What? Saturday afternoon. state for you know James had a closed session but we're now back home public session Good evening everyone. Good good to see you all. Glad to have you here. Um we'll begin this
evening by standing for the pledge of allegiance and we'll remain standing once to fall to Thank you. Please be seated. Taking a great to member of the Lambertville Police Department, our
March. We're glad to see you back in the academy having done such a fine job. I would like to welcome you. Um, all our names in case everybody has met. Yeah, sure. Lindsay on the deputy
Steve Lambert Karen 11 York Street always official that we have. You're a city attorney. So, I'm going to step down. Conor, would you like to introduce who you brought with with you tonight? Yes, sir. This is my father, Keith
English, my mother, Alan English, my younger sister, Caroline, and my girlfriend, Alexa. Alexa, good to meet you. Hello. Come on over. Thanks. And then I'm gonna have all you step down for the obligatory photo op. Um,
come down now then. Perfect. Yeah. It is. You want us in front of the table? Well, we'll just scoot over. Look at the picture in a minute. All right. Uh, raise your right hand.
Repeat after me. I English I Conor English do solemnly swear or affirm Do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. that I will bear true faith and
allegiance I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same to the same and the governments established in the governments established in the United States in the United States and in this state and in the state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully and I will faithfully impartially and partially and justly perform
and justly perform all the duties all the duties of the office of police officer of the office of police officer according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability well I got You want to come up and take a photo with all of us?
In the front of this four years later, I still don't have kind of a system down in this is gonna take a picture of all of us. You got a wide angle. All right. All right. Good. Welcome. Yeah, we'll
see you soon. Thanks for coming. [Music] very charge of the day. eventually the approval of minutes um to ask motion to approve the following set
of minutes as presented or amended contract August 21st 20 minutes and the September 4th uh 2025 work session. Okay. Um have a motion. So move second. All those in favor say I.
I. I dar administrative reports any comments special on administrative reports. Uh couple of things that I want to point out. Um so as I said last couple months
the rescue squad is now submitting monthly reports. They had 34 calls in August um to Lambertville out of 152 total. Everville calls here date are 356 out of 1,200 total. Um, our parking
revenue hit an all-time high last month, $64,000. That's the by far the the most we've ever taken in parking revenue in a single month. Um, I think that's because people are paying parking one. They're probably paying for more time than they're actually using when they leave that space. If we get people coming in,
turning spaces over, which is kind of what we want. Um, also I noticed and I don't know the particular state but I caught it caught my eye in the um the report by um the animal control officer that there was an incident this week with that or then this month that
involved two dogs, four cats and a bat particular thought but uh sounded interesting. Uh and in hotel tax we took in just just under $12,000 this past fall. So we don't have our cannabis revenue in yet because it's not the 20th. So that that come in.
Um so hearing all of that I would after a motion to accept the uh to approve the administrative assisted second. All those in favor please say I. I. Okay. Thank you. Motion carries.
Uh we will open this up to full participation constituent concerns. Um, as we uh do every uh premium, we just remind you please step up to the microphone unless you have mobility issues. Uh, we ask you to state your name address for the record. We have three minutes of uninterrupted time to
say your question or concerns. Um, and I would just ask that if possible if you wish to speak to any one of the ordinances on second reading tonight, we will have public hearings for each of those ordinances. So, um, Yeah,
Karen Taylor Ogen, 28 Jefferson Street. Um, I basically have not comments a question. It seems there's a lot of information floating around about what I believe is called the pilot program with the million situations payment of taxes.
Do I have that correct? Okay. So basically I have five questions and I'm simply seeking clarity because I don't understand uh how does pilot payment compare to the tax money that the city could normally receive.
Is the pilot program required by the state or the courts in the median situation? How long does this situation with pilot last? In other words, will the new owners of units be paying taxes to the city? And will our schools be getting any of
the pilot money? And that's all I'm saying, but I'd appreciate some answers. Thank you. Sure. Uh, so I'm have Bill talk about them. May have some general information about pilots. Car time. It's um correct that it is um a payment
in l of taxes there um pilots contemplate payments being made so it's not going to be taxes that for example um a lot of the speak a lot of the u a lot of the questions
unfortunately there's not enough specifics right now to answer with regard to what would be the comparison between the pilot payment and the taxes otherwise applicable um the city hasn't received there's a requirement that if there's going to be a request for a pilot that the developer
has to submit an application to the city and the city hasn't received that application. So the specifics of what um potentially could be asked for it's it's not um not county it's not the issue is not addressed in
any of the court's orders. the ordinance that's on tonight for second reading and hearing that is addressed uh and a redevelopment plan is also addressed in the Florida a pilot is not and then the last issue regarding
schools under the statute the uh the pay that's made to the city goes 95% to the city 5% to the county there's no statutory requirement for schools however the council will have discretion from the money that it receives, how it
wants to appropriate that. And um I I think uh you know, if the council wishes to take a portion of that money and and make sure that school is um you know, receiving something from the money that's coming in, they can certainly do
that through the budget process, through shared service. There's a number of different entities for the city to to use those spots. I, you know, based on ary conversations that I have council my understanding is that's their intention
if if this actually goes forward right now it's very preliminary because the city does have an application that information was posted on the website was it was listed really just forformational purposes only just in the event that an application is filed
residents are aware that it's something that the city can consider could potentially take up at some point in the future and they'll Just the other last question was was how long does the pilot typically last? The the limit is 30 years. It can you
know depending on the you know the finances for any individual project less than that but it can't last any longer than 30 years. So that's something that when the the financial information is provided um you'll have
to be considered and the the duration that's going to be based on the costs associated title 33 Wilson Street and I just want to start off and say I know you've got a lot of work ahead of you trying to develop this effort is plan to develop a
developers agreement but I'm going to say here uh very clearly bluntly. Pilots are a big mistake financially and for the community. Under a pilot agreement, he's dancing around a little bit. The town would have to take money that would
be going for police and fire and other things and give it to the schools. So, they usually don't happen. Very rarely will ever happen. about 50% of your tax bill goes to schools, which means that the developer, someone owning a million-doll townhouse up on that hill, will be paying less in taxes than my
little rowhouse or some other senior's rowhouse. Also, when you look at the New Jersey controllers reports and and all the other reports that have been done on on violence, schools become overcrowded, standards go down, taxes go up, and
there's been a series of a lot of abuse. And in this case, there is absolutely no need for a pilot. They have a builder's remedy. They're getting four luxury units for every affordable. Michaelels has said they're going after HMFA money and other grants to help pay for the
affordance. They're going to be building $900,000 town houses because that's what a townhouse goes to here now. There is no reason for them to get a tax break. Not only that, but after the development is completed, of said in two years,
meaning after they sell it out, they're turning it over to an HOA. So, it's not like they're being paying long-term for some road improvement on Grant Street or some something to do with off-site improvements. It's going to be a big tax break for those wealthy people who move
up there at the expense of our school children at the expense of the taxpayers who are struggling right now. And there's no reason to do it. And I will also say that in New Jersey, there's been a systematic problem with pilots because of lack of transparency, scenes
that are dealt with and signed off on behind closed doors without public uh oversight. And so there's been a system of abuse as well. And I don't think a company getting four to one luxury houses, $160 million project should have
to not pay their fair share when we all have to. And I think it's wrong. And by the way, after 30 years, they can extend it another 30 years. So it does doesn't mean that it's over at that point. And right now, there's no financial reason for them to do it. They have a big project. They they're going to be
building all these houses. And quite frankly, it makes absolutely no sense. And I'm just going to finally say that go read the different reports that have been done by the state controller and others on the problem with with pilots and the problem with these things. and
they are tax exempt because they're exempted from real property tax. It has nothing to do with the cleanup of the property because that's not that's going to be the owner of the property's responsibility according to Hanian. It's not going to do with all structure site improvements because under New
Jersey law and under New Jersey case law, they're only they only be required to pay for their prorated share of those improvements. Meaning if you have to put a traffic light on 179 and there's 10,000 cars on it, they bring out 200 cars or 400 cars. Their share would only
be that if you can collect it and if it's in your capital plant. Pilots make absolutely no sense for this project. Hi there. I'm Beth O'Brien with two Hancock Street. As the city moves forward with the Conome project, I would like to revisit concerns I've raised
during public comments over a year ago. Traffic and pedestrian safety in this area must be addressed proactively. Now is the time to evaluate the infrastructure needs for Continent Hills neighborhood regardless of the development's final report. This
infrastructure plan should include proper street lighting, safe pedestrian walkways. We have no sidewalks from Tonville. Visible signage. There are no speed limit signs anywhere
in my neighborhood and traffic calming measures. Personally, I would also like some kind of guard rail to protect our home from the hundreds of cars that are going to be making a right-hand turn in front of our house. And a traffic light
at R at the Route 179 intersection. It should seriously be considered. I respectfully request a comprehensive third party study to assess the current and projected impact of increased traffic in the continental neighborhood. This study should be conducted
independently, not by or on behalf of Khopian who should not depend on information provided by Khop. No doubt if allowed to provide their own report, it will be tailored to their needs and not the needs of the residents of Conell. This isn't just about mitigating
the the effects of Jay-Hawk Canadian development. It's about ensuring the safety and livability of our existing paperwork. Thank you. Thanks. I'll address kind of those points uh in a little bit later. Uh I have a statement I'll be reading about
planning board. So some of those things will be direct. Thank you. Sure. Um Judy Gleason, 86 North Union Street. Um, I came tonight because when I read the Lambertville matters, I saw a projection of the schedule for this
project and it put out there a pilot uh dealing with a pilot bid allegedly or projected October, November. I don't know how much you all do with negotiation, but you don't start by
giving yourself of what you expect to give. So, there's a there's a book on negotiation called getting the yes in this town. We need to get the community the yes, which we're not doing to get the
community the yes because people are getting this is what we're going to do. This is how we're going to handle it. This is what we're going to do to for them. And I looked at the timeline and getting the financial agreement strings around is not going to happen overnight. Getting the other agreement that involves so many of the issues raised by
the people on the hill and everything that's happen over overnight. And negotiation has to happen at some point. And I'm feeling a little concerned at the skill of negotiation that's being brought to the board here. If we start out by saying, "Oh, and pilot is going
to happen here." because Jeff made the points well and and Beth made several also points about the things that have to be handled by you guys before we are sitting there saying what we've been saying for years here which is we don't
have any time we have to do it we have to do it tonight we don't we don't and I I really have a great deal of concern because they're getting to yes here you don't have this town with you and you may not think that's important but I can
assure you it is and getting to yes of the town means telling them negotiating dealing with the sides. I mean one of the points that they make in this book about negotiation is come up with all of the options. Don't just say there's this
and this. There's pilot and no pilot. No. No. There's pilot which they might want. I know they haven't applied yet but I I they will. But all of the options for us, we got to come up with those now so that
we make the, as we say, we make the pie bigger. Don't just say because there's a lot of concern that we don't have the kind of attention and focus and skill to these things by the people who are doing the negotiation. And by the way, I don't know who it is.
