WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 2
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=O46YA18T_qc
Video-2: youtube.com/watch?v=alFR3w8kYKQ

Part: 1

1
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.320
--------- Everyone, we are back on the record. Good afternoon everyone. Today is Thursday, the 6th day of August in the year 2026. This is a part two of a budget hearing for the Department of Finance with the Jersey City Municipal Council. We had a scheduled 2 p.m.

2
00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:32.559
start. The clock on my cell phone is showing 2:10 p.m. May we have a roll call for the commencement of this budget hearing. Council person Brooks, I hear present. Yes, you did. Okay. Council Person Supa, >> I'm also here.

3
00:00:32.559 --> 00:00:47.760
>> Thank you. Council person Efos, >> present. >> Council person Little is not here. Council person Gilmore, >> present. >> Council person Singh. Council person Griffin is not here. Council person Labaro >> here.

4
00:00:47.760 --> 00:01:06.320
>> And council president Ridley. We have seven council members in attendance at 2:10 p.m. In addition, at its time of its preparation, the notice of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, July 31st, 2026 at 1:23 p.m. to the

5
00:01:06.320 --> 00:01:22.880
mayor, Municipal Council, Business Administrator, Corporation Council, and the newspapers so I can certify as to our total compliance with the Sunshine Law. Council President, I'm going to turn it over to you. >> Good afternoon. Welcome back to the finance department. Um, we are here

6
00:01:22.880 --> 00:01:40.799
today to cover any additional questions from finance now that we've gone through all the departments and also to do a revenues and unclassified catchup. Um, and council people, you should have the documents for that in your uh, email if

7
00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:56.320
you have not seen them yet. Uh, this session will be led by our Councilman Brooks and Councilman Labaro. So, I will hand it over to them. >> I have abdicated. >> Okay. Thank you.

8
00:01:56.320 --> 00:02:13.280
>> Thank you, Councilman. Um, thank you, Bill and Kyle, for coming back and Oh, and uh Ernie as well. Thank you. Um, so appreciate uh taking the time again to go go through this. Um so so everyone for

9
00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:28.160
in terms of what what sort of documentation I think you just received it today but um you know the resol the resolution for the introduction of the budget um the first I don't know exactly 30 to 40 to 50 pages is all revenues

10
00:02:28.160 --> 00:02:43.599
essentially right so um and so wanted to to talk through that and um uh and I just want to take the privilege as chairing this uh to just come out of the gate and ask uh I appreciate your information that you shared which you

11
00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:59.120
share with the entire council. Um and so as I understand it the the law uh state statutes allow us to um project inside of the budget up to

12
00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:15.360
the amount realized in cash in 2025. Um and I just want to verify that and make sure that that's accurate from your understanding as well. Council member, I believe that is accurate. That's the maximum that can be budgeted

13
00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:32.799
in any particular year. >> Okay. And so again, just and so the I had asked um Mr. Vicera a bill to um provide prior year revenue for 2025 which is the information you have and the year-to-date revenue um over the

14
00:03:32.799 --> 00:03:49.280
same time period uh to kind of look at where how we were pacing ourselves and um and what the the revenue collection was. So, for example, on fine uh municipal court fines and costs, um the

15
00:03:49.280 --> 00:04:08.080
anticipated revenue that you included in the budget was $16.5 million and what we realized in cash was 17,348,17. So, we could in theory um

16
00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:25.199
could insert up to 17 million 348, 2017. Um but I'm I'm guessing you chose to insert a more conservative number, right, to not over project in that regard. Yeah. Would that be accurate

17
00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:40.000
in case the numbers in >> Can I also abdicate? >> Sure. [laughter] So, Councilman, you're correct in general for as for all local revenues, uh, while we did review with the different departments the amounts to be

18
00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:57.280
budgeted for reasonleness, as a general matter, if there was an area of concern, for example, in that category where it was actually quite high the year before, then we thought it was be prudent to ensure that we would not uh run under

19
00:04:57.280 --> 00:05:14.080
the revenue number in the budget. So in that is generally the approach we took across local revenue was not to max it out in order to avoid uh having a shortfall at the end of the year and missing our budget. Um so so for my purposes and I just wanted

20
00:05:14.080 --> 00:05:28.240
to put this on the record with everyone that we're going to be submitting budget amendments um council's proposed budget amendments and and my amendments are going to come close to maximizing um each each revenue line item um unless

21
00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:45.039
kind of the numbers are trending badly um in this uh document that you've prepared which I've started to look through it and started to do some of that analysis Um but but if we were to max out um on some of these revenue

22
00:05:45.039 --> 00:06:01.120
lines, uh it would be an additional over $3 million that we could add to the budget as additional revenues. Um which would offset the levy. Um it's not quite 1% but it gets us closer to that um along with any other sort of um

23
00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:16.960
reductions. Um so so I want to just kind of put that on the record and uh um working feverishly to put together that amendment to to share with the administration. Um does anyone else have questions? And I I

24
00:06:16.960 --> 00:06:32.560
do have several and it's a followup but that's >> not on that topic. I have a question about the capital budget that Bill you provided to us. Um >> can we complete the revenue topic? Anyone else have questions about revenues?

25
00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:52.000
>> Just want to clarity on there are a lot of different um apartment I guess or housing complexes listed. What exactly is that um is the

26
00:06:52.000 --> 00:07:09.360
revenue that we receive for them on a yearly basis? [clears throat] believe you may be looking at the pilot revenue and that in those instances. >> Okay. Okay. >> Councilman one comment councilman on with respect to local revenue. I would happy to review you know proposed

27
00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:27.039
amendments along these lines. Uh but I real want to understand what the logic would be for maxing them out and and for myself to be comfortable that we have evidence that maxing them out is a reason is a reasonable assumption to make. Uh ultimately I do have to certify

28
00:07:27.039 --> 00:07:44.560
that the budget uh is as introduced balanced one. So I will, you know, be happy to review that, but I'd have to look at each one of those amendments and understand um the risk of falling short. >> Understood. Understood. And that that's why

29
00:07:44.560 --> 00:08:00.639
and I understand, for example, with the public safety fees that you have some backup and documentation to support the uh 2.3 million that uh was included in this year's budget, even though realized was 347,000. Um but there's backup documentation to

30
00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:17.280
that effect. So, um, it's the reason why I'm looking at these prior year revenue and how it's pace tracking with, uh, current year revenue, uh, to be able to say whether or not those numbers can justify and say we're on we're on pace. Council Efos,

31
00:08:17.280 --> 00:08:32.399
>> I had a question. Could you point me to the 17 million number that you were you referenced? >> Um, it's the on the revenue >> on the resolution. It's um on line sheet four 16.5 million

32
00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:47.920
is the anticipated in 2026. They anticipated in 2025 10.9 million and then what was realized was over 17 million 2025. >> Sorry this is

33
00:08:47.920 --> 00:09:07.279
>> from the resolution uh the budget introduction resolution it was uh >> 26-426. Thank you. Y >> um if I may, there were a number of um lines and and you you addressed it in

34
00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:22.399
your email to me, but want to share with the council um interstate waste and others that had uh um zero um dollars anticipated um

35
00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:38.560
in 2026. They were also zero in 2025 um but then came in with um revenue for example interstate waste zero and 26 anticipated 25 anticipated

36
00:09:38.560 --> 00:09:55.640
zero but came in at 536,000 853 and realized um and if you could just speak to um maintaining it at zero even though realized dollars came in in five.

37
00:09:56.560 --> 00:10:13.519
>> So, some of these items are unpredictable uh from a financial department perspective and you'll see in the 25 budget as well. We didn't anticipate those revenue streams either. Um as a way to kind of help support us

38
00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:30.160
build our cash surplus. Um we didn't feel confident in estimating amounts for rebates or you know credits for waste disposals or uh tax sale revenue

39
00:10:30.160 --> 00:10:46.480
just on that on that basis alone is that they are quite volatile year-over-year and we have seen variances. So our conservative approach was to continue that methodology in 26 and in the event

40
00:10:46.480 --> 00:11:03.360
there is revenue generated it'll be uh miscellaneous revenue not anticipated and that goes to uh cash surplus at the end of the year. >> Um and I understood that and I know you you shared that with me. We'll build

41
00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:20.560
into via email. I just wanted to share that with my colleagues here as well as the public. Um, and again that analysis shows that interstate waste is running at 119% of last year's pace and that scraps metals for example is running at

42
00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:37.680
158% of that entire 2025 total. Um, so so we've already realized the cash there. So I I think it's fair to say that uh um given that it's been realized already in in our current counting of the the dollars that it's

43
00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:56.240
it's it's not a risky proposition to put those actual realized numbers in at this point given given we're already in August that uh um to be able to include that as part of the uh revenues um which which I will offer as a as a um

44
00:11:56.240 --> 00:12:12.720
amendment um and and I understand it's a policy choice and if we didn't do that that there would be surplus as you referenced. Um and and I would just say to my colleagues in this opportunity is that if if we didn't do that and we kept

45
00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:29.360
it at zero and the numbers came in um with half a million dollars to a million dollars in revenue, whatever the number is, um it would turn over to surplus. But I would suggest to you that that's a policy choice, right? To decide to to be

46
00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:44.880
very conservative there in the face of numbers that show real revenue. Um that uh um to to defer it as surplus next year, which is necessary to build up to rebuild our our surplus and emergency

47
00:12:44.880 --> 00:13:02.600
fund. Um but the for me and I would urge you the priority would be for me to see it here so that we can reduce the levy for Georgia City residents. Um if anyone else has questions on revenue or things you'd like to bring

48
00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:19.519
>> have a question on um municipal land sales. So on that line we said that we didn't the prior year was zero but this year it's 3.2 2 million. Um, do we know what that's attributed to?

49
00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:34.480
>> Uh, last year's land sale number was closer to 33 million. Um, the 3.25 million for this year is the result of uh land sale at Bayfront. So, that

50
00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:50.320
revenue uh partially offsets the debt service that we're appropriating this year from Bayfront. Okay. There's a if I'm looking at the same sheet, council president, um there's zero for prior year revenue for

51
00:13:50.320 --> 00:14:07.360
municipal land sales. Is that accurate? >> If you're looking at the year-to-year uh comparison date, >> so the revenue likely came in after whatever August 4th is when this was ran. >> So this we can give you a supplemental report that just shows the year end. Um

52
00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:23.680
those numbers are also reflected in the actual budget document in the resolution. you'll see the 25 realized in cash amounts. >> Thank you, Councilman. I I sent over a council info request with some other revenue questions, but those can be

53
00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:38.560
dealt with offline. So, appreciate the opportunity. >> I want to bring up one last point for me um on the revenue side. Um, so and I don't know where to find it or maybe it's already found inside of the

54
00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:55.199
information you shared, but um on June 28th, Mayor Solomon uh had a um a message on social media that said our our traffic enforcement division last week issued over 800 tickets citations.

