the certificate, and if found correct, shall cause the cost as shown thereon to be charged against said dwelling or lands; the amount so charged shall forthwith become a lien upon such dwelling or lands and shall be added to and become and form part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such dwelling or lands, the same to bear interest at the same rate as taxes and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack has maintained the following properties by providing snow and ice removal to the said properties: 199-201 Atlantic Street Block 229 Lot 28 $ 250.00 464 Simons Avenue Block 139 Lot 13 $ 375.00 TOTAL $ 625.00 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the City of Hackensack that the above charges are certified to the Municipal Tax Collector, Elisa Coccia, and she is authorized to convert the above charges to become a lien upon such lands. 03/08/2016 14  Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 98-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TAX REFUNDS 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 $43.00 108 26 Itus Holdings LLC 2016 Overpayment 245 Prospect Ave #17D Hackensack, NJ 07601 $43.00 303 11 Min, Jy & Oh 2016 Overpayment c/o Vatolako LLC 4 Crescent Way Fort Lee, NJ 07024 $4,452.00 608 20 Republic Enterprises 2016 Overpayment Kami Rehanian P.O. Box 9199 Paramus, NJ 07652 $15,262.90 Multiple block & lots Corelogic 2016 Overpayments See worksheet Attn: Tax Refund Dept One Corelogic Dr Westlake, TX 76262 Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Keeling- Geddis X X 03/08/2016 15  Sims X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 99-16 EMERGENCY TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION Prior to the Adoption of the budget Per N.J.S.A. 40A:4-20 WHEREAS, an emergency condition has arisen with respect to the need to make payments for operating expenses prior to the adoption of the budget, and no adequate provision has been made in the 2016 temporary budget for the aforesaid purpose; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-20 provides for the creation of an emergency temporary appropriations for the purpose above mentioned; and WHEREAS, the total emergency temporary appropriations adopted in the year pursuant to the provision of N.J.S.A. 40A:4-20 (Chapter 96, P.L. 1951 amended) including this resolution total $3,752,836. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, (not less than two-thirds of all members therefore affirmatively concurring) that in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:4-20: 1. An emergency temporary appropriation be and the same is hereby made for: TEMPORARY BUDGET APPROPRIATION S&W O/E TOTAL Admin/Exec – O/E 6-01-20-100-100-200 100,000 100,000 Financial Admin – O/E 6-01-20-130-130-200 60,000 60,000 Community Dev – O/E 6-01-22-200-202-200 90,000 90,000 Workers Comp – O/E 6-01-23-215-215-200 600,000 600,000 Snow Removal – O/E 6-01-26-290-291-200 120,000 120,000 DPW - O/E 6-01-26-300-300-200 30,000 30,000 Sewer- O/E 6-01-26-311-311-200 100,000 100,000 Shade Tree – O/E 6-01-26-313-313-200 25,000 25,000 Library 6-01-29-390-390-200 950,000 950,000 Telephone – O/E 6-01-31-440-440-200 60,000 60,000 Sewer – BCUA – O/E 6-01-31-455-455-200 1,600,000 1,600,000 Cons Police Fire Pension 6-01-36-474-474-200 12,836 12,836 DCRP Pension System 6-01-36-476-476-200 5,000 5,000 Total $3,752,836 2. That said emergency appropriation will be provided for in the 2016 operating budget in full. 3. That three certified copies of this resolution be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services 03/08/2016 16  Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Keeling- Geddis X X Sims X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 100-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CITY COMPUTER NETWORK MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack requires a contractor to provide maintenance and support for the City’s various computer servers; and WHEREAS, the City adopted Resolution #15-16 on January 5, 2016 directing the City Manager to solicit Requests for Proposals (RFP’S) for said services; and WHEREAS, proposals were received on January 28, 2016 and reviewed by an Evaluation Committee; and WHEREAS, it was determined that the proposal from JM Technical Services, Inc. was determine to be the most advantageous to the City in light of cost and other factors. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. JM Technical Services, Inc. of 405 Kearny Ave., Kearny, NJ 07032 is hereby awarded a five-year contract in the amount not to exceed: a. $30,600.00 for Year 1 b. $31,500 for Year 2 c. $32,400 for Year 3 d. $33,300 for Year 4 e. $34,200 for Year 5 Said contract to be in accordance with the specifications advertised thereof. 2. A Certification of Funds has been prepared and authorized by the Chief Financial Officer for the said contract assuring that there is a sufficient appropriation to fund the purchases authorized in this resolution as an express and mandatory condition of the award of this contract. Said contract to be contingent upon the appropriations in future years. 