I mean, I don't know which of you it is. So, I'm not saying anything about anybody. have to say please don't please don't give us a schedule that says oh yeah and then we'll do a pilot. Thank you. It's uh I I drafted that timeline that
was on the website and was in Lambertville matters. I should have just put it sometime after the redevelopment plan is adopted. I put in time placeholders and since you're right it's not going to happen in October
probably not in November that was proactive report it differently it's just sequentially as far as the statute goes has to happen sometime after the redevelopment is adopted sometime after the redevelopment agreement is in place so it's not going to be something that
happens overnight or we would consider that consider it's only in there as a consideration Sure, the statute gives the council the discretion to review the application and and then make a decision. But I'll I'll take the blame
for the confusion about the timing. Thank you. Please take 255 Rick Avenue here in Lammerville. Uh again, I'm on a three minute block. All right. Headed. So, uh, resolution
157 2025, the hyperia apartments. All right. What is the pilot now and what is it going to be in the future and how did that compared to if they were paying taxes? Uh, total tax. All right, that's a request because in resolution it's in
this section. Uh the another question I have and I are not an expert in in uh as an attorney or anybody else but the uh resolution 158 2022 and the ordinance 22205
are seem to be very close the same. All right. If we could have got clarity on what what are the two what's going to do approve the ordinance tonight? Why don't we have a resolution? All right, I don't quite get that. And I
couldn't agree more with this whole issue of a pilot. All right, the pilot is a a special thing at the end of the negotiation within they've addressed our security, our roadways, our uh water. All right. And well, you know, you did a
great job there. You know, maybe we could talk in a little bit of a pilot, a short-term pilot. All right. Don't give away the farm up front. Thank you. Uh I can address I think everything here Dave. Uh so at the last meeting early
September the council talked about the pilots for the Hurnia. Um so the Hurnia is being sold u the sales closing in a couple of days. Um and one of the things that the the region 9 which is the housing agency that that's buying
library. it's a nonprofit um to ask the council to consider was a well the first thing we have to do is reassign the pilot the existing pilot. So we're we have to do that in order for them to close on the sale. So the existing pilot has and I'm happy to send us a copy of
this to you. We talked about this last last month. Um existing pilot has uh percentage of 7.2 7.5 all the way through the life of the pilot. region 9 under cost of a reduction of percentages
and uh it changes depending on the year. So it goes all the way uh into um 2050. So it starts out it starts out next year at 7.5 and then it goes down to 7% for the next four or five years. Then it goes to 6.5%
and then in 2037 it would drop to 6.28% for the duration of the pilot. given that they're spending several million dollars uh redoing the building. Um it seemed like uh you know the council pays that council was kind of unanimous and
in support of um of this and so those terms will be spelled out in the pilot uh agreement um if the resolution's adopted. Um secondly your question of the difference between the resolution number 158 and the ordinance resolution
both both of these items are um the city is under court order to move forward. Resolution 158 gives the um K of Manian the conditional redeveloper status and basically is a mechanism for us to move forward specifically with Kanian. The
ordinance is to um uh that adopt uh a new zoning for the site um which is kind of basically the the structure of the zoning you know the plan for the site and so that gives us all the parameters of of what's been discussed and decided
on and it's being required by the court. Um your last question I have any talking about the the pilot now or in the future. Oh okay. All right for Okay. Yeah. All right. Thank you. Right. Um the one question you didn't
answer and you may not have it. The hyia, what's the cost to the taxpayers? All right. Of that, in other words, if there was none, all right, same question I'd be asking for with without a job. All right. Is what what money is not
coming into the city that we are going to pay for in our taxes? Well, so it's it's I'm not going to be able to give you the exact numbers, right? think of the projections. These are just projections for what and pilots of course tied to the revenue for the building. But uh if you look at for
example, I'll throw something out here so you have a point of reference. So in 2032 at the current projection if the pilot were remain in place it'd be $76,000 to the city in one year. At 6.5% it's $66,000.
So you know I mean we can just Is that what they're going to pay? I I can't I can't speak. No, no, no, no. Using that as a number, right? Is that the number that they're going to pay into the city in limo taxes? And how would that compare to a a regular tax
bill? Like at the at the birds? I I can't answer that question. These are projected amounts depending on revenue. So it's just it's a projection. So I can't give you I can't give you the actual answer on that. Again, I'm certainly happy to show you kind of what
the projections are. Um but that's fine. And and I I get that. I've done those. All right. And that's okay. All right. For what what they're going to do, but what does that cost the city and the taxpayers? All right. So, how much are we supporting this particular
organization or how much are we supporting, you know, a job if we we do a thing down the road? Okay. I just want to add one thing kind of a little off point but that we haven't really mentioned is that at Hibernia they are 100% affordable. So
the issue is sometimes in in that instance where you're doing 100% affordable, the pilot helps kind of subsidize the fact that there are affordable units. And I believe the developer is also going to the New
Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency for a special type of of of financing. And part of that financing um involves a pilot payment because it requires all these different subsidies
to make those units affordable 100% every one of them. So what we are doing by by doing that is helping to subsidize affordable units for folks in the city and to boot they're getting renovated and they've been there a long time. So I
think that's the skin we have in this case, right? And and I understand it's a wonderful thing and I've been involved with death partners decades. All right. Back when it was built. All right. I'm just trying to get a a flavor of, you know, for both of them. Okay. Are we
talking the impact to the taxpayer is $100, $1,000, $10,000, $100,000, you know, and you know, I mean, because that's what you're doing. you're you're making a decision and and and it's a well worth, you know, cages. All right.
But what kind of money are we talking about if we we weren't going forward with that? Yeah, we can't. I would just add one other thing. I mean, it's hard to really determine that. But I would also point out too that with the pilot, I don't think this pilot has any money going to the school
through IBurn yet, that existing one. So that money is actually all just coming to the city. I don't know. So, county because there's all it's all I think that's the exclusive Hibernia one. I don't think you could look at a
hibernate one and then a development campa I think it's you know apples and oranges. So, just looking at this one I don't think there's as much impact. So, the pilot for Hiburnia is going to be 100% to the city. It already was. So, in 2017
we already did. We're just extending it. So, it's nothing new, but we're we're just changing the terms because of the new financing because we're going to get renovated units and they're going to continue to be age restricted and affordable. So, so there is like the
public benefit in that is something that um is kind of you know a little it look I think too when you're talking about pilots and all these different projects it's really apple you know like apple pears and whatever because each project
has its own legacy so putting Bernie aside I can't comment on the other thing you know but but that's you know the thing to say you know And if if there's a desire of of mayor and council, all right, to do a
Khob title at some point, you know, I think we we'd like to see, all right, because that's strictly money is what money is lost to our, you know, is lost to our school and to the municipality and the fire commission and every other
taxing agency. All right? Versus a pilot. All right? because they're all expenses that have to be made up somehow. Thank you. I'm making sure Thank you. Is there anyone else on record? I'm sorry.
