Okay, everyone. We're about to get started. If we can find our seats, silence our cell phones, shut the back door, the side doors, I greatly appreciate it. Make sure my cell phone is silent. Got to practice what I preach.
All right. Good afternoon, everyone. We are on the record. Today is Monday, the 18th day of May in the year 2026. This is a city council caucus meeting of the Jersey City Municipal Council. We had a scheduled 4 p.m. start. The clock on my
cell phone is showing 4:09 p.m. May we have a roll call for the commencement of this meeting. Council person Brooks >> here. >> Council person Zupa >> here. >> Council person Efos, >> present. >> Council person Little, >> here. >> Council person Gilmore.
>> Council person Singh, >> I'm here. Council person Griffin >> here. Council person Lavaro is not here yet. And Council President Ridley >> here. Sean, uh, Councilman Lavaro is going to be absent this evening.
>> Okay, very good. Thank you. So, we have eight council members in attendance at 4:09 p.m. On behalf of council, President Ridley and the members of the municipal council with New in coordinates with New
Jersey public laws in 1975, chapter 231, the open public meetings act, also known as the Sunshine Law. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the posting on the bulletin board of the first floor of city hall. The annual notice which is the schedule of meetings and caucuses of the municipal council
for the calendar year 2026 and filed in the office of the city clerk on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025. In addition at its time for its preparation, the agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 5:56 PM to the mayor,
municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, and the newspapers and posted on our city's website so I can certify as to our total compliance with the Sunshine Law. Council President, I'm going to turn the meeting over to you.
>> Good afternoon. Uh, we will start with Director Woodson Commerce. Good afternoon, Council President and Council members. I have one item for your consideration. It's agenda number 10.17,
resolution 26-300. It's a resolution providing local support for the Other Side Dispensary LLC to operate a consumption area using their class 5 retail cannabis license. They're located at 36 Congress Street.
>> Questions? >> Yes. >> So, was everything um straightened out with the law? Is this this is the same is this the same uh uh dispensary that is rumored to be closing?
>> They're actually closed and they I also mentioned at the last caucus meeting that they have not paid the last three quarters of taxes. >> Okay. So if so they haven't paid the tax >> have not paid. Correct. >> If we what last meeting it got voted
down or we pulled it? >> We pulled it out. >> Just pulled. of if you have updates. >> I I was just going to ask if there's any information from commerce or law department that would be helpful to that we can share publicly to update on
because I know there are a number of questions outstanding um between last session and this one. >> So between the last meeting and this meeting we have confirmed that what Director Woodson shared at caucus prior to the last vote is accurate. They are
closed. They have indicated they are actively seeking investors or purchasers for the business. It remains true that they are not up to date on their taxes. Um we are going forward with the vote and I'm happy to confer with anyone on council between now and Wednesday if you
want to discuss further um you know what would be the appropriate way to to you know express your vote. Um but we have been able to confirm that what was shared was correct. So typically outside of this um sorry
Sean outside of this like I mean because I'm of the opinion while I ask what type of mechanisms do we have in play to I guess to enforce the tax being collected like what do
what do we have at our disposal >> currently in the ordinance we do have where we can lean the property the property. >> Yes. >> The property don't belong to the business. >> Correct. >> So I say that to say there's no real
enforcement mechanism we have as it relates to the entity not paying taxes unless they own said establishment because there's some >> that's how the ordinance reads now. >> Yes. So I mean this right here is
essentially some leverage and this hold on Peter's grabbing his you have something you want to add Peter >> I was just going to add councilman that the other mechanism would be every year they get reviewed annually if I'm not mistaken Maynard so if a entity does not
own it but is not paying their taxes or operating the way the city would contingent compliant they would not get renewed at their annual you know review of the cannabis establishes and will not be able to operate thereafter. >> Yeah, but I mean they they're closed. They weren't
>> on turning anyway. >> Oh, no. Just to the councilman's comment about is there what mechanism we have to kind of enforce compliance. If they weren't closed but not paying taxes, we just wouldn't renew them. They wouldn't get their license back until they became compliant with our taxes and other regulations we'd have. the the the taxes
owed are cannabis uh taxes, the property taxes or or both not property tax but cannabis taxes% tax. Yes. >> Okay. Just cannabis tax. >> It's based on their sales. So we don't know we don't have an exact number. >> Okay.
>> Any other questions, council? >> Thank you, director. >> Thank you. John McKenna Law. >> Good afternoon, council. Um, my first item is 10.24,
resolution 26-307, uh, resolution authorizing the settlement of a claim the Liberty Humane Society for outstanding invoices related to rendered services. questions. >> Yes. Uh quick question. Um these are for
services rendered up to what date? >> Uh these were 2023 invoices. These were for our um animal shelter and rescue services they were providing per contract. There was a dispute over whether or not the invoices had actually
been paid. It went arbitration. the arbitrator determined that the invoices hadn't been paid. Uh the city agreed. So this is basically to pay them bills that they're owed. >> Thank you. >> Was there any subtraction for um what it
cost the city to put the shelter back in a working condition after Liberty Humane was thrown out? >> No, there was a subtraction uh there was a subtraction slightly from the amount that they were demanding based off of the reconciliation of the invoices, but no.
How much was that if you know? >> Off the top of my head, I don't know what the reduction was. It wasn't a huge sum of money. It's like $10,000 to most. Maybe. >> All right, John. Next one.
>> Okay. Uh, next item is 3.2 ordinance 26-030. This is an ordinance authorizing an easement with the Exchange Place Alliance District Management Corporation regarding a park to be located at 95 Morgan Street.
>> Yes. So, I remember uh having a discussion about this because we voted on not the park, but we did vote on this property. So, when you say park, what we're just looking at playground equipment. Yeah, the Exchange Place Alliance is going to put playground
equipment onto the property. They're going to maintain it going forward. They're going to indemnify us and ensure us for issues. Um, that's basically what this would be authorizing for easement. >> Um, I question were we able to find out
if there's been community outreach done in regards to if this is um the or or not yet? We will we will potentially get that answer. Okay. Thanks. >> I am not aware if any community outreach has been done on this. However, it could
certainly be done after the the ordinance is authorized. We don't have to execute the the easement if what they're proposing is not up to city standards. >> No, I mean it at first glance it sounds great. I just want to make sure the neighborhood has input and you know we
get the best fit for the neighborhood. So, >> Sure. Okay. >> Yeah, I agree with the councilwoman because it's important to know what the community is looking for versus just putting something there. >> Yeah, the ordinance itself doesn't speak
to the design at all. It's just authorizing the agreement for it to happen. So, community outreach could certainly be done after that. >> Thank you. Thanks, John. >> Thank you. Kyle, finance.
>> Good afternoon, council. Two items. Start with 10.1 resolution 26284 authorizing emergency temporary appropriations. Uh the this is for seven line items, six of which are additional grants that the
council has already uh accepted. This is just to authorize us to put it into the budget uh and set up those uh funds for draw down. And then the other line item is for the insurance fund commission for the settlement that McKini had just
referenced for the Liberty Humane Shelter. >> Questions? >> Next one. >> Then 10.2 two resolution 26285 a resolution authorizing cancellation of
grant receivable balances and grant reserve appropriation balances. These three accounts were actually uh just set up in error in prior years. They are duplications of grants that have already come to the city. Uh
the impact on this is just clean up the books. There's no financial impact whatsoever. Um, and we're just making sure that these balances are removed from our balance sheet moving forward. And this is just a formal action that's required to do so.
>> Okay. So, the money that were in these accounts should have belonged to a a separate account is what you're saying. >> It's was a duplication when the accounts were originally set up. Um, okay. >> And then was two of them were duplicated. One was a system error where when we rolled over to the new admins
platform, it we generated and we carried over the balance when it should not have. So this is just the clean up of the books. As you see the receivable balances and the appropriation balances are equal. So nothing's being drawn down on nothing is coming to the city. Uh there's no money due to us. This is just
a clean up of uh balances. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah. So one is I saw cuz you said some were duplications and some were errors. >> Yeah, two of these were human error, one was a system error. >> Which which ones were the errors?
>> The UE MLK shop parking lot was actually a grant that originated in 2008. That one was a system error that we picked up when we rolled over to the Edmonds. And then the 2020 project safe uh safe neighborhoods I believe it is and safe
and secure were human error where an employee created an account and then that effort was duplicated by another employee. >> Okay, >> the questions. >> Thank you. >> All right, thank you. >> McDallia, cultural affairs.
