Committee of the Whole Meeting s2

CITY OF HACKENSACK MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

The Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hackensack was held at City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, on Monday, September 15, 2014.

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Mayor John Labrosse and he asked the City Clerk to call the roll.

Present: Mayor John Labrosse, Jr., Deputy Mayor Canestrino, Councilman Battaglia, Councilman Sims, Councilwoman Rose Greenman, City Attorney Thomas Scrivo were in attendance. Art Koster was in attendance as the Interim City Manager.

Ms. Karlsson: “In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by sending a notice to The Record and the Star-Ledger and by posting a copy on the Bulletin Board in City Hall."

Manager’s Report:

SRO Agreement - The agreement is for two officers and 2 vehicles for the school years retroactive 2014-2015 through 2018-2019.

Lime Energy Savings –This is an energy grant that Mr. Flannigan has worked on. This is a matching grant. We would recoup our savings

Towing Ordinance – This ordinance to be discussed further.

Jefferson Street Vacation – This is a paper street. This will be on the meeting for introduction.

Telecom – There will be a resolution on the meeting to sign the rights of way agreement.

Limousine – After discussion this will be pulled from the Tuesday meeting docket.

Prohibiting Sale of Tobacco – After discussion this will be pulled from the Tuesday meeting docket.

Amend Ordinance for Municipal Prosecutor/Public Defender – This Ordinance will be on the meeting docket for Tuesday.

A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilman Sims to 9.15.14 1 open the meeting to the public.

Richard Salkin – Mayor you have a conflict of interest with the SRO issue as your wife works for the schools. You must invoke the Docturine of Necessity in order to vote on this issue. Are you going to appoint a City Manager tomorrow even after what has been printed in the newspaper? The Mayor stated yes we are. I don’t think this is a good idea = have you read the case? What about Mr. Catania? I know you have said that he is good and doing his job but this is a major problem and he admits that he changed his story, he is not very forthcoming. I have a question for Councilwoman Greenman, is it true that you refused to let the building department inspect your residence? I think you all should support a resolution of censure.

Jason Nunnermacker – I want to know which Councilmember is taking garbage bags from the DPW for personal use? He is collecting garbage himself, this is not right and not legal. Would like an accounting of the bags that were taken. I have been told by at least five (5) people that a Councilmember’s spouse who works in the court is running license plates of employees that they want to get rid of. Some people are afraid to speak out about this for fear of retalitation. We are asking for an investigation. Regarding the City Manager, was Mr. Mangin involved in the process? I hope that there was more than one interview, I think this is a bad idea. We have not had a manager who has lived in the city in a very long time. We have a respected man who is here and lives in the city why not stay with what we have.

Emil Canestrino – I am surprised at Mr. Nunnermacker to be making accusations – he needs to substantiate them.

Mike – Brookside Towing – The ordinance was tabled for further discussion. It has been for the last four months. You need to look at this it is worse than before. You need to extend the radius. The equipment portion of this ordinance is sub par as it stands. You need more equipment to be standard. You need to discuss this more Mr. Mayor before you vote.

Mike – Courthouse Auto Body – There needs to be additional equipment added to the listing. There needs to be more discussion and the radius needs to be looked at again. You should go to other communities and look at their ordinances.

Regina DiPasqua – Parker Avenue – I have a personal issue to bring up, there has been a pile of bushes at South Summit and Kaplan which have been red tagged and are still there. What can we do to get rid of them? At Essex and South Summit there is a no left turn sign, last week I saw a city vehicle making that illegal left turn. Best Practices lists that there should be a joint Council and Board of Education meeting,, I think this is a good thing, when will this happen? Mr. Catania, this is major no action is not an option. I do not agree on Mr. Troast, I am very happy with Mr. Koster. Must we hire someone who is named in a lawsuit? There needs to be more discussion – take your time.

Victor Sasson – Euclid Avenue – Why does Hackensack spend so much money per student? We spend more than any other community in the area. We must look into this. 9.15.14 2 Kathleen Salvo – Hudson Street – We must put a real city manager in the position. Nothing against Mr. Koster but we have had nothing but interim’s for awhile now. We need a professional with experience not someone just starting out and getting their training at Hackensack’s expense. We need to do our homework. Garbage pick up will be going back to one time a week on October 6, 2014. We are having drop off and pick up issues with the Pre-K at the M & M building. Need to revise the parking ordinance in that area.

Council Comments:

Councilman Battaglia – None

Deputy Mayor Canestrino – I appreciate the towers coming tonight to present their opinions on the Ordinance. The Tax Refund bonding has been officially approved. This is very good news for the city. Mr. Koster has done a great job but he is being spread too thin. Mr. Troast will be able to assist the city planner as this is where his expertise is. There were critics of every city manager we have had in the city. We need to move forward, hopefully we can all support this effort and move forward into the future.

Councilman Sims – None

Councilwoman Greenman – None

Mayor Labrosse – We would be hard pressed to find a manager that was not tied to a lawsuit. We are totally satisfied with the Sparta issue and feel he is the right person for the city. We appreciate your patience with the Towing Ordinance, we want to get it right. Thank you for coming out and good night.

As no one else wished to be heard, a motion was made by Councilmember Sims and seconded by Deputy Mayor Canestrino to close the public portion of the meeting.

Council Member Intro Second Yes No Abstain Absent Excused Battaglia Deputy Mayor Canestrino Sims Greenman Mayor Labrosse CITY OF HACKENSACK

9.15.14 3 A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN EXECUTIVE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack deem it necessary to discuss certain actions under Section 7b7 & 7b8 of the Open Public Meetings Act which pertains to matters falling within attorney-client privilege, on-going litigation and personnel matters concerning the employment of a current or prospective public employee(s).

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack is of the opinion that such circumstances may presently exist; and

WHEREAS, the Township Council wishes to discuss the following issues:

1. Personnel Matters – 2. On-going Litigation – Weuste, Heck, Hatton and Milberg 3. Matters involving attorney/client privilege

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hackensack deem it necessary to exclude the public from this discussion. The outcome of the discussion will be disclosed within 90 days or at such time as the interests of the City do not require confidentiality.

APPROVED: November 25, 2014.

ATTEST: ______CITY CLERK

9.15.14 4