55
00:14:55.199 --> 00:15:11.839
A year ago, across the entirety of Jersey City, we issued 100. So that's an over 700% increase is going to help us with revenue and make the city safer. We're going after the slum lords and the big developers who don't maintain their buildings and to work through a backlog

56
00:15:11.839 --> 00:15:28.079
of 50,000 cases in our housing court right now. We're also expanding parking enforcement in commercial corridors. When you add it all up, we expect to get at least $20 million in new revenue starting next year from those enforcement efforts. that is going to

57
00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:42.560
help us long term to address the budget crisis. So, um while I understand next year we would realize this in a budget for things potentially if there were gains, um where where does that show up

58
00:15:42.560 --> 00:16:00.399
in the the revenue line items, those items that the mayor referenced that increased uh 700%. um because I don't see anything that shows anything coming close to remotely that amount and maybe it's not um 20

59
00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:16.639
million this year. Um but I would think that some of those tickets at this point have translated into some revenue for the city. Um, and so I I I asked this question to say um because we we couldn't we should be able to then at

60
00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:33.519
least project some of those revenues in the 2026 budget for all the work that's being done. And I've seen the traffic enforcement officers out there doing that work. And and I can believe that we've issued a lot of tickets and citations and there's been um has to be

61
00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:48.959
some money collected at this point for those things. And and where will we find that at this point? council would show up in the court finds. Although I can't speak to how long it takes between the issuance of a ticket and the realization of revenue to the city. I don't know the answer to

62
00:16:48.959 --> 00:17:06.720
that. I do assume it's it would certainly be a matter of weeks if not months. I'd have to look into how long it takes. With respect to the the larger number that was referenced in that social media post, uh I believe what that refers to is our intent to use u

63
00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:23.600
camera assisted automated parking enforcement. I think that's an item that's coming to the council soon. I and we are anticipating that in 2027 that will generate significant revenue, but not in 26. It's not yet been deployed.

64
00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:41.600
So, I think there's a couple of things going on in that social media post that are not necessarily uh the matching the number that uh was posted there. So again, just want to

65
00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:58.760
if we're talking about traffic tickets, parking enforcement, um what what are the revenue line items or do they exist in this this report or do they exist somewhere else? Um

66
00:17:59.520 --> 00:18:15.760
>> all ticket uh revenue that goes through the court will be in municipal court fines. Um, >> court fines. >> Yeah. Um, >> which line item is that here? Do you have that in front of you? >> Tell me. Page page number and >> page four. Page four of the budget

67
00:18:15.760 --> 00:18:39.200
document. >> The same one you referenced at the start. >> That's that line right there. 9 million. So year to date, it's it's not quite pacing at the same. So we're not seeing that. And that that that would capture all of

68
00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:57.120
that kind of the traffic and parking, >> all of the tickets that run through the court only go there. >> Thank you. Anyone else have revenue questions? >> Actually have a question for you, Councilman. >> Sure. Um,

69
00:18:57.120 --> 00:19:12.799
and maybe there's some interplay with administration. Uh, but so the I guess conceptually what you're talking about in terms of um maximizing the revenue that's we've

70
00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:29.039
already received to reduce the levy. >> Yep. And I guess that's my question for the administration is uh is there any inter inter um

71
00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:46.320
uh I'm trying to use a fancy word. Uh, does theou speak to uh potentially doing that as opposed to um spending cuts which my understanding is DCA may

72
00:19:46.320 --> 00:20:07.039
not allow us to use to reduce the levy. I'm not aware that DCA would intend to make any differentiation whether it's increase in the assumptions of revenue or reduction in expenses that would reduce the increase in the tax rate below 15% as stipulated in the loan

73
00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:23.919
agreement that's been executed by the city with DCA. So we're speculating to a certain extent. Um, and I mean, we've publicly talked about, you know, the advocacy of,

74
00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:39.919
uh, the administration and our state legislators to strike a different deal. >> Um, but I guess, yeah, I just wanted to understand more your thought process there. So for my thought process is that um

75
00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:58.320
while theou specifies the levy kind of a minimum levy and some of those terms are trying to be renegotiated the the the private conversation that we had was also that if um if you could find ways to address um structural issues uh but

76
00:20:58.320 --> 00:21:15.280
also all of these things will go before DCA um for their approval any sort of amendment. So they will ultimately can either reject it or approve it. Um and my my aim there is to make the best case

77
00:21:15.280 --> 00:21:31.039
for uh accepting it and approving it and reducing the levy. um and and that they will do that in compliance with theou and if they choose not to what what we were what I heard in the in the

78
00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:49.520
meeting on June 13th, July 13th was that um there could be impacts on the the loan potentially um although that wasn't definitive but uh could be reductions in the loan if the levy were to be reduced. Um and again amendments if they were

79
00:21:49.520 --> 00:22:04.799
approved and and DCA were to specify that and and clarify uh what what that impact would be um I would then evaluate it at that point. personally um without having all of the information in front of me at that point, I would say I would

80
00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:20.640
lean towards the idea of uh uh reducing the loan and taking in exchange for a reduction in the levy um because I think uh you know the choice is uh um between

81
00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:36.799
pushing people out and uh um or doing our best to try to reduce that levy even the slightest bit to keep them in Jersey City. And so, for example, if we get a 1% reduction and it's a $4 million reduction in our loan or or some number like that, I don't know what they would

82
00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:55.919
say. Um, I'll I'll evaluate it and weigh the options to that point. Um, but I'm going to propose them all is my point as well. You're welcome. My last question on revenues, I'm sorry I said the last one was my last one. Um

83
00:22:55.919 --> 00:23:14.400
on the um pilots is are those numbers that come directly out of the um pilot agreements? Um and I mean they're estimated based on annual gross revenue, right? So um

84
00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:29.919
so so are you was was were the numbers that were given to us um based on some sort of 2025 reporting of their annual gross revenue or is it uh um are we already receiving

85
00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:45.360
I mean the numbers are based on their 2025 annual gross revenue. Um but are are we basing it on reports from 2025 or from 2024? How how was that all arrived at? >> The realized 25 revenue uh is based on

86
00:23:45.360 --> 00:24:01.799
24 statements where we build estimates that we reconcile in 26 when we received the 25 financials. So what you're looking at for realized in 25 are estimates based on 24 financials.

87
00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:19.679
What I'm wondering is what's 26 anticipated based on >> uh 25 financials. >> 2025 financials. Their financials. >> Yes. >> The developers financials. >> Correct. >> Which we're auditing. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, so it's subject to an audit.

88
00:24:19.679 --> 00:24:37.120
>> Right. So, we build the estimates for 26 based on those financials received. Then we reconcile the 26th year when we receive 26 financials. >> And this has been asked before, but I I'll ask it here with everybody here at

89
00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:54.240
the table. Um when can the council anticipate seeing that audit? And um will we see numbers for every single one of these abatements in that report or is it a sampling of audit reports? Is it how's that looking at this point? Just

90
00:24:54.240 --> 00:25:11.600
clarify one thing because I think we've been talking about an audit of all the pilots which is work that's ongoing. What the audits that Ernie just referred to are audited financials submitted to us by the property owners as required in the agreements. That's the basis of the

91
00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:28.640
revenue that we generate. So the property owners submit to us on a regular basis audited financials. They're responsible for those audits and then separately we've been conducting an audit of the pilot program overall. >> Yeah. So the 26 anticipated in the in

92
00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:46.080
the in the introduced budget is based off of audit the developers audited statements of their 25 financials. >> Right. Yeah. >> Okay. So, uh, um, yeah, I'm wondering when our

93
00:25:46.080 --> 00:26:01.440
audit will be ready because, and no disrespect to developers, but I'd rather trust our own audit than the developers audit and financial statements. >> Yeah, I mean, the same review is occurring where we're looking at the

94
00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:16.960
same numbers they submitted. Uh, so when that audit is complete, they'll compare. >> And do we have a better time table at this point? Any better? Yeah, I can speak to it. So, I think this was explained before, but

95
00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:34.240
it's a very complicated uh process of reviewing all the pilot documents, which is why um we have an outside firm helping us with that audit. Right now, we are going through many many documents. I think the expected timeline

96
00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:50.720
is sometime in the fall, but I can circle back with you on the when we will be ready. and and will they provide us this line by line every single baitment which is in this is that we expect to see in that

97
00:26:50.720 --> 00:27:08.159
audit ultimately >> I can circle back with you on that. >> Okay, concludes my questions on revenues. Anyone else? Uh Councilman Zupa, you wanted to shift to capital accounts? >> Yeah, just on what was presented to us

98
00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:27.840
on capital. Um, there is reference to library appropriation for $5 million. You just speak to what that went to. My recollection of that is the city

99
00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:45.279
repurposed uh excess bond proceeds to library building improvements and uh last time I checked that balance has remained the same. I'd have to ref each capital account in that report you'll see the ordinance number uh within that

100
00:27:45.279 --> 00:28:00.240
account sequence. So, I'd have to reference back to the ordinance to see the exact um what exactly the dedicated use is, but we can easily pull that for you. Um and if there is any activity charged to that

101
00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:16.480
account, we could also get that for you. I don't believe there is uh at this point. >> Okay. if you could just pull that specific one for me and and let me know what what can be all what that money can be allocated towards uh given the dire straight up at Five Corners Library. And

102
00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:47.760
also I I may have missed it, but can you point out where in the capital budget uh the money that was reserved for Courthouse Park is listed. >> So I I I recall this conversation with uh Peter Horton as well. There was some confusion on what the initial $15

103
00:28:47.760 --> 00:29:03.279
million allocation was for, but that is under city ordinance 22034. Um, >> do the number on the spreadsheet >> count page 405

104
00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:19.360
capital account C 04220 34910. So I believe what the business administrator said at that time of uh authorizing improvement was that this was for the demolition of a building a

105
00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:36.720
building um that would eventually be converted into a park. Um it is unclear if 15 million was the full cost of the project. I don't think it was. Uh and this was mainly for the demolition. This is 910.

