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All right, everyone. We're about to get
started. If we can find our seats,

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silence our cell phones as I'm doing.
Hint hints.

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If we can close the side doors, I
greatly appreciate it as well.

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Thank you very much. Good evening. We
are on the record. Today is Tuesday, the

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8th day of September in the year 2026.
This is a city council caucus meeting of

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the Jersey City Municipal Council. We
had a scheduled 400pm start. The clock

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on my cell phone is showing 4:03 p.m.
May we have a roll call for the

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commencement of this caucus. Council
person Brooks

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» present.
>> Council person Zupa

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present. See him. Council person Efos
>> present.

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» Council person Little will be absent.
Council person Gilmore.

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Council person Gilmore
>> present.

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» Council person Sing
is not here yet. Council person Griffin

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» here.
>> Council person Lavaro

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» and Council President Ridley
>> here. And Sean uh Councilwoman Singh

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will be absent for the entire meeting.
>> Very good. So that's both Little and

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Sing.
>> Correct.

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» Thank you. So, we have seven council
members in attendance at 4:03

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p.m. On behalf of Council President
Ridley and the members of the Municipal

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Council in accordance with New Jersey
Public Laws of 1975, chapter 231, the

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open public meetings act, also known as
the Sunshine Law. Adequate notice of

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this meeting has been provided by the
posting on the bulletin board of first

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floor of city hall, the annual notice,
which is the schedule of meetings and

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caucuses of the municipal council for
the calendar year 2026. and filed in the

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office of the city clerk on Tuesday,
November 25th, 2025. In addition, at its

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time of its preparation, the agenda of
this meeting was similarly disseminated

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on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026 at 10
a.m. to the mayor, municipal council,

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business administrator, corporation
council, the local newspapers, and

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posted on the city's website so I can
certify as to our total compliance with

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the sunshine law. Council President, I'm
going to turn it over to you.

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» Good evening, everyone. I hope everyone
enjoyed the long weekend. We will jump

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right into our agenda as we have a
lengthy one today. And we will start

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with HHS Paul Bellen Boyer.

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Thank you, Council President. Council
members, I am here.

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I wasn't uh
10 point

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um

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I'm sorry uh
>> 10.40 poll.

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» Okay, thank you. Yes, the claims
resolution for helping where I am needed

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LLC.

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This is to pay a contractor whose uh
whose payment was not made in a timely

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fashion. We had a number of problems
getting uh the uh getting things done.

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Uh he works for our peaceful families
program and has done great service over

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the years. We'd simply like to pay him
what we owe him

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» 40 1040
>> 40 10.40

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» The amount is just over 15,000
>> questions.

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» Yes. Was was the work done out of
contract?

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Uh no it was not. It was the contract
properly approved by this body. Uh the

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fiscal side was lacking and we've taken
multiple corrective actions in including

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uh me being here as the new manager of
that division.

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» Okay. And and you said 15,000
>> 15,000. Yes.

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» So So why does it appear as a claim as a
resolution as opposed to a claim in

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claims?
Oh. Um because uh no purchase order was

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obtained in a timely fashion, we had a
number of fiscal problems in uh getting

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started this year and this is uh one
which just slipped more than others.

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Yeah, we have taken as I say multiple
corrective actions to ensure that this

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does not happen again in in our division
or department.

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director, what are um some of the
multiple corrective actions you guys

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have taken out in place?
>> So, some of them involve uh people most

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responsible for seeing that. Uh I think
the the biggest single corrective action

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was actually
um an action that you took which was to

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pass the temporary budget and then get
money into our budget line.

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Um uh but also we put put in place new
fiscal and management practices to make

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sure that every item is reviewed and and
nothing escapes attention. There is a

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there is a delay in this of several
months in in handling it in a timely

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fashion.

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» Any other questions?
>> All right. Thanks, Paul.

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» Thank you very much.

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Director Kaplan, infrastructure.

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» You, Council President, council members.
Um, so I guess from infrastructure

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first, uh, I'll ask Director Diamond to,
uh, speak to some tree planting items

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that are before you.

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» Hi, good evening, council members. My
first resolution is agenda number 1026,

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resolution 26-562.

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This is the author, this is authorizing
the extension of an open-ended contract

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with Rucker Cooperative Extension water
resources program for the NJ DP water

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quality restoration project uh for 12
months from February 8th of 2026 through

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February 7th of 2027.
So, this project is a fully grant-f

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funded project. Um, Ruckers is working
with us on the design and uh through the

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construction, which is also included
with this project. They're going to be

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overseeing um uh the the construction of
um uh com uh reducing combined sewer

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overflows through tree trenching and
hopefully uh curb extensions with

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pollinator gardens or open space to
reduce the amount of uh infrastructure

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in the city.
>> Questions?

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» Yes. Um

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are there any plans to work with um MUA
or does does this have anything in there

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where it addresses our sewer systems?
>> Uh while it is diverting storm water out

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of the combined sewer systems and
reducing um uh the the overflow. Uh we

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have been in contact and worked with uh
the MUA throughout the life of this

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project. We've also hosted um community
meeting a couple years back and we'll

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probably need to host another community
meeting after the designs are actually

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complete. These are engineering designs
so they can take a while and we need a

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um engineer to actually sign off on them
which we don't have a mutable engineer

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in the city right now. So that's been a
part of the delay of the process, but

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we've um included conversations with um
other directors within infrastructure,

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the MUA, and um uh aligning with
previous safety um requirements when

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looking at the possibility of expanding
or installing constructed uh curb

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extensions.
>> Okay. Um thank you for that. Um, you

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know, I just I just want to say that
over the years, um, just growing up

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here, I can tell you over the years, the
flooding has got a lot worse. Um, and it

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it definitely needs to be addressed by
whether it's tree trenching or or um

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working with the MUA to address um the
the issues we have with our sewer system

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and in other ways. Um, but yeah, it's
it's it's a real problem. Um, I mean,

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when you see firemen and boats on
I think Pacific Avenue, that that's

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that's an issue. Um, and so I I do thank
you guys for trying to address it as

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urgently as possible.
>> Thank you, Councilman.

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» Question. I mean, similar to the last
one, this is retroactive to February of

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this year. Um, what's the work that's
been done through this contract since

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February? And can you talk a bit more
about the grant funding that's coming

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in? Is the grant funding coming in
exclusively for the use of this project

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or could it be used for other projects
as well?

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» It is specifically for this project um
this uh design and then construction uh

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throughout the the life of the project.
Um while we have not uh we have not

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finalized the designs but we have been
actually working internally with um our

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other engineering consultants to review
the designs that were originally con uh

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developed by Ruckers so that we could
move forward with the approval on our

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end. Additionally we thought that we
were going to move forward with um you

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know hopefully a municipal engineer. So
while this has been certainly delayed,

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the uh D is fully kind of aware of how
our progress is going and then working

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with Rugers as well um over the summer.
You know, they don't have uh the the

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staff that they normally do. So that
also added to the delay of the project,

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but we are still in communication. And
we are still moving forward with the

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designs and um uh given that this is um
this is not like delayed the the project

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entirely because of this um because
we're backdating it.

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» Thank you.
>> Any other questions on 10.26?

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» I'll just ask um so so what's the final
outcome of all of this after it's

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completed?
uh installing tree trenches and planting

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new trees along Martin Luther King Drive
from Bram Hall down to Forest. Oh

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» um

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» um so uh uh so that is inherently a part
of the project and then we are also

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adding in optional um uh we're adding in
the the option to include the

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construction of curb extensions which
have uh uh constructed curb extensions

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on Oak and Bram Hall but we don't know
how much that's going to cost. So

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instead of you know putting out or like
creating a design where they have to

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include every aspect, we're going to add
that as like an option. So can include

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one additional uh constructed curb
extension with the the bids that we

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eventually get back um because we're
going to have to put this out to bid for

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a construction contractor. So we're
trying to be as uh efficient as possible

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while also maximizing the amount of
opportunities that we have.

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» This is for the divi design services.
This is for design services. So, Ruckers

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is helping us complete the engineering
designs which then need to be approved

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by uh an engineer within the city as
well as uh the state and then we can

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move on to bidding out a construction
contractor.

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» Can you just clarify for me what does
curb extension mean?

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» Oh, um so uh concrete curb extension is
the

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actually I don't know the technical
terms. I'm not a traffic engineer, but

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we have some here. If you

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» and have the question repeated for me,
please. I could try and elaborate a

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little bit more.
>> Define curb extension

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and the viewing public.
>> Define curb extension.

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» Curb extension. Okay. So, that would be
um anything penetrating from the base

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curb line. So, typically a curb line
runs straight. know if it deviates out

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towards the carriageway roadway out and
then back in again.

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Anything that sort of constitutes
deviating from that straight line path

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that would be considered a bow.
>> So So we're talking about bumpouts.

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» Yes.
I thought

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looking to do bumpouts on MLK Drive and
>> MLK Drive and Bram Hall as well as MLK

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Drive and Oak Street if the uh
construction bids come back at a

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reasonable cost. Um this was uh a part
of a project that started all the way

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back in 2023. In 2024, we had uh
community engagement uh we held

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community engagement um uh seminars
where we invited people uh uh folks from

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the neighborhood to um the Bthoon Center
where we we talked about the designs and

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we'll probably likely have another
community engagement after we have uh

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more or less finalized the designs. But
during that transition period when

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they're not completely final, we wanted
to to work with the engineering staff to

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to finish them out.
>> Does this lead to to lane reductions?

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» Lane lane
>> reductions. The number of lanes

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» lane reductions. No.
>> No. It um it would be in the area in

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front of park cars where you can't park
in the crosswalk there.

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» Yeah. So that's where the the bumpouts
don't impede the travel of vehicles.

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» So Councilman
>> Monaceel at Emory.

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» Yeah.
>> Those bumpouts. So basically what it is

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that there's enough room for for the
traffic to go through but no there's no

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parking.
>> I think you're talking about MLK though

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as well.
>> Yeah. Yeah. But I was just saying that's

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that's an example because

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Okay. Next one. Okay.
The next agenda item I have is 1027 uh

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resolution 26-563.
Uh the resolution authorizing the

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renewal of the open-end contract with uh
Kevin DS tree service for the citywide

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tree planting for sustainability. Uh
are there any questions? Questions.

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10.27.

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Okay. Next one.
The next agenda item 10.28,

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resolution 26-564.
Uh, this resolution is authorizing the

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renewal of the open-end contract with
Shikl's nursery for the citywide supply

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and delivery of various trees for the
division of sustainability. This is also

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a part of the citywide tree planting
project.

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» Questions 10.28.
Oh,

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» same question for 28 and 27. These are
open-end contracts. Yes.

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» Yes.
>> Okay. And what's the source of funds?

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» Uh for this project right now, it's our
tree restitution fund. So

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» restitution.
>> Yeah.

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00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:19,600
» Can can you explain what that is from?
>> Sure. So um when it comes to applying

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for tree permits, uh any application
fees that are associated go into this

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tree fund. They're dedicated funds. as
well as um any uh uh restitution for

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damage or tree removals that happen
whether it's by residents or developers

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um for both uh for for for trees in
Jersey City

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» the administration to you Amanda right
um the uh if we can get the balance on

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that tree restitution fund
>> the balance should be here So

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for
for Kevin Tree Downs service the balance

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00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:11,240
is
$200,000

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give or take and then the uh shikl is 45

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and so that those are uh what's been
collected over the past year and a half

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since the establishment of that
dedicated tree fund. The total funds in

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the tree restitution is 45,000.
>> Um,

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» it's a the bucket of money is separated
into two different contracts. So, I'm

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putting um some funds towards the uh
towards, you know, paying the the

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contractors who are actually planting
the trees, but we also need to purchase

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00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:45,919
the trees. So, these are just two
separate contracts that go into the same

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project.
>> Or that's Councilman. Yeah. Sure.

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00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:59,760
» Um for the 10.27, the not to exceed is a
bit over a million. And then for 10.28,

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it's
um just around $140,000.

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00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:09,919
We anticipate this money being made
available in the tree restitution funds

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00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:13,200
within the next year or so, or what? Can
you explain?

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00:18:11,039 --> 00:18:16,960
» Sure. That goes into actually open-ended
contracts as well. Sorry, not to cut you

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off. So, when it comes to open-ended
contracts, especially when it comes to

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00:18:19,120 --> 00:18:27,440
planting trees, however much money we
can get towards dedicating to tree

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planting is how much we put into these
accounts and we dedicate to and put into

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00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:39,039
the POS for these contracts. We uh when
we put out a bid originally or we like

218
00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:45,760
um put out uh contract bids, the lowest
price that we got uh in terms of Kevin

219
00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:50,480
Tree Downs was the $1 million. That was
the lowest bid for planting 500 trees.

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00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:57,280
Given that it's an open contract, that
allows us to just fund into the uh um

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00:18:54,720 --> 00:19:01,200
the PO for this contractor whatever
funds are made available. So, we don't

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need to go up to 100. It's not like
we're um a way I like to describe it is

223
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that it's not building a building like
we don't have to stick with every single

224
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element. We are planting as many trees
as we possibly can with the funding

225
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available and it's just how we dedicate
um we break up the funding that's

226
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available into either purchasing the
trees oursel which allows us to have the

227
00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:29,360
option to uh send trees back if they
don't have if they're not good enough of

228
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quality. we um are able to completely
oversee the species that we purchase and

229
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the contractor itself that is doing the
planting including the um uh contract or

230
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excuse me the uh the concrete um removal
and tree bed expansion.

231
00:19:43,679 --> 00:19:52,480
» Thank you. So then anything above the
200,000 or the 45,000 respectively

232
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would also come from whatever funds are
available from the tree restitution fund

233
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itself or from other sources.
>> It could come from other sources but we

234
00:19:59,360 --> 00:20:05,919
don't have a dedicated operating fund
for tree planting. So this is a way that

235
00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:09,919
we can um certainly use the funds that
are dedicated to plant for planting

236
00:20:07,919 --> 00:20:14,080
trees. That's the purpose of them. Um
and then in the future if funds were

237
00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:19,520
made available whether it's you know
next year um you know we would be able

238
00:20:16,799 --> 00:20:23,520
to it could be capital or operating we'd
be able to create POS and then move

239
00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:27,200
forward and still use that contractor
with different sources of funding.

240
00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:32,080
» Thank you.
>> And um so I know initially I think I

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00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:38,720
don't know if it was I think it was last
year we did receive a fund to do some

242
00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:43,760
trees on MLK and pits. So this is
essentially just going to marry that

243
00:20:41,600 --> 00:20:50,640
that grant in a sense that it's going to
do the areas that was left out.

244
00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:55,840
» Um so because uh grant funds are very
particular, we actually have separate

245
00:20:52,480 --> 00:21:00,480
contracts and the two next resolutions
I'm about to introduce are for the MLK

246
00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:05,919
project actually. So we're doing the
exact same thing with citywide our tree

247
00:21:03,919 --> 00:21:11,039
planting and tree purchasing contracts
that are citywide. where I'm about to

248
00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:16,080
present the USDA's uh urban community
forestry which is the MLK projects tree

249
00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:20,760
planting and tree purchasing. So we
separate those and designate those out.

250
00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:32,080
» I can get the um spend it's a renewal.
So uh going dating back to 24 so there's

251
00:21:29,679 --> 00:21:37,360
two years prior. Is that correct?
>> This will be the final renewal. I could

252
00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:43,600
get to spend on each year for the last
two years prior to this. Then also the

253
00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:50,240
the first one is um effective April
29th, second one July 1st as I've asked

254
00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:54,640
with other vendors, other contracts come
before us. Is there a reason why we're

255
00:21:52,159 --> 00:22:00,480
seeing this after the effective date the
renewal effective date?

256
00:21:56,880 --> 00:22:05,760
Um well as to why it's being presented
after I think uh you know there are

257
00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:10,640
certain limitations that get us on to
the council meetings that uh sometimes

258
00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:15,760
can can lead to those delays but it's
not affecting the delay of actually

259
00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:21,440
planting this fall. So that's um our
main goal. Additionally, in um I think

260
00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:25,440
you talked about earlier when it's like
uh two different dates, we're putting

261
00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:28,799
these contracts out to bid at different
times. So, they can come back at

262
00:22:27,120 --> 00:22:31,919
different times and they can be executed
at different times. So, that's one of

263
00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:37,159
the reasons why they're uh while it's
all the same project and they're a

264
00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:37,159
couple months apart.

265
00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:44,960
And then just to the administration on
the law department tree restoration fund

266
00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:49,520
is that established through ordinance
municipal code or is that state law? I'm

267
00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:53,679
not familiar with it.
>> It's done through an ordinance and this

268
00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:57,760
council earlier this year approved a
dedication by Ryder to authorize the use

269
00:22:55,919 --> 00:23:03,039
of those dedicated funds out of that
account.

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00:22:59,679 --> 00:23:06,720
» Can I get a copy of the ordinance?
>> Yes. I was just going to say if you

271
00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:10,000
could put in the request through the
council request process, we can keep

272
00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:14,840
track of that and y
>> the urgency of sharing that with you.

273
00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:24,480
» Okay, next one.
>> Uh the next one, resolution 26-565,

274
00:23:21,679 --> 00:23:29,120
agenda 1029. It's the renewal of the
open-ended contract for ship's nursery

275
00:23:26,159 --> 00:23:35,280
for the USDA supply and delivery of
various trees. So this would be the MLK

276
00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:41,360
grantf funed tree project. Um the the
purchasing contract

277
00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:43,840
» questions on purchasing contract.
>> The different source of funds.

278
00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:46,240
» Yes.
>> What what source is it?

279
00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:50,480
» Grant.
>> Grant.

280
00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:56,840
What's the grant?
>> The USDA urban community forestry grant.

281
00:23:59,120 --> 00:24:04,320
I can just get the spend on this as it's
a renewal as well.

282
00:24:03,039 --> 00:24:07,039
» The spend
>> uh prior year spends. We'll put this on

283
00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:11,000
» Oh,
>> council requests as well.

284
00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:17,679
» Okay. Next one.
>> Similar answers as to why it's starting

285
00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:23,200
April 1st.
>> Similar answer is that it needs to or

286
00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:26,080
when putting out these bids, they uh
were put out at different times. They

287
00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:31,440
have come back at different times. So
that's the that's the difference there.

288
00:24:29,039 --> 00:24:36,400
Uh and then finally, so resolution
26-566,

289
00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:41,360
agenda 10:30, um the renewal of the
open-ended contract watch us grow for

290
00:24:38,559 --> 00:24:48,960
the USDA tree planting project. So
again, the USDA MLK UCF urban forestry

291
00:24:45,520 --> 00:24:51,960
grant uh the planting contractor
renewal.

292
00:24:52,480 --> 00:25:00,000
I just have a question about this um
these extensions. Roughly how long have

293
00:24:56,240 --> 00:25:06,400
we been working with uh these uh
>> we have been working with uh Downs Tree

294
00:25:04,240 --> 00:25:13,360
Service for
2 years. Um and then watch us grow I

295
00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:21,039
think a year.
Um and then Shikals was the supplier for

296
00:25:18,159 --> 00:25:26,159
our trees. Um they just always bid the
lowest. That's kind of how it works. Um

297
00:25:23,679 --> 00:25:32,799
so we've been working with them prior to
my start in 2023.

298
00:25:29,120 --> 00:25:36,240
» Okay. Um and how long um are these
grants for? Is it over the next year?

299
00:25:34,799 --> 00:25:40,400
The next two years?
>> One year. They're all one year.

300
00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:46,480
» One year. Okay. Um, the only thing I'd
like to say um about these I think is

301
00:25:42,799 --> 00:25:51,360
great, but um the trees,
we have a lot of trees on a lot of

302
00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:57,600
streets growing in people's homes.
They're growing out instead of up. And

303
00:25:54,159 --> 00:26:00,880
if we can work on getting proper trees
where they're going, especially if

304
00:25:58,799 --> 00:26:08,640
they're going on MLK, so they're not
blocking um business signage

305
00:26:05,039 --> 00:26:14,880
um stop signs and things like that. Um,
you know, that's just my two cents.

306
00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:19,520
» Um, so when we originally did the MLK
tree planting, I think, you know, we we

307
00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:25,919
worked with um the Jackson Hill Main
Street SID, uh, when talking about the

308
00:26:22,559 --> 00:26:29,279
species. Um, they are going to while
they are growing out, they're also going

309
00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:35,360
to be able to provide shade, cool down
that area. Um, and then additionally, in

310
00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:40,640
general, we do like to try to focus on
putting the right tree in the right

311
00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:45,919
location. Um, and then after a two-year
guarantee period with our contractor, we

312
00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:49,919
then move into um or then uh the the
trees become more or less the

313
00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:52,960
responsibility of forestry for pruning
and maintenance needs once they become

314
00:26:51,679 --> 00:27:00,880
mature.
>> Okay. cuz um I'm 6'5 and I I I find

315
00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:04,880
myself ducking a lot of branches when I
walk down the street.

316
00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:09,480
» And um Councilman Gilmore said he's
willing to plant the trees on MLK.

317
00:27:10,799 --> 00:27:14,919
» Thank you. Thank you.

318
00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:25,360
» Thank you, council. So, next we'll go
into some um curbside and parking. So,

319
00:27:23,679 --> 00:27:32,400
uh next I'll ask Doug Carluchi, who
oversees our permit group, to speak to

320
00:27:27,919 --> 00:27:38,200
ordinance uh 26074 or item 3.5, which is
the expansion of parking zone 8 for

321
00:27:34,799 --> 00:27:38,200
Culver Avenue.

322
00:27:41,360 --> 00:27:49,840
» Good afternoon, council members. Uh this
is an expansion of a parking zone that

323
00:27:47,919 --> 00:27:55,559
was requested by residents via
Councilman Brook's office. Uh this

324
00:27:52,559 --> 00:27:55,559
extends

325
00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:58,159
I just want to make sure I have the
correct

326
00:27:56,880 --> 00:28:06,440
» 3.5.
>> Yeah, it extends zone 8 um on Culver

327
00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:06,440
from west side to 440.

328
00:28:06,559 --> 00:28:10,200
questions on 3.5

329
00:28:13,440 --> 00:28:19,679
» me if I you already gave me the answer
not on top of all my emails. Did we get

330
00:28:18,399 --> 00:28:24,799
a copy of the petition?
>> I sent it to I sent it to the uh council

331
00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:28,760
inquiry. Okay,
>> we got it. Thank you.

332
00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:36,200
» Questions, comments? Okay, next one.
Doug,

333
00:28:32,559 --> 00:28:36,200
» no questions. Um

334
00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:44,399
and Doug together will um sorry uh Doug
and Director Soffield together will

335
00:28:42,159 --> 00:28:50,320
present um some
ordinances and resolutions clarifying

336
00:28:47,360 --> 00:28:53,200
curb usage um at the areas around
Christopher Columbus Drive and Bergen

337
00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:58,520
Square that we're looking to advance the
camera assisted uh parking program.

338
00:28:59,279 --> 00:29:06,159
» Good afternoon, council president,
members of council. Um these next uh

339
00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:10,799
ordinance, there's one ordinance and
then there's two resolutions that we can

340
00:29:07,919 --> 00:29:18,080
address together. Um the first is item
3.4 ordinance 26 26-073

341
00:29:16,399 --> 00:29:23,840
uh which is an ordinance supplementing
chapter 332 vehicles and traffic article

342
00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:29,600
3 parking standing and stopping amending
sections 3322

343
00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:35,679
no parking any time. 33223 no stopping
or standing. 33224

344
00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:41,360
parking prohibited certain hours. 33226
no stopping or standing certain hours.

