Moving from public safety concerns to city development matters, the meeting also included a presentation on the parking system management study by Jim Zulo of th Consulting. The study, which incorporated community feedback, put forth strategies to enhance parking enforcement, event parking management, technology, and signage, as well as residential parking and pricing. Council members engaged with the presenter, seeking clarity on the detailed recommendations and assurances that the report was comprehensive and could be further adjusted as needed.

The meeting then shifted focus to a topic of equal community interest—the city’s budget for the calendar year 2024. During the public hearing, residents like Nancy P. inquired about tax stability, potential tax increases, and the specifics of the budget lines, including raises and contract negotiations with the police and fire departments. A Plainfield Quaker Meeting member also expressed concerns regarding taxes and questioned the city’s plans to address the new affordable housing law.

In a development, the council decided to suspend the regular order of business and indefinitely table MC 2024-22. The procedural move to table the ordinance indefinitely prompted a reminder that no public comments could be made on the matter until the final public comment of the evening.

The Department of Finance presented four resolutions, which included the adoption of the 2024 municipal budget and related fiscal items. A question arose from Councilwoman Jones concerning additional funding for emergency housing, leading to a clarification that it would be supplementary to previously listed amounts in the budget.

The police department’s resolutions were another point of focus, particularly the renewal contract with Sound Thinking for an amount not to exceed $168,800 and the participation in the Defense Logistics Agency Law Enforcement Support Office 1033 program. Additionally, the donation of three unserviceable used bulletproof vests to the Worldy Grenada police force was agreed upon to be added to the voting meeting.

Public works, economic development, health and social services, and technology and communications were also on the agenda, with resolutions ranging from pavement contracts to animal control services. The Economic Development Director’s presentation included a discussion on a mural project, a grant application for property acquisition, and parking service agreements with Park Mobile. The Department of Health and Social Services highlighted Mental Health Awareness and Community Action Month while also addressing housing rehabilitation services.

The Business Administrator introduced 10 ordinances for consideration, with the most attention-grabbing being the “pooper scooper ordinance,” which mandates proper pet waste disposal and outlines fines for non-compliance. Council members discussed this ordinance in detail due to resident complaints about inappropriate waste disposal.

Additionally, the council considered the implications of adding three-bedroom units to redevelopment plans, discussing the potential impact on the school system and tax implications.

Lastly, the meeting honored Elizabeth Ort, a long-serving board member and volunteer in Plainfield, with a proclamation read in her memory and the naming of a library at City Hall in her honor.