A list of what? Alexa, >> I mean, we won't have it by the time that's done. Yeah. >> Who you talking at? >> Okay, council. I believe we have a quorum and I believe the time has passed 5:30. It's 5:33.
So for that purpose, the Trenton City Council reorganization meeting January 6, 2026 is now called order. Please stand and salute the flag. I just got comfortable >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The Trenton City Council reorganization meeting for 2026 is held this January 6, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at Trenton City Hall,
319 East State Street, Trenton, New Jersey. Good evening everyone. My name is Brandon Garcia. I am your city clerk. And it is my pleasure and honor to welcome you to the 2026 reorganization meeting of the Trenton City Council. At this time, I'll read the public uh
excuse me, the public notice. Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act pursuant to public laws 1975, chapter 231. This agenda is complete to the extent known and was sent to the Trenton Times, posted on the first floor building board in city hall, and filed
in the city clerk's office. Formal action will be taken. And I will read the invocation this time as well. 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. >> I'll now call roll call. Councilwoman Edwards, >> present.
>> Councilwoman Feliciano, >> present. Councilwoman Figureroa Kenberg, >> present. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> present. >> Councilman Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> presente >> Councilman Harrison,
>> present. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> present. Eresente. >> Myself, Brandon Garcia, Municipal Clerk, present. Mr. Edward Colloji, legislative council. Thank you. And Mr. Bridges I believe is
excused from the meeting this evening. At this time we will select our president. The time has come for election of a new council president. Any member of council may nominate any other member for the position of council president. If seconded this nomination
shall be voted upon by the council. If the nominee receives a majority of affirmative votes, he or she will be the new council president. If not, further nominations will be received and if seconded voted upon. The first nominee to receive the majority of affirmative
votes shall be the new council president. I will then relinquish my seat to the new council president. And at this time, can I have a motion to open the floor for nominations? >> So move. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman
Edwards, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano, >> yes. Councilwoman Figueroa Kenberg, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes.
>> Motion carried. Mo um floor is open for nominations for council president. >> Mr. Garcia, >> yes. >> I would like to nominate Councilwoman Jenna Figureroa Kenberg for president of city council. >> That's a nomination for Figuroa Kenberg. Is there a second?
>> Second. >> Thank you. There was a second by Feliciano, correct? >> Yes. >> Thank you. And I will now take a roll call for that nomination. Councilwoman Edwards, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Feliciano, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Figuero Kenberg, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Harrison, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams,
>> yes. That motion carry. Congratulations, Council President Gettenber. >> I will now relinquish my seat to you, Council President. Congratulations. You're going to ask? >> Yeah.
Mr. Garcia, thank you very much. Um, moving right along. Um, could you please continue? And Madame President, this time I believe we're going to go through and follow suit as we just did for the selection of vice president.
And I will ask you if you want to ask for a motion to open the floor for nominations for vice president at this time. >> So moved. Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Yes. Councilwoman Figurero Kenberg. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee. Council >> Fris. This is just open the floor for nom. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Councilman Harrison. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman Williams. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. Thank you. And at this time, if there are any nominations for vice president. >> Um I'd like to um place my nomination for Councilwoman Williams for Vice
President. Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Yes. >> Council President Figuro Kenberg.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee. >> No. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Councilman Harrison. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Williams. Yes.
>> Congratulations. Motion carried. >> Congratulations, Vice President. >> And Madame President, at this time it's my understanding that the newly uh elected um the new leadership would like
to say a few words. >> Yes, that is correct. Um we both would like to share a few words and um listen about two minutes. on your call, Madam President. >> Yeah. >> So, good evening everybody. Um, I didn't
expect to be slightly emotional, but I guess I was. Um, I'm honored. I'm humbled to be here in front of you guys today as the newly elected council president. As I embark on my fourth year as a council woman for the city of Trenton, I want to begin by expressing
my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Yet trust and support have been the foundation of my journey and I am truly grateful. Over the past few years, I have faced my share of scrutiny and challenges as have as have many of us. But through it all, my commitment to
serving our community has remained unwavering. Our city is wonderfully diverse and I'm a proud representative of all of you, Hispanic, black, white, and everything in between. As a proud woman of both Hispanic and multi-racial backgrounds, I understand the importance of
inclusivity and representation, and I am committed to ensuring that every voice is heard at all times, all the time. I want to acknowledge my colleagues. While we may not always agree, I appreciate the dedication and hard work that each of you have brought to the table. I also look forward to working
closely with our newly elected vice president and continuing the great work of those who came before us. Together, we will strive to build on our achievements and continue moving forward. And I hope that we have learned enough from our predecessors that we will continue to be great leaders and
only improve. In addition, we will focus on tackling the important issues that lie ahead such as Trenton waterworks, the proper sale of properties throughout the city, and addressing immigration and ICE concerns to enhance and maintain the safety of our immigrant communities.
