Okay. Good afternoon everyone. We are on the record. Today is Monday, the 23rd day of February in the year 2026. This is a city council caucus meeting of the Jersey City Municipal Council which is
being held virtually due to our blizzard that we had and we're still trying to dig out of this. We had a scheduled 4pm start. The clock on my computer is showing 4:03 p.m. May I have a roll call for the commencement of this caucus? Council
person Brooks >> present. Council person Zupa, >> I'm here. >> Council person Ephos, >> present. >> Council person Little, >> present.
>> Council person Gilmore, >> pres. >> Council person Singh, >> I'm here. >> Council person Griffin, >> here. Council
person Lavaro. >> Barely. >> Was that Council Person Lavaro? >> I said barely here. >> Okay. I thought it was you and Council President Ridley.
>> Here. >> All right. We have all nine council members in attendance at 4:03 p.m. On behalf of Council President Ridley and the members of the Municipal Council in the coordinates with New Jersey Public Laws of 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 Bolton 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 the time of its preparation, the agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, February 20th, 2026 at 7:31 p.m. to the mayor, municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, and
the local newspapers and posted on the city's website so I can certify as to our total compliance with the Sunshine Law. Council President, I know that you had sent out an email with regards to how we're going to proceed during this
virtual meeting. I am I am sharing my screen. Um, can everybody see the agenda on their screen? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> I heard a no. So, um, depending on what
device you have, uh, I am sharing the screen and I can scroll through it. I'm going to go right to the first reading ordinances. Is that correct, Council Press? You want me to take it right from the top?
>> Yes. Well, uh, in order to help this meeting move smoothly, since we are virtual and we have not done this in a while, I'm going to ask that Sean starts from the top of the agenda and we work our way down. Uh, council members,
please uh, let him read the item. Please let the director or if there's anyone presenting it, the BA explain it and then wait for me to call for questions before we uh start with questions just so we can keep it orderly uh on the
virtual uh meeting. >> Thanks so much, Council President. And again, just a reminder, uh just like the council president said, uh if we have people talking at the same time, we're not going to be able to be heard. So, if we can just hold the questions until the
council president will ask any council members to have questions, that would be fantastic. So, with that being said, item 3.1, city ordinance 26-009, is an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 160 fees and charges.
>> Okay. And do we have uh anyone presenting on 3.1 or BA? I believe we do have ATDC members here, but we are going to withdraw this one uh to a future meeting. Um there's some questions that council members sent in and we just make sure it's addressed
before we vote on it. >> Okay, we can move to the next one, Sean. >> Okay, I'm just trying to navigate through my computer. Okay, next is item 3.2.
City Ordinance 26-010 is an ordinance supplementing chapter 332, Vehicles and Traffic, Article 2, Traffic Regulations, amending section 332-5, one-way streets on Franklin Street between Palisade Avenue and
Central Avenue. >> Good afternoon, Council President. >> This is acting director Drew Banghart from infrastructure. um here to present this along with my colleague Lindseay Scoffield. Um this is, you know, part of a grant
project that we applied for uh back in 2022, I believe it was to create a new bikeway along Franklin Street. Um originally this project contemplated going all the way down to Tunnel Avenue
and um just through community feedback and work with our colleagues here in the city um Manhattan Avenue was removed from the project. So now we're focused solely on Franklin Street. >> Okay. Council members, any questions?
Uh, I know that Councilman Zupa and Councilman Efos did have a community meeting regarding these changes on Franklin Street. Um, so I'm open to any questions or comments at this time on 3.2.
>> This is council. Oh, go ahead, Jake. >> You sure? >> Yeah, please go ahead. >> Thank you, Tom. Um, yeah, this is Councilman Afro. Uh, thank you, Director Bingart. Um, I just wanted to see if there was any update on conversation between public safety andor fire and
infrastructure since the community meeting we held last week. Um, would just love to hear if there was any conversation and any discussion on um, mitigating any of the the concerns that were brought up at that meeting.
>> Yes, we we did meet with representatives from the fire department. um you know proactively working together to move this project forward. Um there were some response time comments brought up at
that meeting and we're working on um some minor edits that will help speed up those response times. Um it may remove a couple parking spaces uh out near stop and shop. And we've also committed to just a whole approach
to harden off some uh curb intersections so that people aren't parking too close to the intersections which will reduce response times in this area and you know throughout the region of of the heights. Um so that's something we did commit to
with the fire department. Uh, I do believe Deputy Chief Hart is is on the call as well, and I apologize that I'm not on video, but makes things a little weird. Um, but yes, we're we're working with them on, you know, addressing those
concerns. Um, and we did take a look at some of the studies they provided and I think, uh, you know, we're we're moving forward with working with them. and Councilman, uh, the infrastructure
department and fire department also prepared a comprehensive memo that I sent out. Um, I do not believe Sean had a chance to distribute yet to the council, but you will have that, I'm sure, as soon as this caucus meeting is ended. Okay, I appreciate that.
Um, I also wanted to ask if if we have Director Hart on the or WG, excuse me, Hart on the call. Um, we had some uh neighbors take a look at the study that fire had done actually. Um, and a neighbor suggested uh some
decreased response times could come from using not the Summit Avenue engine, but uh up on Palisade instead that with the proposed improvements on Franklin Street. Um, using that engine instead could reduce the estimated response
times. um as opposed to summit could Yeah, I'm just curious if that was already taken into account in the in the study or in conversation since then. Um if you have any thoughts on that. >> So we'll get director um deputy chief
Hart um on the line. >> Can you hear me, Sean? >> Yes, you're on the air. >> So um yep. So, so with the with the GIS mapping done from that initial study, um
715 Summit Avenue is is the closer house to probably the western side of Central and Franklin where the house you're referencing uh engine 14 and ladder 7 coming from Palisad and Congress um although it's a straight shot a little
bit further away. So the way our dispatch system works, the dispatch is the closest and obviously we were trying to work very closely with infrastructure. Um we took a look at the response times for um
all rigs, all apparatus in during that pilot period. And we did note an uptick of approximately a minute for at least two or three of the addresses. Um not quite as bad as what the study showed. So there is there is a difference. It is a minute. Um and obviously we met with
infrastructure on Friday uh discussing some of the measures that perhaps would help um increase uh or decrease our response times. Um which which you know again um some of the the the curb bumpouts to prevent double park cars are
always an issue that we have uh responding especially after hours when people are desperate to find parking spots. um the the the the removal of some of the the the the parking spaces potentially could could have an impact although we typically don't drive against traffic. So obviously we would
have preferred to maybe have a pilot to see how those proposed changes would make a difference but again I just like to highlight that there was somewhat of a significant increase in response times based on this proposal of approximately one minute. >> Okay, I appreciate that. Yeah, I'm just
curious if there's there's any way we could even though um one engine might be uh by just raw distance a bit farther. Um if we can see decreased response times even from a technically farther one. I'd be curious if that can be um I
understand you have the GIS system. I don't pretend to be an expert here, but um we had some neighbors who are emergency service responders themselves reach out about this exact suggestion. So, I just wanted to put that on the radar if it weren't already on your radar. I appreciate that uh infrastructure and fire discussing this
and we can have a kind of coherent and unified um voice uh around the Franklin Street improvements before we go vote on them on Wednesday. But, Councilman Zuba, I know you have some questions, too. I don't want to hog the whole session here.
>> No, thank you. Uh, Director Hart, um, the response times that were in the study performed, those are still below the national average for uh, fire department response times of a city of our size. Is that fair to say?
>> Um, they're they're in the range. I'll put I'll put it that way. They're they're in the range of the response times. We have an excellent response time in Jersey City. >> I was going to say and that goes no doubt to to how how great our department is and thank you for that. Um, and then my other question was for director
Bangghart, if he's still on the call. >> Yes, I'm here. uh director, the the question that came from the community to me was um it was more of a congestion issue and and my question to you then is has has
any thought been given to switching Manhattan Avenue, the the small section of Manhattan Avenue between Central and Palisade uh west to east instead of east to west? Uh just because if you're driving north on Central, you'll have two east to west streets in a row. And
that was a concern that was raised. So, you may not have done that. It was a question posed by a neighbor or by a resident. I'm just I'm just curious and trying to find some solutions to uh to some of the concerns we're hearing. >> Yeah. As part of this project uh that
was not contemplated. >> Is there Okay, follow up. Is there anything that you could point to that would would uh in the next few weeks that would tell us one way or another whether that would alleviate some of the the the congestion going uh northbound
on central or or um well even south southbound central too. Yeah. >> Yeah. So we we could take a look at that um you know with the transportation team and the traffic engineers and see what
the results would be if if that change was made. >> Thank you. Yeah, obviously Councilman Nepros and I are most concerned about public safety that being uh not only our fire response times but also pedestrian and cyclist safety and driving safety too. But the next level under that would be the congestion, any congestion uh
that's caused trying to alleviate that the best we can. Okay, we'll look into that and uh I'll get it all the results back to you and the rest of the council. >> Thank you, >> Council President. This is Councilman Lavaro.
>> Um Councilman Zupa is done. Can I chime in? >> Yes, please. >> Councilman Zupa, you you're good? >> Yes, sir. Please. >> Okay. Um so, so Mr. Bangghart. Um
if you can walk me through this a little bit because um um I'm a new newly elected official and um um just want to better understand um how we got to um the decision and the ordinance that's being before us today
that uh proposes to make this a one-way street. Um and and assume that I know nothing. I mean, yes, I served in the city council, but the last four years have not been tuned into that. So, um, please explain it to me as to, um, what what sort of thinking went into that, if
there were any plans, um, whether it be the bike master plan or other master plans that might have figured into that um, into ultimately making the decision to to designate Franklin Street um, as this corridor for the one-way street.
>> Sure, no problem. I think the the memo that was alluded to earlier will help clear things up too. Um, but yeah, as you mentioned, the the city's bike master plan uh was used to help determine this as a
major east west portion of that network. um as opposed to other streets that really didn't offer the same level of service uh to just the business district of Central Avenue, Stop and Shop, some of the the
groceries that are over on Palisade, um the parks, um that are accessible from Franklin Street. So, that's why Franklin Street was identified along with Manhattan Avenue in the beginning of the the grant application process.
Um there was in June of 2024 a pilot study done which essentially put that one way into place so that we could identify you know any issues observe traffic and and see what they
would do to the overall corridor. Um then we held uh community meetings after the fact to gauge, you know, what what was liked, what was disliked, what improvements could be made. Um and as
part of that, the Manhattan portion of the project was very challenging to get consensus to move forward with that. So, we worked with the DOT to revise the grant
um scope and and identified Franklin as being where we wanted to apply the grant monies to. And from there we developed the construction plans that we are very close to submitting to them for
authorization to bid and led us to hosting the meeting last Wednesday uh with the council members at PS8 to to get some more feedback on that new scope. >> Okay. >> If you can um and you don't have to do
it here. It probably be challenging with the virtual um format today, but um you know I have a my bike master plan in front of me. Um if you can uh be offline clarify for me um where where
this action falls within the bike master plan in terms of fulfilling um either the the goals or the actions or any of the strategic uh initiatives. um aligning that bike master plan. Um
>> sure, I can I can get that together. I do have Lindsay on the line who who might be able to put that into words uh at least for the time being and and we could, you know, certainly follow up after that with some more detail. Sure.
>> Yeah, director, if you could um if Lindsay can, that's great. But director, if you could uh circulate that link to the bike master plan to everyone so everyone will understand uh what Councilman Lavaro is looking at and then kind of detail for us in that email uh
where it is. But uh Lindsay, you can go ahead. >> Thank you so much, Council President. Uh yes uh the bike master plan does call for a connected network of bikeways that will serve all ages and abilities. So
the protected bike lane network is a really important component of that. We find that there are a lot of people in the city who would like to ride their bike more often, ride their bikes to schools or parks or transit or shopping um but they won't make that trip unless
they feel comfortable and safe. And so that's where we through the bike master plan identified a core network of streets that would serve as the protected bike lane for spine and be connected by more local low stress
routes. Um so actually in the bike master plan um there is a map that includes the city's vision for the complete uh bikeway network. And so actually in that plan you'll see uh Manhattan Avenue and Franklin Street as the primary east west corridor that had
been identified for the height um for all the reasons that Drew already mentioned things like connections to parks and schools and shopping. Um and also because it will connect several uh north south protected bike lanes that are envisioned in in the overall master
plan. Um and that connects back into the the network throughout the city. Um, and what we do think is that the Franklin Street, even on its own as its own pro project, um, on its own, it does still provide a lot of that connection to
Persingfield Park and PS8 and, uh, the 87 bus stop, uh, and other stops on Pal State Avenue as well as that neighborhood retail. Um, but happy, of course, to to share the full uh, master plan and how this fits into it.
Great. Um >> I know you mentioned this is Rolando still someone talking um I know you mentioned there's a memo forthcoming that Peter sent to uh to the city clerk that we'll be getting um and
maybe the ready is inclusive in that but if there are any um besides the study on response times if there are any other traffic studies related to this um redesign um as well as any presentation materials that you may have had um
whether it be the last community meeting or community meetings before this leading up to this. Um I would like to get copies of that. >> Certainly we'll share all that. Uh there's a website dedicated to the project as well with a lot of information so we can circulate all
that. >> Hey um Councilman Gilmore Drew um what's the status on the um actual grant? I know like we had it then it was postponed and we had then they got another extension. What's the actual status of the grant?