345
00:29:37,840 --> 00:29:45,360
And 33257 on street permit parking zones
to modify the parking stopping standing

346
00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:49,360
and permit parking regulations on Bergen
Avenue and Academy Street. Um, for the

347
00:29:47,679 --> 00:29:53,919
most part, this is cleaning up
regulations that have been in the code

348
00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:59,200
that haven't actually been signed or
operating in reality on the street. Um,

349
00:29:57,440 --> 00:30:03,600
so a lot of it is preparing for the
camera assisted parking enforcement. We

350
00:30:01,279 --> 00:30:08,880
want to make sure that the ordinance and
the municipal code matches what will be

351
00:30:06,080 --> 00:30:13,279
enforced. Um, so those are primarily the
changes within that ordinance. Um but

352
00:30:11,760 --> 00:30:17,200
I'll pause there for the ordinance in
case there are any questions.

353
00:30:15,039 --> 00:30:20,720
» Just on on the camera issue, did we
confirm about how the data will be

354
00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:27,279
stored by the company?
>> So uh the we do have data or information

355
00:30:24,320 --> 00:30:32,240
about how data will be secured. Um they
both companies that we've selected do

356
00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:36,720
have protections in terms of what data
is stored, where it's transmitted, who

357
00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:41,600
has access to it. So we can follow up
with more detail about all of that. Um

358
00:30:39,679 --> 00:30:49,760
but there are definitely precautions
around um the data particularly um the

359
00:30:46,799 --> 00:30:55,679
uh they're not collecting um like things
like license plates or faces or things

360
00:30:53,039 --> 00:31:01,200
um not related to the actual violation
being captured and that violation being

361
00:30:58,399 --> 00:31:05,840
captured only needs to be stored based
on whatever the um state requires for

362
00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:10,000
violations for record retention
purposes.

363
00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:13,840
Yeah, I'm satisfied by um the collection
process, but I know a lot of people in

364
00:31:11,279 --> 00:31:18,559
the in the community are concerned about
>> Absolutely.

365
00:31:16,240 --> 00:31:23,520
Any other questions about the ordinance?
>> Questions 3.4.

366
00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:28,080
» All right, the next one.
>> The next ones are resolutions. Um, and

367
00:31:26,159 --> 00:31:32,880
these are resolutions that will deal
with loading zone regulations, bus stop

368
00:31:30,240 --> 00:31:38,159
regulations, um, and taxi stand
regulations, uh, for the areas of, um,

369
00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:42,880
Christopher, Columbus Drive, Gro Street.
Sorry, I'll actually read the items.

370
00:31:40,159 --> 00:31:48,159
It's item 10.19
and 10.20.

371
00:31:44,960 --> 00:31:55,200
Um, resolution 26-555
and then resolution 26-556.

372
00:31:51,600 --> 00:32:02,080
Um, so, uh, 26-555
is, uh, addressing the, uh, loading

373
00:31:59,039 --> 00:32:06,480
zones around Christopher Columbus Drive,
Grove Street, Mercer Street, Wayne

374
00:32:04,240 --> 00:32:10,640
Street, Morgan Street, Jersey Avenue,
Montgomery Street, and Bay Street. So,

375
00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:16,559
essentially, it's the area around the
Grove Street path, and the New York

376
00:32:12,399 --> 00:32:22,000
Pedestrian Plaza. Um again, a lot of the
um bulk of this uh resolution is

377
00:32:19,760 --> 00:32:28,480
actually cleaning up the code. There
were a lot of outdated loading zones

378
00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:34,000
from the 80s. Um bus stops that were uh
in the code but not actually in

379
00:32:31,120 --> 00:32:40,399
operation. Um so Doug has done a deep
dive and we also met with the special

380
00:32:37,039 --> 00:32:45,519
improvement districts um in both areas
and uh got some feedback around loading.

381
00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:52,480
Um, so for any of the loading zones that
exist, we are setting a a one-hour time

382
00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:57,120
period. Um, and that will allow us, you
know, the businesses to have time to

383
00:32:54,000 --> 00:33:03,120
load. It'll also as part of the camera
assisted enforcement, the cameras will

384
00:32:59,679 --> 00:33:07,519
be con um giving us data on how much
those loading zones are being used, how

385
00:33:05,200 --> 00:33:12,080
long they're being used for, and our
plan is to take that data in, and if we

386
00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:16,720
need to make any adjustments to the
loading zones, you know, if we don't

387
00:33:14,159 --> 00:33:21,039
need an hour, if we need 45 minutes, we
might come back to council a, you know,

388
00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:26,399
after the pilot period and propose some
changes. But um this is intended to get

389
00:33:23,919 --> 00:33:31,679
us started with the enforcement program
trying to be fair, meet the business

390
00:33:28,399 --> 00:33:38,640
needs and um and so that's primarily
what's in that or uh resolution. And

391
00:33:34,399 --> 00:33:43,360
then for 10.20 26-556,
um same kind of thing but along Bergen

392
00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:47,840
Avenue, the Bergen Square area. And for
that one, it will also include uh the

393
00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:54,960
area in front of PS11 where the school
buses drop off. Any questions? Yes. Um,

394
00:33:52,480 --> 00:34:01,840
regarding um, Christopher Columbus
Street, um, I know that, you know, now

395
00:33:58,559 --> 00:34:07,600
that we have the pedestrian plaza,
um, and, uh, a lot of people are

396
00:34:03,919 --> 00:34:12,200
dropping off there and they have to go
around the corner. Um,

397
00:34:12,560 --> 00:34:17,760
can you guys anticipate their time or
anything like that? because if it's a

398
00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:23,599
drop off and they have multiple
deliveries um to that business, they're

399
00:34:21,839 --> 00:34:26,560
going to be out there for a long time.
>> That yeah, that that was something that

400
00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:31,760
the special improvement district, some
of the businesses did mention. Um the

401
00:34:29,440 --> 00:34:36,399
consensus was that an hour should meet
most businesses needs along the area.

402
00:34:34,399 --> 00:34:42,320
That said, um this is going to be part
of the pilot program is actually seeing

403
00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:47,839
are there some uh deliveries that take
longer than an hour and we'll be able to

404
00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:52,560
um potential some of the solutions we're
thinking about are um if it's the same

405
00:34:50,320 --> 00:34:57,280
sort of local vendor, we can actually
whitelist them and and anticipate that

406
00:34:55,280 --> 00:35:01,680
they're going to be needing that extra
time and kind of put their license plate

407
00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:06,720
into the system. um kind of register
them as being allowed to use the loading

408
00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:11,440
zone for that amount of time. Um or if
it's, you know, a widespread kind of a

409
00:35:09,119 --> 00:35:16,079
thing where most of the businesses need
more than an hour, then we would look to

410
00:35:13,680 --> 00:35:20,960
make some adjustments to the regulations
and have them match the actual demand of

411
00:35:18,160 --> 00:35:24,480
the curb. Um, and then looking even
further into the future, uh, the

412
00:35:22,960 --> 00:35:29,760
technologies that we're going to be
piloting, um, they offer other, um, sort

413
00:35:27,920 --> 00:35:33,599
of add-ons if we're interested in them
in the future where businesses will

414
00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:38,240
actually even be able to reserve loading
zones ahead of time. So, that becomes

415
00:35:36,240 --> 00:35:41,520
even more efficient because then, you
know, you can sort of guarantee the spot

416
00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:47,760
that you need for however long you need
it and um, sort of pay accordingly.

417
00:35:44,560 --> 00:35:54,720
» Okay. And also um just thinking about
the pedestrian plaza,

418
00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:59,520
there's a a through street on each side.
I know you have Grove Street, then you

419
00:35:57,040 --> 00:36:02,800
have Barrow Street. Have we thought
about maybe those streets for like

420
00:36:01,599 --> 00:36:08,720
smaller?
>> We uh I think we did add um Do you

421
00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:15,359
remember offhand? I think we did add um
loading along Bay Street um and Eerie

422
00:36:12,400 --> 00:36:21,200
right north of the plaza. Um, so that is
to sort of capture that mid area and

423
00:36:18,480 --> 00:36:25,640
then um otherwise the ones closest to
Barrow will be along Columbus Drive.

424
00:36:27,680 --> 00:36:35,800
» Other questions?
All right, next one.

425
00:36:31,520 --> 00:36:35,800
» Right. Uh, that was all for us.

426
00:36:38,240 --> 00:36:46,960
» While we're on the topic of curbs, um,
Drew is here to speak on item 3.6. 6.

427
00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:51,800
First reading of an ordinance uh item
26075 on ADA parking.

428
00:36:52,720 --> 00:37:03,160
Hello, Council President, council
members. Um as the director said, agenda

429
00:36:57,920 --> 00:37:03,160
item number 3.6, ordinance 26-075.

430
00:37:03,280 --> 00:37:10,000
This is the ordinance for the reserve
parking. So, these are spaces that were

431
00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:15,359
approved by the committee and now are
going to go into effect. They were um

432
00:37:13,359 --> 00:37:20,800
observed in the field by our staff and
located and we will work with the sign

433
00:37:17,680 --> 00:37:25,040
shop to get these in place.
>> Questions?

434
00:37:22,240 --> 00:37:31,359
» Is there um you maintain a database of
the applications for these and um what's

435
00:37:29,040 --> 00:37:36,720
the
the backlog there or is there a backlog?

436
00:37:34,480 --> 00:37:40,000
» Uh there is a database. Yes. And there
is certainly a backlog that um the

437
00:37:38,640 --> 00:37:43,440
committee has been working through. I
know they're going to meet I think next

438
00:37:41,200 --> 00:37:49,720
week is their next meeting um with some
of our staff and infrastructure

439
00:37:45,839 --> 00:37:49,720
um to get through that backlog.

440
00:37:49,760 --> 00:37:54,720
» Can can you give us some sense of the
numbers? You don't have to do it today

441
00:37:52,320 --> 00:37:58,960
but share something in
>> Yeah, I I can get you how many are kind

442
00:37:56,640 --> 00:38:03,760
of waiting, you know, to be reviewed.
We'll have a couple different um buckets

443
00:38:01,440 --> 00:38:07,040
of of data. There are some that have
been reviewed by our city doctor and

444
00:38:05,359 --> 00:38:11,760
awaiting the committee and there are
some that will be um still waiting for

445
00:38:09,760 --> 00:38:18,560
the doctor's review.
>> It would be helpful if it was grouped by

446
00:38:13,359 --> 00:38:21,440
like I know one year pending application
9 months 6 months 3 months something

447
00:38:20,560 --> 00:38:25,359
like that and
>> okay hopefully we don't have any that

448
00:38:23,599 --> 00:38:28,880
are over a year
>> but I'll get you that information.

449
00:38:27,040 --> 00:38:33,440
» Yeah I could speak to that councilman.
We we don't have any that are over a

450
00:38:31,280 --> 00:38:39,760
year. We've we worked from when the
committee started meeting, we worked

451
00:38:35,119 --> 00:38:43,839
from the oldest, right? Yep. Um and so
we're we're we worked from the oldest.

452
00:38:41,440 --> 00:38:48,400
We're coming we we're not present. We're
not current. That's accurate. We're

453
00:38:46,480 --> 00:38:53,760
we're uh well, I guess current is a kind
of a moving target because there's

454
00:38:49,920 --> 00:38:59,440
always um applications, but we've met
four times, five times.

455
00:38:57,599 --> 00:39:03,680
» Yeah, I think it's it's four or five. I
forget exactly but uh it's de definitely

456
00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:07,359
coming at a point in time too when we're
exiting the summer months when there was

457
00:39:05,280 --> 00:39:10,240
one meeting in a month. So it's you know
the backlog does stack up a little bit

458
00:39:08,960 --> 00:39:17,000
during this time too.
>> Right. And the committee did not meet in

459
00:39:11,839 --> 00:39:17,000
the last two months of last year. So

460
00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:25,839
» next one
>> I'll move on to uh resolutions. I have

461
00:39:22,720 --> 00:39:31,760
two today. I guess keep rolling. Okay.
Okay. Um, we'll jump to item number

462
00:39:29,920 --> 00:39:35,480
10.35,
resolution 26-571.

463
00:39:35,760 --> 00:39:43,440
This is a resolution authorizing the
extension of an existing contract using

464
00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:49,599
the remaining funds for our citywide
striping contractor, which is statewide

465
00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:54,079
striping. Um, we're looking to rebid
that very soon, and there was funding

466
00:39:52,480 --> 00:39:58,160
left over. We just wanted to do a
four-month extension, use up some of

467
00:39:56,480 --> 00:40:02,880
those remaining funds while we kind of
revamp the the process we're using for

468
00:40:00,880 --> 00:40:07,839
striping and splitting it up a little
bit differently.

469
00:40:04,560 --> 00:40:13,760
» Questions? 10.35.
>> This is an open-end contract.

470
00:40:09,920 --> 00:40:18,400
» Yes, open-end contract.
It's in its in its final renewal year.

471
00:40:16,400 --> 00:40:21,200
Um, we're just looking to extend that.
Um, we worked with purchasing. They said

472
00:40:19,920 --> 00:40:25,520
that's fine as long as we're in the
process of preparing new specs and

473
00:40:23,359 --> 00:40:31,599
getting it ready for bid.
>> And these this vendor does striping for

474
00:40:29,119 --> 00:40:37,280
streets are repaved and resurfaced. And
then how about the garage stuff? Is this

475
00:40:34,880 --> 00:40:42,240
» Yeah. Um any kind of pavement marking
pretty much is is everything they do. Uh

476
00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:48,000
it's maintenance related. if there's
faded striping or crosswalks, center

477
00:40:44,480 --> 00:40:51,040
lines, um different mile per hour
designations that are in the street. We

478
00:40:49,359 --> 00:40:56,640
don't have many of those, but yeah, any
any maintenance or or new installs, and

479
00:40:53,520 --> 00:41:00,480
they do the driveway markings as well.
>> Does the administration have any

480
00:40:58,240 --> 00:41:05,280
intention to increase like delineated
parking spots um through the striping

481
00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:07,680
contract?
>> Not to my knowledge. And

482
00:41:07,040 --> 00:41:11,200
» delineated
>> sort of some of the the traffic

483
00:41:09,440 --> 00:41:13,920
engineers. I think that opens up some
other issues

484
00:41:12,319 --> 00:41:16,400
» as far as ADA.
>> So, sorry. What do you mean by

485
00:41:14,880 --> 00:41:21,760
delineated, Councilman?
>> Uh, like striped parking spots along uh

486
00:41:20,160 --> 00:41:25,200
street parking.
>> So, so typically,

487
00:41:23,920 --> 00:41:29,440
you know, we can have a conversation
with the community on a corridor by

488
00:41:26,720 --> 00:41:34,480
corridor basis, but outside of metered
areas where there's a spot defined by a

489
00:41:32,319 --> 00:41:38,319
meter, um, you actually get more
vehicles parked if you don't define

490
00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:42,079
them. And it can be a little bit
frustrating when you know vehicles come,

491
00:41:40,640 --> 00:41:46,000
vehicles go, and now there's a half spot
and it looks like someone didn't park

492
00:41:43,920 --> 00:41:50,319
properly, although it's unclear which
vehicles came and left first, right? So

493
00:41:48,079 --> 00:41:54,400
there is some inefficiency, but overall
you're able to get more vehicles in than

494
00:41:51,920 --> 00:41:58,400
if you f standardize. There's a standard
for how far apart each spot can be. So

495
00:41:56,880 --> 00:42:02,960
typically we don't do that outside of
meters. Um, but if there's a specific

496
00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:07,240
example or block or community that is
interested in that, we're open to the

497
00:42:04,240 --> 00:42:07,240
dialogue.

498
00:42:08,880 --> 00:42:15,040
And what's the balance remaining on
this?

499
00:42:11,599 --> 00:42:19,160
» Uh the remaining funding for this is a
little over $2.4 million.

500
00:42:19,200 --> 00:42:24,240
» This will get us through
the remain.

501
00:42:22,960 --> 00:42:28,480
» Yeah, this will certainly get us
through. We're we're working against uh

502
00:42:26,240 --> 00:42:33,280
the weather once we get later on in the
year. Um we're not going to put down the

503
00:42:30,640 --> 00:42:36,319
thermoplastic material when it gets too
cold. It just won't adhere and it won't

504
00:42:34,640 --> 00:42:39,760
last. will kind of be a waste of money
unless there's there's something very

505
00:42:37,920 --> 00:42:44,240
urgent, you know, we'll be wrapped up
with this contract in um November, early

506
00:42:42,880 --> 00:42:47,760
December.
>> I It's four months, right? So, August

507
00:42:46,400 --> 00:42:50,240
through December.
>> Yep.

508
00:42:48,720 --> 00:42:54,400
» And we think we're going to spend two
2.4 million in that period.

509
00:42:51,760 --> 00:42:57,280
» I I don't anticipate it. No, it's just
the amount remaining was there. I I

510
00:42:56,079 --> 00:43:00,240
don't anticipate we're going to get
through all that money in that amount of

511
00:42:58,640 --> 00:43:05,920
time.
And I I assume any remaining funds we

512
00:43:02,720 --> 00:43:12,079
would um you know cancel that PO and and
refund uh the next round when we put

513
00:43:08,319 --> 00:43:17,200
this out to bit use some of those funds.
Uh I would um encourage the

514
00:43:14,000 --> 00:43:23,119
administration to look into uh um two
options. shared services. Um, you know,

515
00:43:20,800 --> 00:43:28,160
for the county, I talked about this with
traffic light maintenance. Um, and doing

516
00:43:25,760 --> 00:43:32,960
the shared services with the county,
which does the the traffic lights for

517
00:43:30,880 --> 00:43:38,160
West New York and Union City and North
Bergen, I believe. Um, so they I think

518
00:43:36,560 --> 00:43:43,680
Bayon's inquiring with doing it
themselves with county as well. Um, and

519
00:43:42,000 --> 00:43:49,760
uh some cost savings around that. And
then there's a I don't know what they do

520
00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:55,359
for their their striping. Um but as we
continue to look for cost savings um if

521
00:43:53,200 --> 00:43:59,280
they're doing it inhouse because if
instead of us going out to a vendor and

522
00:43:56,800 --> 00:44:04,480
then the second option I would say is if
if it's not a shared services explore

523
00:44:02,079 --> 00:44:08,400
the idea of doing in-house services as
well. That's what I would say. I would

524
00:44:06,880 --> 00:44:11,839
just like to point out some of this does
include the Endura blend material which

525
00:44:10,160 --> 00:44:16,880
is in the bike lanes and some of the
painted curb extensions or bumpouts. So

526
00:44:14,640 --> 00:44:21,200
I don't know if the county has that
ability or not, but uh just something to

527
00:44:18,640 --> 00:44:25,920
keep in mind when when we do this.
>> Just suggesting people explore that

528
00:44:22,800 --> 00:44:32,640
conversation, have it um and if not then
I'll have it. So

529
00:44:29,599 --> 00:44:38,480
» okay, next one. Drew
>> one more resolution.

530
00:44:35,440 --> 00:44:46,880
This is
item number 10.24 resolution 26-560.

531
00:44:44,319 --> 00:44:53,200
This is a resolution renewing the
open-end asphalt resurfacing contract.

532
00:44:50,480 --> 00:44:59,119
It'll be retroactive to the beginning of
2026.

533
00:44:56,079 --> 00:45:02,480
What will the procedure be for selecting
roads and which priority? Because I

534
00:45:01,040 --> 00:45:06,319
think Councilman Brooks and I will fight
anyone if we don't get Westside Avenue.

535
00:45:04,800 --> 00:45:12,079
David first.
>> Um, you know, we certainly are looking

536
00:45:08,400 --> 00:45:17,040
at pavement age and, you know, its
deterioration and what state of affairs

537
00:45:15,040 --> 00:45:21,280
it's in right now. We look at the
pothole data that we do have to see if

538
00:45:19,520 --> 00:45:26,240
it was a location that has numerous
pothole fills based on DPW's efforts and

539
00:45:23,839 --> 00:45:31,440
and target those areas. Um, we certainly
have a list of what we think are

540
00:45:29,680 --> 00:45:34,440
priority and we will have those
conversations.

541
00:45:34,720 --> 00:45:41,680
Uh which section of westside if you
don't mind me asking?

542
00:45:38,160 --> 00:45:45,119
» Essentially all of it from uh I say from
from Greenville to Journal Square in bad

543
00:45:44,640 --> 00:45:49,839
shape.
>> We are wrapping up a project from

544
00:45:46,960 --> 00:45:52,800
» Damn North Avenue.
>> Uh now when you say conversations you

545
00:45:51,359 --> 00:45:56,400
mean with the council people as well.
Correct.

546
00:45:54,400 --> 00:46:01,520
» Thank you. Luke, just to kind of give a
little bit more color on all this, um

547
00:45:58,800 --> 00:46:06,960
the reason why we're asking the council
to approve a retroactive agreement here

548
00:46:04,640 --> 00:46:10,800
is because the last administration did
not have capital funding or any funding

549
00:46:08,800 --> 00:46:15,040
set aside for this contract. So, the
proper time to really renew this would

550
00:46:12,640 --> 00:46:20,400
have been November of 2025, but the
funding wasn't available. So, this

551
00:46:17,200 --> 00:46:25,520
council, you guys reallocated funds back
in June, which allowed us to fund this

552
00:46:22,960 --> 00:46:28,560
contract. Um, so up until then we
haven't been doing the MUA and other

553
00:46:27,280 --> 00:46:32,400
people have been doing repaving, but the
city funded paving hasn't been

554
00:46:29,920 --> 00:46:35,440
happening. Um, now we have uh are
looking to extend that contract

555
00:46:33,599 --> 00:46:41,839
retroactively to allow us to kind of get
that paving back. Um, the contract is as

556
00:46:38,800 --> 00:46:45,200
directed. So the 3.5 million is funded
out of capital. So any money that we

557
00:46:43,760 --> 00:46:49,200
don't use by the end of the year, we're
not going to spend all of it. Will be

558
00:46:47,280 --> 00:46:52,880
available because it's capital dollars.
So, won't expire at the end of the

559
00:46:50,480 --> 00:46:58,000
calendar year and can be used for future
2027 and other years repaving. Um, so

560
00:46:56,880 --> 00:47:02,560
just a little bit of background on
pavement. There's currently five ways

561
00:47:00,640 --> 00:47:06,720
that roads get repaved in the city, kind
of five buckets. Uh, the first is this

562
00:47:04,880 --> 00:47:12,640
program or the city pavement program
where we do the repaving. Uh, the second

563
00:47:08,960 --> 00:47:16,400
is the MUA. Uh, they'll restore roads uh
following underground utility work. Um

564
00:47:14,880 --> 00:47:18,880
sometimes it may be a year or two after
that work where they need to let a

565
00:47:17,599 --> 00:47:23,040
trench settle but then they'll come back
and they'll do the repaving or restore

566
00:47:20,400 --> 00:47:26,800
it. Uh similarly PSEG or other
underground utilities is the third

567
00:47:24,480 --> 00:47:31,440
bucket. They will be required to do
trenching or replace their trenches or

568
00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:36,160
repave um if they do underground utility
work. The fourth bucket is uh

569
00:47:33,760 --> 00:47:39,760
development. So we'll have developers
put in a a new development construction

570
00:47:38,240 --> 00:47:43,200
and at the end before that construction
is complete before they get their co

571
00:47:41,280 --> 00:47:47,680
they have to repave curb to curb in in
the area that they've disturbed. And

572
00:47:45,119 --> 00:47:50,560
then the fifth bucket is grant funds. We
do a lot of our major capital

573
00:47:48,960 --> 00:47:56,640
improvements currently with grants such
as NJTPA safety grants, things along

574
00:47:52,640 --> 00:48:00,400
those lines. Um starting in 2027,
we're looking to add a sixth bucket.

