City Council

MINUTES COUNCIL CONFERENCE MARCH 20, 2007 CITY HALL 5:00 PM Council President Paul M. Pintella, announced that adequate public notice has been provided to the public specifying the time and place for this meeting in accordance with Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, approved on October 21, 1975 and effective January 19, 1976. The FY 2007 annual notice was mailed to the Times and the Trentonian Newspapers, posted on the first floor bulletin board in City Hall, and filed in the City Clerk’s Office on July 1, 2006 and amended on July 21, 2006 The agenda for the said meeting was mailed, posted and filed on March 16, 2007. A Conference of the City Council of the City of Trenton, New Jersey, was held on the above date at 5:10 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President Paul M. Pintella, on roll call, the following Council Members were present: Messrs. Bethea & Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone & Segura, Ms. Staton, Mr. Pintella – 7. A portion of this meeting will be set aside for public comment. 5:00 p.m. Subject: Housing & Economic Development Major Projects Update Appearance: Alan Greenwald, Director Housing & Economic Development Update Canceled Council President Pintella announced that the 5:00 pm portion of the meeting was canceled due to illness. It was replaced by a presentation on the City Web site. Subject: Cit-E-Net Update (City Web site) Appearance: Kent Ashworth Public Information Officer Council President Pintella notified those present that the meeting was being recorded by Mr. Paul Harris. Council President Pintella, expressed condolences on the passing of Mr. Jessie Brown. Mr. Brown was a major volunteer in the North Ward and founder of the Junior Golf League. He was also very instrumental on the North Trenton Crime Watch and the Million Man March. I would like to congratulate the Trenton High School Girls Basketball Team. The City is having a Parade of Champions on March 31, 2007. Council President Pintella – First order of business is the appointment to the Trenton Parking Authority one position available. I would like to introduce the two candidates Mrs. Taiwanda Wilson who was nominated by Councilman Gino Melone and Mr. Harry Reyes who was nominated by Councilman Manuel Segura. I have a letter sent by Mr. John Pecci, Executive Director of the TPA to Councilman Melone on behalf of Mr. Cerrone asking to consider him for reappointed to the TPA. MARCH 20, 2007 Councilman Melone – I asked that Mr. Cerrone be given the opportunity to come in front of Council and bring his Resume before we make an appointment. Council President Pintella – Asked Melone to put his request in the form of a Motion. Councilman Melone – Motion to give Mr. Cerrone the courtesy of inviting him to come in front of Council and present his intent to serve. Motion was second by Councilman Bethea. Roll Call AYES: Council members Bethea, Coston, Lartigue, Melone, Segura, Staton and Pintella NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Council President Pintella – Introduced Mrs. Taiwanda Wilson and Mr. Harry Reyes and asked if they would say something about their background and explain why they would like to serve on the Trenton Parking Authority Board. Mrs. Taiwanda Wilson, 817 Revere Avenue – Introduced herself and gave a brief summary on her work and volunteer experience. Harry Reyes, 218 Renfrew Avenue – Introduced himself and gave a brief summary on his work and volunteer experience. City Council members asked both candidates questions regarding the position available and asked if they believed they could deal with the responsibilities of the TPA. Council also asked if they had experience dealing with a budget as big as the Trenton Parking Authority. 5:40 p.m. Subject: Cit-E-Net Update (City Web site) Appearance: Kent Ashworth Public Information Officer Kent Ashworth gave a presentation on the City’s new website and explained how the City revamped the site. He stated that the changes and improvements that the City has been making are too simplified the site. We have a Services Finder to help people who know what they need but do not know who to call. City Council members asked questions regarding the Web site and gave their input and recommendation to improve and help the citizen of Trenton. Council President Pintella – Notified those present that the Executive Session on personnel matters schedule for the evening was canceled do to a procedure and asked Special Counsel Mr. Joseph Alacqua to explain. Mr. Joseph Alacqua – Explained that the employee concerning the personnel matter had to be notified regarding the Executive matter and he had not been notified. MARCH 20, 2007 Council President Pintella Motioned to go into Civic Matters, second by Councilman Bethea. CIVIC MATTERS: Councilman Melone – Asked Administration if the City’s old computers could be made available to the seniors at the five senior centers and