The council’s primary focus was the approval of ordinance 25-9, a bond ordinance designed to fund public safety improvements, which includes security cameras and park upgrades at Hershfield Park and Willow Field. A council member raised concerns about whether the bond’s funding aligned with expected grants for a baseball field project. Clarification was provided that unused funds would be redirected to pay down the bond. The discussion led to a review of the advertisement specifics for the ordinance. The council confirmed that grant applications for the baseball field were underway, emphasizing the project’s importance. The ordinance passed unanimously after a public comment period that saw no participation.

In a separate discussion, a council member highlighted a resident’s complaint about park vandalism, noting that someone had drawn blue images on playground equipment. This prompted a debate about the effectiveness of current measures and the potential need for a new ordinance to address such acts. The council stressed the importance of accountability, regardless of the offender’s age, acknowledging that vandalism is a criminal charge. There was a consensus on the necessity for vigilance and police readiness to prosecute offenders if caught.

Parking regulation during snow emergencies also surfaced as a concern. A resident from TR 130 Legion Street expressed frustration over the lack of enforcement, with many vehicles ignoring parking regulations. The resident recognized the difficulty faced by those with limited parking space. Another resident, Lyn Hazelman, raised issues about increased parking costs for business workers and associated safety concerns, including incidents of vandalism like a keyed windshield. Hazelman pointed out the limited and unsecured parking options available, which exacerbated the safety issues. The council discussed potential solutions, such as improving communication about parking regulations and considering additional surveillance cameras.

The meeting also touched on the issue of littering, particularly by high school students, which has been a growing concern in public areas. The council underscored the need for educating students on proper waste disposal, highlighting the challenges of maintaining community cleanliness and safety in light of increased littering.

In other council business, a motion to appoint Jason Lavasi to the Redevelopment Board for a three-year term was approved unanimously. The council also introduced ordinance 25-13, which aims to prohibit left turns from Ringwood Avenue into Soaring Cor Wash Drive during peak hours, and ordinance 25-14, addressing penalties for parking violations during snow removal. Both ordinances were approved for introduction.

The meeting included reports from various council members on recent activities and events. Councilwoman Kihlberg congratulated Michael Carelli on the birth of his daughter and shared details about the planning board, library board, and recreation meetings she attended. She announced upcoming community events, such as the Easter egg hunt on April 12 and the Pompton Lakes Riverdale Little League parade on April 5. A community dinner hosted by the Pompton Lakes Women’s Club was scheduled for February 27 at the Pompton Reform Church. The council also celebrated the borough administrator’s second child.

Councilman Venin extended his congratulations to the newly sworn-in fire department officers, acknowledging their service, and shared insights from the Historic Commission meeting. Councilman Cruz reported on the Board of Adjustments’ recent activities, mentioning the approval of two new applications and three resolutions. He also noted the appointment of Mike Cost to the Open Space Committee, which may be subject to change.

The Civic Center’s redevelopment was another point of interest. The center, which had been closed, received final permits for redevelopment. The project will include a new women’s locker room for police officers, additional meeting rooms, and enhanced historical displays. The council member emphasized that the building would maintain its original footprint while featuring updated siding, windows, and doors. Construction is expected to begin soon.