>> The the grant with the DOT is still active. Um we we do have a deadline coming up of June 11th where we're uh supposed to award a construction contract for the project by that time. So you
know we we still need to go to DOT with the final plans which we're going to you know tweak a little bit with the fire department and get those approved for bidding advertise for bid and you know hopefully get a successful contractor in that time frame to award a construction contract. Uh we did go through a couple
rounds of extensions of the grant uh based on just some utility work in the area and then the scope changes that uh we're talking about a little earlier today and uh it's a total of three extensions. I don't know if the um the
appetite to go again might start to jeopardize the grant, but right now we're in good standing. >> Okay. Now, what about the uh actual architectural plans? >> The design plans?
>> Yes, I know we had um I think we voted on a contract to have them uh have them started and completed. >> Yes. So, that that's still uh you know, still working through that
contract. That's what's being used to finalize these design plans and then submit them to the DOT. >> Now, there's there's not going to be any extra associated costs um eclipsing the amount we agreed on, right?
>> As of now, no, we uh we are, you know, securing that funding and we haven't been approached about any extra costs. Uh the changes should be pretty minor, so I don't proceed. >> Okay. This is Councilman Labaro again. So, um,
piggybacking on Councilman Gilmore's questions. Uh, so, so there's a grant associated with this. We we've been awarded the grant. Is that again, I'm not privy to all of this. So, if you can fill me fill me in. >> Sorry, Councilman. >> Yes, there's a a grant for 670,000. It's
a NJ DOT bikeways grant from uh fiscal year 2023. And those grants are specifically for uh the DO's or the state's goal of creating uh at least a thousand new miles of dedicated bikeway that actually have a
physical separation from motorized traffic. >> And and is this just part of that or is this the entirety of the grant? the entirety of the the $670,000 uh will will fund the construction of
the project if if that's what you're asking. >> That is what I'm asking. So the 670,000 is going directly to this Franklin Street uh project, correct? Is that correct? >> Okay, >> that's correct. >> Um >> no local match either on on this type of
grant, >> right? And we have a deadline of sometime June to to spend this these dollars or claw down on them. >> Uh yeah, June 11th is to award a construction contract. So, you know,
once once we receive bids, we'll, you know, hopefully be back in front of you to present that to award a construction contract and that fulfills the DOT's timeline. Uh it doesn't necessarily mean that the project needs to draw down funds at that date. It just needs to be
awarded by then. >> I have no further questions. >> Okay. Any other council members have any questions on 3.2? Sure. >> Just want to ask Councilman Tom Zupa and uh um and Jake Aro, was there any other
concern other than um response time and congestion? Uh any major concern when you guys >> had this town hall? >> Yeah, sure. the uh so the first thing we
heard was about the response times and then throughout the week I'm sure council can >> speak to this as well. >> Can everyone please um themselves >> if you're not speaking please put your
device on mute because if you're if you're not on mute we can hear the noise in the background and it's interrupting the council members when they're trying to speak. Thank you. Thanks Sean. Uh so so during the meeting
we the the primary concern that was was shared with at least with me I believe council me too was the response time uh which I know both department of infrastructure and public safety are working on uh resolving. Um and then during the week I heard people voice
their concerns about congestion in the area. Okay. Any other >> questions? >> Hi, Councilman Griffin here. Um, so what what um what is the timeline for
construction? Like how long will the construction last and what will a residents be dealing with up there? So the construction and and based on you know when we would award it if it is awarded in the beginning of summer would start uh sometime towards the fall of
this year and that would likely you know push into the spring of the following year for final pavement and things like that where we might be working with temperatures uh too cold for paving towards the end of this year. Uh a lot
of this is you know pavement and and updates of the striping uh essentially. So there will be some concrete curve islands or pedestrian islands bumpouts if you will constructed in that. So
that'll be the first part of of construction. Uh but you know, knowing that this corridor with the school is here, the the daily routine would likely be to to not start until after drop off
and then, you know, finish up work uh before drop off starts or and uh you know, modify that along the way as as we need to. >> Okay. And then um as far as it being um protected bike lanes,
um are we looking at are we looking at putting some materials there as barriers or will there be the parking spaces where the cars actually protect the bike lane? >> Uh it will be parking protected and then
there will also be a buffer strip with flexible delineators placed. um in that in that buffer area. So along with the the parking stalls protecting it, there will also be that buffer strip just to allow, you know, normal
operation of somebody getting in and out of their car. You don't you don't want a door swing, you know, right into the bike lane. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome, >> Mr. President. I have one more question. >> Okay. For Mr. Uh Drew, just um two
things. um the the uh bike master plan, the one I'm I'm referencing and looking at in September 2019, if we have a more recent or amended versions, if you could share that with me. Um and um and then also just on vision zero again, I don't know if this is in your purview. If not,
then to Peter Horton and the BA um would like to get a copy of the vision zero and kind of where that's at and kind of where where we are. That's what's driving all of these changes, right? The the goal of uh trying to improve safety
for pedestrians and cyclists and and vehic and drivers. So if I could get that information as well as to where if we have any the latest vision zero plan as well as any updates on kind of where we are with regard to meeting any
sort of measures metrics as it pertains to vision zero. >> Okay. Well, we'll get you that information for sure. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Next one. Sean, >> sorry.
Next. Item 3.3, city ordinance 26-011, is an ordinance authorizing the city of Jersey City as tenant to extend for a 2year lease with 18 Ash Street realy as landlord for space located at 46 State
Street, Jersey City. >> Thank you, Sean. I'll be covering this one for the administration. Uh this is a release that we've had, you know, for considerable amount of time with the city. Um, it's related to the fire department specifically. We use the facility to store a numerous amount of fire equipment that's used in auxiliary
operations and replenishment for the numerous firehouses throughout the city. Um, as Sean said, this is a two-year lease. Um, it will cost us approximately $105,000 for the entire year. Um, and we have encumbered the funds to accommodate that as needed.
>> Hey Peter, it's uh, Councilman Gilmore. >> Yes. Um, what what's what is the end goal? I mean, we built a new public safety building. We've been leasing this spot for some time now. Is there not room in a public safety building?
>> There is not. This is predominantly more storage almost like a warehouse type facility that has a lot of the backup uh apparatus and devices that the firehouse uses. I think we have Lauren Hart that saw on the call that can answer specifically what's stored there. Um, but these are more bulkier items that
would not fit um or be appropriate for the public safety building. >> So, what's the what's the ultimate end goal? We we going to continue to lease it every year for $100,000 because at 10 years is a million dollars.
>> Understood. So, the the under goal is to potentially lease it until we can find the appropriate space. Um, we do have numerous amount of firehouses that are under construction right now. So the goal would be as the new firehouses come online to the extent the old firehouses are available we'll try to shift
equipment to those you know firehouses to the extent possible. Um I don't know if we completely store all the equipment at the moment there. So we may have to look to future uh sites or locations to you know store this equipment permanently. Um but there is a large amount of equipment stored at the Ash
Street location. >> Okay. I mean, I just want the record to reflect that, you know, I am concerned. >> Hello. >> Yep. We can hear. >> I am concerned with the fact that us um
continuing just to lease just from a financial standpoint um because again 10 years is a million dollars. We understand that this apparatus is essential to our fire safety and things of that nature. But I'm just trying to figure out in a world where the city
have access and actually JCMUA I mean excuse me JCA have properties like what point do we look at having a conversation of you know bringing this bringing this stuff in house. So I just wanted to put that on the record.
>> Want to say thank you council >> if I can councilman >> this is hold on guys. Okay. >> We just need we need we need to speak one at a time. So, is this going to be Deputy Chief Hart? >> Yeah, let's let Deputy Chief Hart uh
respond and then uh we'll go to the next council person. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And I I thank you and I apologize. Uh Councilman Gilmore, that is almost like a large warehouse as uh Peter Horton described. We currently
have six pieces of apparatus stored there. So, it's not like we have a firehouse anywhere in the city currently that can accommodate even breaking those pieces up into different locations. We are strapped for space. Most of the apparatus there is either waiting to be
repaired or on standby for one of our apparatus breaks down. There's not sufficient space at the Lynen Avenue repair facility to store those pieces of apparatus indoors. And obviously with the weather being what it is and how the elements deteriorate our apparatus, we
do our best to keep them out of the elements. So in an ideal world, I would say you're a thousand% correct. It would be great if the city can purchase or obtain a piece of property that we could we could store these pieces of equipment without paying uh expensive leases. I
think we started this lease process in 2011. Um, and we've actually shopped around to see if we could find any properties that the city could perhaps purchase. But for right now, this is is just serving as a tremendous opportunity for us to keep our apparatus relatively
close to to the repair shop when we have to go switch them out as as apparatus is being repaired or for spare apparatus. >> Thank you, Deputy Chief Hart. This is Councilman Efro. If I can um just jump in. I want to uh you know, of course, acknowledge the importance of being able
to warehouse this equipment. Um sharing the concerns of Councilman Gilmore in terms of the rent we're paying as opposed to owning it outright. Uh just one one additional thing caught our eye. Um, it looks like in addition to rent,
we pay an annual sum of nearly $10,000, uh, which is approximately 40% of the 2026 real property taxes for the building there. Uh, can I get an explanation as to why we're paying 40% of the property taxes on top of
to the land? My understanding, my understanding is that the terms of the lease are that it's a triple net lease and part of that negotiated term is that the um lease is responsible for all aspects of the building. Um I guess that
includes a percentage of the taxes. >> That is correct. Is there I mean what is the avenue for renegotiating this lease in the financial situation our city's in? Um I I would love to be able to continue to
have our our fire department be able to use this space, but um I'm I'm a little surprised to see that that's part of this lease. >> It's essentially additional rent. So it functions the same, you know, whether
it's $105,000 flat or, you know, $90,000 plus the the uh the cost of the the taxes or percent of the taxes. Um we have negotiated and tried to negotiate different locations um as well as you know trying to get a reduction in the
rent here. Um and Ash Street, you know, to their defense has been very accommodating to us and has not really raised the the rent um astronomically for the city. Um, so they have been very fair to us, but when we've looked for other properties, the challenge here too is that because of the weight of the
apparatus, it's not like a normal warehouse or normal location you can stare this equipment. They have to have deep foundations and footings that can accommodate this. Um, so unfortunately we're very limited with, you know, the access the ports to drive the equipment into. They have to have a certain dimensions and the the foundations have
to have a certain certain structural integrity in order to support this. So even if we were to shop around for different warehouses, we are somewhat limited to what we can do uh with this equipment. >> I have a question if everyone else is is done. >> Go ahead, Councilman.
>> Thank you. Um Chief or or or Peter, um it looks like the original lease was for 14 and a 14,500 square feet. Um did we decrease our footing there over time? The reason I asked is because originally this was for significant a lot
specifically more annual money too. So just looking for the the current uh status of how much space we're we're taking up. >> Yeah. Over time we've changed our footprint depending on you know if we had a firehouse that was down and had to store equipment into. We've kind of you
know expand or decrease to coincide with the you know least minimum equipment that could be stored there. >> All right. All right. So, it looks like in 2019 we were paying 255,000 a year and now we're down to 100 or 96,000. I believe that's correct. I have to
double check the exact figures. >> All right. And the only thing that didn't change, I guess, over time would have been the uh percentage of the the the property tax that the city's paying. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you.
Hi, Councilman Griffin here. Um, Deputy Chief um, Hart, what exactly are we storing at this facility? >> Um, like I stated earlier, I was in there last week. We have three engines. >> We have one truck.
>> We have one what they call a Yuasi. a specialized rescue vehicle that's only taken out for mass uh injuries where there's I'm not um incidents where you have a major collapse and we also have a collapsed rescue truck. Also stored
there is a lot of our rescue equipment um okay and obviously this time of year we do have some space in that building um to to set up some of our mock training um evolutions to practice out of the elements. So a few months ago, we
had somebody on the Pilaski Skyway who was about to jump. We we have a piece of apparatus that we can set up to help rescue that person. So just for our members to be able to train there out of the elements, you know, during times of inclement weather, but that's a very small portion of what we utilize the
facility for. Like I said, basically there's no storage on Lynen Avenue for any of these pieces of apparatus that are either waiting to be repaired or that have been repaired but is considered part of our spare fleet. >> So this is a massive garage with
>> Yes. >> multi-purpose space training storage equipment. Okay. >> Mhm. Okay. Just a reminder every I'm sorry. Just a reminder everyone just make sure that we're giving everybody the time to
speak. We can't, you know, speak over each other because then it becomes mumbo jumbo to the members of the public. Sorry. >> No problem, Sean. Any other questions on 3.3? >> Okay, hearing none, we can move on.