We will also support our police officers to keep our community safe and protect and support our local business owners so that they can thrive and continue to provide essential services to our community. Now, I can concentrate on continuing to have focus and efficient council
meetings so that we can achieve the most effective and productive work for the city of Trenton. One thing is true and one thing is certain. We all have exhibited amazing abilities to be able to work together and move this city forward. And I look forward to leading
council and continuing to do so. So, I want to thank you once again for placing your trust in me and I look forward to serving you with dedication and commitment. Thank you very much. I'll just jump in. I guess um so thank you council president and I want to also
thank uh my colleagues for uh their support and uh this opportunity to be the council vice president and support counciloman Figuro Kenberg as president and our council and continuing the record of success we've had uh in the
previous three years. It's an honor uh to be up here. Uh it's also an honor to serve uh our body as the VP and I look forward to all the challenges that come, but I also look forward to all the opportunities. Trenton is a very diverse
city. Trenton is also a very welcoming city. And the work that we do up here together to make Trenton the best it can be every day in every way is why I believe we all have the great mission in our heart of trying to help every
Tranonian attain whatever their wants in life are, whatever their needs in life, and make sure that the city meets the moment. So, thank you everyone for being here. Thank you everyone for watching online and I look forward to working alongside our new council president and
as I said keeping the record of success going. We've been blessed with great leadership previously. So thank you very much. >> At this time before we proceed u Mr. Garcia I would like to thank um a few electives that are in the room this evening. Um, thank you, Senator Shirley
Turner, for being with us as always. Thank you, Commissioners Sam Frisbee and Kathleen Lewis for joining us this evening. Always showing your support. And thank you to Assemblywoman Verina Reynolds Jackson, who was here and had
to leave. Thank you so much. I also I also want to um thank former councilwoman Cordelia statement statement for always being here as well. Thank you so much. >> Yes. And one more thing and Garrett who is here representing our uh Merca County
Executive Dan Benson. Thank you so much for being here and joining us on his behalf. Thank you. >> Mr. Garcia, we may proceed. Certainly, Madame President. At this time, Madam President, if you'd like to ask for approval of the minutes
of December 2nd, 2026. >> Excuse me, Mr. Garcia. One second. And um Commissioner Terren Stokes. Thank you as well. I apologize. I didn't see you back there. Thank you, sir. >> Um on your call, Madam President. >> You may proceed.
>> Certainly. Uh, Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve the minutes of December 2nd, 2026. >> May we have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Williams, >> yes. and council president Figueroa Kettenburg. >> Yes.
>> Motion carried. And madame president, if you want to ask for a motion to approve communications and petitions. >> May we have a motion to approve communications and petitions. >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes. >> And Council President Figureroa Kenberg, >> yes.
>> Motion carried. And at this time, Madame President, are there any items from the resolutions this evening that you'd like to extract for any potential questions or from a potential consent agenda? Does anybody
have any items from the resolutions that you would like to um question or have comment on this evening? >> Hearing Counciloman Feliciano. >> No. >> Hearing none. Madam President, if you'd
like to ask for a motion to approve a huge Williams or we usually do, my apologies. Uh 26003. Okay, >> thank you. >> That's it. >> That is it, ma'am. >> One second.
>> We shall proceed. >> Thank you. So um reason I wanted to ask this about this question uh business administrator um is we have so many properties um you know recently we had a fire uh in an
abandoned property. It's not the first one. It certainly will not be the last one. And I know we have a lot of problems getting uh demolitions approved um particularly with DCA and even their definition of an emergency versus what
we believe is an emergency and I think what is the reality on the ground is a lot closer to what city of Trenton believes is emergency. I'll be respectful tonight. So I was wondering if you could talk about how that process is playing out now. Um, you know, as far
as with we're in the winter time, we have a lot of properties that unfortunately folks who are homeless or just, you know, whatever the situation might be do go into need to light a fire for food or for warmth and, you know, what we are doing to make sure we secure
properties maybe faster than we've done in the past if we can, but also what the demo process will be going forward with this resolution's assistance. >> Um, yes, I just want to make a um I'm I'm sorry. Very good evening. Maria Richardson, business administrator.
Congratulation, uh, council president, council vice president. Just a small correction. Um, the, um, I would say the back and forth regarding demolitions and our definition. Uh, and, uh, the other
entity is HMFA. DCA has been really supportive, uh, of any project. >> So, that that's gotten better than >> uh, yes. Um and uh we continue to work with HMFA trying to meet their requirements. They require their requirements are really uh heavy on the
city. Um but we are trying to meet those those requirements understand and meet the requirements. So we continue to work uh with HMFA um and continue to have conversations with them. this specific uh resolution
on the docket. We are u utilizing uh capital resources and uh uh basically because we want to be able to uh have those contractors on call rather than be declaring emergencies every time that we
have um an emergency situation. So those will be available. Um the process is that when we face one of those emergency demolitions, we will call all the contractors and we will uh utilize the one that gives us the best price at the
moment. But the uh we procure the services and uh selected the the low the three lowest biders for this uh specific award. um to talk about fire prevention and and that sort of things. Um I will
pass it to the fire uh director if you allow me to do so. >> Sure. Thank you. And I just have one additional question before he comes up. Do we have um or is there a discussion of a plan for a certain number of demolitions on the list that we already
want? Like what is 2026 looking for looking at um as far as that? Well, emergency demolitions, we really cannot have them in a list. We really need to uh address them immediate, you know,
immediately. We are faced with the emergency. So we cannot so I cannot tell you how many properties we are going to be able to demolish this year but um if we are able to get our plan approved by
HMFA there is $9 million that will be allocated for that process. The issue is that HMFA will not cover emergency demolitions. Um what they require is the city to have
a plan that involves um development of the properties. If we are going to demolish 100 uh properties, they want to know what are we going to do with those? And so we are in the process of developing that plan. So until we do so,
I would not be able to tell you how many um properties we we will demolish under the HMFA uh funding. >> Okay. Thank you. Sure. >> Yes, please. If you don't mind coming up, >> Richardson, I'm sorry. Really quickly, um
>> Sure. >> Just kind of following up with that question really quickly because I had a similar question to her. Um, so I understand you you really can't say how many would be emergency, but I'm sure there's many properties throughout the city that have been listed as this needs to get demolished. It is a danger. Um,
so what will those properties play into, I guess, this list moving forward? Would those properties be taken into consideration or do we need new referrals for these properties that we could be demolishing? No, we we right now we know about 400 properties that we
know that because as we are preparing the plan to present to HMFA, we know that we already have about 400 properties that we have identified for demolition but that's we haven't finished. So the minimum amount that we
have right now is 400 for emergency that we need to you see an emergency is something that we need to address immediately under procurement. An emergency is something that it's going to either uh that has a safety component
or a health related component. Right? So if if there is a safety issue that we know that that property might collapse within 24 hours that is an emergency. If it's something that is condemned by the
technical um unit but you know they will let us know this can wait for two 3 months and we can procure it but emergency emergency it's just we need to do it right away 24 48 hours top right
so and and that kind I cannot give you a number this specific contract on the docket today is to address those emergencies because we, you know, we know that they are going to happen. So, we want to be able to instead of coming afterwards and saying we had an emergency, we want to
be able to have the contractors on call and just go ahead and and do it the proper way. >> Okay. Thank you. And, um, one more question. Um, with regards to the hourly hourly rates and labor and materials that are listed um, for the people who
put in the companies who put in bids, I I noticed that Carol Group is at a significantly lower rate along with fallers um, in relation to the other ones. Um, does that have anything to do with prior contract with the city or is
is there anything with because I mean the the the rate of $160 for Carol Group, $195 for Versus $5,000, $2,000 for the other groups. Is there anything that you know we could say publicly that
that differentiated them as to why those numbers are so >> not really. Um people send sometimes they send numbers that don't even make any sense. Uh we have worked with many of the contractors. One of the things
about procurement is that we cannot negotiate the prices. So when we put a bid out um and and then you see numbers like that, right, you cannot negotiate.