Good evening. John Towns 14 Hancock Street. We've all met before. Uh was reading some disturbing things regarding this pilot. towards K Hobmanian's
destruction of that hill and uh the council would be foolish to even consider one dollar towards this. We've seen nothing and if we have I haven't seen it uh environmental impact
study from the developer. We've seen nothing from the developer regarding uh traffic studies. Uh this council has allowed that. That's unfortunate. But if we
bend the city over and say no taxes, yeah, there's going to be a reckoning, folks. That's ridiculous. I don't care how you wrap it up or what pretty bows you put on it. That is beyond insane.
Now Dave was asking you guys what is what does it cost the city uh or at Bernie Parkinson? I get it. Those were projections and you can then for the next meeting can we have a report for
the last 10 years what it cost the city for the higher you so we get a flavor of what you're going to give Kha and You all have the numbers. You all should know. You can't forward project, but you can
certainly look back and say this is what it costs. And if you're not able to, maybe you all need a new job. You have to understand, folks, we're the taxpayers. We're the people you guys are managing.
We're not feeling love. That's all each and every one of you. Kind of got done in by this Khob stuff. We shot them down and then they came back with a builder's remedy. Well, some
of us knew it. Sure, the council knew it as well. And again, if you guys sleep well at well at night knowing what happened up there on that hill with this development.
Great. I'd also like to ask one other quick question. Does the council have pilots for our people who are above the age of 70 for their current homes in the town? And if they don't, why are we going to
offer that to a builder who's going to make a billion dollars off that property? And if we're going to offer pro uh pilot programs to anybody, it better be the people over 70 years of age who own their own homes already.
Thank you. Uh all I can say to your first question is uh I would imagine the pilot payment records for the last 10 years are public record for I would think so, but I just don't know the retention schedule. So we would have
whatever the retention schedule seven years we think. So it's probably seven years six to seven. So that could be requested uh through OPRA. We're happy to provide that. Um and then um pilots not sure how they would address the pilots for people over
70. Pilots are really a tool for development not for individuals. Um I don't know that that I don't answer that question beyond just saying it's not something that's possible. There's no statute that provides for um
statute that provides for for a pilot for existing the the law that governs potential pilots for development is for new construction. That's distinct from the statute which
is under the housing mortgage finance law. So that's that's a different um law than a pilot that be considered for um you know market grade plus affordable construction is being considered upon
two separate separate statutes that govern for both um okay uh I I will just note that there are programs that are available especially to seniors there's the tax freeze there's the senior tax freeze
there's the anchor program the city Uh Lindsay and Cindy are always happy to uh provide information about kind of tax relief programs are available for veterans as well. Um so you know if there's specific questions about programs for uh seniors or other members
of the community will have to check in and get details from either send me or thanks. Um I Peter Hollis 123 North Franklin Street. I'm going to change the subject a bit here. Um I I have I have
two two issues that relate to uh opportunity I've had to attend recent uh parks and recreation committee meetings and uh the first is uh my appreciation admiration for all the work they do. These are all people that that get their hands dirty and shoot stuff all the time
and this and it's a very impressive organization and the work they do was obviously important about making to make town the town. Um, another issue that arose uh at these meetings was the um
their uh along way to implement a repairarium buffer along Eli Creek in uh along the fields there. And um when they announced it, I probably clapped. Um I thought it was good. My background in in
environmental commissions and uh and and wershed associations led me to recognize the very real importance of preparing buffers. Uh they work by filtering the flow of water. They help infiltration of
water in the dental floods and they filter out pollutants and sediment. Um they do that by creating a screen, holding the water back, slowing it down, letting everything settle out. If um the
plan to put a repairarium buffer along the Hillyard Creek um I think is sort of um not well thought out in in terms of the fact that um when I bought my house on North Franklin Street in December, I spent
months making sure that I wasn't walking into a problem that I I wasn't aware of. I was looking at the water flows through that area and uh the illy creek has a bank on it so that it doesn't overflow the bank as soon as it would it was just
a a flat run off of the fields into the creek. Um there's uh vested sort of of a reparium buffer there now trees and and and small shrubs grasses that do the work of of slowing sediment and
nutrients into the creek that we don't want to go into the river to the ocean. Um but that's not going to happen there. If they plant anything in addition, it's going to slow the flow of water through that field and I am very concerned that is going to impact the flood potential
on my own in the event of a significant rain like Ida. I talked all my neighbors extensively before I bought the house to recognize how the water flow with the impact they had and I've surveyed it and um I believe that that project is u is
detrimental to to my home. So, I just wanted to raise that and I can continue to implore the uh parks and recreation committee to assure me that that's not going to happen if that projects. Uh so, I'm not I don't know all the specifics of this. I know that I've had
just a very general conversation about potential plan to build the plan to write Harry Buffer there. So, it's really a parks and rec commission um matter for the most part. And uh just to reiterate, you know, when we spoke uh recently, you know, I did uh forget I I
hate to do this, but I always have to say that, you know, after Ida, we had 138 house, something like that that flooded that weren't anywhere near a flood plane. Um and there's a map in the municipal uh resilience action plan that t that pinpoints each of those houses
that reported damage to the city following IDA. And unfortunately there were a lot of houses in the North Franklin Street area that did suffer some damage. So um obviously the city has a responsibility to be as environmentally sound and do as much mitigation as it can and we've been
working on it. Um but I I always have to take the opportunity to remind residents that uh you know it's it's got to be a partnership residents Peter please uh that that uh you know we have mechanisms in place that encourage residents to
mitigation work on their properties. We have uh we wave the permit fees for elevating uh you know mechanical all that kind of stuff. So it's a partnership. I'll certainly talk to uh I'll certainly talk to Maryanne about it, but um and I don't know the specifics of the
Well, they as you have they have dismissed my concerns. Perhaps we should also would be appropriate to have a city engineer that's with us this evening uh take a look at it just you know it's a good you know right
could they uh yeah happy to do that absolutely so we have the engineer here anyone Anyone online? Two people. 17 people online.
Paul Stevens, 39 Corey. Uh, good evening. You hear me? Yes. Okay. Thanks. Um, with regards to the remodeling of Hiburnia, I'm wondering if we're missing an opportunity here. Uh my understanding
is that even though the Hiburnney is going to be remodeled, uh we won't get any credits for it because we're already maxed out on our senior credits. Um but I do know that
region 9 also does affordable housing for uh disabled uh lowincome uh people. And I was wondering if there had been any discussion, any talk with region 9 about maybe converting some of the
senior uh facilities there to also be able uh open to disabled uh lowincome recipients. Um, it would seem like that way we could maybe get some more credits out of it
and still meet region 9's mission of supplying affordable housing for both seniors and disabled. And then the second, so yes, so that's the first issue is whether or not there was any discussion of it and if not, why
not? And then the other thing then I'd like to comment on is I don't understand at all why there's any discussion or why K uh Khovmanian would expect to get a pilot because they went to the
court and said basically you know at 137 units it's not financially viable to have a project up there but we can do it at 200 units and that's why we're in the position we're at now. Uh did the were
they not being honest with uh the judge that 200 units is a viable uh development up there? Why do they need pilot then if that's the case and that's my
comments and questions. Okay. Thank you. Um I imagine had a conversation with the people of region 9 federal lives. Um the subject specifically of converting any units uh has not come up. Um um certainly I can
mention it to them as something to to consider. um you know they may be doing a future work in the city u but uh you know I don't I don't I you know it's a it's a private property and and they're you know they're they're all in on it and and uh sorry council president.
Yeah. Um my recollection from meetings that I attended uh with region 9 is that IA is age restricted uh I believe 62 and over by PUD. So we there is no
opportunity to put other um uh you know demographic of uh other demographics into that affordable housing location. But good question. Yeah, good answer. I'm sorry I didn't remember that from the meeting.
Um okay, next person please. Sue, you want to go ahead? Hello. Can you hear me? Please state your name and address. Oh, it's uh Susan Rllo at 8 Hillside Court
and um I I kind of confused about a couple of things and wanted to get some clarification. Um, the first thing is I was just thinking about like myself as a taxpaying homeowner,
what would the benefit to me be of your voting to give them this pilot? In other words, it seems to me from where from my logic, but maybe there's something I don't know, you know, of course, but that if you vote to give
them this pilot that that is ultimately going to negatively impact me because they're not going to be paying their fair share and my taxes are going to go up to cover the schools and the other things that won't won't be covered, you know, by the developer and those, you
know, the de uh people up on the hill. So I'm curious about why would I want my representatives to vote yes for this if I can see quite clearly that it's going to negatively have an impact on me. The second concern I have is that so the
funds are diverted and instead of going to these other things they go directly to the city. Okay. So what does that mean? What kind of a fund is that? Who has discretion over that? Who decides how those funds are used? Um,
is that money subject to the same restrictions as other monies, you know, that are in the budget are are restricted by? Um, I just be concerned about that. It just seems like an interesting source of revenue for the city that I actually didn't even ever
know about before I just, you know, read about this situation. So, that kind of is a concern I have. You have a question there? Pardon me. Was there any? Uh, no.
