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 October 24, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. Mayor John Labrosse 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 Labrosse, Deputy Mayor Canestrino, Deputy Mayor Sims, Councilman Battaglia and Councilwoman Von Rudenborg were present. City Manager Ted Ehrenburg was present. City Attorney Steve Kleinman was present. Flag Salute Proclamations and Presentations – Pastoral Care Week, Breast Cancer Awareness Month Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the C.O.W and Regular Meeting Minutes from September 12, 2017 was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino, seconded by Councilman Battaglia and approved by Deputy Mayor Canestrino, Deputy Mayor Sims, Councilman Battaglia and Councilwoman Von Rudenborg. Mayor Labrosse abstained as he was absent for the September 12, 2017 C.O.W. Meeting. A motion to approve the C.O.W. and Regular Meeting Minutes from September 26, 2017 was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino, seconded by Councilman Battaglia, and approved by Mayor Labrosse, Deputy Mayor Canestrino, Deputy Mayor Sims, Councilman Battaglia, and Councilwoman Von Rudenborg. City Manager’s Report The two way conversion is still under way. We are hoping to have all of the construction done by Thanksgiving. Our traffic engineer will be doing the inspections and paying attention to the details. Then we will reassess what worked for us before we start the conversion of Main Street. Main Street will bring a few more challenges than what we were exposed to with State Street. All leaves should be placed in brown recyclable bags. Each resident can pick up a free bundle of bags at the DPW. It is not mandatory but the EPA is asking for compliance because the leaves get into the drains and cause silt and other conditions which effect storm water management. Eventually this will be the protocol. On Saturday October 28, 2017 at 8AM, there will be a goal setting meeting that the public is invited to. I’ve solicited goals from department heads, employees, the Mayor and Council. We are trying to establish the goals that the city needs and make sure we identify these goals, fund them, and then process that. The city will always have issues and needs to address and by setting goals and establishing those goals, we can all work to achieve them. I have used this in other municipalities and it has been successful. The HPAC ribbon cutting date was changed and will be determined but has not been established yet. The Midtown Bridge Approach completion has been impacted due to delays of the delivery of steel bridge components. The material supply delay pushes the project completion date back to approximately 90 days to February of 10/24/2017 1 2018 and the county expects the bridge to be open to traffic at that time. The contractor will have to return in the spring to complete items that cannot be completed in the winter months. The crosswalks for the ADA dropped curbs, there was some conversation in the past about adding new crosswalks and the implementation of them. Just painting crosswalks isn’t the only solution that the city has to consider. We have identified that there will need to be a study done and I would suggest that it comes from our engineer. $45,000 per location for plan specs and construction is the cost for some of these intersections. Some of these intersections are Prospect and Golf, Prospect and Berry, Prospect and American Legion Drive, Summit and Berry, Polifly from Lodi Street to the Rt. 80 exit ramp, Polifly from Lodi Street to Essex, Essex and Summit to Esplanade. No crosswalks on long streets are a real problem so they have to be studied and they have to be safe. Mid-block crosswalks are very dangerous. They can cost as much as a $100,000 or more for proper sidewalk improvements to either include flashing beacon lights or hawk signals depending on the results. The city of Hackensack is committed to doing this the right way. There is obviously a cost associated with that and none of it was implemented or set aside for 2017. This is a safety issue and we will have our engineers look into it and come up with a price on how we can make this city safer. We are trying to make this better but it takes some time. I think the city will be better year by year because of the input we get from residents and the commitment of the Mayor and Council. Resolutions Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 379-17 FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 34-2017, AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE ORDINANCE NO. 27-2017 ADOPTING THE CONTINENTAL PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSISTING OF BLOCK 512.01, LOT 6; BLOCK 513, LOT 1; AND BLOCK 514, LOT 1 “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 Councilman Battaglia that there be a public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING – No One Wished To Speak. Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Sims and seconded by Deputy Mayor Canestrino 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. 34-2017 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. CITY OF HACKENSACK 10/24/2017 2  ORDINANCE NO. 34-2017 ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING ORDINANCE NO. 27-2017 ADOPTING THE CONTINENTAL PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSISTING OF BLOCK 512.01, LOT 6; BLOCK 513, LOT 1; AND BLOCK 514, LOT 1 WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack (“the City”) is authorized pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14 to determine that a delineated area in the City is an area in need of rehabilitation; and WHEREAS, in order to make that determination, the governing body must first authorize the City’s Planning Board to undertake a preliminary investigation to determine whether a proposed area is a rehabilitation area according to the criteria set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3 and -14; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 470-16, on December 6, 2016, the governing body authorized and requested that the Planning Board to undertake a preliminary investigation (“the Investigation”) to determine whether Block 512.01, Lot 6; Block 513, Lot 1; and Block 514, Lot 1 (“the Area of Investigation”) constitute an “area in need of rehabilitation” as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3 and -14; and WHEREAS, the governing body also authorized its planning consultant, DMR Architects (“DMR”) to assist the Planning Board in the Investigation and the Planning Board appointed DMR to conduct the necessary redevelopment investigation; and WHEREAS, consistent with the requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:12A-3 and -14, the Planning Board specified and gave notice that, on March 8, 2017 and April 12, 2017, hearings 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 Area of Investigation are a rehabilitation area 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 