City Council

City of Passaic New Jersey Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes REORGANIZATION MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC WAS HELD ON MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 AT 7:08 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN CITY HALL Amada D. Curling, City Clerk read the following notice into record: IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 231 PUBLIC LAWS OF 1975, ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED VIA FAX TO THE HERALD NEWS AND PUBLISHED ON JUNE 24 and JULY 1, 2019 AND SAID NOTICE WAS PLACED ON THE CITY HALL BULLETIN BOARD BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK. PURSUANT TO THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ACT, BE ADVISED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC HAS SCHEDULED THEIR RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING FOR MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. TO BE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS FIRST FLOOR AT 330 PASSAIC STREET, PASSAIC, NJ. ON CALL OF THE ROLL THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPONDED: ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Hon. Hector C. Lora, Mayor, Ricardo Fernandez, Business Administrator, William Maslo, City Attorney Invocation was rendered by Hon. Council Member Melo followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED TO COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECT The following City Council Members were sworn in: Thania Melo Sworn in By Amada D. Curling Chaim M. Munk Sworn in By Amada D. Curling Salim Patel Sworn In By Gary S. Schaer Gary S. Schaer Sworn in By Amada D. Curling NOMINATIONS AND SEATING OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT Amada D. Curling, City Clerk, called for nominations for Council President. Council Member Garcia nominated Councilperson Gary Schaer for the City Council President. After ample opportunity given and no one else responding, on a motion by Council Member Garcia and seconded by Council Member Love the following resolution was adopted: Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION NO.9-07-212 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR YEAR TERM TO COMMENCE ON JULY 1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Passaic that the City Council designates Councilperson Gary S. Schaer as the City Council President for a one (1) year term, said term to commence on July 1, 2019 and to terminate on June 30, 2020. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: Comments were made by all City Council members and Mayor Hector C. Lora. Council President Schaer called for a ten minute recess at 7:46 p.m. Upon motion made by Council Member Melo and seconded by Council Member Love the public meeting was opened at 8:01 p.m. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, CP Schaer ABSENT: Garcia Council Member Garcia took his seat on the dais at 8:03 p.m. HEARING OF CITIZENS Council President Schaer opened the public portion of the Meeting with the following statement for the record: In Accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-1 et seq.). The Council opens every public meeting for comments of the public. However, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 “nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the discretion of a public body to permit, prohibit or regulate the active participation at any meeting,” Therefore, the City Council will not entertain any comments from persons who communicate obscene material, make statements which are considered bias intimidation in which any person attempts to intimidate any individual or group because of race, color, religion, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity or makes personally offensive or abusive, defamatory or profane comments, comments intending to harass or speak any offensive or abusive language. The person who makes these statements will relinquish their allotted five minutes for public discussion. 2 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes After ample opportunity given and no one responding on a motion by Council Member Garcia and seconded by Council Member Melo the public portion of the meeting was adjourned. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: ANNUAL RESOLUTIONS On a motion by Council Member Garcia and seconded by Council Member Melo the following RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED FOR ADOPTION CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION NO. 19-07-213 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS FOR THE YEAR STARTING JULY 1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Passaic that the City Council hereby designates the North Jersey Herald News; The Record; El Especial/Especialito; Poder Latino USA as Official Newspapers for the City of Passaic, which newspapers are authorized to publish legal advertisements. The City Clerk shall retain the right to select which newspapers shall receive said advertisements in accordance with the law. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: ------------------------------------------------------------ On a motion by Council Member Garcia and seconded by Council Member Love the following RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED FOR ADOPTION CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION NO.19-07-214 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CITY COUNCIL’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC FOR THE YEAR JULY 1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Passaic that the City Council hereby designates: Council member: Daniel Schwartz 3 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes The City Council’s representative to the Planning Board of the City of Passaic for a one (1) year term, said to commence on July 1, 2019 and to terminate on June 30, 2020. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: ------------------------------------------------------------ On a motion by Council Member Garcia and seconded by Council Member Love the following RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED FOR ADOPTION CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION NO.19-07-215 RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS TO THE PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WHEREAS, THE City Council of the City of Passaic has, by Ordinance 1515-01 created the Passaic Redevelopment Agency in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A: 12 (a) – 11; and, WHEREAS, there shall be seven commissioners of the Redevelopment Agency, which shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council consistent with N.J.S.A. 40A; 12(a)-11; and, WHEREAS, the Mayor has appointed Daniel Schwartz for a term commencing July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Passaic that the Council Consents to the appointments of Daniel Schwartz for a term commencing July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS: On a motion by Council Member Melo and seconded by Council Member Garcia the following communications and petitions were received placed on file and