Good evening council. I am uh presenting my director first of all uh she is um at a conference so she's unable to attend today so I'm here on her behalf and then Crystal Mah is our deputy chief of staff will be presenting on the other two resolutions on behalf
of our department. Um so I'm here to speak about resolution 10.4 4. It's a resolution to authorize Jersey City's Office of Cultural Affairs to accept sponsorship for Summerfest from the Jersey City Free Public Library.
Uh this Summerfest is actually the longest running uh summer concert series in Jersey City. So, we're pretty proud of that. Uh the concerts take place uh over uh I believe it's the north side of the park
where the large flags are. We encourage you all to, you know, come and join us. Um, they do take place on Tuesdays and Sundays and we will have the full lineup uh very soon and I'll be happy to share that information with you once we have it. If there's any questions on on that,
I'll be happy to answer questions. >> I love the I love these events. >> They're a lot of fun. >> Thank you. Thank you. Noble it.
>> Good afternoon, council president, council members. I have one item before you today. Resolution 26-299, agenda number 1016, a resolution ratifying an award of a contract to YorkTel Corporations for
Guff Pilot's annual software subscription under the state contract for the information technology division and the Health and Human Service Department. The total cost of this renewal is $63,26828. The IT department utilizes the software for its help desk support and ticketing
system and the health and human services department uses the software for its licensing, inspection and permitting modules. >> Questions? >> Thank you, Director. >> Director Baker. Evening, council president, members of council. Public safety has two
resolutions before you this evening. The first is agenda number 10.8, resolution 26-291. It's a resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Millennium Communication Group for 500 yearly block
hours of maintenance service to ensure the CCTV camera system and Jersey City Public Safety Fiber Network remain operational under the interlocal purchasing system for the Department of Public Safety. It's in the amount of
$85,000. Director Baker, um, what's what's going on with the CCTV cameras down Berry Lane? They are have to tell you that they are constantly um need of repair. They're down, they're
out, they get knocked out, they get vandalized. And um if you noticed over the last couple years, we increased it this year because we need the 500 hours to keep the uh the system up and running. And you know unlike our normal finance do it in a lot of cases you
can't wait for a PO and NC voucher. So utilizing this you know they get repaired immediately but there still are um important areas that need to be addressed. >> Yes. Is there a plan to address those areas or is there a way we can
because I get when they're in the park they're more prone to be vandalized. In fact, someone took a set of cameras out of the park. Um but if because the ones on the street people for the most part don't touch no one. So is there a way we
can have them on the opposite corner of the park? So as long as though they can see in the park. >> Yeah. What I would suggest to do council is send that to us especially your concerns and where it's need to be addressed. You know whether you send it to me directly and I'll forward on to
the people who do it but you can definitely use me as your as your contact for that. >> All right. Well, is there a way to protect them? >> Um >> yes. Yeah. It's >> so they're not vandaliz they have different on it. What's good about it is when it's attempted it's not all the
time. is we can see we know who it is. C >> can I ask about the storage of data uh and video from the CCTV? How do we >> pedabytes, >> right? >> Pabytes. >> Okay. >> Many many pabytes.
>> Okay. And how long is that data being stored for? And is that living with Millennium at any point? Is it living with Jersey City? I believe the system was >> the system was installed I think in the year 2000 from Debold and I think we still have even some of that locked in
the vault. >> Okay. >> So as as we replace servers that that do this the old ones we keep them. I mean we don't let them go. We keep the data and stuffs on it because you never know if we're going to have to call him back year to year for you know Oprah uh
litigation whatever. So, we keep all that that data. >> And is that all housed under Jersey City Public Safety or And is any of that owned by Millennium itself? >> Yes. Yeah. But Millennium has installed the entire almost the entire system and
the servers that they put into like for CCTV, they're specially built. >> But Bob, he's asking about storage. The storage of the data right here. >> He's asking about um >> Sorry. >> What you don't know is I'm deaf on this side. And I have 70% hearing here. I
have a hearing aid. So I'm trying to >> I'll speak of director. Sorry about that. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. And he's a drummer on top of it. So I don't know how he does that. >> Yes. Yes. We own the storage is ours and it's you know it's pretty well locked up
and tied down to you know few people who actually have access to that. >> Okay. And has there ever been an issue with stored video from the CCTV getting leaked out or um being shared inappropriately? >> No,
>> that's never been an issue. Okay. And so you can confirm that locally stored there is no private ownership over the the video from all these years. Okay, I appreciate that. And can you confirm I I would assume since it's never been
compromised, but can you confirm that all video is encrypted? All the all the data is encrypted. >> Yes, it has to be. That's under FBI standards. >> Thank you. Quickly ask this question. How many cameras CCTV cameras do we
have? >> 1100 >> and growing. >> And is there any place where we know the locations? Just curious to learn. It's public parks and >> I think location is something we don't want to share publicly but I think we
can have a conversation offline with you. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions on 10.8? All right. Next one. >> Okay. Second one is agenda 10.9 resolution 26-292.
It's a resolution ratifying the award of a contract to Celco Partnership uh Verizon Wireless for uh wireless services for the public safety under state contract for the Department of Public Safety. I know I was before you before with the
first part of this. As you know, we moved from AT&T to Verizon. It's now complete and um this is in the amount for the year 20 um 26
of um hold one second 2026 will be 534,845.76 um this is conservative down um I know We sent a sheet to council. I don't know if you got it, but you can see under firstn net that we were approaching almost $800,000 for the same services
and now we're getting the same services again and a little bit more for a little over,000 >> questions. Thank you. >> Thank you, council. Matt Ward, planning.
>> Good afternoon. I'm here on uh behalf of city planning. I have one resolution uh item 10.31 resolution 26-314. Um, this is a res a resolution of the city council of the city of Jersey City
authorizing the planning board to investigate property for determination of an area need of redevelopment with the power of condonation pursuant to local redevelopment and housing law. There are seven properties identified by block and lot uh in this resolution.
That's a reduction from last time I appeared before council. There is two properties that were removed from this list. Um, one is in ward F at 103 Claremont and the other is in Ward C at
28 Magnolia. Um, just like the previous resolution, there are annotated tax maps and um, street view images date uncertain that also lists the address um, of those properties in addition to
the block and lot. questions. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. I was too slow. >> That's okay. Go ahead. >> Um >> Matt, one second.
>> Guess I wasn't fast enough. >> Um thanks Matt. Uh so the next step after the investigation would be uh planning bringing a redevelopment plan back to the council. >> Uh there would be a prior step. So there
would be a study the study that this is authorizing would go to planning board uh for recommendation. Um if the recommendation is to um make it an area need of redevelopment with the power of condemnation, another resolution would
come back uh for the council's consideration to in fact declare it as an area need or not. Uh and that same resolution authorizes the the the amendment or the creation of a redevelopment plan.
>> Thanks. And the plan would be uh lot by lot or would it be encompassing just kind of trying to do >> yeah th this this um I don't think I'm burying anything here
but in the last whereas it says scatter site 2026 study area that's in reference to the scatter site redevelopment plan. The idea would that that we would be requesting if uh on that subsequent resolution um should it be declared as
an area in need of redevelopment the to to study uh an amendment to the scatter site redevelopment plan for the incorporation of these properties. >> Understood. Thank you. >> One more, Matt. So, none of these um
excuse me, none of these these uh uh uh properties are in a redevelopment zone or near a redevelopment zone. >> Incorrect, actually. So, um some of them are in redevelopment areas, but those redevelopment areas do not allow for condemnation.
>> So, we're looking for condemnation. >> That's correct. This this um this resolution and the the state law is explicit. We're supposed to be listing and making it clear that the power of condemnation is considered.
So this is a condemnation. This is just authorize a study um for an area need of redevelopment with the power of condemnation. Um that is Yeah. Matt, if you can um just briefly walk
the public through how this how these steps look because I know there are instance where it's without condemnation but this is with condemnation. If you can just like give a brief overview of the process and the different steps. Uh
so the this resolution in another form could list it as a non-condonation redevelopment area or study and study for an area need of redevelopment. It's very mouthy and a lot of words but there's two buckets area need of
redevelopment area need of rehab. an area needed redevelopment is the only uh designation that can allow condemnation and then there's a subbucket in of that which is a non-condation redevelopment area and a
condonation redevelopment area. Um because of case law and updates to the local redevelopment housing law uh we're required to state that at the outset of of this process. Uh and that's why that's listed here in this resolution as
a cononation redevelopment area. Um um now I will say that there are many redevelopment plans in the city with the power to condemn property um to which the city has not yet taken an action. Uh
so it doesn't necessarily mean that these properties will in fact be condemned. it it simply allows the city to the city or the JCA, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency or uh to to take that action.
