and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act pursuant to public laws 1975, chapter 231. This agenda is
complete to the extent known. It was sent to the Trenton Times and Trentonian newspapers, posted on the first floor bolden board in city hall, filed in the city clerk's office, and posted on the city of Trenton website. Formal action will be taken. Roll call.
Vice President Edwards, present. Councilwoman Figureroy Kenberg. Councilwoman Frisbee, present. Council President Gonzalez present. You forgot. Councilman Harrison is
uh was in route as I understand it. Yes. And Councilwoman Williams present. You presented. Thank you. And Council Pres uh Councilwoman Feliciano present. Thank you. I believe I'm dealing with an outdated roll call. Yeah. Yeah. I was
say way out of order. So, yeah, we're all out of order and it doesn't look like I have more of these. This is correct. Thank you. And Madam President, as I understand it
at Oh, excuse me. If you'd like to now read the invocation. Yes, please. Thank you. Almighty God, who holds the fate of man and nation, we most humbly beseech thee to bless this our city, these deliberations, and these thy servants, that they may act with wisdom and understanding for the good of our
community and thy greater glory. Amen. Amen. And Madam President, as I understand, we have a uh presentation this evening. If you want to introduce that presentation. Yes. So, do you want to do it? So, we are going to have a TR waterworks uh it
was a water rate study that was conducted and I believe we're going to receive all of the uh results from the study that was conducted. We have 10 minutes for the presentation also. Thank you. Um, my name is Piper Brandt.
I'm the CEO of Rafelis. Uh, we do this work around the country. Um, working for utilities uh, and and setting rates. I'm based in Charlotte, North Carolina. And would you mind if I take off my jacket? Is that okay? I feel a little formal
here. So, I'll walk you through. Thank you very much. Um so just a really quick overview of the study. Um really the purpose was to evaluate the existing status of the uh water fund. We want to ensure the
long-term sustainability of trend waterworks and then analyze impacts of revenues and customer impacts. Uh and then just so you know for a little bit of of background uh kind of current trends um water rates around the country are rising faster than inflation, faster
than the consumer price index. Uh we were trying to catch up. That's a a trend around the country and Trenton Waterworks has not raised its rates since 2020. Um most utilities raise rates every year or certainly with more
frequency than that. Um and they're you know trend waterworks like utilities all over the country are facing uh inflationary impacts aging infrastructure uh declining consumption uh and and various other factors that
are making water service more and more expensive. So first step was to develop a financial plan. Um we have to look at the revenues that you're generating currently. We look at what the expenses are uh O andM expenses and capital expenses and
I'll talk a little bit more about that and then we look at your financial uh policies and basically that's you know how much cash you have and how much cash you feel necessary to maintain. Uh we were given uh a lot of information by Trent Waterworks. They provided uh
billing data, revenue data, a whole host of information that we requested. Here are the revenue requirements. Uh sorry for it being a little bit small on the screen. Uh if you have the presentation up, you can read it. The important point to note here is the
revenue requirements are going from about 60 million to 82 million between 2025 and 2030. Uh and the main driver for that if you look at the last line before the total is debt service. That's
going from 13 uh.5 million to about 27.6 6 million over that period. Uh that's the biggest driver. Other uh increases are basic basically inflationary increases. Uh also there were uh some uh
need for some additional uh expenses uh for for staffing to make sure that the director simple and his team has the ability to to continue to provide sustainable service. So let's take a quick look at that capital. Um this is the CIP. CIP stands
for the capital improvement plan. Uh over the next five years from FY 2026 through FY uh 2030, uh the capital improvement plan includes $230 million in projects. These are required
projects. These aren't, hey, we want to do these because um we think it would would be nice to do. uh most of these are regulatory driven either at due to federal or state regulations uh and not really much you can do about
that. So um a fairly significant capital improvement program and that's why you see the debt service going up that I showed on the on the previous uh slide. So here's the the story when you you match that with revenues. Revenues are
the black line. The bars are your total revenue requirements. As you can see, your revenues are not sufficient to meet your revenue requirements. U and this is with no rate increases. So, uh you can't continue to operate with no rate
increases and have uh the capital plan that needs to be done. So, we uh considered a few uh uh solutions. one are equal rate increases for uh the next three years FY 26
through 28 uh and then some smaller rate increases in the following two years. Um second option is to have a higher rate increase in FY26 to get you totally up to your revenue requirements. Uh you have some fund balance so you don't have to get up there in year one. Um but then
you'd have equal increases in 27 28 and then another set of increases smaller increases in 29 and 30. Another option that we talked about um but just no way to do it is to reduce the capital plan
um as I said those capital projects are required um uh by regula regulation. So we can't really reduce the capital plan considering those uh option one was selected. It mitigates the customer
impacts uh to the greatest extent possible while fully funding uh the regulatory driven capital. So with that what does that look like? Uh three 14% rate increases 26 27 and 28 and then two
4% rate increases. These would be across the board rate increases both on your your fixed charge uh that that kind of quarterly fixed charge and on the volumetric rate. And I'll show you what those numbers look like in in just a couple minutes. So that's the the proposed rate increases. Here's what
that does. Um this is that chart again. Now you see that black line. It starts still below um the top of the revenue requirements in 26 and 27. Like I said, you have some um reserve funds that you
can use to kind of cover it. And then you're actually recovering a little bit more in 28, which will help you to uh fill back up your your reserve fund coffers. And then in 2020, 28 and or 29 and 30 kind of right at the revenue
requirements. So that's under those 314% and two 4% rate increase on balance. Like I said, um you actually have some you have to you actually have more than above that. That dotted red line is 90 days of uh on and m that's a
target that's kind of on the lower end. Uh probably the lowest you could shoot for. Um I work with a lot of utilities that are more on the 180 to 250 days, but we thought this was an appropriate target given your situation. Uh because obviously if we set that target higher,
it would require larger rate increases. You see we we dropped down a little bit below in 2027. That's okay because then we build it back up. And so this is what those numbers look like. This shows you the rates. Uh currently you're $211 per cc, which is 7
which is stands for 100 cubic feet, but that's 748 gallons of water. Uh and you see the meter charge, which is a quarterly charge. Um your rates are actually relatively low as you'll see in just a second. Uh incredibly high. Um, but those are the
rates. Now, this is what the customer impacts would be. This is for your first, this is for FY 2026 at three different uh volumes of usage. Uh, have a low volume of 12 CCF per quarter, 20
CCF per quarter, and 36 CCF per quarter. And you can see how much those bills would increase annually. So those are that's a you know they we get quarterly we send out quarterly bills but that's the sum of four quarterly bills for an annual bill. Um
and this gives you an idea of what that impact is again and this is over the five-year period. So this includes the three 14% increases the two 4% increases. Um so the increase uh and this is for a median customer 20 CCF uh
per quarter. Um, and you can see the annual increase for 2026 would be $68, which is about $5.67 cents a month or 19 cents per day. Um, the 2027 increase would be a total of an annual increase
of $77, $646 per month for your kind of typical customer, 21 cents per day increase. And you can see uh the rest of the increases there.
So again, for three 14% increases, you know, sounds fairly significant, but the actual impact on customers, especially the daily impact, uh, is not particularly high uh because you're starting at a relatively low base. And let me show you this next chart which
shows exactly that. This is a bill comparison of New Jersey utilities. uh your current um you're currently if you can see this one is the slightly differently colored um bar there. So you were in the kind of
the lower third in bills. Um with the increase uh for the 2026, you'd move to right here, which is about kind of in the middle, kind of at the median of those those increases and certainly much
lower than the increases over to the right side. So you currently have relatively low rates. This will still put you at kind of in, you know, in the mix, kind of in the middle of other bills in uh New Jersey.
This gives you an idea of some local comparisons with two um investorowned utilities that are serving kind of uh contiguous areas. You have Aqua, New Jersey, and then New Jersey American. And this shows what your bill for again
this typical 20 CCF customer would go to um over that that period. So we're starting over on on the left side with the the uh kind of blue greenish bar. Uh you go over in 2026. So we go up to uh
554. You'd still be well lower than Aqua uh New Jersey. And this is without any Aqua New Jersey rate increases. We know they're going to have increases as well in 2027. you'd still be below Aqua New Jersey and you'd be well below New Jersey American. 2028, you jump up above
Aqua, New Jersey. Again, that's Aqua New Jersey currently, not with any rate increases. Uh I expect them again to have rate increases. 2029, 2030, and even with the this um three uh 14% increases, two 4% increases, you'd still
have a lower bill. customer would still have a lower bill than a New Jersey American customer currently has. Uh so uh just want to provide that that context. So that this is we're just a registered municipal advisor a little legal ease
that I have to show. That's all I have. I wanted to go through that quickly. I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Uh and I can go back through the the presentation at any level you'd like. Thank you so much for the um for the
presentation. I know some of our council members do have questions. I'm um Councilwoman Frisbee. Thank you, Madam President. So, thank you for the presentation. I actually have three. One question is I don't What is the CCF? What does that stand for? That's the first Yes, that is a great question. Why
the water industry ever came up with that as a term? It stands for 100 cubic feet. And 100 cubic feet is the equivalent of 748 gallons. There are two ways that water meters measure. They either measure
in,000 gallons or they measure in 100 cubic feet. There are probably more utilities around the country that use this ccf or 100 cubic feet. Quite frankly, it's very confusing to customers, but that gives you an idea. Um, and we're talking 20 CCF
uh would be about 15,000 gallons for the quarter, which just give you an idea of maybe a little bit better is that's about 5,000 gallons a quarter is what we say kind of for this a
typical median customer is. So, I know that's confusing, but hopefully that gives you some perspective. Thank you for that. And then on the slide where you have water fund balance where it says projected water reserve fund balance with proposed rate increases.
Yes ma'am. You talked about from 26 to 27 that it actually goes down and then it goes up quite a deal on 28. Why did we why does it decrease such? Um because if you go to the slide before that you'll notice that we're not fully
meeting the revenue requirements. I think I mentioned that there was another option where we have a larger increase to get up to the the full revenue requirements. What we're doing is we're kind of we're trying to um again to benefit or to mitigate customer impacts
have three smaller 14% rate increases as opposed to one larger increase. So to be able to do that, we don't we're not fully meeting our revenue requirements. So, we're having to use some of our fund balance to cover the cost. And that's
okay. Uh, as long as you have a plan to refill those coffers, which you do, and that's why it bumps back up afterwards. But we're having to use a little bit of your reserve funds to fully fund the revenue requirements in in uh FY26 and
FY27. And that's why you see the fund balance dropping a little bit. Okay. So we increased by 14% and it still goes down and because it's going down we're losing on that at that point it is what you're telling me and then we have to go into our reserve because of
that. That's correct because if you go to the the uh slide before that and you look at the FY 2026 that black line is still below the the top of the yellow box. So we're not fully recovering. And if you go back, you know, a few slides
before to what your current situation is, I think it's CL slide six, you're well below that. The increase gets you you're in the the pink section there. The 14% increase gets you well into the yellow section. So almost to the top,
but it doesn't get you all the way there. To get you all the way to the top, it would have required a 21% rate increase in FY 2026. So instead of having, you know, I talked about that other option we looked at, option two, instead of having a 21% then an 8% then
an 8% um what we're recommending is um 34% increases again to try to mitigate customer impacts. Right. I understand that. It it's just that it it looks like we're we're in 25 down to 26 it looks like there's an increase. And
is that where is it that or is that just showing us where we are currently? That's showing you where you are. Okay. All right. So that that clears that up for me. Okay. And then my final question is what percentage do others um do others generally increase by?
It is across the board. I've done 5% increases. I've done 49% rate increases. It depends on how long you've gone without a rate increase. Uh it depends on your capital improvement program. It depends on on just several
factors. So there's no median. There is no I would say um because we do do a big national survey. It's a little over 5% per year is is that but that's if you have a rate increase every year it's 5% per year. Since you last had your rate
increase the consumer price index has gone up almost 25%. And you haven't raised rates at all. So we're having to play catchup. Um, and that's what we're trying to do is over the next three years get you to a point where those
three, four, 5% more inflationary increases are the norm and we don't have to have this big increase. But when you don't have rate increases for several years, you have to get caught up, especially when you have a capital improvement program of the magnitude
because of the regulatory requirements that you're you're facing. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam President. Yes. Um I was just going to ask one quick question. When we talk about the revenue here um is that all of the municipalities? That yes ma'am that is all the municipalities and right now
just so you know same rates for all customers and every you know there's not a there's no rate differential or anything at this point in time. And this is again an across the board rate increase. So the volutric rates going up 14%, the um uh fixed meter charge, you
know, quarterly meter charges going up uh would be going up 14% as well. And you also just have one single class of customers. You don't have a lot of utilities have residential customers and non-residential customers. You just have one one class of customers. Thank you.
And one other followup just I know she asked um how what's the percentage of other municipality other companies going up but how often do they increase their rates? Um most utilities at this point increase rates annually. Annually. Um
there are some that will take a year off every now and then um for various reasons, but most do it annually. Thank you. Because they're trying to keep them at a moderate level. Councilwoman Bisiana.