Area of Investigation” (the “Investigation Report”) that was publicly presented after adequate notice before the Planning Board on March 8, 2017 and April 12, 2017; and WHEREAS, the Investigation Report determined that the Area of Investigation evidences conditions and characteristics that qualify the Area of Investigation as an “area in need of rehabilitation” satisfying the (a)(1) and (a)(4) criteria under N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-14; and 10/24/2017 3  WHEREAS, on March 8, 2017 and April 12, 2017, the Planning Board held public hearings concerning the Area of Investigation during which Joseph Mecca, Esq. represented the Planning Board of the City; and WHEREAS, on March 8, 2017 and April 12, 2017, the Planning Board received the uncontested testimony of Francis Reiner, L.L.A., P.P. of DMR, and Mr. Reiner provided an eye witness account of the conditions that he observed at the Area of Investigation which confirmed the description of conditions found in the Investigation Report, and Mr. Reiner also gave testimony concerning the relationship of the observed conditions to the rehabilitation criteria and the decadent effect that these conditions were having on the surrounding properties; and WHEREAS, the Planning Board hearings on March 8, 2017 and April 12, 2017 were open to the public 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 rehabilitation area; and WHEREAS, after completing its hearing and investigation of this matter, on April 12, 2017, the Planning Board adopted a resolution recommending that the Mayor and City Council designate the Area of Investigation as a rehabilitation area because the Investigation Report and testimony of Mr. Reiner provide substantial evidence that the Area of Investigation meets the statutory criteria and that the Area of Investigation is having a decadent effect on surrounding properties; and WHEREAS, pursuant to a Resolution No. 304-17 adopted on August 22, 2017, governing body concurs with the Planning Board’s findings and determined to designate the Area of Investigation as an “area in need of rehabilitation” pursuant to the LRHL; and WHEREAS, at the direction of the governing body and the Planning Board, DMR has prepared a Redevelopment Plan entitled “Continental Plaza Redevelopment Plan” dated September 2017; and WHEREAS, the governing body wishes to adopt the Continental Plaza Redevelopment Plan for the area designated in need of rehabilitation consisting of Block 512.01, Lot 6; Block 513, Lot 1; and Block 514, Lot 1; 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; and 10/24/2017 4  WHEREAS, on September 12, 2017, the City of Hackensack (“the City”) inadvertently adopted Ordinance No. 27-2017 prior to the Planning Board being able to complete its master plan conformance review due to a heavy meeting agenda; and WHEREAS, the City is, therefore, repealing Ordinance No. 27-2017 and replacing it pursuant to this ordinance to adopt the Continental Plaza Redevelopment Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the governing body of the City of Hackensack in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: SECTION 1. Continental Plaza Redevelopment Plan. The Continental Plaza 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. 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, including specifically Ordinance No. 27-2017, which has been repealed in its entirety. SECTION 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect after final adoption and approval pursuant to law. Introduced: September 26, 2017 Adopted: October 24, 2017 Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 380-17 RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HACKENSACK AND THE HACKENSACK SCHOOL TRAFFIC GUARDS 10/24/2017 5  (TEAMSTERS LOCAL 97 OF NEW JERSEY) FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2017 – JUNE 30, 2018 WHEREAS, the Agreement between the City of Hackensack (“Hackensack”) and the Hackensack School Traffic Guards (Teamsters Local 97 of New Jersey) (the “Union”) expired on December 31, 2016; and WHEREAS, Hackensack and the Union have engaged in ongoing negotiations to discuss and agree upon the terms and conditions of a successor Agreement; and WHEREAS, Hackensack and the Union have agreed upon the terms of a successor Agreement for the term January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018; WHEREAS, Hackensack wishes to memorialize its approval of the terms and conditions of the successor Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the Agreement as between the City of Hackensack and Hackensack School Traffic Guards (Teamsters Local 97 of New Jersey) for the period of January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, be and hereby is APPROVED; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager, the City Attorney, and the City Labor Counsel are authorized to take all appropriate actions so as to implement this Resolution. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 381-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TAX COLLECTOR TO CONVERT BELOW CHARGES TO PROPERTY LIENS FOR 219 WILSON AVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,950.00 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 10/24/2017 6 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 the removal of trash, weeds, tree debris, grass and lawn maintenance to the said properties: SEPTEMBER 2017 09/13/17 Invoice# 219 Wilson Avenue (1996) BLOCK: 595 LOT: 35 $ 5,950.00 TOTAL $ 5,950.00 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. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 382-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXEMPTION FOR 1 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE (LATIN AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD, INC.) FOR 2017 TAX YEAR 100% 10/24/2017 7  AND THEREAFTER ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY STATE STATUE 54:04.30 WHEREAS, 1 Fairmount Avenue shall be tax exempt for tax year 2017, according to New Jersey state law this aforementioned property is entitled to full exemption; and WHEREAS, the Tax Assessor will make this property, 1 Fairmount Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, Block 519 Lot 56, 100% Tax Exempt for 2017 and thereafter according to New Jersey State Statue 54:04-03.30. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that property taxes for 1 Fairmount Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, Block 519 Lot 56, should be canceled for the full year 2017 and any portion that was paid should be refunded back to the property owner, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tax Collector is hereby authorized to cancel the taxes for 1 Fairmount Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, Block 519 Lot 56, for tax year 2017 in the amount of $29,437.30 and refund the property owner $21,398.77. