Paterson council approves UEZ marketing project
The plan runs through June 30, 2026, after council members pressed for clearer procurement rules, more transparency, and a fairer spread of investment across business corridors.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — uez marketing project debated, then approved, heritage place satellite library project (habitat/library, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Council members backed the marketing plan, but not before asking who benefits, how contracts are handled, and whether UEZ dollars should fix streetscapes too.
The fight was over what UEZ money should do. The Paterson Municipal Council debated a marketing and business development project before approving it, using UEZ assistance funds for work that will run through June 30, 2026. Members did not treat it as a routine vote. They questioned how the work would be procured, how the public would see the spending, and whether the project would reach business corridors evenly across the city.
A second argument sat underneath the first. Some council members asked whether UEZ funds should go beyond promotion and business development and pay for physical improvements instead, including façades and sidewalks. That turned the discussion from a contract question into a broader one about what kind of help commercial districts need most.
The approval settled the immediate item, but it did not end the larger debate. Council members had already put their concerns on the record: procurement, transparency, and corridor equity will likely follow the project as it moves ahead. The timeline is now set through June 30, 2026, and the next test will be whether the city can show how the work is awarded and how benefits are distributed from one corridor to the next.
Heritage Place satellite library project (Habitat/Library Heritage) — interior/exterior rehabilitation (workshop discussion; item set as regular)
A library project raised bigger questions than one building. The Council spent part of workshop on item 43, a rehabilitation plan at Heritage Place for a satellite library and community space, then set it as a regular item for further review.
The discussion centered on ownership, access, and scope. A Council member questioned using grant funds at a facility tied to the Paterson Housing Authority and a developer, with Pennrose referenced, and asked whether the city was putting money into a private developer facility. The director said the library at Heritage Place is already operating, a ribbon-cutting had taken place, and an MOU exists involving the housing authority and the developer. The planned work includes interior and exterior rehabilitation, with space for a satellite branch, computer rooms, an AV/TV studio, and programming areas.
Council members asked for the MOU and a full budget outline before going further. They said they wanted long-term public access protected and raised concerns about the nearby empty lot, fencing, and cleanup so children could use the area safely. For now, the item stays alive, but with more documents and more answers expected before a final vote.
Council approves $51,109,929.72 in bills
The Council approved payment of bills totaling $51,109,929.72 at a special meeting, with payroll, vendors and services, Board of Education costs, and sewer and utility payments included. The vote prompted a procedural discussion over quorum and the difference between a recusal and an abstention before the motion passed.
large dollar figure ($51,109,929.72)
Council clears $1,020,172.20 in disbursements
The Council approved $1,020,172.20 in disbursements and payroll after the Business Administrator presented the summary. The total included $444,396 for capital fund sewer cleaning and $324,965.87 in computerized checks, with all recorded votes cast in favor.
large dollar figure ($1,020,172.2)
Council approves five lawsuit settlements
The Council approved settlements in five pending cases against the city: Vincent Tuesta, Estate Odell, Steven Crarampton, Desiah Leak, and David Gilmore. Discussion included condolences in the Odell case and criticism tied to alleged retaliation and the settlement amount in the Gilmore matter.
Settlements can cost taxpayers significant money and close out legal claims involving city actions.
Council approves special meeting bill payment
The Council approved a separate special meeting bill payment that included Board of Education repayment, payroll, and solid waste and garbage disposal costs. The total figure in the source was not cleanly readable, but the motion carried after a move, second, and roll call vote.
large dollar figure ($14,426,767)
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Paterson had 71 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEChange orders for new public safety dispatch center / communication room project. Council discussed change orders for the new public safety dispatch center project, referencing an original contract around $10 million and change orders including an $89,000 figure. Members requested copies of change orders and emphasized informing residents about what change orders mean for taxpayers.
- GOVERNANCEDesignation of Block 6307 Lots 40 and 43 as an area in need of redevelopment. Council approved a resolution designating Block 6307 Lots 40 and 43 as an area in need of redevelopment under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. Discussion referenced long-abandoned lots and potential senior housing development, along with parking and PILOT/abatement questions.
- GOVERNANCELibrary rehabilitation contract prompts funding audit request. Council approved a $298,750 contract with UGV Construction LLC for rehabilitation work at the Heritage community center and Paterson Public Library Indian Mountain site. Afterward, a council member asked the administration to seek a funding breakdown, scope-of-work status, and a deep audit from library leadership.
- GOVERNANCEAward contract: Marini Brothers Construction Co. resurfacing improvements (Church St., Clinton St., Westside Park sidewalks) Bid #2618 (30 30 cents as stated). Council adopted a resolution awarding a resurfacing/sidewalk improvements contract to Marini Brothers Construction Co. for Church Street, Clinton Street, and Westside Park sidewalks under Bid #2618, with the amount stated as 30 30 cents.
- GOVERNANCEOak Street commercial loading zone adopted. Council moved forward with and then adopted a second-reading ordinance establishing a commercial loading zone on part of Oak Street for Bascom Corporation Areas Projects LLC. No one spoke at the public hearing before the ordinance passed.
- GOVERNANCEProposed ordinance amendment: illegal dumping penalties (first reading planned for next Tuesday) — $40,000 fine, 30 days community service, vehicle confiscation. Councilwoman Cotton previewed a new ordinance amendment to increase illegal dumping penalties, including a $40,000 fine, 30 days of community service, and confiscation of vehicles identified through video/camera footage. The first reading vote was stated as scheduled for next Tuesday, and co-sponsors were added.
- GOVERNANCEChange Order #1: Westside Park renovations project (Bid #2405). Council adopted a resolution authorizing Change Order Number One for the Westside Park renovations project under Bid #2405.
- GOVERNANCEFinancial Empowerment Center contract renewed. Council approved the first option-year renewal of a contract with New Jersey Community Development Corp for consultant services tied to the Paterson Financial Empowerment Center. The item had been identified during workshop review as part of the Health and Human Services agenda.
- GOVERNANCESolicitation of bids for 2026 UEZ road resurfacing program. Council reviewed a resolution authorizing solicitation of bids for the 2026 UEZ road resurfacing program. A list of streets was read, and a member recommended paving and controlling access near the animal shelter to reduce dumping and improve safety.
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