Thank you, Council President. So, just a quick question. Um, and thank you for the presentation. Appreciate it. When we when we look at page 11 and you're talking about um the the meter charge and then the volumetric rate, right? And so, we're talking about ready to serve
and then we're talking about actual usage. Yes, ma'am. Can we bring this a little more closer and give an actual example of I have a five a 58 meter. Yes, ma'am. Right. So, my ready to serve
is 79.24. Yes, ma'am. Under the current rate, if I use however many cubic feet, tell me what it would be. Right. and then show the difference with the percentage increase. So that way people that are listening can understand how that will hit them as an individual
consumer rather than looking at the whole. Can you do that? I'm not sure I fully understand the question. I mean so under this scenario that um meter charge the 14% increase would go from $7924
to $90.33, right? And so every customer is going to pay uh that and that's for the 58 inch meter and and I will say larger meters uh pay more so it so it scales up. Um then if that customer uses
uh like I you know if they use 10 C 10 CCF over that quarter they would pay that $90.33 plus 10 times $241 which would be $2410 doing used a chosen number that was easy
for me to do my multiplication with. Um, so then you add those two together and their bill would be um $1443 um versus what it is now. And it's not it's very common. Almost every utility has
that um meter charge and a volutric charge. uh and a lot of utilities have tried to increase their meter charge because it provides revenue stability especially and I I mentioned this earlier um there's declining water use
because every washing machine you buy every dishwasher every toilet uses less water irrigation systems are more efficient you know people just are using less water per capita and the problem is
uh the water utility is very capital intensive and you can't shrink the size you you know you have to put a lot of pipes in the ground have a lot of a big infrastructure those costs don't go away um the cost that 230 million in um
capital improvement plan that's regulatory driven that you you have to recover that regardless of how much water is used no I understand that thank you so I was just I just wanted an actual example so that understand they were looking what is the actual impact
as it would hit the person. So when it comes to commercial businesses, right, if I have a commercial property, if there was a 5/8 meter, y in a business, is there ready to serve charge the same exact same charge? Why would we not
charge more for a commercial business property? Because it's a business. Why would we charge them the same amount that we would charge a resident and it's a business? Currently, you this is how you've always done it. To the best of my knowledge, there are plenty of utilities that do have, as I said, separate
residential, non-residential res, right? Because if we're looking to bring revenue in, then we should look when we study, right? The challenge is there's not justification on the um the the fixed charge really to charge
more. There's no you're not they're not doing anything that that that that has a kind of a cost causation on the volumetric charge. there sometimes is um a rationale to charge either more or less. Uh this, you know, to to determine
that would require a cost of service study. This wasn't that. This was a a rate study with a revenue study, but that's something that the council could consider looking at in the future, but that would require some other things. It would also require um the billing system
to have to identify residential versus non-residential customers. And right now it doesn't doesn't have that um we don't have separate in the billing system the the Yeah. Okay. I used to work for Trans Water in the in the um in the billing
department. Okay. Thank you. I appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Harrison. Um my question is um I see here it's first year it's what 30 cent increase right from uh 211 to 2
to 241. Yes, sir. Yeah. Yeah. Um going from there, what what is So it's a recommended every year or is it every year? Three three years of 14% increases. So 14% in 2026, 14% in 2027, 14% in 2028. That gets us basically to
where we need to be. Then we go back to kind of inflationary increases of 4% and 4% in 29 and and 30. So Okay. So what about 2031? What would that be? Um or would it be another? it would probably be in that um more inflationary,
you know, 3 to 5% depending on. Now, it's obviously we get real hazy when we're looking that far in advance. But the thought is by doing this, by having these these large increase, you know, relatively large increases then over the next three years that gets you back to
where you kind of need to be and then you're more in a maintenance level of kind of inflationary and handling kind of uh typical rate increases. if you had been if you had had four to 5% rate increases since 2020 like I said the
last one was there you know obviously we wouldn't need nearly this level of rate increases so we're trying to catch you up get you to a point where your revenue where you have revenue stability and then um and sufficiency and then be able to uh go from there assume that you just
kind of maintain that with inflationary u increases. Okay. Yep. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much for your presentation. Okay. Thank you, Council President.
My apologies. Hold on. We may have one more. That's fine. My apologies, Council Williams. Thank you, ma'am. I forgot to hit the button. My bad. Um, I just had one actually two quick questions. One is I saw in the revenue projections and
revenue requirements you uh had mentioned in 2026 our debt service will bump up 4.7 million and then looked uh later on a few years I think going into 208 it's going to go up another four
and is that because we are retiring uh some bonds or are there particular reasons because those two increases are more substantial potential than in the other years. It may be. Yeah, that that that's a fair question. I'd have to look um it it it's a little bit depending on
on what your existing debt portfolio is and then um how we're layering in the debt associated with the capital improvement plan. As I said, um most of or basically all that $230 million is going to be uh funded through uh debt
service. And you actually have the uh kind of two um you have the New Jersey infrastructure bank and I think another maybe a trust that you can do. One there's interest, one there's not interest. Um but we've we've kind of built that in. So I would have to look
for that specific question um to be able to see what the uh kind of portfolio is currently. U but we assumed what I would say is is pretty basic assumptions on the debt. We're not uh structuring the debt or wrapping the debt. We're
basically doing kind of equal annual payments consistent with how you've uh issued debt in the past. Okay. Thank you. And to follow up that uh would your analysis uh be able to provide us with information on uh how we
may restructure that debt or be able to take on any additional debt obligations for the uh repairs that we have to make in the future which have been advised could run from 600 million to a billion dollars as a FAR number. Yeah. because
that's one of the issues we have is we haven't been able to borrow at a capacity sufficient to be able to make these payments or make these um corrections and make these repairs. So then we're always kind of chasing the dog uh without a chance to actually you
know solve this problem. Now, we have some capacity to serve as a financial adviser, though I presume and we're, as I kind of quickly showed that municipal advisor slide. We're licensed to be able to do that and have some of the capability. We're not your financial
advisor and you, the city, I suspect, has one. What we what frequently happens is we will work with whoever the cities or the utilities um financial advisor is to provide different options for for what can what can happen with the the
debt issuance. So um generally there's a a financing team that kind of looks at that. Uh and we could certainly be and we often are a part of that because what we do is with the rate model we have um we can see what the impacts are uh to
the customers and on the rates with any changes that we would make and what that that debt profile would look like. Okay. Thank you very much. And then my final question would be uh while you're looking at the revenue requirements and making projections and this is really
helpful. Uh were you able and I know your position is with the being a financial adviser uh able to ascertain or you know observe any areas that could be reduced in cost to the city to reduce our revenue requirements uh to possibly
allow for us to not have to raise uh the rates by 14% per year. We did not we weren't tasked with doing kind of what I call an organizational assessment uh to do that. From what I've seen, we were given the reports that
were done by the state and um what it appears to be the case is that we actually may need to increase our um operating expenses to make sure that we can remain a sustainable utility. So,
I'm not sure if to find ways to reduce those may not be possible, but again, that was out of the purview of our our work. Understood. All right. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, Council President. Madam President, Council Vice President Edwards, I'm sorry. I do have
a question after all. Thank you. Um, we are we're required by law to replace our our lines that have lead in them by a certain time frame. And we also have millions of dollars, hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructural
repairs that we have to make. Um I think that includes the decommission of the reservoir and construction of the smaller um water tanks all around Mercer County, right? Um would you say in your professional opinion that these rate increases over time would be able to
sustain that type of debt? Has that been calculated in here? We are taking the the data that we've been given, the $230 million capital uh improvement plan and assuming that that that includes those items and this these
increases will allow that to happen. Um there are a lot of questions about how costly and you are not alone in facing the lead line replacement. Utilities all around the country are are facing that same issue. um you know how expensive
that ultimately ends up being some of the other regulatory requirements. Obviously can't look into a crystal ball and know um but you know assuming that the 230 million covers the cost and and you have folks that have have been looking at that that are um more in tune
with the engineering side of things and and the cost than I am. Um, you know, this plan gets you to be able to handle that and puts you in a good on a good financial path for long-term sustainability for the um utility. Okay.
Thank you. Thank you. Counciloman Frisbee has one more question. So, actually, it's really not a question. And I actually have an observation and as one of my colleagues was pointing out currently we are at 48
486 that um per CCC local annual bill comparisons over five years in comparison to Aqua New Jersey that is we are under we are lower um than Aqua New Jersey by $115 $59 excuse me and if we are comparing
ourselves to New Jersey American water we are currently $37 $17 less than they are. So, just to put it in perspective for those who are listening online and for those that are here currently, the difference between what we charge and these other organizations, these other
companies are charging is gravely uh there there's a huge price difference. So, 159 with Aqua New Jersey and 317 difference with New Jersey American Motor. Just want to bring that to light just so folks can get an understanding, a bearings of where we
are with ma'am. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you so much, Council President. Oh, thank Councilwoman Fris Feliciano. Thank you. Real quick, I'm sorry to to Councilwoman Frisbey's point even with that. Thank you, Councilwoman. Um
when when we look at Aqua New Jersey and Aqua American Water, are there ready to ser are there ready to serve prices the same or or or is the the price per the volume metric piece? I
don't I don't know um I don't know the exact dynamics here. I'm happy to provide that. I can get that to director simple and so you can have that information and he can pass it on to you. Um so you can have that. Yeah, because there is a little difference in and it's at, you know, again, this was
at 20 CCF at at different volumes that that difference might be right different. Um, but yes, I we can get that information. I just don't have it with me. Thanks. I just was curious then just to see with the meter per the usage because ma'am, we're going to get the
the money from the me the meter sizes go up. We're low on the usage. So, why do we price like that? Uh, I don't know. I wasn't involved in that. It's the kind of history. I think some of it is as I said um that getting the meter charged
provides revenue stability because you don't worry about how much water is being used. Uh and it is the other thing is it is very expensive. I know people think well if I don't use any water why should I have to pay anything? Well, to have the um ability to use water, you
know, seven days a week, 24 hours or 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, it's expensive. It's expensive to have that treatment plant that's ready. It's expensive to have the reservoir and especially when you have to replace the reservoir as you, as you mentioned, it's expensive to have the pipelines in the ground um to do that.
So if just to to to provide that opportunity is is very expensive and that kind of captures it. Uh if we did and and one thing that that um we look at is for a utility probably 80% of its
fixed or 80% of its costs may be fixed. Only 20% are really variable based on usage. The challenge is that for a lot of utilities maybe only 20% of their revenue is fixed and 80% is dependent on usage. So there's a little bit of a
mismatch. You guys are actually in a better position than a lot of utilities and that you have a um a meter charge that that's higher because it it helps with your re revenue stability. And if there is, you know, if it's a wet summer
and people don't use as much water or Yeah. I got it. So, thank you. Yeah. All right. So, I'd like to We can get that information for aqua compare it New Jersey how they how they kind of do it. Yeah. Happy to happy to get that for you. Thank you. Thank you, Madam
President. Thank you. All right. Thank you. See if we can keep it rolling. I'm sorry. That's it. We're good to go. Thank you. Uh, Madam President, at this time we have reached the point of public comment for agenda items only. Uh, we'll
get the clipboard for public comment for agenda items only. And to the public public comment for agenda items only. Madam President, we have nobody listed for public comment for agenda items only. So, we can move on. If you want to ask for a motion to approve communications, petitions, and
reports. May we have a motion to approve communications and reports? So moved. Second. Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Yes. Counciloman Figurero Kenberg. Yes. Councilwoman
Frisbee. Yes. Councilman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams. Yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. And Madame President, if you want to move on to ordinances for second reading
and public hearing. Yes, please. I'm sorry. Certainly. Ordinance 25-022, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 35 Damon Street and identified on the city
tax map as block 100003, lot 50, pursuant to NJSA 4A12-13 B5 to Anid Cunningham for the sale price of $2,500. Are there any members of the public that
wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, madam president, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. We have a motion to approve. 25. Uh, councilwoman, should we approve it first and then go to discussion? Second
reading. We got to approve it first. So moved. Second. Thank you. Councilwoman of Figuro Kittenberg. Discussion. Yes. Okay. Um, so I have some questions and
concerns about all of the properties that are up for sale by the city. Um, in reviewing all of these properties that have come before us, and there's a number of them, um, there's a disparity in the square footage, um, what we're
selling them for. Some have assessments, some have old assessments or assessments that are found on GIS, some have no assessments at all. Um, you know, some are labeled as small narrow strips of
land, which is equivalent to another one that is of lesser square footage that is not um labeled that way. Um, we have some being sold for very large amounts of
money. So, just some some examples, a 819 square foot um lot is is classified a sideyard is being sold for $2,500. Another parcel of land is 2,800 ft² is being sold for $2,500. Um,
one for,400 ft² is being sold for 5,000. one for um 1,400 ft is 1,500 um 1300 ft $25,000 being sold. I'd like to know what the rhyme or reason or how
it is that we are coming up with these numbers and these sales. We have one being assessed at $3,900 and it's being sold for $3,000. Um what is our process with this um when it comes to the land where it is? is
because if you look at the code E code 360 um 2500 square f feet is a buildable lot um for row homes under RM1 and RM2 um a buildable lot is 1,500 square ft. If we look at uh row homes um under row
homes one and two 2500 square f feet um or 1500 and 1,200 square feet it it just really really depends. So, I'm I'm trying to just gather why there's so many so many discrepancies and disparities with these numbers. Um the square
footage, the cost, the assessment, no assessment. Why are recent assessments attached to all of this? And you know, my question to uh Director Bridges is I know that this was tabled at our last meeting because I think you said you were not comfortable with these um these
ordinances of these properties for sale, but here they are back on the docket and it does not seem to be any changes. So, can somebody please answer um how this works? I mean, there's one property that assessed at 162,000 and we're selling it for 5,000.