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 383-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TAX REFUNDS FOR OVERPAYMENT 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 PROP LOC $4,117.17 121 62 Brijmohan, 2017 Over payment Lakhram & Vijayashree 166 Ames St 166 Ames St Hackensack, NJ 07601 $1,790.47 341 8 C007A Yaminifar, Anoush & 2017 Over payment Rassa, Fariba 326 Prospect Ave #7A 326 Prospect Ave #7A Hackensack, NJ 07601 10/24/2017 8  Council Intr Secon Abstai Abse Recuse Member o d Yes No n nt d Von Rudenbor g X Deputy Mayor Canestrin o X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 384-17 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 $ 4,044,473.23 Grants 6,272.50 Payroll 1,557,166.51 Public Parking System 5,237.41 Capital 241,786.13 Escrow 194,959.86 Trust Account 20,797.62 Total Expenditures 6,670,783.26 Interfunds/Transfers $ 385,805.21 Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 385-17 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION ENTITLED SARA MALVASIA v. CITY OF HACKENSACK, ET AL, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY, CASE NUMBER 2:17-CV-02520-ES-SCM 10/24/2017 9  WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack (“City”) is a defendant in a lawsuit (Case Number 2:17-CV-02520-ES-SCM) (“Lawsuit”) filed by Plaintiff Sara Malvasia (“Plaintiff”); and WHEREAS, the Plaintiff has asserted various claims in the Lawsuit relating to her employment with the City, the City has denied same, and the matter remains pending in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, the claims adjusters and the defense attorneys for the City have negotiated and along with the City Attorney have recommended an amicable resolution and settlement of Plaintiff’s claims, including Plaintiff’s release of all claims against the City; and WHEREAS, the City is desirous of avoiding the cost and expense of further litigation; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council desire to approve and enter a General Settlement and Release (“Agreement”); and WHEREAS, the settlement is not an admission of fault or wrongdoing by the City, but it is proposed to fully resolve all disputed claims between the parties without the cost and expense of a trial and potential exposure to the City to significant legal fees, costs, and a potential award for damages. 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. The above recitals are hereby incorporated as if restated herein in full. 2. The Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack find and determine that it is in the best interests of the City to accept the recommendation of its claims adjusters, defense attorneys, and City Attorney and settle the Lawsuit. 3. The settlement of the Lawsuit is hereby approved and accepted in satisfaction of all claims, subject to such additions, deletions, modifications or amendments deemed necessary by the Mayor and/or the City Manager in their discretion in consultation with counsel, which additions, deletions, modifications or amendments do not alter the substantive rights and obligations of the parties thereto. The City is authorized to execute the Agreement and to take all other necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the Agreement. 4. The City Manager, City Attorney, and the City’s defense attorneys are authorized and directed to take all necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the settlement. 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. 10/24/2017 10  Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 386-17 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: $50.00 Polifly Park Security Deposit Refund to: Usha Sharma 101 Prospect Avenue Apt 6A Hackensack, NJ 07601 $50.00 Staib Park Security Deposit Refund to: Jenna Hanratty 292 Parker Avenue 1st Floor Hackensack, NJ 07601 Refund to: Matias Lanfranchi 291 Standish Avenue Hackensack, NJ 07601 $50.00 Foschini Park Security Deposit Refund to: Maywood Karate 168 Palsa Avenue Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X 10/24/2017 11  Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 387-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK IN THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR MUTUAL AID PLAN AND RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE WITHIN BERGEN COUNTY WHEREAS, the Police Departments in Bergen County have a day to day responsibility to provide for the security of lives and property, for the maintenance and preservation of the public peace and order; and WHEREAS, Law Enforcement Officials also have a responsibility to provide for the preparedness against natural emergencies, such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, major storms, etc., manmade causes, civil unrest, and civil disobedience such as riots, strikes, jail or prison riots, train wrecks, aircraft crashes, major fires, disorder riots, terrorism incidents and bombings, State and National emergencies; and WHEREAS, the Bergen County Police Chief’s Association has proposed a Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force to deal with these emergencies; and WHEREAS, the Plan is adopted in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.1, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-156.4, and N.J.S.A. Ap. A: 9-40.6; and WHEREAS, this Plan will provide a uniform procedure for the coordination of the requesting, dispatching, and utilization of law enforcement personnel and equipment whenever a local law enforcement agency requires mutual aid assistance from any other jurisdiction, both contiguous and non-contiguous, in the event of an emergency, riot, or disorder in order to protect life and property; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack to participate in a Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force in accordance with the plan submitted by the Bergen County Police Chief’s Association. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack that the Hackensack Police Department, under the direction the Officer in Charge, cooperate with the Bergen County Police Chief’s Association to create an Interlocal Services Agreement with all municipalities in the County of Bergen to put into place the Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the County Executive, the Board of Chosen Freeholders, the County Prosecutor, the County Sheriff, the County Chief of Police and all Bergen County Municipalities. 