City Council

COUNCIL SPECIAL CONFERENCE MEETING MINUTES JUNE 30, 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 5:15 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. Notice for this meeting was advertised in the Trentonian Newspaper, posted on the first floor bulletin board in City Hall, and filed in the City Clerk’s Office on June 26, 2008. The agenda for this meeting was mailed, posted and filed on June 27, 2008. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone (arrived at 5:30 pm), Segura, and Pintella – 6. ABSENT: Ms. Staton – 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Rachel Rivenburg, 126 N. Warren Street – Submitted a petition with 500 signatures to bring the mounted police back. Kit Rivenburg, owner of Café Ole on Warren Street – Supports the petition for the mounted police. Council members discussed the issue and asked questions regarding the information and how it impacts Downtown Trenton. Council President Pintella stated that they would be setting special Council meetings to discuss budget issues. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION Motion was made by Councilwoman Lartigue, seconded by Council President Pintella, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea and Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Staton 1. RESOLUTION NO. 08-369 - RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A PARIS GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $59,000 FOR THE POSITION OF RECORDS SUPERVISOR (Sponsored by Mrs. Lartigue & Mr. Melone) City Council Conference: Minutes June 30, 2008 1 ADOPTION OF ABC RESOLUTIONS Motion was made by Councilwoman Lartigue, seconded by Council President Pintella, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea and Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Mr. Melone, Ms. Staton 2. RESOLUTION NO. 08-374 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR TORRES & JIMENEZ, INC. T/A CARTER’S LIQUOR STORE FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mrs. Lartigue) Mr. Q. Torres appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. City Council reviewed the special conditions placed on the license with Mr. Torres. Motion was made by Councilwoman Lartigue, seconded by Councilman Segura, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea and Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Staton 3. RESOLUTION NO. 08-375 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR HERTKORN, INC. T/A WEST END LIQUORS FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mrs. Lartigue) Mr. James Fitzgerald appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. City Council reviewed the special conditions placed on the license with Mr. Fitzgerald. Motion was made by Councilwoman Lartigue, seconded by Council President Pintella, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea and Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Staton City Council Conference: Minutes June 30, 2008 2  4. RESOLUTION NO. 08-376 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR NEW HOME LIQUORS, CORP. T/A SAME FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mrs. Lartigue) Mr. Miguel Rodriguez and Mr. John F. Vassalle, Jr., Esq. appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. Mr. Maurice Garita interpreted for Mr. Rodriguez. City Council reviewed the special conditions placed on the license with Mr. Rodriguez. Motion was made by Councilman Melone, seconded by Council President Pintella, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea and Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Staton 5. RESOLUTION NO. 08-372 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR NEWBUS, LLC. T/A RITTMAN’S BAR & LIQUOR STORE FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Melone) Mr. Krishna Linga appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. City Council reviewed the special conditions placed on the license with Mr. Linga. Motion was made by Councilman Melone, seconded by Councilman Coston, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea and Coston, Ms. Lartigue, Messrs. Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Staton 6. RESOLUTION NO. 08-373 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR CHAPALA II MEXICAN GRILL, INC., T/A SAME FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Melone) Mr. Jesus Merlo appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. City Council reviewed the special conditions placed on the license with Mr. Merlo. City Council Conference: Minutes June 30, 2008 3 Councilwoman Lartigue left the meeting at 6:20 p.m. 5fr. RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR CALDERONE, RENE T/A RENE’S PLACE FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD No one appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. Council President Pintella advised the Acting City Clerk, Mrs. Juanita M. Joyner to notify the ABC detective of the situation and make sure that the establishment was close. Motion was made by Councilman Coston, seconded by Councilman Melone, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 7. RESOLUTION NO. 08-377 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR MSOC, LLC. T/A FLAMINGO BAR FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Coston) Mr. Ahmad and Dr. M. Choudhry appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. Motion was made by Councilman Coston, seconded by Councilman Segura, to adopt the following resolution as amended: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 8. RESOLUTION NO. 08-370 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR MEM BAR & LIQUORS, INC., T/A MEM BAR FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Coston) WHEREAS, the following Alcoholic Beverage licensee has filed timely application and paid all required fees for 2008-2009 license renewal; and WHEREAS, Tax Clearance from the State Department of Treasury, Division of Taxation has been received authorizing the renewal of said license; and WHEREAS, approved of said license is renewed with the following condition: (1) Closing hour shall be at 10:00 p.m. – Sunday through