575
00:47:58,800 --> 00:48:03,359
That bucket uh is going to be in
alignment with vision zero. We're just

576
00:48:02,160 --> 00:48:07,839
to give it another name, we're going to
call it roadway reconstruction, similar

577
00:48:05,520 --> 00:48:11,520
to this paving program. It'll be funded
through envisioned to be funded through

578
00:48:09,280 --> 00:48:15,599
city capital. Um, but the idea is not
just repaving the road curb to curb and

579
00:48:13,599 --> 00:48:18,400
putting it back as it is, but doing a
repavement to fix the paving and also

580
00:48:17,280 --> 00:48:22,480
putting in some other safety
infrastructure such as concrete

581
00:48:20,079 --> 00:48:27,119
bumpouts, um, other things like that so
that when we we do address a road, uh,

582
00:48:24,800 --> 00:48:30,800
there'll be additional cost, but it'll
be less costly than retrofitting and

583
00:48:29,040 --> 00:48:33,599
coming back separately, repaving it one
year and then coming back with safety

584
00:48:31,920 --> 00:48:37,839
improvements in a future year.
Additionally, it it helps us this

585
00:48:36,160 --> 00:48:42,240
program would be prioritized in our high
injury network. So, in alignment with

586
00:48:39,440 --> 00:48:45,920
vision zero, um it wouldn't be putting
down new pavement on a road that people

587
00:48:44,160 --> 00:48:51,200
speed on and now there's less potholes
and they go faster. It would let us

588
00:48:48,079 --> 00:48:56,160
restore the pavement and improve safety
at the same time. Um, we also can

589
00:48:54,400 --> 00:48:59,680
realize cost efficiencies as I mentioned
by having multiple improvements at the

590
00:48:57,599 --> 00:49:02,400
same time and it would reduce
construction and parking impacts because

591
00:49:01,119 --> 00:49:07,280
there would only be one construction
project when we do this. So that's kind

592
00:49:05,760 --> 00:49:10,240
of our goal in the future is to look at
higher injury network areas that need

593
00:49:08,720 --> 00:49:13,839
roadway reconstruction. But we also
recognize that there's roads not on the

594
00:49:11,680 --> 00:49:18,160
higher network that the pavement is
deficient based on datadriven

595
00:49:16,800 --> 00:49:21,440
um things. We have a list of the
pavement age. We have a significant

596
00:49:20,319 --> 00:49:25,359
amount of pavement, almost half the
pavement in the city is beyond its its

597
00:49:23,119 --> 00:49:27,599
envisioned useful life. So, we're going
to be able to look at the oldest

598
00:49:26,480 --> 00:49:33,920
pavement and we'll be able to look at
the um potholes and other issues as well

599
00:49:30,880 --> 00:49:37,440
as community um responses, council
person offices, cclick fixes, and other

600
00:49:35,839 --> 00:49:42,559
concerns to help us prioritize those
sites. Uh where we're going to pick

601
00:49:40,400 --> 00:49:47,839
sites. So, we're going to use that data
to identify the need. We'll then remove

602
00:49:44,960 --> 00:49:51,280
locations that we are have conflicts. So
areas that we know are waiting for the

603
00:49:49,760 --> 00:49:56,000
MUA to pave it, we're not going to use
city paving. We'll let the MUA come back

604
00:49:53,359 --> 00:49:59,440
and do that. Areas where future work of
the MUA or PSCG, we're we don't want to

605
00:49:57,920 --> 00:50:04,319
pave a road and then have it dug up if
we can prevent that. Um and lastly, we

606
00:50:02,480 --> 00:50:09,599
would not prioritize locations that have
a grant coming. So if, for example, if

607
00:50:06,480 --> 00:50:12,480
we have a a grant on Marin and that may
be a year or two out, we're not

608
00:50:10,720 --> 00:50:16,000
necessarily going to focus on repaving
that because the grant will be digging

609
00:50:14,480 --> 00:50:20,559
that up and and and making other
improvements and providing new pavement

610
00:50:17,680 --> 00:50:24,559
at the end as well. Once we have that,
we'll split the locations into the high

611
00:50:22,559 --> 00:50:28,960
network for areas that we would want to
to receive more than just pavement and

612
00:50:26,720 --> 00:50:33,839
then non-highing network, so more of the
local streets. Um, so we'd be using that

613
00:50:31,359 --> 00:50:39,920
to establish a citywide program and then
we would make sure that it represents

614
00:50:36,960 --> 00:50:43,839
with equity um, areas across the entire
city so that we're not leaving any area

615
00:50:41,839 --> 00:50:47,280
out even if that's kind of where we're
walking to. We'll make sure that this

616
00:50:45,280 --> 00:50:52,480
program covers all wards, all parts of
the city. Um, so that's our longer term

617
00:50:50,480 --> 00:50:56,160
goal and this contract would enable us
to kind of more short-term and

618
00:50:53,760 --> 00:51:00,559
immediately start to repave some of
these roads in the remainder of this

619
00:50:58,319 --> 00:51:03,200
year and the fall.
So, I know that's a little bit more than

620
00:51:02,079 --> 00:51:06,880
just the ordinance, but I I thought
there'd be a lot of questions since we

621
00:51:04,800 --> 00:51:13,040
all know the roads are very uh not in
great shape.

622
00:51:08,720 --> 00:51:19,839
» Yes. Um, director, quick question. Um,
so is there like a

623
00:51:17,040 --> 00:51:26,079
like a code once
because I've seen instance where we

624
00:51:21,680 --> 00:51:29,520
repave the entire road either PSNG
or

625
00:51:28,000 --> 00:51:35,280
it's those people that work for the city
over there uh

626
00:51:32,800 --> 00:51:40,480
uh no uh
people that do the plumbing mua

627
00:51:37,760 --> 00:51:46,720
» mua
>> where the guys to come and they'll go

628
00:51:42,480 --> 00:51:52,720
back into the street after we've repaved
it and then subsequently they will

629
00:51:48,800 --> 00:51:57,920
repave it but it wouldn't be as night
neat and even as it was before they

630
00:51:55,200 --> 00:52:03,920
encountered it. So is there is there
like a code in which the repair should

631
00:52:00,319 --> 00:52:09,440
be up to? Yes. So there is a code when
we allow trenching you know typically

632
00:52:07,599 --> 00:52:13,280
so our intent is to avoid that as much
as possible first and foremost. So for

633
00:52:11,520 --> 00:52:17,280
we know where the MUA is planning their
next 5-year program worth of underground

634
00:52:15,520 --> 00:52:21,760
work and we try not to repave that.
That's the first way to avoid that. When

635
00:52:20,160 --> 00:52:25,440
there is a property owner where you have
a lateral tie-in, right, that we don't

636
00:52:24,079 --> 00:52:28,160
necessarily know where that work is
going to take place because that's

637
00:52:26,559 --> 00:52:31,520
between the property owner and and their
lateral tie. They have to get permits,

638
00:52:29,599 --> 00:52:34,720
but we don't know ahead of time. So
there are cases where they'll dig in.

639
00:52:33,280 --> 00:52:39,280
There are also cases where there's like
a failure. So like if a sewer collapses

640
00:52:36,880 --> 00:52:43,680
or a water main break, all those will
result in trenches even if we try to

641
00:52:41,200 --> 00:52:49,359
minimize them. The trench is supposed to
be level with the roadway and the person

642
00:52:46,480 --> 00:52:53,680
filling that trench has a responsibility
under their permit to restore it if it

643
00:52:51,520 --> 00:52:59,440
starts collapsing or is making a a big
bump. So we have a process. Someone in

644
00:52:56,960 --> 00:53:03,280
our office will receive requests. So, I
please, if you get these, you're welcome

645
00:53:01,760 --> 00:53:07,200
to give them from your council offices
over to us. We'll make sure that we can

646
00:53:05,119 --> 00:53:11,200
investigate who received a permit to
install the trench and we'll direct them

647
00:53:08,800 --> 00:53:15,599
to restore it. It's still will never be
the same as curb to curb paving, but it

648
00:53:13,760 --> 00:53:19,040
will be able to restore it if there's a
deficiency. Um, and the last piece, and

649
00:53:17,680 --> 00:53:22,559
I think we mentioned this at a prior
meeting, I'm not the expert in it, but

650
00:53:20,240 --> 00:53:26,400
we have an infrared. So if there is a
need, we'll be able to use kind of an

651
00:53:24,720 --> 00:53:30,079
have them, you know, at their expense,
have an infrared to kind of melt the

652
00:53:28,400 --> 00:53:35,359
trench back into the pavement to try to
blend it a little bit better.

653
00:53:31,680 --> 00:53:40,480
» Okay. Um, and my next question is not
necessarily with this, but is related to

654
00:53:37,680 --> 00:53:47,520
this. Um about I don't know a couple
years ago there was something that came

655
00:53:42,880 --> 00:53:52,559
up as it relates to the MLK restoration
project where the city received I

656
00:53:50,160 --> 00:54:00,240
believe two or three trenches of money
to enhance MLK from a pedestrian safety

657
00:53:57,200 --> 00:54:05,200
standpoint. Um do you know anything
about that grant? Do you know where we

658
00:54:02,160 --> 00:54:10,400
at with it? I know when I read it in its
entirety, there were certain things that

659
00:54:07,200 --> 00:54:16,400
the grant clearly specified should not
be considered uh things that need to be

660
00:54:14,000 --> 00:54:22,480
done. Specifically, they pointed out you
cannot hire police officers and pay them

661
00:54:19,040 --> 00:54:31,040
via this grant. Um and I do know the
grant was supposed to cover in or around

662
00:54:25,920 --> 00:54:36,160
the proximity of Bidwell to Claremont.
Um, and I also noticed in that same

663
00:54:33,359 --> 00:54:44,160
grant that money were taken from that
grant to place stop to place

664
00:54:40,880 --> 00:54:48,640
signal lights elsewhere. So, I just want
to see if we can get an update on that

665
00:54:46,720 --> 00:54:53,440
or mainly do you know anything about
that? So, so the one grant that I'm

666
00:54:50,800 --> 00:54:57,839
aware of on MLK, um, and I believe
Amanda's still here, the exact limits is

667
00:54:55,760 --> 00:55:02,559
what she presented a contract design
for, which was for bumpouts and street

668
00:54:59,760 --> 00:55:06,640
drainage. Um, so that included kind of
the curb side improvements as well as

669
00:55:05,040 --> 00:55:11,200
some safety improvements related there,
too. Um, I don't

670
00:55:09,760 --> 00:55:14,400
Is this an old federal maybe Drew?
>> Yeah, it's an old federal. I think Drew,

671
00:55:13,200 --> 00:55:17,440
you know, you was you were here.
>> I was around. But I didn't I didn't run

672
00:55:16,240 --> 00:55:22,640
it and unfortunately the
>> Okay. So off of anything that could have

673
00:55:20,079 --> 00:55:27,920
potentially went wrong. You're putting a
disclaimer on the record that you

674
00:55:26,319 --> 00:55:30,319
» that Sorry, repeat that please.
>> Cuz you said you was around or you

675
00:55:29,440 --> 00:55:34,079
wasn't around. I
>> I was around working for the city but I

676
00:55:32,480 --> 00:55:36,559
didn't run the project. So I'm aware of
it. I just don't know the intimate

677
00:55:35,359 --> 00:55:43,599
details of it.
>> Oh, okay. If we can get an update on

678
00:55:38,800 --> 00:55:47,680
that. Um I think the grant um was it
Viven? I think Vivian uh

679
00:55:46,480 --> 00:55:51,760
» most likely from the grand.
>> Yes. If we could just

680
00:55:49,119 --> 00:55:55,200
» Yeah, Drew. If we could see if we could
do some research and get with the

681
00:55:53,359 --> 00:55:59,839
councilman offline so we can see if we
can figure that out.

682
00:55:57,839 --> 00:56:05,160
» Yeah, I I'll get that information and
contact Vivian as well.

683
00:56:01,920 --> 00:56:05,160
» Thank you.

684
00:56:07,040 --> 00:56:12,799
» Sorry. Can you just send that request to
council request so we're clear on what

685
00:56:11,280 --> 00:56:18,160
we're looking for?
>> Say that again. You send the request to

686
00:56:14,960 --> 00:56:22,400
the council requests inbox. So
>> Oh, put it in. Yeah. Okay.

687
00:56:19,839 --> 00:56:25,400
» Thank you.
>> Oh,

688
00:56:25,599 --> 00:56:29,839
go ahead. I mean,
>> I was just going to ask if there's

689
00:56:28,160 --> 00:56:36,880
anything else on this item. Yeah.
>> So, so w with this contract

690
00:56:33,760 --> 00:56:41,440
um which is retroactive
given it's retroactive, we're currently

691
00:56:38,720 --> 00:56:47,040
paving roads. Is that
>> the city is not currently paving roads.

692
00:56:43,920 --> 00:56:52,240
We are doing um pothole repairs and the
MUA is currently paving roads. This will

693
00:56:49,920 --> 00:56:57,040
now that the city did not allocate any
funding for paving roads until June when

694
00:56:55,040 --> 00:57:00,799
the capital dollars were reallocated to
this by this council. This would be a

695
00:56:59,520 --> 00:57:04,799
contract. So now that we have the
funding, we can issue a contract. Those

696
00:57:03,040 --> 00:57:08,400
are the two pieces we need in place to
now start doing the work. We're

697
00:57:06,880 --> 00:57:12,720
» going to start doing the work.
>> Correct. Yeah.

698
00:57:10,000 --> 00:57:17,520
» So, um,
which roads are we doing?

699
00:57:14,880 --> 00:57:19,680
» So, we're still finalizing that list.
>> Yeah.

700
00:57:17,839 --> 00:57:23,520
» Based on kind of that long criteria, but
we're going to be looking at doing

701
00:57:21,040 --> 00:57:27,760
paving on roads that have older
pavement, large number of potholes, or

702
00:57:26,079 --> 00:57:31,760
other requests that were addressed over
this this spring, as well as requests

703
00:57:30,000 --> 00:57:35,119
from the constituents, communities, and
council offices. Um, so we're going to

704
00:57:33,920 --> 00:57:39,440
be putting that together and then as I
kind of mentioned, making sure it

705
00:57:37,440 --> 00:57:45,119
doesn't overlap with planned underground
utility work or planned potential

706
00:57:41,839 --> 00:57:49,839
capital work upcoming. Um, and that will
then make sure that it's representative

707
00:57:46,640 --> 00:57:53,920
across the entire city across all ws um
to certain capacity. So once we have

708
00:57:52,400 --> 00:57:58,720
this list, we're going to be finalizing
this in the coming weeks. Um, we will

709
00:57:56,319 --> 00:58:03,119
share that with with the council members
for feedback before we start doing the

710
00:58:01,520 --> 00:58:08,160
work.
Um yeah, I look forward to seeing the

711
00:58:04,880 --> 00:58:12,160
list. Um you mentioned the five
different buckets and then the sixth

712
00:58:09,680 --> 00:58:17,680
buck bucket being entered. Um yes. So
would like to see what what what streets

713
00:58:15,280 --> 00:58:22,400
are falling within each bucket pre-
prioritization if that's that's

714
00:58:19,760 --> 00:58:28,160
available. So what are the MUA streets
that they they're responsible for? which

715
00:58:24,400 --> 00:58:33,920
are the um PSCG
developers um like to see just who's who

716
00:58:32,559 --> 00:58:38,319
we're holding accountable around all
this um the dates in which if you have

717
00:58:36,400 --> 00:58:44,480
them dates in which they tore up our
roads and um and kind of what their

718
00:58:41,839 --> 00:58:50,720
timetable is to be able to restore our
roads back to uh back to drivability and

719
00:58:49,520 --> 00:58:54,400
uh yeah
>> and just to clarify we have a

720
00:58:52,000 --> 00:58:59,119
forwardlooking and a retroactive Right.
So forward looking where the work's

721
00:58:56,960 --> 00:59:03,040
going to happen. We're avoiding paving
today where it's going to get ripped up

722
00:59:00,400 --> 00:59:07,599
tomorrow. But we're also separately,
which I think is what you're alluding to

723
00:59:04,319 --> 00:59:12,319
as well is the past work in our roads
where we have permits um holding them

724
00:59:10,799 --> 00:59:17,680
accountable, right? When there is a
degregation of that trench.

725
00:59:15,359 --> 00:59:20,559
» So we can certainly, you know, maybe
it's better as a conversation. there's a

726
00:59:19,200 --> 00:59:23,839
lot of information to show, but we're
certainly happy to have this

727
00:59:22,559 --> 00:59:28,640
conversation with you, other council
members, um, to kind of clarify the

728
00:59:26,559 --> 00:59:31,839
process and, you know, what's on the
books.

729
00:59:29,520 --> 00:59:38,400
» I can only imagine given all of the
development, road work, MUA work, uh,

730
00:59:35,520 --> 00:59:43,520
PSCG work, all that stuff.
As as you mentioned, all the buckets,

731
00:59:40,880 --> 00:59:47,920
um, it doesn't leave many roads left
outside of those three those those three

732
00:59:45,839 --> 00:59:53,599
buckets. There's two other buckets. Um
and then the vision zero bucket. But um

733
00:59:50,400 --> 00:59:57,680
uh so so all of those roads, this is
what people are complaining about and

734
00:59:55,200 --> 01:00:03,280
they're they've degraded them. They've
left them in uh awful condition. Um we

735
01:00:01,040 --> 01:00:09,839
need to hold them accountable. Um and
and get them to ante up and and uh

736
01:00:06,160 --> 01:00:13,440
repair these roads. Um, I I I'm just
wondering, I guess, also in having this

737
01:00:11,680 --> 01:00:17,839
conversation later, what kind of
resources you have to be able to hold

738
01:00:15,040 --> 01:00:22,640
them accountable? Like just after they
do a job or a project, do we have staff

739
01:00:20,319 --> 01:00:27,440
who go back out to check the condition
of the road and sign off and say, "Okay,

740
01:00:25,119 --> 01:00:30,480
you're done. You're off the hook." Or,
um,

741
01:00:28,960 --> 01:00:33,680
at what point do we do that? You don't
have to answer me now, but if you want

742
01:00:31,599 --> 01:00:36,720
to, that's fine. And I can only imagine
that you don't because I' I've seen your

743
01:00:35,680 --> 01:00:37,920
budget. No.
>> Yeah.

744
01:00:37,040 --> 01:00:42,559
» Um,
>> so we're not proactive, but we are

745
01:00:40,640 --> 01:00:46,319
responsive. So when we get complaints
and concerns from the constituency or

746
01:00:44,400 --> 01:00:50,720
council office, we are very good at
being able to respond to those concerns,

747
01:00:48,160 --> 01:00:55,599
investigate who was responsible for the
work, and then issue them a letter to

748
01:00:52,240 --> 01:00:59,040
rectify. And so far, because the firms
that did those trenches yesterday are

749
01:00:57,280 --> 01:01:02,880
the trying to get permits to do trenches
tomorrow, they've all come back.

750
01:01:01,599 --> 01:01:05,760
Sometimes they've said, "It's not me,
it's this guy." And took a while to

751
01:01:04,240 --> 01:01:11,119
figure out who it was. But once we do,
they've come back and restored the work.

752
01:01:08,400 --> 01:01:14,400
Um, so far, knock on wood.
>> Okay. Appreciate it. I'm looking forward

753
01:01:13,200 --> 01:01:18,079
to our meeting. I know we're going to
get something on the schedule soon. So,

754
01:01:15,920 --> 01:01:22,160
» I'm sorry, just so so quickly, maybe I
missed this, but um, could you point

755
01:01:20,160 --> 01:01:27,440
toward where it is in the municipal code
or where else it says that the trench

756
01:01:24,319 --> 01:01:29,280
has to be even with the roadway? The
roadway.

757
01:01:28,000 --> 01:01:32,880
» I will have to get back to you on the
exact language and the exact location.

758
01:01:30,880 --> 01:01:37,760
Um I'm not sure if it's in the code or
it's in the permit but I know that or

759
01:01:35,839 --> 01:01:42,000
Drew knows just like Drew
>> I don't know the exact number but I can

760
01:01:39,440 --> 01:01:45,119
definitely share. It's an ordinance um
you know recently updated I think four

761
01:01:44,079 --> 01:01:50,799
or five years ago.
>> Great. Okay. Thank you so much.

762
01:01:48,559 --> 01:01:58,240
» Okay. Next one.
>> Thank you.

763
01:01:52,319 --> 01:02:03,839
So the the next item I have is item 1018
resolution 26554.

764
01:02:02,000 --> 01:02:09,599
Um
this is

765
01:02:06,000 --> 01:02:15,599
related to the New Jersey DOT 139 parks
jurisdictional agreement.

766
01:02:11,920 --> 01:02:23,040
Um, so I have a a note here on it, but
long story

767
01:02:17,760 --> 01:02:29,280
short, um, back in 2015
when Route 139 was rebuilt by NJ DOT,

768
01:02:27,119 --> 01:02:34,559
they agreed to construct some of these
these two areas adjacent to Upper 139

769
01:02:32,079 --> 01:02:38,559
into public parks. Um, however, they
required the city would take maintenance

770
01:02:36,319 --> 01:02:42,160
responsibility of that before they were
willing to kind of open them up and turn

771
01:02:39,920 --> 01:02:46,640
them over to the public. U, those parks
have now been completed and law and the

772
01:02:44,799 --> 01:02:50,240
DOT lawyers have worked through the
jurisdictional agreement. um questions

773
01:02:48,960 --> 01:02:54,319
and I'll I'll defer to law if you have
any questions on exactly the legal piece

774
01:02:52,079 --> 01:02:58,240
of it, but what's before you today is
kind of a resolution authorizing the

775
01:02:56,880 --> 01:03:01,760
entering into this agreement where the
city would take over the maintenance

776
01:02:59,920 --> 01:03:07,040
responsibilities and that would then
allow the parks to be opened. Um the DOT

777
01:03:05,599 --> 01:03:11,119
once we have this agreement in place
will do some landscaping and they'll

778
01:03:08,799 --> 01:03:14,480
work with PSNG to power the lights. So,
it'll still be about a month or so

779
01:03:12,640 --> 01:03:19,200
before the parks are open, but this is
the major hurdle that will allow us to

780
01:03:16,799 --> 01:03:26,160
get that opening date.
>> So, director, um

781
01:03:22,240 --> 01:03:32,079
the what exactly does the maintenance
responsibilities look like? Is it just

782
01:03:29,359 --> 01:03:38,319
the regular maintenance upkeep as it
relates to landscaping and cleanliness

783
01:03:34,240 --> 01:03:44,640
of the park or does it refers to I guess
broken infrastructure or something of

784
01:03:40,160 --> 01:03:48,079
that nature or everything? So these
parks are on the ground. They're not

785
01:03:46,160 --> 01:03:54,880
like on structures. There's not like
buildings in them. It's really pavement,

786
01:03:50,960 --> 01:04:00,880
seating, lighting, and plants. So my
understanding is that um it would not be

787
01:03:58,400 --> 01:04:04,319
what they call highway maintenance. It
would be streetscape maintenance or park

788
01:04:02,720 --> 01:04:08,160
maintenance. So things outside of the
street out um and there's a map in the

789
01:04:06,720 --> 01:04:13,280
or uh in the agreement here that
explicitly delineates the two parks. Um,

790
01:04:11,280 --> 01:04:18,559
and it would require the city to take
on. Um, so yeah.