10/24/2017 12  Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 388-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF LIQUOR LICENSES – POCKET LICENSES – 12:39 SPECIAL RULING 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, 2017 through June 30, 2018, applicants 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: 0223-33-055-008 Big Al’s, LLC (Pocket License) $1,800.00 Mailing Address: 5-09 3rd Street Fairlawn, NJ 07410 0223-44-066-006 Kaku LLC (Pocket License) $1,350.00 4 Crane Place Spotswood, NJ 08884 Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor X 10/24/2017 13  Labrosse CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 389-17 RESOLUTION TO CORRECT RESOLUTION 358-17 AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF GENNETTE DIAMANTI’S FAMILY LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR AN ADDITIONAL THREE WEEKS WITH RETURN TO WORK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2017 WHEREAS, Gennette Diamanti, has requested an extension of her Family Leave of Absence without pay for three weeks from October 16, 2017 to November 6, 2017 for bonding with her newborn child; and WHEREAS, Gennette Diamanti has made known her desire to utilize accumulated sick and vacation time in accordance with City policy; and WHEREAS, City Manager, Ted Ehrenburg has determined that this employee be granted a Family Leave of Absence extension for three weeks without pay, from October 16, 2017 to November 6, 2017. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, that Gennette Diamanti, be granted a Family Leave of Absence extension for three weeks, without pay, as requested; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this Resolution is forwarded to the employee’s pension system by the Chief Financial Officer. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 390-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF ESCROW – 2 UNIVERSITY PLAZA IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,106.36 WHEREAS, a request has been received for the return of any Professional Review Escrow funds for the project known as 2 University Plaza; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that the balance of escrow funds remaining for this project is $5,106.36; and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of a certification as to the completeness of the project from the Building / Land Use Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen that the Chief Financial Officer is hereby directed to return the balance of Professional Review Escrow Funds in the amount of $5,106.36 to Verizon Communications, Inc. of 500 Technology Dr., Weldon Spring, MO 63304. 10/24/2017 14  Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 391-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF ESCROW – 29 LINDEN STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,595.00 WHEREAS, a request has been received for the return of any Professional Review Escrow funds for the project known as 29 Linden St.; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that the balance of escrow funds remaining for this project is $4,595.00; and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of a certification as to the completeness of the project from the Building / Land Use Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen that the Chief Financial Officer is hereby directed to return the balance of Professional Review Escrow Funds in the amount of $4,595.00 to Verizon Communications, Inc. of 500 Technology Dr., Weldon Spring, MO 63304. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 392-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF ESCROW – 60 KANSAS STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,260.00 WHEREAS, a request has been received for the return of any Professional Review Escrow funds for the project known as 60 Kansas St.; and 10/24/2017 15  WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that the balance of escrow funds remaining for this project is $1,260.00; and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of a certification as to the completeness of the project from the Building / Land Use Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen that the Chief Financial Officer is hereby directed to return the balance of Professional Review Escrow Funds in the amount of $1,260.00 to Verizon Communications, Inc. of 500 Technology Dr., Weldon Spring, MO 63304. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 393-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF ESCROW – 74 BYRNE STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,505.00 WHEREAS, a request has been received for the return of any Professional Review Escrow funds for the project known as 74 Byrne St.; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that the balance of escrow funds remaining for this project is $1,505.00; and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of a certification as to the completeness of the project from the Building / Land Use Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen that the Chief Financial Officer is hereby directed to return the balance of Professional Review Escrow Funds in the amount of $1,505.00 to Dianne Spagnulo of 74 Byrne St., Hackensack, N.J. 07601. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X 10/24/2017 16  Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 394-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF ESCROW – 100 POLIFLY ROAD IN THE AMOUNT OF $372.50 WHEREAS, a request has been received for the return of any Professional Review Escrow funds for the project known as 100 Polifly Rd.; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that the balance of escrow funds remaining for this project is $372.50; and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of a certification as to the completeness of the project from the Building / Land Use Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen that the Chief Financial Officer is hereby directed to return the balance of Professional Review Escrow Funds in the amount of $372.50 to Verizon Communications, Inc. of 500 Technology Dr., Weldon Spring, MO 63304. Council Intr Secon Abstai Absen Recuse Member o d Yes No n t d Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X Deputy Mayor Sims X X Battaglia X X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 395-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF ESCROW – 433 HACKENSACK AVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $27.36 WHEREAS, a request has been received for the return of any Professional Review Escrow funds for the project known as 433 Hackensack Ave.; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that the balance of escrow funds remaining for this project is $27.36; and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of a certification as to the completeness of the project from the Building / Land Use Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen that the Chief Financial Officer is hereby directed to return the balance of Professional Review Escrow Funds in 10/24/2017 17 the amount of $27.36 to Verizon Communications, Inc. of 500 Technology Dr., Weldon Spring, MO 63304. Public Comment A motion to open the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilwoman Von Rudenborg. Ryan Roy – Saddle Brook – I was here a few months ago and I am here tonight to address Councilwoman Von Rudenborg. I was hoping we could create the Access for All Committee for the City of Hackensack because we want to create a community that interlinks families with children who have special needs, people with disabilities, and especially senior citizens. We want to involve