They don't need a >> Okay, everyone. We're about to get started. If we can find our seats, silence our cell phones as I'm doing. If we can close the side doors and back doors, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much. Good evening,
everyone. We are on the record. Today is Monday, the 4th day of May. May the 4th be with you all. In 2026, this is a city council caucus meeting of the Jersey City Municipal Council. We had a scheduled 400 p.m. start. The clock on my cell phone is showing 4:03 p.m. May
we have a roll call for the commencement of this caucus. Council person Brooks is going to be late. Council person Zupa >> here. >> Council person Efos, >> here. >> Council person Little, not here yet. Council Person Gilmore, not here yet.
Council Person Singh. >> Gotcha. Council person Griffin >> here. >> Council Person Lavaro >> here. >> And Council President Ridley >> here. We have six council members in attendance at 4:03 p.m. On behalf of
Council President Denise Ridley and the members of the municipal council in accordance with New Jersey Public Laws of 1975, Chapter 231, the Open Public Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the posting on the bulletin board of the
first floor city hall. The annual notice which is the schedule of meetings and caucuses of the municipal council for the calendar year 2026 and filed in the office of the city clerk on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025. In addition, at its time of its preparation, the agenda of this meeting
was similarly disseminated on Friday, May 1st, 2026 at 7:40 p.m. to the mayor, municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, and the newspapers and posted on the city's website so I can certify as to our total compliance with the sunshine law. I will
mark Council Person Little present at 4:05 p.m. So, we now have seven council members present at 4:05 p.m. And I'm going to turn it over to our council president.
>> Good afternoon, everyone. Uh, council members, we do have a couple council members who need to uh step out at a certain time to attend other meetings. So, just keep that in mind this evening as we go through. We want to try to get through as much of the agenda as we can
while they're here so they don't miss much. And with that, we'll jump right in. We have uh Cadia McNair, HR. Afternoon, council. I have two resolutions to present before you. The first item number is 10.9. This
is resolution 26249. This is a resolution authorizing the renewal of a contract with Morone and Company to provide voluntary supplemental benefits to benefit eligible employees for the division of human resources, the office of employee benefits.
This is the final um the final option to renew the contract with Morton. The um the contract date is from April 1st to April 1st, 2026 till March 31st, 2027 and there's no cost to the city and
RFP will be um posted after this question. >> Yeah, I have I have one question for Cadia. So like these RFPs any qualified company can um respond to this and it can be multiple people on the list. Correct.
>> That is correct. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Good evening. Uh quick question. What services does this company provide? >> This company provides um supplemental voluntary benefits like auto and home
insurance, pet insurance, legal services, as well as identity theft and employee discounts. >> Okay. And the company are paid directly by our insurance? >> No, it's no cost to the city.
These are just supplemental voluntary benefits that employees can sign up for. >> Got it. Thank you. >> This is the same as the last council meeting, >> correct? Different vendor >> and and the it's zero cost the city. The the insurance we simply do a
pre uh payroll tax deduction. >> That is correct. >> Process. So, and you said it's an open RFP. How how long will it remain open? And and >> so the RFP is usually posted with uh 10 for 10 business days for vendors to respond. So depending on how many
responses we get. >> Well, is it closed? >> I'm sorry. >> It's closed >> after that. Yes. >> When does it close? >> So we haven't posted the RFP. This is the last year that we we would like to renew the contract and then after this the RFP will be posted.
>> Okay. So this this one is in response to a previous RFP. That is correct. >> When will the new RFP be posted? >> Um, so we we try to get ahead of it. Um, so if the contract ends on March 31st of 2027, we'll probably start the RFP
process like in January of 2027. >> I'm not going to belabor the point. I think you can just start it ASAP. Frankly, just open it up. Uh, because again, it's no cost to the city. Um, and I've shared this with the administration. you can just do a if you
wanted to put in a fee or cost to these providers to to do the payroll tax deduction. It's a benefit to the employees, gives them options and choices. I don't see the the reason to do that, but I'll leave that with the administration and we can continue that that conversation moving forward.
>> Yeah, we're up to it, councilman. I just have to make sure there's no non-compete or any language in the RFP previously that would impair the current contracts, but assuming there's not, I see no reason why we can delay. Thanks. Okay, next one.
>> The second item is 10.10 and this is resolution 26250. This is a resolution authorizing the renewal of a contract u to total administrative services corp which is task. This is a third-party billing
company that handles our retirey billing COBRA participants as well as FSA accounts. This is also a final contract. The contract is from April 1st, 2026 to March 31st, 2027. And we'd like to
exercise a final option to renew the contract. And the cost is 60,000. >> Question. >> 60 6 >> questions. >> Okay. >> Um, did we get alternate quotes for this or not? Because it's this is a renewal.
>> This is just a renewal. >> Okay. Um, and I it sounds like there wasn't any comparison to, you know, I'm I'm just curious if we're getting if this is the industry standard for what it costs or if we could be getting a better deal. It depends on how many
vendors applied, you know, um proceed with the the uh RFP and this is one of the vendors that applied and it was a lower cost to the city and so we had uh awarded the contract to task.
>> So what's that? >> I'm sorry. >> How many years ago was that? >> So this is the second Hold on for one second. believe this is the third year. >> Okay. So, we
>> I don't have it in front of me, but I will I can get that information for you. >> Okay. Thank you. So, we competitively at first and then we've just renewed without >> I'm sorry, I can't hear you. >> Sorry. So, we competitively bid it at first and then we've just renewed without um without competition the next
for approximately three years, give or take. So exercising our rights to to uh renew the contract and and that's that's basically what we did. >> All right. Thank you. You're welcome. >> I have a question. Can you just um explain to me what what the third party
administrative services are? >> So they handle all our retirey billing. So all the retirees that are required to pay premiums towards their medical and dental and prescription coverage, the um task is the vendor that actually collect those payments and send those payments
into the city as well as they handle our COBRA participants. So every time we have an employee who separates from the city, by law, they are required to get COBRA information and we enter their information into the task portal and TAS presents them with the uh the Cobra details. And how long have we been
outsourcing this? Can you tell me that? >> So with TAS, this is I think this is the third year. I'll confirm that information for you guys. But um you know, we we we continue with the same process where we would put out an RFP for these type of services and we had uh
several vendors that actually applied and then TAS came out with the better rates. >> Did we ever administer these benefits in house >> internally? No, we don't have the manpower to. >> But did we ever do that previously? >> Not to my knowledge. >> Your
Griffin. >> Yeah. So, this is annual, >> correct? This is one year. >> Okay. So, so last year it was the same process. You just came through to the res. Okay. >> Correct. And this is the final option that we would just like to exercise and then we'll put out another RFP to get to
see if we can get more more competitive uh vendors to apply. Is it possible? So, so we we do this this vendor does the billing. >> That is correct. >> And then um basically sending out invoices to a bunch of a number of our all our retirees.
>> That is correct. >> And then um the FSA claims um they also process that. >> Yes. with some insurance provider is that >> so FSA is the flexible spending account and dependent care account
>> and also commuter benefits. So they are the ones who who handle that process as well which is >> the retirees. >> No, this through active employees >> through a payroll deduction. >> And and when is the contract up? The contract ended on March 31st of this
year, which is why we're trying to exercise our rights to begin the final contract as of April 1st of 2026 through March 31st of 2027. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> And just see just to save her some time,
uh this is the third and final. So the first was 2024. We renewed the first option in 2025. This will be the third and final option to renew. It's Peter. >> So basically what you're saying Peter is that once the competitive is accepted
the next two years we can just rock with them or >> depends on the contract. They're all different depending what it's covering what products covering. But generally when you do an RFP it creates a contract period usually 1 to 3 years and there's an option to renew after that period.
Could be one year could be two years could be some combination. I think three to five is generally how long any contract the city will will run. Um but it always gives it an option to renew them or we could also have to go out to bid. Issue is you usually don't solicit if you're also you know initiating your
oper option to renew because it you know creates some uncertainty for the vendor and they might change their pricing to us as well. >> Okay. And and I I guess like I I do have a statement on this like the contract ended March 1st and I know this is what we've been constantly talking about
putting a mechanism in place so that we can vote on these renewed you know renew contracts before you know they expire because then it's like okay a contract expired and we're paying people without a contract
>> and that's no knock on you Cada. Asia, >> you're correct. We're trying to get better at it, but again, we're catching up on 10 years of different practices, so it's going to take a little bit of time to get to where we need to be going forward. >> Thank you. >> And also just to just as a followup to what Peter said, we we try to do our
best to get ahead of the contract. Um, we do understand that coming before council after the contract expired is a concern. I mean we try to you know renew the contract as early as possible or try to get it on the agenda as early as possible. There is an internal process
that we have to go through process >> right but it's no knock on you because it's all departments it's it's an internal thing that that needs to be fixed throughout the city >> systems problem. Any other questions with Councilman Lavar? You said something. I just
>> say it's a systems problem and we've looking to bring in an expert to help solve some of our systems problems. >> Thank you, Cada. Thank you. Acting Deputy Director Public Safety Lauren Hart.
>> And before we let Lauren uh speak, uh we wanted to mark Council Person Gilmore present at 4:08 p.m. So we now have eight council members present. >> It's 4:15. when he came in it was 408. >> Was it though?
>> I'm not going to have a debate about that. >> Go ahead, director. >> Good evening, President Ridley, council members, acting director, deputy director Lauren Hart, representing Department of Public Safety. Speaking on agenda item 10.6, resolution 26-246
for your consideration. This is for the authorization of an award of a contract to target solutions learning LLC for software for fire training and operational management under the national purchasing partners government purchasing system for the department of
public safety. This uh software assists the fire department operationally in maintaining track and rec training records, tracking of personal protective equipment inventories, apparatus maintenance records, and it also serves as our training platform allowing
members access to mandatory annual training modules such as OSHA awareness and bloodboard pathogens training. If approved, this will be the third year that the fire department will have access to this software, which has and will continue to be valuable during POSA
audits as well as insurance service organization evaluations. The funding source for this has been the public safety IT budget and this cost has been included in the 2026 budget. >> Questions?
>> Lauren, it's uh you said it's in the budget. Is that um the operating general? an operating budget for the uh public safety IT department. >> Does this is to the BA's office and you can answer it as well, but does this uh
qualify for capital as a potential capital expenditure >> because it involves training? Most likely not. >> Because it involves training, most likely not. Capital depending on the item has to have a certain lifespan to qualify. Um in this case, it would not
meet the requirements. Okay, I have a question. So the 95,000, right? The the Okay, so is this paying Okay, so is it paying for to bring people in to train EMS and fire or are
we purchasing uh the supplies and someone from these departments will be doing the training? >> I would say it's twofold. um the the management of the records previously was being done by either civilians or
uniform personnel. So having this platform where members can upload their certifications, their training certificates, things of that nature basically replaces a job that someone else would have to do in filing all these items. Plus, you're much easier to retrieve them when someone comes in and audits us and says, "Okay, we had an
injury. Let me see all the training records for 700 members." I could press a button, ask what the training records were for IMS 300. spits it out and I can hand it right to the person who's requesting that information. So, it serves as a database, but additionally, it does have training modules on there.
So, instead of us paying for someone to come in and paying the 20,000, $30,000 to do bloodboard pathogens training, members can go on there, it is certified. You print out a certificate and it's done. So, it saves a significant amount of money. >> Okay. So, it's like a like a online training. >> Precisely.
>> Okay. Thank you. So we're not paying for trainers, >> correct? There's certified modules on this platform that basically serves the purpose of having people come in to train us,
right? So So it's so it's a software to as I'm looking at the invoice on this. Well, it says it's not an invoice. It's a renewal notice. It says uh it's a training management for public entities and professionals. $79,33.
It looks to me like it's software and you were saying if it's a component that's largely training um I I take that to mean like you know somebody training them on the use of the software or something like that or then it then it would not then it would not qualify for
um but it seems to me this is all software as I look at the and technology. Yeah, even it's software and technology because it's more of an maintenance and kind of I know it's hard to consider maintenance but more of a maintenance repair. It's an ongoing
expenditure. It's considered operating. Um same thing for HR. We have VODs and software and Neo go that we use to do a lot of the trainings for internal staff. That's all considered oper operating expenses. Um there are times when
you're instituting some kind of platform that you know capital can get involved to pay for certain things but for this I can have you know finance double check it but every indication we looked at said it would be operating would be more appropriate than capital and as you know we're trying to clean a lot of that
stuff up because historically it wasn't always done correctly here. So, so to the corporation council, I'd just like to get some legal language on um the allocation of capital dollars and how um the specific legal language around that as to how and and I'll just
want to share this for the public. It's more for the public's um edification around this is I I harp on this stuff. It's not you or anyone else. it's um everything that's come before the council or tried to I harp on what what the the form of the uh what the source
of the dollars is and where it's coming from. And so there's a difference between capital dollars for the taxpayer um than there is for operating dollars, right? So the operating dollars and the taxes we raise from people in this in this fiscal cycle um are going to pay
for this as it stands today, right? Um as opposed to capital dollars which will be spread out over time. And when we're looking at a $254 million um budget deficit, um we want to, in my estimation, we want to try to uh spread
that that pain over time and not have it be um all lumped into one year when when we're looking at that. And when we think when we say um and the from from the director of finance has informed me that a $3.8 8 million swing um in terms of
expenses or revenues um is a 1% increase to taxes um for taxpayers. So while this is only $94,000, you combine a bunch of these things and you can get the 3.8 million um in expenses that you can spread out over time, then you can help
reduce the tax burden on Jersey City taxpayers by 1%. Um and if we can do a lot more of that, then we can do a lot a lot more um save taxpayers a lot more pain um in this fiscal cycle. Um so I'm going to be
a a dogged just kind of watchdog on this and just try and push this and be a bulldog on the whole thing um till we get to a budget. >> Councilman Griffer. >> Okay. So the so how how okay so with the testing right for the certificates how
will this be administrated? Are people allowed us to do this at home or they have to do it at the station um and monitored? The reason why I asked is because I know how these tests go. You watch a video at the end there's questions, you pass,
you print out your certificate. Um if not, you have to take the test over. But the reason why I'm asking this is because, you know, if this is something that can be done from home, you know, it it it it turns into like a open book test and and and people are
getting these certificates without really understanding the material. So, I mean, we we we do two things. Sometimes we'll do these classes that are basically moderated at our training facility at Lynen Avenue, or we could do them while they're on duty. So, we've done a blend of different different
formats, but again, I mean, the the testing process is the testing process. A lot of these things are just videos we're watching. So, sometimes we'll do it during community time in the firehouse where the captain will pull the members aside and we'll watch the video for an hour. There's a couple different ways we do it, but
>> Thank you, director. >> Thank you. director. >> Good afternoon, Council President. Council members, I have one item before you today. >> Resolution 26-264, agenda item 10.24, 24.
A resolution ratifying an agreement with Superion LLC, Central Square's technology company, to provide maintenance and support services for one solution, payroll and personnel system. The software is used by human resources for accessing historical payroll and
employee information. The total cost of the contract is $52,427.89. >> Questions? >> Question. Would this would supplement uh the unicorn services that we have or this would replace unicorn? >> No, this is all historical data. Um so there's no actual payroll being
processed. This is all for past employee um information um over requests, retirement requests and stuff like that. Um we've actually launched a project into assessing the data in here and trying to see if we can extract it so that we can um try to either move it to
the unicorn system or develop something else inhouse that we don't have to renew this again next year. >> So this 50,000 plus would be going toward us trying to understand >> no this is license renewal. So giving us
access to login um just software renewal essentially. >> Okay. Sorry, just take me a little bit more specifically through the steps of what what we gain from uh that historical data. >> Uh over requests, um employee history of when they were actually hired and all of
the calculations that happened at retirement. >> If I can cut in real quick, the clerk might be the best person to answer those too because there's certain state requirements we have for uh data retention and you know, record retention. So Sean, sorry to put you on the spot, but do you want to go over some of that real quick for us?
>> Go Sean. So there are certain um records that have to be kept for a certain period of time. We go by the state's retention schedule. So this is part of uh HR's way of holding historical data. This was the
former company that we used for our HR system and we converted over to um Unicorn. This is one solution right that we're referring to. So, um they do vary um the retention. Uh I don't know it all
all off the top of my head because there's a gazillion records of the city that has different retention schedules, but if the council uh wanted to know specifically for this particular records, I can give you all a copy of the retention schedule.
>> Thank you. So, I guess what do we do now outside of having a contract with these PE? How do we how do we obtain that data now? >> So we can go into so what I would like to do is actually go and understand how their data is stored and try to extract
the whole data completely from us by running reports. Um that's a process with them. Um store it inhouse or possibly move it over to Unicorn. Um and so >> no um what are we doing now? because we don't have the contract with these
people to I guess if someone Oprah for old employees start and >> so we still we so we still have it so we still use it currently we've been using it for the last few years you can log on and actually get the information so people from HR would actually log into the system and
retrieve the information >> wait we have a con I'm confused >> it's a software you log into the software >> but this says for provide This is a maintenance and support, right? >> Right. So if anything happens to the
software, it doesn't work, we we can call them up, open up a ticket, they'll troubleshoot with us. >> Oh, so this is to get their expertise on the back end when you're navigating. Oh, okay. >> So that comes with the license agreement. Be able to log in, use it,
>> store the data, and then if something goes wrong, we open up a ticket and then be able to >> Okay. All right. >> Any other questions? Yeah, I'm just going to point out that um this is also a March 1st contract. Um so it's May
4th. Um and so um and Miss Troy just pointing these out, you you barely started, but uh um letting you know that this is something that uh kind of a recurring thing when I was a councilman back in
2011. Oh, those were the days. No, I'm just kidding. Um just joking. Um but but I did bring it up with the BA then and then he did he did uh reel it all in and said said to the uh directors throughout the entire city that uh get your uh
contracts in on time basically and uh for the council to approve. So um just ask for the same same thing to happen this time around. Again this administration is new and just started so inheriting a lot of stuff that uh needs to get cleaned up and um but we
can't move fast enough. The second thing I just want to point out and again Miss Troy that uh given your background in technology that uh um and you'll be able to tell me better than I would but uh this this this is exempt from public bidding because it's p it's proprietary
software and I've I've seen these things come across our desk and um and um these these propriety software systems um and then they have uh you know support support services and systems that need
that only be only can be done by one company and are exempt from public bidding. And want to look at that and just uh you know give us your professional opinion not today but uh on future things going forward as to like whether these proprietary systems need to be in place or if we can find other
systems that are more cost effective and can do the job just as equally well. >> All right. Thank you. director >> like to mark Council Person Brooks present at 4:26 p.m. So we have all nine council members present.
>> Acting Director of Community Development, Salo. >> Good evening, council. I'm coming with um item number 10.15 resolution 26-255 accepting our HUD entitlements for 2025
>> 10.15 >> 10.15 yeah >> questions >> uh is there a way that we can get a copy of the year consolidated plan and the action plan for 212029 I believe
>> okay um a consolid validated plan. Yeah, it would cover up to 2026. I could send that over. >> Okay, thank you. Is that an action plan the same thing? >> Um, no. An action plan is by year. A con plan uh spans several years, but I could
send you both. >> Okay, thank you. >> And that action plan would include the home funds, the plan for the distribution of the home funds. Uh yes. So we're accepting phone uh home funds here and uh we're going to be opening an RFP around June, early July so that uh
developers could begin to apply. >> Right. Great. And and so just to clarify, is this the this is the 2025 HUD entitlement grants now, >> correct? >> Um >> yeah, is part of the action plan just getting getting a sense of how we can
get this year's funds a little bit closer to this year going forward? Again, I know understand we're all catching up on a lot of >> uh Yeah. No, there's definitely plans for that and uh most of the delays here, especially with hop and ESG, was due to the federal uh government. They had their shutdown late last year. So,
that's why we're getting this kind of late, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Good to see you, Sal. >> Good to see you. >> We just um get Salo. Hi. Congratulations on your new appointment. >> Oh, thank you. >> Yeah. um just get the uh dollar amounts
across the home hop and ESG uh programs for the last uh just say five years the allocations. Yeah, >> I'll make sure to send that over. >> Thank you. >> Hello. Please send it to our office too if you don't mind. >> Yeah, I'll make sure to
>> if you just send it to the clerk, I'll forward it to all the council members. Okay. >> Thanks, Sean. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> director Kierce. >> How's your wife, director? >> Very good. Thank you for asking. She's
getting better. I'll need a vacation by the time she's done, but she's getting U. Good evening, President Ridley and members of the council. I have two items before you this evening. Item 10.5, resolution 26245. Resolution authorizes the purchase of a
contract to Propac Incorporated for the purchase and delivery of two mass care shelter trailers, each equipped with supplies and equipment to support shelter operations for up to 25 individuals. These assets will enhance the city's capabil capacity to provide
emergency sheltering during incident requiring mass care services. Total contract amount of $84,4516 represents a one-time purchase and is fully funded through the 2023 Urban Area Security Initiative UASI grant. >> Questions?
>> Um, this vehicle is is for who in particular? >> This vehicle is for who in particular? >> Yeah, they're trailers. They're not vehicles. They're trailers to be pulled by one of our vehicles to be assigned to my office. OEM.
>> For who though? That's what I'm saying. Is it for the residents of Jersey City or is >> God forbid if we had to open up a mass care shelter for whatever reason? I'll direct your attention to the h fire last night in in Belleville where there was literally two city blocks that required
mass sheltering. Something like this could be put into service for that type of event. And do your um will you will you guys office be calling in um health and human services? Will your office be communicating with
health and human services as it relates to >> I would imagine you know these individuals who's going to be shelter is going to need certain things and I would imagine >> yes if in fact if in fact a decision is made to open up a mass health mass care shelter we would engage the human
services based on the city's operation plan. >> All right >> director I'm I'm glad to hear your wife is doing better. >> Thank you. >> Um I had a question. You said there would be two of these. The resolution only references one. Can you clarify, please?
