[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6617314,"mediaKeyId","2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f","parentId",2842385,"title","Health department explains reallocation of Emergency Solutions Grant funds; mental‑health hire not filled","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",3837000,"endMs",3927000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f&start=3837&end=3927","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f/thumbnail_3837000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617314/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Health-department-explains-reallocation-of-Emergency-Solutions-Grant-funds-mentalhealth-hire-not-filled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617314-861ce9ddb1dd4003592b91eb7e9ae531/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178781&Signature=bmfd~DzQNVBXu4RVSZXBvWXKzL9m52wWPjoQ5wAVFtZWNHH09~81HInm3GHhYWYa0j8RbEhPtY6GVsIJm4SHf7CEDrLh1jWNL30VIithE2oxlM-awZes8Of82GZAhuBD3cM6yBbHRATNpvukWcwQC~f22aFd1vBaxPYNysDVstvexlvKsekg6JA81MENN4s35oJJa7tZntYN5355lw7o-3CturRDDjHANRoOqjPFpwim2n3~RBAKm48LL59-7Xopkodw~Fhoo2eDSLHJol6yK8FXAbrkNuGKzQ~Ab~1x68Pn03CZx1DNvdPLEcpBWrIqA~N-9nMPs-TcOWTO~L05rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Trenton","date","2025-04-02T01:09:27.067Z","article","The Trenton Department of Health and Human Services explained a proposed reallocation of Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds and the council approved the related resolution on the consent agenda.

Diego Villacapelle of the Department of Health and Human Services told council that each year the city receives ESG funding and then awards subrecipient grants for rapid rehousing, street outreach and related homelessness services. He explained that the department had set aside about $47,000 to hire a mental‑health worker but did not find a candidate before the grant spending deadline, and because ESG funds must be obligated within program windows the city is reallocating those dollars to other ESG‑eligible activities and subrecipients so the funds are not lost.

Villacapelle said the city also participates in the Continuum of Care system (CoC), a larger federal homelessness funding system, and that the city coordinates with county partners, the police department, the Rescue Mission and nonprofit mobile units on outreach. He said some settlement funds and dedicated cannabis tax distributions that stakeholders expect to support related services are delayed or have not yet been received, and the city will consider those sources when they arrive.

Council members asked for clarification about who responds to encampments and outdoor unsheltered individuals; Villacapelle outlined that Health and Human Services outreach staff, rescue mission mobile units, police and partner nonprofits respond together and that services are offered with respect and consent; staff do not forcibly remove people.

The council approved the reallocation resolution as presented; administration staff said they will continue to coordinate funding and outreach and will rely on the Homeless Management Information System vendor for required client tracking and reporting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Trenton City Council Combined Meeting, Tuesday, April 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a resolution reallocating Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds after the city failed to fill a planned mental‑health worker position; staff said the funds will be reallocated to rapid rehousing and street outreach subrecipients and described coordination with federal, county and local partners.","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},6617319,"Council approves UEZ grant to expand street cameras on Hamilton Avenue corridor; police control footage access",323,2185000,2508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f&start=2185&end=2508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f/thumbnail_2185000.jpg","/articles/6617319/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-UEZ-grant-to-expand-street-cameras-on-Hamilton-Avenue-corridor-police-control-footage-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617319-b924b9877c727998c276c97c27321273/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178781&Signature=gLpZKxFdGPvQpbOKsRaHgGPdrtrUnsc0XcK9gdWd~10Ftxe-LGXd7KzF6n8YQvuFavI3kXIOQjzjQGGvjTl0QufkVZkThJIOkbdkUwX~eLwegKZPVGNvCFh5zIVaxRrz-4YkmwYGuaa1DzasHqyO8IYE2LayXkS5p0rCU49MglQWigpmEYtzGZ-CsU3-kHT5lL1kAqevp1zHlX4cKg8tQYaSeU8EwWsO7VjgKb4f829dF7sJ6KyFBOb2IyRgDt-Gv8geUkjYUKTX9gRZtRrzGIAKc0AjFlec8sX3HramqYc799OQRRH-ckqZ6y5RrzvZcE4izh0WVxDEgU-gwYGk-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trenton City Council approved a resolution to accept Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) funding for installation of additional public‑safety cameras in the Hamilton Avenue corridor and nearby blocks, after questions from council members about intended uses and access.

