Palisades Park Borough Council Appoints Captain James Rundo as Officer in Charge Amidst Focus on Health and Safety
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
09/23/2024
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Recording Published:
09/24/2024
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Duration:
49 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Bergen County
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Towns:
Palisades Park
- Meeting Overview:
During the recent session of the Palisades Park Borough Council, the appointment of Captain James Rundo as the officer in charge of the police department emerged as a key highlight. This decision was accompanied by discussions on health-related initiatives, municipal operations, and community concerns.
Captain James Rundo was introduced by the police director, who reported that 1,888 summonses were issued in August. This appointment came at a time of heightened focus on safety and operational efficiency within the borough.
Health initiatives dominated the early part of the meeting. The Health Department announced a flu vaccine clinic scheduled for September 26 and additional availability on October 7. Council members discussed utilizing the senior bus service to assist seniors in attending these clinics. Additionally, a free blood pressure screening was scheduled for the following day at the Palisades Park Senior Citizen Center.
Concerns about safety measures for employees potentially exposed to COVID-19 were raised. The health officer had sent reminders about ongoing COVID-19 concerns, and air quality testing had been conducted in the municipal building, with results pending.
Revenue from the summer season was reported at $428,782, with a particularly successful day where $14,000 was made in a single Sunday due to unusually hot weather. Discussions included plans to replace outdated pumps and potentially install a splash pad, which would be a safer alternative to the kiddie pool. The recreation team was acknowledged for their efforts during a successful 125th anniversary street festival.
The council also discussed the parking meter contract, which is nearing expiration. A council member emphasized the need to evaluate hardware and service improvements to benefit local businesses and their patrons. A suggestion was made to survey local business owners and customers to gather feedback on parking services, guiding future decisions on the contract.
For the Department of Public Works (DPW), a concern was raised about the old street sweeper, which required nearly $10,000 in repairs. A new sweeper, estimated to cost $229,000, was proposed, with a delivery timeline of several months due to parts availability. The council deliberated on selling the old sweeper or keeping it as a backup.
Public participation revealed a range of community concerns. A resident from Fourth Street raised issues about a pothole and lack of drains, with assurances given that a new engineer would investigate. Another resident from Second Street expressed anxiety over flooding and speeding. Concerns about New York Transit buses using residential streets during peak hours were also raised, with the council promising to contact the transit authority.
Amidst these discussions, the council addressed the needs of seniors struggling with certain processes, particularly those who do not speak English. This highlighted the need for more user-friendly methods. The issue of parking was revisited, emphasizing the need to finish lining parking spots on residential streets, especially in areas with new duplexes where parking has become chaotic.
Further, the council discussed the hiring of a new engineer, clarifying that this role was for specific tasks and did not imply the replacement of the current engineer. Concerns about classroom space for students were also raised, with a resident highlighting the need for additional classrooms in the library’s basement.
A resident addressed concerns about political influence and lack of leadership in the police department, referencing a newspaper report from 2023. The council requested the resident to refrain from discussing politics and redirected the focus to resident services.
As the meeting drew to a close, the council addressed concerns about the repainting of fire hydrant markings, emphasizing the need for annual maintenance. A resident was reminded to report issues regarding fire hydrants to the police for enforcement.
Chong Paul Kim
City Council Officials:
Stephanie S. Jang, Jason Kim, Sang Lee, SUK “JOHN” MIN (Council President), Michael Vietri, Youbong Won-Yoon
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
09/23/2024
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Recording Published:
09/24/2024
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Duration:
49 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Bergen County
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Towns:
Palisades Park
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