[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6670372,"mediaKeyId","2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a","parentId",2172609,"title","At-a-glance: Key votes and routine approvals at Passaic City Council meeting, Jan. 21, 2025","audioSeconds",2304,"startMs",6439000,"endMs",8743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a&start=6439&end=8743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a/thumbnail_6439000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6670372/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/At-a-glance-Key-votes-and-routine-approvals-at-Passaic-City-Council-meeting-Jan-21-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670372-42c96998bc755861a7cd6c366b04e1d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149803&Signature=SL3Z9IykjWO94AI1Ot9vxBVQLfQLPG8ErLtpQIFuL3qcZYa0hrWUzP6FjJbcUbV3tLJQN0r0~AI8EgVPnNy8zVijHzSofIZOmoMtuHuVgU4jZbttuZBUMel4oLWAhvC2jzLNHaRTYJn3xoplHNB-lOA~jzxcvuvI1oj6YIXwOGwP2VYMPBdymv4DSHhQyZZ9BO-A0CYW84KBpyYDaAhbDERh17fhzBj-tCOubr2rAnn53pnlbOyf8oYbXeA5JZqaxM9o8qbAheAcoSm7I8p2d~tR6bw~Z5pFc1ezqcw6zfZvXx7~hkWkwiaWqKgrvMeceQakSckFfoNFdaTQqcKzhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Passaic","date","2025-01-25T05:42:19.08Z","article","Here are the principal formal actions taken by the Passaic City Council during its Jan. 21 meeting. All recorded roll-call votes cited below were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

- Approval of minutes (Nov. 5): Motion to accept minutes carried on roll call (yes: Councilman Love; Councilwoman Mello; Councilman Schwartz; Councilman Garcia; Councilman Colombo Montanez; Council President Schaer).

- Ordinance 2475-25 (second and final reading): An ordinance amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons by New Jersey license plate number was opened for public hearing; no public comments were made on the ordinance and the council adopted it on second reading by roll call (yes: Love; Mello; Schwartz; Garcia; Colombo Montanez; Schaer).

- Consent and routine items: Multiple communications and routine agenda items (items 2–10; 11–19) were accepted on unanimous roll calls as listed in the agenda packet.

- Resolutions (items 21–35): The council approved resolutions listed on the agenda, including a resolution authorizing award of contract for emergency repair of a fire alarm system at 361 Madison Street (agenda item 35). Business Administrator Rick Fernandez reported the landlord reimbursed the city for the emergency work.

- Ordinance introduction: Council approved introduction of an ordinance amending chapter 231 (rent stabilization) and set a second reading and public hearing for Feb. 4, 2025.

- Bills: The council approved the bills list on unanimous roll call.

Meeting process notes: Several items were handled as routine consent items with roll-call votes; the council paused for a recess after the Martin Luther King Jr. program and reconvened for the regular agenda. There were no recorded dissenting votes on items reported during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Passaic Council Meeting - January 21st, 2025 - MLK Celebration","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously approved minutes, multiple routine consent items and resolutions, adopted a disabled-parking ordinance on second reading, introduced a rent-stabilization ordinance for Feb. 4 hearing, and approved the bills list.","taxTitle","Passaic City, Passaic County, New Jersey","taxId",12672,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670376,"Residents praise new free shuttle but warn of parking shortfalls in Reelon Village",300,6613000,6913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a&start=6613&end=6913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a/thumbnail_6613000.jpg","/articles/6670376/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Residents-praise-new-free-shuttle-but-warn-of-parking-shortfalls-in-Reelon-Village","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670376-5842d09d640fdd6ff848ae0f037c2614/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149803&Signature=SVJ2HvBkUdmKxAREbaWYnJxydOE-UYH0YH3ziqTSJN2d99XpIQ-J3AKdBb6BNwG5RbGRcs0q~tnkAgD9o5sY1qpjcEUQIZAcTunFiTa0JgSebNGB8F05T6cyC6-z54nz5wC97vH1sy0DdeKJYkZWi0UYd9PJXUz7u2N6Xr7jnWj04UTPrnTMjrxsnLl3kxtiF7y~twULpgwVdw6On-w3OXqKgKezpMpA0y7zwbtbzsYhb~VAhOl-xbVIOYetBcXCD4ylR-spCsK2R6OcgJbAuiwgDlKyD7mOBCyxV3MkAV4nnZl22XceCjupD1CHZCVzG9KK4q76a-KuzqUlpCSukQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents at the Jan. 21 Passaic City Council meeting thanked the administration for a new free shuttle service and asked that the route or hours be expanded; they also pressed the council about ongoing parking shortages in Reelon Village.

Evelyn T. Robinson, former commissioner of the Board of Education, called the shuttle “such a godsend,” saying it helps people avoid moving cars in bad weather and that she hopes “it could be expanded for the weekend.” Robinson said some people in her building now can avoid paying for trips into town.

Robinson also raised parking problems on Sixth Street and in the Reelon Village area. She said a nearby garage owned by a landlord who has outstanding violations is being used to store supplies rather than to provide mandated resident parking. “We have 82 parking spaces and 116 apartments. So already, we're behind the 8 ball,” she said, and asked the city to investigate.

