City Council

FEBRUARY 5, 2025 REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK HELD ON FEBRUARY 5, 2025 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 six (6) 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 Deputy Clerk Shalon T. Bennett Assistant City Attorney Joseph Catanese NBPA Staff Harry Delgado Planning Director Daniel Dominguez City Administrator Michael Drulis Assistant City Administrator Brandon Goldberg NBPD Captain James Hoover Police Officer Jamal James Utility Business Manager Michael Licameli Administration Staff Susan Mollica Finance Director Richard Mulrine Fire Official Victor Ortiz City Attorney TK Shamy Fire Department Staff Cheryl Smith Senior Citizen Resource Center Staff Lisa Troulis Director of International Programs Michael Tublin Director of Engineering and Public Works Thomas Valenti Director of Water Department Alexei Walus Law Department Staff Sarah Walus City Clerk Leslie R. Zeledón On motion of Council Member Gaskins, seconded by Council Member Fleming and carried, the minutes of the previous Council Meetings held on December 30, 2024 were approved and adopted as engrossed. Meeting called to order by Council President John Anderson with Council Members Escobar, Castaneda, Ferguson, Fleming and Gaskins present. Council Member Sicora Ludwig was absent.  PUBLIC HEARING DISTANCE WAIVER APPLICATION FOR KEFTEDES, INC. LIQUOR LICENSE NO.: 1214-33-079-009 - 13 PATERSON STREET/369 GEORGE STREET Mr. Shamy explained the distance waiver for the above-mentioned liquor license. Mr. Sneider gave an overview of his business plan. Council President then opened the public hearing. Mr. Kratovil inquired on the above distance waiver. Ms. Zeledón responded. On a motion of Council Member Castaneda, seconded by Council Member Fleming, and carried, the above was closed for public hearing. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried. O-012503 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK TITLE 3, REVENUE AND FINANCE, CHAPTER 3.28 – FEE SCHEDULE, SECTION 3.28.120 “PARKS AND RECREATION FEES” RE: UPDATES Council President Anderson asked Mr. Goldberg to give an overview on the above ordinance. He then opened the Public Hearing on the same. Public Comment: Ms. More inquired on the above ordinance. Mr. Goldberg explained the changes in the fees. Council President also responded. On a motion of Council Member Gaskins, seconded by Council Member Fleming, and carried, the above ordinance was adopted on Final Reading on February 5, 2025. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried. O-012504 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, TITLE 2, ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 2.29, ENTITLED: “RESTRICTED AREAS IN BUILDINGS WHERE MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS ARE CONDUCTED LIMITED TO AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEES ONLY TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD PUBLIC RECORDS CONTAINING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.” Council Member Escobar asked a few questions regarding the above ordnance. Mr. Shamy gave an overview. Council President then opened the Public Hearing on the same. Public Comment: Ms. Cunningham, Ms. Moore and Mr. Kratovil inquired on the above ordinance. Mr. Shamy and Council President Anderson responded. On a motion of Council Member Fleming, seconded by Council Vice President Castaneda, and carried, the above ordinance was adopted on Final Reading on February 5, 2025. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried. O-012505 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, TITLE 17, ZONING, CHAPTER 17.03, GENERAL REGULATIONS RE: SECTION 17.03.225 – OUTDOOR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT SECTION 17.05.020 – OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS Council President Anderson asked Mr. Dominguez to give an overview on the above ordinance. He then opened the Public Hearing on the same. Public Comment: Ms. Moore inquired on the above ordinance. Mr. Dominguez and Council President Anderson responded. On a motion of Council Member Gaskins, seconded by Council Member Fleming, and carried, the above ordinance was adopted on Final Reading on February 5, 2025. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried. O-012506 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, TITLE 17, ZONING, CHAPTER 17.06, SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS RE: SECTION 17.06.060 – PERMITTED SIGN REGULATION TABLE Council President Anderson asked Mr. Dominguez to give an overview on the above ordinance. He then opened the Public Hearing on the same. Public Comment: Ms. Moore inquired on the above ordinance. On a motion of Council Member Gaskins, seconded by Council Member Fleming, and carried, the above ordinance was adopted on Final Reading on February 5, 2025. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried. .  O-012507 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, TITLE 16, LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, CHAPTER 16.16, PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT RE: SECTION 16.16.050 – HEARINGS Council President Anderson asked Mr. Dominguez to give an overview on the above ordinance. He then opened the Public Hearing on the same. Public Comment: Mr. Kratovil inquired on the above ordinance. Mr. Dominguez responded. On a motion of Council Member Gaskins, seconded by Council Member Fleming, and carried, the above ordinance was adopted on Final Reading on February 5, 2025. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried. O-012508 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, TITLE 2, ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL, CHAPTER 2.64 – DEPARTMENT OF POLICE RE: POLICE EXTRA DUTY RATES FOR 2025 - 2028 Council President opened the Public Hearing on the above ordinance. Public Comment: Ms. Cunningham and Ms. Moore inquired on the above ordinance. Mr. Goldberg, Mr. Drulis and Council Member Escober responded. On a motion of Council Member Fleming, seconded by Council Member Escobar, and carried, the above ordinance was adopted on Final Reading on February 5, 2025. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried.  INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES O-022501 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, TITLE 10, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, SCHEDULE 29, TIME LIMIT PARKING RE: LIVINGSTON AVENUE AND NEW STREET On a motion of Council Member Gaskins, seconded by Council Member Fleming, and carried, the above ordinance was adopted on first reading and held over for Public Hearing on February 19, 2025 at 5:30P.M. in the Council Chambers in City Hall. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried. O-022502 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK TITLE 3, REVENUE AND FINANCE, CHAPTER 3.28 – FEE SCHEDULE, SECTIONS 3.28.100 “FEES FOR OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS” AND 3.28.110 “POLICE DEPARTMENT FEES” On a motion of Council Member Gaskins, seconded by Council Member Fleming, and carried, the above ordinance was adopted on first reading and held over for Public Hearing on February 19, 2025 at 5:30P.M. in the Council Chambers in City Hall. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS 1. A letter from State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Watersheds and Land Management Office of Dam Safety & Flood Engineering regarding Dam Safety Inspection Reports for City of New Brunswick Dams. 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: 25-01- 24-1708-44 & Case Number: 25-02-03-0942-50. 3. A letter from East Coast Vapor LLC regarding 400 Somerset Street Property Biennial Certification. 4. A letter from Norris McLaughlin Attorney At Law regarding CSC TKR, LLC application with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to renew its system-wide franchise. 5. A notice of hearing regarding an application for Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan Approval with D variance approval for (i) maximum floor area ratio at 22 Lafayette Street. 6. A notice of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case – Proof of Claim Deadline Set for Coach USA, Inc. 7. A letter from Sovereign Consulting Inc. regarding update on ongoing investigation by Nouryon Chemicals LLC of the property located at 501 Jersey Avenue.  8. A letter from DuBois & Associates regarding 476 Riva Avenue Property Block 310, Lot 57.01 East Brunswick Township for a freshwater wetlands letter of interpretation. 9. A copy of a Civil Action Summons from Keith A Bonchi, Esquire regarding Paul M. Dean, ET AL. 10. A letter from an anonymous person regarding The Dream Spa on 1140 Somerset Street. RESOLUTIONS Council President asked for Mr. Shamy, Mr. Baron and Mr. Valenti to give an overview on the following resolutions: R-022507, R-022509 and R-022519. Public Comment: Mr. Kratovil inquired on R-022507, R-022509, R-022516 and R-022525. Mr. Drulis, Mr. Shamy, Mr. Walus, Mr. Licameli and Council President Anderson responded. Ms. Cunningham inquired on R-022513. Mr. Tublin and Council President Anderson responded. Ms. Moore inquired on R-022507, R-022513 and R-022525. Mr. Shamy, Mr. Tublin and Mr. Walus responded. Mr. Bulabil inquired on R-022525. Mr. Walus responded. Resolutions R-022501 through R-022525, moved by Council Member Gaskins, seconded by Council Member Fleming and carried were adopted, on consent, by the Municipal Council. Roll Call: Aye: Escobar, Ferguson, Fleming, Gaskins, Castaneda, Anderson Nay: Abstain: Motion carried.  NEW BUSINESS Council President asked Council Member Fleming to give an overview on Black History Month. He read an excerpt from Langston Hughes “I Too”. CM Fleming spoke of the correlation between 100 years ago and now. Carrisa Cunningham thanked CM Fleming for his comments and stated concerns regarding the Code Blue program. Danielle Moore thanked the EMS, Fire and Police for the assistance at her home, inquired on the Opioid grants and an incident she was involved in. Chris, a community member, provided suggestions on how to better the Code Blue program including a bilingual member, the allowance of food and warmer temperature. Santi Sherma inquired on questions submitted during the Round Table discussion for the homeless. CP Anderson responded. Charlie Kratovil mentioned the Homelessness Round Table discussion went well, mentioned there are contradictions, spoke on recent ICE involved matter and inquired on crash reports. CM Escobar responded in reference to the ICE involved matters and City Administrator Drulis responded in regards to the Round Table discussions. On a motion regularly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:11 P.M. Leslie R. Zeledón John Anderson City Clerk Council President