[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6681224,"mediaKeyId","2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb","parentId",2172627,"title","Council approves consent agenda, tables liaison appointments; ABC license renewed","audioSeconds",4444,"startMs",80000,"endMs",4524000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb&start=80&end=4524","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb/thumbnail_80000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6681224/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-consent-agenda-tables-liaison-appointments-ABC-license-renewed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681224-e5aef14bdb13fa89529558d769a520ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199046&Signature=bRO6fOhWRCZXjOIils543wao3ypVbJOGJ54oP6c21F6qiXuyWQG0TSTTy8deOGoIydrSToJgPmBpPaJEOPN3m724Dq-v1Wozqcf9YL3JPShIPfIJMDldsWJEzIiMfZ7~ldxIWpuatRCZGSW1hBynkHNwfkcepFfJ-v3iVaq255eLbg6m6XgEWMQbMBM3inA~jkm9-Z5LP3ih2V09-90EtKlUXgtHpS1WtlBfS7UbOfC3o93J0~8q8u5X2wDdPY5cwvEu0Y8OChbijt5TCRGBP3-Ov-TlzybdVpFf-BULyqnWujdgmiLYT7Y3wlQya-loKoVDR3GofnPyYZP0kh~SJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Trenton","date","2025-01-29T05:42:53.513Z","article","The Trenton City Council completed a series of procedural and policy votes at its Jan. 28 conference and regular meeting.

ABC license: At a preliminary ABC board session before the council meeting, members approved Resolution 25-001 renewing the plenary retail consumption license for \"9099009 Lounge, LLC\" for the 2024–2025 licensing period. A motion to approve was made and seconded; roll-call voting recorded “Yes” votes from Councilwoman Edwards, Councilwoman Feliciano, Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenberg, Councilwoman Frisbie, Councilwoman Williams and Council President Gonzales. The motion carried.

Consent agenda and appointments: The council voted to approve a consent agenda of resolutions presented at the meeting. During docket review the council agreed to table Resolution 25-027 (appointments of council member liaisons to boards and commissions) to the next public meeting so members could review assignment details. The clerk recorded a roll-call vote on the consent agenda and the motion carried.

Ordinances and minutes: Councilors moved and passed the first-reading ordinance amending lead-safe inspection fees (ordinance 25-001 introduction). Roll-call votes on certain items recorded one abstention by the council president; otherwise motions carried. The council also approved an ordinance renewing municipal consent for Comcast of Mercer County LLC to operate a cable and communications system in the city (ordinance 25-003). The council approved minutes for prior meetings as noted on the agenda.

Other procedural votes: The council approved routine procurement and capital contract resolutions placed on the consent agenda, authorized street-repair and milling contracts and advanced other budget and procurement items included in the consent agenda. Several council members asked technical and substantive questions about specific resolutions during docket review before the vote.

What was tabled: Resolution 25-027, appointing council liaisons to boards and commissions, was tabled for further review and will return at the council’s next public meeting.

Vote records (selected, as recorded in the transcript):
- ABC resolution (25-001) for plenary retail consumption license: recorded yes votes from Councilwoman Edwards, Councilwoman Feliciano, Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenberg, Councilwoman Frisbie, Councilwoman Williams and Council President Gonzales. Outcome: approved.
- Table 25-027 (appointments to boards and commissions): motion to table adopted by roll call; outcome: tabled.
- Consent agenda (multiple resolutions): motion carried by roll call; outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 25-001 (lead-safe inspection fee changes) motion carried; Council President recorded an abstention on final call.
- Ordinance 25-003 (Comcast municipal consent) motion carried.

