President on your call. >> Let's call it Mr. Garcia. >> You got it. Trenton City Council regular meeting this April 7th, 2026 is now called to order. Please stand and salute the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. 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 and the
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. Councilwoman Edwards >> present. Councilwoman Feliciano >> present.
>> Councilwoman Frisbee >> present. Councilwoman Gonzalez >> present. >> Councilman Harrison. >> Councilwoman Williams >> present. You presente >> Council President Figureroa Kenberg >> president off here.
>> Myself Brandon Garcia Municipal Clerk present. Mr. Edward Colloji Legislative Council and Mr. West Bridges did call to inform me that he will be uh a few minutes late. Thank you. And Madame President, at this time if
you'd like, I'll read the invocation. >> Yes, sir. >> 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. And Madam President, as I understand, you have a recognition that uh to be presented this evening. >> Yes, sir. Councilwoman Frisbee >> Jorge, do you have the presentation, the
recognition? >> So, good evening and thank you, Council President. Um I wanted to I believe in giving flowers where our flowers are due. We have someone in our community who has been he and his family have been serving for years. Um very humble have
not asked for don't look doesn't look for accolades but does give back to the community. So at this time I wanted to recognize Robert Giaquinto. Did I say it right? Go me. Uh, Ro Robert
Roberts and it's Roberts with an S. We're gonna get it correct because I it is R O B U R Ts. Is that correct? Yes, Robert. You're gonna get me again. Okay. So, Robert um Dquinto and his wife Linda and their family that are here today um and the Gauquinto family, the oldest
cobbler serving the city of Trenton and its surrounding community. Where's the Dior Quinto family tirelessly served with excellence and devotion for two generations beginning with Joseph Gauquinto who not only served our community but also served our country in
the United States Army in World War II. And whereas Joseph Gioquinto began his career in 1945 meticulously repairing and restoring shoes for all who entrusted their wares to him. And where's his son? Robert Gioquinto,
second generation and a Trenton native, continues to honors his father's legacy with dedication and pride, providing quality craftsmanship to our community as one of the last traditional cobblers in the area. And whereas Robert Gioquentil during his grand reopening in
the early 1990s. Okay. Whereas Robert Gioquinto during his grand reopening in the early 1990s held a homeless shoe drive donating over 3,000 shoes with the assistance of the Hibbit G group. And whereas Robert
Jquinto has worked faithfully through the pandemic and other challenging times to make sure our community remained prepared without missing a step. And whereas Robert Gentle has been a consistent staple for repairs of footwear, leather bags, handbags,
jackets, backpacks, and more. Robert G. Aquinel has served the needs of the people with honesty and ret integrity. Robert G. Printo continues to invest this invest his time and talents in our great city preserving a tradition of
sewing souls and precision and precision stitching. Now therefore be it resolved that the city council of the city of Trenton County of Merc state of New Jersey hereby recognizes and honors Mr. Robert Gia Quinto for decades of unwavering unwavering service to the
city of Trenton and Mercer County area and it is presented this 7th day April 28 to April 7th 2026. It is signed by all of council members and along with coun um city council um our mayor has
also prepared something he has not made it here yet but if he doesn't get it we will get it to you. And we also have a recognition from our Mercer County Commissioners also in your honor. And I want to just say this real quick. I went into um your shoe repair shop on Warren
Street. And what made me decide that I really needed to we needed to acknowledge him was I looked at his fingers. You know, you can tell a man by a lot of his work. And I'm looking I'm like, how do you work like that? He had bandages and this and that. I'm like, I would be like, Lord, just let me soak
him for a little bit. But he did. He pressed on. So I was so grateful and I'mma tell on you too. So Linda, I want you to know that he would he was in a he was incapacitated for a while and he was not supposed to be at work and he happened we had be happened to be having a conversation and three days after he
was not supposed to be in the off in in his shop, he went back in just because he said I had customers that are counting on me that they're depending on me. And as much as I respect that, I wanted to make sure that one you take care of your health as well. But we just want to let you know we so appreciate
you. We appreciate you being here. We appreciate you staying here. And we thank you for serving your community the way that you do and we honor you on this day. Madam President, >> I'll get back to you. >> Mrs. Gia, thank you so much. um if you would like to say a few words. Um but I
would also like for council to have the opportunity to address you. So if you would come up that would be amazing. Thank you. >> Mr. Jade Kendall, thank you so much for all of your service to the city of Trenton. I do have a question for you.
Um, are you giving Councilwoman Frisbee like a discount or free services for this? Cuz I wish I would have come up with this sooner. Um Um I I have I have um gone to your shop. I have, you know, gotten some heels
fixed because I'm hard on heels. Um, you have served the community for so many decades and I am I'm very actually I I'm happy that Councilwoman Frisbee thought to even to bring you to this table to honor you um for everything that you've
done for the city of Trenton, for staying in Trenton when so many flee and and for just continuing to do what you do. So, we really do appreciate you. Again, I am so enthralled that she has done this. Um the thoughtfulness >> y >> is is is something that sometimes is a
miss. >> I appreciate >> Thank you so much. I'd love for my council colleagues to have opportunity to to say a few words if they'd like. >> Council President, >> uh Council Vice President Williams. >> Thank you. Um first I'd just like to thank my colleague Council Frisbee for
doing this uh because this is really important. Giving folks FL flowers uh in their lifetime while they've been such a part of our city is important. And to me, you are the epitome of small business in Trenton. You are the epitome of commitment to the city of Trenton.
And in an age where we live in a society where people just keep ordering things off of Amazon and all these other places, the idea of taking something that's made of leather or made of another piece of uh material and giving it an extended life to be reused, to be
saved. I know you've done that for myself and my family with many items, boots, shoes, uh my my son's first pair of Buster Browns when we tried to stretch it for an extra school year. And I know you shared, you know, the struggles and how it was tough at times
in downtown Trenton, but you put your flag there on South Warren Street >> and you made it and you're an example for all of us. So, thank you for what you, Mrs. Gwento, whatever in the family, what you've done, the history of the store is a great history. If anybody hasn't been to Gioquintos, please visit.
Just have a conversation. You will learn a lot about our downtown >> and uh just God bless going forward and we hope that you're part of Trenton forever. >> Thank you. Thank you. I believe >> Council President, >> Councilman Feliciano. >> Thank you.
Good evening, Mr. Gia Quinto. Thank you for everything that you and your family has done for our city. You fixed the bag for me. um and and did it so nicely, right? And you could have it was it was
like a difficult patch to do, but you made it work and it you couldn't even tell like you'd really have to be like all the way up on the bag to see. Um but you made it you made it work and you made it look just as um awesome as it was when I had first gotten it. Um that
being said, thank you for your dedication to the city. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for pressing forward. I do agree with Councilwoman Frisbee where she said you have to take care of yourself above all. So please even in in doing the work just be sure
to take care of yourself. Um you know we want you to be around for a long time to come and we want you to be in good health as you continue forward. God bless you and thank you once again. >> Thank you >> Councilwoman Edwards. Thank you. Um good
evening. It's good to see you here instead of on Warren Street. Um, and this was it's been such a privilege and an honor to to sign this and and I want to say thank you, you know, echoing the sentiments of my colleagues to uh Councilwoman Frisbee for thinking of
recognizing you because you've been holding on for so long. I love our conversations. I was so embarrassed one time I was walking by. I stepped in the crack and it broke the little rubber piece off the bottom of my hill and you heard the difference in my footsteps and
you was like, I can fix that for you. I do have 10 pairs I need to bring, but our conversation was so wholesome. Um, and I definitely have missed you on Warren Street. I noticed that you were not there as often. So, this explains a
lot, but it's good to see you and um well welld deserved. Thank you, >> Council President. >> Yes, Councilwoman uh Gonzalez. >> So, I also want to say most of my colleagues said most of what needs to be said, but we just want to say thank you
because small businesses are the the strength of our city, of our community, and you all have stayed here for all of these years, and we just want to say thank you for all of your service that you have provided to us. And thank you to Councilwoman Frisbee for actually thinking of doing this for you. So, we
look forward to continuing having you in our city. >> Thank you. Would you like to have any words that you'd like to share at this time? >> Yeah. >> I'm gonna speak for him because he's a little choked up, but he also he's a
little choked up, but he's also a little uh reluctant to speak of himself that way. But we are so incredibly proud of him. And he does love the city of Trenton. And he loves what he does. He loves the challenges that he faces with certain repairs. I can see the wheels
turning when he's thinking about what he wants to do. And as far as caring for himself, I did make him cut his hours just a little bit after the pandemic. He is open now from 8 to 3 most days, closed on Mondays because uh he does need to watch out for his health. And
you're right, if you look at his hands, not only are they misshapen and cut and bandages and band-aids, and I will never forget the time he called me to ask me if I had any extra rags at home. And it was the day where he had cut himself and
he had ran out of rags and band-aids at the shop. So instead of closing and going somewhere and get it taken care of, no, he's going to call me and have me come. so truly dedicated, but he he loves what he does and we cannot thank
you enough for honoring him. Thank you. >> We we thank you guys and something that Councilwoman Frisbee always says, we like to give our flowers when the flowers can still be delivered and smells. So we again thank her for that. Um at this time we just would like to do
a quick photo if that's okay. Um and present you with your certificate. Um and then thank you so much. >> Thank you. to the side. Is that what she don't know? >> Okay.
Mr. Garcia, soon as we have quorum back, we can start the meeting again. >> Certainly. >> So now you're going to want Okay. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Mr. Garcia, we can proceed. >> Certainly. Madam President, at this time we have presentations
um this evening. Our first presentation is safe streets for all community annual report. >> Yes, please. >> And so that they so they know the um safe streets report will have how long in order to present? >> 10 minutes.
>> 10 minutes. Understood. And you need that All right. Hello everyone. My name is Jen Ferris and I'm a transportation planner at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and I'm co-presenting with Lisa Sarasol from the
planning department. Um, this presentation will share updates about what the Trenton Safe Streets for All Committee has been working on in 2025 and also share some key highlights from the committee's annual report which
should be available on the website um, very soon. So, to get us started, what is Trenton Safe Streets for All Committee? This group brings together city of Trenton staff from a variety of departments,
um, community members and county and regional partners to move the Trenton complete and green streets ordinance forward and make a meaningful impact on traffic safety across the city. and it
was established by city council in 2022 and we launched the committee in January of 2025. So next I'll talk about some guiding principles about what's guiding this committee's work. Um our goal is to
reach zero traffic deaths and the safe system approach is this framework that shapes how we get there. Um the it addresses safety at multiple levels. Um for example, looking at safe
speeds, how roadways are design, postc crash care behavior, um as well as vehicles. Um and by addressing safety at multiple levels, it gives us more opportunities to prevent crashes and re
reduce the severity of injuries when crashes do occur. So another way to think about this is the um it's a series of protective layers um within the transportation system. So redundancy creates different
layers of protection and um death and serious injury only happen when all of those layers fail. So just contextualizing this in a real world example. Um, so starting with that first layer, if a distracted driver is
driving on a roadway, that's a popular bicycling route. Um, but the car is an older model that doesn't have automatic braking. The driver may be speeding and they swerve into a bicycle lane, but because the bike lane is protected with
concrete curbs, the biker has minor injuries, but they are not killed or seriously injured. So with these layers of protection, we can improve um crash outcomes and prevent injuries. So another key guide for this committee
is Trenton's high injury network. 75% of all the killed and serious injury crashes happen on just 16% of the city streets and those are the streets that are highlighted in red on your screen and in your packets. Um, so by focusing
on these corridors, we're able to um offer the greatest opportunity to save lives and prevent serious injuries by focusing those improvements on those streets. Um, and just to note, some of these roads are county-owned and they are very active in this committee and
are also developing their own vision zero um, road safety plan. Um, we also know that people traveling outside of cars are especi especially vulnerable when a crash occurs. Um, of
the 2024 crashes in which someone was killed or seriously injured. In Trenton, over 45% of those involve someone walking or biking, while the percentage for the state is about 28%. So they're disproportionately impacted in Trenton
compared to New Jersey overall. Um we also know that a lot of Trenton households over 30% do not have access to a vehicle. So a lot of people are already walking and biking. That's their main way of getting around. So um really
improving safety for everybody whether they're in or outside of a car is a critical goal of this group. And I'll pass it over to Lisa. Good evening, council members. Thank you again for the opportunity to present uh
this information to you about this new committee. Um as mentioned, I'm Lisa Serasol. I'm the city's transportation planner in the planning division. I also am handling now the land use um administration of the planning and zoning boards. Um as we mentioned
earlier, um the ordinance um that created this committee also states as a goal to reach a zero of in terms of fatalities and serious injuries and traffic in um crashes.
We have mentioned that the county is working with us and that the county does have um its own plan that it's working on, but in addition, the state has also established a target zero plan. Uh so we're not alone. In addition uh many of
the nearby major M metropolitan areas including Philadelphia, New York City, uh Hoboken and Jersey si Jersey City are also vision zero cities. Um Trenton
actually will be recognized in a complete streets um event coming up uh later this month for its work in establishing this committee as well as uh several of the plans that have been
uh produced in strong collaboration with DVRPC. As we've mentioned, this is our first report and so as a as a baseline, it's going to um establish a an introduction for future years. Um we discovered
things along the way that we weren't expecting um in terms of gathering data to uh complete the benchmarking requirements of the ordinance. Um, but we also uh found plenty of of opportunities to point to things that
the city's already doing that um are part of this ordinance and the benchmarking as well. Some of the things that we accomplished in this first year are first of all establishing the committee and uh the
way it operates but also to begin a level of communication um as well as to establish some actions. It starts with priorities um and then um eventually gets to a level of actions
that become a plan. One obvious uh part of our work is demonstrating the infrastructure that's been put in place to um improve safety in the city. And that includes ADA ramps, uh speed humps, um sidewalks, um
improved streets, as well as funding um which we received uh close to $1 million this year between two grants. One is for planning, the other is for construction. That brings me to where we are. Um, we have made progress, but there's
definitely room to improve. Safety is definitely becoming a priority across the departments. We are establishing short, long, and medium-term goals for the creation of an action plan. And we're also working
towards um improved data for the benchmarking. Some of the data though um we would like to have better sources. And so that's part of our 2026 project which is um better information about how many pedestrians are walking on these
streets, how many bicycles are traveling on these roads and these in particular these uh high injury network corridors. Um in additions what we found out was that some of the data that's collected by some departments is not exactly in
the same format as data that's collected in um different departments. So we're trying to homogenize that and and that's why um you know we have plenty of work to do. Another part of our projects is to communicate more about what we're
doing and in in doing that we need to um reach out more and that's where you can also help us. So better data, um some clarification on the ordinance and some of its terms and uh more implementation
and coordination um both in the community as well as uh internally with um the state uh sorry the the staff internally. And finally, if you're wondering how you might be
able to help us, um we know that there are various ward meetings where we could present this um in an executive summary format to your um your ward meetings. We ask you to think about traffic safety
and prioritize it in everything that you're doing. Um, you're certainly welcome to partner with the community and I can mention that uh, Councilwoman Williams is our designate and and definitely to support us when we apply
for grant applications. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for that. Um, I I have a couple of quick questions and I'm sure my colleagues probably have some as well. Um when you talk about clarifying the ordinance language, do we
have something drafted? Where are we at with that? Um when do we think we'll be presenting um a new ordinance um with new language that we need to clarify? >> We're still working on that. Um we do not have anything ready to bring to you
just yet, but um we will be working on that with the committee and expect to um whether it's we meet six times a year. So our next meeting will be May and then July. So I would imagine in the course
of the next 3 to four months uh we'll be back with some some requests to to clarify some of that language. >> Okay. And um I know that jurisdiction lines are sometimes blurred uh especially in the city between county roads, state roads, city roads, you
know, who who owns what and who's responsible for what. I didn't I didn't hear any main mention of 129 and the intersections at Cass Leer and Hamilton Avenue. Um does any of that play into
into um these safe streets uh framework? >> It's certainly on the high injury network. It is a state road. Um we do know that the state department of transportation it does have various plans in different stages of implementation. And one of them was a um
a signalization uh technology that was um the first of its kind I believe in the country that they installed last year. Um but there's a lot more to that improvement of that corridor. Um I know
firsthand because I was part of the study that wrote the original safety audit on that uh corridor back in 2019. So yeah, >> I I remember doing a a presentation with
um folks at South Village um about the signalization program with um Mr. Santo a couple of years ago. Um so since it's been implemented and and just make this brief, but since it's been implemented, have what are our statistics looking
like from prior to after the implementation of um the signaling? Uh I have not um seen any um data specifically but to the best of my knowledge um it has been an improvement and I can certainly get back to you
afterwards with something more more exact. >> That'd be appreciated. Thank you so much. Um any of my colleagues have questions comments? Councilwoman Frisbee. >> So one I want to thank you both for um this presentation of our city of Trenton safe streets for all. Uh, and I do have
just a couple of few questions that and the council president did allude to some of them, but um, the data, is there a way of you getting us data that shows where and let's let's say you mentioned Jersey City where this is
where that used to be, but now since that's been in place, um, this is where they are now. If we can get something like that, I would greatly appreciate it. I I believe in these. I' I've seen them. I believe that they have definitely uh made a a major improvement. It does slow down traffic.
