Resolution number 25-646. It's a resolution providing local support for Vox Farms Incorporated to operate a class one cultivator cannabis business at 80 Harrison Avenue. >> I was going to ask about
Ron. Uh, you know, I like Ron. He's done a fantastic job. But is the cannabis control board meeting anymore or and if they aren't, can we get them meeting? >> We're actually going to start meeting in November. We'll have
>> Okay. All right. So, this is uh timely. It's right. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Next will be item number 10.25, resolution 25-650. It's an amended resolution providing
local support for Cream of the Pot LLC to operate a class 5 retail cannabis business. It's it's a change of address moving from 397 Communicable Avenue to 41 Maron Boulevard.
>> With the change of address, did it did they have to go back through the process? Did they go back through planning and go back through the board or is this simply an amendment? It's an it's an amendment because the address they're moving to was previously approved. It's just that applicant
abandoned the location. >> So if in an instance where they're moving to a area that haven't already been approved, they will have to go through the whole process over, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Now, this
this cannabis stuff is is really nerve-wracking for me. So I know people are going to say that they were waiting to go in that area, right? So do individuals who have prior
approvals in other locations become prioritized from people who's waiting in the pipeline >> because you're saying that at one point someone else was here. Well, someone was supposed to occupy that space, right?
And they never did. >> They didn't. They had the lease. They didn't They're not pulling their cannabis application. They're just pulling the location. >> No, no, no. Once they find a new location, they'll have to go back in front of the CCP. >> The downtown address is what's what's
going on with those folks that was originally down there. >> I'm not sure why they pulled the application or decided not to move forward, but they're just looking for a different location. Maybe it was the rent that they're paying to hold the space. Okay. So, so that's what I'm saying. So,
being that these people that's already approved was at another location, then they get wind that, hey, these people may not be using this, so let's apply to remove our application from point A to point B.
Right? What I'm asking is are those individuals who already have approval, are they prioritized in front of the people that were waiting? Because people were waiting because oh, is the issue of location? Is
it too close? Is the issue of capping in certain areas? We've went through all that. So now we're allowing the applicant to move from one spot to other. So I just want to get clarity if those >> I don't think that would apply for this application because it's on communar
avenue where there is an existing pending application that's has all the CCB approvals only a few hundred feet away. So I think this is actually helping with the distance. Just sorry just I guess my concern is so
the the company that's abandoning their space is still keeping their license. >> Correct. >> So what they're saying is you know at some point in the future we're going to find a new space and then we'll come back to the CCB. >> Correct. >> Can the problem they can't afford to
maintain the rent? Is that the issue? That's why they abandon it because they can't afford to keep the rent. You really don't know. >> They haven't clearly stated that. No, >> at some point this should be an administrative process to be honest. They're >> going have to come back here.
>> I I think it's just like, you know, to have it like this after they've already gone through the process and let's say they need to move, I do think that it should be more administrative cuz they've already cleared the hurdles. >> Mhm. And if they their community impact plan was approved by the council, if
their lo initial location was approved by the council, I think it should be up to the discretion of the director, you know, whether the next area is appropriate. I I think there was concern that we needed to change the resolution of support that goes to the state. >> It's the state that they need. Got it.
That's why >> because the state's approving it with the location that we're sending down, so change. I understand that. Thank you. >> All right. Next one. >> Next is item number 10.23, resolution
25-648. It's a resolution providing local support for Harbor City Outreach LLC to operate class 5 retail cannabis business at 135 Monttoello Avenue. >> The pot city
questions. No questions. >> Excellent. And >> last is agenda number 10.22, resolution 25-647. It's a resolution providing local
support for ART 44 company LLC to operate a class 5 retail cannabis business at 669 Bergen Avenue. Bergen 6 669 >> 669 Oregon Avenue
>> council just uh today you should have received a confidential memo from my office explaining uh the resolution and some background behind it from both director um Woodson's office and my office. If you have any questions, let me know.
Thank you. That's >> Drew. Good afternoon, Council President, members of council. Drew Bangghart. On behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, I have six items today. Uh the first one is item 3.3
ordinance 25-109. This is a chapter 332 of the code. An amendment adding multi-way stop intersections to the code or various intersections.