You basically accept the numbers. Um but I cannot tell you that it's because they have worked with us or not. Yes, we have done a lot of projects with u at least three of the companies that uh submitted beads.
>> Okay. Thank you, VA. Thank and and just as uh for clarification when we faced uh an emergency right what we will do is we will contact all three and try to get a price for the project and then we will
use whatever is more convenient or who whoever is available because sometimes the the one that will give us the best price is not available or not responsive at the moment. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Sure. >> Any other questions for my colleagues? Okay, council vice president consent.
>> Oh, actually I just have a question for uh Director Douglas. Thank you. >> Good evening. Kenneth Douglas, director of fire and emergency services. >> Hi, director. I uh thank you for coming up. I just had another question regarding um in some locations we've had
fires where um I know if it's particularly if it's privately owned that then insurance has to get involved with determining when the structure can come down, if it needs to come down, etc. But what is our process? If the fire department says this is uninhabitable, this is dangerous. Um
that would supersede I would think what an insurance company would want to wait for because it's an endanger to the community. >> But um can you just talk a little bit about that process just so you know people know how that works out and you know when they see a burned out property because I've had constituents I imagine
my colleagues have come up and say like why is the city not taking that property down? Like there's one on Lambertton Street that was a fire when we first all got on the council together and you know it's privately owned so it's been very difficult for the city to make something happen.
>> Well from from the fire department's perspective um u if we had a building fire and actually deemed uh inhabitable addition to a hazard to the community as like the debris can fall on the ground or building can partially collapse. Of course, we notify the proper uh division
or the construction official to get a determination to raise the building, which it means knock the building down so it doesn't interfere with any pedestrians walking by it. I mean, we had several properties like that and it did happen quite immediately. Um um if somehow that there was a building that
was left intact um even though we reported it, um I wouldn't have the answers to see why that building was not knocked down at the time even though it came through request. Okay. But no matter what, if you if your department says this needs to come down,
like in a couple days, the embers are done, that would be the final decision no matter what happens. >> Well, the structural integrity still have to be um identified. Yes. >> Just from the the facade, the front is really not going to tell if the interior is um suitable that it won't collapse.
Um it still has to go through that part. I mean, just looking at it from outside, you can see like, wow, that lock that needs to be locked knocked down. It looks terrible. But if the beams and the structure that really holds the property up is still solid, it's not burned through. Like in some houses, you can see they probably partially collapsed
inside, it may be a chance that property made it look burnt really bad, but the interior of the property probably isn't. >> Okay. Thank you very much, sir. >> Welcome. >> Consent, please. >> Thank you, Council President. >> May I add something? Um there are
instances where our subcode officials are able to or they actually have the authority to deem any structure unsafe even if it's private and then we can proceed for demolition funding
permitting. >> Thank you ma'am. >> Thank you Mr. Garcia. We could proceed. >> Certainly madam president. Excuse me. Certainly madam president. If uh there are no other additional questions, then you can ask for a motion to approve a consent agenda consisting of resolutions
26001, 2612, 26002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 01, 09,
and 26-10. >> And we have a motion to approve. So moved. >> Second. Thank you. Roll call. Council Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Counciloman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes. >> And Council President Figuro Edenberg, >> yes.
>> Motion carried. And moving on to ordinances for first reading and introduction. Madame President, uh shall I proceed? >> Um I'd like to make comment on this before we proceed. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead.
>> I'd like to make um Thank you. Um ordinance 26-001. Um it was uh brought to the administration brought it forward to be introduced um prior to tonight's meeting as I understand. Um but additionally as
I understand there is scheduled a presentation um that will discuss um the rate increase um on the 20th of January. Um with that I'm sure my council colleagues do have questions. However, I
would like to motion that this be tabled until the next meeting so that our council colleagues can hear the presentation on the 20th ahead of this ordinance being introduced for first reading and then second reading to follow. >> Is there a second?
>> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilwoman Edwards, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison,
>> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes. >> And Council President Figurero Kenberg, >> yes. >> Item is tabled until the next public meeting. Is that correct? >> Yes. Thank you. Um, Garcia, we may proceed.
>> Certainly. Item is tabled until the next public meeting. At this time, Madame President, I have no other items. If we can move to public comment. >> Yes. Before we do that, um, Mr. Garcia, I would like to acknowledge Lawrence Councilwoman Patricia Farmer Hendris who
is present with us. Thank you for joining us this evening, >> Mr. Garcia. Um, how many um, public comments do we have? >> How many people >> for public comment this evening in total? And yes, we have one public comment this evening. We have three individuals listed.
