Passaic City Council Meeting - November 13, 2025\n\nThe Passaic City Council met on November 13, 2025, with Council President Sheer presiding. The meeting included a mayoral update on city events, infrastructure, and election results; public comments on code enforcement, park development, and affordable housing policy; and unanimous approval of multiple ordinances, resolutions, and routine items.\n\n### Mayor's Report\n- Mayor offered condolences for the recent passing of Principal Carl Creech and teacher Mr. Mix.\n- Recapped fall events: city fall festival, adopt-a-pet, pumpkin family night, seniors trick-or-treat.\n- Announced the winners of the city hall costume contest (city clerk's office).\n- Congratulated Council President on re-election as Assemblyman, along with other elected officials; noted record voter turnout of over 11,000 (compared to 7,000 in 2021).\n- Reported a food distribution partnership that fed over 2,000 individuals; another distribution set for Friday at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, and a turkey distribution at City Hall on a first-come, first-served basis.\n- Announced new free bus shuttle hours: 7:30–11:30 AM and 1:30–5:30 PM (break midday), with stops throughout the city and a live tracking app.\n- Provided infrastructure updates: Veterans Memorial Park and fields complete; Howard Avenue Tennis Courts drainage improvements underway; Bragg Park construction ongoing, including a concession stand named after the Bragg family (sign temporarily removed for storage).\n- Reminded of Veterans Day ceremony on November 11 and a mobile food pantry on November 12.\n- Announced free SORA certification courses for security guards starting December 9–10.\n- Confirmed that the Alliance Building (for addiction and chronic illness services) has been completed using pandemic-era CDBG funds, ending the city's lease for such space.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- Minutes of May 6, 2025 were approved (unanimous roll call).\n- Communications items 3 through 15 were approved (unanimous).\n- Communication item 16 was approved separately (unanimous).\n- Resolutions 18 through 36 were approved (unanimous).\n- Payment of bills was approved (unanimous).\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Alice Bell (165 Van Buren St.) complained about a gas station on Lexington Ave. performing spray painting and repairs in the rear, emitting fumes and causing parking issues because repaired cars are left on the street. She provided video evidence. Mr. Fernandez from the administration agreed to investigate code violations regarding spray painting.\n- An unidentified resident spoke about Bragg Park, asserting that the community always considered it a park (contrary to the mayor's earlier statement). He questioned why electricity was cut off for the past two years, why a monument of the Braggs was removed, and expressed concerns about rats and whether a concession stand would compete with local bodegas. The mayor responded that electricity was removed due to misuse and construction, the sign was stored for preservation, and the concession stand will sell only grab-and-go items, not hot food, to complement nearby businesses.\n- Joe Connescenti raised three issues: 1) speeding at Tulip and Oak Street intersection endangering crossing guards; 2) deterioration of buildings at 147-149-155 (now owned by Basak LLC) with falling debris and garbage; 3) a recent tree fall caused by root damage from road work and water issues. The council noted that portable speed bumps will be placed at that location, an ordinance already prohibits cutting tree roots during road repairs, and the administration will follow up on the properties. The mayor clarified that many roads are county routes, complicating jurisdiction.\n- Yosef Wolf criticized the city's 20% affordable housing set-aside for subdivisions of five or more units, arguing it discourages development of moderately priced homes. He cited a 20,000-square-foot lot where a developer plans three houses at $1.6 million each instead of 15 townhouses, because the set-aside would require selling four units at a loss. He also complained about council members attending virtually, questioning their compensation and accessibility.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- Annual Best Practices Report: Mr. Fernandez reported that the city achieved over a 92% compliance rate with state best practices for authorities and agencies, with no major audit findings. All agencies (Redevelopment Agency, UEC, Parking Authority) are functioning adequately, and the Parking Authority should generate increased revenue from the parking deck.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Ordinance 2502-25 (amending restricted parking for disabled persons) was adopted (unanimous).\n- Ordinance 2503-25 (adding a bus stop on Lexington Avenue) was adopted (unanimous).\n- Ordinance 37 (adding clergy parking permits) was introduced for first reading; second reading set for December 2, 2025.\n- Meeting adjourned unanimously.\n\nNote: The meeting date is November 13, 2025, per the provided timestamp, although the transcript states "November 6th". The user directed to use the given date, so the summary reflects November 13, 2025.