The meeting commenced with a discussion about a petition spearheaded by a group of residents seeking to place a liquor license referendum on the ballot for the upcoming November election. Leah Foreman, representing the group from 501 South Vineyard Boulevard, sought guidance on the correct petition language and the process for legal review. Although direct legal advice couldn’t be offered to the public, it was explained that the statutory language required for the ballot could be provided.

To place this referendum on the ballot, the petition must garner signatures from 15% of those who voted in the last general election. This requirement translates to slightly over 1,100 signatures, acknowledging potential issues such as unregistered signers. The council recommended collecting more signatures than the minimum to account for any discrepancies. The petition’s deadline is August 7th to allow the clerk sufficient time to verify the signatures. If successful, the referendum would ask voters whether they support the issuance of liquor licenses for bars and restaurants. If unsuccessful, the matter cannot be revisited for five years.

In addition to the liquor license discussion, the council introduced three new ordinances. The first, Ordinance 1836, proposes an amendment to Chapter 217 of the code concerning recreation, establishing a $50 fee for the newly developed remote control car park. This park, led by Marcus Bell, is positioned to serve as a STEM-focused venue for children, located on the west side of town across from the community garden. The second reading for this ordinance is scheduled for August 3rd.

Ordinance 1837 aims to amend Section 287 concerning electrical service station fees, allowing future adjustments by resolution based on feedback from organizations like the Cross County Connection and Transportation Management Association. This ordinance’s public session is also set for August 3rd.

The third ordinance, Ordinance 1838, seeks to prohibit data centers and AI computer nodes within the borough. This proposal responds to the rapid technological advancements and the environmental concerns associated with such developments, drawing parallels to a similar regulatory pause implemented in New York State. The ordinance was crafted with input from the borough’s planner to align with comparable regulations elsewhere.

The council also addressed a policy proposal covering tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans. Additionally, a grant application authorization was briefly mentioned, alongside the introduction of the 2026 Business Improvement District budget, noting its operational independence as a nonprofit entity.

Another topic was the proposal from the Rotary Club to install peace poles within the community. The club president presented this initiative as a means to promote peace and unity. However, logistical concerns were raised regarding the involvement of multiple stakeholders in planning and installation. It was recommended that the Rotary Club conduct further research on existing peace poles in nearby communities to assess their impact and success. The council expressed support for the initiative but stressed the importance of ensuring suitable locations that wouldn’t burden the community.

The meeting also covered a product demonstration for traffic safety improvements at the intersection of Browning, Collins, and Battlewood. A county-conducted traffic study suggested potential safety measures, such as installing bump-outs to reduce pedestrian crossing distances. The council proposed a demonstration project using temporary delineators to test these measures before any permanent installations, drawing on the success of a prior crosswalk demonstration that led to a permanent structure.

Finally, the council discussed a $400 million, ten-year county project aimed at improving sewage infrastructure and dredging to make the river swimmable. A referendum is expected to propose raising the open space tax by one cent, generating approximately $7 million annually for these initiatives. This increase would cost homeowners about $18 per year, funding infrastructure projects and partnerships to enhance water quality.