>> Two shelters each equipped with 25 people. Any 20 25 CS, blankets, and associated equipment. In a previous resolution, we purchased emergency heater meals, they call them. They're again to support an operation. This is normally done for a 72-hour period until
we can get more uh assets in to potentially set up a larger mass care shelter. During Hurricane Sandy, we utilized the National Guard Armory and we successfully sheltered 2500 residents for a period of a week. So these are all assets that are in need. This is for a
smaller based operation. Should we have to get into that type of an operation again, we would pull all assets in through both the federal side and our UASI partners. >> Okay. Thank you. So, the the text of the resolution says um it just refers to one
um and it says the total contract is $84,4516. Um is that the cost of one of these systems or the two that >> two travels? >> So, so then the the total cost will remain $84,000 and change and um the
text of the resolution should be updated to reflect that there will be two >> um Okay. Can can that change be made before Wednesday? >> Yes. >> All right. Wonderful. Thank you. >> Director by Director Kier.
>> Um Councilman Lavaro here. I hope you sir. >> Your wife as well. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Um so this is being paid for through the 2023 UASI grant. >> Correct. >> Um so if if I could get uh and you were good enough to give us last council
meeting for the 2024 grant. um the the budget and how the numbers are allocated in the 2023 grant um but also to see how much has been spent down um on that grant. Yeah, what I could do, council, is give you
the the overseer or the manager of the federal grant on in of our purposes, the state office of homeland security and preparedness. They utilize what they call a grants management system and it breaks down every approved project. Bear in mind, every project has to be
preapproved. Has to flow in the guidelines of FEMA. >> So, what I can do is furnish you with a copy of 2023, which is close out is July of this year. 2024 is closed out July of next year. So I can send that to you before the council meeting on Wednesday.
>> Okay. And then I assume there's a 2025 USI. Uh unfortunately uh we among among other states are in limbo on a 2025 grant. Uh we there was significant um decreases in the Aasi grant out of
Washington. Uh it's in pending litigation. So right now um we're we're just waiting to see what the outcome of the courts will be. >> Okay. And then for that 220 2025 UASI, was there a budget submitted to uh the UASI program
to approve the authorized expenditures under the the program? >> We had to submit a tenative budget, but there's been no action on it whatsoever. >> Okay. Could I get a copy of that approved budget and when hopefully >> I don't believe it's been released by this. They have not released any
documentation from us. There are certain guidelines as to there are are six core principles that we must fulfill every year based on I can send you the documentation what the requirements are but they have not released any any final budget because the budget numbers are still flexible.
>> Sure. >> Okay. Next item is resolution sorry >> no I said next one. >> Okay. Uh next item is 10.7 resolution 26247. The resolution will authorize the award of a contract to Motorola for the
purchase and delivery of 50 Motorola multiband APX800 radios for use by Jersey City first responders. These radios will support interoperable communications enabling seamless coordinated and integrated public safety operations when needed thereby enhancing
the safe and effective efficient protection of life and property within Jersey City and surrounding jurisdictions. Total contract in this mount is $521,545 represents a one-time purchase and is fully funded through the 2023 Urban Area
Security Initiative UASI grant. >> Questions? >> Director, at some point, I know you that can't necessarily speak for public safety, but at some point we're going to have to replace all of our radios. Is that right? Is that your >> Yes, that's correct. what what we've done with this councilman, as as you're probably aware, we're in the process of
updating the entire 911 communication system. Um any of the expenses associated with associated the equipment that was grant eligible, we decided to use the grants to fund them. >> Uh I know this is a one-time purchase through the grant, but what about the upkeep of the radios? Where's that money
coming from? >> They have a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years. Um, so basic warranty work is covered through Motorola or the vendor. Um, and we usually get, luckily enough, I would say close to that seven to 10 year life cycle.
>> Other questions? >> Thank you, director. >> Thank you very much. >> Shirley McCarno, Treasury. Good evening, uh, Council President, Council, I have one item on the agenda for your consideration. It is agenda
10.2, resolution 26-242, and it is a request to increase a contract NPO for 117,000 for Wilnets, Goldman, and Spitzer. They are our bound council. They currently have a contract from August 1st of last year. It expires
in July. They did our balance council in October and in December and we are trying to pay the invoice that's due them. >> Questions? >> What um it looks like in the initial contract it was I thinkund and something
and now it's 200. What triggered the the uptick or the additional amount? >> The original PO was for 200,000 and then we did an increase. Um, we need to increase it to pay the outstanding balance due for the bond sale of October
and December. >> Confused. So, the original amount was how much? >> So, the original PO is for 200,000. >> Okay. >> And we currently owe them an additional uh 117,000 above that PO. So, the total
contract would be 317. 317,000. walk us to walk us through how do we get the additional 117 if the signed agreement was 200. >> So it wasn't a signed agreement. It was the we went out to RFQ for the services
and um we originally did a PO for the 200,000 in the in March they did well in July they originally did a bond sale for 66,000 and then in October the bond sale was an
additional 220,000. We did not get the invoice until this year. So we didn't know what the invoice was going to be. So I couldn't increase the PO. The money was available in RGL. So I knew already that it was going to be um because they charge us based on the bond sale.
>> Oh, so you get charged based on the value of the >> of the bond sale. >> So when how is they like how are how are they billing cycles? So the bond sale was about uh I don't remember how much exactly it was but it
was if the bill is 219 then the refunding bond was 202 uh million >> I guess hold on I'm um so I guess is there any way we can have them like there has to be a better
uh invoice system where you can track when you can where you can track this stuff. I just don't understand why people wait so long to build for a service and then like I I just don't get it. I
don't understand if the bit so t I guess my first h how often do they send us invoices? It's um I understand the question and I know that obviously we want them to bill us directly but I don't I don't know
where the bill goes. So it's practically um I did have to send various emails and find the contact people. Hopefully that will not happen anymore because we did make it a point that in if we're responsible to pay the bills that the
invoice should come to Treasury. So hopefully that will not happen anymore. Where else would they go? >> Anywhere but us. We weren't seeing the bill. So I hopefully in the future that won't happen anymore. And we
>> No, we we can't hope that. That has to be a a matter of requirement. We can't hope that the the party responsible for paying the invoice get the invoice in a timely manner. That's that's just bad practice. >> Yeah. So what happens when we get
receive invoices across every department not specific to this one there's a fiscal officer in every department that fiscal officer works with a director to obtain the bills and any of the information related to contracts for their department. So for finance they have a fiscal officer the fiscal officer
should receive the bill. They might have not received it timely. A lot of times vendors send us bills late. Again another thing we're working with the vendors to try to receive the information more frequently and more accurately. But when they receive it, they then process it, send it to budget. Budget verifies that it's in the account
correctly, and then it gets paid eventually by Treasury. So Treasury does eventually get it. They're just not the first line of defense that receive everything. It should be the fiscal officer for those departments. I I mean at at some point we have to have a clear
it has to be laid out clearly in an RFP how these bills are to come in because you don't want to be in a ninth inning paying the bill from the third inning. Right? It's there just has to be a better way of tracking when when
services are provided agreeing to the according to the contract and things like that. is I mean >> so most RFPs and RFQS do have that information in there if not all of them. Um again some vendors are more accurate with their billing than others.
Sometimes with track things down sometimes they do their own turn at audit to realize that things weren't paid even though they thought they were paid. Again I understand your point councilman. We're trying to get better with it. Um but it's not a black and white situation unfortunately. >> Well comma signs and decimal points are
black and white. We're in a financial crisis. So, it's just I mean it's it's just due diligence. It's just asking for the proper communication. We're this this is people money that we're we're talking about spending and contracts and stuff. I I honestly don't
understand what's so hard about it to be honest. Really don't. >> So, we do every year at the end of the year contact all of our vendors asking them to send us invoices. Anything that'll be outstanding. Again, some vendors are better than others. Some we get a response right away. Sometimes we
get a response down the road. We unfortunately can't control what our vendors do besides potentially not contracting in the future, but we are getting better at making sure they're communicating to us and doing our due diligence on our side to make sure our end is in compliance to everything. >> Here's way here's one way we can control
them. We have a set timeline or when invoices are be are to be submitted. If they don't submit them in that time, they're gonna get paid because they provided the service, but they can't get a renewed contract. >> And Peter, maybe we can have the timeline after contract is finished
within a month, within two months or 3 months, the invoices should be submitted something like that we can come up. >> So, so normally we require most vendors to invoice us every 30 days. >> Okay. >> Right. That way, not just to your point, the end of the contract, but we know up
until the end of the contract, they're staying within the parameters of their contracts. And I will say 90% of our vendors do a good job with that. Again, unfortunately, some things are just not always where they should be. And you know, we have to pay those because we have a contract with them. They've committed to services, so they are owed
compensation. Um, but again, to your point, Councilman, we don't always have to renew. And that's up to the council. the council feels that there are vendors that are not providing the information as quickly to us or not getting back to us as quickly. You know, you're well within your right to determine whether or not you want to take a different court.
>> Maybe just today we are getting all 10%. >> Oops. >> I lost my Z's been waiting for a second. Just how late would an invoice have to be for us to them to have forfeited their legal ability to collect
>> allow the corporation council to correct me but usually the end of the contract statute of limitations I think is six years seven six >> so if they have a long time okay six or seven years and that and that's statutory or is this something that is baked into
>> that's right there could be case by case specifics but that's the general rule Okay. In the state of New Jersey. Okay. Thank you. >> So, this is essentially uh we're amending the contract with them because they spent more than we told them we'd pay them, right?
>> Correct. So, we had a contract not to exceed $200,000. But again, the unique thing here, not to make an excuse for them, but the way the bonds work is they're paid a percentage of what the bond sale is. So we sell more like we've been anticipating
anticipating we're going to sell x amount of bonds which would be no more than $200,000. If we then sell more than that that automatically increases how much they receive because we asked them to do more than what we originally contracted them for. >> So the disson part is if we are going to
do a bond sale and we know they are getting paid contingent upon how much we sell. we know how much their money is going to be and we should have encumbered originally more that $200,000 or not asked them to do the sale for above that $200,000. >> So that's only part of their contract. They also issue they send they send us
invoices for legal work done on an hourly basis too, right? So So my my question is is any part of the $17,000 part of legal work? >> No, it's completely only two bond sales. >> So it's just the two bond sales? >> Yes.
I mean, Wins is a nationally recognized law firm. So, so did they notify us that they were going to go above and beyond the contract, the allotted amount, and if so, when? I can hear you. Peter Peter say he's not sure yet. Thanks, Peter.
I I share Councilman Gilmore's concerns. We're uh at some point we have to stick to the budgeted amount for for services that we're requesting of our vendors. there's some other law firms on this uh agenda that we're giving them a contract. If they're to exceed that,
well, that's probably a problem for us with a with a budget deficit. >> My question is that what was the work done under the contract? >> So, they actually participate in discussions. They have to review all the legal documents. They have to uh
finalize the official statements. So they actually do a lot of work involved between starting the negotiations up until the bond sale. >> Councilman Lavar, >> the way I'm reading this, this is like a claim with an extension. My
misreading that because it says outstanding invoices and the budget account begins with a five, which I assume means that's 2025. Can you verify? >> Right. So this is for 2025, but the money is there. We did budget for it.
It's just increasing. And the PO >> we we did budget for it. >> We It is in our budget line item >> for 2025. >> 2025. So the amount was there for 2025. >> We just didn't just didn't increase the the contract amount,
>> right? >> Okay. So So there there are no invoices attached. I know you're you're telling us what the what was what was done. Um, can we get I would request copies of the invoices. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah.
>> Um, I would like to see those, too. >> Same same thing. Um, Shirley, just send it to uh the clerk and he'll circulate to the entire council. >> I I have a question for corporation council. Um, given that the contract said not to exceed $200,000
and given that they did not notify us that they were going to go over that, what legal obligation is there for us to pay them beyond the $200,000 given that
they violated the contract? >> Well, I'll just flag that first. It's not clear that they didn't notify us. That sounds like a question that the administration is going to run down. In the event they didn't, we can get you something before Wednesday. >> Okay. Um, thank you. Yeah, if if they if
they did not notify us, I would be interested in learning what our legal obligations were and and whether you think we are required to vote yes on this. >> I just have one more statement and request from the BA's office. Um, so the
we just had the budget briefings. Um, and thank you for for briefing us on that. Um, the the fund balance, I don't have it in front of me this time with the the annual financial statement, but somewhere in the realm of like $41 million. Uh, 21 million of it is uh um
cash. Um, and so there's a a conversation about how much of this um do we carry from 2025 to 2026. Um, my question to the BA and the finance office is when account number 05 like this is listed here, we were given a
number for the annual financial statement which I believe I guess closes December 31st, 2025 for that annual financial statement um, which is the end of our calendar fiscal year. So then um, this money that's being drawn down from
that, is it being drawn from that cash fund balance? um and and therefore do we then decrease that number that we saw in the briefing which was a a $41 million and $21 million cash balance is it in fact less because of all the draw downs
we've made from January 1st to today's date um with these balances and I just it's just a yes or no on that >> unfortunately I don't think it's a yes or no response um I'd have to check for the specific account but it depends on the account some accounts If we overfund
them, meaning there's more money in there than we spent for the entire year, which I think might be for this account, then the money can get drawn down in the future, and not get counted towards that fund balance. However, other accounts that are consolidated, like if we have cash surplus or things of that nature,
that would carry over to the next year. So again, it would depend on the account. And that's why you see sometimes we'll do the um consolidations where we take money that was not spent in let's say HR or DPW or whatever else and move it somewhere else. That's to cover any accounts that did not have enough money in it to cover whatever
bills might be outstanding for those years. Um it sounds like from what said this account probably has additional money into it. So we did not need to close it out and you know use any funds from the surplus or any additional money. Um but I'll double check to make sure that's sure. Yeah, please check. Um, actually, I'm
going to bet it's coming from the same same pot of money and uh um and and yes, that money was set aside, but it's part of that annual financial statement. It's the carryover money, the rainy day fund um that we may or may not use in our 2026 budget. Um I'm going to push for us
to use as much of it as we can. And um that's the position I'm going to take because I think that's going to well I think it's bad fiscal practice as a general rule. and we want to be able to carry money over to the next uh budget cycle. Um I'm going to start making the argument that I think we need to use it
now because um if we're looking at a $254 million budget deficit, um we're going to need to be able to um this this is the rainy day that we need to to use to to deplete those dollars in order to spare the taxpayers again that
pain um with this budget. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Health and Human Services offer. >> Good afternoon, Council President, members of city council. HHS Food and Nutrition has one item for your consideration this evening. Resolution
26251, item number 10.11. This is a resolution authorizing the Jersey the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services to accept the 2026 summer food service program grant from the New Jersey Department of
Agriculture in the amount of 392,6014. These funds will be used to feed uh more than 3,000 uh school children grades K through 12 throughout the months of July and August. >> Questions?
>> Yes. Um, so good to see you again. Um, these these grants, so are there they coming out of different times? Cuz we see you every week. >> Oh, you will see me every week. >> And and like you know, so it's like
are they coming out in small batches? Like what what >> these are for individual programs. So for this one, this covers just summer food service program. We have uh seven programs. So, you're going to see me throughout the year. >> All right. Got you. >> Yes. These these are for
um the summer like the summer fun camp. I remember the camps used to be in the schools, but now I guess they're all over. >> Yeah. We're kind of a parallel program. We're not We don't really cover the schools. We're more like daycarees, boys and girls club, and we peak at about 58 sites. I think we discussed when we did
the carryover uh award a few meetings ago, but yes. >> Yeah. But I know initially when I was in wreck um we would have simmer programs in like 2217 and these were the meals that we would serve those this is a reimburseable grant right yeah >> because I remember they made us take
>> that's that's what we're monitoring that everything goes according to plan we get reimbured and >> make sure we get our credit for the disallow >> Absolutely. We >> are you an okay >> yeah we have our program manager in three seasons to to manage this entire process to make sure that everything is
run according to >> okay >> I forget if we discussed this last time but we have that that 58 sites um are we planning on trying to expand the number of sites and maybe even expand the number of >> we may we may grow this year 58 is what we had last year we've gone up every
year and if the last year's award was less than this so I think I think the department of agriculture is also expecting us to to grow. So yes, we anticipate that that number will grow this year. >> And how do sites get chosen? >> They they apply. It's open to to to
sites. So we promote it and uh it's open for as long as everybody, you know, you every site has to have a site monitor as we talk about reimbursements and proper processes. But yes, that if as long as they they follow the guidelines, they can apply. >> Can you please send that over to the
clerk? And we would love as a city council office. Absolutely. >> So we can expand sites in more D. That'd be great. >> Sure. >> And thank you. >> Oh, for one more question. I'm sorry. Who who provides the meals? >> Uh, currently we have we we have a an a
previous RFP that I will bring to you for potential renewal. It's currently Witson's Food Service. >> Say that again. Winston >> Winston's Food Service. Correct. >> Winston Food Yeah. service. >> I love the fact that you're always bringing the grants for approval. Yes.
And I will be continuing. >> You're always welcome here. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Peter Vincent, acting director of recreation and youth development. >> Good afternoon, city council. And
Pete Vincent. Um, I am the mayor's, uh, selection for director of recreation. Uh, here today to answer any of your questions that you may have and also just to speak a little bit about myself if I have a few minutes to do so. Um, as
most of you know, uh, 42 years old, Jersey City resident of over 30 years. Um, my background is in education and in youth development. um spent the majority of my life working with youth uh at the high school level
and the collegiate level and more recently in Jersey City. Over the last 5 years, uh I've worked for a nonprofit organization called United uh where we serviced youth as young as kindergarten all the way up until 12th grade.
For me, that's probably been the proudest moment of my life. It wasn't winning a county championship as a high school basketball coach. Um, it wasn't winning numerous championships at the college level at New Jersey City University. It's been working with this
program. More recently, conversations I had with teachers from PS23 regarding one of their students in the school and how he has transformed as a young man uh who was a problem in the classroom to a young man who is now
going to attend Hudson Catholic High School and graduate at one of the top 10 kids in his class and who's changed the landscape of his classroom. um is one of the proudest moments and I'm so very excited to say that I took
that young man and six others from Jersey City to Orlando in July to represent Jersey City and bring back a world championship title as the top seventh grade team in the country representing Jersey City. And
I've my experience and my opportunity has been centralized or limited to my program. And all I want to do is be able to afford those same opportunities to our city to the ranging from W A
where I'm from born and raised in W A to W B C D E and F. And I'll finish off with this. You know, as a coach, sometimes we focus on wins and losses. Um
my proudest moment coaching or right before the game when I meet the other coach and we shake hands and we say good luck and the coach says to me, "Where are you guys from?" I say, "We're from Jersey City." Because I know that's going to set the
tone for my young men and for the young women in our program, too, on their performance. And when we walk out of there with wins, it's it's good to hear the other team go, "Well, those guys and those girls from Jersey City really left an impact on us today." So that's what I
want. That's what I strive for. And you're going to get my best energy, my best effort every single day so that our kids and our parents and everyone in our community can say when they meet people at an airport or at a summer camp or in
college, Jersey City. >> Questions. >> Mr. Mr. Vincent, could you also talk to your experience uh from the for the park side of things and the parks and facilities sides of uh of the position?
>> Yeah, absolutely. So, at New Jersey University, I got my first real experience um overseeing facilities both indoor and outdoor. Uh we did not have turf at at NJCU and they still do not have turf. Um, so my direct connection
in parks or in a park type setting would be working with different vendors and facility operators and my grounds crews at maintaining those fields and those indoor facilities, working with different contractors and and obtaining RFPs uh for different things that we
needed repaired or fixed or added to those facilities that we've had. Uh, now my current role as the director of athletics at New Jersey City University, we do have turf. So, I've worked with a whole different um group of vendors and learned a lot more about uh turf and the
different types of turf and um the pros and cons to having that and the difference that um those contracts the significant uh differences that those contracts uh contain, but also the difference in financial upkeep between
the two. So, uh I I have been educated more recently on those things and um have a good point of comparison uh and in a comparative analysis on both turf and grass fields. Uh in terms of indoor facilities, so definitely oversaw uh our
indoor facilities, our top um John J. more Athletic Fitness Center on 110 Culver Avenue in Jersey City for 14 years. Uh, and worked with different individuals, electricians, plumbers, uh, you name it, HVAC companies on on just the upkeep of that facility as well. So,
um, you know, lighting and things. So, when you talk about parks, you know, I know we're going to have to tap into those vendors and we do have groups uh in our city and different departments in our city um that we we can utilize to uh upkeep those parks.
>> Yeah. Quick follow-up question if that's okay. Uh to what extent would you look to bringing more of that work inhouse because we contract out a lot of work um to take care of our parks to third parties. um to what extent yeah would you want to kind of lead the department
toward more in-house staffing for that kind of maintenance and things? Yeah, that's a great question and I think that um will be spoken to in my first 30 days because that period of time is just the listening and the assessing of what resources we do have to see what our
capacities are for doing things in house uh in comparison to outsourcing them and we do look you know limited budgets that I've worked with in the past the number one importance is how do we handle this on our own first and and limit spending um so that's what I will try to maxim
optimize as as much stuff we can get done in house as possible. But we do know with the ever changing landscape of technology um we might be h be behind the eightball on some of those things and we might have to outsource and we might not have a choice. >> Council want to
call you Pete. >> Sure. >> Thank you. Our meeting was great and I love the presentation you had with your vision. Um my campaign promise was after school programming and my work has been all about families for 16 years and this
is something I'm pretty passionate about. You know the ideas you suggested things we can move forward they were great but certain things in different neighborhood has different requirement. I would love to work uh hopefully soon with you on that programming overall um
just not for summer just going you know throughout the year. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> The youth busy like trade skills and other things we talked about. >> Yeah. And I think it's just about meeting our community where they are and listening and assessing what those needs are and every community is going to be
different and and just being able to assess what those needs are. And then I think the most important thing too is to uh you know study those and provide data and analytics and SWAT analysis for every program that we run so that we're making sure that we're improving our
programming as we're progressing through the years. >> Yeah. And especially our youth have so much potential so we can use that. But the presentation was really impressive and you know hopefully we'll see the results soon. So thank you. >> Thank you.
questions. >> Yeah. Um, thank you, acting director. Um, I I appreciated our meeting. I I um was impressed with your qualifications, but I actually had some questions that I thought of after our meeting. Um, and
you know, I wanted to kind of get your honest opinion on this. Um, so I I have a you know, I'm going to have a few questions, a question and some follow-ups. Um, I recognize that Liberty State Park is a state park. Um, however,
um, you know, certainly many people within Jersey City have voiced their opinions on it throughout the years. Um, in an ideal world, what what would be your vision for the future of Liberty State Park? >> Um, I'll preface my answer by saying when I was in first grade, I was a
Philadelphia Eagles fan, and it wasn't until I was educated by my family that I quickly switched over to being a New York Giants fan. Um, so, so with that being said, I think for me it's learning more about that park and
learning more about um what the future of that park can hold for our children, for for the kids in our community. Um, and and for me it it it's a park that anyone who's grown up in Jersey City has either went to for a
Fourth of July celebration or a barbecue or a picnic or ridden their bike through um or played kickball in or or done a wide variety of different things in uh most recently I was there with my family and we were there for a picnic last
summer. So, um, but I do also know as as a citizen and a a community member that there are parts of that park that are lackluster that do need to be made contemporary and and improved. Um,
so listen, I I I don't think it's a secret to anyone in this room that we do not have an indoor recreation facility in in the second largest city in the state. We don't have one. Uh, so for me, um, that's I mean we have never had one.