Uh but if we could just get some data like um that just to give a comparison, it would be great. Uh I'm glad that you you guys it is you've gotten a million dollars received through through two grants. That's really great. And I appreciate the fact that you are working
with the county and the state as well. Um thought I had one other question on here. And I cannot find it um box of cups and other cities. Oh, and the timeline. What would the timeline
look like if this were to be implemented here? Do we have an idea of that? >> It is being implemented. Um we don't have the timeline established at this point. Um that's a discussion that really revolves around how much do you
want to invest? um because there's a lot that can be helped by engineering to reduce speeds and and create safer crossings for pedestrians for instance. Um and and then it's a question of
capacity. Um I can tell you that DVRPC as a region as well as um uh several other localities have chosen a a goal of zero by 2050.
Uh the state has chosen a goal of 2040. Um some other uh municipalities have chosen much closer deadlines like Jersey City. I'm not sure what they're going to do, but their goal was 2026.
Um the Hoboken is in the 30s, 2030, I forget exactly, but um so you can see it's a little bit all over. >> Thank you. And then my final question is um with funding, there are several streets on here that I I agree. John
Fitchway, Leiler, South Clinton, Perry, uh, all of these, Calhoun. If do we have enough funding to cover all these? And if not, how do we prioritize um, those that will not are not covered?
One of the principles of vision zero is to look where crashes are happening um, and where fatalities are are in particular are happening. And that is typically the the way that prior prioritization happens. Um that's also a
question for our uh committee and administration to agree with us on. Um but that's that tends to be address the problems where they're happening. >> Okay. Thank you. No more questions. Thank you. Madam President,
>> Council Vice President Williams. >> Thank you, Council President. So um one of the things I've been very happy to be a very very small part of this committee. You guys are doing amazing work and the collaboration among citizens across the board. Our government DVPR DVRPC and so forth uh
bringing in um speakers from other municipalities, Philadelphia, I believe Richmond, Virginia was another one >> are very important. Um, but one of the questions I have and I think it'd be good to kind of if you could highlight uh how reporting is done and particularly some of the things I know we talked about and I shared uh the
accident when I was uh struck by a motor vehicle while I was in a crosswalk doing all the right things. >> Recording stopped, recording in progress. Um if you could talk about how reporting is uh from local law enforcement when incidents happen whether they're
pedestrian uh bicycle related um but also how maybe we can improve self-reporting and making sure that you know particularly you know committees uh communities that are more vulnerable may not want to talk to law enforcement or people just don't think hey I should call the police and get a police report
like how I'm incorporating that information I'll try to answer some of that. There's a lot there. >> Um I think that that is aligned with a lot of the questions that other committee members have raised as well. So for the next meeting, we'll be asking
the police department to actually do an overview of that um the process of what happens when a crash occurs, what is their internal process, how do they work with other departments, if there's a jurisdictional um like crossover there. So, um I don't
have all the details, but I do think that that is a big gap of um under reporting um especially when there's um someone outside a vehicle that's involved. And I I definitely think that that's a major gap. So, thank you for
bringing that up. One of the other things that um is used in other cities is um uh urg uh urgent care or emergency ward um data from the hospitals where uh if people don't feel comfortable going
to the police to report or self-report or that the police are not on on um the scene of the accident, the crash, sorry. Um that's an a second level of of um data that is collected by some cities.
>> Okay. Well, thank you and thank you for everything you're doing because I do believe you're indeed saving lives and also saving people from serious or permanent injuries as pedestrians or bike riders or in car accidents. >> Thank you, Council President.
>> President. >> Yes. Um this is great this information. Um, this is one of the reasons why, um, I've been so hardly about the traffic unit. I know Director Wilson knows I'm so for it. Um, we need, we have people
that drive erratically fast all over the city and that's a major problem. If we have a traffic unit, we can slow people down and we wouldn't have this. These numbers are really, when you're looking at them, they're unbelievable. I'm looking like you're saying here it's 45
and then the next is like almost 30. That's a big difference. It's a big drop off. So, um I'm grateful that we're doing this and you're right. We got to continually do everything we can and advocate to um get the people to slow down. Thank you,
>> Council Feliciano. Did you have something? >> Thank you, >> Council President. Good evening. Thank you for the presentation um and for the information. I appreciate that we have different committees and everything but then just
to have tangible um reports that we can look at the report out is very important. So thank you for that. Um it took quite a while to get this underway. Um I recall and I thought I saw Wills here. Is he here?
>> Hey Wills. um that I saw Will's here when um the process had started and I know I had asked him a couple of times when you all would be meeting um to pop in and just kind of say hello. I never got those
dates or times to know when when it is that you will be meeting. Um but I definitely if if you could let us know, you said one is in May and then another one is in July. if somebody could send me um the meeting dates and time. Send
the council. It's okay if people want to know. Um just so that we're aware so if we want to just kind of pop in and see, but I've been very interested to know um and to be able to sit in and just listen. So, thank you for this. I appreciate you and all the work that you're doing. Look forward to um forward
progression with this. Thank Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Councilman Edwards, >> thank you. Um, thank you for this presentation. Uh, we have definitely been raising a lot of concerns about the traffic issues, pedestrian issues all
around the city. So, this is a great opportunity um for us. I have a couple of things that I really want to ask about um in addition to everything else that was said. Are you working with the state along Route 29 to change anything
at all? At this moment we have not addressed Route 29 in that regard. Um I do know however that there is um a you know with the change in administration and there's
also a change at the DOT. Um there's a new person who is coming into the position of statewide um planning director and he happens to come from Jersey City where he ran the uh vision zero task
force for Jersey City. So he's acutely sensitized to areas like um the state road um problems. Um I will hopefully be able to bring that up to him. um in a
conversation about target zero which is what the state program is about and um I can get back to you. >> Okay. Okay. Because I wanted to suggest some things that I've been speaking to a lot of the residents over there about about reducing route one to one lane
starting from where kind of where the island the entrances of the island begin. If you're coming from downtown towards that area where Lee Avenue is, if you start to reduce that down to one lane and make left lane only, right lane only one straight lane throughout Glenn
Aton until you get to the other side of Glenn Aton, it will create shoulders on both sides for a trash and recycling collection where a lot of us, you know, I've I've driven that road for 10 years. I don't even have half the sto horror stories that Glenn Afton residents have
of dodging the the trash and recycling workers because they have a slim shoulder >> compared to a full-blown parking lane on both sides where to make it safe for them to collect also for pedestrians to cross and it'll restore that neighborhood to a neighborhood and not a
highway driven through it. So, it just changes the whole culture over there and make it pedestrian first versus traffic first. And then also uh and going in both directions as well, not just from downtown towards uh Euing. And then also
when you get off of Route 29 onto Parkside, it's crazy right there. That intersection with West 8 Street and Parkside and everyone's racing to get to that one lane through the bridge going under the bridge. I would like for you
guys to consider left lane only, right lane only, one lane straight, and that'll create parking on that right hand side. So, when people are over there at the baseball game, it'll add on additional parking. No one's racing to the bridge, and it'll calm down the traffic over there, and it'll uh you
know, connect that to the rest of Parkside, which is one lane all the way until you get the yo-yoing anyway. So to calm everything down and make it safe for that school right there, pedestrian first kind of thing. And I'm like hoping the same for West 8 Street to be one lane eventually, left lane, right lane
or turning turning uh lanes for people to get in and out of neighborhoods and have one lane going in each direction down West 8 Street. That would be very helpful for that entire neighborhood, you know, in the West Ward. So those were my um you know, ideas. I've been talking to a lot of residents in that
area and and figuring out how we can kind of calm traffic down. It's a lot of speedway racing over there, >> so that'll be helpful. I can tell you that uh Route 29 uh is also part of a a larger project looking at um the
distance between Calhoun Street and the bridge um the bridges uh to Pennsylvania. Um where there is a lot of um traffic calming embedded in that uh design and that will hopefully
eventually be be built. But in the meantime, we need to take um um these issues and and address them uh as you've you've pointed out. So I we will be in touch. >> Okay. Thank you. Sure. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Um Councilwoman
Frisbee. >> Um yeah, I just wanted to readress actually what my colleague um Councilwoman Edwards actually said. The road that ramp coming off the Parkside catwalter park exit. I actually have been in conversation for the like I guess for the last three months with
Senator Turner and DOT with that that is a county road actually and they um they are working on just that making it one lane that goes straight left right there is resistance with that. So that is a conversation that we are continuing to
have but just putting that out there that is something that um actually it's been more than three months that we've been um having a discussion on. I am aware of this plan for restriping. I I'm not sure um with the full extent of it,
but uh there is it is a part a county road. >> Yeah, it is a county road. I've been in several meetings about that. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. And Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. So, thank you so much for the presentation and for this information um and for all of the work that you put
into this. Um I most of it what was my two questions were already asked about uh Lelayer and 129 in that area. Um however I just had one quick question. Um with the the million dollar that the grant was received is that what was
already uh did you was that 1 million used already with the stuff that has been done >> or is that that's going to be additional? So we'll be adding to these numbers here soon. So roughly 800 is um allocated towards what's called a um
bikeways grant for Prospect Street um where the idea is to design a cycle track that's protected on Prospect Street. The other uh roughly 200 is for Perry Street for planning to improve the
overall design of Perry Street as you know um is is a hot mess with um the 9th grade academy um grant intermediate and the route one interchanges along with the fire department etc etc. So um
that's a planning grant um as opposed to construction. Thank you so much. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you all so much for this presentation. Um, you know, every pedestrian struck, whether walking or on bike, and every car struck while moving
into an unsettled or unsafe intersection, is one too many. We have so many of them in the city of Tron. So, thank you all for working on this uh so diligently and putting this together for us, and we look forward to what's to come. Thank you so much. And also if you can as council Feliciano asked if you
can make us aware of meetings coming up that would be great. >> We will. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you >> Mr. Garcia. We can proceed. >> Certainly madam president at this time we have an additional meeting excuse me additional
presentation from Ajax. I have here listed Vista Center Development LLC regarding ordinance 2624. Mr. Garcia, please uh notify them of the time for the presentation. >> Uh certainly to the presenter, you will have 10 minutes and if you have any
visual aid, now will be the time. Nope. Sounds good. >> How about now? Great. Thank you. Good evening. Um pleased to say I dropped off a pair of boots this morning at Chaquintos to get resold. So that was good timing for him. Um, so my name is
Daniel Brena. I'm with uh Vista Center Development. We have an ordinance number 26-024 on the docket tonight and I thought it'd be a really good idea to give you an update as to where we are. Um, the best way to do this is to read a letter that we provided Mr. Bridges recently uh in a
package that was provided to all city council members. Um, I'm just going to read this letter. This is from our attorney to the city and then we can talk. Um, so dear Mr. Bridges, I want to briefly summarize the history of our project near the Trenton train station
to provide context for a request to extend the developer designation agreement. I'll try to be brief. Um, notably the amendment was already unanimously approved by council last November and because it didn't get on
the docket again in December, the second reading couldn't occur and you need to have second reading happen in the same calendar year. So, we already went through this. It just missed the docket. But, it's a really good time for me to come up and bring everybody up to speed. So, in any event, this goes way back to
2008. We were designated as developer. We executed an agreement with the city. The plan was for three sites. One was an office building and two apartment buildings. We completed the design project. The design process and obtained final site plan approval for phase one,
an office building next to the trans train station. During this time, we partnered with the Rockefeller Development Group out of New York City and we pursued several major corporate tenants with the goal of bringing a large employer to Trenton. This has been my goal for a very long time to bring
private employment down to trend. Unfortunately, litigation was filed by a neighboring property owner due to a deficient train station area redevelopment plan. So, the city's redevelopment plan was not uh current.
It was deficient. So, that opened up the case for someone to pursue litigation against that. Normally, the city would defend that suit and the planning board, but they did not. So I had to so we had to fund the entire litigation. We retain planning consultants and assist in
revising the redevelopment plan. This proc took process took several years ultimately caused prospective tenants and our partner to withdraw incentives that the EDA had expired and the project became infeasible. At that time our council recommended that we pursue
litigation against the city but we declined. We subsequently redesigned phase one as a residential building. We have approvals to move forward and construction will begin this year. Phase two and three required the acquisition of two vacant city-owned
properties. Although we requested acquisition of these parcels in 2008 and 2011, the city defaulted on its obligations under that agreement and didn't complete the transfers until 2022. It took more than 14 years to buy these
dilapidated properties from the city. During that time, our development timelines under the agreement expired through no fault of our own. We obtained amendments to extend the timelines and once again we're requesting to do the same. Again, at that time, our
redevelopment council recommended litigation against the city for the defaults, but I declined. At this point, we're simply requesting that we extend the existing agreement that we've been requesting for five years so that our project timelines
align with the current financing and development conditions. There are no more city properties we're trying to acquire. Redevelopment of the train station has long been a stated priority for the city. The new zoning ordinance,
redevelopment plans, and Trenton 250 plan, and multiple transit oriented planning studies all call for precisely this type of development. Ajax has maintained a continuous commitment to Trenton for more than 25 years
and undertaking ongoing redevelopment projects throughout the city. Despite navigating five mayoral administrations, over 13 economic development directors, two major recessions, co we remain committed to
completing this project. When finished, the development will bring hundreds of new residents to currently blighted area, generate significant tax ratables, improve safety around the station. Um, and so that's the letter from the
attorney. And then I just want to put this into a little perspective. Personally, this city and this council has an obligation to create and support quality housing in this city. This is
all I've been doing my entire career in Trenton. And just to give a little perspective, we've got about, and you all know this, we have about 90,000 people that live in Trenton. Last year, do you know how many new housing units were delivered in Trenton? It's under 50.
As a comparison, New Brunswick, which has 58,000 people, delivered 584 units last year. So, it's not a criticism. It just shows the scale of opportunity in front of us
because when we build housing, we're not just building apartments. We're growing the tax base. We're supporting local businesses, and we're bringing life, safety, and activity uh to the streets, which you all know because I live across the street at the Bell Telephone Building, which was
vacant for 35 years. Now, there's life there. There's people on the street. There's an active block that did was completely inactive. So, I just want to say we're committed to this. We're committed to the city for a very long time. We've stayed through
the delays. We stay through changes, administrations. We are um you know again it's very hard to have continuity when you're changing the heads of economic development director every year. It's nearly impossible. Um but I believe in Trenton and we're
not asking for anything new. Um I know there's been some chatter online about condemnation, all that stuff. So, um, there's only one relocation that we may need assistance with, and it's a pair of billboards. We have an
alternative location. Um, we're not looking to kick anybody out of their house or business or anything like that. This is just to align the agreement timelines because in order to get financing, um, you need to have your banks want to see that everything is in line. You can't have expired or
defaulted agreements to continue. That's all we're looking to do. So, we just want to finish what we started and that's what we're here for tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for that. Um, council colleagues, if anybody has any
questions, >> council president, >> council vice president Williams. >> Yes, I do. Um, so yeah, this has been a long-standing project um in the city and I know you are a long established developer in our city. So, a lot of
folks have questions regarding particularly the two mansions or old I don't know you say technically say mansions if you're in Newport Rhode Island but for the old days of Greenwood Avenue in the 1900s 1800s they would be considered mansions and the conditions
they fell into why they fell into those conditions over the years uh but also the uh corner gas station I want to start there so what happens with the cornered gas station project. >> Nothing. >> So, it will remain a gas station going forward.
>> Correct. >> Okay. >> The the original owner of that is the one that filed the lawsuit back in at the beginning and that's going to stay that way. >> Okay. I'm very happy to hear that because that was something I was
concerned with uh for Trentonians workers that come into the city. God forbid that we have a natural disaster or a man-made disaster such as tourism and we have a sudden evacuation uh that people do not have a gas station now part of the city to go to having lived
through hurricanes in New Orleans. Yeah. >> Uh gasoline is gold and trying to flee an urban area. >> Yeah. I mean there's two right down the street on Greenwood, but it doesn't matter because we don't own it and we're not interested in it. >> Sure. >> It's also pretty rough there at night. It's pretty bad. like there's a lot of
illicit activity. There's drug dealing that goes on there. So, that would be nice if we could get that some attention there. There's actually a police mobile station there with cameras. It's so bad right there. So, um >> yeah, but my my concern pretty much I I
hear you. I agree, but that's something we need to solve long term. >> Yeah. >> I know the city's trying, but the gas station there, it's also a beacon in the night. If something happens, people have a place to go to. >> Yeah. uh but also when you have ten thousands tens of thousands of people
fleeing it is an infrastructure issue and an emergency management issue to have the availability of gasoline. So I'm really happy that you mentioned that. >> Not touching it. Yeah. >> So that's a guarantee. So regarding the mansions across the across uh or right
next to those but across from the Nexus parking lot. So those two mansions will be torn down for the new buildings. >> Yeah. But not next to the Nexus parking lot. Next the >> Well, next parking garage, excuse. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, there's no possibility of
salvaging them and incorporating them into your vision. >> I mean, when you look at transit oriented development and you look at resource utilization, um it's much we can create a lot more density and it creates the tax base there. >> Um it's a much better use of that there. And also, I mean, as a point of
reference, across the street, >> there's someone that owns four buildings there. Three of them he bought from the city 25 years ago on a disposition agreement for $1,000 a piece. He was required within
24 months to complete and occupy them. Three of the buildings are still vacant. So he's 23 years in default from the city. Just as a just as a reference point. registered and that's something obvious that we have to
>> get on with too at >> but regarding um the two mansions when were they originally vacated uh but either hopefully I don't know if it's before you purchased them or when did they fall into the situation when no one >> that's been I mean they're vacated for
at least six seven years I think. >> Okay. >> But they're I mean that's that site's approved that construction is going to start this year on that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, the I know the white one uh closest to Walnut is in very bad condition because we're >> keep trying to burn it down on me. Yeah.