3. The City Manager is hereby authorized to sign the contract documents necessary to effectuate the award of this contract. The City Attorney 03/08/2016 17  shall review any and all contractual documents prepared in furtherance of this award. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Member o d Yes No n t Recused Battaglia X X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 101-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR SPECIAL CONFLICT REDEVELOPMENT COUNSEL WHEREAS, it has become necessary for the City of Hackensack (“City”) to engage redevelopment legal counsel in place of the city’s previously assigned redevelopment legal counsel due to a conflict of interest; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack has determined that the cost of the anticipated scope of legal work will not exceed $17,500 between now and December 31, 2016; and WHEREAS, the City finds it in its best interests to maintain competent legal counsel on pressing matters concerning redevelopment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Hackensack, that the City finds it in its best interests to assign Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt & Fader as special redevelopment counsel with compensation not exceed $17,500.00. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute contracts with the above professional service provider; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk be and is hereby directed to retain a copy of the contracts for public inspection. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d 03/08/2016 18  Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X RESOLUTION NO. 102-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CY 2016 BUDGET TO BE READ BY TITLE ONLY WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-8 provides that the budget be read by title only at the time of the public hearing if a resolution is passed by not less than a majority of the full governing body, providing that at least one week prior to the date of hearing a complete copy of the approved municipal budget as advertised has been posted in the Municipal building and copies have been made available by the clerk to persons requiring them; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the CY 2016 Municipal Budget shall be read by title only. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 103-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE 2016 MUNICIPAL BUDGET INTRODUCTION Section 1. Municipal Budget of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen for the Fiscal Year 2016 BE IT RESOLVED, that the following statements of revenues and appropriations shall constitute the Municipal Budget for the Year 2016. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said Budget be published in the Bergen Record in the issue of March 11, 2016. 03/08/2016 19  The Governing Body of the City of Hackensack does hereby approve the following as the Budget for the Year 2016. Notice is hereby given that the Budget and Tax Resolution was approved by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, on March 8, 2016. A Public Hearing on the Budget and Tax Resolution will be held at Council Chambers – City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 8:00 pm at which time and place objections to said Budget and Tax Resolution for the year 2016 may be presented by taxpayers and other interested persons. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 104-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF BILLS 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 $ 2,229,758.18 Grants 2,399.69 Payroll 1,540,321.54 Public Parking System 6,909.65 Capital 82,986.78 Escrow 22,339.37 Trust Account 58,944.83 Total Expenditures 3,943,660.04 Interfunds/Transfers $ 322,785.17 03/08/2016 20  Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 105-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REFUNDS FOR HACKENSACK RECREATION DEPARTMENT 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: $70.00 Youth Basketball Registration fund to: Yolanda Spivey 480 Crestwood Ave. Unit 41 Hackensack, NJ 07601 Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 106-16 03/08/2016 21  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack that the following: CULTURAL ARTS BOARD Appointment for the following member: Glenn MacAfee All for a one year term to expire on 12/31/2016. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 107-16 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HACKENSACK AND THE COUNTY OF BERGEN FOR REIMBURSEMENT FUNDING PURSUANT TO THE 2014 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM WHEREAS, in 2014, the City of Hackensack received approximately $12,267.00 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (“JAG Grant”) for the purpose of acquiring the audio and radar surveillance equipment technology; and WHEREAS, the acquisition of this equipment allowed the Hackensack Police Department to conduct increased levels of enforcement operations, particularly as it related to radar enforcement and undercover operations in and around the City of Hackensack; and WHEREAS, in August 2014, the City was awarded the requested funding for the JAG Grant; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack Police