City Council
Regular MeetingNew Brunswick, NJ · September 4, 2024
Minutes
SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK HELD
ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 AT 5:00 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.................................................................... Leslie R. Zeledón
Pause for a moment of reflection and silence.
Staff in attendance:
Public Information Officer Bert Baron
Library Director Robert Belvin
Deputy Clerk Shalon T. Bennett
Planning Director Daniel Dominguez
City Administrator Michael Drulis
Superintendent of the Water Utility Eric Ekoue
Assistant City Administrator Brandon Goldberg
Deputy Chief of Fire Department Hasahya Hirya
NBPD Captain James Hoover
Police Officer Jamal James
Utility Business Manager Michael Licameli
Finance Director Richard Mulrine
City Attorney TK Shamy
Senior Resource Center Staff Lisa Troulis
Director of Engineering and Public Works Thomas Valenti
Director of Water Department Alexei Walus
City Clerk Leslie R. Zeledón
On motion of Council Member Sicora Ludwig, seconded by Council Member Gaskins and carried,
the minutes of the previous Council Meetings held on July 17, 2024 were approved and adopted as
engrossed.
Meeting called to order by Council President Rebecca Escobar with Council Members Anderson,
Castaneda, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins and Sicora Ludwig present.
PUBLIC HEARING
O-082403 ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT O-022304 FOR AN
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT NTE $34,000,000.00
FOR: WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADES
Council President Escobar asked Mr. Drulis and Mr. Walus to give an overview on the above
ordinance. She then opened the Public Hearing on the same.
Public Comment: Ms. Moore and Mr. Kratovil inquired on the above ordinance. Mr. Drulis and Mr.
Walus responded.
On a motion of Council Member Sicora Ludwig, seconded by Council Member Gaskins, and
carried, the above ordinance was adopted on Final Reading on September 4, 2024.
Roll Call:
Aye: Castaneda, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Sicora Ludwig, Anderson, Escobar
Nay:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
O-082404 BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE
WATER UTILITY IN AND BY THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK
NTE $12,425,000.00
FOR: LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT
Council President Escobar asked Mr. Drulis and Mr. Licameli to give an overview on the above
ordinance. She then opened the Public Hearing on the same.
Public Comment: Ms. Moore and Mr. Kratovil inquired on the above ordinance. Mr. Drulis, Council
President Escobar and Mr. Walus responded.
On a motion of Council Member Sicora Ludwig, seconded by Council Member Gaskins, and
carried, the above ordinance was adopted on Final Reading on September 4, 2024.
Roll Call:
Aye: Castaneda, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Sicora Ludwig, Anderson, Escobar
Nay:
Abstain:
Motion carried.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES
None.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A letter from Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission (D&R) regarding 72 Remsen
Avenue – Two Family Residence, 72 Jersey Avenue –Demolition/Apartment Building
and 131 Jersey Avenue – Proposed Warehouse.
2. A letter from State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Emergency
Management Program Bureau of Communications & Response Services regarding
Suspected Hazardous Substance Discharge Notification NJDEP case number: 24-08-29-
0948-49.
3. A letter from ERM regarding Brintec Corporation and Brintec Systems Corporation Site
Block 598 Lot 1. ISRA Case Nos. 89808 and 89378.
4. A letter from Votes for All Campaign regarding explanation for the rejection of
signatures for Carissa Cunningham’s affidavits.
5. A letter from NJDEP regarding Biennial Certification Report for 8 Jules Lane.
6. A letter from REA, LLC regarding Response Action Outcome for 50 Easton Avenue.
7. A letter from GES (Groundwater & Environmental Services, Inc.) regarding Request for
Water Supply Information for Former Exxon Service Station #99NBN 3-0107, 187
French Street.
8. A letter from RAS (Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC regarding
Filing of Summons and Complaint in Mortgage Foreclosure of 1134 Edpas Road, New
Brunswick.
9. A letter from New Jersey Department of Engineering and Public Works regarding
Request for Water Supply Information of former Exxon Service Station #99NBN 3-
0107, 187 French Street.
10. A letter from 3M Investors LLC regarding Completion of construction work at 42 Joyce
Kilmer Avenue and refund of the Escrow funds.
RESOLUTIONS
Council President Escobar asked Mr. Shamy, Mr. Dominguez and Ms. Troulis to give an overview
on the following resolutions R-092404, R-092413 and R-092421.
Public Comment: Ms. Moore inquired in R-092412, R-092416 and R-092421. Ms. Troulis, Mr.
Valenti, Mr. Drulis and Council President Escobar responded. Ms. Burton inquired on R-092406.
