City Council

COUNCIL CONFERENCE MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 18, 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 5:16 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 December 14, 2007. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone, Segura, Ms. Staton, Mr. Pintella – 7. ABSENT: NONE Council President Pintella expressed his condolences to Councilman Bethea on the loss of his Mother-in-Law. PRESENTATIONS: 1) Explanation of Memorandum of Understanding Appearance: Honorable Mayor Douglas H. Palmer Prior to his presentation Mayor Douglas H. Palmer made a brief statement on the Press Release dated December 18, 2007 regarding the arrest of two 17 years old individuals in the murder of Mr. Jerry Eure, Sr. Mayor Palmer explained the details of the Memorandum of Understanding that he signed for the State in order to receive the additional $25,000,000 the City requested. The MOU is very restrictive and is normally required for distressed cities. The Mayor read the following letter he received from the Commissioner regarding the clarification. December 18, 2007 Mayor Douglas H. Palmer Trenton City Hall 319 East State Street Trenton, New Jersey 08608-1766 Dear Mayor Palmer: I just want to provide you with clarification concerning the MOU that will be signed between the City of Trenton and the Department of Community Affairs. It is the policy of the State of New Jersey and the Department of Community Affairs that a MOU must be signed when significant State funding is provided to a municipality in the State. I want to clarify that you are not part of the Distressed Cities Program. Rather, you receive funding through the Capital City appropriation. The requirement of the MOU is not reflective of any negative perceptions concerning the City’s management practices. As you know, the State is working cooperatively with you to provide for economic development opportunities and will continue to work with you to develop strategies to increase tax ratables for the City of Trenton. Sincerely, Joseph V. Doria, Jr. Acting Commissioner JVD/cl A detailed discussion was followed by a question and answer period. City Council Conference: Minutes December 18, 2007 1 2) Sale of Township Infrastructure to NJ American Appearances: Ed McManimon, Bond Counsel, McManimon Scotland Ed Dehope, Special Counsel, Riker Danzig Jerry Notte, MWH, Engineering Evaluation An Executive Summary was distributed by Jane Feigenbaum, Business Administrator, outlining the following on the sale of the Township Infrastructure to NJ American: • NJ American Water will pay $100 Million to purchase. • City will sell water for 20 years to NJ American Water. • The purchase agreement has an automatic annual cost of living increase. • City will no longer maintain the Township infrastructure. • City will not have to increase rates for Trenton customers until 2010. A detailed discussion was followed by a question and answer period. Councilwoman Staton left the meeting at 6:00 pm. Council recessed at 6:19 pm and reconvened in open session at 6:31 pm. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (Council went into Executive Session at 6:35 pm.) Adoption of the following resolution to go into Executive Session was moved by Councilman Bethea. Seconded by Council President Pintella and carried by unanimous vote of Council. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO PERMIT DISCUSSION OF PENDING LITIGATION WHEREAS the City Council deems it necessary and essential to conduct a discussion concerning pending litigation, specifically the cases of: Oluyomi Odumosu v City of Trenton, Docket No. CSVT 04325-2005S Edwards Kownacki v City of Trenton, Docket No. CSVT 08614-2005S ; and WHEREAS the public disclosure of such discussion will be contrary to the interest of the City of Trenton and will not permit the fullest view of said matters. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Trenton that a discussion be held on December 18, 2007 at or about 5:00 p.m., in the Council Conference Room at which session the public will be excluded pending the discussion of said matters only. The public shall be informed of the determination of the City Council with respect to the final disposition of said pending proceedings, which final disposition shall be memorialized appropriately and adopted at a public meeting as soon as practicable. Council reconvened in open session at 7:10 pm. All members were present. PRESENTATIONS continued: 3) Train Station Redevelopment Area Designation of Developers: Appearances: Sasa Montano, Housing & Economic Development John D. Maczuga, Director of Forward Planning for Nexus Properties, Inc. Russell Tepper, Vice President of Development for Matrix Real Estate Services, LLC Sasa Montano, Director of Housing and Economic Development appeared in front of City Council requesting the designation of Nexus Properties, Inc., and Matrix Real Estate Services, LLC as Developers for the Train Station Redevelopment Area. City Council Conference: Minutes December 18, 2007 2  Mr. John Maczuga, Nexus Properties, Inc. gave a brief break down of the two areas that his group would be developing the south side of E. State Street, the Salvation Army property and the north side of East State Street, the Lee Building. He stated that they already owned most of the properties being developed, and have been developing properties in this area since the 80s. Mr. Maczuga stated that this will be a mix use development - commercial, residential and above ground parking. A detailed discussion was followed by a question and answer period. Mr. Russell Tepper, Matrix Real Estate Services, LLC, - they developed 32 East Front Street property - Wachovia moved in and they anticipate another tenant moving in shortly. The project would be mix use for retail, commercial, residential and parking as well. The properties they will be developing are owned by Edison Schools on N. Clinton Avenue, and on the south side of E. State Street a parking lot owned by the State. They will be working together with Nexus to present a plan within the next three months. A detailed discussion was followed by a question and answer period. DOCKET REVIEW: Appearances: Renee Haynes, Chief of Staff Jane Feigenbaum, Business Administrator Council reviewed the docket items. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Warren Sobun, Jr., 270 Cumming Avenue - Concerned about the sale and reopening of Jules Tavern; will it close by 10:00 pm; building inspectors closed the building because work was being done without a permit. Bea Perry, 27 Sylvester Avenue – Thanked Director Jackson for working on an ordinance on heavy trucks; thanked the City for taking care of the trees on her street; Graffiti needs to be worked on; we need a profanity law. Patricia Stewart, 679 Lamberton Street – What happened to the plan for the City to buy ABC Licenses; will the State of New Jersey pay for the use of water; City owned properties should be sold at auction; City should consider selling property to neighborhood groups for off street parking; did the teenagers arrested for the murder of Mr. Eure, Sr. have prior records. Carl Peters, 301 Cumming Avenue - Concerned about the sale and reopening of Jules Tavern Janice Sobun, 270 Cumming Avenue - Concerned about the sale and reopening of Jules Tavern Mary Everett, 301 Cumming Avenue - Concerned about the sale and reopening of Jules Tavern CIVIC MATTERS: Council President Pintella: 1) Requested a copy of the license and resolution for Jules Tavern from the City Clerk and a copy of the report from inspections. Councilman Coston: 1) Asked to schedule a discussion on residency. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted ___________________________ __________________________ PAUL M. PINTELLA JUANITA M. JOYNER CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ACTING CITY CLERK City Council Conference: Minutes December 18, 2007 3