Board of Commissioners - Board of Commissioners Meeting

CITY OF UNION CITY HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS : : TRANSCRIPT OF RECORDED REGULAR MEETING : _ : PROCEEDINGS Union Hill Middle School 3808 Hudson Avenue Union City, New Jersey Tuesday, February 17, 2015 Commencing at 7:00 p.m. M E M B E R S P R E S E N T: BRIAN P. STACK, MAYOR LUCIO P. FERNANDEZ, COMMISSIONER MARYURY A. MARTINETTI, COMMISSIONER CELIN J. VALDIVIA, COMMISSIONER TILO E. RIVAS, COMMISSIONER M E M B E R S A B S E N T: A L S O P R E S E N T: DOMINICK CANTATORE, ACTING CITY CLERK SCARINCI HOLLENBECK BY: MONICA E. de los RIOS, ESQ. Corporation Counsel GREGORY T. FARMER, ESQ. Attorney for the Union City Alcohol Beverage Control Commission  2 I N D E X PAGE CALL TO ORDER 3 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3 ROLL CALL 4 ORDINANCES FOR HEARING AND ADOPTION 4 CONSENT AGENDA 13 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION 22 REGULAR AGENDA 24,25, 26 OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD 28 LIQUOR LICENSE DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS 37 ADJOURNMENT 38  3 1 ACTING CITY CLERK: This is a Regular 2 Public Meeting of the Union City Board of 3 Commissioner, being held on Tuesday, February 17, 4 2015, at seven p.m., at the Union Hill Middle 5 School, 3808 Hudson Avenue, Union City, New 6 Jersey. 7 Everyone please rise for the Pledge of 8 Allegiance. 9 10 (Whereupon the Pledge of Allegiance was 11 said.) 12 13 ACTING CITY CLERK: This meeting has been 14 called in accordance with Chapter 231, Public Law 15 of 1975, the Open Public Meeting Act. Adequate 16 notice of this meeting has been provided as 17 follows: 18 Notice of this meeting setting forth the 19 time, the date, location, and the agenda, to the 20 extent known, was forwarded to The Jersey 21 Journal, The Record, and The Hudson Reporter, has 22 been posted on bulletin board in City Hall and 23 has been made available to the public in the 24 office of the Municipal Clerk. 25  4 1 ROLL CALL: 2 3 ACTING CITY CLERK: Roll call. 4 Commissioner Fernandez? 5 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Here. 6 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas? 7 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Here. 8 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 9 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Here. 10 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 11 Martinetti? 12 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Here. 13 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 14 MAYOR STACK: Here. 15 16 ORDINANCES FOR HEARING AND ADOPTION 17 CONSIDERATION: 18 19 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 386 OF THE 20 CODE OF THE CITY OF UNION CITY ENTITLED 21 “TAXICABS” 22 23 ACTING CITY CLERK: First item, Ordinance 24 for Hearing and Adoption Consideration. 25 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 386 of the  5 1 Code of the City of Union City Entitled Taxicabs. 2 MAYOR STACK: Anyone wishing to comment on 3 this Ordinance at this time, please step forward, 4 state your name and address for the record. 5 I would like to at this time like to thank 6 specifically Lieutenant John Loaces for working 7 on this Ordinance for us. 8 It sets fare rates for the taxicabs and 9 makes sure our residents and those that use our 10 taxis in Union City are not being ripped off and 11 charging basically rates that -- just any amount 12 that they want. 13 So I thank the Lieutenant for helping us 14 out and the Police Department on this. 15 Where do you want him to stand, Dominick? 16 ACTING CITY CLERK: Right here. 17 MR. PRICE: There? 18 Larry Price, 1006 Palisade Avenue. 19 The only thing that struck me was by going 20 -- some -- there were some real anomalies in that 21 when we went to the zones. 22 For example, if you went from 15 th Street, 23 which would be Zone 1 to 32nd Street, which would 24 be Zone 3, you’d be going through -- and as I -- 25 I calculated it would be a $9.00 fare. That’s a  6 1 pretty expensive cab. 2 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Would you like -- 3 MAYOR STACK: John? 4 LIEUTENANT LOACES: -- may I -- 5 MAYOR STACK: If you could. Please. 6 MR. PRICE: Sure. 7 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Well, the problem with 8 that was I did a study of the five major taxicabs 9 that we have in Union City. According to the 10 Ordinance that we have in place now -- 11 MR. DILLON: I just wanted to know, do you 12 want to -- do we need to swear -- swear you in 13 for -- 14 Is this considered testimony or -- 15 MAYOR STACK: No. No. 16 MS. de los RIOS: No. 17 MAYOR STACK: You know Larry. You gave 18 your name right, Larry? 