Mayor Labrosse, police, EMS, and fire departments and even recreation because it is important to create a barrier-free place for people with disabilities. You are redeveloping all the streets and sidewalks to be ADA compliant and I really appreciate all the things you are doing. As an autism advocate, it is important that this goes through because it will really make a difference. Mary Walsh – Davis Avenue - Hackensack – I was appointed as a Shade Tree member. I thought I would put my responsibilities into action and talk about the open space near St. Francis School. According to the Master Plan, you have to provide sufficient space for a variety of recreational uses and open space to meet the needs of all citizens. Putting in a building of this size at the expense of those who can’t speak for themselves, mainly the children who play in the park, does not meet the needs of this body. The Master Plan also says you are to promote the conservation of open space to prevent degradation of the environment through improper use of land. By knocking down the trees and putting down concrete, you are asking for flooding. Another aspect of the Master Plan is to maintain and enhance the quality of established neighborhoods. A park where kids can play certainly maintains the quality of that neighborhood. Perhaps you can revisit the plan. Kathleen Salvo – Lodi Street – Hackensack – We need a resolution regarding the recommendation of the Planning Board to commit for the M&M Building. We had to have the review by the Planning Board and now we are back to square one and it needs a resolution because you are expending public funds. What is going on? Are we doing it, not doing it? Nobody has committed to say what’s going on; I would like a resolution regarding a recommendation from the Planning Board to commit. You are not transparent. We need a resolution saying we are doing it. The Planning Board recommended that you listen to the people. You are going against that. The Planning Board said we recommend the Mayor and Council listen to what the residents say. All the residents filled the room and I wish it was filmed. It was $8 million not $6 million. I would like a professional traffic study done in that area. We cannot rely on Fran. He fudged numbers and there is no fire zone. I know we need a professional traffic study. There is no safety involved at all. Before you do this study, I recommend you do a professional traffic study. There are going to be 200 people and no fire zone. You can’t navigate the turns on the corner. The parking spots are all not available because the residents have them. I recommend a professional safety study be done. Joanna Calle – De Wolf Place – Hackensack - I run a state wide organization NJ Alliance for Immigration Justice, working on immigrants ICE issues in NJ. We have been working with multiple municipalities across the state to make them fair and welcoming. Jersey City is one of them; many others have also done so. I sent an email to the city manager to set up an interview. We have immigrant rights groups out of Hackensack and in Bergen County that are 10/24/2017 18 working on what policies can be put in place. Many communities have informal policies but it is very important to put these into code and make sure the policies and protocols actually follow constitutional rights but also make sure that they do not oppose state and federal law. There is a lot you guys can do. You can put clear protocols on your policy on police interaction with communities and ICE. We have seen cases where police have lied to federal agents and end up violating people’s constitutional rights because they work with ICE. You can establish policies that make sure people will not be discriminated against based on their race or identity. You can establish a municipal ID program. We have about 12 cities in the state that have done so. It is a great way of supporting community efforts. You can commit to resources. I know you already have ESL and citizenship classes out of the library. There is a lot you can add to that. There are actual concrete things you can do besides symbolic gestures saying you care about immigrants. One thing that could be done is establish a commission which will work with the city to implement these policies and make sure they are done right. Many immigrants in Hackensack are afraid to call the police, to come to the city for programs and resources, for other ways to interact with the city which actually makes us less safe because the further into the shadows we drive people the less likely they are to work with us to make the city better. We have done the research, we have worked with national organizations that are willing to support your efforts as well and I am here as a resource for that. Thank you. Mayor Labrosse replied – I personally think it is a great idea and if we could set up a meeting with your organization it would be great. Patricia Henry – Spring Valley Avenue - Hackensack – I am a member of this alliance and I am only going to address a specific portion of the issue given the time. Given the current environment, I truly believe that as residents of the city we need to stick together and support each other whenever we can. I want to address the need for local police and government agencies to have a clearly written official policy that will codify these practices and make it clear for the public and the police how they should interact with immigrant community members and ICE. The city can take actions without running into conflict with federal or state law and that is supported by research from the ACLU and other national organizations when our police departments interact with immigrants, immigration law enforcement officers, and victims or witnesses of crime, they need to know exactly what their responsibilities are as officers of this city, not as employees of ICE. This includes understanding visa certifications and witnesses of crime to apply for immigration relief. Some examples of actions that the city can take without running into any conflict with federal or state laws or policy are one that the city of Hackensack and law enforcement officials and agents should not enter into agreements with the federal government that would deputize local law enforcement officers to act as ICE agents. Our law enforcement agents should not participate in joint operations with ICE for example setting up traffic stops or raids for purposes of immigration enforcement. Our law enforcement agents should not stop, arrest, or detain people based on perceived or actual immigration status. They should not be profiled. Being undocumented is not a crime. They should not arrest, detain, or transfer individuals based on warrantless immigration detainers or administrative warrants which they have attempted to do. ICE agents often use these when in fact they are not enforceable. The only warrants they can use against an immigrant are judicial that are signed by certain judges. Often they present