Good afternoon everyone. Good afternoon on behalf of on behalf of C and the members of the municipal council in accordance with the 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 posting on the bulletin board on the first floor of city hall the annual notice which is a schedule of meetings and caucuses of the municipal council for the calendar year 2026 and filed in the office of city clerk on Tuesday November 25th 2025. In addition, at the
time of its preparation, the agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, April 3rd, 2026 at 4:27 p.m. to the mayor, municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, and the lo and local newspapers as well as posted on the city's website so I can certify as to our total
compliance with the sunshine law. Is Monday, the 6th day of April, 2026. This is the municipal council caucus. Uh we had a scheduled 4pm start. It is 40:06. May I have a roll call for the commencement of this meeting? Councilman Brooks,
>> present. >> Councilman Zupa, >> here. >> Councilman Efos, >> present. >> Council person Little >> here. >> Councilman Gilmore. >> Council person Singh, >> I'm here. >> Council person Griffin, >> I >> Councilman Lavaro
>> here. >> And Council President Ridley, >> here. Okay, we have all nine council members present at 4:07 p.m. We have achieved a quorum. Uh, how do you want to start, Council President? Do you want to just
>> Okay, we'll start with uh McDallia. >> Good evening, council uh persons. Uh, my director is out of the office this week, so I'm filling in for her. I'd like to just go over uh the first resolution which is uh item
10.20. Uh that is resolution 26-171. It's authorizing the granting of a permit li uh for Liberty National Golf Club for a fireworks display in May.
like to emphasize permit because it is only uh to allow them to continue uh the permitting process. Okay, questions. >> What is the occasion for the fireworks display on May 4th other than Star Wars Day?
I think this is part of uh our uh 240 >> I'm sorry 250 our our celebration of our 250th anniversary uh mixed in with um you know whatever event they're having there to
recognize that. Yeah. One other question. Um, in the attached documents, uh, page four in section one, does that charge, um, not charge point, excuse me, Care Point is the permit holder? Um, so I was wondering if we I
could get clarification. Is Care Point the company uh, actually the permit holder at this spot in the golf course? No, I I believe they're the nonprofit uh organization, but I'd have to get back to you on that.
>> Okay. Just because Care Point feels feels relevant. Uh >> okay. Yeah, absolutely. >> That'd be helpful to know. >> Council members, you will see uh emails and requests for time to time for fireworks that uh usually goes through the municipality. So, it might be
something as simple sometimes as possibly a wedding uh let's say at Liberty House or something like that, but they have to inform the city that they are going to set off these fireworks and we have to make sure they have proper permits. >> Yeah. To add to that to the council
president's point is that there's a public safety review that has to happen for this. So, really what get all the feedback really what we're just doing is notifying the council that it's happening and showing them that the public safety review has been conducted and that fire and police have both signed off on it. So there's no issue or no threat to the safe city by doing
this. >> Correct. And public safety has uh signed off on on it, you know, in the process of that permitting. Uh but it needs to move into the next process which would be fire. >> I I have a question for corporation
council. Um is the city council legally obligated to approve all firework permits if there are no public safety concerns? I don't think so, but we can look into it and confirm before Wednesday. Okay.
Thank you. >> And sorry, just a process question. Public safety has signed off, then it comes to city council, then it goes back to fire to sign off. >> Oh, well, fire is part of public safety, so but they go through other measures.
Um, so they can't do that unless there's been this resolution submitted. >> Understood. So, general public safety and then city council and then additional specific fire safety me >> correct >> are looked into. Okay. Thank you for answering that. >> One one more question for me. Did you
say this is this is a private event, right? Not the city. Is the city sponsoring this? No. No. >> Great. Thanks. >> Any other questions? Next one. >> Oh. Um, will the event be open to the public?
>> I have to get back to you on that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You have two more, right? >> Yes, I do. Uh, let's see. Start with the uh Jersey City Arts and Cultural Trust Fund uh appointments
which is resolution 26-170. That's agenda item 1019. Yes. Sorry about that. Any questions on those appointments? Yeah, I I just noticed that um I don't have it in front of me, but um wards uh
there's representatives for every ward or certain wards. >> Uh so they're in staggered years. That way it's not like the full committee is being uh you know appointed at the same time. So yeah, your ward will be uh up for renewal next year.
>> Well, I I don't represent a ward, but um >> Oh, that's right. You're sorry. >> WS BNF will be coming at a different time. >> Correct. Yes. Then uh I guess the atlarges don't have a well you have a seat but we don't have a representative.
>> You are all welcome to submit nominations. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> If we don't have any other questions I'll move on next one. Okay. >> Oh um this is a procedural um comment
for the clerk. Um, the W E representative, his last name is misspelled. It's Gallagher as in the same way Sean Gallagher spells his last name. >> Yes. With an A. >> With an A instead of an E. So, if we could just fix that. Thanks.
>> Up on that. >> I'm the only >> Oh, one more question. So, um, the appointees who are being appointed, are they returning appointees or are they, uh, >> only Sandy Martini is a returning appointee. Okay. Any
other questions? Last one. McDall. Uh, so this is 261 153 just 2.2. >> Yes. 10.2. This is a resolution
requesting permission for the dedication uh by writer of revenues received through the collection for an art tax in accordance with NJSA 40 semicolumn 12-15.12 dot and I believe our corporation
council can speak to that if you have any questions. >> I do mayor. >> Yes. Um so so this dedication by Ryder is this um first time that this is being done or is this a renewal of a in some
way? >> First time it's being done. >> So So it begs the question because the arts fund has been around since 2022 and monies were collected um and it's going to the same question is going to be asked to the payroll tax dedication
by Ryder. begs the question as where that money has been going. Um, at this point, >> same account. So, this is housekeeping that came from the audit report that was recommended to us that was these accounts were established. The money has been put into them. All the money has been utilized appropriately toward the
establishment of the accounts when the ordinance was first passed. It's just on top of that ordinance created these accounts. Uh, we should have had a dedication by writer. So, it came up in our audit. We flagged it just doing the housekeeping to make sure we're in line with everything. >> Okay. I'd like to see the um balances on
the account for the last since it started annual balance balances. >> Any other questions? >> I do have that number uh for the current balance if you wanted that. Please >> just get them all um for the past since
2022 annually. >> But if you have the the current number in front of you, could you give it to us? >> Yeah, sure. So currently there is 1,526,51858 in that account and I would just like to point out that um our uh grant cycles sort of toggle
between you know two years right so we've got our 2526 grantees uh who are waiting um at the end of uh July for they will be submitting for their 25 remainder percent and then we do have our current cycle that is in the review
process um at the moment and once awarded uh they'll be getting a 75% um also within you know this year. >> So so the the cycle of folks who are who have applied now and are waiting for
decision or hasn't been awarded yet, >> right? Our our announcement uh will hopefully be made April 30th and I hope that you can all tune in. >> Yeah. Are the funds from the 26 uh collection
um going to be applied towards that group of people, a group of awardees, grantees? >> Yes, the remainder 25% um of 2526 will come out of the number that I just mentioned. So what's currently in our account will uh have two different
calendar year >> 25 26 portion of it will come from this and then and then there's the 2627 grantees right? >> Yes. >> And will they also be coming a portion of that coming out of this as well? >> Yes. Their 75% initial payment will be
coming out of this number. >> Any other questions? Thank you. I think that's everything, right? Yes. Hey, great. Thank you so much for your time. Have a wonderful day. Okay, next. Community development.
Amari. Good afternoon, council president, council members. My name is Amari Santiago. I'm presenting Reszo 26-173, agenda item 1022. The Division of Community Development is
requesting council authorization to award up to 2,92,950 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to Harmony House Holdings LLC for a project known as Harmony House. The project is a new construction on vacant
land, address 174-178 MLK/204 Stegman Street. Uh the land was conveyed to the developer by JC via deed June 26, 2024. The building will consist of 44 rental
units, and one ground floor commercial space, 15 parking spaces, 25 bicycle spaces, 10 affordable units for mixed use. There will be a 30-year affordable period restricted under chapter 188 of the Jersey City Municipal Code.
>> Questions? I have questions. I'm sorry, what was your name? >> Amari. >> Amari. >> Mari. >> Mi. Amari. So my um review of the resolution says it was 2024 awarded. >> Yes. >> Funds, right? From the 2023 24.
>> Yes. >> Um so so the question for me is why why did it take so long for us to get to 2026? Um so the delay in moving forward was due to the need to finalize and obtain state approval for the affordable housing trust fund as well as execute
the dedication of writer which was passed last council meeting >> the dedication of writer yes held up >> the largest part was the litigation at the superior court these the spending plan for the affordable housing trust
fund has to be approved by the court that approval wasn't received until recently so we anticipated quicker. Originally back in 2024, there was a committee. The committee has to award some of these projects. The word was done, but the approval was accompanied by the the courts. So once
the court gave the approval, we're now rapidly bringing back anything that was previously approved. Then of course trying to get the committee established so they can do future approvals for that money. I think um at the la last meeting I asked for there was two two pots of money affordable housing trust fund um
and for the um the budget for the one that was court approved. I don't know that I got that. I could be wrong but um if we can check check that and get me that information how much is uh available and how it's budgeted
>> can check with staff and get back to you tomorrow. or um you said it was 15 parking spaces. >> 15 parking spaces >> and 44 units. >> 44. >> One one question. Uh thank you for
presenting on this. Um what is a deferred developer fee? That's the last source of funding that's being shown in the final whereas clause. >> Unfortunately, this is not my project. So, I will have to take that question uh
back to staff and reconvene tomorrow. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I had a question. Thank you. Um was the inclusion of very low income units uh evaluated during underwriting. I know I said it wasn't your project.
>> Yeah. Okay. I'm filling in for staff today. Um unfortunately that Yeah, I would have to >> The developer is here. >> Yeah, the developer is here. Um, >> Danny, you wanna >> Danny, can you can you answer a couple of those questions?
