Redevelopment Agency

Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #1 Redevelopment Agency Re-Organization Meeting Thursday, January 9, 2020 8:30 a.m. City of Passaic, Mayor’s Conference Room Commissioners Present: Arthur Soto, Ruth Perez, Kimberly Perez, and Chaim Munk Commissioners Absent: Peter Cedeno-Castro, David Spector and Angel Torres Staff Present: Ricardo Fernandez/Executive Director, Eric Bernstein, Redevelopment Attorney, Brian Hak, Attorney, Joe Buga/Project Manager Proper Notice: Adequate notice of the meeting was provided by notice to the Herald & News and Bergen Record, and by posting on the City Clerk’s bulletin board specifying the time, place and known agenda I. Roll Call II. Pledge of Allegiance Acting Chairman Eric Bernstein, Esq. / Redevelopment Attorney III. Public Session Motion to Open & Close: Moved: Commissioner Arthur Soto Seconded: Commissioner Chaim Munk Carried: All No members present Motion to Suspend Order of Business to Begin with Item #6 Resolutions Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #2 Motion to Nominate Commissioner Arthur Soto to Chairman: Motion to close Nominations Move: Commissioner Ruth Perez Second: Commissioner Chaim Munk Carried: All IV. RESOLUTIONS PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION NUMBER 20-01 RESOLUTION SELECTING CHAIRMAN FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR JANUARY 1, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Passaic Redevelopment Agency that _Arthur Soto___ is hereby designated as the Chairman of the Passaic Redevelopment Agency for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020. INTRODUCED BY: __Chaim Munk___ SECONDED BY: __Kimberly Perez___ Commissioner For Against Abstain Absent Arthur Soto X Peter Cedeno-Castro X Kimberly Perez X Ruth Perez X Chaim Munk X David Spector X Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #3 Angel Torres X January 9, 2020 _ORIGINAL SIGNATURE ON FILE_ _ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director Motion to Nominate Commissioner Ruth Perez to Vice-Chair: Move: Commissioner Kimberly Perez Second: Commissioner Chaim Munk Carried: All Motion to close Nominations: Move: Commissioner Chaim Munk Second: Commissioner Kimberly Perez Carried: All PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION NUMBER 20-02 RESOLUTION SELECTING VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR JANUARY 1, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Passaic Redevelopment Agency that _Ruth Perez_is hereby designated as the Vice-Chairman of the Passaic Redevelopment Agency for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020. INTRODUCED BY: _Kimberly Perez_ SECONDED BY: _Chaim Munk_____ Commissioner For Against Abstain Absent Arthur Soto X Peter Cedeno-Castro X Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #4 Kimberly Perez X Ruth Perez X Chaim Munk X David Spector X Angel Torres X January 9, 2020 __ORIGINAL SIGNATURE ON FILE__ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION # 20-03 RESOLUTION CONTINUING THE APPOINTMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CALENDAR YEAR JANUARY 1, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020 WHEREAS, the Passaic Redevelopment Agency is required by NJSA 40A:12A-11(b) to employ an Executive Director who shall also serve as Secretary of the Agency; and WHEREAS, Mr. Fernandez was appointed by the Agency to service as Executive Director on July 7, 2011; WHEREAS, Ricardo Fernandez, continues to meet the qualifications of NJSA 40-:12A- 12 to serve as Executive Director; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board agrees to the continuation of the appointment of Ricardo Fernandez as Executive Director at an annual salary of $32,500; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ricardo Fernandez, in his capacity of Executive Director shall serve as the appointing authority for all of the employees of the Agency. INTRODUCED BY: _Chaim Munk___ _ SECONDED BY: __Ruth Perez ____ Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #5 Commissioner For Against Abstain Absent Arthur Soto X Peter Cedeno-Castro X Kimberly Perez X Ruth Perez X Chaim Munk X David Spector X Angel Torres X Adopted on: January 9, 2020 _ORIGINAL SIGNATURE ON FILE __ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION # 20-04 RESOLUTION APPOINTING CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR CALENDAR YEAR JANUARY 1, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Passaic Redevelopment Agency that Omar J. Garcia is hereby designated as Chief Financial Officer of the Passaic Redevelopment Agency for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020. INTRODUCED BY: _Chaim Munk ___ SECONDED BY: __Kimberly Perez __ Commissioner For Against Abstain Absent Arthur Soto X Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #6 Peter Cedeno-Castro X Kimberly Perez X Ruth Perez X Chaim Munk X David Spector X Angel Torres X Adopted on: January 9, 2020 _ORIGINAL SIGNATURE ON FILE__ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION NUMBER 20-05 RESOLUTION APPOINTING RECORDING SECRETARY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JANUARY 1, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Passaic Redevelopment Agency that Asenett (Kathy) Martin is hereby designated as the Recording Secretary of the Passaic Redevelopment Agency for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020 at a rate of $250.00 per meeting. INTRODUCED BY: _Chaim Munk_ ___ SECONDED BY: __Kimberly Perez ___ Commissioner For Against Abstain Absent Arthur Soto X Peter Cedeno-Castro X Kimberly Perez X Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #7 Ruth Perez X Chaim Munk X David Spector X Angel Torres X Adopted on: January 9, 2020 __ORIGINAL SIGNATURE ON FILE __ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION # 20-06 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR JANUARY 1, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Passaic Redevelopment Agency that Passaic Redevelopment Agency hereby designates the North Jersey Herald & News and The