>> Question. >> Next one. Next one is item number 10.12, resolution 25-637. This is a resolution of the council authorizing the acceptance of a grant
from the NJTPA. This grant is used to fund positions in the transportation planning group and also some master planning work for the city's uh transportation master plan.
question. >> Okay, next one is item 10.13. This is resolution 25-638. Uh this is a resolution requesting a six-month extension of a grant we were
awarded from the NJ DOT for Christopher Columbus Drive. Um this will allow us to keep working with the JCMUA. They have a large project for water and sewer work on the same corridor and uh with the addition of the path tube that's also
present underground. We're just trying to keep everything moving and you know keep the funds that we have economical and not doing double work. >> When is the MUA schedule to conduct the uh Columbus drive repairs? Um we are trying to time it so that
we're doing it at the same time so we're not doing the work above grade I'll call it and then they're coming to install pipes underground afterwards. Um we're looking to get started next year. Uh they're currently working with the I bank to get lowinterest funding for that
project. >> Right. Thank you. Next item uh is kind of a continuation of the last one because we have two funding years that the city received from the DOT. So this is agenda item
number 10.14 resolution 25-639. This is uh funding year 2024. that same Christopher Columbus Drive corridor and the the same work that we're doing with the JCMUA to make sure we're spending this money and kind of working together
proactively. >> Question. >> I have agenda item number 10.18 25-643. This is a resolution authorizing acceptance of a grant from NJAR
um which is part of New J New Jersey Transit for the VIA on demand service. >> Just found out VIA don't go to Bayon. >> They may go just into Bayon, but uh I'd have to talk to director
>> is Bayon is closer than depending on where you at. They all could be closer than certain parts of Jersey City. >> Certainly to my office. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah, I um I never
>> for the Columbus Avenue uh what's it called? Infrastructure improvements that are happening. You guys are doing curb bumpouts for that area. Okay. for the whole whole >> Yeah, I I don't want to say it's every
intersection and we're still kind of finalizing design, but we certainly are introducing curb bumpouts to reduce that, you know, crossing distance for pedestrians and to make that corridor safer. Um, we're going to be installing some wider sidewalks or possibly, you know, there's some areas that sidewalks
don't even exist that we're going to be adding them. So, >> and the bike lane, will it be elevated as it was on Cole Street or it's going to stay the way it is? Um I I know you're going to revamp it, but is it going to be ground level with the street? >> Uh the plan is to be a mixture of of the
two different designs. >> Okay. >> Kind of similar to Cole Street. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And last but not least, uh is item 10.19 resolution 25-644. Um this is in regards to Hudson County
Chromate site 180A. Um it's a Honeywell site. Um and this is for a deed notice to be placed on the property. So this is the institutional control that the city would pass just so there's nobody in there digging or doing anything without
Honeywell's knowledge or the city's knowledge to disrupt the engineering controls that are there on site. Um there's a 54 in sewer that's kind of traverses the area. So that's why we wanted to get this taken care of. And >> what's the actual location?
>> Uh it's Duffield Avenue um kind of near the Skyway on the west side of the city. I do have Bob Kavanagh here too if you have any questions for him. >> Good afternoon folks. Bob Kavanagh, uh, Waters McFerson and McNeel, uh,
attorneys for Honeywell. This here, uh, site, as Drew said, is underneath the, um, Skyway over by Route 7, all the way down, if you go all the way down the end of, uh, St. Paul's Avenue to Duffield Avenue
>> down in that area, it's it's all industrial. And um this is one of the sites there is a an access agreement as part of the settlement we did with the city back in 2008 on the bayfront site.
There are like 50 something chromate sites that we have to deal with. And this is one of the sites under the access agreement that we have with the city to, you know, to cap the sites, put the deed notices in place so that um,
you know, nobody's harmed by, you know, going in there and digging and what have you. It's basically a parking lot on top of here, I believe. So that's it. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Bob.
I say Drew, >> I was going to ask about the VIA. So, it says that the state funded ARC program was the successor to the formerly federally funded ARC uh federally funded um job access and reverse commute
program. Why? What's the reason for the fact that it's no longer federally funded if you know? >> I I don't have all the details on that. I could find out. Um I know it is like a transition to a different name. Um still being funded. I
don't know all the mechanisms behind it but I could find that out. >> Okay. Just wondering that's all. Drew, um, quick question if you know, um, in the future, I guess in the next micro transportation contract, is there
any way we can have like, um, guess a distance as it relates to miles versus the entire city? Because my concern is there's people in or around Stegman that need to get to a doctor
that's in Bayon. Although it's out of Jersey City, it's closer to get to Bayon than to get to the other side of Jersey City. Um, so I just want to see if it's feasible. We can put like some type of guess mileage cap on it. >> Yeah.
