Good evening.

On behalf of the governing body of the city of Passake, we welcome you to the June 16th, 2026 City Council meeting.

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 17, 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 stream provided is for viewing only and is offered to the public as a convenience.

On June 5th, 2026, public notice and Zoom instructions for this meeting were posted on the City of Passate website at WW City of Pastate.com council agendas.

Instructions are also available on the last page of this agenda.

Please be guided accordingly.

Real quote, please counselor love.

Present.

Councilwoman Mello, present.

Councilman Mayor.

Present.

Councilman Garcia.

President.

Councilman Colom Montañez.

And Council President Sheer.

President Sherry, please rise.

Heavenly Father, we want to thank you, Lord, for allowing us to meet this evening.

So we'll take place this evil.

It's a republic for which he says.

Good evening, members of the council, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for joining with us.

If you don't have a copy of tonight's agenda, it is available by the entrance to the chambers.

You can also assess them on uh the internet, where you'll be able to see uh not only the agenda for tonight's meeting, but also all the materials which the council has received from the administration in an effort to be uh most informed and to make the proper and appropriate judgments.

We are up to room in number four on our on our agenda hearing of citizens.

In accordance with the open public meetings act, NJSA 10 colon 4-1 its 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 the public body to permit, prohibit, or regulate the act of participation in any meeting.

Therefore, please be advised that the council will not entertain any comments from persons who communicate obscene material, make statements which are considered to buy its intimidation, in which a person attempts to intimidate any individual or group because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, or makes comments intending to arrest 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 adjust the council, please?

Yes, sir.

Good evening.

Um is Anthony Wade, live at 79 Barry Place.

The reason why I'm here is that um please you guys know you guys obviously you put a reader in the neighborhood.

Now I hear through the grapevine that you guys have or someone in Passake has some other intentions of putting some other type of commercial business in the area.

Now, the reason why I think they might be right, is that the last time I was here?

I told you, my wife told you about seeing a group of men outside looking up, looking around, subway in our area.

And on top of that, when we when we brought that to your attention, and I asked you to do well, you guys are aware of anything.

You guys seem to be smiling and saying, Oh, well, not what we know of, not anything that we know of.

So, what I'm saying is this.

If you guys have any attendance on anything in this area, you need to do it properly, and you need to notify us to let us know what's going on.

You need to let people know within 200 feet what's going on, because you didn't do that the last time.

You didn't notify us.

So that's all I'm asking.

Because right now, I've I really feel disrespected as a taxpayer in the city, as a property taxpayer in the city, and I'm not the only one on my block that feels that way.

And for some reason, you guys think that is okay, and you think that you got away with it before, but it's not going down like that the next time.

There's been many people that ended up in bad places in government for corruption.

So I'm just here to basically to put you on notice that I am aware of what's going on.

Thank you, sir.

Anyone else wish to address the council?

Is there a motion to public discussion?

Move.

Second motion and second roll call.

Councilman Lowe.

Yes.

Councilwoman Mello?

Yes.

Councilman Mayer?

Yes.

Councilman Garcia?

Yes.

Councilman Colomb Mutanez?

Yes.

And Council President Sherry.

Yes, thank you very much.

You were up to commitment.

Council President.

Before we start, if I may, please.

I would just like to put on the record.

There's absolutely no plan by the city or otherwise to put any business by the train station other than the one that's there.

I believe we addressed that before.

There's no plan.

Um I believe there was work being done, surveys regarding infrastructure work, but there's no plan, if you can go on the record, to the council, not from the city of Passake, not from any of our agencies, not from any of our departments.

Mr.

Business Administrator, are you aware of where do we have any plans, any directives, any applications, any permits, any conversations about putting any business there?

No.

Council President, if I may, through the council, to the council.

This governing body, obviously, cannot possibly address every single I don't want to use the word rumor.

Conversations in the city, and people assume that there's work being done, conversations occur and well meaning residents sometimes react to that.

It's often the case that they may even believe those to be a fact, and then come to the governing body and say, How can you allow that?

The truth is that this governing body along with the council and the administration, our departments have been extremely transparent and forthcoming.

And again, I will put on the record here, as we have stated before, there is no business and no enterprise, no initiative, either from the city or private entity that is going in that location.

Just want to make sure that's on the record.

Thank you, Mayor.

I would like to I would like I would like to respond to that.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, sir.

Excuse me, sir.

I have a right to respond to that.

I didn't use five minutes as an idea of the case.

If you would give me just a moment, I would explain to you that I will give you additional time to ask questions regarding this property.

You may continue.

What I want to say regarding to what the mayor just said before there was an underhanded procedure that took place when you put reader there.

So to sit there and say that you did everything above board is not true because it wasn't.