So I mean I don't know if that's like Mount Everest of accomplishments um or if that's something that may never happen, but I think our community does deserve it and need it desperately. Um, wherever that facility may be, it may be
whether it's in W A or it's in W E. Um, we just need one. Um, and you know there are there is a lot of space in Liberty State Park, especially now where the Daily News used to be and all those warehouses and facilities. I don't know if that's ever been explored, but like I said, I need to be educated on those
conversations and those things so I can be a part of the advocacy for adding them. Um, do have a lot of fields in Jersey City. We do have a lot of soccer fields. We do we have a lot of basketball courts. We we do pretty good with those. Um, maybe we need some
cricket fields. Maybe we need some flag football specific areas uh for the young men and women in our community. It's the fastest growing and uh sport in the country. So, um that's important to me. But in in regards to Liberty State Park
alone, I would just love to be educated more on the capabilities that that space has. >> Thank you. Um the current D plan for the park has over 50 acres of active recreation such as sports fields like you mentioned. Um it also um
incorporates uh uh remediation in many parts of the park that require it. Um and it also maintains um a large amount of passive recreation for for walking, for picnicking, for riding a bike, etc. Um,
does that sound like some like a like a um like something that you would support? >> So, respectfully, uh, councilwoman, can we stick to the what would be under his scope as Liberty State Park isn't under the purview of the city and I know some
of the other council people have a few questions. Did we kind of take the Liberty State Park conversation offline? >> No. Um, respectfully, um, my reason for bringing this up is because that, um, he has worked with the Hurley Family Foundation for three years. And, um,
Coach Hurley has been a very vocal, um, and active, um, organizer in what is called the People's Park Foundation, which is funded by billionaire Paul Fireman, who owns Liberty National Golf Course.
>> The question is, is he affiliated with that organization? >> I I I am getting there. Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. Well, I have volunteered for them. It's no secret. Um >> Yeah. >> Uh I believe Coach Hurley is also a Boston Celtics fan, too, and I am not a
Boston Celtic. So, uh all of his affiliations are not mine. Um I I am a self-thinking individual, but you know, to to what you spoke about on the park, what is the opportunities that are granted to us as a municipality to use
that park? So, I mean, we could be having a mute conversation here if we never are granted the access to that space or if we are, are we going to have to pay for it as a rental fee like we do already for the Jersey City Armory? So, like I said, I would just love to be
educated more on those opportunities and that space. >> Um, okay. Thank you. Yeah. Um, if I could just have a couple more minutes. I'm sorry. um if um the the um LE State Park revitalization plan that has over 50
acres of active recreation as well as a substantial amount of passive recreation. Did I I'm sorry if I missed it. Did that sound like something you could support or or you want to look more into? >> Well, yeah. I would love to just know like does that mean it's a resource for our community and our department? Like
is that what that means? Bec >> it could be. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay, >> that's great. >> Um, >> you're getting set up, my friend. Um, >> wait. Um, >> in fairness, in fairness, he's getting set up. So, >> um, sorry. >> It's a setup, Elena.
>> It's It's not a setup. >> He's he he just he's already expressed that he's not really not familiar with the the subject at hand. And uh um in all fairness, I just think it's uh not a a line of questioning that's uh it's not
that it's not relevant. Um anyway, >> I'm just letting you know, Mr. Vincent, that uh >> Well, like I said, I just want to be educated more on a subject matter because I I I don't think I can speak fully to that point >> and that is fair and I I actually I
contest the um the accusation that this this is a setup. Um I I have one final question. Is that in your work with Coach Hurley um have have you ever been involved in um in advocacy surrounding Liberty State Park in any way, shape or
form? Because I know while he has a stellar legacy in basketball, um you know, I I think many of us would contest um his you know, his vision for Liberty State Park. And I just wanted to know in your work with the Hurley family foundation whether you had been involved in any matter m man m man m man m man m
man m man m man m man m man m man m man m man m man m man m man m man m man m man m man m manners surrounding Liberty State Park. >> I think four years ago I attended an event at the railroad terminal where the two options were presented to the community and I attended that as a member of the interested community.
>> Yeah. >> Um I got a um I just want to make a statement. Um um one I don't think the the council woman's questions are out of place or potential cohesion or or
anything. I think that it's reasonable to have these questions to see if there are affiliations because you know things are hot topics and we have to make decisions based upon the information that's that's available. Um and I I
would I would even hate to think that my colleague will embark on such in such a journey any of them. Um but um I will I don't have a question per se. Um I know Pete I'm familiar with the work that he
do. Um and my statement it's no it's no knock to Pete. It's no knock to your accomplishments or anything like that. My statement is essentially that um for me when I'm evaluating
um recreation and just so the record reflects recreation is the most near and dearest position in the entire city to me because I wholeheartedly believe that it's better to build strong men than to
repair older men. Um so it's very instrumental to me. I've worked in recreation for I don't know 12 years. You can say I volunteered. I was literally making 30ome thousand dollars a year working upwards of 50 something
hours a week because I love recreation. And I say all that to say that my support for this position is is Tommy Best. Um all things equal. The resumes check both candidates. Um, but for me,
I'm looking at not necessarily as one is if one is qualified, I'm looking for the best qualified candidate. Um, and I know and understand that there's a certain nuances to working for municipal
government. It's not just like recreation, you know, you go, you start a lead and you run sports, right? It's navigating municipal government, understanding relationships with the board of ed, school principles, and things of that nature. Um, and we've had
this conversation last year when then Councilman Solomon, before he was mayor, um, we talked about the need to promote people from within. I don't even know the last time recreation had a director
promoted from within. And then we've seen instant after instant, new director, new director, new director, new director, new new director. Um, and last time I checked, the the definition of insanity is the constantly keep doing
the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Um, so for me, I'm looking at all of Mr. Best's internal knowledge, how you guys call it, propri, what is that? proprietary information, right? Um he he was placed
in that infrastructure. He's worked in several roles. So for me, that's who I'm supporting. That's who I stand by. I supported Mr. Best via resolution last year sometime because we seen a few
things with regards to the last administration. There was no diversity as it relates to directorships. someone that was working for recreation, we felt that they needed a chance to run the department. Um, so for me, those
principles still remain. Um, I did support Councilman Salomon for mayor, but my allegiance to which supersedes any relationship that I have with anybody. Um, so I just wanted, you know, that to reflect on the record and, you
know, that's who my support is for. I believe that Tommy Best is the best person for the job for reason that I previously laid out. >> Just letting you know that we never saw his resume. So >> you never see his resume.
>> I did not receive any email from him or but I still have um a question for Peter. Um last meeting we had seen couple of people from the community talking about Mr. best um and he has been involved that I know. So going
forward, what is the position uh for him? We have >> So Mr. Best was offered the director of community development role for recreation. Um it's a role that he has accepted and would be starting later this weekend. Uh the role to reports
directly to the deputy mayor, uh Dia Bryant in this case, who is in charge of recreation, school, and all those kind of activities for the mayor's office. Um, it's a role where really it's going to leverage a lot of Mr. Best's most important qualities. You know, as the councilman said, he's connected to the
community. He say has deep roots in the community and organizations in the community and can really be that bridge if missing not just in the south side of the city but all over the city where groups and community groups are not getting connected to a lot of recreation opportunities that the city has and a lot of the um nonprofit partners and
local businesses and other sponsors that we're missing out on by not someone who has that touch to connect with those individuals um to the city and to the resources that we have. Um you know it's something that the administration is really excited about. Uh we can't wait to have Mr. best down there and leverage his connections through the mayor's
office directly and make sure that you know uh at the highest level those things are being looked at and being valued and kind of perpetuated by the city um to sure you know like I said not just the southside but all the city and every child in the city is getting all the opportunities that they deserve and the community is getting the
opportunities they deserve. >> Thank you so much Peter. So congratulations to Mr. Best if he's watching the meeting. >> Was was that a new title? Was was that a new position created or existing position? >> That was a position to created to
leverage the fact that we needed to have more community involvement in a lot of the recreation programs and show that communities getting the connection and resources to uh you know really be a part of the programs that existed but may have been under acknowledged and undervalued >> and that position is within the
department of recreation or a different different uh division. It's going to be operating in the department of recreation but reporting to the deputy mayor. >> That's my question. It's a position within recreation that bypasses the director of recreation
>> and we the deputy mayor can't in any case order any department director to do anything. So we bypass the director and still report through the director but they have a direct contact to the mayor's office. >> What's the salary range for this newly
created position? That's it. There we go. In this case, this hour range would be a base of $100,000. >> New money that would didn't exist in the last budget. >> Always positions that we could consolidate to create the vacancy for. So, there's vacancies in the department.
We can consolidate some of those vacancies so there's not a budget impact for that position. >> Can you can you send me that before Wednesday, please, Peter? >> Sure. >> Thank you. Any other questions for Mr. Vincent? >> I have some questions. Hi, Mr. Vincent.
>> How you doing? >> Um, so, so you have a strong background in athletics and youth basketball. Um, as you discussed with me, recreation is a broader portfolio. Um, the seniors, aquatics, um,
uh, recreation for disabil people with disabilities, arts programming. um can you speak to that a little bit and just share your thoughts about how you would address those areas? >> Yeah, absolutely. Thank you for those questions because uh I I did want to speak on those today. So, uh Pete Amado is a great friend of mine. He's actually
the director of recreation in Bayon and the transformation that that department has made since his tenure took place. It it literally has gone from uh you know, worst to first. Um and so him and I had had numerous conversations about um some
lowhanging fruits in both of our towns. And um he has championed uh the facility increase and creation of facilities for those children with special needs. And I know our community does not have that right now and there that is a pain point
for our community. Um, so I've talked to Pete and he's helped me identify different opportunities and partnerships and grants where we can potentially bring those facilities to our city in the near future. It's going to take some time uh some some, you know, uh, grant
writing, but I'm really confident that we we have the space to do it. Uh, we will have to work with the board of education to reallocate some space down at Caven Point that is underutilized for for that facility. Um, but I'm excited to even just get started working on
that. Uh, and in terms of senior programming, uh, we're looking at New Jersey City University's indoor facility to maximize that again as the hub for senior programming in the mornings, uh, and in the midday, uh, because that was
a thing in the past and I was directly connected to that as the liaison for New Jersey City University and the senior swim program, the senior spinning program, the senior fitness program. So now with that facility's daily usage
completely decreasing to only two programs which will be women uh women's wrestling and men's basketball. Um I'm excited at the opportunity for us as a city to reallocate funds and rental funds to New Jersey City University to
not only provide senior programming but uh evening indoor programming and use that as an indoor facility for the community. Um I I just want to piggy back on what Councilman Efos was talking about with regard to facilities and and park space
and so forth around that. Um you talked about that there's no indoor recreation facility. Um we we the city when I was on the council, I don't know if it's changed since then, um but we used to lease out the armory. Um not our facility, state facility, right? Um and
then as you talked about NJCU and the aquatics, um can you talk about what your thoughts are about um we would shell out upwards of over my last recollection was over 250,000 annually um for uh the armory and I used
to say we could build something like with that that kind of money that we're throwing out there. Um if you can give me your thoughts about that and other facilities um here in Jersey City. By the way, Wednesday I'm going and maybe some of my colleagues on the council are joining me
at St. Peters University. We'll be cutting the ribbon on a new indoor turf facility over there as well. And they they've talked about using that for the general public or or to the um making it available as well. So, can you just talk about that as well as how other groups
um not within the recreation program but the folks like the uh you know private independent private nonprofit independent organizations like the Washington Capitals, the uh basketball
leagues and others um will be able be able to utilize or how you would prioritize access to fields and facilities here in Jersey City? >> Yeah. So, that's a great question. I think um there's that's like a three-part answer, right? So the first part is if you think about all of the
money that we've spent over the past decade and a half on renting the armory, we could have built the facility and paid it could have paid for itself twice over by now. >> Yeah. >> Right. So that's um I mean that's a head scratcher right now
for all of us who've been directly connected to youth programming. Uh the second part of it is uh we we were actually on a barter system with New Jersey City University in terms of facility usage. So we would get to use uh Caven point turfield at no cost and
senior programming would come into our indoor facility at no cost. So there was a barter system there. So I would utilize as many barter barter systems as possible uh throughout the city um to make sure we have programming for everyone that that needs it. And I think
the third part is to look into those uh third parties, right? The nonprofit organizations um that can afford to rent the facility and that can work with the city to provide programming. Uh so what we did at United was we identified space like
Hudson Catholic High School or St. Peters Prep's gym and what we would do is we would do one hour of free clinics for the community and then we would have our practices uh following that. So we'd be able to provide something for the community and obviously we would we
would uh use that as like tax writeoff stuff. So we could work with uh nonprofits in that space as well. I I there's more than one solution to that problem. Um but I think the other part of it too is to foster and repair the
relationship with the board of education in Jersey City and starting with vice principles and principles. um my credibility as an educator and as someone who is a youth coach uh that many principles and teachers know and have seen uh the impact I've had on
their the their their students I think will go a long way in those conversations and I'm very confident and optimistic that we can get some of those u schools on back on board like Councilman Gilmore was talking about when he said you know we went from x
amount of facilities in the summer to one or two or I think last summer they were outside the entire time. So in inclement weather, you know, there there were issues. So I'm very eager to um begin those communications.
>> So council members, um I believe you all have had your one-on ones with Mr. Vincent and you have his contact information. We still have over 10 directors and uh staff members to get through. I I know that Councilman Brooks has a question, so I'm going to allow
Councilman Brooks and I would ask that everyone else take their conversations offline. I understand the need to show the public that we are asking questions and get them their right information, but we do have a lot to get there tonight and we have three other directors to stand before us.
>> I'm sorry if I have long-winded answers. My >> No, that's fine. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam President. Um, acting director, how are you? >> Good. That's not my one question, though. Um, so, um, I appreciated our conversation
last week. Um, and you know, since then, I've done a little bit of thinking around the park section and, um, I hope that you have a productive conversation with the Jersey City Parks Coalition. um they have a lot of uh very deep
knowledge, policy knowledge, lived experience around fighting to protect green space in Jersey City. Um and so I just wanted to ask um if you had any familiarity with the Skyway uh conserv um and if not I could just speak a
little bit about it. It is a is it a it is a parcel um on one and nine. Um, it is there isn't current connectivity to Lincoln Park, but the vision, the dream is to have a greenway that goes all along the Hackinack River. Um, so that's
a park that is um in our possession, but uh underutilized, doesn't even it's like unutilized. Um, could you talk about uh your thoughts uh on that parcel? >> Yeah, I'm actually very familiar with
it. I was running back there one day and got hit almost got hit with a golf ball. Um, so yeah, I'm very familiar with that space and and and thinking about the the capabilities that it has. Um, very excited to expand upon them and listen to those members of the community and uh
the coalition to making that space even better than it currently is. But I have been down there. I played golf there. So maybe I have also hit people with golf balls um because I'm not that good. Um, however, I've also utilized that space for um running and and just walk dog walking and you know uh pushing my son's
stroller through that area as well. So, very familiar with it and excited to hear more about it. Okay. And then last question. Um, the county does provide uh free soccer and free soccer and tennis summer camps in Lincoln Park. Um, and I
know it's a very short runway, but I wanted to see if you could uh what your thoughts are, your plans are for a free summer camp uh south of Communa. It's a wide range, a lot of parks there. >> That that hits home because that's where I'm from. I'm from south of Communa and
there's really nothing right now. So, for me, it's tapping into individuals. We have a lot of amazing um student athletes in college coming home for the summer that can come back and just be guest speakers and and get involved and and give back and donate
time to the community and and speak to these uh young men and women in our communities and and and I think it's one of the lowhanging fruits right now and it's something that we can do. I know summer camps are right around the corner so I'm sure there's already a plan in place. I'm not sure if there's much
wiggle room with that plan, but I would love to see it and see how we can maybe make some adjustments to that. >> Thank you. I'm a union guy. I don't want to see people work for free, but if they're willing willingly volunteering, >> I'll take it. Thank you. Thank you so
much, council. Appreciate your time. >> Thank you, Director Richardson. Good evening, council. I have actually I I wrote down 3.2 as an item, but when I relooked at it, I see that I have 3.1 as
well as 3.2. Um, these two items were submitted by the uh Councilman Ephros's uh office. So, and so I want to say he actually sent me an email last Thursday just to put it on my radar and just to give us an opportunity to see if we had any concerns. Unfortunately, I was out
of the office last week, so I didn't get a chance to look at it till today. But I do want to go on record and say thank you, uh, Councilman just for even giving us the opportunity to look over it. Um, I have looked over 3.2, and both of them are just basic amendments. 3.2 is really just a a definition amendment that it
already goes in line with what our office is doing. Though I haven't had a chance to look at 3.1 in extensively, I have looked over it. And again, I just believe that these are two great amendments that would just help us to do what we're doing, but do it better. Uh, so I just wanted to say on the record that I just believe that both of these
were great suggestions and um, you have my full support. >> Thank you very much, director. Um, may I invite my legislative director to to speak a bit more about the ordinance? >> Okay, Zeke, do you mind coming up? >> It's about 3 >> 3.1 and 3.2.
>> 3.1 and 3.2. Yes. And again, I haven't had a chance to look extensively at 3.1. I'll check that in the morning. And so, if I have any other concerns, I'll uh voice that with you. >> Thank you. Yeah, director, if you don't mind, I'll have my legislative director also speak to these ordinances and >> absolutely >> the briefing. And thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, director. >> And thanks to corporation council for your feedback. Um I hope you got an email from us this afternoon incorporating amendments um pertaining to your suggestion. So, >> uh good evening everyone or good afternoon. Uh my name is Zeke Tech. I'm
the legislative director for Council Member Ephros Ward D. Um I just want to speak quickly to the motivation behind why we're uh introducing these uh pieces of legislation. We've heard from tenants
uh across the city that um these uh methods of calculating utility fees have been implemented in their buildings and there's a general lack of transparency around how uh they're being charged and we in the course of re doing re
conducting our research on this meth meth uh matter we found that um there are a number of uh precedents across the country for cities and states regulating rubs either banning them outright or requiring mandatory uh and transparent
disclosure to tenants um in lease agreements. So that's what these uh two ordinances mainly pertain to. Um the amendment to 218 deals with that specifically. Uh but the amendment to 260 as well is a clarification. Um just making it explicitly clear that uh
included in rent is the the cost of utilities. However they are calculated. um it was already sort of implicitly implied by the definition uh in 260 but we wanted to make that more explicitly clear. So um yeah that's that's been the main motivation here with these two pieces.
>> Thank you very much >> questions. Thank you for doing it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you Councilman. >> Absolutely. >> Obviously happy to talk between now and Wednesday and then after the first introduction hopefully is successful. Happy to discuss more with council
colleagues going forward. City Assessor's Office. Brian Tinko. Members, this is item 10.3 26 243, I believe, and it's a resolution regarding
exemptions from taxation for veterans who have been determined by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs to meet the quala qualifications for 100% service related disability. And we reviewed those cases as required by law in the assessor's office. The resolution
authorizes the city tax collector to refund, credit, or cancel portions of the 2026 taxes for the doiciles of 11 veterans in Jersey City for the number of months since their determination was issued. The veterans names and tax
amounts are attached to the revolution resolution and that's about it. >> Questions? >> Hooray. Yes, that's a great >> How is eligibility determined? >> Uh, this veterans department of veterans affairs determines that
>> the US Department of Veterans Affairs. >> I'm sorry. >> US Department of Veterans. >> Yeah, the US Department of the Federal Government determines it. Sends it to us. We make sure the property is a one family, two family, what part they're allowed to exempt. >> Gotcha.
>> That's all required by the statute. So, >> it goes up to it. It covers up to a two family only. >> Well, if it's a two family, then half of it is. >> Well, if it's a three family, then a third. >> A third. >> Oh, four family. >> That's how it works. Yeah. >> Off. Okay. >> Yep. They get a portion of it. So, that
part we check their eligibility is the federal government's responsibility. >> Thank you for for this. I just wanted to um raise for the record. I spoke with the mayor's administration about this end of last week. Um there's a a family, I don't know how widespread these kinds
of cases are, but there's a a family in uh the western slope um who has been a they've been homeowners for 30 years. >> I think I heard about that. 128 Columbia. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. There's a veteran's property tax deduction at that home um before they
even moved in 30 years ago. And so they've had that present throughout their entire time there. They never signed up for it. and then they are now being asked to pay remittances um to the city for property tax to make up for a property tax deduction that was
mistakenly applied to them that they never even asked for. I just wanted to get a sense of, you know, what our >> that's the uh $250 a year deduction for that's not the same as these 100% disability,
>> but yeah, $250 a year similar to what senior citizens at a certain income level also receive $250 off of their taxes. >> And that money goes is paid by the state to us and every now and then they do an audit,
>> right? And if they decide it hadn't been removed, then they want it back for in this in your case, I think 10 years. It was all of a sudden. >> Yeah. They I mean homeowner for 30 years, but 2017 to 2025 is >> Yeah. We're going to be much more careful looking at those when there's a
deed. And I know it does appear on the tax bill, but people don't fine tooth comb their tax bill. >> Yeah. >> So they don't know about it and Yeah. All of a sudden they get that. I'll just I'll just ask the administration if we can work on this case together to make sure that um can hopefully make this
family whole and uh at least avoid these. >> Yeah, we'll see what we can do. I'm sorry about that. >> No, thank you for the presentation. Just want to make sure that's um taken care of as much as possible. >> Other questions? >> Thank you. >> Thank you, council.