>> Making sure it's boarded up for uh piggrants, but the other one close to the the uh the uh gas station uh that is not of an age where it's there's any historical designation to it. >> No. >> Okay. All right. Um and then the issue
of uh improvements on the sidewalks, uh walkways, crosswalks, etc. Uh what improvements will be made by your development project should this go forth? >> Well, that one site is that's done. That's approved. We're going to build and then
when you rebuild these things, you end up redoing everything. You redo the sidewalks, the curbs, the whole thing. So, every site will be completely redone. It's part of the site plan process. And no one's going to let you just keep, you know, one or two broken sidewalks. You got to redo the whole
thing. So, it'll be nice. It'll be well lit. It'll be safer. You talk about a beacon as the gas station. Imagine, you know, hundreds of people living. I could tell you when we went back and redid everything with a redevelopment plan. I personally paid for a blight study. That area is technically and officially
blighted by an independent planner. So, it's a lot of I mean, it's blighted. So, we'll create activity and lights and everything. Uh and then as far as the intersection towards Suckland, we've had problems with um jurisdiction on getting it
cleaned snow u maintenance etc. Are there any uh responsibilities as you as a developer as Ajax for improving that general area towards that as far as your agreement? >> Where is this? uh where it used to be the old Greenwood Circle,
>> but where South Clinton meets Greenwood and then you go past the gas station and go over the train overpasses towards Market Street >> because you would be having foot traffic towards the train station particularly from South Clinton and that neighborhood high street ter and so forth.
>> Um back there we're not once we're just we're on the corner there. >> Yeah. Um, but in the direction you're talking about over Market Street towards the other side of the train station, that's I mean that's just Market Street. >> I guess I'm not following uh South Clinton entry. >> South Clinton.
>> Yeah. Used to be years ago, I know you grew up here. >> Oh, yeah. Sure. >> The Greenwood Circle. >> So on your side of what would have been the Greenwood Circle. >> Yeah. >> Now is an actual intersection. Not the best of intersections. Certainly needs to be improved, >> right? Um, but I was just wondering if there are any improvements that Ajax
will be responsible for or that will be >> Well, we'd like to rebuild that corner there and create an apartment building there. So, that would redo the whole corner and >> light it and put new sidewalks and all that stuff. >> Understood. And the last question,
because this came up with a number of individuals who approached me and then, you know, put stuff uh out online asking questions. What were the original properties that were purchased? uh from the city because it's I know it's 18 years ago just so we can >> there's just two one is on that near
there there was a vacant um I think it's maybe 355 Greenwood which was an empty building the city took back for taxes and another one was like 400 block was this little driveway and a dilapidated garage in the back that was it was just
two city properties. >> Gotcha. And then >> the rest we've acquired on our own privately so it's all our property. All right. Thank you. And then uh Mr. Brandon, last question. The billboards that I believe that they uh it's a
question whether they're actually part of the gas station on South Clayton just before you hit the bridge and then there used to be small properties that were torn down. Going to guesstimate right >> in the late city has a fence up. >> Yeah, exactly. Um do you all own that or
is that that's still city property? >> You do. Just want to make sure uh because there's some ideas for some improvements in that part and uh that help >> you can't really access it from the street now because there's the barricades, the concrete barricades there. >> But we still do get uh folks uh who are
homeless uh in the winter time and summertime and they need a place so they >> they come around the back of the >> around the billboards. Yes, >> the billboards and the other side of the gas station. >> Yep. >> Yeah, I'm very familiar with it. >> Thank you very much for your uh questions. Thanks, Council President.
>> Thank you, Council Vice President. >> Council President, Council Gonzalez. >> Yes. I just want to make sure I'm clear. Um, first of all, thank you for the presentation and for sharing this information with us and giving us some more information on it. Um, where the the diagram is, you're going to build
the office building and the apartments. >> No office building anymore. >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> There's no there's there's it's very difficult to find company to move here. >> Just the apartment. >> Just apartments. Correct. >> Okay. Second question, are any of those apartments going to be geared to any special population, veterans, lowincome,
>> just market rate workforce housing? >> And my next question is going to be, how many local contractors will you be using, Mr. Brena? Well, the general contractor is a local contractor, which is us. And we have a a group of people
we work with frequently and um some some are local people. I mean, we're we're local. We have our team is Trenton employees and um I'm trying to think which subs. I mean, we use different by all our materials from
Trenton, which is a big deal. People kind of overlook that. Sherburn Williams, Camco, the all the sheetrock, a lot of materials, uh, the roofing material. So, a lot of materials come from that. Um, as far as subs go, trying to think off the top of my head. I mean, we use, um, carpet guys, we use concrete
guys from Trenton, we use roofing companies from Trenton. Um, we don't have that many really largecale commercial mechanical trades here like electric, plumbing. Actually plumber I'm using right now in a project is a trend company that I think about it on
Greenwood Avenue. We're building a project. So I mean we use who we can but they have to be qualified and you know there's no particular requirements for that stuff but because we're Trenton based and we're Trenton contractor try to spread around the love when we can.
>> Thank you so much. Thank you council president. >> Thank you. I have I have a quick question. Um thank you so much for your presentation. appreciate, you know, everything that you put into the city um recently with with legislation um with the project labor agreement lifted uh
restrictions on how much um projects are that you know unions get bids for jobs. Have you considered at all um going to some of the unions for some of the construction of this project? It's I think everyone in New Jersey will
tell you if you put a prevailing wage requirement on it, then you need to heavily subsidize it. It's impossible to build right now in Trenton with union requirements. In fact, as a as a point of reference, the Vans Skyver
building, which is heavily subsidized, the city gave them $1.5 million and the state is giving them like over $20 million. Their first model of doing that was going to use the Aspire program from EDA
and which would have triggered prevailing wage. The prevailing wage cost drove up the cost so much they're actually not doing prevailing wage even though they're getting like over $20 million in subsidies on that. That's how difficult it is. So, um there's no
requirements for us because it's all private capital. >> Okay. So, so without that um you are you are pledging to use licensed local contractors for these project for this project. >> Well, anyone is qualified and um so if
you said well you got to use a mechanical contractor. We don't really have any commercial mechanical contractors in Trenton that I've tried to work with people >> but they're just not here. So, we try to use who we can, but also it's not such a
simple thing to be like, use this guy or use this gal because they need to be qualified. They need to show up. They need to do their job. >> And construction is has risk, right? People fall off ladders. They can get hurt. You need to know who you're getting in bed with because now all of a sudden they're your partner and um they
need to be safe and they need to be reliable. >> Okay. So, >> as far as being licensed, they have to be licensed because I can't have I can't get insurance unless people are licensed. >> I I should have averse that as is feasible. >> Absolutely. Yeah, of course. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> I mean, we I mean, technically, like
we're probably the largest construction company in Trenton, so that kind of starts right at the top, which um I think is nice. >> Thank you. Thank you, C, >> Council President. >> Councilman Feliciano. >> Thank you. So, I don't have a question. I just have have a comment because I
listen to um my colleagues and I understand our concerns about wanting people to use local developers where you can, but again, we need to make sure that the people that we're using are
qualified to do the work. So, I I um I learned the hard way at one time uh at a former residence, right? There was someone that said that they did a certain kind of work. Okay. And and it
ended up costing me more money on the back end going with old boy who said he knew how to hook up the the gas work and then you know I mean it's gas we don't need to play with it. So we want somebody who actually is qualified and certified to do the work. So, while I
encourage us to use local um businesses and everything on the serious side, while I while I am definitely for that 100%, we just need to make sure that they're qualified people that we're putting um in position to do the work. So, >> you know, I know that that's an important thing. People talk about using
local contractors, but let's not um miss the point of the local suppliers because when you build a construction project, half of half the cost is in materials. I mean, on average, half the cost is materials, half is labor. So, if
you're buying all your paint, all your sheetrock, all your roofing, all your um I mean, plumbing, electric, all those suppliers are here, right? We have all those supply houses here in Trenton, steel, um, plumbing, electric, um, maybe
not the HVAC equipment, um, but the aluminum, right, that goes on the coping around the roof. So, there's a lot of stuff here in Trenton. We buy almost all our stuff from Trenton when we can. And I think that's important because when you buy from them, that supports those jobs. And those supply houses have a lot
of jobs in them. There's a lot of people working at these places like uh Camco which is on Olden Avenue and the sheetrock uh Gypion the guy over by the old Tranonian site. They have huge uh operation there and actually there's a
new one on New York Avenue. So these companies all employ people and they mostly employ probably local people. So there's like another way of flowing through the chain of spending the money. So it's just an important thing to keep in mind. Uh, Councilman Harrison. Um,
>> the question is the time frame. How long would get started? How long you think it'll take to finish? >> Well, the first one is we'll start this year and these jobs take 12 to 18 months and then we'd like to do one a year be done. I need to be done with this thing. >> How many how many overall units are you
thinking? Uh the first one's about 100 and I think overall we could be at 250 to 300 units which will bring you know if an average about two people per apartment you could be looking at 500 600 new people to that area which is really powerful.
>> Right. Exactly. And >> I and and you know hopefully I mean one of the advantages Trenton has that we all need to be mindful of is um you know there's a thing going on right now which we've never seen before which is
artificial intelligence and we all need to be mindful of that. what happened in this town when all these jobs left after World War II and all these factories became vacant. A similar dynamic is going to happen in companies because all this artificial intelligence is making
companies much more efficient and I mean I don't want to get too far on this but this is something that's on my mind because are we going to be able to continue attracting people to come to Trenton if artificial intelligence is going to make this Mercer County labor market more efficient? They don't need
as many employees. Bless you. So how does where is Trenton positioning in that? Because a lot of the new jobs that are being created, technology, software stuff, it's not in Mercer County. So how can we benefit? Well, I think the
benefit we have in Trenton is that we are a little lower priced. As you go up the train tracks, you go up into Princeton, New Brunswick, Raway, those are much more expensive places. So, if we can get people to come down here because it's a little cheaper in rents or housing costs and then they take the
train and they get these higher paying jobs up north or down in Philadelphia, we can be positioned well for that. >> I know exactly what you're talking about. >> That's what I'm hoping for. Otherwise, AI is going to just wipe out all these jobs and then I don't know. We're all in trouble, right?
>> Thank you, Council President. >> Council President, >> I just have one more. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. It's all right. Council Gonzalez, >> one quick question um to uh Counciloman Police. Thank you, Council President. Um just with the the apartment complex, will it have parking included? >> Yes.
>> Okay. I was >> You need to >> Yeah, that's even though um even though we're by a train station, it's still New Jersey and people have cars. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you, >> C Frisbee. >> So, Councilwoman Gonzalez and
Counciloman Felicia, we be the exact same thing. So, I was going to ask about the parking because we know that that is a big hardship here in the city already, but I also want to say thank you for being steady with us. Um, for this to have been going on since 2008 is um a
little disheartening, but I look forward to this ordinance coming back before us. And um I'm sorry, I'll say that I'm sorry that we missed getting our second reading in the month of November when it was unanimously approved in that month of 2025. Um, so I do look forward to
that coming back here before us. And I do want to just echo some of the words of um, Councilwoman Feliciano and you have also said we don't always have we want to and employ as many Tranonians as we possibly can. But again, you have to have qualified individuals. We can't
just say, "Oh, I'm going to bring in such and such such. I want a job." Well, if you're not qualified to do the job, then you cannot do the job. We can't employ you for and again, it's a health risk. It's an insurance risk and all of that all of those types of things, but it does open up the w the window for
those of us who are um able to work and who are qualified. It does open up the window to keep those shops that are in our city um with uh would you please mute whoever that is if you at all. It also opens up the opportunity to keep small mom and pops and the local
businesses going because you are buying the materials here and they are they being bought locally. So they do not shut down. So I am appreciative of that and I'm glad that you said that as well. I want to do right by everybody um in any situation but it's always make I
always find it the most important things that it is actually done right. Not doing it under the table. We're not doing it one hand to wash the other hand and we're doing it because this is the right thing that it is supposed to do. And right now the right thing to do is to make sure that we get this ordinance back before us and then we can go back
and let's see how do we move this forward. Um I am uh just impressed I guess is the word for the moment is that you had opportunity to um take this in a different way with Trenton with as far as litigation. I'm appreciative of the fact that you did not because it would
have t cost our taxpayers uh countless dollars um on two different accounts that just that you've noted here. So I appreciate your integrity. I appreciate you not just trying to make this as a um something that you can make money off the backs of residents by
saying, "Well, you didn't do your part. I'm going to do this in retaliation because I lost whatever it is." But I'm appreciative of that. And so I'm hoping that we are going to I'm going to be looking for this to come back before us so that we can get this um handled the
proper way and done as quickly as possible in decency and in order. Thank you, sir. And thank you, Madam President. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Uh I I off of what she said. I was she kind of took the words out of my mouth. I didn't know whether to applaud or query the 14 years
and potential litigation and moving forward. I'm really hoping that this is something that we're going to applaud moving forward that it's going to be successful for the city of Trenton. Um I I think Councilman Edwards should go ahead. >> Thank you. Um good evening, Mr. Brenda.
>> Hi. >> Thank you for coming in today. Um, you know, as you saw on social media, a lot of people were in the uproar about the original plans that you had for uh this entire area. Um, and I'm glad to see
that you have made adjustments because to do an office building postco didn't really seem to make sense anymore. So, um, I'm glad to see that you pivoted. >> Not that I wouldn't love to do one. I'd love to see a major employer come to Trenton. I really would.
>> Likewise. Um, I have a couple of concerns um that I'm still not quite clear on. They were mentioned a little earlier in your comments and questioning. The yellow
property and the house next to it between Walnut and Clinton is where you want to build this apartment complex. Correct. This is where the office building >> between Walnut. Yeah. Okay. Walnut. Yep. and Clinton
>> and you own everything over there already. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, and that's phase one of this, >> correct? >> Okay. And then phase two is in that I want to call it the dead in
area where the billboards are. That's that different phase of this project. >> Yeah, it's either one is the next one. Whichever one we can move faster on. >> Okay. So, in phase two and three, I assume that that's what that is. >> Yes.
>> Okay. So, the billboards are privately owned, correct? Have you been in negotiation with the owner? >> Yeah, we have. >> And we're trying to we're trying to do it privately, >> but they move very slow. >> And also, I didn't want to push too hard if I don't have a development agreement
that's current, so we can't get financing if that goes through. And it's also nicer to have the current agreement in place so that they know that it's there and it's just a better move for them to sell it privately because they'll probably get more if we buy it privately than if it was through
alternative means which you'd have to get an appraisal and probably wouldn't be happy with the price. >> Okay, that makes sense to me. So in in >> also those I mean those billboards they I mean the assessment's so low they don't really pay I mean that's a citywide problem actually. The
billboards are assessed very low. So, it's a much more efficient use of our tax base to bring up the values of these properties, too. >> And do you plan on incorporating the billboards to replace them in the new project? >> Not at that location. No, >> not at that location. So, that's what you're trying to work out with them.
>> Correct. >> So, in previous documents, and correct me if I'm wrong, Director Bridges, there was something about imminent domain. >> Yeah. >> That you were requesting the city to declare imminent domain on those had you not come to an agreement. Is that no longer on? >> We requested it many many years ago and
the city didn't act on it. That's one of the defaults. Okay. >> Because the city agreement says that the city would do that. But when you say, you know, it's like the challenge is like when you do anything in Trenton, you're our partner. You're the city of Trenton is a partner with anything that
happens here. And when you have an agreement and one party does one thing and the other party doesn't, then that's a default. And so there's not much you can do about that. you just keep going back and try to extend it and seek assistance and then when you don't honor the obligations then it's
>> what do you do? >> What am I supposed to do? >> So the city at the time in 2007 under this original agreement agreed by council vote >> to declare imminent domain on these two billboard properties. Yeah.