Sean. Okay. 3.4 City Ordinance 26-012 is an ordinance amending chapter 53 personnel article 2 fixed salaries to modify fixed salaries for certain employees. Sean, the administration will be
withdrawing this ordinance uh for this council meeting uh as further discussions go on between the administration and the council. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry, council president. I was just going to mark the agenda to reflect that.
All right. So, we won't take any questions on that since we're going to be withdrawing that. >> Correct. And on to our last um ordinance, which will be a late item, which will require the council to vote
on, and six votes will need to place it on the agenda. And it's item 3.5, city ordinance 26-013 is an ordinance supplementing chapter 332, vehicles and traffic. Article 8, permit parking, amending section 332-58,
parking restrictions in residential zones to establish a new permit parking zone 20 for streets adjacent to the Liberty State Park, Hudsonburg, and light rail station east of Pacific Avenue. >> And I'll let uh if Director Bangard is
still on, I'll let him uh jump in and explain. But this is an ordinance that we requested some time ago when the light rail stations first stop the overnight parking. So the goal
was to mirror the current parking situation around the other light rail stops that are in the ward uh and add that same zone to the area around Liberty State Park Hudson and light rail stop. The New
Jersey Transit still doesn't allow overnight parking. We are hoping that it will be back sometime next month, but as of now, the parking situation in that area is extremely hectic. Uh, and we are looking to get a handle on it. So, director, I don't know if you're still
on and want to add anything. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh, still here. And yes, if uh maybe just to describe the area uh contemplated, it would essentially be east of Pacific Avenue
and bound by Communal on the south and Ash uh and Johnston on the north and then down to the Hudsonburg and light rail or even the Communal Extension if you know it as that.
that that's the new zone 20 limits in the ordinance and it would be a 4hour parking limit without a permit Monday through Saturday. >> Council members, any questions? >> Hi, this is Council Member Joel Brooks
WB. Um has I know this is um this was a a plan that was drawn up um prior to this year. Council President mentioned that um is anything analogous available for the Westside A Hudson Bergen light
rail station area? Has anything been commissioned? >> Not to my knowledge, Councilman. uh we we can certainly start to take a look at that um you know with your office and with you if that's something you want to pursue.
>> Yeah, we will we'll we'll get in touch with you offline. Um we've had similar parking apocalypse uh over there to what uh Bergen Lafayette is experiencing by
Liberty State Park. Um and 3 acres just increased their parking fees um and added a valet so putting more cars on the street potentially but we will reach out to you. Thank you Director Bankart. >> Okay. Yeah, I'll I'll do a deeper dive
too in my office. Um you know since the traffic engineer left there there may be something out there that I don't know about. So I'll talk to staff and uh see if there was something started there. And I do just want to point out these ordinances are are meant that if you do
have off- streetet parking available in a building, uh the the permits are usually not issued to my knowledge. So, anyone who's who's got off- streetet parking would be forced to kind of pay those higher fees. I just wanted to
point that out since you did bring that up. >> Thank you. Um clarifying a last question for me. If there are only certain number of spots in a building but more units than spots permitted, would that
resident then be able if if a resident if they could show that there was no parking available in their building, would they be eligible for zone a zone permit or is that a longer conversation? >> No. Yes. If there's no available parking
uh at that time then then they can produce you know a letter from management of the building or something similar then uh they would be able to apply and and receive a zone parking permit if it if parking on site it you know exceeds what spaces they have
available. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Hi Councilman Griffin here. I'm just curious to know um why four hours and not two >> there's
parking >> that was worked out uh to my knowledge and council president correct me if I'm wrong you worked that out with director Wong when she was here on the timing there are certainly other zoned parking areas within the city some have twohour
limits some have three um it just may have been in this area more beneficial to have the 4hour limit. >> I believe we just um director Wong just used what was currently in place around the Danford and Richard Street light
rails and just transferred it over. Um and in addition, there are some restaurants and businesses in the areas um on the bottom of the building. So, we want to leave sufficient time for people to handle business. >> Thank you.
Thank you for that. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. All righty. Let me just make sure this is a little larger. All right. On to our second reading ordinances. First second reading ordinance item 4.1
city ordinance 26-004. This was carried over from the February 11th meeting. This is an ordinance authorizing the acceptance of block 11612 lot 3, more commonly known by the street address of 95 Morgan Street from
95 Morgan Street Development LLC. Um, I just want to share with my council colleagues, I I did receive the environmental report for this um between last meeting and this meeting. Um, I have not finished reviewing it yet. It's
5,000 pages long, but um it it does appear from an initial skim that um you know, while there may have been environmental events in the site in the past, there, you know, they did some testing and didn't find anything
currently um other than historic fill, which is to be expected for this area. historic fill basically means it used to be a river and they just put like rubble to build up the land which they did for much of downtown Jersey City um like
hundreds of years ago. Um so I I will finish reviewing it before the council meeting and I will I'm also happy to share with any of my council colleagues who would like to review it on their own. Um but I will I will you know I I
can touch base individually with anyone prior to the council meeting as well. >> I have a >> council person this is the BA I would just add that if there's anything that's redacted or information that you think is missing. Um feel free to reach out to the law department. Um Sarah, you know
spoke to me and so he's happy to assist and arrange any kind of meeting or any conversation if there's information that you think should be added. >> Hold on. Hold on. Uh BA I'm sorry. There's someone in the background that's that's speaking and there we have to make sure that we're muting our our
devices. >> If we're not speaking, please make sure you your device is muted, please. >> Sorry, BA. Please continue. >> Yeah. So, just to recap, council person, if there's any information you think's missing or something that needs to be elaborated upon, feel free to reach out to the law department. they've already
communicated to me that they're happy to assist you and would make that connection with the uh the owner of the property to, you know, assuage any issues that might be there. >> Thank you so much. Um I I was under the impression I also spoke with the owner of the property as well. Um they reached
out and it seems like >> the report was for 95 Morgan and a separate adjacent address and they redacted the parts that were not relevant to 95 Morgan was my understanding. Uh, is that your understanding as well? >> That's that's what's conveyed to me. Um,
but again, you know, I don't want to speak for the law department. So, if there's any changes or anything, I'm happy to connect, you know, the two of you to make sure they have their uh, you know, satisfactory for you to vote. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Can I pose a question? This is Council
Lavaro. Um so um to to the administration um I appreciate and councilwoman I'll appreciate uh you raising the question and um of environmental contamination. Um did did we who who is this report um
commissioned by and do we have anyone in house besides the council woman who's uh um certifying or attesting to the fact that it's a that's a valid report? like >> if you're asking if we have a expert in
environmental uh studies or you know science I don't think we have anyone in house we have a sustainability team that does have credentials around that but the law department has verified that it is a valid and certified report from an expert >> da I I am so sorry again there is
someone that does not have their device on mute and we're hearing background noises if we can just make sure if we're not speaking that your device is on mute. I do appreciate your cooperation. Thank you. Sorry, BA. >> No, no problem.
>> Was that enough, Councilman? Do you have more questions about that? >> So, so it's validated by the law department, this report. >> Yeah, they attested that it's a certified and valid environmental study. Um, we do not have an in-house expert that, you know, has the latest certification, I think, in environmental
science. Um, we do have a sustainability team that has a background in that area that could opine about anything if you have specific questions. >> Um, no. I mean, look, I'm not an expert in this. I certainly deferred to the council woman who is an expert on these
matters. So, um, I'm just curious if we ourselves have uh um are looking at these when these situations come forward. So, does the ordinance itself um stipulate in there in any way that uh that we that we are
certifying that it's free of contamination or anything like that? >> I don't think the ordinance itself does, but it would be treated as a regular closing and generally through closing documents. They provide the environmental land study, you know, studies and soil tests and that kind of
stuff that we can rely on at the closing to ensure that there wouldn't be anything that would uh, you know, be prohibited the city taking on that land or obtaining that land through the sale. >> Okay. And and my last question in regard
to this is um is um >> you may have answered this in the previous meetings on that subject, but uh in in take in in accepting this property if if the city were to accept it if the council approve the to accept the
property what's the the plan or intent to use the >> for the property. >> So I don't there's any specific plans drawn up currently. Um, the land is, I think, currently utilized by the Boys and Girls Club, um, if I'm not mistaken. So, you know, I think there'd be a
conversation with them just as far as their utilization. There was also discussion about potentially putting a, you know, mini park or a playground or something to that effect. Um, the lot is very small, so you're kind of limited in what you can put there or utilize there. Um, but I don't think there's a specific plan in place right now. There's more
just a commitment to develop a plan with the community to find the best utilization for that that plot of land. There is a community garden in that area right now and Boys and Girls is maintaining that.
>> And to clarify for anyone concerned about a community garden in a potentially contaminated area, um it is not in the soil. It is um it is paved and then the community garden is in in
planters on top of that. Um I also want to say for the record that um I am an environmental engineer. This site remediation is not my area of expertise. Um so I have taken college courses on this but it was a while ago
and I don't practice in this area specifically. Just Rolando you called me an expert so I needed to >> Sorry. Sorry I didn't mean to put too much on you there. Any other questions?
>> Um, just one. Am I correct by saying that this um property is in a um collapse zone? >> What do you mean collapse zone? Like from the adjacent properties? Yeah. Like the the the um
like is anything near it that's um in danger of collapsing or um >> not not to my knowledge >> any abandoned any any abandoned properties or anything like that. Okay.
>> Yeah. to to my knowledge there's no imminent risk of collapse or any structural you know integrity issues of any buildings adjacent to it. Um and you know obviously if there were any we would not encourage the community to have a garden there or allow public access um whether it be a private
property or public property. >> Any other questions? >> Okay Sean we can go to the next one. Okay, just give me a moment to share my screen. All right, next item 4.2, city ordinance 26-006,
is an ordinance authorizing the use of up to 3% of payroll taxes collected to be used on an administrative expenses and a waiver of entities subject to an out ofstate payroll tax. in accordance
with recent changes to New Jersey law >> questions. >> Yeah, just um just a question about um broader question about payroll taxes. Can we just get some information to the city council about what our payroll tax collections have been over the last five
years? Um, yes. We'll compile it for you, Councilman. >> Please send it to me, too. >> Yeah. What I'll do is I'll send it to the clerk so we can distribute to the entire council. >> We'll do as soon as I receive it. And I believe we owe Councilman Brooks
some information about excl, you know, excluded properties as well that they've yet to produce, but I'll work on that. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Okay, Sean. Whoops. Okay, just give me one second.
All right. Next is item 4.3. City ordinance 26-00007 is a franchise ordinance granting permission to Evanir Westside Square LLC for the installation of a lit
protective Ballard at lot 30.01 01 in block 9301 qualifier 1, also known as 1075 Westside Avenue into the right of way,
>> questions. >> Okay, Sean. >> Okay, hearing none. And the last second reading ordinance, item 4.4, 4. City Ordinance 26-00008 is an ordinance of the Jersey City
Municipal Council amending the Jersey City Land Development Ordinance. Chapter 3455, article 1, section 6, definitions, chapter 345, article 5, section 62, residential design standards. and
chapter 345 article 5 section 63 nonresidential design standards. >> I believe this is also known as the bird ordinance. >> I am on the
uh meeting in case you have any questions but I do know that last week um our planners already presented this. >> This is Tanya. >> Yeah director. Can you just give us an update as to um I guess where this has
landed? I know we discussed questions about two and three family homes and the height and things of that nature. So, can you just reiterate uh where we are with all of that at this point? >> Um, sure. I haven't been a part of any of those conversations. I know that they
were had, but I believe that they were had without city planning. um as in the council people were having those conversations off the record. We weren't uh instructed to change the ordinance at all, but I only heard through other people that there was um a conversation
regarding um a change in thresholds and potentially a change in height for the requirements. And what I mean by the threshold is the amount of square footage. Uh we have triggers in our ordinance that if your property your project is more than 5,000 square ft you
go under certain review which is minor site plan and above 10 which is major. I believe the ordinance as it stands right now is for everything and there was a question about I believe raising the threshold. >> Yeah. So I I can speak to that. Um we
sorry I accorded with uh Sophia from your department. Um and yeah our our intention is to amend it so that it only applies to projects uh 5,000 ft or greater. Um this is in line
with what uh we heard from Cameron and Sophia about um the the possibility of you know your department's bandwidth, right? we don't want to give you something that's totally uninforcable. Um, and it seemed like this 5,000 ft,
which includes both major and minor site plan review uh was a reasonable uh standard um was the the information I got from Cameron and Sophia. But um you know definitely happy if if you feel if you feel otherwise I'm happy to you know
hear that. >> Um that's fine. I would just question on process if that's a change to the amendment. Um, I don't believe it's substantial, but I am not the corporation council, so I can't weigh in on that. >> We did ask uh we did ask corporation
council and um so you know there was that and then there was also the potentially um amending the height to 85 ft uh which is 10 ft higher than New York's but lower from the current 100 um because of some poss the possibility of
cost concerns um and the affecting affordable housing. So um you know we we were hoping to introduce those two amendments but we did hear from corporation council that either one um would be considered substantial. So, um, my understanding then is that either we
could amend it and and this is a question I think um for the BA um either either we could amend it now or uh I mean now as in Wednesday. We could amend it Wednesday and then Wednesday would be considered the first reading
ordinance or we could pull this one and introduce an amended one as a late item Wednesday. Is that accurate? Yeah. So, if it's a non-substantial change, then obviously you can just make the amendment and proceed with the vote for second uh, you know, for continuing
the, uh, second reading. If it would be considered substantial, then you would have to, you know, potentially make a floor vote or introduce it, you know, that meeting for a first reading and then, you know, vote the second reading 4.4 down um, and continue in that
fashion. So you do a first reading for all the changes and then following you do your second reading, you would vote for the final approval. >> Okay. Um so if we were to get you those changes this evening,
>> yeah, you could you could present them up until the council meeting. So as long as there's a copy in hand for the meeting for the clerk to read into the record, um that would be sufficient to move forward. >> Okay. Okay. Thanks. Um, and I I want to
just um state that I also worked with council members Afro and Zupa on this as well. Um, so I guess uh Tanya or Jake or Tom, if there's anything that that I missed or or that you feel we should
discuss further. >> No, thank you, Councilwoman Little. Um, yeah, I appreciate you helping take the lead on this and thank you, Tony, for for being here. Um, if I can just get a sense of are there would there be any objections from council colleagues to us
uh getting these amendments in so that we can be in a position to add this as a late item for a first reading considering these changes would be substantial. Would there be any objections to doing so? we just don't
want to kick the can down the road even further than it's already been kicked down while making sure that we get in the kinds of amendments that um you know we've been we've been working through with advocates and community members and things >> I think as uh the BA explained council
person Efos um the best and the cleanest way to do this if it is a substantial change is to introduce a new ordinance with all of those changes that you're looking to implement. And what we'll do is we'll vote that for in introduction
on Wednesday. And then what we'll do once we get to this second reading, we will move to defeat it without holding a public hearing. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I guess I didn't understand the second part of that. >> Sorry. So So the second part of it,
yeah, I don't mean to talk over to council. So the second part of it, because we have a second reading ordinance, right, that we're going to amend. If we introduce the new ordinance, there is no reason to hold a public hearing on that second reading
ordinance. So what we'll do is we'll explain it to the public. Um I will not be attending the the council meeting. My deputy John Halin will be handling that, but he'll be I'm sure he's watching and he'll have the information to say that
we're because we introduced the new new and improved ordinance, we're now going to make a motion to move to defeat this second reading because it doesn't make sense holding a public hearing on something that is not going to go anywhere.
