Yeah, >> he wants meeting of the Lawrence Township Council now. Welcome everyone. I glad to see you so many people here. Um hopefully we all have a good conversation today. Um let
me get into the statement on proper notice. Adequate notice of this special meeting of the Lawrence Township Council being held on Monday, June 8th, 2026 was forwarded to the Trentonian the packet and the township website on May 29th, 2026 by the municipal court. Um, so may we have the inspiration and pledge
allegiance. May we carry out our work at this meeting in a just, honorable, and sincere manner, always bearing in mind our duties and continuing to keep Lawrence a wonderful community in which to live. To the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Miss Farmer is here. Miss Julia here.
Mr. Kassi >> here, >> Miss Sanche >> here. Welcome everyone. Uh the purpose of this meeting um been a little confused by some but um the purpose of this meeting is really to hear from the public again one more time before we
finalize the RFP. As many of us are well aware community center um what was it? It was back in uh August 20 2024 when um the manager put out an idea that it was going to become a recreation center and
we heard the community responded to that. We heard you loud and clear and then uh Patric uh Councilwoman Farmer then Mayor Farmer put together a um a task force uh that started in December 2024. We had a community conversation in
May of 2025 and a report was given to us in 20 in September of 2025. And so since then we've been sort of um went through RER, we've done the budget, we've done a few other things. Um and now we're really focused on this RFP and we really
want to get it right. Um so um great night. So let me let me read a little statement um just to also set the tone for what what this is about. Um, tonight's special meeting has two primary purposes. To provide members of the public with the final opportunity to share their views regarding the future
use of the facility and to allow the five members of town council to discuss in public their perspectives regarding the facility's future use and the essential elements that should be incorporated into the request for proposals RFP that is expected to be finalized and considered for adoption at
an upcoming regular council meeting. The RFP document itself remains in draft form and has been distributed only to the elected officials and their for their review and comment. This draft is not being distributed for public review or revision at this time to maintain the integrity of the public procurement
process and ensure compliance with applicable New Jersey public contracting and bidding principles. Because the township intends to solicit proposals through a fair and open process, it is important that terms and conditions of the RP not be shaped through the participation of individuals or organizations that may ultimately submit
proposals, seek to partner with the proposer, or otherwise have an interest in the use of the facility. Allowing prospective users of the facility or their representatives and supporters to participate in drafting or influencing the specific terms of the RFP could create the appearance of favoritism.
Providing certain parties with an unfair advantage and expose the township to challenges regarding the fairness and legality of the procurement process. Accordingly, the purpose of tonight's meeting is to receive public input on the facility's overall use and to allow the governing body to discuss publicly
the policy considerations that will guide the final preparation of the RFP. The drafting and finalization of the procurement document itself will remain the responsibility of the township and its professional staff and adviserss. The RFP will be made available to the public in the agenda for an upcoming regularly scheduled council meeting on
which it will be voting. Um, and so with that, um, trust you all financially tonight, so I won't >> Mr. I just want to add that to make it clear that there'll be no voting.
There'll be no decisions made tonight. This is a a chance and opportunity for the residents, the citizens to express whatever thoughts they have as to what should or shouldn't be included in the RFP. The RFP is not completed. It's a
working document and um this this is a special meeting that will not uh at which no formal action will be taken. >> Thank you, Mr. I I will include um two things about public comment. Uh just um
section 10:22 manner addressing council. This is from our township code. A person may address the council upon recognition by the chair. A person addressing council shall step up to the microphone, give their name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record have the right to address the council without limitation with what I think
were we going to say five minutes for today. >> That's what we normally allow. >> Five minutes. Um, let me start up. The purpose of public comment period is for members of the public to inform the governing body of their views. This time is an opportunity for town council to listen with care to
the public and consider what we hear in our deliberations. It's not a time for back and forth dialogue as it can be difficult for us to get back responses on critical and complex issues on the spot. Rather, one can call or email members council manager or clerk seeking additional information or response to an issue. Uh then 10 10:22 person first may
address the council upon recognition by chair person addressing the council shall write down their name and address in the signin sheet step up to the microphone give their name and audible tone of voice for the record shall the right to address the council for 5 minutes tonight. No person having the floor shall be permitted to enter into any discussion either directly or through a member of council without the
permission of the chair. No question shall be asked of council person except through the chair and decorum at meetings. Any person making impertinent or slanderous remarks or if he shall become boisterous while addressing the council shall forth be barred from further audience before council by the presiding officer unless permission to continue or again address the council
shall be granted by majority of council. Right. So with that, who wants to come in first? Welcome. >> I'm not welcome. >> I'm happy to see >> I
and I I really think my name is Fred Bane, Junior, 26 Fred Bane, Junior Road, Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Um, I signed in already. Uh, and I I since this is a special
meeting, I I think the five minutes should be waved because I don't intend to go over five minutes, but I I I I really think since this is a special meeting that if someone goes over five minutes, I I think it's it's
they should should be able to do that. Uh this is not the first time that the community center has set idle. The first time it it
let me get my basket on. I'm I'm gentlemen. I really don't get ladies. I really don't get irritated, but I'm I'm I'm irritated tonight simply because um every time
black folks fight for something in this township and we're successful at it, we've done everything that we've done has been successful not only for families but for Lawrence Township as a whole.
And you you look at the things that we've done in Edgar's causing that black community. Look at the things we've done with the cooperation of of other people in throughout the town. Not only have we benefited families and their children, but we have benefited
Lawrence Township also. We've made large TOWNSHIP we made Lawrence Township better a better place. You need to think about that. You know, it
it it it bothers me that we we're we're still fighting for a neighborhood center. We're still fighting for it and and we're the ones who who made it. This is not the first time the community center has set idle. The first time it
was it was settled because the council administration and the community was on the same page. They wanted it to happen. and through the years the factual evidence of the positive changes it has
made on the life and families and their children, the community of Vegas Crossing and the community of Lawrence Township. What was that little bit of history I want to share with you? During the construction of the neighborhood center,
what it was called then, in the early 1970s, the contractor had gotten the cinder blocks up to the second floor level and then stopped work. We were later notified that he had filed
for bankruptcy. The center sat idle as the present center has for the past two years. for many months with weeds growing all around it.
The then manager Barry Evans and I traveled to the HUD office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to discuss and explain our situation so that they would release the federal funds necessary to complete the construction
of the building. The manager explained how Lawrence Township and Mercy County was working together to complete construction of the center. I give you this little bit of history
because then the council administration was working for and with the community, not what's happening in today's comment. I guess if you have to live I guess you have to live in the right neighborhood,
speak the right English language or be of the right color before you are recognized. Now we have to have a special meeting to provide the public with the final say. How many times do you want to hear from
the public? The governing body has had the task force report for almost a year. What will the next special meeting be? >> Thank you. My name is Kelly Gi 226
Avenue. I want to say from with my five minutes that I am uh uh representing unofficially uh young folks from Lawrence Township. Last night I attended the gentleman's ball in the city of Trenton
sponsored by the Urban League and I was very surprised to learn when I got there there were several gentlemen and their escorts from Lawrence High School. Many of the kids you would recognize when if they walked into this very room. I'm
speaking for them cuz I'm oldhead. I'm, you know, my uh my youth is behind me, but my fire is right in the room. >> And I joined with my brother Fred Marine in the disgust and the anger that I feel
that I have to come up here and fight with people that I've helped in many instances to elect >> and to stand here and know that I have to battle with you to get you to do the right thing. Well, if we if it if it
takes more if it takes more control as the congressman as Congressman John Lewis said, then so be it. >> The delay uh perplexes me. I just don't understand what the delay is about. Some of you know that I've been involved in uh government for over 46 years, 20 of
it in the county of of Mercer. And I understand the RFP process and I didn't run it, but I know what what it took. doesn't take this long. Doesn't take this long. And I don't know what what the problem is. Uh there may be some differences of opinion or whatnot, but
the but the process should be more fluid than it is. And I don't understand what the delay is about. We don't have a political battle because everybody on this board is a Democrat. So it's not it's these versus ours. It's
not the garbage that we have going on in that despicable place called Washington DC. So I don't understand what why we cannot come together as one and get this thing moving. And Fred Marines I cannot improve on what he
said. It's it's very clear. It's very clear whenever there is an issue on the table when everything is equal when everything seems to be on keel the one issue that seems to always cloud public
discussion is the issue of race >> and people can deny it and I cannot be convinced but race is always on the issue is always an issue on the table >> and it goes and and not only is it the neighborhood center I can go back in
history to the to the the illustrious Central Park and old time Lawrence people will know that that was not the original name of the park. >> Central Park was called Edgar's Crossing
Park. >> It was called Ed's Crossing Park. That's what the name was. and the right-minded elected officials decided >> that carries a connotation >> that makes people feel uncomfortable
>> and so they changed it to Central Park. People in the audience that that have been here, they know I speak the truth. I speak the truth and if it's embarrassing, that's tough. You took the oath of office. This goes with the turf. I want to say also that this is not a um
while there are emotions and while we can be animated I I wanted to be clear that this is not a a matter of friendship. It's this is not about friendship. It's about public service. It's about elected officials being responsive to
the needs of taxpayers because none of us are getting a rebate on our property taxes. None of us whether we're homes are paid or not, we pay our taxes and this is the body that is is has been empowered to provide the services that we that we need that we demand that that
we require. It's about your duty. Tuesday's election showed people in Mercer County that change can take place very quickly.