>> To give to you. >> That's in all redevelop most almost every redevelopment plan the city has those powers. I understand that. So, my concern is for us to do that and you guys not come up with any type of an
agreement to replace the billboards that this person owns, that's kind of from public opinion predatory behavior. >> It's not it's not predatory at all. It's it's the it's the foundation of redevelopment law in New Jersey. all
other cities, all these cities that have grown, Union, I mean Jersey City, New Brunswick, Camden, everybody's utilized, but we do have an alternative location for them, but we haven't been able to get into that with them because the city is not partnering with us on that.
>> Okay. >> So, and in in in Condemnation, there is a component to that, which is a relocation option if they want that, if they're interested. >> Okay? >> If they're not interested, then that whole issue goes away. But if they're interested, we'll find them an
alternative location and we have a couple ideas to work with them and we're happy to do that. But um you know it's an obligation on the city's part. >> Okay. So this contract has since expired
because of the litigation. I know you had a lot of setbacks with that for several years. So to extend this still includes imminent domain. >> Yes. for billboards. >> Okay,
I understand they're just billboards. >> I'm trying to consider the owner's perspective here. That's someone who invested. >> It's Interstate. They're a major company. It's >> Mhm. >> They're pretty big. >> Okay. So, you're confident that you guys can work things out?
>> Absolutely. Yeah. >> Okay. It's also a business that's I would think they'd be pretty happy to get money because this is a business that's being deeply affected by digital advertising. So, a lot of billboard companies are going through a lot of
change right now. >> I would like to see some digital billboards around the city. >> I'm not saying digital billboards. I'm saying people are their advertising is ending up on our phones and on our computers versus um on billboards right
now. Okay, I have no further questions. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Council Vice President, um we in in the interest of time, if you could just quick Thank you so much
>> as a jetliner. Councilwoman Edwards, thank you very much for bringing that up because had you not I was going to close with that. I have a very big problem with the use of eminent domain. Um I know in the Supreme Court of the United States in
Kea versus the city of New London uh stated 54 decision that a uh eminent domain could be used by a municipality against private property. I do not feel comfortable with that in this case and I would like to ask that this be revisited
with eliminating use of eminent domain on a private property of the city of Clinton. I believe this could be worked out. I don't believe that the use of eminent domain is necessary. Thank you. >> Yes, please. Excuse me. Um, let's let's
have order. Um, all right. Thank you so much for answering the question. If you want to respond to that, >> I'd be happy to respond. So, >> this was the deal that the city entered into with us initially and it changes then. um
we'll have to proceed differently then you know because then the whole assemblage becomes worthless. So we would like to build um I don't think this is going to be a problem for
that type of this is not some family that's being uprooted and dislocated. It's just >> they're just billboards that are not paying their fair share of city taxes. For instance, billboards, what are these billboards worth? Probably a couple hundred grand.
They're they're assessed at $60,000. So, the city in blighted areas and redevelopment areas needs to think about like utilizing our resources and getting the fair share. You're talking about fair share about getting like the right people employed in Trenton. The city
needs to think about growing the revenues and this is a tool. This is one of the tools. It's the only major tool that any city has to grow out of this malaise that we're in. And so I humbly ask that we continue to use this. And
sometimes you don't even need to go through that process. Just the threat of it helps bring people to the table and negotiate and cut a deal. So that's the real value of having that. So, I would request that we could continue and get this ordinance passed
and we can continue on this property. And I understand what you're saying, but this is a very different scenario than an individual having to be relocated than just a commercial use that's not
paying fair taxes in my view. >> Thank you again. Um, with regards to imminent domain, I mean, states possess the uh the sovereignty um for eminent domain. Um, I think if if if my council colleagues want to look into that
process, uh, I would welcome it. Um however in this instance and given this this um example you know I I I understand where you guys are coming from but I I mean I kind of agree with uh you know eminent domain how it has um
been a process and and how it's being utilized here. So thank you again for youration. I really do appreciate it. Um thank you colleagues for all your input. Um Mr. Garcia we may proceed. Thank you. Certainly, Madam President, at this time I believe we have a budget presentation.
Uh, and I will leave the floor to Mr. Cherry. Um, and Madam President, just to be clear, we have 10 minutes for this presentation as well. Correct. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> Uh, good evening members of council. Good evening, members of the public. Um
I'll just state at the outset this is always true but uh we will be posting this presentation on the website. So if you don't catch something this evening uh some of it's going to be small especially for those in the audience you
can access the the presentation on the website. We will get it posted. Um the plan is for tomorrow as usual we'll start with our overview. Uh our proposed budget for this year is $298.4
million uh including grants, which is about a 17.1 million increase compared to last year. Our tax rate as mandated by DCA as part of the transition aid program is going
to be going up by 2% from about $3.70 to $3.78 um and some additional decimals. It's a little over 7 cents increase. Uh the total levy, however, is going to
decrease by about almost $20,000. Uh that is because the city has lost about 40 between 45 and $48 million worth of ratables. um either uh some due
to um revals, some due to appeals evaluation, some due to uh non non-t taxable entities acquiring property. Uh but that is why you're going to see the tax levy decrease despite the tax rate increasing.
Uh this budget assumes $59 million in transition gazintite. Uh, this budget assumes $59 million in transition aid, which is an $18.5 million increase from
last year's transition aid uh allocation, which is about 40% increase or so. And it still anticipates $10 million in capital city aid.
um the appropriations exceed the 3.5% uh cap by $18 million and so we will require a waiver from the local finance board to adopt the budget later. Um but this is something that we've done for
the last two years. Uh so council should be uh at least familiar with that that process that will happen before adoption and just so that we are all uh anticipating the timeline. Uh the state
is likely to tell us what our aid numbers are sometime in July. That will cause us to finalize the budget sometime in August. And it's likely that we will be before local finance board in probably Octoberish
like we were last year and then we can adopt our budget if and only if we receive that approval from the local finance board. So we're talking about aggressively September or October um in terms of our budget adoption.
Uh this which I know is not visible from the audience but again will be available online. This just shows a comparison and breakdown um from uh the adopted budget of 25 versus our requested budget of 26.
Um this is just a a pie chart that shows where our revenue is coming from. Um you can see transition aid uh as well as other forms of state aid. uh taxes make up about 30% of our revenue and we have
some additional sources in there as well. The revenue is 285.5 excluding grants which are another nearly 13 million. Uh again, this is anticipating 59 million in transition
aid and other state aid includes the $10 million of capital city aid uh as well as 59.7 million in the energy receipts tax, which is just something that every municipality receives a portion of.
Uh this is our appropriations outlook. Um it's pretty much the same as it is every year uh percentage-wise. Um this uh pie chart um just shows the percentage of the appropriations that
cover each category. Um department costs are about half the budget. About a third are fringe benefits. Uh small amount is debt service. Um, and then a little bit for general liability, workers comp. And
then the last 10%, well 11% are the reserve for uncollected taxes, library budget, and things such as that. Uh, tax impact of the budget. As I said
before, the levy has decreased uh 200s of a percentage point um from the previous year. tax rate is going up 2% which is a little over 7. And that means the estimated impact for a property that's
assessed at $100,000 would be $74 per year. And that is our presentation. Uh do members of council have any questions? >> Thank you so much, Mr. Cherry. I have
two quick questions. Um, one, can you can you just clarify the differentials between the transition aid, capital city aid, and state aid? >> So, let me go back to our revenue summary. So, >> where where it comes from, you know. >> Yeah. So, all of it comes from the state
obviously. Um, transition aid is a discretionary program that's controlled by the Department of Community Affairs, um, the local government services office specifically, and every year they have a large pot of money for, uh, all
distressed municipalities throughout the state. The city submits an application, a competitive application, uh, seeking some portion of that allocation and then we will receive that. Um, that's what we're asking for is the 59. That is not
set in stone. Uh, we won't know, as I said, till likely July once the state has adopted its budget uh on July 1 and then the DCA will decide how they uh devy up what they're they're um uh
allocating. The 59.7 million in energy receipt tax is I would argue that it is money that belongs to the municipalities that the state has and continues to take
and not necessarily provide all of to municipalities, but they provide more than they have in the past. Um, and you probably you may have heard uh the state legislators talk about potentially giving even more of that back to the to
the municipalities, but that is a lockedin number. That number is not going to change. It is not discretionary. It is an allocation not just to Trenton, but every municipality receives a portion of the energy receipts tax. Capital city aid has been
a budgetary line item for the last several years. Um our mayor was able to bring that back um once he took office. It had been dormant for some time since Chris Christie took over. Uh
theoretically I suppose that could change but we don't expect it to be. It is not a competitive pool like the transition aid. It is simply a line item allocation in the state's budget for the city of Trenton for $10 million.
>> Thank you. And just for clarity, the uh the transition aid that we received when Cororsine was in office was over 20 million more than we got last year and still is more than what we're asking for for this year. Correct. >> Um we didn't get transition aid when
Cororsine was in office. uh that we were just receiving Capitol City aid. The city at the time was not um not required to apply through the transition aid program. We just in recognition of being
the capital city received at its height about 40 plus million uh 45 maybe. But it's somewhat misleading. There were other forms of state aid around at that time that are no longer around. So our
total aid package would have been higher but through different uh different sources. >> Okay. Thank you. And one final question um with regard to the library um budget of 2.55 million is that only to be applied to our one existing functioning
library and maintenance or can that any of that be applied to some of our libraries that we'd like to get up and running again or become community centers or what have you that are no longer u functioning? So, it wouldn't apply to something that was a building
that we wanted to turn into a community center. >> Um, it is somewhat the city doesn't receive that money. The city just has the tax authority. So, we collect taxes on behalf of the school district. We
collect taxes on behalf of the library. We transmit those funds to those entities. So, um, it could be used by the library to do anything within their remit, but that decision is made by the
library itself. We just have a formula that instructs us what to collect. We send out the tax bills because the government is the entity that has that authority and then we transmit that money to the library. So,
>> thank you for that. Thank you. Of >> course. Council President, >> Councilman Gazales. >> Um, uh, good evening, Mr. Cherry. >> So, I see that we said that we're going to have an increase of 2%, right? Then it says a decrease with, um, the tax
levy, which includes, you know, our school and our libraries. >> I'm just want to know like how are we going how are we decreasing that when the when we're increasing the regular municipal tax? So the
best way I can describe this is the rate is the percentage you pay. The levy is the total amount of money that we collect. >> Gotcha. >> So the rate is going up, but we lost, as I said, somewhere between 45 and $48
million worth of tax ratables. So essentially sources of taxable income. And that that happens because sometimes properties are purchased by nonprofits or other un non-t taxable entities.
Sometimes they are u appealed. So you may not like your valuation. So you go to the county and you say, "Hey, my property is actually worth less than the city says it is." Sometimes those are successful or just changes in the property. So the valuation changes. So,
what we're saying is the rate you're going to pay if your property stayed the same will go up by 2%. >> However, the total value of properties that we're collecting taxes from has decreased. So, our total levy has
decreased very slightly. It's only, you know, about $20,000 or so, but uh it was a decrease. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, so is there any way and and it may actually be in the book and I probably need to just actually dig through it, but I was going to say a breakdown of
what portion um is is going towards the schools versus the libraries, library versus schools. So that way I um >> Yes. those are >> which one is increasing? Which one is like decreasing? Are they split evenly like >> Oh, um those we can get you those data,
>> but just to be clear, we don't that's not discretionary. We we there's just a formula. We as I said, we don't get that money. We don't determine anything about that money. >> We just have an order that essentially says the county says, "Hey, you got to
count collect this much for your for your uh school. You got to collect this much for your libraries." and we transmit the bills, collect the money, and then send it to them. Obviously, before the change in in type of school
district, there was a a different uh relationship there, but now the city doesn't actually have anything to do with the the school district. We just collect the money, give it to them, and they spend it as they see fit. >> So, we're decreasing the amount that
we're giving to the to the school system. No, the the tax the amount we're collecting is essentially unchanged. Okay. It's just that the city has no longer has any uh decisionmaking relationship with the school board. They
are now elected and independent. So, we just collect the money and we pass it through to the school district. >> Thank you for clarifying that. Thank you, council president, for right now. Sorry. >> Thank you. Something else in second. >> Councilman. Thank you, >> Council Vice President Williams.
>> Hi, Mr. Cherry. >> I uh thank you for presenting this tonight. It's great information, very important. Just had a couple uh quick questions regarding uh debt service, >> which I know requested 18 uh 211, etc. >> So,
likely that a debt was originally issued when interest rates were more favorable, but are there any ways because I do get asked this uh by seniors all the time. Are there any ways to try to reduce our debt service by maybe uh paying off some
of the uh bonds that were previously released if they're down to a certain level so we get that part of the budget down a bit more than it was. We look at ways we can improve our servicing. But then also with shared services, I know that's something we're uh getting more
into all the time, which is really good. Uh and that will actually produce savings over time even if that number goes up. So if you could speak to those two uh numbers if we're looking at more shared services uh going forward and where and then also what we can do to reduce our debt service.
>> Of course um so the debt service you all may recall this in fact from time to time you will see a resolution to refinance certain debt. So we have a bond council who is kind of always
looking for favorable opportunities. Uh there are limits to that uh depending upon the terms of the particular debt, the particular bond. Uh it's not that we can just refinance every month. Um but we have done that where it's available
and feasible. We will refinance to receive more favorable interest rates where possible. So, uh that is something we're always on the lookout for. um given the current financial climate, I'm not sure we'll see uh effective savings
in the near term, but if if it becomes feasible, it is something that we're always on the lookout for. Our bond council is always on the lookout for. Um regarding shared service agreements, um council just approved, uh shared service
agreement, I want to say a couple meetings ago. We are always aggressively looking. Um it can be challenging just because the city of Trenton is we're a pretty substantial municipality.
So it's often hard to find um great shared services with other other municipalities that are near us. But where we're poss where possible, we do look for them. Um the uh relationship we have with the county that was just
recently approved regarding um recycling and and uh things like that has been helpful. It's been going on for a long time. We just keep re-uping it. Um and where possible and where where feasible, we continue to look. So, um, we're
certainly open to suggestions from council or or ideas you may have, but we're always on the lookout for creative solutions to our problems, including shared service agreements. >> Thank you. Because I I know uh early on in 23, we actually worked out an
agreement with Hamilton regarding sharing a gas and pipe inspector because we were desperate. They were desperate. Yes. But I would like to and I know my colleagues have often number of inspectors particularly for homes and apartments that are rented.
>> Uh it's a tragedy in this city how many people have to live in decrepit conditions and a lot of times it is because we haven't had the wherewithal or DCA uh hasn't uh sent inspectors who really you know went over with a white
glove to make sure people were living safely. >> Thank you. Thank you, counc. >> Thank you so much. And seeing no more questions, thank you so much, Mr. Cherry. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Garcia. We can proceed. >> Certainly, Madam President, at this
time, um I do see there is a resolution here if you would like to vote uh if you would like me to introduce a resolution and vote on it now or would you like to include that with uh the remainder of the resolutions on the docket? Let's include it with the remainder of resolutions in the docket,
please. >> Understood. >> Moving on, we will move to public comment for agenda items only. >> Have the clipboard for agenda items only. And to the public, public comment for agenda items only will be 5 minutes for each individual. You may address any
item on the docket or agenda that you wish. And the council is not obligated to respond. Please state your name and address for the record. The first individual listed is Robin Vaughn. Hi, Robin Vaughn 1100 Styverson Avenue.
Uh, I just want to quickly uh speak to resolutions 26136 137 138. Can I speak to the ordinance as well or no? Okay. Um, ordinance 26024,
the Ajax management. I just want to say that as a taxpayer, the city, I don't know whether the council's redevelopment attorney was in house to hear the designated redevelopers comments, but
um, I hope you guys engage your redevelopment attorney. I am very familiar with Ajax and his long history in Trenton and the lack of compliance or
delivery on his community give backs on his redevelopment agreements. He has received substantial tax abatements and pilots and just have not um the city of Trenton has not realized uh any benefit
from that particular developer. He is a bad actor. I remember in 2018, if you all remember the cap the Trenton YMCA was renamed the Capitol City YMCA
and that was one of his projects. Okay. He has constantly, you heard him, he berates Trenton. He talked about 90,000 uh residents here. He has not hired any on any of the projects. I just want to
recommend that the council do your due diligence, consult the law department. We should pull as a city every single redevelopment agreement that the city of Trenton has entered with Ajax management
in all of his LLC's to see where he has delivered on his terms of agreement, his obligations. It was very ironic that he mentioned that Interstate Corporation is not paying sufficient taxes. Well, ask him how much taxes have he paid to date
on all his redevelopment projects. Okay. Many of his projects he doesn't even provide his own capital. He sources um in in Jed EDA DCA grants. And someone asked about the parking. I just wanted
you guys to expound on that. He said he's building these um uh market rate apartments. He built one on Tyler Street. Ask how's that doing? Has has he uh delivered his taxes on that or did he go back to DCA and ask for an extension
on a pilot? Right. Tyler Street. I think it was a watch company that he renovated. So on the parking he says, "Oh, I'm going to provide parking." Well, I believe in redevelopment agreements, you should ask for every apartment, how many spaces
will be allocated, right? If he's saying 200 apartments, is it going to be a parking space per unit or is it going to be two parking spaces per unit? So, he's very disingenuous. So, um, in my opinion, if a redevelopers
is going to be a true partner with the city or any city, he should have came to this microphone and told us what a great relationship he has had with the city of Trenton over the past 18 years with all his contributions to the city. What has
he delivered? Did he invest in our parks? Did he uh in invest did he purchase a pool for us? Did he invest in our education system? Did he uh develop recreation programs for our children, after school programs? What has he done?
