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Sustainable Jersey Certification Report

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This is the Sustainable Jersey Certification Report of Hackensack City, a Sustainable Jersey bronze certified applicant.

Hackensack City was certified on September 17, 2024 with 190 points. Listed below is information regarding Hackensack City’s Sustainable Jersey efforts and materials associated with the applicant’s certified actions.

Contact Information

The designated Sustainable Jersey contact for Hackensack City is:

Name:Jaclyn Stout

Actions Implemented

Each approved action and supporting documentation for which Hackensack City was approved for in 2024 appears below. Note: Standards for the actions below may have changed and the documentation listed may no longer satisfy requirements for that action.

  • Arts & Creative Culture

    Establish a Creative Team *Retires 12/31/27*

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hackensack has passed Ordinance 03-2024, Establishing A Creative Team. Each member of the Creative Team will serve a two year term. The team is made of members of the Hackensack community. The goal of the Creative Team is to promote arts, culture and creativity within Hackensack. To promote Hackensack as a cultural destination and collaborate with other organizations to make Arts and culture more accessible to the Public. Creative Hackensack will meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday alternating between virtual and inperson meetings. We endeavor to collaborate with organizations in the city and the county to enrich arts and culture in Hackensack.

    Creative Assets Inventory *Retires 12/31/27*

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hackensack has begun the first step in mapping community assets, a compilation of people, places and things. With the creation of our Creative Team we will continue working on further inventorying of our creative assets and how we will use them to engage our community. Copy and paste the link below to access our interactive Creative Asset Map. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1-NWqWUsI_tjyMvEF7dpbQNK4VgWdkkE&usp=sharing

    Municipal Commitments to Support Arts and Creative Culture *Retires 12/31/27*

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hackensack created its Department of Cultural Arts in October of 2015 with ordinance Ord. No. 51-2015. The department has supported arts and culture through many initiatives. The city purchased an old Masonic Temple and created the Hackensack Performing Arts Center, the venue of many shows each year. In addition, they built a park and an Amphitheater where the city hosts movies under the stars, outdoor yoga, and musical events in the summer. The city also hosts a series of Shakespeare In The Park and Music in the Park events during the summer.

    Utilizing Your Creative Assets *Retires 12/31/27*

    20 Points

    Program Summary: Hackensack has a great history of utilizing its creative assets. Through the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC), the City and the Main Street Business Alliance collaborate to bring performing and visual art to the community. From HACPAC's artistic director, Greg Liosi: "From playwrights to musicians, directors to choreographers and visual artists, we provide a platform for creativity to flourish." HACPAC hosts the Sounds of Summer Concert Series in Atlantic Street Park every Friday night in summer. The series includes oldies, rock, blues, pop, salsa, and Latin jazz. https://www.hackensack.org/series/sounds-of-summer-concert-series/ Additionally, the City sponsors a Summer Concert Series. https://www.hackensack.org/series/summer-concert-series/ HACPAC supports and promotes the budding artists of the Hackensack Public Schools by hosting performances. On March 21-23, 2024, Hackensack High School students produced Little Shop of Horrors. The Hackensack High School Dance Team performed their "Icons" showcase on May 22nd. The art gallery on first floor of HACPAC is curated by Kim Schmitt Thomas, who focuses on both established and emerging artists. https://www.hacpac.org/elementor-art-gallery/ Soo Kim's work "Artful Solstice" was on exhibit in June. In May, the work of George Mueller was presented. In April, the work of five graffiti artists was displayed at HACPAC. Typically, their work can be viewed at Hackensack's "Grafitti Template' in Union Street Park. In March, the Hackensack Art Club displayed their pieces in the “Welcoming Spring Art Show”. In February, the HACPAC hosted the Black History Month Photography Exhibition, "EXPOSURE." featuring four photographers. Streets of New York, a solo exhibition by painter Mike Rohner was exhibited in January. The Garden Club of Hackensack hosts the Arts in the Garden event at the Hackensack Community Garden in June. This event showcases local artists and artisans in the Community Garden. https://www.gardenclubofhackensack.com/arts-in-the-garden-2024 and is supported by the Department of Recreation of Hackensack and The City's DPW.