Art Liston, director of the Department of Housing and Economic Development, said the UEZ board accepted the project as a public‑safety initiative and that video from street cameras helps police identify suspects, follow vehicles and solve crimes that occur in public spaces. \"If you want to commit a crime in the UEZ, you're going to be recorded or you're going to be observed,\" Liston said, describing the cameras as both investigative and deterrent tools.

Councilwoman Figaro Kettenberg questioned language in the project memo that mentioned \"problematic shoplifting,\" asking whether store owners should instead be responsible for in‑store surveillance. Liston and others answered that while in‑store cameras are helpful, the public street cameras capture suspects leaving the scene, track vehicles across blocks, and assist with burglaries and other neighborhood crimes that stores' internal systems cannot record.

Council members also asked about who could access footage. Liston said store owners would not have direct access to the camera system; they would cooperate with police and request footage through investigation channels. \"They would have to go into the police department and request… the police would cooperate with the investigation,\" he said.

Council members suggested additional placement options within the UEZ footprint and the administration said it would work with police and council to identify appropriate sites; placement is limited to areas inside the UEZ, per the funding rules.

The council placed the resolution on the consent agenda and approved it; the administration said it will coordinate final siting with police and council members from affected wards.

","Council approved a UEZ‑funded project to add cameras in the Hamilton Avenue corridor for public‑safety uses; directors said the cameras will assist police with street crimes and burglaries, store theft follow‑ups and vehicle tracking, and that store owners will not have direct access to the camera feeds.",{"_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},6617324,"Council approves series of ordinances selling city‑owned parcels and several consent items",1396,641000,2037000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f&start=641&end=2037","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f/thumbnail_641000.jpg","/articles/6617324/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-series-of-ordinances-selling-cityowned-parcels-and-several-consent-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617324-89a960a9462cb9b8e568ad5ec97d69b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178781&Signature=VmuU3zcRNNya8TMorWLrcCjJWkKB9BvmtDfAEGWWdlsjF~VrK6S3Xb9zXKFqDZ~iB9SK1Gd2HRxT3Bc6nA8-bt2RlX5Nk0IHISXV7j8EnCGtp5k9DlgSt-p0hFGqqVRIqab~IWS5neNxbnSkmNTfEUFYZ7OYRTI80iZORBS0J0enig1aZX37b2F8ZexfkY6IOZoW9gOC36fGPuAGdsk-v657fvzuQ6rjnw5Qe6x2qbcl34WfXrPhF7cMXNmv4beCB-L1EfihB5Bdxzf9EEAqow8BIOnVtsbFwgUGOB26bcEhds-UBnZyf5EYClFvvP5vo5zJhMeVRJmJIBozDn1RSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trenton City Council approved a consent agenda that bundled multiple items, including several ordinances authorizing sale of city‑owned property to named purchasers and other routine matters. The sales were taken one at a time on roll call and approved as part of the consent process.

Key property sales approved on second reading or as part of the agenda included:

- Ordinance 25‑002: Sale of property commonly known as Hanam Alley (Lot 12203, Lot 13 on the tax map) to Edel Miro Gonzalez for $2,500 — motion carried on roll call.

- Ordinance 25‑011: Sale of 14 Ward Avenue (Block 25702 Lot 34) to Joshua S. Vega for $5,000 — motion carried.

- Ordinance 20512: Sale of 29 Hampton Avenue (Block 26402 Lot 2) to Diego Barros for $2,500 — motion carried.

- Ordinance 25S13: Sale of 45 Southern Street (Block 1101 Lot 8.01) to Hattie W. Wilson for $1,950 — motion carried.

- Ordinance 20515: Sale of 23 Haines Avenue (Block 6104 Lot 10) — motion carried.

- Ordinance 20516: Sale of 122 Burton Avenue (Block 8505 Lot 27) to Debbie Parks for $17,500 — the roll call for this item recorded abstentions by Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenberg and Councilman Harrison; motion nevertheless carried.