>> Would you be able to repeat the question, please? >> Well, Jake, let's uh Sure. Councilman first, I'm sorry. >> Um, my question was the last source of funding listed in the whereas clause um is a deferred developer fee for about a
million7. Um, just what what is a deferred developer fee? I'm curious with that. Uh so I'll start with the developer fee. The developer fee is a fee developers take for the process of developing. Um by us deferring it um we're able to add
it to the capital stack of the project and use it as equity to get the project done. So it's a developer fee that gets distributed way down the line. Th this is the developer fee that Jersey City
asks developers makes developers pay into the affordable housing trust fund. Different developer fee. >> Different developer fee. Correct. >> Okay. If I may, this is essentially built into a lot of these projects to bridge the construction to actually renting out the units. So, it lets them bridge that gap
where they might have income and that kind of stuff coming through them. so they can maintain profitable and they can get people in there and actually start collecting money to pay back all the loans and that kind of stuff they have associated with it. >> Okay. >> It's the money you would earn as a developer, right? It's your fee. >> Correct.
>> You're putting it off and you're putting it off to make the numbers work. Um off your payment >> exactly that. So in this instance, it's getting deferred until the project works. Got it. Thank you, >> Councilman Brooks.
>> Thank you. Um, and I'm sorry, what's your your name? >> Danny Mirabbo. >> Thanks for coming, Danny. Um, did you look at including very low income units? >> I believe we have AMIs from 30 to 50%.
And then we have the AMI from 50 to 80%. >> That's not what it says in the documentation just to be as a point. So, so when we get those other uh answers to the questions that you're going to send
us tomorrow, can we verify the uh the distribution the affordability distribution in the building? >> Right. Very low is below 30%. >> Right. Yeah. Which is just confirming not included. I think you said that, but
just wondering if why? >> Well, if you can if you know um Danny, if you can uh what are the actual rents for the low income? I mean, for the affordable rates, do you know the actual number?
>> Don't have the af the the actual numbers on the top of my head. It changes. It's based on state numbers and state formulas, but I'm sure that's something we can get. Any other questions? >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you guys for having me. >> Director Baker. >> Good evening, council. Good evening, council president. Public safety has three resolutions before you today. My first one is item 10.16 resolution 26-167.
It's a resolution ratifying an award or a contract to software house international for hardware maintenance service agreement through the New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing um Alliance Bergen County Co-op for the Department of Public Safety Communication Center.
It's in the amount of 63 $63,762.15. This is an annual contract for our Bishop Street server room. It's uh all antiquated endof life servers. They're no longer supported by the manufacturer. What this company does is they provide
us with parts. So if a power supply goes, a chip goes, a hard drive goes, we get the replacement part and install it. Uh, two good things with this contract. This is the last year for it because we're in the process of installing a brand new um server room. And two, I was
able to get this reduced by $70,000 this year. >> So, questions. I have one director. So, I guess what is the machines supporting currently at Bishop Street?
Right. I know we moved some of our operations to the public safety building. >> Yes. All the technology and the servers are still located at Bishop Street. Okay. >> We're in the process of adding like $5.3 million worth of servers at headquarters and then the Bishop Street server room
will go dark. >> This is a question to the the BA's office. Um so maintenance services um is that eligible under capital dollars or >> so so normally continued maintenance and repair costs are operating. The only
time maintenance and repair can be added to capital is like the initial implementation. So usually that first year you can use it but anything prolonged after that goes into operating. >> Any other questions? Next one. and director.
>> Our next one is item 10.17, resolution 26-168. It's a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to apply and accept grant funds from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. Um the funding
year is 2027, state and community highway safety grants. This is the resolutions the city to accept up to $80,000 for um highway safety. We can uh allow our traffic unit to use this for things
like vision zero click a ticket DWI stops you so forth so on and uh partial of it can also be used to subsidize salary >> questions. >> The dollars are used to subsidize salary is what you said. >> Yeah. Normally what they'll do uh
councilman is is what when they give it to us they'll specify how much of that which is usually the beginning funds and what they'll do that'll be for salaries and they'll also put a cap on it. So uh let's say that they make it $55 an hour if an officer is out there for four
hours and then that fourth hour he makes an arrest and now it's going to go into overtime. They just continue to get paid at that at that cap. Overtime will not be. And then after that then we can buy sign boards and training and you and a radar you know whatever we need to
enforce. Is there we didn't get anything with this grant um any information about it other than kind of what's in the fact sheet. Um I I I would ask going forward these grants that uh the administration provide uh some sort of executive
summary of the grant and the budget um so that we can see what what it is we're approving here. Um and this is not you Bob. this just generally and I think there's a couple of more other grants on this possibly on this uh application on this agenda. So, if we
could um get a the executive summary of some description of what we're uh what we're using the money for and and if is there a budget already at this point um for the out grant application copy of that budget. Appreciate that too.
Just confirming is it an annual grant annual grant or do you get it yearly or do you >> this this one is for 20 year 27. We do try to apply every year. There's grants we have currently and now of course you know we're we're looking into grant
funding you know a lot deeper than we have in past years. >> Thank you director. >> You're welcome. >> Next one director. And lastly, we have item 10-18, resolution 26-169.
And this resolution authorizes the city of Jersey City to apply and accept the grant funds from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety funding year again 2027. And this is for pedestrian safety enforcement and educational grant
programs. U this is for a grant of up to $70,000. And I failed to say on the first one and this one, they both have a zero match. So the city does not have to match any funding on either one of these >> questions. Same question as I had for
the previous grant. >> Yes. Positively. Thanks. >> Thank you, director. >> Grants Vivian Webb. Good afternoon, council president and council. I'm here to present resolution 26-155,
agenda 10.4 Four is a resolution authorizing the exercise of the first year renewal contract for grant right management um corporation for grant application coordination and compliance for the
grant period of April through March 2026 through 2027. Grant right um they service the entire city not just the police department um they also in the current RFP
um they've been support outside of supporting disaster relief and other compliance regarding like FEMA they've been um supporting all compliance when it comes to grants for the city um not
only just the city even pass through. So some of our SIDs have been able to utilize grant right when it's um for reporting. Um a major part of their um first year
has been for um concentrated with when it comes to compliance. up until September, we had another grant um a prior grant contractor who was strictly doing applications
and that company um we didn't renew their contract in September. So that's when grant rights started with strictly application and compliance. um in 2026 so far they've um they've actually
submitted $47 million worth of applications to date. Um our prior um grant company in 2025 they secured approximately 4 it was
about 4.2 2 million with $950,000 of that which was actually um pre um pre-desated from the state. So those grants we were going to get no matter if we filled out the application or not. Um
so they really only competitively secured us $3.7 million. Brent writes um has a flat a flat um a flat charge per month a flatly a flat
monthly charge of $33,000. Um their total contract is $396,000. The prior application only was 13,000 which was 156,000 a year.
And there are any other questions in regards to grant rights >> questions? Yeah, sorry, too many numbers. A little confused. >> Sorry. >> Um, you said the applications were
filed for 47 millions, but >> yes, 47 million. >> 47 million >> this year. >> And then we raised little less than a million this year. How much this grant writer has secured for the city
>> for the secured for the city this year? >> Yeah. >> So far Grant Wright has applied for 47. Right now we have in total grants to date we have I have it right there.
The total grants to date is $5.4 million. >> Thank you. But some of the grants that we have are predetermined so and reoccurring. So the pre predetermined and reoccurring grants we automatically get.
>> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> So do you do you know how much of that 5.4 million is predetermined? >> The majority of that the actually all of that is >> okay. So so they have not they have not
secured any competitive grants for us yet. that was set up in 2026. No, not in 2026. Prior to 2026, yes, and I have that it's about Last year it was about $7.5
million that they help us um secure. >> Okay. So, last year they helped us secure $7.5 million and the previous year, the previous contractor only helped us secure 3.7 competitively. >> Competitively. Yes. So, and and the 5.7
was that was competitively. >> No, the 5.7 for this year is non-competitive. >> Sorry. Sorry, I meant last year. >> Last year, >> this contractor >> is 7. It was both competitive and non-competitive. >> How much was competitive? >> I can get that answer for you.
>> Okay. Thank you. I'm I'm interested in the um the ratio of grant dollars applied for versus grant dollars awarded when we're going for competitive grants. Um I'm interested in that ratio for this
contractor as well as for previous contractors if it might be possible to get that information. >> I can get that information for you. And a big part of Grant Wright that's key for us is their compliance component.
The compliance component is helping us to save more money because when we apply for grants often the departments apply for grants and they go and they do the work but sometime there's difficulty when there's when
they're trying to recapture the funds. So that they have been key. Last year alone at in the fire department um we were we were at risk of le losing $8.3 million in funding re being reimbursed
and we were being suspended by we were actually suspended by FEMA because of delays in reporting and Grant Wright was the company that went in and help us secure those funds. >> Okay. Thank you. Miss Webb,
>> what? One second. >> I have a question really quickly. Um, Wart, Miss Webb, that seven that $7.4 million that was secured, was that between September and the end of the year?
>> Okay. Thank you, >> Deputy. So for the fire department, at least 1 million of that 5.1 in 2025 was secured by grant right. That's the AFG grant we got a few weeks ago as well as the fire prevention grant. We applied
for 2 million for AFG got 1 million back. So it is a decent ratio. And to speaking to what we discussed a little bit ago, Right was instrumental about two or three years ago in recovering over $5 million in monies that were going to be left on the table. we were
blacklisted by um FEMA for non-compliance. We don't have the staff in the fire department and I'm sure many other departments to have a full-time grant person. So, hiring a company like Grant Wright to do all administrative quarterly reports that are required by FEMA actually saves the city money in
terms of hiring additional personnel to address those issues. So, I think it's a worthwhile best. >> Thank you, director. Any other questions? >> Yeah, one more. Um can you just explain a little bit how Grant Wright um works
with the with the SIDS? >> So a current SID is um Jackson Hill SID. They're currently um helping with the reconciliation of a pass through grant. So the grant was given to the city and
Jackson Hill is re is responsible for the reporting. Grant Wright has stepped in and they're helping Jillian to reconcile the reporting because the reporting was off and if the reporting is off, the city won't receive the money
where we've already given Jackson Hill the money. So, the city would be in danger of losing the reimbursements. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I just want to say thank you, Miss Webb. Uh you I asked a bunch of questions and
you answered all of them. Um I asked in advance and I thank you so much. If I could just get this all in in an email and it sounds to me like um Grant Wright is doing a much better job than our previous grant consultant. And I can
just add that they they actually >> they give us the amount of time that we they spend here with the city of Jersey City is probably at least 25 to 30 hours a week.
