City Council
Regular MeetingNew Brunswick, NJ · January 3, 2024
Minutes
JANUARY 3, 2024
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK HELD
ON JANUARY 3, 2024 AT 5:30 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Please be advised that the notice requirements of the Open Public Meeting Act have been complied
with and satisfied in that the annual notice, which gave sufficient notice of the time and place, and
conduct of all public meetings of the Municipal Council of the City of New Brunswick, has been
filed with the City Clerk, has been placed on an appropriate bulletin board in City Hall and has been
transmitted to the official newspaper for the City of New Brunswick, namely The Home News
Tribune.
The City Council met with all voting members of the City Council present.
Salute to the Flag.................................................................... Shalon T. Bennett
Pause for a moment of reflection and silence.
Staff in attendance:
Public Information Officer Bert Baron
Deputy Clerk Shalon T. Bennett
Personnel Officer Jennifer Bradshaw
Assistant City Attorney Joseph Catanese
Planning Director Daniel Dominguez
City Administrator Michael Drulis
Water Department Erick Ekoue
Assistant City Administrator Brandon Goldberg
Deputy Fire Chief of Administration Hasahya Hirya
Lieutenant James Hoover
Police Officer Jamal James
Purchasing Agent Marie James
Finance Staff Michael Licameli
Finance Director Richard Mulrine
City Attorney TK Shamy
Social Services Staff Lisa Troulis
Director of Engineering and Public Works Thomas Valenti
Director of Water Department Alexei Walus
On motion of Council Vice President Egan, seconded by Council Member Sicora Ludwig and
carried, the minutes of the previous Council Meeting held on December 6, 2023 were approved and
adopted as engrossed.
Meeting called to order by Council President Rebecca Escobar with Council Members Anderson,
Castaneda, Egan, Fleming, Gaskins and Sicora Ludwig present.
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES
O-012401 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE
REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW
BRUNSWICK, TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION AND
PERSONNEL, CHAPTER 2.28, OFFICERS AND
DEPARTMENT HEADS GENERALLY, SECTION 2.28.070,
COMPENSATION
RE: COUNCIL MEMBERS COMPENSATION
Council President asked Mr. Shamy to give a brief overview of the above ordinance.
On a motion of Council Vice President Egan, seconded by Council Member Sicora Ludwig, and
carried, the above ordinance was adopted on first reading and held over for Public Hearing on
January 17, 2024 at 5:30P.M. in the Council Chambers in City Hall.
Roll Call:
Aye: Anderson, Castaneda, Fleming, Gaskins, Sicora Ludwig, Egan, Escobar
Nay:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A letter from Haley Aldrich regarding Initial Receptor Evaluation, Rutgers Cook Student
Center, 59 Beil Road New Brunswick, NJ PI#009209; Case Tracking Number 20-09-16-
1441-17.
2. A letter from New Jersey Department of Transportation regarding Virtual Public
Information Center dated January 22 – February 2, 2024 regarding Route 1 Northbound
Bridge over Raritan River, City of New Brunswick and Township of Edison, Middlesex
County.
3. An Ordinance from Piscataway Township regarding Amending Chapter XXI (21),
Zoning.
RESOLUTIONS
Public Comment: Ms. Moore inquired on R-012403. Council President and Mr. Shamy responded.
Mr. Kratovil inquired on R-012403 and R-012424. Council President and Mr. Goldberg responded.
Resolutions R-012401 through R-012425, moved by Council Vice President Egan seconded by
Council Member Sicora Ludwig and carried were adopted, on consent, by the Municipal Council.
Roll Call:
Aye: Anderson, Castaneda, Fleming, Gaskins, Sicora Ludwig, Egan, Escobar
Nay:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Council President along with all the Council Members congratulated Council Member Kevin Egan
on his appointment as Assemblyman to represent District 17 and wished him well on his new
position. Council Member Egan thanked everyone, stated it has been a pleasure and encouraged
everyone to keep up the good work in the city. Danielle Moore spoke about the safety in the
hospitals and overcrowding. Ms. Moore also thanked the community, Mr. Keith Jones II and Mr.
Adkins of Inspections for helping with the rat infestation on Oxford Street. Ms. Moore also spoke
about harassment charges and equality for all people. Mr. Kratovil inquired about the Police Chief
title, presence of police representatives, climate action plan and the Micro Transit Program.
On a motion regularly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 5:54 P.M.
Shalon T. Bennett Rebecca Escobar
Deputy Clerk Council President
Agenda
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FINAL AGENDA FOR THE JANUARY 3, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING.
THERE MAY BE CHANGES TO THE FINAL AGENDA BEFORE OR AT THE MEETING OF
JANUARY 3RD AS PROVIDED BY LAW.
CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REVIEW SESSION, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024 @ 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL MEETING, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER, OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ACT STATEMENT, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: DECEMBER 6, 2023
C. REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE BY CITY CLERK
REPORT OF BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL PRESIDENT
D. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (OTHER THAN ORDINANCES): NONE
E. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING (REGULAR MATTERS): NONE
F. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING (REGULAR MATTERS):
ORDINANCE ASSIGNED ITEM DESCRIPTION
NO. TO: NO.