Matt, city planning. >> I'm here on two resolutions. Uh the first one, agenda item 10.41, resolution 26-281, a resolution of the Municipal Council of Jersey City, authorizing the Jersey City
Planning Board to study and prepare an amendment to the Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan. Uh this is following up on the the heels of a community meeting on April 7th, 2026. Uh there is a a zone in the Morris Canal
redevelopment plan called the Berry Lane Park North District or zone uh that has not seen redevelopment since it was reszoned in 2020. uh there is a presentation of the or a
PDF of the presentation given at that April meeting. We also did a survey um and a summary of the results are enclosed. There is a there is a new contract purchaser
um that is is or was interested um in the property. Uh cover letter uh from August of last year is enclosed as well. Um this is simply a resolution uh to uh seek permission for the
planning board to study amendments. Um this isn't the the end of public outreach. It's the beginning. um and uh formulating the potential amendments to come back before uh for city council in the form of an ordinance um after it
going to the planning board first >> questions. >> Hey Matt, um quick question um and correct me if I'm wrong. So, I guess Lou Martin um backed they backed Well, they're out. The new the new developer
that was slated to go there, they backed out as well. Is this who who's this study for? Is it a >> I don't know about that. Um someone told me that today, but that's was the first I heard about it today. >> That's not accurate or >> Oh, I I don't know.
>> Oh, okay. Well, I mean, I guess, well, for me, there's several things that are um striking about this. Um, one, the the removal of the clause for the rec center. Like, there has to be someone in mind if certain terms are looking to be
greetable. >> So, there is no language right now. >> Um, they they attached language. Um, but that is not the amendment that's before council. That's not the amendment necessarily being studied planning board,
>> but it's in there though. >> It's in what they submitted, but that's not necessarily what will be studied and presented to planning board or come back to council. >> Now, who's the they submitting this? Who's that group? >> The contract purchaser from this letter dated August 23rd,
2025. >> Is that the one? >> It might be. I don't I don't know the name on this. Uh, I'm assuming it's the last uh developer. >> Is this from the last meeting that we just had, Matt?
>> What? What? What in the package? >> We had a meeting on this about um >> you just mentioned we had a meeting in April where we took community feedback. >> And this is a And this is that developer. >> Um, this is this is not anything. It's a
permission to ask the council to study an amendment. >> Oh, I understand it. But we're studying it for a reason. We just didn't wake up one day and said, "Let's study this area." That's right. There's >> Who's the petitioner? >> So, >> petitioner is an LL I mean, as far as I
understand, it's NRP Properties LLC. >> They're under contract to acquire the property. >> That's my understanding. I The councilman said that there no longer are, and that's the first I heard of it today. >> So, >> I haven't received anything saying that they weren't. It could be. I don't know.
But similar to Matt, I haven't received anything saying that they weren't. They've met with the community several times. They were at the community meeting that we had in April. Um the community shared what they were looking to adjust from the current plan. Uh and
so we Matt agreed to reopen uh looking into this area of redevelopment to try to fit into what the community said they wanted at that meeting. When you say Matt agreed to open the administration has agreed to reopen the plan and just re to study it again.
>> Yeah. I was I was asked to attend a a meeting, give a presentation. >> It's been several years since the zoning was changed at the site. So I gave an overview of what the zoning at the site is now by law in the redevelopment plan.
I gave an overview of the proposal that we received in August of last year. Um, we did a survey on on community preferences about community benefits, timing, um, affordable housing, uh, whether or
not they like mixed use, and several other different, um, items that are, I think, nicely summarized into a two-page document, uh, maybe three-page document, um, that's enclosed in this resolution. Um
and this this is a resolution similar to many that we've we've been doing. Um this might be one of the first that uh this constitution of this council have seen. Um but uh it is asking for permission putting everyone on council
on notice so that um to anticipate an amendment possibly coming back. Yeah. >> Um, we do it because we want everyone on the council to know that, uh, what the planning board is doing is working on a an on amendment, working with doing public outreach, um, meeting with
council people in and around that area at large if necessary. Um, so that that that's why we do these resolutions. >> And just to be clear, before any amendment, it would have to come back before the council for >> That's right. And and it's also um
required as as the redevelopment law, the local housing redevelopment law. It's a state state law. It requires this process. It says the governing body shall authorize um or has the power to authorize the planning board to study revisions uh to a redevelopment plan.
>> I have a few questions if I may. >> Go ahead. Um, I recall this um the red redevelopment plan was amended when I was still on the city council. I think it was my final final year or two. I don't recall exactly what the timing was, but um
so so this is now this what what pro what w does this property sit in today? >> W A W It used to be W F, right? >> Correct. It sits in A. >> It sits in A. >> Okay. I'm just asking for my own clarification because it's changed since the last time
because it was ward F when I was on the council. So, um the could I get a copy of the the current amend um redevelopment um the zoning that applies to this? >> Yes. >> As you look to amend it?
>> Yep. Um and then the the second thing is um um >> I I'll just start with that. Just get a copy of it. That should be >> very good. >> Matt, I have a question. Um
so who's whose idea was it? Was it NRP or was it the community who is looking to remove the um Brex Center from this um this particular place and and not only
that um is it for for an exchange for something like more affordable housing or >> So we're not even at that step yet, Councilman. Uh we are studying the amendment. Uh we at the last community
meeting we had we went over the menu of community benefits that are required in the current zoning. Um we took a survey. It's one survey. There could be more outreach to take place.
um the results of that uh put what was a what's called a neighborhood commercial facility at the top and then affordable housing and rec center were were I think tied at two as being priorities from that group of folks that spoke up and
participated um at that meeting so I wouldn't say that the book is closed on a rec center here But that that uh more public outreach needs to take place
>> for the developer to even put that in his proposal to remove that. >> No, not to you guys. It's not to you. >> We are uh they wrote this proposal in August 2025. We are now in
>> Yeah. >> I think that the Just to provide a little context back in 2021, you know, as Councilman Labaro said, we were going back and forth with this in the community whether we wanted the rec center there. It was supposed to be like
a rec center, restaurant row, all these things and 17 stories, I believe it was. Um, there was some push back about that, about it being so high. There were some lawsuits, uh, etc. So, the owner of the property then went and found another
developer because the original project never came to fruition. He found another developer to do lower housing that wasn't 17 stories. Um, but it also didn't include any of the extra stuff. So, I think the purpose of the meeting,
well, I know the purpose of the meeting in April was to try to figure out what the balance was between the two projects and what the community wanted to see. And then that's when planning did the surveys of what was the most important to people and asked this new developer if he could accommodate some of what
were the most important things to people. So that is why they are looking to kind of re-evaluate this plan. They're not proposing to remove or add anything right now, but it is a conversation that needs to be had.
>> Correct me if I'm wrong on my little summation. >> I think that's a good summation. >> Okay, >> Matt. Um the the owner of this property prior to the 21 amendments uh who was the owner of the property? Was it public or is it private? >> The same owner now.
>> Same owner. Hasn't changed. >> Hasn't changed. So he's been waiting to develop. >> I guess a bigger question for the administration. Um, if we're really serious about Jersey City not having a rec center, initially before any
development was slated to go there, there was a proposal to turn that entire area into a rec center that was supposed to be adjacent to the park. Um, is that opportunity still available or have we
bypassed that opportunity or where we at? Am I even accurate in that assessment? I'm not aware of that, Councilman. I'd have to look more into it, but I can get your answer by Wednesday. >> I remember working for um recreation and Ryan Scrub was there and they were doing
a park um and those conversations had popped up as it relates to that um area. >> Any other questions? Okay, Matt, you have another one? >> I do. Uh, the next item on the agenda, 10.42,
resolution 26-282. Quite a long title here. Resolution of the city council of the city of Jersey City authorizing the planning board to investigate whether the property known as block 2604 lot 24 block 2901
uh lot 34 block 9705 lot 43 block 10803 lot 35 block 473 lot 2 block 18303 lot 27 block 196
603 lot 3 block someone's playing a joke on me block 23201 lot 8 and block 24002 lot 3 on the tax map of the city of Jersey city state of New Jersey for determination as an area need of
redevelopment with the power of condemnation pursuant to the local redevelopment housing law NJSA 40- 4012A-1 >> um this is a resolution to authorize the planning board to study these properties as an area need of redevelopment with
the power of condemnation. Um all of these properties were provided to uh the staff to prepare this resolution. They're from the apper list, the abandoned properties uh list. Um and uh there are tax maps that indicate the
block and the lot um that they are on. I apologize if they're a little small. Um >> there were pictures too >> and then there are pictures as well taken from Street View. Um the the uh the dates I'm not certain of but uh some
of them show the the uh that poor state that they are in um if they are still in fact current. >> Yeah. Um Matt, how do how do like what is the followup? because I see one property on here that actually has
permits that's being rehabilitated. Um I see another property on here um which I spoke with the owners. They're in the process of securing finance to do so is there followup with the owner of the property? Like how does this process?
>> Yeah. So this is the the beginning. Um what would come next is the uh staff would then go do site visits and write a report. Um some properties might be able to be removed in that that process and
left out of the designation resolution. Um when it comes back to city council, >> how do we like how do we decide who goes on this list? because I'm looking at a vacant property at 103 Claremont that I'm very familiar with. Um it was vacant
in around 10 years in Ward F. There's a property on Monosella that's been vacant since I was seven. So how do like how do we determine what properties go on this list and like what's that what how does that process look? >> These properties were given to us by the
Division of Housing Preservation. They're on the appro list >> on and that's the abandoned property list, right? >> Yeah. >> So, >> and Sabra is not on it. >> We got to work backwards. Who puts properties on the opera list?
>> Housing preserv division of housing preservation. >> Okay. >> But what would city do with these if we take the take it over? What are we going to do with these? >> Uh rehabilitate them. I think is the outcome that the city wants to >> affordable
>> potentially pursue. affordable housing. >> Yes, I think that that's that's home ownership. >> None of them. >> The intent from the administration would be to potentially utilize these properties to increase affordable housing, homelessness for, you know, uh people who are without, you know, homes
in the transient situation right now in their lives to see if we can build a better uh system around the city that incorporates all parts of the city to respond to some of these issues. >> Okay. So, just to be clear, that is the intent. Um just so the record can reflect um none of these properties will
go to personal developers being sold will be sold to personal developers. >> Seeing there we go that is not in the plan. No >> no I know but what I'm saying is a tent and outcome are two different things. Yeah I think you want to look at that.
Yeah, I think the issue would be is that without knowing the specific properties or anything, I don't want to give you a confirmation on exactly what will be happen to all of them. It's a very infant stage of the plans, but the plan in general is to use all the properties to support affordable housing,
homelessness. There might be some kind of contemplation where, you know, hey, if we use this property, we can then buy get more affordable units into other properties. So, I don't want to give the specifics yet. specific has been drawn out but the idea would be to use every single one of these properties to leverage them for affordable housing
or for you know transitive services to homeless individuals. >> So at that point the plan is to purchase them or to to have them condemn city take control and then transfer to the JC for determination. >> That's one way we're looking at doing
it. Obviously again very infant parts of the plan right now is a lot more to flush out. First thing is to, you know, identify these properties, ensure we can or can't use them, and then start working on a more comprehensive plan from there. >> Thank you, Matt. You got to look at 28 Magnolia. I understand there's a potential buyer who's interested in
doing something with that property. I could put you in contact with that individual before we I would like to do that before I vote to condemn the build to move to condemn the building on Wednesday. >> So, to do the study with the power of condemnation. I I know the process. Yeah. So yeah, this is the the study to
authorize or resolution to authorize a study. >> Once the study is completed, some of these properties could be left out of the designation resolution to put them into an area designated as for
redevelopment. >> Is there a way to condemn a property and take it without going through the redevelopment study process >> for public purpose? But I don't know if that's the intent here. Uh >> I mean the public purpose could be
public housing that we even even if we're partnering with private dollars in some way, but public housing being a public purpose around this. >> Um I don't know if that's technically public purpose. I would maybe look to corporation council on that.
>> Yeah, it's hospitals, schools, highways, roads. I I I just meant because 195 Baldwin sits within the redevelopment plan, Journal Square, and 28's right smack dab in the hilltop, which again, it has a brand new exterior with new windows. I just think there was a the
financing issue there. So, I would take a look at 28 Magnolia. >> And so, yeah, Matt, you're taking a look at all of these, right? Because this >> That's right. This is a resolution authorizing the planning board to investigate whether the properties listed here.
>> Is so is is there a fee associated with um investigating the process? Do we contact any third parties to pay for any services as it relates to >> uh I believe staff will be doing the study. >> Yeah. >> I mean so that's that's that's my issue.
time have identified one, I've identified two and we're wasting manpower on thing. I just it's an antiquated system, man. I don't know who's in charge of what checks and balances as it relates to communication, but it's antiquated. In fact, our city
gave one of these uh houses permits to build. So I doesn't like when you get permits to build on a vacant property, doesn't it trigger some internally to send to the people because it's no longer vacant
if they started to do the construction? >> Well, we'll certainly find that out in the study if it's authorized by city council. >> You don't have to. I'm riding right by watching people do construction. I'm looking at valid permits. like we're at
the site. In fact, me and Greg kids went to the site last year because it was an issue with I guess the this part of the house had uh look to be collapsing. And it's not a knock on you, Matt. I'm just saying that the process we have to
tighten up on processing. That's all I'm saying. >> I I will communicate the some of the properties that I've learned about 103 Claremont, 28 Magnolia. I will communicate >> I recommend theation
>> second look at this. >> I'll communicate it over to the division of housing preservation. Um I do not know how often they look at the roles for the apper list. >> Okay. So, Matt, when you if there are
any other uh properties on this list that council people want Matt to kind of look at before we vote, please send him that list so that if he needs to make changes before Wednesday, those can be done. >> Yeah, we can change the the resolution as well. So, it's totally fine.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Affordable housing. GG. Good evening, council. So, today is uh item number 4.1 um ordinance number 26-023. It's up for
a second reading. I was here uh at the last caucus. Uh there was a reformatting uh necessary so that the enforcement officer could actually write her violations appropriately. the enumeration is completely off. Uh and so with this vote, we'll be able to get the
coder to put in the municipal code properly. Any questions? >> Questions? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, director. >> We are going to make one little minor change. Uh, yes, there was a typo in the
ordinance and we're going to need an amendment to do that, but I'm pretty sure that amendment is not a substantial change to the ordinance and I'll ask our corporation council on Wednesday whether it is or not for the record. >> Correct. Uh, do you need to know now at
this time which what it was or you'll >> if you have it off the top of your head that would be great. I don't, but I can send it around to you and if you can send it around to everybody else. And uh my enforcement officer pointed it out last week. >> Of course.
>> AC Robert. >> Good afternoon, Madam President, fellow council members. Um, I'm coming up here with also the director of infrastructure considering uh this is for agenda item 1018, a resolution authorizing the renewal of a cooperation agreement with the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency to
further the goal of developing the Morris Canal Greenway. >> We're cooperating already. Um, this uh council members, this was an agreement that was in place, a three-year agreement that expired December 31st of 2025. Um, this is
really just an agreement that lets JC and the Department of Infrastructure on behalf of the city collaborate on advancing the Morris Canal Greenway. Um, as you may remember, we recently awarded a contract through a grant to advance some construction projects on a few
sections. Um, putting this agreement back in place will allow JC as the redevelopment agency as well as infrastructure in the city to work together to try to advance other sections that are not currently uh, advancing. questions.
Thank you. HHS uh acting director Linda Ivory Green. >> Okay, I see we have a a crowd favorite. Why they clapping though? >> Why they clapping? >> Good evening, council president and city
council members. I'm before you this evening to present item number 10.38, resolution 26-278. Oh, >> yes. >> That's why >> appointing um being appointed as the
director of the department of health and human services of the city of Jersey City. Questions? >> Um director, thank you for our conversation uh the other week. Really appreciate your time. Um sounds like there's a lot of alignment. Uh, I just
wanted for the record to ask a little bit about um the advocacy around TNR to make sure that we're dealing with the cat colonies and the overpopulation of cats and making sure that we're taking care of both animal welfare but also the the welfare of the activists who do so
much um for the health and wellness on the ground every day. Um, and what the priorities of the department under under your watch would be in terms of in house vet and funding for TNR. >> Okay. I'm glad you mentioned that the the priority is to get the the house vet
on boarded um to ensure that we have services. Um we've been spending way too much money contracting out and so actually um this should be settled hopefully this week and we should hopefully have a veteran record shortly
because that's where we're looking. We're looking to save dollars and to have somebody in house actually making changes. >> Yes. >> Quick. being the bird. All of I my questions were all about TNR. >> Oh, and we had that discussion, right?
So, yes, >> I I appreciate you meeting with me as well and and um I feel like we had a great meeting and we talked about many things including TNR, also mental health, um a number of things, um senior services, and you know, I just want to
say I appreciate our meeting and um I think you're going to do a great job. So, congratulations. >> Thank you. Yes. Um, I've had the privilege of working with Linda when I was being punished by the last administration movement. No, for real. Seriously. No,
this is before I ran for office when they was just like moving me around from department to department. >> Director, working with you is not a punishment. >> No, no, no. Not you. Not me. They thought they were punishing me. But uh um in all seriousness um I have the
privilege, excuse me, privilege of working um beside Miss Green. Um and I could just say she's a class act and you can always tell one's leadership based on the people who stand behind them and
who show up to support them. Um so I'm thankful you were considered for this role. Um the pressure is still going to be on you. You're still going to ask the hard questions. Um, but I think you are deserving. You have now been working for the city.
>> 30 years. >> 30 years as of the 29th of April. >> Right. When you when you get this position, you can't retire next year. >> No. >> I can hope I get the same welcome after
30 years. serving. I'm quite sure you will. >> I doubt it. >> Can I chime in? >> Councilman Lavar, >> I have I have a quicker question. Yeah. Yeah, please. >> Uh, director, we had a great conversation. It was wide ranging. The two topics I want to highlight today if you're going to address were were first
uh cutting through inefficiencies in the department to make sure that we, you know, your department like others does their part to cut the budget but not lose the services our residents need. and two, cutting through a lot of the bureaucratic red tape that the animal shelter has had for hiring even volunteers. Uh Mark, you're doing a
great job. I'm sorry, Director Burns, you're doing a great job with with what you were given. Uh but volunteering to to clean out um protect taking care of the animals there shouldn't require the the same background check that our some of our
other employees require. So, if you can talk to those two things >> and hopefully that that's something that we're going to work on. Um, I've spoken with Mark after our conversation. We've been having these discussions that systems need to to sort of be more efficient. We need to streamline the process. When you're talking about volunteers and you're talking about the
work, especially in animal care and control, that work is grueling work. So, if you have people who are able to step into the plate, step up to the plate and actually add to the support that we need regarding the services, it should not be cumbersome. It should not be cumbersome.
yet understanding that we want to ensure that those who are volunteering are cleared through a certain process but it should not be a cumbersome process not at all and when it comes to efficiency and looking at the budget um I've had the discussion with many of you
regarding uh sort of consolidating services um streamlining and reducing some of the divisions because HHS has 10 different divisions and so if we can sort of reduce some of the redundancy encies um the duplication of services
that would significantly reduce the budget at this point and I've done so >> right if you and and making sure that uh not as topheavy as we are in some other departments I'd appreciate that too >> absolutely absolutely um
>> director it's Rolando here um pleasures um I wanted to thank you first of all for taking the time to talk to me um and sharing your vision of restructuring and and the efficiency and getting the most out of your your your team. Um and and
it shows here today that uh um your mo your vision is motivating and inspiring folks. Um what I really wanted to ask you there was I didn't ask you one question um and you shared a lot with me so I appreciate that. uh with the the closure of uh Heights University
Hospital um we have a real gap health uh gap in healthc care uh services to uh the Heights community journal square areas and so forth. So what role do you see health and human services playing in kind of filling that that gap or that
need? >> First of all, our department should be overseeing the next steps and we are. where I'm involved with the process with the mayor's office and everyone on board looking at next steps and what is what we need to look at as far as critical
services, right? Because there are certain things that have to be in place when it comes to our health care. You have to have a facility that addresses behavioral health. You need to have a health care system that addresses your chronic diseases, your urgent care. So
those are some of the uh priorities as far as health and human services overseeing next steps once we finish with all of the other processes and and and things that we're going through with the state and with HR um to ensure that
those services are in place for not just the heights but we need those services throughout Jersey City. um the medical center right now, Robert Wood. Johnson, is inundated inundated with um because of what has happened. And so, um we need
to we need to speed this up quickly that we need to speed this system this process up quickly so that services can get back to the the residents in the areas where it's most needed. >> I only have one more question and it's um a question for all the directors. I
didn't get to ask um Pete that um uh this question, but um I think I asked everybody in my personal, but just get everyone in the record. Uh there may come a time and a moment when you may disagree with the administration on um choices. Um if you could just talk through that and how you would approach
that in terms of uh when you have disagreements with them and on policy and approach. Well, when you have disagreements, first of all, it's a collaborative. First of all, you have to state your case, state the facts. Um, Health and Human Services
follows state statutes. So, there's laws and ordinances and policies that we have to follow that are mandated. Um, so when it comes to certain things, you can't there's no um there's no way you can sort of uh compromise. there's certain things we
cannot compromise on as far as a department and so trying to ensure that that message is clear to administration that they understand and when you compromise then there's always going to be liabilities and so I think that's the best way to
approach anything um and having conversations but basically stating clear and concisely what we are statemandated to do and what we must do and the services we must provide for the residents of Jersey City.