791
01:04:16,640 --> 01:04:24,079
» In your assessment, is this a huge
burden or because I know a couple months

792
01:04:22,079 --> 01:04:28,640
before this council, we were
entertaining, I don't know, a million

793
01:04:26,400 --> 01:04:35,200
dollars for a company to maintenance
just the grass. So, I'm just saying from

794
01:04:32,240 --> 01:04:39,520
budgetary standpoint, you know,
everybody know what the numbers are. Um,

795
01:04:37,440 --> 01:04:44,000
so I just want to make sure that we've
done our due diligence as it relates to

796
01:04:42,000 --> 01:04:49,440
having a checklist what this is going to
look like. What is the financial burden?

797
01:04:46,079 --> 01:04:52,559
Is it a financial burden or what? So
there is I mean we spoke to parks. I

798
01:04:51,599 --> 01:04:57,119
don't know if you guys want to say
anything but we spoke to them and they

799
01:04:55,520 --> 01:05:00,880
pretty much said there is going to be a
cost but we'll figure it out because

800
01:04:59,520 --> 01:05:06,960
we're going to be given a new public
asset a new park. Also they did so they

801
01:05:04,559 --> 01:05:11,440
the um
the they built the part they did

802
01:05:09,280 --> 01:05:17,280
everything from the work standpoint.
Correct. NJ dot paid for the entire

803
01:05:14,160 --> 01:05:21,680
construction. NJ dot will plant this
make this beautiful for a ribbon cutting

804
01:05:19,440 --> 01:05:24,160
and then they will hand over the
nonstructural maintenance

805
01:05:22,880 --> 01:05:26,720
responsibilities to the city.
>> Okay. And then

806
01:05:24,799 --> 01:05:30,079
» so from a cost standpoint it's just that
operation and maintenance cost which is

807
01:05:28,000 --> 01:05:32,720
not nothing but it's small compared to
the cost of a new

808
01:05:30,880 --> 01:05:36,880
» what they've done. Okay. Well, strike
that question.

809
01:05:34,960 --> 01:05:41,200
» Any other questions?
>> Um, I'm I'm just wondering, there's a

810
01:05:38,960 --> 01:05:45,680
lot of community demands and concerns
about 139 and the area around it in

811
01:05:43,520 --> 01:05:50,720
terms of street safety that I I know our
offices have talked about. Um, I'm

812
01:05:48,640 --> 01:05:56,240
wondering if just one of the kind of
lowhanging fruit ones would be the speed

813
01:05:52,960 --> 01:06:04,000
limit on the stretch of 139 between the
boulevard and and Palisade at least. Um

814
01:06:00,079 --> 01:06:08,640
and if this is an opportunity to ask the
DOT because my understanding is even

815
01:06:06,640 --> 01:06:12,240
with this the speed limit there would
remain out of our control that would

816
01:06:10,240 --> 01:06:17,359
still be in the highway control of the
state. Um if this is an opportunity to

817
01:06:14,480 --> 01:06:22,880
ask for a lowering of the speed limit um
or other kinds of lowhanging fruit

818
01:06:20,000 --> 01:06:28,480
street safety improvements that could be
made in the area. So, I I I'd love to

819
01:06:25,760 --> 01:06:33,200
take credit, but uh before I started,
the state DOT came out and met with

820
01:06:30,240 --> 01:06:37,359
former director Menzela um and other and
and director Wong, and they did a number

821
01:06:35,200 --> 01:06:40,640
of improvements following a few tragic
fatalities on that stretch of roadway um

822
01:06:39,520 --> 01:06:43,839
where they changed the signal
operations. They did lower the speed

823
01:06:42,240 --> 01:06:47,119
limit, though I believe it's was only
lowered to 35 if I'm not mistaken.

824
01:06:46,400 --> 01:06:53,039
» That's right.
>> Um and they did do a number of

825
01:06:50,319 --> 01:06:57,119
improvements. Um, separate from this
park, there's going to be some geometric

826
01:06:54,720 --> 01:07:01,119
improvements that DOT is undertaking to
reduce some of the curb to to narrow the

827
01:06:59,680 --> 01:07:07,359
corners and reduce some of the curb
cutouts for traffic. Um, I think the

828
01:07:05,200 --> 01:07:10,799
longer term vision of this corridor is
still something that needs to be

829
01:07:09,280 --> 01:07:15,839
discussed. I think the community wants
to see more traffic calming. Um, I think

830
01:07:13,599 --> 01:07:21,119
the city wants to as well. I don't know
that the state opposed, but I don't know

831
01:07:19,039 --> 01:07:24,319
there's clear funding or vision yet. So,
there's still some work to be done to

832
01:07:22,400 --> 01:07:27,520
determine exactly what this looks like.
Um, and there's also, you know, the

833
01:07:25,760 --> 01:07:31,599
Bergen Arches right here. There's a
transit way. There's a number of moving

834
01:07:28,960 --> 01:07:35,280
pieces. So, I I think it's a important
point and we're committed to advancing

835
01:07:33,599 --> 01:07:38,880
the conversation of safety both short
term and then I think some of what

836
01:07:37,440 --> 01:07:42,720
you're speaking of is really a longer
term conversation. And

837
01:07:40,240 --> 01:07:48,480
» you said there's a some improvements
slated to come already. Um,

838
01:07:45,599 --> 01:07:54,000
» yes, I believe there's some minor uh,
let me apologize. The old slip ramps um,

839
01:07:52,160 --> 01:08:01,720
are going to be removed and they're
going to be doing a bump out for a few

840
01:07:56,720 --> 01:08:01,720
corners at Oakland and 139.

841
01:08:01,920 --> 01:08:06,240
Um, that may be the only intersection. I
thought there might have been a second

842
01:08:05,599 --> 01:08:10,240
one, but
>> what was going to be removed directly?

843
01:08:08,000 --> 01:08:13,359
So the the slip ramp or so if you're
making a right turn, you'll be able to

844
01:08:12,000 --> 01:08:16,000
make it at a higher speed and there's
kind of an island separating the right

845
01:08:14,799 --> 01:08:18,960
turn lane from the rest of the
intersection. That would be modified so

846
01:08:18,000 --> 01:08:23,359
that vehicles would come to the
intersection and make a sharper right

847
01:08:20,239 --> 01:08:28,759
turn at a lower speed.
>> And NJ dot is doing that work.

848
01:08:25,520 --> 01:08:28,759
» Thank you.

849
01:08:29,600 --> 01:08:36,960
» Yeah. Um, so, so we don't have a cost
estimate of this agreement will cost the

850
01:08:36,000 --> 01:08:40,000
city
>> from the maintenance standpoint. I I

851
01:08:38,480 --> 01:08:42,400
would have to get back to you. I I did
speak to the parks department a while

852
01:08:41,279 --> 01:08:47,279
ago about it, but I don't have that
information in front of me.

853
01:08:45,759 --> 01:08:54,319
» Then just to follow up on the councilman
efoses so so this it reads the city

854
01:08:50,400 --> 01:08:58,319
agrees to assume jurisdiction for
highway maintenance and highway control

855
01:08:56,640 --> 01:09:03,040
upon completion of construction and
final acceptance.

856
01:09:00,080 --> 01:09:07,279
They define highway control as
uh the regulation and management of the

857
01:09:04,560 --> 01:09:11,440
highway area. It includes is not limited
to controlling access, reviewing permits

858
01:09:09,839 --> 01:09:14,880
for roadway openings, driveways, and
utilities,

859
01:09:13,120 --> 01:09:18,719
reviewing all proposed geometric
changes, and setting speed limits. So,

860
01:09:16,960 --> 01:09:23,600
we can set the speed limit after this is
all done. So, I I'll defer to law on the

861
01:09:22,159 --> 01:09:28,400
exact interpretation, but that is
specific to the areas cross-hatched on

862
01:09:25,839 --> 01:09:33,120
the following sheets, which I do not
believe covers the roadway geography. It

863
01:09:30,799 --> 01:09:37,120
it's cross-hatched over the areas of the
park. So, if you continue to the back of

864
01:09:35,759 --> 01:09:41,679
the jurisdictional agreement, there's
there's two plan sets. Um those will

865
01:09:39,440 --> 01:09:46,679
show which geographic areas we would
assume those responsibilities in. Um,

866
01:09:47,120 --> 01:09:52,000
technically we could set a speed limit
inside the park, but I don't, you know,

867
01:09:50,799 --> 01:09:54,960
it's a little bit confusing the way it's
written to me, but my understanding is

868
01:09:53,839 --> 01:10:00,159
we would not be able to set the speed
limit on the roadway. We'd only be

869
01:09:56,400 --> 01:10:04,520
taking responsibility of the uh areas
that are cross-hatched of the park.

870
01:10:06,159 --> 01:10:13,360
I will admit I think this is a good
idea, but um and I didn't give it the

871
01:10:10,640 --> 01:10:18,560
attention it deserves, but uh I am
concerned about the the cost long term

872
01:10:16,560 --> 01:10:22,880
the city just kind of giving where where
we are financially. So, it would be

873
01:10:20,800 --> 01:10:27,920
helpful to have that uh some sort of
estimate of what we think we're going to

874
01:10:25,199 --> 01:10:31,520
be taking on here going forward.
>> Yeah, I I think if you submit that

875
01:10:29,360 --> 01:10:34,960
through council requests, Ruby's giving
me the look. If you submit that through

876
01:10:32,640 --> 01:10:40,840
council request between myself and our
recreation department, we'll be able to

877
01:10:36,640 --> 01:10:40,840
put some numbers together for you.

878
01:10:41,520 --> 01:10:48,560
» Okay, next one.
>> Okay, thank you. Uh the next two items

879
01:10:45,760 --> 01:10:52,360
are from Director Truch uh for traffic
engineering related contracts.

880
01:10:56,239 --> 01:11:03,199
Uh and in the spirit of continuing to
clean up and play catchup uh not having

881
01:11:01,120 --> 01:11:09,760
had a department of traffic engineering
for several uh months, uh the

882
01:11:06,400 --> 01:11:14,880
resolutions before you are item 10.36,
resolution 2672,

883
01:11:12,719 --> 01:11:20,159
which is a resolution authorizing an
award to extend the professional

884
01:11:16,320 --> 01:11:25,360
services contract with French and Pillo
to provide engineering design services

885
01:11:22,480 --> 01:11:30,640
for Franklin Street safety. the
improvement project

886
01:11:27,760 --> 01:11:35,280
which is underway.
Open the floor to questions.

887
01:11:32,560 --> 01:11:41,360
» Questions 10.36.
>> So this is to extend the award. What's

888
01:11:38,800 --> 01:11:48,560
so the initial amount
was how much? It was the initial amount

889
01:11:45,760 --> 01:11:54,640
uh for their contract with FBA is
162,13.

890
01:11:51,520 --> 01:12:00,320
Uh there was 101,000 remaining on that
contract. Uh this should have been

891
01:11:58,000 --> 01:12:03,679
before council several months ago. Uh
we're applying this retroactively.

892
01:12:02,239 --> 01:12:09,600
They've actually done a fair amount of
the work. Uh the design is actually

893
01:12:06,239 --> 01:12:14,719
currently with NJ dot for review and
then once they get that and we are able

894
01:12:12,080 --> 01:12:18,960
to award a construction contract,
uh then they will also be responsible

895
01:12:16,960 --> 01:12:21,360
for construction inspection services. So
that's why it's a bit of a higher

896
01:12:20,159 --> 01:12:24,239
amount.
Uh that's that's owing.

897
01:12:23,520 --> 01:12:28,159
» So they've
>> remaining sorry

898
01:12:25,280 --> 01:12:33,840
» they've completed most of the work
that's going to be included in this new

899
01:12:31,600 --> 01:12:38,640
round of money.
>> They are so it's not new money. It's the

900
01:12:36,480 --> 01:12:45,360
same money zero cost. Yeah.
>> Not new money. But my point in saying is

901
01:12:41,360 --> 01:12:49,760
is that they've already completed work
outside of approval is my main point.

902
01:12:48,159 --> 01:12:53,520
» Yeah. Councelor Gmer. So, there's two
components to this contract. The first

903
01:12:51,360 --> 01:12:57,520
is the design work that has mostly been
spent. The second component is once

904
01:12:55,840 --> 01:13:00,640
construction begins that they would also
be responsible for construction

905
01:12:59,120 --> 01:13:05,440
inspection
on on the city's behalf.

906
01:13:03,280 --> 01:13:08,800
And that that's the that's the component
that the large amount of the 101,000

907
01:13:07,280 --> 01:13:14,640
that's remaining. That's mostly that
component.

908
01:13:10,640 --> 01:13:18,960
» Confused because earlier you so
initially there was how much? 160.

909
01:13:17,440 --> 01:13:26,560
Correct. 162
>> 162 of the 162

910
01:13:23,760 --> 01:13:28,239
» roughly 60,000 is designed and then
100,000 for construction.

911
01:13:27,520 --> 01:13:33,040
» Say that again.
>> Roughly speaking

912
01:13:30,320 --> 01:13:38,320
roughly 65,000 was for design
>> and then about 95,000 to 100,000

913
01:13:35,760 --> 01:13:41,679
somewhere in those plus or minus a
couple of thousand.

914
01:13:38,800 --> 01:13:46,239
» So this the same company is doing the
design and the construction right?

915
01:13:43,360 --> 01:13:49,840
» Yes. And that it
>> construction inspection not construction

916
01:13:48,159 --> 01:13:51,440
construction inspection on behalf of the
city.

917
01:13:50,320 --> 01:13:58,480
» Yes. Yes.
>> Yes.

918
01:13:51,920 --> 01:14:07,440
» And so the it would be a hund uh
the 160 is broken down between

919
01:14:03,199 --> 01:14:12,480
95 and then I guess 65.
>> I'm I'm out on my numbers area, but it

920
01:14:09,520 --> 01:14:17,040
it totals to the sum of the the 162.
>> Okay. And now where are they at now and

921
01:14:14,239 --> 01:14:23,040
as it relates to the construction?
>> Uh so as I had said the design is in

922
01:14:21,280 --> 01:14:30,239
review right now
>> construction has not begun. Uh once NJ

923
01:14:26,640 --> 01:14:35,280
do uh comes back with final comments on
the proposed final design, then we can

924
01:14:33,120 --> 01:14:42,800
go and I'll be back in front of council
again to uh find a uh to issue an RFP,

925
01:14:40,480 --> 01:14:46,840
award a contract for the contractor to
actually complete to do the work.

926
01:14:48,159 --> 01:14:55,840
» Any other questions?
>> Next one.

927
01:14:53,120 --> 01:15:02,440
» Thank you. Uh and in again in similar
fashion uh item 1037

928
01:14:58,800 --> 01:15:02,440
resolution 26-573

929
01:15:02,480 --> 01:15:11,520
uh in similar fashion res a resolution
to uh award an for an award to extend uh

930
01:15:09,600 --> 01:15:16,560
the professional traffic engineering
services contract with Stantech

931
01:15:13,280 --> 01:15:21,920
Consulting Services Inc. or our on call
traffic engineering services for uh my

932
01:15:19,600 --> 01:15:26,640
division.
This is a zerocost contract. It is

933
01:15:24,400 --> 01:15:31,199
retroactive again. It should have been
done a few months ago. Um they've been

934
01:15:28,880 --> 01:15:36,480
working in good faith with us. Uh there
is a residual amount of money there that

935
01:15:33,120 --> 01:15:42,000
we would like to try and now effectively
uh spend uh to close up a number of the

936
01:15:40,239 --> 01:15:48,840
items that have been worked on over the
last few months, including councils.

937
01:15:44,960 --> 01:15:48,840
» Less 10.37.

938
01:15:49,120 --> 01:15:54,120
These two contracts, they're both
capital dollars, correct?

939
01:15:59,679 --> 01:16:05,000
It is just I wanted to make sure. So,
capital. Yes.

940
01:16:07,120 --> 01:16:10,679
» Any other questions?

941
01:16:10,960 --> 01:16:16,080
» Okay, next one. You have two more,
right, Andy?

942
01:16:14,560 --> 01:16:24,000
» Two more, maybe three more, but they're
all related. Um, the next one is item

943
01:16:19,120 --> 01:16:31,280
3.8. Uh, I'm sorry, item 10.7,
resolution 26, uh, 533 for the award of

944
01:16:28,640 --> 01:16:37,440
CDBGPF funds for the property
acquisition of 128 Glenwood. Um, so

945
01:16:33,760 --> 01:16:44,400
Isaac is going to be, uh, speaking with
me to this one.

946
01:16:40,719 --> 01:16:51,040
» What was that number again?
>> Said 10.7. 10.17

947
01:16:47,600 --> 01:16:54,800
» 10.17 right
>> there council members forunately this

948
01:16:53,120 --> 01:17:01,199
will not be the last I'm up here before
you again today uh here just to give

949
01:16:57,440 --> 01:17:06,880
some I placed a memo on your desk for
you all to sort of give you context here

950
01:17:03,679 --> 01:17:11,280
on a project that me uh Brian Weller
deputy mayor Bryant and it's unfortunate

951
01:17:09,199 --> 01:17:12,719
first have been working on for quite a
while

952
01:17:11,760 --> 01:17:18,159
» bring the mic closer
>> close all I'm short sorry Um, we have

953
01:17:15,840 --> 01:17:23,679
been working to try to get a hold the a
grasp of the situation with the city's

954
01:17:21,040 --> 01:17:31,840
parks and the various proposals and
various u projects that have been uh

955
01:17:29,280 --> 01:17:37,440
proposed and money allocated to over the
last few uh half a decade. Uh,

956
01:17:35,840 --> 01:17:42,480
unfortunately this is harder than it
should have been. We've been working on

957
01:17:38,880 --> 01:17:47,040
this for a little while now. The issue
we face is that the previous

958
01:17:44,000 --> 01:17:51,760
administration dedicated money to or
proposed more many more projects than

959
01:17:48,880 --> 01:17:57,199
there was funding for and as a result we
had ended up with a lot of partially

960
01:17:53,679 --> 01:18:02,719
funded or partially uh or proposed but
not feasible projects. The

961
01:18:01,280 --> 01:18:07,120
issue that where we're trying to resolve
is to basically make sure that we have a

962
01:18:04,480 --> 01:18:14,000
parks plan for parks that can actually
be feasibly done in the next 12 to 18

963
01:18:10,239 --> 01:18:18,320
months. We've sat down and gone through
most of what has been proposed over the

964
01:18:15,760 --> 01:18:22,480
years. The problem we face is that uh
similarly the last administration did

965
01:18:20,320 --> 01:18:28,159
not do very good recordkeeping on what
was spent, what was uh done and what was

966
01:18:25,920 --> 01:18:35,440
not done. So what you have in front of
you is a proposal and it's a proposal of

967
01:18:31,760 --> 01:18:40,800
projects that we think are viable to
move forward in the next 12 to 18 months

968
01:18:38,880 --> 01:18:45,120
based on
their current status and what funds they

969
01:18:43,120 --> 01:18:51,679
may be eligible for. When we went
through this, we were making sure that

970
01:18:47,360 --> 01:18:56,560
our goal was to minimize city spending.
Uh try to invest broadly across the

971
01:18:54,400 --> 01:19:02,560
city. In particular, a targeting those
parks that have not been invested in for

972
01:19:00,080 --> 01:19:06,320
quite some time. Making sure the
projects can actually be completed. The

973
01:19:04,880 --> 01:19:12,800
meaning that there is a funding stack
and that there is work that can be done.

974
01:19:09,280 --> 01:19:18,880
And finally um trying to breach our
previously done commitments that have

975
01:19:14,560 --> 01:19:22,000
been sitting. The problem we face is
there are numerous ways to fund

976
01:19:20,800 --> 01:19:25,199
projects. Some of them have different
eligibilities

977
01:19:23,520 --> 01:19:30,400
that is going through them is a little
bit difficult when you have minimal or

978
01:19:28,480 --> 01:19:35,679
incomplete information on what was
proposed in 2019 or 2024. So what you

979
01:19:34,000 --> 01:19:39,840
have in front of you is this list of
what we think. These are products that

980
01:19:37,840 --> 01:19:43,840
we have confirmed their current status.
We've confirmed what they're eligible

981
01:19:41,120 --> 01:19:48,800
for. We've confirmed, you know, where
they're moving, what, if any, money has

982
01:19:45,440 --> 01:19:53,760
been spent on them. And we are coming to
you and we've spoken to the parks

983
01:19:50,400 --> 01:19:57,760
coalition already to confirm that
this is a vision that you're good with.

984
01:19:56,159 --> 01:20:04,320
We uh want to meet with you over the
next month in order to confirm that and

985
01:20:01,280 --> 01:20:08,800
then prepare to move forward with these.
Uh again the key issue here is trying to

986
01:20:07,120 --> 01:20:14,080
confirm as much of these of this as
possible is eligible for grants of

987
01:20:11,840 --> 01:20:19,440
various types Hudson County open space
CDBG UE to limit taking on new city

988
01:20:17,520 --> 01:20:26,400
bonds or reallocating existing city
bonds. This will be a piece of a bigger

989
01:20:23,440 --> 01:20:29,760
uh discussion for capital and CDBG
coming to you. But I just wanted to make

990
01:20:27,679 --> 01:20:34,480
sure that you understood this was going
forward. Uh again, we'll be reaching out

991
01:20:32,560 --> 01:20:40,560
to all of you to set up meetings. I've
already spoken to the council president

992
01:20:35,600 --> 01:20:46,320
about this to discuss uh this
proposal and move plan to move forward

993
01:20:42,800 --> 01:20:54,960
with it hopefully October.
>> So Isa just um very low-level review uh

994
01:20:51,840 --> 01:21:02,960
as we just got this. So just
specifically as it relates to

995
01:20:58,159 --> 01:21:09,840
number three park uh renovation as I
understand it they have excuse me number

996
01:21:05,600 --> 01:21:15,760
four um there have already been grant
there have already been a grant and more

997
01:21:12,719 --> 01:21:20,640
to do this. So I'm just trying to figure
out

998
01:21:17,040 --> 01:21:24,239
» what exactly are we are are you looking
is the administration looking to do with

999
01:21:22,400 --> 01:21:29,600
this ordinance. So
>> resolution

1000
01:21:26,000 --> 01:21:32,640
» um mo some mo almost all these parks
have funds dedicated to and the problem

1001
01:21:30,880 --> 01:21:37,360
is they tended not to have enough funds
dedicated to complete them. So the idea

1002
01:21:35,520 --> 01:21:41,360
is to prioritize those projects that we
think are feasible if you can reallocate

1003
01:21:39,040 --> 01:21:45,760
some funding and make sure there is uh
something other funding they're eligible

1004
01:21:42,719 --> 01:21:49,120
for. Now Arlington Park is one of those
that it's on this list that is ready to

1005
01:21:47,360 --> 01:21:54,480
go. We are moving forward on some of
these already. Arlington is in fact we

1006
01:21:52,080 --> 01:21:59,440
got our fees back. We are I think we're
ready to reward on Arlington but even

1007
01:21:56,719 --> 01:22:02,960
then you there to fully finalize the
vision there will still probably be some

1008
01:22:00,800 --> 01:22:10,320
extra funds necessary because once again
it was situation we're not 100% of the

1009
01:22:05,840 --> 01:22:13,120
funding was uh allocated previously and
so there are a number of these that are

1010
01:22:11,600 --> 01:22:18,400
preparing to move forward. Martin and
you know Martinique Enright is about 75%

1011
01:22:15,679 --> 01:22:21,600
ready to go on design. uh Skinner Park
is ready to go out to bid very shortly.

