Okay, everybody. Oh, that's loud. Sorry. >> Hey, welcome to our meeting. It is January 12th, 2026. It's a meeting of the mayor and council of Princeton, New Jersey. Madame Clerk, could we have the meeting
statement, please? Notice of this meeting was provided in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act and state regulations governing public meetings, including the time, date, and location of the meeting and clear and concise instructions to the public for accessing
the meeting and making comments. In addition, the agenda and all related materials were posted electronically and made available to the public on Princeton's meeting portal in advance of the meeting. >> Thank you. Leon's going to do the land acknowledgement tonight.
Thank you, mayor. We gather today on the land of the Lenny Lape. As members of the Princeton community, we aspire to show appreciation, respect, and concern for all peoples and our environment. We honor the Lape and other indigenous
caretakers of these lands and waters, the elders who lived here before, the indigenous today, and the generations to come. Thank you. We have roll call, please. >> Mr. McDonald, >> here. Mr. Cohen >> here. >> Miss Peron Lamrose
>> here. >> Miss Saxs, >> Miss Frogga >> here, >> Mr. Nulan >> here, >> Mayor Freda >> here. >> Thank you. All right. If if you're able and you want to stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. All right. Uh, council announcements
andor reports. Anybody have anything they want to bring up? Okay, great. Um we have a presentation the new Princeton loop bus wrap design. >> So are you going to say something?
>> Yeah. So uh thank you. We um we've worked on the name. So we chose the name uh Princeton Loop and uh working with our graphic design company Smith Manning. Sarah's here tonight uh to give us a presentation of uh what they've
come up with uh to do the bus wrap. And this would be for our both of our buses. So both the express route which is the new route and the local route which is the existing route. We've kind of distinguished them and we'll be distinguishing them in the app in
chipshot. U but go ahead uh Sarah and give us your presentation please. Thank you. >> Is that on? >> You almost have to eat the microphone. >> Okay. Thank you so much for inviting Smith and Manning to present um tonight.
Um we've worked with the town on different branding programs in the past and we're pleased to work on this one. Um we our overall goal for the program was to make the um make the idea of
riding a bus fun. Um, so looking at the current branding, um, there's the Princeton freebie and then there's the new local bus or sorry, the express bus. Um, we created the new logo based on the
word loop, which was the name um, chosen by the public um, over the past um, month. Um, here's the signage and for the bus stop. So, we based it on the circular
design from the freebie. And so, we simply replace the circle with the new circle with the word loop. We chose the color green because it links back with the logo of the town. And the lettering is uppercase. It has high visibility and
the circular letter forms um reflect the name loop. Here's tripshot. So, this is really a nice feature. You can actually follow the bus um on the path in the app. So you see the icon of the bus on the left
and you can see it move through the town when you go to take your ride. So we thought of ways of making it a little friendlier and possibly more appealing to um families, children to encourage people to ride the bus more. So we had
the idea of a mascot and also using slightly snappier tagline friendlier. Um so for example get in the loop and ride free and then this is how it would appear on the actual vehicle. So this is the side view the reverse side view passenger
view and then the back of the bus. So this would be the loop express and the other route would be the root loop local. The alternative design is really the same overall identity using the word
loop but perhaps adding a different mascot. So this one's hop on. It's free and it's a memorable memorable um easily recognizable design. So these are the two options.
Do we have any feedback or questions? >> Thank you. Can I can I I'm going to jump in. I just want to clarify a few other things. Sure. Uh first of all, you know, we really the um the idea of that icon, that logo, it looks it translates to a
sign really well and it really says transit. So that was um one of the things I wanted to point out and uh thanks uh Smith Manning for coming up with that. Um, and then you'll notice on all of the uh different there's two different versions really, but so we
really want to get some feedback on the frog versus the squirrel, the you know the one tagline versus the other tagline. Uh, and you know how the interplay would be. Uh, the idea being that it's accessible, it's welcoming,
it's fun, light, whimsical. Uh, so you know, there a couple of different options, but I also just wanted to um explain that princetonloop.com would be a URL that would actually point to princetonripshot.com.