>> Thank you. I thank the administration for providing that information. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Recreation and youth development. Director Dun, Council President, Council, I'm here to
read um three different resolutions. Uh I'm going to start with 10.2 uh 10.24. Uh, this is a resolution authorizing the renewal of an open-end contract with ASCAPE and Construction Corporation uh
for the maintenance and irrigation systems at numerous city-owned uh facilities for the Department of Recreation, Youth Development, Division of Park Maintenance, and that will be all of our um all of our irrigation that's in there. So, they usually just turn on uh fix what he's fixing and then
um and then shuts it off at the end of the year. >> Questions? How much item is this? >> 1024 >> 10.36. Yeah. >> Is it I know we approved a a contract
before for the maintenance of different uh parks. This is different from all of those. >> This is this is irrigation, the one you spoke about. Yes. >> Okay. Um and so we're going month to month and we're waiting for a new bid. >> That's a different one. That's the one I'm going to read next.
>> Oh, okay. This is a renewal >> uh for ASCAPE is renewable. Yes. >> Okay. So, your your your assessment of their performance in their first year >> uh for ASCAPE, they've uh they've been
around for a while. They do very good work. >> They do very good work. Um and do our parks coalition and residents feel the same way? Uh I don't I've never been they've never spoken about an issue with them. >> Okay. >> Uh >> oh, it means they feel the same way. >> Mark's pretty happy about it, so if
that's help. >> Yeah. >> Thanks, Keith. >> Um >> any other questions on 1024? >> This 24 or 36? >> 24. >> Oh, 24. >> 10.24.
Next one, director. Uh this is 10.36. This is a resolution authorizing a month-to-month extension um three months effective on April 1st with Clark Moahan Landscaping Construction LLC and general maintenance at Bayside Autobon Leonard
Gordon Hamilton Berry Lane Colombia Riverview Fisk for the Department of Recreation and Youth Development. Yes, this this is another uh month month while we go out to bid for a uh for a new contract. questions.
>> Are we are we have we looked to see what in-house um Yes. >> services would look like? >> I did. I sent that to your office waiting for a meeting and we could talk about it and see which way is better. >> You said >> Yeah, Erica. I sent it over to Erica. Yes.
>> Okay. I would also love to see any any report on what in-house staff to cover this kind of work would look like. >> Yep. I did a whole cost analysis. Um I sent it to the BA and um Okay. and to Councilman Gilmer's office so we could um yeah love to see that what the best
way forward is. >> Thank you. >> During the second blizzard we got at the end of February um there were complaints about uh the pathways in Hamilton Park being very snowy and slushy and treacherous for days even even close to
a week after the snowstorm. Was that the responsibility of Clark Moahan and did we did we get any sort of reimbursement for their failure to >> So that that's an interesting case. Uh so Clark Moahan thought they were doing so they did all they were outside perimeters. They had no problem. They
made pathways going through there. Um but some kind of communication where they wanted to keep a sledding area for the kids off of the gazebo. Um they took it as don't you know don't shovel this area. So they didn't until it became an issue. And as soon as it became an
issue, they went there and cleared it out. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> This is an extension through for three more months and then we have a new bid. That's a new bid. Yes.
>> Yeah. >> And council, if it's okay, um I'd like to read one more um resolution that is on here. Um that is uh it's a resolution authorizing the execution of a license agreement regarding the installation of
a bat house in Enus Jones Park. >> Which uh item number is that? >> I'm sorry that is 10.6 resolution number 26157. >> Yes. Our understanding is that Brunswick School is taking care of the maintenance
and construction and everything of everything. and um the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association is working with the Brunswick School. >> Everybody worked together on it. It was kind of a beautiful thing. And then uh the law department uh took hold of it and uh got everything uh >> I think it's a beautiful idea.
>> Yeah, it's going to be great. It's going to be great. >> Thank you so much for getting it on the agenda. Um I think this is a really great educational opportunity for the kids. >> It's going to be awesome. Really? And then um Don Jim Balvo is here to read one more uh ordinance that is a resolution that's on there. >> Okay.
>> All right. Thank you, council. >> Thank you. >> Uh, director, do you have 10.23 or No, >> that's 10.23 is one Don's going to be reading.
>> That's Don Zimbabo. >> Oh, Don. >> Hi. Uh, good afternoon, president and council members. Uh my name is Don Gianalvo and I'm here to talk about uh resolution number hold on 23
>> 26-174 agenda number 10.23. This is a resolution authorizing the Jersey City uh grants office to accept a small grant from the Bergen County Autobond Society. It's only $1,000, but
the impact of this grant is really huge. It's for a pollinator habitat garden created together with the youth advisory board for reservoir number three. It will provide a really incredible resource for all of the eight schools
within walking distance of the reservoir as well as support monarch butterflies and birds and bees and all my favorite insects. So, this is a check for $1,000 to be accepted by the grants office.
>> Questions? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Um I I actually circling back to the bat house. I had uh one question. Um there are going to be some children from the Brunswick school coming to speak in favor of this ordinance. I was hoping
that the, you know, when when it when we have our meeting Wednesday, that council would be willing to move it to the beginning of the agenda so they can speak and take a photo and then go home. >> No problem. Well, thank you.
>> Brian Weller. Good. Good afternoon, council. I'm Brian Weller, director of division of architecture and I have five uh grant application resolutions for consideration. The phone would be 10.29 29
resolution number 26180 and it's a resolution authorizing Jersey City to apply and accept grants for uh or from Hudson County Open Space Recreation Historic Preservation um for Leonard Gordon Park Improvements Phase 2.
>> So um on 1029 that's for you said Leonard Gordon, right? That that is correct. >> It's a typo. We'll correct that before the Wednesday meeting. >> Okay, great. >> Thanks, John. >> Questions on 10.29
improvements for Linda Gordon. >> Not on this particular uh grant, but the Hudson County Open Space Grant Fund cycle. What do you know what that is? Is it just a fiscal year? Is it January 1 to December 31? >> It's an annual
>> Okay. Annual grant. Thank you. >> So, it's January is the start date. >> Uh they roll it out usually late fall and then there's a progression. So, we had to get the LOIs in uh a couple weeks ago and then uh this finalizes the grant
application and then once Hudson County approves, we move on to the next steps. >> So, we've submitted the LOIs for all of these grants, they've approved it and we're going to the next step, next phase. >> Correct. Yes. >> Okay. And
so so my my question is in regard to this grant, but it's really all of the grants because yes, this one application like for all the grants, >> they're all individual applications. >> All individual. So why does the um matching funds vary from application to
application? It seems like the numbers seem um different across the >> because all of the park improvements are a little different. Every park's different throughout the city. So some of the improvements are different from one park to another.
>> What's what's the matching requirement? >> Hudson County say it's >> based on what you're doing. >> Now Hudson County will give you up to a maximum and then so what we try to do is maximize our our uh grant availability
with our match. So we we we apply >> I'm trying to understand what's the match that the Hudson County requires from us. The max >> is a percent. It's usually a percentage. >> Maximum that they will give us is 750,000. >> Ma ma I'm sorry I'm not following you.
What's the match? >> I I'm not exactly sure if there's a 100 match. It's not a >> So what how is the match determined is my question. >> Either we can't hear you. >> Hello. >> There you go. So, correct me if I'm
wrong, but you ask per project or per submission up to $750,000. So, if you're building a $1, you know, $5 million project, you might ask for the max. If you're building a $600,000 project, you might only ask for 300. I
think it's a ratio based on how much you actually submit your project for. I don't know the exact ratio if it's half of it or what the exact price is. >> I I don't either. I think Hudson County uh could give me a better answer to give you guys tomorrow.
I don't think it's set for every. Yeah, it just varies wildly from one application to the other. So, um I think in one case it was over 100% of the uh of the request, right? So, our portion um maybe more Yeah, more than 100% I
think in one application. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but um uh I'd like to have an explanation as to how they match. And then my second thing is where's where's the match coming from? So we don't identify the source of funds for these match. I remember Miss
Webb um was I don't think here any longer saying that there was a a matching fund um that we had. >> These are capital dollars based on the park. So these are capital accounts established for the park. So, one of the key requirements here is that every project has to be shovel ready, meaning
that you built it all pretty much out and are just ready to build a park now. And that's the key qualifier for receiving this funding. So, a lot of these, if not, I think all of these are basically capital projects that the city has already bonded for, received the money for, have an account, have done all the leg work as far as professional
services, and are ready to just build a project, and then we apply to the county saying, "We're ready to go. Can you help us chip in some money so we can accomplish everything?" So you've represented that um we have the funds. So you could point me to the actual
capital dollars that are being dedicated to this. >> Yeah, Brad would have the information, but every capital would have an ordinance approving the actual allocation for the original bonding and the account associated with it. >> It's not coming from that matching fund. >> Yeah. count.
>> These are all, you know, the council hasn't done it yet, but the other count been here before. A case will go out to bond for certain improvements for capital. These are all associated with those ordinances and those requests when we do those bonds originally. I'd like um you to identify the capital
accounts and I'd like to see what what the balances are on those capital accounts as well and if there are ongoing projects that are also dedicated to those capital accounts and of what what what's already been what what
they're dedicated to what those dollars are dedicated to if that's in those capital accounts. >> Okay? And and I say all of this to say that I think we need to look at things um a little differently um in in light of a budget crisis that we have today.