>> Point A to point B. >> I can certainly talk to the team and and there may be something in there that I don't know about, but we can check out service to Bayon and you know, anywhere local. >> Can How much would it cost to make program
free? Sorry, what was the question? >> Free. >> Yeah, for residents. >> I don't know off the top of >> You think you could go back and ask them that? >> I I can ask them for sure. >> What What is the resident of Jersey City subsidizing annually when they're doing
these trips? And you know, I'm just curious cuz there's a lot of proposals out there for free transit and uh wanted to, you know, just find out what it what would it take >> to make this microtransit program free
for all of Jersey City residents. >> It should be real cheap. >> We'll do. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. That's all. Oh. Good afternoon, Council President, council members. Uh, for the record, Paul Kate, uh, director of disease
prevention with Health and Human Services. I have before you tonight item number 10.6, resolution 25631. This is seeking approval for anou between HHS and Hackin Sack Merie Medical School to bring on uh, interns
to support our clinical efforts. >> Question. Thank you. >> Question's good. Thank you. Have a good night. >> Call number two. Bella boy. >> Tag teaming. Madam President, council members. U Paul Bell & Buer, health
officer, here to present for uh the acceptance of the final year of a grant from the substance abuse and mental health administration. It's $125,000 to do mental health train awareness training. Uh the program has been a
success over the um six years of funding we have already had training approximately 5,000 people in how to be aware of mental health conditions and how to advocate for people getting help at an earlier stage in their in their illness.
>> What number are you talking about? >> Five. 105. >> 105. uh we in the in the six years of the grant total this is two separate grants we've trained over 5,000 uh this current in this current grant uh we have
trained uh 1368 as of the third quarter of of the current grant. Uh that's about 11.6 six people per class and and we have made more connections to service than we've actually trained people. I will say that
in this year of the grant and in the coming year um which is the last year of expected federal funding uh we've prioritized training to build our infrastructure. We've trained 32 mental health first aid instructors that can
continue um and and we've included training staff both in health and human services uh department of wreck and youth development and also Jersey City police officers all of whom are actively um training residents uh in how to spot
mental health problems. Uh it's been very successful in that we know we have saved lives through suicide prevention. Um and uh again the the the numbers show that we are connecting people to help at an earlier stage and we hear back from
some of them that it's made a huge difference in their lives. >> Hey Paul, typically each participant go through a program. How long is the program? >> Uh the program is is packaged. It the the principal thing that we offer is
mental health first aid. It is an eight-hour long training which is usually delivered in a single day. Um we love to do uh church and community groups all together. Um uh but the program is offered both uh in person and
online. Uh so they're public. You can sign up on the uh online and fill a class that's open to the general public. And >> then when you complete the program, you get I guess emailed a certificate. You get a certificate which certifies you as
a mental health first aer for the next three years but the knowledge persists. We know that in informally it's a a it's a program which has really been a huge success um and has made a difference in many lives. I wish it could make a difference in more.
>> Now is the who who provides the certificate? The certifi the whole program is a branded program from the um from the national council for mental well-being uh and it comes uh uh which they have a separate website
for this program which is mentalhealthfirst.org. It comes with their with their certification and all our instructors have to train and and deliver training to their standard. >> Okay. >> All right. is good
>> question. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much, >> Greg. >> Okay, >> because we have Eric Moore here who has the intimate details of the plan. He can answer any questions about it.
>> Did you say Peter? >> We didn't hear we didn't understand words. >> Sorry. We have Eric Moore here from Brandy Wine who has the details of the project. He can answer any questions if the council would have it and give a presentation if you'd like. >> Good evening, council president, council
members, Eric Moore, Brandy Wine. Um, I'm here to discuss the final phase of Jackson Square. I believe all of you have been briefed on it, and I was just I just came here in case there's any questions that uh I could answer any more information you needed. >> This is item 3.4, by the way.
When will you start? >> Um probably uh break ground. >> Well, second reading would be if it all goes well as the 22nd. So um we would um do a groundbreaking immediately and it would probably take about two months to
get everything in place. >> Sorry, I didn't hear the last >> about two months to get everything from that point to get the financing and start construction. >> Okay. And uh what's the expected timeline uh of construction like how long will construction take?