Council Member Castaneda, Council President Escobar and Mr. Drulis responded. Mr. Kratovil
inquired on R-092407, R-092416, R-092418 and R-092420. Mr. Shamy, Mr. Valenti, Mr. Licameli
and Mr. Drulis responded.
Resolutions R-092401 through R-092421, moved by Council Member Sicora Ludwig, seconded by
Council Member Gaskins and carried were adopted, on consent, by the Municipal Council.
Roll Call:
Aye: Castaneda, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Sicora Ludwig, Anderson, Escobar
Nay:
Abstain:
Motion carried
NEW BUSINESS
Council Member Fleming wished everyone a prosperous and safe school year. CM Fleming also
mentioned the school shooting, which took place in Georgia, and asked everyone to keep them in
prayers. Council President Escobar congratulated the New Brunswick Police Department and
everyone involved in the “Rock the Block” event for the kids. Ms. Moore mentioned various items
concerning the George Street closure, drug addiction, the use of public parks by addicts, duties of
Park Rangers and a lawsuit she is involved in. April Nicklaus inquired on the Lead Service Line
report, updates on the Water Utility and Nielson Street Park. Charlie Kratovil gave the Council
President an apology on how he responded last meeting, asked for more community engagement
and transparency. Mr. Kratovil also inquired on the duties of the private security on patrol and
mentioned his concerns on pedestrian safety.
On a motion regularly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 P.M.
Leslie R. Zeledón Rebecca Escobar
City Clerk Council President
Agenda
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FINAL AGENDA FOR THE SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING.
CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REVIEW SESSION, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 @ 5:00 P.M.
COUNCIL MEETING, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER, OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ACT STATEMENT, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: JULY 17, 2024
C. REPORT OF CORRESPONDENCE BY CITY CLERK
D. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (OTHER THAN ORDINANCES)
E. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING (REGULAR MATTERS):
ORDINANCE ASSIGNED ITEM DESCRIPTION
NO. TO: NO.
O-082403 FIN 1 ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT O-022304 FOR AN
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT NTE $34,000,000.00
FOR: WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADES
O-082404 FIN 2 BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE
WATER UTILITY IN AND BY THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK
NTE $12,425,000.00
FOR: LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT
F. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING (REGULAR MATTERS):
ORDINANCE ASSIGNED ITEM DESCRIPTION
NO. TO: NO.
G. RESOLUTIONS:
RESOLUTION ASSIGNED ITEM DESCRIPTION
NO. TO: NO.
R-092401 TKS 1 APPROVE AGENDA AMENDMENTS
R-092402 FIN 2 APPROVE PAYROLL
08/17/24 – 08/30/24
R-092403 FIN 3 AUTHORIZE REFUND FOR REDEEMED TAX SALE CERTIFICATES
Page 1 of 4
R-092404 TKS 4 APPROVE AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION R-022412
REASON: ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $50,000.00
WITH: HOAGLAND, LONGO, MORAN, DUNST & DOUKAS, LLP
FOR: REPRESENTATION IN THE MATTER OF CHARLES KRATOVIL
V. CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK AND ANTHONY A. CAPUTO
(DOCKET NO. MID-L-3896-23)
NTE: $50,000.00
R-092405 JC 5 AUTHORIZE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FOR FIRE
DEPARTMENT
ENBRIDGE FUELING FUTURES GRANT
FOR: WATER RESCUE EQUIPMENT (PFDS AND HELMETS); ROPING
VORTEX SYSTEMS; AEDS
R-092406 CG 6 APPROVE REQUEST FOR USE OF CITY PROPERTY
REQUESTED BY: ALPHA GAMMA DELTA - SORORITY
FOR: PICNIC FOR POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS TO MEET SISTERS
LOCATION: BUCCLEUCH PARK - LARGE PAVILION
DATE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024
RAIN DATE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024
TIME: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
R-092407 CG 7 APPROVE AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION R-022448
REASON: ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $25,000.00
WITH: MCMANIMON, SCOTLAND & BAUMANN, LLC
FOR: LEGAL COUNSEL SERVICES FOR HOUSING AND
REHABILITATION MATTERS
NTE: $25,000.00
R-092408 JC 8 APPROVE REQUEST FOR PARKING OF VEHICLES IN BUCCLEUCH
PARK
REQUESTED BY: PARKER AT LANDING
FOR: PARKING IN BUCCLEUCH PARK FOR FAMILIES OF RESIDENTS
FOR ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY
LOCATION: BUCCLEUCH PARK
DATE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024
TIME: 2:00 PM –11:00 PM
NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES: 50
R-092409 CG 9 APPROVE AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION R-092325
REASON: EXTEND THE CONTRACT ONE (1) ADDITIONAL YEAR
WITH: NEW JERSEY REALTY ADVISORY GROUP, LLC
FOR: APPRAISER SERVICES FOR ABANDONED PROPERTIES
PROJECT
TERM: TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 7,
2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 6, 2025
SPECIFICATION NO.: 192-23RFP
NTE: $15,000.00
R-092410 CG 10 APPROVE AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION R-092326
REASON: EXTEND THE CONTRACT ONE (1) ADDITIONAL YEAR
WITH: EI ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS, PA
FOR: ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR ABANDONED PROPERTIES
PROJECT
TERM: TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 7,
2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 6, 2025
SPECIFICATION NO.: 193-23RFP
NTE: $15,000.00
Page 2 of 4
R-092411 FIN 11 AUTHORIZE TAX COLLECTOR TO TRANSFER OVERPAYMENTS ON
SEVERAL TAX AND UTILITY ACCOUNTS
R-092412 JC 12 APPROVE AWARD OF CONTRACTS
FOR: BOOKS PURCHASED FROM A WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR FOR
THE NEW BRUNSWICK PUBLIC LIBRARY
SPECIFICATION NO.: 283-24RFP
WITH: BAKER & TAYLOR, LLC – A SUBSIDIARY OF BTAC
ACQUISITION CORP.
