City Council

COUNCIL CONFERENCE MEETING MINUTES MARCH 18, 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 5:12 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. FY 2007-2008 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 June 21, 2007 by Resolution No. 07-316. The agenda for this meeting was mailed, posted and filed on March 14, 2008. ROLL CALL: Present: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone, Segura, Ms. Staton, Mr. Pintella – 7. Councilwoman Staton made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilwoman Lartigue. Councilwoman Lartigue rescinded her second. Council President Pintella made a motion to open public comments, seconded by Councilman Bethea and carried by unanimous vote of Council. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jackie Blakey, 15 Fell Street – Wanted to say goodbye to City Council because she was moving to South Carolina. She asked Council to remember the seniors and the people that voted for them she advised the people present that they had four Council members and should go to them with their problems and concerns; she thanked Council and told them that she would miss all of them. Council President Pintella made a motion to close public comment, seconded by Councilman Bethea and carried by unanimous vote of Council. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (Council went into Executive Session at 5:20 pm) Adoption of the following resolution to go into Executive Session was moved by Council President Pintella, seconded by Councilmen Bethea and Coston and carried by the following vote: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone, Segura, Ms. Staton, Mr. Pintella – 7. City Council Conference: Minutes March 18, 2008 1  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; Which by express provision of Federal Law, State Statute or Court Rule are rendered confidential or the disclosure of which would impair the right to receive funds from the government of the United States. Concerning pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiations. Forester vs. Palmer, Santiago and the 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 confidentially no longer exist. Council reconvened in open session at 7:39 p.m. All members were present. Council President Pintella read the following statement regarding the Executive Session. “City Council is pleased that Judge Feinberg has substantially upheld our residency ordinance. This ordinance serves our citizens well and reflects this City Council's view that City employees who live in the City serve the City best. This case, in Council's view, was never about any particular individual, but simply that our laws should be applied equally to all. Judge Feinberg's opinion has fairly applied that principle. Any questions please direct them to our attorney Mr. David Corrigan.” Council President Congratulated the Trenton High School Girls Basketball Team for a job well done. Councilwoman Lartigue asked that a congratulatory letter be sent to the Girls Basketball Team. DOCKET REVIEW: Appearance: Renee Haynes, Chief of Staff Jane Feigenbaum, Business Administrator Council reviewed the docket items. CIVIC MATTERS: Councilman Bethea made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Lartigue. Councilman Bethea rescinded his motion to adjourn at this time. City Council Conference: Minutes March 18, 2008 2 Mr. Alacqua, Special Counsel - Asked Council for a date when they could discuss ABC matters. Councilman Melone made a motion to have public comments due to the fact that some individuals were not present at 5:00 pm when they had public matters. It was seconded by Councilwoman Lartigue and Councilman Segura, and carried by unanimous vote of Council. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Donald Brokate, 104 Cornwall Avenue – Expressed his concerns with the raising of the animal adoption fees and parking fees for residence that have to park in front of their home. Bea Perry, 26 Sylvester Avenue – Asked if the City could go to the State Legislature for a Profanity Law; fix some of the pot holes in the streets; clean up some of the properties that need it and get ready for Spring. Dion Clark, 323 Walnut Avenue – Supports animal adoption fees; drug dealers pay for people to adopt animals for them; the City should not be planting more trees, they should use that money to take care of the ones they already have. Paul Harris, 137 Centre Street – Asked if Council receives a list of all City employees hired; train tracks need to be cleaned; City of Trenton’s flag should be at the Train Station. Zachary Chester, 1405 Stuyvesant Avenue – Thanked Council for allowing him to speak since he was not there when it started; expressed his concerns with the docket; questioned the budget process the City uses; can’t continue to raise fees because we are in trouble; how many attorneys has the City hired, and what is their rate of pay. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted ___________________________ __________________________ PAUL M. PINTELLA JUANITA M. JOYNER CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ACTING CITY CLERK City Council Conference: Minutes March 18, 2008 3