Okay. So, so basically what you're telling us is that um if there's a property, let's say on Monteello Avenue, um that the community deems an ISO and should be condemned,
that would have to be uh uh outside of the Jackson Hill redevelopment plan and and added to the scattered site plan after resolution. Yeah, I I mean I I think that there's
more time to consider those nuances of uh the study before uh council um and the authorization to to do that study. I think there's there's time to to figure out if one plan needs to be amended or
multiple plans need to be amended with the incorporation of these properties. Um I haven't given that much thought at the moment. No, but what I'm saying is you don't have to amend necessarily amend a plan
if you're looking to condemn a property. Use it. you take the property using um >> I think you're saying like if there's a a current redevelopment plan in place that doesn't already call for condemnation, can you take a property
out of that redevelopment area and put it into this scatter with condemnation? We we already have a number of properties that are in uh multiple multiple redevelopment areas and in that case they'd almost act as like an
overlay. Uh the scatter site as it's written is a list of properties that allow for condemnation. Um, and the zoning uh in that plan just says we point to whatever what other
whatever zone you're you're actually in. So, if it's a redevelopment plan or if it's a regular zone district, that's the zoning that's in place. It's more of just a a vehicle to combine
some properties that fall into these um these studies that have uh lots all over the city uh to study them and and incorporate them into one redevelopment plan. Um this the this particular list
uh this was given to um city planning and they're all properties that are on the app list. I just want to um just be on the record that if the administration's position is we're looking to preserve affordability
um with this condemnation process that we just keep that as the focal point. I don't want to see any of these properties should the process continue and come to fruition um develop for all luxury dwellings. Um, I just want that
to be on a record. >> Confirmed, Councilman. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> I do have one more question actually that just came up. At what point or what kind of metrics would move uh properties from the APA list to planning for
consideration for this kind of study? like when does something >> uh the administration asked us to coordinate with the division of housing preservation? >> Okay. >> On on something such as this to move forward on considering properties that
are could potentially be blighted properties. We'll know that better once uh we uh go out and do field work and see if it meets the criteria listed in the state law. Um, but that's that's essentially how this resolution was uh
was drafted in before you. >> And there are many many more properties on the apper list besides just these, right? These just happened to meet certain kind of standards of when you were doing the field work when you were out there. >> That's correct. >> Checked other boxes. >> There are there are more properties on the upper list.
>> Okay. Um, yeah. I would I would love to get a sense of what kind of uh qualifications you all are looking for when you look at the apper list and then make determinations of these would be the best handful of properties to move
uh toward a study like this. And I I wouldn't ask for it right now, but maybe if you could >> send us just a general sense of how you make those determinations, that would be really helpful. >> Thank you so much. >> Yep. Any
other questions? >> Okay. All right. Matt, >> he's just standing there like >> he let you off too easy the first time. Matt Dawn Recreation. >> Hello everybody.
Uh, council president and council members, I have one item before you for recreation and parks. I'm here to speak about resolution 26305, item number 10.20.
It's a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to enter into a collaborative partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Community Collaborative Initiative. Uh the CCI program is an initiative
through the NJ DAP that helps municipalities coordinate with state agencies on complex environmental infrastructure resilience and redevelopment challenges. >> Any questions?
>> That's my my well my only question is to um corporate council. Is is this the same type of deal um with the last resolution that we passed when it comes to um any federal funding like Homeland
Security with the agreement that they want us? >> I think this is entirely unrelated but Don can confirm. Yeah. >> No, no, no. I'm just saying is there any So there's no stipulations. >> Council, if I may interject, I think Don misqued. It's item 1020 is what you're
looking at. >> Oh, I'm looking at 9 >> 26-303. >> It's the uh CCI. >> Yeah. No questions. >> Your question is going to be later on. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Any other questions?
>> I'll just say thanks for the tour that you gave myself and Councilman Dupa um last week. It was lovely. excited for more work on the reservoir and um looks like this nocost partnership is going to be really really helpful for preserving that. So
>> yeah, we're really excited. Um the reservoir is a great place to begin this relationship and we're hoping to grow the relationship so it can flourish throughout the whole city and really benefit all the departments and divisions that are working on this kind of work.
Thank you. Thank you, Director Anderson. Community Development. Afternoon, council president, members of the council. I am here to present agenda item number 10.13. That's resolution 26-296.
And um this is a resolution to authorize a contract with Gibbon and Associates for auditing and monitoring services for the 2024 program year. Um in about 2024, we went out for RFQ. We received our information
and we previously came to council in March of 2025 um to authorize this agreement under resolution. So they had previously provided us with services. So um we are looking for them to do these services
again for us for this 2024 program year. Um we selected about 15 agencies that we would like them to look at and they did respond to us and provide us with a quote and the quote is in the amount of $53,2002
to provide us with these um in-person services. Um, director, is it is it I guess typical protocol because it says so they're looking at the funds that have already been deployed in calendar year 2024.
>> That is correct. >> Oh, okay. So, they kind of like come out. >> So, um, the process that we developed in DCD um to improve our monitoring of the agencies and other entities that were providing funds, we're really just mirroring HUD's process. So after the
program year is closed, they can come back and monitor us as the city on like a three-year look back is typically what they do. We have already been on a cycle where they've monitored us on everything. So HUD isn't coming in this year to monitor us as the city. So we're
trying to focus and make sure that our files are correct for our subreients and that we're working with. >> Got it. >> Any other questions? Thank you. Thank you, >> John. PPW.
>> Good afternoon, council. I have one item, agenda uh 10.22, resolution 26.305. It's a resolution authorizing the award of an opening contract for the fire and safety services for parts and repairs as needed for the fire apparatus through
the source while purchasing a co-op. So basically this is to repair the parts for the manufacturer of Pierce fire truck uh who's the manufacturer of the fire trucks. >> Questions? Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. director to Kaplan Infrastructure. Thank >> you, Council President. I have Lindsay and Amanda with me. Um, we have three uh resolutions. So, um, Amanda, do you want to go first? >> Hi, good evening, Council President,
council members. I'm here for resolution 26-302 agenda number 1019. This is for the apply and accept funds from the uh department uh the FEMA
re building resilient infrastructure and communities otherwise known as the brick grant program for the fiscal year of 2024 and 2025 for the McGovern Park Resilience Project. This project would install uh storm water capture um tanks
underground in the McGovern Park area uh and to provide uh a benefit to the community through um reduced flooding in that area. >> You can just identify yourself for the record for everybody watching at home.
I'm sorry, Amanda. >> Yeah. Uh I am Amanda Diamond, the director of sustainability. Apologies. Questions? >> Yes. I'll ask again now that we're on a correct one. Um,
this is one of those resolutions that come with the stipulation. That ice thing, >> not entirely. This is just allowing us to apply for them if we were to accept the funding. That's when the stipulation comes in. But to your point, Councilman,
our stance has not changed. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I have a question. When is the project does have a budget? Is it possible to revisit the grant and decide whether or not to accept?
Yes. So uh a part of uh this application process um this particular grant that we are applying for is exclusively the construction and permitting of the project or the final permitting of the project. Uh we actually have the
previous brick funding uh from 2022 to actually do the design and additional permitting. So that that will be coming to fruition very shortly. will be putting out an RFP for a design consultant to complete that work. Um, we
don't have an exact budget that we are submitting at this time today, but we will be before we submit it next week. Um, and I can provide that to you as soon as possible. I know that there's a grant match. We're hoping to explore looking at a combination of open space
funding, green acres funding, and or capital funding to explore the nonfederal uh match that we have to provide. So when that happens, which the timeline would not look to the next couple of months, we'd probably honestly find out
if we were selected as a uh grantee as a grantee probably sometime mid next year at the earliest and even then accepting the funds could take a couple of months. We wouldn't be in a agreement with them
probably until late 2027 or even into 2028. at that time we will either figure out how we are going to move forward with the non-federal gas match or um like you said we would evaluate our other options at that time. >> Thank you so much. Of >> course
>> and the based on the amount that the grant would actually give us the match the 25% match if we were to have to pay the entire thing as a city that would be somewhere between $300,000 $600,000 like
>> probably upwards of around a million. million to >> order match that we would >> be responsible for. >> Yes. Um so originally the entire project including the design portion was around $5 million. Uh that was when we originally applied for the total project
cost including design, permitting and construction um back in 2022 and costs have gone up. So it would be upwards of a million maybe even more so but I'd have more information uh at the end of this week I think. Okay, thank you.
