Passaic City Council Meeting - October 23, 2026

The Passaic City Council held a regular meeting on October 23, 2026, beginning at approximately 4:00 PM. The meeting included public comments, ordinances for second reading, consent agenda items, resolutions, introduction of a new ordinance, a rent leveling appeal, bill approvals, and a detailed mayor's report covering transportation, infrastructure, and community initiatives. All votes were unanimous unless noted otherwise.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the council during the public comment period. A motion to close public comments was approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3–7 and 8–12 (routine communications and consent items) were approved without discussion by unanimous roll-call votes.
• Resolutions 15–37 (excluding Resolution 31) were approved as a block. Key resolutions discussed individually included:
  • Resolution 25: Awarding a contract for the 2025 Safe Streets to Transit program for improvements at the Saik and Brook Avenue intersection (new traffic signal, full-depth roadway repair, ADA ramps, striping) and at Monroe and Hoover intersection (rectangular rapid flashing beacons, bus stop surfacing, restriping, signs). Discussion addressed county versus city jurisdiction; the city funds all work and informs the county as needed.
  • Resolution 36: Awarding a contract to On-Site Inspection Agency for elevator inspections (90% fee to vendor, 10% to city). The city's construction code official explained this is a new arrangement due to a reduced number of state-authorized inspectors; the 90/10 split is higher than past contracts but necessary because of limited competition. No additional fees are charged for emergencies.
  • Resolution 15: Authorizing the purchase of a shuttle bus using UEZ funds to own rather than rent the vehicle. The mayor stated the city intends to purchase two more shuttles, enabling expansion of the free city shuttle service to weekends and early/late hours. The current rented service runs entirely within Passaic and carries an average of 700 to 1,400 riders weekly (including about 110 students from Wall Street). Councilman Monk requested a cost-effectiveness analysis; the mayor agreed to provide data at the next meeting.
• Resolution 31: Voted separately due to a question. Approved 6-0 with Councilman Mayer abstaining.

Ordinance for Final Reading

• Ordinance 2539-26 (Vehicle Parking Schedules): Amending Chapter 295, Article 12, Section 20.2 regarding parking. Opened for public hearing; no public comment. Adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 2540-26 (Prescriptive Parking for Disabled Persons): Opened for public hearing; no public comment. Adopted unanimously.

Ordinance for Introduction & First Reading

• Ordinance 38 (Fire Hydrant Obstruction): Amends city code to prohibit obstruction of fire hydrants and authorize uniformed firefighters to act as parking enforcement officers. Set down for second reading and final adoption at the November 5, 2026 meeting. Unanimous approval.

Discussion Items: Rent Leveling Appeal

• Item 9 (Golia Property Management LLC): Landlord of 949 Main Avenue, Apartment 6, appealed a rent leveling board decision. The city clerk noted the appeal was filed 22 days after the decision, exceeding the 20-day calendar-day deadline set by ordinance. The council rejected the appeal by motion and vote (unanimous). No alternative was considered.

Mayor's Report & Other Items

• Shuttle Service Expansion: The mayor reported that the free shuttle service has been extremely well-received, especially by seniors and students after the closure of the high school. The city aims to own shuttles to reduce reliance on UEZ funding and allow flexible operation.
• Other Transportation Options: The city offers a low-cost ride-share program (under $2 per trip), paratransit for seniors, recreation vans for special-needs children, and free UEZ bicycles (about 10 rentals daily across six stations). The mayor highlighted safety benefits for individuals with autism.
• Fire Hydrant Enforcement: Firefighters will soon be empowered to write fines for vehicles blocking fire hydrants.
• Health Planning Grant: A $20,000 grant was received to create a planning health committee, with community input to be incorporated into the city's master plan.
• Community Events: Fall festival drew over 1,000 attendees; first roller-skating movie night at Third Ward Park was successful; vendors pay the city for mechanical rides, funding free food and activities.
• Infrastructure: Two new speed feedback signs ordered for Parker Avenue; ADA curb cuts being installed on Monroe and Madison Streets; ground-breaking for Dundee Island Pedestrian Bridge on October 27; temporary speed humps considered for safe routes to school.
• Elections: Early voting begins October 24 at City Hall.
• Police & Safety: Recent hit-and-run incidents; police worked with residents and cameras. Increased crossing guards now empowered to write tickets for obstruction violations.
• Councilman Love: Requested crosswalk repainting at Broadway and Mount Prospect; mayor responded that curb cuts are needed first and will investigate.
• Resolution 37: Approved a $20,000 grant for a planning health committee.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances 2539-26 and 2540-26 adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 38 set for final adoption on November 5, 2026.
• Resolution 36 (Elevator Inspections) approved; city will receive 10% of inspection fees.
• Resolution 15 (Shuttle Purchase) approved; city will purchase its own shuttle with UEZ funds.
• Rent leveling appeal rejected due to late filing (unanimous).
• Consent resolutions (items 15–37, except 31) approved unanimously.
• Mayor committed to providing cost-per-ride data for the shuttle by the next meeting.