Record as Official Newspapers for the Passaic Redevelopment Agency for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020, which newspapers are authorized to publish legal advertisements. The Executive Director shall retain the right to select which newspapers shall receive said advertisements in accordance with the law. INTRODUCED BY: __Chaim Munk ___ SECONDED BY: __Kimberly Perez___ Commissioner For Against Abstain Absent Arthur Soto X Peter Cedeno-Castro X Kimberly Perez X Ruth Perez X Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #8 Chaim Munk X David Spector X Angel Torres X Adopted on: January 9, 2020 __ORIGINAL SIGNATURE ON FILE__ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION NUMBER 20-07 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE OFFICIAL DEPOSITORY OF THE PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR JANUARY 1, 2020 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Passaic Redevelopment Agency that Passaic Redevelopment Agency hereby designates Valley National Bank, 211 Main Avenue, Passaic, NJ 07055 as the official bank depository of the Passaic Redevelopment Agency. INTRODUCED BY: __Chaim Munk _ SECONDED BY: _Ruth Perez____ _ Commissioner For Against Abstain Absent Arthur Soto X Peter Cedeno-Castro X Kimberly Perez X Ruth Perez X Chaim Munk X Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #9 David Spector X Angel Torres X Adopted on: January 9, 2020 _ORIGINAL SIGNATURE ON FILE __ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director PASSAIC REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION # 20-08 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING MEETING DATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 WHEREAS, the Passaic Redevelopment Agency needs to establish meeting dates for 2020. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Passaic Redevelopment Agency that the following are the Agency’s regular meeting dates. All meetings are to be held at 7:00pm in the Passaic City Hall, 2nd Floor, Mayor’s Conference Room, 330 Passaic Street, Passaic, NJ. February 13, 2020 August 13, 2020 March 12, 2020 September 10, 2020 April 23, 2020 ** October 15, 2020 ** May 14, 2020 November 12, 2020 June 11, 2020 December 10, 2020 July 9, 2020 INTRODUCED BY: __Chaim Munk __ SECONDED BY: ___Ruth Perez______ Commissioner For Against Abstain Absent Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #10 Chairman Arthur Soto X Vice Chairwoman Ruth Perez X Peter Cedeno - Castro X Chaim Munk X Kimberly Perez X David Spector X Angel Torres X January 9, 2020 _Original Signature on File_____ Date Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director V. Minutes of the meeting for December 16, 2019 Moved: Chaim Munk Second: Ruth Perez For: 4 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Not Present: 3 VI. The bill list for January 9, 2020 in the amount of $490.78 was reviewed and approved. Moved: Chaim Munk Second: Ruth Perez For: 4 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Not Present: 3 VII. CLOSED SESSION No Closed Session Items Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #11 VIII. UPDATES BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RICARDO FERNANDEZ City has been very active in redevelopment designations, several more sites have been approved by the City Council and we are preparing plans for all along Main Avenue, on the corner of Lexington Avenue and Central Avenue by Barry’s Tuxedo. We are in discussions with the County because it is becoming difficult for developers when they are trying to develop their upper floors. They are being required to put fire escapes or balconies and the County Planning Board is denying the overhangs on their property. The first experience with this issue was with the Chase Bank on Main Avenue and Passaic Street, in order to make the flow perfect for the second point of egress as required they did not allow it. The Main Avenue surveys conducted in conjunction with the Neighborhood Preservation Program totaled 292, which the State considered in compliance, allowing us to begin to expend some of the grant. We plan to begin with mural projects. We also plan a walk through the Broadway Eateries District similar to the Market Street Bistro District. Lastly, we are working with a planning firm to complete a rehabilitation/redevelopment plan for the Central Business District on Main Avenue and some adjacent streets. We are also working with local businesses to do some facade improvements so that we can put the actual projects for the people to apply for the funding. We are waiting for the State to open the application process to apply for several million dollars to get our parking deck with a storefront up and running. We are finally meeting with representatives NV5, the designers that are working on the Market Street project to begin using the funds that we received about 5 or 6 years ago. Our goal is to begin doing the streetscape work for the project. Plans are almost complete for 1 Market Street / Ethan Allen site, we hope that they will be going before the Planning Board with their site application within the next month for approvals based on the redevelopment plan. Yesterday the City Council approved the contract of sale for the railroad. The Planning Board recommended the redevelopment plan and at the next council meeting the City Council is expected to vote on the second and final reading for the plan on the railroad. Once that is done, we can begin the removal of the railroad tracks and beginning the development. The Pantasote site should be closing on the property this month, They have their site plan approval.. We referred a potential long-term tenant that is looking to put up a sound studio in our area. Upon closing they should begin applications for their permits. Redevelopment Agency Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020 Page #12 XI. ADJOURNMENT Moved: Arthur Soto Seconded: Chaim Munk For: 4 Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Not Present: 3 Respectfully Submitted, ORIGINAL SIGNATURE ON FILE Asenett Martin Secretary