So can somebody speak to this and what is the rhyme or reason with these properties? Yeah, if if I may, council president, thank you for the question. Yes, director. Thank you for question council the woman of Figaro Kentenberg. Um my my purpose um last meeting for pulling these was I I wanted to more
understand the process. The question was properly asked I believe by councilwoman um Feliciano with respect to the sale of uh properties to employees. So I wanted to confirm what I believe to be the case which is the case and and I want let's talk about the process. Um number one is
about if you're selling it to anybody including employees which there's no um rule against that it has to be transparent. I've been able to confirm since the last meeting that there is a list um on the city's website that lists all the um city- owned properties that are available. That's the first step in
transparency. The second step I wanted to ensure was that there was a review of those um by a group of individuals not only looking at the party's abilities to redevelop but also their financial solveny that has also been uh addressed and and and answered. So with respect to
the process and the transparency and the equal access um to the properties and and and um making sure that the um process for that was not compromised. I got those answers and I was satisfied with those answers. With respect to the sale price and how that's determined,
that's more granular and I would defer to director of department and I believe that um Mr. uh Beachch is pinch hitting um in lie of Mr. uh Lon to discuss how those numbers came about and how the uh sales price as well as maybe the
question later on the acquisition price were determined by the city. Thank you. I mean, in addition, Mr. Beach, just to just to be clear and and um yeah, none of my concerns were what you mentioned, Director Bridges. So, thank you. That was It's good to know what you were uncomfortable with. I mean, another
listing probably just just another example is a nonconforming, which means like no windows or no egress, and that's almost 4,400 square feet, and that's selling for 13,000. Um, again, I know Councilwoman Feliciano had brought this up and I think that she had created a
type of flowchart or something that things could be marked effectively so we knew why we I think we had asked for recent assessments to be included in property sales that did not happen. Some of these forms that are attached to these ordinances are not filled out
properly. Um, so just kind of if you can clarify with us like what what is the process? How are we We want the properties to sell, but we want it to be fair across the board. So, can you please explain that for us? Jim Beach, Chief of Staff. Um,
if you please, Council President. Um, I'll do my best. Councilwoman Figuero Kettenberg. Um, I I think you hit the nail on the head when you said we want to make get these properties moving and you know, the city
has a plethora of rundown properties, empty lots, and you know, people are clamoring to try to clean up their neighborhoods and we want to get this process moving. Um, director Bridges mentioned that, you know, there is a process that we are
working on. I don't know if it's appropriate I can share a draft of it with it's and keep in mind it is a draft but it's what we're working on and it addresses the different aspects of how the city's going to look to sell these properties including pricing and what
goes into those um considerations of what prices we're going to be charging or not even charging but what we're agreeing with the buyer to sell to them for. And you know there's different considerations in terms of you know the
quality of the building not it's not just size but you know whether you know the building's in a dilapidated state whether it's in a bad neighborhood. All those go into um the considerations of what we want to sell to somebody for
because if we're looking to revive a neighborhood, you know, we're not going to charge top dollar to somebody for for a property in a neighborhood that's down on its luck and we're trying to get that back on its feet. Um so let me step away from the mic for a second and I'll share
the process. Apologies, Councilwoman Williams. Um, I can email it to you after the meeting. Um, and I understand where you're I understand where you're coming from. You're saying neighborhoods or whatever, but wouldn't that um be better served?
Wouldn't we be better served um to that point with actual assessments here and now? I mean, I know that there was dealings with properties in the past where the persons wanting to purchase the properties had to pay for their own assessment. They had to pay for their own survey. you know, right now it doesn't seem like there are assessments
and it it just and I get what you're saying, but it doesn't seem like a fair process. Um, some of those GIS assessments are upwards of 70 80,000 and we're saying we're giving it to you for $2,500. That is from that is blank. That is in
the ordinances. I can name the ordinances if you'd like. So, but the GIS assessments, you're talking about the tax assessments, what you guys are getting off the GIS server. Yeah. Right. The geological Yeah. So, some of them are saying they'll it gives you a land and um housing assessment from whenever
it doesn't doesn't say. So, it's not we don't know if it's today or if it's 20 years ago. And that's why we're not relying on the GIS assessment to say that's what we should be saying, but they're attached to the ordinance. So, for us to review, it's attached to the ordinance for us to review. And we have
nothing else more current than for us to review. So there's no assessment today that says this is what this property is valued at. What is your offer? Is this fair and reputable and can we give it to you? That's not what's happening. Um yeah, I didn't put those packages
together, Councilwoman. So I'm not sure how to answer that. Um well, what I'm saying is if these are going to come before us in this way, no point process. Point taken. That's why I'm sharing this draft process with you and you know any
feedback that you can offer is certainly welcome. You know, the administration wants this to be a fair and transparent process that, you know, benefits certainly the residents of this city as we try to promote home ownership in the city. And, you know, so maybe we will be
selling for well below, you know, what a GIS assessment is. That might have been done 10 years ago when a a building was still standing. And if you go out to that building today, you know, it's probably falling into the street. So, yeah, but it just seems like we're pulling numbers from the air as to what
we could sell them for. I just think we could do better. You'll you'll see in this draft document, you know, we do do talk about pricing and there's a presumptive price for an empty lot of a,000. There's a presumptive price for a
structure, a residential structure of 2500. And then you have all the other factors that come into play. Okay. Thank you, Council President. Council President. Um, Director Bridges, did you want to respond that um, one other item,
Councilwoman Felixiano, if if that's permissible. Thank you, Council President. One other item I want to uh, clarify with respect to the process that I think will also um, address Councilwoman Figurero Kettenberg's um, concern is um, we're going to include in that process when when it is the case
that there is no other interested party in that property. so that we will be able to identify on the date that this application was received and approved there was no other interested party bidding on uh or expressing an interest in those in that property or properties and that'll do two things make sure that
we're you know obviously designating when the decision was uh made so there's no Monday morning quarterbacking but also in reality most of these properties abandoned for a very long period of time so you know uh we're going to get what someone's willing to pay and unless and until someone is going to come in before
that and say they're paying more. The the properties are worth what someone's willing to pay for them essentially. And I do want to point out to the council, you know, the primary objective here is not to make money necessarily off of the sale of the properties. The primary
objective is to get the properties back on the back on the tax rules. Makes sense. But with that, we would need an assessment, right? So once the property has been rehabilitated, but you know, you can go out to a property today that's dilapidated and
you know, it's going to sit there vacant. So why not sell it for a below market, get it back on the tax roles, have it rehabilitated, and get it back on the tax roles. Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman Fuciano. Thank you, Council President. So I think um
in in looking in looking at this right it's dated June and then it says as of April 2025 blah blah blah right so um the format is interesting it it looks familiar um
when director Lon was here I had as uh Councilwoman Figurero Kenberg said asked and created a spreadsheet showing the different lot sizes is and because I was confused as far as what we were doing and why, right? So, the lot size,
this is the appraised value based on this GIS assessment here, the proposed uh price and then the actual price. The variances cause concern. I said that we needed to have a checklist prepared of some sort that the council would be able
to go by. Um, so a checklist was then prepared but also asked for a process to make it make sense. So even if we wanted to go with um a a certain range, right?
So if it was this size lot 25 by 100, I don't know, um, and the assessed value was this amount of money, we would accept between this and this. I mean, just something so we had a guide map that we could look at. So it makes sense
for me. It doesn't it it doesn't make sense that if a side lot and again I want sales to happen. I am all for getting it on the tax roles and all that kind of stuff like that. But if a side lot that is not buildable that someone would just use as a driveway would
assess for $5,900 and we have them pay $2500. Why why then would we give a buildable lot to people for the same price? It just doesn't make sense. And until this draft is final, I will be abstaining
from every vote on all of these um properties because for me, it just does not make sense at this time. I need something concrete, something fair, something good for all people, something that when we look at it, it makes sense.
Um and and I'm just I'm not comfortable voting on any of this at this time. So, Madam President, my votes will be abstain from every single ordinance when it deals with property for first and second readings until we get a policy document in place with with good
substantial documentation that makes sense to all the residents in the city. Also, I did not have so to correct Director Bridges, I didn't have a question about employees buying properties. That was Councilwoman Frisbee. Um, and then you went to clarify. Um, and then we all said, "We
don't have a problem with any uh employees buying it." I mean, you make them live here to work here, so they should be able to benefit from buying a property. That's the standpoint. But I understood that she wanted clarity. So, for the record, I just wanted to clear that up. Um, yeah. So, I'll be
abstaining from all votes when it comes to these ordinances about these properties because again, for me, it just it just does not make sense at this time. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Williams, chief of stamp um beach. Thank you, Madam President. I'm Councilwoman
Williams and then I'll come to you. I'm sorry, I saw her first. Thank you. Um I just want to say I'm really glad to hear about this, you know, process even, you know, in comparison to what was been presented earlier because it is important. We need to make sure that
everyone on council, in administration, and in the public feels that the process is going to be fair and equitable, but also does make sense. And I share uh my colleagues uh concerns about this. And I'm really thankful that, you know, Councilwoman Figuro Kenberg and
Councilwoman Feliciano highlighted so many key points because, you know, people look at the numbers, they do ask, okay, well, why is this happening this way? Why is that happening that way? And also with you know miss what Mr. Beat said you know some neighborhoods just
like any real estate market some neighborhoods are going to be good to buy in or hot to buy in easy to buy in and build or get your investment back etc. Also at the same point, we do need to make sure that the city is getting a
fair price for it, that the tax assessed uh for it is current, and at the end of the day, people can feel confident that when they buy a property here, particularly Tranonians, that they're being traded fairly and that it improves
the situation for that neighborhood, the situation for the buyer, the entrepreneur, and also our city's bottom line. Yeah, we can't sell real estate to make money. We're not toll brothers, but at the same point, we do have to meet our costs and hopefully reduce the
obligations on our taxpayers. So, I'm really thankful that we're having such a robust discussion because this this is wonderful and it's been so needed. Thank you, Council Vice President. Thank you, Madam President. Um, good evening, Mr. Beach. And um I just wanted to
comment on all of this in a in from a different perspective. Um we have thousands of properties in this city that we're not collecting taxes from that has been sitting there for for many many years and many of these
properties are falling down and are are in very poor condition. They cost upwards of 85,000 to 150,000 to fix up for a single family property. We're not talking about commercialsiz properties.
Um I'm willing to support whatever it it is to get these properties back on the tax role, especially for Trenton residents who have for so long been redlined out of the process. Um, I have seen properties sold to people for a
dollar, $10 for massive sizes of properties that are still sitting dormant and for various reasons and and I feel like we need to do whatever we can to return these properties back to
the tax role for our bottom line. Um, to the points made, we're not a real estate agency. So, we're not in the business of making massive amounts of money off of selling property. The the objective is to get them back on the tax road, get
them back on our water and sewer usage and things like that to end the dilapidation and blighted um state of conditions in our neighborhoods. So, um I am in favor of these ordinances. I have asked many questions about the
process and from what I've understood is these prices came from offers that were made by the applicants not from what the administration said they're willing to accept at a minimum for these properties. So, I think in fairness and
when we're speaking about fairness, um, when we're asking, oh, how did these prices come about? $2,500 for a lot or for a house, that's the offers that were made by the applicants and given the conditions of them, the administration was willing to accept. Now, there are
some instances where negotiations would come into play, but typically in these cases, from my understanding, from meeting with um the former director listing, that these were offers that were made. And so, I think in fairness,
let's accept them. Let's get these back on the tax roles. Otherwise, they're going to fall in the hands of people that like to pray on our residents who are going to buy them and rent them out and overpric them or they're going to sit there and continue to fall apart.
So, I think that it is um I I feel a sense of urgency to sell these properties and get them back on the tax role. And that was one of the one of my main focuses as a council member is ending the blight in Trenton. And this is part of that. And so I think we
should take that into consideration that it's about the blight. It's about getting more tax revenue in our city so we're not so dependent on the state. We're not begging for money. We're not, you know, operating in a deficit. So I I hope that, you know, we get the answers
that my council colleagues feel as though they need. Um, but I I'm trusting the process that it is transparent, it is fair, it is legal, and um I'm willing to vote in favor of them tonight. So, thank you. Thank you, Council Vice
President. So, I also wanted to chime in just on that before you um counciliano. Um I also share the same sentiments as council vice president. Um, I know that this has been we've already been doing these since we've been this this year, I
should say, from this year. Um, and looking at some of the homes, when you actually look at the ones that are being sold for some of the prices, they are very dilapidated. And so, I agree with us putting it on a tax role. This is all we keep hearing every single day from our residents is that we have all of
these vacant properties and um, you know, Trenton looks like this and Trenton looks like that. um and looking at the outline from what they've been working on over the last several months trying to sell some of these properties. And I want to just also give a you know a thank you to I know we had a new
attorney, Miss Murray, who has been diligently trying to um go through most of those backlogs that we've had for years. And I believe that that you know it is important for our residents to get first um opportunity to purchase some of
these properties. So, I am also in favor of selling some of these uh properties that are listed below. Um um Councilman Feliciano, your turn. Sorry. Thank you. So, thank you, Council President. So to
to council vice president's point, I am not against any resident in the city of TR being able to buy property. I'm not against that, right? I know we've seen people who have bought apartment buildings.
They don't pay for all the water for the units that they have in the apartment buildings. It's a lot of things that have taken place um here that we are trying to correct. I love the fact when you talked about, you know, dealing with blight. I also said that I'm all about revitalization, accountability, right?
Collaboration, and equity for all. And so my point is this. We've now been presented with a draft of what would it would look like, and they're still developing what this would look like for the properties. I'm not
coming off on the people in the city of Trenton. I'm saying the administration should have been doing better. That that's what I'm saying flat out. There should have always there should have been something already in the works. I know that we changed between HD directors. Director Lon was putting
things together um and now he he has he has gone on his way. Um but but this should the these things should have been in place and I have a problem with the fact that there's no real concrete process and now we're getting a draft
process today when these things have been discussed meetings ago and this should have been in play. All I'm saying is I want the process first. Even if it's we if you come in it's not going to be the assessed value. It's
going to be what we if you offer us whatever we going to go with whatever it is. I just want to see the process in writing so that when I do this I can say yes everyone gets the same thing. So now I'm not asking if it's this size lot by this size. Why are you selling it for
this price? It's not that I'm trying to beat anybody up over the price. It's that I want and a due process so that when I vote I understand and everyone understands that everyone is being treated fairly. That's all I'm asking for. That That's it. So, that was my
point with that. I'm still abstaining from all the votes when it comes to these properties. Um and and I'd like to see the final policy that we can all work from that we understand. If council wants to vote on this without having a concrete policy, council is fit to do as
as they see as they see fit. I'll be abstaining until I see of of something unless everything goes through. Thank you. Thank you. Um go ahead. Councilwoman Harrison first. My question is uh how many vacant properties or lots do we have in city?
