[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_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",6630609,"mediaKeyId","2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84","parentId",2690445,"title","Votes at a glance: March 18 Passaic City Council actions","audioSeconds",1157,"startMs",2951000,"endMs",4108000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84&start=2951&end=4108","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84/thumbnail_2951000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6630609/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Votes-at-a-glance-March-18-Passaic-City-Council-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630609-a9a5076310e5b91f6d2440a28ec8761f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448274&Signature=JvK~wwkEOOyFDxiq8JSaMjXBz1J1eXpMlKSKS5aFKc4Mx9Da5i1UFlBnXnawmGVaP5j7qqTbLX9TP8NXPB8RQsc2WoUHg8o0YwVNR8D-ZQxl40y6F3gd~3R-jzt6BjLzSX8kzf0N64bwUaMG3EisnA~mhI2ZtriQsP65UBMTxvsGEshSjxMDQIVsMW-dw1PtFKckzZfaxMWsG-P0Fp8lbYMJ3QrIV5Ph1iY5dy5VYV4ZDxb4nmVF~1B5c3YcR~kdbRz0yt0MWzmMWJLXLdgDA65a59RWzBuM2~c3UG335HpkHmYSS4oFqm5Ib86740R3kF5mgyOzbfv8KThWF78edA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Passaic","date","2025-03-19T16:08:34.757Z","article","At its March 18 meeting the Passaic City Council approved several ordinances and a package of routine communications, resolutions and contracts.

Key outcomes

- Ordinance 24‑78‑75 (amending restricted parking for disabled persons): Passed unanimously on second and final reading.

- Ordinance 24‑79‑25 (permit townhouses in R‑1 and R‑2 districts): Adopted following public hearing; recorded as a unanimous vote.

- Consent and routine items: The council voted to accept communications and routine items listed as agenda items 3–12, 14–16, and 17–26 (motion approved by roll call). Item 13 passed with one recorded abstention by Councilman Love.

- Capital/contract items: A block of agenda items including contracts and purchases (items 29–37) were accepted by roll call vote; the mayor and administration described several of those items, including contracts for parking‑deck equipment and other capital expenditures.

- Ordinance introduction: The council introduced ordinance number 38 (amending restricted parking for disabled persons) for first reading and set it for second and final reading on April 1.

Vote details and roll calls were recorded in the meeting transcript. Where roll calls were read, the transcript recorded Councilman Monk, Councilman Love, Councilman Mello, Councilman Schwartz, Councilman Garcia, Councilman Colombo (Muntenez/Colombo Daniels variants), and Council President Schier voting “yes” on most measures; Item 13 recorded one abstention by Councilman Love.

Ending: Routine bills were approved by roll call and the council scheduled introduced ordinances for future hearing dates; official minutes and the codified ordinance texts will provide final vote tallies and effective dates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Passaic Council Meeting - March 18th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved multiple routine items, passed two ordinances on second reading and introduced additional measures for final reading. Key votes included approval of disabled‑parking changes and the zoning amendment allowing townhouses.","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},6630615,"Crossing guard’s charged remarks prompt council admonishment and mayoral condemnation of discriminatory language",483,2413000,2896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84&start=2413&end=2896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84/thumbnail_2413000.jpg","/articles/6630615/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Crossing-guards-charged-remarks-prompt-council-admonishment-and-mayoral-condemnation-of-discriminatory-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630615-f828f578098c9e75883e6c85b73be6ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448274&Signature=YkWXzfypsy0LxUVzvxEuN5q8lcv4XB2uV2UX4imHZFPZPyDJA813m6LoNWkQbP3bNzT3aSSsZup-LGdaVtKsk~hOOPCD-ad-vwD65wHf0HkD~wlNdxQLRD6gw8dDijuIrEJW0tYMDva-Ok-9ma1QsUHzJkNRu-vQDcKFiYrQL8Mloy7CuSFjf~QQHstoTiVQRkzA7ut0ZLPXRMLUnxXoK-QhHIfOqLd2zjRGRotxqt2yujgtfzQvBaJFjzWy1az0j8eLUrf9yEEoPBBd3IuCuX309WeZ9dXIbY112DwLOxXiLRlTXfAwI0uuGFNgXeg2UTgWYPUV9ZCNEs4MpTd3sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public comment period a city crossing guard described repeated incidents in which drivers allegedly attempted to hit him. The speaker’s remarks, translated in part by a councilmember, included references to a group of drivers and language that the council considered disparaging toward a protected group.