No motions recorded in the transcript changed policy on Trenton Water Works; the council asked the administration to return with more detail on DEP’s reports and to consider forming a council subcommittee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Trenton City Council Combined Meeting, January 28, 2025 (postponed from Tuesday, January 21)","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 28 meeting the Trenton City Council approved a consent agenda of resolutions and ordinances, tabled one item on appointments to boards and commissions (25-027), and approved an ABC license renewal earlier during an ABC session. Council voted to advance fee and franchise ordinances.","taxTitle","Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey","taxId",2758,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6681227,"Trenton seeks up to $1 million in Jake’s Law funding to rebuild Franklin Park playground; public hearing held",524,2813000,3337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb&start=2813&end=3337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb/thumbnail_2813000.jpg","/articles/6681227/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Trenton-seeks-up-to-1-million-in-Jakes-Law-funding-to-rebuild-Franklin-Park-playground-public-hearing-held","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681227-74fc8a43878904c6803435195d845929/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199046&Signature=YLLNGDYPWDny~5pzHhOXsJAVLo3-b4OjwwhOhkTsr4yIXz2ipOxV6UxtEUNI3MORuk~nXGwCtwko-1PCdOl1ar-azu4rtCrLLKcGJiJkSPESLsa3v9-V1Hrp9c01ltISDu24ITT3lzZ~T6ESY35PlFe3Gl5V1oZ25msdd1RQdwPxVf0~f9pl3~UvmIYMS4b72OPvKiVFolDXwOCWGCBvstVVWMkfZCPhxnrdHNyp2aEcIWEfhJR8sB~4W~ld5KFBoCkQzobifre0ixZtB7cWY7Q~JMwdpkitYZ006S9kfxAqj0ABO~gt7x6eJGkVvVwlFruaE~ryej4qznqbWqKjvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim Director Paul Harris told the City Council on Jan. 28 that the city plans to apply for Jake’s Law funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to rebuild the Franklin Park playground to an enhanced accessibility standard.

Harris said the project footprint is about three acres. The city will seek a package that he described as up to $1,000,000 total, structured as approximately $750,000 grant and a $250,000 loan. The application timeline Harris gave: a public meeting was held earlier with neighborhood residents, the formal public hearing took place at the Jan. 28 meeting, the application will be submitted in early April, the city expects a spring decision and — if funded — hopes to begin construction in the fall.

The proposal calls for a larger playground (about 57,100 square feet), unitary surfacing suitable for wheelchairs, sensory equipment, a 25-by-25 pavilion, an expanded basketball court and improved sidewalks and curb access. Harris said no trees will be removed and that construction will include dust-suppression and soil erosion controls.

Public comments and security: Two members of the public spoke during the hearing in support. Roland Pott of 113 S. Montgomery Street read remarks from the Trenton Downtown Association and said he supported the plan. Edward Livingston of Grand Street asked whether the park will include security cameras and staff; Harris replied the plan includes security cameras and that park security staff “roam” the parks and that the cameras will be linked directly to the Trenton Police Department.

The council limited speaking time for the hearing to three minutes per person. After the hearing, the council moved to conclude the public hearing on the Franklin Park application; no formal vote on the grant resolution was recorded separately at that moment on the hearing transcript. The item later appeared on the council’s consent agenda list for consideration.

Why it matters: The Jake’s Law program encourages playgrounds that exceed the minimum ADA standard; Harris said the design emphasizes accessibility so children with physical and sensory disabilities can use play structures alongside nondisabled peers.