>> Okay, let's proceed, please. >> So, 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. First individual listed for public comment is Carlos Guerero. Carlos Guerrero. Oh, sorry.
You just want to turn on the mic. You want to press the button, right? That Yeah, there you go. >> Okay. >> Good evening. >> Name and address for the record. >> I'm sorry. >> I said please state your name and address for the record. >> Uh my name is Carlos Guerrero.
Good night, everybody. I would like to uh address an ongoing uh and what I believe is a criminal activity in the city of Trenton for many years
as I was a victim of uh this unfortunate situation. Same store located on 724 South Clinton Avenue is running what I believe is a criminal enterprise. I have
been robbed twice. Two different uh situations. Called the police the first time at the location. Nothing got done about it because I had no proof of uh stolen items that I had stolen and appear in this location.
Um call again the second time because recently I was robbed again. And um I was directed to a special unit and I was told to expose my concerns here uh as many of my friends and other
um business owners um have um bring this to my attention. Um many residents of this town have been robbed. uh uh many contractors, many work vents, many tools have disappeared
from garages, from vehicles and they all magically appear at this location and nothing can uh do anything about it. So the last time I spoke to a an officer, he recommended I come here and say something, bring it to your attention and uh see if they we can do something
about this because uh it's been going on for years. Uh many people here we work hard for everything that we that we have you know like uh our tools or cars and the things that we use to to work and provide for our families
shouldn't wind up at a corner store for people to take advantage and for nobody that you know to to be able to do something. So, uh, I was, uh, advised to come here and express my concerns and I thank you guys for the opportunity
to do so. >> Thank you. >> Council President, can you just have him leave his information for us? >> Yes. >> Yes. Mr. Aguero, can you please provide your information to our clerk? Um, Mr. Garcia.
>> Thank you. Leticia Peters. Oops. Good evening. My name is Leticia Peters. My address is 1462 Stverson Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey.
Like Carlos was saying, we are concerned about the safety of Trenttononians. Just last month, there were 11 car breakins on Stverson Avenue and Kensington Avenue. There were no detectives that
was called to take fingerprints. One person was told to send in her video. What was the outcome of these 11 vehicle breakins? If the police detectives are not coming
out and getting the proof and holding people accountable, then who should we turn to? How can Trenton be a safe place if the police are just patrolling the neighborhoods and not getting out
to take information from the people? How can the police be held accountable if no one is holding them accountable? What are the detectives doing?
Another issue I brought to Councilwoman Tesco Frisbee was that the fire det fire um department was not called out when Joyce Kimmer school there was a fire alarm in October. what
was the outcome of that? We should not be waiting until a catastrophe to occur and then say, "Oh, we should have did that. We should have did this." We need to stop doing what we've been doing and start holding people
accountable. Another question to you, Cler Officer Garcia. Um, what time did the clerk's office um close on New Year's Eve? I thought it
at the city of Trenton was closed at 3:00. I mean, I have questions because I don't think the city of Trenton officials are doing their job that they've been called to do. They're not holding people accountable. People are not doing their
jobs. I had issues about the housing department. I have issues with the police department. And I even have issues with the clerk's office. That's all I have to say. I hope things will change this year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Peters.
>> Cordelia Stton. >> Good evening. Cordelia Stton, 310 Gardener Avenue. Good evening, distinguished members of council, and congratulations to council president Kettenberg and Vice President Williams. You know, when you guys first decided to rotate this presidency, I had
a problem with it. I had a lot of reservation, but I will say that in these couple of years that you guys have served and rotated, I have seen leadership qualities in all of you. All of you have served with distinction in your roles of leadership and I'm now
looking forward to you Jenna and Jen to carry on that legacy. I wanted to um also speak to you a little bit about the uh agenda, but I also first I want to commend you on uh the tableabling of this this ordinance. There's a lot of
questions about water. Too long to go into tonight, but I'm glad that you decided to see the presentation before you were made to uh make a decision. Never let administration pressure you to do things before you have enough information to actually hold really
meaningful um liberation between yourself and your colleagues. So, you're always making sure you're doing the right thing for the people. this uh water thing is uh got everybody on edge and so it's going to be very important that you move cautiously with your
decisions. Let's see. Oh, I wanted to actually ask um I see that you're going to uh reappoint zoning board members. Um, and I'm hoping that you'll be able to keep a full roster for all of the uh uh existing um committees
that you have. And I'm hoping that the ones that were created like the senior advisory board gets some wheels under it and gets moving. I only say that because I was asked to serve. I'm anxious to do that, but I'm getting a little discouraged because nothing is happening. And uh that's one thing. Um
unfortunately uh people are saying nothing's happening in the city. Things aren't moving. I know the intention is good. We just have to make sure that we put forth the effort and make sure that people who volunteer to serve or help you to, you know, see this mission through that uh they're given the
opportunity to serve otherwise they won't. You know, these are volunteer positions. They're not paid. And you know, when you can get an individual who donate their time, don't take it for granted. And I want to confess my time.