>> Thank you. >> Uh Director Green, um thank you for your time and you know we are so looking forward with you. Uh the permit process for food related businesses is so tedious. You know before they start they
get discouraged. So this is something we really have to work on making it easier working with them. and sometimes they do not even have the correct information and they waste days or weeks and months. >> Um I think communication and clear
correspondence is really important especially with immigrant community. I see certain things they do not even understand. Sometimes they are so scared that they do not reach out to health department thinking that if they ask question then someone will you know
>> right I absolutely absolutely and so what it's imperative for us to make sure that we provide education to our business owners >> um and basically make sure that they have all the information that they need and putting it out there so that and
even we have we're starting to have people go out into community. So, we'll have that connection between government and our businesses and providing them the information because you're right, especially during this time, they are scared to come out and to ask questions.
They're scared to engage government, right? So, we have to ensure that they're safe with us, um that they're secure with us and that we are there to support them and their businesses. So that's something that we are looking to do just to create a more streamlined
form way of communicating. >> Yeah. And especially with different languages. >> Oh yes. Yes. >> And congratulations to the work shelter is doing. We are so proud of you guys. >> Yes. Absolutely. You're doing a great job. >> Yes.
Director uh Director I Green, thank you for your 30 years of service and uh your continued service. So uh my question is um mental health and and um also related to the unhoused. Um, I know people get
dropped off on MLK um from from various shelters um with no place to go. Um, nobody to talk to and also the pedestrian plaza. >> Um, there's a lot of unhoused down there. Um, people with mental health
like so what do you what what does the ground game look like? >> Those are the priorities too. mental health and the homeless. Um, first of all, I would like to actually develop an
office of social services within the department of health and human services. Um, we need to have case workers, social workers, patient navigators that actually um connect the communities with the resources that are needed. Um,
absolutely don't know how HHS existed this long without an office of social service support. Um, we get numerous phone calls um with people needing resources and and the health educators do a great job of connecting people
because they are ward based health educators. They speak the multiple languages. So, they're the ones who connect, but they're not in the office to answer calls because that's not their role. They're out in the field educating. They're providing mental health first aid trainings. They're providing CPR trainings. They're
providing education on chronic diseases. So, when it comes to that, we need an office of social services. So, that is in my plan for um 2026. >> And uh one more question um because I'm
not sure this with arrive. now arrive. Is that going to be ran out of HHS in collaboration with JCPD or >> that's run out of least of public safety with HHS? >> With HS with HHS. Absolutely. Yes.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh acting director, how are you? >> How are you? I'm doing well, thank you. >> Good. I enjoyed our conversation as well. And um just wanted to um follow up on the discussion with regard to uh food
vendors ability to upload documents online as opposed to coming in person for each event. Um would save your staff time if they didn't have to come for each event that they're uh applying for. And then also if there's any progress on
the ability for vendors to pay online. actually um we're looking into I brought back the concerns after our conversation. So I'm actually meeting with staff to see in ways that we can streamline the system so that it's not so cumbersome when there's multiple
events when they're actually going to be participating in multiple events especially throughout the summer so they don't have to come back and forth. There should be a way of of handling that at once. So, I did I brought those concerns back and we're having a meeting um and
actually before Wednesday. >> Excellent. Yeah, that's something that's been brought to some of the council members attention. So, really glad to hear that. Um and you said you've been uh your service goes back to 1996. >> Yes. >> Councilman Efos, when were you born? What year?
>> 95. Okay. >> Okay. >> Got one year there. It's like, okay, enough. >> I've been through it, director. So, >> yes. You know, but it's it I'll say this much. It's wonderful when you can serve
a community um for this long um and see impact and see some change and watch the community evolve and transform. So, I'm grateful to be here. >> Also, looking that young. >> Well, I started when I was two. Okay.
I'm I'm still looking forward to my meeting, but uh you know, I'll just blame Pamela Johnson for that one. >> We're on the books for Wednesday. >> Okay, Wednesday morning. >> Last question. Councilman Lavaro,
>> final question. Um and again, this will be a question I ask of all the directors. Didn't get to ask Pete. there were so many questions already for him. But um uh you know Jersey City is growing tremendously. Um for me seeing it all it's there's a tension here in
Jersey City between kind of the new Jersey City and the old Jersey City. I'm going to put it out there like that. Right. So um going to ask all directors this. Um you know I'm old Jersey City and but I see the opportunity and growth of New Jersey City and I don't think a
lot of old Jersey City kind of sees that as well, right? um and and maybe they see that it's that the New Jersey city is uh just pushing them out or it's like just making not necessarily making life uh better for their situation. Um I just want to ask you what your approach to
that. Um I think I know because we've talked a lot about this but uh you're and just getting on the record kind of that tension and how you how you're going to manage the kind of New Jersey City, old Jersey City and trying to bring folks together both inside your own offices as well as out in the community.
So school I'm the old Jersey City, right? Yeah. >> The New Jersey and the old Jersey City, like you said, they seem like as though they're being pushed out. It's not as affordable, right? Um and the New Jersey City coming in, but let's understand this. There is value and there's room
for all voices. >> Yes. >> And so when we become we're an inclusive city, how can you speak 72 different languages? How can you have a city this size and not be inclusive and not bring people to the table? So, there is great
value in the new as well as the old. And it's all about coming together and allowing room for those voices to come and be in the room and to have conversations. And guess what? We're more alike than than we are different. >> Thank you.
Thank you, director. And I think you have another agenda item, right? 10:36. >> Oh, no. Okay. You just signed up. Peter will take care of that one. Okay. Gotcha. Thank you.
>> Sit down. Thank you. Yes. on >> finance. Danny, is Danny here? >> Don't see him. >> Oh, Danny. There he go in the back. Danny,
>> where? Oh, there he is. Oh, Danny. Busy. >> You can call Pete or any director. They'll pick up your call. >> Danny, just a warning. That's a hard act to follow. >> It really is. and and obviously with all the clapping and cheering I I couldn't hear my name was Congratulations again
director and all the other directors. Um good evening council president, council members for your consideration. I have one item for your consideration. It is resolution number 26-241
agenda number 10.1 and is a resolution authorizing an emergency temporary appropriations. I don't know if you had a chance to take a look at it, but we did circulate a memo justifying each of the items that we're requesting and
these items are needed for the continuence of city services without any disruption. So, you have any questions? I'd be more than happy to answer. >> Yeah, I have a question. Can I'm sorry. >> Go ahead, Council Member Zupa. um for these items. Is it because we're
a little later in the budget process than we would want to be or because the departments did not budget appropriately for the amount up to this point? >> No. So some of these so take for instance if if you look at >> I'm referring to the body armor for example that we needed to
>> Yeah. So those are grants that the city has been accepting. Okay. But if if you look at the first batch under sanitation, the request that we're asking for the $245,000 that those are strictly for snow related events that happen in 2026. These are
for the snow towing vendors that we have to pay them. >> What about the public defenders office? Is there an influx in cases in municipal court? >> Yes, as per my conversation with public defenders office, that is the reason why. We want to make sure that we pay all these invoices up to June 30th so
there's no lapse in coverage for the public defenders. >> Can I get an accounting from the administration on how many cases are being heard in the municipal court between January 1st and today please and how many of those are the applicant requested the assistance of the public defender?
What I'm trying to find out is why why there's more money going out than than what we what was budgeted for because up to, you know, four months worth of municipal court work, you get four hours, you know, of time, uh, a few days a week for an additional $80,000
uh, for that amount. I'm I'm curious as to as to what was missed when they first made the budget aotment or or conversely, why there's an influx of new cases. Sure. I mean, I'll work with Peter and public defenders office and we'll get that information. >> I have a a quick question on the note
about sanitation. So, this is outstanding payments around the snow. Do we have an update as to what's happening with Morton Salt uh and whether there's any compensation the city can get for their failure to deliver? >> So, to to my understanding, the last
conversation I had with the sanitation manager, he has been in contact with Martin Salt. Um, currently there are a few invoices that's pending. Um, but we put those on hold because we want to make sure that number one, they're accurate before we pay them. And like you mentioned, we want to make sure that
we get some kind of reimbursement. So, we talk to the law department um, moving forward. >> Okay. Yeah, I would be appreciate being kept a breast of whatever that >> vendor that we have um, Atlantic Salt. They have been great to us. So, we do have um, in stock of rock salt and our
various tones. Okay. Hopefully no snowtorms anytime soon. But >> true, but we also never be too careful. I think about 12 years ago, we did had a major snowstorm back in October if I remember correctly.
>> Peter, do we know when the um when when is the actual budget coming before the council? >> The end of June. >> So, we're currently looking the end of June, July. A lot of this is going to depend on what the state has in their budget for us. So, we're in, you know,
constant negotiations and conversations with them just to see, you know, how that will end up for the uh the city's position. >> What is what is the um what is the state's deadline? Because I know it's a penalty after that. >> June. They have to have their budget out
by June. The state >> any other questions? >> Yes. Um can you just speak to the buildings and streeting uh increase says for advertisement of the HVAC? So that is correct. So we have been
continuously having a lot of HVAC issues citywide. The the current contract that we have a company is called Mlowski. Um it's a co-op vendor. They have been state regulations where we cannot use certain co-op vendor for time and
material. So with guidance from the law department and the BA's office, we put together a bit specification we which we should be advertising very soon. Now in that bit spec it has two parts phase one and phase two. So it encompasses all of
those we're talking about. So we want to make sure that we have funding available because we're looking to put this bits back out if not early next week um be probably like in the next 10 or 15 days. So obviously was so it's not 175,000 for advertisement.
>> No. So is is so what whatever requesting right now is just to have the contract as a temporary incumbr. We wouldn't know what a total contract is going to be. It could be $800,000. It could be a million dollars, you know, once proposal received back. But we want
to make sure that we have the adequate funding in place. So once we award this contract to the city council, you know, we have the funding there and we're hopeful that everything goes well, if there's no bid protest and everything is within the scope of work that we have
requested, um we're looking to probably award this contract probably either one of the meetings in in June. >> Did we did we already expend the money in that that account the OE account for buildings and streets? Yes,
>> it's expended, >> right? So, so what so when you look at building and streets, we have an a vast amount of contracts, right? You have about 30 different vendors that we deal with. It could be for for plumbing supplies, lumber supplies, electrical
supplies. So, all those vendors encompasses, you know, those money, but we want to make sure that, like I said before, that you know, you want to go to bed, right? We want to make sure that you have the funding set aside that's airmark so we can award this contract
because obviously right now we're putting a band-aid in a lot of these city-owned buildings. >> So, so I'm just doing the math like in my head, but it's uh it's 800,000 was the original temporary budget for buildings and streets. Um we're four
months in January, February, March, April, right? So that's 200,000 a month. And then you're asking for another 175,000 to get us through May and June. Is that is that correct? Before the final budget adop before a permanent regular budget is adopted or introduced.
>> Correct. So th this will bring us >> math doesn't work. >> So it bring us close to for the 50%. >> What's that? >> This will bring us close to the 50% for the six months. >> Means you're coming back to us again. >> We won't coming back until the budget's adopted.
Um, are we is the BA monitoring expenditures on this? It's a um where where this budget line >> we're monitoring all the expenditures. We look at every time there's an ETA that goes out, we look to see how much
each department has spent about how much has been allocated by the council. everyone has been pretty much under I think uh the closest like 90% of the full 100% allocation for the time frame they were given you know the first was January to March then we just went out
you know to extend that to June um so we are monitoring they are within the you know the allocations for each department this one in particular I know it's kind of confusing what Danny's trying to describe but essentially there's some HVAC work that needs to be done to the city so the overall line you know the
yearly ambount budgeted for the year will be the same. We're trying to, you know, upfront some of that money because we have the summer coming up. So, we want to make sure we can spend it now that way for the entire summer. There's proper HVAC and, you know, conditioning for the buildings. So, we have to spend it now, but it will cover us for the
full year. >> Then, um, I'd like to see a a detailed breakdown of the expenditure to date on that building, the street. Um, the recycling. So, I I've um hard time figuring out how
we um didn't budget correctly in the temporary budget and we're increasing by 100,000. Right. So, we're talking it says here toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, pineol, mop heads, disinfectant spray and wipes, urinal screens, toilet
bowl brush, etc. Um did we suddenly have a rush to the bathroom? I don't know. I'm just uh it's um why is this increasing so dramatically in the last in this temporary budget? >> The current contract that we have has
expired. So we actually putting together a bit specification with the division of recycling. The director is almost done with that. So obviously um there is more buildings obviously that needs more um of these items and we would like there
again just like the building and streets we want to make sure that we have the funding secure we spent is it spent down already in in four months the million dollars that was budgeted is spent down. >> Yes. So that money also encompasses the
janitorial service, right? So the 54 plus city owned buildings, the facility that we have, we have a janitorial vendor that has been cleaning, right, every single day. So those funds are encumbered until June 30th, right? But this this funding that we're requesting
is strictly for this custodial contract. >> Did we expend a million dollars to date? It's already budgeted there again. So the math is that if we spent a million dollars, that's 250,000 a month. And then we got two more months, May and June. So that's another 500,000. And
you're asking for a h 100,000 if we spent it down. So that's why I'm asking if we spent the money down or not. >> We have not spent it down. But like I said, this this money that we So whatever we have currently in that million dollars will facilitate and we'll pay the current contracts that we
have. All right. So we don't know what this bit spec is going to look like. This isn't this is an open-ended contract that we're putting out there. So >> I I would also request for this line recycling a detailed expenditures uh itemized breakdown for that. See how
we spent that money to date. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> Director Prrenzeri JCEDC. >> Oh, good afternoon, council president, members of the council. The JCEDC has
one resolution for consideration. Uh, agenda item number 1014, resolution 26254, a resolution of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City authorizing the submission of an application to the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority
for Enterprise Zone assistance funds for the Jersey City UE 27 admin budget for the second half of the year, which is January 1st, 2027 through June 30th, 2027. So, for a little bit of context, when we were before you last month, the
Urban Enterprise Zonus Authority that same week changed their policy for submitting their administrative budget. I sent an memo to the council this morning with a copy of the email from Director Santos, and they are now requesting that all urban enterprise zone municipalities submit their full
year fiscal budget for approval by their board of directors. So, what we'll be doing here is taking the resolution that was approved at the prior council meeting, putting it together with the request for the second half of the year, which is the same amount of money, which is an amount not to exceed
Right, forgive me one second. $365,836. Um, both resolutions will go down should they both be should the second one be approved to the authority for approval for administrative budget before our fiscal year ends on June 30th of 2026.
Any questions? >> Thank you, director. Thank you. Yeah. >> Director Woodson, Commerce. Evening, council president and council members. I have three resolutions for your consideration this evening. First
being agenda number 10.28, resolution 26-268. It's a resolution providing local support for Prime Genetics LLC to operate a cannabis cultivating and manufacturing business using a class one
cultivator and class 2 manufacturer cannabis license. Uh, Prime Genetics will be located at 26 Canelius Avenue and it was approved by the CCB on March 23rd, 2026.
>> Questions? 26 Connealy Avenue. >> You have a question, Councilman? I mean, >> no. >> No. Griffin, >> yeah. What are the community benefits attached to this one? >> It's actually not a retail store. It's a
grower. >> There's no um Oh, I'm sorry. I apologize. There are twous. One's with uh women rising and >> sagunda kwima. >> What's the second one?
>> Second one is sagunda kwamba. >> There a Puerto Rican folkloruric dance and drum center bomba in >> Yeah, I'm so I'm actually familiar. What he's going to do is he's going to work with Are you guys familiar with Women
Rising? So, Women Rising. >> Yeah, I think they had a question about the second one. The second organization >> domestic. Huh? >> I said I think they only had a question about the second organization, >> right? But I was just explaining what he's going to do with them. He's going to have the
>> They're going to be growing. >> Okay. >> They're going to be gardening. >> Any other questions on this one? Just um >> one second. >> Is there a separate uh tax that um the city collects on
separate from what the nonprofits are getting? >> Can anyone tell me? I don't I'm not familiar with >> There's a 2% tax% tax. >> Yes. >> It's been a long time. So, um can can we get the numbers on that? Can someone share the um revenues collected to date
since this all started? Annual numbers? I get the exact number for you, but it's around $800,000 since we started >> in total for the >> total. Yes. >> That's over how many years? >> Two years collection.
>> Has it been decided how that's money spent? My ordinance, it's dedicated to the uh the board of education and social equity programs. I I would ask the administration uh law department. It's I'm sure that that was
I was there for that when we established the ordinance if there's um an override mechanism on that to uh for fiscal distress um if we could even incorporate one if we need to uh to do that to be able to bring that money into our regular
budget. >> We can look into that. We have uh agenda number 10.27, resolution 26-267. It's a resolution providing local support for Zena New Jersey LLC,
previously uh called Medusa NJ LLC, to operate a consumption area using their class 5 retail cannabis business. This uh zen is located at 759 Bergen Avenue and it was approved the uh consumption
lounge was approved by the CCB on March 23rd, 2026. >> So my question for this would be this is indoors only. Correct. It's not a backyard or anything, right? >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Is there is there a um location
geographical limitation for consumption lounges to schools? There there is uh depending on the type of school it is and I think a college there was some issues raised uh in >> Hudson Catholics across the street. That's what I was asking about. >> That was all resolved in court. There
was an agreement. But I think uh when it comes to high schools, it's like 200 feet. It wasn't it was it wasn't an issue. There were issues raised by Hudson Catholic as well as um St. Peters, but keep in mind this was already approved as a class 5. This is just an addition to their like current
license. They're open and operating >> already in that area, right? Aren't correct. Like that's >> it's actually on the front door is on Montgomery >> Montgomery Street. >> Yes. >> And this consumption area is has very limited hours. It's located in the basement and it's already built out. >> So you are saying that the consumption
will not be happening there in that location. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> Yes. It's on site. Is this going to be the first conception for city? Is this the >> Yes. Okay. It's >> It's We permit one per ward, but we only
have approximately three applications so far. >> Three. How many applications? >> Three. Three. It's only allowed one per ward. >> Director. Hi there. Um, what are the hours permitted for consumption lounges? >> It's like noon till 11:00 p.m.
>> Okay. And um are is are food or beverages permitted to be served? >> They are not. >> They're not. >> They're not. >> Got it. Okay. Um can you speak a little bit about the ventilation requirements for a consumption lounge? >> Uh there's a they have to get approval
from the building department on the type of ventilation being used that has to have the proper charcoal filters >> and have those been um obtained those permits. >> Well, the buildout's complete so it's been approved. >> Okay, got it. So this is
>> this lounge is like plugandplay once >> Yes. >> approved. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. >> So, 10.28. I have a question. >> Are we there? We We're done with 10.27, right? No other questions.
>> Okay. >> Back to 10 28. >> Yes. Sorry, I missed that. Um, can you please update this resolution to reflect that this will be the only it will be only for cultivating and manufacturing facility, not for retreat? >> That's been corrected. It was sent over.
Thank Thank you. um your aid for catching that voice. Appreciate that. >> And last one. >> Last one. Agenda number 10.26, resolution 26-266.
It's a resolution providing local support for the Other Side Dispensary LLC to operate a consumption area using their class 5 retail cannabis business. They are currently located at 36 Conga
Street. Um, this was approved by the CCB on March 23rd, 2026, but since then, that was actually just confirmed today. We were told that they have closed. >> Huh. So, they closed.
>> We We believe this possibly they're going out of business or maybe looking to sell, but they have closed. This was just confirmed today by their attorney. >> So, are we um we're looking to pull this resolution or >> actually looking for a recommendation
possibly from the law department on what should be done because I don't know if they're still attempting to receive approval and possibly sell the license later. Um there is a significant amount of tax money that's owed to us as well. They haven't paid taxes in three
quarters and a consumption allows licensing fees is very expensive. So, >> you say they haven't paid taxes in three quarters, >> correct? >> I ask the administration to pull this one. >> Well, let let another business >> Let's let uh the uh corporation council respond and then we'll take it from there.
>> Well, I'm just learning about this so we can look into it, try to get in touch with their attorney, figure out what's going on here, if they want it to proceed or if there's a reason to pull it. >> Um I'll I'll just share director. I've been appreciative that you've been so responsive to my emails and many inquiries about this case. We've been
going um back and forth about it for a little while. Um yeah, I'd love to hear a law department's opinion on this. Um but this is a business owner who's been going through a lot of uh the red tape around these licenses and permits for
years and years around this dispensary um and has expressed a lot of frustrations to me about that. And so um before the administration pulls it, I would like to speak with law department and the BA um because I I my
understanding is that the the business owner uh still feels the need um and certainly the desire to have this license uh even if it is closing. And um yeah, I questions about what that means in terms of legally being able to obtain
the license with the business already closed with the uh view to selling it. But um yeah, would like to get all that hashed out before we commit to pulling this off the agenda now that it's finally on. >> Get more information, but they are
somewhat hesitant on giving any details on what's happening moving forward. >> Okay. I mean, initially right uh immediately prior to uh being heard by the CCB, they had went out of business for approximately a week and reopened right before and then, you know, they
attended the meeting. They w they were approved. They were somewhat non-committal on the tax payment, which I was a little concerned about, but you know, the um the the board itself was somewhat empathetic on what had happened over the last year or so. So, that's why we are here today.