And on top of that, you use the law that you shouldn't have used in order to I guess satisfy the state requirements that you needed to satisfy.

So don't sit there and say that anything underhanded wasn't done because there was.

Just to the city council, there's no response going back and forth to it.

There's no response going back and forth to present.

I appreciate the opportunity to once again reiterate to the council and to all those watching.

There's uh no intention or direction by the city to put any additional businesses.

There have been no applications, no permits given now, no conversations of any additional businesses in the area.

Um, as I answered before, I only was speaking about that specific subject matter.

Um, and again, I'll put it on the record.

There is no intention to put anything in there moving forward.

And does that include it?

Thank you, Council President.

Sir, I think this I think I think does that.

This is many Mr.

Mayor, does that include residential council president?

You've uh been extremely gracious.

This is a council meeting on questions to go through the council and uh the city council.

But as I'm present, I I will address to the council as is expected through Robert's rule of order and the appropriate governing of a council meeting.

I'll address through the council if it is the councillor's desire.

But as of right now, we have no applications and nothing uh in the future or anything expected as of right now, council.

I just want to be on the record, but again, questions can be submitted to the business administrator Monday through Friday.

Any applications are subject to open public records, any permits, all of this can be verified through the clerk's office or through the appropriate channels to our attorneys.

Again, this is my response on the record, and all of it can be verified.

I think we consistently answered every question.

Thank you for your patience, Mayor.

We are in the midst of we are in the midst of a roll call vote.

We have a motion and a second roll call, please, ma'am.

Um councilman love, yes, councilman mellow, yes, councilman mayor, yes, councilman Garcia, yes, councilwoman Colombo Danez, yes, and council president shear.

Yes, thank you.

We're under communication, room number five of if I may.

I just I just had a question more or for our attorney, um, because as the mayor pointed out, there's there's been some things said on the record about underhand in this.

So I just want to be clear on what process and was that the correct process that took place with notifying about readers to to the residents and or the city.

I'm going to and entertain your question, Councilman, as as as is your due, but before I do, let me make a statement that once the uh once the comment has been made.

At that point, we will continue with the roll call on this motion, no matter what you said, please.

We we completed the roll call.

Yes, sir.

We completed the roll call.

We're on to communications, communications, councilman.

What is your pleasure?

I'll withdraw the question and and I'll I'll direct it according.

Very good, sir.

We are under communication items one five.

Are there any questions, please on one through five?

Senior lights is there a motion to accept one through five, please.

Motion second and second roll call, please.

Uh councilman love, yes, councilman mellow, yes, councilman mayor, yes, councilman Garcia, yes, councilman Colombon Tanes, yes, and council president shear.

Yes, thank you.

We're in room number six of our agenda, current year 2026 budget adoption public hearing is required.

May we have a motion, please to open public hearing?

Move it, second motion and second roll call, please.

Councilman Monk Councilman Love.

Hello, yes, yes, yes, yes, okay.

Councilman Mellow, yes, Councilman Mayer, yes, councilman Garcia, yes, councilman Colombon Tanez, yes, and council president shear.

Yes, thank you.

At this time, ladies and gentlemen, the council will be entertaining a resolution for the adoption of the current year 2026 municipal budget.

Is there anyone who would like to address the council on this item and this item only?

Yes, no one closed.

Seeing no hands, there is a motion by the councilwoman to close public hearing.

Is there a second, please?

Second motion and second roll call, please.

Councilman Monk, yes, councilman love, yes, councilwoman mellow.

Yes, councilman mayor, yes, councilman Garcia.

Yes, Councilwoman Colomo Danes, yes, and council president shares.

Yes, thank you.

I'm reminded, uh madam uh attorney.

That because there were still some uh questions that we would keep the uh the public board.

We were keeping it up.

We are keeping it open.

Continuing to get up.

Having having done having opened for public hearing tonight and subsequently closed, or have we fulfilled our obligation?

Yes, we have.

Very good.

All right.

All right, very good.

Um so we passed the resolution, madam clerk.

No, sir.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So move.

Second.

Motion and second roll call to adopt.

Councilman Monk.

Councilman Monk.

Councilman Love.

Yes.

Councilman Mello.

Yes.

Councilman Mayor?

Yes.

Councilman Garcia?

Yes.

Councilman Colomb Mutanyez?

Yes.

And Council President Sheer.

Yes, thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, I must tell you to have a budget of the size and depth and breadth past this council with an area question.

Um, it is a true testament to your leadership and to uh this city.

Great job.

Very generous, Council President, if I may, um, on behalf of the city, and I think this is a testament to the work of this city council, to our business administrator, to all the department heads, to our finance officer.