O-012401 TKS 1 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED
GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, TITLE 2,
ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL, CHAPTER 2.28, OFFICERS AND
DEPARTMENT HEADS GENERALLY, SECTION 2.28.070,
COMPENSATION
RE: COUNCIL MEMBERS COMPENSATION
G. RESOLUTIONS:
RESOLUTION ASSIGNED ITEM DESCRIPTION
NO. TO: NO.
R-012401 TKS 1 RE-ADOPT 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE
R-012402 TKS 2 APPROVE AGENDA AMENDMENTS
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R-012403 TKS 3 COUNCIL DESIGNATION OF LIAISONS TO VARIOUS AUTHORITIES,
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS FOR 2024
Board of Education Council Member Glenn Fleming
Housing Authority Council President Rebecca Escobar
Human Relations Council Member Petra N. Gaskins
Parking Authority Council Vice-President Kevin P. Egan
Citizens Recreation Council Member Glenn Fleming
Senior Citizen Advisory Council Council Member John Anderson
Rent Control Board Council Member Manuel J. Castaneda
R-012404 TKS 4 DESIGNATION OF COUNCIL MEMBER TO PLANNING BOARD (CLASS
III) 2024
Council Member Suzanne M. Sicora Ludwig
R-012405 TKS 5 DESIGNATION OF COUNCIL MEMBER TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
CITY MARKET, INC. FOR 2024
Council Member Suzanne M. Sicora Ludwig
R-012406 FIN 6 APPROVE 2024 TEMPORARY CITY BUDGET
R-012407 FIN 7 DESIGNATION OF BANK DEPOSITORIES AND CASH MANAGEMENT
PLAN FOR 2024
R-012408 TKS 8 FIX INTEREST RATE ON DELINQUENT TAXES AND WATER AND
SEWER CHARGES FOR 2024
R-012409 TKS 9 AUTHORIZE CANCELLATION OF TAX DELINQUENCIES OF LESS
THAN TEN ($10.00) DOLLARS IN 2024
R-012410 TKS 10 AUTHORIZE DIRECT MAILING CHARGES AND COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH TAX SALE
R-012411 TKS 11 AUTHORIZE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO SELL BOND
ANTICIPATION OR CAPITAL NOTES AT PRIVATE SALE FOR 2024
R-012412 TKS 12 AUTHORIZE TAX COLLECTOR TO MAKE TAX REFUNDS LESS THAN
TEN ($10.00) DOLLARS FOR 2024
R-012413 TKS 13 AUTHORIZE CITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE LAND USE REGULATORY
PERMIT-1'S (LURP), TWA FORMS AND SOIL EROSION AND
SEDIMENT CONTROL APPLICATIONS IN 2024
R-012414 TKS 14 AUTHORIZE CITY ENGINEER AND MAYOR TO EXECUTE RIGHT OF
ENTRY PERMIT FORMS IN 2024
R-012415 TKS 15 AUTHORIZE CITY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE HOLD
HARMLESS/INDEMNITY AGREEMENTS IN 2024
R-012416 TKS 16 AUTHORIZE TAX ASSESSOR TO FILE TAX APPEALS AND WITH
SPECIAL COUNSEL FILE COUNTERCLAIMS BEFORE THE
MIDDLESEX COUNTY TAX BOARD AND/OR THE NEW JERSEY TAX
COURT
R-012417 TKS 17 DESIGNATE PUBLIC AGENCY COMPLIANCE OFFICER MARIE JAMES
FOR 2024
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R-012418 TKS 18 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACTS WITH CERTAIN
APPROVED STATE CONTRACT AND CO-OP VENDORS FOR
CONTRACTING UNITS PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:11-12A BY THE
PURCHASING AGENT
R-012419 TKS 19 AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT AND RECEIPT OF BIDS
FOR: VARIOUS GOODS, SUPPLIES AND SERVICES IN 2024
R-012420 TKS 20 AUTHORIZE CITY ENGINEER TO SIGN SITE REMEDIATION PROJECT
DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO NJDEP
R-012421 FIN 21 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CANCELLATION OF VARIOUS
OUTSTANDING CHECKS
R-012422 TKS 22 DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR 2024
R-012423 FIN 23 AUTHORIZE REFUND FOR REDEEMED TAX SALE CERTIFICATES
R-012424 TKS 24 APPROVE AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION R-012334
REASON: ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $8,200,000.00
WITH: CVS/CAREMARK
FOR: PRESCRIPTION PLAN SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD OF
JANUARY 1, 2024 – DECEMBER 31, 2024 (YEAR 2)
NTE: $8,200,000.00
H. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL:
ACTION ASSIGNED ITEM DESCRIPTION
TO: NO.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT:
J. DATES TO REMEMBER:
1. CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REVIEW SESSION
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
5:30 P.M.
2. CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AGENDA REVIEW SESSION
PREPARED AND EDITED BY: DEPARTMENT OF LAW - KAREN B. CIPOT
www.cityofnewbrunswick.org
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