>> Yeah. So the estimated is 27 months and the first payment is 30 months from when we when we get approval. >> Okay. >> Eric, this is um is this a it's a late item? 3 point is I don't have any
>> Yes. >> Yeah, it's item 3.4. It's a light item. Um I believe my understanding the uh member of the business administrator's office has met with you or most of you individually to present it. Um everything kind of came together this meeting to put on so we have it here to
>> represent if you guys wanted to introduce it. >> Eric can you >> Peter the the link isn't working on the uh on the city site on the agenda site. >> I can have that fixed for you and I'll make sure it's updated and sent to you tonight. I I do remember discussing this
with you guys, but for p public consumption, can you like explain in layman's terms exactly what you guys are trying to do and where it's at? >> Great. So, uh, when we first started the development, what is called now Jackson Square, it wasn't called Jackson Square.
Uh, so we did the municipal annex and then we did the parking garage with the office space underneath and then we did the public safety headquarters. And around that time is when the city actually named it Jackson Square. So the purpose of this project is or is mainly
to um delineate it as the square. So there'll be pillars, signage, there'll be also a new building for uh the EDC and some additional municipal space. Um, but that's the really thing is to create uh a food plaza, a park for kids, and to
everybody to know when they're in Jackson Square, they're in Jackson Square. >> So, and this this is the lot between Orient and Carney. So, your vision is going to be a park there.
>> No. Um, I know it was a little while ago when you saw the pictures, but it was there's a park along Carney. There's a food plaza behind where EDC is now, right by the, you know, the path light rail. So, and then um the building is where across the street from the public
safety headquarters. >> Okay. And this is going to be I think was it a eighttory building or 12story building? >> Ninetory building. >> A nstory building. And this building is slated to house municipal offices. Right. >> Correct.
>> Okay. Now it's coming back to me. Um, so from a financial standpoint, how does this relationship work? The city owns the land, they give it to you guys, you build it. We pay we pay monthly rent until a certain period in which we
acquire it, >> right? >> So we we own the land. We go out, get the financing, build the building. >> Oh, you guys own the land already? >> Then you you pay rent and then after you make all the rent payments, it goes automatically back to you >> to the city. the city
>> basically a lease to own. So we make the almost mortgage payments throughout the entire time as a mechanism of rent payments. At the very end for a nominal price like a dollar, we finally purchased the whole property. >> No, I understand. I just want to be clear on you guys already own the land. It's your land.
>> No, we we we would own the land in the transaction. >> No, that's what I'm So like I was initially saying >> buying the land. The city owns the land as we speak currently, right? Yes. >> Subsequently, they will sell it to you guys. You guys will develop it, get the
funding to bring in a wreck figure. >> Correct. >> Charge the city monthly rental fees and after a certain amount isclipsed, the city gains ownership of that property. >> Correct. >> Okay. I just wanted that to be clear for
the public. >> Right. you >> question. >> So we hadn't seen in the presentation I don't think we went through the numbers. >> So what is the you know what is the the lease payments that the city would be committing to in this >> for the 30 year or the first year is 5.2
million. >> Sorry for the say that again >> 30 year 30-year schedule. >> Yeah. >> So you're paying the the the payments over 30 years then the first year is is 5.2 million. >> 5.2. >> Yes. And then what is the schedule over the next 30 years? >> Right.
>> Um, it's in the lease and I could I could send that to you, but it's it's something that goes increases with inflation >> and Okay. And I don't I don't know every single year payment. So, >> Okay. Sure. I mean, I would I would um, you know, and is always a challenge with late item, but I certainly would want a
financial analysis from the city. Yeah. >> Just just on that piece. So that's been that that's also been done by the way and it shows a >> significant savings between >> um alternative route bonding versus this structure. >> Okay. Sure. So it would be be good for
us to see that. And then I think the the next piece from us is if there are um post construction city moves in and we run into buildings issues, HVAC construction, how is responsibility determined on
those fronts? So there's we would be happy to do it, but the city has always chosen to maintain the building through the term, but there are warranties and maintenance bonds that can cover the first year or two on whatever you know on specific items that you want. >> Okay. So as of now, those aren't built
in. So when the transfer would occur, the city would be responsible for maintenance. Is that accurate? >> It's Yeah. As soon as the warranties run out, then you guys I mean you're you're responsible from day one once we turn the keys over to you when you start paying but and you move in. But um there are some warranties and maintenance
bonds and stuff that can cover any kind of issues that come up in the first year or two. >> Sure. >> To help, you know, if there's anything that happens, but you know, as the city knows, any kind of problems have been um been uh right directed towards me, I' I've addressed. >> Got it. Okay.