What is the number? It's about 2,000. About 2,000. So that's about 2,000 properties every year. We got to cut the grass, the weeds, and then if squatters break in, we got to reboard it up. Right. Correct.
Or a fire could happen on and could burn to the ground. I understand. I can see we need to we need to keep moving forward. We have I mean it's 2000 now. What was it two years ago? What was the number? What was the number then? About two years ago.
Couldn't comment on that. Councilman, I don't know. I could anybody comment on that? Does anybody know off hand? 5,000. Right. Right. He says more. How much? What do you Okay. All right.
So, thank you. And then also really quickly um to council Feliciano's point um when we did discuss some of the things if I'm not mistaken before council this was verbally discussed maybe not formally in writing but I do know that we discussed like the priority list and that the people who wanted to
purchase a property who wanted to live in it like we've had several discussions in regards to um the process. I understand we may not have had this in writing as it is in front of us, but we've had something similar as far as when we were discussing the priority list and what we should add onto the
priority list and and and things of that nature. Um I'm sorry to interrupt you, Council President, to to that point, you actually as a body passed a resolution back in February priority list, setting those priorities. Yes, I remember. Thank you. Um Mr. beach. Um, that's why I I
know we've had several discussions as the process cuz these questions have been coming up and and and we did discuss the whole priority list and that was something that we voted on. But, um, thank you so much. Thank you, Council President. Oh, so I just
want to address some of the things that my colleague said to Council Harris's point. We have 2,000 vacant properties that are the city's responsible to mow and fix and and take care of. How many properties do we have in a city that are owned by homeowners that do not care for their properties? We have to call people
to um send the city out to assess it, to maybe give them a citation that they ignore, they don't fix their properties. This doesn't guarantee care of or management of properties. To council woman, council vice president um Edward's point about, you know, they sold properties for a dollar and then
they just fell by a wayside. Well, we're essentially giving these properties away too without, you know, any proper assessment. So it's essentially the same thing. What I'm saying is I feel like there needs to be proper valuation of these properties. You cannot uh it's to
the point of these properties were just uh they're given to people who say this is what I want to give for this property. So we're going to say okay you can have the property for that price. When you walk into a grocery store and the bread is $5.49 and you walk up to the register and say I have $2 to give
you for this bread. You're not walking out with the bread. I'm just saying there needs to be valuations properly across the board. A 2500 foot property being sold for $2,500 versus a 800 foot
property being sold for $2,500 that you cannot build on. It doesn't make sense unless there's something written in proper order. There's some formalities that make it make sense. Let us know. Nobody else asked for this property. How does how did this person inquire about this property?
um things, you know, other things need to go into play instead of just it it just seems like numbers are being pulled out of a hat. You want this property, here's the number out of the hat. Here's what you pay. Well, I think Councilwoman Feliciano pointed it out. These were
numbers that we received from the buyers. So, if a buyer is willing to pay 2500 for an 800 square foot lot, are we going to negotiate against ourselves and say, "No, it's only worth a,000. We only want a thousand for it to be quote
unquote fair. If we are getting an offer that we believe is, and I'm not even going to say fair, but sufficient. And the most important thing I think we're doing now that didn't happen under the $1 program is we're assessing the
financial viability of the buyers to make sure that when they buy this property that they're going to be able to do with it what they are claiming they're going to do with it. So we don't have them sitting out there unused and and undeveloped for another decade.
I I understand what some of the council is saying about the um process. You know, it's a work in progress, but at the same time, you know, we need to get this process moving. And you know the
important the you know priority of the administration is to get the houses moving not necessarily that we're going to you know turn the city's budget around by selling properties. Thank you uh Mr. Beach. I appreciate the
information and thank you colleagues. Thank you all. May we move to the vote, Madam President? Yes, we can move to the vote. My apologies. Certainly. Uh, roll call. Vice President Edwards.
Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Abstain. Noted. Councilwoman Figueroa Katenber. Abstain. Noted. Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. Councilman Harrison, yes.
Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-23, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as Lipton Avenue and identified on
the city tax map is block 34005 lot 6 pursuant to NJSA4A 1213B5 to David W. Basted for the sale price of $2,500. Are there any members of the public that
wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, madam president, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes.
Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain. Councilwoman Figuro Kevinberg, Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes.
Motion carried. Ordinance 25-31, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 141 to 147 West Ingam Avenue and identified on the city tax map as block
6804 lot 13 pursuant to NJSA 4A 1213C to Ulochi Global I hope I said that right. Ulchi Global Investments LLC for the sale price of $30,000. Are there any members of the public that
wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain.
Councilwoman Figueroberg, Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-33,
Ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 46, 48, and 50 Ty T Tyrell Avenue, and identified on the city tax map as block 1803, lots 19,8, and 17 pursuant to NJSA
4A12-13C to Tyrell Street Redevelopment LLC for the sale price of $15,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Oh yeah, press the button. Please state your name and address for the record.
Walter Mason, uh 44 Pennsylvania Avenue, Tren, New Jersey. These properties I own 52 Tyrell. I've been trying to get these properties for like four years now and I had to invest in 50 because it's tearing my property down. So, I I really need
these properties. That's all I need to say. Thank you. Are there any other members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second.
Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain. Councilwoman Figuroa Edinburgh. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes.
Motion carried. Ordinance 25-048, Ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 24 Hart Avenue and identified on the city tax map as block 21403 lot 16 pursuant to NJSA 4A1213C
to Aciada Ibraim for the sale price of $5,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May we have a motion to approve. So moved.
Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Abstain. Councilwoman Figuro Kevinberg. Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. Counciloman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams.
Yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-049, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 37 Tyrell Avenue and identified on the city tax map as block 1701, lot 50 pursuant
to NJSA 4A1213B5 to Ruth Rose Hawkins for the sale price of $1,500. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May we have a motion to approve. So moved.
Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain. Councilwoman Figueroa Kenberg, Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams,
yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-51. Ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 457 West Hanover Street, 29 Marian
Street, 315, 323, and 327 Rutherford Avenue. And identified on the city tax map as block 2303, lot 20, block 4601, lot 8, block 4601, lots 45, 41, and 39.
pursuant to NJSA 4A1213C SM Trenton Redevelopment LLC for the sale price of one $100,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve.
May we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second, Madame President. Um, Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. on this is just one word in here where it says SM second to the bottom line. It should have the word two in front of it to be uniform with all the other ordinances.
Uh yeah, two NJ 2 SN Trenton Development. Note it. Thank you. Are there any other discussion? Hearing none, I'll go to the vote. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano.
Abstain. Councilwoman Figuero Edenberg. Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. Councilman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams. Yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-052.
Ordinance authorizing sale of city-owned property commonly known as 21 North Olden Avenue and identified on the city tax map as block 260003 lot 16 pursuant to NJSA 4A1213C to Yois Maria
Lanes Reyes for the sale price of $25,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second.
Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Abstain. Councilwoman Figuro Kenberg. Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. Councilwoman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams.
Yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-53. Ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 10 Beak Street and identified on the city tax map as block 8703, lot 13, pursuant
to NJSA4A 12-12C to Hector WA for the sale price of $4,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you
want to ask for a motion to approve. May I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Um, Madame President, uh, Councilwoman Edward, Council Vice President. Um, thank you. Uh, I was wondering if the state statute that
cited here, 40A, um, 12-12C was because this is a city employee versus the other ones where it's 12-13 C. No, this is 12-C. She's right. Or is that a typo?
I believe that's a typo. It might be a typo on because I got C also on mine. So maybe our original one. Oh, I do see it is a typo because on the actual ordinance Yes. versus our docket is different. Okay, never mind then. Thank
you. Right. Thank you. Would note that as well. 13. Thank you. Moving on to the vote. Vice President Edwards, yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain.
Counciloman Figurero Kevin, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-54.
Ordinance authorizing sale of city-owned property commonly known as 271 Tyler Street and identified on the city tax maps block 13805 lot 5 pursuant to NJSA 4812-13C
to Luis Pesantes and Renee Reyes for the sale price of $13,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May we have a motion to approve? So moved.
Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain. Councilwoman Figueroa Kenberg, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes.
Motion carried. Ordinance 25-55, ordinance authorizing sale of city-owned property commonly known as 61 Anderson Street and identified on the city tax map is block
14705, lot 44 pursuant to NJSA 4A 1213 C to JU for the sale price of $150,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if
you want to ask for a motion to approve. May I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain. Councilwoman Figuro Keber, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Counciloman
Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-56, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 630 Edgewood Avenue and identified on
the city tax map is block 2702, lot 16 pursuant to NJSA 4A 1213C to Ebony Day for the sale price of $3,000. Are there any members of the public wish to speak to this ordinance at this time?
Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second roll call. Vice President Edwards, yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain. Councilwoman Figuero Kevin, abstain.
Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-57, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 36 Binmar Avenue and identified
on the city tax map is block 6202 lot 44 pursuant to NJSA 481213C to Lazaro Dubam for the sale price of $25,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if
you want to ask for a motion to have a motion to approve. So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards, yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain. Councilwoman Figuro Kevinberg, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman
Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-63, ordinance requiring the distribution of utility notices to residential tenants by landlords or owners of residential
premise within the city of Trenton. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? You can come right up, man. Come on. You can come right up. Please state your name and address for the record when you approach.
Shila Amaker 211 Parkway Avenue Trenton New Jersey. Um this ordinance for the landlords to dispute um to give the tenants uh information on the water bill. There's
several problems with that. Certain tenants are paying almost 24 to $2,700 of their rent to the landlord and their taxes are less than $4,000 a year. I can give you several properties if you want
to compare notes. In the lease, it states that tenants are responsible for the utilities. But these landlords are using these management companies all on South Broad to make their own rules.
Some out of town, but mostly that tenants know whether they're responsible for the water bill. uh to tenants that see receive uh rental assistance section 8, they're required as landlords to pay one of those utilities and it's
usually the water. And recently I had to reach out to council member because you had a 71 year old woman who was not entitled to pay the water bill that had to beg to get her water turned back on.
The landlord was not reachable. The management company would not come down here and pay. In her lease and in her contract, it stated she wasn't responsible for the water bill, which was over $3,000.
This woman is good to the community. She take care of animals. She'll help just about anybody. The outcome turned out that the management company came down and told her she has to pay $300 more on top of the rent that she can't afford
for them to turn the water back on. These landlords are high in between these management companies and these LLC's. And unfortunately, the city can't even find half of these landlords. And in some of these houses, even the ones that Charlotte let being purchased,
they're just being used to pull equity and neglect a tenant. So if there is should be something written for tenants to pay water bill, when that rent succeeds more than what you could afford, that should be left on the
landlord. That should not be left on the tenant. I get that we use it, but why am I paying $2,400 in rent, paying lights, food, health insurance, and could barely afford to live? And this landlord
doesn't even have to come to the city and address him not being responsible for the water bill. And I don't know how much is this is true, but I was informed that some landlords can use the water bill as a write-off. I'm a tenant and I
always paid my water bill, but my landlord came down to the city and took my name off the water bill and I still pay it. But there's no answer or response to him about anything, even the smart meters that's supposed to go
there. And if a tenant or the landlord don't respond to the water company about the smart meter, our bill is going to double in the next 30 days. So, I get it. They should give us some notice. it should be in the lease, but if the tenant, if the landlord is using that as
some type of write off and we're still paying it in their name, it's not fair to us. It's not fair to anybody. So, I don't know how this is going to work out because these landlords can't be found half of the time. They hide behind these management companies that's running
around bullying your tenants, raising the rent, not coming down to rent stabilization board to do it. It's so much that come along that. But you also have apartment buildings that landlords are turning these houses into three apartments. The water bill is coming in.
Hey, the water jumped. I need $50 a month. And out of fear of being homeless, they're paying it. So, I get that. We should know. I'm a tenant that knows that if I don't pay that water bill, that's the first way my landlord's going to get me out through the courts. So,
we might need to look into how a tenant is notified and how does the city actually know that the landlord is going to take responsibility for their actions. Thank you. Thank you, Shaqula. Um, Councilwoman Feliciano, I know this was your ordinance. Thank you, Council
President. So, um, to your to your points, ma'am, thank you for for for speaking on it. This was this is not a notice that would go out to to say who's paying the water bill. This is that the landlords have to provide notice to the
tenants for things like when they send out advisories about use the uh boil the water first. There's there's something in the water. There's something wrong. There's advisories that are being sent out that those are the notices that's being referenced in this ordinance that
they they have to let you all know what's happening so that you can take precautions if necessary. We hope that there wouldn't be anything else happening, but just in case there were or if there's things about you have to have the meter changed. I don't know if your unit is is nearby where it is or if
you're in a house where you have to let the people in to to do whatever they have to do. they have to serve notice to let the tenants know what's going on. To your issue about the landlords paying the bill um and then um tenants having
to suffer when they don't. I've been in discussions with people at the water department to talk about if there was way because at one time the water was in the tenants name despite the landlord but then something changed where they where they can't differentiate or
something. I'm not quite sure and I don't want to speak off key, but that issue has been brought forward as well about how to protect so your water is not cut off and so you are not being um mistreated with the increase in a price
because the landlord just wants to do that. Um, and to your point about the LLC's and everything else, this council as a whole has questioned, right, the process about why, you know, trying to get down to who is behind the LLC and what exactly is happening.