19 You gave your name just now, right? 20 Larry -- 21 MR. PRICE: Yeah. 22 MAYOR STACK: Larry Price, 1006 Palisade 23 Avenue. 24 MR. DILLON: Yeah, I have -- 25 MR. PRICE: I wasn’t sworn.  7 1 MAYOR STACK: Yeah. 2 Lieutenant John Loaces. 3 They’re fine. 4 MR. DILLON: Don’t worry about it. 5 MAYOR STACK: Go right ahead. 6 LIEUTENANT LOACES: I did a study of the 7 five taxicab companies that we have in Union 8 City. 9 MR. PRICE: Right. 10 LIEUTENANT LOACES: According to the 11 current fare schedule, the first mile is $2.50. 12 MR. PRICE: Yeah. 13 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Each additional half 14 mile is 50 cents. 15 MR. PRICE: Correct. 16 LIEUTENANT LOACES: So what I did was I 17 called up the individual companies, posing as a 18 fare needing to go from 5th Street and Bergenline 19 Avenue to the Light Rail Station on 49 th and 20 Bergenline Avenue. 21 Now assuming that that route would take -- 22 would be three miles, -- which it’s not but 23 assuming it would be, the maximum they could have 24 charged would have been $4.50. 25 When I called -- when I actually called up  8 1 the individual cab companies I got quoted 2 anywhere from $12.00, $12.00, $11.00, $10.00 and 3 $9.00. 4 MR. PRICE: Oh. 5 LIEUTENANT LOACES: So they were way over 6 what they should have been charging. 7 MR. PRICE: Right. 8 LIEUTENANT LOACES: And the problem I found 9 with that isn’t so much -- it’s -- there’s no 10 accountability for it. 11 For example, you could call up today and 12 ask for a fare to go from 5 th Street to the Light 13 Rail Station and today they’ll charge you 12. 14 Tomorrow you need to make the exact same route, 15 using the exact same cab company and they may 16 charge you 7 -- 17 MAYOR STACK: Or inclement weather like 18 we’ve been having -- not to interrupt you but 19 snow, rain, it goes up maybe three, four dollars. 20 It’s just -- 21 MR. PRICE: Yeah. 22 MAYOR STACK: -- it’s been a little 23 sporadic -- 24 MR. PRICE: Right. 25 MAYOR STACK: -- and that’s what we became  9 1 concerned with. 2 MR. PRICE: Right. 3 LIEUTENANT LOACES: And -- 4 MR. PRICE: Thank you. 5 LIEUTENANT LOACES: I’m sorry. 6 MR. PRICE: Oh, no, no. No. 7 LIEUTENANT LOACES: And I see your concern 8 as far as going from 15th Street to -- 9 MR. PRICE: Well, -- 10 LIEUTENANT LOACES: -- it actually would be 11 33rd Street. 12 MR. PRICE: I don’t -- since I have a car I 13 don’t take cabs and since I’m cheap I don’t take 14 cabs but the example I have, 15th Street to 32nd 15 Street, would have been 2.50 because that’s, you 16 know, less than a mile. So I’d pay 2.50 for the 17 first mile. So I’d be paying 2.50 and suddenly I 18 was paying $9.00 and that seemed like a big jump. 19 But what you’re really saying is nobody 20 gets 2.50. 21 MAYOR STACK: No. 22 LIEUTENANT LOACES: No, unfortunately not. 23 MAYOR STACK: No. 24 LIEUTENANT LOACES: And since there is 25 no -- since there is no meter in the system,  10 1 there’s really no way to regulate it. 2 MR. PRICE: Right. 3 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Like I said I called up 4 and they had no idea who I was and they quoted me 5 from $12.00 to $8.00 and that’s not fair. And 6 it’s not fair to the passenger who’s getting in 7 and has no idea. They’re at the mercy of whoever 8 the drivers are. 9 If the driver wants to say, you know, 10 that’s going to be $17.00; it’s going to be 11 $17.00 or get out of my cab. 12 At least with this we’re going to -- 13 they’re -- we’re going to require that they have 14 a placard even on the dash; it’s basically going 15 to break up the City into three zones. 16 MR. PRICE: Right. 17 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Three dollars, three 18 dollars and three dollars. 19 The maximum citywide, -- if you want to 20 take a tour of all of Union City, the maximum 21 they can charge you is $9.00. 22 If you want to go from 1st Street Park to 23 15th Street, it’s $3.00. Where right there they 24 would probably charge you five or six. 25 MAYOR STACK: Minimum.  11 1 LIEUTENANT LOACES: So I know on one end it 2 may sound like it’s a little high but in the big 3 picture it’s a lot more reasonable and a lot more 4 -- there’s a lot more accountability. It’s fair 5 for the individual resident and the passengers; 6 that’s why I came up with that. 7 MR. PRICE: Okay. 8 MAYOR STACK: Thank you very much. 9 Thank you, Lieutenant. 10 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Yes, sir. 11 MAYOR STACK: Thank you. 12 Anyone else wishing to comment on this 13 Ordinance; please step forward, state your name 14 and address for the record. 