I think that's in fact I am sure that is all I have for tonight. Again, congratulations. Um and uh thank you for your service. Our past president go uh uh why can't I say your name? Yes. Council President, former council
president Gonzalez, you did really good and uh whatever you're going to do next. You know, I support you. And for those of you who are going to move on with the uh elections are coming up for at large and so I'm wishing all those who are going to seek re-election that you get
it because you certainly deserve it. You've done the work. Uh which is a lot I can more than I can say for the folks who are putting out Facebook posts now. And for those of you who are even going into higher uh who have higher aspirations to serve in this city, I
wish you well too. Good night. >> Thank you, >> Madam President. Those are all the individuals I have listed for public comment this evening. If you're wishing move to anyone for civic comment. >> Yes. Just ahead of that, um, for the individuals that were here, I see
there's a large, um, population of Latino business owners here, and I'm sure many of you have the same concerns as was expressed by Mr. Guo, um, and Miss Peters. Um, I would welcome you to speak with Director Wilson, who is here this evening. Um, I'm sure he would have
no problem, you know, being pulled to the side just to answer any of your concerns this evening. We can proceed. Mr. Garcia >> on your call. Madam President, you may start with any individual you wish for civic comment. >> Uh certainly. Um let's start with
Councilwoman um Edwards. >> Good evening everyone. First and foremost, a happy new year, happy holidays. Congratulations to Councilwoman Figureroa Kettenburg and Councilwoman Williams on their uh
nominations and and successful victory on becoming president and vice president. I look forward to you know attending the meetings under your leadership and let me know I'm here to assist in any way I can. Uh good evening everyone. It's great to see all of your
lovely faces and in good health. I I hope um I don't have too many comments other than about Trenton Waterworks. Um thank you first of all to uh council president for motioning to table this ordinance because and not to speak on
behalf of council but we all unanimously do not agree with this and uh with the timing of it. Me personally, the cost of living has been as such an adjustment for us throughout this pandemic. As we're moving out of the pandemic, we're
we are continuing to see interest rates and water uh what what is it? Uh PSENG rates doubling, you know, since December and then again in the summertime. I'm worried that hitting them with a 60%
increase, hitting customers who are already suffering from high costs rising across food and utilities, rent, mortgages due to interest rates rising. This right here would totally a lot of households. So, I would suggest
that we spread this out. Yes, we know rates need to go up. Yes, we know that rates have not gone up in a significant amount of time. And that is a financial hardship on Trenton Waterworks who needs to put this money towards the repairs
that we need, but not to the detriment that will cause a financial hardship to our constituency. I also um Mr. Garcia, how much time do I have left? >> Three minutes. >> Okay. Thank you. So, I wanted to bring
up something very important um to your attention. Yesterday, there was a 10:00 a.m. committee meeting, telecommunications and utilities down at the state house. Uh this it's called uh number 5980.
And for those that are savvy with looking it up, and if you're not, email me and I'll send it to you. It's a 25page document that describes basically what would happen if we do not get our stuff together with Trenton
Waterworks. This bill, if it makes it out of the Senate committee and then makes it out uh to vote with the assembly in the Senate, will create a citizens fund act which establishes a trust fund for the conveyance of certain
assets for the benefit of public benefit plans. In layman's terms, basically is saying that the purpose of this fund is to lessen the burdens of governments by providing a fund through which a public entity may contribute, transfer or sell
its revenue producing assets to a segregated or co-mingled account aka regionalization. This is what is happening in assembly right now due to what's happening with our water utility. This council has done
its due diligence to make sure we are properly funding this utility and advocating for the repairs, asset management plans, and what have you. And without conversation, we have assembly people that have
introduced this to attempt to force regionalization on trend. It also says that this does not need to go for a referendum on a ballot. This says that council can vote to basically sell or
transfer Trenton Waterworks into this citizens fund act if we are not happy with what the administration is doing. I don't think council should make that type of decision on behalf of the entire city by themselves. We make a lot of
decisions respectfully. However, this critical asset that affects hundreds of thousands of people, I don't think that that's right. Um, not without due process and not without proper communication. This council was unaware. I don't I'm like, again, I
don't want to speak for the rest of council, but in speaking with my colleagues, this never came up and no one brought it to our attention. And from what I was told, no one from Trenton, the uh administration or the mayor was there, but the other municipalities were.
this is a problem and we need to pay attention to what's happening on a state level. That's all I have to say. Um, let that marinate and again, if you need this, I will send it to you. Thank you and have a good evening.
>> Thank you. Um, Councilman Gonzalez. >> Thank you, Council President. Um, first I want to say congratulations to our new council president and council vice president on um being elected um from our council colleague. I'm looking forward to working with you all
throughout this year. Um really quickly because I was unable to attend the last meeting as a council president, you know, I just had a few words that I did want to say. I was very ill. I tried to join virtually and I was dizzy, fever, the flu hit me really bad so I wasn't here. But I want to sincerely thank my
colleagues for trusting me um with the responsibility to lead um this body over the past year. It has been a true honor and I want everyone to know that I tried to lead as fair and as honest as possible. I try to make the best decisions and I also wanted to thank our council vice president, former council
vice president Edwards for working alongside me throughout this year. Um also want to take the time to thank the administration, our BA, Mr. Cherry Garcia, Mr. Okay. And all of those who answered our calls and would actually listen and answer questions that we had
off of the off of the day. So, I just want to say thank you for all of your hard work and conversations that we had. I also wanted to acknowledge I know um Miss Cordelia Stton uh brought it up about our boards. Rent stabilization
board was one that I I took the lead on and I just want to give them credit because they had took the challenge on with some of our tenant and landlord issues. And as we know in the city, we have a lot of tenant and landlord lord issues and they have taken that charge and have really served in excellence. So
I just wanted to give them a shout out and say thank you. Um I love going in to see what they're doing. I was able to sit in one one of the meetings. So um thank you for that. I also wanted to acknowledge Trenton Housing Authority really quickly for continuing to fight for more funding so that we can make sure that the choice neighborhood
program is does come to fruition. Um, and I just want to say I'm proud of the work that we have accomplished as a council group together. We have done a lot. I know a lot of things are being said that we the city isn't moving forward. The city hasn't done. We have done a lot in the last four years. And
um, you know, if you guys are paying attention, we have worked really, really hard for the constituents here in the city of Trenton. Um, I want to acknowledge all of our elected officials who are here today. Thank you. Um, and former Councilwoman Kadoya Stan, I just want to say thank you for always, always
being a positive light for us. You give us the negative, you give us the positive, you give us the real, and I just want to say that's why we admire and we look up to you so much. So, thank you for that. Um, as far as the Trenton Waterworks um, being tabled, thank you uh, council president for that. My understanding was we had uh the
attorneys come in to speak to council at the last meeting and that the understanding was was the information that was provided was for us to have a better understanding as to why this was done was being introduced and also that um we did have the increased
presentation a few months back and um I know council vice pres former council vice president and I at the docka review we both had agreed that we would have the presentation um so I you know that I was under the impression that the
attorneys had pretty much explained everything to council. So that was the reason why this was put on the docket for us to consider um today. Um so I just want to say thank you to everyone and thank you for allowing me to leave for this past year. Have a good night.
