The council meeting opened with a series of discussions on community development and infrastructure. Central to these was the approval of the solicitation of bids for park improvements at Ver Am Community Park, emphasizing the need for the project to reflect the community’s interests. The council debated the pre-qualification regulations for bidders on the Westside Park renovations, with a representative from New City Parks outlining the necessity of a minimum experience requirement to ensure the quality and safety of the park’s amenities. The community’s input was strongly considered, with amenities such as renovated restrooms and new benches confirmed for inclusion, and suggestions for concession stands and family-friendly facilities noted.

Council members also showed unified support for the renovation of Ward Park which is set to include a river walk, boat launch, picnic areas, and a children’s play area. The scope of the project was clarified to encompass the renovation of restrooms, with details to be further elaborated in future stages. The council voted in favor of the renovation, expressing excitement and pride in the anticipated improvements.

Attention then turned to recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments of Candace Crystal Cotton, who received commendation from the council for her outstanding leadership as the Liberty Division softball coach of the year. The council members praised her historic achievement in advancing the girls’ softball team to the state tournament and her role in breaking barriers within the community.

The meeting also addressed concerns and proposed solutions for the city’s administration and infrastructure. Council members discussed the conditions of the downtown area, with issues such as garbage collection, street vendors, and the overall cleanliness of the city being points of contention. The introduction of the Downtown Special Improvement District 2024 budget brought forth concerns from business owners and suggestions for involving the police department in addressing these problems.

Public safety was a recurring theme, with the council members debating various community concerns, including a recent incident where a child was hit by a car. Discussions also highlighted the responsibility of the city’s administration and police department to enforce laws and regulations in the downtown area effectively.

Residents’ comments reflected dissatisfaction with the current state of the city, calling for accountability and improvement. Concerns ranged from the treatment of the public by council members to parking issues, traffic violations, and the need for action on public safety concerns. The collapse of a ceiling in the city council chambers was raised as an urgent safety issue, emphasizing the necessity for a safe and respectful environment for public discourse.

In financial matters, the council addressed the need for supplemental transitional aid to manage the city’s budget. Staffing vacancies in critical departments, such as Community Improvements and Economic Development, were identified as areas requiring immediate attention to improve service delivery. Council members also discussed the potential for revenue increases and the enforcement of existing laws to bridge the budget gap.

The discussion extended to the agreement with the Passaic Valley Water Commission, which had generated increased revenue for the city. The extension of this agreement for another five years was adopted with an increase in revenue from $600,000 to $1.2 million over the next six years. The fire department’s involvement and the need for additional funding to provide emergency and preventative services were highlighted.

The sale of city-owned properties was deliberated, focusing on the auction process and revenue generation for the city. The council voted to approve the sale, albeit with some reservations expressed by council members. Additionally, the introduction of the 2024 Municipal budget raised questions about the municipal levy, the tax rate, and the impact of transitional aid. The council underscored the importance of a strategy to accommodate a 2% levy increase and the staffing of service departments.

Finally, the council promoted collaboration between the city and county to improve street and park maintenance, enforce noise regulations, and address littering. The resolution authorizing the reading of the 2024 Municipal budget was advanced, with council members advocating for changes before budget adoption. Concerns about the lack of services provided to the community and the need for a plan to address ongoing issues were also discussed.