But he sat here and said everything that the city of Trenton didn't do. So he's the redeveloper. He has an obligation. When we give him them pilots, tax abatements, tax reduction, they supposed to give us community
givebacks. They supposed to be uh good partners instead of a bad actor. He built a house up in our most prestigious neighborhood in Hiltonia on Stanley Avenue. I believe he recently sold it. That's what he does. He comes in, bill, flips, get what he can get and leave.
Okay, that's what he does. He has a history of that. Full his redevelopment agreements and see has he complied and had any of his obligations to see if he's in compliance and delivering those community give backs for all the tax abatements we gave him. Interstate is
not the only company that may not be paying taxes. I bet you a Jax hasn't paid any taxes to the city of Trenton for on any of his projects. Okay? So, do your due diligence. Consult the law department. Follow all his redevelopment
agreements and see what you see. Okay? Just don't say, "Oh, he's a nice guy." Okay? So for now, Mark Gibson. Very well, Max.
I'm sorry. Is that Hayden? Okay. Mary Horn. >> Good evening. Mary Horn, 870 Parkside Avenue. Just want to first say that I won't vacant here in our city. I believe that
we should focus more on trying to get people in those properties, get grants, let people help the people fix up the properties and so that they can purchase in them at a fair price cuz I I I'm seeing a lot of
houses going for like 5,000. We're just giving away the city most of it. So uh as far as the imminent domain is concerned uh we have a bill at the state level A 725
now they created a 14point checklist most of it is criminalizing poverty that's what I call it you may have a broken window high grass we already know
that some of these are violations so if uh inspection comes out, you know, and give you a notice, that's the way it should go. But you just don't go and take people's properties and uh create a whole 14 check 14point checklist adding
on to what we have already, taking people's homes, and as I always will say before, the seniors are suffering the worst because they may not have anyone to help them out with that. So, imminent domain, let's just try to
fund our uh uh give grants out and help the people in the city, the taxpayers, and help them get in some of these vacant homes. And I just want to talk about the safety issue of it. The project that's at uh West State
and Prospect Street, uh we're looking to uh acquire $300,000 to complete not or has the city asked for tried to acquire a grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation
because there's money and there's funds for that. Although right now we're in the closing phase of April, but we still have a chance to ask for the monies in 2027. And even if the monies are paid
out out of taxpayers dollars, then we can still ask to acquire those funds to recoup those funds to get them back. So I just want to know if we're doing any of that. Number two, number three,
I'm sorry about that. Safety. I'd like to know where we're at with the uh crossing guards. I see where I did some research where some funding has been put back into for safety. But I
like to know we have 60 positions that were available 100 over 100 people applied. So I'd like to know where we're at with that. Please, it's it's a matter of safety because right now it's been said that,
you know, we have police at the uh West State and Prospect when the kids are going to school and coming from school, but we want that all day every day, 5 days a week when the kids are going to school, coming from school. We've asked
that. We used to have it. It appears we don't have it anymore. And it is a safety issue. So that's all I have to say right now as far as that's on that subject. Thank you very much, >> Jillian Wall.
Good evening, council members and member of the of the public. This is u my name is Julian Wall of Concord Avenue Euing. Um this is my first time addressing council and it's been an absolute pleasure. I thank you so much for the job that you're doing and um the format.
I just have really appreciated being a part of this community and this being my first address in preparation for a public address that's coming up on April 21st. The ordinances that uh well the agenda items that I'm speaking to all align with our group's priorities. Our
group is um IBB Global and um I'm speaking with regard to safe streets for all presented by Lisa Sarasol. Did I pronounce her name correctly? and um presentation by um director Matt Burges
on the redevelopment project and also um the wonderful update that we heard from um Colin Sherry with regard to the approval of the budget. The first thing I'll just want to touch on that there's only going to be one item that's
probably going to affect the um completion of that in time is because we're not yet in it. So we want to make sure that we actually spend some time to share how we can be part to contribute and also help save costs and also um you
know address some of the initiatives. What I wanted to share with regard to all three of those items is and also Matt Burges referred to it uh there is a leadership deficit and infrastructural issues not just within regard to
Trenton. A lot of the issues that Trenton actually faces are globally and the city of Trenton I have to say that comparatively because I actually am Caribbean rooted US-based and globally engaged. You are doing an exceptional
job. the leadership deficits, the governance issues that you face, the job, the labor issues that you face, uh all issues um affected post- global financial crisis, post global pandemic and now AI disruption. I would like um
to um speak with regard to the safe cities for all. Uh there um we I heard some challenges with regards to reporting. So, in preparation for my presentation on April 21st, I wanted to also ask the council, is there a process
for each of these items? Do I need to submit something ahead of time? Because some of the tracking and measuring and issues with regard to reporting uh that were mentioned and collaboration with the public um there are some cost effective um platforms, apps, technology
that would do a great job in supporting that initiative. That initiative is also very well aligned with our group's social impact initiatives and development priorities. It's SDG aligned. Um uh the UN sustainable development goals are not just the um
the part of the UN. Uh there really are global priorities. There is affecting many cities and you're engaged in a lot of initiatives that are addressing these. I just wanted to share that there are opportunities for more improved um tracking engagement of the public to assist with that. Likewise with the
redevelopment initiatives. Um Matt Burgess, am I going too quickly? I know I only have five minutes. Um Matt Burgess also spoke about his redevelopment initiatives and he spoke about the AI disruption and them doing their part with regard to contributing to employment, jobs. Some of our
initiatives are very focused on jobs and employment. The disruption that he spoke about and their group's contribution to employment. I would like to find out a little bit more about that. Um uh is
this being tracked? Is it being measured as you look at the redevelopment initiatives across um Trenton? I would like to find out a little bit more about what's the process in um engaging contractors hearing the initiatives and tracking from any um Robin B actually
mentioned that where they get tax breaks incentives. are you looking at the return on your contribution and likewise um how are you effectively tracking um the returns on their projects? Um we have some approaches um that are being
utilized in different markets to more effectively track and measure the impact of um your the support that you provide to contractors the incentives and also the initiatives that they actually deploy. So I wanted to also touch on
that. Um, I thought each of the updates today were actually exceptional, very clear, very and that's from each time that I've uh presented. I thought that was pretty consistent. Uh, I I think I don't want to use up too much of my time. I do have a presentation coming on
April 21st. So, I will actually submit to the council. I just wanted to get your feedback on any concerns with regard to all three of those. Thank you. Kathleen Deal.
>> Good evening, council. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. I am talking about the Ajax project. Um, Mr. Brena mentioned in his statements that um, you know, he has a commitment to the
future residents of our city. Well, I think there's a commitment to our current residents of our city that needs to be addressed um as a as a the foremost obligation. Um I know understand that he's angry that this agreement that he had with the city back
in 2008 fell through. I'm angry as a constituent as well. My agreement as a taxpayer means that I should be getting my um my amenities paid taken care of by the city. There's no enforcement. There's no there's no followth through.
The city fails on meeting the needs to improve my quality of life on a regular basis. So I understand Mr. Brena's frustration in the breach of contract between him and the city, but also understand that in 2008 MySpace existed.
In 2008, everybody had flip phones. The world today is not the same world that it was in 2008. So any agreement with Mr. Brena should be revisited, rewritten, re all future designs should be revisited because we're not the same
city we were in 2008. So moving forward the same contract from 2008 does not make sense. Moving eminent domain into the into the playing field. When we look at eminent domain, eminent domain's purpose is for the good of the public,
not the good of private entities. And I encourage this body to look up Long Branch and Long Branch's um precedents when it comes to eminent domain. There are there are significant repercussions for municipalities that go
into eminent domain agreements with developers. I encourage this body to compare Long Branch with eminent domain to to research what that could mean to us as a city. But I I understand his frustration. It is it is unfortunate
that the that the agreements that he had put forth did not go through. But we are no longer the same nation. We are no longer have the same industries. We no longer have the same technology. And nothing that was set forth in 2008
should move forward today without being revisited. a a comment that I sent out um to my neighborhood regarding this um this project was um I basically said although we have
um we haven't seen the full plan any red development that occurs at that intersection should also require the developer to address the um traffic issues there as the complete streets team noted. I don't know if you paid attention, but the streets they
highlighted as high injury network corridors is where his development is. Every single one of the all of his intersections is in that high injury network corridor that was presented by the safe streets team. So understand a
person was killed two weeks ago on that block and there's been four deaths in that strip in the past year. So, we need to make sure that we are focusing on the residents that live in the city currently and not about these projected possible residents with no future
obligation to move there as of yet as the priority of of the projects for this council. And I also want to just note if there's 300 units going in and 600 new cars going in and out of Market Street, Greenwood, Clinton, coming back back and
forth from the high school. What's our infrastructure plan for that? What's our infrastructure for road maintenance? What's our infrastructure for for trash increase? What's our infrastructure for the education plan for each of those residents who has children going into
the school system? We haven't thought this out and it's unfortunate that Mr. Brena has lost this lost this opportunity to date. But to move this project forward without redeveloping the plan and without pro without um reviewing the impact study on the
community is a failure of this body. Thank you, >> Madam President. Those are all the individuals I have for public comment for agenda items only. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Uh no, ma'am. >> Let's proceed, please. Were you on the other one? >> Oh, no.
>> Would you if there's if there's a matter you'd like to address? >> Feel free. Wait, hold on a second. I don't want a free-for-all now. >> Miss Sten, were you speaking to agenda items? >> Please. >> I'm sorry. >> Please. >> Good afternoon, Kia Stton, 310 Gardner
Avenue. Good evening, distinguished council members. First, I'm going to start out with a little story about the Jquinto family. So, um, one of the members of the Juquinto family is judicial judge. And so, years ago, I went before him and I got off on a
parking ticket. So, I used to go to Dantis for for my shoes. He lived on Spring Street. But once I stood before Judge Dquent, Judge Dquinto, I started going to his father's his family's place, too. They are a really good family, and I'm glad they were recognized. They've been here a very,
very long time. I want to speak to resolution 139, which is the reappoint of Simon Lopez to the Trenton Housing Authority, unfortunately, due to work commitment. Um, Commissioner Simon couldn't be here this evening, but I've had the pleasure of working with him since I've been on the board, and I will
tell you that he is such an asset. He had came on, we have developed standing committees, we have developed uh we're looking at uh revising personnel policies and things like that. He's just a really go-getter. And I'm um hoping that this board will look favorably on
his re uh re reappoint back in the day when there were reappointments. Um people would come up and speak because you need to know what's happening, right? You know, someone um uh wants to be reappointed, but you want to know how well they're doing, right? And so I said, "Well, maybe I'll be the first to
get it started back again because that's something that usually happens." Um the housing authority is doing really great things and Simon is a is an asset to the board. Lastly, I wanted to say about this isn't a this is not a docket item.
This is about this these meetings. These meetings have run too long. It's almost 8 7:30 8:00. You know, I would I would really ask this council to reconsider reinstating your workshops for presentations because people come from work and they really have something to say, but they can't wait to two for two
hours to, you know, say what they need to say. Please, when you're having more than two presentations, please consider having a workshop on Tuesday. I mean on Thursday so that you can get that out the way and the people have an opportunity be to speak and not be inconvenenced. Thank you.
>> Okay, Madam President, at this time I believe those are all the individuals that I have for public comment for agenda items only. At this time if you want to ask for excuse me if you want to ask for a motion to approve the minutes of February 3rd and February 17th, 2026.
May we have a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee. So understood. Councilwoman Gonzalez.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Harrison. >> Yes. >> Vice President Williams. Understood. and Council President Figuro Keber. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. And Madam President, if we want to ask for a motion to approve
communications, petitions and reports. >> May we have a motion to approve communications, petitions, and reports? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano.
>> Yes. Uh, Councilwoman, I'll count I'll I'll call it. Councilwoman Frisbee, >> no. Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice P. Sorry. Uh, Council President
Figuro Edenberg. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Thank you. And that brings us to all business for all business ordinances for second reading and public hearing. Ordinance 26-027,
Ordinance amending Ordinance 25-82, authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 519 North Clinton Avenue and identified on the city tax map as block 21705, lot 25, pursuant to NJSA 481213C
to Masiel Valdez Garcia for the sale price of $5,000. Are there any members of the public who 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. So moved. >> Second.
>> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano. Councilwoman. >> No. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Councilman Harrison. >> Yes.
Vice President Williams. Sorry. Council President Figuro Kenberg. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> Ordinance 26-29. Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of the acceptance of property identified on the city tax map
formally part of block 390 3901 lot 48 pursuant to NJSA 481213B5 to N New Jersey Economic Development Authority. the NJA for no consideration. Are there any
members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? Robin Vaughn. >> Hi, Robin Vaughn. Um, I just want some information on this particular ordinance. So,
uh, I don't understand what it means when the state is giving us land. is that and it says with no consideration does that mean that what's the impact to the Trenton's taxpayers you know they're
giving us land to do what are we going to be responsibility for the maintenance the cost does that come on Trenton tax trantonians taxpayers I mean Trenton taxpayers I mean what
does this mean and what is the intent and purpose of this property that the city is retrieving or getting from the state of New Jersey via it its economic development authority. What and what is
the purpose that land is going to be used for? Is there anybody here in the housing economic development department that can speak to that? Uh what is the purpose, intent, any impact to Trenton taxpayers as we take on this land?
That's it. Thank you. You have to >> Are there any members 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. >> Yeah. No, Mr. Garcia, can we please have somebody from the administration speak
to that? >> Understood. >> Good evening, council. Jim Beach, chief of staff. >> Thank you. So, this ordinance uh concerns where they're building the maternal healthc care center up um off
of North Warren and I forget what the other side street is. So, the piece of land that's being deeded over to the city is a small part of the parking lot that will abut up over at the Reading Senior Center. And so what the state is going to be doing when it opens the
maternal health care center is they're going to be shutting off that driveway that runs by um the uh Austin Medical Center, >> J. Austin. >> Henry J. Austin. Thank you. And so to
help us get in and out the driveway that comes in the other way, they're deeding us and it's a very small spot. It's like two cars will fit there for what they're giving us, but that's what they're giving us. So, there's no effect to the tax rates at all. It's just simply kind
of they're trying to do a a good turn for the city because they're closing off that driveway. >> Thank you for that clarity, Mr. Beach. >> M Council President, >> yes, >> I have a question. I'm I'm so glad that this came up. >> Titus Avenue is just one small block.
It's not even like a full block over there. um right behind where that medical center is going to be built. Right now, it's functioning as a deadend street because of the construction. Uh and I know that this parcel is going to become
city- owned, but is that going to open back up when the construction is done? Are they going to be able to go around or go out in any way? >> Is Titus Avenue the dead end that has the culde-sac in the back? >> It's not going to open up at all. that's going to remain that closed off section.
>> So, it's going to be a dead end street. >> I think it is a dead end street if I'm thinking of the right >> street. >> It wasn't a dead end before. Before when you could go down Titus, that's where some of those housing were built right across from Mount Zion Church. It used to be was
>> our lady of something. >> Um, sorry, council thinking the wrong street, but I'm not familiar with that. >> Side street with houses. Okay. Okay. >> And you could go back there and you could go to the Reading Center and that big patch of grass there where they're
building the new, you know, state >> medical center at >> you can go in and then you can go around and come out or you can go out and you can get to North Warren on the side of Henry J. Austin before you get to the next street over. I forget what that
street is. Cooper Street. No, it's not Cooper something. Or you can go back there by reading. You can get out. It was never a dead-end street and it's a really tight street with driveways and there's barely any parking in front of
the house because of the the garages and driveways. So, they need the other side of the street parking. But that leaves no way to do a U-turn to come back out if it's going to be a dead-end street. It's a mess. So, I'm hoping that you
guys are going to work out that traffic pattern where you can drive through it and not have to reverse and come back out. >> I'll have to take a look at I'm not I'm not familiar with the street you're referring to. I don't believe there were any traffic flow changes.