approval granted 4 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes Amada D. Curling, City Clerk, submitting request for a cash bond refund to the following organizations: • Org. Mex Americano Unidos in the amount of $1,052.00 (Event Held: 9/23/2018) • Seventh Day Adventist Church, in the amount of $2,000.00 (Event Held: 6/2/2019) • Lajas Civic Club, in the amount of $2,000.00 (Event Held: 6/9/2019) Zuniga Entertainment, 115 President Street, submitting application to hold a Festival in their private parking lot on July 14, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (rain Date: July 21, 2019) (Contingent Upon Departmental Approvals) Peruvian Parade Inc., P.O. Box 2452, Paterson, NJ 07509 submitting application to hold a Flag Raising in front of Passaic City Hall on July 20, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Contingent Upon Departmental Approvals) Mt. Carmel Church, 10 St. Francis Way, submitting application to hold a Procession on July 14, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The procession will on St. Francis Way to Pennington Avenue, to Main Avenue, to Passaic Street, to State Street, ending at 10 St. Francis Way. (Contingent Upon Departmental Approvals) ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: ALL MATTERS LISTED HEREUNDER ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE IN NATURE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION ANY COUNCIL MEMBER MAY REQUEST THAT AN ITEM BE REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. On a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Garcia the following communications and petitions were received placed on file and approval granted Mayor Hector C. Lora, submitting the following memorandums of appointments: • Memorandum reappointing Chaim Munk to the Redevelopment Agency term to commence July 1, 2019 and expire June 30, 2020. • Memorandum re: Fire Department Promotions City of Passaic Zoning Board submitting notice of their meeting dates for the year 2019. 5 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes Northrop Grumman, submitting correspondence re: Remedial Action Permit transfer/Change of Ownership -270 Passaic Avenue – NJDEP Program Interest No. 005612 State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, submitting the following: • Suspected Hazardous substance Discharge Verification Notification NJDEP Case No. 19-06-22-2212-41 Passaic Valley Water Commission, submitting the following: • Notice of their June 19, 2019 meeting. North Jersey Water Supply Commission submitting the following: • Notice of their June 26, 2019 regular meeting. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: RESOLUTIONS: THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS TAKEN OFF THE AGENDA RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PASSAIC ON PASSAIC ON JULY 1, 2019 AT 5:30 PM OR ANYTIME THEREAFTER TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION, CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE VOTED ON BY ONE MOTION On a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Patel the following RESOLUTIONS WERE OFFERED FOR ADOPTION CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION # 19-07-216 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PASSAIC COUNTY CULTURAL & HERITAGE COUNCIL GRANT APPLICATION 6 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes WHEREAS, the City of Passaic has received notice from Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council regarding its Local Arts Program Re-grant program, which provides grants for local or New Jersey art projects that demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in sponsoring or producing arts activities in performing, visual and literary arts; and WHEREAS, said grant requires a one to one match equal to that of the grant amount; and WHEREAS, the City of Passaic wishes to request $5,000.00 in grant funding through said grant. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Passaic that the City of Passaic is hereby authorized to submit a grant application to the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to take all necessary actions to file this application and to accept grant funds from the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council. ------------------------------------------------------------ CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION # 19-07-217 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING 2019 DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER STATEWIDE LABOR DAY CRACKDOWN APPLICATION WHEREAS, the City of Passaic has received notice from the State of New Jersey, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Highway Traffic Safety, regarding a grant for the 2019 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Statewide Labor Day Crackdown program; and WHEREAS, $5,500.00 in overtime grant funding may be utilized from August 16, 2019, to September 2, 2019, for law-enforcement personnel costs; and WHEREAS, the City of Passaic Police Department wishes to submit an application for this grant; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Passaic that the City of Passaic is hereby authorized to submit a grant application to the State of New Jersey, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, 7 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the amount of $5,500.00 for law-enforcement personnel costs. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Passaic Police Department, Mayor, and City Clerk are hereby authorized to take all necessary actions to file this application and to accept 2019 grant funds from the State of New Jersey. ------------------------------------------------------------ CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION # 19-07-218 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PASSAIC COUNTY MUNICIPAL “DIG IN!” GRANT APPLICATION WHEREAS, the City of Passaic has received notice from the City Green Foundation regarding its Municipal “Dig In!” grant program, which provides up to 5,000 bulbs or 10 trees for greening and beautification projects; and WHEREAS, said grant requires no matching contributions from the City of Passaic; and WHEREAS, the City of Passaic wishes to submit an application for this grant. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Passaic that the City of Passaic is hereby authorized to submit a grant application to the City Green Municipal “Dig In!” grant program BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Passaic Department of Public Works, Mayor, and City Clerk are hereby authorized to take all necessary actions to file this application and to accept grant funds from the City Green Municipal “Dig In!” grant program ------------------------------------------------------------ CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION # 19-07-219 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE CITY OF PASSAIC A STIGMA-FREE ZONE WHEREAS, the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with the Passaic County Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Mental Health Association in Passaic 8 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes County, supports the designation of Stigma-Free Zones in every municipality, and; WHEREAS, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that 1 in 4 adults experiences mental illness in a given year and 1 in 17 adults live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder; approximately 20% of youth ages 13 to 18 and 13% of youth ages 8 to 15 experience severe mental disorders in a given year, and; WHEREAS, the stigma associated with the disease of mental illness is identified as the primary reason individuals fail to seek the help they need to recover from the disease, and; WHEREAS, Stigma-Free Zones aim to inspire public interest and open dialogues about stigma, raise awareness of the disease of mental illness and create a culture wherein residents who have the disease of mental illness feel supported by their community and neighbors and feel free to seek treatment for the disease without fear of stigma and; WHEREAS, promoting awareness that there can be no “health” without mental health will break down barriers and encourage residents of all ages to be mindful of their mental health and ask for help when needed, and; WHEREAS, local resources are available to treat the disease of mental illness so no one resident needs to suffer alone or feel hopeless, and; WHEREAS, establishing Stigma-Free Zones will raise awareness of resources and encourage residents to engage in care as soon as the need is identified so recovery can begin, hope is inspired and tragedies are avoided, and; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Council for the City of Passaic recognize the community needs and supports the efforts of the County of Passaic in designating the City of Passaic as a Stigma-Free Zone. ------------------------------------------------------------ 9 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION #19-07-220 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNDER THE FY2019 RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (ROID) GRANT PROGRAM AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION 19-06-200 WHEREAS, there is a need to provide recreation and leisure services for individuals with disabilities in the City of Passaic; and WHEREAS, the Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID) Grant supports projects that will provide these services to people with disabilities in our community by offering the ROID Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the City of Passaic Department of Recreation wishes to provide individuals with disabilities in need of the services being offered under this grant program; and WHEREAS, the City of Passaic desires to submit a grant application to the Department of Community Affairs on behalf of the City of Passaic Department of Recreation for the FY2019 Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID) Grant Program in the amount of $20,000.00; and WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Passaic recognizes and accepts that the Department may offer a less or greater amount, therefore upon receipt of the grant agreement from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, does further authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute any such grant agreement; and, also, upon receipt of the fully executed agreement from the Department, does further authorize the expenditure of funds pursuant to the terms of the agreement between the City of Passaic and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; and WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Passaic previously adopted Resolution #19-06-200, which subsequent to its adoption the Department of Community Affairs required specific revisions which are not set forth in this Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Passaic that: 1. The City of Passaic is authorized to submit a grant application for funding under the FY2019 Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID) Grant Program; and 10 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes 2. These funds shall be used by the City of Passaic Department of Recreation to provide services for individuals with disabilities; and 3. The City Council approves the allocation of the required 20% matching funds for this grant opportunity; and 4. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute any documents so required to further the purposes of this Resolution; and 5. Resolution #19-06-200 adopted on June 18, 2019 is hereby rescinded. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING: Council President Schaer read said Ordinance by title. CITY OF PASSAIC ORDINANCE NO# 2220-19 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DESIGNATION OF RESTRICTED PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS BY NJ LICENSE PLATE NUMBER WHEREAS the total number of Handicapped Parking Spaces Restricted by New Jersey License Plate Number as per last ordinance was 438 Handicapped Parking Spaces. WHEREAS the total number of Handicapped Parking Spaces Restricted by New Jersey License Plate Number as per this ordinance is 438 Handicapped Parking Spaces. BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Passaic and State of New Jersey that Chapter 295 ARTICLE XII Schedule XV shall be amended as follows: SECTION 1 295-32.2.Ord. Handicapped Parking Spaces Restricted by New Jersey License Plate Number shall be amended by the deletion of the following: 11 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes DELETION: NAME OF STREET SIDE LOCATION PLATE # 109 Pennington East Beginning at a point 158 HT3668 Avenue feet south of the southerly curbline of Paulison Avenue and extending to a point 22 feet southerly therefrom SECTION 2 295-32.2.Ord. Handicapped Parking Spaces Restricted by New Jersey License Plate Number shall be amended by the addition of the following: ADDITION: NAME OF STREET SIDE LOCATION PLATE # 148 Hamilton Avenue East Beginning at a point N77LAD 129 feet north of the northerly curbline of Jackson Street and extending to a point 22 feet northerly therefrom Council Member Patel moved the Ordinance be approved on first reading. Motion was seconded by Council Member Garcia the public hearing be held on July 23, 2019. BILL LIST On a motion by Council Member Garcia and seconded by Council Member Melo the PAYMENT OF BILLS was accepted and approved ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: 12 Passaic City Council July 1, 2019 Minutes MAYOR’S REPORT • There will be a 4th of July Celebration at the Boat House tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. • The City’s 4th of July fireworks display will be on July 6, 2019 in Pulaski Park. • After the recent flash flood this week, water in our parks is receding a lot better. COMMENTS BY COUNCIL • Council Member Love thanked Mayor Lora for his support of the African American Event. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council on a motion by Council Member Patel and seconded by Council Member Love the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. ROLL CALL AYES: Munk, Love, Melo, Patel, Schwartz, Garcia, CP Schaer ABSENT: ATTEST: APPROVED: Amada D. Curling, Gary S. Schaer, City Clerk Council President 13