106
00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:53.760
>> It's line 158. So is the 14.8. So So this was not this is not for our municipal court. This is for the administration buildings demolition. >> Have to double check the ordinance. I believe that's the case. And these descriptions are done manually. So if

107
00:29:53.760 --> 00:30:09.279
there is any type of discrepancy between what's in the uh description in the financial system versus the ordinance, you know, we we'd have to clean it up. Um, generally they do reflect what's in the what's in the ordinance. >> Okay. Yeah, I suppose some confusion

108
00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:23.760
over which court it was and what it was for. If you could just check on that for me too, please. >> It was Council Z, you might be able to better informed on this, but it was my understanding. I heard that the county was going to pick up the cost of the

109
00:30:23.760 --> 00:30:41.840
demolition courthouse park at 595. Uh my understanding is the discussions ongoing for the city to be able to maintain some flexibility and on the and control of the timeline. I think it's essential that this money be um remain allocated

110
00:30:41.840 --> 00:31:03.840
for the project. Any other questions on um I I just have some more basic because because I'm just um saw this the other day. I appreciate you sending it to me. Um, I just want to make sure I understand what I'm looking at. So, as

111
00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:21.279
you said, the under account description, there's a five-digit code. That's the ordinance number. Is that uh correct? >> Yes. >> For the for the general improvement bond. >> Um, >> maybe some older accounts. Um, but at least in the descriptions, each

112
00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:37.200
one should also include the ordinance. >> And then some of them say funded and some of them do not. So what what is the difference between funded versus those that >> so when the city authorizes capital improvements uh and they issue debt

113
00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:54.559
there is a down payment required by the city as well. Um, additionally, if you authorize, let's say, $100 million in capital improvements, the city can go and issue debt for a portion of of the cost of that project

114
00:31:54.559 --> 00:32:10.960
depending on what the needs are and the project timeline. Um, so you'll see all of that in our debt statement as well. um what unanticipation notes are authorized and issued or notes that are authorized and not issued and the

115
00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:28.159
associated ordinances. >> So if it's funded, it's it's on a debt statement. Is that >> everything is reflected on our debt statement that's authorized? If it's the the debt statement will dist uh differentiate between what has actually been issued and you know

116
00:32:28.159 --> 00:32:44.399
permanently financed versus what's still available to us to finance. >> Um sorry I'm a layman here on this stuff. So 20-082 example the ordinance

117
00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:58.399
um the line 901 under the account ID ending with 901 says funded

118
00:32:58.399 --> 00:33:16.080
versus the one that says 864 just says plow trucks with no funded no other information after that what what what's the difference? Is there a difference? >> I'd have to go back and look at the actual ordinance. Um at the time they

119
00:33:16.080 --> 00:33:30.240
were set up, that could have been the status. Um we don't typically go back and update them um to reflect what's still funded or not funded, but it would require some research on our part. But that is the initial setup of the

120
00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:47.679
accounts um at the time. >> But it does funded mean something? It means the city went and it borrowed the money for the project or >> and it means the other ones that do not say funded. We did not

121
00:33:47.679 --> 00:34:03.360
>> potentially. I'd have to again >> potentially. >> Yeah. >> But definitely if it says funded, it means it is >> correct. And if it says unfunded or I think is the other unfunded I didn't see many of that but if

122
00:34:03.360 --> 00:34:20.240
>> you look at the ordinance above 18113 >> sorry councilman just want to remind we have multiple uh things to talk about. I have of questions and we have just 15 minutes. >> Okay. Um so unfunded was where

123
00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:37.119
>> 18113 >> 18113 >> which implies that the city has not yet gone out to borrow those amounts for that original purpose. >> Okay. So we have not gone out to borrow for that. >> Correct.

124
00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:52.800
>> So ultimately how does all of this show up on our in our budget? this capital budget. How does it show up in our budget or does it show up in our budget that the council is approving? There will be a capital improvement plan

125
00:34:52.800 --> 00:35:09.440
that's submitted supplemental to the annual budget that will reflect authorized projects, their funding status, the source of the funding, and future funding plans as well. So you'll you'll have a separate capital

126
00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:25.119
improvement program >> in resolution 26-426 the introduced budget. Where where does it show up? Where does any of this show up? Um or does any of this show up in our

127
00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:40.320
>> council? It doesn't these are capital funds for capital projects dedicated strictly to capital projects. Cannot these are bond proceeds if they've been issued cannot be used for operating purposes. So they don't the show up in the operating budget?

128
00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:56.720
>> Not not literally. I mean there's debt, right? So is there a debt debt service expense that shows up as a result of this? >> If any of these were permanently financed or or notes were issued, it

129
00:35:56.720 --> 00:36:13.359
would be part of our debt service uh appropriations on 27 and 27A. Um, again, principal on bonds, interest on bonds, principal on notes, interest on notes. Did >> you say sheet what?

130
00:36:13.359 --> 00:36:28.000
>> 27. >> 27. Okay, >> I will look at that and then get back to you on that. Council person Singh, you had some other questions. I have

131
00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:43.359
questions on purchasing and central services management and budget. Um, so >> which one? >> Yeah, don't skip ask questions. How do you want to go about it? We have

132
00:36:43.359 --> 00:37:01.040
>> which item are you referring to? >> Management and budget purchasing and central services. >> You want to go back to the departments, the divisions. Okay. I mean, we completed it the last one, but if you still have questions on that, I don't know if um we did not I did not

133
00:37:01.040 --> 00:37:19.040
inform them that uh we were going to come back to these divisions, but if you if you feel up to taking those questions, it's uh >> if I can answer, I will and if not uh we can come back to you. >> So, council saying you can ask.

134
00:37:19.040 --> 00:37:36.240
>> Okay. Okay. Thank you. So um director can you um tell me about the deputy CFO position because I I'm talking about I'm on treasury and debt management. [snorts]

135
00:37:36.240 --> 00:37:53.440
So did we hire someone or we are going to hire someone as we have a vacant position? Um you know what I'm talking about? Yes, I I do. The deputy CFO position is currently vacant. Was posted several

136
00:37:53.440 --> 00:38:10.320
months ago by myself. um to go back and try to explain that a little bit from my perspective uh from the outset and taking over the finance department for Jersey City. Um the very first vacancy I had right my approach has always been to try to find

137
00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:27.119
the most efficient organizational structure, most effective way of delivering an effective finance department for the city. Uh the first vacancy I had, we combined with another vacancy to create a more senior position. For example, in the treasury department, uh there was a senior level

138
00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:44.400
position that I did not think uh was I thought it was expensive. I did not think it was added value and there was a position that was eliminated. Uh we've also eliminated a position in the grants department and another position in accounts and controls in the time I've been here. In my opinion, in order for

139
00:38:44.400 --> 00:39:02.240
the department to tackle the really long list of challenges that we have financially from whether it's in controls, audit, managing the budget, uh I need in my office someone else at a more senior level that I can rely on. Uh

140
00:39:02.240 --> 00:39:18.960
and which is why I created the position of deputy CFO. Um I do believe very strongly that it is a position I need. The current structure I actually do not think is sustainable candidly. Um there are too many problems in the department

141
00:39:18.960 --> 00:39:36.079
for too few people at a senior level to tackle. So from my perspective it's really more been more about how to create an organizational structure that is as effective as possible. And I do think someone uh who fits that job description would add tremendous value.

142
00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:52.480
It is still vacant even though the position has been posted for quite some time because I have not found that person that I think really fits the the majority of the job description that that I'm looking for. >> The p had the position resigned in April, right?

143
00:39:52.480 --> 00:40:08.079
>> So that was a different position in the Treasury Department. >> You're using the same budget but >> I am using uh some of that budget to fund the deputy position. >> Okay. So that in that case I I do not think I need another senior level position in the treasury department. Uh

144
00:40:08.079 --> 00:40:34.800
and so that one's been eliminated. Um also the same uh department uh division actually can you talk about line item number 312 professional services >> is that in treasury?

145
00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:51.599
>> Yes. >> Uh professional services line item number 312. Yeah. So, professional services in the department of treasury are primarily two things. Our bond council, you may recall we had an RFP earlier this year. We have a new bond

146
00:40:51.599 --> 00:41:09.359
council in uh for a firm of Dworth. Uh materially better terms than what we had before. uh they are required when we do bond issuances and they have helped us on any number of other things like looking at our bond ordinances and what's the appropriate use of of bond

147
00:41:09.359 --> 00:41:25.760
capital dollars. So that is one light item in there. The second is our financial adviser Aacia. I should introduce because I asked her to join us today Jennifer Edwards who's sitting in the back. Uh I wasn't entirely sure what direction this conversation today would

148
00:41:25.760 --> 00:41:43.119
go in and so I did ask Jen uh to come and uh in case there were questions that might be uh directed uh to her. So Aaca is the other part of the budget line item in the treasury department for professional services. >> Thank you director. I don't have any

149
00:41:43.119 --> 00:41:59.920
question uh councilman for treasury and debt management. Um, anyone else have questions on debt uh or unclassified expenses or other?

150
00:41:59.920 --> 00:42:19.680
If not, I'm going to come back to sheet 27. Um, so just looking at sheet 27, there's at the top of that line payment on bond principle. appropriated

151
00:42:19.680 --> 00:42:39.440
for 2026 30,125,000 versus 24,375,000 in 2025. Um, is there a connection between that and this document or is that completely

152
00:42:39.440 --> 00:42:58.000
different? No, you won't you will not be able to draw a connection between the capital improvement uh balances versus this debt service. Um, >> say it again. >> You won't be able to draw a connection between what's authorized to spend for

153
00:42:58.000 --> 00:43:14.760
projects in comparison to the debt uh that's required. >> So, what does that what does that uh represent? >> What does what represent? the 30 million >> the payment of bond principle FCOA45-920 30,125,000

154
00:43:15.040 --> 00:43:30.960
>> I don't know how else to explain it's the payment uh annual payown on on bonds that the city has issued >> it's not just >> understood >> a bunch of bonds that the city has obligations to fulfill and this is the annual appropriation

155
00:43:30.960 --> 00:44:02.000
>> do we have um so so that's an annual appropriation to and how much bonds do we have? >> We we don't have that information. Correct. I I should 46 million outstanding in serial bonds.

156
00:44:02.000 --> 00:44:19.520
So these are for a variety of issuances um general obligation bonds, improvements, uh water >> most general improvement bonds, right? >> Correct. >> So so it is comprised in that in some

157
00:44:19.520 --> 00:44:34.960
way. >> There's it's >> you cannot draw that connection between the balances on what's authorized to spend. >> I'm not drawing connections. I'm I'm just trying to I'm asking very direct. >> Yes. If the city issued bonds to fund capital improvements,

158
00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:50.560
>> yeah, >> that is part of what you see in the principal payowns, >> right? So, so there's some 400 some million dollars in bonds um which may include some of this. This is the balance of those bonds.

159
00:44:50.560 --> 00:45:07.040
>> It's the balance of the improvement authorizations that your the city the council has authorized for each project >> and the rest of it was spent. Correct. >> And so we continue to spend um

160
00:45:07.040 --> 00:45:23.200
30 million in principal payments on this debt and interest of over 16.5 million. Is that is that correct? Am I reading that correctly? >> Yep. >> Okay.

161
00:45:23.200 --> 00:45:39.680
And then interest on notes which is different the bonds which I assume notes are short-term. Is that right? >> Correct. >> That's those tax appeals and other things like that potentially >> tax appeal principle uh is actually

162
00:45:39.680 --> 00:45:56.000
budgeted separately here. Um so these principle on interest on bonds and interest on notes um excuse me payment on bond anticipation notes and capital notes that would not be for the tax appeals.