>> Um, >> right now that has so we can walk through there if we can get uh Mr. Santo out there and and just look so that when you guys start to open that back up and working on a reading center and and that
site that that's considered because they need a way out. That's too small of a street for that to be a dead end. >> Certainly something we will consider council. >> All right. Thank you, >> Council President. >> Council Vice President Williams. >> Thank you. And thank you Councilwoman Edwards for bringing that up. I know that street well is I believe 12 14 uh
homes there and they deserve to have a safe entry way and exit way and one of the things uh before this project all started you could easily go out to North Warren so perhaps because there is uh PSG lighting along there so it's must be recognized as a formal you some fashion
perhaps a cold small culde-sac could be created at the end so there's a turn and so people can come back the opposite direction because They have to park in front of those uh houses. There's very limited parking. Even if they go behind and park on Willow, but if we at least
put a culde-sac in there, they would have a way to still just use that little bit of Titus, they would have right across street, if you look out the front of their house, they see the maternity center and to their right is the Reading Center. So, that's where it's looking. You'll you'll find it pretty easy tomorrow when you drive out.
>> That's fine. But uh if a culde-sac could be created on their behalf, I think that could help us solve a bit of this. >> And again, I'm not familiar. So I'm not sure whether this traffic problem has arisen because of the construction that's being done because I the city itself has taken no action to divert any
traffic or change any roads. >> That might be something to talk to the developer. Maybe they could provide that. >> The state. Yes. >> Our favorite friends. >> Thank you, sir. Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you so much, Mr. the beach. Uh we could proceed. Um Mr. Garcia,
>> certainly. Uh I believe uh those are all the there are no other individuals that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time. >> In that case, Madam President, if you ask a motion to approve. >> May we have a motion to approve? >> So move. Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman
Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams,
>> yes. >> And Council President Figuro Kevinberg, >> yes. >> Motion carried. Ordinance 26-30, Ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 324 Jersey Street and identified on the city tax map as block 18305, lot 9
pursuant to NJSA 481213C to DeAndre Castillo Valdez for the sale price of $10,000. 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. >> We have a motion to approve.
>> So moved. Second >> roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee. >> Frisbee. Yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Councilman Harrison.
>> Yes. >> Vice President Williams. >> Yes. >> Council President Figuro Kevin. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. Ordinance 26-31, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 60
North Stockton Street and identified on the city tax map as block 603, lot 23, pursuant to NJSA 481213C to Marcus Palmer for the sale price of $14,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak 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. So moved. >> Second. Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes. >> And Council President Figuro Keber, >> yes. >> Motion carried. Ordinance 26-32,
ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 120 Jese Street and identifying city tax as block 16103, lot 11 pursuant to NJSA 481213C to Silver Streak 1 LLC for the sale
price of $9,500. I'm sorry, are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this 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.
>> 437 was pulled by administration some time ago. >> You miss Mr. Garcia, can we proceed? We're not going back and forth. >> Understood. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> 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. >> Okay. >> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Councilman Harrison. >> Yes. >> Vice President Williams. >> Yes. >> Council President Figuro Kevinberg. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. Ordinance 26-33. Ordinance authorizing the sale of
city-owned property commonly known as 829 and 833 Stson Avenue and identified on the city tax map as block 6401 lots 17 and 15 pursuant to NJSA 481213C to God Acquisitions 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? Turn the light. Turn the lights on. Thank you. >> Good morning again, council members. My name is Ashish Singh and I'm here with my wife an um we first of all we
appreciate council's time and opportunity to be heard here today. Um we purchased 831 Styverent um Avenue um in the west ward in December of 2024. completed a full cut rehab and immediately placed a section 8 tenant um
a woman with her disabled teenager teenage child um into a safe code compliant unit. Um uh our the adjacent to the 831 Stent Avenue which we own is 829 and 833 Stson Avenue. Um which is
and 833 is directly attached to our property. Uh and the both of them share common alleyway, share common wall, roof, front porch and the roof on 833 Stavverson is actively collapsing. Front and rear porches are structurally failing. Approximately half of the attic
level has no exterior wall exposing um our property and our tenant into elements and creating ongoing structural and installation compromise. Um the condition of A33,000 um is constitutes a direct and ongoing threat
to the structural integrity as I said um into uh our property and of particular urgency is our current tenant and a disabled individual um living um in that unit. They in the building, sorry. And the the proximity
of structural collapsing shared wall building combined with an open unsecured backyard which has multiple times invited unauthorized occupancy has created a um a living environment that falls well below the habitability and safe standards.
So our proposal what what we are seeking is is not for city to solve the problem but we are asking to be permitted to solve ourselves at our own expense with our own licensed professionals under full municipal oversight. Um we have a
total private capital contribution uh towards rehabbing both the units north of $220,000. If we are approved and upon approval, we'll bring both properties to full habitability, code compliance and productive tax generating status. These are not the properties the city can
easily sell in an open market. And so they are liabilities um on city's books and hazard to the block. Uh we're offering to convert that liability into an asset. Um we submitted our application in October of last year. The structural deterioration of of 833 staff
has not passed while we waited for this hearing. every week that passes increases the risk of physical damage to to the subject property and more importantly the safety of the of the tenant who trusts city's housing system trust us to provide them with a safe home. So, we're asking city council respectfully
for a favorable vote today. Um, we have credentials, capitals, and licensed professionals. I myself, I'm a licensed general contractor. Uh, and, uh, we will provide the commitment to execute um, immediately. The plans are ready, our architectural drawings are, architects are ready, the funds are available, the
team is in place. Thank you so much for your time. >> You're you're the proposed purchaser for this. Okay. We are. Okay. Thank you for that. Okay. Of course. Yes. You may proceed, Bren. Certainly, Madame President. Uh, this would Oh, excuse me. Are there any other
members of the public that wish to speak to this ordinance at this time? >> Seeing none, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. >> Yeah, we have a motion to approve. So moved. Second. Second. >> Got it, >> sir. >> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes. >> And Council President Figo Ember, >> yes. Congratulations.
>> Motion carried. Ordinance 26-34, ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property commonly known as 140 Home Avenue and identified on the city tax map as block 17301 lot 4 pursuant to NJSA 481213C
to Regal Lisa Holdings LLC for the sale price of $20,000. Are there any members of the public that wish to speak to this at this time? Yes, sir. Good evening, council members. My name is Gabriel Covena. Um, I am the owner of
Regalisa Holdings LLC. >> Yeah. Uh, I am the owner of Regalisa Holdings LLC. I just wanted to take a brief opportunity to introduce myself to you all. Um, and to thank you for the opportunity and the consideration. Um, I am a or one of my other companies is a fully licensed general contracting
company. We have the experience and the staff um to be able to complete a full rehab of this property. Um, further to that, um, I've been a resident of Trenton, uh, or was a resident of Trenton for a long time. Um, and the majority of my employees are based in Trenton. Um, we we certainly try to
prioritize, um, you really everything we do from our material acquisition to how we employ our staff um, within the city. Um, so again, thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other members of the public to wish to speak to this 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. Councilwoman Edwards, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Figuro Edenberg, >> yes. >> Motion carried. Ordinance 26-35, ordinance authorizing the sale of
city-owned property commonly known as 33 South Cook Avenue and identified on the city tax map is block 26504, lock 2, pursuant to NJSA 481213B5 to Maria Kion Takuri
for the sale price of $3,000. 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 move. >> Second. >> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards.
>> Yes. C >> Councilwoman Feliciano, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes.
>> And Council President Figoro Edenberg, >> yes. >> Motion carried. Madam President, which brings us to resolutions. Are there any resolutions that you or the council wish to extract for questions or from a potential consent agenda this evening? >> Thank you so much, >> Council President. >> Yes, Council President.
>> 26123. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Anyone else? >> Yes. I >> Councilwoman Frisbee. >> Yes. One quick moment and I have the
I'll come back to Oh, you good? Yeah, just on this one. >> Yeah. Um, resolution 26-128. >> Mhm. >> And resolution 26-133. Um, oh, and that's it. Yes, those.
>> Thank you so much. Anyone else, >> Madam President? Councilman Edwards >> resolution 26-127. >> That's it. >> Okay. Anyone else? Seeing none, uh we can proceed. Um first
up, Councilwoman Feliciano 26123. >> Thank you, Council President. Good evening. >> Good evening. Maria Richardson, business administrator. >> So, I just have a couple of um I'm sorry, I just have a couple of quick
questions. Um since we're making appropriations for things, where are we with the floors for engine 6 for the fire department? I had sent several emails um and had asked and
circled back um several times about it to find out where the administration is with regards to getting um something done with that with that fire station. So, where are we with funds for that?
>> Well, I have to um explain a little bit what the situation is at the present time, right? I think in one of my early emails I um I think it was um to you and the mayor
>> we were talking about um a request for a change order. >> Yes. >> Originally and I said you know we could not do a change order that is over 20% of the original contract. >> Right. >> So my recommendation at the time was to
reid the project. Do you want my >> um and uh identify the uh source of funding for the additional work that needed to be there? The situation at the present times is a lot worse than that. It's different. Um
I was made aware this morning during director's meeting that the uh firehouse has been flooded for several weeks. Um
and uh it it was as a result of a house two lots over two houses over that house was um the water was continuously running. I'm not sure if the house was
occupied or not, but it's a rental um owned by one of our uh irresponsible landlords. And so um the team from uh the water department from sewer and uh inspections
and fire department went there as in TPW went to the fire department the firehouse about a week ago um and determined that there are considerable damages to the foundation of the building. So the recommendation from the
city engineer was to um redo to complete a different assessment to make sure that there are not structural damages uh to the foundation of the building. So that makes the the situation a lot more
critical than it was before. So I heard this morning that we will have a uh most likely a report from the structural engineers that are looking into it within the next uh two weeks. So hopefully for the next council meeting I
will have additional information what the situation looks like there. >> Okay, thank you for that. Okay. And then um my next question is I know that there was a request for body cams for our
parking enforcement officers and I had followed up on that asking um what the city was going to do about it because we had u an employee that actually was assaulted not once but twice while she was on the job. >> The waiver was approved already. >> Oh, it was approved.
>> Correct. Correct. >> Thank you. When was that approved? Uh probably a week ago. >> Yes, last week. >> Last week. >> Correct. >> Okay. Because I know I had sent an email to the mayor and administration asking
what will it take? What are you going to do with concerning the um the waiver and everything? So, it's nice to know that something actually was done. Did had the administration reached out to DC about it? Like what made the waiver um now be
signed? the mayor reach out to to DCA. >> Okay. Thank you. There was no followup with me to let me know that when I asked the question. Okay. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. Glad to know that we're working on that. The last question I have for you is >> um since we're talking about money and
moving things, how long is it temp uh typically custom for a director to sit in an acting position? >> Good question. >> Interim director. I >> how long? Thank you.
>> I I don't know. >> So >> I to my recollection, right? >> Um a inter an interim director the first has two opportunities um of 90 days each.
>> And so 90 days >> but I I really don't have uh the ordinance to that effect. So I um I think that's what it is. >> Okay. So two tours at 90 days, correct? >> Each, right? And so with those tours, it
would come before council once the 90 days up. >> Yes. After the 90 days, it should come before council again for your approval. >> But don't take me to jail if that information is not correct. Allow me some time to look into it. But I think that that is the
um >> and who's the person who is responsible to bring that to the council the 90 days once the 90 days is up who prepares that? Is that coming from the mayor's office? Is it coming from
administration? Who's >> probably should come from administration since um director's report to administration. So, I will look into it and I will give you a more solid response once I talk to
Wes and do the research. >> I was say, well, can't director Bridges just tell us. So, thank you so much, PA Richardson. Director Bridges, can you tell us how long can an interim director stay an interim director? >> Two two periods of 90 days.
>> Two periods of 90 days. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, we're it's been a while now. A long while. Thank you, Beverson. I appreciate your consent. >> Thanks. Thank you. Um I still Department
of Finance um 26127. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Um hi, Mr. Cherry or M Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. Um, would you mind just briefly explaining
what this cash management plan is for the deposit and investment of public funds for the public's understanding, please? >> Uh, yes, we are currently investing in a state fund that we've been using for many, many years. Um, it's a short-term
investment fund. Sort of when revenue comes in, we place it into this almost like someone would utilize a bank account and then we spend the money out of there. Does that answer the question?
>> A bit. A bit. So, where are we in terms of staffing capacity for the finance department and purchasing and and anything that would involve this cash management plan?
>> Um, our staffing levels are good, but just to be clear, purchasing wouldn't have anything to do with this. It's just kind of when when revenue comes in. So, for example, um a tax bill is is paid, we receive those taxes, they go into
this investment account, um and we spend from that. So, it's just a a holding pen for the funds until they're needed so that we're earning some amount of money on them while they are there. Um but our
our staffing levels obviously we there are some a couple of vacancies in finance um including the director obviously but we are uh the treasurer Mary Henry is the individual who
directs this particular portion of finance and um I don't think that there are any challenges in staffing regarding the cash management plan. So even with the director of finance, there's no concern there because there hasn't been
a director of finance for quite some time. Correct. >> I we are certainly concerned about an actively pursuing finding a director of finance. The vacancy in the director of finance just would not be likely to
impact this particular thing. uh the treasurer manages this portion of uh of our funds and has been doing so for a long time. And this investment fund is a state um managed investment fund that the city of
Trenton has used as our our holding pen for funds for many decades. >> Okay. >> Certainly before I got here. >> And what are the other vacancies in that department? I don't have them off the top of my
head, but the vacant we may have I think we want to say a couple clerks, maybe one accountant position and I think a cashier. >> And so who oversees the treasurer?
>> Uh currently the CFO and the business administrator is the acting finance director. Okay, thank you. >> Of course. >> Consent. >> Consent. >> Thank you. >> Uh,
moving on. HD department interim director Yolanda Vasquez. Uh, Councilman Frisbee has a question for 26128. Excuse. I'm sorry. What? >> No, this isn't the time. Thank you. Good evening, Yolanda Basquez, interim
director of housing and economic development. >> Good evening, director uh Vasquez. So, it's the same question my other ones. We are So, this entity is withdrawing. They no longer want the the property. So,
they're withdrawing their application. My question is, have we identified or do we know who previously bid >> on this? M am I not reading this properly? Good. >> 26-128. >> That's for uh escrow reimbursement.
>> I am I'm on the wrong one. I apologize. >> I'm good on that one. Yes. >> Consent. Yes. Consent. Yes. >> Okay. Um Director Simple, Department of Water and Sewer. Councilwoman Frisbee, you have a question for 26133. >> Yes.
Good evening, director sample Trenton Warden and Sur. Good evening, council. >> Good evening. >> Good evening, council. >> Good evening, director. Um, so I just have a quick question. How often um will this training be going on and is this training um given to everyone?
>> It's primarily for the utility employees. This field employees is a safety training is mandated by the state that we have to do every year. every it is everything >> includes safe driving, how it oper how they operate out in the field safely and um how to handle different chemicals and
stuff like that. >> So it is something that every well that the employees in that they get it whether they've been there for five 10 years they still get that same training again. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. That's all I just wanted to make sure that it is updated um each year. Um thank you sir and consent.
>> Thank you councilwoman. Uh Mr. uh Mr. Garcia that is all for resolutions. We can move to consent agenda for that. >> Certainly, Madam President, while I was gone, was any items listed for a roll call vote at all? >> Nope. >> All right. So, there will be no items
that require one. Correct. >> Correct. >> All right. Right. So then if Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve a consent agenda consisting of resolutions 26-122 139 123 125 126 140 127 128 129
130 124 131 132 1334 135 136 137 and 138. >> May we have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman
Edwards. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Frisbee. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez. Councilman Harrison. Oh, excuse me. Um, Vice President
Williams, >> yes. >> And Council President Figuro Edber, >> yes. >> Motion carried. Moving on to ordinances for first reading and introduction. Ordinance 26-024, ordinance authorizing the sale of Oh, I'm sorry, Madam President.
>> Yes. >> I missed one resolution from the beginning of this uh >> Oh, yes. >> of this of this agenda. Could you ask for a motion to approve resolution 26-140? >> Yes. Can we please have a motion to
approve resolution resolution 26140? So second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Councilwoman Frisbee.