>> Okay. I guess the the bigger issue outside of that um what are the rules and parameters around these dispensaries selling their license to to other entities who I guess will occupy the
space because there's people on a waiting list. Um, so if you can director speak to the rules as it relates to when these entities are going out of business. >> Legally, they are allowed to sell after being open for a year. They can sell
prior to that year expiration. They they are allowed to sell 49% interest in their business. >> Oh, so they can sell a a percentage in >> Yes. Okay. So, so I guess this is a comment more than a question, but you
know, it's it's it's only one consumption license per ward. So, if we have a bit so if this business is not operating and we continue with this, we're just holding someone else up who's trying to
get a consumption license in W in in in W D. Um >> Yes. So, I mean, uh, like how how does that work? If if we do, if we do move forward, he gets a license, he's not operating,
and then someone else is looking to do consumption in that ward. >> Once the um if approved by council, then that really puts the pen on the map and we wouldn't accept any more applications in that particular. >> But there are no other applications at
the moment. Correct. >> Correct. Okay. Director, go ahead. >> One more question. Uh, when you say I just want clarification on the taxes because you say they haven't paid taxes. That's they haven't paid cannabis taxes or are you saying taxes haven't been paid on the physical building? They're
in >> cannabis taxes. >> Okay. And is there a I'm assuming since this already passed CCB, there is no checkpoint before they get to CCB to say they're up to date with taxes, etc. We
did make the CCB aware of those things, but there's just nothing in the resolution that would say that without taxes being paid up to date, you can't approve this. And as I as I mentioned, there was some a lot of empathy by some of the board members on what's happening
in in the cannabis industry as a whole and this particular applicant. >> Okay. I I just have a question. um if if they've closed and if we um issue this regardless so that they could then sell
it to another interested party. Um, my concern is that my concern is that, you know, as as Councilman Griffin said, you know, other anyone else in the future looking to
operate in this ward as a consumption lounge would then have to purchase the rights from this company rather than going through their approval process themselves in the city. And it almost seems like it could create a situation where there's a bidding war and it just
gets sold to the highest bidder instead of going through the approval process with the city. Am I misunderstanding that? >> I think that's one option that could happen. Yes. >> That's concerning. >> Yes.
>> And sorry, last question, director. Um so councilman Zupa's point that I think it's a state law but um 200 m from any school I think this has been a concern for a lot of parents school owners and
public schools can we do something about it it's sometimes it feels it's you know these are young kids if they see gummies and all that I don't know what can we do about it but that has been concerned for years.
>> You referring to some of the businesses that open? >> Yes. Open >> within 200 meters of any school. >> Um I mean the distance rules that apply um have already been re reviewed for anything that was approved by the council.
So we're not it's not less than what's legally permittable currently. Just so you everyone's aware 54 locations have been approved by the council already. So, director, um, one one last question
for me. Um, so let's say we do pass it, the owner has the license, decides to sell it. Do they have to go through you guys and would it be sold to the person that had the next application
or can they just sell it to anyone? >> The city wouldn't get involved in actually the sale of the license anyway. Right. I I understand that, but but what I'm afraid of is it it would it would it would put whoever's on that waiting list
at a disadvantage, right? Because if it's only one license per ward and I'm waiting, right? I mean, I I think maybe a mechanism should be put in place like, all right, this person has the the the the um the license, so you know, we're
requesting you to sell it to them at fair fair market value than just anyone. >> There's there's no line of businesses uh for consumption lounges because they're very expensive. Um the licensing fee
just for the consumption is $25,000 just in Jersey City along with I believe $10,000 for the state. So um even to my surprise when we released the consumption applications we got very few interest and partly because of the cost
and because of some of the struggles in the cannabis industry in general. >> Okay. >> Thank you director. Thank you. >> Director Kaplan, infrastructure. >> Hello again. Um, I'm here for two
resolutions. Um, >> I have you down for three. 10, 1017, 1018. >> Uh, I So I believe we discussed 18. So yeah, so just for 16 and 17. Um both of these items are grant extensions. So
these are existing awards that were given in past years to the uh to the Jersey City for capital projects. Um both of these projects have a clock on them from when the award starts until you're authorized for construction. Um both of these projects we're in the
process of issuing an RFQ and locking in funding so that we can come before this council in the future with a resolution to assign an RFP for a designer to advance these projects. Uh but for now we are asking for an extension of time on the grants so that we can keep that
clock running. Um NJ dot has expressed to us that they're willing to support um time extensions on these grants with no issues as long as we're showing progress and movement towards these projects. >> Questions? >> We're just waiting on the RFQ process.
That's the that's the only impediment here. only. >> So, so the I'll let council correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is RFQ is a process that we can issue like an RFP, but we don't need to go before the council before the RFP, but we will need to go before the council um after
we select a firm through that process for entering into a contract. Specifically, these are for professional service contracts. >> And and we feel confident that 6 months is enough time that we wouldn't need to extend again. No, but NJ dot only allows 6 months at a time. So, we'll we'll
possibly come back before you, but we're going to show advancement and we're going to keep extending this until we get to construction. >> Okay. >> Hey, director, can you talk a little bit about the actual plan for um that corridor back there as it relates to the funds coming from this grant?
>> Uh certainly. So I can speak at a high level councilman and and certainly as we move forward through the design process there'll be community engagement and we'll refine exactly what's in it but as submitted the project on Pacific and Caven point is a freight improvement grant. So because it's an industrial
area around the chromium site we're able to access those funds. We're going to be looking at putting in curbing and storm water adding sidewalk where it's not present. >> Yes. uh looking into bike lanes um where they're not present if there's available space um and repaving the road and
possibly regrading it um as appropriate to fully reconstruct the roadway there. So I think um I mean that's a it's great space for bike lanes. The area is definitely in need of infrastructure
improvements down there. Um almost like a death trap for pedestrians down there, man. >> It is. Um but um I guess if I can um I just want to flag for you um
425 McGomery Street. Um there's the senior home there. 425. Yeah, it got to be 425 McGomery Street. The senior home is there. Um and we have the new bike lanes
there. Um, so if we can get some type of signage or some type of amber lights to let those the bikers coming down um some type of signal to let them know that it's seniors. Um I believe uh a senior
or two may have got hitten by a bike or something in that inner um section. Um, but I know have they have been reaching out as it relates to us trying to like have some traffic caling mechanisms in that that little corridor right there.
>> Absolutely. I've actually uh received uh kind of that information just yesterday uh mayor. So I sent it over to my team. Um I can't tell you exactly what we'll recommend but we definitely can address something with a bikes are coming downhill and gaining speed and
yeah. So definitely we'll we'll look at in essence traffic calming in the bike lane to try to make sure it's safe for all users especially seniors to cross into that bus stop. I mean I guess something good uh it's like we have those
like the push the push stops but they're for cars on uh Garfield. So, cuz there's no traffic light, the park is there. Um, but for well, sometimes people will buy by the flashing light. Um, so I guess if we could have something like that, so
when a senior is getting ready to across, they could just hit that signal to the bikers. Um, yeah, I would just ask if if you're willing to let us kind of pull a recommendation together. There's some other tools in our toolbox that we might do like rumble strips in the bike lane
or even raising it. Um, so let me let my team kind of come back with a recommendation and I'd be happy to talk it through with you and and see where we land. I'm not sure where we'll land yet. >> Well, that's why you guys get paid. You're the expert. >> All right. >> Awesome.
>> Director, hi. It's Councilman Lavaro. Um, I >> I just would like to get and thank you. You emailed me and shared some information. Um, just as Councilman Gilmore already asked, um, just would like to sit down with you on these two projects, but also there were a couple
of others. I think it's on my team. Um, we never set up the time to go through it. I'd really like to just get a overview of kind of all of the different road improvement and projects that we have in the city and um, what's being proposed and the grants and so forth. Kind of a high level view of all of that
stuff. Uh, um, I would appreciate that if we get some time. And then >> absolutely. The second thing which is off topic and um here but uh just the vision zero walking tours are all
starting this week right uh first one is tomorrow in uh ENF I believe >> correct >> correct ENF or tomorrow >> um and and I'm just wondering what what type of I mean they all conclude this
week EF I mean all six wards um so what's the continu Is there continued outreach on the vision zero beyond this uh this week or is there does that kind of wrap up the outreach uh portion of the the plan?
>> Absolutely. Let me um this will not conclude the public outreach. Um what we're trying to do is we're trying to move forward towards the adoption of a plan. But once we adopt a plan and a high injury network, that's only the beginning. We're going to be implementing safety improvements along
the corridor and implementing the plan. So, I'll get back to you on exactly what community touch points exist and how that relates to um where we are in the plan. I wasn't prepared to kind of speak to this, but you know, our key touch points right now following our vision zero workshop a few weeks ago that we
held in this chambers and then these every ward having a walking tour um again to get community input. That's goal is to help us refine what's in the vision zero plan um which will be kind of used as a tool for future projects
and those projects will um obviously have well maybe not obviously but certainly have more uh community input touch points >> and and what what what sort of um outreach has done to community for this stretch at this point if I may ask
>> certainly for so for these walking tours specifically we've putting a lot of information out on social media. It's an open invite. Um and would en encourage everyone to attend. Our first two in wards E and F are tomorrow. Um and the other two wards will we'll hold another
two wards, I believe it's B and C on Thursday. And then uh A and D, I may be mistaken on exactly which ones, uh will be Saturday. Yeah. So this week, um, weather permitting, we, uh, will be having these walkthroughs with the community to get feedback on some
concerns, uh, at some hot spots in their area. >> So, so this is, um, what I alluded to earlier, I'm going to ask all the other directors as well, kind of that tension, uh, between the old and the new, right? So, um, old old Jersey City, not unless you're unless you're putting things
maybe on Facebook, maybe they're there, but they're definitely not on Instagram in many respects. Um and so um you know we need to do more direct kind of outreaches to to old Jersey City um to to involve them and engage them in this
process. Um and I I speak about that not just in Vision Zero, but it comes back to me for the embankment and for a whole host of different projects the city's engaged in. Um and so if we're going to be a city for all the people of Jersey City, we need to really truly engage in that. And I I say that respectfully. I'm
not uh I know your your uh your your intention is to engage everyone. So, um I just wanted to put that out there because I've been meaning to have that conversation with you and others and our offices are limited in our capacity to be able to do that. So, um >> understood and and I can certainly
respond and say it's our intention to continue to grow our community engagement. One of our we actually have a job posting right now posted to bring a community engagement focused individual into the department. Um so your point is well taken. Uh we did uh community engagement for the
transportation master plan which concluded where we had an online survey but we also provided a lot of paper surveys in senior centers and other areas throughout the city um with a pretty large uh set of information on that project. So I uh think we're very
open to feedback from anyone on ways we can reach our community. Like you said our intention is to reach all. Um, we don't like to think of the city as divided by old and new, but really want the input from the full diversity of perspectives.
>> So, just to piggyback off uh uh Council Lavaro, um you know, the the planning board, what they do is they send letters out to um the residents within 200 ft of a
project. Now maybe that's something that can be considered if let's say if a starting point is I don't know u let's say Monaceel and George for instance like or that area maybe you know letters can be um held
out within you know I'm not saying the whole city but you know within within that immediate area. Um and then also back to um Pacific Avenue, how how early or how
soon will the work begin or has it started? Because you know, as you know, we talked earlier, there was a c um a vehicular homicide just last week, um which was Friday, and I actually saw
this gentleman at Senior Bingo at night. So, you know, and it's very dark back there. Um, and so, yeah. So, how how soon are we looking to get things going? So, I'll respond to that in two ways.
You know, the first is we are in the process of standing up a rapid response team following that fatality to see what we can do immediately using the tools in our toolkit. Um, the capital project work is not an immediate term solution. It's not going to provide short-term
improvements in from this grant, but it will provide comprehensive solutions when it comes through. >> We're a few years out from seeing construction from this grant. >> Okay. >> But with that said, we're going to be convening a rapid response team with other departments in the city to see what we can do in the short term so
we're not waiting for this capital project to do something, >> Madam President. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um item number There it is. 10.17. Uh, director, sorry. Um, could you speak just briefly about
what the plans are for the Monoseno Monttoello Avenue roadway project? >> Yeah, absolutely. Um, so and I will say right now we have um the Monaceel corridor north of Commun has recently undergone some quick safety buildouts.
Um we're looking to harden those and make that kind of permanent construction. That's the goal. Um we our initial estimate is that that project will cost 3.9 million which is what we applied for about 2 years ago um for
municipal aid but we only received 1.8 million. So our intention is to seek grant funding to fill that gap um so that this will be fully funded through future years perhaps municipal aid. Um however because that 1.8 8 million is about 2 years old and we keep needing to
extend it. We're looking to start the design work while we proceed with obtaining the extra rest of the money. Um and in that way we're showing progress to NJ DOT so that we'll continue to preserve the existing award while we seek additional funding.
>> Thank you. And it's not an issue with this corridor per se, but um maybe it is hopefully not. Um, you know, we we see the infrastructure improvements, the streetscape improvements, uh, beautifification, and then, um, you know, we got to rip up
the middle of the road for utility work. Um, could you speak to how you look for or what your approach will be in terms of working with MUA, DPW, um, and a sore spot for me, I know it's not on the agenda, but is, uh, Westside
Av. So, we have two grants in process right now on Westside Avenue and and certainly um a lot of grants that we have. There's a lot of history and uh our intention is to brief council members on all projects in their wards.
Right now, our goal is to focus on upcoming briefings on projects either going into construction or going into design so that there'll be a briefing before we do public meetings and community input touch points. Um, but there's other grants that have gone through design or in review by NJ DOT,
including those on Westside Avenue. Um, so we can certainly share with you those segments and what's what's intended to happen there. Um, regarding the utility coordination, we are working to improve that. It it actually does happen, but it's not
seamless. Um the MUA has uh a year or two look ahead at most as to what underground utilities they believe are need of repair. Um and we work with PSEG who has gas lines which is the other primary underground utility. There's also telecoms underground that we are
less able to coordinate with because there's lots of different companies that are kind of tying into those lines. So we work to ensure that um as we advance a project we make sure the MUA and PACG are aware of it so that while we're digging up the road they would be able
to do any improvements that they see fit. However, you know if the MUA doesn't have it on their short-term construction they don't have the funding to advance improvements if it's not one of their priorities. So, it is possible that they need to come back, hopefully not immediately, hopefully it's a few
years later, um to dig up and and do some trench work. Our intention, we have a policy where anytime there's a trench, um we require a permit and we require um kind of a warranty. So, if that per trench starts to collapse, we will go
back to that vendor to restore it. So certainly as we observe trenches, as you or constituents have trenches, please let us know and we can we're working to hold utilities who've made cuts accountable for restoring those trenches or repaving the road. So it's it's not
foolproof, but it's certainly something important to us and we understand the frustration. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. That's all all your resolutions, right, director? >> That's correct. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. >> President. John Lynch, DPW.
Good afternoon, council. I should say actually good evening. I'm here regarding agenda uh item 10.19, resolution 26-259. It's a resolution ratifying and renewing the contract for the Cint Cintas
Corporation for the rental uniforms for the Department of Public Work employees. This is for ensures the employees are out in the field. They're dressed appropriately, professionally, and um we can identify them correctly. Also, >> questions.
>> Yes. So, um sorry, Councilman. So, we're renting and not purchasing, >> correct? Yes. And the reason we rent is because they they do everything for us. They size the staff. They give us complete sets, shirts, pants. They give us three
different sets of uniforms. They supply seasonal gear. They pick up, they pick them up, they launder, they maintain them, and they replace the uniform. If we leave it up to some of our employees, they might not, you know, if we they purchased them, they'd probably lose them. Um this way through the rentals, you know, even if they do lose something
some of it, it's that's covered in the contract. And we want to make sure we have the correct appearance. >> Okay. So, laundry, all of that is >> Yes. Everything size. So, someone gains weight, someone loses weight. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> How much How much um how much is this
contract? >> It's 300,000. It's >> It's 300,000 to wash uniforms for grown individuals. >> It's 25,000 a month. I Now, like I said, they give us three sets of uniforms. They give us seasonal uniforms. I mean, it is a lot. They pick them off. They
drop They drop them off. They drop They pick them up. They drop them off. Um they maintain >> These are adults, right? >> They put logos. There's logos on them. There's a lot lot more people's names on it. So, there's a lot more that goes in to just >> I understand all that, but these are adults, right? >> Excuse me.
>> These are adults that work for the city that's responsible. The police officers, they clean their own uniforms. >> Oh, >> they have their names attached on their uniforms, too. I'm not familiar what public safety does. I know they get a un uniform allowance.
>> Yes. I think they purchase their own. >> Instead of giving a uniform allowance, we rent the uniforms. >> But this is $300,000 a year. >> Yes. >> How many workers we have in DPW that use this? >> We have about 300 workers. I'd probably say about
150, maybe even 200 wear uniforms. So you have 200 individuals that wear uniforms that we pay annually 300,000 for them to maintenance them. >> Yes. >> How much how much would it cost if we were to purchase their uniforms and have
them be responsible for laundering and taking care of their own uniforms? >> I really have never we haven't looked into that. And this is you know I inherited this contract. We've been doing it this way I think for about 14 years. If we could do that analysis, if we could get estimate, that would be really helpful.
>> Yeah, because if if the uniforms themselves cost like $2,000 each and this is a good deal, >> maybe it is, but I I I'm not convinced that the, you know, the laundry and the extra service is,
you know, is is necessary, you know, to Councilman Gilmore's point and and my other colleagues points as well. >> Okay. Okay. So, I can work with the BA's office and we can, you know, work on an analysis for that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> How many workers do you have, John? You just >> 300. >> He just said
>> around 300. >> So, probably about anywhere from 150 to 200 are uniformed. >> It's a fixed dollar amount every month. >> Yeah. >> So, it doesn't matter how many uniforms are worn in the month or whatever.
>> It doesn't sound >> and it's been contract. Yes. Same thing. I got I even have last year's contract. Same thing. 300,000. >> Let me So, let me let me ask this. Um, so with the uniforms, like
does is everyone turning in their uniforms to get dry laundered or some of some people actually doing their own? >> No, they all get they all get they leave so we have racks at at DPW. They leave them on the racks. Cynth comes picks them up and they bring them clean ones.
Then they get then they have the nice clean ones and like I said they size them up for for weight loss, weight gain. >> Can you speak to the volume um that are done on a monthly basis like um because what each employee have what three
uniforms >> um >> they have three sets >> and they also have a winter they have seasonal sets too winter and summer. Um, so I guess my question is to really understand if we're really getting a
good deal is I mean do we do we track how like do we track the size the weight of the load if it's not the necessarily um the actual quantity? Do we track the like something? Because to to get Bill
the same amount every single month and like one month I might wash seven shirts, the next month I might wash three shirts. You see what I'm saying? Um, and I get it. You inherited the program. It's always been like that. But
to justify doing something by saying we've been doing it that may have passed flew in the past, but as I'm telling all of these directors that come up, we're 250 in the red. That means we're going that way
when we should be going that way. So, we're just looking at every single instance in where we can save summer. I could understand that we did looked into other companies too such as Universe and since this is a co-op this is you know this is actually a good deal but universe uh universe
>> we we want you to look we could do it in house I only wash my kids uniform and not even the teenagers >> so I I don't know how technical these uniforms are if they have to be like fire retardant etc steeltoe boots
whatever Um, you know, I I am willing to accept that the cost of a uniform for DPW is more than the cost of of my outfit here today. Um, like that's that's entirely possible, but I just would like to see the numbers and um I appreciate yourness and the BA's
willingness into that and you know and and I understand we would probably if if we made the workers responsible for their own laundry, we would probably have to provide them more than one uniform, right? that we would probably have to provide them at least >> three. I think he said
>> we have three different ones for different seasons. >> John, I think you're getting a little assistance. >> Okay. >> Oh, he's checking the >> uh So, this is in their contract. That's the That's the issue. It's in uh the DPW. There's certain individuals that
have this. It's been written into their contract. So, that's why they get the laundering service. However, uh it is something that needs to be looked at. Um, coming from where I came from, you were given a uniform allowance and then you're responsible for cleaning your own uniform. The one thing I will say is
auto mechanics, it may be difficult for them to clean their uniforms at home with their household laundry, but just to be clear, it is in their contracts. I'll let John continue and and and also I I think that maybe we we can still
save money if we purchase the uniforms, >> find a local business who can launder the uniforms. >> Absolutely. >> And and and and send us and send DPW to Bill, right? Um, so if we can maybe look into that as well, I I think that'll be
great cuz I'm pretty sure we can get a discount from one of these businesses if they're getting a thousand 500 uniforms a month >> and that's fair and that's something we can look into. And this is also part of the union contract too that the >> Oh, that's probably
>> they have to be put, you know, in the uniforms. >> That's the issue. >> No, no, we don't. So, you would have to change the union contract also to give them an allowance. >> Got you. >> Okay. Thank you, John.
>> Um, if I may, uh, I know, uh, that was our new director up here and I'd, you know, just like to say a few words about him, brief moments about the appointment of James. you know, in the short period of time I worked with him, you know, Jim, he's been very positive, very engaging, talking to everybody about all
the different issues, how we can make things better, what we can do, very community related. So, I mean, you know, he's been practical and and it's all about results with with Jim. And so, I really really just, you know, want to just mention to the council, you know, I think he's a great choice. His 25 years
of experience in New York and based what I've seen, I'm I'm confident that he'll do a great job for us. Yeah, he's and he's also very responsive because uh you guys at DPW sent me a death trap up here to drive and he changed he took care of it quickly.
>> There you go. >> But uh yeah, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, John. So, uh acting director uh Levy, since John created a segue, can you come up next?
I wasn't sure if you're ever going to call on me. I was just But good evening, Madam Chair and council. My name is Jim Levy, and I'm honored to be here tonight standing before you as the mayor's acting director of public works. I spent
decades in public service, including serving the burrow of Manhattan as the chief for New York City Department of Sanitation, where performance is not optional. It's critical and it needs to be done. I'm almost the young I'm I'm also the
youngest of seven children raised by Irish immigrants. I learned early on that nothing was handed to us and we needed to work hard through discipline and showing up when it mattered. I was brought here for one reason and that's to fix what's not work not not
working. Last season, Jersey City snow expectations were not met and it was unacceptable. The response fell short and the residents paid the price for it. I'm here to make sure that that that it that does not happen again. We are
rebuilding the operation from the ground up. Routes are being reworked. Equipment readiness is being reinforced. and contractors are being held to performance. When a storm hits, the department will be ready. Clear command, clear orders
will go out and we will be responsible. Excuses don't move snow. Execution does. My focus is simple. Accountability, efficiency, and results. Public works proves itself every single day, especially when conditions are at their
worst. I understand my expectations and I attend to go above them. I look forward to working with each of you being direct about our progress and delivering level results that the city deserves. >> Thank you.
