City Council

City of Passaic New Jersey Passaic City Council July 6, 2023 Minutes PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC WAS CONDUCTED IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL STREAMED VIA ZOOM ON THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2023 AT 7:00 P.M. Weatherly Frias, Municipal Clerk, read the following notice into record: GOOD EVENING, ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC WE WELCOME YOU TO THE JULY 6, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 231 PUBLIC LAWS OF 1975, ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED BY RESOLUTION OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ADOPTED ON JUNE 13, 2023, SETTING FORTH THE SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS FOR THE YEAR 2023-2024; SAID NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED AND POSTED ON THE CITY HALL BULLETIN BOARD BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK PLEASE BE FURTHER ADVISED DUE TO COVID-19, THIS MEETING WILL BE IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL STREAMED VIA ZOOM. PUBLIC NOTICE AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS MEETING WERE PUBLISHED IN THE HERALD NEWS AND POSTED ON JUNE 30, 2023 ON THE CITY OF PASSAIC WEBSITE AT: WWW.CITYOFPASSAIC.COM (COUNCIL AGENDAS.) INSTRUCTIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE LAST PAGE OF THIS AGENDA. PLEASE BE GUIDED ACCORDINGLY. ON CALL OF THE ROLL THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEMBERS RESPONDED: ROLL CALL Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia Schaer X X X X X X ALSO PRESENT: Hector C. Lora, Mayor; Ricardo Fernandez, Business Administrator; Susie B. Burns, Esq., City Attorney Invocation was rendered by Council Member Melo followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Statement of determination of the municipal election held on May 9, 2023 was read by Municipal City Clerk Weatherly Frias. The City Clerk called for a recess at 7:08 p.m. Passaic City Council Minutes: July 6, 2023 Approved: PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC On a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Melo the council meeting was reconvened at 7:12 p.m. ROLL CALL Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer X X X X X X Mayor Hector C. Lora swore in council members-elect: Maritza Colón-Montañez Thania Melo Chaim M. Munk Gary S. Schaer NOMINATIONS AND SEATING OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT Gary Schaer NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT City Clerk Weatherly Frias requested a name for nomination for Council President. On a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Garcia the following RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED FOR ADOPTION CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION NO. 23-07-207 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING COUNCIL PRESIDENT FOR YEAR TERM TO COMMENCE ON JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 30, 2024 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, 2023 and to terminate on June 30, 2024. ROLL CALL Colon- Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer Montanez X X X X X X X Followed by comments from the city council members and Mayor Hector C. Lora. Page 2 of 9 Passaic City Council Minutes: July 6, 2023 Approved: PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC 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. John Wallis • Addressed Mayor Lora’s Facebook post regarding opportunities for the youth meeting with the Board of Education. On June 19, the mayor welcomed astronaut Dr. Elena Ochoa, the first Hispanic astronaut. Asked the Mayor what were the results of the meeting. Why Black Intellect have not been invited? Demer Ross • A city dispatcher is abusing her position at City Hall to file multiple false reports against him. • He congratulated the recently elected council members. Aryeh Mack • The corner of Van Houten and Howe Street is unsafe, people are getting hit by cars at that corner. Renee Griggs • She thanked the mayor and Mrs. Lora for the use of room for fundraising events. Page 3 of 9 Passaic City Council Minutes: July 6, 2023 Approved: PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC Joe Conoscenti • Who is paying for the flags put up at Passaic Avenue? • Why is the city buying a 2023 SUV for code enforcement? • Can next year’s July 4th celebration be at Passaic stadium? • Item 21 – from last meeting - what is it for? • Item 19 – why is property tax being waived? • Can picnic tables and barbecues be in all the parks? Evelyn T. Robinson • She congratulated all on their election. • She was shocked at the lack of decorum at a neighboring city’s council meeting. After ample opportunity given and no one else responding, on a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Melo the public portion of the meeting was adjourned. ROLL CALL Colon- Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer Montanez X X X X X X X ANNUAL RESOLUTIONS 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.23-07-208 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CITY COUNCIL’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC FOR THE YEAR JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 30, 2024 BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Passaic that the City Council hereby designates: Council Member Page 4 of 9 Passaic City Council Minutes: July 6, 2023 Approved: PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC Daniel Schwartz 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, 2023, and to terminate on June 30, 2024. ROLL CALL Colon- Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer Montanez X X X X X X X On a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Melo the following RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED FOR ADOPTION CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION NO.23-07-209 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 Chaim Munk for a term commencing July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Passaic that the Council Consents to the appointments of Chaim Munk for a term commencing July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Page 5 of 9 Passaic City Council Minutes: July 6, 2023 Approved: PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC ROLL CALL Colon- Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer Montanez X X X X X X X On a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Melo the following RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED FOR ADOPTION CITY OF PASSAIC RESOLUTION NO. 23-07-210 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS FOR THE YEAR STARTING JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 30, 2024 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 Colon- Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer Montanez X X X X X X X COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS: 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 Page 6 of 9 Passaic City Council Minutes: July 6, 2023 Approved: PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC Anybody Can Get It t/a Little Dubai, 427 Van Houten Avenue, submitting an application for a new Entertainment License for the year 2023. City of Passaic (Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs), 330 Passaic Street, submitting the following applications: • Sunny Smiles Summer Camp, on July 5, 2023 to August 11, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Third Ward Park, Pulaski Park and Christopher Columbus Park Coaches Association of Passaic, 102 Passaic Street, submitting an application to hold a Walk/Run within the confines of Third Ward Park on July 8, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Rain Date: July 15, 2023) (Contingent Upon Departmental Approvals) Doing It in the Park, PO Box 1873, Passaic, submitting application to hold a Community Event in School No. 11 Park (Stage Area) on July 15, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 9:30 pm (Rain Date: July 16, 2023) (Contingent Upon Departmental Approvals) Carnaval Tlxcala de Passaic, 20 Jackson Street, Passaic, submitting application to hold a Cultural Event on July 8 and 9, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm at 100 8th Street (private property) (Contingent Upon Departmental Approvals) Peruvian Parade Inc, 503 Paulison Avenue, submitting application to hold a Flag Raising on July 22, 2023, from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Passaic City Hall(Contingent Upon Departmental Approval) ROLL CALL Colon- Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer Montanez X X X X X X X ALL MATTERS LISTED HEREUNDER ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE IN NATURE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION ANY COUNCIL Page 7 of 9 Passaic City Council Minutes: July 6, 2023 Approved: PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC MEMBER MAY REQUEST THAT AN ITEM BE REMOVED FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION. On a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Melo 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, 2023, and expire June 30, 2024. ROLL CALL Colon- Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer Montanez X X X X X X X RESOLUTIONS: THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS TAKEN OFF THE AGENDA RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PASSAIC ON PASSAIC ON JULY 6, 2023 AT 7:00 PM OR ANYTIME THEREAFTER TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION, CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND PERSONNEL MATTERS MAYOR’S REPORT • Mayor Lora thanked the business administrator and Kathy Martinez for their hard work. • A 4-way stop street is under way for the corner of Van Houten and Howe Street. • Picnic tables and barbecue pits are in all Passaic parks. Page 8 of 9 Passaic City Council Minutes: July 6, 2023 Approved: PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASSAIC ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, on a motion by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Melo the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. ROLL CALL Colon- Munk Love Melo Schwartz Garcia CP Schaer Montanez X X X X X X X ATTEST: APPROVED: Weatherly Frias, Gary S. Schaer, Municipal Clerk Council President Page 9 of 9