>> Understood. I just wanted to get a sense of if there were any objections and it doesn't sound like there are. if there were any objections to us making sure that as a late item we can get the new and improved version, so to speak, for a first reading this Wednesday. Um,
>> sure. >> I just wanted to I just wanted to be clear about that while we're all still on the meeting here. >> Um, >> yep. Because we we we have to add a um we're adding another item anyway, so we'll just make that a compound vote to add um that second weight item.
But if you if we can get that into I compass, the sooner the better. So then I can add it to the agenda and place it as a late item. >> Yep. And just paralleling what Sean said, the sooner that we get the finalized or close to finalized language, the quicker the law department
can make a final determination if that, you know, language be suspled or not um and require us to go through the process of introducing a new ordinance. >> Okay. I actually did have another question um for um
>> director Marion. Um we had talked about you know seeking sort of a compromise height because we we are hearing from different different people that you know there could be a co cost impact on affordable housing. there would not be a cost
impact on affordable housing uh production. And um you know we we sought to you know kind of split the difference and um you know set a height of 85 or 90 in case there are cost impacts you know
to mitigate those. Um would either of those be administratively easier for you to handle? Um, is it better to have it a round number like 90 or does it not does it not really matter? >> So at a height of 85 or 90 or 100 or
even 75, it is being reviewed by a board most likely. So I think the amount of work that falls on my division would be the same regardless. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions?
>> Okay, Sean, let's move on. Okay, let me just bring up Can everybody see my screen because it is acting a little slow. Can everybody see it? >> Yes. Yes, I can see it. >> Yes.
>> Okay, great. So, on to our public request for a hearing. We have, sorry for the fast scrolling. As of right now, we have 55 speakers, but I believe that is growing. Um, our petitions and
communications item 6.1 through 6.18. Any questions or comments on those? Hearing none. There are no office of communications. Any questions or comments on report of directors 8.1
through 8.6? Hearing none and on to our claims and addendum number one. And hearing none there. Right on to our resolutions. Oh, sorry. Sorry. >> Sorry. I actually had two questions just for clarification. Um, yep.
Uh there was a substantial payment to NJCU that was for our inauguration. Is that correct? >> I believe that is correct. >> Okay. And then without naming the um employee, there was an optical claim for reimbursement. I guess that was a a claim submitted when when this person
was a city employee, right? I dated obviously in February after the term ended. >> I just want Yeah, that was just one that came out after the fact. >> Correct. If you want, Congressman, we can reach off offline and I can confirm the name of the employee and that information, but that's presumably correct. >> Yeah, just just two questions. Thanks,
Peter. >> Uh I I have a question on the uh second claim sheet, addendum number one. Um it looks like we have a payment to Morton Salt in this uh set of claims. Um I'm
just curious if there is there any update on holding this company accountable for the failure to deliver salts uh for our first snowstorm in January. There is two updates. One is on this agenda meeting as you'll see when we go
through the resolutions. Um the other update because it could involve contract, you know, talks. We might have a better uh better link up offline. Council Councilman have the law department, you know, speak to give the exact update.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Uh this is Councilman Brooksby. Um looking forward to the resolution to pound salt later on. um on claims. Um
is there a way to from the report that we received, is there a way to distinguish whether these um claims are reflective of costs incurred in fiscal year 2025 versus 2026.
Um and then also if funding streams um if these some of these claims um happen to be paid from grants. Um, I guess that's two questions. Thank you. >> Uh, not easily, Councilman. If there are specific questions you have about them
and then the finance team can kind of go in depth to provide that explanation. But again, these the way the claims are generated come through our our financial software where it's basically coded into the system to upload them into the the meeting notes and they're based on invoices and payments that we make. So,
it's hard for us to tweak them or provide additional information unless it's part of how the software is coded. >> Okay. Uh, thank you, Peter. Um, and then corporation council, uh, you if you could speak to, um, this is information
I learned, um, our statutory obligation with regard to playing, uh, paying claims and what the potential outcomes are of not paying claims. Certainly. So, claims that you will see on a meeting agenda are claims for
services that council has already authorized or the city through some other lawful process has already authorized. And so, these reflect basically bills that have come due on things that we have already agreed to pay for. So, while council could vote no
on these claims, it would not eliminate the underlying obligation to pay those debts. And when we do not pay bills when they are owed, there could be additional potential liabilities that flow from that, including paying interest or even attorneys fees and the costs of litigation in the event that someone
decided to sue us. >> Thank you. Um, and kind of synthesizing what corporation council and the BA said. So with the reports that we are provided at this time, we as council members are not a able to ascertain if
we're approving claims from a previous council's budget. Um we're also not able to ascertain if there's a variance in the cost budgeted uh and the bill paid. Um, and
yeah, I guess that's maybe that's more of a statement than question. Just synthesizing what the corporation council and the BA said >> the prosecution rest. Go ahead, council president. >> Okay. If there are nothing else, then
we'll move on to the resolutions. Okay, since I'm going to I'm not going to be the judge because that's the council president's job. I'll just be the clerk uh to the judge and to the council. So, on to our resolutions. Item
10.1, city resolution 26-068, is a resolution recognizing and designating April 2026 as native plant Month. Any questions?
>> All right, next one. Sean. >> Oh, I was just going to state >> state briefly that um we we have passed this uh designating April as native plant month different years. Um this is just continuing the tradition and we're
doing it at the end of February so that um they can have time to put together promotional materials and things like that. Um, and so this is just it has to be reintroduced every year. So >> what's our native plan?
>> What's our native plant? >> What's our native plants? >> I think Michael's asking city has a native plant >> for the country or for Jersey City. >> No, we have a lot of native plants. It's a resolution honoring the fact that we should plant native to our region.
Region, it's not like the um Yeah, it's not like our state or city plant, although I'm curious what that would be. >> Sorry. >> No, I was saying >> we're breaking up. >> Oh, I said um I was saying it's not like we don't have a city plan like the way
we have a state plan. I although I wonder what that would be. >> Right. Right. Yeah, we don't. So, if it would please the council, Butterfly Weed and New Jersey Tea are two of the uh top native plans for Google Shares for New Jersey City.
>> Pleases the council. >> Thank you for that. >> You're welcome. >> Next one, Sean. >> Well, these are hard acts to follow. Okay. Next is item 10.2. City Resolution 26-069
is a resolution to commemorate the life of Mr. Rudolph Pleasant Jr. >> and Mr. Rudolph is a former employee of the Jersey City Free Public Library. Next one, Sean.
Next one is 10 item 10.3 city resolution 25-070 is a resolution of the municipal council of the city of Jersey City commemorating Luna New Year and welcoming the year of the horse. >> Next
>> next item 10.4 Four, city resolution 26-071 is a resolution of the municipal council of the city of Jersey City opposing ICE enforcement tactics and urging the New Jersey Senate, the New Jersey General Assembly, and the governor of the state
of New Jersey to advance and enact Assembly bills A1 1743, ACA and in parentheses 1 R, A1400, A43 3 0 A4301
and A4302. >> I'll I'll just say I'm uh my office submitted these last two resolutions, so I'm happy to answer any questions that my colleagues have on them. >> Okay, sure. Okay, just to save time, I'm not going
to go back and forth with the cameras. I'm just going to keep it on the agenda if you guys don't have a problem with that. Item 10.6, city resolution 26-073, is a resolution reappointing Bannon Hill as an alternate member of the Jersey
City Rent Leveling Board. >> Everyone, please uh keep your phones on mute. Any questions on this appointment? Did she put cologne on so she could be on Zoom? >> Okay, no questions. Item 10.7, city resolution 26-074
is a resolution reappointing James Eco as a member of the Jersey City Rentle Leveling Board. >> Sorry. >> Oh, go ahead. Just to ask this, Councilman Ero, just in general uh during these appointments to something
like the rent leveling board, are the uh members of the public in question um Dannon Hill, James Eox, Sandre Robinson Green, Alexander Hamilton, uh are they present at the meeting to be able to to answer any questions should we have them?
They they were I'm sorry I don't mean to answer council if it's council president if you want to jump in but I they were not asked to be present at the at the caucus meeting but if you're asking if you want them to be present at the council meeting >> historically they are not councilman if
that's your question. >> Historically they have not. Okay. >> Thank you BA. >> Okay. Next is item 10.8 8 city resolution 26-075 is a resolution appointing Sandre Robinson Green as a
member of the Jersey City Rent Leveling Board. Next item 10.9 city resolution 26-076 is a resolution reappointing Alexander Hamilton as a member of the Jersey City Rent Leveling Board.
Next item 10.10 10 city resolution 26-077 is a resolution honoring Maryanne Betts McBride on being named the friendly sons of St. Patrick's of Hudson County Irish woman of the year.
Next item 10.11 city resolution 26-078 is a resolution honoring Steen Steve Litzky on being named the friendly sons of St. Patrick's of Hudson County's Irishman of the Year.
Next, item 10.12, City Resolution 26-079, is a resolution authorizing the payment of a claim submitted by Celco Partnership Verizon Wireless for providing mobile cellular services for
the Department of Public Safety. >> Questions? Questions? Yes. Um, I don't know who I don't know how we're going to take order here. >> Go ahead, Councilman Efro, and then we'll bounce back to Councilman Lavar. >> I I appreciate it. Um, we're just
reviewing these bills. Uh, it looked like we got adjustments on the bill and we should be paying a smaller amount under $300,000, but um, what we would be authorizing is over $300,000 of payment. So, I just
wanted clarity on um on what the total amount actually is because it looks like it should be smaller. Yes, we have the fiscal analyst here that can answer some questions about this item. Jesse, you're available.
Jesse, are you there? Right. Well, they reached out to me earlier and said they were here. um perhaps having technical difficulties, but uh I can answer some questions. Let me just pull up the uh ordinance real quick. Councilman, >> sure. And and >> I can specify where I'm um I'm pointing
to page four out of 49 uh snapshot of your bill and total amount due to $146,4520. um after uh over $176,000 of adjustments being taken off of the
$374,98512 bill. Um but what we're authorizing payment for is 359,000 plus. So I'm just curious where where the total amount is is coming from exactly.