1012
01:22:20,400 --> 01:22:26,080
So, some of these are ready to go. It's
just making sure we have the correct

1013
01:22:23,199 --> 01:22:29,120
combination of funds to ensure they can
actually be completed. And that's sort

1014
01:22:27,840 --> 01:22:33,600
of the goal here to come up with a list
that we can prioritize to get done

1015
01:22:31,280 --> 01:22:37,360
rather than just once again going, you
know, making pronouncements that end up

1016
01:22:35,280 --> 01:22:40,080
with park sitting for four or five years
because there's not a complete funding

1017
01:22:38,639 --> 01:22:43,080
stack.
>> Okay.

1018
01:22:43,280 --> 01:22:52,320
So, um
I'm looking at this list. Um and so

1019
01:22:50,000 --> 01:22:58,800
are we also looking at grant funding?
For example, um

1020
01:22:55,360 --> 01:23:02,560
the old cemetery where there are um
federal historic grants that restore

1021
01:23:01,760 --> 01:23:06,960
cemeteries.
>> We are looking at UE funding for

1022
01:23:04,960 --> 01:23:10,880
historic various different historic
grants. Again, trying to make sure we

1023
01:23:08,480 --> 01:23:13,600
can up as many as possible. Well, when
we sit down with you guys, we'll go

1024
01:23:12,159 --> 01:23:17,120
through what we think each of these fun
is eligible for. There are some time

1025
01:23:15,360 --> 01:23:22,159
constraints. There are some details. For
example, park that's CDBG. There are

1026
01:23:20,480 --> 01:23:25,199
certain eligibility requirements on the
scope of the project. There's some

1027
01:23:23,440 --> 01:23:28,400
requirements on they can't have started
yet to be eligible for CDBG. There's

1028
01:23:26,800 --> 01:23:33,280
certain specific eligibilities, but yes,
we're looking for as much as possible

1029
01:23:30,159 --> 01:23:36,960
state UEZ, federal government funding to
move these forward.

1030
01:23:34,639 --> 01:23:40,639
» Okay? We want to make sure that this is,
you know, what you guys want in your

1031
01:23:38,880 --> 01:23:49,679
neighborhoods and represent what people
>> and this isn't um looped into

1032
01:23:45,120 --> 01:23:52,800
the funds with 1017, right?
>> You just wanted you just want us to be

1033
01:23:52,080 --> 01:23:56,000
aware.
>> This is the general outline of what

1034
01:23:54,480 --> 01:23:59,280
we're planning to do for getting parts
to completion. Yeah.

1035
01:23:57,280 --> 01:24:02,400
» You're here to talk about 10.17.
>> I am not really in detail. Yeah.

1036
01:24:00,960 --> 01:24:07,760
» So, can we um
>> This is context for you.

1037
01:24:05,280 --> 01:24:12,159
» Connect it all. Um
>> say that again, director.

1038
01:24:09,360 --> 01:24:16,560
» Certainly. Uh just to connect it all.
We're here because we're putting

1039
01:24:14,159 --> 01:24:23,120
together this overall plan for multiple
parks, but it's not 100% finalized to

1040
01:24:21,840 --> 01:24:26,320
present to council. We don't have all
the resolutions and ordinances before

1041
01:24:24,480 --> 01:24:30,719
you, but we do have one project that is
advancing sooner than the others on this

1042
01:24:28,719 --> 01:24:34,880
list. And you know, we can talk about
that as well. Um, but that has a

1043
01:24:32,960 --> 01:24:38,239
timeline that is pretty, you know, tight
in order to ensure that we're able to

1044
01:24:36,080 --> 01:24:41,840
close an acquisition of a property um,
while the seller still has it up for for

1045
01:24:41,120 --> 01:24:46,800
sale.
>> Okay. So, if we for the document that

1046
01:24:44,480 --> 01:24:52,159
Isaac gave us, council, if we could make
some time to uh, get with Isaac offline

1047
01:24:50,159 --> 01:24:57,920
with any of the parks in here with
questions, um, then that would be

1048
01:24:54,960 --> 01:25:02,880
helpful. And then we'll let unless Isaac
has something else then we'll let uh

1049
01:24:59,600 --> 01:25:06,880
director Kaplan move on with 1017.
>> Sure. So then then what I would ask

1050
01:25:04,400 --> 01:25:13,199
madame uh council president is if we
could also discuss item 3.8 8 uh which

1051
01:25:09,840 --> 01:25:19,040
is ordinance uh 26077
and deputy mayor mayor Podar and I

1052
01:25:15,840 --> 01:25:22,159
believe Solo possibly as well can speak
specifically about the acquisition of

1053
01:25:20,719 --> 01:25:27,679
this property both the award of the
grant and the uh ordinance before you

1054
01:25:26,000 --> 01:25:33,120
» can I just say something real really
quickly if I mean

1055
01:25:30,159 --> 01:25:39,199
it's great that we are look that that
you know guys are putting a plan

1056
01:25:35,199 --> 01:25:43,679
together but I I don't know just
um that whole conversation, it just

1057
01:25:42,239 --> 01:25:50,480
sounded to me like we're putting the
cart before the horse

1058
01:25:47,360 --> 01:25:55,760
when you said we're moving sooner
than later as far as acquiring property.

1059
01:25:53,040 --> 01:26:00,320
Um I just wanted to get that out because
that's that's just how I felt.

1060
01:25:58,000 --> 01:26:03,679
» Sure. And if it helps to clarify, we're
putting together a program with those

1061
01:26:01,840 --> 01:26:08,159
multiple parks that were able to advance
this year, including 128 Glenwood. Um

1062
01:26:06,480 --> 01:26:11,360
and we're confident that we'll be able
to make progress on all of them, you

1063
01:26:10,080 --> 01:26:17,920
know, this year and and getting it
towards construction using the funds

1064
01:26:12,880 --> 01:26:23,040
available. Um and 128 Glenwood is on the
agenda today, but we wanted the context

1065
01:26:20,239 --> 01:26:27,440
to be there. So, I don't think the other
projects coming into more clarity and us

1066
01:26:25,120 --> 01:26:33,120
getting contracts in place is going to
impact our ability to move forward. Um

1067
01:26:30,320 --> 01:26:40,239
this one project uh today.
>> It's a quick edit to the agenda, Sean.

1068
01:26:35,440 --> 01:26:44,199
128 Glenwood is in ward C, not W B. 1017
should be reflect W C.

1069
01:26:46,000 --> 01:26:54,880
Uh, good evening members of the council.
Deputy Mayor Quesar speaking to items

1070
01:26:50,560 --> 01:27:00,320
10:17 and 3.8. Um, so what you have
before you is two items here. Uh, agenda

1071
01:26:57,760 --> 01:27:05,520
item 3.8 8 is an ordinance to authorize
the purchase and sale of the property

1072
01:27:02,239 --> 01:27:11,920
known as 128 Glenwood. And then the
resolution is uh an item allowing us to

1073
01:27:08,880 --> 01:27:17,280
accept $1 million in federal CDBG
funding to defay the acquisition cost

1074
01:27:14,880 --> 01:27:21,760
for that property. So, to refresh
everybody's memory, this is a follow on

1075
01:27:19,600 --> 01:27:26,400
to a resolution that was before you back
in the spring, uh, where this council

1076
01:27:24,159 --> 01:27:30,719
approved a resolution to apply for
Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund

1077
01:27:28,320 --> 01:27:36,000
money for the acquisition of 128
Glenwood, uh, as a as a new public

1078
01:27:33,280 --> 01:27:40,400
pocket park in, as as Councilman Zeppa
said, Ward C. Um, it's right on the

1079
01:27:38,239 --> 01:27:45,280
border of Ward B and W C and Mcinley
Square. Um, so as you all may recall,

1080
01:27:43,520 --> 01:27:49,760
there was a very significant outpouring
of community support uh for the

1081
01:27:47,600 --> 01:27:54,639
acquisition of this parcel as a pocket
park. Um, as you all know, there's very

1082
01:27:51,920 --> 01:27:59,920
limited green space in Mcinley Square
and WC in general. Um, that support

1083
01:27:57,920 --> 01:28:03,920
included the local neighborhood
association, but also the parks

1084
01:28:01,679 --> 01:28:07,280
coalition as a whole, various elected
officials, including obviously, as you

1085
01:28:05,520 --> 01:28:12,560
all know, some members of the council
and various other elected officials who

1086
01:28:09,199 --> 01:28:17,760
represent the city. Um, so what has
changed since then and now? Um, well,

1087
01:28:15,520 --> 01:28:23,360
we've realized that because this park is
in an LMI census tract, we can use

1088
01:28:20,400 --> 01:28:27,679
federal CDBG funding to defay the vast
majority of the cost. So, as you might

1089
01:28:25,440 --> 01:28:32,400
all recall, back when we came before you
the last time, uh, on the record, we

1090
01:28:30,080 --> 01:28:37,760
estimated the city's capital obligation
to acquire this parcel would would be

1091
01:28:35,040 --> 01:28:44,639
roughly $400 to $600,000.
Um, with the, uh, use of CDBG funds, we

1092
01:28:41,840 --> 01:28:48,880
are able to use $1 million in CDBG funds
for the acquisition, there is a

1093
01:28:46,560 --> 01:28:52,639
remaining balance of $200,000, which
will be covered by city capital funds.

1094
01:28:50,960 --> 01:28:58,320
So, the total purchase price for the
property will be $1.2 million, of which

1095
01:28:55,760 --> 01:29:04,560
$1 million will come from CDBG and
200,000 will come from city capital

1096
01:29:00,480 --> 01:29:10,000
funds. Um and and as uh director Kaplan
noted before, you know, we would ideally

1097
01:29:07,679 --> 01:29:15,520
love to advance this in in in
conjunction with a number of other

1098
01:29:11,199 --> 01:29:19,679
items. Um but the seller here uh already
has permits to proceed with a

1099
01:29:16,960 --> 01:29:23,360
construction project. Um and so we are
on a very very tight timeline to move

1100
01:29:22,080 --> 01:29:27,199
forward with this acquisition.
Otherwise, we will lose the opportunity

1101
01:29:25,520 --> 01:29:31,679
to purchase this asset for the
community. So I'm available to take any

1102
01:29:29,760 --> 01:29:34,960
questions and we also have Solo here
from DCD if there are specific questions

1103
01:29:33,520 --> 01:29:44,480
on CDBG question.
>> Yes. Um so few questions. Um one I

1104
01:29:40,880 --> 01:29:50,000
remember earlier this year we were all
in support of the park but grants were

1105
01:29:47,840 --> 01:29:55,040
supposed to be secured via Hudson
County. What specifically happened with

1106
01:29:52,880 --> 01:29:59,920
that breakup? What what what happened
there? So, our original plan was to use

1107
01:29:57,840 --> 01:30:04,719
Hudson County Open Space Trust funds. As
you said, Councilman, um, while we were

1108
01:30:03,040 --> 01:30:10,159
going through this process, we realized
that CDBG funds could be used for the

1109
01:30:07,520 --> 01:30:14,480
acquisition because this parcel is in a
low to moderate income census tract. So,

1110
01:30:12,800 --> 01:30:18,719
that allows us to do a few things.
First, it allows us to use a funding

1111
01:30:16,320 --> 01:30:23,120
source um that we need to draw down
relatively quickly. We actually need to

1112
01:30:20,239 --> 01:30:27,679
draw down CDWGPF funds pretty rapidly,
otherwise we will lose them. Second,

1113
01:30:25,360 --> 01:30:32,159
that allows us to free up those Hudson
County open space trust funds for other

1114
01:30:30,159 --> 01:30:36,000
projects. So that is why we made the
decision to switch to using the CDBG

1115
01:30:34,400 --> 01:30:39,120
funding source for this project.
>> Oh, for other projects in Jersey City.

1116
01:30:38,239 --> 01:30:44,719
» Correct. Okay.
>> Because uh

1117
01:30:40,719 --> 01:30:49,360
» now when I hear CDBG funds, immediately
my thinking go to affordability. You

1118
01:30:47,440 --> 01:30:55,679
just spoke about the low and moderate
income areas. I love parks. I prefer

1119
01:30:53,760 --> 01:31:03,679
housing over parks if I had to choose
between the two. Um I am a little

1120
01:31:00,000 --> 01:31:10,000
concerned at the price point seeing that
the last transaction of the land was

1121
01:31:07,520 --> 01:31:16,960
about
24 months ago and now it's double plus.

1122
01:31:14,719 --> 01:31:24,000
I understand the real estate market in
Jersey City have ballooned out of

1123
01:31:19,520 --> 01:31:29,120
control. Um, so, uh, how did you guys
arrive at 1.2 million?

1124
01:31:27,440 --> 01:31:32,880
» Yes, Councilman, it's a very fair
question. I appreciate the chance to

1125
01:31:30,560 --> 01:31:38,639
clarify this for the record. Um, I
believe the last transaction on this

1126
01:31:35,199 --> 01:31:42,800
property was in 2022. Uh, at the time,
there were no zoning approvals for the

1127
01:31:40,800 --> 01:31:47,600
development that is going in. So, the
current developer since then has

1128
01:31:45,040 --> 01:31:51,760
acquired uh zoning approvals to build, I
believe it's a 4-unit residential

1129
01:31:49,600 --> 01:31:55,520
property on the site. Um, when those
entitlements come forward, it

1130
01:31:53,120 --> 01:32:01,040
significantly increases the value of the
property. Um, so the uh independent

1131
01:31:59,040 --> 01:32:06,239
appraisal that the city conducted for
this property yielded a purchase price

1132
01:32:03,199 --> 01:32:12,560
of uh yielded an appraisal value of $1
million. we are very happy to um uh

1133
01:32:10,320 --> 01:32:17,840
provide that appraisal uh uh for the
council's review. Um and then 1.2 was

1134
01:32:16,159 --> 01:32:23,040
ultimately after back and forth with the
seller where the seller was willing to

1135
01:32:19,360 --> 01:32:27,360
go. Um like I said uh the seller has
full permits to proceed with

1136
01:32:24,639 --> 01:32:31,360
construction. Um so if the transaction
weren't to to fall weren't to move

1137
01:32:29,679 --> 01:32:33,679
forward then they would be able to move
forward and build and build their

1138
01:32:33,040 --> 01:32:38,000
property
>> in 2022. Just sorry if I clarify 2022

1139
01:32:36,320 --> 01:32:40,960
the St. Peters University sold this
parcel along with several other parcels

1140
01:32:39,840 --> 01:32:43,440
that was offloading at the time.
Correct.

1141
01:32:41,600 --> 01:32:50,239
» I believe that's correct.
>> So it's your it's your testimony that

1142
01:32:47,040 --> 01:32:54,320
there's an appraisal somewhere that's in
or around a million dollars for that

1143
01:32:53,280 --> 01:32:57,040
current lot.
>> Correct. It is $1 million. Exactly. I

1144
01:32:56,400 --> 01:33:02,000
believe.
>> Lord Jesus.

1145
01:32:59,760 --> 01:33:09,120
Um
and the developer back and forth with

1146
01:33:05,600 --> 01:33:15,280
the administration have I guess settled
upon 1.2.

1147
01:33:12,320 --> 01:33:22,000
» That's correct.
Now, initially,

1148
01:33:18,560 --> 01:33:28,800
so initially when we were embarking on a
journey of getting the grant from the

1149
01:33:24,400 --> 01:33:32,880
county, what what price point at at what
point was the land valued at that point?

1150
01:33:32,320 --> 01:33:37,280
» What was that?
>> We didn't do the appraisal value at So,

1151
01:33:35,360 --> 01:33:42,080
there was a previous appraisal that was
not up to date. I forget what I I don't

1152
01:33:40,560 --> 01:33:44,000
recall exactly what that
>> 15,000

1153
01:33:43,280 --> 01:33:49,360
» 750
>> 750. Yeah, that sounds about right. Um

1154
01:33:47,199 --> 01:33:53,440
so that was a more outdated appraisal.
We conducted an up-to-date appraisal. I

1155
01:33:51,440 --> 01:33:59,280
believe that was finished in May and
that yielded the 1 million value. Yeah.

1156
01:33:56,080 --> 01:34:06,239
Now, as it relates to the CDBG funding,
was this funding applied in a separate

1157
01:34:02,400 --> 01:34:13,360
grant specifically for the purchase of
of the lot for the park or was it

1158
01:34:10,560 --> 01:34:17,600
or was it the money was there and you
figure that we can use it because it

1159
01:34:15,360 --> 01:34:21,600
meets the requirements?
>> Correct. I I believe it's a second

1160
01:34:19,199 --> 01:34:26,159
councilman. Uh this is a pool of funding
that can be used to meet the

1161
01:34:22,880 --> 01:34:31,440
requirement. Um there's various HUD
regulations that specify a procedure for

1162
01:34:29,040 --> 01:34:37,360
how you can use the funding. So just to
give one example, um one reason we were

1163
01:34:34,880 --> 01:34:42,800
able to use it for this project is
because it's a brand new project. No

1164
01:34:40,080 --> 01:34:46,480
work has been done on it yet. Um we had
to complete an environmental review

1165
01:34:44,400 --> 01:34:50,639
under federal law before we could bring
this purchase and sale agreement before

1166
01:34:48,880 --> 01:34:54,480
before the council to use. So there are
steps you have to take to use the

1167
01:34:52,719 --> 01:35:00,000
funding, but it is a pool of funding
that we identified to use for this

1168
01:34:56,000 --> 01:35:07,840
project. I just want to say like on the
surface I support support the park. The

1169
01:35:03,920 --> 01:35:12,000
problem for me right now is that
it's a it's a it's a high price to pay

1170
01:35:10,239 --> 01:35:17,280
for the park, but I get it. The cost of
business and real estate in Jersey City.

1171
01:35:14,159 --> 01:35:23,520
The bigger issue is that we have
foregone

1172
01:35:19,520 --> 01:35:28,960
applying via the county and looked at
money that we already had. This is money

1173
01:35:26,480 --> 01:35:35,920
that could be poured into affordable
units or that should have been poured in

1174
01:35:31,760 --> 01:35:42,320
to affordable units. So for me it's like
it's almost like I'm choosing between

1175
01:35:38,560 --> 01:35:47,760
bringing affordable units to fruition or
bringing about a park. I would really

1176
01:35:44,560 --> 01:35:53,840
much rather have seen us go through the
necessary hurdles of going through the

1177
01:35:51,120 --> 01:35:58,080
county applying for the grant hopefully
getting that grant. I would imagine that

1178
01:35:56,000 --> 01:36:03,840
although this developer have plans and
he wants to move forward at the price

1179
01:36:00,639 --> 01:36:09,199
point which we which we've agreed with
him, I would imagine he would have

1180
01:36:05,760 --> 01:36:16,960
waited um until we secure them funds.
Now it's it I don't it's it's awkward

1181
01:36:13,120 --> 01:36:22,639
position to be in uh because again those
CDBG funds were already applied for.

1182
01:36:19,840 --> 01:36:27,040
Correct. this project just happens to
meet the requirements.

1183
01:36:25,040 --> 01:36:34,320
» So that's not quite right, Councilman.
There are two separate CDBG pots, so to

1184
01:36:31,360 --> 01:36:38,159
speak, that you're referring to. Um,
this is specifically for public

1185
01:36:35,920 --> 01:36:42,320
facilities. These are not the funds that
we allocate, for example, to new

1186
01:36:40,639 --> 01:36:46,159
affordable housing units. These this is
a different pot of money that is

1187
01:36:44,239 --> 01:36:51,040
specifically for public facilities.
Okay? So there was no um

1188
01:36:49,520 --> 01:36:54,960
there were a few applications in for
this funding but it wasn't a a massive

1189
01:36:53,679 --> 01:36:59,679
pipeline of funds.
>> Okay. Thank you for that clarification.

1190
01:36:56,800 --> 01:37:07,119
But the bigger issue is that those funds
were already secured. Correct versus us

1191
01:37:03,040 --> 01:37:13,199
just going to get it now or they wasn't?
>> Sorry, which funds were already secured?

1192
01:37:09,360 --> 01:37:18,880
This no the CDBG funding was already
secured before we even looked into this.

1193
01:37:16,960 --> 01:37:22,080
We just happened to say, "Hey, it meets
the criteria. Why don't we use these

1194
01:37:21,280 --> 01:37:25,760
funds?" Correct.
>> That's correct.

1195
01:37:23,119 --> 01:37:32,719
» That's So that's for me. I'm I'm I'm
confused as to why aren't we applying

1196
01:37:29,280 --> 01:37:37,280
for new money versus using money that's
it's it's already we've we've already

1197
01:37:34,560 --> 01:37:39,199
received those grants. Correct.
>> Yeah. chime in.

1198
01:37:38,159 --> 01:37:42,639
» Want to speak to the county, then I'll
speak to the PF.

1199
01:37:40,000 --> 01:37:47,600
» Can I chime in on this point before you?
Um, so it's my understanding that we're

1200
01:37:46,080 --> 01:37:53,119
non-compliant
with our CDPG public uh public funding

1201
01:37:51,199 --> 01:37:57,679
um public facilities funding, I should
say. And because I looked into this

1202
01:37:56,159 --> 01:38:03,920
because we got complaints myself and
Congressman Zupa, um, Kennedy dancers

1203
01:38:00,560 --> 01:38:09,440
were not not being paid uh among a bunch
of other grantees. It's my understanding

1204
01:38:06,239 --> 01:38:14,480
that the payments were held up because
we have not expended CDBG public

1205
01:38:12,000 --> 01:38:21,119
facilities funding that this pot of
money um has been sitting and gone

1206
01:38:18,159 --> 01:38:24,719
unspent for years now, right? Um and I'd
like you to speak to that because in

1207
01:38:22,800 --> 01:38:30,080
terms of it's yes, it's secured, but
there's to your I think you alluded to

1208
01:38:28,000 --> 01:38:34,400
it the idea that there's a timeline. I'm
not sure what that timeline is. I'd like

1209
01:38:31,920 --> 01:38:39,679
to get clarity about that. Um because I
would agree with the councilman that

1210
01:38:35,760 --> 01:38:44,960
there's um there are uh potentially
other uses for CDBG public facilities uh

1211
01:38:43,199 --> 01:38:49,520
dollars that could be contemplated and
used. But um here we are again and not

1212
01:38:47,520 --> 01:38:54,000
this is not in your administration. The
prior administration did not spend these

1213
01:38:51,920 --> 01:38:59,440
dollars down. And so um they used to
spend things on paving streets on MLK

1214
01:38:57,440 --> 01:39:04,880
Drive or something like that to like uh
use that for public facilities funding.

1215
01:39:01,040 --> 01:39:08,159
They used to do it to um
do do other things in other parks and

1216
01:39:06,560 --> 01:39:11,679
other neighborhoods um that just
qualified when they could they could use

1217
01:39:10,000 --> 01:39:15,760
that for other things like building a
community center or uh or or building a

1218
01:39:14,320 --> 01:39:20,639
job center or something like that that
would actually amilarate the impact of

1219
01:39:19,119 --> 01:39:23,920
uh poverty and other things like that
conditions like that. Uh but if you

1220
01:39:22,159 --> 01:39:27,679
could speak to that I'd appreciate that
get some clarity on on our timing and

1221
01:39:25,760 --> 01:39:30,800
what what the issue is here.
>> Yes. Thank you Councilman. I appreciate

1222
01:39:29,199 --> 01:39:35,520
the opportunity to clarify that. So, as
you said, you're right. We are under the

1223
01:39:32,480 --> 01:39:41,440
gun with the CDBGPF funding because the
previous administration was very slow to

1224
01:39:38,239 --> 01:39:46,320
spend it down. Um, so my understanding,
and Solo is here, can correct me if I'm

1225
01:39:43,360 --> 01:39:52,080
wrong, is we need to obligate roughly 11
million in this funding uh by April of

1226
01:39:49,360 --> 01:39:56,639
next year. Um, so this is the type of
project that is relatively quick, right?