15 Seeing none. 16 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion to close public 17 hearing. 18 MAYOR STACK: Motion. 19 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Second. 20 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion by Commissioner 21 Valdivia; second by Mayor Stack. 22 Roll call. 23 Commissioner Fernandez? 24 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Yes. 25 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas?  12 1 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Yes. 2 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 3 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 4 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 5 Martinetti? 6 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Yes. 7 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 8 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 9 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Yes. 10 ACTING CITY CLERK: Is there a motion to 11 adopt? 12 MAYOR STACK: Motion. 13 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Second. 14 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion by Mayor Stack. 15 Second by Commissioner Fernandez. 16 Roll call. 17 Commissioner Fernandez? 18 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Yes. 19 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas? 20 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Yes. 21 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 22 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 23 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 24 Martinetti? 25 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Yes.  13 1 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 2 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 3 4 CONSENT AGENDA: 5 6 ( 1) Resolution Approving the Payment of Claims 7 ( 2) Resolution Approving the Payment of 8 Concurring Claims 9 ( 3) Resolution Approving the City Payroll for 10 the Period of January 28, 2015 through February 11 10, 2015 12 ( 4) Resolution Approving the Library Payroll 13 for the Period of January 28, 2015 through 14 February 10, 2015 15 ( 5) Resolution Approving Disciplinary 16 Proceedings Against Plaza Espana Inc. t/a La 17 Plaza Espana Bar & Restaurant, 2506 Bergenline 18 Avenue, Liquor License No. 0910-33-136-020 19 ( 6) Resolution Authorizing Payment of Risk 20 Manager 21 ( 7) Resolution Authorizing One Year Extension 22 of Ambulance Billing Services Contract with 23 Intermedix 24 ( 8) Resolution Authorizing Contract with 25 Integrated Micro Systems Inc. for IT Services  14 1 ( 9) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 2 Bid for Decorative Street Light Painting Project 3 (10) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 4 Bid for Emergency Phone Towers and Call Box 5 Stations Installation Project 6 (11) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 7 Bid for the City Street Striping Program 8 (12) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 9 Bid for the 2015 Park Landscape Maintenance 10 Program 11 (13) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 12 Bid for the 2015 Maintenance Program for 13 Washington Park & Ellsworth Park 14 (14) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 15 Bid for the 2015 Baseball & Softball Equipment 16 (15) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 17 Bid for the 2015 Pools Opening & Closing 18 (16) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 19 Bid for Pool Equipment 20 (17) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 21 Bid for the Salter Truck 22 (18) Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 23 Bid for the Transit Wagon 24 (19) Resolution Authorizing Refund of Redemption 25 Monies to Outside Lienholders  15 1 (20) Resolution Authorizing the Refund of 2 Premium Monies Collected at the Tax Sale 3 (21) Any other matter of City business that may 4 arise 5 6 ACTING CITY CLERK: Next item is Consent 7 Agenda. 8 First item is Resolution Approving the 9 Payments of Claims. 10 Item 2. 11 Resolution Approving the Payment of 12 Concurring Claims. 13 Item 3. 14 Resolution Approving the City Payroll for 15 the Period of January 28, 2015 through February 16 10, 2015. 17 Item 4. 18 Resolution Approving the Library Payroll 19 for the Period of January 28, 2015 through 20 February 10, 2015. 21 Item 5. 22 Resolution Approving Disciplinary 23 Proceedings Against Plaza Espana, Inc., also 24 known as La Plaza Espana Bar and Restaurant, 2506 25 Bergenline Avenue, Liquor License number  16 1 0910-33-136-020. 2 Item 6. 3 Resolution Authorizing Payment of Risk 4 Manager. 5 Item 7. 6 Resolution Authorizing One Year Extension 7 of Ambulance Billing Service Contract with 8 Intermedix. 