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, April 8, 2025 at 8:00 P.M. Mayor Labrosse called the meeting to order and the City Clerk announced, “This meeting is being held in accordance with the “Open Public Meeting Act,” N.J.S.A. 10:4- 6 et seq., 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, Councilman Battaglia, Councilwoman Von Rudenborg and Councilman Carroll were present. City Manager Vincent Caruso was present. City Attorney Steve Kleinman was present. City Clerk Deborah Karlsson was present. Deputy City Clerk Allison Saabye was present. Flag Salute Proclamations and Presentations – Wrestling Champions Councilwoman Von Rudenborg Approval of Minutes A motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from March 25, 2025, was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino, seconded by Councilman Battaglia and approved by Mayor Labrosse, Deputy Mayor Canestrino, Councilman Battaglia, Councilwoman Von Rudenborg and Councilman Carroll. City Manager’s Report The City’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held Tuesday April 15th at Johnson Park. This is a free event. 1-year olds through Pre-K begin at 4PM and Kindergarten through 4th Grade begin at 4:30PM. Summer Camp registration opened April 1st. Camps include Theater Camp, Playground Camp, Adventure Camp, and Extended Day Camp. Space is limited so be sure to register early. Baseball and Softball opening day is April 19. Slam Dunk the Junk will be held April 26 from 9AM to 1PM. Organizations must be registered in advance. Information can be found on the City website. Veteran Banner registration will be available starting this week through Rec Desk. It is limited to the first 100 people. Banners will be hung on Main Street from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. New Jersey is requiring lead-safe inspections for rental units. Landlords with pre 1978 rental properties located in Hackensack are required to have inspections completed by July 22. Landlords can use any company of their choosing, as long as compliance is obtained. Please reach out to the Building Department with any questions. The 2024 City Manager’s Year End report is posted on the City of Hackensack website homepage under Files & Links. Resolutions Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK 04/08/2025 1  RESOLUTION NO: 173-25 FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 14-2025, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 107 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, “LICENSES AND PERMITS” TO UPDATE SUMMER THEATER CAMP FEE This Ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a Public Hearing. 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 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. 14-2025 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. CITY OF HACKENSACK ORDINANCE NO. 14-2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 107 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, “LICENSES AND PERMITS” TO UPDATE SUMMER THEATER CAMP FEE WHEREAS, Chapter 107 of the Code of the City of Hackensack (“City Code”), “Licenses and Permits,” sets forth in Attachment 2 an enumeration of fees for various permits and activities; and, WHEREAS, currently, Attachment 2 to Chapter 107 establishes certain fees for the use of City- owned recreational fields and facilities; and, WHEREAS, upon recommendation of the Recreation Department and City Manager, the fees are to be updated for the 2025 Summer Camp season. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, as follows: Section 1: Attachment 2 to Chapter 107 of the City Code is hereby amended to update the fee schedule for M&M Recreation Center Programs as follows (additions by underline): Recreation Department fees: Summer Theater Camp (HACPAC): $550 $650 Section 2: All other fees provided for in Attachment 2 to Chapter 107 of the City Code not specifically referenced in this Ordinance shall remain unchanged. Section 3: Repeal of Inconsistent Provisions. All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, but only however, to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency, it being the legislative intent that all ordinances or part of ordinances now existing or in effect unless the same being conflict or inconsistent with any provision of this Ordinance shall remain in effect. Section 4: 04/08/2025 2 Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable and if any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof for any reason is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Ordinance, but shall remain in effect; it being the legislative intent this Ordinance shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any part. Section 5: Codification. This Ordinance shall be a part of the Code of the City of Hackensack as though codified and fully set forth therein. The City Clerk shall have this ordinance codified and incorporated in the official copies of the City Code. The City Clerk and the City Attorney are authorized and directed to change any Chapter, Article and/or Section number of the City Code in the event that the codification of this Ordinance reveals that there is a conflict between the numbers and the existing City Code, and in order to avoid confusion and possible accidental repealers of existing provisions not intended to be repealed. Section 6: This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage, adoption, and publication in the manner prescribed by law. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO: 174-25 FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 16-2025, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF CITY- OWNED PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS A PORTION OF BLOCK 312, LOT 21 ON THE CITY TAX ASSESSMENT MAP TO THE HACKENSACK PUBLIC LIBRARY PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13(B)(1) This Ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a Public Hearing. 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 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. 16-2025 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. CITY OF HACKENSACK ORDINANCE NO. 16-2025 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS A PORTION OF BLOCK 312, LOT 21 ON THE 04/08/2025 3  CITY’S TAX ASSSESSMENT MAP TO THE JOHNSON PUBLIC LIBRARY PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13(B)(1) WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is the owner of property located on Block 312, Lot 21 on the City’s Tax Assessment Map; and, WHEREAS, this property encompasses a parking area immediately adjacent to the Johnson Public Library at 274 Main Street, which is owned by the Johnson Public Library; and, WHEREAS, the Johnson Public Library Board of Trustees has advised that it requires a portion of the City’s property to effectuate needed improvements to the Library, including the installation of an elevator and associated equipment; and, WHEREAS, the portion of the City’s property sought by the Johnson Public Library Board is approximately 210 square feet (15x14), and is currently not being used by the City for any beneficial purpose; and, WHEREAS, this property has been determined by the City not to have any substantial value, and cannot be improved upon by the City in any meaningful way; and, WHEREAS, pursuant to the Local Lands and Buildings Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13(b)(1), the City of Hackensack is authorized to adopt an ordinance to convey property that is not needed for municipal purposes to any governmental entity within the State of New Jersey without public bidding; and, WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the public interest is best suited to conveying this surplus property to the Johnson Public Library to effectuate improvements to an essential City facility. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, as follows: Section 1: A. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13(b)(1), the City Council does hereby authorize the private sale and transfer of the City’s rights and interests on a portion of property located on Block 312, Lot 21 on the City’s Tax Assessment Map, in the City of Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey, to the Johnson Public Library, as set forth in the attached survey prepared by Kenneth J. Job, P.L.S., dated January 22, 2025, and the attached “metes and bounds” description prepared by Mr. Job, dated March 24, 2025. The aforementioned survey is attached hereto and is incorporated herein as Exhibit A and the aforementioned “metes and bounds” description is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit B. B. The sale of the aforementioned property to the Johnson Public Library shall be for the nominal sum of $1.00. C. Upon adoption of this Ordinance, the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to sign and execute a Deed in a form approved by the City Attorney to effectuate the transfer of the aforementioned property to the Johnson Public Library. The Mayor, City Clerk, and City Attorney and any other relevant City officials are authorized to take any further necessary actions and execute any further documents necessary to effectuate the intent and purposes of this Ordinance. D. The City makes no representations with regard to the condition of the aforementioned property, or the quality of title being transferred pursuant to this Ordinance. The sale of the aforementioned property shall expressly be “as-is” and without liability to the City for any reason whatsoever. By accepting the transfer of the aforementioned property, the Johnson Public Library acknowledges and agrees that it is receiving the property “as-is.” E. The Johnson Public Library shall take all necessary steps to formally merge the property being transferred pursuant to this Ordinance with its property, and provide the City with proof thereof. F. The Johnson Public Library shall be responsible for any recording the transfer of this property with the Bergen County Clerk’s Office and the payment of any associated fees. 04/08/2025 4 Section 2: Repeal of Inconsistent Provisions. All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, but only however, to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency, it being the legislative intent that all ordinances or part of ordinances now existing or in effect unless the same being conflict or inconsistent with any provision of this Ordinance shall remain in effect. Section 3: Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable and if any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof for any reason is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Ordinance, but shall remain in effect; it being the legislative intent this Ordinance shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any part. Section 4: Codification. This Ordinance shall be a part of the Code of the City of Hackensack as though codified and fully set forth therein. The City Clerk shall have this ordinance codified and incorporated in the official copies of the Code. The City Clerk and the City Attorney are authorized and directed to change any Chapter, Article and/or Section number of the Code of the City of Hackensack in the event that the codification of this Ordinance reveals that there is a conflict between the numbers and the existing Code, and in order to avoid confusion and possible accidental repealers of existing provisions not intended to be repealed. Section 5: This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage, adoption, and publication in the manner prescribed by law. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X X Battaglia X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 175-25 INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 17-2025, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 170 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, “PARKING,” TO UPDATE SECTION 49.2 “PARKING FOR HANDICAPPED” BE IT RESOLVED that the above ordinance, being Ordinance 17-2025 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 April 22, 2025 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 NO. 17-2025 04/08/2025 5  AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 170 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, “PARKING,” TO UPDATE SECTION 49.2 “PARKING FOR THE HANDICAPPED” 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 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 Police Department, Traffic Division has recommended updating Section 49.2 to comply with the current procedures in place for the painting of a handicapped parking spot; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, as follows: Section 1: Chapter 170-49.2, Section B (3) of the Code of the City of Hackensack is hereby amended as follows [additions by underline, deletions by strikethrough]: §170-49.2 Parking for the handicapped. B. Parking spaces; location and construction. Parking spaces for the physically handicapped shall be constructed in accordance with the following guidelines: (1) [UNCHANGED] (2) [UNCHANGED] (3) Each space shall be identified with a clearly visible sign not less than 12 inches by 18 inches, Type R7-8, with the legend "Reserved Parking." Attached to the bottom of this sign shall be a twelve-inch-by-six-inch plate, with black legend on white background, "Division of Motor Vehicle-ID required." The lines designating each stall should be painted white blue, and the center of the stall shall have painted the international handicap symbol. (4) [UNCHANGED] (5) [UNCHANGED] (6) [UNCHANGED] Section 2: All other provisions of Chapter 170-49.2 of the Code shall remain unchanged. Section 3: Repeal of Inconsistent Provisions. All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, but only however, to the extent of such conflict or inconsistency, it being the legislative intent that all ordinances or part of ordinances now existing or in effect unless the same being conflict or inconsistent with any provision of this Ordinance shall remain in effect. Section 4: Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable and if any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof for any reason is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Ordinance, but shall remain in effect; it being the legislative intent this Ordinance shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any part. Section 5: Codification. This Ordinance shall be a part of the Code of the City of Hackensack as though codified and fully set forth therein. The City Clerk shall have this ordinance codified and incorporated in the official copies of the Code. The City Clerk and the City Attorney are authorized and directed to change any Chapter, Article and/or Section number of the Code of the City of Hackensack in the event that the codification of this Ordinance reveals that there is a conflict between the numbers and the existing Code, and in order to avoid confusion and possible accidental repealers of existing provisions not intended to be repealed. 04/08/2025 6 Section 6: This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage, adoption, and publication in the manner prescribed by law. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X X Battaglia X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 176-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TAX REFUNDS FOR STATE BOARD JUDGEMENTS 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 $10,897.02 136.02 64 Lutz Law Group LLC 2023 State Board Judgment In Trust for Sumex LLC 2 So. Summit Ave 121 Ridge Ave Passaic, NJ 07055 $13,858.96 136.02 64 Lutz Law Group LLC 2024 State Board Judgment In Trust for Sumex LLC 2 So. Summit Ave 121 Ridge Ave Passaic, NJ 07055 $24,814.51 523 8 Bergen County Islamic 2022 State Board Judgment Education Center 720-730 Main St 1121 Main Ave Clifton, NJ 07011 Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 177-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO 2025 TEMPORARY BUDGET WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-19 provides that where any contract, commitment or payments are to be made prior to the final adoption of the 2025 Budget, temporary appropriations should be made for the purpose and amounts required in the manner and time therein provided; and 04/08/2025 7  NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the following appropriations be made and that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Chief Financial Officer for his records. 