This is the first time, and I believe close to 30 years, if not over, that there was uh not a single finding in the audit.

I think it's a big deal.

I want to let our business administrator speak a little bit towards that, if you may, not to boast too much.

We don't want to take up time, but uh, Ms.

Administrative, you can just share briefly for the council president and the city council.

Yeah, so uh we were extremely surprised and happy, and we know the hard work that everyone's put into it, but for the first time in several decades, there was not a single finding in our audit report, not even the recurring tedious ticket book situation, like not a single finding we we passed the audit with flying colors.

Um, and I believe this is the first time in at least the last two or three decades that this has happened.

I I know I can't remember a time that there wasn't at least one finding in the audit.

So this is uh a very huge deal testament to everybody's work, and we're happy that we could do that, especially on such a difficult budget.

For those watching online again, I stress that this is the work of the obvious the administration and the city council, all the department heads understand that governing the city of the state, whether it's going through ordinances, votes, day-to-day operations, department heads, our finance officers, our attorneys.

Uh, this is uh something that we can all collectively look to and feel good about the fact that there is no findings, and also understand soberly that there is a loss of responsibility now in this council to go what about next year and the year after that it is good this year, but obviously it means that we must maintain the work and even be more vigilant moving forward.

Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, members of the city council.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Mr.

Business Administrator.

And let me also point out the tremendous work done by our finance department and specifically our finance director.

There's much that Mr.

Lurch could learn from you, and we trust you'll uh council it alone.

Um we are up to um remix okay, all matters listed here under considered routine in nature items seven through twelve inclusive.

Are there any questions, please?

On seven through twelve inclusive.

I have a question, if I may, on number seven is zoning board of readjustment, and it seems that there are an inordinate number of minutes for approval.

Mr.

Fernandez, are you familiar with this?

Um unfortunately I am 10 different meeting dates.

No, something like that.

Yes.

Do we have any communication from the zoning board, which would convey one?

So we're one of the situations we're running into that uh the mayor and I are in the midst of reviewing is uh attendance and cancellations of consecutive meetings.

So I want to make sure I get all the data collected so the mayor can review it and then my concern my concern obviously, or perhaps not so obviously, is when someone comes before the zoning board.

Um they're using time of the attorney, um there are costs that are being incurred by the city of Passaic.

Um we understand under some instances it would be understood, but this is a whole lot.

Yeah, so one of the just for the public certification, what happens in a in the majority of zoning board cases is that you need the supermajority to vote.

So basically, you need a minimum of five votes on ninety-nine percent of their cases.

So even though they may have a quorum to open up the meeting, uh, you can't hear any applications unless you get at least five members, and it becomes uh it's becoming a struggle to get the full well, forget the five most applicants want the full compliment of the board because they don't want to try to get five out of five, so that always tends to prolong the the dates of hearing so they get carried and carried and carried.

If if I may forgive me, I'll hear councilman mayor.

All right, light is on the structure of the zoning board currently is seven and two.

That it's seven members to alternate and they're four alternative.

Yes, we're adding alternates well okay with the code or helping.

So the maximum permitted under the municipal land use law is four.

So we've maxed out what the law allows us to put in.

Yeah, yeah.

Okay.

But uh canceling and a carrying over are two different things.

So canceling is when there is not a quorum in the meeting, cannot meet, and then when uh an applicant does not feel there are sufficient members to hear, they may pull their application and carry over to the next.

If you can just ensure that the public and the council is aware, yeah.

So so uh one of the main things that even if they have a quorum, which is four members, even if the applicant wanted to move forward, they could not, and the the case has to be carried.

That's just by law, which which happens quite often, and then there's also when there's um five members, which means they can go to a vote.

But as an applicant, when you have to get five out of five, a lot of them may not want to take their chances because they don't get a full complement of the board, and because getting a full compliment has uh taken lar long stretches, there are there's been many consecutive months that they haven't had full compliments, which means cases are just getting carried.

But again, Mr.

Business Industries, just to be clear, when a meeting is canceled, there's a scheduled meeting.

Yes, say there's a scheduled meeting on June 4th.

Yes, and it is canceled, meaning the meeting does not take place.

Yes, typically that is because there is not a quorum for coming to the meeting.

That's correct, as opposed to carrying over a case is when there are sufficient individuals to have a meeting, but the applicant themselves may say I want uh a full representation of the board in order for it to be heard by the full body.

So there may be six members, and they choose to say I would want seven members present, but there could be five members, and they can say I choose seven, but there was an actual meeting, there may be another case that's heard on that evening.

Right, so it might be if there's five, not typically not when there's four.

And uh just to clarify the carryover, the carrying over.

We always try, even if there's not a quorum, even if there's not four to have the attorney and the board secretary publicly state that there is a cancellation and carry the case over.