warrants that look very official and they are not enforceable. The City and police department should not allow ICE access to our city facilities or property or databases. Our immigrant families in the city are being terrorized by the ICE activities under the current federal administration. Some families are so afraid of being picked up and detained by ICE that they are keeping their children out of school, not attending church, not shopping in local shops. They are victims of crime and witnesses of crime and not 10/24/2017 19 coming forward because they are afraid they will be detained. The children are traumatized of their parents being deported. We need all our citizens to have a good relationship with the police department, one of security and trust. The police are here to protect all of us. City Manager replied – All of this that you’ve identified, are any of these conditions present within the Hackensack Police Department that you are reporting? When you read this into the record it almost makes the public, that watch this, think that these conditions exist in the city of Hackensack and I am making the disclaimer publicly that those conditions do not exist. I understand you are trying to safeguard these people but I want people to know that these conditions do not exist in this city and on this police department. We are 100% supportive of the culture of this city. I applaud your efforts but I want to make sure people know that these conditions don’t exist here because everyone who works here works hard to make it a better city and a unified city and it doesn’t matter where you were born or where you came from but we are all working towards that effort and that goal. Ms. Henry replied – I am not aware of any present conditions or issues. The point is that we need it in writing. Mayor Labrosse replied – I agree and that is why we will have a meeting about this but I also agree with the City Manager and if police officers see this, they might feel they are being attacked in some way. Pedra DelVeccio – Spring Valley Avenue – Hackensack – I am adding my voice although I am happy to see such a receptive response to this issue. In our City we are fair and welcoming which is the term that we are using. Across the state we have a governor election coming up and being a sanctuary state is a lightning rod topic. We need to go on the record in Hackensack and talk about it. There is no such thing as a sanctuary city, ICE can come in and detain immigrants. It is our goal to continue Hackensack’s unwritten policy of not using local law enforcement to do federal work. We do appreciate that. We just would like to make it official. We have some nice programs at the library and I would love to see that expanded. Peter Jameson – Euclid Avenue – Hackensack – I want to thank you for your time this evening. I want to thank you for your service, as I see your service unfold in this city; I am very pleased with what I see. I am a member of the Hackensack Immigrant Strategy group which is an offshoot of the Bergen County Immigration Strategy group which is an offshoot of the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice. I also work with Bergen People Power which is an offshoot of the ACLU Freedom Cities Campaign. I am going to read a statement: today I rise to speak to you about the fear in our community and how fair and welcoming policies can help because of the recent crackdown by the federal government, some residents in Hackensack are demonstrably in fear on our very streets, not somewhere in a faraway city. Some of our businesses say business is down because people are afraid to come out. We have heard reports that our medical clinic BVMI has received cancellations because of this fear. Where will this stop? When children can no longer go to school? This may get worse with ICE and the administration in 2018. There are simple cost-effective ways you can help. Immigrants and other vulnerable populations often lack a government-issued photo ID card and as a result that face challenges. They face difficulty in cashing checks, registering children for school, picking up children from school, filling prescriptions, or visiting doctors. Residents without identification can feel at risk or become frightened when they interact with police. They may not report a crime or become a witness. Without ID, immigrants, homeless individuals, foster youths, senior citizens, transgender citizens, recent inmates, and others cannot show where they live. Municipal ID cards are a simple, easy, and effective solution to this problem. The equipment is not expensive and the program can pay for itself with fees collected as they are 10/24/2017 20 issued. Municipalities across the county have launched ID card programs. In New Jersey, 12 to 14 cities and towns already have this. Tonight you have heard about fair and welcoming policies, I hope Hackensack can institute them and codify them. I am a supporter of the police department, I report things, and I try to be an effective citizen. I hope that Hackensack can codify this stuff because how do we know what is going on. We know for a fact that immigrants are not coming out. Mayor Labrosse replied - You mentioned other towns have the ID cards. Could you make sure we know what towns are doing it so we can reach out to them and see about following some of their protocols? You can give the information to the city manager and we can discuss it more at the meeting. Thank you. Jose Martinez – Hackensack – I am 84 years old and I have lived in the city of Hackensack for 50 years. I have lived in this house 47 years. I have come here maybe three times ever because I don’t give complaints easily. My complaint is about property taxes because they are hurting me. Someone sent a letter and it said they got an increase $25. My increase was $785 which is $65 dollars a month. I remember when I would pay $100. There were no high rise apartments. The city was nice and beautiful and now it is noisy and there is traffic and planes all around. Every time you raise taxes you take food from my table because my social security is $1,105 every month and property tax is $755 every month so I only have $250 every month. I am 84 years old and have to continue working every day to make a living. This is not the American dream. Something is wrong. It doesn’t matter if you are Republican or Democrat. They told me there is no increase in the cost of living so my benefit stays the same. Every time you take something from my table. In the winter, I cannot put the heat on in the home. You have to do something. The city needs to be run by economy people, not politicians. You have to do something better. Mayor Labrosse replied – With your increase, it comes to about $85 a month. The city tax is not the only tax you get. The school tax went up; probably about $60 of your increase went to the schools. You also have the county tax. It is a bigger city than when you moved here years ago. The population has increased tremendously