Fred Reine has told that story before. He has told that story before about how change can take place when the governing body is not responsive. So, my issue is we have five council
people that need to tell us what they think about uh the or what is their plan, what they think about how we're going to change or how we're going to revive or whatever we're going to do with the neighborhood center. We want to
know what you think. >> Council, is it all right if we go over five minutes? Yes. Right. >> I don't think I've done so because >> so continue. >> All right. Well, my my point is that I uh
I believe that change is good, especially when you are not uh if you if you're if you're not being heard, you're being heard and you're not being taken seriously. And that's the way I feel now, the latter, that we're not being
taken seriously. It's been stated repeatedly. And it's not just I'm not dropping this exclusively at the doorstep of Fred Green. He's not the only one saying the same being said by people across the county. The the council needs to listen to us
and they need to act affirmatively. And I'm not directing this at at the uh at the manager. We didn't elect the manager. you hired him. I'm talking about the people that we elected. You are accountable to us >> and we want action and we want it now.
>> And we we think this process is heavy laden. It's too slow. I I'm not sure what's going on with behind the scenes, but this pimple needs to be popped. Thank you. All right.
>> Good evening. >> Welcome 175 Johnson Avenue, Eching. I have lived 90% of my life in Edgar's Crossing, Eldidge Park, whatever.
Crossing is my home and I benefited by the center all my life. As a young adult, as a kid, as a teenager, my first job, going to camp,
being led by this great group of elders who taught us more than just everyday things. They taught us how to live, how to be good people, how to be strong. That's why I'm standing here right now because I have grandchildren
and I want them to know what it's like to be in such a community to have somewhere to go. That was our safe place. I don't think my granddaughter who's nine has ever even been inside the community center for what there was.
So I I I just wanted to be heard and to say what next because I was at the task force meeting like a year and a half ago and so I'm wondering what next. >> This is something we need. This is
something we've been proud of for ever. >> I just need to say that. Good evening everybody. >> My name is Toan Austin Butler 49 Alam Mar Road, New Jersey. Um, so I'm a
product of Mr. Marine grew up right Alamar right there Jason what was one Chevrolet now honorably Mr. range, right? That is something I admire to have one day. Um, Miss Carlos ran the Miss Carlos
Hendrick ran the um center when I was going there as an after school program. Um, also you group and stuff like that. So, I've been going through the center since um preschool. They were a preschool program. My older sister went to preschool there and we've been in the
center my entire life. Um, as of high school, I don't remember. I graduated Lawrence High School in 2009. So, since then, I don't remember anything going on for the youth. Um, so we're talking two years. I don't I believe I think it's been a longer time that you haven't been
serving us. Um, because I have a child who's now 14. He's never seen the center um only through Homeront. And um Homeront's been doing great work um in order for me to give back to my community and feel like I was giving back to my direct community. Edgar
Carlson. I worked for home front and um I did great work there for the past I worked there for about five or so years through Cam Mercer and all the other things. Talking about first job, first job, my first job through Miss Chantel. Um oh she
so that was my first job I was a CIT a counselor in training till this day I worked in education. Thanks that was my first experience. So, it's I just feel real passionate about um the youth and the OGs standing up for me because as that I'm here for
the ones that's coming under me. So, I'm right in between there. Um so, I get super passionate and what I think we should just strongly consider when it comes to anything when it comes to community center, you start with the youth just like they did. And there was so much going on for us and and it made
me the person I am today and want to continue to give back to the same community according to me. Um so and folks looking like me, you know, and I think more representation needs to be had in that way and this was our space to do that and um we welcome everyone,
right? Like we show no one, >> you know what I mean? So, I think that's what that's that's the focus here is to make sure that whatever we decide to do, it has to do with the youth. Um, I have, like I said, I have a 14-year-old son, never seen the center, never been in one program there for him like it was for
me, right? Like I went to youth group there. When I finally 10th grade, I had a girlfriend, I brought her to youth, you know what I mean? Like that's what happened. Like that was that was the space to do it. And I think there needs to be opportunities like that for us to
just convene like if we see there's team takeovers going on outside right now and what what are we doing to to fix that problem to make sure those aren't pouring into our own communities, right? And the only way to do that is to create programs and outlets for them. And I
would say start with um like literally don't a lot of folks do like preschool and after school program for students up to eighth grade and you forget about the students who are in 9th through 12th grade because you think they should get a job. They know better. They're bored after school program. But no, they need
like structured and tailor activities that's guided to their career and they don't want to learn what they can learn in middle school. We have to learn to do career exploration, college prep, trade schools, right? stuff like that to help them and so they're not running around your community now being a nuisance,
right? So, you have to set their life up for success and and make it relatable. School students, it's hard to find your career just by sitting in a math class. You have to do things after school to enhance what you learned in school to make it connect to real life
experiences. And I think that's if you do anything, you have you must focus on the youth and especially ages ninth grade to senior year and early college, right? Like cuz those are the early career folks and those are the folks that we're going to be voting for
and cutting your focus one day. So I think it's it would be remiss of you not to focus on someone else that could honestly be you one day. You know what I mean? And doing the right thing just like you guys are. So I think that's just the focus. Focus on the youngans. focus on you. Focus on um people that
one day want to be on your seat. And again, I'm proud of the folks that are out here. And I I thank you all. >> Who wants to come up next or follow him? >> Welcome to And I will add my address afterwards. Martha Friend 976 Road. It's
all about the youth, right? We heard that as a member of the task force. Every single person comments, we're all about the youth. You've heard that. But really, um, I just want to say two things. I don't really know what the agenda is because I think most people are saying, "We'd love to hear what you your conversation." And would there be
opportunity for public comment after if we kind of break and let you have a conversation because we heard that was part of this? >> I it would be up to council. Well, the the agenda right now is that there's public participation and then the council would discuss
>> and then no more time to come back in. I see. Okay. All right. So, um then I'll just say here's my example of youth. Yesterday it's getting dark pulling into my driveway and I see some teenagers. I don't know if they were high school but could have been. And they're walking on
the sidewalk and then they head down my neighbor's driveway and they're looking around. So, I get out of my car and say, "Guys, are you looking for you lost dog or something?" One of them said, "Yeah, lost dog." The other one said, "You don't have a lost dog. We're looking for bunnies." You're looking for bunnies. I
want to catch a bunny. Don't catch wild bunnies. Anyway, all that to say, we need a place for kids to bunnies. So, I would love to be quiet and just hear what you have to say. I'll sign afterwards. Uh my name is
William B. Holmes Senior >> and I reside at 47 Avenue, Lawrence Township. I'm exasperated and I'm bothered about one thing. I cannot understand why
it has taken this particular entity to determine how we're going to go about reopening that building which was a viable entity at one time and had some dynamic programs coming out of that
building. And let's not be confused that it's strictly going to be for Edgar's Crossing because that's a building that can be utilized by the entire community. So think about that. Let's get that building back to a usable
facility. And also I want to mention too that at one time we had a federal credit union in that building which I started and served as the first president.