And >> just to add, um, Amanda's been very thoughtful. This is, this is Andy Kaplan, director of infrastructure. Um, I'm learning, clerk. Um, so one of the thoughtful parts of this was in terms of that 25% match, looking at strategies and way we can minimize the out coming
out of our direct pocket. And one of the strategies we're looking at is to include the cost of restoring the park above the underwater. Um, and that cost is included fully in this quote. And that is improvements that we think may be eligible for competitive other grants
such as Hudson County open space truck. Yeah. >> Things like that. Um and any funding, it doesn't have to come from the city, but as long as it's not a federal funding source, can be used towards that 25% match that we will need to compile into the capital stack. >> Thank you. Hey, um, director,
um, do you have an update on the time frame as it relates to the updates for for the senior building on Montgomery with the bike lane there that we spoke about? I think it was probably last meeting or the meeting
before that. Yes, we spoke I think we spoke about that at the last caucus. Um, I don't have an update on that. We currently don't have a traffic engineer. Um but we're working with our transportation planners um to try to come up with a solution for that. >> Okay. >> Uh we also are in the process of hiring
traffic engineers. We actually just got some resumes for both the senior and the director positions that are posted. So if anyone's out there who's a traffic engineer, please apply. Um and hopefully uh we'll we'll be we intend to be starting the interview process soon. >> Thank you.
>> And I I I actually have a question um regarding Pacific Avenue. Um do we have any updates on when we're going to start um work there and has anything been done to um make it safer after the accident a
couple of weeks ago? >> So there is a federally funded or state funded project that we're looking to advance a procurement of a designer. Um we're currently finalizing that um to get that out to some firms and solicit proposals. uh we're finalizing kind of
the cost of funding that design work as well. Uh there's some strategies that we're working on that we're going to see how we could play that out. Um so hopefully that's an pretty short-term action that will be soliciting for design work there. Um as to otherwise responding to that fatal crash. Um we're
kind of not actively doing anything in the immediate term because it's under an investigation. So we're letting that play out from the police side. Um, so the infrastructure side is not doing anything proactively until we kind of can coordinate with the public safety and um, get more information.
>> Thank you. >> Okay, next one. >> Good afternoon, council president, members of council. My name is Lindsay Scoffields. I'm a senior transportation planner in the department of infrastructure. Uh, the first item is
item 10.21, 21 resolution 26-304. This is a resolution requesting that the New Jersey Department of Transportation grant us another six-month extension for the award of the construction contract for the Manhattan Avenue Franklin Street
Bikeways grant. Um, this is necessary because based on the uh current timeline, we would need to be approving having council approve the construction award at the next meeting in June. And uh what we've done since the one-way
ordinance was um was passed and approved by council, we've sent the changes that were needed to the plans to our uh consultant who's doing the design plans. um they are expected to give us the changes to the plans next week and once
we get those and review those we have to then provide them to New Jersey DOT um and that will then we'll get the authorization to go out to bid for the project. So it does take a little bit more time um we're committed to getting this project um advanced and there's
been progress um but we will need that extension to actually award the construction contract. So, um do have you had to guesstimate um would is this something that can be done this year as it relates to the new bike
lane? >> We still need to evaluate I think honestly when the actual construction it is still possible that the construction can begin this year. I believe in talking with uh our deputy director uh Drew Banghar, it seemed unlikely that we
would complete the project this year, but I think there is still good chance that we would be able to start. >> So, so what what does that look like if you start the project and not able to complete it? >> Sure. So, some of the work that starts first are uh the concrete work. So that
is things like um new ADA ramps um that are compliant for ADA, uh the curb extensions, some of those sorts of um pieces of the work. Those would happen first and then the actual milling and repaving of the road and striping the bike lane, actually converting it to
oneway, that would come after um that concrete work. >> So Franklin Avenue is currently two-way, >> correct? So, just a little bit of the complexity, right? We had the delay because we're doing the redesign. Um, but when we move
to advance the actual construction contract once the DOT approves and once the contract goes out to bid and we have a contractor and we kick off, we're going to need to be coordinating very closely with the school itself. So it depends a little bit on the school calendar, how much work we can do
beforehand because we understand that there's a lot of activity around the school pickup drop off and we don't want to be disruptive. So um that's one of the dependencies we can't give you an exact answer to. And the second dependency is the weather. If it's warm later, you know, we can do more concrete
work, we can do more paving, we can do more striping. Um, so you know, our goal is to get this done at least started this year, but based on the amount of work that needs to be done, um, it's possible it may go through to the other side of winter to allow us to do some of
the, you know, concrete work, paving work, um, pavement marking work that that's weather dependent. Now, as it relates to I know last year, I don't know if it was last year, but probably a year or two ago, um I know we voted to approve the contractual
agreement for the architectural plans and at one point that contract included one way from >> No, but the what is that pal? >> Uh tunnel. Is that where you're >> No, it didn't tunnel. Um Oh my god.
What's the ice rink? Where's Persian Field at? >> Central. >> Central. At one point it was gonna go from central all the way down, but we have since I guess compromised. So from a contractual agreement, how does that look? Because or did they already
provide renderings for the entirety of that stretch? >> They uh they have put more efforts into uh a more robust design for the stretch that is between Palisad and Central Avenue. So, um, originally we weren't
going to have them do concrete curb extensions. Um, so we had them do that. We've, um, you know, done some design modifications. So, uh, they had studied the whole corridor and kind of surveyed the whole corridor. Um, but now they've
really focused their design efforts on, um, just building in more complex design, I guess I would say. >> And the plans are complete. the AR the p the renderings are done as it relates >> uh so they are we're waiting for the
revisions so with the discussions about the oneway um and meeting with public safety there had been concerns about response times um so a couple of the changes that they've been working on over the past several weeks are um
making a fire access lane um that will allow them to respond more quickly to the more challenging parts of Franklin Street. Um, also adding some uh curb extensions to keep the curb clear on the north side of Franklin because they mentioned double parking and parking too
close to the curb uh can slow them down. Um, and then there were as a result of the public meetings, uh, some other small adjustments, things like additional markings in the bike lane, actually similar to what you're, uh, talking about on Montgomery, having sort
of like rumble strips to kind of again give more feedback to cyclists at the crossings to slow down and to yield to pedestrians. Um, and then also some driveway modifications. Just to clarify for everyone's benefit, all of the work that was envisioned west
of Central on Manhattan has been eliminated from the project. So the project includes a small segment on Central and then Franklin and east of Central. >> Okay, next one. >> All right. Uh the next item is 10.26
resolution 26-309. This is a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to apply for and accept funds from the United States Department of Transportation safe streets and road for all grant for supplemental planning and demonstration projects. Uh this is the same grant that
we're using to update the vision zero action plan right now. Uh do the public marketing and campaign and also do supplemental studies like the sidewalk condition and lighting analysis. Um so we're going to seek another round of funding. Um we are partnering with the
department of public safety. Um so we have this opportunity through the federal uh federal government has adopted the safe system approach and one of those pillars is postc crash care. Um so we have an opportunity to actually partner with public safety to look more
proactively at response times throughout the city. um doing more analysis, piloting some tools, looking how at what we can do with uh signals and striping to help with uh emergency response times
and also uh as part of this grant, we are also looking to uh demonstrate some improvement, safety improvements uh around schools on the Hindre network. Um so our concept is to uh pick a priority school area in each ward um and do
demonstration project activities and our strategy is to utilize the um sort of reusable materials that uh we could use even after the grant. Um there is a 20% local match uh for this project and uh
similar to what director Diamond mentioned, we would be looking to um really use other city contracts and efforts to offset the cost of the project. So for example, we would offset some of the demonstration project costs with our on call striping contractor. Um
public safety is making improvements and and looking to invest in improvements in their data capabilities. So that would be able to offset um this grant as well. Um yeah, happy to answer any questions. >> Sure. So when you say demonstration project,
>> um would an example be what um was done on Monttoello Avenue? >> Yes, that's a great example. So we would be identifying an area, working with the community to understand what the challenges are, what the safety issues are, what they would like to see, and
then using sort of temporary materials to we I think for this one we would look to um you know have it installed for several weeks or um I think with some of the materials it could even be a little bit longer and um evaluate, collect data, if it works well then we can go
ahead and make it permanent. Um, yeah. >> What question? You're >> I'm done. Go ahead. >> Okay, great. Um, thank you. You mentioned the kind of public communications and public relations part of this. Is this grant money can some of
this grant money get allotted toward that public communications? Yes, that's a great uh great question and yes, we do intend to work into this grant um additional funding to be able to do communications and messaging and education um in a similar way that we
were able to work it into the current SS for a grant. Um so that's definitely something that we are looking to include. >> I'm curious both how much of the potential grant like what percentage of the potential grant we think would be allocated toward that amount and what
benefits we see. I mean, I've been, you know, riding around seeing the billboards provision zero around the city. Um, I'm just curious what kind of benefits we think come from that side of the public relations. I think definitely getting communications directly to residents through whether it's door
knocking or mailers or um digital ads. I think though that kind of direct message of hey this demonstration project is coming to your neighborhood, but if you can answer to the effects of something like a vision zero billboard that's a bit more general, I would love to know.