  • Community Partnership & Outreach

    Green Team

    10 Points
    Bronze Required Silver Required

    Program Summary: On October 3, 2022, the City Council of the City of Hackensack formally established a Green Team. https://ecode360.com/HA0454/laws/LF1642624.pdf Hackensack's Green Team members were appointed for January 2023. Our first meeting was January 25,2023. All members of the Environmental Commission are members of our Green Team . The city of Hackensack has a very diverse population ,.and likewise are Green Team is representative of our population. The Green Team completed the Sustainable Jersey $2000. Municipal Grant founded by PSEG on February 10,2023 titled" Planning for Electronic Signage Boards". The Green Team is working to complete its application for a Bronze certification by may 12th.

  • Energy

    Energy Tracking & Management

    20 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: City of Hackensack government occupies several municipal buildings. Six of those buildings use the largest amount of energy – City Hall, 65 Central Avenue; Police and Health Departments, 225 State Street; Fire Department, 205 State Street; Recreation Department, 116 Holt Street; Dept. of Public Works, 120 E. Broadway; Performing Arts Center, 102 State Street. In 2024, the City is starting to benchmark with Portfolio Manager. Data will be tracked by a Green Team volunteer and updated regularly. Hackensack will continue to monitor energy expenditure and track it through the ESPM website with regular uploads.

  • Food

    Community Gardens

    20 Points

    Program Summary: 1989: 7 member Hackensack Environmental Commission (HEC) adopted. 2018 HEC reorganized. Mission: Preserve open green space, urban beautification, promote a sense of community. 2019: After Internet research, site visits, interviews with nearby Community Garden leaders, and support from local universities, Medical Center, Library, Hackensack High School, Local Girl and Scout troops, HEC subcommittee determines interest and need for a Community Garden. Findings presented to City Council. Approval granted for a 75’ x 130’ community garden within City owned Johnson Park with adequate parking and easy bus access. Volunteers build 18 4’ x 8’ raised beds ( 36 4’ x 4 beds); 1 watering station, a kiosk message board, obtain 29 large round planters, and improve handicap access. Soil provided by DPW. Two Earth Machine™ compost bins purchased from Bergen County Utility Authority. Organic garden regulations and registration forms available through City Recreation Department. Advertising includes posted signage, City Website, Internet, emails, newsletters, newspaper, and flyers. Garden receives ANJEC Environmental Achievement award. HEC presents power point on Community Gardening at ANJEC Congress. 2020: Covid protocol enacted. 15 4’ x 8’ plots, 2 watering stations and 1 wash station added. Girl Scouts plant daffodils and create a Pollinator Garden in community garden that receives National Wildlife Habitat Certification. Garden Club of Hackensack organizes as 501( c)3 non-profit, becomes a Garden Club of NJ member and an affiliate of Community Garden. 2021: 11 4 ‘ x 8’ plots added. GCH receives Plant America grant to plant 3 apple trees in Community Garden and beautify Recreation entrance. Boy Scout builds a raised bed for handicapped and earns Eagle rank. Gardeners donate produce to Center for Food Action, Hackensack. 2022: 1 water station added. Girl Scouts donate garden produce to Center for Food Action. Funding: Registration fees, grant, In-kind donations. Hackensack DPW and Recreation support.

  • Health & Wellness

    Safe Routes to School

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Program Summary: The City Hackensack recognizes the importance of encouraging children to safely walk and bicycle to school. P.O. Mathew Jacobsen of the Hackensack Police Department has worked diligently with Safe Routes to School to earn Silver certification in 2022. The Hackensack Police Department held bicycle safety lectures, bike rodeos, crossing guard training and post observation. The link the NJ SRTS website noting the Silver certification can be found at https://www.saferoutesnj.org/current-safe-routes-to-school-recognition-program-winners/.

    Tobacco Free Community

    15 Points

    Program Summary: In 2014 The City of Hackensack Passed an ordinace prohibiting smoking in all Municipal building, parks and recreations facilities. Including all structures owned, leased, reanted and/or operated by the City of Hackensand and or occupied by City employees. The City also passed an ordinace in 2015 with an update in 2019 prohibiting the sale of minors under 21, and requiring signs near cash registers in establishments. Furthermore sale of all tobacco products and electronic devises MUST be dispensed to customers by a clerk from a rick or display that is behind the counter. There are smoking cessation literature available in both City Hall and the Department of Health. The Municipal Alliance of Hackensack also provide resources and information on their site for substance abuse including E-cigarettes and Nicotine. https://www.hackensack.org/municipal-alliance/