I also want to say that that building was dedicated to Douglas Dickerson, a young man that lost his life in Vietnam. I don't see any prominent sign outside
that building or inside the building that designates that the building is dedicated to Douglas Dickerson. So if nothing, let's get that earmarked again and let it be known. But
please don't continue to do nothing about that building because I really want to know what the difficulty is in establishing a community facility. The other communities facilities in other
towns just in other cities, they didn't seem to have a difficulty in getting a building started. And here we have a building that's already existing. So come on, man. Let's let's get this thing together so that we don't have to come back here again and ask you
specifically why is it taking so long? Because requests for proposals don't take that long. I put them together myself at one time. So, let's not get bogged down in that. So, come on. Let's let's get this thing started
and not let it be laying sitting there doing nothing. I know you've been up and down the other way, so come on up now. I'll call you. Thank you. >> Yes, that's completely okay. I'd like to
uh speak to Mr. Holmes, senior. Um uh I had had his child his son is a student of mine and known him for many years. Son is a fine fine student and uh
one of the fine young man that I still know today. Um and influenced very much by his father and and William Holmes senior said something I thought was really important. It's not just for one
group of people. Everybody has agreed. We know that the people who have been running the recreation department have done a fantastic job. I was a coach for the recreation department. I coached girls softball >> for couple of years and I worked with
the Hammets soccer league for years. Uh fourth of July tournaments were a regular thing for us. So I understand the commitment that that takes. This is not about community center or recreation center. This is about everybody. This is about
collaboration about us working together. Um the idea that this center was ever for one group of people is a myth. I have two sons. Both of them played at the community
center regularly while they were in school. One of them's here tonight. It's >> true. point there >> and the other one's out playing games that he learned at the community center as an adult. Uh so this is the task
force got this from the community. The the community center needs to be for everybody. We don't ever think we want to exclude anybody but we can collaborate. We can work together. we can build a stronger
community center if we build it with the community, not for the community. And so I encourage you to think about that moving forward and uh want to thank Mr. Holmes for his comments about including everybody in this because I think that
that was very pertinent. Also, I'd like to direct everybody's attention to the gazette. Did you see it? uh community activist receives Martin Luther King Jr. Award. Congratulations, Mr. MARINE.
written by the Stanford University professor Lauron Martin on the childhood the childhood which is what we're talking about of Martin Luther King and how his childhood create the icon that we know as the legendary
king would be inappropriate for me to provide books for council >> inappropriate we don't we We are donating books to schools, libraries, churches and uh and and
groups that I would be very very proud to be able to provide books for council public property >> public property a great learning experience. I read the book fantastic book uh and Dr. Martin uh handles all
the letters from Martin Luther King at Stanford University and he was the keynote speaker at Mr. Marine's ceremony. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. Welcome to and after. My name is Elizabeth Fergus 15 Carson Road and I'd
like to say I think it is so important that we're thinking about our children and youth. Um for my day job I work at the Lville School and I'm the director of community service and for many many years I drove a bus bringing our students to the community center or students from the community center to
our campus. So he's I'm very familiar in the center that way for my work. Um, I would say also I'm on the board of the Lawrence Township Community Foundation which helps support the event and give you guys books. Um, and there's oftentimes when we're saying where can we have our awards celebrations and we
are donating to our local nonprofits and I think the community center is a great place for that. Um, but personally um, one of the most impactful I would say moments for me at the community center was we used to have and perhaps it was somewhere else this past Thanksgiving
but we'd have a interfaith service >> um during the week of Thanksgiving and as a person of faith and as someone who cares about people of other faiths as well, I think it's a very important time for us to come together as a community
to share our gratitude um for what we have, the blessings that we have and for this community. And it's rare that we're able to come together, I would say, represent the diversity of our community. Um, but often these faith these services are really important and
so I just want to say I was really grateful for the community center to be available for those types of events as well. So um, as an adult I look forward to the community center being opened for all people. Thank you. My name is Jeremy Ryan. I
live at 2J Lane. And um I just wanted to remind council something that I found um particularly potent in the findings from the task force and included in that report as you're considering the framing of the RFP. I think one of the things
that I've heard everyone talk about tonight is how the space should be uh supportive of the youth of our township and of the entire community. And that's important. How do you do that? I think
you do that by putting forth an RFP that provides continuous solicitation of input from the community. So it's not just about finding someone who can fulfill the RFP and be the administrator of that facility, but it's finding and
calibrating the mechanism of which the community will in an ongoing fashion have input into the programming of that facility and then uh by doing that I I believe that the administrator will be able to better manage expectations,
communicate transparently and also uh solicit input for ongoing programming. It's just so important to get it right, not just that launch, but in an ongoing fashion. So, I hope that you'll you'll think about those recommendations as you uh work through the RPA. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Good evening. Welcome. I'm Gary Mackenoff. I represent Bankers Crossing Village Lawrence Nonprofit Housing Inc. Um, as most of you know, probably all of you know, Lawrence Nonprofit Housing, Inc. has been providing quality,
affordable housing gear to hundreds and hundreds of families for more than 50 years. Pretty good track record. Um, I wanted to reiterate on behalf of Lawrence nonprofit housing 8 that they fully support the task force plan and
not necessarily with every specific but with regard to the general concept. The concept has been stated a lot better than I can state it in that what they're looking for is a community to have voice and the operation and the program from the center. It's fully recognized the
township owns the property. Township is going to be ultimately control of the property. What they're looking for is an ongoing voice as the last J mentioned over time. The community can not only have an ongoing voice and suggestions of what could happen there should happen there but perhaps even more importantly
the resources that these community groups can bring to the center. And I think one very poignant example just one there's a lot more of them that other folks can come up with is that over the years large nonprofit housing game every child valued and the public schools and
other organizations in the township have brought programs for new afterchool programs preschool programs etc. Since right before the center was shut down there was a program for kids in the intermediate school for after school programs. those kids haven't had that
program. And once again, it's not just for the kids at Crossing. It's for people throughout the township. Everybody recognizes township facility. It's for everybody in the township. And that through involving those community groups in a meaningful way that this
could be a really revitalized beautiful center which represents the township in a wonderful way integrating different parts of the community into the center for different resources and in the interest of monetary considerations. I think by involving
some of these community groups such as those nonprofit housing child valued public school system, the township doesn't have to provide everyday all the time supervision. They can find ways to to lease out the property to involve the
community groups in the property in a way that will be meaningful, doesn't cost the township more money to have full-time staff at the center. So, we support it. Um, I understand the frustration with the folks from the community. It's been a long time. It's been two years since it's closed. And I
think there's three or that everybody can agree upon. I haven't heard any opposition for it. That the center should be repaired. It should be reopened and revitalized. And I think everybody's anxious to hear what the township council has to say about what can be done to help move that that
direction. Thank you. Lisa Austin, 49 Alamar Road. Um, so much to say, but you know, first of all, um, I'm a prodigy of, um, that crossing community, um, the neighborhood center, um, ever since I was a child
starting, I think Mr. Viddle was my first, if those remember Mr. Bill, um, he was the first black Santa Claus I saw. Um, we had Christmas, we had games. I mean, it was a place to come. I mean, I think I was there more than I was at my house. Um, it was such an amazing
place, amazing atmosphere. My best friend, um, we've known each other since, I don't know, three, four, forever. Um, you know, and just looking out, Mr. Marine, my neighbor, Mr. Ganes, he doesn't know. I was just going to call him O'Brien, his son. Um, all all,
you know, Shantel, all my neighbors, I see him, you know, and Mr. Woolly was my um intermediate and I I hear what people are saying that inclusivity I hear that you know it's open to everyone and it absolutely is but we really still have to take a look at where the climate of where this country is with black people
>> and Lawrence has even I have a a seven-year-old now who attends the same elementary school I went to Lawrence Elementary and she comes home she's very bright she said grandma I still don't feel I don't feel celebrated >> if I and and and I thank for you, Mr.
Wy, because you celebrated me >> in school, but everyone didn't. I had everyone wasn't like you >> and it's still not like that. I want to make sure that the kids, you know, yes, it should be open to everyone, but I don't want it to become whitewashed. I'm
sorry. It needs to be for everyone. And we cannot forget the community that started it. We cannot um forget the the kids who are disenfranchised even in schools yet. And we don't think about it because, you know, I remember sitting on a board
meeting one day and I remember I won't say her name, but she had blonde hair, blue eyes, and she could not understand for the life of us why we wanted black teachers, why our kids needed to see representation. Now, mind you, I went to Lawrence Elementary School all the way through Lawrence High. I am a product of
this town. My best friends were black and white. My daughters were actually named after my oldest best friend. So I am truly a I love I love diversity. I'm a director in pharmaceutical. My team looks like everyone and I celebrate them all. No one gets different treatment.
But what I'm saying here, we cannot forget there is the kids are being disenfranchised. Books, thank you for the books, but people don't even want books to be read anymore. >> I don't want that to be the story here. I hear where everyone, you know, with someone people are coming back and
saying, "Oh, well, we want to for everyone." I I know what that means. Takeover. >> And we cannot have that. I do not want these kids to feel unwanted. I don't want it to be a price for everything. When I came, it was free.
