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, September 30, 2025 at 8:00 P.M. Mayor Gaines 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 Gaines, Deputy Mayor Toomey, Councilwoman Clark-Collins, Councilman Carroll were present. Councilman Diaz was absent. City Manager Thomas Freeman was present. City Attorney Richard Malagiere was present. City Clerk Deborah Karlsson was present. Deputy City Clerk Allison Saabye was present. Flag Salute Proclamations and Presentations – Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Swearing In Sgt. Wanda Rivera City Clerk Deborah Karlsson Retirement Councilman Carroll left at 8:26 PM. Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the COW, Executive and Regular Meeting Minutes from September 9, 2025, was offered by Deputy Mayor Toomey, seconded by Councilwoman Clark Collins and approved by Mayor Gaines, Deputy Mayor Toomey, and Councilwoman Clark-Collins. City Manager’s Report Veteran banner spots on Main Street are still available. You can contact the City Manager’s Office to register or online through Rec Desk. Please note that banners submitted from this point on will not be installed until Memorial Day 2026 but there are spots left. Visit the City of Hackensack website to sign up for the new weekly newsletter which is emailed out every Friday and provides important updates, event information, exclusive content, and community news. We had our 9/11 memorial ceremony in front of fire headquarters. It was very well attended and very well received. Thank you to those who showed up to support that. We had the town wide garage sale which took place September 13th and 14th from 9AM to 4PM. The registration was light but we understand it was the first year. Next year’s garage sale registration will be sent out in June for a better turn out. Some upcoming events: The Hackensacktoberfest is back, Saturday October 4th from 1Pm to 8PM, the premier community event is back and better than ever. Hackensacktoberfest has grown into one of the best community events in NJ, organized by the Main Street Business Alliance. The event is attended by thousands of people. We had 4,500 people last year and we are estimating 5,000 plus this year. Enjoy the beer garden, live music, artisan shopping, food trucks and more. On October 15th the Bergen County 200 Club will be hosting their Valor Awards. We have over 32 members of the Police and Fire Department receiving awards that night. That is an outstanding representation from the City of Hackensack. Congratulations to all of them. HACPAC events: Roots of Light gallery reception and exhibit on October 9th at 6PM. Howdy Stranger Zombie Apocalypse on October 18th at 8PM. David Mako’s electrifying tribute to Liberace October 24th 7:30PM. Swinging with the Rat Pack October 26th at 8PM. Visit the city website under arts and recreation for more information. Hackensack Recreation is hosting a pickleball tournament on November 1st and 2nd. Information is on their website. Fresh off the press today is the Pumpkin Carving Contest for all the Halloween followers out there. It’s on the website. It will be graded on the quality of the pumpkin you carve. 09/30/2025 1 Resolutions Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO: 408-25 FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 43-2025, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 170 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,” TO REMOVE AND ADD A NEW HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE IN SECTION 49.2, “PARKING FOR THE HANDICAPPED” This Ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a Public Hearing. Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Toomey and seconded by Councilwoman Clark Collins that there be a public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING - No one wished to speak. Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Toomey and seconded by Councilwoman Clark Collins 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. 43-2025 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. CITY OF HACKENSACK ORDINANCE NO. 43­2025 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 170 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,” TO REMOVE AND ADD A NEW HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE IN SECTION 49.2, “PARKING FOR THE HANDICAPPED” WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48­2, the governing body of a municipality may make, amend, repeal, and enforce such other ordinances, regulations, rules and by­laws 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 City Council of the City of Hackensack wishes to amend Chapter 170 of the Code of the City of Hackensack, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic,” to add one (1) new handicapped parking spaces to Section 49.2, entitled “Parking for the Handicapped” and, WHEREAS, the Hackensack Police Department and the City Engineer have investigated the matter and have determined that adding such handicapped parking spaces will not significantly impact on­street parking, nor will it affect traffic flow, and, 09/30/2025 2  WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Hackensack wishes to amend Chapter 170 of the Code of the City of Hackensack, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic,” to remove (1) handicapped parking spaces to Section 49.2, entitled “Parking for the Handicapped” as it is no longer being utilized by the resident. WHEREAS, the City Council finds it is in the City’s best interest to take this action. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, as follows: Section 1: Chapter 170, Section 49.2 of the Code of the City of Hackensack is hereby amended as follows [additions by underline, deletions by strikethrough] §170­49.2. Parking for the handicapped. E. Designation of parking areas. In accordance with this chapter, the following location(s) shall provide parking for the physically handicapped: Parking Lot or Street Side Location/Number of Handicapped Space 491 West Anderson South From a point 134 feet west of the southwest curb line apex of West Anderson Street and Byrne Street to a point 22 north thereof. 