The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hackensack was held at City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at 8:15 p.m.
Mayor Labrosse called the meeting to order and City Clerk Debra Heck announced that the meeting was being held in accordance with the Sunshine Law, notice having been published according to law, with a copy on file in the City Clerk’s office, and a copy posted on the bulletin board in City Hall.
Mrs. Heck called the roll:
Present – Mayor John P. Labrosse, Jr., Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino, Councilwoman Rose Greenman, City Manager Stephen Lo Iacono and City Attorney Thomas P. Scrivo. Councilman Leonardo Battaglia and Councilman David Sims were absent.
A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Canestrino and seconded by Councilwoman Greenman to approve the minutes of the October 21 and October 22, 2013 meetings.
Motion to open meeting to the public made by Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino and seconded by Councilwoman Rose Greenman.
James Brady – 120 Polifly Road – I brought back the proclamation. I really wanted to keep this low key. We have had some issues with how the homeless are treated. General impression it has changed. Would like to engage the council and Director Mordaga in conversation about this. All for cracking down on the homeless as long as they are doing something wrong, if not doing anything wrong must be treated with respect. I tried to go to the Police Department to pick up the money without a lot of fanfare. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this in public. As long as I got my money I was ok with this. It is tough being homeless. I have tried to advocate for the homeless. Social Services sometimes work at odds. As far as I am concerned this money is a gift from God. I just didn’t think I had to report it. Social Services should have called me in earlier to ask me about this and I could have explained. Would have liked them to be a little more compassionate. Just want the Council to be more aware of what goes on with the homeless. Mayor stated council will comment at the end and he apologized for the way it was handled.
Jeanne Barrata – 1202 Fairlawn Ave., Fairlawn – When we heard about this we have reached out to the governor’s office. Ms. Velez is aware of the situation in the governor’s office. Everything was done by the book. No one by the letter of the law is at fault. Department of Human Services will rectify the situation for Mr. Brady. It is income and Mr. Brady does have to report this. We will go through the steps so there will not be any gap in benefits and the state with help with this.
Karen Cohen – Worked here for 21 years in the Human Services Deparment. Mrs. Toomey carried out the rules and regulations with professionalism, compassion and fairness. Mrs. Toomey runs a strict office. County doesn’t’ provide as much paperwork as we do. Thanksgiving and Christmas we give out baskets. I enjoyed my job and met all kinds of people and we tried to help them.
Stefani Pedone – Ross Ave – resident for 30 years and I congratulate Mr. Brady. I think it is great that we have honest people. What has been going on is unthinkable. Ms. Toomey is very compassionate and she went by the book. She did the right thing. If we bend the rules then we wouldn’t have any rules.
Nancy Weuste - Paramus, NJ – Would like to speak on behalf of my sister, Mrs. Toomey. She has worked her way up to Welfare Director. She is a hard worker and was there for everyone. She is being viewed as heartless, she is fair with all her clients and she follows the rules. The rules that she is following were put in place by the State. She is not political nor does she have an agenda, she goes above and beyond. The fault is not with Agatha but with the state guidelines.
Mildred Dodson – I would like to speak as a person who had been in the system. You need to know the rules and regulations. When he decided to turn the money in, he is viewed as an honest person. If I had done this all of my benefits would have been taken away. These rules were made for everyone and we all have to abide by these rules.
Deputy Mayor Canestrino – I’m sorry that you had to go through this experience. This truly was an anomaly, for doing such a good deed you surfaced to the top. It was an inspiration to the community. I feel sorry for Ms. Toomey because she was in a difficult position. I strongly believe that there were extenuating circumstances regarding this issue. Glad that the state is involved.
Councilwoman Rose Greenman – Societies are judged by the way they treat the weakest members of that society. In this instance we treated you poorly. I am sorry that no one told you that your situation would change. Unfortunately the situation occurred. There is the letter and the spirit of the law. In this instance the spirit of the law was broken.
Mayor Labrosse – I said from the beginning there was a flaw in the system. I have nothing but respect for Mrs. Toomey, she is a very dedicated employee. This situation should never have happened. The system should have something in place that throws up a red flag. I apologize for this happening. The quality of service in our department is very good. Hopefully we can get a resolution from the governor’s office.
Motion to close public portion of the meeting made by Councilwoman Greenman and seconded by Deputy Mayor Canestrino.
A five minute recess was taken.
City Manager’s report - Mr. Lo Iacono
Garden State Plaza – A meeting with Police Director Mordaga and the director of Shops at Riverside was held to make sure communication lines were open. Good line of communication between security and police department. Incident command is already set up. Lessons were learned from the incident at the Garden State Plaza.
