[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6603490,"mediaKeyId","3000103-34be923d9e8b75f11218384bf0f7b84c","parentId",3000103,"title","Council approves $22 million lead‑service bond, fee changes; redevelopment plan carried to May 6","audioSeconds",232,"startMs",2682000,"endMs",2914000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000103-34be923d9e8b75f11218384bf0f7b84c&start=2682&end=2914","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000103-34be923d9e8b75f11218384bf0f7b84c/thumbnail_2682000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6603490/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-22-million-leadservice-bond-fee-changes-redevelopment-plan-carried-to-May-6","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6603490-a17b7268b0afdadfc13345d749751e49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147014&Signature=CXjQC6WiemU~BIV4KSoZO6GqZvmgU3ajDNlWTfiMGKUZwyIvwI322gO2e26514FiqihVaQQzN-6faENB8mEgcGNA1PuG-HrNDjJmE3UJU-lrsnCxpEThu-VsPCziXCifEp-vRUA9UPuIdlQ~7-sWs0yDAQ-YtiC6mhoQ9cttU8DH1wMs7Id~Bap46oJLfP371YVjDCKpNrcHFLFbhRLuwS-rN6A9-h7U~tl6kofS891JoFmWeJXvdqF4iSKYBjNM3n09uJ2IvAFzQ9oqdktKT4INb4tyrcxSQ-NUsWT7ymU3CEJdqmYKx4hk2n66MOq15EwVY0Bd3Vq3YiCgWizT9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Trenton","date","2025-04-16T01:26:27.533Z","article","The Trenton City Council on April 15 approved a $22 million bond ordinance for phase 5 of the lead service line replacement program and passed an ordinance amending Chapter 77 (Fees) of the municipal code. Separately, the council carried a proposed citywide redevelopment plan to its May 6 meeting to give planning professionals more time to review the draft.

Ordinance 25‑006, a bond ordinance authorizing $22,000,000 in bonds or notes for the Trenton Waterworks lead service line replacement program, passed by roll call after the public hearing with all council members present voting yes. Council members noted there were no public speakers for the ordinance at the hearing.

Ordinance 25‑517, amending Chapter 77 of the city code regarding fees, also passed on second reading and public hearing by roll call vote. No members of the public addressed that ordinance during the hearing.

Council members discussed Ordinance 25‑036, a proposal to adopt a redevelopment plan for the entirety of the city as a designated rehabilitation area. Director of Housing and Economic Development Arch Liston asked that the item be carried to allow planning board professionals additional time for review; the council voted to table the measure until the May 6 meeting.

The council also approved minutes from prior meetings and adopted multiple resolutions via a consent agenda. Two resolutions (identified during the meeting as items 148 and 153) were tabled to May 6 because the individuals associated with those items were not present. Several consent items and routine minutes were approved by roll call; the mayor’s appointments to the Animal Welfare Advisory Board were approved separately and are covered in a different notice.

Why it matters: The bond ordinance funds continued replacement of lead service lines in the Trenton Waterworks service area, an infrastructure program with direct public‑health implications. The redevelopment plan will receive further review before the council considers final passage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Trenton City Council Combined Meeting, April 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Trenton City Council approved a $22 million bond ordinance to continue lead service line replacements and an ordinance updating municipal fees; a proposed citywide redevelopment plan was carried to the May 6 meeting for further review.","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},6603495,"Trenton council confirms five members to new Animal Welfare Advisory Board",847,1533000,2380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000103-34be923d9e8b75f11218384bf0f7b84c&start=1533&end=2380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000103-34be923d9e8b75f11218384bf0f7b84c/thumbnail_1533000.jpg","/articles/6603495/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Trenton-council-confirms-five-members-to-new-Animal-Welfare-Advisory-Board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6603495-d1760b851a7cd271a81c20f6542f8c5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147014&Signature=ivEeM2B-KwJ9xbcsCZro6o9twdy4nKbn~QJskn0jx5SCpWYJDRc-LinEvmSTWmjUtlpRoE3FH~F55UgBArMToU~KyHzZBwCqdzd302138g52EkDNe8hxSV-MHTYZLZaM4UE~qkhMm7cBhwc~qxHbytmuWCCQlsuuVlatn3dg1UMNoBjs12wht3IUdWUU3JMaCGERZEyTeYYCN9ctEYzbqriEwKBJT9rLZF2o1dGLnv7e~MXEgGR4OePvBzA9-U6tLB2xv4BUBOOf1kdB9I7oNjLzQEEWlFef4ayIRWSJdcubLFzIN5ihxQiyxBRVToWN8pemxnJfeGFTD9DnsZag1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trenton City Council voted April 15 to confirm five mayoral appointees to the newly formed Animal Welfare Advisory Board, the body that will advise the health department and the animal shelter on shelter operations and community programs.