272 Clay Street North From a point 78 feet east of the curb line apex of Clay Street and Third Street to a point 22 north thereof/1. Section 2: All other provisions of Chapter 170, Section 49.2 of the Code of the City of Hackensack 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. 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 Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X 09/30/2025 3  CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO: 409-25 FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 44-2025, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 90 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, “FOOD AND DRINK,” TO UPDATE CERTAIN FEES AND REGULATIONS IN ARTICLE I “RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS” This Ordinance has been published according to law and now calls for a Public Hearing. Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Toomey and seconded by Councilwoman Clark Collins that there be a public hearing. PUBLIC HEARING - No one wished to speak. Motion offered by Deputy Mayor Toomey and seconded by Councilwoman Clark Collins 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. 44-2025 has passed its second and final reading and is hereby adopted. CITY OF HACKENSACK ORDINANCE NO. 44­2025 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 90 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, “FOOD AND DRINK,” TO UPDATE CERTAIN FEES AND REGULATIONS IN ARTICLE I “RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS” WHEREAS, Chapter 90 of the Code of the City of Hackensack (“City Code”) establishes regulations governing retail food establishments within the City of Hackensack; and, WHEREAS, the Health Department has reviewed the current “Retail Food Establishment” portion of Chapter 90 “Food and Drink” to make amendments to comply with the State Sanitary Code in regards to retractable doors; and WHEREAS, the Health Department and City Manager, in consultation with the City Council also feel it is appropriate to update the fee for temporary food permits for special events to charge a comparable rate to other municipalities ; and, WHEREAS, the City Council agrees that such regulations are necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of City residents and visitors, and to ensure that food retail establishments operate in a safe and sanitary manner at all times and in compliance with state regulations as set forth in Chapter 24 of the New Jersey State Sanitary Code. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK, as follows: Section 1: Chapter 90, Article 1, Section 2, 3, and 4 of the Code of the City of Hackensack are hereby amended as follows [additions by underline, deletions by strikethrough] §90­2 License required. It shall be unlawful for any person or any body corporate to conduct a retail food establishment, as defined in and governed by said Chapter 24 of the State Sanitary Code, without first having procured a license from the Health Department in accordance with Chapter 107, Licenses and Permits, and without complying with any and all of the provisions concerning operation and 09/30/2025 4  maintenance of such establishments as contained in the aforementioned chapter of the State Sanitary Code. A. Suspension, revocation or reinstatement of licenses: Licenses issued under authority of this Article as well as any issued under Chapter 90, Food and Drink, may be suspended, revoked or reinstated by the City of Hackensack Health Department. §90­3 Application requirements. In addition to the information required to be contained in the application by §107­6B of Chapter 107, each application for a license issued under this Article shall include a detailed description of any premises, structures and vehicles to be used in the operation of such business, and such premises, structures and vehicles shall be subject to inspection as to their compliance with all applicable provisions of the Code of the City of Hackensack. A. It shall be unlawful to install garage­type retractable doors or any other mechanical device that would permit outdoor air into the food preparation area of a retail food establishment in the City of Hackensack. This includes the dining area if food preparation and service areas cannot be separated by solid walls and doors. Any pre­ existing food establishments prior to October 1, 2025 shall follow the Hackensack Health Department policy dated October 27, 2017. §90­4 License fees; expiration A. The annual fee for licensure of retail food establishments is hereby fixed as follows: Temporary retail food establishments for special events $25 $75 [ALL OTHER FEES REMAIN UNCHANGED] Section 3: All other provisions of Chapter 90 of the City Code shall remain unchanged. Section 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 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 City Code, and in order to avoid confusion and possible accidental repealers of existing provisions not intended to be repealed. Section 7: This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage, adoption, and publication in the manner prescribed by law. 09/30/2025 5  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 410-25 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 $ 1,124,801.48 Grants 5,887,70 Payroll 3,775,441.28 Public Parking System 33,806.43 Capital 1,033,313.10 Escrow 57,220.03 Trust Account 133,053.90 Total Expenditures 6,157,636.22 Interfunds/Transfers 259,815.89 Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 411-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TAX REFUNDS FOR STATE BOARD AND DUPLICATE PAYMENTS 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 $13,972.28 313 7.01 Spiotti & Associates, P.C. 2025 State Board Judgment 612 Godwin Ave 191-195 Main St Midland Park, NJ 07432 $1,222.17 58 2 Housing Authority of 2025 Duplicate Payment Bergen County 18 Lodi St 1 Bergen County Plaza Hackensack, NJ 07601 09/30/2025 6 $2,822.63 601 1 Gormley, Christopher 2025 Duplicate Payment 63 Guy St 152 Catalpa Ave Harrington Park, NJ 07640 Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 412-25 RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES – NJDOT FUNDED SPRING VALLEY AVENUE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROJECT WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is desirous of improving and enhancing pedestrian safety in certain intersections along Spring Valley Avenue in Hackensack, and has received partial funding in a grant in the amount of $279,987 from the New Jersey Dept. of Transportation (NJDOT) for said improvements, and now requires engineering services for the design, bid phase, and construction management of the NJDOT Spring Valley Pedestrian Safety 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 $99,750 for the engineering services related to the NJDOT Spring Valley Pedestrian Safety Project, 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-04-24-044-000-100. 