A significant portion of the meeting centered around a public commenter’s critique of the council’s choice to select Boswell Engineering over Suburban Engineer for city projects. The commenter expressed confusion over the decision, citing Suburban Engineer’s previous successful work on sewer separation projects in Hackensack and their beneficial connections with the state for securing grants. The commenter argued that Suburban Engineer’s expertise in sewer separation was unmatched and questioned why they were overlooked in favor of Boswell Engineering, which they identified as having a different area of specialization—traffic engineering.

In response, a city representative defended the selection process, stating that Boswell Engineering is a comprehensive firm capable of handling various engineering needs, implying that specialization in sewer separation was not the sole criterion for selection. The exchange revealed underlying tensions about the decision-making process and highlighted public concern for transparency in the awarding of city contracts.

Further compounding these discussions, the council introduced several new ordinances, notably focusing on rescinding financial agreements with urban renewal entities related to mixed-use development projects. These agreements, made by a previous administration, were criticized for their lack of transparency and public involvement. The council underscored their responsibility to ensure that such agreements genuinely serve the community’s best interests, especially given their potential long-term impact on the city.

In another development, financial matters took center stage as the council approved a series of resolutions related to 2025 budget amendments. Chief Financial Officer Jim Mangan provided detailed insights into these amendments, which included the acceptance of grants that do not alter the tax levy. Notable among these were the 2025 Clean Communities Grant amounting to $100,650, a $5,000 contribution from the 200 Club of Bergen County for the fire department, and a grant from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for the annual summer food program, totaling $191,822.45. These grants support various community programs, including environmental and fire safety initiatives.

The council also voted to increase the bid threshold from $44,000 to $53,000 due to Hackensack having a qualified purchasing agent, aligning with state updates. This increase, coupled with a new quote threshold of $7,950, reflects adjustments to purchasing protocols designed to streamline city procurement processes.

Among the newly introduced ordinances was one addressing fire prevention concerning lithium-ion batteries. This proposal aligns with national safety trends. The council’s stance on public safety reflects an awareness of emerging hazards and a commitment to community welfare.

In other business, the council considered the potential launch of a community update email initiative titled “Hack Weekly.” This proposed newsletter aims to inform residents about city activities and upcoming events, with a focus on community engagement. Feedback on the newsletter was positive, with suggestions for analog sign-up methods and integration with existing communication platforms to maximize reach.

The meeting also covered plans for a townwide garage sale, inspired by community requests and aimed at raising funds for local youth programs. Tentatively scheduled for early September, the garage sale would charge a nominal participation fee to support initiatives like the DARE program, which engages with second and fifth graders through educational and support activities.

Public comments closed the meeting, with residents raising issues such as garbage pickup frequency, misuse of public garbage containers, and concerns over urban development plans. The council acknowledged these concerns and confirmed changes, such as reinstating twice-a-week garbage pickups during the summer months, beginning August 1.