>> Yes. >> Um, >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes. >> And Council President Figuro Kenberg, >> yes. >> Motion carry. Thank you. Now moving on to ordinances for first reading and
introduction. Ordinance 26-024, ordinance authorizing the execution of an amendment to disposition agreement and the sale of city-owned properties to Vista Center Development LLC. >> Madam President, do you want to ask for a motion to approve? >> May we have a motion to approve? So
moved. Second. >> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Madame President. >> Yes, Councilwoman Edwards. Um I just want to um just ask for more information on this in terms of imminent domain. I think it
would be wise for us to seek legal advice from our council in terms of that so that we will have a fully informed decision to vote on. Um, this contract is 19 years old and this is the very first time we've heard anything in
detail in regards to this and I think that we need time to digest and go through this. I would hate to cause any further delays for the developer, but just in terms of just doing our due diligence and making sure we're we're making an informed decision and not
something based off of a council two decades ago. Um, I would just appreciate some time to seek legal advice. >> Are either of our um, legal counsel, can either of you speak to this tonight or um, would this be a better question for
Mr. Mi? >> I'm I'm happy to speak to it. I I would point out this is the first reading. So, there is another reading coming up whereby you can get that um, information um, which is the purpose of the first reading so we can get you information. If you have any specific question, excuse me, specific questions you'd like
answered, I'm happy to answer them now. >> Okay. Does that satisfy you at this time, Councilwoman Edwards, that this is first reading and there will be a second reading for this? >> Yes, that's satisfactory. >> Thank you. We can um we can look into um having a conversation with Mr. Mi about
this. Okay. >> Yes, I would appreciate that. Thank you. >> Yes. Mr. Garcia, can you proceed? >> Yes, is my vote. Certainly. So, at this time, I'm moving forward with a vote. Correct. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Uh, Councilwoman Ph. Wait,
I'm sorry. Councilwoman Edwards, study. Yes. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Oops. Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes.
>> Vice President Williams, >> abstain. >> Noted. and council president Figuro Kenberg. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. Ordinance 26-36, ordinance rescending sale of city- owned property commonly known as 44 Budat Street and identified on the city tax
map as block 2602 lot 22 to Uve Teti. And Madam President, if you want to ask for a motion to approve. >> Yeah, we have a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes.
Uh, Councilwoman Feliciano. Thank you. >> Councilwoman Frisbee, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilman Harrison, >> yes. >> Vice President Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Figuro Edenberg,
>> yes. >> Motion carried. >> Mr. Before we proceed, I just want to make a quick statement to my colleagues. It was brought to my attention earlier today that um I sent the questions and answers to Docker Review very late this morning in fact um and I just wanted to
let you all know that I will do my best that that does not happen again. I want you guys to be prepared for the meetings. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And moving on, I believe we reached a point of public comment. Uh if I could have the public comment clipboard, please. To the public, public
comment will be five minutes for each individual. You may address any matter that you wish. The council is not obligated to respond. Please state your name and address for the record. Uh, Madam President, we have what appears to be 12 people listed for public comment at this time.
>> No, >> it appears. Okay. >> Okay. Let's let's proceed. >> 10, you said? Oh, I'm sorry. It's 10. Uh, first individual listed is Frank Cusack. Good evening. Frank Cusack, 340 Avenue, Hamilton. Uh, speaking for the Coalition
for Healthy Water. I'm actually here to discuss an OPRA request that I initiated back on February 27th, 2026 number 26-45 uh requesting a copy of the full contract between Rafelis and the city of
Tren under 2024-04 as well as all pages of the completed water rate study. On March 10th, a 7-day extension was requested by the city, which was fair as that was right after the blizzard that we had.
Then March 9 19th, another extension was requested by the city. Then again on March 30th, that is now three extensions for what should be easily uh pulled from record. from other
members of uh the community. This seems to actually be the MMO when it comes uh to open requests from the city to consistently stall and stall and stall and stall and then just say, "Nope, we don't have it." To give some context to
my frustration, the same day, February 27th, 2026, I initiated an Oprah request with the town of Hamilton for the 2025 water bills for the five hydrant the fire hydrants in five districts in Hamilton that are owned and operated by Tren Waterworks. after one extension,
same extension uh received on um March 10th for the weather. Um Hamilton provided all of the water bills uh between Tren Waterworks and Hamilton for 2025 as well as the current agreement
and service areas. This was all completed within a two weeks while I am currently waiting over a month like I said to receive any response other than please more time. I know that Oprah requests and foyer requests can be, you know, not a free-for-all for
information. It's just confusing why there would be a security risk in a contract and rate study when that should be openly available to the public. Thank you. El Nora Alexander
Deand Deandri Castillo Jillian Wall Victory Rosari oh I'm sorry good evening again my comment is regard to um ordinance 26 um or 24 Uh I
mentioned it brief earlier when um director Burgess spoke. I think in in light of the um where my notes just now I'm going to my notes. I'm going to um repeat again that some
of the notes that I had here I I think the project did um have noble intent. Um it appeared to be thoughtful red um redevelopment sustainable uh with green initiatives. I think director um Burgess spoke to some of it but I think some of
the concerns also shared here today and that I would also support is that when the city is actually amending a disposition agreement and selling public land I think the only concern is and I I may be a bit behind um a need for greater transparency given that it's a
matter that's been pending since 2008 um what project what um protections are put in place if the project is actually stalled again I'm Not sure that we actually heard that. How the deal advances, I mentioned that earlier. How specifically does the deal advance
housing, jobs, and long-term uh neighborhood um stability? I think those are the only concerns and I don't know how much of that can be presented today. And I think that's those are some of the issues to be revisited with that project. But I think for the most part,
I think it's just clarity the public may be seeking. And again, I think there are a lot of um opportunities to further look at the transparent um reporting on projects like this, especially as it impacts the public. I
think collaboration, I think more public consultation. So, I'm not sure how much because I'm coming I'm new and these are some of the projects that I had notes of. And the thing that keeps coming up is um governance, transparency, tracking, reporting, accountability, and
I think a a public platform that more effectively tracks all of this, not just meeting notes, but a that actually looks at um the the city's agenda, redevelopment agenda, um the parties and across public, private, and civil
society contributing to that and actually tracking and measuring the impact of um their contribution and I think that's what's actually absent here. I don't think it's a matter of negligence. I just think with all of the initiatives, it's just a lot and um we
need more clarity and sort of like a one place for more effective tracking and measuring especially when you're looking at the disposition of public funds to this scale and job creation and and again in the midst of AI disruption. So that's some of my comment. I did also
want to make a comment with regard to uh I can't remember the uh the ordinance. I think there's all business with regards to the rejection of the I think it's ordinance 26137. May I may I Yes. Is this Yeah. Yeah. The resolution
rejecting the um compliance strategic planning leazison on management support. I did actually submit um some concerns August last year um to I think President Gonzalez and pre uh sorry, former President Gonzalez and um Councilwoman
Edwards and Brendan Clark were copied in that email August 5th last year. Uh and I would like to revisit some of that again. I'm uh I'm not surprised that it was rejected. uh that was anticipated that it would come in over budget and I
do think um there is an opportunity through skills development and support and more cl you know public consultation um to engage um local players with mentorship from um best practice global standards. because I mean I'm part of a
a global network that can assist with actually providing the and you know providing some of the support that may be absent um management support that's needed and also in terms of the strategic planning compliance related
issue. So I I I'm I'm suggesting uh a revised approach to that and uh I don't know when the bid will actually go back out but is there an is there an approach one of the questions that I would like ask is there an opportunity
to actually provide some guidance and some input before um the RFP actually is sent back out to the public. That's one of the suggestions that I would make rather than just send it right back out that there may be um some level of
consultation before it actually is reissued given that it was rejected and that the bid was not competitive. So, and I think I'm out of time, but yeah. Yes. Have no fear Mr. Osora is here.
Victory Rosari. >> Good evening. It's a pleasure. Again, Victor Resaring, 19 [ __ ] Avenue. I'd like to address a few articles in the paper and and it was uh fortunate there was two of them in the same paper and that's was to the six today's paper maybe yesterday. First one uh I want
first I want to say something that uh I looked that up uh I looked up at uh trenches for the past 26 years. It says here that uh roughly uh since 2000 training has evolved from a postindustrial city struggling with
significant population loss and urban decay in a municip municipality municipality focused on revitalization, population stabilization and targeted redevelopment while battling negative
perceptions and high crime. The capital city has seen an establishation in population growing in over 90,000. It is actively transforming black areas into affordable housing. Uh then it says
despite these improvements, the city still faces challenges related to crime, poverty, and aging infrastructure, but it continues to push forward with development aiming to reclaim its historic status as a vibrant industrial commercial hub. And I see that in this E
board and the previous Eboard uh we had a strong leadership and I believe uh the uh the race for mayor of the city between uh Miss Miss Barn and Miss Ev going to be a good one. I only I believe there are only two quote once qualified
uh to uh be mayor of this city and carry take it forward. uh this man um Jane Bo he says that uh he previously wrote an article in the Tranonian and today his uh uh Kman uh writing is on discipline
and city uh this city leadership needs first of all we need always seems to be always be better uh leadership I don't know where you going to get it from uh cuz we got the same educational system and then it says that the discipline and then with the promises that we make and you won't keep then provides poverty.
Poverty in our areas in east east coast at least that is based on uh the war goal the drug war of uh 1973 and the jail who was you know looking for the black messiah and destroying the black community. Now, when it comes to Puerto Ricans, we uh two two or three
days ago, I got an email or a text from someone in California and she was really upset about the conditioning and how Puerto Ricans have been mistreated and how Puerto Rico has been exploited and the Puerto Ricans are a victim of. And I told her that uh since the 70s, I didn't
tell her that, but I know that was involved in this in the 70s until now. Puerto Rico has been used as a platform for drug cartels and a criminal uh criminal homosexuals. Not that homosexual is a problem, but those who
are indulged in the drug trade use that as a black male tactic for those who get involved. And uh this man right here uh Ronda Ramos, he's uh he's I think he was shooting for uh our current M Steve
Wilson's position as uh director, but Doug Palmer was the one that decided that uh to change the going through CB uh what you call civil service racking files to get your uh leadership in law enforcement, man. he changes to
directors in the police department and the fire department. At the same time, there was an influx of Hispanics in uh Mercer County and a lot of them are uh settled here in Tren, New Jersey that created a conflict between the African-American community and a Puerto
Rican or Hispanic community. So the current currently what I'm saying is that uh we as as Puerto Rico itself they should advocate and spearhead the Hispanics in not only America but the planet earth or western hemisphere and repeal 11727
since the items or the so-called drugs that come that are being exploited or used against the African-American community comes from our lands and uh when it comes to doing things legally and politically there always a clash between the brown and in uh in the black
and then when there's a issue of some kind of a crime need of attention or social services then we all one we all become as one. So uh then uh who this other person here was u Mr. Bucker he
attacks uh well I call it an attack to Mr. Edwards as the saying is in spite of all he's always talking about at the end he said that if a house is empty before it gets dilapidated or broken down or tore up sell it before that's what you've been doing for the longest I
don't know where this man is at that he doesn't see that there's the change is happening but anyway thank you >> thank you please I'm >> sorry council president moving on we have uh Robin von Yeah, very quickly I just wanted to go
over the resolutions that I didn't get an opportunity because I spent too much time speaking about these bad actor redevelopers uh like Ajax. He couldn't go into any other town. New
Brunswick would never accept the project from him. Never. um he only comes to Trenton cuz he believes it's the path of least resistance. No one will challenge him. Right. So resolutions 26136
Trenton Waterworks a million dollars to a consultant and I don't hear any of you guys questioning that considering the challenges that our water utility is facing and our workers have been you know looking for raises and all and
resources and I don't know what's the status of the frazzled dazzle machine that's supposed to you know make sure that you know, the the river, you know, is, you know, supposed to chop up the ice and etc. So, what's up? If you give
a million dollars to a consulting firm, um, it would be interesting to hear more. Then is a resolution 26137, why reject that? What I don't hear any one of you's even have
any questions or interest as to how this money is coming in and out of our water utility considering the challenges that we have and we want to make sure our water utility continues to be state-ofthe-art selfquidating
right and then we have trucks there's an issue in the city and word on the street is that our solid waste department is having some issues with getting, you know, uh equipment repaired.
So, uh it had, you know, it's about five trucks, five or six trucks that are in need of repair, but we're buying trucks over there at the water utility. Um, you know, solid waste, you know, people who
work in a public works department. We need the city of Trenton residents deserve a high quality service from our solid waste department and I hope council is investing in that department so that our our our trash removal is
efficient, quick, expeditiously get those trucks fixed. I don't know what's going on, but it's unacceptable. And if our sanitation workers aren't supported, then you know that's very problematic and concerning. And I would
expect every council member get on top of that right away. Get down to that garage and see what's going on or get uh Hector Hector is the the public. I just can't um wow.
Um about the finance director, I don't know how funds are being certified. Um there are multiple violations and it seems like you know council president is not even addressing these issues with
the administration. Um, you're not uh the agenda that's being that was published to the public was amended and you come here and the public is expecting to see certain things and you
allow the administration to take stuff off willy-nilly in a non-transparent way. And the city clerk, I don't know where Mr. Garcia is, but yeah, you can squint your eyes all you want up there,
but these are serious issues. Okay. Uh, it's great that you're showing up now instead of being on the screen. I guess that big promotion allows you to do that. Okay. Before you didn't show up, you were on the screen. But now, now you
got the president. You up here, girl. Okay. Don't be making faces at me. I'm not the one. Okay. So I don't know how 036 Well, let her come up. All right. I don't know how if that's what she want
to do. So 036 I have a right to hold my elected officials accountable. I was held accountable, right, Miss Frisbee? Okay. Yeah. Okay. But you're friends with the developer, right?
You should recuse yourself. So, um I just want the process to be followed when stuff is removed from the docket for so the public should have a right to do that. You should follow the law, but we understand that you don't understand
your jobs. >> Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. Anytime. >> Have a nice evening. Uh, moving on, council president, we have Pat Williams. >> Good evening, city council. My name is Patricia Williams.
I humbly come before you regarding my property at 106 North Hermitage Avenue. In December of 25, Carol company got 22 Harrison's waste
contracts given to him from the city to tear down the de demolition. And the property that he tore down next to my house was 102 was a property that my husband and I tried to purchase before he passed away.
He was worked for the city of Trenton for 28 years. He drove to sweep Maurice Davis, but they couldn't sell it because it was full of asbestos, fungus, and mold was all in there. So, they couldn't sell it to anybody. We wanted to rehabilitate it
so the kids in the community could have somewhere to come when they got out of school and read books and do something. So, the week before Christmas, Carol came and started blocking off the streets. So I heard all the commotion.
So I came outside to see what was going on and they had the big cats that they tear things down with and they started tearing down the building next to me. And I asked them what were they
doing? And they said that they start to demolish the building. I said, "You can't demolish that building like that. It has fungus and asbestos in it." So the man looked at me real funny and he started tearing it down anyway.
And when they started tearing it down, this big balloon, like a big balloon of black stuff and smoke, all this stuff came out of the building. So I ran in the house and got the phone. I called the city of Trenton Health Department.
I called my department which was environmental protection. I called OSHA. I called all of them because it wasn't supposed to be torn down that way. There was no protection, no sheets, no nothing put up to protect me
from what was going on here. And that's the way it's supposed to be done. So they was shut down until after the new year. After the new year, it came back with the snowman suits is what I called them with the head gear, the water
hoses, and everything else. By that time, half the building was gone. Community was already consumed with the balloon that was already there. They tore up all my
their cat tore up all my ceramics and stuff in my yard. They tore my dirt up with the cats cuz I had for the building was in my yard. I wasn't a part of the contract. My yard wasn't a part of that contract
and I had to call city police out there cuz they was going they just open up the gate and start going into my yard. The city police told them they're not allowed on my property because my property's not a part of that contract
and they just left. They left my Lord, my flower bushes, my herbs and things that I grow that I eat, a peach tree that I grew. I was in a forcer home all my life and my grandmother grew peaches
and I saved the peach tree, peach seeds. When I purchased that house in 22, those seeds that I got from my grandmother, my natural grandma, I plant it. That tree doesn't bloom anymore. It's got black stuff growing on it. The grape vine,
which normally starts, it's just now starting to get flowers. They left my property like this. I came down to city to city council on the first floor. Citizen Concerns has a copy of it. I
sent a copy of the book to Miss Frisbee. All I'm asking them is to make me whole. I don't I'm 75 now. I don't know what damage they done to me. I don't know how much how much time I got left cuz I already have severe asthma.
But they took from me and they just walked away and nobody's done anything. And I've complained and complained and all them asking for somebody to help me. In the book that I sent in with all the pictures, the pictures of the plume, the
pictures of the man that came back with this what do you call hazmat suits and stuff spraying with hoses and stuff. If somebody contract you to do hazardous stuff, you know in the beginning what you're dealing with.
So if all these sites, which is 23, were hazardous sites, I wasn't there. But I know what you did to me. I know what they did to me. If they did it to me, they did it on all. >> I'm sorry, miss. That is your time. That's your time. >> God bless you. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Uh, Council President, moving on. We have Rashanda Nance. >> Sir, you're out of order. Please, you're out of order. Thank you, >> sir. You're out of >> sir. I already informed you that the council is not obligated to respond during public comment. That's the
procedure. >> Thank you. >> She's going to speak to you, ma'am. Thank you, >> Mr. Garcia. Please proceed. >> Certainly go ahead, Mr. Uh, once again, a Rashan Nance
and She is gone. That is all the people we have for public comment. Council President, >> thank you so much. >> Madam President, you can start with anybody you'd like for civic comment. >> Yes, sir. Uh, Councilwoman Edwards.