Because if that doesn't happen and there's a strict cancellation, the applicant would have to re-notify, so it's not only the expenditure of the uh of the professionals, it's also the expenditure of the notices that go out to all the property owners.

Not to mention the time of the commissioners themselves, the public who's come to participate and comment.

We know we know every effort is being made.

Um but uh perhaps needs to be highlighted.

Councilman uh love, you got your light on at the same time as councilman mayor.

I apologize for interrupting you.

Uh you have the floor, sir.

It's okay, but through uh councilman mayor, he got it two for one.

I just got my I got my uh answer uh well, my question answered by the we maxed out in terms of what the alternates and regular members that's all I want.

Yes, zoning and two earlier.

So thank you, councilman mayor.

On item seven through twelve.

Are there any uh any questions?

Signal lines is their motion please to accept seven through twelve.

So move.

Second councilman monk, yes, councilman love, yes, councilwoman mellow, yes, councilman mayor, yes, councilman Garcia, yes, councilman Colombon Tannez, yes, and council president Sheer.

Yes, thank you.

We're on resolutions, remember numero seven number 13 is a resolution authorizing closed executive session.

Do we need closed executive?

Mr.

Fernandez.

No, Councilbrother.

Mr.

Mayor, sir.

None at this time.

Thank you, sir.

Members of the council.

Seeing none on items 14 through 21.

Although I would like to reserve first item number 20.

Is a resolution reappointing weatherly frias as municipal clerk for the city of Passaic.

Mr.

Fernandez, why are we seeing this agenda?

Um, besides because she's awesome, it's because uh under the statute, the uh city clerk has now reached her tenure, and this would be the last required resolution for our city clerk to be uh our city clerk.

So it's now or never uh is there anyone who wishes to speak to item 14?

Um excuse me, item uh 20.

Move it, move it.

There's a motion there in a second, quick before she changes roll call, please.

Councilman Monk, yes, councilman love, absolutely, yes, councilman mellow, yes, congratulations.

Thank you, Councilman Mayor.

Yes, congratulations.

Thank you, Councilman Garcia.

Yes, and yes, thank you, Councilman Colombo Dnez.

Definitely Council President Sheer.

I don't know.

These are times when one has to the answer is yes, unanimous yes, and on behalf of the council, and I know I'm joined by the administration and thanking you for your service to the city.

Um, not only in quantity, but even more importantly, in quality.

Thank you.

Council President, somebody turned off my mic.

I can record my objections.

Who's who I believe the clerk may have to note my mic?

No.

Mayor, we gave you the the spotlight a few minutes ago, but we said you were the back.

Come on.

We wouldn't, Mr.

Mayor.

I will not in my lifetime take umbrage to have you ever interrupt anything that I'm doing, please.

No, no, I I echo everyone's sentiments.

I it's too late to get in the objections, so we'll we'll go with what you guys said.

We had we had a vote on that.

We passed the unanimous on items 14 through 19 and 21.

Are there any questions, please?

Councilman Mayor.

Um, 18.

It just sounds like a lot of money.

The assumption is it's coming out of the state funds, it's all paid for through Green Acres, and this is uh project that's been in the works for a while.

Um, yes, we're very excited that finally it's here.

So, how does this compare to our other splash pads?

This is like Hershey Park versus uh Donnie Park, like how what do we and if you could get clarity on what what either of them do, uh would be helpful.

Uh so yeah, this is uh thank you, madam clerk.

Uh so yeah, the the this was uh a project, mayor.

I don't want to again steal your thunder because this was a very a project close to your heart.

Um we talked about pirate ships and whether we were gonna wear pirate hats and a eye patch and kind of do a whole uh section in the rear of the of the park, uh specifically dedicated to water equipment and uh water um you know different water functions within that section of the park.

It'll be the largest water park that we've had in the city of Passake.

It's gonna be dedicated and and because we want to make sure you can use it during the off season.

Um it can double as like a jungle gym and things for the for the children in the winter, but it's one of our largest water parks, right?

Mary was a big thing, and you know, maybe uh you come by, we get some water cannons, and we'll have some fun.

Thank you.

Who has a light on the item?

14, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 21.

Are there any questions, please?

Signal lights at the same time.

Is there motion, please to accept?

So move it.

Section and second roll call, please.

Councilman Monk?

Yes.

Councilman Lowe?

Yes.

Councilwoman Mellow?

Yes.

Councilman Mayor?

Yes.

Councilman Garcia?

Yes.

Councilman Colombanias.

And Council President Sheer.

Yes, thank you.

Number 22.

Excuse me.

Proposed ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate number.

Is there a motion, please to accept for set down at our next meeting of July 1?

