glory to >> very >> good evening. I'll call this meeting to order at 7 o'clock and ask this uh city clerk to read the statement of compliance with the open public meetings act into the record, please. This meeting is being held in compliance with
the open public meetings act with the annual meeting schedule advertised in the legal section of the January 12th, 2026 edition of the Trenton Times distributed to the Hunter County Democrat and posted on the legal page of the city's website at
www.lamberfelenj.org. Take notice that pursuant to public law 2025 C72 the complete text of each legal notice of the city of Lambertville County of 100 in state of New Jersey may be obtained or viewed by the public on the city of Lambertville's official internet
website at httpbackwww.lamillenj.org.org/public /public_notices free of charge. The centralized page of the Secretary of State for the for the up-to-date legal notice may be viewed at www.nj.govstate
backstatewide-leggal-notices-list.shml SHTML. The 2023rd 2026 the April 23rd 2026 meeting notice was an email to department heads the members on the list served and the meeting agenda was posted through the bulletin
board at city hall and the city's website at www.lambertvillej.org. The meeting agenda provides for action items known at time of publication and is subject to change. The meeting is being streamed live and recorded using
the Zoom meeting platform. The mayor just want to note that we've made a couple of changes to our legal notice because of the changes required by the public law. We won't be reading this into every uh meeting, just the voting
sessions. Otherwise, we'll read a a different version. And Bill is laughing at me, >> right? Because you don't need to read every backslash.com slash in the Secretary of State. an undersore. >> You know, I think Bill's agreed to not a
bad idea, >> right? >> I like that idea. >> Can we vote? >> Was that a motion? >> Well, we actually have started the meeting. No, call please.
>> Okay. Just noting that Councilwoman Kaminsky and Council President Lambert are are not here tonight as you see. Present. Councilman Lie >> here. >> Councilman Stegman >> here. >> Mayor N >> here. We do have a quorum. I'll note for the record. I'll also uh just say that
uh we are in the middle of upgrading our facilities here. The microphones are not working. So we will make every effort to speak loudly tonight. Uh hopefully by the next meeting everything will be up and running. Yeah. Fair. So if you can't hear just uh give a wave or something like that. We'll make an effort to speak louder.
Um we'll begin this evening with the pledge of allegiance. Um before we do, I just want to uh offer our moment of silence tonight in honor of uh in memory of Bill Corboy who died earlier this month. Um Bill Corboy was a resident of West Anl for about 60 years. He was a
past commander of the American Legion. He served in the Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a teacher in East Anwell, both a committeeman and a mayor of West Anell. Uh was a property owner here in uh Lambertville and really a very wonderful person. and they got to
know him back at 27 something like that. Uh a very very fine person and our our condolences go to his wife Virginia, his daughter Carrie and her husband Brian Fitting. Jo please for Christ for the second to the flag of Americ
for all. >> Thank you. Please be seated. Uh the approval of the minutes which I am going to um move to the next meeting just so all the council members can can vote on that. That's no issue. I did make a few corrections and I noticed that Lindsay uh accepted them today. So
we'll consider those when we when we're all together again. Um, did the gentleman look at the administrative reports this afternoon or the last couple days? >> Public works come in. >> I did not see it this afternoon.
>> Yeah. Um, I thought he sent it. >> He sent it to me. >> Okay. So, we may have received it and in our craziness this week, not not posted. We'll see that it gets posted.
>> Okay. Thank you. Uh just a couple of notes for the record. Uh the clerk took in $43,000 this uh this month. Uh $25,000 in landlord registrations and $5,000 of short-term rental registrations. Um construction took uh in 44 permits uh with a value of
$53,000. Um so a nice week, a nice month in um construction office. Our hotel uh revenue for last month was $11,264. Um, parking took in $49,000 last month,
another record for uh um February or where are we? A March. Um, and the squad had 42 calls here in Lambertville out of 123 total. Um, so uh is there a motion to accept the uh administrative reports?
>> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I just one other note. I always check to see where Raron Township is on the hotels and they were like around 17,000. We beat them every month, >> but we didn't beat them this month. >> Yeah, we did. >> Where were I? I said 11,000.
