Council approves dozens of small property sales amid council requests for written policy; some members abstain

Trenton City Council approved a series of ordinances on June 17 authorizing the sale of multiple city-owned parcels and a handful of acquisitions, while several council members repeatedly urged the administration to finalize a written policy setting consistent pricing, minimums and documentation for sales of city-owned property.

Council discussion focused on transparency and comparability of listed prices, recent GIS or tax assessments attached to docket packets, and how offers are solicited and evaluated. Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenberg and Councilwoman Feliciano said they will abstain from votes on property ordinances until a clear, written process and checklist are finalized; Chief of Staff Jim Beach and Business Administrator Maria Richardson said the administration is drafting a policy that would include presumptive pricing and procedures for evaluating offers and documenting that no other interested buyers were available at the time an application was approved.

Chief of Staff Jim Beach told council that the administration maintains a list of city-owned properties on the city website and that staff now review applicants’ ability to redevelop and their financial solvency before recommending sales. Beach and other administration staff said many properties are blighted or structurally dilapidated, that the primary objective for many sales is to return…