Move it.

Second.

Motion and second roll call, please.

Councilman Monk.

Yes.

Councilman Love?

Yes.

Councilwoman Mello.

Yes.

Councilman Mayor?

Yes.

Councilman Garcia?

Yes.

Councilman Colombia.

Yes.

And Council President Sheer.

Yes, thank you.

Number 23, please.

Proposed ordinance granting municipal consent to pilot fiber new Jersey LLC to use the public streets, highways, and other public places in the city of Passaic for the installation, operation, and maintenance of fiber optic facilities, subject to conditions pursuant to NJSA 48, colon 3-11 to 16 and 48 colon 3-9.

Is there a motion to accept for set down at second and final reading?

Question, Council President?

Of July 1, I will take questions.

Yes, Councilman Monk.

Thank you.

In the past, we've had numerous uh types of ordinances allowing companies to put equipment up in our poll, uh, you know, throughout the city on polls.

And I remember one vendor actually put up some equipment, and as long as it didn't work well, or like it seems like they use Passague as the uh as a guinea pig to see, you know, try out the equipment, and they left the equipment on the polls.

And you know, as more and more wires are added to this poll, these polls and equipment.

It doesn't add any, you know, additional, doesn't help in terms of the landscape of the city and the look.

Um do we know if this vendor is adding wires, um equipment, or are they just using Verizon's um infrastructure?

I tried reading through the contract, but it was very lengthy and you know, to really I couldn't follow all the different terminologies and uh so do we have that?

Do we know that?

Mr.

Fernandez, can you help us?

Uh better.

So this was um already approved by the utility companies which own the majority of the polls and the county.

Um they will be installing uh wireline fiber optic facilities both below and above ground, so there will be some of them that will be above ground, but kind of tied to the think of this as not equipment but wires, so it'll look like you know, a phone wire or something across the top of the polls.

Um it's going to run it's gonna run uh going eastbound across the Passaic River onto Gregory Avenue, then proceed to Harrison Street, uh down Central Avenue to the northern city border, and then um uh river drive to the intersection of Gregory to the southern border.

So it's in main thoroughfares, so it's not throughout the entire city, it's through our main thoroughfares, most of them uh on county roads, which were approved, and the utility companies also have approved it and it it expires, it has a 50-year term.

So after that, if there's issues, they have to come back.

Councilman Garcia and I will be anxiously waiting for that.

Councilman Monk, did I answer your question?

Yes, thank you.

Any other questions, please on 23?

I have a light on.

Yeah, just real fast.

It's alone the lines of uh councilman monk.

Um, who monitor that?

Because he's correct.

We had some equipment, not just wires, years of different companies, and when they no longer use use them, the equipment remains.

So, how do we monitor getting those removed?

So it's the responsibility of the poll owner, and I could tell you the city of Pisai uh doesn't own many of the polls.

In fact, we're constantly asking permission to put our stuff on the polls because they're not our polls.

So it's a responsibility of the utility company that owns the poll.

So if there's an issue, we would reach out to the utility company and then they would come down with their technicians and kind of see what they need to do.

Yeah, because uh uh councilman monk is 100% right.

It starts to look hideous, they're hanging off.

You can tell that they're they're not serving any purpose, and and I'm glad to know.

Do we report those things?

Do we have someone in the city who kind of monitors that as well?

Um so I wouldn't say like 100% monitors it, but are familiar with it as they as we put up all our stuff, you know.

DPW goes and does it, or our maintenance department goes up and puts stuff on the polls.

If there's stuff that's uh of issue or concern, we call them right away.

If wires fall, the fire department goes and watches the wire until the utility company comes and can replace the wire.

Thank you.

Is this under the governance of the BPM, Mr.

Fair?

I believe it is.

Thank you, Councilman uh.

What um specific benefits will the residents receive from this fiber optic pilot?

Um, I was gonna say when councilman uh love started with faster, right?

Hopefully, faster service and clear of TV.

Uh so basically the fiber optics is made for that purpose.

Um, to try to enhance communication and you know, connectivity.

Connectivity.

I think this uh this council along with the business administrator and myself recall within the last 10 years, it was much closer to um 2016.

We had a number of people that kept complaining about lack of connectivity, certain dead spots around the city, areas where businesses had challenges.

We had some on Maine Avenue and around those areas.

Um this won't make it perfect, but there will be obviously more access and connectivity allows, not just uh for uh wireless services, but also it is intended to increase the speed.

We are monitoring, and obviously we may learn to ensure that the benefits to the residents outweigh the inconveniences of the work, and obviously, long-term studies have shown that increased connectivity helped not just with the schools but local businesses.