Annual Senior Event – Luncheon held on November 26, 2013 at MM Building. Recreation does a good job getting the word out about this event, you can contact my office and it is on the website.
Tree Lighting – Will be held on December 2, 2013 at 5:30 regular program, a few numbers will be performed by the cast of the Christmas Play and Santa.
Rev. Bill Van Heusen of the Summit Church in conjunction with other churches is setting up a relief fund for victims of the typhoon in the Phillipines. Information is on the website and they are looking for donations.
Human Services Department – I have met with the attorney, we filed a plan with civil service today and await a response from civil service.
NO. 440-13
OFFERED BY: CANESTRINO SECONDED BY: GREENMAN
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 22-2013, AN ORDINANCE FIXING AND DETERMINING MUNICIPAL CLASS POSITION TITLES AND SALARY RANGES FOR CERTAIN NON-CONTRACTUAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK
BE IT RESOLVED that the above ordinance, being Ordinance 22-2013 as introduced, does now pass on first reading and that said Ordinance shall be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on November 25, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the regular meeting place of the City Council and at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said Ordinance and that the City Clerk be and she is hereby authorized and directed to publish said ordinance according to law with a notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage.
Roll Call: Ayes- Canestrino, Greenman, Labrosse
Absent- Battaglia, Sims
NON-CONTRACTUAL 2013
CITY OF HACKENSACK
ORDINANCE NO. 22-2013
AN ORDINANCE FIXING AND DETERMINING MUNICIPAL CLASS POSITION TITLES AND SALARY RANGES FOR CERTAIN NON-CONTRACTUAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF HACKENSACK.
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of Hackensack, County of Bergen, as follows, until a subsequent salary ordinance is adopted:
SECTION 1. The salary ranges per annum for the following non-contractual officers and employees of the City of Hackensack in the Classified Service shall be as follows:
CIVIL SERVICE *SALARY RANGE
CODE TITLE MIN. MAX.
00010 Administrative Analyst 30,000 78,000
00020 Administrative Clerk 25,000 66,000
05326 Administrative Clerk – Bilingual 25,500 68,000
00112 Administrative Secretary 31,000 70,000
00563 Assistant Health Officer 40,000 96,000
00621 Assistant Municipal Comptroller 42,000 96,000
00624 Asst. Municipal Manager (P/T) 7,000 18,000
00627@ Asst. Municipal Tax Collector 30,000 80,000
00733 Asst. Supt. of Recreation 30,000 82,000
00671 Assistant Public Works Supt. 40,000 100,000
00924 Bldg. Inspector-RCS/P.W. Insp. 35,000 82,000
00924 Building Inspector – RCS 32,000 70,000
00924 Building Inspector – ICS 35,000 80,000
CIVIL SERVICE *SALARY RANGE
CODE TITLE MIN. MAX.
00924 Building Inspector – HHS 41,000 93,000
00924 Building Inspector RCS/ 39,000 80,000
Plumbing Sub-code Official
07662 Bldg. Insp./Housing Insp. 36,000 78,000
05048 Building Subcode Official 45,000 115,000
00984 Census Taker – P/T Hourly 7.50 12.50
N/C 01260 Clerk Stenographer 30,000 63,000
N/C 01268 Clerk Typist 23,000 48,000
N/C 01271 Clerk Typist – Bilingual 23,500 49,500
01285 Code Enforcement Officer (P/T) 1,000 5,000
05045 Construction Official 50,000 130,000
01517 Deputy Police Chief 122,000 150,000
01632@ Director of Purchasing 30,000 85,000
05046 Electrical Sub-Code Offc. 36,000 76,000
05532 Exec. Assistant/Personnel Dir. 60,000 142,000
01837 Fire Chief 125,000 149,000
06037 Fire ProtectionSubcode Offc.(P/T) 1,000 3,500
N/C 01930@ Graduate Nurse, Public Health 35,000 77,000
01971 Health Aide (Hourly) 8.00 17.00
01988 Health Officer/Reg. Vital Stat. 60,000 131,500
02071 Housing Inspector (P/T) 1,000 25,000
02275 Legal Assistant 30,000 79,500
CIVIL SERVICE *SALARY RANGE
CODE TITLE MIN. MAX.