Mayor (name not specified in the transcript) and council members acknowledged both points. The mayor noted the shuttle is part of an array of programs aimed at easing costs for seniors and families and said the administration would continue to evaluate expanded service. Council members said they have asked code and enforcement staff to investigate parking-garage usage when residents report noncompliance.

What was raised: residents asked for weekend shuttle service, clarified that the free shuttle is not only for seniors, and requested enforcement action to ensure mandated resident parking garages are used for that purpose.

Next steps: city staff said they would follow up on reports about the garage being used improperly; the council signaled willingness to examine weekend service expansion if demand and funding permit.","Residents applauded a newly expanded free shuttle service at the Jan. 21 council meeting and urged its weekend expansion. At the same meeting, residents said parking in parts of Reelon Village remains inadequate and alleged a nearby garage is being used for storage rather than resident parking.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670380,"Mayor: city repaired fire-alarm system after New Year’s fire, landlord later paid; officials say enforcement continues",812,4058000,4870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a&start=4058&end=4870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a/thumbnail_4058000.jpg","/articles/6670380/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Mayor-city-repaired-fire-alarm-system-after-New-Years-fire-landlord-later-paid-officials-say-enforcement-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670380-d813b91f297541bfdd8827dbc82f4d67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149803&Signature=jlRVHcUolt0gPCs8smT9rXjFti98ZVZ8MT3bf50cqGMdD1LbZtVy29qQH1epOBj4rEGq58-BVMIDGNnzrxn0MJYuduRMnk62SRuoGnjN0cofz-TInFG6~8rFl-vPLOiiEPSVMylZso9kNvBOiiDwWPfNtDTxRVy9remrVkD~EwETMcUQGzKX-l8LVxdp-ihurCIJSrYWajVRluUyCisVGKDsd4hSLWnWY8zmhfBskbYp50zAGiYbmHoeTl65OJEldE0SH5dGk1sB0iOfJC0T1GEgqYPa1EBgcZfok7E7T3BLiqC1KsnzHrW6GZSoSWkYohFZT~9GushLKpj71UIA5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Passaic authorized emergency repairs to a fire-alarm system at a multiunit building after a New Year's fire displaced residents, and city officials told the Jan. 21 meeting the landlord reimbursed the city for the work.

A member of the public, Joseph Connesenti, raised concerns about why the city would authorize payment related to a landlord with outstanding violations. “Why is this guy given money to do alarm system when they had the fire and no alarms worked?” Connesenti asked.

Mayor (name not specified in the transcript) and Business Administrator Rick Fernandez responded that the city’s immediate priority was getting displaced residents back into safe housing. The mayor said local officials can require repairs and then recover costs, placing liens or pursuing court action if necessary. He described the process as analogous to a criminal investigation, where the city builds a file and pursues enforcement steps. “We can't simply stand on principle while individuals are out on the street in the cold,” the mayor said.

The business administrator told the council the city had received a check from the landlord to cover the emergency work. He said the administration uses fines, liens and referrals to prosecutors when landlords do not comply.

Officials said the city has expanded code and inspection staffing and runs weekend inspections to address urgent habitability issues more quickly. Mayor and council members said those measures are intended to reduce the time residents spend displaced and to improve enforcement of housing standards.

What was decided: the council authorized (by routine resolution) payment related to emergency repairs; according to the business administrator the landlord has reimbursed the city for the work and the city will continue legal action where appropriate.","Following a Dec. 31 fire that displaced residents, the city authorized emergency repairs to a fire alarm system and officials said the landlord later provided payment. The mayor and administrators said the city will pursue legal remedies if property owners fail to reimburse costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670385,"Local prevention groups urge Passaic council to step up enforcement of flavored e-cigarette sales to youth",596,6844000,7440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a&start=6844&end=7440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a/thumbnail_6844000.jpg","/articles/6670385/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Local-prevention-groups-urge-Passaic-council-to-step-up-enforcement-of-flavored-e-cigarette-sales-to-youth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670385-7b36bad8681260bb37bff920c35089dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149803&Signature=o0BeCIwxzQrzW8OYlw40WvA0g-~7r0VG9e8WxoUVTbEGVbCj23pFUUEha8I3e-sLcAxRJ5fXy~FUpRc37jOz5pRT0XgSYq0Tq-VHbAAGy~21hYpF0BrmWUb3lfmKoNxgD~6RYPE6hN41NSw2XnpRC0CWuAJoypXrcpSC3eKsS8T6LaPOly0AM4FT05LFc9O6BuU2zbbhrSdEf86XFGXeS9ZUXaxPuUh95zVa9bn6lC59-MnUdiJhadqvZKQld0Wl9O0dL8YExUMwdIEl5RBxd6q~7hROf6bynfh3pTfnGAfAt23pytoK4~mxrEV3JT2-quYbctXSj5nQ7N818g9YLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from a local prevention coalition and the Passaic NAACP urged the City Council on Jan. 21 to expand enforcement and consider ordinances to curb sales of flavored electronic cigarettes and hemp products that they say are reaching children.

