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Paterson council passes suite of resolutions and ordinances; votes at a glance
Summary
Paterson City Council adopted a collection of resolutions and ordinances on April 15, including a memorial for Dr. Cecile Dickey, a street renaming, a UEZ contract award to a Paterson-based cleaner, and multiple ordinance actions on parking, stormwater and fees.
Paterson City Council completed a full agenda on April 15, adopting a number of resolutions, awarding a contract, and passing ordinances on second reading and on first reading. Highlights include a memorial resolution, a street renaming, a UEZ contract award, and adoption of several ordinances (see "Votes at a glance" below).
- The council unanimously adopted a resolution honoring the life and work of Dr. Cecile Dickey, who ran the city's Head Start program for many years. Councilmembers praised her decades of community service.
- The council approved a street renaming: Carrollton Drive will be renamed Saint Gerard's Way in recognition of the 60th anniversary of St. Gerard's (resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Marissa Davila).
- The council awarded a clean-commercial-corridors contract (UEZ bid 25.11) to Wells Cleaning Company. The contract passed after committee review and a committee member noted procurement and scope questions; the award was supported by a majority who highlighted the company—s Paterson ties.
- Entertainment show license renewals on the consent portion included approvals for Costin Bar Restaurant and Lounge (Baccadito) and J & B Bar and Liquors LLC (Broadway). Both renewals were adopted by roll call.
- On the ordinances docket: the council adopted (second reading) a lease renewal for Hilltop Haven (the Paterson Task Force shelter) and approved on second reading an amendment creating a driveway-permit process allowing property owners to obtain permits to park blocking a driveway in defined circumstances. The council also adopted an updated stormwater control ordinance (Chapter 4-33) required to align local code with current New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection standards. Several fee-related code changes were introduced on first reading, and a municipal ID program fee increase passed first reading.
- The council also approved an application to the Passaic County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund seeking funding for the Eastside Park Broadway Steps renovation project.
Votes at a glance (action, identifier, outcome, key detail): - Resolution honoring Dr. Cecile Dickey (Res. 25:223) adopted (9-0). - Resolution reappointing Jacqueline Murray (Res. 25:224) adopted as amended (see separate article for details on DCA consent) (7-2). - Emergency temporary appropriation, AprilMay 2025 (Res. 25:222) adopted (7-2) (see separate article for budget detail). - Rename Carrollton Drive to Saint Gerard's Way (Res. 25:225) adopted (9-0). - Award contract to Wells Cleaning Company, Clean Commercial Corridors, Bid 25.11 (UEZ) adopted (9-0). - Entertainment license renewal, Costin Bar Restaurant and Lounge (Baccadito), 710-712 Madison Ave adopted (8 in favor, 1 absent). - Entertainment license renewal, J & B Bar and Liquors LLC, 468-470 Broadway adopted (6 in favor, 3 absent). - Ordinance (2nd reading) lease renewal for the Paterson Task Force / Hilltop Haven (Ordinance 25-012) adopted (6 in favor, 3 absent); sponsors said the lease enables Hilltop Haven to pursue grants tied to occupancy. - Ordinance (2nd reading) amend code to allow driveway-permit parking (Ordinance 25-013) adopted (9 in favor). - Ordinance (2nd reading) update stormwater control code (Ordinance 25-01) adopted (7 in favor, 2 absent). - Ordinance (1st reading) various fee updates across health and enforcement chapters (includes fees for outdoor cafes, food establishments, tattooing) passed first reading (vote 5-2-2 absent); second reading scheduled for May 20, 2025. - Ordinance (1st reading) municipal identification program fee increase (from $15 to $20) passed first reading (7-0-2 absent); second reading May 20, 2025. - Resolution authorizing application for Passaic County Open Space grant for Eastside Park Broadway Steps renovation adopted (6 in favor, 3 absent).
Council members also raised several operational concerns during the meeting—including public decorum at the dais during public comment, security equipment and cameras around city hall, the status of a $1,000,000 camera allocation, and enforcement of commercial-vehicle and illegal dumping ordinances. Several members asked the administration to provide status reports on camera procurement and UEZ program block coverage.