>> Sure. Yeah. Um we we certainly can um work into our plan to have more of that on the ground um sort of door-to-door outreach. I think that's a great idea for us to build that into the budget. Uh there's a lot of flexibility here. Um, so we can make sure that whatever we are
allocating, we can bump up that amount and make sure uh that we're able to do that sort of engagement. Um, I don't have off the top of my head um necessarily numbers or figures that would indicate how much more a billboard
reaches than um you know x number of hours of door knocking. Um we can certainly look into that a little bit more. I know part of the strategy for this was the kind of surround sound um aspect of it so that people would kind
of see the message in a lot of different formats and have it sort of reinforced through the project. >> Can I suggest something? Um sorry, director. >> No, just to add real quick on the billboards if that's all right, Councilwoman. Um, one of the key things
with the billboards is all the door knockocking, all of that, those other outreach methods are very effective, but for residents, we also recognize there's a number of people who drive on our streets through our community who are not residents who are not going to reach through those efforts. So, the idea is the billboard is earned media to get other drivers who are driving through
Jersey City to see them as well. So, it's a little bit of a different target, but um similar strategy. Sorry. >> Thank you. I wanted to suggest if you can have the uh the flyers at the farmers market. I think that's a good way to spread the
word and also if you would like to involve the council, we have our, you know, social channels to spread the word in the neighborhood. >> Thank you very much. We will do that. We'll take you up on that for our current effort as well. Right now, um we
you'll start to notice the billboards. Um, there's some transit shelters, also the digital kiosks around the city are starting to roll some of those messages, but we can definitely translate those into social media and thank you in advance for all your help getting the word out.
>> Is is the funding for that coming from the prior grant or or grant money billboard? >> Yeah, it's um right now what you see out there right now is coming from that prior grant. I I I just want to say um when we talk about education, you know,
and um I'm going to continue to advocate for the south side of the city. Um you know, people I had several people ask me, "What is vision zero, right?" And and you know, they see the billboards, but they're like, "What is it?" Right?
and and I explain it to them, but I I think the education portion of it um especially on the south side um would would make a make a big difference um when it comes to to traffic and pedestrian
safety. Um and and you know residents can formulate you know their their their own opinions and ideas of how to be safe and and so um you know yeah I just think
it's important to to educate all parts of the city. >> Yes. Thank you. Absolutely. Um the billboards have you know that very simple message trying to get you know people to sort of start asking those questions if they don't if they're not familiar with vision zero maybe prompts
them to think what is that? Um and so on the kiosks and the transit ads. One of the things we did was take real photos around the city of some of the projects that have been implemented, whether it's no rate on red or the pedestrian leading pedestrian intervals or the curb
extensions and tried to explain, you know, in very, you know, short language um so that you could kind of consume it walking by quickly, you know, what the safety benefit was for. So people will hopefully start to see, you know, connect these projects to safety and and
why we're doing them. And that's of course only one piece of it. We're going to be out doing meetings and um going to events throughout the summer and being able to talk to people and and answer questions and have those opportunities to educate. Um and again, if if folks do
have uh suggestions for events that we should be at, um please do feel free to share those with us. Um, similar to the master plan, we'll try to get to a number of those throughout the summer. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You
uh Crystal, deput chief of staff, mayor's office. >> Sir, give me a second. Give me a second. Sorry, I was reading emails. Um, good afternoon council president and members of the council. I'm here to present two items on the agenda. First,
we have resolution 26- uh 298, item 10.15, a resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding regarding the flag city's event to take place on June 12th. Um so just um high
level this res this uh resolution is essentially just going to ensure that the city is reimbursed for um all of the costs associated with putting together flag cities. Um we worked very closely with public safety and DPW to get a
rough estimate of the cost and it was approximately 117K. Thisou will allow for up to $174,223 to re be reimbursed back to the city. >> Questions?
>> Just trying to Sorry. >> Go ahead, council. >> Sorry I interrupted. Um, how do we only get money back if uh flag cities get state grant? Because if
they get the grant, then we get the money back. So can we change that we can get at least some money even if they do not get the grant because they are earning profit through this. >> Um so they did receive the grant. The
grant is being administered by choose New Jersey. Um and thisou would essentially just ensure that we get reimbursed via that grant. In terms of seeing if we can get more money, this event is free and so we're not
generating any revenue. We're just ensuring Yeah, sorry. Go ahead. >> No, no, I because through sponsorship and uh vendor fees, they are getting the money, right? Maybe I'm mistaken if >> Yeah. So for our other activations
across the city, we are util um you know working to obtain sponsors. But for this event on June 12th, the Flag Cities event um we are going to be uh working with the Axia marketing from Flag Cities.
So, so today um the official page for the Jersey City posted on social media at the June 12th, June 21st, July 10th to 11th, and July 19th events and said all free, no cost to taxpayers. Um,
just for clarification, just to make sure I understand what you told Councilwoman Singh, the first one is being covered by this grant, which we we have, and we just need to authorize theou, but the money is there, and the others we have secured sponsorships to
fully fund them. So, all four of them will be no cost to the city. >> Yes, that's correct. >> Awesome. Thanks. what we want to do here. Councilman Brooks, >> thank you. Um
uh it does say that the events will be um free, but there it's like ticketed, but there's an RSVP system. Could you talk a little bit more about how residents can um RSVP and then also I imagine there's probably going to be capacity too?
>> Yeah, that's a great question. So, um, the event, um, I want to say organizers, they're assisting us with putting together all the logistics, but they essentially wanted a way to be able to track the amount of attendees to expect. So, that's why they're encouraging um,
you know, residents and other visitors to uh, register, but there is no cost to registering at all. Um, we are anticipating approximately 12,000 attendees. >> Is that for per event.
>> So, this is for Flag City specifically. >> This is for Flag City. 12,000. >> 12,000. Yep. >> Okay. >> Any other questions on 10:15? Next one. Crystal. Um the next ordinance is 26-032
agenda item 3.4. So this essentially um uh is going to be amending chapter 122-2 public assemblies. Um it is going to extend the hours of operations for special events that receive permits from
1000 p.m. to midnight um for the duration of the 2026 World Cup. Um so I believe that is from June 11th to July 10th >> questions. Do have couple of questions. How
selectively will these hours be applied? For example, if we have >> council woman is saying move closer to the mic. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Sorry about that Sean. When you're staring at me I get worse. Um,
so for example, Hamilton Park, if we do the event there until 2:00 a.m., people are going to be very unhappy. You know, even around 8 8:30, they get upset. So, how are we going to decide on the um
number of hours, the areas, what's the process? >> Yeah. So, cultural affairs works very closely with all event organizers. this um amendment will just extend the hours that an event can take place until midnight. So, they cannot go past
midnight. So, if if there's an event that wants to operate in until 2 in the morning, that is not going to be allowed. Um and um like I said, cultural affairs will work very closely with event organizers and if we feel as though um a midnight um event is not suitable for the
location, then we will work with the organizers and see if we can come find a middle ground. I I have a question. Uh Sarah, is there any way um and I'm just asking, do we have to amend
this ordinance? There's no way it can be done just for this event or these events. >> So, our city code that sets these time limits is created by legislation. And so
the only way to override legislation is with subsequent legislation. There might be ways in the future to draft the legislation to permit through something like a rule or an executive order a little bit more flexibility, but as written it's in our code, so we have to
do a code amendment. >> Okay. So Gilmore couldn't do a executive order. >> Any other questions? And just want to make one more note. Um so this um amendment is going to come with a resolution to wave the 20day
waiting period um only because Flag Cities is uh going to begin on June uh 12th. So we are going to be cutting it a little bit closed. So just as an FYI >> is is that resolution here? >> That would not be on this meeting. That
resolution will be on the next meeting because that's when the ordinance would be on for a public hearing and final consideration for second reading. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And of course, >> I'll be uh sending you an email. I do
have couple of questions so offline. >> Yeah, of course. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sean. Can we uh defer to 10.12 and then take it from the top? >> Sure. So
let me go to 10.12. 10.12 is resolution 26-295 is a resolution introducing and approving the 2026-2027 budget of the Central Avenue Special Improvement District. directing the city
clerk to publicly advertise the budget and schedule a public hearing and directing the tax assessor to prepare an assessment role of properties within the district based upon the budget. We have our director here to answer any questions that the council may have. So, council members, if you have any
questions one at a time, don't hit them all. Don't hit her all at once. Um, please ask away. >> Oh, sure. Well, director, while you're here, if you want to just identify yourself for the people who are at home, too.
