Passaic City Council Meeting - December 3, 2025
Passaic City Council Meeting - December 3, 2025
The Passaic City Council met on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, for a regular meeting. The council considered two ordinances, a package of resolutions, and heard public comments. Key actions included approval of a redevelopment plan for Talkerson Avenue, adoption of a clergy parking permit ordinance, and passage of numerous resolutions including budget amendments. Nearly $20 million in grants were highlighted by the Business Administrator.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Joshua Goldman (185 High Street) spoke for the third time regarding rezoning of the R1A district. He noted that a prior application that raised concerns had been withdrawn and urged the council to proactively update the 70-year-old zoning to reflect 21st-century needs. He expressed flexibility on options and requested that the council consider a rezoning.
- Joe Concenti asked two questions: 1) About the status and membership of the city's historic committee (the council president clarified that no historic committee has been appointed by the mayor and directed him to the mayor's office). 2) About why other people are interfering with department heads when those heads are paid to do their jobs (the council president explained that the executive branch has broad discretion over operations and suggested he raise concerns directly with the administration).
- Calvin Merrick (227 Summer Street) asked about a signage application for Baptist Church (loading/unloading) that he believed should be on first reading. The clerk had not received the letter from engineering; the council president promised to follow up with the engineering department to get an update.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 2501-25: Redevelopment Plan for 91-95 Talkerson Avenue – This ordinance adopts a redevelopment plan to eliminate two prohibited rooming houses and construct a 36-unit building with 12 affordable units (over 20% affordable), plus parking. The discussion centered on parking standards. Councilman Monk proposed amendments to require that if on-site parking is available, the free parking space must be provided on site (not 500 feet away). After debate, the council agreed to add a 2A/2B amendment: "At minimum, one parking space must be assigned to each unit and no additional cost; must be provided on site if on-site parking is available." The ordinance passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 2504-25: Clergy Parking Permits – This ordinance adds Part 12 (Clergy Parking Permits) to Chapter 295 (Vehicles and Traffic). It would allow houses of worship to apply for designated clergy parking spaces with signage and time limits. Councilman Monk raised concerns about the practicality for funerals, whether existing off-street parking would disqualify applicants, and how enforcement would work. The mayor and business administrator explained that the permits are for regular services and religious holidays, and that the police would handle violations. The ordinance passed unanimously.
- Resolutions – The council considered resolutions 24-86 (with item 42 removed). Councilman Monk flagged a typo in resolution 27 (oil purchase) – the correct monthly total should be $18,988, not $18,955. He also asked about resolution 34 (computer hardware) which runs only from June 25, 2025 to January 1, 2026; the business administrator explained it was due to a state contract delay. For resolution 35 (burglar alarm monitoring), Monk asked about the contract period and prior monthly costs. The contract period was confirmed as one year with two one-year renewal options. The resolutions were approved in groups (24-25, 26, 27-41, 43-86).
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 2501-25 (Talkerson Avenue redevelopment) passed unanimously with the parking amendment.
- Ordinance 2504-25 (clergy parking permits) passed unanimously.
- Resolutions 24-25, 26, 27-41, and 43-86 were all approved unanimously.
- Communication items 3-11 and 12-22 were received and filed unanimously.
- Payment of bills was approved unanimously.
- The meeting was adjourned unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
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 17th, 2025, setting forth the schedule of meetings for the year 2025-2026. Send notice was published and posted on the city hall bulletin board by the office of the city clerk. Please be further advised. This meeting will be conducted in person. The Zoom provided is for viewing only and is offered to the public as a convenience. Councilman Love Present. Councilwoman Mello. Present. Councilman Mayor. Here. Councilman Garcia. Present. Councilwoman Colom Montañez. President and Council President Sheer. President, should we all please draw us? Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord, for allowing us to meet this evening. We ask you to please guide us in the decisions that will take place this evening. And you'll beloved name we pray. Amen. I fled the leaders to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. And justice for all good evening, colleagues, members of the public. The administration has requested that resolution number 42 be removed from tonight's agenda. Is there any objection to removal of item 42? See no lights at this time. Yes. Very good. Well, we're on room number four five, excuse me. In accordance with the every public meetings act and JSA 10 colon 4-1 at sec. The council opens every public meeting for comments of the public. However, in accordance with NJSA 10 colon 4-12, nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the discretion of a public body to permit, prohibit, or regulate the act of participation at any meeting. Therefore, please be advised that the council will not entertain any comments from persons who communicate obscene material. Or makes comments intending to harass or speak any offensive language. The person who makes these statements will relinquish their allotted five minutes for public discussion. Is there anyone who would like to address the council? Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the council. Joshua Goldman, 185 High Street. I thank you for the opportunity to address the council now for the third time regarding the re the zoning of the R1A district in the city. Is approximately two weeks ago, the applicant in the application that was the um uh genesis of my concerns withdrew their application. Um some of you may have been aware, some may not have been aware. I'm hopeful that now that the application has been withdrawn, that any impediment to discussing a rezoning um has now been removed. Um obviously I saw the agenda today, and obviously not on the agenda, um, but I am hopeful that that the council will consider uh a rezoning of the area. I'm not coming as a uh my way or the highway. I'm happy to explore alternative options. I've never heard a constituency that doesn't uh want a rezoning of some kind, uh there may be disagree in terms of what is appropriate, what's not uh, but I do think it's appropriate and where is the um concern as in facing the prior application was that once the zoning is in place, your hands are tied in terms of how you can respond to applications only in accordance with the applicable zoning district that in in uh then in place. Now the council has the opportunity to proactively make corrections, update the zoning to more appropriately reflect the 21st century, not the uh 70-year-old zoning that's in place. Um I I would request the council to either uh you know, obviously that it's at their discretion, but you know, council president. If if there's something that's intended to be planned, we discuss maybe at a later date to just let me know. I don't want to have to ring my neighbors and friends, they're happy not to be here. I'm happy not to take up too much of your time.
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