Passaic City Council Regular Meeting - August 5, 2026
Passaic City Council Regular Meeting - August 5, 2026
The Passaic City Council held a regular meeting on August 5, 2026, beginning at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a comprehensive report from the Mayor. Key topics included the ongoing National Night Out event, condolences for recent tragedies, updates on city infrastructure projects, and public concerns about parking changes on Harrison Street. The Council approved a consent calendar of routine items, passed an ordinance designating restricted parking for disabled persons, and appointed a new commissioner to the Housing Authority.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved minutes from the February 17, February 3, March 5, and March 17 meetings (all 2026).
- Communications (Items 2–10): Approved unanimously.
- Communications (Items 11–19): Approved unanimously.
- Communication (Item 20): Voted on separately and approved unanimously.
- Resolutions (Items 22–40): Approved unanimously.
- Payment of Bills: Approved as presented.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Douglas Chavez (resident of 521 Harrison Street): Expressed concern that newly painted parking lines on Harrison Street reduced available spaces from approximately 30–35 to about 20, creating difficulties for residents including a handicapped neighbor whose designated spot was moved further away. He requested the city reconsider the layout. The Mayor acknowledged the issue, stating that the angled parking did not suit the street width and that enforcement of the new lines has been suspended while the engineering department explores removing the paint or finding an alternative solution. The Mayor also assured that handicapped parking would be given top priority. Chavez was asked to communicate the update to neighbors.
Discussion Items
- Mayor’s Report:
- Highlighted National Night Out festivities outside City Hall.
- Expressed condolences for the recent drowning deaths of two children in the Passaic River and for the passing of Frank Katerba, president of the Passaic Teachers Association.
- Announced upcoming events (Book Bag Drive, Movies in the Park, concerts) and temporary relocation due to construction of a new community plaza at City Hall Square.
- Reported infrastructure progress: paving on Boulevard, Howe Avenue, and streets around St. Mary’s Hospital; ADA ramp improvements on Broadway and Passaic Avenue; work beginning on the Aspen Spear Village housing redevelopment.
- Stated that demolition of the old Passaic High School is scheduled between October and December 2026, funded by a $350 million grant for a new high school, and that security concerns at the vacant building are being addressed with the state.
- Parking Concerns (Harrison Street): Expanded discussion on the parking initiative, explaining that the line painting was requested by residents but inadvertently reduced legal spaces. The council confirmed no tickets have been issued and that enforcement is suspended pending a resident-friendly solution.
- Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) – Flock Safety: Councilman Love raised concerns from a resident’s letter about data privacy and potential sharing of sensitive information with other agencies. The Mayor responded that the ALPRs are used solely for crime prevention and vehicle theft deterrence, are placed at city entry/exit points, and that data is only shared with law enforcement for specific investigations, in compliance with state Attorney General directives. The council took no further action.
- Tree Removal Resolution (Item 23): Councilman Mayor clarified that a $23,000 expenditure for removing three trees on Marietta Avenue, Richard Street, and Albion Street was necessary after recent storms and beyond the capacity of the city’s tree department.
- Appointment to Housing Authority: Councilwoman Mellow nominated Diane McNair to the Housing Authority board. The nomination was approved unanimously. The Council President noted that additional seats on the board are open for future appointments.
Key Outcomes
- Ordinance 2534-26 (Second & Final Reading): An ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate number was passed after a public hearing. Vote: unanimous.
- Ordinance for Introduction (Item 42): A proposed ordinance amending disabled parking designations was introduced and set down for second and final reading on September 1, 2026.
- Appointment: Diane McNair was confirmed as a commissioner of the Passaic Housing Authority (motion by Councilwoman Mellow, unanimous).
- Parking Resolution: The City will suspend enforcement of the new Harrison Street parking lines and work with residents and engineers to find an acceptable solution.
- Administrative Report: The CFO Omar Garcia reported no items; Mayor noted bus hub replacements, completion of Bragg Park projects, and a new restaurant/bar planned across from City Hall.
- Meeting Adjourned: The meeting closed with thanks to first responders for their efforts during the recent drowning incident, and a commitment to hold future meetings on river safety.
Meeting Transcript
This fourth, 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 16th, 2026, setting forth the schedule of meetings for the year 2026-2027. Said 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 July 23rd, 2026, public notice and zoom instructions for this meeting were posted on the City of Passake website at WW City of Piscake.com council agendas. Instructions are also available on the last page of this agenda. Please be guided accordingly. Well called, please. Councilman Love. Present. Councilwoman Mello. Present. Councilman Mayor. Present. Councilwoman Colom Montagnez. And Council President Cher. President, share we all please rise. Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord, for allowing us to meet this evening. Father God, we come united, Lord, asking for a special prayer, Father God, for our city, Father God. As we have experienced so many losses in the past week, Father God, we ask that you meet those families, Father God, of those children, Father, that had perished, Father God. We also ask for special prayer, Father God, for the Caterba family, Father. So you can meet them where they are, Father. May you comfort them as they're going through these hard times. We also present to you the agendas that have been set before us and that you guide us, Father, and the decisions that will take place this evening as we unite in one in one sentiment, Father God, for the collective good of our city. In your beloved name we pray. Amen. I pledge relations to the United States of America and just a republic for one nation under God. We can please stand for my thank you. Thank you, Councilbutton. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, members of the council. If you are joining us tonight, uh hearing council chambers, copies of the council agenda are located immediately outside the doors of the entrance and exit to this room. You can also access uh all materials that have been distributed to the council by the administration regarding tonight's meeting. They're available to you at the city's website, um, as well as all the information received by the council in terms of ordinances, resolutions, communications, etc. We're on rumor number four, remember five of our agenda. Before that, Mayor, would you like to speak now or a little bit later or vote for I'll just briefly share that we are presently having national night out outside, a remarkable event that's being hosted in municipalities throughout our nation, thus national night out. It's an opportunity for youth to interact with our public safety officials in the most productive and positive way. We are grateful to have the presence of our fire department, our prosecutors. Uh we have Deputy Chief Lewis Gentile, Deputy Chief Jonathan Scheer, along with Chief of the Fire Department, Patrick Trentakos outside, as well as uh Congresswoman Nellie Poe. I know all of the Congress, I mean all of the council members pass by. I know that uh for sure because I saw councilwoman uh Tanya Mellow grab an ice cream on our way in. I think that was an icy, and uh witnessed councilwoman Maritza Clomontania telling her hurry up the council meeting is about to begin. I know the uh council president was here about 20 minutes early when he was done with the bouncy house. He came running into the meeting. Um, in regards to everyone else. I would see this is uh a fun activity for children and families, and as the councilwoman shared, we really need it. Of course, with so much that has occurred within our city. Thank you, Council President, for that moment of silence, and councilwoman for the most poignant and profound prayer. Um, throughout the week, we're going to continue with our activities, including our movies in the park and our concerts.
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