Garfield council introduces a slate of ordinances including bond, water and reassessment funding

The Garfield mayor and council on Wednesday introduced a package of ordinances on first reading that would fund parks, drainage and water‑utility projects and authorize a citywide property reassessment.

The council voted to introduce a bond ordinance to appropriate an additional $160,000 for renovations at the Spring Street Little League turf field, noting the project is supported in part by two Bergen County open‑space grants. Council members moved to introduce the ordinance and set a final hearing for April 14.

Separately, the governing body introduced a $250,000 bond ordinance to pay for design and engineering for Fleischer Brook Phase 2, a drainage and flood‑mitigation project that follows a previously completed CDBG‑funded phase. Mayor Everett Garnto Jr. said the work will address outfalls and culverts in neighborhoods including Seminole Avenue, Market Street, Prospect and Columbus; staff will present more detailed plans at an upcoming work session.

The council also introduced a $280,000 capital ordinance for the water utility to purchase equipment from water capital reserves, including granular activated carbon filters the manager described as intended to reduce PFAS and related contaminants, along with replacement fire hydrants. The ordinance is not a bond measure and would draw from the utility’s reserve balance.

Council members introduced personnel and technical ordinances on first reading as well: a revision to the police department table of organization and a measure to authorize a fire‑chaplain position (including a clothing allowance). The body carried each introduction by roll call and scheduled final hearings for April 14.

In addition, the council introduced Ordinance 31‑34, a special emergency appropriation of up to $833,625 to fund a complete reassessment of real property after an order from the county board of taxation. Mayor Garnto told residents that a reassessment does not automatically mean taxes will rise and that the city will explore options to avoid increasing anyone’s tax burden.

All introduced ordinances were advanced on first reading by recorded votes; final hearings are scheduled for April 14, 2026. The council indicated that engineers and staff will provide more detail at the April work session for the drainage and design contracts, and that bond issuance or project contracts will follow standard procurement and public‑hearing requirements.