163
00:45:56.000 --> 00:46:11.520
So you look at 27A, there should be the principal payown on the tax appeal refunding notes. >> And then just going down the list here on everything and I'm only hitting the seven and eight

164
00:46:11.520 --> 00:46:27.440
figure numbers. I'm going to move past the smaller ones. Um down to capital lease program on sheet 27A. Um what what does that represent? What what what capital leases are we we paying

165
00:46:27.440 --> 00:46:42.640
off? >> I provided that list to council. It's all of the vehicles and equipment that the city >> Yeah. >> has leased. >> Okay. And um then the interest on those same >> right

166
00:46:42.640 --> 00:47:02.079
>> capital leases. H >> how do how do we feel about uh the these capital leasing? So when you when you have your when a family has huge debts and so forth and they say

167
00:47:02.079 --> 00:47:16.160
they look at their assets and they say should we should we sell off our car like I got a monthly payment on my car. Um >> we don't we don't own these vehicles. They're leases that >> we do not own these vehicles yet as they are leases.

168
00:47:16.160 --> 00:47:34.720
>> Yeah. Um, we're paying more on interest than we are principal at this point. >> Yep. There's also interest on buildings that we lease, public buildings, annex, public safety hub on

169
00:47:34.720 --> 00:47:52.160
MLK. So, that's all included there. >> How do we address that in terms of I was looking at the breakdown in that they're like kind of upside down. the the interests are higher than the than the principal. In many of those years, if my memory serves me correctly on the 911,

170
00:47:52.160 --> 00:48:07.680
you um built a back p um a balloon payment at the end, but with principal and interest kind of in years 1 through five being around even. I don't have that number in front of me, but then you had a big balloon payment, but no interest in the final payment. I think

171
00:48:07.680 --> 00:48:26.960
it was like uh um so is it possible for us to renegotiate these so that we're not paying huge huge interests instead of principal? to I would invite Jen to come up if she wants to talk about generally the how

172
00:48:26.960 --> 00:48:42.160
these work, but um more more than welcome to, but it is uh typical particularly in early years like if you take out a mortgage that your interest will exceed the principal payments by a fair amount and will take quite a bit of time before principal and interest

173
00:48:42.160 --> 00:48:59.920
match. Uh typically uh you cannot uh quite simply restructure uh bonds after they've been issued. I'll let Jen address that in more detail. They uh bonds when they're issued, investors are expecting a certain return. Uh they are limitations on what

174
00:48:59.920 --> 00:49:15.599
>> the leases on bonds. >> Um leases are another type of debt instrument, but also have restrictions on when they can be paid down or paid off. And so it depends there are specific uh to the this specific instrument, but I'll let you know have

175
00:49:15.599 --> 00:49:31.599
Jen talk. Good afternoon. Uh just real quick on the equipment lease or improvement lease um that you have outstanding, most of those have call provisions as well. Um they usually carry a payment penalty, a prepayment

176
00:49:31.599 --> 00:49:49.119
penalty. It is something that you can look at in the individual leases, but most of the time they're short-term. They're not very um you know much longer than 10 years. some of the equipment leases. If you have police vehicle leases, a lot of times they're three years um with that. So, if you were to

177
00:49:49.119 --> 00:50:04.640
try to combine or restructure those leases, they're often times with various banks. So, you'd have to figure out one central bank to be able to be willing to restructure all of those leases. Um and then all ties back to the equipment um

178
00:50:04.640 --> 00:50:21.839
and the lean on the equipment. So, it it it really does depend. It's not you you can't do a bond ordinance to take those additional leases out. It would have to be looked at as each individual one, >> but those leases would would have some

179
00:50:21.839 --> 00:50:38.319
sort of call um potential call option to be able to >> each individual one will have something different. Um many of them are sometimes callable at any time, but they have very high uh prepayment penalties for leases.

180
00:50:38.319 --> 00:50:59.359
There could be some individuals that may not have any prepayment penalties or any call provisions built in at all. I'm not sure how does anyone else have questions about. The only other thing I wanted to bring

181
00:50:59.359 --> 00:51:18.240
up was the $109 $109 million $109. I wish it was $109 of unpaid bills. under $9 million. Um I think we've had a few a conversation about this. Um just getting more granular detail about some of the

182
00:51:18.240 --> 00:51:35.200
uh each of the items that were listed in there. Um as I said, as we've gone through these budget hearings, I've kind of tripped upon some of the unpaid bills um as they show up in in different budget hearings. Um, but it would be great to be able to kind of have a a

183
00:51:35.200 --> 00:51:51.280
compilation of what what comprises each of the items and uh within that list that you provided us before. >> Councilman, in in the the budget that was uh proposed towards the end, there is a memo that

184
00:51:51.280 --> 00:52:07.599
was an attachment to that. And in that memo, there are further attachments. One of those details, the $109 million by line item. Um, so we can get that to you or I could point, you know, point you to that. It's in the in the resolution that went along with the introduced budget >> in the introduced budget that memo at

185
00:52:07.599 --> 00:52:23.359
the end. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, and it details itemizing them. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, anything else? Oh, did did you bring did we bring up the 800,000

186
00:52:23.359 --> 00:52:40.000
um healthc care cost that showed up in um DPW's budget uh as a 700 line item. So, there was a a 700 line item under DPW uh I think construction code and it was a

187
00:52:40.000 --> 00:52:55.599
>> I think 700 direct payment or something like that. And I was it was we were informed that it was the health insurance for certain workers. Um and then I asked where the workers are in our operating budget and it was I was

188
00:52:55.599 --> 00:53:11.440
told it was in a capital budget um at the time. So uh can can you explain where those workers reside? Where do we where can we get the detail on that? And um so who's being paid? Are they city employees? I'm not sure exactly what's

189
00:53:11.440 --> 00:53:27.359
going on here. >> I can provide you more information on that. I also, now that it's been raised, I do want to take a closer look at whether at how we're accounting for that group of workers given the work that I understand they're doing. So, I would like to uh understand better the work

190
00:53:27.359 --> 00:53:44.480
they're doing and have a better uh analysis of whether that's capital or operating now that you've you've brought it up. So, I don't have a definitive answer for you, but I I do it is something I'd like to take a closer look at. >> Yeah, if you could get that to us

191
00:53:44.480 --> 00:53:59.280
soon as possible in terms of that capital where it resides and in this I I assume it's in this in this fact because it's the capital budget, right? So, um but I'll have to do a closer line item and check on that.

192
00:53:59.280 --> 00:54:17.280
uh and then why the salaries and wages assuming that's what's happening is in capital versus healthcare costs ending up in the operating budget that's one of the things I want to look at I think the there is some ability to use capital

193
00:54:17.280 --> 00:54:32.880
dollars for soft costs for related to capital projects so it is in some instances appropriate to charge capital budget for salaries and wages um it is something in this instance I really want to understand better what they're doing

194
00:54:32.880 --> 00:54:49.599
uh to ascertain whether this is really more of an operating maintenance type expense or whether it's capital I don't have a complete listing of what exact exactly uh these this group of people did and whether it fits more appropriately in capital or operating

195
00:54:49.599 --> 00:55:08.000
I need to I need to research it >> right I think I'm the only one so >> yeah I think >> take a motion Yeah, if you want to have >> Thank you for your time. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Uh motion >> motion to adjourn at 3:05 p.m. made by

196
00:55:08.000 --> 00:55:26.783
council person Gilmore, seconded by Gilmore. Double >> Okay. By council president. Uh motion to adjourn at 3:05 p.m. By acclamation, please say I. >> Thank you. Do you have a >> No.

197
00:55:26.783 --> 00:55:28.803
[laughter]

Part: 2

1
00:00:13.840 --> 00:00:30.720
Okay. Good afternoon everyone. We are on the record. Today is Thursday the 6th day of August in the year 2026. This is part two of a budget hearing for the Department of Housing, Economic Development, and Commerce with the Jersey City Municipal Council. We had a scheduled 1 p.m. start. The clock on my

2
00:00:30.720 --> 00:00:46.160
cell phone is showing 10:03 p.m. May I have a roll call for the commencement of this budget hearing? Council person Brooks is not here. Council person Zupa >> here. >> Council person Efos >> here. Council person Little is not here.

3
00:00:46.160 --> 00:01:00.879
Council person Gilmore. Council person Singh >> here. >> Council person Griffin is not here. Council Person Labaro and Council President Ridley. We have six council members in

4
00:01:00.879 --> 00:01:17.920
attendance at 103 p.m. In addition, at its time of its preparation, the notice of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, July 20 July 31st, 2026 at 1:23 p.m. to the mayor, municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, and

5
00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:35.439
the newspapers. so I can certify as to our total compliance with the sunshine law. Council President, I'm going to turn it over to you. >> Good afternoon. Thank you for returning so that we can uh go through the remaining divisions of the housing, economic development, commerce budget.

6
00:01:35.439 --> 00:02:00.000
Uh this session was led by Councilman Lavaro and Councilman Griffin. So I will hand it over to Councilman Lavaro at this time. Take your time. I have a comment. my chest. >> I have a a quick comment and um

7
00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:15.760
I'm not trying to be funny, but your org chart is laid out really nicely and um can I make the suggestion uh BH Choy that whoever did HDC's org chart um kind of enlist their services or knowledge to

8
00:02:15.760 --> 00:02:31.920
the other departments um because I know org charts is not everybody's thing, but this one is really easy to read and laid out nicely. That's all you did that Ania but I just added something to your plate director to do the or >> I'm going to send your mine tomorrow.

9
00:02:31.920 --> 00:02:49.519
>> I'm happy to share it with all the other departments. >> I'll send your mine tomorrow director. >> I'm just trying to find out where we left off. If anyone wants to >> cover pretty extensively Oh, sorry. Did you >> um housing preservation, construction

10
00:02:49.519 --> 00:03:05.120
code, city planning and zoning, I believe. Um but I'm I think we only lightly touched on the remaining divisions unless there's any additional questions in those other divisions. >> So we touched on city planning. >> We we did but if there are more

11
00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:22.000
questions we can continue to discuss city planning. >> Okay. So so what we're do we've been doing with these second round is just going line by line. No more presentations and things of that nature. Um so I will u start with city planning. So to my colleagues, if you have any

12
00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:36.400
questions on the salary lines, 101, 102, 103, etc. 103, 105, 108. Sorry.

