City Council

COUNCIL CONFERENCE MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 26, 2008 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 5:25 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 February 22, 2008. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Bethea, Ms. Lartigue, Mr. Melone, Mr. Pintella – 4. PRESENTATIONS: (1) Trenton Housing Authority Appearances: Wayne Lartigue, Executive Director Mr. Lartigue distributed a booklet to Council on his presentation. Mr. Lartigue thanked City Council for allowing him the opportunity to come before them and make a presentation. He also stated that he has been an employee of the Trenton Housing Authority for over 16 years, the last 7 years as the Deputy Executive Director, and was appointed the Executive Director a week ago. He spoke on the following issues concerning the THA: • THA Communities (4 clusters of public housing instead of 10 developments). • Major Capital Improvements 2001-2007 (40% of the units are modernized) • Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats summary • Cost summary for 5 years (Capital needs) • 2008 Budget summary • 2008 Goals and Objectives Mr. Lartigue stated that the THA will partner with a developer to convert the Miller Homes into a moderate housing gated community within the next three years. A detailed discussion was followed by a question and answer period. Ms. Staton joined the meeting via phone at 6:09 pm. City Council Conference: Minutes February 26, 2008 1 (2) Landex - Cityside Apartments Appearance: Judy Siegel, Chairman Keith Jones, City Community Manager Ms. Sasa Montano, Director of Housing and Economic Development thanked Council for the opportunity to bring this presentation before them. This project included developing property for homeownership and bringing them back on the tax rolls. This is a two phase project, today’s presentation was based on phase one. Ms. Judy Siegel thanked City Council and introduced Mr. Keith Jones, Community Manager at Cityside. She gave a presentation on the swapping of properties with the City of Trenton and discussed the following issues: • Number of buildings owned by Cityside Apartments and units. (107 buildings with 231 units.) • Properties were acquired from the City in 1988 and were financed by Section 8 Mod Rehab program, FHA and Balance Housing Funding. • Properties are in poor condition and need rehabilitation. • Joint venture with the City of Trenton. • Building high quality rental housing for working families. • Provide relocation assistant for tenants and a one year notice to move. • 147 properties will be given to the City. • Asking the City to give Landex 50 properties for development. Phase One • Cityside will give 22 buildings to the City for home ownership on Passaic and Spring Streets. • Cityside will keep 28 buildings. • The City will give them 14 lots on Brunswick Avenue for renovation. • City will use RCA Jackson Township funding for this project. • DCA will forgive the Balance Housing Loan. • City will give 14 lots to Downtown Living workforce rental development. • Tenants will get a one year notice to move. • HMFA will give First mortgage, Home Express and Tax Credits. Ms. Siegel gave a brief background summary on Landex Corporation. A detailed discussion was followed by a question and answer period. City Council Conference: Minutes February 26, 2008 2 ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION: Reading and action on Resolution #08-92 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A 873 TO EXTEND TDI BENEFITS The Resolution was moved by Councilman Melone, seconded by Councilman Bethea and adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Bethea, Ms. Lartigue, Mr. Melone, Ms. Staton, Mr. Pintella - 5 Absent: Messrs. Coston, Segura - 2 Council President Pintella motioned to move a Resolution to appoint Mr. Andrew Worek, Acting Treasurer to the Trenton Parking Authority. Motion was rescinded after a brief discussion on Boards and appointments. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Dawn Elam, 26 Bond Street - Complained about being discriminated against for having background issues; she is having problems looking or finding a job; stated that when people can’t find a job they go back to a life of crime. James Fouse, 13 Cavell Street – Stated that the North Ward Action Coalition has a program at the Samaritan Church on re-entry problems; stated that the City should keep an eye on Cityside Housing – they dump the garbage on the ground in back of his property. Bea Perry, 26 Sylvester Avenue – Stated that the City should investigate Cityside one entrance and exit on rental properties is a very dangerous situation; thanked Director Santiago for staying here; crosswalks are needed on Brunswick Avenue and E. Paul; parking signs are needed; she can’t wait for the X Arena to come to Trenton. Dion Clark, 323 Walnut Avenue – Stated that slum landlords have played a big part in the destruction of his neighborhood; wanted to know about disabled individuals getting a break; asked about the Rental Advisory Board; stated what good is affordable housing if we don’t have jobs; thanked Director Santiago for going to the Wilbur Section for a meeting; supports the Mayor’s decision to hire Director Santiago; Pit bull issue needs to be dealt with. Patricia Stewart, 679 Lamberton Street – Stated that the State has an expungement process but it is costly; background checks have to be done; project should have come before Council in January if the deadline is in April; supports the tax increase. Paul Harris, 137 Centre Street – Read a prepared statement. City Council Conference: Minutes February 26, 2008 3 CIVIC MATTERS: Councilwoman Lartigue – (1) Stated that the City should apply for a feasibility study grant. (2) Asked Director Santiago to look into grants for Homeland Security. (3) The street lights on Calhoun and W. State Street should be turned back on. Council President Pintella – (1) Mentioned an article he read regarding construction fees collected by Ewing Township, fees can only be use by designated department; he wanted to know if the City of Trenton did the same. (2) He stated that all vacant properties in the City should be inspected. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (Council went into Executive Session at 7:40 pm) Adoption of the following resolution to go into Executive Session was moved by Council President Pintella Seconded by Councilman Melone and adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Bethea, Ms. Lartigue, Mr. Melone, Mr. Pintella – 4 Absent: Messrs. Coston, Segura, Ms. Staton – 3 RESOLUTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 et seq. the public is hereby excluded from the following discussions; Concerning pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiations. Forester v. Palmer, Santiago and City of Trenton BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the contents of these discussions will be disclosed to the public at the conclusion of the litigation or when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. Council reconvened in open session at 7:45 p.m. All members were present. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted ___________________________ __________________________ PAUL M. PINTELLA JUANITA M. JOYNER CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ACTING CITY CLERK City Council Conference: Minutes February 26, 2008 4