classes be provided. Councilwoman Lartigue – Asked for a Plan on Public Safety with the warm weather coming. Councilman Coston - It’s been 49 days and counting. I asked for a list of open positions and salary ranges and I have not received it. I would like an update on the Hotel from the Assistant Business Administrator Mr. Gonzalez and the debt payment coming up. Council President Pintella – Again I would like to expressed condolences on the passing of Mr. Jessie Brown. Mr. Brown was a major volunteer on the North Ward and founder of the Junior Golf League. He was very instrumental in the North Trenton Crime Watch and the Million Man March. Arrangements for services are being worked out now. I would like to congratulate the Trenton High School Girls Basketball Team, they did an outstanding job. The City is having a Parade of Champions on March 31, 2007 the route is being worked on. Councilwoman Lartigue – Asked Director Frisby about activities for the age group of 18-30. Councilman Bethea – Asked Director Frisby about the Chess Program. Council President Pintella – Director Frisby, Little League baseball fields please have them ready. PUBLIC COMMENT: Jackie Blakey, 15 Fell Street – Expressed her concerns regarding the Mayor’s new car and the moving of the Social Service workers from the Reading Senior center to downtown. Patricia Stewart, 679 Lamberton Street – Expressed her concerns regarding the removal and relocation of the Social Service workers from the Reading Center. Ms. Stewart questioned the rumor she heard regarding the City signing a lease for the Mayor’s new car before getting City Council’s approval. R. Miller, 54 Hudson Street – Expressed her concerns regarding the Filtration Plant, when will the employee be notified of the Executive Session and will the public be notified of the outcome. Nicolas Stewart, 679 Lamberton Street – Expressed his concern of the way the Mayor’s getting a new car was handle. He commended the Administration for considering getting a Hybrid car. He stated that he had full faith in the City water system. MARCH 20, 2007 Kathy McBride, 46 Laurel Place – Wanted to know what measures would be taken in the future with the filter beds. The $58,000,000.00 has it been air marked already and will some type of security be implemented to stop something like this from happening again. Roland Pott, 113 S. Montgomery Street – Vice President of the Old Mill Hill Society read a copy of a letter address to Councilman Bethea in support of the Leewood Project on S. Broad Street. Bea Perry, 26 Sylvester Avenue – Thanked, Mr. Frisby, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Allen for trying to make a difference in the north ward, with the overgrown trees in the area. She stated that the City should provide Johnny on the Spot for the parks. There is dumping and speeding going on in some areas in the City. We should put cameras in these high risk areas. Stephanie Singleton, 28 Bond Street – Stated that she was here on behalf of her mother who wanted to know if one of her seven sons urinated in a public place would he be arrested. Is the City going to file charges against this person? Kevin Williams, 244 Jackson Street – Stated that as a Resident of Mill Hill area he was very excided that the Whittaker Project was going to happen. Additional garbage cans should be provided along the S. Broad Street business district. In regards to the City Web Site he commended Mr. Ashworth for his efforts and improvements. Regarding the Mayor’s car, he should consider a smaller gas efficient one. Queen Sheana, 846 Lamberton Street (new Black Panthers Party) – Expressed her concerns regarding the filtration issue. Donald Brokate, 104 Cornwall Avenue – Came to Council regarding a list of vacant properties that he submitted 2 month ago. Could Administration and Council look into these properties for eminent domain? Ronald McMullon, City of Trenton – The Water Filtration employee the Director stated that he was discipline was it a settlement or does he have the right to repeal. Shahid Morris – The City website can Resolutions and Ordinance be put in it that way people know what was passed. With the Filtration issue if it ready happen he should be punish, but with the filtration process it will not affect us. Paul Harris, 137 Centre Street – When you review your city policies regarding your employees rules and regulations, if this person did urinate in the water he broke those rules. He broke this rule he should be punish. The City should publish the most important City Ordinance and post them in every ward of the City. The City should have the Police Director come to City Council on a quarterly basis and update the citizens on Gang activities. Meeting Adjourned: 7:55 p.m. Respectively submitted ___________________________ __________________________ PAUL M. PINTELLA PENELOPE S. EDWARDS-CARTER CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ACTING DEPUTY MUNICIPAL CLERK