Right? So um what I mean by that is um um and I'm going to say something that probably will be politically unpopular for me. Um but the taxpayers of Jersey City deserve at least for us to look at these things which is that um we have a um open Jersey City open space trust
fund for example. And while we may want to dedicate that to some other things and um you know we kind of need to tighten our belts and if we need to use capital dollars for something else and then use open space trust fund Jersey local Jersey City open space trust funds
if that will qualify as a match in this case then we should be looking at that and see what the mix and match is so that we're not so that we can take some of the burden off of taxpayers which capital dollars are already I mean even though they're spread out over several years it's Um, you know, if we can if if we can
defease ourselves of these bonds, then we can reduce the tax burdens on Jersey City taxpayers as well. >> I I horse I'm off. >> Any other questions? >> Next one. >> Okay, next one is 10.30
resolution 26-181. Uh, and it's very much the same. uh grant application to Hudson County Open Space. Uh and this one is for uh the Point Park improvements, >> questions. >> Next one.
>> Okay, next one. >> I'll just say one thing as a followup. It's just generally on the whole thing. Could I also get the balances on the open space trust fund count city's open space trust funds? Next one uh is 10.31 resolution 26-182. Again, it's a resolution authorizing
Jersey City to apply for uh Hudson County Open Space Grant, and this one would be for Martineiac and Wright Park. Um, curiously to note that uh this application was approved last year, but the county only gave us $250,000, which
would not make a dent in the improvements at this park. So, the county encouraged us to resubmit. Um, and based on the financial crisis going on, it seemed like a prudent thing to do. So, hopefully we'll get enough money from the grant that we can minimize uh
our our help and get it built. Is that why it says improvements too? >> That's correct. >> Okay. >> So, the init you said the initial 250 wasn't enough, correct? >> Well, we did we do something with the 250? >> No. >> No. Because
>> where is the 250? >> We we wouldn't be able to do any improvements at the park other than maybe remove a tree or do some minor improvements. >> Did we lose the 250 or was in reserve? >> No. >> This is going to be an addition. >> The county will let us reapply and this
is an addition. Yes. >> Okay. So, the two where is the 250 as we speak? >> It's sitting waiting for reimbursement once we finish the job. >> Oh, and then you're applying for an additional child. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Um, is this the park at Storms Avenue? >> This is Pam Po and Old >> Pam. It's like the veterans >> maybe. >> Oh, no. Pan pole is >> it's next to car's >> right at the corner
>> is the block before. Isn't that the veterans park? >> There's a veteran memorial there. Yes. >> Yes. Veterans memorial. >> So my understanding is that um this particular park that uh there was a participatory budgeting process in 2022
that this is where this this uh project may have come to life. thanks to certain residents in W A um and um I'm wondering if you can pro provide a status report of those projects from the participatory
budgeting process um and to see if those were completed or not and where they stand at this point and um yeah. Okay, >> any other questions? Next one.
>> Okay, next one. Excuse me. 10.32 resolution 26-183. And again, this is a resolution authorizing um to apply and accept grants from Hudson County Open Space. This one is for uh Monaceel Park
Improvements and this is the mini park located at 36 Monaceel. Just to avoid any confusion >> at You say 36? >> Yes. >> 36 storms. >> No, it can't be Storms. 36 Monosella
>> storms that's that's pending construction >> 36 has to be baby Monosella >> correct >> so that's >> mini next to the >> yeah next >> baby >> okay >> question
>> so um not on this but as it relates to park we have funds to finish Allison Park >> correct >> what if anything is happening with the restoration of all park with the funds that already been allotted We are finalizing the drawings with the
consultants. We finally have PSEG's approval for the ornamental lighting that's going in and it should be ready to go to bid this month. I was expecting last month, but it should be ready to go out to bid this month. And yes, we have funding for it. >> And that will be complete this summer. Um maybe this fall.
>> This fall. >> Quite a bit of work. >> Quite a year for sure. >> Okay. Next one. Director. Okay, last one. 10.33, resolution 26184.
Again, a resolution authorizing to apply and accept grants from Hudson County Open Space. And this one is for Terrace Avenue Park Improvements >> questions. >> It's just a general question across the board again for all of these. So, um are
we do do we maintain a um an assessment of all of our park capital needs and deferred maintenance and things of that nature um across the city? Um do we have a plan? Like I remember when I first came into office,
there was like a plan for parks that's mapped out for like 10 years or something and that completely went by the wayside. I don't know what happened to it at that point. Um that was back in 2011 or thereabouts. >> He mayor Healey was the the mayor at the
time. Um and uh do we have any something a plan like that that's uh that we're we're sticking to at this point or is there are we just kind of doing this as we things come along? >> It's a great idea. Um, I do believe that the city had something and got away from
it, but my division of architecture, we basically build it and hand out the uh management plan and the maintenance plan, but we're not involved after that really. Um, but I think that that would be a great idea to
>> do general question on the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund. Um, is is it a rolling application process or is there a deadline? >> There there are deadlines. >> There are deadlines.
And do do we do you know there I'm on the website and I don't see a deadline, but >> well there are there are I can I can share with you the um their there are anticipated lists and deadline. I don't have it obviously in front of me. >> Okay.
>> But it is an annual grant request. >> Thank you. Mhm. Any other questions? >> Thank you, Brian. >> City Planning, Matt Ward. >> February 27th, 2026. council was a
deadline for >> February 27th, 2026 was a deadline for the letter of intent that that was the deadline for next year's or for this year's. Okay. Okay.
Good afternoon, council. I'm here on two items. First one being 3.1 ordinance 26-019. It's an ordinance approving an easement agreement by and between the city of Jersey City and AR Scitec LLC for the
benefit of the public. >> 3.1 >> uh yeah uh for the benefit of the public for pedestrian access and passage over and across portions of the property known as 189 Philip Street. Uh there is
uh council in attendance here on this item. Uh the back sheet lays out uh uh the the purpose as well as lists the attachments uh herein. Uh so it has an easement agreement um between scholars
village the name of the development and the city. Uh there is a separate attachment with the exhibits to go with that easement agreement and a copy of the resolution from uh the board approval uh back from 22.
Uh any questions for me or should I bring up for council on this pro this ordinance? >> Yeah. Can they just explain Good evening, uh, council, um, members.
Uh, for the record, Charles Harrington of, uh, Connelfo on behalf of the applicant. So, as, um, on this one, as Matt um, briefly explained, it's uh, it's it's just it's an easement that the, uh, property owner is providing to
the city on behalf of the public for it's a public benefit as part of the project. So, there's three components to it. Um there's a a sidewalk that um the uh the developer will be uh uh constructing along Philip Street on the
on the east side of Philip Street there. So that'll be a new sidewalk, but it's on our property. So what we're doing there is providing an easement so that all the public can use it, you know, in perpetuity. It just it kind of memorializes that. The other component
uh as part of that sidewalk area, we're providing an easement so that PSCG uh and the city can provide for light poles uh to light up the sidewalk along that stretch. Uh and then the final one is is a an easement um for it's it's kind of
an elevated um public plaza between these two buildings. Um and I'm sure you you've seen them. They're under construction. They're all topped off. They're two two 12story buildings. And in between the two two buildings is this um called like a water garden, but it's
it's an elevated uh public garden plaza that's that's open to the public. And this port one element of this this uh easement provides the public uh the the access to walk onto the property and and
go on to that elevated uh public plaza, you know, at any time. It's it's for it's a benefit for the public. So you can go up take a look you you if you're walking down there it overlooks Liberty State Park. You know some you know views that you wouldn't see at the grade level. You you just walk in there and
then uh this this allows the public uh access to that. So those are really the three components of it. >> So questions >> Chuck as it relates to the sidewalk in particular um who's responsible for the maintenance of says >> the developer. the developer is uh owner
owner developer is responsible for all of that >> the maintenance and upkeep of of the sidewalk. My question or comment is more general be has nothing only tangentially related to has to do with scitec city. Um, I've
asked the administration, I apologize I didn't check my emails. If you already responded to me, um, would just like to get an up, uh, update or status report on kind of Scitec City, uh, briefing on kind of where things are at with that
project. And, um, yeah, >> any other questions. >> Thanks, Chuck. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh, now I'll introduce the other item. I'm here on 3.4 ordinance
uh 26-022. This is a franchise ordinance granting permission to HHNJ Propco. phase 3 LLC to encroach within the public rightway sidewalk at portions of 15th and 16th
Streets to allow for an elevated ramp and stairs for the building entry. Um I'll go into maybe a slightly better description than I did last time and then uh there is also council to answer any questions that I might not be able
to answer. So this project is um was is being built in the what's people may know as the stackco building or the Emerson radio uh factory. Uh and there are these elevated ramps that are
simulating the kind of old factory feel that encroach into the public rightway. One being 15th Street which is actually a street that they I believe still own but will be eventually dedicated to the city. So I think that this is getting ahead of that um when eventual
dedication of that street comes. And then 16th Street is actually a public rightway in which uh they encroach with with ADA access to a uh converted ground floor space that will have a a retail
uh and there is council here as well on this item. >> Questions? Um I I have a question. Will there be at least 5 feet of like regular sidewalk maintained in the public right ofway? >> Yes.
>> Okay, great. So, this is not like all ramps and elevated sidewalks like we have in the powerhouse. >> Yeah, there's there'll be uh I'm not sure if it's 5T, but is it's C it's 5T at minimum and then there's even there's
even a a line a line for street trees. So, in some portions it gets even wider to like maybe even like 10 feet in between those street trees. >> Okay, great. >> Matt, can we have council come up? I think he has something he wants to add in. >> Yeah.
>> I just am interested in there being at least 5 feet for unfettered pedestrian accents. >> Hi, good evening, council president, council members. Gerard Pazillo from Gova Burns on behalf of the petitioner. Uh, and I confirm and agree with everything Matt said from the and
Councilwoman Little to answer your question. At the end of the day with the uh the proposed encroachments, the sidewalk width will still be over 5T. It'll be approximately 6 ft uh in various dimensions, but no less than 5T
throughout the entire side. And just to point out these uh this is for entryways into the residential component of the building uh excuse me the commercial component of the building only not any residential entryways. So these are just entries into the commercial spaces.
>> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? >> Thanks Matt. Amanda infrastructure. >> Hi, good afternoon council president, council members. Uh I have one resolution today that is agenda number
1028 resolution 26-1 179. This is a resolution authorizing the payment of a claim submitted by Charge Point to operate and maintain Jersey City uh electric vehicle charging stations. Um this is an outstanding
invoice for $37,680.37 um to manage the previous uh uh cloud plan and assure plan which is also the um uh maintenance uh for hardware and software plans for the Jersey City stations uh during the uh life of the
period ending in October 27, 2025. 5. So, um the reason that this is a claim and not a quote through the normal purchasing uh process is because uh this was an automated automated bill that was
sent to our office um as an invoice and uh through purchasing we are um we've worked with the vendor. So any uh current and future payments need to be made have to be provided to us as a quote first to make go through the
pre-requisition and requisition um processes and then uh we can pay off an invoice. So that's the reason why this is a claim versus um and that's why it's also being presented as a resolution.
>> Questions? >> I thank you for that Amanda. I would say like a little more clarity on why it's a separate resolution from the meeting claims if it is a claim. >> Yeah. So um any normal payment uh won't be a claim. The reason that this is is
because it was submitted to us as an invoice after the work had been completed. We work had been completed the the time period that um uh for these warranties essentially their warranties. So, the war warranty period had been um
the invoice for the warranty had been given to us after the warranty was done. And so, that's why it's not something that we can put in as a quote and it's something that we needed to process as an invoice and it was an automatic um electronic email submitted to my office,
which is why I wasn't informed of it ahead of time. So that miscommunication led to it being a claim today and also on a resolution as opposed to just being paid normally through the regular purchasing um uh style that we're we uh
normally do. >> Okay, thank you for that. But there is we knew that this payment was going to come our way at some point. Um, prior up to that period, all of the
individual charging stations uh had different warranties that expired at different times. So, there wasn't really a time that I expected one particular warranty to come in, uh, for all the stations and ending the um, warranty agreements on a particular day cuz
that's not how I'd been given to I guess like us previously. That's not how we worked with them previously. So, I don't know if it was a change in how they managed their own finances or um you know, this was done like uh over a year ago at this point. So, uh yeah, I wasn't
sure if it I can't speak to how they manage their finances, but I know um working with Charge Point over the last couple of years. There have been some major changes I think like in the structure of how they operate. So, I I can't speak more to that, but now we had
all of the warranties expiring on one particular day for all of our stations as opposed to multiple stations throughout the year in different capacities. So, >> and the expiration of those warranties will be build as regular claims that we
would we know we're budgeting for and everything. >> Yes, exactly. And so, that also that will come to us. we've worked it out with them that we need to process a quote first in order to then pay for an invoice. Um, and so that we have worked out that we need to get those quotes ahead of time. Then we work on the
processing of that and then we can move on. I don't expect um any future quotes to be submitted to us um as of this date. What we want to do is pay all of the outstanding um like quotes and invoices that we have. We're going to
use that to then work with them for um uh uh under the warranties that these charging stations have to repair our existing warranties. And as I've talked to many of you about uh we have a new contract Jolt EV that we are working on um the agreement now. We're still uh I
think tweaking a few things, but I can um I'll probably follow up with that this week. Uh but ultimately we're hopefully at the end of this October, which is one additional year beyond the um the agreement that you see in this resolution. Um the warranties will start to will
expire then and we'll start phasing out the old charging infrastructure. We'll be installing new charging infrastructure come this like summer into fall. And um we won't have those uh
unexpected charges submitted to us. And just my last question on this. So there's definitely nothing inconsistent with the contract that we've had with Charge Point and this claim that we have to pay now like we when this claim is consistent with what we've already
authorized in um contract. Yeah, we've had to I I think that there has been needed um I can't speak exactly to how many times we've needed to renew with them, but uh we've always needed like uh a the um uh
hardware warranty as well as the software warranties in order to establish like um repairs in the future and having uh inspectors come out to actually inspect the the stations themselves. So, um I can't say
I had experienced any other like needing to uh renew warranties. The contract itself was with a different vendor actually. So under lily pad which I think was um uh supposed to be >> uh in alignment working with charge
point and I think um to my understanding it was the uh overall operator of the charge point charging stations and then we need to repair the charging stations and we need to make sure that the software is working so that it can actually provide charge to electric
vehicles. So um we've continued to work with them um to at least maintain the charging stations that we have. Again, the reason why uh paying this outstanding invoice and moving on to um uh completing uh or or finishing out the
the existing charging stations that we have and then moving on to a new contract where it's very um uh we have a lot more I think like uh stringent uh requirements that we can impose being that we're starting a contract with um
uh like I'm starting the contract so I'll be involved in that process and then the installation of the uh the charging stations themselves as opposed to it all being inherited. Um this contract started technically in uh 2019. So all the charging stations were
installed over the years um from 2019 all the way up through I think the last charging station was installed in 2022 if I remember correctly. So, it's just been um uh transferred via hands a lot. So, I can't speak exactly to that
particular contract that was signed in 2019. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Hi, Amanda. Um can you send the council a list of where these charging stations are located and how many charging stations we have? Enjoy. >> Absolutely. Yeah, I can do that.
>> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> To to the administration, to the BA. Um, so this is a 2025 expense. Is this being charged to the 2026 budget or or is there monies from 2025? >> Believe it's being charged to the 2025 budget. We're still within that time
frame to make those payments. So it shouldn't appear as expense on the new budget. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> Director Bangart. Infrastructure Good afternoon, council president, council members. Drew Banghart on uh behalf of the engineering division and
also some items for the traffic engineering division. The first one is item 4.1, ordinance 26-016. This is an ordinance supplementing chapter 332
u specifically the establishment of a new parking zone 20 adjacent to the Liberty State Park Hudson Berg and light rail station. It's a second reading ordinance >> and we have the community meeting tomorrow. So after that meeting council
will know uh which direction we're going in, if we're moving forward with this ordinance, if we're changing it, if we're getting rid of it all together. So, we'll have an answer on Wednesday. >> Correct. >> What time is the council uh community meeting? Uh council
>> 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday at 1:50 Pacific Avenue. >> Thank you. >> 6 p.m. Tuesday morning. >> Tuesday. I apologize. Yes, Tuesday. >> Uh next item is uh item number 4.2, 2
ordinance 26-017. This is an ordinance supplementing chapter 332 again for vehicles and traffic. This is to amend an existing no parking area for PS16.
This is also a second reading ordinance. >> Questions? >> Yes. Um so thank you for your your work on this. I know um myself and Councilman Gilmore had been in conversations with um the parents, the neighborhood association, and the um infrastructure
department. Um I did receive a constituent email that, you know, was saying that the buses are not really there that late, so it's not necessary. I I believe this individual is probably mistaken based on the information that I have, but I wanted to confirm that
either you or Director Kaplan or someone else from infrastructure went out and observed and and did observe the buses in that area between 4 and 6 p.m. >> I I did not personally. I my predecessors um director Juan did go out
there and look at it and I believe uh folks from transportation planning did go out there and observe uh buses getting there around you know 5:30 6:00 at night. >> Okay, thank you. I appreciate that. >> Uh the next item I have is a resolution
agenda item number 10.21 21 resolution 26-172. This is a resolution to authorize the execution of a deed notice for city property at 1315 Lynen Avenue East. Um
also known as public works or the municipal services complex. Um the history of that site was a contaminated site during construction of the complex. um DP requirements were met via capping
and and removal of certain items. And this is the institutional control that if there is any work done at the site, it will be notified that there are certain requirements that need to be held to maintain and protect the public
and our public workers. >> Questions? Okay, next one. >> Thanks. Uh, last item I have for you tonight is another resolution item number 10.27,
resolution 26-178. This is a resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Gen Electric. Um, they submitted a public bid for the maintenance and repair of our traffic signals and other devices around the city.
uh is an on call contract with the option to renew for two years after this first initial year. The total bid received was $3.1 million, a little over that. And they have they've serviced our
signals for the 10 years I've worked for the city. I've never heard a complaint about them. they come out in the middle of the night and, you know, repair any signals that are down for various reasons, whether it's a motor vehicle accident or just something a bulb went
out. Um, any questions on that one? >> Okay, so yeah, I have a question. Um, what is their turnaround time when they call to come and repair like a traffic light or anything like that? They're typically out within like an
hour and that's even okay documented in what they submit for their invoices. If they get a call at 2:30, they're on site around 3:30 a.m. They're they're very good and very responsive. They have a a 247 hotline number that the police department has to call if they receive
something in the middle of the night or any time of day. >> Thank you. That was my next question. Like calls them at 3 in the morning. the police on scene or whoever is out there has the number. >> Have a question on the the structure of the contract. Is it that the 3.1 million
is the maximum amount that we will spend or we will be spending that much? It >> it it should represent a a maximum amount that we will spend. that has a buffer in there too for for some items that may come up but we may not actually use during the course of the year. You
know, just because of the nature of the project is is a maintenance and kind of emergency response. There could be things that aren't used, but we've I don't think ever gone over budget with this contract before >> and and just if we don't have as much repair that is needed as expected, we
may use less than the 3.1 or the is that that's right. >> That's correct. So, we would we would do a change order at the end of the year um before renewal or or in concert with renewal if if we choose that option and we would cancel the remaining funds back to free balance. >> Okay. Fabulous. Thank you.