Saturday. City Council Conference: Minutes June 30, 2008 4  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Trenton, New Jersey, that the following alcoholic beverage license for the period of July 1, 2008 to midnight of June 30, 2009 is hereby renewed, and that the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to sign, issue and deliver such license on behalf of this Council. Applicant Premises MEM Bar & Liquors, Inc. 400 Centre Street t/a MEM Bar 1111-33-068-006 Mr. John F. Vassalle, Jr., Esq. and Mr. Miguel Rodriguez appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. City Council reviewed the special conditions placed on the license with Mr. Rodriguez. Councilman Coston stated that he wanted to amend the resolution to change the closing hour to 10:00 p.m. Councilman Coston also stated that he has been getting complaints regarding this establishment from residents that live nearby. Mr. Vasselle stated that they were willing to cooperate with City Council and discuss the problem but that financially Mr. Rodriguez could not operate his business if he had to close at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Vasselle stated that he needed to know the allege problems in order to work things out. Councilman Segura stated that he wanted to give specific information concerning this establishment. The reason there were not 200 individuals at the meeting complaining about this bar was because he asked them not to come and that City Council would take care of the problems. After a brief discussion, City Council members voted on the above Resolution. Motion was made by Councilman Coston, seconded by Councilman Segura, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura, and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 9. RESOLUTION NO. 08-371 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR SAMBUCA OF NEW JERSEY, LLC T/A SAMBUCA FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Coston) Mr. John F. Vassalle, Jr., Esq. and Mr. Crecencio Espinal appeared before City Council regarding the above Resolution. Mr. Maurice Garita translated for Mr. Espinal. City Council reviewed the special conditions placed on the license with Mr. Espinal. City Council Conference: Minutes June 30, 2008 5  Motion was made by Councilman Coston, seconded by Councilman Segura, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 10. RESOLUTION NO. 08-378 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR PHILLIPS, JACQUELINE F. EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF FRANK J. KOVACS T/A DAYTON HOUSE BAR FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Coston ) Motion was made by Councilman Melone, seconded by Councilman Bethea, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 11. RESOLUTION NO. 08-379 - RESOLUTION APPROVING PERSON TO PERSON TRANSFER OF PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSE #1111-33-198-006, FROM ROSSI, ALFRED, MICHAEL & L KAY TO ROSSI, MICHAEL A. & L KAY (Sponsored by Mr. Melone) Motion was made by Councilman Bethea, seconded by Councilman Coston, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 12. RESOLUTION NO. 08-380 - RESOLUTION APPROVING TRANSFER OF PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSE #1111-33-165-004 (Sponsored by Mr. Bethea) The following Resolution was not voted on. 5nr. RESOLUTION RESCINDING THE RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION LICENSE #1111-33-140-003 FOR MATUCHECK, MICHAEL P. FOR LICENSING PERIOD 2008-2009 Motion was made by Councilman Bethea, seconded by Council President Pintella, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton City Council Conference: Minutes June 30, 2008 6  13. RESOLUTION NO. 08-381 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR DENEVY, INC. T/A JOE’S MILL HILL SALOON FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Bethea) Motion was made by Councilman Bethea, seconded by Councilman Segura, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 14. RESOLUTION NO. 08-382 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR REGAL I INC., T/A REGAL I LOUNGE FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Bethea) Motion was made by Councilman Melone, seconded by Councilman Segura, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 15. RESOLUTION NO. 08-383 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR BAY RIDGE COMPANY THE T/A LA CASA LIQUORS FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Melone) Motion was made by Councilman Bethea, seconded by Councilman Segura, to adopt the following resolution: Ayes: Messrs. Bethea, Coston, Melone, Segura and Pintella Nays: None Absent: Ms. Lartigue, Ms. Staton 16. RESOLUTION NO. 08-384 - RESOLUTION GRANTING RENEWAL OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE FOR JDNS, INC. T/A SAME FOR THE 2008-2009 LICENSING PERIOD (Sponsored by Mr. Bethea) Mr. Victor Guijarro, owner of Timothy’s, appeared before City Council on behalf of his establishment. Councilman Melone gave the approval for an Ad Interim Permit to be issued to Mr. Guijarro and arrangements were made for him to appear before City Council on July 10, 2008. City Council Conference: Minutes June 30, 2008 7  Mr. Merlo, the owner of Chapala II Mexican Grill, Inc., stated that he felt that the special conditions were unfair and wanted to appeal. Special Counsel, Mr. Joseph Alacqua notified Mr. Merlo that he had to appeal to the New Jersey State, Division of ABC. Acting City Clerk, Mrs. Juanita M. Joyner distributed to Council Members copies of Bill A2621 which requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to place copies of documents relating to shared services agreement on the web site and A2413 which eliminates separate presidential elections. CIVIC MATTERS: Councilman Melone – State that there was a stabbing in front of Brenna Funeral Home on Hamilton Avenue. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted ___________________________ __________________________ PAUL M. PINTELLA JUANITA M. JOYNER CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ACTING CITY CLERK City Council Conference: Minutes June 30, 2008 8