Passaic City Council affirms Rent Leveling Board decision
The landlord sought a higher rent based on taxes and renovations; Passaic City Council left the Rent Leveling Board’s ruling in place.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — council affirms rent leveling board decision, second/final reading, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
A missing 1997 tax rate led the landlord to use a 2002 figure, while Passaic City Council questioned whether older increases could be recovered.
One apartment’s proposed rent increase reached Passaic City Council. The council heard an appeal from 390 Monroe Street Inc., which challenged a Rent Leveling Board decision memorialized March 16, 2026. The landlord sought an increase tied to property taxes and renovations. After hearing from the landlord’s attorney and the tenant’s counsel, the council affirmed the Rent Leveling Board’s decision.
The landlord argued that a city ordinance permits tax increases to be passed on to tenants. Unable to find the 1997 tax rate used as the starting point for its calculation, the landlord said it used a 2002 rate when preparing a 2025 lease. It calculated a monthly increase of 244.90 for the three-bedroom apartment and said the Rent Leveling Board had limited the increase to 25%. The landlord also said it spent approximately 33,000 renovating the apartment.
Passaic City Council members questioned whether the tax calculation would recover increases from multiple years rather than a single year. Tenant counsel from Northeast New Jersey Legal Services urged the council to uphold the Rent Leveling Board’s decision. Counsel argued that the landlord had not itemized the tax increase in its notice or followed the application process for a renovation-based increase. The council’s decision leaves the Rent Leveling Board’s ruling in place; the account does not report a further council action.
Second/final reading: amend designation of restricted parking for disabled person (NJ license plate number referenced)
Passaic City Council adopted Ordinance 2536-26, changing the designation of restricted parking for a disabled person. The measure came before the council for its second and final reading. It referenced a New Jersey license plate number, but the account does not give a street address or describe any change to parking rules beyond this designation.
Before voting on the ordinance, Passaic City Council opened the required public hearing. A council member made a motion, another seconded it, and a unanimous roll call opened the hearing. No member of the public was recorded speaking. The council then moved to close the hearing, and a second unanimous roll call ended it.
Passaic City Council held a separate roll call on final passage. That vote was unanimous too, and Ordinance 2536-26 was adopted. The three votes covered distinct steps: opening the hearing, closing it and passing the measure. With no public comments recorded during the hearing, the final vote followed without a response to speakers.
Residents press Passaic City Council on parking
Passaic City Council heard residents seek changes to parking permits and raise concerns about parking on Irving Place and Ben Street. Residents also described damage at 82 Burgess Place; the mayor said city staff would arrange a meeting and site visit. Business Administrator Rick Fernandez said permit boundaries remained under review.
Permit boundaries, street parking and the promised Burgess Place visit affect residents’ access to their homes.
Passaic City Council introduces public camping ordinance
Passaic City Council unanimously approved a first reading of an ordinance addressing camping and encampments on public property. The measure would add provisions to the city code and coordinate enforcement across several chapters, including those covering parks and streets. The council set a second and final reading for October 6.
The proposed code changes would affect how Passaic enforces rules on camping in parks and other public spaces.
Passaic City Council reviews Tennyson Park renovation
Passaic City Council discussed the renovation of Tennyson Park, including a rubberized surface, new play equipment and expanded recreation space. Council members and administration speakers described inclusive features for children of different abilities, including a gate intended to help keep children from leaving unattended. No separate vote was recorded.
The new equipment and gate shape how children of different abilities can use the renovated park.
Passaic City Council approves contract resolution block
Passaic City Council unanimously approved resolutions 20 through 41 as a block. Discussion covered a revised pedestrian-project contract, tree services for hazards beyond city crews’ capacity, snow-removal planning and an appointment or reappointment. The administration said it planned to provide a district-by-district snow-clearing approach.
The contracts and snow plan affect how the city handles pedestrian work, fallen trees and winter streets.
- Passaic City Council. Multiple residents addressed the council on parking permit impacts and proposed adjustments, long-standing parking issues on Irving Place, a property damage/cave-in issue near Central Supply on Burgess Place, and concerns about church-related parking restrictions on Ben Street near a school and requests for handicap parking.
- Passaic City Council. During the opening public comment period, one resident raised concerns about the Central Supply situation and requested updates and a timeline. The Mayor and Council President described a recent site visit with staff and explained the ongoing process to obtain engineering plans, permits, and inspections before the wall work is completed.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Passaic had 20 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEBusiness Administrator Report (Transit shuttle hours; school safety markings; water safety equipment; Narcan kiosks; Black Heritage Trail marker; events; park projects). Business Administrator Rick Fernandez reported on updated free bus shuttle hours, DPW school-area repainting, interagency water safety measures including throw rings and an underwater drone, new Narcan kiosks, the city’s first NJ Black Heritage Trail marker event, completion of summer events, upcoming 9/11 ceremony logistics, City Hall plaza construction, and upcoming park/water park work.
- GOVERNANCEOpening public comment: Central Supply wall and property impacts. During the opening public comment period, one resident raised concerns about the Central Supply situation and requested updates and a timeline. The Mayor and Council President described a recent site visit with staff and explained the ongoing process to obtain engineering plans, permits, and inspections before the wall work is completed.
- GOVERNANCESecond Reading / Final Reading: Amending designation of restricted parking for disabled persons (NJ license plate number). Council opened and closed a public hearing and adopted Ordinance 2535-26 amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons (NJ license plate number). No public comments were made on the ordinance during the hearing.
- GOVERNANCEFirst Reading / Introduction: Amending designation of restricted parking for disabled persons (NJ license plate number); hearing set for September 15. Council introduced proposed Ordinance 42 amending the designation of restricted parking for disabled persons (NJ license plate number) and set the next meeting date of September 15 for the hearing. The ordinance introduction passed unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of routine matters: Item 5A and Items 8–15. Council approved a block of routine matters, including Item 5A (clergy parking notice) and Items 8 through 15, with no questions raised.
- GOVERNANCESeparate Vote on Agenda Item 18. Council took a separate vote on agenda item 18 and approved it, with one abstention recorded.
- GOVERNANCESeparate vote: Item 23. Council took a separate vote on Item 23. The item passed, with one member recorded as abstaining (transcribed as “stay”).
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Communications: Items 2–5. Council approved Communications Items 2 through 5 as a block.
- GOVERNANCECouncil authorizes closed session to discuss Resolution 29. Council held a resolution authorizing a closed executive session while it proceeded through other resolutions, then returned to approve it by roll call. The stated purpose was to discuss Resolution 29.
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