>> Council members, uh we'll take questions now for DPW director. Please keep in mind that we are not at the end of our staff list for the night. We do have another appointment on the agenda and we have uh members of the public who have been waiting patiently to see if you
have questions on their resolution. With that, questions for acting DPW director. >> Hey um director, I just want to say um um thank you for taking the opportunity to meet with each of us. Um, but the
thing that stood out for me most with you is um your solutionoriented. Um, and I don't know if you if you know this, but I pay attention to to details and something that stuck
with me when I spoke with you is how you looking to hold our garbage contractors accountable. I didn't even think to have the truck weighed when he came. when he left to see if >> debris was on a truck from another
>> city site or anything. Um, and it's >> it it's solutions like that, right? Is it's instance like that. Um, we were very appreciative. Um, and that speaks to your experience, right? You you
understand the nuances of these type of systems in major cities. Um, so that was something that really uh stuck out to me. I was like actually blown away. I was like, "Wow, that's cool. We're talking about accountability. We're not just, you know, signing off on giving
away taxpayers money. We're making sure that these people are working, >> right?" So, I met with regional this morning. We had our first meeting. I uh explained to them what we will be doing as far as the scale at DPW that's never been used before is going to be used now. They're going to be responsible to
scale in at the beginning of their shift and scale out at the end. So that will bring integrity into ensuring that New Jersey taxpayers are paying for New Jersey refu and recycling, making sure it's generated here. >> And you saying that scale has been down there in?
>> Yes. In the same spot that it's in now. >> From what I understand, it's been there for about 12 years. It's not plugged in. No, it there was power running to it. We we found the power. Uh I sent the truck
over to SIMS, weighed it, um had it come back and scaled it in on our scale at DPW. The the weights came out the same so we know it's calibrated correctly. There's no reason not to use it and we're going to start utilizing it as soon as possible.
>> Any other questions? >> Um thank you. Um and the conversation was great. There are so many uh things that were ignored in the past. Even dog poops everywhere in Jersey City that has been big concern. It seems small just
dog poops but they have been all over the city. And composting couple of locations have not been cleaned regularly that have not been cleared regularly. The doors are not working. they are they're not
maintained well. So you have lot of work to take care of in the next few days. Director, >> absolutely. We spoke uh myself and um the recycling head. I've spoken about the contractor that we're currently working with at the drop off sites for
compost. If they're not up to par, there's plenty of other contractors that we can go out there and get in order to do the job. Uh, I was sent some pictures of compost bins that around them were were not clean. And just for the record, I believe dog poop is compostable, but
we don't want to get that. >> Not with the plastic bags. >> No, not with the plastic bags. >> Councilman Brooks, >> thank you. Um, actually question for the BA on the dog poop. uh
um >> the job >> contagion that we all face. Um would that technically be under animal control HHS in terms of the dog owners or in terms of um I'll just say it for the
members of the public. I know there's, you know, you walk around, you see the same dog owners not picking up after their dogs, no accountability. Where would that accountability come from? I >> mean, in the case of violations, >> yeah,
>> it would probably be both HHS and quality of life. I think they both have the power to enforce that. Um, practically speaking, probably more quality of life because I think they're more out in the street inspecting things than HHS would be. Um, so I think the
power would probably practically fall to them, but I think both could enforce it or have inspectors that can enforce it. >> Thank you. Um, acting director Levy, if you can figure out the dog poop problem in Jersey City, you will be sing. I think
>> I think that when you initially write a K9 summons or in my experience, once one or two have been written, and they're usually by repeat offenders, if they receive one, which is a personal summon that's written to them, it tends to lead in the direction that suddenly the dog
poop stops. Um, other than that, the only thing I can say is we can run a pilot where there's actual bags on some of these containers within parks or whatever the case may be where um, individuals that are walking dogs that may have forgotten their bag can use one
of them. Um, there's a cost involved in that, but some it, you know, something we might want to look at. >> Thank you. >> Actually, bags have been there. A lot of uh, high-rise buildings, they take care of it, they provide it. People are still lazy. So I think enforcing it will be
good if you can come up with something >> understood get councelor >> director um had a pleasure with uh speaking with you had a great conversation um uh we have a lot of shared values and uh I appreciate that.
Um I wanted to uh ask three questions just to get on the record in the interest of time. You can keep it brief, however you want to approach it, but uh the first thing um on this agenda, we have a residency waiver um for residents. Um you're you're not on the list and if you could just speak to your
residency here in Jersey City. >> So yeah, I currently do not live in Jersey City. I'm looking to uh move to Jersey City. Uh based on my 4 a.m. alarm clock, that's going to happen sooner than later, I hope. Yeah,
>> we look forward to having you here in Jersey City. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Um the the second thing was um as I asked the others um you and I talked about it kind of the old and new Jersey City. Um you share a
lot of the values from the working class roots and coming up in uh in DPW in in New York and Manhattan. um if you could just speak to that and how you're going to balance the needs and um among your work workers. A lot of your workers are actually kind of more old Jersey City,
right? They represent the southside, the west side, uh maybe the western slope of the heights and other parts of um in Jersey City, working-class folks if they can continue to afford to live here on the salaries we pay them. Um and then um uh and then but then you have the demands citywide and kind of our
different demands of different competing uh communities in Jersey City. if you can speak to that. >> Sure. So, I think that uh if you want to call it call it old Jersey, New Jersey, um both parties want to see results when it comes to uh refuge pickup, when it
comes to snow response, when it comes to DPW. Um I think it shows within the public. Um the older Jersey City, let's say, they might want to see areas that haven't been touched in a while that really need some deep cleaning. They may want to see us go after that. One
instance of what New Jersey City might want to see is what we're currently working on, which is making sure our bike lanes are treated the same as main thoroughfairs during a snowstorm, opening them up as soon as possible and making sure that individuals are able to get on their bike and get around the city just as easy as a motorist.
>> Great. How about the employees in terms of like uh uh a lot of them been here a long time and just how uh their expectations through the years and how you you plan to approach that? I think a lot of them have a lot of experience, so I'm not going to take anything away from
them. I think that they've been there for a long time. There's some of them that might need a uh a little motivation, let's say, in order to get back on track, but for the most part, I think they have a lot of great experience that they can give to the newer employees at DPW. And I think it's a good, you know, working relationship
between the two of them. As long as I manage it correctly with my unit heads, I think that it's a it's a good work in progress. >> Great. Um, thank you. And then the last thing that I asked uh um if there comes a time when you have to would you disagree with the the administration on
a on a on a policy or a call? Um I want to see street sweeping enacted on once a time on each street and uh have we talked about that briefly, but if uh if you had some disagreement with the administration or city council on that, if you could share how you would uh
>> Yeah, sure. I can only I can only speak from my experience in sanitation and situations that I've been through what I think the outcomes would be on those topics we were discussing. But overall, if the decisions are made, um I follow my orders and I do what we need to do as as a city in order to get us running
correctly. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, director. You >> want me to answer these other items while I'm up here? I have >> Oh, yeah. You have other stuff. Yes. Go ahead. Um, I can take a shot at them. I've I've
This is my uh my second week, but I believe uh 1020 resolution 26 260. This was a uh resolution to ratify emergency contract with McCluskey um mechanical contractors for the upgrade
and replacement of HVAC cooling water pump at Bishop Street for the Department of Public Works, Division of Buildings and Street Maintenance. So in this particular case, this was due to a lack of preventive maintenance. I believe the
number comes in somewhere around 174,000 and we spent well over that in in the numbers that I looked at on repairs that have come in in order to fix this. This is where the central 911 system is under. So it tends to heat up, especially this time of year. We had to
undergo an emergency uh bring them in as an emergency contractor in order to do it. I believe having them under contract and getting the preventive maintenance up that they regularly check on these, change filters, whatever the case may be, would actually be a savings to us. So, that's the first one.
>> I ask on that um to the administration or or director if I can get the balance on this capital account. I believe it's a capital account, right? Then um and then my second question is in doing an emergency award, uh what what's your
process? Did you get quotes, things of that nature? How's that work? >> No, this is this is the only one that I saw was with this particular company. So, that's the numbers that I looked at. >> Okay. So, is this is this is this 75 Bishop Street?
>> Yeah, this is 75 Bishop Street. >> So, Okay. So, I thought I thought uh East District moved to 75 Bishop Street. >> Yeah. So, currently the uh East District Police Station is at 75 Bishop Street right now. So this currently right here is a resolution just ratify an emergency
contract for McCluskey uh mechanical for 174,000. So currently at that location um we got a rooftop unit that went down. So in the interim town we did an emergency contract with McCcluskey Mechanical. We've been using them for the last 3 years.
>> So Bernard just state your name and and title for the record. >> Uh Bernard Her general supervisor. >> Yeah. I have a question for the admin Sorry. >> No, I was just asking any other questions. >> Oh, um, thanks. Yeah, I I do have a question for the administration. Um, it
was mentioned that this might be still possibly under warranty and that you um that you know we may be able to get some reimbursement for that this perhaps if it is still under warranty. Um, could you speak more to that please?
>> No. So, the unit itself is not under warranty. There's at Bishop Street there is like nine different HVAC units altogether. One of the HVAC units for the 911 center that cools the data center there. The compressors, if I'm not mistaken, are under warranty. So,
those could get reimbursed. There might be parts, you know, some of the compressors in the units that could be reimbursed um that are still under warranty, but the units entirely are not under warranty. >> Do we know how old the unit is? >> Yeah. So that unit is probably about 10 plus years old.
>> Okay. >> So the server room units, we replaced them last year. It was about four compressors in total. Those uh compressors alone is under warranty, but the unit on the roof isn't. So what we did was the the unit got to be built from scratch. There's a specialmade AON
unit. So we had to do an emergency contract because it's 20 weeks out. And we did that emergency, I believe, in March. And the current contract, we we do have a current contract, but as Danny stated earlier, it was a co-op issue u with
time of material from the state. The state passed the law. So, um last year we spent about $500,000 and we got about 250 left this year. >> All right. So, okay, I'm a little confused. So, we have the unit, the new unit. >> No, we ordered the unit. What we ordered
the unit? >> Yeah, we did an emergency contract so we could get the funds. And the unit is 20 weeks out. 20 weeks out. >> Yes, because it's special made. They got to be built from scratch. >> Okay. >> So, >> thanks, Ben.
>> For for the record, um this is uh this item is $174,000. What portion of it do we expect might be under warranty and might be able to get reimbursed? >> So, the server room itself is what we're
working on. Those compressors are under warranty, but for the resolution that we proposing today is for a rooftop unit for a different location throughout the building for $174,000. >> None of it is under warranty.
>> Well, once the unit come in, it'll be under warranty. >> What he's saying is, Council One, this resolution does not have anything that's replacing anything that's under warranty right now. There are other units in the building that have a warranty that cover them or cover the compressors for them,
but the one you're voting on tonight or sorry, Wednesday night, that resolution does not, you know, touch upon any units or any items that would have a warranty to it. >> Okay. Thank you. I just want to follow up on my earlier line of so you think that the the number
here and the award here is um is reasonable with McCloskey. You have good experience with them and this number comes from Sorry, what was your name? John, sir. >> Bernard. >> Bernard. Yeah. Um Bernard, this came from you. Um your recommendation.
>> Yes. So, what Danny's proposing is 175,000 I believe as a temporary encumbrance. That temporary encumbrance allows us to have the funds ready and available when we put out the RFP. So, currently what we did was we got a RFP
out uh once this state law had passed saying that we can't use uh vendors for town material. So, we put together a RFP whereas though one part A would be preventative maintenance and part B would be a um would be open for uh
service calls, emergency calls, parts and things of that nature. So, that 175,000 that he's air marking is for a temporary encumbrance so we can have them funds ready and available once the uh bid is awarded to a contractor. >> Next one.
Yeah, I believe the other one for DWP was 10.22 resolution 26.262 uh resolution authority an award for open-ended contract to Northeast Sweepers and Rentals for Parts and Repair Services for Ravo Street Sweepers
as needed through Keystone Purchasing Network for the Department of Public Works, Division of Automotive. Uh, this goes from 4226 to 122626. So, in my initial time here, um, I've
seen the Revo mechanical brooms. Um, I'd like to take a better look at them and I see that we have until the end of the year before we would have to make a switch on them. I had very good experiences with global mechanical brooms that are a different uh different
company but perform the same task basically. Uh I also find that these ravos can be a little bit more of a uh mechanical challenge in my in my experience. So, although I do believe we
need this until the end of the year to get us there, once the contract is up, I would like to take a look at uh possibly looking into a different company for mechanical boom sweepers. Uh we are starting next week by doing a trip to New York to take a look at what we use
there and possibly touching up with their vendors to see if we can get something going for um 2027. So, I I I asked the administration and just I don't know if I already got to you as well on that, but uh get the the dollar amount as an open-end contract.
How much we um >> I believe it's 150,000 from 422 to 1226, >> right? For for previous years, previous contract years. >> I I don't have that information in front of me. I get that for you. >> I could get that for the last several years. and how much since it's an
open-ended contract, how much we actually spent off of those contracts and what the balances were that were carried over. Um, as I shared earlier in these meetings that uh, um, if we can reduce those contract amounts if they're
if we're historically spending less than 150,000 and we're spending 100,000 hypothetically, probably not, but that let's just say, and we could save 50 grand on the contract award, then uh, that's 50 grand less than taxpayers have
to pay this this cycle. And I'm I'm really talking about this this fiscal year because this is like a be a devastating uh potentially devastating to to taxpayers of Jersey City. So understood. >> Okay. Director, do you have 1021 as
well? >> Sirens, lights and sirens for automotive. >> I believe that's under public safety. >> Okay, no problem. Thank you, director. >> All right. Thank you. Last but not least, John McKini.
Good evening, council. Um, I have two if you have any questions on them. The first one is item 10.34, resolution 26-274. It's a resolution ratifying and authorizing a professional uh professional service agreements with
Kyle Mcmanis Associates LLC to provide planning services involving the creation of a housing element and fair share plan for the city of Jersey City. >> Questions? >> Yes. Um thank you John. Uh I'm I'm a
Yeah, I would love to just get a better understanding of uh what these different mounts are here. There's uh Elizabeth Mcmanis receiving uh some monies. Kyle Mcmanis associates receiving some other monies it looks like. Um so if you can just wa walk through what exactly the
different amounts uh are are going toward in terms of the um this proposal and >> absolutely. So the the ratification element was for work that was done out of contract that had fallen through the cracks. That's the $28, uh617.
Um this was it preparing the spending plan in accordance with the uh the state mandate mandated deadlines. The remainder she predicts that maximum work she'll have to do pursuant to our declaratory motion judgment on this to
finalize it is going to be 5,000 bucks. So it's extending an additional agreement because it can only be for a year um to do another $5,000 worth of work. >> Okay. So 28,000 for work done out of contract. Correct. It's another 5,000 for that same work
out of contract. >> It would have been more than $5,000 for that work out of contract. Um she submitted a proposal to HDC. It just doesn't look like it ever got moved on. It fell through the cracks somehow.
>> Okay. Um and these are this is money that's under the 20% of the affordable housing trust fund that can be used for administrative fees. >> Correct. >> Okay. And then um yeah, could you just share a little bit about this housing element and fair
share plan? What the what the vision is and what we think that yeah the utility is for for Jersey. >> Sure. So in order to collect the development fees and then spend them, we're required to have a housing element and fair share plan that's approved by the courts. We're pretty much at the end of that process at this point, probably
wrapping up, I would guess, in the next few months. Um so that's that's what we hired Beth to do. She worked with planning uh HDC and the housing authority to come up with the fair share plan and sort through our numbers.
>> Okay. Um and then the the 17 uh,500 here that was the contract um value of the contract will exceed that. Sorry, I just want to be very clear at what is
that number pertaining to? It's a will exceed contract. >> Sure. So, the $17,500 contract statement in there is specifically in relation to the local paytoplay laws. Um, anything that exceeds 17,500, you have to submit these forms. That's basically why that's in
there. >> Okay. Um, and then just lastly, what is the remaining work that needs to be done around this plan? So, there's still back and forth with um Fairshare Housing Center and our outside council on the I
believe the the credits we're getting towards rehab units. She just needs to finalize the work on that with Fair Share. Is Fairshare also under contract with the city? No, >> but this is the money is just for McManus Associates to parlay between
City and and Fair Share and whatever other work they need to do to develop this plan. >> Technically, Fair Share is the uh opposing party in the the litigation, but we all joined this together just because it has to be done. So, they're not actually seeing any money from this.
It's just for the work she needs to do for our part of complying with the law. >> Right. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I just um I believe I've asked this in the past and you may have sent it to me,
so if you did, I apologize if I can get um a resend on it. The the budget I guess that was for these affordable housing trust funds. Um we have one already, right? Or was developed. >> I'm sorry. >> There's a budget that was approved by
the court or that's posed to the court. Oh, you mean the actual fair share plan? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I can send that to you. >> Good. Thanks. >> Sure. Yeah, I would love to see that answer. >> Okay, John. Next one.
>> Bear with me. >> Um, the second one is item 10.12, resolution 26-252. This is a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to accept a gift from Zoe Sierra to aid children who may
be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally distressed by providing Zoe's peace packs. >> It's roughly $600 worth of donations. >> Thank you, Zoe. >> Is Zoe going to be with us on Wednesday? >> Yeah.
>> I don't know if we got a confirmation on that. >> Waiting confirmation. If this Wednesday doesn't work, we'll pull it and do it at a subsequent meeting when she and her mom can attend. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> All right, Sean, can we defer to 10.4 and then take it from the top? >> 10.4. City Resolution 26-244. It's a resolution introducing and approving the 2026 2027 budget of the historic downtown Special Improvement
District, directing the city clerk to publicly advertise the budget and schedule a public hearing and directing the tax assessor to prepare an assessment role the properties within the district based upon the budget. We have our director here to answer any questions that the council may have.
>> Question. >> Good evening. Does any I'm Rachel Sie, the executive director of the Special Improvement District. Our members approved our budget March 20th
uh or and our board and council woman Elena Little also was in attendance for our regular meeting and our annual meeting. and we had a meeting with the
administration and BA to discuss our budget. Does anyone have any questions? >> Any questions for Rachel? >> I just want to state for the record. Um yes, as as um as Rachel said, I was there when they passed the budget. I was there at previous meetings and
subsequent meetings. They've walked me through their budget and I have no concerns with it. >> Just a a quest a question for the administration. And I know um I was talking with folks in the administration last week about the other special improvement district budgets. So any
update that we can get? I know Central A Special Improvement District is anxiously waiting getting on the agenda here. >> Yes. So we had the meeting with them today. It was very productive, I think. Um we're going to have them on the next meeting. We went through with their
membership to make sure the dates lined up, but if they're on the next meeting, they will still be before us um after the public waiting period by the end of June. So, their budget will be approved prior to the deadline, which is June 30th, and they should be hit good to hit the ground running July 1st with their new budget. Thank you.
>> Hey Rachel, thank you for waiting. I don't have a question for you, but Peter, how about Exchange Place? Any idea about their budget? >> We have not received their budget yet. I have to double check because certain SIDs are on different uh fiscal years or
calendar years than each other. Um the clerk generally likes to try to spread them out when they present their budgets to us. We're not hearing too many budgets at once because he doesn't do a notice requirement. It become very laborious for his staff. Um but I believe there would probably be sometime in the summer. I can double check for you and get you the act date.
>> Thank you so much. >> Any questions for Rachel? >> Yes. I'm just curious to know if um because I I didn't I didn't um see the the I didn't see a budget after the the meeting that you had. Were there any
changes or >> um >> No, there there wasn't any changes. >> Okay. >> There were questions about wages cuz wages is in one line item and it's for 480,000.
But we are different from the other SIDS where our clean team is inhouse. So it's broken down to $178,000 for our clean team and then the three staff that's inhouse uh for our office.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Questions. >> Thank you, Rachel. >> Thank you. >> All right, Sean. take from the top. >> My pleasure. Um,
all right. The first reading ordinances, both items were touched on earlier. On to our second readings. 4.1 was touched on earlier. 4.2 is rescending those regulations at Society Hill. Troy's point. Any questions?
>> I I have a um brief question, Council President. Um my my team noticed that um one of them what one of the provisions of this is removing a handicap parking spot. Is that because the individual that it was created for no longer needs it?
>> Say that again. It's take is getting rid of a parking spot. >> Yeah. There um it's it's taking away a handicap parking spot, I believe. And is that because the individual um it was created for no longer needs it? >> Uh correct me if I'm wrong, Peter. or
corporation council. If we are removing a handicap parking spot within this, then the I guess HOA is now uh substituting that spot or it would be their responsibility. We're just saying that we don't have the authority to um
police that spot, right? >> Yeah. So, these are always private streets. So, we don't have any authority to tell them how to use their streets. This is just them uh revoking the request that they previously made to us about having us follow those streets to
issue violations for any parking whatever kind of incidents that might occur. Um because they own the streets. It's a HOA. It's a private development. They have the absolute right to do that. They made the request and fought all the rules. So this is really just the council, you know, going through with their wishes and the property owners
over there that, you know, live there. >> Okay. >> Okay. Sean. >> Next item 4.3. It's a renewal of the lease for Rialto Capital Urban Renewal Company LLC.
Any questions? Item 4.4 is an extension of an amended deed of easement with 14 Florence Street Corporation. Any questions on this hearing? None. We have our public
speakers and we're at 55. And on to our petitions and communications. Any questions or comments on items 6.1 through 6.41? >> I would just like to request some copies, please, Sean. >> Sure.
>> Um, I'd like to request 6.21, 21 627 630 and 640. >> Okay, please. >> Anyone else? >> Thank you.
>> Yeah, I'd like to request a copy of 6.32. Thank you. >> En 6.30 for us, please. >> I'm going to share everything with the entire council. I know council person
Lavaro requested quite a few number of these decisions and communications. I'll share them all with you as well. >> Thank you. I would like to request um 6.5 through 6.8. >> 6.5 through 6.8.