It's just easier to remember. And then Princetonloop.com if we ever changed apps providers, we don't lose princetonloop.com. We would keep that. if we wanted to point it instead to our website with, you know, to certain pages, we'd have that
flexibility without having to repaint or redo any of our marketing material. So, um, so that's Princeton Loop and I did just notice, I wanted to mention it while I was thinking of it, that princloop.com should go on the rear, too. >> Uh, so I just thought of that. Anyway, thank you. So, questions, comments, want
to get some feedback. Thank you, >> Laticia. >> Yes. Um, I just want to comment. I really like the logo. First of all, uh, congratulations on on that. Um the and as much as I like the squirrel, I would just wonder about you know a lot of
folks identify the black squirrel with Princeton which is good thing but I just wonder whether it would be an issue that I think I know there's it's been used uh either by our local vendor uh like I know Homestead use has the black
squirrel hightops has used the black squirrel for the races uh the univer I've seen it at the university too. Some so I just wonder whether there would be an issue using any issues using the black squirrel or not.
>> Could I suggest something? The nice thing about a squirrel is that they're everywhere and it's town gown. Anybody can ride this bus so it's you know very accessible. Um Princeton e town and gown. Um, I thought about a fox, but um,
which is also roaming the town. >> Yeah. No, no. I I do I like the squirrel. Yeah. Let me see. I just want to make sure that we check that it's not a proprietary that >> Oh, this is c this is a custom black
squirrel. So, um, it's specially drawn for this project. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you. I love the logo, but I I got to be honest, and this is just me.
We want to have fun with this. We want older people to use it. Outside of rush hour, we got the tree for our municipal logo. The squirrel. It's all about trees and squirrels. I'm tired of trees and I'm
tired of squirrels. This frog hop on it. It It It's magical. is mystical. And oh, by the way, get in the loop is free. You don't get in the loop, you get on the loop. But hop on is free is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned,
right? >> I don't know about other people, but another squirrel, you know, the black squirrel. I know it's it's it's all Princeton, but this is fun. This is >> mythical. It's whimsical. It's magical.
Let's go with the frog, please. So there is a story behind the frog. So I looked up endangered or special um area special frogs of concern and there are a few that could fall into this particular frog category.
>> Okay, I have David. >> Sorry to not give you clear direction, but um well I I prefer the black squirrel because of the Princeton connection. Um, but I do have a problem
with the tangaline, which doesn't seem to have anything to do with the squirrel. So, that's the one thing about the frog and the hop on, it's free. You know, they go together in a way, right? >> So, what I'm suggesting
is maybe there's another tagline that goes with the squirrel, >> right? >> I don't know what it is, >> right? We're open to suggestions, >> right? Uh, yes. My questions are probably unsurprising. Um, first, as a
lover of good design, I I really like the the options that you've presented. Um, the identity, the graphics, the color, and the taglines I think are wellconceived. Um, and I've had the privilege of working with Smith Manning
in the past on many projects. And I am curious in this one if you could just talk about um what the process was, how many design options you presented. I know you usually present multiple design
options and uh then uh well once you answer those two I'll go. >> Yes. Um in fact we did go through several rounds of design. We initially presented three very different design options. Um the first two were primarily
word marks where we played with the lettering to make them loop, you know, to look a bit loopy. Um we explored the idea of putting other languages on the bus, saying it's free. And at the end of the day, we boiled it back down to
keeping it as simple as possible. And we really like the simplicity of having the word loop in the circle loop and then having the lettering And was that presented to staff or committee? It >> was presented to um
>> communications. >> Michelle and the I guess the communications team. >> The committee. >> The committee. The communications committee. Yeah. >> Okay. So, Leighton and Leticia had a chance to >> Mia now. >> Mia. Okay. All right. Um
uh and then question number three is was this your top recommendation? And of these two related versions, as a great designer and a longtime resident, um, curious whether you have a preference.
>> Well, I I kind of like the frog because it can it it's facing forward. Um, so it's very easy to have the um it looks well, it's looking right at you, so there's kind of
that interaction with it. Um, and then the idea of the integration with the tagline and a little bit of movement and humor. Um, that said, I'm totally open to, um, better tagline options for the squirrel.