It helps people to know what businesses are open with so many apps and everyone now using uh wireless services or internet services to find out what they're gonna order, what businesses are available, even parking apps and things of this nature.

Um, and also government and alerts, government becomes this service can be paramount to emergency communication on apps, so it should enhance services throughout our entire city in different sectors, both public and private.

And we know many cities are uh coming on board in doing this, and we defer to the experts because a lot of the technical stuff is beyond us, but that's a general answer.

Hope that would satisfy the inquiry.

And I just want to add Mr.

Mayor, if anyone needs any help on this idea.

Thank you.

Are there any other questions on 23?

Is there motion please to accept 23 for set down at our meeting of July 1st for second and final reading?

Is there a motion, please?

Move second motion and second on 23.

Councilman Monk, yes, councilman love, yes, councilwoman Mello, yes, Councilman Mayor, yes, Councilman Garcia, yes, councilman Colombo Tenez, and Council President Sheer.

Yes, thank you.

Payment of bills.

Are there any questions, please on the bills?

This is Remember number nine.

The rubber band wall.

I have a light on.

Okay.

Seeing the lights at this time, is there motion please to accept the bills as presented by the clerk?

Motion, second and second, roll call, please.

Councilman Monk, yes, councilman love.

Yes, Councilwoman Mello.

Yes, Councilman Mayor.

Yes, Councilman Garcia.

Yes, Councilman Colombon Tanez, and Council President Sheer.

Yes, thank you.

Administrators' report, Mr.

Fernandez.

Uh no, Council President.

Very good.

Mr.

Mayor, sir, a pleasure to have you.

Thank you.

Council President.

I want to just briefly go over.

It's been a busy couple of weeks, and we expect it to be even busier for the rest of the summer.

But there were some very interesting special uh initiatives and activities that I would like to share uh with the council and the public and those who may be viewing uh later on.

First, I want to begin with the uh the motor vehicle um uh presence that we had this week.

Now there's nothing necessarily unique about having the mobile motor vehicle services on City Hall property, but this year and this particular one was unique because of the service that was provided and who received the service.

I would take this opportunity to acknowledge and recognize Jasenia Kakis of my office who worked very hard along with uh Miss Um Mrs.

Powell from Assemblyman Shares office.

Um you may be familiar with her.

Um you may be familiar with her, uh Council President, as I'm fond of saying, our assemblyman uh holds an uncanny resemblance to our council president and uh our clerk Watherly Frias.

We responded to uh an issue, if I if I may describe it that way of many parents and families of adults with special needs and the challenges and inconveniences of waiting in line at motor vehicle services.

Adults who are on the spectrum who have ADS or autistic or other special needs often can't stay in lines for long periods of time at motor vehicles and with few accommodations, many parents were concerned.

But in a collaborative effort with uh the assemblyman's office, with our city clerk, with the city of PASIC, we were able to put out a request to have a specific day for real ID applications for adults with uh autism and those with special needs who otherwise would have a challenge being at motor vehicles, but not just them, their family members.

Now, initially, I will share, and throughout the state, it's been very hard to get these uh dates now.

They're booked up.

But an opening occurred, and we ended up receiving a call from the assemblyman's office through the Mrs.

Powell that motor vehicles had a specific date available.

And uh Ms.

Jacenia Kakis got on the phone and worked tirelessly to reach out to a parent advocacy group that we were working with, and we filled up every slot before the day was done.

We were commended because they went from not being able to fill slots and having an opening, meaning a truck and needing a location to the city of Passake within 24 hours, turning it around, giving them location and making sure that every single appointment was met and that was successful.

And I want the people of PASAI to know, but also those who would share our surrounding municipalities.

We were one of the only cities to make an accommodation specifically for adults with special needs to get their real ID.

And it came from a collaborative uh effort with our assemblyman's office, our office with work that we had already been doing, and we ended up giving this unique opportunity and service, which we believe will now be recreated.

And the employees of motor vehicles were very, very happy and excited to have provided that service.

I also wanted to share that we have taken a unique approach in uh allowing six new crossing guards that I knew they've been doing crossing guards, new in the sense to become patrol enforcement officers in an initiative after swearing them in this week and deputizing them or giving them the authority to write violations and tickets in order to ensure greater pedestrian and vehicle safety around our schools with the children crossing.

Oftentimes, what has occurred in the past are certain individuals before school starts may obstruct the crosswalk with illegal parking, and some have unfortunately not understood the authority given to the crossing guards, so it has limited their ability to ensure safety.

We've heard of accidents around the state and even in our city with our children going to school.

Most recently, council president, I believe in Passic County, there was a crossing guard that unfortunately lost their life because they were struck by a vehicle.

And through an initiative that I had directed with our police, we did some study and realized that we had the authority to have our crossing guards be able to enforce fines.