Department then purchased the audio and radar equipment specified in the JAG Grant application and now seeks reimbursement funding pursuant to the terms of the JAG Grant; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is classified as a “disparate jurisdiction” under the terms of the JAG Grant, requiring submission of a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Bergen as a signatory, identifying the fiscal agent and allocation of funds; and WHEREAS, the Memorandum of Understanding must be submitted to the United States Department of Justice in order to receive the reimbursement funding pursuant to the JAG Grant; and 03/08/2016 22  WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack finds that the performance of this Memorandum is in the best interests of the City, that the undertaking will benefit the public and that the division of costs fairly compensates the performing party for the services or functions under this agreement; and WHEREAS, the terms of the JAG Grant specify that the CITY agreed to pay the COUNTY a total of $0.00 of JAG funds received through the 2014 program and under grant # 2014-DJ-BX-0799; and WHEREAS, he terms of the JAG Grant specify that the COUNTY agreed to use $0.00 of funds received through the 2014 program and under grant # 2014-DJ-BX-0799. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey as follows: 1 That the City Manager be and hereby is authorized to enter in into the aforementioned Inter Local Agreement with the County of Bergen. 2 That a copy of this resolution be sent to the City of Hackensack Police Department. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 108-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack that the following: RECREATION BOARD Angelica Meneses Leroy Montgomery Are hereby appointed to a five year term to expire on 12/31/2020 03/08/2016 23  Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Battaglia X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Sims X Keeling- Geddis X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 109-16 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RAFFLE LICENSES 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 #2112 Greater NJ AAZK Alliance Public Comment A motion to open the meeting to the public was offered Councilman Sims and seconded by Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis. Larry Eisen- Hackensack- Congratulations on a successful meeting tonight. The last couple of years the utility company, which I think is Public Service, has been digging up all the streets and as recently as this evening, coming down Central Ave they’re chopping it up for a 2nd time. All of this is wonderful and I appreciate that we need infrastructure but they have been filled in for no more than a few months and everything is sinking… at what point do they becoming responsible? Mayor – We have an Ordinance for when this happens. It has to settle before they can come in to pave. They have to pave the whole side of that street. We do have to give and take a little with planning because it makes no sense if they only pave half so maybe then they pave part and we pave the other half. Richard Cerbo- 46 Spring Valley Avenue- Hackensack- Two weeks ago, Mr. Williams was up here and he bought something up that you said you did not understand. He was mentioning the nice relationship you have with Hackensack University Medical Center. If you treat them so nicely and get along with them, why are they treating the citizens of Hackensack the way they are treating Mr. Williams? You said you didn’t know what he was talking about; I knew what he was talking about. Why do they treat him so poorly 03/08/2016 24 and we treat them so wonderful? Keep that in mind. Also, I want to talk about the budget. When you say long-term, does that mean something like the check is in the mail? It’s a mess. I’ll say it again, figures don’t lie but people lie about figures. I want to get back to that poison thing. It’s a joke. It’s a good thing if it helps them. This whole nation has been poisoned. Recently, the federal government called out the outlaws who poisoned the Passaic River. Why don’t we call in the polluters of the Hackensack River? They need to pay now. People respect and worship money making in this country and it is poisoning us. All the stock piled chemicals after World War II were bought here to make money. Everything has been poisoned. They are using them as fertilizer now. I think we ought to go that route. Walk around Hackensack- it’s a poisoned atmosphere. Mayor- My comments about what Mr. Williams said, I don’t know how his billing and treatment relates to me working at the hospital. I brought my mother-in-law into Hackensack hospital last week and she was in the Emergency Room for 48 hours. My point is I am not getting any special treatment. My mother in law and I were treated no differently than anyone else from Hackensack. When I first ran for council in 2008, I went against them on their cancer center and their destruction of the eight paid fire department positions. I am tired of implications of me working at the hospital having anything to do with how somebody is treated. It is totally irrelevant. Off