Um, Bill, again, I don't know if you want to speak generally about this. Um, [Music] the money would be revenue to the town to this. So, it would be appropriate. There's no way to use it without the governor body taking action and
appropriating it with the budget. However else you would do that. Um, with regard to uh the structure, this is still a hypothetical at this point. With regard to camping, we
haven't received an application. It's a possibility under the law. There may be an application that comes in, but this it's really just hypothetical as in general as far as money coming in. The city would have an
opportunity to review There have there would have to be a financial benefit to the city for the city to consider it. And the way that usually comes about is because the city can retain
95% of the money that comes in rather than 17 to 20% of the money that comes in. And that is the way that it makes a city makes a um from the the lower payment review
payment. So um it's it's difficult to explain again specifics because we don't well it sounds to me like indirectly our tax money instead of going to these other things and what's going to be raised on our taxes for that is going
directly to the city instead. And I'm just wondering what what benefit is that of is that to me as I think Bill was trying to explain this is still a hypothetical. So if we if we we unpack it as a let's say it's
not hypothetical. So let's say the council does have does decide to entertain a a pilot. It could also decide that x amount of pilot a percentage or something else would go to the schools. So, you know, we can't there's really no effective or there's
there's really no way we can answer the question at this point. It is. But why is it being why is it being brought up though if it's not really relevant and it's a hypothetical? Yeah, I'm not bringing it up. The community are bringing it up and it's a hypothetical. We don't have an application. People are talking about
it. So, we're doing our best to answer questions about something that hasn't happened yet and and about which we have no information. So, uh, I'm gonna leave it there if you if that's okay. Okay. But the only the only one other thing.
What is I don't understand. Okay, that's okay. Thank you very much. I've I've said enough. Thank you. Any decision that the council makes for or against anything is public. So, uh, it's not done. Yes. It's it's it's not
done uh it's done publicly. So, thank you. Anyone else? Okay, I have a motion to close. So do second. All those in favor, please say I. I have a proclamation to read this evening
on behalf of uh the Delaware and Valley Food Pantry. We're celebrating 70 years of service to the community uh this Saturday on September 20th. And uh honoring this the city has proclamation council members and I read them
at the Delaware Valley Food. um proclamation. Whereas the Delaware Valley Food Pantry born out of an outreach mission of local churches opened their doors in 1955 using a small shed located on the property of St. John
the Evangelist Cath to provide to those in need before relocating to Black Cherry Street in September of 2019. And whereas having survived the CO 19 outbreak and Hurricane Ida, this little jewel has become a treasured staple in
our community and has been supported by various organizations, churches, and the community at large who have donated food, monetary donations, and time. And whereas the food pantry heavily depends on volunteers to keep the organization
going, requiring a staffing of six adults and one youth when the site is open, plus 30 volunteers that work behind the scenes, stocking shelves, picking up bread, and baked goods, or unloading food shipped in trucks from other nonprofits.
Whereas the Delaware Valley Food Pantry and Fisherman's Mark work together to combat food insecurities with Fisherman's Mark providing additional freezer space and weekly trips to Shopright. And
whereas nothing goes to waste, the leftover produce, prepared foods, and baked goods are taken to the Trenton area soup kitchen task. and override produce and expired food are donated to
a local pig farmer. Now therefore be it resolved by the governing body of the city of Lambertville and the county of Hunteran state of New Jersey that board members, volunteers and friends of the Delaware food valley, I'm sorry, the Delaware Valley Food Pantry are hereby recognized
for 70 years of service to the community and congratulated on a job well done. Be it further resolved that Saturday, September 20, 2025, is hereby proclaimed Delaware Valley Food Pantry Day in the city of Lamville, marked with the celebration of complimentary food and
live music at it Cherry Street location. Encourage everybody to support the Delaware Valley Food uh pantry and uh we ask for a motion to adopt this proclamation. So move second. All in favor? I.
All right, motion carries. It's adopt. Uh consent agenda. Resolutions on the consent agenda are considered routine and shall be enacted by one motion. Should any member of the city council see separate discussion item items discussed separately
about the consent agenda. Okay. I would ask for a motion to adopt resolutions listed on the consent agenda numbers 151-2025 through 155-25. So move. All second.
I move on. Um we now have resolution number 156-2025. This is a resolution to uh to to authorize the release of close session minutes. Um so uh before we do uh before
we talk about the resolution itself, um you know the larger question of close session minutes has come up. Um and uh Cindy was kind enough to send the um uh the council a memorandum and uh we can decide this evening whether we want to
talk about this or whether we want to move it to another meeting. If we decide that we want to talk about establishing policy or potentially adopting an ordinance about the release and public close session, I would want to at least read through some of this for the for
the public's benefit. Um, does anybody have a anybody want to talk about this tonight or save it for a U I mean certainly I think we're looking at putting forward the minutes that we've already reviewed and then have been redacted and are ready to go out. Um, but you know this is kind of a larger
question of policy and uh potentially an ordinance. So you know to what extent do we want to talk about this this evening or save for work session? Um, I don't think I'm ready to discuss. I I did one read over so far. I think we should save it to another session. Mark,
you know, a stronger I know it's uh something that you sending planned to put together and I may have questions. I just haven't had the uh uh the time to actually go through and raise them much. I don't know how the other council members do.
I'm part of that. Yeah, I am. I mean I think it makes sense to have it um have the discussion during the work session. Good. Great. Um just I will take just a couple of minutes just so the public understands kind of what our current process is because I think it's
important uh way for for people to be begin to understand what has been the process for time at memorial practically I think. Um so so the current policy uh utilized for the release of close session executive session to the public is as follows. The request is received
usually set up the request. The minutes are reviewed by uh Cindy or the clerk to ensure that the topics discussed have been resolved. The section we believe should be redacted highlighted for consideration with the city attorney. Minutes are then sent to the city attorney for confirmation with the due
date uh with the due date for the ORA if applicable. The attorney responds to the municipal clerk with the final disposition and then the response is provided to the request public. That's how we currently do it. Um so we'll talk more about how we could consider changing that policy that procedure uh
at the November um line work session and just make a note of that before the uh for the agenda. Um and so the the resolution at hand is uh 156 2025. It's to uh to release the uh the meeting the
close session minutes to the public for the following meetings. Um and I note that the city attorney has reviewed and authorized the release of these minutes. So, the November 21st, 2024 close session minutes, the December 5th, 2025 close session minutes part A, the
December 5th, 2024 close session minutes part B, December 19th, 2024 close session minutes, the January 6th, 2025 close session minutes, and the February 6th, 2025 close session minutes. Is there any further uh conversation or
discussion on this? All right, then I would ask the to make a motion, please. We'll make a second. Second. All those in favor, please say I. I. All right. Thank you. Motion carries.
Uh, next is resolution number 157 2025. This is the resolution of the city of Lambertville, Hunter County authorizing assignment consumption of the existing payment in low taxes agreement and the exe the execution of a new payment in
that agreement for the age restricted lowincome housing known as the hyper the hypernia apartments. So we talked a little bit about this. Um this was uh the members uh this trip by the city attorney authorizes the transfer of the agreement of the execution of a new
pilot for apartments and residential complex or senior citizens. Um so question from council. All right hearing none I'll make a motion to adopt resolution number one
7205. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor, please say I. I. I. Thank you. Motion carries. Next is resolution number 158-2025. It's a resolution the city of Lambertville County and the state of New
Jersey additionally designating K and Home LLC as a redeveloper of a property identified as the Lambertville High School redevelopment area block 1073 blocks 1 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 32 33 and
3301 blocks 1091 blocks 1 and 1.0 1.01 pursuing the local beer bill housing law NJS A4K 12
right so uh this is a requirement of uh the court to enter into redeveloper agreement to have immunity so I think we're all probably familiar with this um any comment from the council just to bring just to bring it uh out
it's conditionally designated and I don't think he said conditionally It's right on top. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. So, was there an issue or just No, no, was just bringing up. I got it. Okay. Um, all right. May I have a motion to
adopt resolution 15825, please? So, move second. All right. I'll ask for a roll call on this, please. Councilwoman Kaminsky. Yes. Council President Lambert. Yes. Councilman Live. Yes.
Councilman Stegman. Yes. No. Yes. Um, all right. A motion to pay the bills. Any questions about the bill? All right. I'll make a motion to pay the bills. Is there a second? That's correct.
All in favor, please say I. I. I. Thank you. Carries. First reading ordinances. Um, first is ordinance number 23-2025. This is an ordinance to amend the Landville city code 2014 chapter 8 municipal parking areas can deserve
parking. So this was something that we talked about last uh September meeting to increase the the cost slightly and lease parking spaces owned by the city questions motion.