>> Yes. So the bill in this case was readjusted because uh the some of the fees that they were charging us we did not find were accurate. So part of the delay in paying this bill was that we did an audit of the bill to verify exactly what was
being charged and what was owed to us. So the original bill, if I'm not mistaken, um was the 374 and then after the adjustments were applied, that's where was a negative or the minus 176. Um and that was audited
by our financial analyst that was attached to the public safety department, Jesse. Um she is on the call, but she's, you know, indicating to me that she cannot speak or they we can't hear her. Um, so she made this, you know, came out to the audit, found that there's issues with the bill and that's where the adjustment was received
from the $176,000. >> So, so then my question is how how do we get from the 246,000 plus number as the total amount due after those adjustments to what we're authorizing in the actual resolution
here, which is a sum of 359,000 plus So, I I believe I'm not mistaken, we have to authorize the potential maximum amount and then we receive a credit for the remainder of it. I can have Jesse clarify that in a memo to the council as
well. Okay. Even though there's a discrepancy between that original 374,000 and the authorizing amount of 359,000. So I yeah I'm just I'd love some clarity on these numbers. Um >> yeah,
>> understood. Yeah, I'll have to provide amendment to the council just so I know exactly where the differential is coming from. Um it it could have been as well that there may be other bills that were not included in that first snapshot. There might be, you know, uh additional bills attached, you know, below it that
I have to review to uh ensure that's correct. Um but I'll have Jesse do a memo to the council just so everyone's aware of exactly what the bill is authorized for. um if there's any additional bills and where the final amount was arrived at for the resolution. >> Okay. Thank you. That that's all I have.
Council President. >> Okay. Councilman Lavaro, did you have something? >> I did. Um so, Peter, you said an audit has been done of these. Did you say that?
>> That correct? audit in the sense of it was been reviewed by the fans uh fiscal officer for the area who noticed some discrepancies and conducted a you know months couple months long report with the Verizon officials to go by invoice by invoice and correct the uh the bill
to ensure that we're paying the accurate amount. >> And who was doing that audit again? >> That was a fiscal analyst that was attached to the uh department. We refer to her as Jesse. >> Oh, Jess. Yeah, I know Jesse. Um so so
and and no disrespect to Tennessee Jesse who I does a good job. Um but the city used to have an um an auditing firm or consultant um that looked at our utility bills um both uh telephone and wireless and other PSNG
maybe I don't recall exactly um and they were tasked with uh finding savings and things of um including something like uh lines I think that like phone lines that uh were not active lines but they were
paying for um in some way. So um do we still employ that service? Are you familiar with what I'm talking about? >> I am familiar with what you're talking about. I do know we've had them recently. I cannot say definitively right now whether or not their contract have expired or what capacity they're being utilized in. I can get that answer
uh by tomorrow. Um I think this might be slightly different though because I don't think this was not about you know about the actual hardware or the utilization. And this is more, I think, how they build us or coded the bills to us. Um, so I'll get you the response. One, do we still use a service like
that? What are the, you know, when the contract expired, if it did expire? Um, and then why this would not technically apply to this bill, um, or if it does apply to this bill. >> Yeah. And then um you know I look I've harped on these things um in the last
couple of council meetings these claims claim resolutions resolutions in number 10 in section 10 as resolutions as opposed to claims in section nine of the council agenda. Um and so um I don't know is um is Bill on the call Bill Vera?
>> He was I don't believe he is. So, I I'm assuming and if I can give verification that when we've talked about our $254 million uh budget deficit and um structural budget deficit um that this is included
as part of that um if I can get verification of that. In fact, that's in fact part of the number right that was calculated in that. Um >> yes, >> and and you know, I I'm not looking to um we have to deal with this uh these
claims and these unpaid bills um that um should have gone through. Again, just to reiterate, these uh as I understand it, these these claims that come up on in section 10 of the resolutions, they're they weren't authorized by the city council. And so that's why they're kind of coming before us as claims to um to
pay these bills out. Um so the uh as opposed to coming through as claims and non section 9. Um so again don't want to kind of beat a dead horse. Um and I said that in the previous meeting. Um so just want to make sure that in fact
um now that we've identified these that it's not going to be a slow trickle of things coming through and that there are things that are not coming through that that will come through that were not part of the 254 million and just adding to the uh to that number in some way.
Um, so if I could get clarification on that and just um with regard to this particular claim, but and any other claim on this uh on this agenda, but also with regard to kind of just kind of moving forward in the plan to make sure that, you know, we just pay all of these
things just just throw them all all at us in one council meeting so that we don't have them like come at these are 2025 bills, right? So or earlier. Um, okay. If if that can be discussed, Mr. Vera and just uh can come up with a plan
to that or or uh give me your response as to how you'll you'll address that moving forward. >> We'll do counselor. I'll discuss it with >> Thank you. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> Can you guys hear me?
>> Yes. >> Oh, great. I logged off and got back on. This is Jesse. Okay. All right. >> Um, >> hi. Um, >> I just want to know if you want me to answer the question regarding why the
bill is 359, 782 with 22 cents. >> Yes, please. So, um I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but you guys are seeing a bill that's is roughly around 248,000
and change. Am I correct? >> 246 and change. Yeah, >> correct. And there's an there was an additional so that 248 was covering January through October and then we had to do um requested bills
from October to December 31st which was in reference I'm going to round it off to like 113,000 and that's why the amount due is 359 782 with 22 cents. Okay. Okay. Thank you.
>> Yeah. So, Jess, if you could too, just can you put that in a quick memo to the council just so they have the numbers in front of them and the dates in front of them uh before Wednesday? >> I sure will. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Peter, can you hear me as well?
>> Sorry. Say that again. >> It's It's Director Baker. Peter, I don't know if anybody can hear me. >> Yeah, we we can hear you now. Thank you, director. >> Just for uh Councilman Lavaro, um if you remember at the first caucus meeting that I was at, this was that year-long
conversion from AT&T to Verizon. And uh Jesse and I worked extensively on this. Um this was probably one of the one of the most complicated projects that we had and um back and forth with Verizon
definitely to ensure that the bills were correct and yes we will definitely send the council the information on this but as I said this was a year-long project. We didn't know what the numbers were going to be at the end and that's the reason why this really came into a a
claim. This claim is definitely not something public safety wants to uh make a habit of. >> Thank you. >> I'll just say thank you, Robert. That that clarification. >> Welcome. >> Okay, Sean, we can move on.
>> Okay, Jess, if you can just send that memo to me to distribute to the council, I'll be more than happy to do that for you. Item 10.13, resolution 26-080, is a resolution authorizing to apply and accept a grant award from the United
States Attorney attorney's Office, excuse me, for the District of New Jersey and Gford Foundation for the fiscal year 2023 Project Safe Neighborhoods Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program.
>> Any questions? I I do have some questions. What is the extent of the work of the um the program? What is the real on the ground kind of role that public safety is going to be playing based on this grant money?
>> So, this grant helps us supplement overtime for gang enforcement um and street crime PSN task force that the city has. >> Yeah, thank you. um what are the specific kind of day-to-day work of the
of that task force? >> So, I I don't want to go into too many details uh of their operational for public safety reasons. Um if you want, I can have the director contact you offline to go into specifically what they're tasked with doing, what their day-to-day operations are, and how they
function. >> Council Griffin here, I have I have a question. Um, does any of this money touch the on the ground organizations that's doing the work within these neighborhoods who are working with
and and and and doing um violent pre prevention in our communities like the nonprofits. >> A lot of these grants, Councilmen, are set up specifically for public safety with specific spending purposes. I do not believe that they can be, you know,
used to supplement nonprofits. I can have the director confirm that to you, but a lot of these have very specific funding and grant reporting responsibilities. >> Okay. Um, let let me be a little more specific. Not cuz it
not necessarily supplementing the the the the nonprofit, but just assisting them with the work that they do to assist public safety efforts.
>> I I do not believe any of the grants are or could be used to fund nonprofits in any form. I'd have to have the director confirm that. Um, but it doesn't mean that this the the gang task force or street crime task force doesn't have a relationship with the nonprofits um or
couldn't be used to help with the overtime to make sure that is, you know, as functional as possible and supplement as much as possible. >> Okay. >> Any other questions on 1013? >> Yes, other questions. Hi, Council Lavaro.
Um, so, um, tell me again who who's administering this grant. Um, >> this goes to the Department of Public Safety. >> Um, and yes, I'm just going to ask why is the public safety director not here to
discuss this? Because it's because we currently have the snow operation going on and they have a lot of officers out there that are invol involved in matters of public safety. So we we do not have him on the call right now. >> Okay. Um and then in terms of where the
money goes and if if you said this I is it basically going to pay for um uh police officers time. >> Yeah. It supplements our overtime. >> It's overtime, right? Overtime pay. >> That is correct.
>> Okay. Got it. Um and we've received this grant in the past. Say again, Councilman. >> Is this like a recurring grant or is it um >> Yeah, it's recurring in the sense that we're allowed to apply for it every year um from the you know, United States
Attorney's Office. So, I don't think the amount's ever necessarily guaranteed. Um but we do make you know recurring request and receive recurring reimbursements from it. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. Any other questions? Okay, Sean. 1014. Okay. 10.14 resolution 26-081 is a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application for
the New Jersey Department of Agricultures 2026 Summer Food Service Program. questions. Okay, Sean. Next. >> Okay. Item 10.15, city resolution 26-082
is a resolution of the municipal council of the city of Jersey City, authorizing the submission of an application to the New Jersey urban enterprise zone authority for the enterprise zone assistant funds for the Jersey City UE summer youth works program.
And I think that uh Director Prrenzeri and possibly deputy mayor uh Bryant are on the line to assist with this one. >> Yep. So, good afternoon, council
president and council members. This is Mera Princeeri, executive director for the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation. Um, also joined by Florence Baron, our director of development, and I believe deputy mayor, are you on? >> Yep, I'm here. Thank you.
>> Fantastic. So, we are working with the administration to apply for urban enterprise zone funding for a portion of the city's summer youth works program for approximately 250 students to have
um internships that are stipened within businesses across the city of Jersey City. Um, this ties back to our five-year strategic plan in particular with workforce development and continuing to register more businesses as urban enterprise zone um businesses
so they can avail themselves of the benefits there and the city can increase the um allocation coming in. And now I will hand it over to Dr. Bryant to talk about the scope of the project. >> Sure. Um, I think I've spoken with quite
a few of you personally or um over virtual uh regarding the program. This is a part of the administration's promise for 1,000 summer jobs. This grant will get us about 250 summer jobs serving youth age 15 to 24. And the
continuum of exposure of um jobs is actually from exposure to exploration to potentially jobs that might lead to a direct hire. Um, we will not exceed $900,000 with this grant. This grant is specifically focused on businesses
within the UEE. And all students will um receive a stipend of $2550 for their summer work, which will not exceed 25 hours per week. We're not taking their whole summer, but just quite a bit of it so that they can get
some experience and something under their belt. Um, happy to take questions. Um most I think I've fielded quite a few questions or ideas from folks. Um but also happy to take some >> questions. >> Yeah, I have a question. Uh doc Dr.
Brian's Tom Zup, but thank you for reaching out to me this week. I'm sorry we didn't or last week. I'm sorry we didn't connect. So if I can ask a couple questions. Um obviously concerned about uh the focus being on equity and outreach. So what is the outreach plan so that uh
into certain neighborhoods and certain communities? so that we have that kind of uh opportunity and awareness so that our kids can apply. >> I really appreciate that we um actually share that concern and are looking to do quite a bit of inventory of interest for
students um and matching their interest to the business's needs. Um, we are looking to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring that students from low-income backgrounds and students from all across the city have an opportunity to participate, specifically those within
the UEE. And you probably know that the UEES actually covers significant parts of the city, not just downtown. So, this will actually reach quite far and wide throughout the city. >> Thank you. >> I should also note that I should also
note my apologies. I should also note that we are currently building a marketing plan that is complete with social media um and all sorts of other outreach to students via CBOS, nonprofits, the school system, etc.
>> And this is this is me again uh briefly councilman. The other piece of that is through the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, we will also be coordinating closely with our special improvement district managers to make sure that it's spread out across the city as well. Thank you both. And I'm I'm happy to
help coordinate, especially want to make sure we get information out to our public housing buildings in in WC and throughout the city. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> I just have one. Um I This is uh Councilman Griffin here. I know that we
do have larger um corporations that are enrolled in UEZ like Lowe's, Home Depot. Um I'm not sure about any financial financial institutions but um just curious to know um like with the larger
corporations what what would be the outreach with them and and um will we be expecting to get um will we be looking at like an exact number of people to get hired than these
larger corporations? I'll take that. Councilman Griffin, um this portion of um this specific grant is focused on organizations within the UE. And I believe there are close to 700 businesses within the UEE. And so we
will be reaching out to everyone and anyone inquiring about potentially taking on some some students. Additionally, we'll be doing some outreach to see if there are corporations like the ones you name that would be willing to sponsor students outside of the grant and potentially um
actually sort of sponsor and pay for themselves, students that they might want to have. For example, if we were able to get 50 organizations to take on two students each, that's another 100 jobs. So, that um is another prong of the work that is happening
simultaneously. And also if businesses are currently not registered as urban enterprise owned businesses, all they would have to do is register. Their registration is free. Um and there benefits to everyone involved to participate in the program. So this will also help with our outreach efforts
there. >> That's Councilman Lavaro. >> Um so uh this this question I suppose it should be directed to Meera. Hi Mera. Um, so, uh, I just wanted to ask, um, the funding for UEZ, can you can you
break down kind of how much, and we talked about this, but I'm just putting this all out for the public record as well, that, um, >> how much UE money the city receives um, or is it expected to receive and, um,
how much is for this is is 900,000? Is that is that correct? My number. Um and then uh how much we've received last year and um it's my understanding that we're not u taking anything away here
from other past funded programs although I don't know if that's true but um basically asking to verify that if uh it's the case or not and how much we spent there and then what items we spent in previous budgets uh uee dollars and then and then this year's comparison.