The council also took action to approve minutes, other ordinances for first reading, and multiple resolutions included in the consent agenda. Two walk‑on resolutions were added and approved: Resolution 25‑124 (authorizing an emergency demolition contract for 799 East State Street, not to exceed $160,000) and Resolution 25‑125 (rescinding Resolution 25‑027 and reestablishing council member appointments to various boards and commissions). Council amended the walk‑on appointments resolution on the floor to add Councilwoman Williams to the Library Board and passed it.

Roll call votes were recorded for each ordinance. Where abstentions were entered by name, those were noted in the council record and reflected in the meeting roll call; otherwise the items passed by yes votes from the council majority on the seven‑member governing body.

All sales were authorized pursuant to the applicable New Jersey municipal code citations referenced in the meeting dockets, and purchasers and sale prices were read into the record as part of each ordinance's second reading and vote.

","At the meeting the council approved a consent agenda that included multiple ordinances authorizing sale of city‑owned parcels to named buyers, several resolutions and walk‑ons; most sales passed on recorded roll calls with a small number of abstentions noted.",{"_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},6617328,"Council introduces citywide redevelopment plan for Trenton as a rehabilitation area; planning board review set",427,2898000,3325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f&start=2898&end=3325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f/thumbnail_2898000.jpg","/articles/6617328/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Council-introduces-citywide-redevelopment-plan-for-Trenton-as-a-rehabilitation-area-planning-board-review-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617328-c59261caa5ca2605cb899526818b7725/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178781&Signature=EgJeNw67ZwFyocgjd47dvG88WALSkz23wVb6TktUuBVg3sUQgV~wuTGIlM4qGopIzteFtwPfSWAs9OcqpcEOwR1~x8EKlti9epNl0jEI7M86FcjyI5LlAqIbxXO6-NqzXQmcF8ERxuUvUsrJeSiTuDeUivVMG3wtSj0BHpKdXX-maLLn86a-s2qCpavDiFE8NhKyB6WaWmUoGqG3yd8KKl4cp39tsq3Ufsnc2Jn5YMJCWpKkxbbpBA0KsegA7rH-DWDDPnzI~vzehIPNZzvjJHyOok4IXUAVpAY9edcy3Dui9QR~BbC6ufOKKTqb3mIFqJdt1gpqbl7Z-Trr9lqwZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trenton City Council voted to introduce an ordinance to adopt a citywide redevelopment plan designating the city as a rehabilitation area, setting out a 30‑year enforcement period and protections that foreclose the use of eminent domain under that designation.

Director Art Liston of the Department of Housing and Economic Development told the council that the redevelopment plan's goals are to eliminate conditions that identify the area as in need of rehabilitation, stimulate private investment, make federal/state/county/local resources available, and foster public‑private partnerships to revitalize the city. He said the process requires the council to pass the ordinance for first reading and then send the plan to the Planning Board for review; the Planning Board review was scheduled for April 10.

Council members asked specific legal questions about the plan. One councilor asked whether the plan would allow circumvention of zoning board duties; Director Liston replied, \"No. It actually, gives planning board a little bit more involvement in the planning of the community.\" The ordinance text notes that a rehabilitation area does not authorize property acquisition by eminent domain. Director Liston and counsel clarified that \"this does not allow that\"—rehabilitation areas preclude eminent domain, and any clawback authority to recover property for failure to meet redevelopment agreements would rest in deed restrictions or contract provisions executed in redevelopment agreements.

Council members also pressed counsel on whether an invalidated clause would void the entire plan; counsel described the clause as a savings clause and confirmed that if a single provision is found invalid, the remainder of the plan would remain in force.

The council approved the ordinance for first reading (introduction), and the measure will proceed to the Planning Board for formal review and recommendation before a second reading and final council vote. The ordinance text sets a 30‑year effective period for the plan and states it may be amended in response to statutory or case‑law developments.

Members discussed the potential future use of eminent domain in narrow, later proceedings: council members noted redevelopment plans that exclude eminent domain can be replaced by more targeted plans that permit condemnation only when other remedies are exhausted and when the administration brings a separate redevelopment proposal that includes eminent domain authority.