over the past 50 years. Things have changed but that is progress. We are working on something with our CFO for seniors who are on social security. If it is below a certain amount, they will get a tax break. It will take a little while to institute it but that is our plan. We need to come up with a number that is fair to everybody and that the city can handle. I pay taxes too. A lot of people think Mayors and Councils are becoming rich. I make $13,000 and the Council members make $10,400. Richard Cerbo – Spring Valley Avenue – Hackensack – John Marshall, our Supreme Court Justice from the past said that the power to tax involves the power to destroy. Again, the wishes of the Planning Board were to relocate the M&M Building and I think you are going against that and it is wrong. The people’s wishes are to not have it in that neighborhood. I think maybe something is needed if you are going forward with it and spend the public’s money. I have a problem with no more discussion about tax abatements. No one wants to talk about it. No PILOT money is coming in at all and when is someone going to pay some taxes on the developments to help alleviate the costs to the homeowners? The hospital, it is a good time to negotiate the for or non- profit realization. Why not negotiate with them now? We want to praise them but the third cause of death in the United States is hospital mistakes. They need to come out and say what’s going on there. There are over 400,000 deaths in the United States attributed to hospital mistakes and all we hear is praise for the medical center. There is a lot that is not so great there. The public is being censored. We only have three minutes. We are going to talk about things you don’t want to talk about. 10/24/2017 21 Deputy Mayor Canestrino replied – Abatements are paid when buildings get issues CO’s. The only project that has opened is the one on State and Warren and they are making their payments. We have had one other residential property open on Polifly called The Vue and that is a fully taxable entity. Those two are contributing to the tax dollars in the city. To build these projects takes time. I think by 2019 we will see a significant improvement in the funds for these properties. As far as Hackensack Medical Center, the city is having a meeting tomorrow again to talk about finances. We continue to pursue this as we always do with the Medical Center. Mayor Labrosse replied – I just want to remind you that both the school and the city get paid the land tax all the time even though the building is not up and that is divided between the city, school, and county. Caseen Gaines – Dewolf Place – Hackensack – I just want to clarify the property taxes. It hit my ear that out of the $85 dollar rise, $60 if it comes from the school. I pulled up the numbers and the average home in Hackensack in 2016-2017 is seeing a $6.73 per month increase due to the school budget. I am curious where you get your numbers from? I just want to be clear for everyone who is listening that the assessed value is not the responsibility of the school system. Just because his taxes went up does not mean the school taxes went up. That is not the fault of the school system; that is the result of reassessments. Deputy Mayor Canestrino replied – You have to take multiple things into consideration. You have to look at the assessed value of the property and if it has changed which is the reality of life. You are not taking into consideration that the school budget increased by $5 million which is a large amount and much larger than most years. On an average, every tax payer in the city, two-thirds of the increase is attributed to the school increase. From 2015 to 2016 most of the people on average saw a reduction in their taxes both from the school and city side because of the full reassessment that was done throughout the city. We are doing rolling assessments throughout the city so adjustments will be made. It is still the responsibility of the city and the school system to control their expenditures and keep increases to a minimum. Mr. Gaines continued –The gentleman who was talking about the total increase for his annual taxes is not solely the responsibility of the school system. The school budget increasing by $5 million is the same 2% that it is always. Deputy Mayor Canestrino replied – $5 million dollars is more than 2%. You have a budget that is a little over $100 million dollars so a $5 million increase is over 2%. In addition to that, the school received additional funding of $2 million and we were hoping that $2 million would be applied to offset the $5 million and help the taxpayers. That is the choice of the Board of Education. Mayor Labrosse replied – I just want to add, there is no disrespect to the school. They have some major projects going on this year and that is why these numbers are so high. Mr. Gaines is 100% correct; the assessed values are not the school’s business to assess properties, that is our business and we do that. That is why we have done the rolling assessments and why we have close to $33 million in tax appeals. Everybody got their share of that – the school and the county got their share of that. The city pays that back, not the school. It affects our budget. We have to bond for that money with the Local Finance Board to pay these back. Deputy Mayor Canestrino replied – We are not being critical of money being spent on our children. Our youth is our future but we do have to attribute where that money is coming from and these are the facts and the numbers. 10/24/2017 22 The public accepted this information and voted on it and these are the wishes on the residents but we have to accept the responsibility that it is a contributing factor to the increase in taxes. Robert Marini – Dumont – I am an executor to two properties right around the corner from the M&M Building. I have been here in the past. Residents in that area do not want that M&M Building expansion. I was here for the Planning Board meeting and they also made a proposal that this Council should not have that building expanded. Apparently it does not seem to be working. Like Kathleen Salvo said, I think a traffic study should be done because of the layout of that area. It will be detrimental to that area and the children. There should be a traffic study before you proceed with what you want to do. No one else wished to speak. A motion to close the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Deputy Mayor Sims. Council Comments Councilwoman Von Rudenborg – I would be honored to work with Ryan Roy in any way possible. I taught special education for the past 12 years and it is close to my heart. Any way possible I look forward to working with you. I am on the Library Board and we meet and talk about what courses we offer and if you want to discuss any additional courses that could be offered at the library for immigrants, I would be happy to sit with the director about it. I attended the Hackensack Alliance meeting this