13
00:03:36.400 --> 00:04:01.360
Anyone has any questions there? City. >> Yes. Okay. Um, can you just speak to 103 overtime wages? What's there? >> So, uh, the city planners serve our, uh,

14
00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:17.120
well, the entire, uh, technical staff of the office of city planning, both historic preservationists and city planners serve our three land use boards, the planning board, the zoning board of adjustment, and the historic preservation commission. Those meet in the evenings. There are typically on a

15
00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:33.280
typical month five meetings a month and the planners um take their cases to those boards and that is what the overtime is for uh so that they can bring the cases to the boards which are after hours. >> It's all coming back to me now. We did discuss this. >> Yeah, we did and management employees

16
00:04:33.280 --> 00:04:48.960
are not paid overtime. So, uh, if, uh, certain staff that are management go attend those boards, uh, they do not, uh, you know, get paid overtime, but any of the union staff, uh, JCSA or 246, they're paid overtime. >> Anyone else have questions on city

17
00:04:48.960 --> 00:05:05.520
planning? >> Yes. Um, I see we have demo permits review here by the vendor. Um, if you can just briefly explain uh what that is. I think we talked a little bit about this, but if you could just briefly explain what

18
00:05:05.520 --> 00:05:24.639
that is. >> Sure. I'm going to turn it over to Tanya. She'll talk about the contract that we uh use to do the demo permits. >> Uh so we contract out to do the demo permits. When a demo application comes in, um it's a lot of I'd say like

19
00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:40.160
administrative stuff. So we have to go through the survey. uh we have to go through other files that we have and I don't know if you've ever seen what we call a demo memo but it's pretty much like three paragraphs it's it's not just a yes no it's like a this is an Italian

20
00:05:40.160 --> 00:05:55.919
age structure and the blah blah blah blah blah three paragraphs of that and so it just became a time crunch uh HPC already has like over a thousand applications and I've only got really the two people who are mainly reviewing it so it's really just an assist for us

21
00:05:55.919 --> 00:06:11.680
to get through one, the case load, but two, the timing of all of it. Otherwise, like it's just sitting there and well, I'm sure you get it, too. Most of my complaints and frustrations usually come from waiting on historic preservation applications.

22
00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:29.280
>> Okay. Um, and I guess a bigger question, um, I don't know if director or the BA can answer. Recently, we had an issue where the house fell and we had to do like an emergency demo. Do you know we recouped the funds because I know they said that

23
00:06:29.280 --> 00:06:46.479
the owner was I guess he was preparing to pay that was like probably a month ago. Um so is there any update? Are you privy to that? Uh you know anything about that? >> That stuff is not handled through HDC but um I'm not sure.

24
00:06:46.479 --> 00:07:01.520
>> Oh okay. >> I can follow up on that one. I know which one you're talking about but I don't have that information right now. >> Thank you. So Tanya, if I may just so the the funding for 312 is paying a who's the

25
00:07:01.520 --> 00:07:18.720
vendor >> under research this Hunter Research. It's the demo that talk >> called Under Research. >> Hunter Hu N >> Hunter Hunter Research. Y >> Okay. And we already have that contract. >> Yes. We've used them a few years in a

26
00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:36.199
row. So every year we go out for R as it RFP and then we get bids back and and choose a vendor. >> We just have to go out to bid for this year because I have nothing expended from this year's account.

27
00:07:38.479 --> 00:07:53.599
>> It's under 40. So it doesn't get approved by the doesn't have to go to the city council. We do it I'd say more informally. So, uh, we're responsible for reaching out to other qualified vendors. Um, it's it's a tough field to find people. So, we even go as far out

28
00:07:53.599 --> 00:08:10.400
as Pennsylvania. We tend to for people. We get their responses hopefully and go through that process. But because it's under the threshold, it doesn't go to you. >> But you still have to do that process. Is that >> correct? Okay. >> That that's expenditures coming. I mean, you you'll do that.

29
00:08:10.400 --> 00:08:25.599
>> Um, you still have to do it for this year. >> We've we've already done it for 2026. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we've already done it for 2026 and council approval wasn't required. At least that's what we were told, >> right? >> Yeah. >> I I've just been looking at these expenditure reports and it says zero was

30
00:08:25.599 --> 00:08:45.440
spent. That's why I'm verifying that. >> Maybe not because we just put the contract in. >> I I have to I'm not fiscal person in my office. I wish I was more attentive to it, but I think we just renewed their contract like last month. Okay.

31
00:08:45.440 --> 00:09:02.839
>> There's a good chance they just haven't invoiced us yet >> for this 2026 year. The $40,000 was encumbered, but no payments has went out as of yet. >> They just haven't invoiced us yet. >> No bills yet.

32
00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:21.839
>> If there are no other questions, move on to uh affordable housing. Council person, before you do that, I just want to mark Council Person Brooks present at 11:10 p.m. So, we now have seven members present. >> If we'll start with the salary lines,

33
00:09:21.839 --> 00:09:38.399
that's line 101 and line 103. Any council members have questions um on these? I guess I'll use um director privilege. So um chairman privilege uh the compliance for EPA did did you send

34
00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:55.920
that information to us about that did it come in okay thank you >> about the equal pay act process yes we sent that last night >> thank you anyone else have questions related to uh

35
00:09:55.920 --> 00:10:15.519
um 101 or 103 >> we lost our data control clerk um last month. Uh could you just talk about the impact of losing that staff member? >> Yes, thank you. Uh our data control clerk uh functioned as our fiscal officer, so processed all of our

36
00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:32.000
purchase orders, made sure our contracts were in order and on file and being paid. Worked very closely with Zakiya, handled all of our professional development registrations, our tra travel reimbursements. So she functioned as an admin but she also designed entirely the permitting portal system

37
00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:47.440
that we use for affordable housing which we lovingly call Tyler uh so that we could collect revenue on a timely and accurate basis. Uh she designed the system herself. She was extremely proactive. Um this one person's job has

38
00:10:47.440 --> 00:11:04.000
had to be spread around three people in the office because there's no one person who could take on her entire portfolio. Uh so the impact will be detrimental. um and we will be slower to collect our revenue and handle some of those things. So, thank you for asking about that impact. It's been it's been very

39
00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:20.399
difficult month for us. And we're marketing currently. We're in our reporting period, so no other staff can devote themselves to training up on what she used to do yet. It will be further down the line. >> Thank you. Yeah, I we moved through

40
00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:35.440
budget amendments. I mean that's a it's a role that I am curious to try and reverse if if we can find funds for it. It's yeah that that seems really critical to her. >> Oh she was also our notary public and handle of our deed recordations which

41
00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:51.839
are very important to preserving the affordability of the new construction that is going up. Lastly, you >> other council people if I can ask on um there's three replacement employees. Um

42
00:11:51.839 --> 00:12:09.040
placement for Ka Sitting Jur, replacement for Darlene Garcia, replacement for Aaron Gray. Um if you could speak to each of the replacements for them, are they new hires or just people promoted within the office? um

43
00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:24.560
and what the roles were of the people that were replaced. I see the civil service titles, but if you could speak to the actual roles. >> Sure. I'll let GI speak to the details. I just wanted to give some context. This is over the course of a year. Um and these people left on their own, you know, own accord. They moved on to

44
00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:41.600
either another city or to different things. One of them went back to school to get a PhD. So, they were the positions as they vacated were replaced with additional people. But, um I'll let GI talk to the details. the details of what they do is very crucial to affordable housing.

45
00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:57.440
>> Thank you, uh, Councilman, and thank you, council members, for your questions. Um, the backfill, uh, for, um, the data, um, sort of, sorry, wait a minute. Let me I'm looking for Kaia here, uh, which is now Britney. Uh, so

46
00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:14.240
it says supervising program analyst. The that's the civil service title. The working title is data analyst and community engagement coordinator. This position is responsible for tracking all of the data uh whenever the mayor's office is asking for reporting. How many units are coming online? Uh how many

47
00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:29.200
affordable units do we have on the portal? What's being marketed? Um you know any policy analysis that we're doing that person keeps massive amounts of Excel spreadsheets. So it's all sorts of data that can manipulate it in lots of ways and it's an expert at that.

48
00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:45.920
Additionally is the project manager for our consolidated affordable housing portal. She manages that vendor. She manages the functionality of the portal whether or not constituents are experiencing problems. Uh she and her additional uh team member who do community engagement are the first line

49
00:13:45.920 --> 00:14:03.040
of defense for walk-ins who want to set up a profile in the portal but don't have a computer are functionally like computer not not computer savvy and they take they spend sometimes two hours with a constituent like getting them on the portal and making all those things happen. They do customer service

50
00:14:03.040 --> 00:14:20.720
basically help desk support. Uh when we receive calls, especially when we're running an open application period, it's a very high volume time. Uh so that's sort of a very high level uh of what they do. Um Darlene and Aaron. Uh so Darlene was

51
00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:37.360
a municipal housing liaison. Um that position was backfilled with a transfer from the uh council office. um someone who is um very experienced and has a lot of management experience. Um we have needed to train that person up on housing and affordable housing. Uh so we

52
00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:53.440
currently have sort of two parallel positions with that position. We don't really have a municipal housing liaison. And again given budget and constraints um professional development and training uh through the Ruckers um program is not in the budget right now. We've been

53
00:14:53.440 --> 00:15:10.399
asked to sort of cut those things back. Um, but that position was backfilled because we do need two t two people on the compliance team under the chief policy and compliance officer. Uh, as you may see, we've got, you know, upwards of, you know, 3,000 units and more coming. Uh, and all of these need

54
00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:27.360
to be marketed and reporting happens twice a year and reertification happens for every tenant once a year. So, that's a high volume of administrative work. Um, and the last person that was backfilled was Aaron Gray. Those are our affordable housing agreements which is the front line. It's our intake for any

55
00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:43.120
new construction. Uh these agreements um directly impact the uh general development application so that they can be scheduled for a hearing. Uh so this person processes that entire affordable housing agreement life cycle uh up to recording that affordable housing

56
00:15:43.120 --> 00:16:00.160
agreement and that deed restriction at the county so that the covenants run with the land and they cannot get out from under their obligation. Okay, let me just The three employees they they left, right? They didn't retire. They're not retired. >> No, no, they left. Uh so as as we said,

57
00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:17.040
one of them left to get a PhD. >> Uh the other one um left I I'm assuming got another job offer, you know, left a vernal court. She was a young person. Uh and then same with the original municipal housing layon. She liazison. She had personal matters that she needed

58
00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:33.440
to attend to and you know just thought that she needed a different fit uh for her career. >> All of these departures occurred in 2026. >> They occurred in 2025. Uh the affordable housing agreement specialist occurred at the very beginning of this year.

59
00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:50.639
I had just left in June. Yes. >> I had just left in June. >> Yes. Correct. >> Um and then the other two left in 2025. >> 2025 and 2026. So January 2026, June of 20, so June of 2025 was the first departure. January of 2026 was the

60
00:16:50.639 --> 00:17:07.760
second and June of 2026 was the third >> in 2025. Darlene was 20. >> She was 2025. Aaron was 2026. Um, I'm going to try to refrain. I'm sorry. I'm responding, but I'd like to not use their names. I'm sorry. This is

61
00:17:07.760 --> 00:17:24.799
a public hearing. if I could just get a an information request on this to just give me the exact dates of their departures. >> No problem. >> And the reason I'm I'm asking this is I've talked to the in other hearings and just so you you get the context of it is that when they depart and their salary

62
00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:40.480
comes off the books, the way the budget is currently drafted, it looks like continuous expenditures going forward from the time of the departure moving forward. Right. So if if there's a lag and a position was filled back backf

63
00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:57.520
filled but but a month or two later then there was monies that were not spent in a month or two period right so so I want to just understand what that dollar amount is and and frankly I'm just trying to recapture every single dollar that I can get. I I understand uh the administrative process for filling in

64
00:17:57.520 --> 00:18:13.919
these Excel sheets um is for me at least is limited to enter this yearly salary and then any other calculations that go after that in previous times had been done. Okay, that's what I'm saying. That was okay. >> I understand why you're asking.

