The council meeting began with Mayor John P. Labrosse Jr. and council members acknowledging Anne Bowen’s retirement. As the principal account clerk of the Johnson Public Library, Bowen had served the Hackensack community with dedication and professionalism for over 40 years. A proclamation was read in her honor, and she was congratulated for her outstanding service.

The council also presided over the swearing-in of new police officers. Mayor Labrosse emphasized their role’s significance in the community, urging them to prioritize safety and diligence. Councilmember Gerard Carroll highlighted the safety hazards posed by electric bikes, stressing the need for infrastructure and safety regulations as electric vehicle usage grows.

The council then proceeded to discuss redevelopment plans and the establishment of regulations for a municipal community garden in Johnson Park. These plans included the final adoption of ordinances related to redevelopment and introducing an ordinance requiring multiple dwellings to maintain a registry of licensed dogs on the property. Councilmember Stephanie Von Rudenborg highlighted various development initiatives, including parking regulation changes near Hackensack University Medical Center and a redevelopment project on Main Street.

A resolution was also passed concurring with the planning board’s Redevelopment investigation findings for properties on Main Street and Kansas Street, designating them as areas in need of redevelopment for non-condemnation purposes. Another resolution authorized a license and right of entry agreement for prospective redevelopers to conduct due diligence on city-owned property on HC Avenue.

During the public comment session, residents expressed concerns about safety and economic issues. One resident detailed deterioration, vagrants, and unsafe trees at a neighboring property on Park Street. The council assured the resident they would expedite efforts to address these concerns, including potential tax liens on the property. Another resident raised concerns about the cost of maintaining trees and government salaries, particularly in the school district. Council members acknowledged these issues but highlighted their limited influence over the school system.

The meeting also included a discussion on the proposed dog registry, particularly in buildings with emotional support dogs. The council clarified that the registry would apply to buildings with six or more units and would include dogs’ names, age, breed, and owner information, aiming to track down dogs in the event of incidents such as dog bites.

Additionally, the city engineer provided updates on various infrastructure projects, including flood mitigation efforts and improvements at Carver Park and the Johnson Park Sports Complex. Concerns were raised about the lack of street lights on State Street, particularly near the Middle School, and the council agreed to reach out to Public Service for an assessment of the area.