Council President Schier and other members interrupted and directed the crossing guard to address workplace concerns with his supervisors rather than through the dais. A councilmember who translated the remarks warned that verbatim translation showed the speaker using wording that could be discriminatory. The council voted to close public comment and move on.

Mayor Laura later addressed the matter at length, saying the administration would take the allegation about being targeted seriously and asked the police chief to follow up if the speaker claimed threats against his life. The mayor also condemned the use of antisemitic or otherwise discriminatory language in public meetings and said the city would not tolerate remarks that target or disparage any group. “We will not tolerate any discriminatory language, any hate speech, whether spoken in English, Spanish, or any other language,” the mayor said.

The council characterized the incident as an administrative matter for the speaker’s supervisors but said it would ensure allegations of threats are investigated by police if warranted.

Ending: The mayor and council urged residents to bring safety complaints to supervisors or police and reiterated a citywide stance against hate speech and discrimination.","A city crossing guard’s public comments alleging he was targeted by drivers escalated into reportedly discriminatory language. Council members stopped the remarks, advised administrative follow‑up, and Mayor Laura called for police and administrative response and denounced hate speech.",{"_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},6630619,"Officials say new garbage contract increases costs; administration says locking rate avoids bigger hikes",235,1838000,2073000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84&start=1838&end=2073","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84/thumbnail_1838000.jpg","/articles/6630619/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Officials-say-new-garbage-contract-increases-costs-administration-says-locking-rate-avoids-bigger-hikes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630619-d2848cc83b7356c3202874e247945812/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448274&Signature=PuAUbM4xFKVl-4T2smnEz7BiZudr-EFLaB6fmjo4oizwmQlYy~cQpk-plvQcp19i68iKLSok2i4qKnfrZDV0ZMQMZ1f9EJzz3YgeC~O5ulIP5jrpcZKt9OUytvWO8BYclAtZQrSM32GXLPUx1AXk15tPdP1XJqU0H7MGrimcQTLzUip61TaP4K2jPFQXzgiQsS5cTiGVfx-rjOk3V2jyYnOBtNAFxgpl0E937aiFJk0JjE9hAdVCr3eXeHsX1r54MdLbf1dwDi2xzAQprlo~RKcbmewzgV8b7wGc~drSwmZeRuL2ATmRYR1c15SJ-emBHtAEI86yUy6xEZYo2r8xcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident during public comment raised concerns about the city’s new garbage collection contract and said the amount appeared significantly larger than prior years.

Business Administrator Rick Fernandez and the mayor responded that the city received the lowest responsible bid for collection but that contract prices have risen statewide. Fernandez said the most recent contract represented “about a half a million dollars a year” increase relative to the prior period and that the city opted to lock in rates for multiple years to avoid potentially higher bids in future rebids.

The administration said bids that came in for the contract ranged as high as more than $1 million and that the selected contract—roughly $2,500,000 over five years as discussed at the meeting—was the lowest responsible bid. The mayor said locking a multi‑year rate is intended to reduce exposure to further increases when the contract is rebid.

Ending: Officials said they will continue to manage budget impacts and that the finance officer and purchasing staff worked to identify the lowest reasonable cost in the then‑current market.","A resident questioned a large sanitation contract; city officials responded that a new five‑year contract increases costs roughly $2.5 million over prior terms, and that locking a multi‑year rate was intended to limit future increases.",{"_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},6630624,"Council reviews technology and change orders for new municipal parking deck; officials say system will support multiple payment apps and EV chargers",128,2115000,2243000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84&start=2115&end=2243","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84/thumbnail_2115000.jpg","/articles/6630624/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Council-reviews-technology-and-change-orders-for-new-municipal-parking-deck-officials-say-system-will-support-multiple-payment-apps-and-EV-chargers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630624-2a4935912d52c3d528e2cc1c0106d79c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448274&Signature=HaSuzX0ARvUz8O-ITGLgt8AsGbGREjZUL-48E7La0GtINLjUZ8gkEJELUM5IyncvdwWM8JnWxuuq7vV7fMTQmxp9MHbEj75yNPzdGIWoSDr32807PM0lTcJWAmVIzK8HNrrI-TIgIZsau1ly~6Yt2Y55gjLDTwtyHXiZYymqkZkcqWU19VOi9W2hzjQEIHRve76cXxhUTpVfUxZPjM15drxPg7sVJWEWDvdaMBecMRl8BTEUgYdoVrhpcVv-1PgG7LKIFOMTeS5Z3Q8zKSCtTRplfddZHLLuUbFL3V3ru5ONMtrrG2xbl8i~lEwFqCL34Bbzss0d9yCuAbP3R-dF8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials described technical upgrades and change orders for the new municipal parking deck during the March 18 meeting, saying the additional equipment will support license‑plate scanning, floor‑level space indicators, integrated phone payments and future electric‑vehicle chargers required by state rules.

