City Council approves $4M bond for drone control tower amid resident concerns over cost and surveillance

The Elizabeth City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt Ordinance No. 6223, which appropriates $4,000,000 and authorizes the issuance of $3,800,000 in bonds to design and construct a drone control tower and landing pad at Police Headquarters.

At a public hearing before the vote, residents pressed the council for more information about project costs and oversight. Christine Moreiro said she had sought documents through OPRA and asked, “where is the additional Eight Hundred Ninety-four Thousand dollars ($849,000.00) going because this is nearly a million dollars over the estimate.” Maria Lorenz raised maintenance and noise concerns, and urged council members to “dig deep into your pockets and ask the people who finance your campaign.” Resident Kason Little told the council, “this drone will be used to surveil residents,” framing the project as a civil‑liberties concern for some neighbors.

The ordinance text, included with the agenda, states the improvement’s estimated period of usefulness is 15 years and authorizes a $200,000 down payment from the capital improvement fund. It directs the chief financial officer to issue notes or bonds and to report sale details to the governing body, consistent with the New Jersey Local Bond Law. Council President Manny Grova Jr. noted the bonded amount includes a contingency for unforeseen instances.

Council members did not record a rollcall debate in the transcript beyond procedural statements; the ordinance passed by an affirmative vote of Cuesta, Perkins‑Auguste, Torres, Gonzalez, Kiniery, Cedeno, Gallman, Mazza, and President Grova (9–0). The public record and speakers at the meeting show residents asking for a needs assessment, FAA or grant documentation, and clearer explanations of maintenance and environmental impacts. The council did not announce a specific schedule for publication of any additional feasibility or FAA review documents during the meeting.

Next steps: the ordinance takes effect 20 days after final publication as provided by law. Residents who raised transparency and surveillance concerns asked the council to provide more project documentation and to consider a broader public discussion about local priorities for capital funding.