9 Item 8. 10 Resolution Authorizing Contract with 11 Integrated Micro System Inc. for IT Services. 12 Item 9. 13 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 14 Bid for Decorative Street Light Painting Project. 15 Item 10. 16 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 17 Bid for Emergency Phone Towers and Call Box 18 Stations Installation Project. 19 Item 11. 20 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 21 Bid for the City Street Striping Program. 22 Item 12. 23 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 24 Bid for the 2015 Park Landscaping Maintenance 25 Program.  17 1 Item 13. 2 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 3 Bid for the 2015 Maintenance Program for 4 Washington Park and Ellsworth Park. 5 Item 14. 6 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 7 Bid for the 2015 Baseball and Softball Equipment. 8 Item 15. 9 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 10 Bid for the 2015 Pool Opening and Closing. 11 Item 16. 12 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 13 Bid for Pool Equipment. 14 Item 17. 15 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 16 Bid for the Salter Truck. 17 Item 18. 18 Resolution Authorizing Advertisement for 19 Bid for the Transit Wagon. 20 Item 19. 21 Resolution Authorizing Refund of Redemption 22 Money to Outside Lienholders. 23 Item 20. 24 Resolution Authorizing the Refund of 25 Premium Money Collected at Tax Sale.  18 1 Mayor, do you wish to take public comment 2 on any item -- 3 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 4 ACTING CITY CLERK: -- on the Consent 5 Agenda? 6 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 7 Just before I do, I know on the bid for 8 decorative street lighting, the repainting that 9 we’re doing, that wouldn’t be the ones on New 10 York Avenue. Just for the public’s edification. 11 That would be the older ones that are in 12 the City on Summit, Bergenline -- that have been 13 there probably since the late 1990s, maybe ’98, 14 ’99. We’d be repainting them. 15 That actually is about 153 decorative light 16 bulbs that we would be painting -- we’d be 17 seeking a bid on. 18 The emergency phone towers, we’d be going 19 into parks. They’re a small tower with a blue 20 light on top. It would have direct access to 21 Union City Police. I think that’s a great public 22 safety measure; something that we’re pushing very 23 hard. The high school has it outside the park on 24 24th and Kennedy. 25 The City Street Striping Program is  19 1 something I probably always wanted to do since I 2 became the Mayor. To get the whole City 3 restriped professionally. They put in that 4 thermal plastic striping, which lasts several 5 years. I’ve known other towns that have gotten 6 about five years out of it. 7 And if you maintain it and try to get -- 8 and paint it yourself after the first time they 9 do it, you could probably stretch it to six or 10 seven or eight years. 11 The Park Maintenance Landscape Program; is 12 important to maintain our parks. And also that 13 would be for the professional landscaper. Having 14 a professional landscaper on our parks has saved 15 us a lot of money and not hiring new employees in 16 the Parks Department with the number of employees 17 that we’ve gone down. 18 At this time anyone wishing to comment on 19 any matter on the Consent Agenda, please step 20 forward. 21 As I say many times it’s important that we 22 pave streets and we do new streets but it’s also 23 important that we maintain our parks and our 24 public buildings and our properties. Once we do 25 renovate them, properly maintain them.  20 1 On the intersections in the City that would 2 be redone, there’s 220 intersections in the City. 3 I’m also looking into doing the bus stops and the 4 loading zones -- I should say the fire zone on 5 Bergenline Avenue from 47 down to 30. 6 Anyone at this time wishing to comment? 7 Seeing none. 8 ACTING CITY CLERK: Is there a motion to 9 close public comment? 10 MAYOR STACK: Motion. 11 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Second. 12 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion by Mayor Stack. 13 Second by Commissioner Valdivia. 14 Roll call. 15 Commissioner Fernandez? 16 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Yes. 17 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas? 18 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Yes. 19 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 20 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 21 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 22 Martinetti? 