>> Thank you. Um, I was going to start my comments off with addressing the recent um, constituent, but I see that that interim director Yolanda Vasquez has take is taking care of it right now. Um, so I
will move on. I have some concerns about how we're handling development in a city particularly around the earlier conversation in which I thank my colleagues for their in-depth questions. Um imminent domain is something that can
be very predatory if not handled carefully. It is something that typically a municipality should use when a property is in a state of dilapidation, deterioration, and the owner of it is unresponsive or unresponsible.
I have a hard time understanding why a city would to declare imminent domain on a functioning property of someone that that is a taxpayer no matter whether they're paying full taxes or the taxes that we
think they should be paying. But functioning billboards privately owned, I don't think that that's something that the city should be involved in. I believe these two private owners should be able to work it out amongst themselves and if they cannot do that
then the plans unfortunately need to change. I do realize that there is a contract that a previous council approved in 2007 or 8 according to these documents. 2007
was when a portion of the trans train station redevelopment uh area went into effect. Uh June 12th, 2007 adopted by the city of Tren. So, we're talking about something that was about 18 or 19 years ago, probably
longer than that in conversation until this ordinance was passed or this agreement was uh made by the council. This council was unaware of all of the details of this agreement. This is the
very first time that we've had an indepth conversation and I believe that we are due an indepth conversation with this administration as to every last single detail of this contract when we're talking about imminent
domain. That is not something that we can we handle lightly at all at all. So again, I want to know why the city would have interest in declaring imminent domain on two functioning billboards, whether people live there or not.
These are something that someone invested their money in and have taken care of all these years. And whether we agree that billboards are still relevant in today's time in 2026, I don't know if I have enough
information to declare that billboards are irrelevant in today's time because I did not get a a a good explanation as to why we would do this. I kept hearing the developer say they are just billboards. They are not just billboards. They're
someone's investments. And I think that should be considered. um and with the utmost respect because if it if the shoe was on the other foot, if the tables were in the reverse, if this owner, if this developer was the owner of those billboards, I'm sure he
would probably feel the same. So, I would appreciate uh there be further conversations had whether we do that in executive session, I'm not sure. Maybe director Bridges can advise us down the line or Mr. colloji as to whether both of these owners could come to the table
in a conversation with council because I would prefer them to have an agreement before this is brought back to us to extend any any contracts that happened 20 years ago. So, uh those are my thoughts on the situation.
Um I I'm hoping that we get the information that we need, but right now I'm just not seeing justification. So, um, thank you and I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend, reservation
day with your family, with your with however you celebrate. Have a good night. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Uh, Councilwoman Feliciano. >> Thanks. I'm sorry I didn't hear you say say my name. Say my name. >> Miss Aliciano.
>> Thank you. Good evening, everybody. Thank you for uh hanging in there with us tonight. Thank you for every to everyone that came up and spoke and said something. Um and um let us in to what it is that that you all are experiencing.
Um certainly we don't take the concerns of the public lightly. Um and there is a process as to how we do things. Um, not that anyone is ignoring anyone when they're talking and not that anyone's minimizing anything. It's just the
process of how we work. We listen when it comes to public comment and then if people stick around during our civic comment, then we can address whatever it is that's going to be said to the person. So, it's never meant to be disrespectful.
And well, you I know, but you can't. So, you and I, >> sir, this is not your time. >> You and I can't talk. You and I can't talk back and forth and so out of respect and decorum for the room, I'm just granting you an answer, but we can't go back and forth. The council
president yields time for people to speak. Thank you. So, when it comes to people that come forward and they want to talk, um it's a difference between those that don't know and then those that do know, not you because they served in an official capacity. So to
that being said, when Miss Vaughn came forward and when she spoke about why we rejected the proposal um for the resolution 26137, having been a former council person herself, she would have known that we
would have gotten a memorandum or something from the administration that would clearly explain to us why these things are happening. So no one just acts or moves haphazardly on anything. As a matter of fact, the reasons for rejecting Priority Group Services LLC
are for substantially exceeding the cost estimate for the goods and services pursuant to NJSA 40A col 11-13.2A. That is the reason why it was rejected. So, we're not just moving just to move.
Um, we are moving in due form. And again, while I while I appreciate anyone that would want to come forward and say something, to drop misinformation and then walk out before we can even respond to it is just as it's it's just wrong.
It's improper. It's grandstanding. It's trying to promote a false narrative. And just because anyone regardless of where they sit, would choose now to run again for office and then use this platform to once again misguide people is a problem.
It is a big problem. And I encourage everyone that is that is listening or watching whatever it is that you watch and listen very carefully to the people that are coming forward before you. Being on city council and serving within
an elected capacity is not a game. We're not joking when we're here. I'm not joking. We're not joking when we're here deliberating and trying to do the work for the people in the city. And I think that a big problem that we've been having is is that some people see it as
just an opportunity to come forward and and talk a lot of mess. But when you were sitting in position some people and could have made good changes and did good work, they chose to stop and not do those things. And people need to listen and remember this as they go forward to
deny bacteria cleaning chemicals to put in the water to help the people. That is not responsible government to sit up there and not allow the fire department to have the uniforms that they need because our firemen go into the burning
fire to help save people. That is not responsible government. And then to come and speak a whole bunch of garbage and then to get out and be cussing and acting any kind of way just because you feel like it because you're duly elected is not responsible government. AND SO
WITH THAT, I SAY to the people of Trenton, you choose wisely in this election. You choose wisely before you come up here and talk about who you want to get behind and who's best for us. If they were best for us, we wouldn't be close to where we are with losing different assets that we have, our backs
up against the wall about the water, people coming to sue us for crazy mess. We would be 10 steps forward and not 10 steps behind. But this council has been doing the work to help write the wrongs
of the councils THAT WE HAD BEFORE US. And we're going to continue to do just that. So I just say be wise, Trenton. Be smart about it. Do your research on everybody running. And just because it
may sound good in the moment, just make sure that it is good overall. God bless you all. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Frisbee and thank you, Councilwoman Feliciano. You said a whole lot about what I was
thinking and probably want to get to a little bit of, but anyway, I want to thank everybody who came out this evening, whether we agreed with what you had to say or disagree with you. I do want to make sure that um we do get back to Miss Pat Williams. Um she did give me a package. I did receive it today and I
will go through it. and I will have a conversation with um in director um Vasquez. Also, I want to thank everybody who came out u on this evening and expressed what was going on um with them. I want to acknowledge um I'm wearing a blue butterfly today and I'm
wearing a blue butterfly today because April is a month of child abuse awareness and I was given this by one of my favorite people um in the world which is actually my CEO who I work for, Miss Katherine Nunnelly, Mrs. Katherine Nunley. And the card that comes with it,
it says, "Every child matters. It's everyone's job to ensure that children are safe. We wear this pen with pride and to show that we believe that every child matters and deserves to be free from abuse. I ask that you would have conversations. Do not label children as bad children, as this, that, and the
other ch child." If a child is acting up, that means that there's probably something going on and they need your attention. They need your help. So I would ask that you would give it. Um this Thursday, April uh 9th at the Westward Community Police Station will
be my Westward community conversation. We are looking forward to having a really great conversation with those who we have um slated to give us um their presentations. I ask you that you come out and join us at 5:30 p.m. and and you
you'll get the information then it's on my um it's it's on my my Facebook page and the flyers have been distributed as well. Um I did want to address it and I'm glad that Council Feliciano did say it. Um we do our work. We do the research. Um
we don't just get up here get these P pieces of paper and this stack of paper. We didn't just get these today. We get these in advance and we have to go through them page by page. Every single one. And this is a small docket. So we
go through each and every single one of these. We do our research, we do our homework, we ask questions and we get answers and then we come up here and then we talk to you from an educated position. Back to um the individual who was just here who used to sit in this seat. If
she knew better, she do well she does know better. She's just not doing better. But if she were doing her best and she talks about how we know that we ought to be doing our research and so she would do know that we did our homework and if she was doing hers then she would still be in this seat. But the
fact that she is not in this seat that tells me and should be telling you the same thing. I encourage everyone in Trenton do your homework. Google search someone's name. Don't just because they knock on your door and they say here's a flyer. This is what I want to do. This
is what I want to be. Do not jump on that bandwagon. Know who you are putting into office. No. Remember, please go back just three years ago. Go back three years ago and remember what this council look like. We have brought order. We
have brought respect. We have brought dignity. We have brought the ordinances up to date. How about that one? Resolutions up to date. And that's not to toot the horn. That is just facts. Do your homework on it. Research your name. Do not just go let someone come and put
blow smoke and you buy it. Do your homework. And the last thing I have to say is I want to read a portion of the our city's mission statement. As soon here There we go. A city our mission statement. A portion of it is is recognizing that the
people of Trenton have made us guardians of their public trust. We are committed to govern with integrity and fiscal responsibility. We seek excellence in the city's operations and to serve all the city's people with respect and compassion. When people come before you,
they ought to be resp speaking to you with respect. They should not be yelling at you at the top of their lungs. There's a microphone. Respect. It is it's so if you give respect, generally it's given right back. Thank you, everyone. And get home
safely. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. I'm going to be very brief because it's kind of late. Um, and just shout out to uh my two colleagues who dropped the mic. You said everything that needed to be said, so I don't even need to go
there. Um, but thank you to everyone for being present. I do want to start off by sending prayers to the family of Mr. Gil um who was very instrumental um in Wila Section, a place that I used to hang out in the park that I would hang out with when I was growing up and
stuff. So, I just want to say prayers out to that family. He was a gem in our city and he will be missed. Um to Miss Williams, I'm glad I saw uh director Vasquez and I believe I know Councilwoman went out and spoke to her
too. So um as stated before us council members, we are not going back and forth at the moment. However, we will find a solution and try to work with each person that comes before us to share the concerns that they have or the challenges that they are facing. we don't know these things unless you come before us and let us know. So, we just
want to say thank you to those who spoke out. Um, and to Miss Williams, hopefully we can get a solution for her. Um, really quickly, like I said, I don't want to be long. However, I do want to acknowledge some of the things that are being done here in the city. Someone came up to the microphone and again
spoke um and didn't give us right information. We do have uh C is under the CDBG is urgent repairs and there's also RCA funds that are for seniors for emergency and urgent repairs. And I know someone stated earlier that we are not investing or we don't have monies for
our seniors to help fix out fix up their homes and we actually do. So please do your research on that. If needed you can act, you know, come to city hall, look online, find the information out. Um and also just to the investments that are being made here in the city of Trenton. We have a lot of negatives that are
being said in front of us. However, we've found a funding to invest into the South War Senior Center, the Reading Senior Building. There's plenty of things that are going on here and a lot of investment that is going back into the city. And I hate that it's always a negative tone when we are actually investing in trying to bring up the city
of Trenton. Um also, I just want to shout out the city of Trenton for the Easter egg hunt this weekend. It was very nice. It was cute. Um, you know, the kids had a great time out there and also for the autism event. It is autism awareness month. As an as an educator
who teaches autistic children, it is always nice to recognize those that population. So, with that, I just want to say good night and um, one announcement. I know April 10th, which is this Friday, Trenton tonight is uh, from 5 to 7 downtown Trenton where all
the businesses and entertainment will be provided. So, please come on downtown and enjoy. is going to be a nice day on Friday. So, thank you all. Have a good night. Thank you, Councilwoman. Council Vice President Williams. >> Thank you, Council President. Have a bit
to say. I'll try to be efficient. Uh so on Wednesday, April 15th, 5:30, uh we are going to have our Northward Cis Police Advisory Council meeting at Galilee Baptist Church, uh 4:40 MLK, our special guest will be Jay Watson, who's senior fellow for the Conservation
Foundation. And he'll be there to discuss all the many trees that hopefully you've seen in the city of Trinity. to councilwoman's point, a very positive development in our city and how we are trying to reduce heat islands and air pollution in our city so people do not have respiratory issues. Uh I want
to thank uh Councilwoman Feliciano for her questions regarding engine 6. Uh this has been an issue for several years. Both she and I have advocated uh for getting this uh firehouse fixed fixed uh ASAP because the neighborhood
wants it. the people in East Trenton Polish section, they want it. And if there's any way to have this irresponsible landlord, per se, uh, make amends, that should be definitely happening. And, uh, I just want to make sure that people know this is important.
This should not be sitting by the side. We have to do what we got to do and it should be a high priority because the lives that are saved may be your own but the lives are could be saved are very important just for any as any tronian. Additionally,
um I know we can't talk about uh litigation that's going on, but I do want to share and I know there's have concerns regarding uh an internal investig affairs investigation that claims have been made that a brother-in-law of a police officer was
involved with in the investigation. I would like to find out uh perhaps an executive session at some point whether that claim is true or untrue because uh if so we we should know. I'll leave it at that.
Um I also want to make sure that uh talk about this is unfortunately becoming a frequent occurrence personal attacks uh that I hear that I see my council colleagues. I I could not be as eloquent
as some of them and uh certainly I will not try to keep up with Councilwoman Fleion and her amazing points because they were all true. This is not a place for such things to occur between colleagues like they do in the British Parliament as you see on
crazy television shows or TMZ. This is a place for decorum. This is a place, may I say, for class, for intellectual thought and discussion, particularly when we agree or disagree on policy points and advancing one's
arguments regarding policy points while making personal attacks has no place in anybody and should not have a place in our community and this government and this country. The bridge has gone too far with that.
And I just want to just finally add for the record, this council is pretty doing doing pretty darn well. We've done a lot of great work over three years. We've advanced this city. How do we not advance? when we came into office this
uh unfortunately uh some members of the previous cast and I I realize this will make me a target but what else is new sacrificed 100 jobs for a company called Princetail that would have been high-tech jobs that did not require a college degree and yes there are many
tronians have college degrees but this would have been tech jobs moving into a new economy that would have helped many tranonian households we are trying to lift our city out of poverty That would have been a great way to do it. Things like not approving bonds that
the state of New Jersey requires for water and sewer which was done in a year before we came in. These are things that we had to pay a price and we've rectified. We've worked with administration. We ask a lot of questions. I'm sure we're PIA when we ask a lot of questions. But there were
things like unpaid demolition bills that this council had to take care of. So when you hear things like this, yes, as we said earlier, do the work. Go to Google, go to duck.go, try to read things, try to look into the decisions we've made, watch past videos of city
council makes and hear how we've spoken about host issues. I the number one issue probably if there's two actually this council has spoken out upon it's about waterworks and it's about improving the stock and availability of housing for people in a city. And no one
here deserves to do that to be a target. No one deserves to be abused. And I know everyone here we thank you. We see a lot of familiar faces that come to Mag Beetings. We appreciate that. Please try to bring your neighbors, your friends with you because to me they need
to see the normality and the magic that is happening at these council meetings. We are raising Trenton. We are all going to be raising Trenton every moment that we're here. Please help us by your attendance. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Council Vice
President. Okay. Um, I've been sitting here this evening going back and forth about what I wanted to say at this point. I have never been more proud to sit up here amongst my colleagues tonight. You all spoke so eloquently and I do appreciate you all. Um, yeah, you
guys can have your opinions. People could get frustrated. They could be upset. Um the way that this council designed things from the onset of us all coming on was that the council president and vice president receives the docket ahead of everyone else. We get to review it, pour through it, ask questions to
the administration. We then attend a meeting with the administration members and those questions are answered and we are able to rebut and do additional research. Those questions and answers are then given to all of our colleagues ahead of or once they receive their documents for them to also review and
then whatever additional questions or answers that they need, they have the opportunity to do that here on the deis. That is how this works. There is nobody up here who's not asking questions and is not doing due diligence. So, with that being said, I I appreciate what my
colleague said. I I don't dance with the devil, right? But I want to say this, okay? For a woman to come here and tell another woman that she was not showing up, I gave birth to my son on February
23rd, 2025. Anybody can pull the records. I did not miss a meeting. I may have been virtual. I was nursing my son, but I was on those meetings. Anybody can go back during the
entire pregnancy. I did not miss a meeting and I kept my pregnancy very private so nobody was able to celebrate it. So for a woman to come up and degrade another woman and tell her that she was not doing something that she was doing
is disgusting quite frankly. So I just want to leave it at that. My colleagues did say some wonderful things tonight. I want to say that I pretty much am aligned with everything that you all said. And with that, I want to wish you all a wonderful evening as we go into executive session now and do some more
work. So, thank you all for coming out tonight. >> Have a motion to go into executive session. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call. Councilwoman Edwards. >> Yes. >> Have a vote. >> Thank you. Councilwoman Feliciano.
Councilwoman Frisbee. Yeah. >> Councilwoman Gonzalez. >> Yes. Councilman Harrison. >> Oh, whoops. >> He left. He left. >> Vice President Williams. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Council President Figo Kenberg. >> Yes. Mr. Garcia, we don't have a vote coming out of executive session. So, can
we adjourn now going into executive session or no? Or >> uh No. I believe we need to take a motion to still come back out to public session, then take a motion to go then then take a motion to adjurnn. >> Okay. So, for the public, there is no vote coming out of executive session.
Thank you.