I want to thank our attorney, Susie Burns and the attorney's office to ensure that we were following the letter of the law and making sure that if it was done somewhere else, we weren't recreating the wheel in a way that we shouldn't.

And we followed every single model that has been successful, and we just implemented that.

So we're excited.

We we did add a unique component where in other municipalities and even other states, uh, these crossing guards were allowed to work, council president and members of the city council after they were crossing guards in off hours, SPOs.

But our crossing guards will be allowed to write fines before they begin their work.

Obviously, once they're crossing children, that is their priority.

But if they arrive on the scene an hour before children get there and they see that cars haven't moved, they'll be able to write the violation.

We are also through our purchasing agency and obviously our CFO.

Um, we're looking to make sure that our crossing guards are equipped with body cameras in order to further assist and enhance pedestrian and uh and vehicle safety around our schools and the adjacent areas, as well as communication equipment, and then look to extend that to our patrol enforcement officers as well.

So extremely excited.

I want to take this opportunity um to thank our police officers, our uh volunteers uh for our partnership with the diocese.

They had a very successful uh what was considered a procession.

Over 2,000 individuals participated and gathered together at the State Stadium.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the schools for their cooperation from the highest levels of the diocese and those that were involved out of state.

They um extended their gratitude and appreciation to this governing body to the city council and our administration for our cooperation within the law.

We have made our streets available for all communities.

We have made our open spaces, our parks for all communities for different expressions, as long as everything is followed appropriately, all applications were, but we were happy to host this uh what they described once in a lifetime.

It doesn't come around often, uh, but their opportunity to host it was hosted in both Patterson and Passaic.

Um, they had it Saturday in Patterson with a much smaller group, and obviously considering Sunday and the participation in mass and these kind of activities, it was much bigger in PASIC, over 2,000 individuals uh participated.

I also want to commend all of the staff that have worked together along with the business administrator, uh, all of the administration, recreation, all of the department heads, our watch parties have been extremely successful.

Council president, members of the city council, the kickoff, which I keep saying, who invited the karate group that kept kicking in the middle of the road.

You saw the video?

Councilman, every time I was seeing kickoff, there was the two individuals doing literal kicks around my head, but they came to do demonstrations.

It was a little nerve-wracking.

But we had so many participants, and this leads to uh a really amazing announcement that I want to make.

Up to that day, the city of Passake had not received communication given green light that we were officially partnering with FIFA.

As a result, we were very creative with our marketing.

And we collectively talked about it, and we went with uh a football friendly that's F-U T B O L football, the world football, not the local football, go giants, but the global football, and then soccer, soccer, uh ready city.

Well, that day, to our surprise and excitement, FIFA showed up.

The official representation from FIFA came to the city of Passake after they heard all of the excitement and the buzz going on on social media and everyone commenting about it, showed up to our kickoff party for cameras and videos, and they stayed.

They were amazed at the organization, the excitement, how everything went.

All of our communities left the city completely clean.

All of our businesses were grateful.

It was a remarkable demonstration of community of unity of responsibility.

And no sooner were we aware that they were there within minutes after we received communication directly from FIFA via email saying we would like to inform you that the city of Passake has been approved to be an official partner with FIFA.

Umly excited about announcing that, which allows us to say that we are hosting official FIFA events.

And then um we've given the task uh delegated to just say that because I don't want to read the long paper that they responded, but with that designation, they gave us an eight-page paper, which uh decided they're reading through it, was sent to our attorneys of what that actually means, what we're allowed to do and what we're not allowed to do.

But we're extremely excited about that.

I also want to commend the work of our president of the Board of Education, Mary Ann Capercy.

We had an Italian flag raising.

I wasn't presently speaking as I had to leave the state for an obligation and conference, but she ran the Italian flag raising on behalf of the governing body, represented all of us, and we had a special dedication to um to the late Dave Diarco, who was a police officer, served our city and one of the members of UNICO, one of the uh leading members who passed away.

There was a special dedication in Memorial Park, where there's a dedication for the Italian American community and their background in the city, and he received uh his family was very appreciative to the governing body.

So I wanted to share that.

And then again, remind you that we will have watch parties throughout the summer.

We are preparing for our 4th of July, which we're extremely excited about with uh fireworks, and we will continue to email the next things coming up this summer are the fire academy and the police academy, which again this year we will have students from our special needs programs in the schools, along with Paris and supporting staff there.

So we're extremely excited about everything that's going on in our city.

There's so much work that I'm gonna limit it there.

I also want to thank Miss Uh Miss Uh Marciel, Celibrita, Council President, Marcel is present, our head of human services.

She met with uh St.

Mary's General Hospital.