Unfortunately, they're just in some cases where they cannot, right, where the administration cannot. It's under the LLC name and that is what it is. But we're always thinking and talking about ways to try to make things better. But to answer about this ordinance, it's that they have to serve notice of any
advisories or things that you need to know. Um whether you pay whether you're responsible for the bill or not, you're still drinking the water, using the water, and everything else. You have a right to know what's happening. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Counciloman Feliciano.
Garcia, I believe you need a motion. What's wrong? We did. We motioned and we second, didn't we? We did. We did. Yeah. So, we go to a vote now. Yeah.
Frisbee and we did you said there's Yeah. No, I asked I thought I had asked if anybody was question if there was anybody to speak to the ordinance which comes first and then somebody spoke and then after that
I did not get a motion in a second. Well, we have a motion to approve 25-063. So moved. Thank you. If there's no discussion, we can have a roll call. Vice President Edwards, yes.
Councilwoman Feliciano, yes. Councilwoman Figuro Kevinberg, yes. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-64,
Ordinance Revising, amending, and supplementing Chapter 8 316, rules of procedure of the Trenton Municipal Code. Are there any members of the public to wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Seeing none, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May
we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, yes. Counciloman Figuro Kevinberg, yes. Councilwoman
Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, abstain. Noted. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. And Madam President, we're moving on to resolutions at this
time. Uh there is one walk-on resolution. We will be numbering that as 25-235. And if you'd like, I can read that resolution. Title of that resolution. Um the uh the walk on. Yes. Yes, please. Resolution
accepting a bid in awarding a contract to Witson's Food Service Bronx uh LLC for the 20 2025 summer food service program for the Department of Recreation Natural, excuse me, natural resources
and culture. This contract shall be awarded from June 30th, 2025 to August 20 22nd, 2025 in an amount not to exceed 370,335. Bid 2025-46.
Thank you. And Madam President, uh, at this time, if there are any items that you and the council have want to extract for questions or extract from potential consent agenda. Yes. Are there any council members who wish to have anything any questions on
for the resolutions? And if there are none, if you want to make a motion to Council President. Okay. Councilwoman Williams. Thank you, ma'am. Uh 233 and 234. I'm sorry. Say it one more time. 234.
Sure. Yep. 233. two three four. Got it. Thank you. That's it. All right. Thank you. I think that's it, Mr. Garcia. Understood, Madam President. So, we can
have Councilwoman Williams for 25-233 and 234. Director Honor Terry, if you're available. I don't see him. Oh, we Mr. W. Hello. This is Hector We um assistant director in public works
representing director on vacation. Thank you very much. Um, so my question is, uh, so regarding uh, West State, I'm really glad uh, that this section between Parkside and Prospect will be
worked on. U, but I was curious as to the portion of West State between North Warren uh, to Calhoun or even the further part even uh, going towards Prospect. I know the state of New Jersey has uh decided that they were going to
try to take some responsibility of West State Street and with all the construction at the state house particularly and the moving of lines, it's it's pretty bad. So, can you um let us know, you know, what the situation is
on repaving West State also uh between North Warren all the way to Calhoun and then even further hopefully to Prospect Streets. I've gotten a bunch of complaints about that. Well, um the West History project have
been have been long time coming since 2021. Uh this project has been put on the back burner for so much different reasons um from contractors to designers and then now we
we are glad that it's up for voting today. We hope that um this goes through and this West Street um problem comes to an end. Um for the section of West Street um between between Paxside and Sanin Drive that's
already on a design. So that that will be coming up probably in the next couple of council meetings coming up. As far as the state, I can't speak to that right now. Uh there will be a separate negotiation between the state and our
director director. Okay. So as far as the state, would they be responsible from Barrack Street to Calhoun or from Warren to Calhoun? Well, that would probably be from Barrack Street to Calhoun. Okay. So then
Warren to uh from Barracks to Warren and then from Calhoun to uh Prospect. Is that something in the next few years uh or maybe later this year? Is the possibility or is that on the planning board at all or on your
your board of plans rather? I don't see the possibility of that being done this year. Probably in in the next year or two probably. Okay. All right, thank you very much. That takes care of my question for that one, sir. And then my other question
regarding 234 and very thankful this is happening for Chestnut because that's sorely needed also and this will help uh folks in the north and the uh east wards. Do you have uh after tonight's hopeful approval, do you have an
expected start date? Because I know it says uh during a period of 75 calendar days for notice to proceed. Yeah, if if these both get approved today, uh hopefully in August, uh we
should be commencing construction. Okay, that would that would be outstanding. And then um associated with that, Greenwood Avenue will probably get started in the next several weeks after school ends. I think yes, Greenwood Avenue waiting uh for school to close
and certainly all schools are closed now. So probably in the next one week, two weeks uh that project will be on its way. Okay. All right. Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, Council President. Thank you. Um Mr. We have Councilman Harrison. U did we ever get any uh
information about what's going to be happening with Hamilton Avenue Chambers? You spoke about Greenwood Avenue, but is there any update of what's going to be happening with Hamilton Avenue and Chambers? I don't have any update off right now. Yes. So, I can get to you
with that probably tomorrow. I can let you know. Yeah, because those streets are in dire need. Same thing with Greenwood Avenue. It's been in um massive massive uh craters. So what happened is most of those streets were cut by PSNG uh doing a gas line
replacement project. Uh we met with them in probably one week two weeks ago. So PSNG is going to give us their schedule and their list and then they will put a timeline on when those trees going to be paved. So as soon as I get that I will share that information with you. So
Greenwood probably and Chambers probably goes to school, lets out hopefully same thing with Hamilton. I would hopefully it's going to get done soon because it's in dire need. Yes, that's correct. All right, I'll be looking for that. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. We Thank you, Council President. Oh,
Councilwoman Feliciano, I don't I don't have a question. I just I have a statement about 25 226 if I may. Yes. Just for public consumption. Um, so it it said the reason why we're doing
this, we haven't adopted the budget. The tax bills need to be issued for the next quarter. Um, so people will be getting estimated bills, ensuring that they can still remit taxes and quarterly payments on or about
August 1 due date. So I just wanted to make sure. And then it says if the estimated bills are not mailed, then they'll be forced to remit two payments back to back, which may cause a hardship on the budget. So that's why this is important for us to do this. Um, but that for people to know that they'll be
receiving an estimated bill so that we can still keep billing the people. That's the only statement I wanted to make. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Felixiano. Yep. Mr. Garcia, think we're ready for a consent agenda. Certainly, Madame President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve a consent agenda
consisting of all the resolutions this evening. Yes. May we have a motion to approve the resolutions? So move. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Yes. Councilwoman Figuro Kevinberg.
Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. Counciloman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams. Yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. Moving on to ordinances for first reading and introduction.
Ordinance 25-20. Ordinance authorizing the cityowned sale of city-owned property commonly known as 36 Southern Street and identified on the city tax map as block 1102 lot 21 pursuant to NJSA 4A 1213B5
to Salam Rutherford for the sale price of $3,000. And Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. May I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. We have a second. Thank you.
Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Um, ordinance. I I'm sorry. I have question before we move. Okay. There's there's different and forgive me if I'm just missing something, but the the statutes the
state statutes cited in this one and the next one are different from uh and the next two are different from five and right and 13 C 12-13 B5 and all the other ones that we've voted on was 12-13
C. Is there a reason why they're different? I didn't catch that before. No, 2021. It's Council President, if I may, I believe that was also a typo. Um, if you look at the in the interior of the documents, they they recite the
proper citation. If you give me a brief moment, I'll confirm that. Okay. So, it should be 40 A-12-13 C for 2021 and 25. Yes. Thank you.
Um, thank you. All right. My title say All right. Thank you. Yes, sir. To include um 13C. Thank you. Okay, with that, um, uh, we had a motion
and we're on a vote, uh, council vice president. Okay. Do we need a motion to approve? I mean, to amend that or is it just going to be corrected? Sure. I'll defer to the solicitor. Do we have to amend it on floor? They could just be amended. It it it is non-substantial.
They could be amended to reflect the proper statute. But do we need a motion to amend or can No, you do not. It could just be amended. You don't. You could just amend it. Okay. Council President, if I may be heard, Jim Beach, chief of staff. So,
the statute that's referred in there 4A12-13B5 uh refers to uh sale of real estate contiguous to the real property being sold. That's in an undersized um it's under size to be developed on.
Um, and I think that's why that was cited in those two ordinances. U, so they're supposed to be B5 for 2021 and 25. That's correct. The the citation
is correct in in those two ordinances. Thank you for undersized underiz. Thank you for the clarification, Mr. Beach. Um, and oh, I'm sorry.
I don't mean to hold up the process here. I know we all want to go home soon, but the the depth and width of this property is 21 by 100. I wouldn't consider that as an undersized property
that you can't develop on. So maybe it should be 12-13C because this is particularly larger than some of the ones that were under the other state statute which I've saw earlier was 14 by 100 ft. This one is
twice the depth of that property or nearly twice the depth or width what is a continu is a continuous lot. They're two side by side. Okay. Oh, it's two side by side. Mhm. So, this is two
lots. It's not stating that. Okay. As long as the statute is correct, that's my concerns. I believe he said it was of the council vice president. He said that's so it is.
Yes. Okay. All right. Well, yes. Thank you. Thank you, ma. Madam President, uh, Councilwoman Feliciano. So, I I mean, so I this is our first reading and introduction of all of
these. Yes. I just would like to state that I'm hopeful that by the time we get to the second reading that this draft uh policy will be complete so that I'll be able to vote the next time when
it comes uh to the second reading. So I'm hopeful I'll vote that we can go ahead and have these put. Yes. But I'm I'm asking respectfully that this draft policy thing be be done so that the council has the policy that we can refer
to um moving forward. Yes. That's my vote. Thank you. Yes. Is your vote? Yes. She said yes. Thank you Mr. Garcia. Okay. So moving to the vote then. Yes. Both said yes. Roll call.
Vice President Edwards. We did. But it's okay. We did. Where's it at? Feliciano just went for her vote. Okay, we both say I'm Councilwoman Figuro Cutenberg. Staying. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman
Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-21, Ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 23
Summer Street and identified on the city tax map block 404, lot 47 pursuant to NJSA 4A 1213B5 to Jean Lavarin
for the sale price of $2,500. May we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Yes. Councilwoman Figuro Kenberg. Abstain.
Noted. Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. Councilman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams. Yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-25. Ordinance authorizing the sale of city- owned property commonly known as
35 Montgomery Place and identified on the city tax map as block 2205 lot 5 pursuant to NJSA 481213B5 to Sheldine Millington for the sale price of $1,500.
May we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, yes. Councilwoman Figurero Kenberg, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Counciloman
Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-28. Ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 155 Hton Avenue and identified on the
city tax map as block 21601, lot 15 pursuant to NJSA 4A1213C to Elba I Cologne for the sale price of $2,500. May I have a motion to approve? So moved
to second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, yes. Councilwoman Figurero Kettinberg, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes.
Motion carried. Ordinance 25-28. Ordinance authorizing the sale of city owned property commonly known as 257 and 255 Walnut Avenue identified on the city tax map is block 27601
lots 14 and 15 pursuant to NJSA 4A 12-13C to Samuel Robinson for the sale price of $20,000. We have a motion to approve. So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes.
Councilwoman Feliciano, yes. Councilwoman Figurero Kenberg, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes.
Motion carried. Ordinance 25-59, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property, commonly known as 447 Parkway Avenue, identified on the city tax map as block 35002, lot 4, pursuant to NJSA4A
1213C to Joshua L. Baker for the sale price of $2,500. May we have a motion to approve? Some moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Yes.
Councilwoman Figurero Kenberg. Abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. Councilman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams. Yes. Council President Gonzalez. Recused.
Noted. Extension. Ordinance 25- Motion carried. Ordinance 25-60. Ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 294 Rutherford Avenue and identified on the city tax map as block 4403 lot 11
pursuant to NJSA 4A 1213C to Micah Properties LLC for the sale price of $5,000. May we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes.
Councilwoman Feliciano. Yes. Councilwoman Figuro Kenberg, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes.
Motion carried. Ordinance 25-61. An ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 942 South Clinton Avenue, 101 Malberry Street, 31 and 35 San Hagen Drive, 714
Stson Avenue, and identified on the city tax map as block 16210, lot 1, block 2282, lot 8, block 34404, lot 17 and 15, block 612,
to lot 29 pursuant to NJSA 481213C to Sababu Development LLC for the sale price of $120,000. May we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Uh, Madame President, uh,
council vice president, um, I just wanted to make note, same as earlier, 13, uh, there's a typo on the docket itself, not on the ordinance itself where it says 12-12 again instead of
12-13 C. And my vote uh, is yes. Thank you. Noted. will make a correction if necessary. Understood. So that might be another statute, right? Noted as well. Um,
moving on to the vote. If there's no other discussion, Vice President Edwards, yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, yes. Councilwoman Figuro Kenberg, abstain. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes.
Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-65, ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain
real property located at 218 Brunig Avenue, block 22802, lot 25, Trenton for the for the $110,000 from Barrera Properties LLC pursuant to
NJSA 4812-3 as it's written here. Thank you. May we have a motion to approve 2565? So moved. Second, madame president, uh, council vice president. Um, I just want
to confirm that the state statute cited on here is correct. Is it supposed to be 12-3 or is this a another typo that's supposed to be 13C? This is acquisition. It's a acquisition of sales. So it might be Oh, it's an acquisition. I'm sorry.
And um I see uh Councilwoman Williams hand is up. Were you finished with yours? That was it. Okay. Um I was going to ask BA Richard Bridgeten if she wanted to come up just to kind of discuss um the acquisition and the purpose of us doing it, but I see councilwoman uh Williams has a hand up.