1227
01:39:54,880 --> 01:40:01,600
It's an acquisition. We can move forward
on our own relatively quickly.

1228
01:39:59,040 --> 01:40:06,080
um uh which is why we're accessing this
this fund for it. I believe actually we

1229
01:40:03,600 --> 01:40:09,440
are at risk of penalties um or some
penalties may have already been levied

1230
01:40:07,520 --> 01:40:12,639
on this pot of money because as you said
councilman we have been very slow to to

1231
01:40:12,320 --> 01:40:15,679
spend
>> no other funds not being released like

1232
01:40:14,239 --> 01:40:21,960
these other
>> EDBG dollars to grantees are being held

1233
01:40:18,400 --> 01:40:21,960
up because of this.

1234
01:40:25,520 --> 01:40:32,880
» Thank you council. I just want to
provide some context. So, for this $1

1235
01:40:28,800 --> 01:40:37,360
million, this is uh 2022 money that um
does expire at the end of this year, I

1236
01:40:35,280 --> 01:40:41,440
believe, and needs to be uh acquisition
is the fastest way um to get rid of

1237
01:40:40,000 --> 01:40:45,600
federal dollars when they're in danger
of being recaptured.

1238
01:40:43,040 --> 01:40:50,880
» So, question, right, these funds, when
we acquire these funds, are they

1239
01:40:47,760 --> 01:40:55,440
acquired for a specific purpose or is
this just money that's given to us for

1240
01:40:53,920 --> 01:41:00,000
» So, these are entitlements. We're given
this money every year. um it's up to us

1241
01:40:57,679 --> 01:41:02,719
to accept applications and kind of award
it out. Okay.

1242
01:41:01,040 --> 01:41:06,239
» Um there's been projects that haven't
been moving for several years. So, what

1243
01:41:04,320 --> 01:41:11,040
we're doing is kind of recapturing that
award from um an organization that was

1244
01:41:09,199 --> 01:41:14,800
previously awarded and kind of using it
internally before we you know don't meet

1245
01:41:13,600 --> 01:41:19,280
the deadline.
>> So, I I just want to say um you know

1246
01:41:17,679 --> 01:41:22,480
this this is a game changer for me
because when we talk about public

1247
01:41:20,960 --> 01:41:27,840
facilities, we're saying that we had the
money since 2022.

1248
01:41:25,199 --> 01:41:30,960
Communities have been crying for rec
centers, which is a public facility.

1249
01:41:29,440 --> 01:41:34,719
Correct. Mhm.
>> for years

1250
01:41:33,119 --> 01:41:40,960
and
to forego

1251
01:41:37,040 --> 01:41:50,800
county open space dollars
that we could use for this um Glenwood

1252
01:41:45,119 --> 01:42:01,280
property and not use the the uh CDBG
funds for what has been a public outcry

1253
01:41:56,719 --> 01:42:07,679
for for years. Um, it's concerning to me
>> and and it it feels like almost like

1254
01:42:05,280 --> 01:42:10,159
it's like this is the easy way out to
spend the money and show that we did

1255
01:42:09,199 --> 01:42:14,639
something.
>> I mean, um, a money is not off our

1256
01:42:12,239 --> 01:42:17,440
books. Federal grants money until a
project is completed. So, they would

1257
01:42:16,320 --> 01:42:23,600
have like three months,
>> right? But we're completing a project

1258
01:42:20,800 --> 01:42:28,400
that can be completed by county dollars.
And the money that we have, we can't use

1259
01:42:26,159 --> 01:42:32,639
county dollars for a rec center or
anything like that. We have the money.

1260
01:42:31,040 --> 01:42:37,440
This is stuff we we need to start
investing. We need to start investing in

1261
01:42:34,080 --> 01:42:40,880
our children. Um, and listen, I don't
have anything against parks. I love

1262
01:42:39,280 --> 01:42:45,840
parks,
right? And but this is why I'm saying

1263
01:42:42,320 --> 01:42:51,040
this is a gamecher for me because
it it can still get done but we don't

1264
01:42:48,719 --> 01:42:55,639
have to use the money that can be used
for

1265
01:42:52,639 --> 01:42:55,639
community

1266
01:42:55,679 --> 01:43:01,520
and and needed public facilities.
>> So councilman I just wanted to council

1267
01:43:00,000 --> 01:43:05,360
members I just wanted to clarify one
thing about the Hudson County Open Space

1268
01:43:03,040 --> 01:43:09,360
Trust. It is correct that we were
looking to apply for funding for this

1269
01:43:07,119 --> 01:43:14,080
acquisition from that source and that we
no longer are seeking funds from that

1270
01:43:11,119 --> 01:43:18,880
source. Instead, when we spoke to the
county and we uh withdrew our

1271
01:43:16,239 --> 01:43:23,679
application, they invited us to submit
additional parks for the Hudson County

1272
01:43:21,520 --> 01:43:28,320
Open Space Trust fund. So, it's not like
we left that money on the table. The

1273
01:43:26,000 --> 01:43:33,440
Hudson County Open Space Trust has
funded uh the 2. Well, to clarify, the

1274
01:43:32,000 --> 01:43:36,239
recommendation of the Hudson County
staff to the county commissioners. I

1275
01:43:35,119 --> 01:43:41,199
believe it is up to the county
commissioners to vote, but the

1276
01:43:37,760 --> 01:43:48,639
recommendation includes $750,000 to
Leonard Gordon Park, $750,000 to La

1277
01:43:44,800 --> 01:43:55,199
Point Park, $350,000 to Marinak Enrich
Park, and $650,000 to the Terrace Avenue

1278
01:43:51,760 --> 01:43:58,880
Park. So many of those awards would not
happen from the county if we were

1279
01:43:57,600 --> 01:44:02,800
seeking the funds instead for the
Glenwood Act.

1280
01:44:00,960 --> 01:44:07,440
» So, so it's not that we're leaving
external money on the table by using the

1281
01:44:04,800 --> 01:44:11,920
the PF funds, the CDBGPFs.
We're trying to identify the funds that

1282
01:44:09,040 --> 01:44:16,159
are most at risk of being clawed back in
this case by the federal government and

1283
01:44:13,840 --> 01:44:21,520
allow us to then you advance other park
priorities across all the entire city,

1284
01:44:18,880 --> 01:44:24,800
the Hudson County Open Space Trust. So
the challenge and I think we alluded to

1285
01:44:22,960 --> 01:44:28,719
this at the beginning is we're getting
these awards but they're not the full

1286
01:44:26,480 --> 01:44:32,639
capital stack of the project. So Leonard
Gordon for example was broken into

1287
01:44:30,639 --> 01:44:36,159
multiple phases. Some work was done.
This is the next phase. There's still

1288
01:44:34,000 --> 01:44:40,800
more money needed to fully remake that
park soup to nuts. So what we're doing

1289
01:44:38,320 --> 01:44:44,800
is we're working to scope a project to
the money we have across all these parks

1290
01:44:42,960 --> 01:44:49,440
and or pair them with additional funding
from capital stacks or additional

1291
01:44:46,320 --> 01:44:52,639
grants. Um that's kind of the whole
exercise and that's what Isaac was

1292
01:44:50,880 --> 01:44:58,159
alluding to that full memo of trying to
piece together these puzzles. But the

1293
01:44:54,960 --> 01:45:03,520
more immediate need was um to avoid
clawback or loss of the CTBGPF funds.

1294
01:45:01,360 --> 01:45:08,159
And this was an eligible expense that
this that we believe is good for the

1295
01:45:05,199 --> 01:45:12,639
city, good you know for parks and open
space. And the county funds weren't

1296
01:45:10,159 --> 01:45:17,679
lost. they were just uh we applied for
other uh parks in le of

1297
01:45:15,520 --> 01:45:24,239
» right but I wasn't I I wasn't talking
about the loss of the money I'm talking

1298
01:45:19,360 --> 01:45:31,159
about the the non-use of it and and I'm
I'm confused is this a park or is it a

1299
01:45:27,840 --> 01:45:31,159
community garden?

1300
01:45:31,440 --> 01:45:38,639
» Yes, it yes it is a pocket park in the
way that we look at them and define

1301
01:45:36,800 --> 01:45:41,679
them. But the use of that park, just
like we have some parks that have dog

1302
01:45:39,840 --> 01:45:46,000
runs and splash plaids and playgrounds
and the use of this park would be a

1303
01:45:43,760 --> 01:45:50,960
community garden within the public
pocket park.

1304
01:45:47,520 --> 01:45:57,280
» So, can we um and I'll ba choy I'll
submit this to a council request, but

1305
01:45:53,760 --> 01:46:04,560
can we get
I guess a breakdown of the fundings

1306
01:46:01,679 --> 01:46:08,080
that we have for public facilities. You
mentioned we have to spend this million

1307
01:46:06,480 --> 01:46:13,199
by the end of the year. There's another
11 million we have to spend by April.

1308
01:46:10,320 --> 01:46:17,679
Can we get a breakdown of all of the uh
funds we have available and the dates we

1309
01:46:15,360 --> 01:46:21,679
need to spend them by? And also what the
policy is for us to use that money

1310
01:46:20,400 --> 01:46:27,119
because if there's money sitting out
there for public facilities, um I feel

1311
01:46:24,800 --> 01:46:31,040
similar to my council people and
everybody knows I feel similar about

1312
01:46:28,880 --> 01:46:35,360
this because I'm advocating for a new
rec center. But if we have recreation

1313
01:46:33,119 --> 01:46:39,119
centers that we could be building, we
have uh firehouses that need repairs, we

1314
01:46:37,840 --> 01:46:42,480
have police stations. I don't know if
that falls under this or not, but

1315
01:46:41,040 --> 01:46:46,480
there's a lot of things that we can be
doing with that money instead of having

1316
01:46:44,159 --> 01:46:50,000
it sit there.
>> And libraries. Yeah. So, I was going to

1317
01:46:48,400 --> 01:46:57,040
request, can we get a list of all
eligible buildings you and all uses for

1318
01:46:53,040 --> 01:47:00,880
CB CBDG money, please?
>> Just the one challenge that I'll I'll

1319
01:46:58,960 --> 01:47:05,040
highlight. Um, I think this is a good
exercise and conversations we've been

1320
01:47:02,320 --> 01:47:08,800
having. Um, by the end of the calendar
year, if we want to do something like

1321
01:47:06,960 --> 01:47:13,119
build a new rec center, we would need to
have I I'll defer to Solo, but I believe

1322
01:47:11,280 --> 01:47:17,119
we need to have the project reviewed,
approved, designed, put out to bid.

1323
01:47:15,040 --> 01:47:24,639
There's a lot of tasks that would be
required before the bearded

1324
01:47:20,800 --> 01:47:29,440
and count towards the spend. Um, and
that's challenging to advance all of

1325
01:47:26,960 --> 01:47:33,679
these very important priorities by the
end of the calendar year.

1326
01:47:30,960 --> 01:47:38,320
» I think I I hold on. I just think with
the intellectual capacity of this

1327
01:47:36,719 --> 01:47:40,880
administration,
I think we could get it done. I believe

1328
01:47:40,080 --> 01:47:44,639
in you guys.
>> Well, we have consultants that have paid

1329
01:47:42,960 --> 01:47:48,000
to work on the rec center. That's what
they're paid to do. So, they are

1330
01:47:46,560 --> 01:47:52,719
currently under contract.
>> Yes. Yeah. My question is related like

1331
01:47:50,639 --> 01:47:58,639
is it the administration's
estimation that there is no project that

1332
01:47:55,760 --> 01:48:02,719
could get a million dollars that we need
to spend by the end of the year and have

1333
01:48:00,960 --> 01:48:06,960
that actually like go through
successfully

1334
01:48:05,280 --> 01:48:11,440
demonstrate that we've drawn down on
that million dollars before December

1335
01:48:09,760 --> 01:48:15,920
31st.
>> I would say it's not that there's no

1336
01:48:13,040 --> 01:48:20,080
project. It's that as director Kaplan
mentioned as Salo has mentioned there

1337
01:48:17,360 --> 01:48:24,719
are very significant challenges with and
a lot of nuances to which projects are

1338
01:48:22,239 --> 01:48:28,719
eligible to begin with and the timeline
for each and when the money needs to be

1339
01:48:26,320 --> 01:48:32,400
spent on different activities. Um so
council president we will provide that

1340
01:48:31,119 --> 01:48:37,600
information you're requesting. I would
also really strongly encourage anyone

1341
01:48:34,719 --> 01:48:41,760
who's interested to meet with Solo and
with the DCD staff who can go through

1342
01:48:40,080 --> 01:48:47,119
those nuances because they are quite
quite complex.

1343
01:48:43,440 --> 01:48:54,880
If I could jump in just um on the the
the memo that is attached um I think

1344
01:48:51,360 --> 01:48:59,040
part of it says it's 2024 funds but then
deputy mayor you said it was 2022 or

1345
01:48:57,040 --> 01:49:02,320
maybe director
um Diaz you said it's it's actually

1346
01:49:01,119 --> 01:49:05,199
2022.
>> It's 20 2022. Yes.

1347
01:49:04,880 --> 01:49:07,920
» Okay.
>> Memo should be 202.

1348
01:49:06,400 --> 01:49:14,239
» And when does when do those funds
expire? Um so all our CDBG funds we have

1349
01:49:12,159 --> 01:49:19,199
about uh three years but due to the
government shutdown we got an extension

1350
01:49:15,920 --> 01:49:25,360
so about the end of this year for 2022.
>> And um the 1 million what what uh what's

1351
01:49:22,800 --> 01:49:28,560
the balance of the 2022 funds remaining
to be spent?

1352
01:49:25,920 --> 01:49:34,400
» Um this is the final $1 million in that
pool. Yeah.

1353
01:49:29,440 --> 01:49:39,520
» Okay. And so we we have 2023 CDBG funds
that that are available.

1354
01:49:35,840 --> 01:49:44,719
» Um so we have 2023 and 24. We have 25
coming later this month. Um possibly 26

1355
01:49:42,239 --> 01:49:50,239
in December. Um they're a bit behind in
awarding it. Um but do keep in mind that

1356
01:49:47,840 --> 01:49:54,560
2023 and 2024 we already received
applications that was already awarded

1357
01:49:52,320 --> 01:49:58,080
out. It's just now identifying the
projects that are unable to move

1358
01:49:56,320 --> 01:50:01,920
forward. So we could kind of cancel that
award and then find where else we could

1359
01:50:00,239 --> 01:50:07,679
use it internally.
>> Got it. So there there

1360
01:50:04,800 --> 01:50:13,199
but okay. Is there a balance of either
2023 or 2024 CDBG funds that might be

1361
01:50:11,520 --> 01:50:19,520
available for some of the projects that
my colleagues have have raised?

1362
01:50:17,119 --> 01:50:23,280
» Yes. And we also have all of 2025 coming
in later this month, which is 4.1

1363
01:50:21,760 --> 01:50:26,800
million. So, yes. Got it.
>> Will be funding available. Yeah.

1364
01:50:24,639 --> 01:50:31,119
» Got it. So, this is not the uh the last
piece of pizza.

1365
01:50:28,080 --> 01:50:36,000
» No. No. For 2022, yes, but we have more.
>> Okay. Yeah. And I just, you know, I was

1366
01:50:33,600 --> 01:50:43,360
quiet through the questions, but I do
want to reiterate the community's

1367
01:50:38,239 --> 01:50:48,000
support for this project. Um, I I hear,
you know, the balancing other things we

1368
01:50:46,480 --> 01:50:55,119
need to do in this city, but it sounds
like, uh, you know, there's more pizza.

1369
01:50:52,239 --> 01:50:59,679
Um, this is a metaphor I use when when
we're when I'm doing union negotiations

1370
01:50:57,119 --> 01:51:04,800
is how do we slice up the pizza? But um
there's additional funds that that are

1371
01:51:01,520 --> 01:51:11,719
available, but this particular pot,
this is it for 2022. Okay. Thank you.

1372
01:51:12,159 --> 01:51:20,080
Well, I'll just close with um my formal
requests I'll send out by via council

1373
01:51:16,400 --> 01:51:28,719
requests. Um trust, but verify. Um I'd
like a copy of the appraisal. um the

1374
01:51:25,520 --> 01:51:32,639
eligibility requirements for this LMI
tract if you can provide that specific

1375
01:51:30,719 --> 01:51:39,560
information unless it's already located
in the resolution and I'll just uh find

1376
01:51:35,199 --> 01:51:39,560
it in there. Um

1377
01:51:41,119 --> 01:51:44,119
the

1378
01:51:45,360 --> 01:51:56,480
a question about um has the have these
dollars this tranch of dollars already

1379
01:51:53,520 --> 01:51:59,480
been kind of pre-approved by HUD at this
point

1380
01:51:59,920 --> 01:52:05,119
specifically 128.
>> Yep. Uh yes, we did conduct an

1381
01:52:03,520 --> 01:52:11,520
environmental review and that was
approved by HUD. Um they did say it did

1382
01:52:07,840 --> 01:52:16,400
qualify uh
see the correct uh they did say it

1383
01:52:14,159 --> 01:52:23,000
benefits the low and mod income
community by uh improving recreation

1384
01:52:20,000 --> 01:52:23,000
opportunities.

1385
01:52:23,679 --> 01:52:31,760
And um and then going back to my
original um remarks about CDBG uh kind

1386
01:52:29,920 --> 01:52:34,639
of the public service and grants, are
they all taken care of at this point? Is

1387
01:52:33,040 --> 01:52:40,560
everyone paid or
>> um No. So most of the the calls you've

1388
01:52:36,880 --> 01:52:44,639
been fielding, those are about our 2025
that's going that should be on our next

1389
01:52:42,159 --> 01:52:48,880
council meeting for accepting. And then
uh once it's accepted by council, we

1390
01:52:46,800 --> 01:52:54,239
just have to internally set up the
accounts and then we could start

1391
01:52:50,560 --> 01:52:58,800
distributing their funding.
And the last thing I'll just say is

1392
01:52:56,239 --> 01:53:06,719
appreciate your work on this solo. I'm
trying to clean this all up, but um uh

1393
01:53:02,719 --> 01:53:11,360
there is a huge non-compliance issue
here that uh I'm not sure if I mean I

1394
01:53:09,760 --> 01:53:16,639
know there's been changes in leadership
at this point. Um but uh everyone else

1395
01:53:14,880 --> 01:53:22,400
needs to be held accountable in this
should be held accountable um because

1396
01:53:18,880 --> 01:53:25,760
there are impacts, opportunities lost
ultimately um even though there's

1397
01:53:24,159 --> 01:53:30,719
there's more pizza, there's more slices
out there and all that stuff going on,

1398
01:53:27,520 --> 01:53:36,239
but uh there's still opportunities lost
um over time. So

1399
01:53:33,599 --> 01:53:41,199
um I will look into this with the
administration holding these folks

1400
01:53:38,480 --> 01:53:46,320
accountable.
>> Okay. Thank you. Director, you have

1401
01:53:43,440 --> 01:53:53,440
anything else? All right.
>> Thank you.

1402
01:53:48,880 --> 01:53:58,320
» Okay, council. Keep in mind we are
6 o'clock and we are going to speaker

1403
01:53:55,920 --> 01:54:01,800
number three,
director Kier.

1404
01:54:10,400 --> 01:54:17,840
Good evening, President Ridley and
members of the city council. I'm here

1405
01:54:13,760 --> 01:54:21,840
tonight to speak on item 107, resolution
26543.

1406
01:54:20,080 --> 01:54:25,360
Resolution will authorize the Department
of Public Safety, Office of Emergency

1407
01:54:23,440 --> 01:54:30,880
Management, Homeland Security to accept
a grant in the amount of 1,531,000

1408
01:54:29,440 --> 01:54:34,800
from the United States Department of
Homeland Security, and the New Jersey

1409
01:54:32,719 --> 01:54:41,360
Office of Homeland Security and
Preparedness through the FY2025

1410
01:54:38,080 --> 01:54:46,320
Urban Area Security Initiative Program.
There is no uh incline match with this

1411
01:54:44,159 --> 01:54:50,520
grant.
>> What was the number? I'm sorry. 10.7.

1412
01:54:50,880 --> 01:54:55,080
» Any questions on 10.7?

1413
01:54:56,960 --> 01:55:06,800
» Next one, director.
>> Next item is uh resolution, it's item

1414
01:55:02,560 --> 01:55:10,639
1033, resolution 26569.
Resolution will authorize the payment of

1415
01:55:08,639 --> 01:55:14,560
a claim submitted by King Towing for
providing emergency towing services

1416
01:55:12,560 --> 01:55:18,960
associated with the winter storm and
snow removal operations that we had in

1417
01:55:16,719 --> 01:55:26,480
January and February. Total amount of
this claim is $124,200

1418
01:55:22,480 --> 01:55:30,719
which is available in account 60126
292314.

1419
01:55:28,960 --> 01:55:35,360
The reason for the delay with this is
that there was some issues with the

1420
01:55:32,480 --> 01:55:39,119
billing. they had to be reverified and
at the time there wasn't sufficient

1421
01:55:37,040 --> 01:55:41,520
funds in the account to uh move it
forward.

1422
01:55:40,719 --> 01:55:48,080
» Question.
>> I I just feel like um

1423
01:55:44,400 --> 01:55:53,440
feel like we voted on this already.
>> It wasn't king to it was how many towing

1424
01:55:50,800 --> 01:55:55,840
how many how many towing companies do we
use?

1425
01:55:53,840 --> 01:56:00,639
» Off the top of my head count was at
least five of them.

1426
01:55:58,800 --> 01:56:04,080
» Okay,
>> that's all of them. This is the last one

1427
01:56:02,960 --> 01:56:08,760
of all of them.
>> Yes, this this should be the last one.

1428
01:56:09,040 --> 01:56:14,480
» Hope so.
>> I think Gilmore had um

1429
01:56:13,520 --> 01:56:21,040
» Griffin got about
>> 250k. Is it um

1430
01:56:18,719 --> 01:56:26,920
Are we using emergency funds here or
surplus or what? I don't know what the

1431
01:56:23,199 --> 01:56:26,920
word is at this point anymore.

1432
01:56:26,960 --> 01:56:33,280
» What does that count?
>> We're using emergency funds.

1433
01:56:31,040 --> 01:56:35,360
Um I'm sorry.
>> Emergency funds.

1434
01:56:34,159 --> 01:56:37,360
» Emergency funds
>> for this particular item.

1435
01:56:36,960 --> 01:56:41,440
» Yes.
>> Uh I believe the fund has been uh

1436
01:56:39,520 --> 01:56:45,920
replaced with you know that to ensure
that the money is in the in the uh

1437
01:56:43,360 --> 01:56:50,320
account.
>> I guess to finance was this part of the

1438
01:56:47,679 --> 01:56:55,520
emergency calculation
when we we budgeted from surplus in the

1439
01:56:52,320 --> 01:57:01,199
budget. Um we pulled some of it from
surplus. I forget exactly.

1440
01:56:59,440 --> 01:57:03,599
We can follow up with you on that one.
>> I can put on council requests.

1441
01:57:03,040 --> 01:57:07,040
» Yes. Thank you.
>> Appreciate that. Thank you.

1442
01:57:04,880 --> 01:57:10,320
» Director Kes, offhand, would you know
roughly how much we're spending on

1443
01:57:08,800 --> 01:57:11,920
towing total
>> for all of the towing?

1444
01:57:11,599 --> 01:57:14,560
» Yeah.
>> Uh I can get that information for you,

1445
01:57:13,840 --> 01:57:17,560
Councilman.
>> Okay.