So I'll second it. Uh and all those in favor please say I. Hi. Thank you. We have our second meeting and public hearing on this at our October 23rd. 23rd. Yeah. Thank you. 23rd meeting.
Uh the the next first meeting ordinance is ordinance number 24-2025. It's an ordinance from the Lambertville City Code 2014 chapter 3. Fes charged by various city departments, boards, and commissions. 3-13.
Um this is again we talked about this on um September 4th uh so slightly increase your fees and vital vital records establishing a non-resident fee for weddings. Um any questions? Very good.
All right motion please second. All right. All those in favor please say I. I know was unanimously introduced and have a um second reading public hearing on October
23rd just in time for my non-resident wedding in the at the middle of November. So um ordinance is second reading uh first orance for second is number 30-2025 it's importance to amend
the Lambertville city code uh 2014 chapter 13 sewer and water to add improper disposal of waste. So, we've talked about this a couple times. This is a requirement of the city's uh MS4 permit the state of New Jersey for
storm water management. Now, open up for the public to address any comments or ask any question online. All right. Um council, you ready to take a look at this?
Okay. How about making a motion, please? I make a motion. All right. Thank you. All in favor, please say I. I. I. Thank you. Uh, the next is ordinance number 21-2. This is an ordinance of the city of Landville. Mayor.
That was to close the public hearing, correct? Oh, I'm sorry. That was closing public hearing. Y. Um, so that was close public hearing. Everybody good with that? Yes. Okay. So now I would ask for a motion to adopt ordinance number 20-125
second reading granting the final call. So move second all in favor I thank you car ordinance is adopted ordinance 21-2025 ordinance of the city of Lambertville authorizing sale of city own property
designated as block 103 block 11 more commonly known as 310 North Street. We talked about this property as well as several other properties over the last couple of years. Um, this uh particular property, there was a sheriff sale bid on the property. The ordinance would
allow the city to sell the property through sealed bids to the highest bidder to a continuous property owner and that's according to state statute bill. Yes, that's that's how it works in the state statute. So here I will open this up for a public hearing summer
2125. Anybody here like to close a second? Second. All in favor of please say I. I. All unless there are further questions
or comments from the council, I for motion to adopt ordinance number 21-25. So moved. Second. All those in favor of Okay, question carries. Thank you. Uh Cindy will be reaching out
to the uh the stople period is over after the stople period and then I think we'll have to do a resolution. We'll be doing Yeah. to authorize the sale. Okay. So, um probably the October 23rd meeting,
we can we can look at a resolution to authorize the sale. Yeah. Uh but once the estopple period's over, you can solicit uh seal bids or no period. Once the estopple period's over, then we have to put the resolution on the agenda
to authorize the sale and and then after that and that'll be after the October 23rd meeting. The city can after the the city can't adopt the resolution till have to be a stop period.
But um you can solicit bids in that intervening period. Okay. Just on the condition that we have to wait for the period to expire resolutions. Okay. Bill, we'll we'll talk about this more so I can get the process and then
that way it helps me to better direct. Okay. Thank you. Thanks, Bill, for all of your work. um helping us with these properties, getting them back onto the tax roles and giving them uh into the living hands of do
um right before we begin uh to discuss ordinance number 22-20 to 25 um I uh well you know I'll I'll I'll read it and then I see all in terms of uh a response to the review of the planning board that
was that was obviously submitted to the city. So this is ordinance 22-2025. It's an ordinance of the city of Lambertville County of the state of New Jersey further amending the redevelopment plan for the high school redevelopment area block 1073 plots 1 3
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 32 33 1 block 1090 last four and five and blocks and block 109 [Music] um
This will take a few minutes for me to read, but I think it's important. Um, I want to recognize the work of the planning board and it's uh, well, I always want to recognize the work of the planning board because it's an excellent trans board. um in particular here um in
reviewing and offering um its uh its recommendations to the city in terms of the redevelopment um plan. So I'm going to read the statement. It's going to highlight some of the things that uh were were found by the planning board and kind of city's uh response.
Planning board has reviewed the amended Lville High School redevelopment plan and issued findings with respect to the plan's consistency with the city's master plan. Pursuant to NJSA4A12A-7E, the governing body when considering the adoption of a redevelopment plan shall review the report of a planning board
and may approve or disprove or change any recommendation by a of a majority of its fully authorized membership. Shall record its minutes. the reasons for not following recommendations. The planning board addressed 17 goals and objectives
set forth in the master plan and made specific findings as to their each in as to each as in its review. Of those 17 goals and objectives, the plan board found that the amended Lamville High School redevelopment plan was consistent
with seven, substantially consistent with five, and inconsistent with five. I will address the board's recommendations for these issues that were found inconsistent, as well as the recommendations for issues that were found substantially consistent.
Inconsistent number one, long-term solutions to problems of parking and traffic congestion. The board found the plan amendment, the board found the plan amendment inconsistent with this goal and recommended a traffic study be conducted at the redevelopment area. The
city accepts this recommendation and will require language be included in any redevelopment agreement that a traffic impact study be produced as a requirement for site plan approval. Number two, preserve and protect environmentally sensitive areas including but not limited to steep
slopes. The board recommends the current steep slope stands in the city's land development ordinance be incorporated into the amended plan. The city finds that the steep slope regulations set forth in the amended plan are sufficient to preserve and to protect the steep
slopes for the following reasons. Number one, portion of the steep slopes that are proposed to be disturbed include man-made steep slopes that would not have existed if not for prior development of the site. Number two, portion of the steep slope disturbance is required to accommodate
both an above ground storm water management BMP that is large enough to control the volume of runoff of both the proposed and existing features around the site and the proposed building that will house the affordable affordable units needed by the city to assist in meeting the affordable housing
obligation. And three, retaining walls are proposed to maximize the reduction in steep slope disturbance. Number three, encourage tree planting and maintenance of existing trees. The amended plan requires shade trees be provided through
the network of streets within the proposed development and further requires planting and maintenance of trees subject to these require to the requirements of the city's shade tree ordinance and the landscaping requirements set forth in the city's land development and zing ordinance. The
city will also discuss a potential contribution to the shade tree trust fund in connection with negotiation and redevelopment agreement. Number four, strive to preserve the natural, scenic, historic, and aesthetic aspects of the community and its environment. The
preservation of steep slopes and bluffs along the perimeter of the Vanderville High School redevelopment area in accordance with the steep slope regulations set forth in the amended plan provides sufficient protections to ensure that the natural, scenic, and aesthetic aspects of the city and its
environment are maintained. Five, promote development of recreational activities for young people. This is a development on private property and therefore the opportunity for public recreation spaces is somewhat limited. The amended plan however adequately provides for conservation
areas that must be restricted to conservation or passive recreation uses. The conceptual plan for the Lambertville High School redevelopment area provides with an area for recreation. In order for any subsequent development, In order for any subsequent development
application to be deemed consistent, the redevelopment plan, this area must be maintained within the development application. Terms of those items that were deemed substantially consistent. One, any new public park areas throughout the city.
The board recommended the creation of public access easements dedicated to public use. This idea explored during this idea explored during preparation of the of the amended plan but was that incorporated based on the configuration and location of the site. City will continue to discuss opportunities for
open public open space through the negotiation of the redevelopment agreement. Two encourage the development of a plan board recommends a reevaluation of the road network within the redevelopment area. As previously noted, traffic
impact study will be required in connection with the site plan approval for the project and the board will have an opportunity to make recommendations and set requirements based on such findings based on appliance that study. This impact study will require will be required prior to the submission of a
develop application such that any required improvements to the city's mobility network are accounted for. Three, encourage cooperative agreements with the county and the Jong municipalities for provisions provision of needed services in the regional area.
The board recommends the city communicate with West Amwell regarding agreements that may be necessary for the provision of basic resources and services in the redevelopment area. The city has in the past entered into agreements with West Amwell for shared public services that benefited both
municipalities and will continue to explore opportunities for the provision of necessary services if and when the need arises. Four, foster regional plan with the joining municipalities to achieve common objectives in a complimentary
competitive manner. The board recommends communication with West and furtherance of this objective. The city recognizes that the redevelopment area is in close proximity to West Hamill and would welcome any communication with West Hamill in connection with the proposed development.
And five, in accordance uh with the ADA, promoting quality equal access for all people to facilities structures throughout the city. The board recommends sidewalk and traffic lights designed for pedestrian safety, particularly for those without vehicles to promote greater connectivity to
greater I'm sorry, to promote connectivity to greater downfill. The amended plan requires sidewalks along both sides of all internal streets. the intersection of Grant Avenue and Corel Roads required to be enhanced with painted crosswalks and signs to facilitate pedestrian safety. City may
also explore further opportunities through the redevelopment agreement and the board will be required to provide further review during site plan application process. The governing body appreciates the board's thorough review of the event plan as well as the recommendations offered, many of which will be considered as the proposed
project of the site continues to go through the regulatory approval process respectfully. So, um, having read that, uh, I'm now going to see if there's anything else I missed here. Uh, yeah, one thing I just have to note before I open it up to the
public. Um so just as a matter of war this will um amend the redevelopment plan for Lville High School in accordance with court order and agreement with fair share. City attorney made some non substantive changes with regards to the planning
board's actions on September 3rd 2025. And so now I'll open this up to the public for comment. Same rules as always three minutes. Please state your name and address and uh good nights.