>> And the 600,000 temporary incumbrance amount now is that what is that down payment or what what is that? >> That's the money that's in the the temporary budget for the year. So that's, you know, the budgets are still
being worked out right now with the introduced temporary budget. That's that's what we have available at this moment. >> Okay. So basically, you're saying you need like roughly $2.5 million added to the budget. >> Yeah. So the total for the budget year
would be the the total 3.1, right? >> You know, anticipate finalizing that budget and adding in the rest. And and is the contract maxed out at 3.1 um or is that is that just a resolution
um amount that we're author that you're asking us to ultimately authorize? >> It would be maxed out at the 3.1. Um like I said, we don't we haven't had a year where we've gone over this amount. There is a a pretty big buffer in there and I don't anticipate a change order
that would go over that and I would actually have to >> Do you have the numbers from previous years that how much we've awarded and how much we've spent? >> Yeah, I can get that. >> Can we get that? >> Yeah. Um I I appreciate that. I you sent
me some responses. I understand. Thank you so much. >> I will apologize. I was writing that in haste and there are some items that you discussed that are in the contract as kind of like an emergency repair basis, but being this vendor is more of an
electrician, some of the inground concrete work, we we would rely on our other vendors that specialize in that work. >> Yeah. So, they're doing routine maintenance, timing adjustments, things of that nature, emergency repairs. Um, in terms of kind of the routine
maintenance and other affairs, who who's making that assessment? Is that um they they're doing that assessment for us or are we assessing it? And and that's what's built into the contract. They're when they either if they get
called out to a site for repair, they'll usually go through the whole signal signal, all the wiring and the controllers just to make sure everything at that particular signal is operating correctly. and they'll give us a report out on that. Uh, absent of actually
having to visit a site to make a repair, they will try to monthly go through each traffic signal and and run it through its paces and make sure it's up to snuff. >> So, so the contract, the way it's structured is there's a regular maintenance schedule. They're going through every light and doing it's like
part of a regular maintenance of the every traffic light. Yeah, they're they're proactively going through each traffic signal and and they do provide those reports along with their invoices >> and we feel we need to have that level of
what's the word uh coverage or it >> work in the reports that they generate. It it does seem fruitful to have that information. and they do go through and they do find um whether it's a software
update or some wiring that needs to get changed because the signal isn't operating. >> All right, director Kaplan >> traffic signals are one of my favorite topics. Um >> so so traffic signals the national best practice it's not mandated but the
national best practice is that signals are inspected and certified every year. So um that ensures so there's a number of different things in a signal that can fail but the key life safety measures include like the conflict monitor so that you don't get green in different directions. So things like that that are life safety that get inspected confirm
that they're working. Um those things would put the signal in the flash. That's why they that's how they break. So having these components checked on an annual basis is considered kind of a best practice. That's one of the things that this vendor would do. >> Okay. It's one one time a year we're looking at all of our traffic lights. is
that generally has regular maintenance as opposed to it it goes down or broken or something like that that needs repairs. >> So, so that's the best practice from an inspection standpoint. We'll make sure that our, you know, see what our contract is. Obviously, there's budget limitations as well, but you know, having that inspection component is a
critical part of having a healthy traffic signal system. >> Any other questions? Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh, next I have 3.2, but I don't have a director attached to speak on it. BA,
can you speak on 3.2? And I believe we do have counsel for that project here if we have any questions. >> Correct. So 3.2 is a first reading ordinance. It is ordinance 26S2. Uh, these are this is a franchise ordinance. There's a few first readings
on this agenda. Franchise ordinances for the council. I think you had one before, but essentially it's where uh if the city or if a petitioner wants to encroach upon the public right of way, the council has to give permission to that. This property in particular is I think is 412 Liberty Avenue, I'm not
mistaken. Correct. Um they are asking permission to encroach upon the stairwell. So it's a twostory uh residence. Their stairwell comes down to the sidewalk. it makes a 90° turn instead of going straight into the path of sidewalk. That is different from a
lot of the buildings that are adjacent to it that all go straight into the sidewalk. So they, you know, they ask planning if they can do this. Planning says you go to a franchise or go to the clerk's office and make an application. The administration doesn't really have a position on it either way or the other. However, it's up to the council to determine whether that's an appropriate
request. Um, in this case, planning has reviewed it. they don't have any issue with it because it is aesthetically just kind of maintaining the the same status quo for all the buildings in the area. Um but it would be up to the council if you have any questions or if you have any considerations for it
>> questions. >> Yes, thank you. Um >> and Benjamin, will you come up? Thank you. Go ahead. >> Thank you, Peter. Thanks. Um yeah, uh in the petition I see a couple things I'm
just uh curious about. There's um number five says it will result in a more code compliant stair entry. If you could explain that increases code compliance. What does that mean? >> Sure. So, good evening uh council president, council members Benjamin Wine
of Prime and Misselli on behalf of the petitioner. Sure. So, and I'm going to quote the quote section just so you have it in front of you. It was sent to me earlier. Uh so basically I mean explaining in layman's terms but practically speaking the rise overrun which means how much a stair goes up
versus how much it goes forward or backwards whichever way you're looking at it. There are uh code requirements in uh in the building code. Uh these stairs were constructed in a manner that are not compliant with today's code and that's specifically with respect to that
issue. It's uh uh IBCR311.75.1 referring to risers and and we can uh have the architect forward that over to corporation council as well. But um so in that sense it's not currently compliant and in the other sense it's not compliant as well as there's a requirement in the section right after
which is 7.5.2 referring to tread depth not being less than 9 in and uh and these stairs um are are less than 9 in mo throughout most of the staircase. The other thing which is not a it it it hits on a number of different code items is
it talks about deviation for each individual stair being permitted to be within um I believe 3/8 of an inch uh total of all of the other stairs combined and and we do de stairs are uneven. They do deviate throughout the
staircase. Um I also want to point out in addition to the sections as well they are in disrepair. So, this was an effort my client has basically said, and this is his parents' house. And he basically said the option is to just repair them in place right now, which is actually a lot cheaper than replacing them. Um, but
doing so would again not solve the problem that he's trying to solve for his uh elderly parents. And by actually replacing them, he has the opportunity to bring them into compliance with the building code. Um, the other feature as well I do just want to point out and I know that it was it was brought up uh a
moment ago, but the existing stair does actually encroach ever so slightly in the right of way anyways about 1T4 in on one side and one to 1t6 on the other. So that is a a present encroachment. We are seeking obviously as mentioned uh
increase that encroachment to 411 on one side and 51 on the other. Um, but that would align it exactly with our neighbor to the left and it would align it more so with our neighbor to the right. So, it is it is pretty in keeping with the condition that's there and again give
the opportunity to put in a new stair um at a greater cost to my client, but one that that you know solves a a real problem and complies with the current building code requirements. >> Okay, thank thank you for that explanation. So, right now the stairs
are not code compliant. They were code compliant perhaps at the time they were constructed initially. They do not comply with today's code is my >> Okay. I'm just thinking in the terms of something either is or is not code compliant right now. >> It's not code compliant today is my >> perfect. Um All right. And then so yeah,
it's double it's about double the encroachment. The proposal would be double the encroachment that it currently is. Um but exactly consistent with the neighbor to the left. And then how much of a discrepancy is there between the proposal and the current
stairs of the neighbor to the right? >> Sure. So looking at my plan, it does appear to line up exactly with the neighbor to the left. And with the neighbor to the right, I would have to get it dimensioned by the architect, but it looks like a matter of >> one to two inches deviation. Okay. On my
eyeballing it and looking at plans for a living. >> Yeah. Yeah. No. Okay, that's helpful. Um, all right. I think I'd like to you go visit before Wednesday's council meeting, but I appreciate the information there. >> Certainly. And just uh if you don't mind just giving me a buzz. I know his parents do live there, so if you are going to
>> Yeah. Yeah, I'm happy to coordinate that with you. Yeah. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah, I'm a visual guy. Do you have any renderings? >> Um there was one submitted with the petition. There was a plan. I do have a cop. >> Yeah, that looks like a mechanical. Not
a mechanical, but it just it's very basic. Um, yeah, that's Yeah, but um >> it's a dimensional plan. >> Yeah, but just like you don't have any you didn't do you guys don't have any renderings.
>> We don't have any renderings of this there. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? Thank you. resources. Jimmy Carol, >> we're actually withdrawing this one. Council President, um there's missing some information, so we're going to draw
it and put in the next meeting for the uh >> 10.13. >> Correct. >> You're off the hook, Jimmy. >> Sorry. 10:13 is 1012. >> We are uh going to present 1013. We're going to remove 1012. >> That's correct. Sorry. My apologies, Council President.
>> Okay. So we just to be clear we are with the administration wishes to withdraw 10.12. Correct. >> Good evening council president and council members. I'm going to present agenda number 1013 resolution 26-
uh 164. Um I'm deputy director Jim Carroll for those of you who don't know me and I am the deputy director of human resources. Uh tonight's proposal resolution is a renewal of a contract uh for medical center to perform medical
services and medical examinations for civilian and uniformed employees. It is a contract extension. Uh this was a contract that was ratified in um 2024 with two one-year renewal options. Um
the contract sum does not exceed $472,924. And some of the services or these services that are included in the contract include uh pre-employment testing, drug screening, uh CDL physicals, alcohol screening, aiological
uh test, vision test, respiratory test, uh lab work, functional capacity exams, and your analysis, which are all procedures that uh our employees uh will at time to time have to be subject to consistent with the uh with their employment and their hiring proc.
procedures >> questions. >> Um, how much is typically spent on this contract? Can you give me a the amount of previous years? >> Yep. Council council memb I did receive uh copy of your email on process of
reapplying. I have to get that information from fiscal, but uh I will get you an answer to that as well as to what each service uh cost uh for the particular point. But I did receive it. I started working on that. Uh I was assigned that today. >> And you mentioned physicals. Um does
this include like return to work evaluations? >> Yes. So like that would basically be called a fitness for duty evaluation. If somebody presents with a problem and they can't perform the duties and functions of their title, uh then it would be recommended to human resources to review it. If we determine that uh
it's sufficient to meet the standard, we'd send them for what's called a fitness for duty evaluation uh in a uh physical capacity. And is it paid with each each unit of service essentially or is it >> Yeah, it's broken down to unit of service. So, for example, if you had
somebody that did a return to work evaluation, that's like if recollection serves me, it's like $82. Uh but pre-employment evaluation would be like $288. Uh depends on the service that they perform, the year analysis, the lab work. They have a list of fees and services and uh I just have to get you
the up-to-date cost on that. >> We could we could end up spending less. Yes, each year it it pretty much would vary. So, depending on the needs and uh what happens with the workforce. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you, D.