Vanessa Paz, program coordinator for the Passaic City Coalition, told the council the coalition collected data showing a sharp increase in underage sale violations across the state after 2020 and local growth in the density of smoke shops in Passaic. “Enforcement isn't the only issue,” Paz said. “It also has to do with monitoring the environment in which these sales happen, whether there is the capacity or manpower to enforce the laws, and whether there are local laws in place to create an environment that allows an ease of monitoring and an ease of enforcement to happen.”

Sherry Greer, president of the Passaic NAACP and student assistance coordinator at Passaic High School, told the council she has seen rising use among high-school students and has begun receiving calls about elementary students testing positive. Greer said the trend requires both enforcement and more prevention programming: “It really needs to be taken seriously.”

Council members and the mayor acknowledged the problem and praised the coalition's data-driven approach. Councilman Love commended the group's “advocating for enforcement” and said city leaders are willing to meet and discuss further steps.

What was raised: coalition materials included a state summary of underage sale violations (2012–2024), a map of smoke-shop density (2021–2024), and samples of ordinances other municipalities have used. Paz asked the council to consider stronger local tools and sustained enforcement rather than one-off compliance checks.

Next steps: Paz offered the coalition’s help gathering additional data and examples of ordinances other cities have used; council members signaled openness to follow-up discussions with the coalition and city enforcement staff.","Passaic City Coalition and NAACP representatives told the Jan. 21 council meeting that flavored e-cigarette and hemp-product sales to minors have surged and urged consistent enforcement and local ordinance options.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670388,"Passaic council sets Feb. 4 hearing on proposed rent-stabilization ordinance",227,8881000,9108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a&start=8881&end=9108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172609-4074d387323bdfdff513006ba9f99c8a/thumbnail_8881000.jpg","/articles/6670388/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-council-sets-Feb-4-hearing-on-proposed-rent-stabilization-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670388-87dca7f997131c9c52dc869d3a81ec46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149803&Signature=lomp3EVqFllSp9kooTm0R7xKQBz5yDG-nCheh1NJEBCZAv4~ilev9q6RHdY9MJ0aAXvtep52PYjPFBwzWLA0hiygWbvGh-1T0r3xSVOHQoIRVpfPGxPSxgCyWY~d-OjW2kpnL9OqOmtkQyYUNH~uqegsaf2HiXtT~dS51tf3Ga6S7q96erDNpJNdGGVL~hDTpWIWeLmj7o-hekfex1do4khEjMaUV30oJUL~v~fqn9Kd6ZcdNPKHzajlhDxYKOtzJci9lZgyZpkiEJhpxfX5PZr4LXEzfbMoX97BIAF0KodUpkMRHrjgddjoeiWnmdAceJ1429gyNfZQidHoB5dBSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Passaic City Council voted Jan. 21 to introduce an ordinance amending chapter 231 (rent stabilization) and scheduled a second reading and public hearing for Feb. 4.

The measure was placed on the agenda by the council at the administration's request and approved on a unanimous roll call. Council President Schaer said the ordinance was placed on the agenda “as per our agreement with the administration at our last 2 meetings.” The motion to accept the ordinance for second reading carried with all members voting yes.

Supporters and residents at the meeting said rising rents are an urgent local problem. Evelyn T. Robinson, former commissioner of the Board of Education, told the council rents are “horrible” and described people doubling up because they cannot afford units. Robinson also praised the council’s earlier public discussion of a rent cap and asked the city to encourage landlords to reduce rents where possible.

Mayor (name not specified in the transcript) told the council the administration has prioritized tenant protections in recent months and noted the city has been working on programs such as expanded transportation and services to ease cost burdens. The mayor said the ordinance’s placement followed work between council and administration and thanked council members for advancing it to a public hearing.

Why it matters: the ordinance would add a local regulatory framework for rents in Passaic; scheduling a formal hearing begins the public comment and amendment process. The council took no final vote on rent limits or specific rates on Jan. 21—the council approved introduction and set the Feb. 4 hearing.

Next steps: the council will hold a second reading and public hearing on the proposed amendment to chapter 231 at its Feb. 4 meeting. Members of the public who spoke urged further tenant protections and asked the city to consider enforcement steps that ensure landlords meet habitability standards in addition to any rent limits.","The Passaic City Council voted Jan. 21 to introduce a rent-stabilization ordinance and set a second reading and public hearing for Feb. 4. Residents at the meeting urged additional tenant protections and said high rents are forcing families to double up.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At-a-glance: Key votes and routine approvals at Passaic City Council meeting, Jan. 21, 2025

Residents praise new free shuttle but warn of parking shortfalls in Reelon Village

Mayor: city repaired fire-alarm system after New Year’s fire, landlord later paid; officials say enforcement continues

Local prevention groups urge Passaic council to step up enforcement of flavored e-cigarette sales to youth

Passaic council sets Feb. 4 hearing on proposed rent-stabilization ordinance