>> Oh, 11. So, they were like at 7,000. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> So, take that, Rarin. >> All right. >> Is there any figures on the uh marijuana? >> No, I have not got those. They were ding on the 20th, the checks, and I have not seen them. Sue, did you did we get
checks? We got about 4,000 from Big Beach by the River and uh 19 and change from the other. Okay. Union Shell. >> So 4,000 from roughly 4,000 for Big by the River and 19 plus from Union Shell. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Uh I will now open the meeting up to public participation. Uh you can please step up to the podium where there is no mic. Um state your name, address for the record, please. And you have three minutes of uninterrupted time for any comments or questions. Council may or may not
respond. Anybody call the wish to speak this evening? All right. Uh, anyone online? How many people do we have visiting tonight? >> Four. Welcome onlineers. Glad glad to have you here. Noting that there's no public comment, I
will make a motion to close the public participation period. May I have a second, please? So move second. Sorry. you make a motion back >> once in a while. All in favor, please say I. >> I. Motion carries. All comment is
closed. Uh our first uh matter this evening is ordinance number 10-2026. It's an ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits NJSA4A 4-40 45.14.
Um, this ordinance would increase the budget appropriation limit from 2.5% to 3.5% over the previous year. Uh, and it would bank an unused portion of the increase for up to two years. Um, so we do this every year, right? >> We do that.
>> Um, any questions from council on this? >> I have a motion, please. >> So, second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. Okay. And I would note that this will be uh considered for a second reading and public hearing on June 4th, 2026.
June. Uh next uh we will introduce the 2026 budget. Um the uh budget will be posted to the city's website tomorrow. Um and the hearing for this budget is scheduled on June 4th, 2026.
Just a couple of notes about the budget that I can share with you now. The budget message will be released at some point in the next week or so. Um I'm still working on that. This was a particularly complicated budget this year uh because of the assessment mistake from last year. Uh also, you
know, we were uh working toward um onlineing with the new uh health insurance funds. So, there was a lot of there was a lot of kind of overlap between the the state health benefit funds that we had to sort of work out. Uh also, we're still in negotiations with the PBA uh for the police contract.
Um, so there's a lot of moving parts to this budget and that's part of the reason why we're we're introducing it so late. Um, I'll just note uh so that you're not suspense that the proposed budget totals $8,452,188.98. It's supported by a municipal tax levy
of $4 million 4,744,632. There is a proposed increase of 0.007 for every $100 of assessed value. So we will be going from 0.454 in 2025 to 461 in 2026. The average home is currently assessed
at $473,591. And the proposed budget, if adopted, will increase taxes from 2150 $2,15122 to $2,184.78, approximately $33 a year or less than $9 a quarter. So, those are the basics on
the budget. Uh, and uh, as I said, it'll be posted tomorrow. If anybody has any questions before adoption, please let me know. We're always here to answer your questions. Uh and the the budget message will provide a more detailed uh breakdown of what the drivers of this year budget are. Um so we'll share that
uh as soon as we get it finished. Are there any questions from the council? >> All right. I have a motion to introduce the budget and public hearing scheduled for Thursday, June 4th. >> So move. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I I
>> I Okay. Good. uh resolutions. Tonight, we have a consent agenda. Resolutions on the consent agenda are considered routine and they're usually enacted by one motion. If there's a member of the city council who would like to pull a resolution out or ask a question, uh please let me know and we'll discuss it. We'll remove it and discuss it
separately. If you have a chance to look at resolutions 81 through 90 81 2026 through 94 2026. Any questions? >> No questions. >> All right. Hearing no questions, I would ask for a motion, please. >> So move second. All those in favor,
please say I. I. Thank you. Motion carries. We have adopted uh resolutions number 81-2026 through 94-2026. Next, we'll be uh approving the bills list. Any questions about bills this month? >> We have to pay them.
>> We do have to pay them. >> Would you like to make a motion? Motion. >> Thank you. Second. >> All right. All in favor, please say I. I. >> Thank you. Uh, ordinance is first reading. Ordinance number 08-2026.
This ordinance would amend the Lambertville City Code 2014 chapter 7 to install a handicap parking space in front of 34 Swan Street for the property owners who reside at 38 Swan Street here in the city. Uh, we do this routine and we have u the resident who has a need to
have parking near their house. As long as they've got the placard, we're uh usually pretty amendable to this. Um, are there any questions from the council? Nope. >> All right. Then I would ask for a motion to introduce on first reading with a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th. So move. >> Second.