>> Good evening. My name is Diana Deator. I am the executive director for Central Avenue Special Improvement District here for resolution 26295. Thanks. >> All right. Thank you, director. No questions.
>> That means you did a great job. Okay. >> Right. Take it from the top. On to our first reading ordinances. Item 3.1, city ordinance 26-029, is a franchise ordinance granting permission to 24 Bright Street LLC to
its successors and assigns to conduct private improvements within 204 square ft of the Bright Street public right ofway adjacent to lot 37 block 14106 on the official tax map of the city of
Jersey City. Does the council have any questions? Nope. Hearing none. Great. Item 3.2 was touched on earlier. Item 3.3, ordinance 26-031 is an ordinance of the municipal council of the city of Jersey City, amending
chapter A350, rules of order of the Jersey City Code to establish Tuesday prior to the caucus meeting as the deadline for distri distribution of the municipal council meeting agenda. So, we have uh Councilman Lavaro's aid,
Kristen, who's here to speak about this ordinance. >> Good evening, Council President, members of the council. I'm reading this on behalf of Councilman Lavaro, who sends his regrets for missing caucus today. The councilman asked me to share a brief
statement on ordinance 26-031 which amends rule five of the rules of order to establish a hard deadline for distribution of the council agenda. The ordinance does three things. First, it moves a deadline for submitting agenda
items to two weeks before each council meeting. Second, it codifies the agenda meeting on the Thursday immediately following the submission deadline. Third, it establishes that the agenda will be distributed to all of you, to
the mayor, to the business administrator, and to corporation council by 10:00 a.m. on the Tuesday before caucus, guaranteeing a 6-day window for review. Council Lavaro has spoken with each of you individually about this ordinance
over the past day. He has also prepared a memorandum which you have received. I believe you received the FAQs once you were here. Council President uh Ridley is co-sponsor. The councilman is reachable by phone tonight, tomorrow and
Wednesday for any questions. He will be present at the deis for the first reading on Wednesday and asks for your support on introduction. Thank you. >> Kristen, thank you for adding in the um language about the council caucus
meeting. No, the council agenda meeting. Um that was my contribution to this ordinance. So questions. >> Um I just have a brief question I guess um for legal um as it relates to the
the rules of order. Can we add um that we include the uh prompt in meetings? Would that be considered as a major change if we add if the promp can be
included in meetings? It's not mandatory, but if >> the promp >> promp president. Yes. Because right now, and I think it's Sean, council president, BA, and the mayor's office representative, right?
>> Um, legal is there. >> The question is if you I'm sorry. Uh, if you can attend. >> Yes. I see no legal issue with you attending. >> No, no, no. I know I know we're permitted. I
I want I wanted to see if we can if we can add that. Not for me per se because I don't even know if I have the time, but I'm just saying in general um if we can have that in the language that council president promp is
permissible to attend or whatever. So that way in an instance where the the president is not there and the promp have to fill in they will have like the I guess the backstory or whatever. >> I see no legal issue with that. >> Okay.
>> Now currently we usually do that the prom attends the agenda meeting if the president isn't there and before the agenda meeting wasn't codified. Um, so I asked them to put it in so that the agenda meeting is part of the rules of order. So I think uh the councilman is
just looking to expand on that and just make sure everything's there. >> Got it. This this is the first reading. So if that's a change that you want to make to this ordinance, that's not a problem. >> But is it substantial? That's what I'm asking. >> No. And that's not relevant. That's only relevant on a second reading when
determining whether it needs to go back to a first. But this is its first appearance. So you can make edits. >> All right. All right. Thank you. I just want to say thank you. This will give us enough time to get prepared ready and uh I think we can communicate and sometimes it takes time and we give a lot of
pressure to Sean and BA that send us a follow-up. So thank you for taking the initiative. >> I have a couple of questions. Um so um corporation council for
amendments you're saying for the first reading we can introduce amendments on the floor on Wednesday and vote on those amendments. >> Technically if you don't mind cooperation council so no it really it you're not amending a first reading
ordinance you're just making edits to a first reading ordinance. The only time you make amendments is during a second reading ordinance and those amendments can be made on the floor and then corporation council would have to determine whether those amendments of substantial or not. >> Okay. But would we edit it on the floor
or we would we edit it prior to the meeting? >> We can edit it. You can you can make edits now. we can put in those edits for Wednesday and we can vote on on those edits for introduction on on Wednesday.
>> Okay. But okay. Um so when so I so um I really appreciate this effort from Councilman Lavaro's office. I think it's it's a good thing to get the agenda out sooner. Um I broadly
support this. There is uh one edit that I will suggest and um I said it to um Councilman Labaro when he called me Sunday morning and independently u my legislative director had the same thought. Um and she told me about it
today and we we both share this concern that um 14 days prior to the meeting is the same as the last council meeting in nearly every case. um Wednesdays. Um we feel that, you know, particularly when
there's something contentious on the agenda, we're getting a bunch of phone calls from constituents. Um we're getting phone calls from the mayor's office. We're getting phone calls from our colleagues. Um sometimes on Wednesdays, we also have closed session the hour um before council. Um, and you
know, in my limited experience uh, putting forward um, resolutions or ordinances, it seems like there's also edits being made at the last minute to those frequently. Um, so I would suggest that the deadline for submitting agenda items instead of 14 days before each
council meeting be 12 days before each council meeting. Um, another point related to that is that um, during the council meeting itself on Wednesday evening, we hear public comment and sometimes the public may raise an issue
that um, we had not yet considered and by giving ourselves those uh, two extra buffer days um, it I I believe the two extra buffer days would be beneficial. Uh currently I believe uh the deadline is what eight days um
seven days before um or or effectively eight because it's the Tuesday. Um so I feel like moving from 8 to 12 would still be um building in extra time. Um, but I my proposed edit would be instead of having the deadline be 14 days, have
it be 12 days simply because 14 days before is the LA is the previous council meeting. And and to me that just seems like too much on one Wednesday and I would I would propose adding this two extra days of buffer time. So,
so your concern is that let's say this was already passed and we have the meeting Wednesday. You're concerned that if the public have the agenda available, they will ask questions on the next meeting versus
meeting here? >> No. If if it's a if it's a topic that we are considering legislation on, for example, um the rubs legislation, right? Uh we heard from members of the public on that legislation as it was being worked on, as it was being drafted, and they provided relevant comments during
the public comment period. Yeah. So, so I I would I would propose we just allow um those two days of extra buffer time so that we're not >> Are you referring to getting legislation to
the agenda meeting or are you talking about publication of the agenda? Oh, I'm talking about the deadline for us to submit council members to submit. >> So, currently it's 12 days prior to the meeting. >> It is, I believe, seven days or eight
days. >> I'll double check it, but I thought it was 12. >> No, I think it's eight or isn't it? >> I believe it's seven items currently have to be submitted before 3 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to caucus, which is
seven days prior to a council meeting. >> So, I stand correct. >> So, so this is changing it from 7 days to 14 days. I'm saying that's a big change and I'm proposing instead of 14 >> 12 >> 12 >> that that would be that would >> Okay, I got you. Because you don't want
to be trying to submit something right before the council meeting for the next council >> because you got doing >> you're going to need those two days to Yeah. >> Thursday as opposed to end of day Thursday and Friday. >> Friday instead of Wednesday is my that's my proposed edit. Otherwise, I broadly support it. Um, I support your your
proposed edit to Councilman Gilmore. Um, and I thank Councilman Lavaro and Council President Ridley for moving this forward because I do think this will help us be more organized overall. >> I will bring that suggestion to Councilman Lavaro >> as the other sponsor. I'd be curious
your thoughts on that. >> Um, I I think it makes sense, but you know, I don't want to take credit for like the entire uh ordinance. All I did was add a date for the agenda meeting. So I don't want to like take Councilman Lavaro Sean. I appreciate him adding me
as a co-sponsor. Um but that was, you know, my contribution. I think some of this feedback is helpful. Um as we know, you know, it might sound like enough time for us to get stuff in and review things, but when you're actually in the flow of things, we know how tight it is
from one council meeting to the next council meeting. Um, so I think that Councilwoman Little's point is well taken and uh, you know, we should have some dialogue with Councilman Lavaro's office and see where we can all meet in the middle.