>> I remember Patricia teaching us ballet. She was only a few years older than me. She was a beautiful ballerina taught us. We didn't know anything about it, but she was teaching us this. And this is what we want. We want to use community and we do need diversity. We do do need
to show our president that we can all get along, but we just can't forget about the for me the purpose of the egg crossing Sylvia Cos 1547 Ohio Avenue and thank you. Uh, first of all, I want to thank
um the black community for still fighting to have um for that center that they built. And I think it's very important to recognize who built that center. And even though uh now we're
trying to make sure that this center is for everybody, we we have to recognize who built it and who created it and um who fought for it for all these years. and now they're back fighting. And I think it's very important for the rest
of us to join in in the fight. Uh whether we knew that it existed, like I I did not know it existed, but I've been in the township for only 15 years. So um I didn't have to know that it existed
since uh Homeront was in charge of it for so many years. And um I wish I knew that it existed cuz my daughter could have been there and and enjoyed the services, but we didn't
know. We just didn't we didn't investigate for all the resources. What's important, I think, especially in this climate now, is to make sure that our governing bodies, whether it's the
township, um, county, state, federal, that we run our governing bodies not as a business, but as a resource for people
who need a leg up or uh want to participate in community and I think the community building is very important right now >> and um we don't want all of us to go to
our own camp now especially now we we need to stick together we we need to stick together as a community no matter where we came from and how we got to this country or how we um how our ancestry got to this country.
We need to stick together and and I think community center would be a perfect place for that. We're we're later this week we're having a special planning board meeting for master plan. Um we're meeting in a senior center. Um
if we have community center already open that would be a perfect place for that because master plan is we're going to be building talking about what we want in this township plan for the next 10 years
and we don't have a place right now like that um where community can just meet and discuss these things. Uh we already heard from the senior center folks who who belong there who attend senior
center. They want senior center to be senior center. They don't want basketball and they don't want all of that because we heard that loud and clear here at at uh uh the public hearings for township council. Right.
So, um I think it's important to remember that yes, uh money is very important in running the township. We we have a lot of needs to uh to fulfill in the township. Um it's great that we're
hiring new police officers, new firefighters. I have to say that our police department looks much looks great now with the diversity, not only gender, but also racial. And
it's it's all important, but it's also important that while it's great to have a wonderful police department, I think to be using that police department only for tickets
on Route One. Um, we need we need uh our youth to have places so they don't run after wild bunnies and um where they can learn that that's not what you're supposed to do. So please consider
in your discussions to keep that as a community center and have it open to the community and involve us later on in the programs as well. Thank you very much.
>> All right, we got one over there. You're next over there, right? >> Welcome. >> I'm not a public speaker, so bear with me. My name is Tina Johnson. Um 5711 Town Court South, Lawrenville.
Um my I grew up in Lawrence Township, born and raised. I graduated from Lawrence High. When I got old enough to leave my home, there was no apartments in Morris
Township, just homes that everybody owned. And then the village came, but by the time it got there, the list was so long that you couldn't get it. So, you had to leave out of Lawrence Township. So, I thank um
Mr. Marine for all the things that you've done to make that um North Neighborhood Village um present in North Township. Um so thinking of community and what I'm hearing is community versus
community center versus recre recreation center. Um recreation center is very nice. It gives them people it gives people a place to go, a place to be. But when you talk about community center, that's different.
>> It's a big difference. I when I I did come back after a couple years and I was able to live in the village. When I got into that village, I went to go get my car fixed one day. Somebody came out of there and they said, "Hey, hey, how you
doing, mom?" I'm looking at this gentle like, "I'm doing okay." He's like, "Oh, you such and such, right?" And I said, "No, but you such and such my wife." He said, "I'm said, but you from the village, right?" I said, "Yeah." He said, "I knew you, you know." So that's what makes a community that wherever you
go, you look out for one another. You know, once they said that to me, I was so I felt safe, you know, it's like myself. So I'm just trying to express how communities work. You know, they look out for one another as far as, you know, are you good? you know, making
sure you get everything that you need. And so when I look at a visionary of the new Lawrence, let me let me just say my childhood with the Lawrence Neighborhood Center was trips with Sylvia at the Lawrence Neighborhood Center. Um
um Christmas parties at the Neighborhood Center with Mr. Ben. >> And it it just goes on and on. And there wasn't just all black children there. There was all races at these parties and there was all races at the at the um
different um things that they had there, resources that they had there. So even when I look ahead to see what what Lawrence Neighborhood Center could possibly be now, I see so many resources that can go that can come out of there.
You know, Homefront is a resource that you source out. they can still come in, you know. Um, but the the way things are going today, um, my present job is I work for um I don't know if I work for
the the the government. I work for Mercy County Board of the State. I just don't know. I'm not representing them. Okay. So I work for Board of Social Services and there's a lot of changes coming down that's going to affect a lot of different people especially in Medicaid
when we're talking about our health and um if each different areas doesn't have a center that they can call upon for resources that people are not going to know where to go. >> And you're talking about somebody in
your driveway or whatever you need somewhere for people to get resources from. So that center is in a location where everybody already knows that they have resources there. You know, that's what they're known for. And that's I still think that that's a place that can
um be useful for resources, for tutoring like they had before, for everything that they had before, just reinstated in that manner. Um, and so yes, I'm interested in knowing what the council has planned for the building because I
am I understand that um you're also buying some trying to buy some property. The the city is trying to buy some property that's right next door to the neighborhood center. So, I would be interested in knowing what um they're doing.
>> Thank you. M >> Thank you very much. Good evening. My name is Gail Dickerson. Welcome 100 Forest Bridge Drive 410 North 648. Um I have been a resident of
Lawrence Township just about all my life. I was born and raised here. I went to school here. My children, my grandchildren went to school here. My mother, my grandmother, grandfather, they lived in Lawrence
Township all their life. My grandmother was a first African-Amean at some of the schools at the town hall. My mother was first
African-American working in the school of special education for children as aid. My grandfather also was a resident of Lawrence and he was first African-American um special police
officer crossing guard helping the children and made sure they were safe. My mother cared dearly about the children all the time. The children came first. Even in our family, it didn't matter what color you were or they were. She
always looked after the children because she felt kids came first. And that's the way it was in our family. The children came first. She made sure they were protected. And um
my brother went to Lawrence El Eldridge Park, Lawrence Junior High, but he went to Trenton High. And my sister went to Trenton High. I was lucky. I didn't want to go to Trenton High, but I went to Lawrence High. I was
the second graduating class. In the second graduating class, my older brother, Douglas R. Dickerson Lance Corpal was in a Marines where he was, you know, passed away. He got fighting for his country that he loved so dearly.
He was only 18. He was a good guy. He never gave my parents any problem. He walked. He ran track. He was supportive. He felt he went in service because his friends went in and he
wanted to do the buddy buddy plan. Most of his friends went in the army and into the airport. He went into the Marines. He was only 18. He never came back. We never had closure
upon that until 30 years later. That's a long time. >> And I just think about today, what would it be like if he were here today? >> Because he did love one township. He made a lot of friends. Everybody loved
Douggee Fish. He ran track. He was a good guy. And the center was dedicated in memory of Douglas Dickerson, Lance Corporal Dickerson. And he has two nephews that
were in the military, Eric Dickerson and Jared Dickerson. Jared spent 10 years. Eric spend nine and they were thankful. They loved it and they got out to service. Jared never
came back to New Jersey. Eric, he lives in Atlanta. He came back to New Jersey, but he resides in Atlanta, but he loved it, you know, and my grandmother, you know, they were here to support everyone.
I know you knew Louise Underwood, Moses Underwood, okay? And they made the township like they watched over everyone. The children, they seen them doing something wrong and going to
tell your mother, you know, you're not supposed to do that. Okay? And we did something wrong. They would let us, girl, you're not supposed to be out here. Okay? And we listened to them. Mr. Marine, I lived in the village for 24 years. I raised my children there. I had
two children. And he was very supportive. I was happy. I lived with my parents at 24 years old and then I put in the application to live there >> and I got the support and I moved there and I liked it. I lived there 24 years
and it was a great area, a great community. The community center was a good place for my kids to go to play basketball. If they had a function, it was right there and the children would be able to be there. older people, they would be able to be there. And I thought
that was a great thing. Mr. Holmes, Mr. Andrew, we all live there. Austin, we're like family and that's the way it's supposed to be and still should be. But the way the world is going today, you don't know who's who. You know who's
who, but you know, you don't know. So the community center will be a better place and a good place for people in Lawrence Township. No matter what race, what color your skin, we're all God's
children. We should come together and make it for the betterment of the younger people and the older people that help support to have it built. You know, when it first started out, it was just a little a little building. Then they got
together and made it bigger. And that's what it's supposed to be, you know, to help people in the center. If in the community, if everyone could come together, it could be a better place. Thank you. >> No, you're good.
Thank you. >> Anyone else want to come up? >> I'll do it. Eric Bar, Mercer County resident since August 1965. Welcome. >> How does one Well, first of all, how
many did K through 12 like I did between 1966 and 1980? And then I came back from Chambersburg with my daughter to make sure she did 2 through 12. Same schools, different grade structure. Um
then Y2K, you could see it. You could see everything that was done in this town with all the solar panels going on the schools. Your taxes were represented. Then you get to like 2021 to 2026.