Next steps: Harris said city staff would submit the application on the indicated timetable and return to the council with updates. Residents who asked about safety were told cameras and on‑site security patrols will be part of the park’s operations if the project proceeds.","Interim Parks Director Paul Harris presented a grant application under \"Jake’s Law\" to expand and rebuild the Franklin Park playground to higher ADA standards; the council held a required public hearing, heard two speakers in support, and limited public comments to three minutes before closing the hearing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6681232,"Trenton police outline limits on cooperation with ICE, urge calm and targeted public messaging",927,2839000,3766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb&start=2839&end=3766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb/thumbnail_2839000.jpg","/articles/6681232/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Trenton-police-outline-limits-on-cooperation-with-ICE-urge-calm-and-targeted-public-messaging","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681232-dd0f57c82434b47ffa2dda287fae968c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199046&Signature=iKuoxo9b7~DqVf~vDgIsfTUDVvYaZMVSvhUbueDJOA3xB7wJh-25yyA30mWDPBBIFjRt3DNX6YSj5mSNYomFGdSwLDrHvzpDvjDpKW1~htYbFCWnxsOnlvRQEZLHt1Ns-PFAk8i-KcFglkMfCOHKMf5qoZY3mZ2SuINt1HsodPR9d3isOXyO2jluLdRI263KaaZlMTKi~3bYLopCej0u97j9PUveNzkQdTbuzFSv8Uxv-PpXQ9F9-10MdJ-Hq~ILM7NPiBncw29ymHwhBcyB~1EEflktT2UKTO1wV-QQWyi-BcSPw4Ij9-Rc3p9a38grPeVVgG3B2FNuzl2afyNotQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve Wilson, Trenton’s police director, told the City Council on Jan. 28 that New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive (AG Directive 2018-6) limits the department’s voluntary assistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and that local officers may not detain, question or search people solely because of suspected immigration status.

Wilson said the directive was written to strengthen trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities and that Trenton officers cannot “stop, question, arrest, search, or detain any individual based solely on actual or suspected immigration status.” He said officers also cannot participate in ICE civil immigration enforcement or provide ICE access to local law-enforcement resources, including databases or facilities.

Wilson told councilors that ICE’s stated operational focus in Trenton will be people involved in “part 1” violent or serious crimes — including homicide, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault — and members of violent gangs. He cited specific arrests made in the region in recent months as examples of the kinds of targets ICE has pursued.

Notification and public communication: Wilson said the federal government is not legally required to notify local authorities before operating, though he expects ICE will typically notify law enforcement when the agency runs targeted operations. When the department does receive information it intends to pass on, Wilson said he will route it through the mayor’s office and then the council president, and the council president will advise whether information may be made public. He advised council members not to disclose operational details that could compromise federal investigations.

Councilors repeatedly asked whether the city could publicly reassure residents. Several members urged the administration to issue a clear statement explaining what local police can and cannot do and that schools and houses of worship are not targets for normal enforcement actions. Wilson said arrest information is public information and that the department would provide public updates when legally permitted. He also recommended avoiding speculation that could stoke panic.

Why it matters: Rumors about ICE activity and school-site enforcement had generated concern among residents and parents. City officials said clear, factual communication would reduce fear and avoid undermining ongoing criminal investigations.

Questions left open: Wilson said in some cases the department must provide ICE with information regarding serious offenses, but he affirmed that local officers will not participate in civil immigration enforcement operations, and that any public notification will be handled carefully to avoid jeopardizing investigations.","Police Director Steve Wilson told council that New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive limits voluntary cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and said ICE will target people involved in serious crimes. He advised the mayor and council on a communication protocol to avoid compromising investigations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6681237,"Mayor presents DEP assessments; council weighs regional utility for Trenton Water Works",2314,366000,2680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb&start=366&end=2680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172627-122994536ad432044592a599158235cb/thumbnail_366000.jpg","/articles/6681237/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Mayor-presents-DEP-assessments-council-weighs-regional-utility-for-Trenton-Water-Works","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681237-1cb7cb1b47f2ffe4f2f2758e8b341b2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199046&Signature=TmmH4RY4AuRnxeRiumP6nJEA4sEn9iKyDobfKvuMtXbUFEFzMKtoI2HwiWEovRl9w4rkrakwAjubSCeY3r0WWtt3LCzgg7BBbE9EYuYlNUM5tlPyzS-qacEH0qECKNWwUQFeEySeKiLUZI1LQjVaAJx6UVl~~vKnSgVGn8hYTM1nhScwkMsR9JS7tcuXZ27ZQJAf31O~8qPdiKMFxhSQBO-rO63umT5DhlV897s7i-sFJhK~NVQRfxXdxPNF4iJ4LHioarjm6~ECEjt2RQIj6pclh2ANQnAY01LqHijSi4u06QkulQJqoD-ZEBuPJFOxYpnjN1h8OATkjjm5iiJZHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor (title listed in meeting record) told the Trenton City Council on Jan. 28 that two Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) studies delivered this week give a “stark assessment” of Trenton Water Works and lay out several possible responses, including doing nothing, forming a regional public utility, or selling to a private company.