2025 TEMPORARY BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS Current Fund Budget Salaries & Wages Other Expenses X-01-20-100-100 Admin & Exec $ 20,000 X-01-20-120-121 Elections $ 25,000 X-01-20-150-150 Tax Assessment $ 30,000 X-01-20-165-165 Project Management $ 88,750 X-0121-180-180 Planning Board $ 10,000 X-01-22-195-195 UCC Building Inspection $ 100,000 X-01-23-210-210 Group Health $4,000,000 X-01-23-215-215 Workers Compensation $ 50,000 X-01-23-220-220 General Liability Insurance $ 20,000 X-01-25-240-240 Police $ 100,000 X-01-25-240-241 Crossing Guards $ 100,000 X-01-25-240-243 Communication Operators $ 100,000 X-01-25-265-265 Fire $ 125,000 X-01-26-290290 Streets & Roads $ 100,000 X-01-26-290-290 Snow Removal $ 5,812 X-01-26-300-300 DPW – Administration $ 100,000 X-01-26-300-301 City Garage $ 100,000 $ 10,000 X-01-26-305-305 Garbage & Trash $ 100,000 $ 100,000 X-01-27-330-330 Public Health Clinics $ 6,000 X-01-27-330-331 Health Dept $ 100,000 $ 23,875 X-01-27-330-332 PEOSHA $ 30,000 X-01-28-375-375 Parks & Playgrounds $ 100,000 $ 2,000 X-01-29-390-390 Johnson Public Library $ 400,000 X-01-31-440-440 Telephone $ 30,000 X-01-31-460-460 Gasoline $ 40,000 X-01-31-461-461 Water $ 100,000 X-01-36-471-471 Pension – PERS $ 2,116,909 X-01-36-472-472 Social Security $ 100,000 X-01-36-475-475 Pension – PFRS $10,235,631 X-01-43-490-490 Municipal Court $ 50,000 Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 178-25 RESOLUTION AWARDING BID CONTRACT FOR FIREHOUSE ENGINE #2 IMPROVEMENTS WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack desires to make repairs and renovations to the concrete deck and slab at Firehouse Engine #2 – 107 South Summit Ave.; and WHEREAS, the City solicited sealed bid proposals for said project; and WHEREAS, the City opened bid proposals on March 27, 2025 and a total of five (5) bids were received and opened; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack wish to award this contract to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder. 04/08/2025 8  NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Arista Renovation, Inc. of 36 Ame Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714 is hereby awarded a contract for the amount not to exceed $109,000 for the Firehouse Engine #2 Improvement Project, 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 sufficient appropriation in budget account C-04-23-030-000-500 to fund the purchases authorized in this resolution as an express and mandatory condition of the award of this contract: 3. The City Clerk and Mayor are hereby authorized to sign the contract documents necessary to effectuate the award of this contract. The City Attorney shall review any and all contractual documents prepared in furtherance of this award. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 179-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER #2 TO HQW ARCHITECTS, LLC FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES RELATED TO JOHNSON PARK SPORTS FACILITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack has committed to a comprehensive renovation of Johnson Park, including the construction of a sports facility administration and amenities building, and requires the services of an architect for design, construction documentation, bid preparation and construction management of said project; and WHEREAS, the City awarded a contract to HQW Architects, LLC in the amount not to exceed $287,300 on July 10, 2023 as per Resolution #283-23; and WHEREAS, it was determined that the Construction Administration services of said contract will now be incorporated into a new separate contract, necessitating a Change Order reduction to this contract in the decreased amount of (-$75,000); and WHEREAS, City Manager now recommends the awarding of Change Order #2 in the decreased amount of (-$75,000) to HQW Architects, LLC for the architecture services for the Johnson Park Sports Complex. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. HQW Architects LLC of 14 North Village Blvd., Sparta, NJ 07871 is hereby awarded Change Order #2 in the decreased amount of (-$75,000), bringing the total contract award to $212,300 for the architecture services required for the Johnson Park sports facility administration building, in accordance with the proposal attached thereof. 2. No Certification of Funds is required as this is a net decrease to said contract. 3. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the contract documents necessary to effectuate the award of this contract. The City Attorney shall review any and all contractual documents prepared in furtherance of this award. 04/08/2025 9  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 180-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER #1 (FINAL) TO MANOR II ELECTRIC FOR EAST KENNEDY PUMP STATION EMERGENCY GENERATOR REPLACEMENT WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is desirous of replacing the emergency generator located at the East Kennedy Stormwater Pump Station; and WHEREAS, the City awarded a bid contract to Manor II Electric, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $307,000 on March 19, 2024 as per Resolution #109-24; and WHEREAS, as the project is now completed and unused quantities remain, necessitating a final Change Order #1; and WHEREAS, the City Manager recommends the awarding of Change Order #1 (Final) in the decreased amount of ($1,193.63). NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Manor II Electric, Inc. of 3 Ardsley Court, Holmdel, NJ 07733 is hereby awarded Change Order #1 (Final) in the decreased amount of ($1,193.63), bringing the total contract award to $305,806.37 for the East Kennedy Stormwater Pump Station Emergency Generator Replacement Project, in accordance with the specifications advertised thereof. 2. No Certification of Funds is required as the contract award is to be decreased. 3. The City Clerk and Mayor are hereby authorized to sign the contract documents necessary to effectuate the award of this contract. The City Attorney shall review all contractual documents prepared in furtherance of this award. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 181-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARDING OF CONTRACT TO NEGLIA ENGINEERING FOR COUNTY ROAD ADA RAMP COMPLIANCE PROJECT – MAIN STREET AND JOHNSON AVENUE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack has entered into a Shared Services Agreement (SSA) with the County of Bergen, and has agreed to provide the engineering 04/08/2025 10 services required for the design and construction management of the construction of curb ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on County roads in and around the City of Hackensack, and now requires engineering services for the construction management of the County’s Main St. / Johnson Ave. Project; and WHEREAS, the City solicited Requests for Proposals regarding engineering services for said project; and WHEREAS, it was determined that the proposal received from Neglia Engineering is the most advantageous to the City based on cost, expertise in this field and specific prior knowledge of this project. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Neglia Engineering Associates of 34 Park Ave., Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 is hereby awarded a contract in an amount not to exceed $27,900 for the construction management engineering services required for the Main St. / Johnson Ave. ADA Curb Ramp Compliance Program, in accordance with the proposal attached 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. 3. The budget account to be charged is C-04-20-041-000-600. 4. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the contract documents necessary to effectuate the award of this contract. The City Attorney shall review any and all contractual documents prepared in furtherance of this award. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 182-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARDING OF CONTRACT TO NEGLIA ENGINEERING FOR COUNTY ROAD ADA RAMP COMPLIANCE PROJECT – CONTRACT 8 DESIGN WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack has entered into a Shared Services Agreement (SSA) with the County of Bergen, and has agreed to provide the engineering services required for the design and construction management of the construction of curb ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on County roads in and around the City of Hackensack, and now requires engineering services for the design of the County’s Contract #8 Project; and WHEREAS, the City solicited Requests for Proposals regarding engineering services for said project; and WHEREAS, it was determined that the proposal received from Neglia Engineering is the most advantageous to the City based on cost, expertise in this field and specific prior knowledge of this project. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 04/08/2025 11  1. Neglia Engineering Associates of 34 Park Ave., Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 is hereby awarded a contract in an amount not to exceed $28,400 for the design engineering services required for the Bergen County Contract #8 ADA Curb Ramp Compliance Program, in accordance with the proposal attached 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. 3. The budget account to be charged is C-04-20-041-000-100. 4. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the contract documents necessary to effectuate the award of this contract. The City Attorney shall review any and all contractual documents prepared in furtherance of this award. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 183-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARDING OF STATE CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE MOTOROLA COMMAND CENTRAL AWARE PLUS SYSTEM FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the Hackensack Police Department wishes to purchase a system for its Command Center to integrate and consolidate the various surveillance systems in use by the City as well as private entities, along with the Police Dept’s other security and Computer Aided Dispatch systems; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack wishes to purchase this system by using the services of the NJ State Cooperative Contract Purchasing System, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-11(6): and WHEREAS, the purchase of goods and services by local contracting units is authorized by the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-12; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack wishes to utilize the NJ State Bid Contract #T0109 – for Radio Communication Equipment & Accessories; and WHEREAS, Motorola Solutions, Inc. of 123 Tices Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 has been awarded Contract #19198 for Radio Communication Equipment & Accessories as an authorized vendor under the NJ State Cooperative Contract Purchasing System; and WHEREAS, the Qualified Purchasing Agent recommends the utilization of this contract on the grounds that it represents the best available price; and WHEREAS, the actual price of this comprehensive system is expected not to exceed $348,481.97. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Motorola Solutions, Inc. of 123 Tices Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 is hereby awarded a contract in the amount not to exceed $348,481.97 for the purchase of the Motorola Command Central Aware Plus System for the Hackensack Police Department, in accordance with proposal attached hereto. 04/08/2025 12  2. A Certification of Funds has been prepared by the Chief Financial Officer for the said contract assuring that a sufficient appropriation in budget account T-03-56-850-836-801 exists to fund the purchases authorized in this resolution as an express and mandatory condition of the award of this contract. 3. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the contract documents necessary to effectuate the award of this contract. The City Attorney shall review any and all contractual documents prepared in the furtherance of this award. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X X Battaglia X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 184-25 RESOLUTION REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 319-22 THAT AUTHORIZED A FIRST AMENDMENT TO REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH 307 MAIN MF-Q URBAN RENEWAL, LLC AND RESCINDING FIRST AMENDMENT TO REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH 307 MAIN MF-Q URBAN RENEWAL, LLC WITHIN THE 321 MAIN STREET REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AREA WHEREAS, on May 16, 2017, pursuant to Ordinance No. 10-2017, the City of Hackensack (“City”) adopted the 321 Main Street Redevelopment Plan, consisting of Block 407.01, Lots 2, 5, 6.01, 6.02, 7, 34, 36.01, 36.02, 37, 39, and 40, which the City amended on January 29, 2019, pursuant to Ordinance No. 60-2018; and WHEREAS, on March 9, 2021, pursuant to Resolution No. 98-21, the City authorized a Redevelopment Agreement to designate 307 Main MF-Q Urban Renewal, LLC (“Redeveloper”) as the redeveloper of Block 407.01, Lots 5, 6.01, 6.02, 7, 34, 36.01, 36.02 and 37, within the 321 Main Street Redevelopment Plan Area; and WHEREAS, on March 23, 2021, pursuant to Ordinance No. 13-2021, the City authorized a Financial Agreement for market rate rental apartments and retail to be constructed upon Block 407.01, Lots 5, 6.01, 6.02, 7, 34, 36.01, 36.02 and 37 pursuant to the Long Term Tax Exemption Law; and WHEREAS, on June 8, 2021, the City and the Redeveloper entered into the Redevelopment Agreement authorized by Resolution No. 98- 21 and the Financial Agreement authorized by Ordinance No. 13-2021; and WHEREAS, after executing the Redevelopment Agreement and Financial Agreement, the Redeveloper purchased Block 407.01, Lot 39, commonly known as 295 Main Street, which is also part of the 321 Main Street Redevelopment Plan Area subject to the 321 Main Street Redevelopment Plan; and WHEREAS, on August 15, 2022, pursuant to Resolution No. 319-22, the City designated the Redeveloper as the redeveloper of Block 407.01, Lot 39 and authorized entry into the First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement to effectuate that designation and expand the scope of the Redeveloper’s project to include Block 407.01, Lot 39; and 04/08/2025 13  WHEREAS, on September 6, 2022, pursuant to Ordinance No. 29-2022, the City authorized entry into the First Amendment to Financial Agreement to include Block 407.01, Lot 39 within the scope of the Financial Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Redeveloper no longer wishes its redevelopment project to include Block 407.01, Lot 39 because its inclusion is interfering with Redeveloper’s ability to obtain permanent financing for its redevelopment project; and WHEREAS, it is in the City’s interest to accommodate the Redeveloper’s request so that redevelopment of the Redeveloper’s project may proceed to completion. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hackensack in the County of Bergen, State of New Jersey that: 1. The City’s designation of 307 Main MF-Q Urban Renewal, LLC as the designated redeveloper of Block 407.01, Lot 39 is hereby repealed. 2. Resolution No. 319-22 authorizing the City’s entry into the First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement is hereby repealed. 3. The First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement authorized by Resolution No. 319-22 is hereby rescinded. 4. By virtue of this resolution, the Redevelopment Agreement no longer includes Block 407.01, Lot 39; therefore, by operation of law, Block 407.01, Lot 39 is also excluded from the Financial Agreement between the City and the Redeveloper. 5. All resolutions inconsistent with this resolution, including but not limited to Resolution No. 319-22, are hereby deemed null and void. 6. This resolution shall take effect immediately. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 185-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCRUED TIME PAYOUT OF $186,827.99 TO RETIRED FIRE DEPUTY CHIEF JOHN TAYLOR WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 5:30-15 established rules that govern how local government units manage and finance compensation for accumulated absence time for their respective retiring employees, and WHEREAS, accumulated absence includes any sick days and vacation days or any other absence time authorized as part of an employer agreement, which is not used by the employee during the allowed period and which is permitted to accumulate over time to the benefit of the employee, and 04/08/2025 14  WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that the funds and authority exist to pay John Taylor for sick days, vacation days and compensatory time; and WHEREAS, the City Manager has authorized the payment of $186,827.99 to John Taylor for said time. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack hereby approves payment to John Taylor in the amount of $186,827.99 for an accrued time payout in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Local Finance Board for such payments. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; the Chief Financial Officer certifies that there are funds available in the furtherance of this resolution to be in budget account 5-01-30- 415-416-119. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von X Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 186-25 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 $ 569,846.16 Grants -0- Payroll 3,806,196.19 Public Parking System 6,914.38 Capital 29,991.64 Escrow 81,348.44 Trust Account 79,896.83 Total Expenditures 4,574,193.64 Interfunds/Transfers $ 8,362,714.72 Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X X Battaglia X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 187-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RAFFLE LICENSES 04/08/2025 15  BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that the following organization(s) be granted permission to conduct a Raffle in accordance with the application on file in the office of the City Clerk: RA #2303 L.E.A.D. Inc. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X X Battaglia X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 188-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LEAVE OF ABSENCE EXTENSION FOR KARINA BUONO, PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR, FROM MARCH 30, 2025 TO JUNE 21, 2025 WHEREAS, Karina Buono, Public Safety Telecommunicator in the Police Department, has requested an extension of her Leave of Absence without pay for twelve weeks for personal medical reasons under the Federal Family Leave Policy, and WHEREAS, Karina Buono, Public Safety Telecommunicator in the Police Department, has made known her desire to utilize accumulated sick and vacation time in accordance with City policy, and; WHEREAS, City Manager Vincent J. Caruso has determined that this employee be granted an extension of her Leave of Absence for twelve weeks, commencing Sunday, March 30, 2025, and terminating Saturday, June 21, 2025. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, that Karina Buono, Public Safety Telecommunicator in the Police Department, be granted an extension of her Leave of Absence for twelve weeks, without pay, as requested. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 189-25 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A “HOMETOWN HEROES” MILITARY VETERAN BANNER PROGRAM TO HONOR THE MILITARY SERVICE OF CITY RESIDENTS WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack recognizes and honors the service and sacrifices made by veterans and active-duty members of the United States armed forces; and, 04/08/2025 16  WHEREAS, the City Council believes a suitable way to recognize the City’s veterans is to display banners in prominent locations honoring City residents and former City residents who have served in the armed forces; and, WHEREAS, under the “Hometown Heroes” program, banners featuring the City’s veterans will be displayed between Memorial Day through Veterans Day for all years during which the program remains active; and, WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Hackensack have determined that it is in the best interest of the City to authorize and approve the establishment of this program under the terms and conditions set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, that the Mayor and Council authorize, approve and support a military banner program in the City, subject to the following terms and conditions: 1. Banners honoring veterans and active-duty members of the United States armed forces with a suitable connection to the City of Hackensack shall be displayed from Memorial Day until Veterans Day. 2. Banners shall be installed at locations to be determined by the City Manager, who is empowered to seek approvals from relevant third parties, including but not limited to PSE&G, under such terms and conditions as he may find appropriate and necessary. 3. Banner locations shall remain the same from year to year, as reasonably permitted and practicable. 4. Banners shall be provided by the entity selected by the City, at a reasonable agreed-upon cost, and shall be installed by the Department of Public Works, with the scheduling of such installation being done in coordination with the Police Department and any other official or department responsible for safeguarding and minimizing disruption to the public. 5. All banners shall be 18” x 36” in dimension and made of heavy vinyl. The design shall include a patriotic background, a high-resolution photo of the veteran in uniform, the branch of service, significant awards and medals, and any major operations in which the veteran has participated. The final design of the banner shall be approved by the City Manager. 6. Applications for a military banner may be submitted by veterans or their family members to the City Manager’s office at any time during the year on a form to be developed by the City Manager. The application shall include, at a minimum, a high-resolution photo of the veteran in uniform, proof of honorable discharge in the form of a federal DD214 document or other similarly authoritative document evidencing discharge or ongoing active duty status, and sufficient proof of City residency. 7. The cost of producing and installing a banner will be the responsibility of the applicant. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Mayor and Council hereby authorize the City Manager and other appropriate City officials to take other necessary actions to effectuate the intent and purpose of this Resolution, including but not limited to the negotiation and execution of any contract or agreement with the vendor selected to provide the military banners, which shall be consistent with the Local Public Contracts Law. 04/08/2025 17  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 190-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PLACE TO PLACE LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER FOR SHASVAT ENTERPRISE LLC FOR LICENSE #0223-44-025-006 TO BE LOCATED AT 380 WEST PLEASANTVIEW AVENUE, BUILDING A UNIT 2 WHEREAS, an application has been received in the Clerk’s Office to approve a place–to- place transfer of Liquor License Number 0223-44-025-006 for Shasvat Enterprise LLC, currently a pocket license with a mailing address of 1 N. Commerce Sq. Unit 106, Robbinsville, NJ 08691, to be located at 380 West Pleasantview Avenue, Building A Unit 2, Hackensack, NJ 07601; and WHEREAS, proof of publication has been submitted to the Clerk’s Office of the City of Hackensack of the notice of application for the said place to place transfer ; and WHEREAS, no written objections have been received and all applicable fees have been submitted to the City of Hackensack and the State of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council further finds that the submitted application is complete; the application has disclosed and the City has reviewed and conducted an investigation of the submitted documents, the applicant is qualified to be licensed under the applicable New Jersey Statues and Regulations and City Ordinances. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the following place to place transfer application be approved effective April 8, 2025. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X X Battaglia X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 191-25 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING REGISTRAR, DEPUTY REGISTRAR AND ALTERNATES FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack maintains the Hackensack Health Department that maintains a Vital Records division; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack must maintain a Registrar and Deputy Registrar, and that registrar may designate up to two (2) Alternate Deputy Registrars and as many Sub- registrars as are needed, as per New Jersey Statutes Annotated 26:8-1 et seq.; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, that: 1. Maria Nunez Diaz will maintain designation as the Registrar. 