I thought I was going to live behind the shopping center, the grand opening of LLE. >> I interviewed with the CEO from Germany because I thought limo was dead and it was. Um I thought I was going to be at 3131 Princeton Pike. I thought I was
going to be Well, I thought I Oh, I thought I was going to be We were talking about it in 2425. I remember when that opened down there. >> I played little league and minor league at those ball fields in 1972 as a
10year-old. You know, it just I I don't want to blame the pandemic. I don't want to get into any of that. It just seems like when I moved back, Easter Passover time was 1998. It was a different town. And
then you go through Y2K and you hit 2021 to 2026 and it just seems like there was a stall. And uh I was very happy when I was here January 1 cuz I missed the last one two years earlier cuz I was I didn't
know what was going on with my job. They had me in limbo over New Year's. I only got to the bonfire. I didn't get here for the January one of 2024. So, >> I'm glad to have you back. I really am. And uh I read this as something being
more of a master plan thing for some reason. Maybe I'm maybe I'm confused. >> That's Thursday. Okay. Yeah. I mean, the last Oh my goodness. It it life's not easy. It never is. But it's good to see everybody stand up like
this. And I said it at one of the last meetings when everybody had gotten up and you had made a comment because everybody was leaving early. They only come for what they want. It's people that stay to the end that know what's going on. So I want to thank you.
>> Welcome. >> My name is Maxine at 335 Johnson Avenue, New Jersey. 68 3419. I've been here for 55 years coming next month. Well, next week round of June 17th, my birthday. Um, but the center a
lot for me and my family because we grew up a lot. Um, I learned how to do some modeling there. It kept us out of trouble. That was amazing. You have so many kids right now who are out and about doing different double things and we don't even know where's your child at. When we was growing up, everybody
like Mr. Tickerson said they knew if you got in trouble by your parent. Well, my parents seen her. I seen her and did something. My parents already threat me before I get back. We were good stuff. We was always busy all the time with everything else. And that's the biggest thing with the center
when they shut it down. It's like what does the kids do? They're just idle. You know what I mean? They're at the park and stuff like that doing little disruptive things. It's not as big. You don't see it in per say the paper, but we know, you know, you have some little bags and stuff out there, but you have to keep them busy. That's a big state of
mind. financing is very well. You know, they have a great system out there and everything else, but like I said, we need that center. We definitely do, especially in our communities because if you don't, the money is idle. It's a devil's playground. You know what I mean? So, they can do anything in here just to get us back in order because the
park the kids don't go to that park, which personally for me, that park I don't like because it has those uh my granddaughter, my grandson goes there. My granddaughter's only four, my grandson's 10. because of that um that tire mask. It gets all that blackness on their hands and everything else and they put that. I don't know why that's there
for toxicity or whatever. I don't know. But you know, we just need another community center and stuff like that because again, if we don't go ahead and feed our youth, what are we going to have? I want to say that. Thank you very much. Good evening everybody. Dave Pauling 94 Avenue,
New Jersey. >> Good evening and welcome. >> Thank you. So um we've sat here now and we've heard um from the community. Everybody's heard their story. Um, and I just want to
implore the council to listen to what everybody said. You had the facts. You now did the task force. You have an opportunity to make one of the biggest biggest changes for the good of this community that we've seen in a long
time. And I'm hoping that that that's going to happen. And it would be a shame for um this council, this governing body to make
decisions that aren't going to help the community. And so I just ask you to consider the facts. You listen to what people have said,
and you do the right thing. This is all about doing the right thing. That's what you're That's what you're governed to do. That's what you've taken an oath to do. And I'm hoping that um you're going to do that and you're going
to make our community proud. Thank you. >> Hello, my name is Michelle. I um 94 Avenue. That was my husband. Um I just want to make one comment. Um the the the neighborhood center, the community center was started by one group of
people because that group of people was forgotten. So that group of people got together to fight for what the community needed. We've been fighting forever and we're still fighting. So, please don't forget why we were there, why it was
started, what we need to do, and what we need right now. We shouldn't have to fight for 50 years to continue to get what we need for our children and for this community. So, please hear us. Understand where we're where we're coming from. We don't want to fight. We
just want what we need and we need it now. It should not take this long to do a task force, do an 80s some page uh project from the task force, have discussion after discussion, community discussions to figure out what we need and what we want. You know what we need?
The whole United Nations is here to talk about what we need. So, let's move this thing forward. Stop wasting time and just get it done. That that's all it is. ANYONE else from the public wishes to speak
before I close it out? >> Would it be improper to take a brief recess allow everyone to have a drink of water, use the facilities and everything else? So, let's let's take a five minute recess and we'll return 720.
Mr. Hally Mr. boys. >> You know what? >> If we want to go see the next 8:30 >> Oh, now we got Now you're putting All
right, I will now make council's um back session. I I just want to start off by saying I really appreciate the candid conversations and comments that have occurred. I hope you um I hope that you
um will listen to what we have to say and I've spoken with my council colleagues and we're going to open up after our discussion to having a brief brief uh second uh public comment area just to I think I think it would be good
for after we discuss sort of what we'd like to see in the for you to say hey you completely mis hurt us or we'd like to see, you know, one extra thing. I think that would be that would be great. Um I think it I think it has been lost
in some of the comments that um part of this this delay has been because the town the township originally thought that with homeront leaving that the recreation department was going to take over and use it as a recreation center.
and the push back and the emails and phone calls and everything else was heard loud and clear. I think Mayor Farmer at the time heard it loud and clear and moved us to a new place. UM, >> and so we created a mayor's task force
um in December of 2024, I believe. Um, we had a community conversation in May of 2025, so it's been a little over a year. Um and the report came out in September of 2025. So we still have a little ways to go and and since then we've we've been dealing with some
things and um fire service other other things in the township. Sorry we can't do all the things at once and I understand the frustration with everyone that this building has been closed for quite some time. Um, but we're here today not to delay, not to dismiss what
has been said in the past, but to hear you for the final time so that it can inform our conversation tonight and it can inform the RFP so that we can get to the right place because as Mr. Spalding said, this is a very important decision that this this council has to make and
we want to get it right. I'm sorry if it's taken longer than you'd expect, but at the same time, it would have been really easy. You know, based on the memo about July 31st, 2024 from Nancy Burton to Mr. Winsky, we her timeline was that we would be open in last summer. You
know, that we could have could have moved in, done a few things, and then sort of rolled out the piece. So, it's not about getting it back open quickly. It's about doing the right thing. So, just want to say that. And then the other piece is that tonight we're going to discuss what we want to add sort of
into the final RFP. Not the sort of nitty-gritty that Mr. Cyc and and Mr. Nwinsky work on that that keep us legal, keep us uh protected as a community, but we're going to talk about sort of the framework what we like to see in there based on for me based on what the task
force created. I have a print out of it right here um that I want to talk about. Um, and this is this is about us putting together an RFP to find a nonprofit partner for the center. It's not about RECK versus the community. It's not about that stuff. I we heard that stuff. We've heard that stuff loud and clear
from from the uh the community conversation in May of 2025. So, with that, I'm going to open it up to my C colleagues to have a conversation. So, I don't know how if you want to
start off, councilman um because you were you were on the mayor's task force and and maybe go to Miss Jigo next because you were on the task force as well. Um and we could start there. >> Um well, first I want to thank the community um for being here this
evening. I am a direct result of this community. This is my um I grew up in Edgar's Crossing. So, this is very um uh very important, very um you know, it has touched my life. I've lived here in
Lawrence Township for over 50 years and I've seen tremendous amount of change and I know what um that community center did for so many young people um older um residents as well. And um whereas I do
not envision going or revisiting the past but more so looking to the future and how we can uh reinvision >> what sorry uh reinvision the future for that center. Um and again hearing the
comments tonight and of other nights in addition to the task force extensive report um I think it is very important um and I'm so delighted to be here with my um fellow council members to have
this discussion tonight. So I'll stay there. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, I'm very excited to be here today to uh discuss the final details of the RFP for the community center. Um, the town council has been engaging with
the community over the past year and gathering ideas and public comment for the future of the community center. The administrative staff along with council have been working on drafting the RFP for the center based on many ideas and comments that the public have shared with us. This meeting is another and
last chance for the public to weigh in on the future of the center and to share the vision that each community member holds for what the center could be. Um, as the newest council member, I heard many of these comments made uh in public during council meetings, but I was also on the community center task force and I
was consistently impressed with the care and passion that each member showed for the future of such a historic and important building in our town. I also served on the recreation advisory committee for the past eight years. The recreation committee has heard for all
of those years about a need for an indoor facility for expanded recreational programming. Lawrence has and continues to struggle to accommodate the recreational needs of its residents. Lawrence Township does not have an indoor central location for recreational programming, making it difficult to
offer year-round recreational programs consistently for children and adults. Lawrence has three dedicated municipal employees who work extremely hard every day to offer programs, activities, townwide community events, and senior programming, all while not having a
facility to hold those programs indoors in case of inclement weather except for the senior center. Therefore, the town must use a patchwork of outdoor facilities and various school buildings in order to hold all of those recreational programs. I said all of this during the public meeting in May.