Sure. So, uh, so to answer one of the questions, this will not jeopardize any other programs or projects we currently have down with the urban enterprise zone authority. Those are already budgeted for in um, prior year's allocations for
the council um, as a whole. Uh, the process every year the city is given an allocation based on the number of businesses registered. Um because I am working from home today, I don't have all of the specifics with me, but I can certainly reply back to you all via email um when I get back into the office
and have the numbers in front of me. Um but last year's allocation or rather the allocation for fiscal year 26 is just over $7 million. As far as the remainder left over, I don't recall off the top of my head. I can also say though that we have no funds that are in jeopardy of um
being unspent. We are doing a good job of making sure that they will be spent down within the three-year time period that we have to spend the money from the award letter from the urban enterprise authority. There are three years that you have to spend down that full allocation and it is on a rolling basis.
Um, and as far as the other projects go, I will email that out to the city council. We have some that are approved and a couple that are currently pending um down with the overnight enterprise zone authority. And we can also get you the um dollar
amounts on what is set aside for each project. Um when we submit projects, we add a clause that says spending that will not go over the amount of money that is set to make sure that everything is always coming in at or just under budget.
Does that answer most of your questions, Councilman? >> Yep. And I I'll I'll look to get the uh time. >> Yeah. and we'll we'll send that out to the full council. >> Sure. Um as um additional question um
the budget and the information includes a narrative and budget information is a couple of pages. Um is that the full application to the UAE or are there additional documentation um related to uh describing the program?
Uh what you have in the narrative is what um will be going into the uh SAGE system which is a system the state utilizes for us to submit the application down to the urban enterprise zone authority. Um so this this was this is basically the
bulk of that. There might be some additional breakdown and line items um but they would fall under the various um budget lines here. And then sometimes there is some um question and answer back and forth between the urban enterprise authority and the EDC and we
get all those questions back to them in a timely fashion to make sure that it gets on the appropriate agenda to be heard at the state. >> Okay. One of the things that you know looking at the budget the program facilitators are are $25,000. Um, in terms of how this program will be
administered and who's administering it, um, $25,000 doesn't seem like a lot of money to me to um to do the actual administration of this program um and trying to place students in these uh how are we um meeting that? And there's uh
what kind of resources are we going to dedicate to towards that end and to to ensure that uh this program funds well? George. Uh Dr. Bryant, do you want to speak a little bit about the um program facilitator administration piece and
then I can tag in as necessary? >> Sure. Um a lot of the administration and well most of it will come out of our office obviously being led by myself. Um and we are hopeful to um work alongside the BA and the department of recreation
to uh support some of the administrative pieces. Much of this was run through HR previously. We've already started conversations with them about capacity and the potential of continuing to sharpen the work that has happened there. Um so we're confident that um we
want to spend most of the funding on the children and so we will work internally to ensure that we can administrate with efficiency. We've also put in place some very clear efficiency metrics in the actual grant application. So, um, we'll
be doing the best we can with what we have. >> I I have a quick question. Councilman Lavar, if you don't have a followup. >> Um, I have additional question, but you can go ahead and I don't want to monopolize. >> Thank you. I just wanted to ask briefly.
Dr. Brian, I talked earlier about this, but just for the record, um, Jersey City's minimum wage is $20 an hour. And so, understanding that this is about 17 an hour, uh, a bit under Jersey City's minimum wage for public employees, um,
if you can just, you know, for the record, kind of speak to, uh, the difference between, you know, what this UC program, um, summer youth works program is going to be offering and our minimum wage as a city. I'd appreciate it.
>> This program offers $17 an hour to everyone involved from age 15 to 24. Um that is sort of above the 1592 for minors and uh that is the number that we
settled on. you look at the numbers for recreation and what people are paid um in the summer works program. We didn't want to create any inequity between um students who you know are the same age working at the same level. So um all the
positions are at $17. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Councilman Lavaro. >> Yeah. And I this is not necessarily a question as much as it's a statement and I suppose it's um you know um
I had the privilege of talking to uh Deputy Mayor Bryant earlier um about this program and um and I just want to get get it on the record is that uh um you know in the past with these kind of summer works programs we've had the the sort of in my estimation some inequities
around this right so um the the the plum jobs at the uh internships and with the top businesses and so forth were um uh went to some of the best and brightest, which is great. Um and those students
deserve um to to have those opportunities. But then other students who may not have been at the the top of their class or or wherever they may have fallen in um that they uh didn't get to avail of those um those plum kind of
positions or or be able to uh be placed in those those opportunities. Um certainly you want to place everybody in in areas of their success where they can succeed and um and making sure that their skill sets are uh are good match for the the jobs that are um that are
available. Um at the same time um you know young people are are young people and they grow and learn at different rates and paces and so um I we we talked about the idea that uh um it'll be under a Solomon administration that there'll be um equity um and that it'll be
equitable and that there's a desire to see everybody um be able to have that. Um, I just want to point out that um I I recall also with the kind of the Liberty Science High School, the idea that uh um when we when we did that Liberty Science
High School uh the city of Jersey City um that um it became um competitive applications and and only kind of the uh the best and brightest. and you know the the idea that the you know we want to kids develop and mature at different
rates and they they learn at different rates and um and I'm sure the deputy mayor knows this very well. Um, but we want to make sure that these programs are reflective of that and being able to give students who have the opportunity who may not have excelled in their middle school years and by the time they
get to high school and into college going going to there um if they're ready to turn the corner and they're ready to uh take on that employment opportunity that they also have that opportunity. So um look forward to seeing that. Um, but I'm going to say this with uh the Solomon administration, which is Mayor
Solomon who said hold them accountable. Um, that there's going to be accountability because I've um and and I've witnessed firsthand. I've not seen that sort of um um equity uh in Jersey City and the way we administer uh some
of these programs. Um, and I definitely want to see that uh change and I'm optimistic. Um uh but I'll I'll use this phrase often which is trust but verify. Um I ran with Mayor Solomon and I trust that um his intentions here. Um but I also know that uh when uh implementation
when it comes down to implementation that it's uh um it doesn't necessarily uh the intentions don't necessarily translate into implementation. And so, uh, as a councilman, um, you know, just saying that I'm going to be, um, ensuring to to verify this, uh, to
ensure that we we make it this an equitable program, um, that achieves great success for all of our students throughout Jersey City. >> That's my that's my high horse. I'm off it now. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you, council members.
>> Any other questions? >> Okay. Thank you, uh, Director Princeary and Deputy Mayor Bryant. Sean, we can move on to the next one. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Item 10.16,
City Resolution 26-083, is a resolution of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City authorizing one of three renewals of a competitively bid contract with CI WOF.
Sativis LLC. I'm sorry if I'm mispronouncing that. To provide technical assistance and consulting services to the division of community development with all aspects of HUD grant management
and program implementation. I'm sorry. >> It's okay, Sean. We've we've been on for a while. >> Yeah. And I have a little bit of an audience laughing in the background with me, so I'm sorry. >> That's fine. Council members, any
questions on this one? >> I I do just have a question. Thank you, council president. Thanks, Sean. Um, is there a sense of how much we anticipate we can get uh from Civotas? Is there is that part of the proposal and um and the
renewal here? And then I mean how much have we secured from Civotas in the past to >> so so Civotas does not procure the grant for us. They help us manage the applications to the existing CDBG funding. So the federal government kind
of gives us a pot of money so to speak through HUD funding you know whether it be the home program CDBG etc. And then we have to identify programs to use that funding for and then to report on them so we are they're in compliance in order for us to get credit and reimbursement
for all those different funds. Um so they don't really help they're not like a grant right who's our uh you know grant consultant that finds grants for us. They're more our consultants to make sure that we're applying the funds correctly in order to ensure that we get full reimbursement for them and that we're in compliance so we don't have any
you know penalties or fees or anything that we can be on the hook for. So that that service I mean how common is it for that service to be divorced from the service of grant writing itself? >> The compliance component of it.
>> Right. Right. Compliance is usually not part of the grant writing service that we would contract for. >> Well, it depends. So Grant Wright for instance does both, you know, grant acquisition and compliance for us. Um but for this one specifically there is
no real acquisition because the HUD gives us a pot of money based on you know numerous factors our size you know uh poverty rates things of that nature and then we have to mend that money once we received it. So we do have millions of dollars that we are awarded through HUD and this is way to make sure that
we're using that money correctly. We're complying with the regulations for it that we're allocating it correctly. Um, and that way we get the maximum reimbursement and that we also do not have any fines or penalties that would be associated projects if they're not, you know, in full compliance.
>> I see. Thank you for clarifying. >> Yep. >> I have a question. >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> Uh, Peter, is Director Anderson on the call? >> Uh, I am not entirely sure. I know we sent an invite out to Director Anderson,
but I do not know if he's on the call or not right now. No, no problem. Um, uh, you answer a question I had too. I was going to ask whether, uh, DCD has everyone whether everyone in that office is currently being utilized to to the
maximum potential. For example, is is there someone in currently employed by the city that's able to do the work that Civotas would be contracted to do? Again, I that that it's unfair to ask you that question. So I maybe we can get director Anderson uh the question and
answer before we went with it. >> Yep. I'll get you the answer from her. I would add that a lot of the positions for CD, you know, CBD funding and the DCD are offset with this grant funding. So that office doesn't generally cost the city any money if uh if at all. Um,
however, you know, I think no matter what the director, you know, and a lot of people in the staff do do a good job manage the funding, but it's good to have that professional layer just to verify and act as a reference, you know, any financial consulting services just to make sure we're in full compliance. Um, but I'll get her to give you a more
detailed explanation. >> I appreciate Yeah. And just to follow up to that question, when you ask her to, I just want to make sure that our our employees feel like they're being used to their maximum potential. If they're not, maybe this is an area where they can they can assist to kind of cut down on us using outside vendors.
>> Understood. >> Hi, Councilman Lavaro here. Um, so when my recollection uh again from my previous stint on this council was that uh there were some problems with our CDBG dollars um and that uh HUD may have
been um um investigating or or auditing our our our dollars and our allocations. um perhaps um seeking for us to reimburse um and that was kind of an ongoing thing. Um just from conversations I've had with
folks uh I understand that might still be um an open issue there might still be open issues there. Um that's not clear to me. Um can you just I I don't want to talk about matters that might be um uh that should be maintained
confidentiality around but uh are there just speak to the idea of whether we still have open issues there um with HUD and our CDBG funding um and maybe if um will this be part of our discussion maybe to the corporation
council uh for our closed session on Wednesday. >> So, there is a issue being dealt with through the law department, which I think he's probably referring to, Councilman. Um, I do not want to go into full details at this meeting, but they will have an
explanation as one of the ongoing uh issues they're dealing with through litigation um available to discuss at that close session. Um, I will say that, you know, HUD quote unquote investigates anyone who receives this money because they control it, you know, very strictly. has, you know, a lot of
compliance with it. Um, so, you know, I I don't want to say we're quote unquote being investigated. They're always going to review how we spend the money and ensure that we're in compliance with it. Um, there is, you know, a particular issue that we've been dealing with for a number of years with them based on interpretation of certain funding. Um,
and the law department can speak to that at the close session. >> Okay. To to Sarah, um, can you confirm that we're going to talk about that on in close session? We'll either be prepared to address it on Wednesday or we'll get you a memo in
writing within the next week or so. Um there's no active litigation, so just want to make sure that it's appropriate topic of discussion for a closed session and if not, we'll get you a confidential memo on any legal issues that might be relevant to this. >> Perfect. Thank you.
>> Okay, Sean. Next one. Okay, just a reminder, if we're going to go into a close session, we got to make sure that we have an uh a resolution put together in order to go into close session. >> I think we Sean,
>> that's right. >> Oh, >> we already have one. So, we should be all set for this coming Wednesday. And if there's anything that we're not able to resolve on Wednesday, we'll make sure to get another resolution put forward for another close session. >> I I appreciate you both. I have snow fog
memory right now. Okay. Uh item 10.17 resolution 26-084 is a resolution of the city council of Jersey City, excuse me, directing
the planning board to prepare an amendment or revision to the Journal Square 2060 redevelopment plan. >> Yeah. Question or comments? >> Yeah, sorry. I just want to say this was done in coordination with Councilman Zupa, so he may have a few comments uh
for the uh item. We also have Tanya, I think he's still available um if we need any of the city side uh to speak about anything. >> Thank Thanks, Peter. Uh happy to have Tanya's input if if she'd like to add. Uh this is just an authorizing resolution. So, um the council needs to
authorize the planning board to planning the department to look into uh amendments to our redevelopment plan uh to expand our affordable housing efforts. is hoping to have something for you that's really good in the coming weeks working with the administration and with planning of course
>> questions. Okay, Sean. >> Next is item 10.18. Resolution 26-085 is a resolution providing local support for Warrior Weed LLC to operate a class
5 retail cannabis business, >> questions, comments. >> Okay. Next >> item 10.19, city resolution 26-086 is a resolution authorizing the payment of a claim submitted by Millennium Strategies LLC for providing grant
consultant services >> questions. >> Uh just one question. Um what was the am uh grant amount generated last year? Peter. >> Peter, you're muted.