Business Administrator Rick Fernandez said the agenda item covers equipment—not the concrete structure—and includes scanners, lifts, lighting, counters and the software needed to permit multiple payment providers. “The software is separate and apart from the hardware…it integrates other software so we don't have to have that issue,” Fernandez said, adding the deck will accept ParkMobile and could accept alternative apps if the city chooses.

Fernandez said the camera system will be tied directly to the police department for safety monitoring, and the deck will include resident‑use provisions such as time windows that allow permitted residents to park overnight without paying fees. He said revenues after operating expenditures will be accounted for under the existing parking authority shared‑income agreement and will come back to the city as current municipal parking lots do.

Council members acknowledged a number of expected change orders on large construction projects and stressed that contingencies were in place. Officials said the extra items will produce features—such as real‑time indicators of available spaces—that are intended to increase usage by commuters and shoppers and to generate revenue for maintenance and operations.

Ending: City staff said final technology and maintenance arrangements will be detailed before equipment installation; council approved a package of routine items and contracts including parking‑deck equipment on unanimous roll call.","City staff said equipment and software purchases for the new parking deck will include license‑plate scanners, floor‑availability indicators, integrated payment options and future electric vehicle chargers. The system will link cameras to police and revenue will be shared with the parking authority per existing agreement.",{"_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},6630629,"Mayor Laura outlines school‑zone speed cuts, dumping cameras, stadium and bridge projects",245,120000,365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84&start=120&end=365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84/thumbnail_120000.jpg","/articles/6630629/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Mayor-Laura-outlines-schoolzone-speed-cuts-dumping-cameras-stadium-and-bridge-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630629-a8317ecb48213dcf9fdafb820c8f22f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448274&Signature=XnUN9jrMXbvFLNueNqmXOz0XUSQGru1ZiVNxQIRXkTvgriowXyuHfPDh~-J6ctVliEWlpcgvHjJX4QHq2YyoFffxBxkg-31jSbCbY4KHHm-0kvK-jXFziTX4fKREwbXZgkp68PP7rv4RtWNGV71-jAAlls8em7sWPbj8T49Bu9xcupB1Z6xbwlrpSEwKwrVgCEaad4~hmFcuLdp26D9D9W0TohxYl1fZUAu7wWV-GiY2koj2WcFWZouo7rg0-kgm6MZuacLzkLFsfssyCC~pjK0PDjPwFpL9MHslRpTRhCUO9zeTBO8NhTTqNl13Su~Aep-Od0zKKGtWqAUEqG-KSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Laura told the Passaic City Council on March 18 the administration is ordering fixed radar speed signs for school zones and is considering reducing the posted limit from 25 mph to 15 mph during school hours.

“We are looking to lower the miles per hour in those areas from 25 miles an hour to 15 miles an hour between the hours of 07:30 and 4PM,” Mayor Laura said, citing discussions with the police chief and administrative staff and an observed immediate reduction in vehicle speed when portable radar units are deployed.

The mayor also reported stepped‑up responses to illegal dumping. She said she had asked Public Works Superintendent Mark Watkins to clear several sites and that the city will coordinate with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office and the police department to install portable cameras at repeated dumping locations near Route 21 and along the river.

On county infrastructure, the mayor described work on a culvert/bridge near Passaic Avenue and McDonough Brook conducted by Passaic County. She said the county’s contractor removed several older trees during construction but that the county has committed to replace them. “Each of those trees will be replaced,” she said.

Recreation projects highlighted by the mayor included work at “Sac Stadium,” a $1.2 million renovation to the football field and adjacent practice field that officials expect to finish by mid‑April, and a new rubberized track at Third Ward Memorial Park slated to open this summer.

