City Council

COUNCIL CONFERENCE MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2007 CITY HALL - 5:00 PM A Conference Meeting of the City Council of the City of Trenton, New Jersey, was held on the above date at 5:15 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President Paul M. Pintella. Council President announced that adequate public notice had been provided to the public specifying the time and place for this meeting in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act. Said 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 June 21, 2007 by Resolution No. 07-316. The agenda for this meeting was mailed, posted and filed on September 28, 2007. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Bethea, Coston, Lartigue, Melone (arrived at 5:35 pm), Segura, Staton, Pintella – 7. ABSENT: None PRESENTATION: FY2008 Capital Budget Presentation Appearance: Jane Feigenbaum, Business Administrator Ms. Jane Feigenbaum, Business Administrator presented and distributed copies of the Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Budget Plan, noting that this year’s budget was lower than in previous years. A detailed discussion was followed by a question and answer period. DOCKET REVIEW: Appearance: Renee Haynes, Chief of Staff Jane Feigenbaum, Business Administrator Docket items reviewed and discussed by Council. The meeting was recessed at 7:15 pm and reconvened at 7:25 pm with all members present, with the exception of Councilwoman Lartigue who joined the meeting in progress. DISCUSSION ON CLUB XL: Mr. Alacqua asked City Council to consider hearing Mr. Robert Williams, Esq., on behalf of Ms. Diane Lockhart – Mark 7, LLC., formerly t/a Club XL, License #1111-33- 017-005. Mr. Robert C. Williams, Esquire is representing Ms. Diane Lockhart in her appeal to renew her ABC license for years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. He stated an appeal has been filed, and hearings are scheduled for October 5, 2007; March 6; and March 12, 2008, with Administrative Law for the renewal of the 2006-2007 License. It was also stated that Ms. Lockhart had a buyer for this license, not a relative, who plans to open and operate a new restaurant business at 724 South Broad Street. Mr. Williams also mentioned that the State had no problem with the renewal of the license or with the stipulations that 1) it could not be sold to a family member or 2) a former employee, and 3) that Ms. Lockhart agrees not to purchase another license. Mr. Alacqua advised Council that the State had charges pending on the Club XL license, but they would not be adverse to the renewal of the license with the stated stipulations. After much discussion Council requested additional time, stating a decision would be made at the next Council Conference meeting. City Council Conference: Minutes October 2, 2007 1  COUNCIL CONFERENCE MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Councilman Coston and seconded by Councilman Segura to go into Public Comments. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Patricia Stewart, 679 Lamberton Street – spoke on several issues: She opposed the renewal for Club XL, LLC; a 3:00am knifing outside Dory’s Bar on the corner of Federal and Lamberton Street; the maintenance and care of Cadwalader Park; she was not terribly concerned with (Brownfields) mercury is a natural occurrence; the yellow line on the street behind the new court house on S. Broad Street needs to be repainted; the route #129 crossing guard problem; asked if the Trenton Historical Society had been contacted re historical documents; asked if individuals handling historical documents were bonded. Paul Harris, 137 Centre Street – asked if Police Officers ever walked the streets of the city, as he has only seen them walking downtown between 8am and 5pm; voiced concern that many officers are overweight – are there standards that address this; would like to see police representation at Council meetings. Dion Clark, 323 Walnut Avenue – Bull dog issue has to be dealt with; feels that the Police Department has given up on Walnut Avenue; concerned that school buses are speeding and cutting through alley ways to beat the traffic; concerned with lack of confidentially and leaking of erroneous information pertaining to a meeting he attended. James Foust, 13 Cavell Street – Police Officers are not all the same size, but they should be able to pass a physical every year; Trenton has some excellent officers, but it’s that 5% who do not want to do their job; If the City stood together we wouldn’t have any crime. Motion to end Public Comments was made by Councilwoman Lartigue. CIVIC MATTERS: Councilman Coston: 1) Requested Full Spectrum be invited to present before Council. 2) Requested the Trenton Public Library also be invited to present before Council. 3) Suggested the Inspections Department go out and take a look at sidewalks. . Councilwoman Lartigue: 1) The Investigative Committee is still awaiting information from the School Board – she would like to conclude this matter. 2) Asked Council to obtain an attorney (NJ/PA) to subpoena Dr. Lytle. 3) Asked to have Linda Kelsey moved to the 2nd floor office. Councilman Melone: 1) Re: comments made by Mr. Dion Clark – stating that Mr. Clark was directed by Captain Messina to notify the Internal Affairs Unit. A message has been left (by Mr. Melone) for Director Santiago to have someone reach out to Mr. Clark. 2) Questioned if Council had reached out to Director Santiago to reschedule him for an executive session to discuss personnel matters. 3) Asked that Director Santiago submit a monthly report on crime in the city. 4) Senator Shirley Turner has sponsored a Bill that was signed into Legislation with regards to vehicles with Pennsylvania license plates parked on our streets. New residents of NJ have 60 days to register vehicles and obtain insurance. 5) Need to fill the position for an Aide-to- Council. Councilman Segura: 1) People who break the law with Pennsylvania license plates should pay. 2) Still waiting for the report on Non-Profit funding from Administration. Councilwoman Staton: 1) Glad to read about the young kids from Home Front and the Police Department working together to paint the interrogation room. 2) Requested additional information about the Green Initiative. 3) Would like to see the route #29 walkway move forward. City Council Conference: Minutes October 2, 2007 2  COUNCIL CONFERENCE MEETING MINUTES Council President Pintella: 1) Council President Pintella announced that Council members will be taking official photos on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. There was extensive discussion by Council members with Councilman Coston regarding statements made on his blog and his releasing of Executive Session tapes prior to Council approval. Mr. Alacqua (Special Counsel) gave a very brief explanation of how and when Executive Session minutes can and should be released to the public. Council President Pintella requested Mr. Alacqua to prepare a presentation to Council on the correct process and procedures of Executive Session proceedings and regulations for the next meeting. The meeting Adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Respectively submitted, ___________________________ __________________________ PAUL M. PINTELLA JUANITA M. JOYNER CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ACTING CITY CLERK City Council Conference: Minutes October 2, 2007 3