>> You Thank you. >> Okay. Item 3.4 was touched on earlier. On to our second reading ordinances. Item 4.1, city ordinance 26 day 027 is the amendment to chapter 218.
Any questions with both 4.1 and 4.2? Happy to answer any questions and my legislative director Zeke is here to answer any questions but hope to count on my colleague support.
>> Um just real quick Jake. Um so as it relates to to usage this is basically um creating a transparent mechanism to show basically how they're breaking it down right um
>> exactly >> is there I guess is there anything we well I guess to legal is it anything is there anything residents can do um let's say If
if it's a building, if it's a a condo, um three separate units, one is a two and then one is a three and then one is a one. As it is now, isn't it like 33% per doesn't necessarily matter the
demographic? I think part of the point is that if those are all rented out by one landlord with rubs, the landlord could chop up the utility costs in totally non-transparent ways and pass them on to the tenants in ways that the tenant wouldn't know if they're actually
paying 33% or any other. And >> this essentially forces them to reveal that. >> Correct. >> Okay. I I think I would just I would just say um I think it's I I think first of all I think this is great, right? But I I
would I would um in the future maybe like to see this unless it's part of this um to be expounded on, right? Um a tenant gets their their their bill, right? I want to see uh Roman board, if
there's gyms or anything, facilities, parking, gas, and electric because there are so many hidden fees um that, you know, people
people don't even understand, you know, what they're paying for. >> Yeah. I mean, certainly that's the that's the spirit of the ordinances. >> Okay. Yeah. I'm good with it. >> Yeah, we got we got >> All right, Sean. That's a good audience.
>> Okay, we have our public speakers. Right now, we're up to 58. On to our petitions and communications. Item 6.1 through 6.17. And I have another one I'm going to add from Council Person Griffin. There are
no officer communications. We have our reported directors 8.1. >> May I request a petition slashcommunication please? >> Say that again. >> May I request uh 6.14 I think it is.
>> 6.14. >> Just making sure that's the right. Yeah. 64. I'll send that to everyone. >> Thank you. Thank you. Sean, sorry. >> Sorry, John. 6.3, please.
You want 6.14 6.3. >> Anyone else? >> I have questions on six 6.14. >> That's the >> That's the one I'm going to send to everyone. >> Okay. >> 6 6.13
>> and 6.13. So I got 14 if I put them in order. 6.3 13 and 14. Is that correct? >> Yes. I I would also like to request um 6.4 through 6.6, 6.10, 6.12, and 6.15, please.
>> Okay. So, 6.4 through >> 4 through six. So, four, five, six. >> Okay. >> 10 >> and then 10 >> 12 uh 14, but you got that already. Um and 15.
>> Okay. Anyone else? year. >> Send them all. >> So, Sean, yeah, send them all. >> That's what I was about to say. >> Send them all. But, uh, send them all. >> Sean, can you I'm not going to send them all. >> We'll we'll have a conversation maybe offline. Maybe there's a uh a uh shared
server and start putting these things on so it's all available and you send them individually. >> Some of these do not come through electronically. They come through mail. Some of them are booklets that I can't I would have to rip them apart to try to
copy them. Um, so it depends on which ones that we're referring to. The ones that are easy to copy and scan, I can easily send. >> Okay. >> Any questions on officer comm I mean reporter directors 8.1 through 8.5?
We have our claims and then on to our resolutions. >> But question on claims. Um I think it was on page 20. Uh there's I mean there's a number of social recreation expenses. Um in page 20 there's $450 for
a chess class as one example. I just wanted to get some clarity on what that $450 chess class was. Yeah, I'd have to speak with the finance department. My guess is they're probably programs run through cultural affairs or recreation. It's probably just paying
the vendors that we do, you know, for various classes for children or community groups. But I can get finance to clarify that. >> Thank you. And then I think it was page 38, uh, the Traveling Vet LLC. Um
is that this is a vendor that we've been using and it's been providing house call services or services through the the shelter through the shelter pass through the shelter. So traveling means they come to us. It doesn't mean
we actually go in the community. They provide a surgical they have a mobile surgical unit. So they come to us. They prefer a lot of the surgeries. I think mostly spay and neuters and then pack up and leave and go to the next location for more surgeries. Thank you.
>> Councilman of what was the other one? >> Yes. >> Oh, that was on page 20. Are there any other questions? Okay. Items 10.1 and 10.2 were touched
on earlier. Item 10.3, city resolution 26-286, is a resolution honoring St. George and St. Shannuda Coptic Orthodox Church Robotics Team. Item 10.4 through 10.7 are all donations.
If anyone has questions, please ask. >> Can we uh BA, can you just explain those for clarity? >> Yes. So these are donations from private vendors. Um they go towards the what is known as rock the block for seniors where the Jerry city public safety
department would put on summer festivals to you know encourage seniors to come out to participate to get to know the police public safety members. Um historically this has been paid through the operating budget. Obviously with the current state of the city we're trying to be more mindful of how we're spending money. So there's a real concentrated
effort by public safety and the administration to raise the money to do those but do it through philanthropic means. You know they went out and they you know talked to a lot of the community partners and received donations where we can still put on the same program but we will not be using operating funds to do that. So this is
essentially the funding that would be necessary to operate the you know senior events um without you know billing it to the taxpayer. Thanks, Sean. >> Okay. Items 10.8 through 10.9 were touched on
earlier. Item 10.10, city resolution 26-293, is a resolution recognizing a Catholic action of St. Mary of Mary of St. Mary's Parish during 48th annual Spatanian. I might mispronounce that. I'm sorry. And
Flores Domeo celebration on Sunday, May 24th, 2026. Item 10.11, resolution 26-294 is a resolution authorizing member participation in the purchasing cooperative of America cooperative
purchasing system. Item 10.12 which touched on earlier. Items 10.13 through 17 were touched on earlier. Item 10.18 city resolution 26- 30 Sorry I didn't have the camera on me.
301 is a resolution authorizing cooperation agreement with the city with Jersey City Redevelopment Agency allowing entities to cooperate in procuring professional advisory planning and project management services pertaining to redevelopment projects.
Item 10.19, city resolution 26-302, is a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to apply and accept funds from the United States of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency fiscal year 2024 and 2025 building resilient infrastructure and
communities grant program for the McGovern Park Resilience Project. >> I think we covered that one, Sean. >> We did. Yeah, >> we covered that one. That was 19, right? >> Yeah, we covered that one. Thank you, Sean.
>> Yes, I'm getting old. Item 10 10.22 touched on earlier. Item 10.23, city resolution 26-306 is a resolution authorizing a close session of the municipal council on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss issues related to pending
litigation. Item 10.24 was touched on earlier. Item 10.2 25. Resolution 26-308 is a resolution authorizing the exercise of the first of three one-year renewal
option for the contract with RWJ Barnabas Health to provide ambulance service to residents, commuters, and visitors for the period of June 1st, 2026 through May 31st, 2027. >> Is which
confuses? So to provide ammun why why is this standing >> a specific Peter? >> Yeah I I can explain this one. So this is the ambulance contract. The city does not have an in-house ambulance provider. We contract through outside uh vendors.
In this case it's RWJ. This is approved originally back in 2024. Is no cost to the city. So they don't charge us anything. We don't pay for anything. they do it, you know, because they get to charge the patient for the transport and then, you know, when they go to the hospital, obviously, you know, they bill
normal financial proceeds. So, this is just authorizing a vendor, in this case, RWJ, to continue the contract. They were they're current operator, should I say, we can do up to three one-year contracts. This is the first authorization of the one-year contract for that extension.