Thank you, ma'am. That you actually took the words right out of my mouth. I had a good number of constituents who live in the East Trenton area uh ask me about that purchase and the one a couple doors down. Yes. So, BA Richardson, do you mind coming and just explaining why we
are acquiring those properties, please? Good evening, council president Maria Richardson, business administrator. Um yes, the city is acquiring those two properties because we are demolishing the property between those as a raw um
property and uh we will most likely pay more money for stabilizing those two properties than if we purchase it and demolish all three. Thank you, Councilman Williams. Yep. No, thank you, ma'am. I appreciate that
because I know um in the past you've shared that the average cost of a demo is $35,000 per uh home. So, um this is hopefully, you know, while it's not going to necessarily save us a lot of money in the immediate, it'll definitely save us money in the long term. And
hopefully we'll have find a developer for this and then also uh the emergency demolition that had to be done a few years back at 237 and that's be exciting to have some development on Brunick. So, thank you Thank you, Mr. Garcia. I think we're ready for a
vote. Certainly. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Yes. Councilwoman Figuro Edenberg. Yes. Councilwoman Frisbee. Yes. Councilman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams.
Yes. Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance 25-66. Ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain real property located at 222 Brunick Avenue, block
2282, lot 27 Trenton for 110,000 from Vincent Paladino, pursuant to NJSA 481213 12-3, excuse me. Thank you. May we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second.
Roll call. Vice President Edwards, yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, yes. Councilwoman Figurero Kenberg, yes. Councilwoman Frisbee, yes. Counciloman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Gonzalez, yes.
Motion carried. Ordinance 25-67, Ordinance amending Ordinance 25-11 for the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 14 Ward Avenue. And identified on the city tax map is block
2572, lot 34, pursuant to NJSA 481213B5 to Joshua S. Vega to correct the sale price. May we have a motion to approve? So
moved. Second. Council President, Councilwoman Bisiano. Thank you. So we're amending this from $5,000. The correct agreed upon price was $1,000
and it says consistent with this value of narrow irregular size lot. Um, so we approved this back April. Yeah, we adopted it back in April. So what happened?
How how did we get here to say now that we want to adjust it from 5,000 to 1,000? And I don't have the application or anything in front of me, but when it was put in, did was that the proposed the proposed price, but that is the agreed
upon price? How how are we moving from 5,000 to 1,000, right? And what was the size? Because here we go back to the whole thing about the process and asking about how we're how we're doing this. Council President,
if I may, if I may. Yes. Ba v. Councilwoman Feliciano, I don't have that information, but I can submit it to you tomorrow once I inquire to the individuals working on this. Thank you. Again, this is this is why I was
concerned about saying about a process because the wording the price is consistent with this value of narrow irregularsized lots. So, we're setting a criteria here, but then we're going with what people propose at other times. That is why it is critical that we have a
process noted so we know what we're talking about when things come in front of us. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Councilwoman Feliciano. Hearing no other discussion, move to the Oh, yes. Sorry.
Yes. Moving on to the vote. Yes. Roll call. Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano, abstain. Councilwoman Figurero Kenberg, no.
Councilwoman Frisbee, abstain. Councilman Harrison, yes. Councilwoman Williams, abstain. Council President Gonzalez, um uh uh yes.
noted that motion failed. And Madame President, moving on with the agenda this evening. I believe we reached a point of public comment. If I could have the public comment clipboard, please. And to the public, public comment will be five minutes for each individual.
You may address anything that you wish. The council is not obligated to respond. And Madam President, we have 12, okay, 20 individuals this evening. Uh, first individual up for public
comment is Rob, is that Robin S. Washington. Good evening. My name is Robin S. Washington. I live at 447 Westover Street. I'm here before council again in regards to 444 and 446 West Hano Street
which is which are two vacant lots directly across from my home. I'm still waiting for a response as to how I can complete the acquisition of these properties. I've come before
council. This is my fourth time. Um, I have not had a response from anyone in regard to what the next step is or whatever the procedures are. And I would just like a definitive answer. Uh, I put
in this application September of 2019. I've come before I've come to the office on multiple occasions to over the years to find out what's going on with these properties. As I stated at the last uh
council meeting when I spoke to Mr. Lon who is no longer here, uh he indicated to me if an individual was not going to purchase those lots, build and live on them themselves that the property would not be sold, that it would just sit
there. So again, I'm here as a resident of West Hanover Street with a desire to improve my neighborhood by building affordable housing to accommodate some of the unhoused people who are in the city of Trenton. And I just want to
make a comment. Uh there are no bad neighbor bad neighborhoods in Trenton. There may be some less desirable ones, somes that need improvement, but there are really no bad neighborhoods in Trenton. Um, I worked in law enforcement for 30 years. And if we want to talk
about neighborhoods, if you go to Princeton, there's gangs in Princeton. Being on a gang task force few years back, there was going to be a gang altercation in prestigious Palmer Square. I'm a proud resident of Trenton who would like to stay in Trenton and
improve the quality of life for some individuals who are looking for housing. Thank you. Victor Irizari. Uh good evening. It's a pleasure again be uh to be before you. Uh talk fast. I got to slow down a little bit. uh coming
here I noticed that uh again there was a big issue about uh drug use in America and the racism and this uh a problem between a definition of a or properly identifying
racism. Racism is a big umbrella that underneath falls a lot of prejudices and that will be one will be religion, one will be uh let's say culture. You might be from different race but different culture like say the Hispanics and you got the Cubans and the Puerto Ricans.
All right, different cultures and then you got the male female against that's prejudices discrimination. And so basis of discrimination uh what it what it appears that racism is a falsehood that was created to keep
black people down. But the black people that were to be kept down were righteous black people by unrighteous black people who their leader or their father uh developed this uh plan to overthrow the
righteous people who ruled the earth from the beginning of times creation on earth God's creation himself on earth or that people god is a people. So uh the second coming of uh power authority on earth which we
consider uh the devil shan uh e bliss uh who is his actual name in according to the nation of Islam is yak I'm victor bisar 19 more than avenue treny new jersey I'm in inactive on in or unactive I'm not active anymore with nation of
Islam but I am registered as victor x that's where I get this information from so the developmental racism M was a trick by the so-called original devil of our planet earth who was born 8,0004 years ago to keep righteous people down but it was black people keeping black
people down that is still happening today. So as uh doing that plan this man the Jaku developed uh well he started having what they call g a grappling process which was used in the
plantations in North America and that was breeding a lighterkinned people from the darkerkinned people until you got to the so-called the white race. Now we the Hispanic are a combination of all those races. And now I that's why I call
consider we consider ourselves ourselves the I consider ourselves the beige people. What I'm trying to make is racism is a falsehood that keeps the same. It appears to be black against white against black, black against white, but it's actually black against
black and then it go comes down all the races. When you have each race fighting each other in America, we have the righteous and the unrighteous. That's why America's established like uh President Reagan. No, yeah, Ronald Reagan called the city on a hill. And
it's actually uh the land, the promised land that we've been promised by Almighty for we to finally get to confront one another face to face the righteous against the righteous. It is not white and black is amongst our own selves, even within ourselves to the get
the righteousness out of us. So I'm a victim of this being that I'm Puerto Rican American. My my my Puerto Rican is if that's correct word is uh Spanish. What is that? Spanish actually it's Basque between France and Spain Basque
African and Indian Tyino. And then you got the Puerto Ricans who are Spanish, Portuguese, possibly French and then also with uh Tyino and a little bit of African. And I experienced that uh
racism myself because I'm pro- African-American particularly those of 1555 to the 16 to the year 1619 who are the true bloodline of we consider the nation of Islam God or the family of God on the planet earth the
original people of the planet earth and I'm a victim of that so I wanted to get to something else but my time is running out so just to clarify that that uh racism is a falsehood all right It's not about color. It's about good and bad. Uh right and wrong. Like the uh police uh
law enforcement or the army say the good guys and the bad guys. In America is truly we are the good guys. But there's devils amongst us. Actual people devils amongst us who are considered bad guys. And that's from politics all the way to
recreational sports or whatever you want to uh where however you participate as a human being in America. And that's the issue. We'll never have peace completely because of the devils which are the bad guys. And that's what we have to consider in politics and religion and
economics. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Oz. Sorry, Aima Ahmed. Natalie G. Is that Garcia or Gara? One of the young ladies, one of the Natalie. Na. Uh, is that that's what it looks
like here. Natalie, is that correct? Do we have an adult with her? That's what I have up. I have quite a few. I'm going to go through these names. If an individual is of age, can do we do we have can they be with an adult or have a
Yes. Okay. So, we just um because there we just want to make sure that there's an adult um present with them. I I I council president, if I may, I can look this up. I can I can do if you could pause and maybe go past the
children. I don't know the rules, professional rules with respect to if they need a guardian to come here and make representations at public meeting. I don't know either way. I just want to I just want to make sure before we allow that to happen. So, if I could ask that the adults speak um first and then give
me a quick moment to get your answer on that. Do we can we just um Natalie, can you give us a couple of minutes so we can check into something first? Okay. To make sure you you don't need your mommy with you. Okay. Um can we go down the list, Mr. Garcia, to
the next adult while he looks it up? Sure. I'm going to name names. That's what I could do. So I had Miss Garcia. Then I have uh Dubaiari Garcia Vargas. I have Anahi Fields
Star Wright. Okay. So So only Yep. We have a a guardian for Miss Staright. Yep. Okay. Thank you so much. And we're just going to wait for Mr. bridges to look into the others. Thank you. Yeah. Yes, that's what I say. Yeah,
she's she can come up. You can long as you're with her. We just wanted to make sure a guardian doesn't need to be present. Thank you. Um, hi, my name is Annayi. Hi, Missai. Oh,
I live in Edgewood Avenue 754. Uhhuh. And I'm here for um Howard's Healthy Choices. Howard's Healthy Choices. Okay. Thank you. Oh, what do I say? Can I come up with her?
Good evening. Good evening, Councilwoman President. Um my name is Star Wright. Um, I live at 754 Edgewood. We are here on behalf of Briggs Library. Um, I don't know the address. Um, but it's located on South Walter Avenue in East Trenton.
Um, we're here just to advocate that we would like for Miss Howard to keep the building. Um, it is up to be taken from her. Um, these children that are here with us, um, they came to speak um, passionately about the program and what it has offered to them. Um, I could just
say that, you know, the place that she has established has served as a safe haven for most of the kids. It keeps a lot of our kids off of the streets. Um, so they have some place to go. Miss Howard is there late night. She provides food for them. Um, I know in school
systems, we're in Trenton public schools. Um, they've taken out cursive writing. She has offer cursive writing. My daughter's in fifth grade. She knows how to sign her name. She knows how to write in a script. Um, Miss uh, Howard has been a mentor to a lot of our children. She helps them um, learn how
to deal with emotions, which a lot of children do not have. Um, she's a mom. She's a dad to a lot of these children that are here. And we just want to just say that we really want Miss Howard, Miss Howard's um, Howard's Healthy Choices to be able to stay in her
possession so that she can continue to bless the community and give these young people a place to continue to come to. Thank you so much. Thank you, Miss Anahi. Laura Walker. Hi. Good evening, Madame President and
City Council members. I'm with Howard's Healthy Choices. My name is Laura Walker. As you said, I'm I'm here to respectfully request that HHC be allowed to remain at its current location, the Old Briggs Library, 115 Greenwood Avenue, to continue to pro provide the
excellent afterchool and full day summer learning programs and community supportive services that it has for the last nine years. Howard's Healthy Choices has been at this location since 2017, providing afterchool and summer learning programs to children ages 7 to
14, many of whom have IEPs, ADD, and other learning challenges. This year's program is scheduled to begin next Monday, June 23rd, and run through August 29th. The summer learning program has structured academics every morning until noon to keep the kids on track
academically and reduce summer slide. They have math reading with the books that were specifically ordered for them for summer. They're taught things that set the this program apart from others such as cursive writing, financial
literacy, starting a business through a partnership with Chase, uh chess and debate training, hydroponics, gardening and environmental awareness, first aid and other pro other programs that make the make this a valuable resource for
them. They also learn about first aid and uh healthc care fields through a partnership with uh Capitol Health. They are part of several daily enrichment activities and scheduled trips uh including a pro trips to a working farm
last year. Uh and um they learned how to go to Princeton on a trip went to the farmers market uh and the library to be be have to have exposure to Princeton University. They are provided nutritional breakfast,
lunch and afternoon snacks. uh they are there are 50 kids who are scheduled to start on the 23rd. If this program is not continued, they will have nowhere to go for the summer and their parents will have no structured care for
them over the summer while they work. Um Miss Howard also provides neighborhood supportive services, homegoods, clothing, and other supplies that the community needs. uh she is the hub in her location and and is a valuable asset
and resource. And so again, I respectfully ask that the summer program be allowed to go forward June 23rd and through the August 29th time frame and that she be allowed to remain at the Old Bridge Library to provide the services that she successfully has provided for
the past nine years. Thank you. Thank you so much, Miss Walker. So, just for a point of clarity, um, Director Bridges just stated that the young people are allowed to speak if they signed up. If you would like to come up one by one or if you all just
want to stand up together and then one person can speak for the group. I know I better yeah, just for the sake of time, if you all are all on the same page, one person can speak for the group. Just state your name, sweetheart. My
name is Mayel Williams from Howard's Healthy Choices and I feel like this program should continue being because it teach me a lot and before I didn't know how to do cursive writing and also we learned how to read better, math and
more educational stuff that we don't really have in school cuz they're taking it out. Thank you, Miss Williams. Thank you. All right, I'm here with you. Hi, my name is Zisha Matthews and I feel like we should keep house accepting
choices because Miss Miss Howard, she's like a second mother to me. Like she teach me stuff that I didn't know. Like at first I did not know how to read, like it's a little it wasn't good. But when I when she taught me how to do stuff I didn't know how to do, it was
good because I'm better at stuff. I do public speaking. I I'm in a we do ambassadors. We help out with stuff and we also do things that we don't do. We also go out and help the community, feed the homelesses and all that. Thank you.