NTE: $40,000.00
WITH: INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES
NTE: $1,000.00
TERM: TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 8,
2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 7, 2025
FAIR AND OPEN
R-092413 TKS 13 APPROVE AMENDMENT OF FUNDING FOR THE STIRLINGSIDE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED ON NEILSON
STREET/HASSART STREET TO REPROGRAM $55,028.25 OF 2016
HOME FUNDS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY RESTRICTED AS CHDO
DOLLARS TO THE STIRLINGSIDE ACTIVITY
R-092414 JC 14 APPROVE RELAXATION OF THE CITY NOISE ORDINANCE
REQUESTED BY: LUCERO & MENDEZ CONSTRUCTION LLC
REASON: REPLACE THE SIDEWALK AT 65 BAYARD STREET
DATES: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 & 14 AND 20 & 21, 2024
ALTERNATE DATES: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 & 19, 25 & 26
AND NOVEMBER 15 & 16, 2024
TIMES: FRIDAYS: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM & SATURDAYS: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
R-092415 CG 15 APPROVE AWARD OF CONTRACTS
FOR: TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PARTS
WITH: CAMPBELL FREIGHTLINER, LLC
NTE: $2,000.00
WITH: NORCIA CORPORATION
NTE: $23,000.00
WITH: AIR BRAKE & EQUIPMENT D/B/A APPOLONIA, INC.
NTE: $25,000.00
TERM: TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 5,
2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
SPECIFICATION NO.: 277-24P
R-092416 JC 16 APPROVE AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION R-012473
SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES
WITH: FRENCH & PARRELLO ASSOCIATES, PA
FOR: CONSULTING ENGINEERING SERVICES – FLOOD MITIGATION
STUDY ALONG THE MILE RUN BROOK
SPECIFICATION NO.: 245-24RFP
NTE: $78,000.00
R-092417 JC 17 RELEASE OF SITE PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE OF $32,895.42 ALONG
WITH ANY ACCRUED INTEREST DUE AS VERIFIED BY THE CFO
TO: RARITAN BRUNSWICK LP
FOR: 1 CHESTER CIRCLE
BLOCK 703.05, LOT 1
Page 3 of 4
R-092418 CG 18 APPROVE AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE
FOR: LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
SPECIFICATION NO: 292-24W
R-092419 JC 19 APPROVE AWARD OF CONTRACT
WITH: INSTITUTE FOR FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
FOR: PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
AND FIRE DEPARTMENT
TERM: TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 8,
2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 7, 2025
SPECIFICATION NO.: 284-24RFP
NTE: $18,000.00
FAIR AND OPEN
R-092420 TKS 20 APPROVE AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION R-092416
SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES
WITH: FRENCH & PARRELLO ASSOCIATES, PA
FOR: GENERAL CONSULTING ENGINEERING SERVICES
SPECIFICATION NO.: 245-24RFP
NTE: $80,000.00
R-092421 TKS 21 AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT A ONE-TIME GRANT
AWARD TO SUPPORT THE NEW BRUNSWICK SENIOR CITIZEN
RESOURCE CENTER’S TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
WITH: NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS),
DIVISION OF AGING SERVICES
FOR: AGE-FRIENDLY PROJECT GRANT
AMOUNT: $100,000.00
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, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
5:30 P.M.
2. CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AGENDA REVIEW SESSION
PREPARED AND EDITED BY: DEPARTMENT OF LAW - KAREN B. CIPOT
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