to poison, you expect the City Council to attack the GE’s of the world for polluting the river, that is a federal issue and these are federal monitored waterways. There is nothing Hackensack can do expect ask the government to help us and we have done that. Pollution in this country is a travesty but small steps like this might save some people’s lives. I think it is very important. Regina DiPasqua- Parker Avenue- Hackensack- I want to follow up, nothing to do with you being at the hospital, what I got from Mr. Williams is that the hospital should have a little more consideration. There’s an article that I just found, the FAA is beginning a new flight path for Teterboro down Route 17. They spoke to somebody at the hospital and they said no one here is aware of a complaint. I live there, there’s a school there, Prospect Ave is there, but the hospital is quoted in this article. They are not the only ones in the neighborhood and this is the issue. Everyone is around them but no one listens to our complaints. It is a residential area, not just a hospital area. I am asking the Council to support this. It’s a residential area where the hospital happens to be. We have an opportunity here and we can support getting it out of our residential area. Mayor – I will make my decision once I see how this goes. The bottom line is there is no way it will not catch a part of Hackensack. There are open groups to the public that you can go to. The schools can’t even teach with their windows open because of the sounds of the planes. Ruth Metzler- 463 Washington Avenue -Hackensack- I agree with Regina about the planes. They come over Jackson Avenue school so low it’s a wonder they don’t land on the roof. Something has to be done about this. I sat in the park, and counted twenty or so planes come in within an hour over the school. Mayor- The airport is not going away unfortunately. They’ve been here for years. They have improved on the decibel level themselves but the best thing to do is to call the hotline to complain. 03/08/2016 25 Kathleen Salvo-Hudson Street- Hackensack- When Teterboro first came, what they did is you called to complain. We all just became oblivious to the sound. The original plan was to air condition and sound proof Jackson Ave School and also St Francis and Hillers and the Superintendent said that they did not have the money for it. Just like the lights that I am waiting for, people just forget about it. Getting back to the Upper Main Street Alliance what do we have to do to get the entire Main Street part of it? Can we do that? We need to incorporate that one block. We don’t need light studies for those lights. You are going to lose that insurance money for that. Otherwise, we, the taxpayers, are going to be stuck paying for it. People don’t recycle and we lose money on that. You don’t supply them with the right container. You need ones that don’t blow over the street. We need to do a recycling program. It’s so simple. Perry Jackson- 167 Central Avenue- Hackensack- Tax assessment evaluation is good and it helps with the future. Hopefully it will level itself out. The airport is going to be part of the business venture; it’s a lot of corporate and business jets flying in and out. Maybe Bank of America can come back to Main Street. Location, location, location for business. I’m hoping the Upper Main Street Alliance will continue to reach out to businesses and the businesses reach out to them and there will be that connect which is necessary for business to strive and do well in the future. You have great prospects here and it’s really laid out and it’s becoming concrete. Just wait and see and be a part of the venture and the growth of Hackensack. Mr. Williams- Hackensack- I’d like to ask a question- What are the rules and regulations of a three story building for fire escapes for public buildings? I was in a building and I went to use the stairs and they said all the stairs were locked. I complained about it and they gave me a hard time. I am just curious. Mayor- that depends on the situation, some places have a fire alarm system where if the fire alarm goes off, those doors would release magnetically. I don’t know if that’s in the building you are talking about. There are certain circumstances where doors should be locked, like if it’s a high security area. The staff has keys to unlock in an emergency. A motion to close the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis. Council Comments Councilman Battaglia- Congratulations to the police officers who were promoted, the principals of the schools and all the ladies. Thank you to Jim for the good job you did on the budget. Kathy and I, we go to your office and we ask questions about different numbers because we are trained to be fiscally responsible. The numbers are right there, maybe by 2020 we will pay all these tax appeals and maybe the tax rate will be flat or have a slight increase. The city will eventually be in better shape because of this. Deputy Mayor Canestrino- Congratulations to our new Police Captains and I know all of us wish them continued success. It is nice to see folks work their way through the ranks. Women’s history month I believe we have many women