Hello again. John Towns 14. Um, thank you for appreciation. We do appreciate it. Uh, quick couple of questions. Uh, you spoke of a environmental uh, study that you done on Barn Hill. I just wanted to ask the question, not not make
it sound completely snarky, but what was the environmental impact study uh, on the property behind Clawson's farm? when Idaho hit and the north end of town flooded when it had never flooded before like that except in 1952
and if that is indeed something that we didn't think about maybe want to consider that for the south end of town which floods pretty significantly. Okay. Uh my second point would be um you answered that question regarding
pedestrian safe zones, sidewalks. Uh, I'm assuming that's also going to address the crossing of 179. Either they're going to pay for a elevated pedestrian crosswalk where they're going to put in uh the flashing lights
at their cost, not ours. Uh, again, that's just me guessing. Um, does the uh city redevelopment plan address the groundwater and ground pollution with PAS up on that hill? I know that
we're currently we have uh EPA is currently in works with the the owner of the properties trying to get the inspections done to find out where all that POS is coming from and why we're not
as a body forcing that hand. I know we can't make people on private property do things, but um again, if we're going to pollute the entire rest of the city, not just my hill, or if we're going to stick
low-inccome people on polluted grounds and groundwater, that's going to eventually look bad the city and open you up for lawsuits. Um, and uh, does that redevelopment plan address the dump that is up on that
hill? Again, I know we said there's a dump up there. There is. EPA already admitted it. You guys need to come to grips with that. Until that's addressed, there should be no development up on the hills. There's several lawyers on here.
figure out a legal way to put a stop to it until that's addressed. Anyway, thank you so very much. I do appreciate everything you guys are doing, even though it doesn't sound like I I do, but have a great night. Thanks. Um, there were no environmental
impact studies done, I think, anywhere in the city after I um talk to the engineer about what that even looks like in the but certainly nothing to the cost of property. Um I think it's a good question. Uh at some point, you know, when we as we know
that, uh future, you know, precipitation, uh we're going to see we're likely to see retention basins in Westma that are coming, you know, that are emptying down to that creek uh either fail or or become overburdened. So at some point, you know, these
questions are going to arise in in a larger way about how how water comes down the hill and who's responsible for for maintaining water in which ways something we're going to be talking about a lot in the next uh next little while with respect to this development. Um in terms of uh the traffic, you know,
we've talked a little bit about the Sebastian, all of these things will be decided as part of the process and uh and certainly uh it's I guess it would be an expectation. Well, it's clearly more than an expectation. It's an obligation for the developer to uh
accommodate whatever requirements are, you know, made by DOT with respect to safety on 179 or even with Tom Shill. Um I'm not going to speak to the groundwater pollution. Uh I don't know, Bill, if you have anything else
that you want to say about the environmental stuff, um you know, there is there is an ongoing conversation which I've talked about several times between the DP there trying to get access to the property. Um you know, so I don't know if you have
anything else you want to add. nothing specifically but would be the redevelopment plan required that there's it contemplates the I guess the landfill and um requires remediation prior construction and the redevelopment agreement that the
council will consider in the upcoming months uh will have significant protections to the city with regard to the environment of remediation there. Thank you. Hi, Beth Brian to Hancock Street. I have
a prepared comment for the end of the evening. It does pertain to the redevelopment. Would you like my comment to specifically focus on planning board results or Well, I mean you whenever you want to
this is about the redevelopment plan. He wants to speak twice and we just whenever you feel comfortable once it's in and and with what you just the document that you read to us will that be posted online tomorrow morning which posted on that uh on the city website on the red
development page so it'll be it's been read into the record city already has it as part of the minutes so but it'll be posted tomorrow morning. Okay, great. Thank you very much. And I just want to do a little side shout out to Paul Stevens for being the farthest person away from this meeting and still logging
in. He called in from Hawaii. So, so shout out to Paul. Yeah, I can switch. connection. As the city prepares to move forward with the Cotton Hill project, I respectfully request that we establish
clear safe guards and oversight measures to ensure Khanius adheres to all regulatory, environmental, and procedural requirements. Back in July, I sent an email with a series of questions to the mayor and the council. The mayor quickly responded
that Bill Oel, the city attorney and redevelopment attorney, would provide a response. I have not heard back yet, but thought others in town might be interested in what my questions were. One, I wanted to know, will we be asking Khania to sign a pre-purchase
administrative consent order? Is the redevelopment site in compliance in regard to cleanup timelines? This consent order will bind Khan to the cleanup and the timelines. Two, is the former industrial facility
on the site subject to ISO industrial site recovery act? Three, will KA be required proposed any financial assurance or a remediation source and you kind of address this in your
reading prior to this, but quite what will be getting in return from Khan in exchange such a large development? I have read that many large developments usually include some sort of perk in exchange for the opportunity to build
such as a park. I am wondering if Khob manion could pay for the residents of Henel to be hooked up to city water and I in my email July had asked how you're going to keep us up to date on the site remediation progress and I want to thank you for adding section on the
city website to keep us informed. I was able to review the latest although preliminary D investigation documents online so that and everything in an easy to find place. And one last note, I certainly hope that on top of the sweet
deal that Kh is getting by being allowed to increase their number of units to 200 in order to allow their bottom line to be profitable. I hope that you will not offer them pilot a pilot program too. That would just be a step too far.
Thanks. Um I don't I don't know. I said if I remember your email forward to do you remember those? Yes. Some of the questions aren't answered yet. So but when I when we are able to answer them we can ask them. Um
I go back and look at email to see if there's anything that but I remember when I was premature to provide answers and I figured I had to wait till four minutes was accepted. Well, yeah. I mean, we always want to answer questions as we as we can. Um, and it was my my
mistake for not following up or closing the loop on. I It's probably still in my to-do folder. And I'm sorry that we we didn't get I mean, I got back to you, but honestly don't remember kind of what happened after that. Maybe that we couldn't answer the question, but we couldn't answer the question, but I
should have let you know that. So, thanks for that public setting. any other might be the kind of questions that people are asking. Yeah, absolutely. I have an email say just wait I I'll go back and look at it. I haven't looked at it since it was sent. Okay.
But I recall time. So even if it's still premature let us know I'll get back to you on Friday. Uh Judy Gleon 86 North Union Street. Um, I had a couple of language questions about some of the documentation that has
been created and exists, including documentation that's in the plan that has been approved. Uh, but first I want to ask a question or put out there in the comment about the planning board, the West Danwell communication. Uh, what
was said here was we would welcome the opportunity to talk to them. I hope you would be thinking you would initiate the opportunity to talk with them because welcoming puts it on them. And I think this one is sort of on us at this point to reach out to them and I hope you will do that because
why would we not do that now or at this point? Um second thing having to do with specific language um and I just got this from how it was read but the sidewalks in the development well that doesn't really do a lot of good for all the other areas
where people will be walking in around the area. It's not within the development. I don't have a sense that that's covered in the plan or anything else. And part of the reason I say that is because in the whereas this is in the resolution, but it's also in the plan. I
remember when we looked at the plan, I looked at the plan a month ago or whatever it was. Um their plan the redeveloper proposes develop finance and construct 200 townhouse 40 of which will be reserved
for affordable housing along with associated amenities and improvements related there too. PN collectively the project I don't think those amenities I mean as an attorney myself I would not think
that those amenities and uh improvements are going outside the bounds of the project which I think is not a handy thing for us because I think we are talking as though it does cover outside the project like I don't think
we're 179 it has it prayer but I hope was always better. Um, a traffic study. I'm not sure if they're going to be willing to do anything, but moving on from there and the in the further in the where's from the uh resolution today
that are also in the plan. Um, we will the further amendment to the plan today was changing dates as I recall. It really didn't do anything else. So the plan that I read originally that went to the plan board I think is the plan. Um
then we would negotiate and execute or redevelop an agreement with conditional developer for the project. I don't know who does the negotiation but I know this says the mayor has it within his ability to handle everything that needs to be done in this. I would I think that's not a good idea. I think we need some more
input on the negotiation. Judy, let me just stop it there for a second. You can continue to have your time as soon as I make my comment. We always negotiate together. Everything we do, we do as a group. All right? I I facilitate meetings and communication. I
send emails back and forth. All of this is going to be negotiated and discussed by Counciloman Ditzky, Councilman L, Council President Lambert, Councilman Stegman, myself, and the city attorneys. There's no I in this process. So, I just
want to be very clear about that. Everybody continues to say and imply that I'm driving the bus here. I'm not. We are working as a group on all of this. Please continue. I understand, but I just have read your
statements of I met with a manion 28 times. I met with So I had no ability to talk about it as though it was anybody else besides you from your statement of all the meetings that you had when you said when I got elected, I did this and I did this and I did this. So, a
cautionary fail. I said, "Let's not have this be I. Let's have this be told as involving the correction. It's always been we." Thank you. Please continue. I didn't get that. I said I'm happy to make a correction. I
stand corrected. It's not I. It's always we. Okay. Please go ahead. Um so so the only other thing I want to know what I if you can say and you probably can't but there's a provision for the uh if there's an expiration of
the condition initial period you can you can negotiate an extension. We are very scared about the court. We're very scared about losing this and we're scared about losing that. I don't I don't know for sure if you feel as though if we haven't reached an agreement for both sides, you can
negotiate more time, but I would like to know if you think you can or or more something because this says you can if you don't reach an agreement. My concern is that it hasn't sounded like this for
a while ever since they sued us. So, it would just be reassuring if that were the case. all built a weigh in. But my uh my my stance on this would be as long as the city's acting in good faith and in a reasonable way that we'll be okay.