1446
01:57:18,320 --> 01:57:25,800
» Any other questions?
>> Okay. Thank you, director.

1447
01:57:22,560 --> 01:57:25,800
» Thank you.

1448
01:57:26,800 --> 01:57:33,719
Next up, uh, Deputy Director of Human
Resources, Joanna Rosa.

1449
01:57:37,679 --> 01:57:48,199
» Evening, members of the council. I have
the agenda item 10.25, 25 resolution

1450
01:57:45,199 --> 01:57:48,199
26-561

1451
01:57:48,320 --> 01:57:56,000
is a resolution ratifying an award of a
contract to carasoft technology

1452
01:57:53,280 --> 01:58:02,000
corporation for the workforce management
annual software licenses through the US

1453
01:57:59,040 --> 01:58:06,320
community government purchasing alliance
known as Omnia partners for the

1454
01:58:04,560 --> 01:58:13,280
department of administration human
resources. This is an annual contract

1455
01:58:09,360 --> 01:58:19,840
for the period of July 9, 2026 to July
8, 2027

1456
01:58:15,280 --> 01:58:26,080
in the amount of 149,492
with.70 and this is for our software for

1457
01:58:24,000 --> 01:58:35,280
the onboarding
and training virtual training platform.

1458
01:58:30,960 --> 01:58:41,360
Questions 10.25 25
>> since this is a company we use overorn

1459
01:58:37,599 --> 01:58:45,679
is a unicorn the workforce payroll is
this part of that

1460
01:58:42,880 --> 01:58:49,159
» no this is especially on boarding and
virtual training

1461
01:58:50,880 --> 01:58:56,159
» Joanne I I think you can clarify this is
for neo gov

1462
01:58:54,639 --> 01:58:59,960
» yes
gov

1463
01:58:56,960 --> 01:58:59,960
» yes

1464
01:59:00,320 --> 01:59:10,719
okay next
The next item is agenda 10.31 resolution

1465
01:59:07,920 --> 01:59:16,080
26-567
is a resolution authorizing the payment

1466
01:59:12,960 --> 01:59:22,320
of a claim submitted by Kai strategic
for consulting services. They are our

1467
01:59:18,719 --> 01:59:28,719
broker for liability insurance and we
need to pay this claim so we avoid

1468
01:59:25,920 --> 01:59:34,480
interruption or coverage
of our premiums.

1469
01:59:31,920 --> 01:59:39,480
question.
>> Was there a contract prior to this or?

1470
01:59:40,960 --> 01:59:47,119
» Yes.
It was just expired and then we spent

1471
01:59:45,679 --> 01:59:53,440
beyond it or how's that?
>> So I I believe we have someone from the

1472
01:59:49,119 --> 01:59:56,599
IFC to speak to this.
Not here.

1473
02:00:04,000 --> 02:00:09,760
Sorry.
>> Could you speak to the Kai strategic

1474
02:00:09,119 --> 02:00:12,760
insurance?
>> Yes.

1475
02:00:16,639 --> 02:00:22,480
» My name is Peter Serrero with KIA
Strategic Insurance Partners. We are the

1476
02:00:20,960 --> 02:00:25,800
uh insurance brokers for the city of
Jersey City.

1477
02:00:26,480 --> 02:00:31,199
» Was that There was a question. I missed
it. I'm sorry. I was

1478
02:00:29,040 --> 02:00:37,040
» Yeah. So, it's a claim. So, we had a
contract with Kai Strategic for

1479
02:00:33,440 --> 02:00:42,960
consulting services. Um, is this
services that expired and then um and

1480
02:00:39,760 --> 02:00:46,880
then we were just continuing to
>> utilize their services without uh being

1481
02:00:45,760 --> 02:00:50,719
under contract. Is that how
>> So, these were invoices that were built

1482
02:00:48,480 --> 02:00:57,679
to the city back in March and April of
this year and had not been paid. Um we

1483
02:00:55,040 --> 02:01:01,760
were getting uh cancellation notice from
the insurance companies because the

1484
02:00:58,960 --> 02:01:08,960
invoices were unpaid. Um so at the last
insurance fund meeting the commissioners

1485
02:01:04,400 --> 02:01:17,199
uh voted to finally pay those invoices.
So the these were for policies that

1486
02:01:11,040 --> 02:01:19,679
expired on uh June 30th, 2026.
>> Insurance policies.

1487
02:01:18,320 --> 02:01:21,440
» Yes.
>> What what type of insurance policies we

1488
02:01:21,119 --> 02:01:23,760
talking about?
>> I'm sorry. What insurance policies are

1489
02:01:23,520 --> 02:01:27,840
we?
>> So, that would be um your liability

1490
02:01:25,520 --> 02:01:33,520
insurance, works compensation, uh
property insurance, uh I got a list. I

1491
02:01:30,800 --> 02:01:37,840
have the list right here. Um uh d uh
public officials and employment

1492
02:01:34,880 --> 02:01:41,760
practices liability insurance.
>> Say March 2026 through April 2026.

1493
02:01:40,639 --> 02:01:47,199
» That's when that's when they were
invoiced to the city. The policy period

1494
02:01:43,679 --> 02:01:52,080
was July 1st, 2025 through June 30th,
2026.

1495
02:01:50,080 --> 02:01:56,159
These are installment payments. Uh we
negotiated with the insurance companies

1496
02:01:54,159 --> 02:02:00,159
to allow the city to pay them quarterly
instead of having to pay the premiums

1497
02:01:57,440 --> 02:02:04,400
all at once at renewal time.
>> I guess the question is why did you not

1498
02:02:01,920 --> 02:02:09,599
pay them?
>> I I can't answer that question.

1499
02:02:07,520 --> 02:02:16,159
There's a there's also a discrepancy
between the first whereas clause that

1500
02:02:12,159 --> 02:02:21,679
states March 2025 through April 2026 and
then later on the third whereas clause

1501
02:02:18,800 --> 02:02:26,719
March 2026 April 2026.
>> Yeah, I think the first one was a typo.

1502
02:02:23,280 --> 02:02:32,960
We're referring to 2026. Um there's a
combination of different issues here

1503
02:02:29,280 --> 02:02:40,880
with um the IFC one as well as this
second one. Um the payments are late

1504
02:02:37,119 --> 02:02:46,239
partially due to our budget 2026 budget
not being approved earlier. So we have

1505
02:02:43,679 --> 02:02:51,119
payments to pay for the the insurance
contracts but also internally with the

1506
02:02:48,880 --> 02:02:55,840
IFC we have to put together some
policies and procedures to ensure that

1507
02:02:53,760 --> 02:03:01,040
all the paperwork goes through the
proper channels for us to make these

1508
02:02:57,679 --> 02:03:04,639
payments. So we are working internally
to put together those governing

1509
02:03:02,800 --> 02:03:08,520
documents so that we do not have this
issue again in the future.

1510
02:03:10,560 --> 02:03:19,000
» Thank you.
>> Is this what account is it coming from?

1511
02:03:14,080 --> 02:03:19,000
It's uh T-14.

1512
02:03:19,599 --> 02:03:25,080
» This is coming out of our IFC account.
>> IFC

1513
02:03:25,679 --> 02:03:28,679
Any

1514
02:03:29,280 --> 02:03:36,280
other questions?
Okay, thank you.

1515
02:03:36,880 --> 02:03:40,360
Director Dublin.

1516
02:03:47,199 --> 02:03:52,719
Good evening, council president and
council members. I have a few items to

1517
02:03:51,520 --> 02:03:59,520
present for the department of public
works. First one is agenda item 10.23

1518
02:03:56,800 --> 02:04:03,599
resolution 26559
resolution authorizing the award of a

1519
02:04:01,440 --> 02:04:09,520
contract to Henderson products for the
purchase and delivery of a brime machine

1520
02:04:06,800 --> 02:04:12,159
for the division of automotive
>> questions.

1521
02:04:10,480 --> 02:04:17,360
» Yes. What's a brine maker?
>> That is um a brine maker. It's what we

1522
02:04:15,119 --> 02:04:20,400
put a solution together to treat icy
conditions before snow.

1523
02:04:19,840 --> 02:04:24,080
» Okay.
>> It treats the road. So it makes it uh

1524
02:04:22,480 --> 02:04:27,040
keeps it black top longer before it
starts to stick and we have to start

1525
02:04:25,199 --> 02:04:29,520
salting. It helps get ahead of the
snowstorm.

1526
02:04:27,920 --> 02:04:32,000
» Okay. And this is a machine at its head.
>> Yes. We would make the brine right at

1527
02:04:30,800 --> 02:04:36,920
DPW.
>> Okay. Oh, okay.

1528
02:04:33,440 --> 02:04:36,920
» Yeah, you did.

1529
02:04:37,119 --> 02:04:43,840
» Yeah. He count He didn't know what that
neither did you.

1530
02:04:42,719 --> 02:04:51,599
» Next one. Directive.
>> Okay.

1531
02:04:46,480 --> 02:04:56,639
» Next item is agenda of 10.4. 41
resolution 26-577

1532
02:04:54,639 --> 02:05:02,880
resolution authorizing the payment for
$14,470

1533
02:04:59,360 --> 02:05:07,760
to AM for an outstanding claims related
to professional building services

1534
02:05:04,960 --> 02:05:11,360
provided to the city in 2023.
>> How did this how did this get overlooked

1535
02:05:10,320 --> 02:05:15,920
for so what happened here?
>> So what happened was that our former

1536
02:05:13,280 --> 02:05:20,320
fiscal officer was emailing for an
updated bill once we received the um

1537
02:05:18,239 --> 02:05:24,400
quotes. What happened was we were
communicating with a person who was

1538
02:05:21,679 --> 02:05:28,000
terminated. Um, so those emails weren't
being bounced back. So after doing an

1539
02:05:26,000 --> 02:05:31,040
audit and checking all of our
outstanding bills after our fiscal

1540
02:05:29,760 --> 02:05:34,400
officer moved on to a different
position, we found that we had

1541
02:05:32,320 --> 02:05:39,760
outstanding bills still not paid.
>> So we did an audit to find out that we

1542
02:05:37,840 --> 02:05:44,000
» kept communicating. We went through all
of our outstanding bills in DPW once um

1543
02:05:42,320 --> 02:05:48,960
Andres moved on to a different position
and the new fiscal officer took on and

1544
02:05:45,679 --> 02:05:52,320
we saw that this was still um not um
this wasn't paid as of yet. So we

1545
02:05:50,639 --> 02:05:56,000
communicated again with the person Andre
was communicating with. We didn't get

1546
02:05:54,000 --> 02:05:59,440
any. So we contacted finally was able to
get a live person and letting them know

1547
02:05:57,840 --> 02:06:02,960
that we have outstanding bills with you
and we needed updated invoices to make

1548
02:06:01,440 --> 02:06:09,280
sure that that was all outdated.
>> I I understand that. I'm just perplex

1549
02:06:06,320 --> 02:06:13,280
perplexed as to a company having an
outstanding amount out there to the tune

1550
02:06:12,239 --> 02:06:16,400
of
>> 14,000

1551
02:06:13,920 --> 02:06:20,080
» almost $15,000.
They could have fired the whole company

1552
02:06:18,159 --> 02:06:23,760
and the owner would have been checking
where's the money that's supposed to be

1553
02:06:21,440 --> 02:06:28,480
coming in. That's why I'm just
>> Yeah, it was it was a little um

1554
02:06:26,639 --> 02:06:33,280
also surprising for us that they weren't
contacting us. We were contacting them.

1555
02:06:30,560 --> 02:06:38,000
Now have we verified that the service
have everything was rendered and all um

1556
02:06:36,159 --> 02:06:41,000
that's all we owe them?
>> Okay.

1557
02:06:41,440 --> 02:06:49,679
» Next one.
>> So the next one is agenda item 10.34

1558
02:06:46,719 --> 02:06:54,480
resolution 26-570
resolution authorizing the third party

1559
02:06:51,920 --> 02:07:00,360
renewal of an open-ended contract to TUX
cleaning service for janitorial

1560
02:06:56,079 --> 02:07:00,360
services. questions.

1561
02:07:02,000 --> 02:07:05,880
» What do we pay them annually?

1562
02:07:08,239 --> 02:07:17,520
» Tux is contract is for one. It's an
open-ended contract. We hope not to go

1563
02:07:13,280 --> 02:07:22,079
over in uh 1.9 and that also it
increases because the cost of living

1564
02:07:19,440 --> 02:07:30,320
increases for the janitorial um members
with their union 32BJ. I know. Have we

1565
02:07:26,320 --> 02:07:33,520
um have we thought about um an internal
service?

1566
02:07:31,119 --> 02:07:38,159
» We do half internal, half contractual.
This actually works very well for us

1567
02:07:35,520 --> 02:07:42,880
because what happens is when we do half
um internal and someone calls out, we

1568
02:07:40,480 --> 02:07:49,520
have 56 55 buildings that we have to
service. That backfill becomes extremely

1569
02:07:45,760 --> 02:07:53,360
difficult. We have we have FMLA, ADA. We
don't have to worry about that with this

1570
02:07:51,119 --> 02:07:58,000
company. If someone calls out, it's
their responsibility to make sure that

1571
02:07:54,880 --> 02:08:00,639
someone is there to backfill.
>> They've been one of the best companies

1572
02:07:59,360 --> 02:08:04,560
that we've had
>> in the entire um 23 years I've have of

1573
02:08:03,599 --> 02:08:08,400
service.
>> They're very easy to work with.

1574
02:08:06,800 --> 02:08:12,880
» Grace.
>> And how how many um

1575
02:08:11,040 --> 02:08:14,639
employees do we use from them on a daily
basis?

1576
02:08:13,920 --> 02:08:23,440
» 26.
>> 26. Okay.

1577
02:08:18,480 --> 02:08:29,119
» Next one. The last one is item 10.39
resolution 26-575

1578
02:08:26,880 --> 02:08:33,040
resolution authorizing the awardment bid
to all American recycling corpse which

1579
02:08:31,280 --> 02:08:37,760
is the location where we take all of our
paper and cardboard recyclables for the

1580
02:08:35,679 --> 02:08:41,239
entire city
>> questions 10.39

1581
02:08:42,560 --> 02:08:46,079
» the flat
>> again sir

1582
02:08:44,880 --> 02:08:51,119
» sorry is it a flat fee
>> no it's not so recycling is a fluctuated

1583
02:08:49,440 --> 02:08:56,079
market. There are months that we don't
pay um and there are months that we end

1584
02:08:53,199 --> 02:09:04,400
up paying them. So, it can fluctuate
from let's say for example January of

1585
02:09:00,239 --> 02:09:09,760
2025, we were paying $5 a ton. Uh in
January 2026, we were paying $0. So,

1586
02:09:08,239 --> 02:09:13,920
it's a fluctuated market. It depends
where their end market is is what they

1587
02:09:11,440 --> 02:09:16,880
determine that they require us to pay
them per ton.

1588
02:09:15,280 --> 02:09:21,119
» So, you said $5 a ton.
>> It can be $5 a ton. It can be $10 a ton.

1589
02:09:19,440 --> 02:09:27,239
It can be zero dollars a ton and we
break even. It's a recycling is very uh

1590
02:09:23,599 --> 02:09:27,239
finicky right now.

1591
02:09:28,480 --> 02:09:36,920
» Thank you, director.
>> Thank you.

1592
02:09:31,599 --> 02:09:36,920
» Next up, our CFO, Bill.

1593
02:09:43,280 --> 02:09:49,360
» Bill has been patiently wait. You've
been pacing around all day. bill.

1594
02:09:47,440 --> 02:09:52,960
» I I was told I was number four. What I
wasn't told is that there were 400 items

1595
02:09:51,679 --> 02:09:58,719
in the first three.
>> Oh, that's why you Oh, okay.

1596
02:09:56,639 --> 02:10:05,280
So, good evening.
I just have two. First one is 10.1

1597
02:10:02,000 --> 02:10:11,920
resolution 26537.
Resolution superseding resolution 26-425

1598
02:10:10,239 --> 02:10:15,040
authorizing the city of Jersey City to
enter into revised loan agreement with

1599
02:10:13,599 --> 02:10:20,639
the state of New Jersey Department of
Community Affairs Division of Local

1600
02:10:17,520 --> 02:10:26,000
Government Services $45 million in
transitional aid to localities in a

1601
02:10:23,440 --> 02:10:31,440
loan. I want to spend just a minute
comparing the existing agreement

1602
02:10:28,480 --> 02:10:36,320
approved by council to the new loan
terms.

1603
02:10:33,760 --> 02:10:42,320
As you know, the loan amount does not
change. It's $105 million.

1604
02:10:39,840 --> 02:10:45,320
Both loans specify a minimum tax levy of
$457,972,500.

1605
02:10:46,960 --> 02:10:53,280
That was the equivalent of a increase in
the tax rate of 15%. That did not

1606
02:10:50,960 --> 02:10:58,880
change.
The interest rate of 2.75%

1607
02:10:56,480 --> 02:11:02,960
does not change. I'll come back to that
and provide you some metrics, some

1608
02:11:01,040 --> 02:11:07,599
benchmarks to compare that to in a
moment.

1609
02:11:04,960 --> 02:11:13,119
What does change significantly is the
duration of the loan from a period of 10

1610
02:11:10,079 --> 02:11:17,280
years and 3 months to 16 years and 3
months.

1611
02:11:15,679 --> 02:11:23,599
Importantly,
the loan defers a payment

1612
02:11:21,199 --> 02:11:28,880
in 2027.
So rather than making what would have

1613
02:11:26,239 --> 02:11:35,119
amounted to be a $13.4 million payment
in 2027 in September, next year we will

1614
02:11:32,159 --> 02:11:42,719
have no payment on the loan at all. The
first payment will be the following year

1615
02:11:36,639 --> 02:11:47,280
in 2028 to approximately $9.9 million.
Overall, the total interest payments

1616
02:11:44,639 --> 02:11:56,159
because of the extension of the duration
of the loan increased from $15.9 million

1617
02:11:51,119 --> 02:11:59,599
in total to $23.1 million in total.
However, the average annual payment

1618
02:11:58,079 --> 02:12:06,000
again because of the extension of the
duration alone drops from a little bit

1619
02:12:01,760 --> 02:12:09,000
over 12 million a year to $8.5 million a
year.

1620
02:12:10,239 --> 02:12:16,639
the interest rate at 2.75%
just to give you some benchmarks. I

1621
02:12:14,639 --> 02:12:23,199
asked our financial advisor to give me
an idea of what Jersey City could issue

1622
02:12:19,840 --> 02:12:26,800
an a taxable note of a similar duration
and the estimate for that would be

1623
02:12:24,880 --> 02:12:30,760
5.34%.
Again, compared to the 2.75%.

1624
02:12:30,800 --> 02:12:37,599
Just as another benchmark, not entirely
comparable, a 10-year Treasury currently

1625
02:12:34,719 --> 02:12:42,400
trades at about 4.8%.
20-year Treasury trades at over 5% at 5

1626
02:12:40,320 --> 02:12:46,800
and a quarter percent.
And then just totally different secured

1627
02:12:44,400 --> 02:12:52,159
loan, a 15-year fixed mortgage term
today is on average about 6.3%. So the

1628
02:12:50,000 --> 02:12:58,800
2.75%
is significant discount to any form of

1629
02:12:55,760 --> 02:13:02,560
debt. Not to mention if we wanted to, we
really could not borrow for this purpose

1630
02:13:00,719 --> 02:13:09,040
on our own. But I think I wanted to give
you a sense of uh how the 2.75% compares

1631
02:13:06,800 --> 02:13:14,000
to other debt instruments uh in the
market.

1632
02:13:11,599 --> 02:13:19,119
The key changes that are not necessarily
financial come in the form of increased

1633
02:13:17,199 --> 02:13:24,639
oversight
by uh DGS, Department of Local

1634
02:13:21,679 --> 02:13:30,159
Government Services over the city. And
those include, importantly,

1635
02:13:28,000 --> 02:13:35,119
a requirement to develop a comprehensive
5-year fiscal recovery plan

1636
02:13:33,280 --> 02:13:39,920
that identifies specific structural
reforms including but not limited to

1637
02:13:37,520 --> 02:13:44,960
workforce reduction, shared service
consolidations, revenue diversification,

1638
02:13:43,199 --> 02:13:49,199
and debt restructure that are sufficient
to achieve structural balance within the

1639
02:13:47,360 --> 02:13:54,239
loan term. And that's a quote from the
loan agreement.

1640
02:13:51,920 --> 02:13:58,480
The fiscal recovery plan will have to be
approved by DGS,

1641
02:13:56,480 --> 02:14:02,239
updated annually,
and we're also required to provide a

1642
02:14:00,719 --> 02:14:06,800
comprehensive diagnosis of the
structural causes of the municipal

1643
02:14:04,320 --> 02:14:13,480
municipalities fiscal distress,
including identification of recurring

1644
02:14:08,560 --> 02:14:13,480
revenue expenditures and imbalances.

1645
02:14:17,920 --> 02:14:27,400
The consequences for non-compliance
include potential acceleration of loan

1646
02:14:24,400 --> 02:14:27,400
payments,

1647
02:14:27,760 --> 02:14:33,679
interest rate increase penalties, and
referral to the director of the LGS for

1648
02:14:31,760 --> 02:14:40,800
heightened intervention authorized under
existing fiscal distress statutes.

1649
02:14:37,679 --> 02:14:46,159
Importantly, beginning in calendar year
2027 and for a period of five years, the

1650
02:14:44,320 --> 02:14:51,599
city must submit its annual municipal
bud budget to the state's local finance

1651
02:14:48,639 --> 02:14:55,480
board for review and approval after the
budget is introduced

1652
02:14:56,000 --> 02:15:02,079
for the duration of long term. This is
not a change, but the city shall provide

1653
02:14:59,360 --> 02:15:08,079
quarterly budget reports to DGS and they
will continue to have oversight as they

1654
02:15:05,040 --> 02:15:13,199
did over other matters such as bond or
note issuances,

1655
02:15:10,239 --> 02:15:18,000
collective bargaining negotiations, use
of surplus, and a host of other items

1656
02:15:16,159 --> 02:15:21,000
that did not change from the original
agreement.

1657
02:15:23,760 --> 02:15:29,599
Concludes my remarks on the topic. Happy
to take questions.

1658
02:15:27,840 --> 02:15:32,639
» Yeah, Bill. Sorry.
>> Yeah, go time.

1659
02:15:30,560 --> 02:15:36,480
» Thank you.
The other option initially was 20 20%

1660
02:15:35,280 --> 02:15:39,679
tax increase. What was what was the
interest rate that was? Was that 2.25?

1661
02:15:38,560 --> 02:15:42,159
That's correct.
>> All right. So, the state was saying,

1662
02:15:40,719 --> 02:15:45,760
"Okay, if you tax your residents more,
we'll give you a better interest rate."

1663
02:15:43,440 --> 02:15:50,320
We chose obviously the 15% at a higher
interest rate. And in and in the city's

1664
02:15:47,679 --> 02:15:53,199
negotiations with the state, uh,
obviously we're grateful that we don't

1665
02:15:51,599 --> 02:15:58,960
owe any money next year, but the state
was not willing to budge under the 2.75.

1666
02:15:56,960 --> 02:16:03,520
» Not to not to my knowledge. I was not
directly involved, councilman, in

1667
02:16:00,560 --> 02:16:10,000
negotiations on the new loan terms, but
I will say with the original the 20% tax

1668
02:16:06,960 --> 02:16:15,119
rate increase, I I know that was their
way of trying to incentivize us to do

1669
02:16:12,159 --> 02:16:19,199
more to close the structural gap sooner.
So that was part of the motivation on

1670
02:16:17,040 --> 02:16:23,840
their part.
>> Hey Bill, quick question. So as it

1671
02:16:21,599 --> 02:16:29,840
relates to raw numbers because you you
put out the percentages, how much more

1672
02:16:26,719 --> 02:16:34,719
interest will we be paying
um how much will we have been paying in

1673
02:16:32,399 --> 02:16:42,479
10 years and subsequently how much will
we be now be paying after 16 years?