23 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Yes. 24 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 25 MAYOR STACK: Yes.  21 1 ACTING CITY CLERK: Is there a motion to 2 approve all items on the Consent Agenda? 3 MAYOR STACK: Motion. 4 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Second. 5 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion by Mayor Stack. 6 Second by Commissioner Martinetti. 7 Roll call. 8 Commissioner Fernandez? 9 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Yes. 10 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas? 11 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Yes. 12 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 13 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 14 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 15 Martinetti? 16 MS. de los RIOS: At this time we recommend 17 that Commissioner Martinetti recuse herself from 18 two items on page 2 of item on the Consent Agenda 19 number 1. These are payments -- two payments 20 made to Adolfo Lopez. 21 ACTING CITY CLERK: Otherwise yes? 22 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Otherwise yes. 23 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 24 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 25  22 1 ORDINANCE(S) FOR INTRODUCTION: 2 3 ( ) ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 155 OF THE CODE 4 OF THE CITY OF UNION CITY ENTITLED “FEES” 5 6 ACTING CITY CLERK: Next item is an 7 Ordinance for Introduction. 8 This Ordinance will be further considered 9 at a meeting of the Board of Commission to be 10 held on March 3rd, 2015, at seven p.m. at the 11 Housing Authority, Hillside Pavilion, 3911 12 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, New Jersey. 13 It’s an Ordinance Amending Chapter 155 of 14 the Code of the City of Union City Entitled Fees. 15 MAYOR STACK: Just for the public’s 16 edification, exactly what are the fees? 17 MS. de los RIOS: What we have done is 18 increased three fees, Mayor. 19 The first is the fee for an ambulance 20 service. Went from $600.00 to $800.00. 21 Then there is now $20.00 per mile per trip 22 charge. It had been $10.00. 23 There is now the fee for use of oxygen is 24 $80.00. It had been $60.00. 25 The fee for the refusal of medical  23 1 attention remains $250.00. 2 MAYOR STACK: Okay. This would be a fee 3 that would be charged on ambulance services, as 4 everyone -- as most towns are doing today, to 5 support their EMS. Which we have a great EMS in 6 Union City. I don’t say it because I’m the 7 Mayor; I say it long before I became the Mayor, 8 we’ve had a great EMS. 9 On most days we run -- every day we run a 10 minimum of two ambulances; on the weekend we run 11 three. I know during the storm -- 12 I believe, Lieutenant, we ran four? 13 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Absolutely, sir. 14 MAYOR STACK: -- we ran four. 15 We’re very proud of what we’ve done at EMS 16 and professionalizing EMS. 17 If a person didn’t have insurance it’s 18 always been my policy they would not be charged 19 anything for the ambulance; it would go to the 20 insurance. Whatever the insurance pays is what 21 they accept at the billing -- at the company that 22 does the billing. 23 I’ll move it. 24 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion to introduce 25 moved by --  24 1 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Second. 2 ACTING CITY CLERK: -- Mayor Stack. 3 Second by Commissioner Martinetti. 4 Roll call. 5 Commissioner Fernandez? 6 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Yes. 7 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas? 8 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Yes. 9 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 10 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 11 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 12 Martinetti? 13 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Yes. 14 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 15 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 16 17 REGULAR AGENDA: 18 19 1. Resolution Approving the Redevelopment 20 Agency Payroll for the Period of January 28, 2015 21 through February 10, 2015 22 23 ACTING CITY CLERK: Next item is the 24 Regular Agenda. 25 Item 1 is Resolution Approving the  25 1 Redevelopment Agency Payroll for the Period of 2 January 28, 2015 through January (sic) 10th, 2015. 3 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Motion. 4 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion made by 5 Commissioner Martinetti. 6 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Second. 7 ACTING CITY CLERK: Second by Commissioner 8 Valdivia. 