The Westside Avenue Improvement Project was a focal point of the meeting, with the council authorizing substantial funds to cover a range of enhancements. These improvements include roadway repaving, sidewalk concrete repairs, and curb extensions at intersections, all designed to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

Another topic was the renewal contract with Creative Outdoor Advertising of America LLC for public outdoor waste and recycling receptacles. This contract stipulates that the contractor will pay the city an annual concession fee of $175 per receptacle, in addition to 5% of gross advertising revenue. The council approved this resolution without much debate.

The council also addressed the Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan, specifically focusing on supportive housing uses and office manufacturing space along Cornelius Avenue. Charles Harrington, representing the applicants, detailed the redevelopment plan, noting provisions for mandatory affordable housing and mixed-use development. The plan includes 10% affordable housing, resulting in 30 affordable units on one property and 43 units on another. Additionally, the project aims to restore a pedestrian bridge and incorporate open space for public use.

In another notable move, the council discussed the allocation of funds for the off-duty police program related to Special Improvement Districts (SIDs). There was a need for clarity regarding the scheduling of coverage for the SIDs, as there had been ongoing confusion and a lack of clear answers from the program manager. It was proposed that the council accept the allocated funds for the off-duty program and subsequently hold follow-up meetings to clarify the specifics of the posts for each SID.

Further discussions included the proposal for expanding eligibility for a lease subsidy grant aimed at established businesses and a resolution proposing increased service support for the SIDs with an allocation of $250,000 per SID. The council also considered retaining a consultant for a feasibility study concerning a ghost kitchen project, aimed at providing a centralized commercial kitchen space for caterers and food truck operators. This study would involve stakeholder meetings to determine the project’s viability and identify potential locations.

Attention was also given to the first-time homebuyer program, with council members expressing frustration over delays in utilizing the 2018 funds. The Department of Community Development clarified that the available amount for the program had been increased from $40,000 to $150,000 to better align with current housing market trends. Despite these adjustments, challenges remain due to high home prices and eligibility requirements. The council emphasized the need to expedite the utilization of these funds to assist families in achieving homeownership.

The meeting also included resolutions concerning mortgage discharges for properties involved in various homeowner assistance programs. These resolutions addressed the discharge of mortgages for properties on Dwight Street, Arlington Avenue, and Halliday Street, which had been under the first-time homebuyer or homeowner repair programs with specific terms for mortgage forgiveness.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing the replacement of the playground at Thomas McGovern Park. The project had faced delays due to state bureaucracy, but the council representative explained that capital dollars could be used to expedite the project while awaiting state funding. The goal is to begin construction in the fall and complete it by early 2025, with plans for a splash pad and concrete work around the playground.

Additionally, the council discussed a resolution to prohibit right turns on red at the intersection of Montgomery and Grove as part of the Vision Zero strategy to enhance road safety. Concerns about congestion at nearby intersections were raised, but the emphasis remained on the importance of safety measures.