Mayor King introduced the nominees and said two candidates — Janina Calais and Joseph Antonello — were not present. He said each nominee had been interviewed by the health department, met with the shelter management team and toured the facility. The council moved to approve Caitlin Sealand, Destiny Walker, Marge Caldwell Wilson, Desiree Walker and Lenore Robinson; a roll call vote recorded unanimous approval by the members present.

Prospective members described their interest during a short public introduction. Lenore Robinson, who holds a doctorate in cultural and urban anthropology and runs a pet care service, said she applied because she is concerned about animal welfare and has experience building organizational ties and analyzing data. Marge Caldwell Wilson said the board will need clearly defined rules and guidelines before it can act and stressed she would collaborate with the health department and shelter staff to develop them.

Council members emphasized enforcement, training and partnerships. Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenberg said the board must know its duties and parameters; Councilman Harrison praised Marge Caldwell Wilson’s experience and urged the appointees to help the shelter “operate as other municipalities do.” Council members including Vice President Edwards and Councilwoman Williams also thanked the nominees for stepping forward.

The council recorded the vote with no abstentions. The administration indicated the board will work with the health department on enforcement, training, volunteer programs, low‑cost spay/neuter efforts and adoption expansion; a pending ordinance will set more formal rules for the board’s operations, officials said.","The council approved five mayoral appointees to the Animal Welfare Advisory Board after administration said nominees were interviewed by the health department and toured the shelter.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6603499,"Advocates pitch ranked-choice voting to Trenton council, pledge local outreach if state bill passes",0,2746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000103-34be923d9e8b75f11218384bf0f7b84c&start=2746&end=2746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000103-34be923d9e8b75f11218384bf0f7b84c/thumbnail_2746000.jpg","/articles/6603499/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Advocates-pitch-ranked-choice-voting-to-Trenton-council-pledge-local-outreach-if-state-bill-passes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6603499-d06f1b1f9f268aec6240d40d7dc5a462/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147014&Signature=ew6fTRMZaVJ8hzDBk8eQ8nNi537C8Yh2IfjlmjsYKMVslvMm1Syoi90YTGDAhzbtxPIPWr9SNoViFOWxehG4VjeQgh5yX6f0qNYmqAf4asdMmsyQT0yGRfG~4OzxkVYDwggRdQ8IxbFTwRRsNWfTYS5qT8ewvUoR-zMtzbWBkQSzOYjh~3EkalnF-ALvvupf3uoDa-pS~RQ0ieGAArRNwaM8YKZ4L2hY40YCuhvJ3LgQjpjxw31FODFRjZsv5xPS29oKBVc8jHqW~dLoToOovnQ0o1hyU-nAc5FsG4t9CA2T7mjXQj4P-P6nZs54jXgYlbndB4N4NhXUvDbi0~sFsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Larry White, an organizer for Voter Choice New Jersey, presented ranked‑choice voting to the Trenton City Council on April 15, urging the body to consider the system for local and school board elections and to support state legislation that would allow municipalities to adopt it by referendum.

White said ranked‑choice voting lets voters “rank candidates in order of preference” and ensures a majority winner — “50% plus 1 or more of the vote total.” He described benefits including reduced “wasted votes,” less negative campaigning and no need for separate runoff elections because runoffs are built into the process.

White showed examples he said were drawn from California and New York City and told the council the state’s existing voting machines are capable of running ranked‑choice elections. He said legislative proposals now before the New Jersey Legislature would permit voluntary use of ranked‑choice voting for municipal and school board contests; if the bill becomes law and the governor signs it, municipalities could place a referendum on the ballot asking voters whether they want to adopt the system.

Council members asked about local implementation and outreach. Councilwoman Williams said she wanted to understand why residents had asked for the change in Trenton, given other pressing city problems and past votes on a resolution had failed. White said his group has done outreach with local organizations, that it will continue education events and invited the council and residents to an event on May 7 at Trinity Cathedral Synod House where attendees will do a mock ranking exercise. Councilwoman Frisbie urged that voter education would be essential and said a local referendum option would leave the final decision to voters.

Law director Wesley Bridges asked whether a municipality could already eliminate runoffs by local referendum without state action. White replied that a referendum could change whether the city holds runoffs but that the pending state bills would explicitly allow a different counting method — ranked‑choice voting — as an alternative to plurality voting, and the bills as drafted require local voter approval to implement.

The presentation concluded with White distributing fact sheets and event flyers and offering to share his slide deck with the council. No formal council action was taken at the meeting.

Why it matters: proponents say ranked‑choice voting can produce majority winners, reduce costly runoffs and change campaign incentives. Council members emphasized the need for public education and said any local adoption would ultimately require voter approval or follow the mechanics set out in state law.","A representative from Voter Choice New Jersey presented ranked‑choice voting to the Trenton City Council, described anticipated legislative steps, and said the group will help educate residents and municipalities if New Jersey enacts enabling legislation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $22 million lead‑service bond, fee changes; redevelopment plan carried to May 6

Trenton council confirms five members to new Animal Welfare Advisory Board

Advocates pitch ranked-choice voting to Trenton council, pledge local outreach if state bill passes