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. 09/30/2025 7  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 413-25 RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES – 2025 ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM – CITY-FUNDED STREETS WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is desirous of improving and resurfacing various streets in and around the City of Hackensack and now requires engineering services for the construction management and inspection of the bid contract awarded to New Prince Concrete Construction on September 9, 2025; and WHEREAS, the City solicited Requests for Proposals regarding these engineering services now required for said project; and WHEREAS, it was determined that the proposal received from Remington & Vernick Engineers is the most advantageous to the City based on cost and expertise in this field. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Remington & Vernick Engineers of One Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, NJ 07094 is hereby awarded a contract in an amount not to exceed $113,000 for the construction management and inspection engineering services related to the 2025 Road Resurfacing City-Funded Streets Project, 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-04-24-044-000-100. 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 Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 414-25 09/30/2025 8  RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES – NJDOT FUNDED PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENT GRAND AVENUE PROJECT WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is desirous of improving pedestrian safety in the area of Grand Ave. from Poplar Ave. to Fairmount Ave., and has received a grant in the amount of $176,772 from the New Jersey Dept. of Transportation (NJDOT), and now requires engineering services for the construction management and inspection of the bid contract awarded to New Prince Concrete Construction on September 9, 2025; and WHEREAS, the City solicited Requests for Proposals regarding these engineering services now required for said project; and WHEREAS, it was determined that the proposal received from Remington & Vernick Engineers is the most advantageous to the City based on cost and expertise in this field. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Remington & Vernick Engineers of One Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, NJ 07094 is hereby awarded a contract in an amount not to exceed $44,000 for the construction management and inspection engineering services related to the NJDOT Funded Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project, 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-04-22-039-000-100. 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 Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 415-25 RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES – 2025 ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM – NJDOT FUNDED KENNEDY STREET PROJECT WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is desirous of improving and resurfacing various streets in and around the City of Hackensack and has received a grant in the amount of $372,223 from the New Jersey Dept. of Transportation (NJDOT) for the Kennedy Street roadway, and now requires engineering services for the construction management and inspection of the bid contract awarded to New Prince Concrete Construction on September 9, 2025; and WHEREAS, the City solicited Requests for Proposals regarding these engineering services now required for said project; and 09/30/2025 9  WHEREAS, it was determined that the proposal received from Remington & Vernick Engineers is the most advantageous to the City based on cost and expertise in this field. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Remington & Vernick Engineers of One Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, NJ 07094 is hereby awarded a contract in an amount not to exceed $45,000 for the construction management and inspection engineering services related to the 2025 Road Resurfacing City-Funded Streets Project, 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-04-22-039-000-100. 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 Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 416-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AWARD EXTENSION REQUEST FOR LA-2024 MA HACKENSACK CITY – SPRING VALLEY AVENUE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS TO NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Transportation awarded $176,772.00 to the City of Hackensack through the FY 2024 Municipal Aid Grant for Spring Valley Avenue Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Improvements; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, formally approves the request for a(n) Six (6) month award extension for the above stated project. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Clerk, or those authorized on their behalf, are to submit a formal request for a(n) Six (6) month award extension for the above referenced project to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the Six (6) month award extension request on behalf of the City of Hackensack and that their signature constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions of the grant agreement. 