","The council introduced an ordinance adopting a citywide redevelopment plan designating Trenton as a rehabilitation area, discussed limits on eminent domain and clawback provisions, and sent the plan to the Planning Board for review.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617333,"Trenton council approves ordinance defining council liaisons’ duties after debate over quasi‑judicial boards",334,711000,1045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f&start=711&end=1045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842385-8854d7a4f55fe5ab6164e1e7d8ac326f/thumbnail_711000.jpg","/articles/6617333/Trenton/Mercer-County/New-Jersey/Trenton-council-approves-ordinance-defining-council-liaisons-duties-after-debate-over-quasijudicial-boards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617333-5afabeb26157a944c3f91b09e0a79d6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178781&Signature=M6lQINgTmUjVArJFB0u0U-rvvdZogZjgO3c67oM6n8wG3dWJVe3i2IOihBx4Tsqli5zIjWKvgJaN0UHH8LqXgnfNlM9OU~vwS~SFv2nRM30nVzkeij9omvtYfCcqGW64C~4AEFrtC~mFp-B5MGyGymZ7DXrzOa~m1c2bpSpdJN~aNGxWG3d2U8ngAfa-gL~sNeWycnT7v5xSVCMtLXbi2avtR~2Fg2aiQiSA~A~nnUh2HJ5JIh1xM9j2s4YnTZ-r8Pv-oI6nAhkrOr6mXyBNDN-tP25HsxloiIapwP548Jlbusbn3uD1ksnlOKv3EZMq64yBP98NRPYLImDcSLsVdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trenton City Council approved an ordinance clarifying duties and limits for council liaisons to city boards and commissions, after a discussion about whether additional language was needed to bar liaisons from speaking at certain autonomous, quasi‑judicial bodies.

The ordinance (No. 25‑005) defines liaison duties and responsibilities and was advanced by council action during the meeting; councilors debated adding a clause that would explicitly prohibit liaisons from speaking at boards the administration and counsel described as quasi‑judicial.

Council Vice President Edwards proposed an amendment to the draft ordinance to emphasize that liaisons are not voting members and should not speak at meetings of certain boards. Council attorney Mr. Kolodziej responded that \"It wouldn't be proper to have a council member participating and making comments on those independent quasi judicial bodies,\" saying zoning and planning boards are independent quasi‑judicial entities and council participation could create conflict because some of those boards' decisions may later come before council.

Several council members and the law director discussed whether a bright‑line rule was needed. Councilwoman Williams urged restraint, saying, \"Council members should not, liaison or non liaison, speak at those meetings, in any way, shape, or form because it also could serve as a form of intimidation on the board members who are reliant on city council members to vote for the reappointment.\" Other members and legal staff said some liaisons do legitimate oversight and departmental questions, and that a blanket prohibition could unnecessarily limit council involvement in ordinary departmental matters.

After debate the council declined to add the extra restrictive language suggested on the floor and approved the ordinance as presented. The council record shows the item moved and passed on the roll call taken during the meeting.

Council members and counsel directed that, when in doubt about participation at a particular meeting, individual council members should consult the city attorney for case‑by‑case guidance and use disclosure language if they speak as private citizens about matters that directly affect them.

The ordinance now stands as adopted by the council (No. 25‑005) clarifying liaison duties while leaving to counsel and the administration the determination of whether a given board is sufficiently autonomous to require a liaison to abstain from participation.

The council discussion made clear the narrow concern behind the change: avoiding interference with legally independent decision makers (particularly planning and zoning) while allowing council oversight of ordinary departmental boards and commissions.

The meeting did not produce new statutory changes; councilors and staff said the change clarifies internal practice and counsel will continue to advise members on particular cases.

","The Trenton City Council approved an ordinance clarifying the duties of council liaisons to boards and commissions and debated whether additional language should bar liaisons from speaking at autonomous, quasi‑judicial boards such as planning and zoning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Health department explains reallocation of Emergency Solutions Grant funds; mental‑health hire not filled

Council approves UEZ grant to expand street cameras on Hamilton Avenue corridor; police control footage access

Council approves series of ordinances selling city‑owned parcels and several consent items

Council introduces citywide redevelopment plan for Trenton as a rehabilitation area; planning board review set

Trenton council approves ordinance defining council liaisons’ duties after debate over quasi‑judicial boards