And I guess my final question for administration, um, as it relates to these dwellings that's slated or these offices that's slated to be in there, um, we like are we in dire need for this
room? What what's going in there and where they at now? >> So, originally proposed to have the EDC move in there and expand their offices. >> Where's Where's the EDC now? >> It's right there. >> They're right next to it in a temporary. right next to him. New McDonald's right there.
>> No, I know where he's at. I just want So, they're going to move out of that office to go to this office. >> Who else? EDC. Who else? It's eight floors. >> So, right now just the EDC and then we're going to actually reevaluate. We're going to move in there. We have engineering. Anything that could
possibly go in there. Um, but it's being built to fully, you know, furnace the whole building. The my issue with this is that we're talking about a eightstory building, right? I would imagine that this this
building is going to help get rid of rents that we're paying somewhere else. So, at the very least, we should have an understanding of who's moving, how much we're saving, um, versus how much we're going to be paying. So if I hear a eightstory building and then I just hear
the EDC and then we'll figure out who else need to move in there for me that's not enough to vote for a project. >> Correct. >> I can get you a full analysis but part of what the EC does is they have incubator space and things of that nature. So not all of it we would know because obviously we're going to future
lease it out to different individuals, community groups, you know, local businesses, things of that nature as well. Let me ask you something, Peter. Because we don't know exactly what's going into that building is eight story. Why can't we build a senior site in that building? I'm just, you know, because we
don't have many of those senior sites. And so why can't we build that? Because we did that with parking authority when we moved them out, right? So, if we going to own this building, as of right now, based on what you're saying, the only person that's gone in there is the EDC, because how many um how many um
leases does the city have outside, you know, that we're leasing from someone else. So, automatically, whatever we're leasing to, they should go in that building. So, evidently, we we must we don't have a heavy lease no more cuz I know we started with 30 McGomery Street and you know, half of them is all on MLK
now. So now we getting ready to do this final phase and the only person that's gone in there is the EDC. So why can't we build a a senior center in there? I mean all you need is one ground floor. This was all originally part of the
first, you know, three phase and the first project the council approved. If that's something the council wants, we can definitely explore it. I have no problem with that. Council President, there has been some there has been some some uh departments that are I guess needing more space that have been targeted. I'm not I don't know all the
details, but and there has been some other tenants they have talked about going in other than other than the EDC. >> Um and we also discussed putting a merch store on the first floor as an incubator space. >> I'm >> um which um so there are some other it's not just the EDC. I just don't have I
can give you a list of the potentials but that's >> but the senior said there is room for there was rooms for growth so >> right >> obviously the senior you know use would be great as well >> right >> so whatever you guys want is fine I just uh I just want you to know that's there's been other conversations not
just the EDC >> right because like I said if if that's the case and I think we need another senior site need that all over the city or else we can get a youth site in there you know one of the two because that's what we in need of. So if we going to go
out for a 30-year, >> you know, I think we should really get what the city needs. And I know when it comes to senior sites and youth sites, that's where we lack at. The idea is that most of a lot of space was accounted for, but there was extra space because >> I know I know there's certain places
that we keep saying that needs need space, but as I go around in the city and when I look at the annex over there, um there's like spaces in there too that's empty. I don't know why we not utilizing that. You know what I'm saying? So, if that's the case, then
let's really build this for what we need. We need youth sites and we need center sites. >> Yeah. I know this project is really driven by the council. So if you recommendations, I'm happy to put this on hold to get feedback from the council until we can move forward with it. >> I can meet with you in between readings if you want and put whatever you
whatever you guys want. I'm here to to to put in the building. So but >> yeah, >> I think we we we should do that to really maximize >> the space. That's all. It's your guys' decision, >> right? Because like I said, there's empty spaces in that annex right now that is not being used. We should know
the departments that really need the space. That's I know HHS she's complaining she always needs space. Some of her people can go to the annex. I mean I I'm over there and it's still empty. Certain spots are empty there. >> But whenever if anybody >> it's not you is the BA should know this
>> cuz he knows the city. That's why you you just develop and I don't expect you to know it but he should know what departments are in need. That's why I'm asking. >> We don't need any new buildings in the city. >> City. Is that a decision we make right now or we're making it later or like
what's the what's the processes that we're going to follow? >> I would recommend if the council really wants us to explore the opportunities for that that we put this on hold until we can develop all that and get the feedback from the council. >> Okay. >> You going to go to all of us or uh >> councilman? No, we'll go to all of you.
