A significant portion of the meeting centered on financial concerns related to the business incubator, where over $40 million had reportedly been spent without clear accounting. Councilman Jackson highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating, “There’s a lot of unanswered questions… hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions of dollars that was allocated and spent there.” The council collectively supported the call for an audit to provide detailed reports on these expenditures, ownership, and financial dealings.

In parallel, the council grappled with proposed amendments to the cannabis licensing ordinance. The proposal to increase the number of licenses from three to six and reduce the required distance from residential homes from 300 feet to 200 feet sparked debate. Council members expressed concerns about the lack of revenue from existing licenses, with one council member stating, “There’s been no annual generation of any Revenue.” The council’s deliberations revealed a strong desire for a data-driven approach to decision-making, emphasizing the need for proof of concept before expanding licenses further.

Council members stressed the necessity of understanding the clientele and traffic generated by the existing stores before considering expansion. Another member supported this stance, reiterating the call for data on the existing licenses, indicating that without this critical information, making an informed decision about expansion would be irresponsible.

Further into the meeting, the council addressed infrastructure-related resolutions, including road resurfacing projects and the installation of new lighting equipment at the East Side tennis courts. However, concerns were expressed about the management of public spaces, with specific mention of Roberto Clemente Park and the need for ongoing maintenance to prevent illegal dumping.

Public safety and community engagement were recurring themes, with several speakers from the public highlighting issues such as excessive noise, loitering, and drug-related problems in their neighborhoods. Linda Moa detailed her struggles with PTSD and other mental health issues caused by ongoing disturbances, calling for increased police presence and implementation of noise ordinances. Another resident, James Ramsey, advocated for a traffic light at a dangerous intersection and raised alarm about drug-related issues.

The council also delved into the impact of filming activities on local businesses, with one speaker questioning the financial implications of street closures for movie productions. The speaker emphasized the importance of fairness to local business owners, noting previous street blockages had caused damage to the roads and contributed to their financial struggles. In response, a council member highlighted the necessity of amending outdated fees to attract more filming opportunities without imposing excessive bureaucratic hurdles.

In addition to these topics, the council discussed the appointment of Dolores Bradley as a tenant representative to the Paterson Housing Authority. The dialogue revealed contention regarding the nomination process and the qualifications of candidates. One council member asserted Bradley’s qualification, emphasizing that no other applicants had emerged after a thorough search.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of recent community events, such as the Dominican Gala and parade, and a reminder that future council sessions would return to 77 Ellison Street. Despite tensions and disagreements, council members emphasized the importance of maintaining respect and civility, with the council president reiterating the need for a professional atmosphere focused on serving the residents of Paterson.