>> Thank you Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Thank you Council President Figueroa Kenberg. Congratulations. Has a nice ring to it. Congratulations to Vice President Williams. Congratulations to you. Has a great ring
to it as well. Um, so good evening everyone. Thank you for being here tonight. Happy New Year to you all. So, let's just get right into it. Trenton Waterworks, I do want to touch it. um the the bill A5980. I
was on the call as well to hear and I heard the municipalities that testify, the couple that said what they had to say. Um to further along what Councilwoman Edwards was saying was that in the formation of this fund, it would
have five directors that would be appointed by the governor. It would also have an advisory board that would consist of members from the municipalities. However, they would have no voting rights or anything. Um, the
directors would not be paid. However, there would be a fund manager that would have to be procured. So, what does that look like? That looks like a no from me. Um, Councilwoman
Edwards and myself put forth to this council body a resolution for the consideration of a creation of a Trenton water authority and that would still leave the control in Trenton's hands but still bring the other municipalities to
the table but we would have the majority of the say in the vote. There's also been an ordinance that was put up, but we held that back that my council colleagues have that explains it and breaks it down and what that looks like for the city of Trenton. I by no means
am for regionalization where Trenton loses control of anything. Trenton, it's an asset of ours. It should remain with us and we need to figure this out. When it comes to the rate increase,
I'm not for the rate increase as it as it pertains to residents. I'm not. But here's what I would like you all to think about. What I would like you to think about is give me one second. I got to find the
papers so we can think together. Here we go. my water bill came and my my usage rate as a residential home owner is 2.116
right my usage if we look at commercial properties throughout they pay the same usage rate that we pay as a resident.
So let's say a movie theater, a hospital, they're paying 2.116 for usage like we are. So why are we looking to increase the rate on us when there should be a separate rate for commercial properties
so that we can recoup some of that money? Now I asked the question before when the people were here talking and they were supposed to get back to me and that's a great idea and we're going to look into it. I haven't heard anything. But if we're really going to look at this about Trenton Waterworks, then everybody has to come to the table and
you have to really think this thing through and you have to look at it. Now, we have an ad hoc committee. I respectfully ask that when you meet that y'all look into that and really have those discussions. The easy way out is
to say, "Y'all go ahead and take it and let somebody else figure it out." But that's not what we hired directors and everybody to do. We had a job to figure it out. So, we're here to work together. We don't need to lose this utility. I will recirculate again the resolution
that we put forward before about the creation, the thought of the consideration of the creation of the Trenton Water Authority, for us to look at it, for us to think about it, for consideration, to see what we can do
together to help move this along. I said before too, you know, it's going to hit the fan. I talked to the mayor about it. We here now. We ground zero. So, we need to move together and we need to be smart as as to how we do this. One other thing
I'd like to say is I also um went out the other day. I had got a complaint from a constituent at North Olden and East State Street. Um there's a big lot on the right hand side. There's that old bank on the corner and then the liquor
store over there. So the young lady was saying, um, give me just one minute. Madam President, can I just keep going for another minute? No, thank you. So she had a complaint about the lack of parking and her car was hit when she parked on Olden Avenue and everything. And she was like, "Look, it's tight over
here. You got people with five or six cars. Where can I park? What can I do?" So, I looked at the empty parking lot and I said, "Well, IT'S A CITY-OWNED LOT. WHY AREN'T we capitalizing on some of these lots that we have in the city and start making off- streetet parking
for some of these people that they could park?" Now, I'm I'm not an expert at this, but I know that we done tore up a lot of streets and we done repaved some stuff. And somebody told me a word called millings, right? So, we have the millings, the rubble or whatever. Why can't we take some of that, use that on
some of these lots? just draw the lines where we could make parking spaces AND THEN MAYBE YOU CHARGE $50 A MONTH FOR A SPACE, RIGHT? SO, we get a little bit of money, the people could park their cars somewhere and we can help some of these people throughout the city with this parking issue until the administration
finally sits down and works to really figure out how we can address the parking that we have going on in the city of Trenton. That's my thoughts for tonight. I'm glad to see everybody once again. I wish everybody traveling mercies going home.
Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Frisbee. >> Good evening and thank you, uh, Madame President. Congratulations to you, C. Congratulations to Councilwoman Williams, um, on your newly appointed positions. I want to thank our outgoing
president and outgoing vice president for your diligence and how you work together and work to make sure that there was inclusivity. I look forward to working with this new body and um I would just I just want to say first I
want to say um happy new year to everyone and Fel Nova Felis Nov no to those of you because it's not just women um so Felis Novo um to everyone and I just want to thank everyone for coming out here this evening and it's good to
see all of your faces. I hope you'll come out again when it's not reorg but that you'll come out again and again and again. and we want to hear from you. We do this for you. Um we're here for our community and we we want to see your faces here and we want to hear your opinions. Uh to the uh constituent who
spoke earlier about the concerns, um I have addressed them. Everything that is sent to me is addressed. Not always addressed. We don't get the answers that we want. Um but they're always being addressed and hopefully we are going to get better. We will do better. Um this body, council body has done very well.