09/30/2025 10  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 417-25 RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES – 2025 ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM – CDBG FUNDED STREETS WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is desirous of improving and resurfacing various streets in and around the City of Hackensack, and has received two Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) totaling $238,426, and now requires engineering services for the construction management and inspection of the bid contract awarded to New Prince Concrete Construction on September 9, 2025; and WHEREAS, the City solicited Requests for Proposals regarding these engineering services now required for said project; and WHEREAS, it was determined that the proposal received from Remington & Vernick Engineers is the most advantageous to the City based on cost and expertise in this field. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Remington & Vernick Engineers of One Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, NJ 07094 is hereby awarded a contract in an amount not to exceed $45,000 (base only) for the construction management and inspection engineering services related to the 2025 Road Resurfacing CDBG Funded Streets Project, 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-04-24-044-000-100. 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 Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 418-25 09/30/2025 11  RESOLUTION AWARDING CO-OP CONTRACT FOR THE MUNICIPAL COURT COMPLEX SECURITY UPGRADE PROJECT WHEREAS, the Hackensack Municipal Court wishes to enhance security for the public and personnel in the Municipal Court Complex with the installation of new steel partition walls with ballistic panels, security doors, and transaction windows, as part of a comprehensive Municipal Court Complex Security Upgrade Project; and WHEREAS, the Hackensack Court Administrator has secured partial funding from the City’s Parking Offense Adjudication Act (POAA) Trust Fund; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack wishes to purchase these services by using the services of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ) 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 ESCNJ Cooperative Contract #65MCESCCPS; and WHEREAS, Murray Contracting of 21 Wallace St., Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 has been awarded ESCNJ Contract #23/24-28 as an authorized vendor under the ESCNJ 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 the Municipal Court Complex Security Upgrade Project, including labor and associated costs, is expected not to exceed $153,578.64. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Murray Contracting of 21 Wallace St., Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 is hereby awarded a contract in the amount not to exceed $153,578.64 for the Municipal Court Complex Security Upgrade Project. 2. A Certification of Funds has been prepared by the Chief Financial Officer for the said contract assuring that sufficient appropriations exist of $53,578.64 in budget account T-03-56-850-860-801; $79,000 in budget account C-04-20-041-000-300; and $21,000 in budget account C-04- 24-004-000-300 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 Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 419-25 RESOLUTION CORRECTING CONTRACT AWARD IN RESOLUTION #404-25 FOR JOHNSON PARK LSRP ENGINEERING SERVICES WHEREAS, the City requires the engineering services of a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) to oversee and monitor the Perimeter Air Monitoring 09/30/2025 12 (PAM) required of the Johnson Park construction project, as mandated by the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (NJDEP); and WHEREAS, the City awarded a contract to Boswell Engineering for said services on September 9, 2025, as per Resolution #404-25; and WHEREAS, it was later discovered that the contract award of $130,000 in the resolution was incorrect, and from a different proposal, and now needs to be corrected. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Boswell Engineering of 330 Phillips Ave., South Hackensack, NJ 07606 is hereby awarded a contract in an amount not to exceed $273,400 for the LSRP engineering services needed for the required PAM of the Johnson Park Sports Facility project, 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-04-21-025-000-100. 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 Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 420-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF ESCROW FUNDS – 61 LINDEN STREET WHEREAS, a request has been received for the release of any remaining escrow funds for the project known as 61 Linden St.; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has determined that the balance of escrow funds remaining for this project is $6,274.21; 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 release the remaining escrow funds in the amount of $6,274.21 to 61 Linden St., LLC of PO Box 38 Pomona, NY 10970. 09/30/2025 13  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 421-25 RESOLUTION AWARDING CHANGE ORDER #1 TO SUBURBAN ENGINEERING FOR COURT STREET DRAINAGE AREA – ANDERSON DRAINAGE AREA / WEST OF RAIL COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW (CSO) SEPARATION – CONSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack has committed to a comprehensive effort to address its long-standing Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) issue by separating its stormwater system from the sanitary sewer system, which will prevent the continued polluting of the Hackensack River and alleviate flooding conditions throughout the City of Hackensack; and WHEREAS, previously the City awarded a contract to New Prince Concrete Construction for the Anderson Drainage Area / West of Rail portion of this combined sewer separation effort; and WHEREAS, previously the City also awarded a contract to Suburban Consulting Engineers for the construction management and inspection services of said bid contract; and WHEREAS, upon final project completion, the City intends to finance this project through a loan from the NJ Infrastructure Bank (NJIB), and anticipates the final long- term financing to include up to $9,000,000 of principal forgiveness; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to retain the services of Suburban Consulting Engineers, through the construction close-out and project financing process, thus necessitating a change order, as this service is beyond the scope of the original contract award; and WHEREAS, the City Manager now recommends the awarding of Change Order #1 in the amount not to exceed $16,200 for the final close-out and financing services related to the Anderson Drainage Area / West of Rail Sewer Separation Project. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows: 1. Suburban Consulting Engineers of 96 U.S. Highway 206, Flanders, NJ 07836 is hereby awarded Change Order #1 in the amount not to exceed $16,200 for the engineering construction management services related to the first phase of the Anderson Drainage Area / West of the Rail Sewer Separation Project, 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-04-22-034-000-100. 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. 09/30/2025 14  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 422-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A STATE OF NEW JERSEY SFY 2025 SAFE AND SECURE COMMUNITIES GRANT WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack was awarded a grant in the amount of $45,150.00 through the 2025 Safe and Secure Communities Grant Program; and, WHEREAS, said grant award will be supported by a Match-Fringe Benefits, provided by the City of Hackensack, towards this project for an approximate total project cost of $508,409.62; and. WHEREAS, said grant award has been assigned the Sub-Award # of 25-0223 by the State of New Jersey, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety; and, WHEREAS, the period of performance for this grant award commenced on March 2, 2025 and will conclude March 1, 2026. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows: 1. The City of Hackensack is hereby authorized to accept said grant award for the purposes described within the grant application. 2. City Manager Thomas Freeman and Chief of Police Michael Antista are hereby authorized to execute said grant agreement. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 423-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF LEAVE OF ABSENSE FOR MADDALENA CANDELA, CLERK 1, POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, Maddalena Candela, Clerk 1 in the Police Department, has requested an extension of her Leave of Absence without pay for 4 months for personal medical reasons under the Federal Family Leave Act Policy, and 09/30/2025 15  WHEREAS, City Manager Thomas J. Freeman has determined that this employee be granted an extension of her Leave of Absence for 4 months, commencing Wednesday, September 3, 2025, and terminating Sunday, January 4, 2026. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, that Maddalena Candela, Clerk 1 in the Police Department, be granted an extension of her Leave of Absence for 4 months, without pay, as requested. 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 Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 424-25 RESOLUTION APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS FOR 2025- 2026 SCHOOL YEAR WHEREAS, the school calendar established by the Hackensack Board of Education provides for the commencement of the new academic school year as of September 4, 2025; and WHEREAS, as a result of the foregoing, and in order to best provide for the safety of students and the residents of the City, there is a need to appoint School Crossing Guards for the period September 4, 2025 through June 30, 2026; and WHEREAS, the City, by this Resolution, wishes to effectuate the appointment for the period September 4, 2025 through June 30, 2026 of those School Crossing Guards identified on the attached list which is incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, by adoption of this resolution hereby authorizes and affirms the following: 1. Those Crossing Guards identified on the attached list which is incorporated herein by reference, be and hereby are appointed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-154.1 as adult School Crossing Guards for the period retroactive to September 4, 2025 through June 30, 2026. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager, the City Attorney, the Chief Financial Officer, and the City Labor Counsel are authorized to take all appropriate actions so as to implement this Resolution. School Crossing Guards 2025-2026 School Year: 09/30/2025 16  Last Name First Name Morgan Kevin P. Anderson Wellner Owen Clifton C. Antonino Emanuele Peters Tamira Bermeo Carlos Picariello Susan Bernal Ana Pineda De De Bhuyan Abdul Abreu Gloria E. Brown Michael J. Pinto Ralph D. Bulluck Debbie J. Rahman Mohammed Burks Pamela D. Rossi Susan Camacho Gloria E. Rafael Ruiz (Ralph) Carter Cierra E. Santiago Maria Chettupalli Adams Praveen Kum Sasson VanHorne Nagena Costello Donna L. Schear Scott L. Dawson Idele Shaw Rosemarie Dilello Theodore L. Skinner Sharon Distefano Paul D. Stone Casey S. Dubovoy Leonid I. Thomas Errol Dulal Firoz Vogt John Failla Elio Williams Pamela Fawzy Ebram Fawzy Howida Franklin Helen Furman John D. Gandy Sylvia A. Giordano Christopher Golden Marteze R. Greaves­Venable Novalene B. Harley Monique Harris Clemmie Harris Genevieve Ionescu­Camarasu Mihai James Jesse L. Kelly Jason W. Larrory Patricia Lassiter Kenneth M. Lema Carmen Lindore Bridget Lopez­Monteyro Luis Lovelace Patricia J. Mafouda Eliahou Maple Tyrone McKenzie Calvin McPherson Vonrita Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 425-25 09/30/2025 17  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PROPERTY BY AUCTION ON GOVDEALS (IT DEPARTMENT) WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack, the County of Bergen is the owner of certain surplus property that is no longer needed for public use, specifically identified and described in attached Exhibit “A” (hereinafter Surplus Property); and WHEREAS, the sales are being conducted pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-36 and guidance set forth in the Division of Local Government Services Local Finance Notice 2019-15, and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack intends to utilize the online auction services of GovDeals via the Sourcewell Co-op, located at https://www.govdeals.com/hackensack; and WHEREAS, all other terms and conditions of the auction of the Surplus Property and agreement with Sourcewell Co-op are on the website and in the office of the City Clerk; and WHEREAS, the surplus property as attached in Exhibit “A” shall be sold in an “as is” condition without express or implied warranties with the successful bidder; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack reserves the right to accept or reject any bid submitted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council for the City of Hackensack, being the governing body thereof, as follows: 1. The City of Hackensack is hereby authorized to sell the surplus personal property as indicated on the attached Exhibit “A” on the online auction website entitled GovDeals, https://www.govdeals.com/hackensack 2. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to execute a contract with GovDeals. 3. This resolution and contract shall be available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 426-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PROPERTY BY AUCTION ON GOVDEALS (POLICE DEPARTMENT) WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack, the County of Bergen is the owner of certain surplus property that is no longer needed for public use, specifically identified and described in attached Exhibit "A" (hereinafter Surplus Property); and 09/30/2025 18  WHEREAS, the sales are being conducted pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-36 and guidance set forth in the Division of Local Government Services Local Finance Notice 2019-15, and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack intends to utilize the online auction services of GovDeals via the Sourcewell Co-op, located at https://www.govdeals.com/hackensack; and WHEREAS, all other terms and conditions of the auction of the Surplus Property and agreement with Sourcewell Co-op are on the website and in the office of the City Clerk; and WHEREAS, the surplus property as attached in Exhibit "A" shall be sold in an "as is" condition without express or implied warranties with the successful bidder; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack reserves the right to accept or reject any bid submitted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council for the City of Hackensack, being the governing body thereof, as follows: 1. The City of Hackensack is hereby authorized to sell the surplus personal property as indicated on the attached Exhibit "A" on the online auction website entitled GovDeals, https://www.govdeals.com/hackensack 2. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to execute a contract with GovDeals. 3. This resolution and contract shall be available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk. ID Description VIN/Serial 114 2010 Freightliner FLD120 Military 1FULATCGXAPAN1675 115 1990 BMY 5 Ton 6X6 M929A2 DUMP 2900347 116 2009 Freightliner FLD120 Military 1FULATCG19PAES965 117 1983 MEP003A Diesel Generator Set RZ84991 118 Military Diesel Generator Set Trailer 119 Military Diesel Generator Set Trailer 120 Military Generator Mounted on a Flatbed Trailer 121 Military Flatbed Trailer Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 427-25 09/30/2025 19 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN BERGEN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES AND CITY OF HACKENSACK FOR A PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2026 WHEREAS, the Bergen County Department of Health Services and City of Hackensack wish to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”); and WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) awards grant monies to the Bergen County Department of Health Services (BCDHS) for offering/providing services related to the following grant programs that the BCDHS has applied and received state funding for: 1. Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan (CCCP) 2. Community Outreach Integrated Care Services Program (COIS) 3. New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program (CEED) 4. Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (LINCS) 5. Tuberculosis Control Program (TB) and; WHEREAS, the BCDHS serves as the lead agency for assisting all local health departments/jurisdictions within, and in certain instances, outside of Bergen County, to facilitate and continue to promote the program initiatives and services stemming from the above five (5) grant programs; and WHEREAS, this is best served through a cooperative effort by both County and local health departments/jurisdictions; and WHEREAS, each grant program has its own set of terms and conditions which are incorporated in this agreement (“MOU”) for the dates July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governing Body of the City of Hackensack hereby confirms that it agrees to the MOU between Bergen County Department of Health Services and the City of Hackensack Health Department. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 428-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE PREVENTION PROJECT BETWEEN BERGEN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES AND CITY OF HACKENSACK WHEREAS, the Bergen County Department of Health Services (BCDHS) serves as a lead agency for the Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Project (CLEP) to provide county-wide lead case management and environmental interventions; and WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) provides grant monies to BCDHS as part of CLEP to conduct activities in accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:51 and N.J.A.C. 8:51A; and WHEREAS, the goal of CLEP activities is to conduct lead screening, case management, and environmental interventions for those children with elevated blood levels greater than or equal to 5 ug/dL; and WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack will support CLEP activities by offering and conducting blood lead screenings to children less than 6 years of age at child health conferences (CHCs) in accordance with N.J.A.C 8:51A; and 09/30/2025 20  WHEREAS, the City of Hackensack is responsible for follow-up in case management and environmental intervention activities for all open lead cases prior to MOU between BCDHS and City of Hackensack. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, in consideration of the terms and conditions set forth in the “MOU”, the parties agree to a collaborative approach to Lead Case Management and Environmental Intervention Services within Bergen County for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X Carroll X Diaz X Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO.429 -25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hackensack that Captain Michael Thomassey be and is hereby appointed as the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Hackensack for a term of one year; and to serve at the pleasure of the City Council. Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 430-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LEAVE OF ABSENCE WITHOUT PAY FOR JABARI BROWN, SANITATION WORKER WHEREAS, Jabari Brown, Sanitation Worker, has requested a Leave of Absence without pay for twelve weeks for bonding with his newborn child under the Federal Family Leave Act Policy, and WHEREAS, Jabari Brown, Sanitation Worker, has made known his desire to utilize accumulated sick and vacation time in accordance with City policy, and; WHEREAS, City Manager Thomas J. Freeman has determined that this employee be granted a Leave of Absence for twelve weeks, commencing Thursday, August 28, 2025 and terminating Wednesday, November 19, 2025. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack, that Jabari Brown, Sanitation Worker, be granted a Leave of Absence for twelve weeks, without pay, as requested. 09/30/2025 21  Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Recused Deputy Mayor Toomey X X Clark- Collins X X X Carroll X Diaz Mayor Gaines X CITY OF HACKENSACK RESOLUTION NO. 431-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RAFFLE LICENSES 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 #2306 Holy Trinity RC Church Public Comment A motion to open the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Toomey and seconded by Councilwoman Clark Collins. Rev. Carolyn Davis – I have question, it was a good idea and it is very proud to look at them on Main Street, how do we find out what process if you put an application in, it is? I have one in since July and I know you have to wait until you have a certain amount before the flags are up. Are the ones already submitted going to be up before 2026? City Manager responded – I know they needed a certain amount before they placed the order. There was a cut off already for the second phase, which I believe you were within the cut off. If you want to just email me with which particular one you are looking for I can look into it and get you an answer. Rev. Carolyn Davis – And I think they send you a picture? It was an old picture so I want to see it before it goes up. City Manager responded – Yes, I believe they give you a proof. Taylor O’Brien – I don’t live here, but I do work in the Clerk’s Office and I have worked with Debbie for 5 years. I just wanted to wish you congratulations on your retirement and there is no one more deserving of the relaxation time you are going to get. We really love you and are going to miss you here. I just wanted to say congratulations. Rich Cerbo – Congratulations to Deborah. Have a great time and you are an efficient person. You are very good and you have a sense of humor and that is what made it such a joy to have you around. I mentioned last time that the legality of the rescinding of things. Obviously other people don’t think it is legal also because they are suing the city now. I asked to get a response from it on retaliation which is illegal of some areas of the law but I guess in politics its whatever you want to do. Any new candidate or new person sitting in a position of power can go after people you ran before them, they do it on all levels, so maybe it is okay but I never got a response. If you want to ignore me that is okay. Other things - the paving of streets, I never got a response. I think people mentioned it will happen but wasn’t there a list of streets to do paving? Other 09/30/2025 22 than that I was surprised to get my tax bill, which was very high, but the letter inside didn’t gel with that. It was you explaining that it was not your fault somehow. I was shocked that a letter came in my tax bill and you saying it is not our fault, it is the county’s fault and the previous administration. I thought it was in bad taste. You are the Mayor, you are in charge now and that was a cheap shot. The taxes are high, let’s get them down and that should be the response. Let’s lower taxes instead of putting a letter in the tax bill saying it is everyone else’s fault. Jim Mangin – I just wanted to add my congratulations to our Clerk Debbie Karlsson on her retirement. I have had the good fortune of starting to work here a month after Debbie thankfully. There is a lot of interaction between the finance office and the clerk’s office, and Debbie is the finest clerk I have ever worked with. Among all of her achievements, the one that you didn’t mention in her proclamation is that is she also an excellent teacher. Her staff is excellent and that’s because Debbie is an excellent teacher among everything else. For all the help that you have given me over the years, in case I never said it, who is kidding who, I know I never said it, I want to thank you for all of that. Good luck and you will be missed. No one else wished to speak. A motion to close the meeting to the public was offered by Deputy Mayor Toomey and seconded by Councilwoman Clark Collins. Council Comments Deputy Mayor Toomey – Thank you for coming out tonight. I would like to first thank our presenters tonight, the Hackensack Environmental Commission and Green Team, Marlene and Vicky, thank you for your presentation. Little by litter, we are losing a lot of open space and we need to do everything we can to preserve whatever we have left. The idea of urban forests sounds really nice. Thank you for your ideas. Thank you to anyone who came up for the ERI and being positive about it. Congratulations to Sgt. Wanda Rivera on her promotion. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, we wish her all the best as she takes on her new role and all its responsibilities. Finally, I would like to wish Debbie a very happy and relaxing retirement. I retired 14 years ago and I never retired so please take care, go to the beach, get your cup of coffee in the morning and if you have a view, enjoy it. Your commitment, integrity, and tireless work will leave a lasting impact on our community. We wish you all the best on a well earned retirement. Congratulations. Councilwoman Clark-Collins – Debbie, congratulations on your retirement and best of luck. Thank everyone for coming out tonight. I wanted to say we attended a ribbon cutting ceremony last week for a new restaurant on Main Street called Blaze On Fire, the food was excellent. As I always say, please support local businesses, it makes a difference. Get home safe. Thank you. Mayor Gaines – I wanted to start by singing To Sir With Love to Debbie. In all seriousness, congratulations. It has been a true joy to work with you over the course of the summer and in September. I want to echo the sentiments here and wish you all the best, enjoy retirement. We bought the view to you today. I know you will be enjoying the real one very soon. Congratulations, well deserved. Some folks asked at the last council meeting and a number of previous ones, about resident parking issues in the area of DeWolf Place, Haynes, kind of all over Hackensack. One thing that is going to be done as a result of these concerns is there will be an independent parking study city wide. That will be implemented so we can figure out where these problem areas are, we certainly don’t want to implement a solution in one part of Hackensack and then push more cars into the next street. We will look at this in a holistic way so if you have been asking, please just sit tight. We are getting started on that but know that a plan will be put in place. Again, congratulations to Sgt. Wanda Rivera. We went to a number of great events over the course of the past few weeks and I want to highlight them because they highlight the diversity of our programming in Hackensack but also 09/30/2025 23 they were really exciting and if you weren’t there, you missed it! This last week, there was a book signing event at the HACPAC and we were visited by Former President of the Dominican Republic. It was quite significant. That is something Councilman Diaz helped to facilitate, he is not here tonight, but he deserves commendation for bringing this great event. The programing was geared to support individuals who have folks in their lives on the autism spectrum, particularly in the Latino community. There is a great need, particularly in the Dominican Republic, for more support and awareness and de-stigmatizing. It was a wonderful event, packed and it was great. Also this past weekend, I saw a boat dedication to our crew team. A boat was donated by Hope on Water, a nonprofit. For those who don’t know, there is a Hackensack High School crew team. They are fantastic. They are great and they practice at Overpeck Park. Please follow them on social media. The kids are amazing. The boat is amazing. I went out on the water actually, it was a great event. It was the brain child of Myrna and Kiara Gatrell, who are two Hackensack residents, a teacher at the High School and a former student of mine, and amazing mother daughter story getting this crew team up and running and new opportunities for our students. The community yard sale was fantastic. I know registration was light but I zoomed around and tried to get to as many as possible. I actually got to every single one. It was great and one thing I heard was that it was nice to see other people on the circuit so even if you weren’t selling, to have other people going on the route. A big thanks to whoever put together that map. There were so many positive things about having an actual route instead of just pins on a map. Is that Frank? Congratulations, good job on that. Yard sale folks do this as a sport and I had many people say this is the best map for a community yard sale. Salsa night on Banta was fantastic. My wife is Ecuadorian so I couldn’t just go, I had to dance for an hour and a half and it was wonderful. The 9/11 memorial was a wonderfully somber and significant event and it reminds me every year of how close we all are to that day. For those who don’t know, but in Council chambers we have the iconic photograph of the three firefighters raising the flag at ground zero and what folks may not realize is that it was taken for the Record by a Hackensack resident at the time. Thomas E. Franklin, when people were making their way out of New York, he was making his way in to capture that photograph that touched so many people around the world. I wanted to touch on those things, definitely just want to again thank everyone for coming out. Before I conclude, I want to address one aspect of Mr. Cerbo’s comments and I do appreciate all the residents that come forward and speak. It is really important that we communicate as a Council that we are honest and forthcoming about what is before us. We tried to do that in terms of COW presentations, when things are coming up making the public aware, having some deliberation and conversation. The reality is, and Mr. Mangin has explained this on multiple occasions, that budget is a budget that was set prior to our sitting here, and so, that is not our budget. We wanted to make that clear and as taxpayers, we share your concern. My taxes went up by $700. I understand it and share your frustration, and it is something we will look into and try to get a handle on. But certainly I did not want there to be any misconception that we were happy with that either. I don’t see it as passing the buck, I see it as being about accountability, and honest, and transparency because it is just the reality of what it is. As I said before, thank you for coming out. We wish everyone the best. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM. Approved by Mayor and Council on October 14, 2025 _____________________________________ Mayor Caseen Gaines ____________________________________ Deputy Mayor Agatha Toomey 09/30/2025 24  _____________________________________ Councilwoman Sonya Clark-Collins ___________________________________ Councilman Phillip Carroll ABSENT ____________________________________ Councilman Roberto Diaz ____________________________________ City Clerk Deborah Karlsson, RMC 09/30/2025 25