Of course, >> can we go to all of us like how they did before? >> We'll have more discussion with more discuss since they not clear on what's going in there. That's the That's the question right now. Okay. And because they're not clear, um the council do have suggestions what could go there.
That's what we just doing right now. >> We need a room down there, Rich. >> Right. >> So, is Should I be >> He said he don't want no more buildings, but um >> we need the room down there, >> but Right. >> But should I be setting up meetings to go through whatever council members want? I'll follow up with that. I'll take care of it, council president.
>> The BA will take care of it. Okay, Eric. The BA will take care of it. >> Okay. >> Okay. Don't worry. All right. >> Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Right. Thank you, >> Eric. I have a question. >> How much are you paying the city for the property? >> The the city has a choice. They can get
um they can charge a dollar. They can charge appraise value and assess value. So, it's their choice of what they want to charge. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I vote that we don't sell it for a dollar. That's the first thing you have to
because citizens gonna be up in arms if they see another property going to a developer for a dollar. >> Well, eventually it's your building. I mean, it's it's developed for you guys. So, it's it's uh >> we're going to pay for it one way or another. >> Okay. >> They paying for the up cut,
you know, development and all of that. City not paying. Yeah, I know it. >> I got you. I hear you. >> I'm with you. Yeah, I get it. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, >> Christine.
>> Good evening, council president, council. >> I am here with the arts and culture trust fund committee to present briefly on the cycle two of the arts and culture trust fund grants. You have a copy of this. If anybody wants a copy, I'll put
these. Yes, we have it. >> Okay, great. So, um this cycle two covers July 1st, 2023 to June 30th, 2024. It's the second report that we've presented to you and the third cycle
just closed this June. So, you will be receiving that third cycle report very soon. Um let's see. Can I invite up our committee to present?
>> Good evening. Um, I'd like to begin with Oh, I'm sorry. Elizabeth Phillips Lorenzo. I am the chairperson for the Jersey City Arts and Cultural Trust Fund and award F um resident. Yes. Um, good evening. I'd like to begin with a brief summary of
our grants. The arts and cultural trust fund awards have three categories. General operation, general operating grants, program grants, and arts education grants. In addition, there's an individual artist fellowship program administered by the Jersey City Arts
Council. For cycle two of the fund, please refer to page two. Grant totals. The trust fund awarded 1,63,484 in grants for cycle 2. This is an increase over 200,000 from cycle one. [Music]
In addition, ADA grants were awarded to artists and organizations providing arts and cultural programs in the um Jersey City. Next, I would like for the vice chairperson to come up. Good evening. My name is Dan Marley. the
vice chair from Ward C. Programming took place across all wards as you can see in the map on page four. The process the following training were made available to all interested applicants. accessibility training
sessions, eight hours of open office hours offered both online and in person. Pre-recorded instructional videos on the cultural affairs website. In addition, computer access was made available at
all Jersey City Free Public Library branches with extended time. Applications were available in seven languages. Grant award process. Grant applications were reviewed by an independent panel of
professionals working in the field of arts and culture and the panel provided evaluations to our committee who then voted on awards based on panel scores and available funds. Hello, I'm Sandy Martini and I'm the
secretary of the um cultural arts trust fund and um I'm from Ward D. I'm going to be speaking about the general operating grants and you can reference that on page six. a total of 41496
414,996 in general operating grants were awarded to 19 Jersey Citybased arts organizations. The average grant size was $21,841 [Music]
and the average grant size is 34% higher than our first grant cycle awards. Also worth noting is 84% of the general operating grantees offer arts education
programming. Combined, these 19 grantees impacted 244,000 people in person through their funded programs. We also awarded program and art
education grants. You can see those on page 11. A total of $548,488 was awarded to 49 grantees. This is a 72% increase in the total amount awarded for these types of
grants. The average size of a grant was 11,193. 30,000 people were impacted in person through these programs with an additional 11,000 people had access
online. We also um provide individual artist fellowship grants and you can see those on page 16. The Jersey City Arts Council administered $100,000
of the fund in individual artists fellowships. $5,000 awards are granted to 20 artists each year of the cycle. 80% of the grantees used these funds for new works.
