The most notable decisions involved the council’s approval for the sale of two city-owned properties. The property on Swan Street, identified as block 1070, lot 13, was discussed first. The city had previously attempted to sell this parcel through Maxpan Real Estate in 2023, but the efforts did not yield success. After reaching out to adjacent property owners, Cornelius Fleming expressed interest in acquiring the parcel for its assessed value of $8,500. Importantly, this property contains two crucial stormwater conveyance systems, prompting an agreement that ensures the city retains access for maintenance purposes. The council moved to introduce ordinance number 9-2026, with a public hearing set for May 20, 2026, and subsequently voted unanimously in favor of the sale.

Following this, the council addressed the sale of another city-owned property located on North Main Street to Fisherman’s Mark. A public hearing was opened, yet no comments were received, allowing the council to move forward with adopting the ordinance on its second reading, thus granting final approval. The council members expressed satisfaction with the decision, acknowledging the positive impact it would have on the community.

In parallel, the council took a step by appointing Robert Brown as the new chief of police. This appointment follows the amendment of the Lambertville City Code through ordinance number 6-2026, which allows for greater flexibility in hiring a police chief. The city had not had a police chief since 1996, which underscored the urgency of this decision. The ordinance was adopted after a public hearing that saw no input, paving the way for Brown’s appointment. The council approved his appointment without opposition, and a public swearing-in ceremony was announced to follow.

In budgetary matters, the council introduced the 2026 budget, which will be made available on the city’s website. The proposed budget totals $8,452,188.98, supported by a municipal tax levy of $4,744,632. Residents will see a slight tax increase from 0.454 to 0.461 per $100 of assessed value, translating to an average annual increase of approximately $33 for homeowners. The budget introduction was approved, with a public hearing scheduled for June 4, 2026. This budget introduction comes amid ongoing negotiations regarding police contracts and issues from previous assessments.

The council also discussed ordinance number 10-2026, which proposes an increase in municipal budget appropriation limits from 2.5% to 3.5% over the previous year. This routine measure allows the city to bank unused portions for two years. A motion to adopt the ordinance was made, with a second reading and public hearing set for June 4, 2026.

Community engagement was a focal point, with discussions around the Shadfest, a local festival scheduled over the weekend. The council initially agreed to close North Union Street for the event, but the chamber of commerce decided against this to enable businesses to operate fully. This decision was informed by feedback from the business community, although the council reflected positively on the previous year’s street closure, with one member suggesting future reconsideration for community events.

The council also introduced ordinance number 7-2026, targeting amendments to the Lambertville City Code concerning cannabis licenses. The proposal seeks to reduce the number of permitted Class 5 licenses from four to three. During public input, a resident voiced concerns over a competing proposal for an art and design center, which was not selected. Despite this, the ordinance was adopted without dissent.

The meeting concluded with routine matters, including the adoption of a consent agenda for resolutions numbered 81-2026 through 94-2026 and the approval of the bills list. Additionally, correspondence was received from the township of Delaware regarding a pending ordinance on accessory building restrictions. The council also noted ongoing projects, with a request for Violia to address a temporary patch issue affecting vehicle navigation at the bottom of Swan Street.