Um when I was put on the task force, I initially was uh in favor of the rec department moving in there and making it a recreational facility. Um I have since changed that based on the
per the public comments from here from the task force that more comments were needed. It should not have just been let's move in and move along. And I think that the past two years of comments have been amazing and super important. And now that I'm up here,
it's very I really appreciate this meeting as well. This was a big decision that the council and uh township administrators need to make, but it should not be made in a bubble and without public comment. Um this meeting is meant to gather as many voices as possible before council takes the final
step. Uh this process has been slow but we are working on it and we are listening. >> I respect your honesty. Thank you very much. >> Um I don't have a statement in as much as my um opinions on the community center. I work in state procurement. Uh,
so I come at this from a fact-based um unbiased procurement standpoint and that's where um the mayor's task force and tonight has been invaluable in getting it. I mean I know that it takes a long time. I I work in public procurement. I know that it takes a long
time and um that's unfortunate but I'm really grateful for tonight because it's actually given me some more perspective and I have additional questions instead of the statement. Um, first though I think it's important to clarify how this process will work because not everybody
knows um the timeline and what's going to happen. So we put an RFP out for the public to view for organizations to view online um and they will submit proposals to us based on the guidelines of the RFP. There's going to be a question and
answer process um in after that um RFP is put out. So my first question is um manager, are we going to have um like what is the Q&A process going to look like in terms of public input?
>> In terms of what >> are we going to I mean I know generally the questions from biders will be procedural. Maybe it's something about the history. if there is anything of note that the public
may want to weigh in on or are we going to have an opportunity for that to be public? I mean, I I have to be candid with you and I'll defer to Mr. Syc with regard to the legal aspects of public bidding and responses uh to request for proposals. I don't know of a
circumstance where in the middle of after receiving uh proposals there is an engagement to the public for a question and answer. I don't think that that's something that I've ever um seen before and I don't think it I think it would lead us to run
a foul of public laws. So I would say to you that there is going to most likely be a committee that will review the proposals based and based upon the criteria that you set within the proposals. And that's the kind of
feedback that that that will occur in terms of grading what we receive and how it best meets your ideas of of what you want to see there. >> Sure. >> Right. And so then that's even long after the Q&A process, right? is so how
long um where how long do we anticipate taking to answer any questions we might get from potential biders? >> There's always a there's a period of time where questions could be asked by biders, >> right? But that that they would go to the administration. There' be very
specific things, lease terms, things like that. Um they may want an opportunity to go into the building. So there's going to be a period of time where any prospective organization that may respond to the public uh the request for proposals may want to walk through the facility. So you know so that's a
process that I would think has to be at least two months long because these organizations have to meet with their board of directors. There's got to be a thoughtful decision-m process uh involved before they prepare that proposal for the township to consider.
>> Okay. Um, and then once we receive proposals, once our final uh bid opening date occurs, um, I know you sort of hinted at this, but just for the public's sake, are they going to have an opportunity to see these propos like are
we going to share anything with regards to the proposals >> towards the public? I I don't I don't I don't have an answer to that. I don't think that that's part of that process. Can I ask a question mayor? >> Yes. >> Okay. I'm I'm envisioning in my mind
similar to how we did with the fire study that sort of RFP process. There was a committee and then we voted. Am I well >> from the process similar to something that we've recently done as a >> that's how RFPs are usually done.
>> You should expect something similar to that. It was uh the RFP was put out. The public people bid, the committee reviewed the bids, presented to council those bids, narrowed it down to three, and then we vote. Is that too simplified? >> That's correct. And this will all be
done in public with full discussion in front of the public residents. Uh and uh that that is exact process we did for the fire study. It's correct. >> Yeah. Thank thanks for asking that question because that was going to be something I asked and I think that's
good for the public to understand that this is really the moment to sort of weigh in influence council in terms of what the criteria might be and then from there we're going to take it put together an RFP with your help guidance issue it
>> do the two months and then have the the bids open and we'll determine who's who meets the criteria and >> they'll be it'll clearly set out in the RFP when uh qu question and answer period if as Mr. indicated if someone
wants to take a tour of the building and I'm sure that will that will probably occur but it'll be clearly set out in the RFP so transparencies as to what's happening with regard to any submitts. >> Wonderful. >> Mr. Kaki, you have do you want to say
anything as a sort of an opening statement or comment or anything? >> As being on to recreation, when this first came out, I felt recreation should be over there and they would be able to help the community center to move forward. But
over the time with the meetings that you have had and the residents coming out speaking their concerns and what you are looking for recreation don't belong there. We got to see how we got to handle to get that
community center up and running. And yes, it is slow. I've been on council 17 years. I have not seen nothing move fast in 17 years. >> It tells you something, doesn't it?
>> Not yet. >> Miss Sant um do we know at this time who will make up the evaluation committee? >> No, that's something that you have. >> Okay. Um I have two comments for the RFP
based on the feedback tonight. Uh I think the programmatic benefit and the facility use plan criteria should be weighted heavier than what is in the draft currently. And I can email you about that separately. Um, and also is there a way we I mean I
think we can allow for community feedback within the general requirements portion of the RFP allow you know make it a requirement that the contractor has to attend meetings or you know accept
feedback from the community about its about what about >> it performance. um has to attend meetings as as requested by the manager
and the council. There a way we could work that in. >> So I think it's important that I make this comment just um because I if Nancy Bergen is listening to this this piece, she's probably
saying why why isn't somebody saying what was originally proposed? So I'm going to say Um, the idea of placing the recreational offices at that location was made for for operational reasons in terms of
figuring out a place for public works and finding a place for recreation. Um, and it seemed like it was a good opportunity to do that. But the recreation offices in that center was always supposed to be a hub for programming.
when you were mayor, mayor farmer, you know, we had these we had these discussions that it was supposed to always be open to nonprofit organizations to conduct programs that were um educational programs, vocational
programs, arts and culture programs, and to have nonprofit organizations use it and other organizations use that building. It was just a place for the recreational officers to be located and from time to time use the facility
during the times that potentially a recreational program could occur there. So it was always supposed to be the hub for programming that was based on education, culture and social program. The food pantry continuing and things
like that. So, it's really important for everybody to understand this was not a recreation office taking it over and nothing else was going to be there. That was not it. Back in March of 2024 was very clear in the press release that the intention was to move the offices over
there, but this was to be a hub for all the programmings that was already there uh conducted by Homefront and other organizations. Can >> I just pause? >> Yeah. you because uh a lot of the discussion by the task force was the
concern that um recreation which was township employees and nonprofits not coexisting in the building at the same time. So that's >> permanent. Yeah, that's you're absolutely right. So the this is completely a policy decision. I had my
voice. I made a recommendation. You listened to the public. You said no, we're not going to do recreation offices there. So now we've now shifted that we're looking for a primary non um a nonprofit organization to occupy that
but still have all that other programming there by other organizations as well. So that's that's the shift that we had um that recreation's out they're not going to find the space at the senior center to just locate their offices not to have youth things there.
Um so so now we're now we're operating under the assumption that we want this to be fully occupied by nu uh nonprofit organizations to run the types of programs that had in the past and also to improve in the future to get more of the community to use that building.
>> But it it it does seem to differ just slightly because I because this is a point of contention. This is a point of discussion very strongly between by the task force that we were never opposed to recreation. We think recreation and and
Nancy Bergen has done outstanding work in our community. We never said we did not want recreation to be there with us. We just said we want the community to have access to that building as well. It wasn't just it was never for the task
force either or but we were informed by you that we could there was a conflict to have township employees and nonprofits operating in the same building. >> Correct. Correct. That's absolutely 100% correct.