65
00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:33.400
>> Okay, great. >> You're trying to look for if there's a possibility of prorate. Appreciate >> it. Thank you. Council members, any other questions? If not, we'll move on to other expenses under affordable housing. I have line item. Are we there or no? >> Which one?

66
00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:56.480
>> Line item 314. >> 314 under affordable housing contractual services. >> Yes. >> Is yes. Um, sorry one second. What constructual services are being

67
00:18:56.480 --> 00:19:12.080
reduced this year? Because last year it was 319 adopted 100 and then it is it has slow or down significantly. So what are we compromising on?

68
00:19:12.080 --> 00:19:29.200
Uh so that is our uh consolidated affordable housing portal which was launched in 2024 and it was being designed as of 2022. So the front loing of that it's one vendor uh the front loing of the design it was custom designed so we were working with them on

69
00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:44.480
every aspect of the website. Now, as it ages, as our relationship with the portal and the portal becomes widely used and the functionality is pretty sort of running along, humming along well, uh we're we're trying to reduce

70
00:19:44.480 --> 00:20:00.559
the contract to as much maintenance and functionality as possible because we're not really developing new bigger features. So, that's why the price continues to go down. That can change, you know, if the council or at any time if everyone thinks the the

71
00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:15.679
portal should be doing something different, those costs will have to be analyzed. But we renew the contract every year in March. So their contract runs from March to March. So we at the fall start negotiating and trying to see what we need to happen. >> And did you just want to add one thing

72
00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:32.880
here with AI lot of price for these portals can go down. Not saying that next year is possible but eventually I think we'll be able to a we'll be able to provide better services AI assistant on the website or portal and then even

73
00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:48.960
AI uh it uh can be involved on the website but this is something to explore. >> Um that all has to do with city policies and also our vendors own policies about the use of AI. Keep in mind that the portal has personally identifying information and at this point we're a

74
00:20:48.960 --> 00:21:04.960
little bit cynical about the usage of AI for that purpose. So we are refraining from engaging in that conversation >> is uh Miss Choy's department. So I'll leave it to her. Thank you JJ. >> Okay. >> Anyone else has questions on affordable

75
00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:24.720
housing? No. And we will move on to uh zoning. Did we do zoning last time? I feel like we did. Maybe. I don't know. Um, anyone have questions on line 101, 103,

76
00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:49.600
104, 105? Zoning salary lines for I'll just ask just to verify, but overtime is also for similar reasons. >> Yes. So we were operating right now Tanya oversees both of those divisions

77
00:21:49.600 --> 00:22:06.240
and we have planners in both divisions and so the the only the planners but the planners in the division of zoning also serve the boards. That's what the that's the only use of the overtime. >> Anyone else have questions on the salaries? C can you speak to the acting

78
00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:23.320
position costs? >> The acting position cost uh is due to Tanya doing two jobs uh with one salary. So it's just one flat fee. Instead of receiving a larger additional salary, it's a one line item.

79
00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:41.840
>> Director um for 308 mileage allowance. Can you speak to um that line item? >> So the division of zoning employs inspectors and so the inspectors are in uh union and 246. So they're paid, they use their own vehicles to do their daily

80
00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:56.720
inspections. These are inspectors that are almost in the field all the time and so they just are paid based on how many stops they do, how many days a week according to the union contracts >> and um I know earlier

81
00:22:56.720 --> 00:23:12.080
guess that was HHS. Are these employees capped at $130 a month too? >> Um it depends on how many stops. I actually do have the chart here. Hold on one second. So the chart is capped at

82
00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:30.559
for 246. It's no it's um seven or more stops or 15 days or more is 275 a month. The 132 a month is for six or fewer stops. >> There's a stop mechanism built. Yeah. Um

83
00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:46.320
uh uh BA uh do do we know if that's this the uh the case for HHS as well or they >> so this is I just wanted to Ania to clarify there's a different rate depending on the union so she was >> oh okay

84
00:23:46.320 --> 00:24:04.240
>> local 246 okay different one for JCSA there's different >> thank you >> they're across the entire union so it wouldn't matter what department you're in but yes it is different depending on which union category you're in and then how many stops you do a day and if it's fewer than 15 days a month or more than

85
00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:21.039
15 days a month and that so that'll change each month depending on what they do. If someone is on vacation for two weeks and they're only there for two weeks they don't get paid the same monthly rate than if they're there the entire month. >> We want to make that uniform across

86
00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:36.400
different union pl >> and that's the annual union negotiations. I don't I just use the chart to make sure people are paid the right number. >> Right. >> The key actually is the master at checking that.

87
00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:57.520
>> Anyone else have questions? If not, we'll move on to commerce uh on the salary lines 101 and 103. Any questions on that? There are no questions.

88
00:24:57.520 --> 00:25:13.679
We can move on to the other expenses. >> Sorry, are we person saying >> commerce? >> Commerce. Yeah. >> Um almost the same question. Line item 312. What are the services reduced

89
00:25:13.679 --> 00:25:30.960
for this year? 66,000 almost half from last year. >> That's we reduce the attorney's fees. We also are not using a court reporter. There was an issue with the company finding someone who's available uh

90
00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:46.320
during the evenings. So we have been doing is the the the board attorney is using AI and because the meetings are recorded if we ever really need to have them transcribed. we send it out to a company as well as we also removed um we

91
00:25:46.320 --> 00:26:02.240
replaced the ABC secretary that was working um under a stipen and we're using a city employee and just paying her overtime. That's how we're able to reduce. Yes, >> thank you. >> We really combed every line item for

92
00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:18.400
reductions line by line. >> You did >> right. It's pretty lean. >> Pretty thick. Uh, Councilman, may I ask about the uh inspector new hire that's not budgeted for? Um, what's the the work that that inspector

93
00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:33.440
>> Sure. I'll give it back to Maynard, but I'll just give you a little context. A few years ago, don't remember how many years now. Three or four years ago. We used to have four inspectors in the division of commerce. Two day inspectors, two night inspectors. They would mostly handle things like

94
00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:50.640
verifying uh taxi licenses, parking lot, uh both fees and licenses, taxes as well as licenses as well as the noise ordinance. Um there was a decision made a few years ago to consolidate all all of our inspectors that did that type of work. So, you know, not our construction

95
00:26:50.640 --> 00:27:07.360
code inspectors or our zoning inspectors um into the divi the division of quality of life, office of code compliance. So that at that point, Maynard's office lost all their inspectors. And so he has seen that he's not getting the attention needed from that office. So he is

96
00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:23.360
requesting a specific inspector to cover. >> And one of the focuses that we've been asked by the administration is to really focus on some of these unlicensed parking lots as well as doing some internal audits of the parking lots. Um

97
00:27:23.360 --> 00:27:40.159
and that was the goal as well as some of the general unlicensed businesses. Uh closer monitoring. Um since that position has not been filled, uh the business administrator's office has loaned for two days per week um some inspectors just for us to try to catch

98
00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:55.120
up on some of those things and you know just audit what's out there. >> She work my attention. >> We have I'm sorry. We finished council. Go ahead. um parking lots and so that that inspector

99
00:27:55.120 --> 00:28:12.399
um identifies parking lots that are not being uh assessed the parking lot tax. Is that >> Yes. I mean it it gets a little challenging because you really have to somewhat prove that they're charging for the parking, but we have inspectors out.

100
00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:28.000
Uh basically they've done a a walk through a travel throughout the city to identify any lots and compare them to the list of the approximately 120 licenses parking lots that we have now. There's there's a car count. There's a measurement. We immediately send out a

101
00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:44.320
letter letting them owner know they've been identified as having a parking lot without the license. We give them approximately two weeks to respond and if if there's a failure to respond, we move it over to CO compliance for a summon to be issued. >> There's something like 120 plus parking

102
00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:59.360
lots identified >> currently. Yes. That are licensed. >> They're licensed. >> Yes. >> So they have to get a license with commerce >> and pay parking lot tax >> charging and as well as pay a quarterly parking lot tax

103
00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:17.279
>> and parking tax. Could could we get a list of the parking lots and and so all of your staff is involved in identifying this or just specific staff? >> I have a specific staff member that's her main focus along with uh my assistant director.

104
00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:31.919
>> We had a list of the Sure. parking lots. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Councilman Brooks. >> Uh yes. I see in line item 101 there's a position um that was uh I guess

105
00:29:31.919 --> 00:29:50.320
terminated record support technician 2 um in 2025 just for process maybe this is a question for finance and BA um at what point does that vacancy go away or is that something that a

106
00:29:50.320 --> 00:30:08.320
department would Um, go ahead. Yeah. >> Well, I just think the way I saw it happen was that so this was part of there was layoffs in 2025. So that person was in that. I believe what finance does is look at what the payroll is like how far into the year and then

107
00:30:08.320 --> 00:30:24.159
they put in the budget in 2025 or however they the 2025 adopted budget had the pr-rated portion that they actually spent was paid to them and then so they stay on the budget for 2025 because they were paid partially in 2025 but then the

108
00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:40.640
it's prrated so it's not the full amount and then when it came to 2026 it just gets zeroed out. So when they are terminated it is removed but sometimes you know it will still show up in the budget because they weren't paid for part of the year. >> Got it. >> In this case it's approximately about half of a year.

109
00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:55.440
>> Thank you. >> Director followup. How many uh employees were laid off in 2025 from your >> I think there was seven on the original list but four actually were let go. Yeah. I have I'd have to go back and

110
00:30:55.440 --> 00:31:12.080
remember. Uh it's oh actually I think I have it in my notes here. Um but we definitely received we received a few in 2025. One >> was budget cut. >> Yes. Yes. It was six spots but not all

111
00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:28.880
of those spots uh had people in them. The actual layoffs I believe were three like that were people that were laid off as opposed to spots that were cut. One more question about parking. Um,

112
00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:45.919
how do you treat um spaces for people park robots? >> Robots, one of the little delivery robots. Um, are they if if they're if they're parked like stored overnight somewhere, is that like do we build

113
00:31:45.919 --> 00:32:02.399
them? Um, do we get a parking tax out of them? I I can't imagine like I've I've heard that behind somebody's backyard somebody's paying somebody to put their robots in somebody's backyard in like the Mcinley Square area, right? Something like that. Is it like

114
00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:18.720
>> we're actually in the beginning stages of doing the research to have them licensed and that was one of the questions I was asking as far as like if there's a garage, if it's a permit use, but we're in the very early stages of researching

115
00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:35.120
Councilman um Councilman Efos, >> my council office has been drafting legislation to on that. >> Yeah. And working really closely with commerce and HDC and infrastructure on this. So, >> but in in the meantime, they get zoning violations. >> Say again. >> They get zoning violations.

