A notable portion of the meeting revolved around the introduction of a “Resident Protection” ordinance by Councilman Bob Pawlowski, which sparked a debate on its potential unintended consequences. Councilman Greg Vartan voiced concerns about the ordinance. Councilman Andy Minegar, supporting the ordinance, cited endorsements from the Public Safety Committee and the police chief. The discussion culminated with Chief Zagorski addressing the council, assuring that the ordinance would not result in superfluous calls to the police, and would be utilized in conjunction with criminal charges. The council scheduled a hearing for the proposed ordinance on February 6th.

The council also focused on the Maybe Playground Improvement project, an initiative to establish a fully inclusive, ADA accessible, and intergenerational playground. Councilman Kevin Smallwood presented a resolution for a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to help fund the $1.6 million project. The council discussed the timeline, design elements, and community impact, particularly the inclusion of sensory-friendly equipment for children with special needs. Despite concerns about noise and disturbances from the playground’s musical elements, the council voted in favor of the project.

Affordable housing was another topic, with Mayor Elizabeth Fagan announcing the formation of a working group to explore possibilities for the Broad Street West properties in alignment with the city’s affordable housing goals. Additionally, a resolution authorizing legal services for affordable housing was passed with minimal discussion.

Mayor Fagan’s report highlighted her participation in community service events and her focus on communication with residents, including plans to release video updates on City News initiatives. She also celebrated the swearing-in of three new probationary firefighters, Jerome Palmer Jr., William Mik, and Colin Kidd, recognizing their dedication and readiness to serve the community.

Public safety concerns extended beyond the discussed ordinance, with Council President Lisa K. Allen acknowledging the challenges faced by the Department of Public Works (DPW) during a recent snowstorm. Director Sher mentioned exploring other towns’ strategies for snow removal and the limitations of the current equipment. The council considered contracting out some services to improve response during such events.

Community engagement was a recurring theme, with Councilwoman Allen highlighting the launch of a CommunityWide survey and a future town hall meeting to gather feedback. Public comments reflected this focus, with residents like Jim Bennett addressing the city’s debt and Claire Thompson advocating for the seasonal closure of Maple Street. Michelle Kamenson’s inquiry about permanent lighting at Tatlock and Casey Artenko’s support for playground inclusivity for special needs children further exemplified the council’s attention to resident involvement.

Environmental considerations were addressed by Councilwoman Delia Hamlet, who introduced an ordinance to amend stormwater management regulations. The council also discussed the appointment of new members to the Economic Development Advisory Committee, welcoming James Schroer and co-chair Al Lighter.

Financial matters were attended to with routine budget transfers and the issuance of a special emergency note. Additionally, the council approved a resolution to streamline tax appeal processes, allowing the city tax assessor and a special tax appeal attorney to act on behalf of the city without individual council review.

Other concerns brought up during the meeting included the potential for disturbances from musical instruments in Bryant Park, addressed by resident Scott Foreman. The council debated the issue, considering the impact on the community and measures to counteract nighttime disturbances.

Finally, the council’s procedural rules were scrutinized, with Councilwoman Allen citing legal research on abstention rights, and Councilman Pawlowski questioning a rule that prevents members from leaving the dais without permission. This led to a broader discussion on the council’s ability to set its own rules and the application of Robert’s Rules of Order.