But that may not be the legal answer. Also, the the order doesn't give a time frame for when a redevelopment agreement has to be just says it has to be negotiated or approved. So the language regarding the extension that was built into the
the resolution was just a safeguard for the city to allow the city to be able to extend it if need arises. Um four it's under 20 days. Four months is usually enough time to four months is usually enough time to negotiate but uh this
complex project and if the city needs more time to go through the project so then we we build that again. Just one more time about the traffic study. Calebian has already agreed to do a traffic study. They agreed to it a long a long time ago. It will be in the
redevelopment agreement. Uh and uh more than likely the city will control who uh is chosen to do that. I can't say definitively, but as we've seen in the planning board uh uh applications, the planning board chooses uh who does the traffic study. I would strongly advocate
that the city has control of that uh decision and uh that uh we're driving driving mustard speak on that. Anyone else in the room? I comment. Yes. Oh, please. There are certain things that are going to be coming into the redevelopment
agreement that may not even be discussed here tonight. So, I think I think during that time, but then certain things I would assume can be discussed with the u with K. The traffic study is a traffic
study. There's also a pedestrian safety element, but it's not in the traffic study. So, I would I would uh in the past we have required that of applicants that have come in at the planning board
level. So it's always something that we can address at that juncture if I am co. [Music] Bridget, would you like to go ahead? Yes. Bridget Coleman, 41 Hancock Street.
I would just like to know how are you going to build homes up on this hill that are going to sell for over $600,000 when we the taxpaying residents of Canot Hill do not have
clean water. Our water smells like rotten eggs. We've had the water filtration systems installed by the spill fund and we still do not have clean water. And I would like to know when you run your water and it smells
like rotten eggs, would you want to drink it? Would you want to take a shower in it? Would you want to use it to cook your food for your family? I just don't understand why this is still an issue. We go to the
state, they point the fingers at the vendor, the vendor's pointing the fingers at the state. Nobody has come up with a solution as to why this is happening. And it's not acceptable. Not one person in the city of
Lambertville does not care about us residents up here who are suffering with this water issue. And we pay taxes. So why would a builder get permission to h to to be put in a pilot program when
we the taxpayers can't even drink clean water? We need help. We need someone to contact D and find out what the resolution is. Um yeah, can I speak to this because um
this Bridget this Karen I've been working with Karen Atwood but this is an ongoing issue that we have been pursuing D with and I noted tonight that the county you know had sent correspondence to Shaun Lerette asking for action I think and I would when we got to that
point I was going to say we need to send a letter I'll write a letter to Sean everybody wants to sign it because they got to resolve about this that and it is it's very accurate. there's a problem with the filters and then you go back to to the filter people and the filter
people say well I think it's problem with the filter but that's a filter the D will pay for DP says oh no it should be working and it's and we have one other issue too where we have like kind of a bit of a st and the folks at the
line folks in the department you know don't have an answer somebody's got to bring it to a resolution up top and and and everyone has called everybody body, but we need to weigh in. You know, the county sent a letter on behalf of West Animal residents. We're good enough to
send our people, too. But you have to we we have got to push you on this because it's it's problem. You know, we thought we had a you know, great everybody's got a poet system and now the poet systems kind of hasn't worked for some people. Got to press them. You know, we we
there's you got to press them because the people at the line don't have a good answer for it. Please Right. Well, that's what I'm here to do. I'm here to press you guys to get some action going here. I mean, we're like a dog chasing our tail up here.
Um, you know, maybe what's the answer? Do we put our taxes into escrow until it's taken care of? I mean, you know, it's unacceptable. And um you know I it's
I just don't understand how you're going to build these you know $600,000 homes when we're still dealing with water. You know that is an essential part of uh our living. And another issue that I have with this
uh building of the the these homes, what about the schools? I mean we're already overcrowded. We just did a referendum. The middle school can't h hold the the student population that it has now. They have um two prek schools that they're
sending to St. John's school from Lambertville public. I mean, what's going to happen when we add 200 more homes? I mean, you know, we spent all this money and all the referendum for uh expanding the schools and there's still
not enough room. And I don't see adding 200 more homes how it's going to be. And I've also checked on the NJA website and our school is ranked last in the state of New Jersey. It is ranked last.
That's all I have to say. Thank you. [Music] Second all please say I great is there further comments or any questions from any council on this ordinance hearing that I ask for motion to adopt
ordinance number 22-25 on second reading. Final second, please. Councilwoman Kaminsky, yes. Council President Lambert, yes. Councilman Live, yes.
Councilman Stegman, yes. Mayelli, yes. Uh, we have correspondences. Councilman noted uh director did send a letter on September 11 to
about the issue specifically about the um the silver scale. Um so I'm not seeing anything back from the D on that just yet. Um there was a letter that was uh the city was coughing on as well to
the mayor West was uh sent to the city on September 15th response to his questions uh and um anybody who lost readers just some answered some basic I think questions
about kind of what the EP is doing um and addressing some of the larger issues there. Um following announcements fest will be held on Saturday October 4th from 1 to 5
parade will be held on Saturday October 18th from 11:30 to 2. Your very own council president Lambert will be a judge. Be wearing I'll be wearing the mask so nobody knows how I voted. I don't want any pet owners mad at me.
I have a quick question just to go back yes one step. Um is it possible to create some some place on our website that can that we can load questions about the the
water problem. uh especially the one about now that there's an odor coming from uh some of the wells that have already been treated something. So if we get if we get some kind of information that's
sharable. Can we post something on our website so anyone up on the hill or down here or on a bus can go on and see what progress the uh EPA Sure. We have a health and safety page on the website um
and we have posted information about um some of these issues to that page. Um and uh certainly we could post these letters there for example. Um and as announcements changes, we obviously uh try to get things into matters every
week. But certainly uh for those of you who were checking the website regularly, yeah, we'll continue to do our best to post uh whatever we can post as correspondence. Fair. Um I'd also just like to clarify what
our um what our action item is regarding contacting D the commissioner. Are we going to is there going to letter write a letter to commissioner? This has gone on and on and on for with with this guy with them and and it would really be
helpful because you know I know the county has but like it would be helpful for us to to do this well because I know that the folks at DP are really trying the line folks and they don't have a good answer and it would really help for them to have you know you know just it
helps to bring it to a head. It's not a bad thing to write them a letter. Just say, "Hey, man, you know, we need an answer." It's going to help them other places with PAS, too. You know, it's like this is like kind of a new thing. You know, they're getting together their
response. You know, this helps them cue it up a little bit more. Here's another problem. be happy to to draft the body of it and you know because figure out how to do that you know it's it really has been and what you know it's been
working up there you know there's a couple of not loose sense and I can't talk about individual owners other problems but this is like the problem the biggest issue because the remedy has you know created problems for for
homeowners but And yeah, I would assume that this communication once it's approved and sent can be added to the what the correspondence on that on that
under that full just just to let we'll we'll run it out and get ready Monday and I'll call the commissioner's office tomorrow. Great. So, I'm gonna ask you to help me
out. So, she probably I'll format it and get it on the letter and we'll get it out. Yeah, you're going to be down by 12, but she's not there tomorrow. Lindsy can do that. Yeah.
All right. And then it would work out so much. I think it's just another way so people will know what we're doing when
we're not on the day to help answer some of the concerns that the residents have already brought to us and just keeps everybody up to date on where it is. So, thank you.
Um, speaking of concerns, I'll probably just mention this. Uh, on Monday, I'm going up to the Heritage Department building to meet with a number of residents about concerns they have in the facility. I did read the letter that they're moving forward with the construction work, but um continue to
have um people in my office and on the phone. And so I'm going up there on Monday to meet with, you know, 20 residents to hear some concerns about uh living conditions with the Heritage Village. I have contacted the president
of CIS back. Um all right, so moving on. Uh electronics recycling Saturday, October 18th at the American Legion event. Um, Brandville Historic Society House Tour. It's on Sunday, October 19th
from 11 to 4. Anybody interested in seeing how mayor looks on tour um Halloween parade, the annual Halloween parade will be held on Sunday, October 26th. The gather at 2:30 at Mary Sheridan Park. Participate in the parade procession ending at Field.