02525 Municipal Court Administrator 40,000 100,000
07622 Municipal Recycling Coordinator 35,000 130,000
07305 Parking Enforcement Officer (Hrly) 8.00 21.00
07305 Parking Enforcement Officer (P/T) 100 1,000
02602 Park Guard/Attendant (Hourly) 7.50 12.00
02704 Plumbing Inspector – ICS 32,000 72,000
02719 Police Chief 125,000 158,000
02837 Principal Planner 45,000 106,000
02912 Public Health Nurse 38,000 76,500
02915 Public Health Nurse Supervisor 40,000 78,500
02936 Public Works Superintendent 72,000 133,000
02993 Recreation Leader (Hourly) 7.50 15.00
03019 Recreation Program Spec. (Hrly) 7.50 15.75
03019 Recreation Program Spec.(Session) 25 75
03019 RecreationProgramSpec.(Seasonal) 250 1,000
04440 Recreation Supvsr. Sports (Hrly) 8.00 15.50
03043 Recycling Program Aid (P/T-Hrly) 8.00 15.00
05681 Rent Regulation Officer (P/T) 1,000 3,000
03110 Sanitation Inspector 30,000 76,000
03112 Sanitation Superintendent 40,000 120,000
03253 Senior Clerk Stenographer 31,000 67,000
CIVIL SERVICE *SALARY RANGE
CODE TITLE MIN. MAX.
03254 Senior Clerk Steno – Bilingual 31,500 70,000
03256@ Senior Clerk Typist 24,000 55,000
03807 Student Assistant (Hourly) 7.50 15.00
03807 Student Assistant Leader (Hrly) 8.00 15.50
03834 Superintendent of Recreation 40,000 83,000
04130 Tax Searcher (P/T) 1,000 8,000
06904 Technical Asst.-Land Use (P/T) 10,000 16,000
04311 WelfareInvstgtr/Reloctn Off. (P/T) 12,000 40,000
Section 2. The salary ranges per annum of the following non-contractual officers and employees of the City of Hackensack in the Unclassified Service shall be as follows:
CIVIL SERVICE *SALARY RANGE
CODE TITLE MIN. MAX.
05302 Asst. Municipal Prosecutor (P/T) 12,000 48,000
06244 Asst. Public Defender (P/T) 5,000 23,000
05269 Attorney (P/T) 1,500 12,000
07451 Chief Financial Officer 60,000 140,000
06977 Confidential Assistant 40,000 104,000
01381 Council Member 10,400 10,400
06245 Deputy Mayor 10,400 10,400
01509 Deputy Municipal Clerk (P/T) 1,000 9,000
01650 Director of Welfare (P/T) 20,000 70,000
02219 Judge of Municipal Court (P/T) 30,000 83,500
CIVIL SERVICE *SALARY RANGE
CODE TITLE MIN. MAX.
02428 Mayor 13,000 13,000
02521 Municipal Clerk 40,000 116,000
02533 Municipal Manager 100,000 176,000
02534 Municipal Prosecutor (F/T) 17,000 75,000
02537 Municipal Treasurer (P/T) 1.00 1.00
05303 Public Defender (P/T) 8,000 20,000
05303 Public Defender (F/T) 8,000 35,000
03746 Special Policeman (Hourly) 8.00 25.00
04120 Tax Assessor 60,000 120,500
04124 Tax Collector 44,000 113,500
*Annual salaries may be converted to hourly rates based upon the established workweek for any department wherein a specific job title is utilized.
Section 3. In addition to the salary ranges indicated, each employee will receive longevity pay of one percent (1%) for each two (2) years of service, computed on the amount of the base salary of the employee at the time he becomes eligible for such longevity payment. In order to qualify for such longevity pay, the employee must have earned each two (2) years service credit on or before January 4, March 31, June 30 or September 30, in order to receive the added one percent (1%) longevity pay for the ensuing quarters. Whenever an employee receives an increase in salary during the year as the result of a change in base salary for promotion, increment or new position, the employee will receive longevity increase on the new base at the same percentage as heretofore received on the prior base salary. Additional compensation of any nature, including overtime, will not be considered in computing longevity payments. Longevity payments will be computed from the time the employee was last employed on a full time basis by the City. Leaves of absence without pay with the exception of employees on official leave of absence due to military duty will not be considered in determining the length of service.
The above longevity formula is modified from 1% for each two (2) years of service to 2% for each four (4) years service for all personnel hired subsequent to December 1, 1987, as outlined in the Personnel Ordinance.
Longevity shall be eliminated as to all employees hired in this unit after April 1, 1999.
Section 4. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to determine the salary of each Civil Service employee within each salary range, such determination and salary to be effective January 1, 2013. All salaries under the direct jurisdiction of the City Council and not of the City Manager shall also be effective January 1, 2013.
Section 5. Clerical personnel assigned the function of recording/ corresponding secretary to a specific City board, requiring evening meetings, shall receive a stipend as approved by the City Manager, of $50.00 to $100.00 per meeting in lieu of overtime for all work performed relative to the assignment.