>> Um, so, uh, I'll weigh in with my personal preference. I love the frog. >> And there uh >> probably uh a thousand times as many frogs in uh in Princeton as there are squirrels. Um we just don't get to see them as often,
>> but we hear them. And because this is a spring peeper frog, so um we hear them, but we just don't see them. >> Yep. And then the last question, and this may be a a question for Michelle or the staff, but assuming we can provide
clear direction tonight, um what's the timetable for wrapping the buses and getting this uh out there and signs and everything? >> Right. I would I would have to connect with the supplier, the vendor on it.
We've been asking for the die lines for this particular vehicle with no luck. Um so in that case we can actually I now that I can use um trickshot uh and I've met the bus driver we could actually measure the bus and get the graphics
going that way. Um if we can't get dialines um so from our end it would be about a week to provide the graphics and then however long the vendor takes. >> Yeah. We we also want to be able to do the marketing social media campaign. Um
so you know there's a lot of play with the squirrel or the frog. So we want we needed some direction so that we can start working on that and we drive you was ready to go with the bus itself. So I I think Diana maybe can answer as far as when they would actually paint the
bus but we have to be really sure uh we don't want to have to change it. So >> So the wrap actually protects the vehicle. So it's it's >> so so understanding that that's kind of a >> a technical challenge. Um Michelle,
could you say more about the time needed to make sure that this is really well marketed? I don't know if that means uh advertisements or newsletters um experience Princeton helping out.
What how do you envision that? Uh well I envision that we will um once we have the graphic design uh also share that with experience Princeton with their marketing and design group or their marketing group their social media uh person so that there can be a social
media campaign uh do some ad placement and then we have our own uh newsletter and social media outlets as well. So really just push it out and launch it. And I'm hoping, you know, first part of February, as soon as we know that the buses are painted, we can't really launch it, but we want to be ready to
say go as soon as the buses are done. >> Good questions. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. >> So is the But the bus is green, not black, right? So it's just the logo. >> Yes.
>> Um, so I'm going to weigh in. Um, I I love the idea of the in theory of the black squirrel because, you know, we we that's unique to Princeton, but um for whatever reason um I just have to land with the frog. I think it's so
compelling. Um and I can't really articulate why other than that it just seems to fit. Um, and um, because I I I like the frog image visually, um, I would have to go with
the verbal accompanyment um, to although I guess squirrels hop too, but um, but somehow the the the the combination of this very compelling frog and frogs are an endangered species, so
you know, something to be said about including them. Um, but anyway, the frog with the hop on its free and thank you to Smith Manning. I have to concur with Brian. You know, we we've some of us have had experience working with you in the past and and uh thank you for your
work in putting this together and I haven't been >> privy to all the iterations just brought in at the end and the frog versus squirrel uh choice and I I love the frog. So, >> thank you >> David.
>> Yes. Um, so I do want to make one other comment in favor of the frog, which is that I think it has a relationship to the logo, right? You've got the green and the white and the black, you know, all integrated, whereas the squirrel is
just white and black. Uh, and I and I think the squirrel does have a round eye, but the the frogs is more >> it it strikes you. So, I I think there's a unity
between the three pieces, the the tagline, the logo, and the frog. Um, that works. So, I'm gonna change my vote. >> Okay. >> Can you say >> Yeah. I just wanted to make one more comment. Uh, no, I gave my reasons why I
had some reservations about the black squirrel, but I should have also added that I definitely uh strong preference for the frog. Great. >> You know, for reasons that others have stated, but also I must admit that I'm a bit biased.
Froa frog has been long, you know, since middle school has been a connection for me. I'm done. >> There we go. >> Okay. >> No, I'm I'm good. I thank Thank you for the product. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Yeah. So, we're all
>> So, the frogs have it. >> The frogs have the frog. >> Everybody's content with the frog. >> We're all going to hop on. Okay. >> It's going to be a lot of fun. Yeah. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And bottom line is we want to get people on the bus using it and get excited about it. So, thank you very
much, Sarah, for being here. And I would just add uh our first major decision of the year. And that was that was pretty easy. >> There we go. I I think we're done. We could all go home. Anyway, let's we we'll do the resolutions. Resolution 26027.
Resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing adding Roth provision for an existing deferred compensation plan 20-pitable-91720. If David's got the motion, Brian's got the second. Questions or comments. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I.
>> Resolution 26-028, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the housing initiatives of Princeton charitable trust extension of property lease and management agreement for 14 Clear View Avenue. The TC has got the motion. Me has got the second. Questions or comments?
All in favor, please say I. >> I. Resolution 26-029, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the housing initiatives of Princeton Charitable Trust, extension of property lease and management agreement for 132 Brick House Road.
>> Leticia's got the motion. Leighton's got the second. Questions or comments. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. Resolution 26-030, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the housing initiatives of Princeton charitable trust extension of property lease and
management agreement for 134 Greeks drive. Leighton's got the motion. Leticia has got the second. Questions or comments? All in favor, please say I. >> I. Resolution 26031, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton authorizing the housing initiatives of
Princeton charitable trust extension of property lease and management agreement for 140 Griggs Drive. TC has got the motion. Leightton's got the second. Questions or comments? >> All in favor, please say I. I. Resolution 26032, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton
authorizing the award of a professional services agreement to Mason Griffin and Pearson PC for legal services as municipal attorney for 2026 for an amount not to exceed $400,000. He has got the motion. Leticia has got the second. Questions or comments?
I see none. All in favor, please say I. >> I. Resolution 26033, resolution of the mayor and council of Princeton extending an extraordinary unspecifiable services agreement with sustainable Princeton for services to sustainability for an amount not to exceed $150,000.
Leighton's got the motion. Mia's got the second. Questions or comments? >> Brian. Uh yes. I would just say that um uh I am one of many community members who thinks the sustainable Princeton has been really one of the great success
stories over the last 12 years in terms of uh moving our town in many ways forward um to be more sustainable. Appreciate that they took the lead on the the comm community uh uh the
community >> sustainability plan. climate action plan. Sorry. Um and uh have done so many things and I'm delighted that this relationship continues
and also note that um Senable Princeton also is the uh proud uh keeper of the wonderful Smith Manning logo. >> Other comments or late? Yeah, I I just want to thank Sustainable Princeton,
your leadership, the people that work in the office for everything that you do looking at climate change and sustainability, but in particular doing it with equity in mind across the board. And you know, uh we have this equity
toolkit that we will be introducing and laying across the you know, municipal hemisphere. and uh you you you are very much a north star and we would hope that we will be looking toward the things that you do as we implement the equity
toolkit. So, thank you. I would just like to say people should take the time to look at the agenda package and look at the presentation that's in there that highlights everything that Sustainable Princeton has done because it's pretty significant and you really have done a lot. And I'm
actually hoping that in 2026, this body up here talks to you guys about helping us more on the uh the GA um the leaf blowers, the gas powered leaf blowers. When we first passed that, we said, let's do it for a limited amount of time
each year. And we had said then, hey, we'll come back and at some point look at let's like phasing to a a full and complete ban. So I think this year is the the year it probably makes sense to look at making that happen. So anyway, I'm just throwing a plug in there that
maybe will bother you about that later on. Anyway, any other comments on this one? >> All right, all in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. Next up, we consent agenda. Three items. If everybody's content with those being on the Yes, Brian. Move is blocked. Wow, he he beat you on that,
Laticia. Usually >> Oh, I wasn't going to. >> Okay, Brian's got the motion. Is there a second? Michelle's got the second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> David. Oh, no. I'm sorry. Not yet. My bad. Public comments for items not on the agenda. Anybody in the audience? And
Adam, I can't see the screen. I don't think there was anybody on earlier. All right. Nobody in the audience has a comment for items not on the agenda. Anybody online? Anybody on Zoom that has a comment for an item not on the agenda?
>> All right. We'll close that now. David, >> move to ajourn. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Thank you. Michelle's got the second. All in favor say I. >> I. We're done. Thank you very much. >> Off to a good start.