The Union City Board of Commissioners followed the lead of several other area towns last week by approving a resolution on Tuesday to ask the state if they can put off paying certain employee pension amounts to the state for one year. A recently passed bill allows towns to temporarily defer the payments in order to save money in their budgets during a recession year.
If Union City’s request is approved by the state Local Finance Board, the town will defer half of its normal contribution to the pension plans until next year, then spread the payment over 15 years with 8.25 percent interest, according to Union City Treasurer Doug Gutch.
This will save $2.3 million in the town’s proposed 2008-2009 $97 million budget, which has yet to be finalized.
The budget covers spending from last July 1, 2008 through this coming June 30, 2009.
Once the city decides to make the deferral, the Board of Commissioners can pass a final budget.
Background checks required
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners adopted an ordinance requiring criminal history and background checks on all current and future appointees to any town board, commission, agency, committee, or department.
The city has been fingerprinting volunteers in the Recreation Department’s soccer program for over a year, Commissioner Christopher Irizarry said when the ordinance was introduced. The purpose of this is to safeguard the kids in the program, and the city has decided to apply the idea to all departments.
Mayor Brian Stack had said at a previous meeting that the ordinance was a great, proactive step.
Debris recycling hearing set
The commissioners also scheduled a public hearing on an ordinance supporting local participation in the county’s demolition debris recovery plan.
The ordinance requires applicants for building and demolition permits to submit a plan telling the city how they will recycle at least 50 percent of their project’s debris. The plan must stipulate how much of which materials will be generated by the project, and how and by whom those materials will be managed. The local construction official and recycling coordinator must approve the plan before the project begins.
The public hearing is planned for the next Board of Commissioners meeting on April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Miftaahul Uloom Learning Center, at 501 15th St.
Police fees to increase
At their next meeting, the commissioners will take a final vote on an ordinance increasing the fee charged to companies who hire Union City police officers for traffic or security duties. The fee will be increased $50 to $60 per hour. Police Chief Charles Everett said the increase is meant to stay in line with fees charged by neighboring towns.
“We have several companies, particularly construction companies or public service, that require police officers because they are closing the street or doing work,” Everett said. “And so rather than on-duty regular police officers being assigned there, police officers are on their own time [voluntarily doing] this service. The company pays the city, and the city then pays the police officer.”
He also said that a portion of that fee goes to the local police union and the city.
Liquor suspensions announced
The commissioners also approved resolutions to suspend the liquor licenses of 13 local establishments for various violations. While some cities have a separate Alcoholic Beverage Control board to hear liquor violations, Union City is among those whose Board of Commissioners serves as that body.
Penalties included the following, according to documents available at the meeting: Adoro Cafe and Lounge, 414 38th St., had its license suspended for seven days from March 23 to 29; Angelo’s Cafe, 3717 Kennedy Blvd., for 10 days from April 6 to 15; Azucar, 421 43rd St., for 10 days from March 30 to April 8; California Cafe, 2002 Bergenline Ave., for 10 days from April 6 to 15; Centro Americano Bar, 4212 New York Ave., for 10 days from March 31 to April 9; and Centro Americano #2, 1313 Summit Ave., for 10 days from April 28 to May 7.
Also slated for suspensions are Fiji Liquors, 2909 Bergenline Ave., for 10 days from April 13 to 22; The Hub Again, 807 7th St., for three days from March 19 to 21; Mexico Lindo Restaurant, 3603 Park Ave., for 10 days from March 30 to April 8; El Papaturro, 1018 Summit Ave., for 10 days from April 6 to 15; El Paraiso Disco Club, 4519 Bergenline Ave., for 10 days from April 14 to 23; El Rincon Chapin, 2118 Bergenline Ave., for three days from March 31 to April 2; Universal Liquors, 2117 Bergenline Ave., for 10 days from March 23 to April 2, and Uno Bar, 3607 New York Ave., for 10 days from April 6 to 15.
Restaurants will be allowed to stay open, but must suspend sales of alcoholic beverages.
Amanda Staab can be reached at astaab@hudsonreporter.com.