9 Roll call. 10 Commissioner Fernandez; recusing. 11 Commissioner Rivas? 12 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Yes. 13 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 14 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 15 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 16 Martinetti? 17 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Yes. 18 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 19 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 20 21 REGULAR AGENDA: 22 23 2. Resolution to Establish Temporary 24 Appropriation to the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget 25  26 1 ACTING CITY CLERK: Item 2 is Resolution to 2 Establish Temporary Appropriation to the Fiscal 3 Year 2015 Budget. 4 MAYOR STACK: I’ll move it. 5 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion made by Mayor 6 Stack. 7 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Second. 8 ACTING CITY CLERK: Second by Commissioner 9 Rivas. 10 Roll call. 11 Commissioner Fernandez? 12 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Yes. 13 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 14 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 15 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 16 Martinetti? 17 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Yes. 18 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas? 19 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Yes. 20 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 21 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 22 23 REGULAR AGENDA: 24 25 3. Resolution Authorizing Payment of Claim to  27 1 the Hudson County Clerk. 2 3 ACTING CITY CLERK: Next item -- item 3. 4 Resolution Authorizing Payment of Claim to 5 the Hudson County Clerk. 6 MAYOR STACK: I’ll move it. 7 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion made by Mayor 8 Stack. 9 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Second. 10 ACTING CITY CLERK: Second by Commissioner 11 Valdivia. 12 Roll call. 13 Commissioner Fernandez? 14 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Yes. 15 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas? 16 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: I’ll recuse myself. 17 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas is 18 recusing. 19 Commissioner Valdivia? 20 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 21 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 22 Martinetti? 23 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: I’m recusing. 24 ACTING CITY CLERK: Recusing. 25 Mayor Stack?  28 1 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 2 3 OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: 4 5 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor, there are no 6 other items on the agenda. 7 Do you wish to take public comment -- 8 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 9 ACTING CITY CLERK: -- on any items on the 10 Regular Agenda? 11 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 12 Anyone wishing to comment at this time, 13 please step forward, state your name and address 14 for the record. 15 Sir, if you could, you could just stand 16 right over here. 17 Thank you very much. 18 MR. STEVEN: Kendall Steven, 356 Mountain 19 Road, Union City. 20 MR. DILLON: Steven or Stevens? 21 MR. STEVEN: Steven. 22 MR. DILLON: Steven? 23 MR. STEVEN: I came tonight to find out 24 about the redevelopment issues that are going on 25 on Mountain Road.  29 1 There’s the existing area that’s been 2 abandoned and now it’s come to our attention that 3 there are -- there are contiguous with that three 4 more properties that are now on the market. 5 They’re looking for a hundred units. And I’m 6 concerned about the fiscal -- I mean the physical 7 plans for how to manage that big an influx of 8 population in that small area. 9 The roads are one way. The roads are one 10 lane. I don’t know how that’s going to be 11 managed and -- 12 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 13 Tonight, sir, there’s a meeting on the 14 project I believe that you’re speaking about. 15 There’s a meeting at Colin Powell School. 16 MR. STEVEN: It’s being attended by my 17 wife. 18 MAYOR STACK: Okay, right. 