Trick-or-treating is on Friday, October 31st from 6:00 to 8. We're closing again at 5:00 pm. Couple of other announcements and we'll be back participation. Just let everybody know our four settlement conference uh with fair and court being
held on October 1st. The time is to be determined. Habitat for humanity this week. They are working on a draft uh development agreement. We should have the next three to four weeks. um funding against you may or may not know uh the state pulled back $40 million from the affordable
trust fund I think it was in 2025. Um so they will be going out the funding in fiscal year 2026. So um but we have we have plenty of work to keep us busy on that site in the meantime and several delivers that we
have to provide to the court with respect to our four third and fourth round um uh subway agreement. Um we continue to map the storm water sewers. Um had a brief conversation developer of
295 North Maine. um they've met with the D, gotten some um some some information back about the special flood hazard area individual permit. So that continues to move forward. Um demolition of 277 North Union Street
under Blue Acres will be on Tuesday. Um so Blue Acres finished the construction work at Curly Lane today. I was over there. They did the rest of the grading, put some riff wrap. Uh the site over there looks really really really nice now. I'm very pleased with that. So the
demolition if anybody's interested in watching demolition of 277 North Union Street that will begin on Tuesday morning. Uh and I'll note that the the uh really the only thing of architectural significance of the corbals which are coming down and uh which are going to be given to me. There
is a resident in town who has a historic house who was asked for some of those corbals and his house is at the same time period. So, uh, I'll be bringing some of them to his house. Um, and then if anybody knows of anybody else who would like, uh, you know, corbals from the 1873, uh, you know, I'll go out and
take a look at the community. There are some houses that may be interested, um, that that don't have that might like them. So, that's company. Um, the pre-construction meeting for the Church Street repaving um, job is happening on September 24th.
That's all I have to say about announcements. Michelle public comment one more time 33 Wilson Street. Now that the plan's now adopted comes the big work which is going to be dealing with trying to get an agreement.
There's a couple of things that I would suggest. one because the plan doesn't include any of the things from the planning board that thought to be something you're going to need to work to get in. Uh one thing that I was concerned about when made their presentation, they basically wanted to make it like a gated and the
streets were there. The sidewalks are there. The playground was I think that's not I think it's wrong for the community, especially when the community going to the next going to be severely impacted. Uh, as far as traffic studies, we shouldn't have our own. Um, Jersey
will have to allow you to have an independent one because every traffic study I've ever seen has come from a developer. Also, the same thing. Our project won't have a problem, but the next problem project will. I've seen that, you know, for decades because you need to figure out two things there. One
is the amount of cars and traffic coming out of there, but ingress and egress to that area. is probably one of the scariest places in Lamville that I know of. In fact, I one of the Sorry, Beth, but you know, I I a lot of times I leave your house, I go up the hill and turn around at at the dollar store and come
back down. Um but but and then the other one I think is even more important is having to the contamination up there. Um I really strongly believe that the town needs to have their own LSRP to review
whatever plan they're going to be doing. And the reason is very simply that under Israel and U and that with that site especially with with the area of real factor is they're going to come up with a plan. Unfortunately under the LSRP
program the person who does the analysis, the testing, designs the plan, oversees the plan and says that it's been completed and the site is clean works for the property owner. And so as we've seen problems with Coella Park and
it could give you problems with projects with Obanians and Union and New York and Jersey City, I think would be something that you really need to do to safeguard what's happening if there's and going back to what you mentioned about the D. D has to move forward to come on the
property. You know, under the message that they're doing it, they're being nice. They're asking for it. the owner can keep saying no if they make it an area of immediate environmental concern or a spill act or some other they have the ability to go there otherwise they would have to go to court and get court order which also takes time so I think
the more you can the one thing I've known about dealing with 50 years of D is that the towns and the communities and the people who make the most noise tend to get the most response and so I think that's kind of critical and
especially now with an election year and we don't know what's going to happen next here who's going to be commissioner, but now's the time to to move. And then getting back to the whole redevelopment. Um, one of the concerns I have, and this is not a take on anybody, but one of the problems that we will
face as a public is by time we get to see what's in the plan, it's already been decided. And that's why, you know, when I said the whole one of the problems, the whole redevelopment problems and pilots and everything else is that there's no transparency of the public because it's all it all happens, you know, in close session because it's
supposed to happen in close. But unfortunately, that leaves to getting input from the community, not part of it. So, one of the things I would suggest is as we start seeing what they're going to do up there is have the public come in through an informationational center so they can look at whatever you have. I'm not
talking about the stuff you're negotiating over but what people would like to see or whatever so that they feel at least there's a opening to the process and then getting back to pilots you know I'm very concerned about and you know officials in this municipality have suggested in numerous meetings that
we have pilots but I think before you ever think do it you have to understand what it means and when you think of that site 60 market units plus 40 affordable you're probably talking about 106 school age children and it could be more today because more families are, you know,
it's a single mother with two children in a two-bedroom, uh single mother with one child and one bedroom. Uh because the high cost of rents, especially even in portable units, the salaries are not keeping up. Even for the affordable, there's a lot of doubling up and so the amount of children and the amount of
potential traffic can be a lot higher than the real and home. Good. How are you? Hey bird 25 run there. Follow up to the issue of the pulse being installed. U one thing I I
believe we still have a senator and assembly. All right. the more pressure that's added, I may suggest that you reach out to them and say, "Would you please uh communicate with the D to put some pressure on and the governor's
office, whatever needs to be done, it's a problem." All right. I mean, you know, what one of our residents said is like, you know, heartbre to say the very least. The other thing, um, I wanted to comment on the, uh, you approved it. Uh
number 24 uh raising some prices. Okay. And you know you're we for when when it's at the end of somebody's life. All right. Uh you they get a certificate. All right. You give that to them for $25. All right. And if you need
additional copies because you you do all right. It's $2, right? It's a copy, you know, maybe five cents. All right. And a seal. You're increasing that is additional copies. And it's multiple copies, you know, for a lot of people.
All right, you're increasing it 150%. From $2 to $5. All right, just be a little kindness unless we need that money so bad, but that should what we need to do. Think about it.
Thank you. Okay, what else? Anyone else? We have a motion to voice, please. Second, please. And that's fine at the apple,
of course. Um, no, I was looking at the same ordinance that they bur had mentioned. And people have to plan how they're going to spend their money.
And I know when we first did the permanent parking, we put increases or was it the parking meters? We talked about upcoming increases over a period of time, right? So if if we're doing like permit parking
and we're just and we're raising it, you know, $1065, I think the public we should plan on what it's going to be for the next few years and then build that into our ordinance so people who are buying
these, you know, will know that they're going to get, you know, bumps along the way instead of in another x amount of time we decide to make it $80 or something. not lean side budget, but it's it's talked about. So, I would like to build something into this ordinance
that states how long that fee is going to be stationary because it affects everyone with a parking permit in the city who has rent to pay or taxes to pay. These are discretionary parking. These are the parking spaces at city hall and
acne. So, they're not for residential stickers. Oh, this is specific to those two lots. We have we have baked into the residential cigarette program an automatic increase every year. Okay. We do. Is it 10%? I forget. $12.
$12 a year for a full year and I think $9 for the half. But that's only that's only good the ordinance is only good for three years. No. No. That's correct. good until we
can until we imagine until it gets to $1,000. And we last looked at I think 2016 I did this. We did this we did this talk about the ones that people thought correct the ones that we changed today were last changed in 2016. Oh yeah, we haven't changed that.
Correct. Sparking but that the death records that Mr. bird referenced was 2011 was the last time and safety paper goes up and now the state is charging us not they didn't used to charge us you could log on and get credits and things but I mean
the value of everything is going up and I feel terrible for you know that it's increase it for somebody who has passed away um but it's like everything else the price has gone up and you know at
some point we have to to go up as So to to be clear almost you're almost I know the Yankees are winning so I'm not the uh so these permits that were increasing the 65 opera city owned parking lots. So, I
think we should let people know who are parking in the city owned parking lots that they're what the increases are going forward because the residents are buying those and the businesses are are paying for those permits to park in our locks. This is just a one time.
It's one time. It's a one time raise and we'll decide in two or three or five years to raise them again or to not raise them. People come in, we've been telling them that this is proposed and it's on the agenda. um had very little reaction. Doesn't mean
that somebody won't be happy about it, but uh we certainly can. I don't know what we can do through SDL, but we can reach out these spaces and agenda said that people who have lease spaces in city hall acne are lo to give them up,
right? People who live near city hall value those spaces as they never have to worry about street parking, you know, parking. So you you know there's also a bit of a supply and demand thing happening here right to please. Thank you. Thank you for coming.
has not That's