60% of the grantees reported the fellowship provided them with opportunities they wouldn't have had otherwise. 50% used funds to pay other artists and collaborators.
As a reminder, this report is available at the jerseycityculture.org. And I also did want to point out that anybody wishing to represent the wards on the arts and culture trust fund committee, there's an open nomination process. So any resident in Jersey City
wishing to serve on the committee can self-nominate on the cultural affairs website. We're also always looking for professionals to be part of our independent grant review panel and you can also volunteer to do that on our website. >> Question.
>> Yes. First I want to thank you director and thank all of the uh residents that are on the arts and culture trust fund committee for their service to the city of Jersey City. Does not go unappreciated and it's an important, you know, part of this city
and our lives. I had a question with regards to the program and art education grant. It was stated that there was a 72% increase in the grant this year. I wanted to know what was the impetus behind it. Was it
because of the request from the people like the residents or was it because of like the applicants themselves that were reaching out or was it like an internal decision by the arts and culture trust fund committee to make that increase
based off of the applications that they were receiving? >> That's a great question. So the fund comes from um a 0.000025% 000.25% um uh cents per $100 of assessed property value. That's something you
vote on um at the start of each year and that could certainly be more or less depending on your vote. Um so there was more money collected into the fund this year for cycle 2. Each year it does go up a little bit and the way those funds
are distributed is determined by our committee by state statute. They vote on the final distribution of funds, but there was an increased um amount of applicants for arts education and programming and some of that has to do
with the uh the work that the committee and you know my staff at cultural affairs has been doing to reach all wards of the city to do trainings in person and to just introduce the fund to as many creatives as possible. So
because of that we had more program and arts education applicants and so when that um increase in the fund came in it went towards program grants. >> Thank you so much. Uh followup to that I did have not to that particular point
but um the grants themselves are you tracking whether they're for established artists or new artists entering the scene uh like you know how many years they've been in the the field that they're in or is it a mix of the two and
if you're not tracking it can you commit to tracking it in the future? So for um for all applicants, especially with the the um the program and general operating grants that cultural affairs administers, we do ask how many years
they've been in operation. They do need to have been in operation for at least one year to be eligible to apply. And then I can also follow up with the Jersey City Arts Council to see what they put in their application in terms of gathering that data on individual
artists that apply for the fellowship. and I will certainly supply that to you. That's a great question. It's a good thing to track >> and that's a very reasonable requirement like a one-year, you know, um you got to be here at least a year to qualify. Um just want to thank you for all your work
and all the work of the committee and the info sessions you put. They're all across the city and this is fantastic for Jury City. Thank you for this beautiful report. >> Councilman, thank you. Thank you. >> Do good work. It should be
>> very well. >> All the first reading ordinances were discussed. As for second reading ordinance, >> sorry. Um, sorry. Uh, just on on 3 uh one as the council president, I just wanted a little bit more information of what was in it. I know we discussed it
with Shyone, but I think we have the full full scope of it. Just like what's the I know it's changing some of the rent control rules, but you could summarize what what's being proposed. they can um pay 30% of their income. That's what's being proposed instead of
going over because for a lot of residents they're paying 40 50% of the income for rent. So this is kind of limited to 30%. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's that's the start of it. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So as far as the second reading
ordinances are concerned on Wednesday for public consideration will be agenda item 4.1 ordinance 25-101 an ordinance of the Jersey City Municipal Council approving a tax exemption and authorizing a financial
agreement with Sussex Street Associates Urban Renewal LLC regarding a project at block 14205 lot 10.01 01, commonly known as 177 Grand Street, and block 14205,
lots 12 and 13, more commonly known as 193-195 Grand Street, pursuant to the long-term tax exemption law, NJSA4A 20-1 at SEC. >> Question.
>> Okay. Uh, agenda item 4.2, 2. Ordinance 25-103, an ordinance supplementing chapter 332, vehicles and traffic, article 3, parking, standing and stopping, amending section 332-31,
parking restrictions for street cleaning purposes on Lincoln Park. >> Hey Sean. Um, >> I mean, excuse me, John. I'm sorry. Uh, >> so here is so are street sweeping going
to be inside of the park? >> Yeah, council. There's several parking lots inside of Lincoln Park. This is so we can sweep those parking lots for them and then obviously any revenue that we get, we get a keep. >> Are we charging them, right?