19 MR. STEVEN: I wanted to speak with the 20 Board because I think -- 21 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 22 MR. STEVEN: -- you would also have 23 understanding of it. 24 MAYOR STACK: And you definitely will at 25 any time.  30 1 But if that plan is approved tonight, it 2 would come to the Board of Commissioners at that 3 time. I’d comment more at that time once the 4 Board -- depending on what their pleasure is this 5 evening, whether they hold it, whether they vote 6 on it, whether they vote it down or -- or move 7 it, it would come -- the next step would be to 8 the Board of Commissioners at that time. 9 There’s no project been proposed. I don’t 10 know about a hundred units but there’s been no 11 project proposed at this time. This is only a 12 study for an area that’s in need of 13 redevelopment. 14 MR. STEVEN: Okay. 15 MAYOR STACK: But there’s no project on the 16 table or anything. 17 MR. STEVEN: And if the -- if the area is 18 redeveloped, I’m concerned about tax abatements 19 and -- and things that would -- 20 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 21 MR. STEVEN: -- cause the citizens to carry 22 the development of this property. 23 MAYOR STACK: And I’m glad you are. In my 24 14 years as Mayor we’ve never approved a tax 25 abatement, a long term tax abatement. We’ve only  31 1 followed the State model, what’s been given, 2 which is a five year phase-in program. 3 But we’ve never awarded tax abatements, 4 unless it’s affordable housing or something like 5 that. 6 MR. STEVEN: Can I ask you a question on an 7 entirely different -- 8 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 9 MR. STEVEN: Same area, different subject. 10 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 11 MR. STEVEN: There’s a new stoplight at the 12 intersection of Manhattan Avenue and Mountain 13 Road; 16th Street/Mountain Road. And at that 14 stoplight is a no left turn sign. All the roads 15 go away from that stoplight, except for 16 th 16 Street which comes into that stoplight. And it 17 causes a lot of traffic backup to not be able to 18 make that left turn, since a large number of 19 people make that left turn. 20 Is there any way that that left turn sign 21 can be reconsidered? 22 MAYOR STACK: This left turn sign is when 23 you’re by Saint John’s Church; you proceed from 24 Palisade down -- 25 MR. STEVEN: Toward -- toward Manhattan  32 1 Avenue. 2 MAYOR STACK: -- toward Manhattan Avenue. 3 MR. STEVEN: At Manhattan and Mountain Road 4 there is a no left turn sign or the -- at -- with 5 the stoplight. And the only -- there’s no 6 traffic that goes the same direction, so there 7 would be no effect to making that left turn. 8 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 9 John? John, can you step forward for a 10 minute -- Lieutenant? 11 LIEUTENANT LOACES: I’m confused. Do you 12 mean the right turn? 13 MR. STEVEN: Right turn. Sorry. 14 MAYOR STACK: Okay. 15 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Okay. 16 MAYOR STACK: You had me going there for a 17 minute. I’m saying to myself -- 18 MR. STEVEN: I’m sorry; I’m left-handed. 19 So left and right are backwards. 20 MAYOR STACK: I’m actually ready to ream 21 somebody out in County right now saying how could 22 they have put that sign in. 23 MR. STEVEN: The no right turn on red sign. 24 MAYOR STACK: Yeah, we definitely could 25 look at that.  33 1 MR. STEVEN: Okay. 2 MAYOR STACK: Sure. No problem. 3 John, if you can, -- if you can, do you see 4 any safety hazard by -- 5 This would be at 16, right when you’re 6 going to make the right. 7 And if I’m wrong, please -- 8 When you’re going to make the right to go 9 down to -- 10 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Viaduct. 11 MAYOR STACK: -- going down to Hoboken. 12 MR. STEVEN: Going down Manhattan Avenue -- 13 MAYOR STACK: Exactly. 14 MR. STEVEN: -- viaduct. Yes. 15 MAYOR STACK: You’re going down the 16 viaduct. 17 MR. STEVEN: Right. 18 LIEUTENANT LOACES: You’re speaking of 19 right by that little mini mart that’s there -- 20 MR. STEVEN: Exactly. 21 MAYOR STACK: Exactly. 22 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yeah. 23 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Okay. 24 No, I don’t see that -- because he’s right, 25 there would be no traffic that’s actually coming  34 1 that way. 2 MAYOR STACK: John, send me up something on 3 that please. 4 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Absolutely. First 5 thing in the morning. 6 MAYOR STACK: Please. All right? 7 MR. STEVEN: I understand like during 8 school hours and things, ‘cause there’s a lot of 9 kids -- 10 MAYOR STACK: Sure. 11 MR. STEVEN: -- coming -- 12 MAYOR STACK: You know what we could do, 13 John? We could put a -- we could put a time 14 limit on there. 15 Monica, if you can, -- 16 MS. de los RIOS: Um-hum. 17 MAYOR STACK: -- for the next meeting, we 18 can make it down Monday to Friday from -- from 19 seven a.m. -- from seven a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 20 How’s that? 21 MR. STEVEN: That’s great. 