>> Good question, Peter. What What did we do before this? >> Uh, it depends. So RWJ has been with us for quite some time. Um I believe prior to 2024 there was a combination of RWJ and I think McCabe who oped out of
Christ hospital um was part of it and they kind of divvied up you know part of the city um be before that I'm not entirely sure if I recall but I know we did have to pay for it historically. I think it was in 2024 where we eliminated
the payments and made it cost neutral to the city. So we've kind of come a long way from where we were originally. >> Just for my self institutional knowledge. So typically because I was under the impression that the medical
center provided the services the service because like that's >> it's their hospital. >> It was it's their hospital and it's all part of their service. But it looks like the onus is on the municipality to provide the transportation to get to the
service. Am I accurate in that assessment? >> That is correct. I I think hospitals a lot of times have their own ambulances just for their own operations. However, they are not required to provide a service to the community. That is something done through the government whether local, county or state. Um some
counties have a countywide ambulance service. Some like you know Hudson County relies on municipalities. We have our own individual services. >> Thank you. So, is there any like liability um concerns with the city and the hospitals
as far as this? Like, are there any liability? >> Corp counselor can correct me, but it's a pretty extensive contract we have with them. There's a lot of identification involved. So, >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. So, it's no cost and
the responsibility of the patient is basically on the hospital. So if we uh is there any clause that we can't go back to the old system of having multiple services like if we wanted to enlist another ambulance
service in addition to the medical center. I guess if we did that there would probably be a fee. I'm guessing they're not using the fee because they're going to their hospital anyway. But >> yeah, so for context uh we'd have to go back to RFP. this was really done
through an RFP in 2024. We'd have to redo that all over again, which we are not prepared to, and we want to make sure we have some mainland service obviously operating. Um, in addition to that, in 2024, when we went out to RFP, we only had one respondent, and that was RWJ Barnabas. Um, it is a very niche
market, as I'm sure you can understand, and we're a very large municipality with a lot of residents, so it's hard for a lot of vendors to accommodate our size and call volume and things of that nature. Um, you know, obviously if the council thinks that we should go off to RFP, we can explore that. I would encourage next round after the year
extension is done, we have more time to really sit down and work with the partners to figure out what avenues we have. Um, but right now we want to make sure we have some kind of, you know, capacity to provide services the residents. >> I have a question. Um, do we know how many um, ambulances
are operating per shift? thing. I don't recall off the top of my head. I'd have to look back into the documents. I believe it's around 4 to 7. I have to check that. >> Well, okay. The the the reason Well, the reason why I asked that is because
um you know, the point was to the point was brought up to bring in another operator and due to a hospital closing uh people calling 911, they may be these ambulances may be taking them out of town.
Generally the ambulance has to take them to the closest I think there's a state law mandate don't quote me I'm not an expert they have to take them to the closest hospital hospital hospital unless requested otherwise so for instance if you were at the very tip of the heights and you need an ambulance
and it's closer to go to a saucus or various hospital they might or hoboken they might try to take you to a local hospital just because of response times they want to get you care as soon as possible but uh you could request to go to a different hospital if you so choose. >> Right. But okay, so I guess my Okay, so
here's my question. I am on the south side of Jersey City, right? The closest hospital to me is Bayon. I dial 911. Where's my ambulance coming from? It's coming from the medical center
>> now. So they're stationed throughout the city. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Well, but but it's a Jersey City But it's a Jersey City ambulance. >> It's a Yeah, it's a it's a RWJ ambulance contracted through Jersey City. >> Okay. And so that ambulance
because the closest hospital if if I'm if I'm in Curry's Woods, the closest hospital is Bayon. >> Mhm. So now, you know, we're taking we're taking a ultimately it's like we're taking a
ambulance kind of out of service in Jersey City. If they're going to another town, dropping someone off, they're probably doing, you know what I'm saying? And so I mean, >> we get more information on in regards to >> Yeah. I would argue every time an AMF is
on a call, it takes him out. You know, whether it's to Bayon or to Sakus or Hobok, whatever. If you're on a call in general, you're just not an operation. But they have a lot of statistics about how many ambulances they would need to address specific call times. You know, generally how this is conceived is based
on response times per incident, per 10,000 patients, hours, etc. Um, so we do have a below the national average response time. So we're doing better than the national average in Jur City and in Hudson County. >> Can I can I ask just on a note of where
the ambulances are coming from? Um, is there any room in the contract to direct as the city to direct Barnabas to have certain locations be the like staging grounds for ambulances? >> I don't believe so. No. >> Okay. I'm just curious if I mean people
are still walking up to Christ Hospital expecting that they can get emergency care there and it it could make sense to have ambulatory services right there um on on site to be able to obviously they might be called out and not able to be
there 24/7 but to have that area be a staging ground um >> I can double check where their staging grounds are. One might caution about Christ Hospital is that it's privately owned land. >> So, they would have to contract with the owners of that land, potentially utilize
that facility. Um, so let me just figure out probably where they are first and that might, you know, resolve some of the uh the questions you have there. >> Thank you. Yeah, that would be great. >> Um, just for my own edification, um, you know, I I I plan to vote for this. Um, I don't think this is the year to rock the
boat or find additional things we want to spend money on. But in the long term, you know, it in my opinion, it's very dystopian that in the United States, an ambulance ride can cost thousands of dollars. Um, no one no one is taking joy rides in ambulances. People in
ambulances are are going in the ambulance because it's a matter of life or death typically. And um I understand this is no cost to the city and that the ambulance company will bill the patient. Um I would be very curious to know um
what the cost would be if one day, not this year, but one day the city wanted to make up the difference between whatever the patient's insurance doesn't cover. um so that patients are not or or if the patient is uninsured if the city were to cover the ambulance ride um just so
patients are not stuck with thousands of dollars of ambulance bills um when the alternative is possibly death. Um so again, I plan to vote for this this year. I understand the budget crisis we're in, but long-term I would love to know those numbers just for my own edification. Would that be something
that um the city could run? And it's it's not urgent. I don't need it before Wednesday, but um I would love to see those numbers if that's something we could sort of estimate. >> Yeah, that'd be difficult to quantify because it depends on the insurance of a lot of the individuals. Um
but it' probably be in the millions to be honest and I have to figure out exactly how we would try to quantify that what parameters we would look at. So I'm h happy to work with you on that. >> Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. The only variable that I can report right now is looking at the RFP submissions from 2024. At that time, the medical
center reported that it was transporting over 140,000 patients a year. So, whatever assumption of cost per ride you want to apply, that's a good multiplier for just a benchmark. >> Do we have any sense of what Barnabas is charging per ride? Is it based on
distance? >> It's based on a lot of factors, not just distance. type of insurance you have, Medicaid, Medicare, private, uninsured. Um, I believe depending on the insurance, there's a quantifier where a certain amount might be free of distance
and then distance beyond that might be an extra charge. So, it's it's not a one-sizefitall formula. There's a lot of factors to it. It >> is there a sk I mean, understanding that it would be a pretty complicated one. Is there a general schedule that we we could see? Does does Barnabas have to
provide a schedule of of costs? >> I'd probably have to follow up with you. I don't have anything on the top of my head for that. >> Yeah, I'd be I'd be curious to see so we can get a sense of again there's no cost to the taxpayer upfront, but as Councilwoman Little said, people are paying exorbitant amounts. So, yeah,
that I'd be be curious to see that. Thank you. and and if they're able to provide what percentage of ambulance rides um are for uninsured patients. That would be an interesting number to know as well. >> Thank you. I appreciate you helping us get those numbers.
>> Okay, Sean. >> Okay. Item 10.26 was touched on earlier. Item 10.27, city resolution 26-310 is a resolution awarding a contract to MUN code. This is for our cotification services. This is from my office. Um believe we're ready
to go on this one. Uh next is item 10.28, city resolution 26-311, uh resolution appointing Ruby Choy as a member of the insurance fund commission. >> Uh
I have questions. >> Excellent. Oh, could you actually just explain what the insurance commission does? >> So, because we are a selfinssured city, we have an insurance fund commission which in the budget you'll see you've seen with the temporary budget, the IFC
line. That's the insurance fund commission. They do things like port claim payouts, settlements, anything that we'd have to pay as a self-insured city. It goes through them. They control uh the ultimately you know the brokers and people that manage all those
payments, manage all the settlements and claims and once you give a budget to them they use that budget to make those payments and fulfill those obligations essentially. >> How many people is currently on um >> three? >> Oh, it's three. >> It's a board of three people. There's
currently one person on it and you're looking at them right now. Oh, okay. So, we're looking >> a great segue for the next resolution, which is 10.29. City resolution 26-312 is a resolution reappointing Peter Horton as a member of
the city insurance fund commission. >> So, you're asking us to send help. Peter, >> be so kind. >> Do you enjoy the work? 1030 is a resolution appointing William Fura as a member of the Jersey City Insurance Fund
Commission which is resolution 26313 >> motion >> 10.31 was touched on earlier. I have a motion to adjourn at 10 opportunity to say motion day >> at 56 p.m. by council person Gilmore.
May I have a second? >> Second. Second by council person Griffin. All in favor of the motion to adjourn at 5:56 p.m. All council members present by acclamation, please say I. >> We are out of here at 5:56 p.m. Thank you so much.