>> Okay. Anyone else? Hearing none. There are no officer communications. Any questions or comments on reported directors 8.1 through 8.4 to our claims and addendum number one
and then on to our resolutions going from 10.1 through 10.7 we touched on earlier 10.8 8 resolution 26-248 is a resolution authorizing the renewal of an agreement between the city of Jersey City Claims Resolution
Corporation for a period of 1 year January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 to act as a third party administrator for workers compensation and liability claims for the city of Jersey City as an EU. >> Uh yes, I have some some questions here.
um could you provide uh some more clarity on what an extraordinary unspecifiable service is because it seems like that is what um allows this to not be bid upon. Uh and so it's a I'm just a little confused as to why there's
no bidding for this. What um makes this uh service so extraordinarily unspecifiable? uh why there's a January 1st, 2026 start when we're at May 4th now. Um these things raise antennas, especially as um
it looks like there was a $2,000 campaign donation to Solomon for mayor from this uh Claims Resolution Corporation, Inc. So um just wanted to get some clarity on that, please. I can't speak to the contract time period because that's not my department.
But in terms of what an extraordinary unspecifiable services contract is, generally it is for services that are difficult to describe as you might expect. There are also certain enumerated statutory exceptions that are permitted for EU contracts. One of which
is insurance, which I think technically this falls under, but I can confirm that. Um, I will also bump to all of your inboxes the procurement memo that we prepared for the council members which addresses EU contracts with some specificity and I'm happy to answer any questions that that doesn't answer.
>> Okay. And and thank you for that. That would be very helpful. And just to get clarity, that is what um allows this to not be bid upon the fact that it is an EU as opposed to >> That's correct. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Any information would be helpful. And then for the January 1, is there any information as
to why this is start backdated to January 1? Because like the other items we talked about, they've been performing the services. It should have been renewed earlier. A lot of these things in transition weren't reported when they should have been or gone to contract when they should have been. So, we're
just cleaning up anything that exists out there and making sure it does have the appropriate approvals going forward. >> Okay. And when when something doesn't require bidding like an EU contract, I mean, what is the how can our city guarantee or, you know, do our due diligence to know that we're getting the
best bang for our buck here? Depend what the EOS is related to. You know, for instance, if it's emergency, you know, like the uh HVAC, you know, unit, usually we try to go with a vendor that we currently have or through a co-op. Um
the co-op is in itself a public bid process. So finding vendors that are from there, you know, kind of alleviates us that they went through all the proper procedures. Um or like I said, we go with a vendor that we've currently utilized because we know the work quality is good or they're responsive or can, you know, fulfill the obligations
related to it. When it comes to insurance contracts, um we have an insurance fund commission that reviews all everything. They're appointed uh by the mayor. you know, it's an independent board that reviews them and they make the recommendations for a lot of this to ensure because, you know, that they're provided the best services. They have a
broker that, you know, uh, their professional job is to basically connect with these and make sure that they verified them. They've went out and find the best rates and contacted, you know, different insurance companies in this area and they provide the feedback to us as far as what they think would be the best deal for the city based on the bids
that they do. Um, and I use the term bid late loosely because it's not always a public bid in the sense that they kind of follow the RFP process, but they'll do things where they'll compare or put out a um, uh, like a request, you know, insurance companies in the area that
handle this kind of insurance and say, "We're looking for companies give us quotes on X, Y, and Z." They receive the information back and they make a recommendation based on the uh, the responses they receive. >> Okay. Thank you. And lastly, I'll I'll just make clear it is not an uncompetitive process for
extraordinary unspecifiable services contracts, which is a mouthful. The city still needs to make documented efforts to solicit quotes. But where the contracting agent determines that it would not be practicable to do so, for example, because the services are so
unusual, um they can document that and that can be the basis for going forward with the contract. So that's something that should be documented. >> Thank you. So, one last thing for this case, it looks like an RFP was done originally back in 2025
um with the options to renew. So, I think the EU to you know corporation is earlier common. It's just in relation to the type of contract that it is in this case insurance, but I think an RFP was done at some point in time and this is a renewal based on that. >> Okay. Yeah. If we can figure out when that that original RFP was, that would
be helpful as well. It looks like in the resolution body, it says resolution 22-284 uh was awarded March 12th, 2025 for a one-year period effective January 1st through December 31st, 2025 with two additional options renewed for one-year
period. Thank you. >> Sorry, I was I stepped out. We were we're on 10.8, right? >> Yes. >> Yes. Just um I I that No, you didn't. I did. Just uh I just want to make sure I
was in the right place. So, um I I heard uh talking about the six months um at the contract January 1st. Uh if it was asked, how many claims have have uh this provider processed or
did we have that information? >> Not offhand. Now, >> can we get that? Is this is this a new award or renewal? Renewal. Yeah. Cool. Can we get the previous year and results on that? Other questions for me? >> Go ahead. Sean.
>> Okay. Items 10.9 through 10.12 were touched on earlier. Item 10.13, city resolution 26-253. It's a resolution of the city council of the city of Jersey City authorizing planning board to conduct preliminary
investigation of conditions of parcels at the intersection of Newark Avenue and Baldwin avenues for possible designation in the area in need of redevelopment with power of condemnation pursuant to the local redevelopment and housing law in JSA 40A
12A-1 exec. >> Did we discuss this already? >> No. >> No, we did not. Oh, >> this this was a poll from last >> We didn't but two weeks ago. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we did two weeks ago, right? >> Yeah. Bill presented it. Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> The bill was here, right? Matudas. Okay. >> Yeah. The county buildings. >> No questions for me. >> Okay. Go ahead. Sean, >> you say no questions. >> No questions. >> No questions. Take it. Go. >> Don't poke them, Sean. Come on.
Items 10.14 through 10.20 were touched on earlier. Item 10.21, city resolution 26-261, is a resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Neielson Fleet, Inc. for various lights and sirens for the city's
fleet of vehicles as needed under state contract for the Department of Public Works, Division of Automotive. >> Okay. So, I I do have a question because um the director said this wasn't DPW. So, is this police sirens? >> I think he was mistaken.
>> He was mistaken. >> He's induced, so we'll forgive him. >> Okay. >> Um this is sirens in general, not just police sirens. It's all the packages on the the light bars, I call them, on top of the police vehicles, right? >> This is not for any new vehicles. This is just to repair, replace anything we
currently have. If anything's damaged, you know, burns out electronic, etc. This is a company we use to do that. >> Thank you. >> So, is this like an open-end contract? We spend a certain amount and correct. So, the total amount, I think,
is $70,000. Well, we have potential to spend up to $70,000. Um, we encumber $25,000. If we need to, we increase that. But if we hit the $70,000 mark, then we have to go back to council to get approval for any additional >> Oh, that's the same question. If I can get the uh uh amount of the contracts in
the previous years, let's say five years. Um and then uh the amounting spent down and the balances. Um again, I'll reiterate the idea that if we can reduce the contract amount, if we're we're spending at a lower clip, then we should do that in order to save the
taxpayer dollars money. Anyone else? Item 10.22 was touched on earlier. Item 10.23, resolution 26-263. It's a resolution authorizing the public sale of 94 motor vehicles and two camera
trailers through public surplus.com public online auction. Now, are these these vehicles are these um like city vehicles and confiscated vehicles or >> they could be a mix primarily? They're confiscated vehicles or abandoned
vehicles. These are anything that we tow to the impound lot and aren't claimed after a certain period of time. Um depending on the circumstance, a lot of them are just in disrepair and they get sold for scrap. The reason why you're seeing a lot of these and we'll continue to see a lot of these is that our impound lard fills up pretty quickly and
we just want to make sure we have room for any new toes and operations. So we, you know, every month or so we like to cycle out more sales, more auctions just to clear that space. >> Okay. >> Are these like vehicles that were um towed like in the past six months or
something? Is that >> I have to double check. I did send Councilwoman Sing the information a while ago, but it's not fresh my memory. There's a period of time we have to wait before we can sell them um or auction them, but yes, it's it's I think 3 to 6 months. There's a there's a specific
time frame for them, but they're recent or more recent. >> Can you can you tell us the results of the last auction? >> Not off the top of my head, Councman. But I'll get that out. I'm good, just not that good. >> You can get us get us that information. Just curious what the how much those
motorcycles went for. I think there were some >> trying to make sure you didn't lose that check like last time. He's got to stay on top of us. >> Want the camera trailers. This one. >> Councilwoman is saying you were saying something. No. >> Saying these were some ghost cars and
ghost. >> All right, Sean. >> All right. Should I proceed? No. Item 10.24 was touched on earlier. Item 10.25, city resolution 26-265. It's a resolution awarding a contract to
MUN code civics plus corporation to provide codification services for the city of Jersey City Municipal Code. Uh this is one of my resolutions. Actually, I'm going to ask the administration to withdraw it. Um we have to make sure we have a purchase order attached to the
resolution which we didn't have. So, we'll have it for the next meeting if that's okay with our BA. >> Fine by me. >> Excellent. >> Did our contract expire though? Just so we can put that on the record before council has to ask next meeting. >> Say that again.
>> Did our contract expire or do we have to move forward ahead of time? >> It has expired. >> Uhoh. Uhoh. >> But he'll forgive me because I don't have many contracts at all and I'll make sure that it doesn't expire in the
future. This is actually EU as well. Um, >> on the record, that's impressive. Councilman, >> I don't know, Sean. He's back here with his homes. for us. >> I know. I know. He'll forgive me. Anyway, items 10.26 through 10.28 were
touched on earlier. Items 10.29 through 10.3 33 I'm going to give to our cooperation council. >> I don't think Councilman Lavaro will forgive us on these. These are also
ratifications of contract awards that are dating back to the beginning of this year. I provided the council with a memo, I believe two weeks ago now. I'm happy to bump it to any of you explaining the state of the law department's current contracts and its finances from 2025, a period during
which the law department did not have a dedicated fiscal officer. So, we are doing the best that we can on this meeting and the subsequent meeting to make sure that all of our work is under contract and that we have paid all bills properly for work that was performed prior to 2026. and you have my
commitment that moving forward there will be no out of contract work from the law department. I will also provide the council with a list of the current matters that each of these firms is handling and we have an upcoming closed session. So I'm happy to provide any updates on those litigations.
>> Thank you. >> Council members, please remember close session five o'clock on Wednesday. >> And um can we add will we discuss the weed warrior litigation on Wednesday? We can.
>> Thanks. >> Okay. Sure. >> Okay. Item 10.34 was touched on earlier. Item 10.35 is resolution 26-275 is a resolution authorizing the ratification of procurement of a cyber insurance policy
from Cowbell Cyber. Any questions? Hearing none. Item 10.36, city resolution 26-276, is a resolution authorizing a waiver for various employees doiciled outside of the city of Jersey City.
>> Yes. >> A comment on this one. On 10:36, we have uh Wanita Delamini listed. She is not uh a city employee. Can we remove her from that resolution?
Yes, this was from the latest HR records, but we can update that and make sure it's corrected. And I I'll touch base with you, council president online, make sure we found out where that went wrong. >> Okay. >> So now, how how does this work? You can you can get hired by the city, you can live in a you have a certain amount of
years you can live in the city and then you can move out. Correct. >> Because I mean, I'm just looking at some people that's on this list who's been working for the city for like 30 years. So that's not the case, Councilman. On the face of the ordinance, which is our
local law, there is no grandfathering provision. There is no express period of service after which you are de facto considered to have received a waiver. My best assessment is that this is a provision of our municipal code that has been long neglected and that there were
not meaningful efforts to comply with it previously. I say that because I have searched I compass for waiver resolutions for directors employees who were hired in years prior to my tenure here um who seem to not have sought or
obtained a waiver. And so this is really just an effort to come into compliance with what our local law says. You are welcome to change the local law if there are any additional provisions that you would like to add, but I provided a list of the relevant roles of individuals who
I deem covered by our ordinance which is spelled out. It's in chapter 53 to the administration. They in turn obtained the doicile information for all of those employees and everyone who out of that process turned up as not being doiciled in Jersey City is on this list in front
of you regardless of when they started work here or what their tenure is. And to be very clear on the record just to make sure no employees say you're getting conf >> this applies to very specific individuals. So it's not all city employees. It'd be department directors,
um certain statutory employees like judges, uh the clerk, for example, tax collector, tax assessor, council members, mayor, council aids, essentially statuto employee, council member. >> No, council members have to live. >> No, as I said, I said council members. Uh anyone in that ordinance that you
basically voted on affecting the the pay for the statuto employees, essentially that list is anyone's covered. So if you're, you know, work for the DPW or work for the law department, whatever else, but not in one of these capacities, live wherever you want, you know, hopefully the state of New Jersey because there's laws about that. But,
uh, you're fine where you are. >> We could do a line item vote. >> Well, I am, but >> vote somebody down who's on that list and not >> You cannot do that. >> If you try it, you will be dismissed. >> I will defer to our esteemed
parliamentarian on that point. Since I'm on the list, he's got that mute person. >> Turn yours off. >> You deserve that. Go ahead. >> The list of employees who are covered by this ordinance are the same employees whose salary is reported in the fixed
salary ordinance that became before the council a couple of weeks ago. So, it's that same group of senior level employees. >> And Council Griffin, to your point, if you're an employee that was not in one of these positions, but was elevated to this position, it wouldn't have applied to you previously. You could have been
here 25, 30 years and then once you get appointed now that certainly applies to you. >> Okay. Sean, >> that meant that that applied to me for many many years cuz I was a deputy for 18 years. But anyway, um
>> we'll consider it, Sean. >> I appreciate it. Just for the record, I spent my first 26 years of my life in this great city. though and raised my son for four of those years. >> I will say for the record, there is nothing that our local ordinance can do
to overcome tenure. And so some might think that is a defect in our local ordinance that it doesn't contemplate certain forms of employment protections that employees who for whatever reason did not previously receive a waiver have come to have.
>> Appreciate that, Corel. And I think I have um council person Lavaro on record saying that there was an exception made for me when I was first appointed. Um I can always give you the transcript if you need it. But anyway, uh item 10.37
on a more positive note, resolution 26-277 appointing Ruby Choy as the business administrator for the city of Jersey City. We have uh Would you like to approach the uh podium?
>> Can we shine a flashlight on it, please? >> We don't have that capability yet. >> Okay, >> everyone. I'm Ruby Choy. I think I'm maybe one of the less. Um I didn't prepare a speech, but I think I'll keep
it short. I had the privilege of meeting many of you guys and uh I'm learning so much from today. Today's my first day here. Um, I have much to learn, but I'm really excited to work with all of you. So, questions.
>> First question. After sitting through this caucus, are you sure this is >> I'm going to wait. >> We survive this caucus with this council. >> I'm excited for the challenge. >> Council members questions.
>> A question. It's uh I I'll finish with the last two with I've asked everybody, but um I want to just talk about this the city budget uh $250 million budget deficit ongoing concerns as you heard tonight about retroactive contracts. So,
can you just talk about your approach to fiscal discipline and ensuring that contracts come to the council in a timely manner? Um but just the terms of your interaction with the the finance department and how you plan to do that. >> Yeah. Um, I think actually one of my first meetings today was with the um,
director of finance and I asked a bunch of questions to share information about the current state of the budget. Um, I uh am looking forward to digging in through all the spreadsheets and asking a lot of the similar questions you guys
have asked. Um, in terms of looking at history, records of contracts in the past, how much has been spent, areas where we can find cost savings, um, and also taking inventory of all existing contracts that we are aware of that have
been expired so that we can, um, be more proactive in that review. I I have a question that uh welcome. Um >> nice to meet you in person. >> Yeah. Yeah. Nice to meet you in person the time on the phone. Um a couple phone
calls that we've gotten to have. Uh just something I want to ask and ask you to share on the record that we started to talk about is um you know what what may on one level be a kind of tension between the um the desire and mandate to really have
a fresh start in Jersey City that I know um voters voted for in the last election and that we're starting to see play out now. Um and that in some ways gets looks like clearing house um and having this fresh start in in city government and also attending to the fact that we have
so many countless city employees who are working incredibly hard and who are putting in so much and have for so many years to make Jersey City the incredible place it is. So as BA just how do you approach um that those two things at once?
>> Yeah. Um, first of all, I am a resident of Jersey City, so I'm not on the the waiver list. Um, I have lived here for four years, and I'm I think one of the newer generations. Um I think that uh that
push and pull of the new and old is is very helpful especially in government but in any organization. We have to understand the history and we also have to look at um new ideas and new ways of approaching problems that have existed for a long time. Um so I'm looking
forward to being in this role where I can um sort of see both perspectives and also work with the staff for this culture change right this change management of both analyzing what has
existed what's the process what's the systems that we've all been um working under and then also um hearing feedback from all the stakeholders about what could be improved. Um, today's my first day, so I'm taking a lot of notes. I'm
observing. I'm asking questions, but I expect that there will be a very short time frame for me to um provide recommendations and actually put forward and implement change and I'm
very much ready to do that. So, I hope that answers your question. >> I appreciate that. And Councilman Lavar, I didn't mean to steal your question. This was something we talked about on the phone before. I I swear I didn't mean >> Yeah, I I think you addressed the the old and new tension, which I asked
already around that. So, um appreciate that. Um I I will add that um in in terms of kind of again balancing the old and the new trying to bring about change in in the organization. Um you talked to me about metrics. Um, and so just uh I I
appreciate that and that was something that uh um when change was promised 12 years ago, there was a lot of talk about uh KPIs and metrics and things like that and none of that was kind of realized. If you could just speak to how you would um disseminate that and actualize that
here in Jersey City. >> Yeah. Um, in my past experience in New York City, um, I entered city government actually with a passion of looking at data and how data can inform government. Um, in all my roles, I've been very
interested in performance management and metrics by which we can hold city government accountable. Um so I think one of the approaches I would take here is really understand all the departments and divisions missions and goals. Um
what are we trying to accomplish and to the best of our ability quantify that? I know some of it might be qualitative but also some of it is very hard metrics and document that over time whatever that um frequency should be and use it as a
baseline for measuring our progress and hopefully bringing it to these meetings. I know you asked a lot of questions, other council members did too about the data and I hope our team can help build that infrastructure over time so we can um really use that as a performance
measurement um measurement tool. My my last question is the same as everyone else is if um you have some challenges or disagreements with the policy of the the mayor or the council, how do you reconcile that and how do you
do that moving forward? >> Yeah. Um that was actually one of my questions when I was being interviewed for this role. Um I really believe in working for someone who is open to my
opinion. Um, I uh like to share my recommendations, present options, pros and cons, and I would like my boss, my manager to be open to hearing my recommendations. Um, so when I was interviewing for this role, I wanted to
make sure the mayor would be open-minded in in terms of hearing my perspective before accepting this position. So, it's very happy to hear from people who've worked with the current mayor that he is that manager and I'm looking
forward to the opportunity to present my my recommendations. >> Not a question. Welcome. Uh it was really great conversation with you, but I'm really excited about your experience in AI field and I'm hoping that you can
bring that experience here in the city hall. Um, I'll also share since you and I had this conversation. Um, I think AI is a tool. It is not, you know, the the the
thing that solves all problems. Um, I think we really need to start with understanding what our data is, what our processes are, who the people are that are, you know, actually doing the work before we bring technology into that element. Um
but there could be a lot of promises with AI especially around efficiency and technology in general to help especially if there are see with the data. >> Yes. Yes. Um so I'm I'm interested in seeing where where there are
opportunities to bring that. >> Councilman Brook. >> Thank you. Um I thank you for the time. Uh was it last? It was last week. Today's Monday. Yeah. So wasn't today. Um, two questions. Um, one, I guess for the
clerk, um, would Ruby be the first woman BA in Jersey City history? >> Uh, no. >> Oh, unfortunately, no. We did have a woman business administrator a few years ago. Uh, it was Robert Carter's wife.
Um, I can't remember her first name off the top of my head. Uh, Lori Carter. Thanks, Kevin. The only other person that would remember that is sitting at that table and I think how many years you have ke >> 36 and I'm on my 33rd. So
>> in everybody's years on tonight >> that is >> someone from old Jersey City told me that Ruby would be the first PA, but that person was mistaken. I won't out them. >> He's okay. >> But she could be the first Asianamean
uh female business administrator for Jersey City. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Once we vote. Um, second question. Um, could you talk about uh and we you and I spoke about this um in our conversation, but your experience um working at the
NYPD during the pandemic and how that might translate to working here. >> Um so many challenges, right? The pandemic was really hard for everyone. Um, I think for me in particular, 2020
was the year I had my son, so that was also really hard. Uh, my first child. Um, and then working at the police department, that was probably also a really tough place for me. Um, I had worked at the mayor's office for six years before moving into the police
department and I didn't think I would last six months and I was there for six years. Um, you know, every organization has its culture and it took me quite a while to understand the police department and figure out my way to work around it and
um, you know, uh, make some substantive changes, the pandemic um, and also the events during that time has had made it really really difficult. Um, luckily I was um in the police department in 2016,
so I had a couple of years in to help um the administration move forward with some of the reforms um which I think put us meaning New York City um in a better place um when the pandemic hit. But um for sure it was definitely a challenging
time and I bring with my bring with me the experiences and the things I learned working in that organization here. Any other questions? Thank you. >> Thank you. Looking forward to working with you all.
>> Welcome aboard. And your first caucus was over four hours for the record. Just saying. Anyway, items 10.38 through 10.42 were touched on earlier. Item 10.43, city resolution 26-283.
It's a resolution creating community advisory board for the Bayside Park Recreation Center projects. >> So, council members, this is just looking to continue to move the ball on the recreation center and ward a
advisory board, similar to what we did for Bayfront. And on the board, we're looking to have a representative from the mayor's office, uh, deputy mayor who is, uh, kind of spearheading this recreation project to help start move it forward. A representative from
recreation, representative from the Bayside Neighborhood uh, association is also included in this >> question. Motion. >> Okay. I have a motion to adjurnn at 8:29
p.m. by council person Griffin. May I have a second? >> Seconded by Lavaro. >> Second by council person Lavaro. All in >> I heard Lavaro first. I'm sorry. All in favor at for the motion to adjourn at 8:29 p.m. All council members present by
acclamation, please say I. I. >> We are out of here at 8:29 p.m. Thank you so much everyone in attendance and everyone watching at home. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work. Have a great rest of the night and stay safe. And I did not like the dress because we
lost that. Thank you so much.