>> Thank you for your time. >> Andrew Abrams, Municipal Court. >> Good evening, Madame President, members of City Council. My name is Andrew Abrams. I'm appearing in my capacity as the chief public defender for the Jersey City Municipal Court. We have two
resolutions before you tonight. I believe it's items 10.14 and 10.15. I think 10.14 is the specific resolution reappointing me as the city's chief public defender ratifying that personal
services contract. Second resolution 10.15 is to reappoint the 10 attorneys that are currently serving as public defenders for the city. >> Questions on either 1014 or 1015.
>> Just just to clarify, thank you. Uh the structure, so we have our municipal prosecutor as a a city employee, but our public defenders are all not city employees. We enter into professional services agreements with each one
including the chief yourself. Correct. >> Correct. Everybody who serves as a public defender is on a perdium. Um well they're vendors. They work their shifts per DM. Uh in our case $275 per session.
Uh and as the chief public defender, the separate resolution for me to serve for the year is a total of $14,000. >> Okay. And and how many uh municipal public defenders do we have in total? It's 10 total. Is that right?
>> Yeah, including myself. So, it's nine plus me is 10. We've had I'm so happy to get a question. I never get questions. Um we've had as many as 17 or 18 in the past. We are down either through
unfortunate deaths, passings, or retirements or people have moved on. Yeah. the practice of the public defender has gotten exponent or exponentially more involving so that um the number of cases that we're handling
are easily five times what we were handling precoid and because of that a lot of people are just steering away from the public defender practice not just here in Jersey City but throughout the state um because it's it's daunting it's time consuming and the pay is
usually not great you're not going to retire being a public defender. People who do it are doing it because they feel a commitment to helping the people of the city. So, um, we're down to 10. I'm actively searching for people all of the time. Whenever I'm in another city jurisdiction, if I see somebody who is
capable, I will always approach them and see if they'd have an interest. And do most New Jersey municipalities not have any in-house public defense or there are there examples of cities that have their own in-house public defenders
office? >> Sure. So we are either the second I think we're the second largest by volume court. We're close either to Newark or Camden. We may have surpassed all of them. And in terms of our municipal court, and if I'm going to be on record
on this, I believe we're better than all of them. We have select courts here in Jersey City that address uh domestic violence, that address mental health, that address uh citizenship complaints, citizen complaints. We are so
specialized and we're so fortunate to have judges who do each and every one of those. my public defenders are called upon to serve in all of those whether it's DWI's complex um criminal actions so that Newark for example um Councilman
has an a set employee um public defender service their budget is significantly more than ours. I know in speaking in the past to their chief public defender and the public defenders who work there, I think their chief was
making $120,000 a year compared to my 14. Their public defender staff members are making well over I think their total budget, this is two or three years ago, was just in excess of a million dollars. I believe
ours is is is less than half of that. um those people serve in capacity um as their job. So if there was ever a shift in the dynamic or there was a consideration where they wanted to go with a different structure, I'm always
welcome to meeting with city council and discussing possibilities. But to your question, the every municipal court is different. Um, some have because of the volume of cases, there are 10 attorneys, but most have one or two. If there are
more than two public defenders, the statutes require the appointment of a chief. Right. Exactly. >> Well, thank you. You're doing the Lord's work in public defense. So, >> I appreciate it. >> Mr. Abs, how long have you been our
chief uh defender? I came in in 2021 as a public defender. In 20 end of 2021, the then chief public defender stepped down. I was still sort
of the new kid on the block >> and he recommended me for the chief position to then Mayor Cunningham. I asked him why. He bypassed everybody else and went to me because I was so new. That was long before 21. You said 21. >> I did. I said I'm sorry. 2001.
>> Yeah, 2001. Things like that. >> I I stepped into a time machine. I'm not used to getting questions. So, this is great. 2001. Two. By 2002, they appointed me as the chief public defender. I have uh survived every administration
and I'm yeah appreciative because my grandfather worked here in Jersey City. My father still works here in Jersey City as a defense attorney. I was born here at Margaret Hey Hospital. And you say doing the Lord's work. Every single person we help is another constituent
who needs our services, who is um feeling the pressures of some form of legal case against them. And we are very blessed to help everybody. My mandate when I came in in 2002 as the chief was we treat everybody as if they were a
private client. There is no distinction between somebody who does not pay for an attorney and somebody who's paying a private attorney. And I I do both. I have a private practice as well. But when people get my public defenders, they are very happy with the services they get that we do on behalf of the
city. Thank you for asking. >> Thank you for your service. >> Your father and I have many cases to get many cases together. Hope he's doing well. Please send my regards. >> Thank you. I will. I'll see him later tonight. I appreciate that.
Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much and thank you for the questions. Thank you. >> Okay, John, that's all I have on my list. We can take it from the top. >> Very well.
Regard to the first reading ordinances, we already addressed 3.1 and 3.2. 3.3 Ordinance 26-021 a franchise ordinance granting permission to Mansion Ambassadors LLC
its successors and assigns to con to to construct private improvements within 200 square ft plus or minus of the First Street Public Right ofway adjacent to lot 26 block 1402 on the official tax assessment map of the city of Jersey
City. Item 3.4 4 was already discussed. >> One second, John. Any questions on that was 3.3, right? >> 231st Street. >> It looks like we have someone who wishes to speak on it.
>> Uh, if there's no questions, I'm okay with that. >> No, I mean, I would be interested in hearing about this. This is the, you know, this is actually >> the first anyone has approached me about it was, you know, seeing it on the agenda. So, um, yeah, I would I would
appreciate, um, >> Sure. >> Sure. So, yeah, for the record, Charles Harrington of Connell Foley, uh, I represent the applicant, uh, for this franchise ordinance. So, this is a project we're asking, um, uh, for a franchise ordinance to permit, um, the entry stairs uh, to project into the
public right of way, and then you'll have a little, um, there's a fence and a garden area, and then, uh, stairs that go down to the cellar. It's it's uh part of a new construction. It's an infill lot uh on First Street. And uh my client
has been working extensively over at least a year with um staff, the historic uh preservation staff uh in in planning. Uh and uh we did receive approval from the historic preservation commission for the project as well as from the planning
board. Um, and the reason that you we're we're uh asking for this is and this is after consultation and planning is that this matches up with the streetscape uh along uh along First Street here. You see this a lot in the uh historic
districts where the st the stairs historically exceed over the uh the property line. Um, so on First Street here, these stairs, uh, we we designed it so that they match up with the other stairs along the street. And you'll also have this little like garden area, uh,
with the little fences you see downtown. It's in a Harsh Smith Cove uh, district. Um, so it matches up with the design in the streetscape that's that's along First Street uh, here. So it it was created like a you know at one point it was discussed could you bring the stairs in but it it wasn't historically
appropriate um because all the other buildings have have this design >> and um you said it's in line with the rest of the streetscape. So it it does not encroach upon the sidewalk any more
than any of the other stairs on that same block do. And I assume there's still at least um five foot five feet or more of sidewalk width at all points for pedestrians. >> That's correct. Yep. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Any other questions? >> Thank you, Chuck. >> Thanks. >> Next one, John. >> Okay. Very well. Uh as far as second reading ordinances, we did hear about item 4.1.
We did hear about item 4.2. 2 4.3 Ordinance 26-018 is an ordinance amending chapter 53 personnel article 11 fixed salaries to modify fixed salaries for certain employees
>> questions. All right hearing none. Uh moving on to petitions and communications. That's items 6.1 through 6.38. Are there any questions? >> Just like to request a copy of 6.1,
please. >> I'm sorry. Copy of >> item 6.1. >> 6.1. Okay. >> Street. >> All right. I'll make a note of that. >> Thank you. I have a number of items um look like D chromium situations in W B.
But I'll I'll send an email. >> Okay. Very well. Officer communications agenda item seven. We have none. Report of directors agenda item eight. We claims addendums one and two. Are there any
questions there? >> Question on claims. Uh, Peter, um, on page six of meetings claims list 9.1, uh, there's general government. Looks like someone ordered office furniture. Do do you know who that who that went
to? >> I do not off the top of my head, but I can find out for you, Councilman. >> All right. Thank you. I I have a question on claims addendum number two. Um can you just explain how to read that? It looks like there's a
credit and a debit. Um but the net payout is about $9,600. It's just kind of hard to follow what's going on in that document. So the account the debit would be the charges against the city and the credit
would be anything the city has paid or admitted to them. So in this case uh what's this for? This is to the library but I have to double check with you council. I can give you a full readout and memo from
the council. Thank you. It's not a large sum, but it just was hard to follow. >> Yeah, I think because the library that we have different systems, so they have to do something manual with that. So, I'll give you some more information with it. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions?
>> Yes. Um, it looks like in claims list number one, uh, we're paying about 4.7 million to property owners through tax appeals. Um, is this included in the ETA?
>> Yes. Okay. >> So, Peter, I have a question like when it comes to furniture purchasing, um, what's the process of approval? Uh it would depend like large orders you
know generally go through council if it's capital or something like that. If it's a replacement for something it's broken generally they submit it to their director and the director would approve it if it's in their budget or not. Usually every budget has a line item for furniture or other expenditures. It's usually very small couple thousand
dollar just for replacements if anything's broken. Um and they go through the director for that. >> All right. cuz I I was just asking cuz we see a desk for $4,000 and then the chair was 400. I mean that's kind of wasteful.
I have to double check exactly which one you're talking about. But usually when they buy something it's not like a desk like you're thinking of like a you know small desk. It's usually like a office kind of setup. It's listed as a desk very gener. >> Yeah I get that. It was the same one I was asking about.
So the page six general government uh for Glenwood furnishings. Yep. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Claims and addendum. >> All right. On to the resolution. >> Okay.