We've accomplished a great deal in these almost four years that we have been in these seats and I'm proud of the work that we have done. Um folks could say you could do this that and the other but I tell you if you walk around the city and you are really being honest you will see that there's a great deal of work
that is being done. We are working with our administration to make sure that things are done decency and decency and in order. I want to give a special thanks to um our clerk uh Mr. Garcia. Thank you for the work that you've done with us over the not just
last year but these years. Um there's a lot of learning um that I've gotten from you and then I just make and making sure that you make sure that we have everything that we need and things are done in decently and in order. So thank you for that and to your um Mr. Jorge who also works diligently beside you. I
want to thank also our council in front of us, our city attorney uh Mr. Bridges. Thank you for being here and um just making sure that we are doing things so so that we uh stay in compliance. And the same thing to our attorney uh Mr. Ed
Colloji. Thank you for always taking our calls, always being responsive even when you're on vacation. Uh we appreciate you for um never turning down our emails or our telephone calls. Thank you for that. To our police director, fire director, our business administrator, our chief of
staff, thank you all for the work that you do. to our uh water department, to all of our directors. Um the job is not easy. Um and we know that, but we know that you're doing the um best that you can. We appreciate you cuz we know that we're in a better position this year
than we were to our health department. I see back there, Mr. um Diego and of course to our recreation department also. Um Mr. Harris, we appreciate all of you. Um I see you um Yolanda Gonzalez, I see all of you. I appreciate
all the work that you have all done. Um it's not easy, Mrs. Sample Raina. I appreciate each and every single last one of you um for the work that you do. And for those of you who come in even when you're not feeling your best, I appreciate you as well. Um I want to say
I'm going to say cuz um he's my favorite commissioner in the whole world. I want to thank my husband for his support for being out here, Mr. Commissioner Sam Frisbee. Uh it's always makes me smile to have him in the room with me. and Senator Turner. Um, and all of our electeds and those who are former, even
my neighbors I see out this evening. It is so good to see each and every single last one of you out here this evening. Thank you for being out here. Um, my hope is that we will work cohesively as a council. We will continue that work. Um, and that we will remember that we need to count to seven, not to four,
that all council feels like they are inclusive. leadership means that sometimes we have to have hard conversations to get a better understanding and hopefully get to a resolve with one another. So, it is my hope that um we will have those conversations so that we can get to
resolve and we can work together as a stronger body. The water department I'm glad thank you u madam president for tableabling that. Um we need to get that presentation. We need to see that, get all the information so that we're not blindsided or anything and nothing tries
to get past us that should not. Um, I'm going to leave that there and I'm not the the rate heights as well. We also need to work on that so that we're not overwhelming our community. We really need to work together on that. Uh, I think Mr. Garcia, how much time do I have left?
>> 30 seconds. >> 30 seconds. I want to say um I there's going to be a flyer that's coming out and that's going to be with the city of Trenton and the health department and myself. We're going to be um doing something that the EU department I asked for a couple of seconds u madam president if that is okay um they
introduced that I went to their reorg yesterday and something that they're doing is called um 250 and 250 they are doing two asking our constituents our community as a whole to um walk 250 miles in the 200 is our 250th
anniversary so there's going to be a flyer that you're going to see coming out shortly we're excited about that we want you all to take involved Um, I told um them I was going to tell this up. Mayor Bird Simon, I want to acknowledge you. Thank you for the idea and we are absolutely going to use it. We're not going to steal it. We are going to use
it and we're going to probably put a little different spin on it, but we appreciate that. With that, I wanted to say um read a portion of our city's 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,
integrity and fiscal responsibility to seek excellence in the city's operations and to serve all the city's people with respect and compassion. Thank you and everyone get home safely. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Council Vice President Williams. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh first I
just want to say happy new year to everybody. Uh welcome and thank you for coming tonight. Uh when we first started three years ago, we still had co glass up here on city council day. So it's amazing where we've come and I'm really proud of the progress we've made and
that you're all here and you feel comfortable coming here because you should be comfortable coming to city council meetings. That's important particularly in a day like today uh which is an unfortunate anniversary five years ago in January 6th which hopefully will never happen in our country again.