>> But we discovered that legally that is not an issue >> legally. legally in other municipalities in New Jersey. I don't know throughout the country, but there are examples, I think even here in Mercer County, where
nonprofits and entities of municipalities or governing bodies do exist or have programming together. programming at that facility is much different than having um home
offices of organizations present working side by side or office to office with township employees. It's a dynamic that I did not think was appropriate for our township employees. >> But it wasn't illegal. >> Mr. Can can you help us
>> the word? >> Illegal isn't the is the conversation. We're having a conversation. I'd love to have Mr. Cyc isn't isn't illegal. Is that why I want to ask whether it's appropriate for our
municipal employees to have that dynamic? >> Yeah, there's a statuto. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'm going to jump in. So, Matt, on the task force for a year, it was very clear that the building wanted to be all
things for all people. Um, right? that that there were people who thought it should be for everyone. There were people, as you heard tonight, that it should be for the community who originally um built the building. And the the result the result of the task
force ends up being, as you know, very toothless because we're trying to make it for everyone and trying to make it touch everything. Um, and so I think having shifted it now here towards the nonprofit route with this RFP, we're
hopefully getting it at least into a direction that can answer some of those desires that people have said for the last year. But I just want to go on record that we never said we did not want, and by we I mean the task force. And I think I hear tonight from the
community that it was never that we do not want recreation to be a part of this um center. >> No. And it was never understood that never building and we do want recreation
programs to happen there. >> Mr. New, I just want to share because that was the that is what the feeling was in the community. So, you know, and that's kind of what we're hearing tonight. >> Excuse me. Mayor, how how are you gonna
what's going to be the process when you guys are having the conversation you're having when the public can actually comment while you're speaking on on topics? How how are you going to handle that? Or is is there a way? >> My thought was that there would be
comment afterwards so that council could have a conversation and then the community could could just say whether you I don't know where you raised your hand or you have no >> I have to be I I'll be the bad guy. >> It's fine. All right. Because I want the
process to be lawful. Yes. Right. Because we discussed this. >> Yes. Right. We can't have members of the community um commenting when you guys are trying to craft the RFP because it will ultimately create the perception of
favor favoritism in the public bidding process. Should somebody should an organization be unsuccessful in the proposal, right, not get it, they could have a claim that you were all influenced by what was said there and
that was what was incorporated into the RFP document. >> This is not a this is not a normal situation. I know it's not something that happens all the time. >> This is us trying to be order please.
>> Sorry for being rude, but this is No, no, no, no. >> You know what? >> Can I just make a comment? >> You have to allow us to have an opportunity to have a discussion. We It took a while for us to get to this point
where the five of us can be together and have an open discussion about this topic. We've incorporated in our agenda an opportunity for you to comment after we've had an opportunity to have our discussion. So, as Mayor Bob has said,
we're trying to be transparent, right? We're trying to allow you to see what the discussion and the conversation is. Okay? So, if you could be respectful of that process, we don't get to do this often. So, thank you. >> I I will I will add
>> that I know some people are upset about the way this conversation went, the way this meeting is going tonight, but I could be I could state very clearly that the opposite could have been we could have just come up with an RFP on our own with no conversation without this meeting tonight. We could have voted on
it as a resolution at our next meeting. No public comment needed. You could have said whatever you wanted, but that RFP would have been in the in the agenda, unmodifiable, done, and dusted. This is our attempt to hear you one last time.
And I appreciate all the comments. Now, some I I heard a a little tutting from the audience about whether this was for the Agres Crossing community. I heard about that this is always about race. And let's be clear about that, right? I
come I hear that. I understand it. I understand the legacy and the history of this community center and what it means to the to the to those who grew up in Edgar's Crossing and the impact it had on their lives. A transformational
impact, a lifelong lifelong legacy, right? I heard someone friends for nearly 50 years. That's incredible. That is community. That's amazing. We're trying to figure out what the next step is and and to sort of have people
yell from the audience while we're trying to have a conversation is just it's disappointing honestly because we're trying to do the right thing by all of you and by the whole community. And you can shake your head, Mr. Holmes, but I don't I don't know any
other way to to to figure out this very tricky situation we're in. Right. It's it's tricky if you think about 33,000 people in this community from one square village to Edgar crossing from Pretty Brook down to Spruce Street,
right? We're a big diverse community of 33,000 people and and I'll tell you this. I I'll I'll just hope here I'm going to try to reset myself and hopefully reset this meeting by reading the mission recommendation from the task force, the mission
statement recommendations from the task force and the vision statement from the task force. This is what the mayor's task force came up with. Now, if you got a problem with the what the task force brought, then you got a problem with the whole process at this point. We're way too young to to hem about what the task
force came up with. So, let me read it. Mission vision recommendation. We recommend that whenever whatever governing body council determines to governing governing center create a mission vision statements that encompass the feedback included in this report. Mission statement recommendation. The
Lawrence Township Community Center is a vibrant inclusive hub where all residents all residents are empowered to connect, thrive, and grow. Rooted in the legacy of serving socioeconomically disadvantaged communities,
the center fosters equity, learning, recreation, and well-being through accessible programs and services. By encouraging mutual support, collaboration, and shared purpose, we aim to enrich lives and build a stronger, more connected Lawrence Township. Vision statement recommendations. The Lawrence Township
Community Center will be a welcoming community governance center that unites residents of all ages, backgrounds, and neighborhoods across Lawrence Township through dynamic programs, shared stories, collaborative leadership. The center will be a cornerstone for of civic engagement, cultural celebration,
lifelong learning, and collective care where diversity is celebrated and everyone has the opportunity to belong, contribute, and flourish. That's what we're trying to work towards here. That's what we're the five of us up here with the manager and Mr. Scyc are trying to do and we're trying to do
it in a legal and respectful way and I'm Mr. Psychic, I heard you talking with if there's any if I'm overstepping, let me know right now so I don't get us into trouble. >> But that's where we are right now. I'm sorry. We're trying to do the right thing for this community. We really are
>> and it's a challenge, right? >> It's a challenge. >> Mayor, can I say something? >> I'm going to defer to the attorney on this whether whether you can speak now or not. Well, >> it's up to council if they want that.
This is really >> I think it's important I say something at this point because this center has always been open to large township residents. We we've we've
never said that it was just for egg crossing. We've always worked that center as a community building for all of Lawrence Township and that's the way we want it to be. We we've never
it's in the minds of folks outside of Edgar's Crossing that it was a black thing that it was an Edgar's Crossing facility. It wasn't our thing. it it was the people on the outside who who came
up with this mentality, not us. We've always been open to Lawrence Township residents and we've always served them. And I think that I think that's, you
know, I I don't like to hear that people say that it's an acres crossing thing or um that that's not from us. That's from folks from outside of Edgar. >> Did I miss Did I miss heard some comments?
>> Can I make one other comment, please? >> I I'll defer to council on this one. >> Come on, Mr. Mr. >> All right. To celebrate the council and respectful members of the council, I'm going to say one more thing. The things that you're talking about putting in RFP
were things that were done without an RFP years ago. We had two former directors of that building sitting in this room tonight who were able to facilitate those kind of programs that
you're talking about years ago with no exclusion from anybody. I you said I was shaking my head. I was shaking my head out of frustration because I think you're doing things that
you don't have to do. These things were done with a nonprofit without a nonprofit individual or organization before. These programs were done without anybody other than the executive director and a board of trustees to see
that the building was operated in the proper manner. So, I don't know what you're talking about putting all this stuff in RFP. You don't have to do it. Well, I I would respectfully say that as I saw in the task force report from the
1980s when federal funding was was was minimized over and and and thank you for your comments, but I I will say that part of the part of the change in the community center over time has been the the taking away of federal funding from
uh Johnson's Great Society programs. Mhm. >> And during the Reagan years in the 80s, you well know that the community center suffered had problems, right? >> That there were there were issues about who owned the the building, >> who ran the building, how spending was
was out of whack with what the funding was, that the county wasn't passing through any more money. And then again later on when just before homeront, same thing. We we we were we were over we couldn't fiscally continue to do what we were doing. we were spending too much
money for what the Sarah provided. And so we used our community block grant money and partnered with Homefront at the time. >> And so then we got to a place where Homefront through their funding as and Mr. Minsky, correct me if I'm wrong, but their
funding sources wanted to know what what communities they were serving and why they were in Lawrence. And they could they had they were serving more people outside of Lawrence than in Lawrence. And so that's precipitated a shift where we were thinking recreation and now we're thinking how how do we partner
with a new non another nonprofit to get there because the money as we all know with the Trump administration they're clawing back money left and right from the federal government, right? And so the the times of the 1970s and 80s are not coming back in terms of federal
funding to support these things. And so we're going to look for partnerships with a nonprofit, look for part, you know, synergies with with others. But that's that's the reality right now. And that's why I say it's a it's a difficult thing because I understand the historic
the legacy of the center, the community of the center. Mr. has sent me multiple emails and I've dug into it even deeper than he even knows about all those all those um newsletters that came out in the 70s all the amazing things that
happened at the center the the the federal credit union the trips to Washington DC all those things you very remark just trying to facilitate the next we're trying to do that's what we're trying to do Mr. So,
thank you, >> Mayor. >> Yes. >> I just want to put on the record that that with regard to the legality of of an RFP and and what we're doing tonight, the the legislature has put a mechanism in with regard to leasing municipal
property to a nonprofit. It's clearly defined by statute in the municipal lease dispos disposition law and also local public contracts law which isn't what we're doing tonight what we'll be doing in the RFP is a
blend of of satisfying those those two statutes. So we >> next game >> we have we have uh no choice but to follow the law and that's what we're trying to do and not only tonight but
but what we've been trying to do in putting together the RFP what happened you know years ago I'm certainly not privy to it but moving forward we we have to go by these two particular statutes in leasing of any municipal
property Not just large township, any of the over 500 municipalities in the state of New Jersey those laws. >> Anything else you want to add? >> Just um I'm just going to touch on on the
funding and the respon um Mr. No, if you could speak to the responsibility of the township with regards to the uh the building itself um improvements that need to be made. I know that we did a um
we reached out to an architectural firm who gave us recommendations. So going forward in this process um responsibilities of those things. Could you speak to that? >> Okay. So, we recently received a $500,000 grant from Representative
Conway, and that money will be utilized. We're already in the process of the design phase for making the building a ADA accessible in the front part, right? Um to make sure that all individuals can access the building from the front. This
building is almost 50 years old. Uh individuals with disabilities at times had to go through the back of the building to gain access. unacceptable. So, we've also in our budget a couple years ago um encumbered $1 million for
the improvements inside. when this RFP process is taking place and organizations are responding, that's going to be a part of the dialogue on what they would be willing to do or wanting to do inside that building for
their programming and what we'll be able to do to make sure that that building is maximized and um in in this in the shape that it should be and deserving of the people that use it. So, we're completely invested in the fact that this is a
townshipowned building that requires major renovations and we're committed to do that, but it's going to it's going to have to work hand in hand for the interior with whoever you all select um as the successful bidder.
