[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6573992,"mediaKeyId","3124848-a579f8b2d8381e2de7bdf1dffa0e8654","parentId",3124848,"title","Passaic mayor unveils memorial cosmetology scholarship; council hears updates on bike-share, roads and public-safety concerns","audioSeconds",965,"startMs",190000,"endMs",1155000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124848-a579f8b2d8381e2de7bdf1dffa0e8654&start=190&end=1155","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124848-a579f8b2d8381e2de7bdf1dffa0e8654/thumbnail_190000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573992/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-mayor-unveils-memorial-cosmetology-scholarship-council-hears-updates-on-bike-share-roads-and-public-safety-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573992-3cb547271f960df83171f013c4043e9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181851&Signature=YN6TOL~-2LvCl2Mvzn2hrQqesZ7SMg53cI-jGnsg9jKAeVv532lo3tteqt4n8xJTh9reRVyyVyZsfWlj0Y8spDMndh0BOPs5xkyIEODqyy15-KZkNopYC8taSv7FFiCZbdr6L0uPDqlnhkGPlBrCBVQGqShgEqsdHr2SG8AmDXEO7PoXz2GhaTZMZ6HvIqMg0dI60zk5oYfhsdI0LESjC1Woef4G2g2GKBuGB~c5Ld~RyshBVC11I4q80mq85yJ~3cVstqyzkLAfZd-3AtyKhIKxV3BWHmoZzS23nWmPDVOcLcnhvHhj9XNzu93U03d30dU9G3Bgvvu5NhagW4SFOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Passaic","date","2025-04-25T17:30:13.297Z","article","Mayor Hector St. Laura told the council on April 22 that the city will establish the \"Jennifer Contreras cosmetology and beauty license\" memorial scholarship to pay for training for residents seeking cosmetology licensure.

\"We will be announcing a memorial beauty scholarship in her name,\" the mayor said while reading a proclamation honoring Jennifer Crystal Contreras and inviting the family to receive the proclamation. Family member Anthony Contreras addressed the council and thanked the city: \"There's not enough words of gratitude, for all of the city council, for mayor Laura, and the whole city of Passaic for remembering my sister.\"

The mayor also reported on city infrastructure and recreation projects: roadwork and implementation of the city’s bike-master-plan on Myrtle Avenue (including bike lanes), a newly launched bike-share program with five stations, a rubberized track at Third Ward Memorial Park, a county-funded $2,000,000 culvert/bridge repair by the brook, and plans for an all-ages water park on Harrison Avenue. On the bike-share program, the mayor said the system \"went live on Thursday. As of today, we have about over 200 participants and over a 80 rentals.\"

During the public-comment period a resident raised concerns about a recent increase in youth violence and people wearing masks and all-black clothing; he asked whether an ordinance could prohibit face coverings. The resident also asked whether missing bike-share units had tracking devices.

Chief Guzman responded that investigators, school-resource officers and the youth bureau were working the incidents and said the department did not want to disclose investigative techniques but that \"we are certainly on top of those incidents that have occurred.\" Regarding masks, he said enforcement has been complicated since the COVID-19 period and emphasized existing suppression efforts.

Mr. Fernandez explained the bike-share system to the council and public: \"There are 7 stations, 5 bikes per station... We obviously, there's some growing pains. We're tracking all of the bikes... If you do not return a bike, you have now become the brand new owner of the bike at $2,000. It will automatically be taken out of your account because you need a card to take it out.\" Fernandez said most apparent \"missing\" bikes were simply checked out and returned to different stations.

Ending: The council heard the mayor's memorial announcement and several infrastructure updates; public-safety concerns raised in public comment prompted assurances from police that incidents are under investigation, and administrators described how the new bike-share system is tracked and managed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Passaic Council Meeting - April 22nd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor announced the Jennifer Contreras memorial cosmetology scholarship and outlined city infrastructure projects including a new bike-share program, running track and county-funded culvert repair. Residents raised gang and bike-theft concerns during public comment; police and administration described enforcement and tracking measures.","taxTitle","Passaic City, Passaic County, New Jersey","taxId",12672,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6573996,"Passaic council fills zoning board vacancies, names seven full members and four alternates",2091,2348000,4439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124848-a579f8b2d8381e2de7bdf1dffa0e8654&start=2348&end=4439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124848-a579f8b2d8381e2de7bdf1dffa0e8654/thumbnail_2348000.jpg","/articles/6573996/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-council-fills-zoning-board-vacancies-names-seven-full-members-and-four-alternates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573996-9c8fbb8da46cc5b3a191ea8d9ca53ce4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181851&Signature=bIOeKO-cz8iMYGe1rsucpJk~Dx2sLT-IOSJkH3lvWS6lbrWr2JKigskpf0ZWqyHq-5ZkDBkuwGiKR58cpfs9d6HFreqVX9f3kG-BtNOzaySLeBqyS691JHOIT2tKHaKBbvY4WROWta67xACDJPk0HGo8fgsYDi2pFCQO~2eBpYOUoHlT6xeoGE7ZrMNTNv6Fj1o48nXZsBR~15KBm9QAAs7let0LrduOzclzybAmClDimRkdFfK1fzJ7de5kzC4BrWRytg0IYOm5q9HqRPMB9bykoAV75BERRArGu6swSFphAaNQZ4Uj1Lf3k0rG4u3Z4a1LXoe1HKk-UsEOtOfgeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Passaic City Council on April 22 ratified appointments to the Zoning Board, naming seven full members and four alternates and directing that terms be staggered going forward.

Council members said they wanted to broaden participation and avoid clustering expirations; they instructed the clerk to read nominees and then voted on the slate. The council approved the full members and alternates by roll call.