2. Elizabeth Taveras will maintain designation as the Deputy Registrar. 04/08/2025 18  3. Diana Vroeginday will maintain designation as the Alternate Deputy Registrar. 4. Rose Frontignano will be designated as an Alternate Deputy Registrar. 5. Camille Faulknor will be designated as a Sub Registrar. 6. Guillermina Diaz will maintain designation as a Sub Registrar. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 192-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF ESCROW FUNDS FOR MULTIPLE PROPERTIES WHEREAS, requests have been received for the release of any remaining escrow funds for the various projects identified below; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that the balance of escrow funds remaining for these projects is similarly listed below; and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of certifications 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 release the remaining escrow funds in the amounts listed below to the various developers, also similarly listed: 263 Union St. $1,353.75 263 Union LLC 246 Poplar Ave. Hackensack, NJ 07601 279 Clark St. $2,4110.65 Frank A. Macchione Contr. 168 Midwood Rd. Paramus, NJ 07652 86-110 So. River St. $1,000.37 ABDD V., LLC 362 North Main St. Ansonia, CT 06831 Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 193-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE BOND AND SAFETY / STABILIZATION BOND – 116 ESSEX STREET 04/08/2025 19  WHEREAS, a request has been received for the release of the Performance Bond and Safety / Stabilization Bond for the project known as 116 Essex St.; and WHEREAS, this project has posted the required Maintenance Bond as a prerequisite for the release of the Performance Bond; and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of a certification as to the completeness of the project from the City Engineer and 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 release the Performance Bond and Safety / Stabilization Bond to 116 Essex Property, LLC of 400 Gotham Parkway, Carlstadt, NJ 07072. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 194-25 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BERGEN COUNTY’S HOUSING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTER CDBG-CV PROJECT APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO THE BERGEN COUNTY DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HVAC) WHEREAS, Bergen County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG or CDBG-CV) application in the amount of $496,205 has been proposed by the County of Bergen Department of Human Services for The Housing, Health, and Human Services Center at 120 South River Street in the municipality of Hackensack, and; WHEREAS, grant funding will support the replacement of HVAC units, and; WHEREAS, pursuant to the State Interlocal Services Act, Community Development funds may not be spent in a municipality without authorization by the Governing Body, and; WHEREAS, the aforesaid project is in the best interest of the people of Hackensack, and; WHEREAS, this resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the municipality and is intended solely to expedite the expenditure of the aforesaid Community Development funds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governing Body of Hackensack hereby confirms endorsement of the aforesaid project, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be sent as soon as possible to the Director of the Bergen County Division of Community Development (Robert G. Esposito; One Bergen County Plaza, 4th Floor; Hackensack, New Jersey 07601;resposito@bergencountynj.gov) so that implementation of the aforesaid project may be expedited. 04/08/2025 20  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Von Rudenborg X Deputy Mayor Canestrino X X Battaglia X X Carroll X Mayor Labrosse X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 195-25 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BERGEN COUNTY’S HOUSING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTER CDBG PROJECT APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO THE BERGEN COUNTY DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ROOF) WHEREAS, a Bergen County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG or CDBG-CV) application in the amount of $400,000 has been proposed by the County of Bergen Department of Human Services for The Housing, Health, and Human Services Center at 120 South River Street in the municipality of Hackensack, and WHEREAS, the requested grant funds will support the replacement of the roof, and WHEREAS, pursuant to the State Interlocal Services Act, Community Development funds may not be spent in a municipality without authorization by the Governing Body, and WHEREAS, the aforesaid project is in the best interest of the people of Hackensack, and WHEREAS, this resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the municipality and is intended solely to expedite the expenditure of the aforesaid Community Development funds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governing Body of Hackensack hereby confirms endorsement of the aforesaid project, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be sent as soon as possible to the Director of the Bergen County Division of Community Development (Robert G. Esposito; One Bergen County Plaza, 4th Floor; Hackensack, New Jersey 07601;resposito@bergencountynj.gov) so that implementation of the aforesaid project may be expedited. Public Comment A motion to open the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilman Battaglia. Helen Russian – I have a complaint about parking on Third and High Street. We have a big problem with parking because the apartment building is there and the ones that live there, they take up the spaces on High Street. We don’t have driveways so this is where we park. We leave and come back and may not get parking. It is all filled up. We have the school parking there and the hospital. I hope you can do something for us. We can’t find parking on High Street or on Third Street, there are no meters or anything there. Mayor Labrosse responded – I would recommend the sticker program we use for resident parking. It is a sticker on the window that entitles you to park there and without it you can’t. We used this close to you on other streets where they have bus commuters park their car and are there for the whole day, similar to the hospital and school parking. The good news is Hackensack Medical Center is building a 700 car parking garage to alleviate the problem they are causing so that should help alleviate some of it. We will have traffic look at that and see what they recommend. 04/08/2025 21 Marlene Sommerville – I chaired the Environmental Committee, and I am not sure who to talk to but one thing I noticed is there is no line item for the committees and boards that serve as part of the City Council. As part of the Environmental Commission, there are some things we need like the information for the bike study and the bike study is a grant, we have to go out and get that grant in order for them to consider us. Is it possible to have a conversation about having a line item in the budget. I am not talking about $1,000s but something substantial so in case we need to look at some sort of a study or an issue, we have our own line item to go to instead of going to grants like with the money from dispensaries that you donated to shade tree. Can we look at that? City Manager responded – We can have that conversation with Mr. Mangin. He will be able to tell us how to do that and assign money in the budget. Mayor Labrosse responded – The other thing I recommend is we decided on the cannabis money coming in to put it towards Shade Tree. Obviously Environmental Commission is also a green feature, maybe some of the money can go towards that. Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – We used the first quarter money for the Shade Tree and put it in a trust for them, so maybe we can do something similar with the second quarter money to put it to good use. Rich Cerbo – The whole thing about these roads and streets and no one says a thing again about Spring Valley Avenue. I don’t want to go on about it but it is like a little highway. There should be some kind of re-direction, they should be going on Route 4. I’ll leave it at saying do something. Other things, I was at the women’s panel discussion last week and thought it was gratuitous that you would make an event out of it for your benefit. It seemed like a campaign event. Mr. Labrosse got up; it was like a Council meeting. If anyone was there, you know what I mean. Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – There were six women there. It was a women’s history month event. It wasn’t all about me. Mr. Cerbo responded – It seemed like it was staged as a campaign event. Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – Was there any talk or the election or campaign? Absolutely not. It was talking about the personal lives of six women that had achieved a lot in their lives. It had nothing to do with the campaign. Mr. Cerbo responded – How did you get on the panel then? And Mr. Labrosse? He just fit right into that? Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – I was chosen along with the other women, who all have accomplished things in their lives. Mr. Labrosse gave out the certificates, the women got proclamations in honor of women’s history month. He always gives the proclamations out. It was a lovely event and I think that there were many folks there that enjoyed it. Mr. Cerbo responded – Last time I spoke about what we are doing with tax abatements and what they discussion is about is there any negotiation. He said well Kathy takes care of all that. What is she doing? Can she work on a benefit for these developers to take a 5 year tax abatement? The first year is 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, the fifth year is 100%. What is wrong with that? Why are you giving away so much? Why can’t you keep it reasonable? Others in town aren’t paying the tax bill, I am talking about homeowners. Homeowners pay for everything. I don’t know why we can’t get a tax rebate. Lets say we refurbish our home and spend $50,000 or $75,000 refurbishing our home, do we get a tax rebate? Why not? People are not refurbishing their homes because of that, because you are going to increase the taxes with a reassessment and there is no tax rebate for a homeowner who fixes up his home which is sort of a development on its own. 04/08/2025 22 Mayor Labrosse responded – I have actual numbers and slides, but I want to make a statement first. 12 years ago, 15 years ago, downtown Hackensack, I can’t say what I really want to call it, but it was in bad shape. There was 30-40 homeless on the street every night, other towns actually dropped their homeless people off on Main Street. Businesses closed at 6PM. There was no economy, there was nothing. This was a downtown that was the shining star of Bergen County before the malls came. You seem to be missing the bigger picture. The revenue gained by these buildings is, let’s look at the data. Let’s take 150-70 Main Street, it was sitting as an empty bank for 15- 20 years. It was paying $237,000 a year in taxes. It now pays $833,000. You would rather have this than this? If you didn’t have this, you would be paying more taxes. Mr. Cerbo responded – So how are you responsible for that? The only reason you are responsible is because you gave away tax breaks. Mayor Labrosse responded – It is not a tax break, there is a PILOT, it is a state run PILOT incentive program. You would rather have the lower number? Because without the PILOT program the $833,000 doesn’t happen. Mr. Cerbo responded – Don’t try to take credit for all this development. Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – How do we not take credit for it? Nothing happened in this town for 30-40 years. Mr. Cerbo responded – You gave away tax breaks. Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – It is not a tax break, it is an alternate mechanism for tax. Mr. Cerbo responded – It snowballed and it is a race to the bottom. Ever town around here is doing it. Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – Because you are rebuilding a city that was an aging city whose infrastructure was falling apart, whose stormwater management was. The buildings there before had no stormwater management mechanism. Every one of those buildings goes through a radical procedure. You ask why we did this? This is why. We put these things in place. We are helping flooding, helping management of stormwater, bringing revenue into the city. Mayor Labrosse responded – If you had it your way without the abatements, we would be paying $20 million more in taxes every year. Mr. Cerbo responded – I said the abatements are too large, and you know that they are. Mayor Labrosse responded – They are based on the economy. This is the only way they get the financing to do the projects. Without the abatement based on the size of the project, that is what dictates a 30 or a 10 year project. Mr. Cerbo responded – Five year abatements are workable. 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 percent. Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – Gerry would like us not to have this discussion because he feels you are running for office and we are running for office, and that this is being turned into a campaign. Mayor Labrosse responded – Let’s defer to the City Attorney, is this campaigning? This is factual. City Attorney responded – If you are explaining a city policy, regardless of Mr. Cerbo running for office or not, there is no prohibition about you explaining what the city’s 04/08/2025 23 business is or how you are doing this. Certainly Rich shouldn’t say you should vote for me because of X or vote for me because of Y, but if you are explaining why there is the need for PILOTS so that the public understands it, even if there is misinformation being spread as part of a political campaign, you have every right to come back and combat that misinformation so that the public knows the truth. So I have zero legal problem with what you are doing. Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – I would like to present the other slide. This is real data. In 2020, we only had one building open and leased and we were taking in $539,000 at that point. As more buildings came to be, you see by 2021, 1.5 million. In 2022, 3.5 million, etc. Last year, in 2024, we bought in almost $10 million in money that we would not have had should this development not happen. Now, the question is, if we didn’t bring the $10 million dollars in, who would be paying it? You, I, and everyone else because this money is subtracted from the bottom line directly. You can go online and look at the budget and see it is subtracted from the bottom line. Without adding anything new to the pot, everyone that is in the process now, we do 1, 3, 5 year plan here in the City. If you look at the 1,3, 5 year plans, that $10 million will be close to $20 million. In 2024, without PILOTS alone, an average home that is assessed at $321,000 would be paying an additional $467 a year more in taxes. We get an additional $4 million a year from the medical center based on growth, and that would be $664 a year that each person with an average home of $321,000 would be paying. Those are the facts. That is the data that can be backed up and can not be disputed so you can say all you would like about these things but these are helping the taxpayers and beautifying the city. Mr. Cerbo responded – What about tax abatements for homeowners? Why can’t we? Deputy Mayor Canestrino responded – If you are going to pay more, they are all paying more. If you want to pay more, they were paying $200,000 and it went to $800,000. If you want to quadruple what you are paying, sure. City Attorney responded – It is important to point out that the abatement programs, PILOT programs, are established by statute, by State law. If you believe that there should be a program to that effect, the person you should be speaking to is Gordon Johnson and your assembly people and the Senate president, and Governor of NJ. They can’t create programs that the State law does not provide for. No one else wished to speak. A motion to close the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilman Battaglia. Council Comments Councilwoman Von Rudenborg – Thank you for coming out. As the City Manager mentioned, opening day for baseball and softball is April 19 at Foschini Park. Come out and support our young athletes. Thank you to Allison, I know the Deputy Mayor and City Manager mentioned it earlier but thank you to Allison for her hard work on the veteran banners. This started at least two years ago, trying to get it off the ground and there were a lot of bumps in way. Allison did a lot of research with the other towns and what they were doing and then hearing it wasn’t allowed by PSE&G was disappointing. Thinking quickly, using our poles, was the way to go and it is a great way to honor our veterans. It is nice to see it in other towns, we want to do the same in Hackensack. We appreciate your help Allison. Rec desk is where you can go to register. You can call the Manager’s office if you need help with rec desk or if you would prefer a hard copy, so everyone has access to it. We had our monthly meeting with Board Of Education and of course the discussion about the new school came up. As a parent of three children in the schools, it is imperative to get it done. We discussed the logistics; we worked with the prior board members. The new board members are here, and they did the study and I really hope this moves forward because I think it is the 04/08/2025 24 best opportunity to have a new school, and it is much needed. I hope it works out. I won’t be here in a couple months but for the kids of Hackensack this needs to get done. In Thanks to Della and Deb and Allison, it was nice to be honored for women’s history month and the wrestlers also appreciated being honored. Wrestling is a tough sport, and those kids really work hard. I am lucky to work alongside such wonderful women, Deputy Mayor has been a great mentor for me and to all women in government or aspire to be in government. She has taught me it is not easy to make everyone happy, but you have to get over that and try your best. I appreciate that and she has been a wonderful mentor along the way. Deb, Allison, Della, who I have had the honor of working alongside. They are great role models as women working in government. I appreciate it. Have a happy Easter and Passover. See you next meeting. Deputy Mayor Canestrino – Thank you Steph. We are going to miss her, we are glad to have her for a few more months. She has been a valuable contribution to the City and a great part of our team. We love to acknowledge the young folks that achieve both academically, and the arts word, and sports because it is important for them to get recognition. It is something they feel good about, and will work even harder because they see hard work pays off. I know that we also invited the track team but I guess they couldn’t make it tonight. We don’t want folks to think we overlooked them, they will be coming. I like to talk about anything on here about redevelopment. One item on here was the 321 Main Street development on the corner of Main and Berry. They had an additional piece of property at 307 Main and at one point they were going to include it in the development, but they have since changed their mind and will not include it. This resolution tonight just says they are omitting that piece of property. It was basically a simple resolution. I agree with Steph, we had another good meeting with the Board Of Ed. The new members are trying to come up to speed. We have been working to get a new school with the Board of Ed for the past 8 to 10 years. We are still offering to pay for land and help them in any way we can. They are still trying to figure out what they really want, and we are trying to help them in that initiative. I hope it gets accomplished soon. We also talked about some other issues. There are issues with residency, the number of students and are they all Hackensack people. Are they really all living in Hackensack? There are ways to do a broad stroke of residency checking by using some companies that will only get paid should they find folks that shouldn’t be in the schools. We talked about it with other board members in the past and it didn’t take off so we just asked if they could look at that again. We always have had traffic issues with pick up and drop off. Folks that live near the schools in the mornings and afternoons, people leave the cars in the middle of the street to pick up their children. Other towns have successful drop-offs and pickups where you don’t have to get out of the car. They told us they are trying it during drop off at Fairmount. We are hoping we can work together and get that accomplished. It would alleviate a lot of those traffic issues and parking issues. People have told us they are parking the cars in the driveway to get their children to school and then they have to get to work and can’t get to their cars out of the driveways. We really have to work together as a city and as a school to try and clean up some of that. It was a good meeting and we talked about topics that were very apropos. I also wish everyone to enjoy their holiday, whatever they celebrate, Passover, Easter. Let’s hope the weather warms up especially for the Easter egg hunt for the kids which is April 15 at Johnson Park. Enjoy your night. Councilman Battaglia - Congratulations to the to wrestlers, my father used to wrestle in high school. You heard that we are going to start the paving program for 2025. For the kids that practice wrestling, like the Mayor said, in the new sports dome we will have an area for wrestling. Enjoy your holidays and thank you for coming. Councilman Carroll – Congratulations to the wrestlers and to Stephanie. Thank you to everyone who attended physically and remotely. Take care and God bless. Mayor Labrosse – We mentioned the Easter egg hunt. The Veteran banners program was mentioned. Opening day of baseball is coming up April 19, it’s a great day to come out and watch the kids. We announce the teams, it is always fun. Congrats to our 04/08/2025 25 wrestlers. It was a special night for me. I spoke with the one coach because I really want to do something recognize the men I coached with for all those years. I really want to get the junior wrestlers here from decades ago, who are now young men. It is always exciting to see those guys. Congratulations to Steph, thank you for all you have done for the city. It has been a pleasure. I know you are still here and not out the door yet. Best of luck with whatever you do. Happy Easter and Passover. Get home safely. As you heard tonight, we had a lot of issues about traffic and speeders, and crazy drivers. We have been working hard on pedestrian safety but it is a city so it is combination of a lot of things. One thing I realize when people talk about traffic in Hackensack, some of it is self-created. One of the things we talk about in Hackensack on why it is so great, it’s right between all the major highways. You have Rt 4, Rt 17, Rt 46 and Rt 80. Guess what? They all drop off in Hackensack so you have all these people getting off the highway coming through towns in Bergen County and it is painful sometimes especially by Polifly Road. The worst isn’t even in Hackensack, it’s by Maywood Avenue where 17 drops off. It goes from Essex to Passaic Street back up. Traffic in this area of Bergen County is pretty bad but if you drive up to Paramus at 4PM on a Friday, it will take you 45 mins to get to Mahwah. There is a lot of traffic. A lot of that is because mass transit in Bergen County is horrible. We should have more trains, more buses, more people using mass transit means less cars. We just can’t seem to accomplish it, but maybe someday we will get there. Have a great night. Happy Easter, Happy Passover. Take care. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:09 PM. Approved by Mayor and Council on April 22, 2025 _____________________________________ Mayor John P. Labrosse, Jr. ____________________________________ Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino _____________________________________ Councilman Leonardo Battaglia ___________________________________ Councilwoman Stephanie Von Rudenborg ____________________________________ Councilman Gerard Carroll ____________________________________ City Clerk Deborah Karlsson, RMC 04/08/2025 26