>> You're mute. >> Apologies. Do you mean the total amount of money that was captured through grants for last year for 2025? >> Correct. >> Uh I do not have that number off hand. I'd have to ask finance to prepare that. I can get you something. >> That's okay. Thank you. just was curious
because if we are paying 50,000 for their services just want to know how efficient they are. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Um this is Councilman Efro. I just want
to say for the record that um Millennium Strategies uh has donated substantial amounts of money to Jersey City uh officials um and candidates and um
I'm just curious if this is a an LLC that is up um for renewal for I mean I know that Civotas is um one of three renewals Uh maybe this is a separate kind of um
grant service, grant consultant service. Patter New Jersey rejected uh Millennium for pay-to-play concerns back in 2021. So I'm just curious if if Millennium is on on the docket for any further uh service with the city, I think we should
scrutinize that. >> They are not and this is not a a renewal, nor is there any new renewal options for them uh in the future. Um there was a question of paytoplay for this particular issue for uh various reasons. The law department did review
it and are comfortable with making the payment going forward. >> Okay. Thank you for clarifying. >> My pleasure. Um, if I may, just as a followup to Councilman Effort's um to the law
department and corporation council, can you provide us some um primer or guidance or at least me um on paytoplay? I understand the rules have changed since the last time I was on the city council. Um so any information you can
provide the guidance on that be helpful. Sure, we can put together like a one pager if that would be helpful on the procurement rules and the payto-play statute as well. >> Thanks. >> Okay. 10.20.
Um, Peter, I believe or I believe the law department circulated a memo on this one. I don't know if you want to uh make a few comments. >> Sure. I'll have the law department make a few comments if uh Sarah is so willing.
>> I won't I'll defer to the memo unless there's any further questions. I'll remind that members of the council that memos that are marked as privileged and confidential are provided on an attorney client basis and should not be shared in a public forum as that could risk visiating a privilege that is very
important to protect the city's interests. So if there's any non-privileged questions, I'm happy to try to answer them. If there's any questions that implicate legal issues, um, I will decline to answer them in this forum, but I'm happy to connect offline.
>> Council members, any questions? >> Okay, Sean, 10.21. Okay. Item 10.21, 21 resolution 26-088 is a resolution authoriz authorizing shared service agreement for the board of education of the school district of
Jersey City to obtain fuel at the department of public works facility and other services from the city of Jersey City. >> Questions? Fuel for what? Are these like teachers cars? Are these student buses?
>> No. No. This would be for >> delivery trucks. C. This would be for official business of the school. So buses, you know, equipment used in maintaining their properties, things of that nature. And they they do re it's a shared
service agreement. So they're paying for it. They're just paying for our through our co-op with administrative fee. and all the services shared services are mentioned there that we are sharing with them. Can someone speak to this
this shared services agreement between the city and Jersey public schools and how long we've been in this and um has this changed? My recollection was that that it was intended to be some sort of cost-saving measure um for the Jersey
public schools because state aid had been cut and things of that nature and it doesn't appear that that's the case here necessarily. I mean, maybe there is some cost savings, but it seems um doesn't seem terribly significant to me. Um >> well, I can't speak to the cost savings on the board of eds position. You know,
we'd have to get them to pine upon that. But essentially, what we do is we open up our ability to purchase larger quantities and allow them to tack onto that. Um you know, things like our rock, salt, fuel, things of that nature, and through an executed agreement with his resolution, they can tap into those
services. Um but we do ensure that you know we are reimbursed and that you know to the extent possible we get administrative fees or anything that may cause additional expenses to the city. >> Any other questions? >> Just just one. Uh
Peter probably question for you. So, so the agreement contemplates that things like pothole fixes will be done on demand, quote, on demand. Um, or actually all the services are on demand. So, uh, can you just go through the
process for the the school board making a request or demand of the city to fill potholes? I know we have some difficulty uh from a from a council perspective trying to get some uh our whole our potholes fixed. So I just want to know what the the order of repairs will be
based on our own request as a city versus uh or in conjunction with the with the school board. >> Yeah. So so the city's operations do take pre precedent you know also depending on you know availability of you know resources things of that nature. Um the goal is to the extent
possible to make it cost effective the the the board of education to try to share some of our larger resources that may not have ability to do it in house. Um so like potholes that kind of stuff. So the extent possible, you know, most of the streets are our streets. Um you
know, so obviously we want to coordinate, you know, when we fix a pothole, it's somehow affecting the school, it really, you know, benefits the city as well. Um if there's certain conditions inside their facilities, like potholes on their premises, that kind of stuff. Obviously, it's it's only available to the extent that are uh
availability and resources, you know, can encumber that and to amend that um and that there's not interfering with their own operations. Thank you, Peter. I I'll I'll chime in here. John Lynch since he managed this over the years. The only service they really actually used was filling up the
the buses with gas. We haven't been asked to do any potholes. Once in a while, a little tree maintenance and it all had to do with any availability that we had and then we invoiced them for it. But the only service they really have used over the last 10 years has actually been the school buses. Um filling them
with fuel, which we get reimbured quarterly on with a 5% administrative fee as Peter said. >> But I'm sure now that we've talked about potholes, we're going to get a million of those coming in. But knock on wood. >> Yeah. Yeah. But most of, as you said, that's down on the streets by the
schools, and we're already covering those. >> You don't do um potholes for their like parking lots and things of that nature. >> They've never asked for that. >> So, it's contemplated that we could councilman, but again, they would have
to request it reverse reimbursement and subject to the availability of our, you know, procurement materials, etc. So, John, are you the liazison and the one administering this this agreement with this Jersey public schools? >> Yeah, they would reach out to me and
then I would reach out to the department if if needed if like I said I haven't had to, but then I reach out to the department to see what availability and they're they're under the understanding it's resource avail um whatever resource we have available and when we have them available.
The only other one I ever used was the tree service and they u you know they reached out and it was a couple weeks later that we got to the help helped them out with the trees and then we u you know build them but other than that um you know it's it's been pretty much
just uh gassing up the buses >> and I would have like to give the board about a quick plug and just say thank you to them because they have been very helpful with a lot of our snow removal and snow operations and we've had great coordination with their leadership over there. Um, so you know, to the extent possible, we're always happy to help them because they've been very kind in
helping us. >> And they also lent us a bus or two when needed. >> Oh, look at that. The city and the school working together. >> New administration, new day.
>> Any other council members? I >> I have two questions. one is um how much is the city I guess losing on this like with the whole um like how much does it cost the city this
partnership >> and and and >> okay and and then two is is there another way we can barter with them to maybe you know they use our services and they allow us to use like
their gym facilities at public schools We're always open to ways of exploring that. Um, again, you know, it's it's subject to their availability to, you know, provide us with either space or materials, you know, and vice versa. So, we're happy to have that conversation for any specific question you might
have, Councilman. Um, just to see what their availability is. >> I appreciate that. So, >> there was a past shared services agreement. If I can just get a copy of that one. >> Sure.
Thank you, John. >> Okay, Sean. Next one. >> Item 10.22, 22. Resolution 26-089 is a resolution authorizing an award of a contract to Atlantic Salt Incorporated for the purchase and delivery of rock
salt throughout the cooperative agreement between the city of Jersey City and Hudson County for the Department of Public Works Division of Sanitation. >> So, I know Councilman Brooks was waiting with baited breath for this one. Um, as well as many of the other council
members. Um, so this is basically a reference to a lot of the issues that we had uh in the first snowstorm where there's a limited availability of salt and the response times by our current vendor uh well the primary vendor Morton should I say um wasn't adequate for the
city services. Um therefore we're electing to exercise the option to add Atlantic Salt who was also a respondent to the uh the city services as our primary vendor. Um, in full disclosure, they are slightly uh more expensive when
it costed per ton, you know, uh percentage of the the the salt order. However, they are a lot more responsive. They've had a steadier and more predictable delivery for the city. Um, and at this point, those are more beneficial to the city. Um, we do not
get rid of Morton Salt. We will still have them as a vendor. Um it does not cost the city any additional money because we've encumbered a certain amount of money to spend for salt uh as it is. It's just now we can decide which vendor we want to use whether it be Morton or the Atlantic to address our
our needs going forward. >> Thank you Peter. My my question earlier was just regarding um the you know ret retroactive like how do we get uh any accountability from Morin for having failed to deliver on time when they're
supposed to? And I understand this is part of a cooperative agreement with Hudson County. So um is is that what you're referring to that that should be discussed offline? Um or is there anything we can clarify in the public forum here? Yeah, I I think to get the
specifics probably has discussed it offline. Councilman, um I am comfortable saying that, you know, the city has been in talks with the county about the the lack of response from the the one vendor that we were utilizing. Uh additionally, we've looked at the contract with the law department to discuss and explore
any options we have to recoup any additional costs that we may have incurred based on our uh agreement with them. So, we are exploring our options. >> Thank you. Okay, if no other questions, uh 1023.
Okay, item 10.23, city resolution 26-090 is a resolution appointing Toita Alizu as a member of the Jersey City Rent Leveling Board. >> Questions? Yes, this is a question for for all the
nominees to the rent leveling board. Will we be provided with um their resumes or anything of that nature like we were for uh other appointees? >> So, the resumeumés, councilwoman, are attached to the resolutions. If you scroll down, you'll see their
appointment letter and their resumes. >> They are not there. They're on the >> I haven't They're in the packet. >> Yeah, I haven't checked the others, but this one is definitely there.
>> They're on the website as the full agenda packet, not just the agenda. >> And for the the council edification, we do not put addresses on the resumes anymore. That's in conjunction with change change at the state level for Daniel's law. Um so just be aware of
that. You know, some councilmen have been here before. They may have noticed them previously, but they're not currently included. >> I apologize. I stand corrected. I was looking at the wrong resolution. I >> If if any council member needs if for some reason you can't see them, just let
me know and I can be more than happy to forward um the resumes to you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Sean. 1024. Item 10.24 city resolution 26-091
is excuse me a resolution authorizing the award of competitively bid contract to Aisha Financial Group Incorporated for financial advisory services. >> So this one council it sorry
>> go ahead >> just a quick explanation. So, this one is in response to the the vote that was taken at the last council meeting regarding NW Financial. Um, originally we are under the assumption that if an RFP was recommended by the committee, then that was the one that the council
had to vote on. Um, we've had the law department do a little bit of digging. Um, and for this particular type of uh RFP response, we can go with a different option. Um, so this was part of the original RFP respondents. Um they were the second highest I think uh you know
selection from the RFP committee. Um so we are putting them before the council to vote on. Everything else will be the same as a previous council meeting except which company we are recommending. >> Thank you Peter. I I have a question if that's okay. Council President. Um
>> okay. So, uh, in 2024, this company was fined over 50,000 from the SEC for recordkeeping concerns. And I know one of the questions that came up with, uh, NW um, was they've been with the city for
decades. They have, you know, substantial institutional knowledge. And so now as we look to get a different contract with a different company, uh it just seems like a good time to make sure that recordkeeping and having institutional knowledge preserved uh as
a city as opposed to just being housed within one company is um really important. So I just wanted to get a sense of uh the administration's view on the the importance of recordkeeping here and any assurances we can get uh in terms of recordkeeping from Aacia
Financial Group should we contract with them. >> Absolutely. So I can't speak to the actual uh FCC finds or the documentation that you saw Councilman but I can say and you know I'm sure Sean would love to talk about this for hours but the city has very strict recordkeeping
requirements. um any information and any work they do for us, they are required to provide to us or copies to us. And then the city has its own recordkeeping retention laws per the state statute. We've always been in compliance to my knowledge and Sean and his staff are are
very uh on top of that. >> Fabulous. Okay. If there's any if there's any information we can get between um you know now and our our meeting on Wednesday regarding that SEC case that
would be that'd be really helpful in um making a final decision. But I appreciate that Peter. Thanks. >> Absolutely. >> Any other questions on this one? >> Okay, Sean. >> All right. For the very last resolution,
item 10.25, resolution 26-092 is a resolution authorizing the award of compet competitively bid contract to Jolt charge to install and operate electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the city of Jersey City.
>> Peter, I have a question on this. Um, if you can please clarify. Go ahead, councilwoman. >> Um, so is it going to be free for people to charge
because we are getting grants for this? >> I do not believe it's free. I think Director Beamer might still be on the call. He might have better details about the program than I can. Um, if not, I'm happy to answer some questions. So yeah because
>> Peter I'm still here. >> Okay. So if you can answer this question please for me. >> Yes I also have uh director Amanda Diamond from the division of sustainability on who was leading the
the charge uh pun intended on this one. And this will be a fee for these public chargers. They're they're not free to use for residents. Uh this is a buildout we're trying to bolster our EV charging network
throughout the city and we have went through the RFP process with the competitively bid contract did a review of all the respondents and um this department felt that Jolt was the most
uh cost effective and qualified and they will have a licensing fee involved in this as as well as a per charger fee they will pay to the city. >> Okay? Because the the amount is pretty low if you think about it. They will be
paying $100 license piece and 10,000 for two years contract. So I was just curious if it is going to be free for public to use or some some discounted pricing or what what is it that we are
offering to public to use because I think pricing was pretty um >> I lower. >> Good evening council. Um uh this is director Amanda Diamond here. Uh I think I can uh shed a little light on that.