You are welcome here in Streton City Hall. It's a safe place for everybody, all Trentonians. So, please keep coming to our meetings. Thank you. Um, I just also want to thank Senator Turner for coming tonight. I know uh she has a very busy schedule. It means a lot always to
have her with us as well as uh Commissioner Stokes. Uh, Commissioner Frisbee. I know he kind of has to be here maybe a little bit, but uh we do appreciate your coming to be with us. and then uh Lawrence Councilwoman Hendricks Farmer and uh Yuing Councilwoman Jennifer Keys Maloney. Uh
you may hear that, you know, we're in a disagreement, shall we say, with some of our fellow uh towns here in Mercer County, but we do get along with our colleagues in other places. And I think tonight shows that um we all can get along and we work together to try to
make Mercer a great county and try and and towns good places. Um, I want to also take a moment because we weren't necessarily able to do it last month to thank our outgoing president Yasmin Gonzalez for her service last year. Um,
we went and did a lot. Uh, you kept an easy kill, a measured kill as I've shared with you before and that was welcome particularly and we are a strong council and we work well together and uh, having a good president at the till is extremely important. as my dad would
say, he was a Navy veteran. And I want to congratulate Councilwoman and Council President Jennifer Kittenberg on this year and I'm looking very much forward to working with you and continue our success together. So, I have a few
comments. Um, I agree with my colleagues regarding the boards that aren't made, particularly the senior advisory board. That's an extremely important board in this city because we have a lot of seniors and they want to give back and when we have a board is created as an
awesome idea by councilwoman Feliciano. This should be operational by now. So I'm going to issue a challenge that by the end of this month the meeting should happen that doesn't need to have a public notice. There is no budget that's necessary that's already been talked
about previously. But let's get this moving. We have plenty of seniors in buildings that want to have things happening. They want to have their voices heard and we need to make it a Trenton a city that is particularly particularly attentive to senior
citizens. So, let's let's make it happen, okay? By the end of the month. And we want to hear about how good the meeting was. Uh, also I want to announce that we're having our Northward Citizens Police Advisory Council uh meeting on January 21st. It's at 5:30 until 7 at Galley
Baptist Church, 440 Martin Luther King Boulevard. Uh this month's guest is kind of interesting. It's going to be neat. Uh we're actually going to have uh some of the folks from Signal 22 with us. So I don't know if they'll be able to bring the big truck and give us cookies and hot chocolate, but we'd love to have
them. We're going to have them there so they could talk about a lot of the work that they do, particularly with our fire department and uh at times with the police department. uh when there are things that happen in the city to make sure that our fire personnel um have provisions particularly the long hours
they uh do in fighting fires and fireside but also you see them in a lot of events whether it was Halloween whether it was the Christmas parade and they're very engaged in our community so I think it'd be a great conversation to find out what they do um there might be some folks who might want to volunteer
with them and uh so please come to our meeting it's a great productive meeting and It's something where I think you'll all take something out of it. Whether we were fortunate last month to have uh Raina with public works with us and I think actually she uh had so many problems brought to her attention about
half the meeting ended up being a public works meeting. So um so with that I want to just send one matter to public works. Uh there's a small little street it's a cute street has original brick work called Wood Street that um I've put in
requests before to be worked on. Isles is headquartered there. There are residential uh apartments on that street. Believe it or not, people do live in that area for sure. Uh the Trent Community A team is located there and there are adjoining streets that uh wood
streets have passed through and it's also in my opinion even with the big thick tires they have, the fire department might have some troubles back there. So, I may ask the administration make that a focus in the next couple weeks to really look at. I know our funds are limited for street repairs, particularly this time of year, but we
need to figure out something at least. Let's get through the winter. Uh we have someone I won't identify them, but they are in the audience tonight who's lost two car tires to Wood Street and that should not happen. But thanking I'm I fully expect that we'll have success
there. Um regarding woodworks, my colleague said it best. to want to say thank you to Councilwoman Edwards uh for Thank you Council President. Right. 2025 was a year to be had and
here we are in 2026. I'm so grateful for everybody who is here tonight. Um, so grateful for those who came out to support this reorg evening. Um, I look forward to really leading this council in the most
prolific way possible. Um, again, I want to thank uh, former council president, former council vice president for an excellent year that you guys served and all of our predecessors. Thank you guys so much for all of the values that you all set and everything you all brought to the table that I really hope that I
can hone in on and focus on and and um just continue to let council be the greatest that it can be. We again we have so many hard decisions coming before us in this coming year. Um and it's going to take a village literally. It's going to take all of us to put our
heads together to really focus to do our research. Um, tableabling this ordinance for the raidables is is nothing more than we just need more time. This is a a very very important decision that we all
need to make. And I'll speak for myself. Yes, we did have a meeting with the attorneys. I don't think that I came out of that meeting with um proficient or profound answers that I can make a sound decision moving forward. So, I do want us to hear everything and have enough time to be able to make this decision
because it will affect all of us essentially. Um, I really just want to um thank everybody as my colleagues already did, all of our directors. You guys are doing a great job. Um, I look forward to um improving
where we need improvement. um to being able to listen to one another um so that we can uh move forward and and and meet the needs of the residents of this city as we are supposed to do. That is all we ask on a
day-to-day basis. Um so I I hope that you guys have open minds and open hearts as we give you guys suggestions and what we think would be better and better serve the community and all of us as a whole. Um to our city law director, Mr. Bridges, thank you for your time and
counsel to um our council attorney, Mr. Cloji, thank you as well for answering all of council's questions um and and giving us uh best case scenario um to make sure that everybody is is benefiting um and we are making sound um
decisions. Um Clerk Garcia, thank you as well. I look forward to working with you in the year to come um to keep this working the way that it should work. And I really do hope that um with all my colleagues, thank you again for your support and your vote of confidence. Um
I really do hope that um you know I serve you all well moving forward into the new year. Um with that being said, I would like to yield the rest of my time and invite Director um Wilson up
here to address um the residents who had addressed concerns about burglaries. Director Wilson, >> two minutes left. >> I'll be quick. Uh Steve Wilson, police director. Um the first person he came
up, he's not uh he mentioned that uh they're being robbed. What he's talking about is thefts from auto. Um the location he's talking about um is a pawn one of many pawn shops that we have in the city. And uh that one in particular
legally operates. Um, but if he has any information in regards to uh illegal activity, I' I'd be um I'd like to have it and uh have our criminal investigation bureau uh look at it. Um the second person from West on Stson
Avenue is also talking about theft from Auto and our patrol officers are trained as evidence technicians. That's why a detective doesn't come out there and dust for fingerprints because the patrol officers would do that when it's warranted. and uh our detective bureau does follow
up on that. >> Thank you for addressing us, Dr. Wilson. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> With that being said, um I wish you all a wonderful evening. Thank you all again for coming out, all of our electeds for joining us here in the city of Trenton and I hope that we can all collectively
work together as we formulate sound decisions. So, thank you all. Get home safe and have a wonderful evening. >> Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to adjurnn. May we have a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Yes. >> Mute. >> Excuse me. Uh, Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman, oh, excuse me. Councilman Harrison is gone.
>> He left. >> Vice President Williams. >> Yes. >> And Council President Figuro Kenberg. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. >> Thank you.