Hi, my name is Musan and I think we should keep powers healthy choices because um it helps me with my confidence. I was like I was not confident at all and then Miss Howard she helped us and then I gained my
confidence and reading I wasn't good at cuz we every like day mostly we read at school and some words if I need help with Miss Howard will help and like if I need like my improving with like reading
math whatever she will help us and do like fun activities to help us learn the um math, English, reading, and whatevers. Thank you. Um my name is Day Garcia. I think we
should keep the program because it helps us improve our reading and our math. For example, I was um I can't say bad, but I was kind of bad at my math. and I being at the program
had just helped me improve with my math. So that's why I think that we should um keep the program. Thank you. Hi, my name is Natalie and I think we should keep the program because as my sister said, it does help us with our
education and our math and it helps us read more and I think we should keep it in its place because when we go there, it has a lot of fun stuff and things that we learn from things that we don't learn at school. Thank you.
My name is I'mma so I think the program should stay because we do reading, math like all they said. We do physical education as well. We do races. We we do races. So we run to the board
and we do write cursive, do spelling, do a math question and we have groups for reading. So based on your grade and your level, then you you go with your girl and read
in a circle. Thank you so much. Our last person, my name is Aiden Gather and I think we should keep the program because uh so basically it helped me with my reading and math. I used to be
very bad at reading and Miss Howard would help me uh read a low uh level book and then go higher and higher. Thank you so much Mr. Aiden. Thank you all. Guess I missed anybody else. Uh,
I have Tanetta Howard, Michael McCormick. Isa's coming. Oh, I'm sorry. Miss McCormicketta Howard is actually here. I'm sorry. Yes.
Thank you. Hi. Good evening. I'm Tanetta Howard. Uh my address is 206 Fargate. Um my address again is 206 Farragate um Avenue Tren, New Jersey. Um
I'm going to take you back a little bit. I inquired this building under Mayor Jackson and it's been nine years. When I acquired the building, um, some things wasn't right with the building. Um, when
I went to look at the building, they said it was, but it wasn't. So, I had been in that building and I did a lot of things myself in the building. Um, when Mayor Reid came about, I did talk to him about the what was going on
with the building. Um, we tried to get I'm sorry, we tried to get um I was supposed to get solar on the building. Um, but I don't know, the director seems to come and go. So, um, it was underway
and then it stopped. Um, I met with an attorney here um to go over some things and then that person left. So then I got a notice
um last month that they wanted me to vacate the building. Um but I for the life of me, first of all, someone could have called me and talked to me. That's number one. Um, I do a lot
in that building from having a na, we have a older dance team. We have meetings once a month. The mayor's there. We have the police director who's there. Um, and a lot of other people who
comes from Capitol Health. Um, my kids get the word out about anything. If you bring us flyers, they know they have to do community service. We're going to get it out. Recently, they just bought us the water uh flyers or
envelopes that they want the kids to pass out. They don't bring us a little bit, they bring us a lot because we pass it out throughout the neighborhood. Um everything is done outside the box there. When I do the kids and the education, and it's not just me. I have
volunteers that come in because these kids do not pay. They don't pay. These are co children. We have to now help the schools and the teachers with
this problem. We all know reading and math is a problem. We can't put it all on the teachers anymore because now they're tired. So, we do it at Hell with Healthy Choices. I bring you some pictures where my kids
dissect a brain, a goat's brain, and a cow's brain. Yes, they do. Real hands in hand on real stuff. It's re real stuff that they do. They have to have real stuff that they do. I have a teacher
that teach in Trenton Public Schools. He's been with me all nine years. The man gets $200. I have fundraisers outside of the building to pay for a lot of things.
It's just something that um that I'm sitting over there making money and I don't want to pay anything. No, my lease said that I was supposed to pay a light bill. Well, no one ever gave me a a light bill or how much the light bill is
for the month. None of that. I have never gotten this is what the water bill cost. This is what it is for this month. This is what you're going to pay. I never got any of that. When me and the mayor talked, it was,
"Don't worry about it. You're doing the work. we we we get we get it together. We just have to get it together. So, that's what I was assuming that was going to happen.
I have um talked to Joe several times. Every time we get close to getting something together, somebody is pulled away and it's not me. And then it's left on the table. And then when the next person come in, all they see is
what I supposed to owe. But if I was told not to to continue what I'm doing, that's what I do, right? These kids are very important to us. Period. Thank you, Miss Howard. That is your time. Um, there are some questions
I know I have um but um we'll discuss later. Okay. Thank you so much. I have pictures that I will I guess send to all of you guys. Okay. Oh, we can take it here. Oh, you can take you He'll get it. Thank
you. No problem. Um Mr. McCormick, I think. Mr. McCormick. Yes. Thank you, Madam President. And good evening. Good evening. My name is Michael McCormack. I live at 153 Route
526 in Allentown, New Jersey. But I'm here this evening as a 29-year member of the Kuanas Club of Trenton. Uh, and I wanted to stop by actually hopefully you might recall receiving an email from me. Some of you have responded already
within the past couple days because we are preparing for this year's or 200 rather 49th annual reading of the Declaration of Independence in Trenton uh which will be on Tuesday July 8th uh
at noon at the very same spot the very same time and the very same day as it was first read uh in Trenton in 1776. And this year, uh, the declaration program will be part of heritage weekend, which will run from July 4th
through 8th. Uh, we're very excited about the opportunity to bring back some additional activities to the city of Trenton on July 4th itself. And so, I have some flyers here, which I'd like to leave for each one of you. Uh, there's a
Democracy Day picnic uh, in Milh Hill Park on July 4th. Uh it will feature uh readings by Dr. Martin Luther King uh performances by a drill team and lift every voice and sing. Uh it is it
promises to be really something that the community can galvanize around and come out and gather and celebrate the holiday weekend. And of course there are other activities as well. We have about a dozen different programs planned from the 4th through the 8th. We're very very
happy and proud to partner with the city uh with uh the trend house with uh the old barracks uh with a number of entities. The idea here is that we're going to do two major things. We're going to celebrate as a community and
we're also going to bring part as many as possible people from outside Trenton into the city. You know, there are 30 million people that live within a 100 mile radius of where we are gathered this evening. Each one of those people should want to
come to the city of Trenton and enjoy the city and learn about the tremendous role that it has played in the history of our nation. Uh country wouldn't be here if it wasn't for what happened at the Battle of Trenton. Uh and that
history carries forth to this day and is celebrated wonderfully by our very diverse community. So many talented people who contribute to make Trenton what it is today. So we hope that you
can all join us. Uh we hope that you can help us spread the word. Uh and uh we wish you a very happy 4th of July. Thank you so much, Mr. McCormick. Ebony Day. Ebony Day. Um 573 Brotherford Avenue. Um
you guys had already um touched on uh what I wanted to say about as far as acquiring um housing. um the application was already I guess approved that you guys should have already seen where it
states what you would need. So, I was trying to figure out like why some of the council didn't approve that or was saying that um what she was saying um Miss Jenna
saying that it was unfair when on the application it asked you like what what what's your what's your bid? So again, it's not, you know, if this house is this much square footage and the other
house is the same and the other person bid more, like that's shouldn't be a problem. So I mean, y'all already touched on it. Thank you so much, M. Walter Mason Den Demen Dezna McClean. I apologize if
I messed that up. Miss McClean. No. Vincent Bridget. That's Bridget. Bridget. No. No. Bridget. No. Yeah. No. How you doing? Vincent Bridget with Tren
United Family Foundation. I was um I'm up here on behalf of uh How Healthy Choices. I'm just I'm up here because I heard the news about them trying um I guess trying to get her out of there. And I'm I'm just saying it plain and simple. Basically,
get her out of there. Um I've known her for the past I'm going say five years, five or six years. when I met her, she's been nothing but a mentor to me. Um, especially with the nonprofit, just me coming in off, you know, having a nonprofit myself. She's been helping me
out with everything I anything I have ever asked for, she's helped me out. Um, these kids, they special to me as well. Um, we have collaborated on many occasions and even right now like them kids, they know who I am. And with my kids at my
organization, we all are together. We do a lot of things together. Miss Howard, she the person. She the person that allowed a lot of things happen. These kids I watching when they come up there, they love this woman. Everything that she does, she remind me of myself, but she, you know, she's older than me, but
she remind me of myself. Very genuine. She helps anybody with us, with my organization. We had a problem with um we had a heat problem. So, I I just talked to her and basically she said, "Come in. Come right in. we partner. I
know she happy that I'm here. I know the kids happy that I'm there, but it's with the other kids as well. But the thing she does for the city, for the community, and everything she does, the woman, she's beautiful inside and out. Um, I wouldn't know why somebody would want her to get out of there because
she's been doing such great things. I'm super confused. When I heard it, I just was I'm like, for what? I don't I don't I don't understand it. Um, I got somewhere to be at, but I said I gotta stay here and just at least speak speak my peace because she's been nothing but loyal to me, loyal to this city, loyal
to these kids, loyal to the community, and I I had to be loyal to her as well. So, she's helped me. So, I just I just want y'all to hear her out, hear us out, and help her, please. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bridges.
Mr. Bridget, sorry. Sorry, my bad. Uh, council president, that is all the people we have for public comment at the moment. If you'd like to move on to civic comment. Yes. Thank you. Councilwoman Williams, are you still with us? I sure am. Thank you, ma'am.
Councilwoman No, it's all right. You want to take it off? Oh, okay. I just want to uh say hello to Hold on one sec. Oh, there you are. Go ahead. Okay. Uh, hello everyone. Thank you for uh being with us and staying on. Uh just want to first uh congratulate this kids who uh
just a little earlier used their voices to speak for themselves and to fight for someone else uh and what they were speaking about Miss Howard and Howard's healthy choices. I'm not familiar with the exact situation uh and with Briggs Library, but I having grown up in that
neighborhood, I hope that this can be resolved because I do uh see every time I'm there, they are trying to help feed the community and that's really important and I hope uh something could be worked out. So, uh, the next Northward Citizens
Police Advisory Council meeting, uh, has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, June 25th at 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Galilee Baptist Church, uh, 5:30, uh, to 7:00 p.m. again. And GI Baptist Church is at
440 MLK Boulevard. Uh, please come and join us. Uh also just wanted to uh also offer um some point of view on some things that are happening uh particularly regarding uh parking and
this has been something that this council has talked about for a long time. Many many people complain about it. Um but as I think I said before I think we're coming into a crisis moment. Uh just before this meeting, I was uh
contacted by some constituents uh who live in the vicinity of Short Greenwood and 200 Jackson. Apparently uh some of them were told by parking enforcement officers that there will be ticketing on the one little oneb block portion. might
be gosh uh maybe four car lengths long uh between 301 Jackson and uh 21 Short Greenwood where there are these planners that are uh there to divide the streets so uh motorcycles and cars and things
don't go through and injure someone. And what's totally ridiculous about this is they were told that even though it's only a oneb block street that people will be required to park in the opposite direction on both sides of the street
rather than just pull in, park, then back out when they need to leave. People are going to actually need to do a Uturn in the middle of Jackson and Mercer to be able to back their car in with the passenger doors towards the sidewalk so they won't get ticketed. Now, this
portion of the Milhole neighborhood was designed in such as way as we know it now. back in 1952-53 when US1 route one was created to uh go from what it was which had lights and
everything to an expressway to a freeway and there's nothing that the residents there visitors can do about it and they also just recently lost four parking spots to EV chargers and at most uh you may see one car uh charge and then leave
but most nights no one is parking there with an electric vehicle. It's all gas powered vehicles and people are afraid to park there because they don't know if they'll be ticketed. This is a been a continual problem for many many years. Uh there's some lack of uh signage
designating where it's safe to park, not safe to park with permit parking, but also now uh telling people that they have to park in the opposite direction. And this is also giving, you know, throughout our entire city, many neighborhoods have similar issues that
our parking enforcement officers uh work on, you know, all kinds of things that they have quotas, that they get a commission. Um, all kinds of rumors and ideas are out there, but at the end of the day, some of this does
seem very mercenary or very, you know, we're trying to find ways to ticket people, and that's unfair. It's very difficult as it is for parking in the city. We need to start making things more simple than more difficult and I know a lot of our parking enforcement
officers work very very hard and I believe they are fair. Uh but we definitely need to have a better system than we do. So, I'm asking that our administration visit this site in the next few days before ticketing begins to
figure out why this is suddenly going to be an area ticketed if cars are parked in the wrong direction when it's only a oneb block street. It's going to be creating more traffic hazards as people have to do U-turn to be able to back their car in. And again, it's just
something that is really ridiculous. So hopefully public works and traffic and transportation will be able to go out and take a look and uh fix this problem. So thank you everyone. Uh God bless and I hope we all have a great week and a great rest of our summer. Thank you
Councilwoman Williams. Councilman Harrison. Um first can we talk about um regarding the Howard's Healthy Choice of Briggs Library? Can we um let know what what is going on here? What? Why? Right. We Why
are they We're all unaware of it being uh taken. Yeah. Could we have any idea what is going on? Are you asking someone? Yes, I'm asking. Yeah, like administration. Are you Yeah, I'm asking administration. Yeah, because I'd like to know what what's going on. Are we allowed to talk about this?