Why it matters: zoning-board members decide applications affecting property use, variances and local development. Filling the board ensures continued review of land-use matters and reduces the risk of quorum problems delaying decisions.

Nominations and appointments: the clerk read nominations and the council confirmed the following as full members (terms set to expire Dec. 31, 2026): Jacob Bressman (nominated by Councilman Monk), Sheila Woodson (Councilman Love), Ralph Maid (Councilwoman Mello), Menaka Bazian (Councilman Schwartz), Yolanda Soto (Councilman Garcia, moved from alternate to full member), Jamie Montanez (Councilwoman Colon Muntenez), and Moshe Starchevsky (nominated by Council President Schaer). The council also appointed four alternate members: Jamie C. Delgado, David Blumenthal, Danae Rhodes and Harold Hess.

Council discussion focused on fairness of nominations, the desire to stagger future term expirations so seats do not all turn over at once, and the difficulty of filling boards. Council members described a mix of continuing members and newly nominated residents; some members noted prior practice of allowing long-serving members to continue as alternates if new nominees did not meet attendance expectations.

Vote: the council approved the slate by roll call. Council President Schaer said the task was \"arduous\" but important; the clerk and staff will administratively record the appointments and term expirations.

Ending: With the vote, the zoning board has a full complement of seven voting members and four alternates; the administration and council said they will implement staggered terms so future expirations occur at different times.","After a prolonged discussion about how to allocate seats, the council ratified seven full zoning-board appointments and four alternates, setting terms to expire Dec. 31, 2026 and agreeing to stagger expirations going forward.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574001,"Passaic council hears federal funding shift; rescinds LED sign purchase, approves CDBG allocations pending federal award",578,1684000,2262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124848-a579f8b2d8381e2de7bdf1dffa0e8654&start=1684&end=2262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124848-a579f8b2d8381e2de7bdf1dffa0e8654/thumbnail_1684000.jpg","/articles/6574001/Passaic-City/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Passaic-council-hears-federal-funding-shift-rescinds-LED-sign-purchase-approves-CDBG-allocations-pending-federal-award","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574001-a630fcfdf66aee2d3027ed72d686178b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181851&Signature=Svaut~0bimdHZX9ryKyK9Y2GGLkJN7nBZNGbLbODtVPm3DRdmOtjcMOVbyYOII6B-iosR5Xrk1yC9oJ~WIhwQHXn2ZIXXWZnfls12uLGt9TBKdU5zU2t34zQSEsTD1424TUkttuoAy7ZNcOG5tEH1DUPYb5m76BbqnBKrEpUejG0pR-g4VQc6peapi-XjTbVy3fah85scl4GktN6Kl33Y8mokyAbCpBZrcn8fYCHwFCzTIK28fuI4lH3V7i0hzcRWLuDnph0iQ67I5iHFiLnCG5l559-R8uN~E5fIdZst~n4QKIUZmwGLCZpPT3R8TAG2D7zeqIIRG3ia-HmbURsug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Passaic City Council on April 22 approved Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations and voted to rescind a prior purchase authorization for LED signs after city staff said the federal government has tightened what it will reimburse.

The council voted to approve agenda items covering CDBG allocations (resolutions 26–37) and separately approved Resolution 38 to move forward with the city’s CDBG submission. Council members also approved Resolution 26, which rescinded an earlier resolution authorizing the purchase of LED signs after federal officials indicated they would not reimburse that expenditure.

Why it matters: city staff said the federal guidance affects programs and purchases the city had assumed would be reimbursable, so the administration will hold off on nonessential spending until it can confirm reimbursement. That could change planned investments in equipment and programs tied to federal grants.

City Administrator Fernandez told the council that an ad hoc committee reviewed the CDBG allocations and adjusted descriptions and arithmetic before the item reached the dais. Fernandez said the city had submitted anticipated figures to the federal government based on last year’s numbers and that an award letter is required before the CFO creates an account for spending and reimbursement.

Fernandez said the LED-sign purchase was stopped before manufacturing began after the federal contact informed the city that the program would not fund that item. \"They sent the letter. They're like, we're not paying for this,\" Fernandez said. \"Thank goodness the company hadn't started manufacturing yet, and we were able to cut the purchase of those LED signs before we were left with inability to pay for it.\"

Mayor Hector St. Laura told the council that the city received a \"letter from the federal government\" saying certain prior pandemic-era funding would no longer be available or would be reprioritized. He said the administration has instructed staff to hold off on purchases unless there is a compelling emergency justification.

On the council floor, members asked whether allocations could be changed if the federal award is smaller than anticipated; Fernandez replied that the council could re-evaluate and reallocate if the award differs from the amount submitted.

Vote and next steps: the council approved the grouped CDBG resolutions (26–37) and Resolution 38 by roll call. Fernandez said the CDBG submission uses last year’s numbers and that actual awards from the federal government will determine final allocations. The administration will return to the council with recommended changes if the award amount differs.

Council President Schaer and other members said staff will continue outreach to federal contacts to learn the new priorities and will coordinate any program changes with the council.

Ending: Council members approved the CDBG motions and the rescission of the LED-sign purchase while instructing the administration to pause nonessential, grant-dependent spending until the city receives clearer federal guidance.","Council members approved routine CDBG allocations and a resolution rescinding a planned LED sign purchase after a federal letter narrowed eligible pandemic-era reimbursements. Administration said it will pause nonessential purchases until federal priorities are clarified.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Passaic mayor unveils memorial cosmetology scholarship; council hears updates on bike-share, roads and public-safety concerns

Passaic council fills zoning board vacancies, names seven full members and four alternates

Passaic council hears federal funding shift; rescinds LED sign purchase, approves CDBG allocations pending federal award