working for our city that should be honored. I applaud your successful careers and the difference you all make here every day. Jim, thanks for an excellent budget presentation as always. Leo and I are the representatives for the council on the finance committee and it’s a wonderful 03/08/2016 26 working relationship and helps us be part of this. In 2014, the budget increased more than 4%, 2015 less than 4% and now, less than 3%. If the cost of living increases, the prices go up. The goal is to do the best for the residents and the plan is to have realistic goals to get to this point. We have good news about Cablevision and public access channel 76. We will publish the times once we have them but we should get two time slots a week. A few things on redevelopment- 94 State Street has CO’s for their lobby and 1 st and 2nd floors now. They have great security and the apartments are lovely. There are 25 people living there now and 40 rented so far. They are looking to get CO’s for the 3rd floor soon. That’s great news. 210 Main Street, a gorgeous building, we were there celebrating the start of their demolition. They will be converting it from an old bank to lovely apartments. Again, very good news to see progress happening. Have a good night! Councilman Sims- Congratulations to the Captains appointed tonight, I know that you will do what’s right. To the principals who were honored here tonight, our youth depend on you. The senior’s St. Patrick’s Day luncheon is Thursday March 17th, doors open at 12 noon. I don’t know how many tickets are left at the Rec. The Easter egg hunt will be Monday March 21. There will be 2 sessions: Toddlers - 5 year olds first and then 6 to 10 year olds 2 nd starting at 4PM. Baseball registration sign up is between 10AM and 4PM at the Rec. Open swim started back up and is open Wednesdays 6 to 8PM and ends June 22, 2016. Thanks Jim for great presentation and congratulations to the boys’ basketball team for winning the championship. Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis- I’d like to thank Jim and David for the presentation of the budget. You make it easy for us to understand. I agree with what everyone said and want to add that the cultural arts board will have our first meeting Monday March 14, 2016 at 7pm here and you are all welcome to come. Mayor Labrosse- The cultural arts board is really going to be great with entertainment and shows and art displays. I had mentioned I went to the NAIOP meeting in New Brunswick and it is mind boggling what they have done to New Brunswick. You used to not want to walk through it but they have done so much now. It is a model to follow. The people in that group know what’s going on in Hackensack and that’s good news that we are being recognized. I want to congratulate all the officers who are being recognized, great job and looking forward to seeing the changes in police. Kathy mentioned the groundbreaking ceremony on Main Street. It is amazing what they will be doing to that building. It is iconic. When you think of Main Street, you think of two things- the Johnson Public Library and that building. It was considered a skyscraper back in 1926 when it was built. It is art deco and the lobby is amazing. The group that is doing it is the Hollister group. Jim, the budget, great job, you made it easy to understand. Hackensack volunteer ambulance- someone mentioned about giving them stuff in the budget. They are self-funded. They collect insurance money- they are not free. I don’t want the city to be involved in their funding or budget. They are doing fine the way they are and there is no need to interfere with what they are doing. The Cultural Arts Building - we saw earlier some renderings of what is happening there, it is moving along well. Tonight a question was answered that we have been wondering about for years- the elevator trust fund. We always wondered what it was and tonight we now know. Alementary, I wish it was open tonight. It is going to be a nice place- strange location but there is parking down there. It’s really about production and sales but there will be tastings. Channel 76 was long time overdue. It might be shown at 8 in the morning and midnight but if you have to you can DVR to 03/08/2016 27 record it. Basketball last night- great job. At halftime we were down and we came back in the 3rd and ended up winning by 3 points. Morristown is a tough team. Kudos to Coach Taylor and his staff and the kids. That’s the 2 nd sectional championship in the past few years. Thanks! We appreciate you all coming out. A motion to close the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilwoman Keeling-Geddis. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:52 p.m. Approved by Mayor and Council on March 22, 2016. ______________________________________ Mayor John P. Labrosse, Jr. ______________________________________ Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino ______________________________________ Councilman Leonardo Battaglia ______________________________________ Councilman David Sims ______________________________________ Councilwoman Deborah Keeling-Geddis ________________________________ Deborah Karlsson, City Clerk 03/08/2016 28