Does that answer your question? >> Yes, it does. Another additional question. I guess this will be um for the council as well with regards to whether we will need a committee to um vote on the RFP or to have discussions to pres present to council. Do you have
any recommendations on what that committee should be comprised of? >> When you say committee, you're you're talking about reviewing proposals, right? Um I I mean I'll defer to Mr. Cyp with regard to that. This is we have committees internal committees that
review RFPs. Um we can certainly have that discussion who is going to be a part of that review process. >> I would say my initial thought is um and maybe there might be some conflict that people want to be involved but I was thinking we would probably want to keep
it at two correct so that we don't have to have >> two council members. two council members. That's right. >> Yeah, sorry. Two council members. Let me get you explicit about that. So, I think two council members and then a hybrid with with probably you two as well as maybe some other municipal.
>> We haven't finalized your thoughts on that, but be a hybrid of professionals. >> Yeah. I was just hoping that there would be some council input as well. >> Yes. >> Anyone else want to go? >> I have a question. Um, would it be
possible to add the um, because I don't think it's in there right now for the RFP, would it be possible to add mayor's task force as a into the into it just to give some flavor into what we're what the community is looking at so they can understand sort of
>> I think it would be valuable for viders to have that. >> So, all right. So, um, this RFP was prepared to embrace >> the mayor's task force. Yes. Right. As much as possible,
um, to include that could present, and I'll defer Mr. Just slightly with regard to this. If we specifically reference the mayor's task force recommendations, >> there are members of that task force
that have used the building in the past and may want to use the building in the future. And for me as an attorney looking at that there, we could run a foul of public bidding. Okay. So, I would say if we could take what what you
all agreed to be the best aspects of the mayor's task force that you would want to put in there without expressly representing um verbatim what the mayor's test for. >> No, I get that. Yeah. I mean, sort of like what I just said out loud about the the sort of vision of it, it being
inclusive, all those pieces, that would be okay. But if we said oh and you know ABC would be problematic >> but making it available as an attachment. So if they wanted to they could
>> could be linked provide a link to >> just keep that >> I would say any any organization that is going to take the time and effort to make a response to this proposal will access all the documents they feel is necessary to make their proposal as
strong as possible without us >> tying it in with the mayor's task force. Mr. Ny final thoughts before I open up to >> I was just right just going back to timeline because that is is an issue
that the community has expressed and and some of us on council who are just you know ready for the next step just to give a what the thoughts are. So I would our next council our next council
meeting is the 16th. Correct. >> So yeah. So listen the whole point of this special meeting was to have this discussion in here. So the document that will be released to the public with the agenda because it's going to be an action item to be voted on. We'll have
the best opportunity for you all to vote yes or no, but yes. That gets us going. >> So, and so and so with two months that would put us around August to receive them back and then probably the next
meeting in the sec the third Tuesday in September, we should be good to go. Does that sound >> without any hiccups or like best case scenario just so the public has an idea of what what this might look like >> um for the improvements the renovations
to the building such as the frontage or ABA are will we be bidding that out as well that >> well I mean there there are state contracts uh state contracts state all the state contracts may not have to may not have to figure
that out, but it will be a recommendation from our municipal engineer whe certainly not being done in house. So there'll be some contracting good. All right. Going to open up for public
comment. I'm going to keep it to two minutes on this one, but just or three minutes. >> They're over there. there not be repetitive comments. >> Yes, I agree. Next week, >> ladies and gentlemen, I would like to
say I feel a little better than I did when I first came in here. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Me. >> Anyone else? Now, Mr. Back, >> I'm still going to be watching you.
>> Oh, I I don't doubt that. Now, you can't say the same thing. You can't be repetitive. >> I'm just going to congratulate the board and people in the audience. I think this has been a very impressive process. I think it's the council that's listened to the the community. I haven't seen any
real contrary or opposite, you know, opposition to any of the ideas that are coming up. So, I'm I'm feeling very good about there's going to be good projects that come out. One quick question for council. Maybe it's just to informs on this. I represent nonprofits are active
in the area, including nonprofit housing, Inc. is there plans and assessments done to give these nonprofits a better idea as to what needs to be done in the building? So, we want we want the organization, I'm sorry. We want the organization to
be fully aware of what's involved and we're going to share all of that. Like we had the building assessed um evaluated in terms of what what we think needs to be done or what we know needs to be done and a value part of that that is going to be provided to the biders. U
the uh the the the diagrams of the of the floors that's all going to be provided. We're gonna open it up to the biders on certain days to go through it together um so they know what's going on as well. >> Great. Seems like the process is moving forward.
>> Yeah. >> Anyone else? Well, thank you. I know this has been a challenge. We're trying our best. Um >> so, so mayor may >> All right. But I thought we were on a good note. It is a positive note. It
just is. I just want to make sure that I continue to hear the feedback art and I uh with regard to um the document that you've been provided, the changes that you want to have um send it individually to art and I um because we don't want to
run a foul of of you all um violating the open public meetings act. So, and then hopefully the document that we have that's going to be on the agenda is in reflective all that you you think is important because I know uh I think you you
indicated the criteria you have let's hear that sooner rather than later internally because it's just an adjustment of percentages and we're going to weight each u each each category um and just um just publicly I would
just want to say that this RFP the basis of it is to provide we want organizations that are provide community focus focused programming and services. We want the uh the bidder, the organization to be open to working with
other nonprofit organizations. We want them to be open to allowing the full use of this facility day and night for for programs that for the arts, culture, um vocational uh child education, teen
education, adult education. It's the whole the whole thing that the mayor's task force envisioned. That's what we want to put in this document and we want the organizations to embrace that and they're going to have to tell us that's our plan, too.
And one last thing, just a housekeeping item um for the benefit of everyone. Um our township, the clerk states that change, you know, changes to the agenda should come to them by by noon on Wednesday. Can we push that to Thursday?
Possibly if if we're still giving >> Don't do that to Nicole. >> No. But so what So I'll say this. If you can start talking with Kevin now before Wednesday at the very latest um so that
we can he we can go through the process and get something so the clerk the clerk's office isn't scrambling and putting together books for next week. So >> it'll be done on Wednesday when I'm going to do the the books. >> Yeah. So >> mayor, I have one public comment or question.
>> I close. Come on up, Mr. Spalding. >> Come on down. >> Oh, thank you. I appreciate it. So reason I have a question is after listening to um Mr. Ninsky, I want to make sure so the next meeting you're
going to do a resolution to approve for the RFP to go out. Is that >> that's the plan? >> That's the process, right? >> That would be it. So that next meeting is going to be when again >> next Tuesday. >> That's a short amount of time.
>> Well, the document's done. We're done. >> So, it's just going to be the resolution. The docu It's not going to be ready to go out for public. >> No, no. The document we have a draft document that we've all been looking at and reviewing. >> I'll be I'll be clear. the notice go is
not is it going to go out after? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Mr. McCree, my guy. >> All right. With that motion to adjourn. >> Motion to second. How you doing?
We dessert. final thoughts. >> Okay. I'm notelcome and then I'm here and then I can't do that.