22 MAYOR STACK: All right? 23 MR. STEVEN: I just think it will alleviate 24 some of the -- 25 MAYOR STACK: Just to --  35 1 MR. STEVEN: -- traffic back up. 2 MAYOR STACK: And that’s at 16 th Street. 3 Okay? 4 MS. de los RIOS: Manhattan. Um-hum. 5 MAYOR STACK: Right. And Manhattan Avenue. 6 MS. de los RIOS: Manhattan Avenue. 7 MR. STEVEN: Having those two lights now -- 8 MAYOR STACK: Right. That would be fine. 9 MR. STEVEN: -- traffic -- 10 MAYOR STACK: We fought hard to get those 11 lights in there. We did. 12 John, get me a note on that if you can? 13 LIEUTENANT LOACES: Yes, sir. 14 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: It’s got to be 4:30 15 because we have -- 16 MAYOR STACK: Four thirty. 17 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: -- a program in 18 Colin Powell School. 19 MAYOR STACK: We’ll make it to 4:30. 20 Absolutely. 21 Thank you very much for that. 22 MR. STEVEN: Thank you. 23 MAYOR STACK: Thank you. 24 Anyone else wishing to comment at this 25 time?  36 1 Seeing no other. 2 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion to close the 3 public comment portion of this meeting? 4 MAYOR STACK: Motion. 5 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Second. 6 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion by Mayor Stack. 7 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Second. 8 ACTING CITY CLERK: Second by Commissioner 9 Fernandez. 10 Roll call. 11 Commissioner Fernandez? 12 COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ: Yes. 13 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Rivas? 14 COMMISSIONER RIVAS: Yes. 15 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner Valdivia? 16 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Yes. 17 ACTING CITY CLERK: Commissioner 18 Martinetti? 19 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Yes. 20 ACTING CITY CLERK: Mayor Stack? 21 MAYOR STACK: Yes. 22 23 * * * 24 25  37 1 LIQUOR LICENSE HEARING: 2 3 1. Renewal Application of Uno Bar t/a Dolores 4 Castro, Liquor License No. 0910-33-108-004, 5 Located at 3607 New York Avenue 6 7 ACTING CITY CLERK: We have a liquor 8 license hearing. 9 I don’t think -- 10 MAYOR STACK: Mr. Farmer, is anyone here 11 for the liquor license hearing? 12 MR. FARMER: No. 13 The notation on your agenda is dealing with 14 Uno Bar who has been before you a couple of times 15 and it’s just coming off I think a 30 day 16 suspension. 17 It’s a renewal application and I’d like -- 18 I know I spoke to Monica earlier and when she put 19 this on she also notified Dolores Castro, both 20 regular and certified mail. And Ms. Castro isn’t 21 here this evening. 22 If I could make a suggestion, my suggestion 23 would be that we adjourn this matter until the 24 next hearing date. And let me look into this 25 renewal application because I don’t really deal  38 1 with the renewals. 2 MAYOR STACK: Okay. 3 MR. FARMER: But they may -- I just want to 4 get a peace of mind that they didn’t miss a 5 deadline or something. 6 MAYOR STACK: Please. No problem. That’s 7 fine. 8 MR. FARMER: Okay? All right? 9 MAYOR STACK: Thank you very much, Mr. 10 Farmer. 11 MR. FARMER: Monica, did you want to say 12 anything? 13 MS. de los RIOS: No, that’s it. 14 MR. FARMER: Okay. 15 MS. de los RIOS: Thank you. 16 MAYOR STACK: Thank you. 17 Thank you. 18 * * * 19 20 ADJOURNMENT: 21 22 ACTING CITY CLERK: There are no other 23 items on the agenda. 24 Is there a motion to adjourn? 25 COMMISSIONER MARTINETTI: Motion.  39 1 ACTING CITY CLERK: Motion by Commissioner 2 Martinetti. 3 COMMISSIONER VALDIVIA: Second. 4 ACTING CITY CLERK: Second by Commissioner 5 Valdivia. 6 All in favor? 7 8 (Whereupon, there was a chorus of ayes.) 9 10 (Whereupon, the proceedings were concluded 11 at 7:20 p.m.) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25  40 1 ________________________ Brian P. Stack 2 ________________________ Lucio P. Fernandez 3 ________________________ Maryury A. Martinetti 4 ________________________ Celin J. Valdivia 5 ________________________ Tilo E. Rivas 6 Board of Commissioners 7 8 Attest: 9 Dominick Cantatore, 10 Acting City Clerk 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25  41 1 STATE OF NEW JERSEY: 2 : 3 COUNTY OF ESSEX : 4 5 I, KAREN A. MARINO, assigned transcriber, 6 do hereby affirm that the foregoing is a true and 7 accurate transcript in the matter of the REGULAR 8 MEETING of the UNION CITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, 9 held on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, and 10 digitally recorded. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Monitored by: Kevin Dillon, Jr. 25 Proofread by: Deborah Dillon