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Votes at a glance: Trenton council passes lead-service bond, fee changes; tables redevelopment plan; approves settlement
Summary
At its April 15 meeting the council adopted a $22 million bond for lead service line replacement, approved amendments to city fees, tabled a citywide redevelopment-plan ordinance to May 6, confirmed several appointments and approved a workers' compensation settlement from executive session.
The Trenton City Council took multiple formal actions on April 15. Key votes and outcomes are listed below.
- Bond ordinance for lead service line replacement (Ordinance 25-006): Council adopted a bond ordinance appropriating $22,000,000 for Phase 5 of the lead service line replacement program in the Trenton Waterworks service area and authorized issuance of $22,000,000 in bonds or notes. Roll call: unanimous yes (Vice President Edwards; Councilwomen Feliciano, Figueroa Kettenberg, Frisbie, Williams; Councilman Harrison; Council President Gonzales). Motion carried.
- Ordinance amending city fees (Ordinance 25-017): Council adopted changes to Chapter 77 (fees) on second reading and public hearing. There were no public speakers and the ordinance passed on roll call (unanimous yes).
- Redevelopment plan ordinance (Ordinance 25-036): An ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for the designated rehabilitation area was presented but council agreed to carry/table the item to the May 6 meeting to allow planning-board review and additional professional review. Motion to table carried unanimously.
- Appointments to Animal Welfare Advisory Board: Council confirmed five nominees by roll call vote (unanimous yes). See separate article for details on the nominees.
- Consent agenda and extracted resolutions: Council approved a multi-item consent agenda after extracting several items for discussion. Two resolutions (identified by staff as items 1-48 and 1-53 in the consent list) were tabled to the May 6 meeting for follow-up because the nominees for those items were not present.
- Workers' compensation settlement (Resolution 205-130): In executive session the council approved a settlement in Frank Guido v. City of Trenton (claim petition) in the total amount of $150,000 including attorney fees and costs. Roll-call vote in open session recorded a majority in favor with one no vote (Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenberg voted no); motion carried.
Why it matters: The lead service-line bond is a major capital commitment to replace contaminated or old water lines and will result in bond-funded work in the Trenton Waterworks service area. The settlement and consent items highlight ongoing administrative and fiscal matters that the council resolved or deferred during the meeting.