Okay, no. My apologies. I I was handed something I was reading, so I was not um playing close attention what was being said. But um that uh matter is currently in the courts and is part of litigation. Um and we really can't discuss that um in an
open session. If we'd like to list that for the next meeting, executive session, we'd be more than glad to um have council come and discuss those proceedings. Yes. Thank you, director. Um what else? Oh, um I would like to
thank the director Diego. He had uh an adoption event at station 6, had six dogs adopted. Also have an event this weekend, wet noses and fire hoses uh June 21st, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at
Franklin Park. Uh they'll have pet adoptions, fire trucks, fun activities. Thank you. Thank Director Douglas. he's here but he but I thank you guys for working together cong collaborating because this is um great to see um also
I would like to thank um the uh cancer center at the Robert Wood Johnson uh my mom has breast cancer and um they're doing a wonderful job so if you have family members out there please know that the cancer center and Robert
Wood Johnson does a wonderful job. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Miss Councilwoman Frisbee. Thank you, Council President. So, one, I wanted to um can't speak on Howard Healthy Choices. Um as
uh we've been advised that is in um the court system. So, I'll have to leave reserve my comments for that. I did want to um say announce that they we had one city staff meeting already. We have a next one that is coming up on this Wednesday, tomorrow, June 18th at 5:00
p.m. here in council chambers. Um, my next Westward community conversations will be held on Tuesday, July 8th at 5:30 and that's going to be at the police station on Artist in Hermitage. Um, please come out. There's a lot of information that we need to disseminate. I also want to say thank
you to everyone who came out to the Moms Demand Action for Gunsense and the city. We collaborated um with our wear orange event on June 7th which was absolutely wonderful. Um that is our gun uh bringing awareness to gun the gun
violence in our community and how do we protect ourselves better. I want to thank everyone who came out. I want to give a special thank you to um Dr. Paul Harris and his department. They did an absolutely phenomenal job and I I I'm just grateful for the collaboration. and
um it was just really great. I also want to commend Dr. um Dominico Pell on the work that he is doing. He and his team, they are really doing great work here with these um animals um when um we need to give accolades. I want to make sure
that we are doing that. So I thank you for the work that you're doing uh with that. Also want to um director honor Terry's not here but Hector if you would relay the work that you guys are doing. We're seeing that you're doing there's a lot of potholes. There's a lot of streets that need to be attended to and you guys are out there. We see you that
you're doing it. Everybody wants you in their ward and I know you're pulling being pulled from every which way. But we do thank you for the work that you are doing um here and even our water department. Um I I'm appreciative of what we're doing to make sure that we are shoring up our city. I'm grateful for the uh presentation that was here
today gives much clearer understanding and hopefully our community um has a better understanding as I know that I do um now having had that presentation here and I always want to thank Mike McCormack for coming out from the Quantis. They do a great job with the
reenactments. If you have not been um it is a great event you want to come out and um see that they do a really good job and they do good with involving the community. I was fortunate to have taken part in it twice. um I unfortunately cannot take part in it this year, but they really do do a great job and it was
it's good to learn and remember um our heritage. Okay, let's see. There we go. Want to thank everybody for coming out. I really do want to thank the children for coming up and standing
um up for something that you believe in. Um I really commend you. It takes a lot of heart. It's it's a brave thing. It's a scary thing sometimes to come and stand before people, but I commend each and every one of you for coming up here and taking a moment even though you were
hesitant at some some of you, but you got your nerves together and I'm glad to see all of you come out and do what you needed to do. Um, Miss Roberts, I would like to speak with you afterwards regarding um your property. Miss Robin,
it is um I would like to speak to you about that. Um, I do have a little bit of information to give you and I would thank everybody for coming out. Thank our police director, our fire director who was here for all of you who came out to get a little bit more information. With that, I'm going to close with a
portion of our city's uh mission statement which is recognizing that the people of Trenton have made us guardians of the public trust. We are committed to govern with integrity and fiscal responsibility to seek excellence in the city's operations and to serve all the city's people with respect and
compassion. And I did want to thank um uh Chief of Staff Beach um and uh I'm sorry I'm blanking on your title U Maria Miss Richardson, but I thank you for collaborating and making sure that we are getting things in order with um
having a uh procedure in order to make sure when people are coming in to get homes to get property that we will have something that is uniform for everybody. But I am also equally glad that we are getting properties um bought and back on the tax role. Thank you and I yield the
rest of my time. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Councilwoman Frisbee. Councilwoman Felicia, is Councilwoman Figero on? No. Right. Councilwoman Feliciano. Thank you, Council President. Good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here tonight. Thank you for everyone staying tonight. Thank you to the children and
Miss Howard and everyone for speaking up about Howard's Healthy Choice. Shout out to you. Yeah. Yeah. Um, again, we can't really talk about it because we have to wait and talk about it quietly because there's other conversations being had
that that don't allow us to discuss it. But know that we want what's best for the community, what's best for the children, right? And what's best for the good of all. Shout out to Trenton Central High School, our seniors. Last night we had seniors awards night at the high and money was given out in excess
of $90,000 to our phenomenal scholars at Trenton Central High School. So shout out to the seniors. Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Graduation is this Friday 10:00 a.m. at the CUR Arena. So we're getting fired up and
ready for that. So again, we want to congratulate all the seniors of 2025 from Trent Central High School, Capitol City High, and those in the surrounding areas as well. Job well done. This past Sunday, my daughter and I actually uh we participated, we do every year at the
ice cream on the veranda elers museum. It's a great time. Um I would encourage everyone when it comes around to participate in it and other events that are happening at the museum. Um, I'm a member, so I go in from time to time and get to experience all the goodness that
they have. Also, on Saturday, I was a part of the Paddle for Pink event that was new to me by the Majestic Dragons. It was it was really cool. It happened at Mercer County Boat House in honor of those with breast cancer. And so, um, it was it was interesting being able to
paint the eyes of the dragon to waking them up as they go out and paddle, uh, in the water. But it was for a wonderful, wonderful cause. So that was that was great as well. Thank you to everyone with their various Pride and Junth events and flag raising
events that have been happening. On the 19th this Thursday, the city is having their Junth event in Milh Hill Park from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Live entertainment and music. Um, Councilwoman Figureroa Kettenburg, her
next Southward CPAC meeting she asked me to announce is going to be on Thursday, June the 26 from 5:30 to 700 p.m. at St. Bart's Lutheran Church located at 1746 South Clinton Avenue. Her meetings are
every fourth Thursday of the month. This past Saturday, we were able to participate in the first responder celebration at St. Mary's on Adeline Street. That was very nice where they honored Trenton Police Department, the fire department, EMS workers, the
sheriff's department and state police. So that was nice to be a part of that and to um actually present awards to the state police and then to Trenton Fire Department. We didn't stay for Trenton police um but we know that they were
honored as well. So shout out to you as well. On another note, I found out today that um I've been appointed to the board of trustees for the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. I'm excited about that because human trafficking is
real and it is happening and we need people boots on the ground that are a part of helping find solutions and getting the information out and helping people. And so I am proud to say that I am now a part of that cause and that fight for the people in the city of Trenton and abroad. to Miss Day. I just
wanted to say to you, thank you for coming up and speaking. The questioning about the property, I can't speak for Councilwoman Figuroa Kenberg, but I can speak from my perspective because I abstained from all of the ones tonight was because we just
want a process in place so that it is right and fair for everyone. whatever that process looks like. If people came in and made an offer and the city agreed to it, we just want it in writing so that no one so that we don't have well how come for this size lot it's this and
how come for that. That was never made clear to us as to what the process and procedure was. So it's not that no one wants you not to have anything or anyone else. We just want to be right. So as a body when we come forward we're we're sure that no one can say well why this
for that person and why not that for myself I have a very extensive audit and investigative background so I'm used to protocol and policy and procedure and so I will always ask for that to protect not only you the constituent but to protect the administration and to
protect us as council people as well right we want to be above board and open in what it is that we do and we want to be fair and just and right in how we do it as well. So, I offer that to you um just as as some explanation. Again, I thank everybody for coming out. Enjoy
the holiday that's coming up. Be safe. God bless and we'll see you around. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Council Vice President Edwards. Good evening, everyone. Um I don't have too much to say tonight. Um, I I do want to say uh in regards to Howard's healthy
choices, I hope that everything works out uh for the best for the children, for our community. Um, it's unfortunate. I found out today it's, you know, tied up in with litigation. And when it's in litigation, we're prohibited from saying
too much about it. But we will as a council meet with the administration in an executive session to further discuss the details of the situation and see if we come to some type of um an agreement that's best for everyone. So um and I want to say thank you all so much for
coming in. Thank you all children. You're so beautiful and so intelligent and I can just see how impactful how healthy choices are in your lives. So kudos to you for coming in. I know it's very very um intimidating. You know, it
makes you shy to speak up in front of everyone, but you all did so very well and I'm very proud of you. You're welcome. Um I want to say thank you to my council colleagues for the wonderful edible arrangements earlier. Um and they sent
them to me because I just recently lost my pop. um we just buried him on Friday and that meant a lot to me. So, thank you all for that. Um and I want to say election day has passed but we still have November's general election coming
up where we have to fight as hard as we can. Um we just recently decided out of the five or six uh gubanatorial or governor candidates that were on the ballot uh just earlier this month. And
now that we have chosen, we have made our choice of one person. And I want to say for those who identify as a Democrat, as I do, to get behind this woman and push because Trent cannot afford to go back into the hands of a
Republican governor. The last time we had a Republican governor, Trenton was stripped of $60 million. And that we cannot afford to do again. Um, since we have gotten that money taken away from us, this administration,
this council has worked diligently with the state to get our transitional aid and capital city aid back up accumulatively to $47 million, whereas before we were getting about five. So, um, I want to say that Trenton's life is
on the line. Trenton's life is in the hands of this governor. um especially when we're seeing funding getting stripped on the federal level from um the Trump administration. Yeah. Council Council President, if I may, I apologize for interrupting. I I truly do. Um if we
could maybe move along from this topic onto another topic. I don't Oh, we can't talk about voting and things. No. Oh, I was unaware of that. I'll move on, but exercise your rights to vote in November. And thank you all for coming again and have a good night. Oh, wait, wait, wait. I do want to one comment
because I do got a little bit more time. That threw me off. Director Bridges. I do have one more comment. Um and it's about the home ownership process, the city own um purchasing process. Uh we will do our best to perfect this process. I do support what is happening.
Um I just wanted to say that on the record uh in my efforts to encourage those who live in Trenton particularly to purchase property because you see what's happening. Rent is skyhigh. The landlords are not taking care of the properties. And the best way to protect
yourself is to own a home because you don't have to worry about somebody raising your rent by three to four to $500 a year for no good reason at all. The only time your your mortgage goes up is if your taxes goes up. And that and
that's not that often. Though Trenton is paying some of the highest rates and taxes per capita in the state. Um, and that's due to largely because a lot of our housing stock is nonprofit owned and we're not collecting taxes. So, it is
pertinent upon us to make sure that we're doing our due diligence in proper and um proper fashion and legal um format to get these properties back on the tax roles so that we can increase our revenue so that we can provide more efficient services and be able to afford
the things that we want to see in our community like streets being repaved and and schools being fixed and these houses being taken care of and our parks. So those are the things that our tax money goes to. So keep that in mind when we're considering, you know, purchasing
property. That's our bottom line is to provide more efficient services for our community. That's what is is important and to protect our residents from price gouging slum lords. Um thank you and have a good evening. Thank you, council
vice president. Um thank you all for being here this evening. I'm going to be very brief. Um, most of my colleagues spoke on a lot of things. First, I also want to say thank you to the young people for coming up, for speaking up, for advocating for yourselves, for advocating for what you believe in and
advocating for the program. That is um something that you all are benefiting from. I personally have seen a lot of the work that goes on there. So, it's unfortunate, but as stated before, we are not allowed to talk about certain details until we get all of the information, but um hopefully we can
have some type of resolution for the program um to continue on. Um but young people, we want to say keep coming up. If you, you know, there's something that you want to see change, this is where you come and you speak your mind. So, thank you so much for being here. Um just really quickly to some of the
things that were discussed today. As um stated earlier, I am also in support of um the process. I do I have confidence and that the you know the city is working really diligently to make sure that we get a lot of our blight and abandoned um properties back on the tax
role. Um I just also want to acknowledge uh director listen. I know he has um uh he's done some tremendous work and we just want to say we appreciate all that he has done and thank you to uh Mr. Beach and BA Register for stepping in and trying to make sure that some of the
things do not stay stuck um and we continue to move u most of these properties forward. Um to all of the events, I just want to say thank you to everyone um who participated in my annual 609 day. It was a huge success with all of the partnerships. um to the
city of Trenton. A beautiful time with um the gun violence uh uh event that was held. We also had a couple of PrideFest events that were held and all were so so very well and beautifully attended. So I just want to say thank you for all your hard work and putting that together. to
the Trenton Trenton Trenton Community Street team. I just want to say thank you to them because they do a mentoring program at our school and I think they were in several other schools, but um this year in particular, they were made they made sure that they included some of our artistic children and I just wanted to say thank you to them for
doing that. Um there's an end um the NAACP is is hosting an expungement clinic on June 26 from 10:00 to 3 at Mercer County College. So, if you know anyone that would benefit from that, um, please encourage them to attend June 26,
10 to 3 at Mercy County College for an expungement clinic. Um, Trenton Eats Local Club will be meeting up June 26 also at the KO KO uh, I forgot the the next name of it.
KO X something, the restaurant KO. And then we have Audar Night that's coming back um, also. So, please pay attention to that. As mentioned earlier, our city staff program will be June would be tomorrow at 5:00 pm here. So, if you have any questions and concerns, you are
more than welcome to come and speak to the directors um in person at 5:00 p.m. here in the chambers at city hall. Thank you all for being present and have a great night and a good holiday. May we have a motion to adjourn? So moved. Second.
And I'll take roll call. Council Vice President Edwards. Yes. Councilwoman Feliciano. Councilwoman Frisbee. Councilman Harrison. Yes. Councilwoman Williams. Yes. And Council President Gonzalez. Yes. Motion journ. Everybody
have a good night. Thank you.