past month and it went well. They will be hosting some town hall meetings. On November 16, 2017 from 7PM to 9PM at the High School they have a presentation from the DARE Officer of the Year about the opioid crisis. I attended the Halloween party at the Rec Center this past Saturday and it was a great time. The Library had a Halloween haunted house and it was a hit, it was very crowded. Next year we will work on a better way to handle all the kids who wanted to attend. Regarding safety and the crosswalks, I was speaking to a resident last week and he had a lot of accolades for the City Manager and the response to getting the crosswalks there just the response times and getting back to him and his questions addressing his needs. He wanted me to mention that tonight. Have a good night. Deputy Mayor Canestrino - One thing in particular on the agenda tonight was the Continental Plaza rehab plan. There are three towers there and they are aging. The current owners are going to do a total renovation on two of the towers and keeping it as office space and the third they are looking at having retail on the first level and have residential above that. It is a step in the right direction. They are aging and not contributing as much as they have the potential to do. Tomorrow is the meeting with the FAA at the airport at 7PMon Moonachie Avenue. I will be there and hope to see some residents there. It is an important meeting and they will be presenting alternate flight paths for us. The Performing Arts Center opening night is November 11, 2017 and it is sold out. We were able to have the artists do a matinee on Sunday November 12, 2017 at 3PM so anyone interested there are still tickets available on the website. On November 11, 2017 we will be supporting Veteran’s Day at 11AM on the Green. It is wonderful to recognize those who keep us safe in this country. Our goal setting meeting is Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 8AM in an effort to be transparent, Ted has collected information from the Council, department heads, what types of things we should be looking at for the next few years, things that need to be done. The public is invited to come and share their opinions as well. Have a nice evening, thanks for coming. 10/24/2017 23 Deputy Mayor Sims – Last Saturday I joined the Girl Scout Troop 5786 putting pink ribbons around trees on Summit Ave in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last week we had three restaurants open up – a Dominican one on Essex Street, an Argentinian one on Main Street and a Phillipino charcoal grill on Central Avenue. I love my city. Last week I attended the Halloween party at the library. They made it into a haunted house with spider webs, and face painting, and a maze downstairs. It was wonderful. The sad part is they were at capacity and there were hundreds of kids outside who couldn’t get in. Hopefully next year they come up with a plan. Slam Dunk the Junk is on October 28, 2017 at 9AM and various groups will clean up different parks in the city. James Irwin for the past few years has been pushing to raise the smoking age and on November 1, 2017 that will go into effect. Stores will not be able to sell cigarettes to anyone under the age of 21. I want to wish Happy Birthday to the Mayor tonight and Allison tomorrow. On Monday the Mayor, Kathy, and myself are going to South Orange for the 2017 Planning Excellence Award reception for Atlantic Street Park being nominated for the Great Place award. Today is a sad but good day, my dad passed away a year ago today and this hat is in honor of him. He is in a great place, he is not suffering anymore. I would like to have a moment of silence for him. Thank you. Councilman Battaglia – We have to continue to inspect the city trees. Today we had trees down all over the city. We have one more railroad crossing to go. I have said many times we need to talk to PSEG to improve the lighting. We need to try to control the speeding on different streets especially around the school. We should use the speed bumps to make people slow down. We received a report from Bright View Engineering and I suggest we put that type of report on the website so the residents know what is going on with repairs and inspections and what is getting done. Thank you for coming. Councilman Sims – Just a reminder we are having a ground breaking ceremony this Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 11AM at the M&M Building. Mayor Labrosse – Next week we are getting honored for Atlantic Street Park for a Best Places award. Kudos to DMR and the vision to everybody involved. Speaking of making the streets safer, tomorrow I have a meeting with Street Smarts and our Police Department is working with them for the next four months on a campaign aimed at making travel safer for pedestrians in the city. It focuses on education, being aware, not being distracted while driving. It is dangerous to text and drive or use your phone and drive. It kicks off tomorrow at 10:30AM at the hospital. They will be giving out tickets for jaywalking. It is dangerous to put crosswalks in the middle of the road. By the hospital they put up the crosswalk about 100 yards from the intersection. Even though there are signs there and blinking lights, people don’t stop. The Esplanade there is five blocks or more without a crosswalk. You have a school there as well. It is very dangerous. The leaf bags we need a push on. I really urge the citizens to give this a shot. We need to make an effort. With the wind today, tons of leaves are in the sewer drains and that is how we end up with flooding. The HACPAC is opening on November 11, 2017 with its first show. The school – we need to work together and I am looking forward to working together with the Board of Ed. We know the school has new projects this year and that’s why the taxes are up. They are doing a major renovation of the high school fields which are well needed. These are necessities and the city also spends money because we all know it takes money to keep things running. Immigration – I am looking forward to working hand in hand with you guys. I was never in favor of any police department becoming ICE agents especially ours. We go by the Attorney General guidelines for the state of NJ and that should protect everyone. Maybe we can put something in writing and get some codification of these things. Slam Dunk the Junk is 10/24/2017 24 on Saturday at 9AM at the new cultural arts building to help clean up the city. Have a safe trip home. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Approved by Mayor and Council on _____________________________________ Mayor John P. Labrosse, Jr. _________________________________ Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino ______________________________________ Deputy Mayor David Sims ___________________________________ Councilman Leonardo Battaglia ______________________________________ Councilwoman Stephanie Von Rudenborg Deborah Karlsson, City Clerk 10/24/2017 25