  • Natural Resources

    Environmental Commission

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Hackensack Environmental Commission (HEC) was reorganized in 2018 (Ordinance 35-89) as a City advisory board to increase awareness of municipal open green space preservation, green infrastructure, environmental protection and environmental justice for Hackensack’s increasingly urban environment. The link to the ordinance in the eCode can be found here: https://ecode360.com/13166852 HEC projects that were begun and continue to evolve are restoration/reconstruction of the unused Green House and establishment of a Community Garden in Johnson Park. The garden has grown from approval of an unused site to an ANJEC award winning garden with over 100 4’ x 8’ raised garden beds, 27 large round planters, 3 apple trees, and 5 watering stations in which community Scouts built a raised bed for the handicapped and created a pollinator/habitat friendly pollinator garden. Garden produce was donated to Community Food Bank. HEC participated in Local Planning Service (LPS) Open Space & Recreation Facilities Inventory for Hackensack’s 10 year Master Plan and continues to advocate for Pocket Park expansion and park protection. HEC supports the City Shade Tree Committee to upgrade Shade Tree ordinance. Investigation of ongoing grant opportunities continue as HEC has received ANJEC Open Space Stewardship Grant to improve green environment at historic Union Street Park. HEC supported Hackensack’s Garden Club National Garden Club 2020 Plant America Grant award to beautify City Recreation Center entrance, and the Shade Tree Committee 2021 TD Bank/Arbor Day Grant to address environmental justice for an underserved City neighborhood. HEC advised the City to oppose construction of gas-powered North Bergen Liberty Generating Station (Resolution No. 164-19) and to oppose the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission’s proposed gas-burning power plant and supporting the use of renewable energy to achieve its resiliency goals (Resolution No. 201-22). New initiatives include applying for Sustainable New Jersey "Green Team" certification (Ordinance 44-2022), reviewing and recommending improvements to City of Hackensack’s noise ordinance, and working to improve City trash management on public and private property.

    Environmental Commission Site Plan Review

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Hackensack Environmental Commission routinely reviews the unofficial zoning applications published on the City of Hackensack's Zoning Board webpage. Commissioners typically examine requested variances related to impervious surfaces and potential flooding issues. The Commission advises the Zoning Board when the variances requested present a concern about the impact on stormwater.

    Community Forestry Management Plan & NJUCF Accreditation

    20 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hackensack's received accreditation from the NJUCF for 2023. The city has a current Community Management Plan. There are three current city employees and five resident volunteers who have been Core Trained by the NJ Forest Service. Between the Shade Tree Committee, the Environmental Commission, and the Department of Public Works, eight approved continuing education credits were achieved.

  • Public Information & Engagement

    Digitizing Public Information

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The city of Hackensack maintains a website featuring access to all city departments and services. The webisite provides residents with important information including minutes, agendas, ordinances, and resolutions as well as a isting of boards and commissions and their membership, contact information for municipal officials, more than ten years of budgets and financial audits, RFP/Bid Specifications, and a calendar of events. Our social media is continuously updated with new information regarding the Municipality that mirrors our website. See attached a completed submission checklist submitted for 2023.

  • Waste Management

    Prescription Drug Safety & Disposal

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The Hackensack Police Department established a permanent collection box for "Project Medicine Collection" in 2017. The box has remained continuously available to residents who wish to discard medications safely at Police Headquarters, 225 State Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Additionally, the department hosts planned days for medicine drop off, which helps to increase awareness of this service. These events are promoted on the Hackensack Police Department's social media accounts as well as the marquee outside of city hall. Additionally, the information is posted on the Hackensack Police Department website. It can be accessed by going to https://hackensackpd.org/ and clicking on the "Information" tab, where "Project Medicine Drop" is listed. Direct link: https://hackensackpd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Project-Medicine-Drop-Trifold.pdf. The city offers an informational trifold to educate residents about the dangers of improper medicine usage and disposal and to promote the use of the Project Medicine Collection Box. https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/meddrop/pages/locations.aspx http://www.drugfreenj.org/news/bergendispatchcom/

    Community Paper Shredding Day

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hackensack planned and held a Shred Event on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Johnson Park. The event was promoted on the marquis at city hall, on the city website, https://www.hackensack.org/event/shred-event/, and on the city's social media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=602961858434295&set=pb.100061614573522.-2207520000.&type=3, https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq8OoGaOIsn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==.

    Grass – Cut It and Leave It Program *Retires 12/31/27*

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Hackensack encourages residents to Grass - Cut it and Leave it. The attached flyer which includes a QR code that leads to the NJDEP Flyer. The flyer has been posted on the CIty's website and social media pages, around the municipal building, and handed out at community organization meetings. The Green team will propose that the the flyer's inclusion in the city's bulletin.