116
00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:50.080
>> It's a zoning violation to do that. >> Then they send me pictures of the robots with sad faces. >> And is that you caught people with zoning violations on this? >> Yes. By people. I've given people zoning violations for storing and like

117
00:32:50.080 --> 00:33:05.760
releasing on their way to go to work and come back robots in their backyards which is basically a commercial use. So that's violation. >> Absolutely. >> Have we started uh finding them or no we don't do the fine but

118
00:33:05.760 --> 00:33:21.120
>> we don't. >> Okay. Okay. >> Fines are assessed at the court. We can send a violation or summons. That's it. I'd rather just tax it, get some money. >> So, if we write, if we adjust the ordinance and we cover them through

119
00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:39.039
registration, license, or create a tax, then I guess that's how we could do it. It probably wouldn't fall under the exact same ordinance we have today for parking because I think that's focused on vehicles. But could have a robot >> tax. Yeah, >> robot robot ordinance.

120
00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:53.919
>> Would that include actually I won't >> delivery robot ordinance? Maybe delivery robot. parked in front of city hall sometimes, right? Like we uh get something on. >> I do think Tanya's right though. They're all going to show a sad face. >> They will show >> the tear.

121
00:33:53.919 --> 00:34:09.040
>> The tears. >> All right, let's move on. Um community development. Did you have anything else? No. Okay. >> Community development. Community Development is funded by US

122
00:34:09.040 --> 00:34:24.720
HUD and receives very little funding from the city, but we do have the director here with us today if or acting uh director um soon to be director. If anyone has any questions about community development, >> is pretty much everyone offset here on

123
00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:45.359
on grants? Is that >> every employee? >> Every employee. >> Have questions on line 101 on this? Um just we we did have uh couple terminations um in this division

124
00:34:45.359 --> 00:35:00.960
though every member of the division is offset by grant money. So um I I don't know if BA you're able to answer this now. I I know you've answered these kinds of questions. >> You've answered this question before.

125
00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:16.480
Um, basically the idea is that even though these positions may be grant funded, there could be a potential other employee in Jersey City that it can fill this position and that would be an

126
00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:32.079
offset to the salaries of a different department or division. >> Okay. Do we anticipate replacing um the terminated positions with other current employees? So we have already started to send out grow forward. That's like the the the

127
00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:47.280
term that we use for the internal job postings. We've done that I think for two positions so far. Salo is working on some of the others. We uh since Salo is newly um looking at this division in terms of some or organizational changes.

128
00:35:47.280 --> 00:36:03.200
We're trying to settle that and then we'll put out job descriptions as we move stuff around um for those internally as well. So you will see those in the coming in the coming weeks. >> That was my question. What are you doing to hire more people? >> Yeah, we we we have put some out um uh

129
00:36:03.200 --> 00:36:18.560
recently over the next few last few weeks. Um and uh we'll continue to do that. We had already started that process actually before the layoffs as we were trying to look internally. We've already had some people express interest. I think there sometimes are people that are looking for opportunity.

130
00:36:18.560 --> 00:36:34.000
Maybe there's a specific scope of work they're interested in. So I think the idea was to look there first. If we can fill all the roles internally, we will. And if we cannot, then then we'll deal with that after that. >> And how about uh employees who were terminated last year, this year? Is

131
00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:49.920
there any way we where we can open these positions for them if you want to hire them because they were terminated because of the budget cut, not that they were not efficient or something like that. Yeah, I think that's the idea though is that if you fill it

132
00:36:49.920 --> 00:37:07.079
internally, it will it'll solve a budget uh line item in a different office because it'll be able to be a reduction. So, I think that's the idea to do that first and if you know once that's complete. >> Thank you. >> Oh, okay. Um,

133
00:37:07.520 --> 00:37:25.040
so my question, um, I'm trying to figure out, um, because I've seen probably two or three houses that were linked to affordable housing or subsequently foreclosed on. Uh I'm

134
00:37:25.040 --> 00:37:42.800
just trying to figure out do we have any inside mechanism when properties that are affordable housing affordable home ownership recipients. Um is this anything that's triggered internally like when those those properties go into

135
00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:59.200
foreclosure? Because for me it's it's problematic to see a affordable house go into foreclosure. Someone purchase it from foreclosure and then it's no longer affordable. >> Well, it the the deed restriction is supposed to go with the land

136
00:37:59.200 --> 00:38:14.880
permanently. So, we get notified of foreclosures and if a foreclosure happens on a property that has HUD money and a community development does follow up to make sure that the deed restriction continues, sometimes that means we wind up in court um on those

137
00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:30.000
projects, talking to a judge to try to reinstate it if somehow someone purchased it and doesn't think that the that it continues. Um we have been successful in the past. I don't know if Salo, do you want to speak to this? But there's there's one in particular on

138
00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:48.079
what's that Rose? No. What's right in the back of the office? Um literally what's that's Rose >> or Rose Avenue houses. Yeah, >> there was an instance where one of those houses in that community were foreclosed on um for like a really cheap amount. Uh

139
00:38:48.079 --> 00:39:06.160
so I was wondering like what is is Yeah. So there is things that trigger what what do we have at our disposal to do about it? So when we are on a property's mortgage, we do have the option of filing a list pendance which stops them from selling the property if it's uh out

140
00:39:06.160 --> 00:39:21.760
of compliance. But um the project you're referring to, they were foreclosed on either due to water bill or taxes. That's the ones that we're working on on how to get ahead of that um before the foreclosure happens and we're kicked off the mortgage. Yeah.

141
00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:38.880
>> But once it go to foreclosure, what happens? Um, so once it goes to foreclosure, we're supposed to be notified by the court since we're on the mortgage. Um, you know, the properties you're referring to, it happened a while ago. We weren't notified. Um, it's just something we have to work with uh with

142
00:39:38.880 --> 00:39:56.160
the court just to make sure that they're letting us know that our properties are being forclosed on before the actual court date. So is so at what point I don't know we even have capacity to do it but at what point do the city intervene and say hey you

143
00:39:56.160 --> 00:40:16.079
guys are foreclosing for a lean that's I don't know 30 40,000 whatever that is um is there option for the city to purchase it? >> Yeah. So um we do have a right to first refusal to purchase it. Um, but again,

144
00:40:16.079 --> 00:40:31.920
it depends on the situation. Like, do they have another lowincome buyer already lined up? In that case, HUD prefers we sell it to them instead of us taking it ourselves. It just depends who's who's buying it. But if it's just a private regular buyer, then we do have a option.

145
00:40:31.920 --> 00:40:48.000
>> Well, when I would say whenever it go to the sheriff sale, you can assure that no one's on affordable housing list is going to be in there bidding on any properties. Um, so I bring up all that to say we have to I mean again we may

146
00:40:48.000 --> 00:41:04.240
have it. I don't I don't know. I just know that I seen a house that was a part of the affordable housing stock that was sold at private auction. So I'm just trying to ensure that you know we have mechanisms in place to to be able to

147
00:41:04.240 --> 00:41:21.920
address that. Um, furthermore, we had an instance where is those people um, New Communities, I believe it was, they were affordable housing institution. Um, and I guess they were financially stressed. So, they

148
00:41:21.920 --> 00:41:40.640
liquidated like almost 75 two family houses for next to nothing. And they had they owed they owed the city probably like $1.9 million. And for the life of me, I was screaming to everybody that would, listen, why don't the city purchase

149
00:41:40.640 --> 00:41:55.680
these properties. They already owe us x amount. We would only be dispersing um a couple dollars to obtain them. But nonetheless, they went to a private market, right? They're no longer affordable. So what they're doing is the people who

150
00:41:55.680 --> 00:42:13.440
were there initially is kind of being forced out making way for the for the newer people at a higher rent rate. Um so I say all of that is that to say that we're we're losing affordable housing stock. We don't necessar need to be.

151
00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:30.400
>> And typically when we do know, you know, we have to know about it. Um and if if they don't tell us about the foreclosure, we don't know. But typically when we do, we do wind up in court. you know, we we do take action. We have had situations we've gone all the way through the court process to try to assert our rights. Uh it's a lengthy

152
00:42:30.400 --> 00:42:46.480
process, but we we have done it in many instances that I'm aware of. I'm not specifically familiar about the ones that you're bringing up, but um if there is ever any way that we can intervene to keep something affordable, our deed restriction is supposed to run the full term. If anything, it's a liability for

153
00:42:46.480 --> 00:43:05.520
us if that doesn't happen because HUD expects that the full term is carried out. >> The problem is the oversight. >> We just have a couple more divisions to get through and we got about 14 minutes and >> correct run a little over but um any

154
00:43:05.520 --> 00:43:22.960
other questions on this um community development? I'm just going to ask for the same information I asked previously. We have several replacement um employees who are replacements. If I can get the time of their separation, date of their separation

155
00:43:22.960 --> 00:43:39.520
as well as the date of folks who came in to replace them. So for example, I know the directors uh um came in at uh what mid year sometime in the end of the in the second quarter and uh I believe the

156
00:43:39.520 --> 00:43:56.560
the salary unless I'm reading it incorrectly is claiming the entire year's salary, right? So >> yeah, HR has all of those dates. I'm sure we can get those for you. And then one last question just that the terminations being that they're all

157
00:43:56.560 --> 00:44:15.440
grant funded um for the one employee the program specialist three that individuals was terminated as part of the I assume the layoffs that were related to vision workers but this one's grant funded why was that was that um

158
00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:31.599
>> I answered this question before um we the idea here is that we could potentially offset the cost of a city employee in a different division or department if they choose to come take the position here in community

159
00:44:31.599 --> 00:44:48.640
development. So this is grandfunded position. We would reduce the the headcount the the cost of that employee in another department or division. I'm not understanding how how does that what's the rationale for that employee

160
00:44:48.640 --> 00:45:05.119
being uh separated terminated not follow >> you mean as part of the provisional >> yeah there there's an employee on the list program specialist three Erica Lane

161
00:45:05.119 --> 00:45:21.599
Lennis um was terminated I assume as part of the because it falls on the same date as the other >> yes divisionals. Um, but this one is everyone's grandfunded here. >> Yes. >> So, >> so again, maybe I'm not explaining this correctly.

162
00:45:21.599 --> 00:45:39.040
These positions are grant funded. However, there are employees who are not grantfunded funded by the city who may be interested in these positions. So, we would move those employees into these roles and eliminate them in other departments. That's what you gather. The

163
00:45:39.040 --> 00:45:59.640
question I'm asking is why is Erica why was she terminated? >> She's provisional. >> H >> she's provisional. >> Okay. Um >> just is everyone here not provisional on this list?

164
00:46:00.160 --> 00:46:17.200
>> I don't have the the status on all of these employees. The answer is no. >> I can find it. You gave me the list of all the employees and their status so I can look them all up. But >> it's asking everyone community development.