The studies — one described by the mayor as a 360-degree review of assets and liabilities and a second on managerial, technical and financial capacity — were commissioned after repeated DEP attention dating to a 2009 administrative consent order, the mayor said. He told the council the utility must raise roughly $600,000,000 for capital improvements over the next 10 years if it remains under current governance.

The mayor said DEP has been working with Trenton Water Works staff and that the city has made progress on several fronts: decommissioning an aging reservoir, starting a lead service line replacement program, building a new intake system on the Delaware River under DEP supervision and planning to move from the reservoir to elevated storage tanks (including a Trenton tank on Prospect Street). “We need bonding capacity to do over $600,000,000 in capital improvements over the next 10 years,” he said.

Why it matters: Trenton Water Works serves five municipalities and, according to the mayor, 55% of its customers live outside Trenton. The studies recommend governance changes to improve access to capital, middle management and technical capacity; any governance change would affect rates, debt allocation and who approves projects.

Council members pressed the mayor on what “separate and independent” governance would mean for Trenton’s ownership and control of the utility. Councilwoman Williams noted the city previously defeated a proposed sale at the ballot box and asked whether forming a regional entity would require turning over ownership. The mayor said any proposal would first come to the council and, depending on the model, could still require voter approval. “You are the toughest step in the process,” he said, adding that the council would have to approve any initial step.

Several council members raised operational concerns the DEP reports had highlighted. Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenberg quoted the study text during the meeting and pressed for specifics on staffing and recordkeeping problems. The mayor acknowledged problems with middle-management vacancies, saying the utility had started the administration with roughly 70 vacancies and that DEP had floated an RFP to recruit mid-level managers.

Council responses and next steps: Council members broadly said they want to preserve local control while securing the capital and managerial resources needed to modernize the system. Multiple councilors urged the administration to pursue state and federal funding and to include Trenton on governance bodies if municipalities join a regional utility.

Councilwoman Williams asked the mayor to put a proposal before the body and called for a council subcommittee to review any plan. The mayor said the administration intends to provide a “workable proposal” and suggested the council will be the first stop; he told members he expects study and negotiation to continue for six months and does not anticipate final action before 2026.

Unresolved questions: The studies and the mayor’s presentation left open key points council members repeatedly asked to clarify: (1) whether any proposed governance change would require a referendum, (2) how debt and existing obligations would be allocated among member municipalities, and (3) the timing and dollar-phasing of capital projects. Several council members also asked the mayor to provide the DEP reports and supporting detail for personnel and billing issues cited in the assessments.

Context and background: The mayor traced some of the utility’s problems to prior political interference and underfunding and said DEP had been on-site periodically since 2009. He emphasized the city has not lost compliance with primary drinking-water standards and that the filtration plant is 50 years old and “becoming obsolete.” He said the reservoir decommissioning and tank projects are underway and that the utility currently draws about 33,000,000 gallons a day from the Delaware River.

The council did not take formal action on governance at the meeting; members asked the administration to return with more detailed proposals and recommended forming a council subcommittee to evaluate options.","Mayor presented two DEP-commissioned studies that outline managerial, technical and financial shortfalls at Trenton Water Works and options ranging from doing nothing to forming a regional utility or selling to a private operator. Council members demanded more detail, asked for a subcommittee and stressed they must approve any change.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves consent agenda, tables liaison appointments; ABC license renewed

Trenton seeks up to $1 million in Jake’s Law funding to rebuild Franklin Park playground; public hearing held

Trenton police outline limits on cooperation with ICE, urge calm and targeted public messaging

Mayor presents DEP assessments; council weighs regional utility for Trenton Water Works