>> Charging to street sweep, but any any, you know, vehicles left that we ticketed, obviously we get the revenue as a municipality for that. Oh, okay. >> Who's going to ticket them though? >> We are. >> That's in the park. >> We are. We're going to >> This is giving us permission to go to the park, enter the park, which is a
county park, to basically patrol and then sweep their park and then collect any revenue from that those actions. >> So, so let me get this straight. Let me get this straight. So, Jersey City Parking Authority is going into the county park to issue track vi you
summones for vehicles that left there because they're don't move it so they can clean. >> Correct. >> And we are going to get those funds from the county. >> Anyone we ticket, we would get the revenue from those tickets. >> The whole thing or part of it?
>> The whole thing. It it'd be like if we take someone on Westside Avenue or, you know, County Boulevard, any location, >> but why are we doing it and not the county? Like, why isn't the county cleaning the park and why aren't the sheriff's issuing the tickets? >> They don't have the full kind of apparatus that we have in order to do
all that. So, it's a matter of, you know, the agreement for us is we get to do it and we get to keep the revenue for our bounty. Essentially, >> there's no county request between the park or the county and the city meeting mutually and they already passed their resolution. So, this is us following up with it.
>> So, there's no countywide parking authority is what you're telling me. >> Not not like the city has. >> Okay. >> Our parking authority can't handle what we have now. Okay. Go ahead, Jenny. >> Agenda item 4.3 or ordinance 25-104,
an ordinance supplementing chapter 332, vehicles and traffic, article 9, parking for the disabled, of the Jersey City Code, designating a reserve parking space at various locations throughout the city. And finally, agenda item 4.4, 4, ordinance 25-105,
an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 1, general provisions, chapter 218, multiple dwellings, chapter 260, rent control, chapter 254, property maintenance, and chapter 1 of the code of ordinances of the city of Jersey City
to establish mandatory minimums for violations of housing related ordinances. We will have a special public a special improvement district assessment public hearing for the 2025 2026 Mcinley Square special improvement district assessment
role and budget. Unless there are any questions on the petitions and communications hearing none, we'll move on to officer communications. Unless there are any questions, we'll move on to the resolutions.
Okay, we uh agenda item 10.1, resolution 25-626, a resolution honoring Dolores L Curtis on her 88th birthday and 53 years of dedicated service to education and to the Jersey City community.
Agenda item 10.2, Two, resolution 25-627, a resolution authorizing a lean against the properties listed herein for the cost of removing litter, debris, etc. in accordance with NJSA4A
48-2.14 and Jersey City Municipal Code section 287-4. We already heard about uh agenda item 10.3. So, agenda item 10.4, 4 resolution
25-629, a resolution approving the appointment of Brian Rans as a PDM assistant municipal prosecutor at the Jersey City Municipal Court. We heard from staff regarding agenda items 10.5
through 10.9. Agenda item 10.10, 10 resolution 25-635, a resolution accepting the 2025-2026 assessment role of the Binley Square Special Improvement District, the city
of Jersey City. Agenda item 10.11, resolution 25-636, a resolution adopting and ratifying the 2025-2026 budget of the Mcinley Square Special Improvement District. We heard about uh from city staff
regarding agenda items 10.12 through 10.16. 10.17 resolution 25-642 a resolution ratifying the award of a professional services agreement with the law firm of Abusei McDermott Mastro and
Murphy PC to represent the city of Jersey City in various union negotiation proceedings. We heard from city staff regarding agenda items 10.18 all the way up to 10.23.
Agenda item 10.24, resolution 25-649, a resolution authorizing the reimbursement of $26,294.25 to Dan Milan regarding an erroneous auction of a vehicle. And we already heard from staff regarding agenda item
10.5. That is the balance of business >> motion >> there. Okay. Motion to adjourn at 5:24 PM made by that was motion made by CET. I believe the second was >> Danny Rivera. >> Councilman Rivera. And how do you vote?
Council person Ridley. >> Council person Huings. >> Council person Bjaniano. >> Council person. >> Hi. >> Councilman Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. Oh, we left. Uh, council person de Jes. >> Hi, >> Council Person Rivera and Council
Person, Council President Waterman. We are adjourned at 5:25 p.m. We'll see everyone same location at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Be well, everyone.