And in partnership with the city, we have been preparing because obviously, with so many individuals in the area, our local hospitals must have a plan in place for the potential.

We would hope not to the potential of a high volume of individuals having to come to the hospital at the same time.

We hope that there are no incidents.

But we reached out to the hospital and spoke to them about our emergency preparedness and some of the plans that we have been making, and we have been able to collaborate with them, not just for the potential of increased volume of patients that could come into the emergency room if there were any incidents, whether locally or where the games are taking place, but as well as some additional initiatives that we will be working on with the hospital, we will keep you abreast.

We have been working very closely with them in our city and our human services.

So I want to thank Marcia for all the work that she's doing there.

And again, I can't say it enough.

Our business administrators have been doing a fantastic job gathering all the department heads going step by step for all of these watch parties and events and the day-to-day activities that continue to occur in the summer just gets busier and busier.

I want to thank him and everyone that is working together along with our council members.

That's it to my report and uh to all in the community who showed up to the games.

I I can't say this enough how very proud I am as mayor with so many activities that occurred.

I mean, not only that, Council President, we had an impromptu um Nick Spots Party, which was very well attended.

The Knicks won uh the official MBA championship in over 50 years, they had it won.

And we I decided that day, let's put it out.

And I decided because uh our media had Renee Nunia said, what if we had a watch party at number another school?

That would be great.

And I said, let's do it.

Really?

So we took out the screen, we had a watch party, and then we uh we did it again for Saturday when they won the championship.

That game at number 11 school, the watch parties around the city.

Obviously, the opportunities for families for children to come out.

But this these were very well intended.

We had helicopters over the city for the entire game.

ABC Toulouse kept their helicopters over our city, broadcasting live at the end.

Wow.

Again, I'll say this.

I'm so very proud of our community.

At the 11th school, everyone watched, stayed behind and cleaned up with the police to leave the park, completely young people, parents and everyone that had the watch party similarly.

Everyone was so appreciative of the activities that we've been providing to our community collectively and working together.

He said we're all chip in, and that's what makes our community so wonderful that we don't always agree on everything.

But when it comes to things that really matter, the most important things like the Knicks winning the championship because they are the greatest team and the championship that will come with the giant tree, but other things as well.

Important other matters, more important, perhaps to some.

We come together to support one another, to root each other on, to respect each other's practices and beliefs, to appreciate our diversity, and that continues to be uniquely special and beautiful and an amazing example to our children and the very next generation.

And I think it is a testament to this uh council, to the administration, and to all of us working together.

So thank you to all of our community partners.

And this week, I think more than almost any week I can recall, with so many things going on from the diocese and people coming in from other states to the city of Pasic being on the world stage because it's FIFA, and now we can officially say FIFA, right?

This is sorry, we can officially we weren't allowed to say it officially, and so much more.

Thank you to the city of Passaic for showing the very best for putting our very best foot forward, especially in times where unfortunately other municipalities and in the past are quick to highlight the worst.

We had the opportunity to show our very best in some difficult times.

Thank you, Council President, and members of the city council and all present.

Thank you, sir.

Councilwoman Mala, please.

Thank you, Council President.

Well, um, before we conclude tonight, just want to commend your mayor and your administration for passing such a seamless budget.

Thank you.

I mean, I know it's a lot of work.

Um, our CFO and business administrator and the mayor, you guys are doing a great job.

But also, thank you for everything you're doing for the president of the city of the state.

You know, these watch parties, um, the summer events as a parent, you know, that helps because you don't have to go far, you know, and you don't have to spend money.

So, you know, in times like this where everything is expensive, having this activities um outdoors for residents for parents to spend time with their children means a lot.

You know, um, it's a full it's a summer full of activities.

So um, I'm sure our kids when they grow up are gonna have a lot to say about the city of Basai, you know, because we know the memories that we have, and we always wanted to change it, and we actually see that now.

You know, kids can probably say, I live in Pisai, and FIFA comes around.

You have the watch party.

I mean, the Knicks game, that was awesome.

You know, they didn't have to stay indoors, especially in that area, being able to be outside in the park.

Again, thank you to you and your administration for everything that you're doing.

Truly appreciate it.

Thank you.

Uh thank you, ma'am.

I also uh have been asked to announce that FIFA is asking permission from the city of Passaic to have its games next in a turnaround.

Members of the council, any comments?

Seeing that at this time, Mr.

Mash pleased to adjourn.

Vote second, motion and second vote vote to adjourn, please.

Councilman Monk, yes, councilman love, yes, councilwoman Mello, yes, Councilman Mayor, yes, Councilman Garcia, yes, councilman Colombo Tenez, yes, and council president Sher, Governor Bravo, yes,