>> All in favor? I >> I here. >> Ordinance number 09-2026. This is an ordinance of the city of Lambertville reauthorizing the sale of city-owned property no longer necessary for a public purpose and establishing
the procedures therefore concerning block 1070, lot 13 on the tax maps of the city. more commonly known as 150 Swan Street. 150 Swan Street to Cornelius Fleming over there. So many backslash back.
>> That's so easy. >> Um so uh we tried to sell this property back in 2023 using Maxpan Real Estate. There was no interest. Um we subsequently contacted um uh one of the adjacent property owners who had no
interest. Um and then uh recently the the adjoining property owner Cornelius Fleming uh approached the city and was interested in purchasing it. So the city is interested in potentially selling this parcel to Mr. Fleming for the assessed value of the parcel which is $8,500.
Um and I will note that the parcel does have two storm water conveyance systems on them. U Mr. Fleming has uh agreed to um an access agreement with the city to make sure that we can maintain those uh in good order. Um they're important they're important outfalls um to the
city that drain two of the two of the major drains from from from uh Cottage Hill. Any questions from C? >> This is the property to the right of the property that has a foundation in >> this is if you're if you're looking
north on Swan Street. Yes. The property is between the property with the foundations and flies. It's called corn for the record. >> Um is the access is that permanent? >> Yes. >> Okay.
Written into the deed. Correct. >> Bill is there. >> Thank you. Um, so I would ask for a motion to introduce on first reading ordinance number 9-2026 with a um 20 >> public hearing scheduled for May 20,
2026. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Ordinances second reading. First ordinance for second reading is ordinance number five-2026. This ordinance of the city of Lambertville would authorize the sale of
city-owned real property. no longer necessary for public purchase, public purpose, and establishing the procedures therefore concerning block 1002, lot 41.01 on the 10th steps of the city, more commonly known as portion of the
property located at 262 North Main Street to Fisherman's Mark. Um, so we've talked about this a lot over the last several years. Um, should not come as a surprise to anyone. Um, so what I'm going to do here is open the public hearing for ordinance number 05-2026 and
ask for any public comment. >> Is there anyone online? >> Okay. Um, someone make a motion to close the public hearing for ordinance number 25 05-2026. So move. >> Second. >> All in favor of closing the public hearing, please say I.
>> Okay. Uh, any further questions or comments from the council? Thank you, >> Councilman. All right. I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 05-2026 on second reading granting final approval.
>> So move. >> Second. >> All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Any. >> I. Good. We're very happy about this. I'm very I should just say I should always say I instead of we. Um and looking forward to executing the sale very soon.
>> Thank you. We're excited too. Um following that will be uh a resolution number 95-2026. This resolution of the city of Lambertville, county of Hunter, New Jersey, uh designating a re redeveloper
for property commonly known as block 102 lot 41.01 on the tax maps of the city and authorizing execution of the redevelopment agreement. So this follows that and uh there any questions about that?
motion, please. >> Motion second. All in favor. >> All in favor of adopting resolution number 95-2026, please say I. >> I. >> I. The motion carries. Thank you.
Next is ordinance number 06-2026. This is an ordinance to amend the Lambertville City Code 2014 chapter 2 administrative code and all other references of a police director to include the um so this is something that we're
talking about. This will give the the city the flexibility in the hiring of an officer in charge of the police department. Um I'm going to open this up for the public if anybody wishes to speak on this ordinance. Uh now's the time. Okay. Anyone online?
All right. Seeing none, I will ask for a motiv public hearing on ordinance 062026. So move. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Uh, and is there any comment or question on the ordinance itself? >> Uh, no question. No, I'm glad we move
forward. >> Yeah. I will note that uh the last time we had a police chief was in 1996, 30 years ago. >> So I think we need one. Um, so I would ask for a motion to adopt ordinance number 06 2026 on second reading granting final approval. So
move. >> All in favor? >> I I Okay, motion carries. And uh further to that we have resolution number 96-2026. This is a resolution to Robert Brown serve as the chief of police.
>> Anybody want to make a move? >> I'm happy to make a motion. >> I'm happy to second it. >> I'm happy to call for a vote. All in favor? >> I I >> All right, we're done. Chief >> there will be a a public swearing in
>> public maybe. Who knows? Anyway, congratul Um, so moving on to ordinance number 07-2026. This is an ordinance to amend the Lambertville City Code 2014 chapter 16
cannabis section 16 through 12, the maximum number of permits. Uh, this uh, ordinance will decrease the number of permitted class 5 licenses from four to three in the city. Is there anybody in the public who wishes to speak to this ordinance?