165
00:46:17.200 --> 00:46:34.480
>> Most are not provisional. >> What the the the thing that's perplexing about the whole situation is these people that were laid off are funded under the grant. they're replaced by people that's going to be funded by

166
00:46:34.480 --> 00:46:51.599
the grant or no an example. So say we have an inspector position, a provisional person in community development and we they're part of a layoff. We would then open that position and ask for maybe an

167
00:46:51.599 --> 00:47:06.240
inspector somewhere else in the city that is currently on the city's budget to to go into that role. Then the BA is saying we would then zero that line item out in a different office. We are currently looking at that literally

168
00:47:06.240 --> 00:47:22.079
right now. We have a need for a grant-f funded inspector. We're going to take them off the city budget roles so it will reduce the city budget. Yes, we understand that. But let me give a real example of what actually happened. So

169
00:47:22.079 --> 00:47:39.440
Deja Anderson position, she was funded by a grant, correctly? Correct. >> Yes. >> The person who's filled her position is still funded by the same grant, right? >> Yes.

170
00:47:39.440 --> 00:47:54.640
So the rationale the administration is using and this is more so to the VA is that well we're eliminating a position well we're getting rid of per a individual that was paid via grant but

171
00:47:54.640 --> 00:48:11.280
we're replacing them with individuals that were taking up a budget somewhere else. So I guess you're making an argument that you're reducing the budget. is that >> in most of the positions that is exactly what's going to happen in certain level positions a certain level of technical

172
00:48:11.280 --> 00:48:26.000
knowledge is necessary. So someone who already has that technical knowledge will take it but most of these positions that are green on this chart which are vacant will be filled with someone who is currently on the city budget. >> Let's say how many people were laid off?

173
00:48:26.000 --> 00:48:42.720
31, right? 31 provisionals. Um, well, no, not let's just say all the people that were laid off that was funded by a grant, you've used them to with with other employees that were taking away the budget

174
00:48:42.720 --> 00:48:59.839
>> in a you're you're leasing in the burden on a municipal budget because you're filling a grant funded position with people who were once taking up the municipal budget. Yes, that's I believe what the BA is

175
00:48:59.839 --> 00:49:16.880
saying. >> I understand what you say. I just don't I mean I don't I I agree. So >> yeah, you could lay off everybody in the department and then say we're going to fill every every position with a um a municipally funded position.

176
00:49:16.880 --> 00:49:34.880
>> Again, the I we can share the status, but the other employees in the division are not provisional. Yeah. Move on. Um, anyone else? Nothing else on there. We're going to move on to tenants right

177
00:49:34.880 --> 00:49:57.359
to council. So, this is all new positions. Is that Yep. >> Yes. There's a new office. >> New office. >> It currently has no staff. >> Has no staff. >> Correct. It says replacement for Brian Rans.

178
00:49:57.359 --> 00:50:14.960
>> So Brian Rans was an attorney is is an attorney was uh an employee of HDC. He took over running this when we first got it up and running. He set everything up. He got the grant for us. He we uh did an RFP to get legal services for for

179
00:50:14.960 --> 00:50:30.160
tenants right to council. We he awarded that to the waterfront project. Um they have the money to do those services. is they are currently still operating. In that interim time period, he applied for a job at the law department. He wanted to do litigation work here for the city.

180
00:50:30.160 --> 00:50:45.280
He still works for the city, but he moved to the law department. In his role at the law department, he kind of kept an eye on on this stuff. He's not an official employee of tenants right to council, but he made sure that things were good with the waterfront project and that the grant was running well. And

181
00:50:45.280 --> 00:51:01.119
um so now uh we're kind of doing that jointly between him and myself. And so and we have some things to come uh over the next few weeks um that we're looking forward to the future of that. We're working closely with Salo's office because uh he over his office oversees

182
00:51:01.119 --> 00:51:16.400
the affordable housing trust fund that uh is going to be doing their meetings in the near future and that will determine what the first pot of money we had was through a grant. The next pot of money will come from the trust fund. Right. As you all know, we set up a

183
00:51:16.400 --> 00:51:33.680
whole program to to developers fees. um as well as other items to fund this program. So that will determine the next pot of money that we have which will then get awarded as well probably go out another for another RFP whether it's waterfront project or someone else to

184
00:51:33.680 --> 00:51:49.119
provide those services but they have continued um providing those services and uh in the presentation we had given the data on what they've what they've done they they've served a significant amount of uh of Jersey City residents. So, we

185
00:51:49.119 --> 00:52:04.000
>> go ahead, Councilman Gler. >> We anticip we anticipate um guess once it's properly funded uh to bring in because I know uh Ryan is still here, but he's no longer in this

186
00:52:04.000 --> 00:52:23.440
capacity. But once we fill these positions and there's enough guess funds to do that then we have the what's the what's TV this to be determined right what's that's the title

187
00:52:23.440 --> 00:52:39.599
we don't know the title for the um >> no because at that point that was a administrative support position so I guess finance office and HR or decided to do TBD. It could be clerk one. It could be clerk three, you know, it could

188
00:52:39.599 --> 00:52:55.200
be an existing employee that we put into that spot. I think until we had someone running that office, we we didn't know what type of support would be necessary. It will be ongoing that this office will not need money from the city budget.

189
00:52:55.200 --> 00:53:12.079
Right now, it started with a grant. We will pursue additional grants and we will use trust fund money. We will not need city money. I can just confirm that Brian's been very very helpful in helping deal with the cases um that you know my office is

190
00:53:12.079 --> 00:53:28.480
getting and making sure Waterfront is getting connected with tenants. So, um, we went over this the last budget hearing we did a couple weeks ago, but, um, very much appreciative and appreciate the commitment to making sure that, um, as was passed on city, the

191
00:53:28.480 --> 00:53:46.240
former city council, we used our, um, a small portion of the affordable housing trust fund monies toward this end. >> Yes, we had limited money in the first year through the grant, but we do anticipate more money in this next round. And it ba it's basically going to be unless we the city decides to do

192
00:53:46.240 --> 00:54:02.960
internal legal services. It'll primarily be grant management with funding external attorneys to serve Jersey City residents. And again, we will not we will not need city funds. We will any if we're allowed to use the money for it, like whether it's the trust fund or grant money, we

193
00:54:02.960 --> 00:54:19.760
will try to cover these expenses fully without using any city budget. this question. Does any of the grant permit uh payments to the tenants directly for rental assistance? >> No, not this, but in what we did do, trying to remember exactly when, I think

194
00:54:19.760 --> 00:54:35.440
it was earlier in 2026, maybe it was in late 2025, we gave the county um trust fund money. We the the city council uh gave them a million dollars for rental assistance. That's being um done out of the county. So the uh tr the trust fund

195
00:54:35.440 --> 00:54:51.440
committee can decide to continue to give them additional money. So we're not doing it out of this office where because county already did that work. So we just gave them additional money that was specifically for Jersey City residents. So we that's a really decision between you all and and the trust fund committee but we could

196
00:54:51.440 --> 00:55:08.640
continue to use the funds in that way. >> Yeah, I'd recommend that just because if it's a nonp payment of rent case better give the money to directly to the tenant than paying a lawyer to fight a case they can't win. >> Agreed. the yeah the affordable housing trust fund money um that's going through here is like pretty specifically

197
00:55:08.640 --> 00:55:24.559
stipulated um I think statutoily that 20% of the money coming from the uh fees on on development um that developers pay for their certificate of occupancy 20% of that money that's going into the affordable housing trust fund from those

198
00:55:24.559 --> 00:55:40.480
fees can be reserved for administrative use. Um, and so that 20% is the maximum that could possibly go into this office, but it can also be used for other kind of work. But yeah, I guess that administrative would not cover rental

199
00:55:40.480 --> 00:55:56.240
assistance or is that >> I'm trying to remember. We did a spending plan that breaks down all the eligible uses for those funds. And then the trust fund committee, as long as it's in that plan, will figure out how much will go to each one of those

200
00:55:56.240 --> 00:56:12.000
things, including what goes to right to council. I believe we can do some rental assistance in that those funds. Um, I know most of you were not council people last year, but I did do individual meetings with all the council people going through how the the pie breaks up

201
00:56:12.000 --> 00:56:27.359
with the different pots of money to get the input. So, the council informed what's in that spending plan. It came directly from meetings with the council members and then that spending plan is the we have it for the next 10 years. It guides what we're allowed to do. It doesn't tell us how much money has to go

202
00:56:27.359 --> 00:56:42.960
into each eligible activity, but it says all the eligible activities and we left it as broad as we could. So, it gave some flexibility, but certainly the members of the council that are on the trust fund committee or you can let us know what your interests are. It will inform how they spend that money. But

203
00:56:42.960 --> 00:57:00.240
it's a variety of programs all aimed at help you know helping whether it's rental assistance. There's a buy down program. Uh like for example if you have a requirement to build 80% or 50% of AMI you can we can ask them to do it at 30. We can give money to buy down the

204
00:57:00.240 --> 00:57:16.960
program from 80 or 50 AMI to 30. Um there's a homeowner uh um like first-time home buyers money there. There's a bunch of different stuff in there, but all of it aimed at, you know, helping getting get more housing at lower income levels. >> If we could get the information about

205
00:57:16.960 --> 00:57:32.079
how that money can be used. >> I know you provided this in the past, but >> Okay. >> Did you provide it again as well as the the amount of money and what pots all that stuff? You I know you you've sent that to me before. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's fine. >> Anyone else have comments? I I just want

206
00:57:32.079 --> 00:57:48.559
to um again replacement for Brian Rans get the the dates there because we want to prorrate that salary for both the new hire and >> was fully paid for by grant though just so you know like it didn't >> understood but in terms of this budget just want to make sure that we >> Yeah. Okay.

207
00:57:48.559 --> 00:58:08.799
>> in the right amount. Um let's see what else. Uh moving on to historic preservation. Historic Preservation. That's just a commission. Historic preservation commission. >> So the rest are commissions except for

208
00:58:08.799 --> 00:58:25.760
economic development, I think, or some sort of boards. >> Yes, there's planning board, zoning board, historic preservation commission that all have their own budget entities, uh, budget units. We have 13 budgetary units. They're not actually divisions, but they get their own budget because they have board attorneys, stenographers. If you have any questions

209
00:58:25.760 --> 00:58:42.240
about those, um, Tanya oversees those three boards. >> Yep. So we have um economic development. Any questions on economic development? We have Mr. Orango here as well. >> I do have I do have the director here and that is the only budget line item is his salary.

210
00:58:42.240 --> 00:59:00.240
>> It's his salary. >> That's it. >> Anyone have questions? >> None. All right. Anyone have questions on any of those commissions and boards? None. and we'll say thank you your time and

211
00:59:00.240 --> 00:59:17.359
>> thank you >> appreciate your >> sure >> motion. So a motion to adjourn at 202 p.m. was made by council person efforts. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council person Singh

212
00:59:17.359 --> 00:59:28.000
on the motion to adjourn at 2:2 p.m. All council members present please by acclamation please say I. >> I. We are returning at 202.