So, um, as opposed to, uh, privately owned charging, um, stations in New Jersey and, especially Jersey City, uh, public, uh, charging access is normally, um, uh, cheaper to some extent. Um, I
don't believe that we have a set price for these charging stations that will be offered to the public, but the installation and upkeep and maintenance and um, uh, software will all be
operated and completed at no cost to the city to install these charging stations. Um, so that is the benefit for the city and also the residents. Thank you, director. >> Um, it it seems like part of the business, this is Councilman Efos. Seems
like part of the business model here is um that they have advertising built in to the charging stations. Um, clearly this is, you know, a benefit for uh for residents who have electric
vehicles or hybrid gas electric vehicles to be able to use. Um, I am just a little concerned about uh putting more advertising and commercial space in public places like public parks and and things. Um, so I'm just curious if the
bid specifies anything around, you know, what advertising would look like. Uh, if there are any sounds coming from advertisements in these charging stations, if they are on the other hand silent. Um, is there any
specification around how that works? >> Um, I don't have those details in front of me, but I can certainly um follow up with your office and uh send you more information based on the bid that they provided us if that's all right.
>> Yeah, that that would that'd be really helpful. Uh, thank you. Hi, this is Councilman Griffin here. Um, so you know, my wife is in advertising. That's a billion-doll industry. So, what other community benefits
um can can we expect from these charging stations? Um well, I have um uh one of the big things out of this contract as well will be um more
uh information regarding where electric charging is necessary and required and lacking currently in the city. And um you know I've had uh I would say um people reach out to my office and also the department of infrastructure about
the lack of charging accessibility for electric vehicles. So um that's going to be the p that is the primary focus in installing more charging stations across the city is uh is creating greater access to that infrastructure.
>> Okay. So, I mean, um, you know, we're we're we're in a a deficit here, right? And and and and they're going to be making buku bucks off of advertising. Um, and then, you know, our residents
are being charged and and others, people coming from out of town, whoever has electric vehicles, they're going to be charged um for charging their cars. Um, so there needs to be some sort of monetary benefit here for the city. I mean
I mean I mean that's just how I feel. I mean I don't know how I'm speaking on on my behalf. I don't know how my other colleagues feel, but you know, I just feel that if they're going to come in and, you know,
use use our our land and, you know, advertise to within our communities, then there should be some sort of benefit. >> There is there is a licensing fee involved in it. I think it's 10,000 a
year. for the licensing and then a per charge fee or per charger installation fee. So there is a benefit to the city there. It's also at no cost to the city. So given the the deficit we are facing, that's also something that we look at
and also the ongoing maintenance for the chargers. It's something that we've faced in the past with the current charging units that we have out on the street. They do require a lot of maintenance and just the downtime associated with those and the public not
being able to access them. >> Okay. So, so then who Okay. So, if I'm charging my vehicle and I'm paying who who am I paying? Am I paying the city or this company?
>> You would be paying the company through their app that they have set up. >> Okay. So maintenance is not free. They're just taking care of their generating their revenue generating
property. >> They're maintaining >> correct the burden of burden of the maintenance isn't on the city as it has been in past EV charging contracts. >> Yes. So council may to elaborate on this and to this is through an RFP which is a
public bid. So generally what the city does is they will design a bid that has some general you know specifications. We want x amount of items added to the city. Um okay >> we want you know this vision whatever whatever the kind of the general specs are um we put that out there and then
any company can bid upon it. Um and to the extent we're we're kind of at the mercy of their responses. So if we get three or four bids and I think it's three in this case and you know all of them say you know we're not going to you know provide you x amount of dollars per year there'll be some kind of you know
usually monetary value to us but you know we can't really kind of negotiate and go beyond that with them unless we want to rebid it but again you know we're subject to the respondents of the the market. So if you know people don't bid or if companies aren't willing to kind of create that cost benefit to the
city we we can't necessarily mandate it. I got you. But but but Peter, can I can I can I say this? Like in the future like uh when we put bids out and we're working with and we're working with companies like this who who will
not only benefit from their product but from other products as well like advertising or you know because they're coming in they're going to be charging other people and we're not we're not going to be able to touch any of that revenue. >> You see what I'm saying?
>> Yeah. No, I agree. It really kind of depends on what items we're discussing. Like the city does have um I call them the kiosk for lack of a better term, but those kind of like public advertising things that you'll see in front of city halls that kind of stuff those days because it's very focused on the
marketing of the that they have a better >> benefit or you know a payment plan for the city than this you know infrastructure which is more focused on the actual charging infrastructure and increasing that throughout the city. So I would say councilman yes you're correct and that is obviously always a focus for us you know especially given
the the current financial you know situation we're in. Um but it really depends upon what we're trying to uh procure for the city and we have to kind of you know couch that bit to kind of fit those specifications. If we're trying to find a service for the city that, you know, we think is lacking, it
may not focus as heavily on the financial benefit to the city, whereas there could be ones that, you know, are uh more marketable in a financial sense. We can push for more of that from the respondents. >> All right. Thanks. >> My pleasure.
>> And just u Peter, just FYI, it it's cost 30 to $45 to charge your car fully. So I'm just calculating if you know so this company is going to make good decent amount of money. So I don't know if we
decide just a um food for thought uh if we decide to do it inhouse it would be really beneficial for city I don't know if possible or not. Just sharing that. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. We >> we'll consider it. I I don't know to be honest. I don't know if we have the
capability to manage that like a project of that size right now. Um, but it's something worth exploring. >> And Peter and council, I just want to add that there the term is two years on this contract. So, if it's something that is underperforming, um, you know,
we could choose not to go with the renewal options that are built in. >> Yeah. My thank you, director, and thank you, Peter. Um final thoughts on this would be one one if we can also just get a um a list of locations uh where we
would expect um the charging stations to be set up. Um and also if they would have any bearing on the current charge point locations that we have. Um for instance in Riverview Park we have one that's um you know half of the charging
station is perennially broken. Um, so yeah, would would there be any bearing on the charge point contract we have? >> Thanks, Councilman. We'll be in touch about locations. Part of the RFP was to kind of build out a master plan of what
locations are in uh under right now and then where we could install more to to better fortify our network. And there is a component to uh swap out the existing charge point stations if we if we please. >> So that that's something that was also
contemplated in the RFP. Well, we'll touch base with each council me member. It's going to be citywide and before any final decisions are made about location. We'll we'll work with each office before we we put all those plans into effect. >> Thanks too much.
>> And and and and so like All right. So, you're saying it's a two-year uh contract. So, if we do not renew with them, what happens with the infrastructure? Do we keep it? Do they do they remove it? How does that work?
>> I'm going off the top of my head and and maybe Director Diamond does have the information. And I believe this vendor that we did recommend would remove those uh stations. >> If I um remember correctly, this uh
vendor because that was a part of the RFP. So they had to uh identify or um specify what would happen at the end. Um we have an option for either purchasing the charging stations infrastructure outright and then operating or um you
know completing with the maintenance and the uh uh service requirements ourselves. Um or we could have them remove the charging stations. So there there's an option for either or.
>> Okay. Any other questions? >> Yeah, this is Councilman Lavaro. Um, some some simple ones. Um, can we get a can I get a copy of the bid and the contract itself? I don't see it on my resolution. Um, I don't see the contract at least. Um,
and then um get a list of who else bid on the contract, what they offered. Um, and then also if we can get um some sort of summary about how much we got from previous contracts. So, we we have other contracts with or is Volt the only one
that we've done business with because we have EVs in public spaces all over the city. Um if we can get those contracts and get a sense of what the numbers there were. So, we have something for by comparison to look at. Um
Councilwoman Singh brought up the idea is it free? It wasn't clear to me. So, are so so people are paying when they go there, right? Can you just confirm that that or is there a free component to this that there's free charging? >> No, they're paying
>> paying is that from the administration or is that that's council? >> It's it's for a fee, Councilman. >> For a fee. Okay. Have we done business with Vault in the past? >> To my knowledge, this is our first
venture or potentially our first venture with them. Uh, previously we have only engaged with charge point and that was through a a third party that was Lily Pad and uh they did not even put in an
response to the RFP this time around. >> The um you mentioned that um doing some sort of plan on EVs and do we have one or that's still something in the works
to be done? This is something in the works and that's in the the RFP itself was to assist us in creating a map or a master plan for lack of a better term of where we should start to site these chargers.
>> And so Volt is going to help us do that. >> Correct. And how do they help us given >> the RFP stipulates that they're they're going to prepare the the plan itself. So, you know, just through conversations
with us and then obviously each council person's office and the administration will come up with a plan of what they feel is underserved and and what infrastructure feels as underserviced areas and put that plan together to
present to you. So, so the plan is kind of a plan of locations as opposed to >> correct. >> Um, do do we have any from either past contracts um utilization rates for all of these uh
charging stations >> for the current charge point stations? Yes, I believe we can get utilization rates. Um, >> can we get some of that information? >> Yes, I believe Amanda, correct me if I'm wrong. I think the the dashboard we can
ascertain that >> I believe. So, >> with this contract, and I'm I'm rushing through this because we're at the end here, but um with this contract, how many charging stations are we looking to install throughout the city?
Amanda, I think it's a minimum of 12, correct? >> Minimum of 12. Um, the RFP stipulated that it could be up to 125. Um, this uh this option that we're going
with is uh 25 charging stations evenly spread amongst the wards of Jersey City. And um so go ahead council. >> No, I was just going to ask is that 25 per ward?
>> No, 25 overall. >> So okay, so like four stations per ward. Sounds like the right math. Um, >> any other questions? >> No. >> Um, just >> one. Um,
has a study been done like do we do we know the number to be anticipated like how many cars are going to charge annually? Is there any estimate? I haven't seen any study specifically stating the number of cars that would be
charged. Um it it is a >> a common theme, >> you know, in our office that we get requests for additional facilities. Um so so it is an area of need. Okay.
>> Um ju just when you give me that information, this is council again. um when you provide the information. I just requested if uh I'm particularly interested in I think the first one or one of the first ones was that I forget which street it was but it's near um
O'Hara and there's like an entire block of like EV stations and um they're all lined up there and I assume just like those EV stations that the the rules would be that only EV cars can
park there. Is that is that correct? That is correct. And I believe uh the location you're speaking about is is likely Second Street, which was >> uh right private licensing, >> I think, of the right of way. It wasn't wasn't anything like we're presenting in
front of you today. >> It's not Okay. >> Okay. Sean. >> All right. I'm going to ask the magic words. I have a motion to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. by Council Person Griffin. May
I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Council Person Lavaro. All in favor of the motion to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. All council members present by acclamation, please say, "I." >> I. >> I.
>> We are out of here at 6:50 p.m. Yes. >> Sure. Well, we already voted to stop it, but I I asked you that there's a second resolution we wanted to present. Um, it's going to be a late item, but I just want to give the council five minutes of an introduction of it if they are so want to wait.
>> Go ahead, Peter. >> All right. So, there's going to be a resolution for transitional aid. Part of the uh plan, as you know, it we the mayor's made public is that we are requesting support from the state um to help us with our financial crisis that we are currently in. So part of that is
we have to submit an application to the state. It'll be due the 27th and as part of the application we have to make a resolution by the council to you know certifying that they agree to requesting that aid from the state. Um so we will upload that resolution. I believe it's complete. It just need to be put through
I compass. It will be a late item that will need council approval. Um it's very short, you know, is it's you know, basically what I described is essentially what I ask for, but I'll have that up tonight um with you, Sean, if possible, just so the council has as much time to read it and review it and then I plan to introduce that at the
council meeting on Wednesday. >> When will we get a copy of this resolution? >> You are. That's why I said I'm going to have Sean upload a copy of it. Um it wasn't done until today. Uh so I'll have Sean upload it as soon as possible. Like I said, tonight hopefully. Um, and then you have as much time as possible to
review it. >> It's one page if that makes anyone feel better. >> It doesn't. I didn't think it would, >> but >> okay. >> You know, to to that effect, we would we would require it if we're going to ask
the state for money or, you know, for assistance. I want to say necessary money, but we asked the state for assistance. We need to have that resolution by the council before the 27th uh for application. >> Okay. Thanks, Peter. >> Thank you, everyone. >> You know, just get that over to the
council as soon as you can so we can review it. >> Yep. What do >> Okay, since I already asked a motion for a journ, I'm not going to ask it again. Uh I Thanks, Peter. Um again I wanted to thank everyone uh for their patience during this process. This was a long
time since we had a um a virtual meeting. So appreciate everyone's p patience watching at home and everyone that participated. Again >> remember um stay safe out there, be careful traveling and uh have a great rest of the night.
>> Thank you all everyone. >> Oh what do we do on Wednesday? Meeting in person.