If you could step up to the mic and state your name, address. >> No, just wanted the council to know that there was uh there's another competing um concept for say your name and your
address, please. >> That's okay. Just just for the record. >> Yeah. Latino was involved. And um I just wanted the council to know that there was another uh bid on the
property that uh uh is in question that um the purpose of the proposal was to make an art and design center in Lambertel and uh and that we felt that there was a
enough interest in um building an artistic uh creative community and that uh the uh our proposal was second to the G cannabis proposal and that uh we would
just like the council to know that there was another usage in uh that we would be discussing with the owner of the property and uh don't know that that has any bearing but uh I just
wanted to know that there was another uh another opportunity to develop the property for the benefit of the community. >> Well, is there anything that needs to be said? >> Is there anyone else wishes to make a comment?
>> Thank you. Anyone online? >> All right. Uh I'm going to make a motion to close the public comment period of ordinance number 7-2026. May I have a second, please? >> Second. All those in favor of closing comment.
>> Okay. Any conversation from the council on this? Nothing more available with some report. >> Okay. Great. Um well, in that case, I'll make the motion to adopt ordinance number 7-2026 on second reading, granting final approval. Uh is there a second? >> Second.
>> Okay. All those in favor of uh adopting ordinance number uh 72026 on second reading granting final approval, please say I. I. I. >> Thank you. Um, correspondence is something from the township of Delaware. Notice a pending
ordinance to modify restrictions on the allowable size and setbacks of accessory buildings. Um, ongoing projects. Um, I don't have any specific updates. I'll just note that uh, uh, Violia is still working uh on the water main line on South Franklin
Street. Um, and um, that's really the only thing. Am I missing anything? I don't think so. >> Um, while you're while we're talking about that project, if you could ask them to come back and do something about the temporary patch
at the bottom of Swan Street. >> Uh, you have to tell me where that is specifically. Is it section? >> There's a male in the center of the street. >> Okay. >> And it's it's a challenge to
get up the hill, especially with a car coming down. >> Okay. to avoid the I think just a little sinkhole when they went around. >> Okay. Yeah. >> You know where I mean where they were building the intersection.
They had a big hole. Yeah. >> Okay. >> But yeah, we take care of money. It's it sinks down there compacted. Okay. >> And I'll have to do a temporary patching. It'll probably sit more in the next couple months. So they'll keep on telling all >> Oh, right. Okay. I know it was a
temporary thing on it. It's let's talk about we'll get a picture tomorrow. >> All right. Um couple of announcements. Shadfest this weekend. Locals night is tomorrow evening um from 4 to 9 in the North
Union Street parking lot. And I'll uh just say that uh initially we had agreed to close North Union Street off between Bridge and Church. Um the chamber has uh has changed that and so that street will be open so the businesses um can can
operate fully uh and there's parking. >> When is that? >> Tomorrow night, >> right? >> Okay. So not closing the street. >> Not closing the street, just the parking lot. >> Okay. >> Um and then of course uh the festival is on Saturday, all day Saturday and all day Sunday from 11 to 5. So we'll see
about there. Um, mayor, I would just put on the record, I really enjoyed the fact they closed the street last year. Um, I know the chamber had talked to a lot of the business uh people in the area, so maybe they can reconsider that for next year, too. It was really nice deal to have, but I thought it was a great idea.
>> Yeah, you know, we uh >> we approved it. >> We did approve it and uh it was predicated on some conversations with the restaurants in particular. Um the restaurants supported it um the two restaurants and uh so they moved forward. Um and there this was this
reconsideration happened as a result of one or two other businesses on that block who reached out to me and who reached out to the chamber and the chamber decided that uh uh that it was in the best interests of the block to uh to to to not move forward with that street closure.
>> Okay, can we just make it one kid? Um, all right. Uh, is there anyone from the public who would like to speak uh for the second public participation? >> I want to say something for Okay, I'll make anybody online. >> I'll be quiet. >> All right, I'll make a motion to close
the public participation period. Do I have a second? Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> And uh the next step is a motion to adjurnn. Salute. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> 25 minutes. What's going on here?
Go ahead and help people who see me. Okay.