The mayor warned residents that the Passaic Valley Water Commission has resumed shutoffs, with service interruptions that began March 15, and advised residents to contact the commission or run cold water to clear discoloration caused by pipe work. She gave the Passaic Valley Water Commission number as (973) 340‑4300 for ongoing problems.

Ending: The mayor framed these items as part of ongoing safety and quality‑of‑life improvements and urged residents to report dumping and to contact departments for pickup or water issues.","In her March 18 report Mayor Laura described steps to reduce vehicle speeds near schools, deploy cameras at illegal‑dumping hotspots, and noted county infrastructure work and local recreation projects including a $1.2 million stadium field renovation.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6630633,"Passaic council approves zoning change to permit townhouses in R‑1 and R‑2 districts",732,3013000,3745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84&start=3013&end=3745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2690445-bf49342149f37fe417f44f59c1092f84/thumbnail_3013000.jpg","/articles/6630633/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-council-approves-zoning-change-to-permit-townhouses-in-R1-and-R2-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630633-18d5ae71741dced23a9cdff69ae99543/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448274&Signature=Gr4qAUvPg7ApKm9UagNDyNxQ7fn0idJi4z9oSnI5uAITS~z4ondHE3IdQ8L7bK7PYt1dSkXBQ-95oI3iO5GYzQc5GFZ78ry3M5P68FFTxGeVVK1y9Y79O9mVorntWqMTpy1qYfauLEERVmxbFtOTiAIKIK4y9IY75sTL6wzNdFxqw4peA5LYDtsop-gCPitJFgvm8MM6B4skGNlj3hX9kIijTcc7rTja4zK6zVYe00yRyhRiRIunVXHgOsLZiD55D3kCh4IFEXsjX8LNiQE1cc5rVxztUTh7zwiYTGHuMPxTqRlurvONcqwxBmGlNy8N6YKoduCtKbk5rbN7~JyCPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Passaic City Council on March 18 voted to amend the municipal zoning code to permit townhouses in R‑1 and R‑2 residential districts.

The measure, proposed as ordinance 24‑79‑25, passed on a unanimous roll call after a public hearing and comments from residents and city staff. Business Administrator Rick Fernandez told the council the change would allow townhouses on larger lots while preserving single‑family neighborhoods.

The ordinance’s backers said townhouses can provide a relatively affordable ownership option for middle‑income and aging households who want to remain in their neighborhoods. “Townhouses are a middle class home,” said Yossi Holof, a resident who spoke at the hearing, praising the council’s effort to expand homeownership. Fernandez said the R‑1 minimum lot size in the city is 5,000 square feet and that townhouse development would typically require larger, combined lots rather than encouraging demolition of well‑established single‑family homes.

Officials said the ordinance is intended to encourage new ownership opportunities on vacant or underused lots and at older properties in need of replacement or substantial renovation, not to force residents from existing homes. Fernandez told the council, “We’re envisioning larger lots…we’re not looking to tear down well established functioning homes.”

Speakers during the hearing raised questions about earlier local affordability rules requiring 20% low‑income set‑asides for developments of five or more units; some commenters urged the council to reconsider how that requirement applies to for‑sale townhouse projects. The council and administration said those affordability rules remain in effect and that detailed project review, financing and bank underwriting will determine whether a given townhouse proposal is viable.

Council members closed the public hearing and adopted the ordinance; the business administrator said standard development rules—lot size, setbacks and the city’s prohibition on multiple primary residential structures on a single lot—will still apply.

The ordinance will appear on the city code and take effect consistent with municipal procedures. Staff and planning officials said they will provide guidance to applicants and the planning board about how the change will be implemented in practice.

Ending: The council framed the change as one piece of a broader strategy to diversify housing types and expand ownership opportunities in Passaic while retaining protections for existing neighborhoods.","The Passaic City Council unanimously approved an ordinance allowing townhouses as a permitted use in the city’s R‑1 and R‑2 residential zones, with officials saying the change aims to increase homeownership options without forcing demolitions of established homes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: March 18 Passaic City Council actions

Crossing guard’s charged remarks prompt council admonishment and mayoral condemnation of discriminatory language

Officials say new garbage contract increases costs; administration says locking rate avoids bigger hikes

Council reviews technology and change orders for new municipal parking deck; officials say system will support multiple payment apps and EV chargers

Mayor Laura outlines school‑zone speed cuts, dumping cameras, stadium and bridge projects

Passaic council approves zoning change to permit townhouses in R‑1 and R‑2 districts