The focal point of the meeting was the proposed agreement with a grocer, Mr. Lee, to develop a property intended for the supermarket. The revelation of Mr. Lee’s past financial settlement with the state of New York caused unease among members of the public and some on the council. The council had previously offered a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) to entice a tenant to invest in the grocery store. However, concerns were raised about the council’s limited role in decision-making due to the property being privately owned.

The Super Fresh ordinance, which related to a long-term tax exemption for DL Urban Renewal—the entity behind the potential Super Fresh development—was another contentious topic. Despite being scheduled for a second reading, no formal action was taken on the ordinance during the meeting. This led to discussions regarding the timing and specifics of the development plan. Members of the public highlighted discrepancies between the provided information and the actual timeline of events. Questions emerged about the lease agreement’s impact, the safeguarding of real estate taxes in case the grocery store ceased operations, and the lawsuit involving the county clerk and its potential effects on the local area.

The public comment portion of the meeting was particularly charged, with residents expressing frustration over the perceived lack of responsiveness from council members to their inquiries. The debate intensified over the history of the supermarket’s development and the thoroughness of the selection process for the supermarket developer. The mayor and the borough attorney responded to the concerns, clarifying the supermarket developer’s ownership and addressing the criticisms raised during the public comment period.

Beyond the supermarket development, the council president encouraged community participation in the upcoming Highland Park street fair and 5K run. The council also heard updates from the Health and Human Services chair on community programs, including the Community Food Pantry and the Mental Health Commission. Moreover, an invitation was extended by the Public Works committee chair for community members to attend the Environmental and Shade Tree Advisory Committee meetings.

The mayor shared their enthusiasm for the new Super Fresh supermarket sign and talked about participating in an event at Bara School for Women’s History Month. This mention of the supermarket sign further emphasized the significance of the development project on the council’s agenda.

Aside from the debates and discussions, the meeting included procedural actions such as the approval of consent agenda items, the adoption of a resolution to amend the 2024 Municipal temporary budget, and the confirmation of appointments to advisory committees. The session concluded with a motion to close the public portion of the meeting, followed by a motion to adjourn, with the next council meeting scheduled for April 16th.