Resolution 10.1 uh sorry item agenda item 10.1 resolution 26-152. A resolution requesting permission for the dedication by writer for the proceeds received through the disposal of property and assets required by state
forfeite in accordance with NJSA 2C64-6. >> Um I asked um couple of questions via email just if we can get those responses. It was um just for the record it's the what's the balance for this account? Um if we get the year-end balance for
each year beginning in 2021 to 2025. Um and as the resolution says that New Jersey statutes annotated restricts these funds for law enforcement purposes. If I could get the actual language on what the um statute
restricts it to or what what's allowable under that statute. Yeah, I'd be curious about that as well. And to put a point on, I'd be curious if that can go toward inspection and code compliance. Um, if that would fall under law enforcement,
>> I can get you something in writing, but generally forfeite funds are regulated by the state. And so any forefeiter funds that are collected by our local department are turned over to the state AG who distributes it proportionally through a statutory scheme to counties.
And so when we want to spend forfeite funds, our local PD needs to request approval from the county prosecutor's office to do it. And they ultimately have the authority to approve any expenditures. My understanding is those expenditures are pretty tightly linked to active law enforcement matters.
>> Yeah. Thank you. Do do we know who's our current uh county prosecutor? >> Mel Wayne Jeez. >> Wayne Melo. >> Thank you.
>> Any other questions? >> No. Go ahead. >> Uh we're going to be spoke about agenda item 10.2. 10.3 Resolution 26-154, a resolution requesting permission for the dedication by writer for proceeds
received through the collection of a payroll tax to be held in trust for the Jersey City Board of Education in accordance with NJSA48C-14. >> I just um same similar questions to the arts arts trust fund to get the balances for the last five years. Um, I I do have
another question that occurred to me. So, when we approve this, will these amounts show up as a dedicated line item in our municipal budget? Um, and I asked that because people have asked me often
times, uh, how much do we have, um, how much is the schools going to get and could never give them a straight answer on like where to find that information. So, I'm hoping this leads to more transparency in that regard.
>> Testing. I'm not entirely sure councilman, but I my gut was going to tell me no just because the whole point of the dedication is making sure they are allocated to the specific funding and not utilized for anything else. Um, I can double check with finance to make sure that's correct. So just to piggyback on that and and
your answer, um when the funds come in and we get the total amount, are we required to publish that amount? For for the record, >> we are not because they're unanticipated amounts, meaning we don't know exactly
how many we're how much we're getting every single year. So >> no, no, no. I'm talking about after everything is collected. >> I understand that. Okay, >> for what we p publish is the budget. We can't publish the amount in the budget because we don't know how much money we're receiving that for the budget. So,
>> not the Wait, what? What are we talking about? The same thing like the income tax. >> This is not an income tax. These are the payroll tax. >> You mean the payroll tax? That's what I meant to say. We can't So, we cannot publish that. >> It's not that we can't publish it. We're the part of this dedication is not
requiring to publish it, nor is there a requirement in the budget to be published with the budget because an unanticipated revenue. You don't know exactly how much you're receiving for it. >> Um my my last thing is just um has the city conducted a payroll tax audit in the past?
>> We have done in-house audits of the payroll tax and we've done certain collection drives. I think in 2024 was the last one that we did uh kind of structurally and administratively. Um we haven't done one since, but part of the new law change, everything the council
voted on is that we're going to try to restructure the payment ro department using some of those fees and new tools that provided by the state to ensure being more proactive with the collection of those taxes. >> Are there reports from that period that we can get copies of? >> Yeah, whatever audits or anything I have
available, I'll make available to you. >> Great. Okay, John. >> Okay, we heard from administration regarding agenda item 10.4 4 10.5 resolution 26-156,
a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to apply and accept grant funds from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services for Management Enhancement Review Program Grants. We
already heard regarding 10.6 6 10.7 Resolution 26-158 is a resolution honoring Jersey City's Golden Door Charter School. 10.8 Resolution 26159,
a resolution recognizing the month of April 2026 as seek heritage month. Agenda item 10.9. All right, John, just at the um autumn in the uh resolved clause, it says April 2025.
Um we can just write that type. >> Okay. >> A heritage month. >> And similarly to 10.6 can we have there will be speakers here if we can defer tomorrow to 10.67
89. I think the last resolution too is uh >> right. You make a resolution. >> Sorry. Wednesday, I'll be here. I'd love to come here, too. And 37. >> Okay. So, someone should just make a resolution, >> right? Council members, on uh Wednesday,
when you see your um representatives for your resolutions, just let me know who's here and we'll uh make a compound motion to defer. Okay. Uh, agenda item 10.9, resolution 26160,
a resolution of the municipal council of the city of Jersey City recognizing May as AsianAmerican and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and honoring the contributions of the AAPI Diaspora in Jersey City.
Agenda item 10.10, 10 resolution 26-161, a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to enter into polling place lease agreements with the Hudson County Board of Elections. Agenda item 10.11, resolution 26-162,
a resolution authorizing payment of a claim submitted by Hudson County Community Enterprises for scanning and digitizing services. I can speak to this if you'd like. This is the ongoing project of the clerk's office to digitize all of the minute books from
1861 until the present day. This particular batch was the was the minute books that were in the worst condition. Ironically, they were some of the more recent ones from 1961 until 1989. So, that project took
considerable time to um complete. So that pro contract was awarded the previous year and the project lasted much longer than anticipated. So we are paying them now for services completed um under a contract awarded last year.
So >> yes, I have a question, John. Um and also, you know, want to shout out Hudson County Enterprises and all they do for our community. um is uh there's a plan to make all of these uh records publicly
available and searchable. >> There is once we are complete we are going to have everything available on the city's website. We are now we have completed the scanning of all the minute books. What is left now is essentially shelf after shelf of banker boxes where
the agendas and minutes and ordinances are just in printed out and put in boxes. they have to be organized and then scanned in. So that should be a quicker process to scan although require um some time to organize them. So I I
don't want to make any promises but I think we are we are approaching the end of this project. We have everything scanned from 2012 until 2019 which is already available on the city's website. Obviously after 2019 everything is on IC compass. We have everything
from 1861 until 1989 scanned. So, it's just the gap between 1989 and 2012. >> Thank you. Yeah, Sean told me about this project when we all came on and it's very exciting. >> Hey, hey, John, can I get those agendas from 1868, please?
>> You certainly can, >> John. >> Thank you. >> They were a lot smaller back then. >> They certainly were. >> I'm gonna ask the same question I ask claim. So why is this coming before us as a claim as opposed to um
>> because the the invoice came in in 2026 even though the uh project was authorized previously in the previous year. >> So it was properly authorized >> properly authorized and it was properly completed but the project took a lot longer than anticipated.
>> Okay. Agenda item 10.12 will be with withdrawn. Uh we already heard from uh administration officials regarding agenda items 10.13 to 10.24 10.25
resolution 26-176 a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to apply and accept grant funds from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development fiscal year 2026 pathway to recovery grant program.
Agenda item 10.26. 25. Um, is this a program we are administering? Um, or is there are we giving the money to other local nonprofits and they're administering the services? >> I believe we administer it, but we do do the grants to nonprofits and other
entities once we receive the funding >> from this source of funding. >> Yes. >> Okay. We're ultimately responsible for the dollars, but we coordinate those dollars with local entities. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions?
>> No. Agenda item 10.26, 26. Resolution 26-177, a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to apply and accept grant funds from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local
Government Services, 2026 Local Efficiency Achievement, known as LEAP implementation grant. We heard from the administration officials regarding agenda items 10.27 through 10.33.
Agenda item 10.34, resolution 26-185, a resolution authorizing the settlement of the action entitled Samuel Nehemiah versus City of Jersey City at all document uh docket number uh HUD-L-3866-23.
I'll just take this opportunity to remind the council that the two settlements that are before it today, so 10.34 and 10.35 were both addressed in the February 23rd litigation update from corporation council and we discussed them in our
closed session. Um, to remind you, the Nehemiah settlement is one that was resolved by my predecessor, but as we've discussed, it sometimes takes a while after you reach an agreement in principle in order to negotiate the written terms of the settlement agreement, which is why this is now
coming to you several months later. Um, the second matter, the matter of Eminem, was resolved under myself, and I'm happy to answer any questions that you have about it. >> Any questions? Okay.
Okay. Agenda item 10.36 we heard from the administration about. And our last agenda item 10.37, resolution 26-188, city of Jersey City resolution honoring black maternal health week 2026.
And John, Councilman uh Griffin has a ceremonial resolution for the council's consideration. >> Okay, we can >> Yes. Um it's regarding um
one of our residents, uh Mr. Jackson and it is a resolution honoring Montafoot Points Marine PFC Fred Jackson on the occasion of his recognition with the US Congressional Gold Medal
>> and that's already in our compass, right? >> Yeah, it should be. Yes. >> All right. So, council members, um we will make decision whether or not to add that as a late item. Um it is ceremonial for a resident who would like to be
recognized for his Congressional Medal of Honor. So take care of that on Wednesday. >> Okay. There are no deferred or tabled agenda items. So without if there's no other business, can I entertain a motion to adjourn at 609? >> Motion. >> Second.
>> I think that motion was made by Griffin. Second by Rolando. Uh sorry, Councilman Lavaro. >> Same same person. Holly roll. It's all good. >> Sorry. On the motion to adjourn at 6:09 p.m.
How do you vote? Councilman Brooks. >> Hi. >> Councilman Zupa. >> Hi. >> Councilman Efro. >> Hi. >> Council person Little. >> Hi. >> Councilman Gilmore. >> He's not here. >> Absent. >> Councilman Sing. Council person Singh. >> Hi. >> Council person Griffin.
>> I. >> Council President Lavaro. >> Hi. and Council President Ridley. >> I motion clearly passes. We'll see everyone on Wednesday at 6 PM. >> Teamwork makes the dream work.
>> Oh, fairly true. No, don't worry about that. Come on. >> I'm done. >> Yeah, well, when did this happen? That's Councilwoman Singh.
Can I get a minute with you?