1674
02:16:39,599 --> 02:16:46,319
» Yeah. So the total increase the the
increase in total payments over the

1675
02:16:44,080 --> 02:16:50,000
course of the loan is $7.2 million.
>> 7.2 million

1676
02:16:47,840 --> 02:16:53,519
» spread out over the duration of the
loan.

1677
02:16:50,559 --> 02:16:59,840
» Now another question, Bill, if you know
if the loan payments agreement, the

1678
02:16:57,840 --> 02:17:04,880
payments don't
have to be paid until 28. Correct.

1679
02:17:03,439 --> 02:17:14,000
» Correct.
So why what what like why would they set

1680
02:17:09,439 --> 02:17:18,399
on us raising the taxes this year?
>> So the I think they're what they are

1681
02:17:17,120 --> 02:17:24,000
attempting to do, what they are
encouraging us to do and advocating for

1682
02:17:20,399 --> 02:17:30,479
us to do is to close the structural gap
that we have in our budget and the need

1683
02:17:27,519 --> 02:17:36,080
for doing that at least in part through
the increase in taxes. I think they also

1684
02:17:32,639 --> 02:17:40,800
recognize that 2027 is going to be a
difficult budget year again for Jersey

1685
02:17:37,599 --> 02:17:46,719
City and that providing a $13 million
relief in 27 is a meaningful deferral of

1686
02:17:45,280 --> 02:17:50,160
what would otherwise have been an
expense we would had to have budgeted in

1687
02:17:49,040 --> 02:17:53,200
the 27 budget.
>> 27 but

1688
02:17:51,120 --> 02:17:58,000
» yeah.
>> So, so Bill, I have a question. These um

1689
02:17:56,080 --> 02:18:01,599
these payments
2028

1690
02:18:00,240 --> 02:18:08,479
we have to make them. I don't know if
you look as far ahead

1691
02:18:04,319 --> 02:18:13,920
um but how will this affect our tax levy
moving forward from paying the money

1692
02:18:11,599 --> 02:18:18,960
back?
>> So we we have been modeling and looking

1693
02:18:16,960 --> 02:18:21,920
at a five-year forecast as we've been
developing the budget. Obviously the

1694
02:18:20,319 --> 02:18:27,120
further we get away from where we are
today, the harder it is to to forecast.

1695
02:18:24,479 --> 02:18:31,920
Um I will say a $13 million payment on
the size of our budget is a material

1696
02:18:29,200 --> 02:18:38,559
payment. $10 million is still a material
payment. I'll put it into uh context,

1697
02:18:34,960 --> 02:18:44,080
right? We have talked about how a 1%
increase in the tax rate generates

1698
02:18:41,599 --> 02:18:49,280
roughly $4 million. So, I think that's
one way you could look at it if you had

1699
02:18:45,599 --> 02:18:53,200
a $10 million payment in 2028. Now, the
the math will change as we get three

1700
02:18:51,120 --> 02:18:58,880
years out, but that gives you some sense
of what kind of if it was solely raised

1701
02:18:56,639 --> 02:19:05,200
through tax levy increases, how much it
would take to cover that $13 million

1702
02:19:01,760 --> 02:19:08,479
next year would have certainly put added
to the pressure I think we're already

1703
02:19:06,479 --> 02:19:14,479
going to face in 27 to close the budget
gap.

1704
02:19:11,120 --> 02:19:20,319
» And Bill, um, another question. So with
this increase

1705
02:19:16,719 --> 02:19:26,880
um to 16 years,
the it looks like the state is is going

1706
02:19:23,280 --> 02:19:34,240
to be requesting more oversight.
Um, so can you just speak to

1707
02:19:30,399 --> 02:19:39,359
um the normal transactions as it relates
to what what the municipal government

1708
02:19:36,960 --> 02:19:44,479
would be able to do versus with the
stipulations and how does that either

1709
02:19:42,240 --> 02:19:48,640
complicate or prolong things.
>> Sure.

1710
02:19:46,080 --> 02:19:53,520
Difficult to say with specificity. So
far relationship with ECA has has worked

1711
02:19:51,840 --> 02:20:00,640
really well. I think we've been able to
operate the city um keeping them largely

1712
02:19:56,720 --> 02:20:05,120
informed in a somewhat informal manner.
I think this agreement I think they are

1713
02:20:03,200 --> 02:20:09,359
indicating that you know they expect
more structure to how that oversight

1714
02:20:06,960 --> 02:20:15,359
will work as well as this fiscal
recovery plan. Um I have not yet had an

1715
02:20:12,960 --> 02:20:18,880
opportunity to have a meaningful
discussion with them about what the

1716
02:20:16,720 --> 02:20:23,520
fiscal recovery plan might look like. I
have asked um and I think at sometime

1717
02:20:21,920 --> 02:20:27,359
soon I think we will have to have that
conversation and determine you know what

1718
02:20:25,520 --> 02:20:33,439
what's the content of that going to look
like. Um with respect to for example

1719
02:20:31,040 --> 02:20:38,080
collective bargaining agreements that's
been a topic that that didn't change.

1720
02:20:36,160 --> 02:20:44,319
They had that same same level oversight
in the current agreement as they have in

1721
02:20:40,479 --> 02:20:49,439
the new loan proposal. Um there they for
example they have asked us to submit to

1722
02:20:46,319 --> 02:20:56,160
them in advance of negotiations
financial information for them to review

1723
02:20:53,040 --> 02:21:00,000
comment on and and provide direction
that will certainly slow things down if

1724
02:20:58,560 --> 02:21:05,520
we didn't have that level oversight. I
think that is you know part of the the

1725
02:21:01,840 --> 02:21:09,920
cost of of having the meaningful uh
state aid to help us through the the

1726
02:21:08,080 --> 02:21:14,000
budget.
I have

1727
02:21:10,640 --> 02:21:22,080
» Thank you. Um that note, workforce
reductions is part of this financial

1728
02:21:17,359 --> 02:21:27,920
plan. Um just gives me a little pause in
agreeing to any kind of blanket yeah a

1729
02:21:26,560 --> 02:21:30,880
blanket agreement to workforce
reductions when we just went through

1730
02:21:29,120 --> 02:21:37,200
this budget process and worked really
hard to make sure that we could have a

1731
02:21:34,000 --> 02:21:42,880
balanced budget. um that that also
restored some really critical jobs that

1732
02:21:40,080 --> 02:21:47,840
were cut. So yeah, if you could just
speak to I know there is no specific

1733
02:21:45,439 --> 02:21:53,120
plan right now, but could you speak to
some forecast of what the administration

1734
02:21:50,479 --> 02:21:56,319
is is looking toward in terms of
staffing adjustments and workforce

1735
02:21:54,800 --> 02:22:01,040
reductions that's spelled out in this
version of theou?

1736
02:21:58,160 --> 02:22:07,520
» I think it's early to to be specific on
that. I at the same time when you know

1737
02:22:04,080 --> 02:22:11,280
looking at 27 we know we are facing a
budget gap again right and then at a

1738
02:22:09,600 --> 02:22:16,479
high level and that's why I think it's
appropriate to to list these out at a

1739
02:22:13,600 --> 02:22:21,280
high level we have relatively few levers
to pull to close the budget gap we

1740
02:22:18,720 --> 02:22:27,280
either generate revenue cut expenses or
some combination of the two right um

1741
02:22:24,479 --> 02:22:31,520
when you look at the city budget
the vast majority of the city budget are

1742
02:22:29,920 --> 02:22:36,720
salaries wages health benefits
associated with city staff. So if the

1743
02:22:33,920 --> 02:22:42,479
mandate from the administration the
council is to look at the cost

1744
02:22:39,680 --> 02:22:46,160
structure, it has to involve
workforce reductions. I think that is

1745
02:22:44,080 --> 02:22:52,319
just the logical conclusion when you
look at a budget that is very very heavy

1746
02:22:49,200 --> 02:22:57,120
on and very labor intensive.
On the other hand, the biggest lever for

1747
02:22:55,120 --> 02:23:00,399
increasing revenue is the tax levy. we
have others in terms of, you know, local

1748
02:22:58,800 --> 02:23:04,640
revenue sources, lots of them, but
they're much smaller. We're finding new

1749
02:23:02,560 --> 02:23:08,080
revenue sources. So, I think some
combination of those things, you know,

1750
02:23:06,319 --> 02:23:13,200
will make sense for us to take a close
look at and to look at um as soon as

1751
02:23:10,640 --> 02:23:19,520
possible going into 2027,
having a a clearer view of how do we

1752
02:23:15,920 --> 02:23:25,600
want to balance those things.
>> Thank you. And what are what what what

1753
02:23:22,000 --> 02:23:28,600
type of uh gap are we looking at in in
27

1754
02:23:30,080 --> 02:23:34,120
» in excess of 50 million

1755
02:23:35,600 --> 02:23:45,439
» the um the five-year financial plan that
you provided us bill um with this newou

1756
02:23:43,200 --> 02:23:51,040
assuming it's approved I assume it will
be um can you fill in the blanks on that

1757
02:23:49,359 --> 02:23:56,319
modeling and share that with us as to
what that fiveyear looks like with these

1758
02:23:54,080 --> 02:24:00,560
terms in there.
>> Abs. Absolutely. Uh and so the biggest

1759
02:23:58,720 --> 02:24:06,399
change obviously in that 5-year plan
will be the relief in uh in 27 and then

1760
02:24:03,359 --> 02:24:11,040
the lowering of the average payment in
28 through the the forecast period.

1761
02:24:09,120 --> 02:24:17,200
That'll be the the the most significant
uh impact. um and the 27

1762
02:24:14,960 --> 02:24:21,439
being the closest and also a year where
we know we still have deferred charges

1763
02:24:19,600 --> 02:24:26,479
in 27 that are carrying over from
previous years. Those drop off

1764
02:24:23,359 --> 02:24:31,120
significantly in 27. So 28, 29, 30 in
general start looking much more

1765
02:24:28,000 --> 02:24:34,720
manageable than 27.
>> I I just want to go through a series of

1766
02:24:32,560 --> 02:24:40,960
questions. I I sent this to you via
email and I don't know if you are able

1767
02:24:38,000 --> 02:24:48,080
to answer them at this point, but um the
first one, the five-year fiscal recovery

1768
02:24:43,520 --> 02:24:52,080
plan. So, the question is uh this is
really for the administration and not so

1769
02:24:49,600 --> 02:24:58,160
much for DGS, but will the council be
reviewing and approving the plan before

1770
02:24:54,080 --> 02:25:03,439
it's submitted to DGS? Um, will it come
before the city council for approval

1771
02:25:00,000 --> 02:25:06,800
before it comes goes to DGS for
approval? I

1772
02:25:05,120 --> 02:25:09,600
» I have not had an opportunity to discuss
that. I have to ditch your your

1773
02:25:08,080 --> 02:25:15,120
questions, Councilman. And so, first of
all, um, I did send the others that are

1774
02:25:12,560 --> 02:25:18,720
more specific to DGS over the weekend to
them and ask them to provide guidance

1775
02:25:17,280 --> 02:25:22,560
hopefully before the council meeting so
you can have as much information before

1776
02:25:20,479 --> 02:25:26,560
you vote on this as possible. And I'll
share that as soon as I get it. I think

1777
02:25:24,560 --> 02:25:31,680
with respect to working with council, I
know that uh council president uh had

1778
02:25:29,120 --> 02:25:36,240
mentioned the idea of having uh or kind
of activating the finance committee. Um

1779
02:25:34,240 --> 02:25:42,000
I do think it would make sense my my
perspective to find a mechanism to

1780
02:25:39,280 --> 02:25:49,280
collaborate to discuss share information
um so that council is not uh surprised

1781
02:25:47,120 --> 02:25:53,359
or decisions being made between the
administration and DLGS that council uh

1782
02:25:51,840 --> 02:25:57,200
might might object to. So it would make
sense to me to do that in a

1783
02:25:55,200 --> 02:26:00,720
collaborative way.
>> Okay. I just want to put out for the

1784
02:25:58,880 --> 02:26:06,720
record um that I shared a number of
questions um that I that you sent back

1785
02:26:04,479 --> 02:26:12,880
to DGS also shared them with the council
president and um the

1786
02:26:10,560 --> 02:26:17,200
three other questions
um does division of local government

1787
02:26:15,280 --> 02:26:25,760
service review and approval authority
over renegotiated pilots also extend to

1788
02:26:20,399 --> 02:26:30,319
new new pilots um and then um to what
Councilman Efro said what we're first

1789
02:26:27,439 --> 02:26:36,560
reductions does DLGS contemplate Jersey
City will have to undertake and then the

1790
02:26:32,319 --> 02:26:41,439
third question which is um in the same
way that the revised terms spell out

1791
02:26:39,120 --> 02:26:46,640
consequences for non-compliance
such as accelerated repayment and

1792
02:26:43,359 --> 02:26:52,800
interest rate increases. Is it possible
to include here um terms that include a

1793
02:26:49,920 --> 02:26:58,479
reference that opens a door to a pathway
toward loan forgiveness um or better

1794
02:26:55,359 --> 02:27:03,280
terms interest rate um based on meeting
or exceeding compliance um benchmarks.

1795
02:27:01,359 --> 02:27:09,920
So, if we're we're doing the things that
uh um they say we need to do to close

1796
02:27:05,680 --> 02:27:16,160
the structural deficit, um then can we
be rewarded rather than just kind of uh

1797
02:27:13,680 --> 02:27:21,120
penalized for non-compliance?
>> Understood. Councilman, I'll uh await. I

1798
02:27:18,800 --> 02:27:25,040
did said I I did share your questions
with them and I'll avoid, you know,

1799
02:27:23,359 --> 02:27:29,120
speaking for them without having any
insight on those, but uh certainly good

1800
02:27:27,120 --> 02:27:32,880
questions I shared with them. As soon as
I get a response, I'll make sure to

1801
02:27:30,399 --> 02:27:38,080
share with council.
>> So, um, just I'm sorry, one one final

1802
02:27:35,520 --> 02:27:42,479
question. So, we received $105 million
loan

1803
02:27:39,680 --> 02:27:47,520
and a $15 million grant,
um, which equals $120 million.

1804
02:27:45,840 --> 02:27:53,120
Um,
so you're saying that 27 we're going to

1805
02:27:50,319 --> 02:27:59,920
be looking at a $50 million
gap.

1806
02:27:54,560 --> 02:28:06,000
So this money was only used for 2026.
>> That is correct. The entire

1807
02:28:03,280 --> 02:28:11,040
state aid package is included in the
2026 adopted budget.

1808
02:28:08,000 --> 02:28:16,560
» Okay. So, with that being said, I don't
understand

1809
02:28:13,439 --> 02:28:22,240
why we aren't looking at the options of
selling property because to me, if we

1810
02:28:19,680 --> 02:28:27,760
took $120 million and it just covered
one year, that's what

1811
02:28:25,359 --> 02:28:32,560
that would basically do, right? If we
sold $50 million in land, if we had it,

1812
02:28:30,560 --> 02:28:38,000
I'm not saying that we have it, but if
we did that, it would just cover the

1813
02:28:36,319 --> 02:28:42,479
2027
right? Like this loan didn't help us out

1814
02:28:40,640 --> 02:28:48,319
over an entirety of years. It's just
helping us out in one year. So, I don't

1815
02:28:45,200 --> 02:28:53,040
know what the issue is why we can't, you
know, work on work on on things. I mean,

1816
02:28:51,280 --> 02:28:56,880
some people call them one-time gimmicks,
but they're not when you're trying to

1817
02:28:54,399 --> 02:29:02,960
help property owners who are looking to
lose their homes

1818
02:28:58,880 --> 02:29:07,680
um at least gave off that year.
You know what I'm saying? Because the 12

1819
02:29:05,680 --> 02:29:13,280
» question, right? And I I wouldn't say
anything's been taken off the table. I

1820
02:29:10,160 --> 02:29:16,479
think that on the other hand, one-time
sources of revenue are exactly that

1821
02:29:14,960 --> 02:29:20,880
onetime sources of revenue, which means
the next year we then have to f figure

1822
02:29:18,960 --> 02:29:23,600
out another way to replace that revenue.
So I think that we just have to be

1823
02:29:22,399 --> 02:29:27,840
mindful.
>> If we use out source that is a one-time,

1824
02:29:26,160 --> 02:29:32,800
we need to think about how do we replace
it the following year. And that's an

1825
02:29:30,000 --> 02:29:37,040
area where I would fault past practices.
They there were lots of one-time

1826
02:29:34,720 --> 02:29:38,800
revenues without a plan for replacing
them,

1827
02:29:37,359 --> 02:29:45,840
» right? But that's what this loan looks
like, a one-time revenue.

1828
02:29:42,880 --> 02:29:50,640
» Well, I would I would argue not in that
this loan is actually being paid over

1829
02:29:47,680 --> 02:29:56,319
the life of the loan. Um,
it is deferring $105 million and

1830
02:29:54,000 --> 02:29:59,840
spreading out those costs over the life
of the loan.

1831
02:29:57,600 --> 02:30:04,560
» Yeah, I mean, understood. But I'm I'm
I'm just saying if if all that money was

1832
02:30:01,840 --> 02:30:09,760
used for one year, right, and the sale
of property or anything like that would

1833
02:30:06,640 --> 02:30:13,439
be used for one year, that's, you know,
I mean, after, you know, just explaining

1834
02:30:12,240 --> 02:30:17,680
and finding out all that information,
talking about the one year, that's

1835
02:30:14,399 --> 02:30:23,520
that's what it seems like to me.
I mean, I would I mean, that's a great

1836
02:30:20,479 --> 02:30:28,720
point, but I I I would make the argument
that

1837
02:30:25,840 --> 02:30:34,399
if we look at the city and we're trying
to get out of financial crisis, I'm

1838
02:30:31,040 --> 02:30:39,920
grateful of the 105. Um but the bigger
thing is that the city has to get its

1839
02:30:37,040 --> 02:30:46,479
spending under control and it has to
generate more revenue

1840
02:30:42,800 --> 02:30:52,240
right outside of these one-time gimmicks
or whatever you want to call them. We

1841
02:30:48,319 --> 02:30:56,720
need to have some sustainable forms of
revenue and also we have to be

1842
02:30:54,319 --> 02:31:02,000
responsible. We have to act our way,
right? we can't be spinner in a manner

1843
02:30:59,920 --> 02:31:08,800
which is not indicative of a city that's
in distress. Um so I think that's that's

1844
02:31:05,920 --> 02:31:14,880
the bigger challenge that's ahead of us
for 27. Again I'm grateful of the the

1845
02:31:12,319 --> 02:31:20,479
money that came in. It helped us show up
a lot of things. Um, but the bigger

1846
02:31:17,520 --> 02:31:24,640
question and the bigger challenge is how
do we ensure that we're being

1847
02:31:22,800 --> 02:31:29,680
responsible
as a municipal government as it relates

1848
02:31:27,200 --> 02:31:33,280
to our spending, right? There's just
going to be some things we have to go

1849
02:31:31,359 --> 02:31:39,120
without
and then we have to find some other

1850
02:31:36,000 --> 02:31:44,880
forms of meaningful revenue. I don't
know what that is and I hope it's not,

1851
02:31:42,399 --> 02:31:51,520
you know,
finding these alternative taxes, which I

1852
02:31:48,000 --> 02:31:56,800
call them, on residents by over policing
certain areas, putting a bunch of fees

1853
02:31:53,920 --> 02:32:03,680
on things, interfering with the quality
of life. Um, I I just think that with

1854
02:32:00,160 --> 02:32:08,319
the with the level of expertise our this
administration have, I think we can come

1855
02:32:06,080 --> 02:32:13,840
up with some meaningful ways to cut back
on spending and generate uh new revenue.

1856
02:32:11,840 --> 02:32:17,840
» And you know, Councilman, I put it
slightly differently. I agree with what

1857
02:32:15,680 --> 02:32:23,359
you said is that our goal needs to be to
bring recurring expenses in line

1858
02:32:20,160 --> 02:32:27,280
recurring recurring revenue. Right?
Those two things need to be as close as

1859
02:32:25,280 --> 02:32:32,240
possible so that whatever that gap is in
any given year can be filled without the

1860
02:32:30,640 --> 02:32:37,680
amount of brain damage that we had to go
through this past year to do that. With

1861
02:32:34,720 --> 02:32:41,280
respect to cutting expenses, I
completely agree with you. I think the

1862
02:32:39,120 --> 02:32:44,640
way we should think about it, the way I
think about it is what services do we

1863
02:32:43,200 --> 02:32:49,040
think are important to provide our
residents? How do we prioritize those?

1864
02:32:47,359 --> 02:32:53,960
And how do we make decisions, difficult
decisions around making those choices?

1865
02:32:54,960 --> 02:33:03,960
Okay, we're still 10.1, right?
>> Yes, I have one more.

1866
02:32:59,760 --> 02:33:03,960
» Let's move on to 10.2.

1867
02:33:06,560 --> 02:33:14,399
» 10.2 is a resolution authorizing the
insertion of special items or revenues

1868
02:33:11,600 --> 02:33:20,880
and appropriations into the uh current
calendar year 2026 budget. Uh this is a

1869
02:33:17,359 --> 02:33:25,920
more administrative um resolution. Uh
given that we've already adopted the uh

1870
02:33:23,200 --> 02:33:34,479
the budget for this year, we're required
to uh and by statute to add certain uh

1871
02:33:31,680 --> 02:33:41,760
forms of revenue in this case grant from
grants um which if council approves then

1872
02:33:38,560 --> 02:33:48,800
I will submit to DGS and these grant uh
funds will be added to our budget. um

1873
02:33:45,040 --> 02:33:52,680
the total amount being added to the
budget in grant funding.

1874
02:33:54,399 --> 02:33:57,399
second

1875
02:33:57,760 --> 02:34:03,680
did want to bring up I'm having trouble
finding the exact number but it does

1876
02:34:01,280 --> 02:34:07,000
include I'm sorry here it is um grant
revenue is1439,56.36

1877
02:34:08,960 --> 02:34:16,399
there is matching funds of $38,000
$38,500

1878
02:34:13,920 --> 02:34:21,600
required uh that is in the budget. So
the matching funds um in case you were

1879
02:34:18,960 --> 02:34:25,359
looking at this and uh wondering where
the matching funds would come from that

1880
02:34:23,120 --> 02:34:30,000
is budgeted. Um so again this is mostly
an administrative function

1881
02:34:28,319 --> 02:34:34,000
» questions 10.2 too.
>> Just um a statement and a question I

1882
02:34:32,000 --> 02:34:39,359
guess but um so with the inclusion of
these grant funds in the budget then the

1883
02:34:36,640 --> 02:34:43,200
the monies that were allocated or that
we approved in the budget that were

1884
02:34:40,880 --> 02:34:49,520
essentially operating dollars um they
now move essentially move to surplus. Is

1885
02:34:45,120 --> 02:34:54,399
that fair to say? So these grants um I
believe are already you know targeted

1886
02:34:51,600 --> 02:34:57,680
for specific programs. Um, and I
apologize that Vivian's uh on vacation

1887
02:34:56,319 --> 02:35:03,439
this week or otherwise she could have
probably spoken in more uh detail on to

1888
02:35:01,120 --> 02:35:08,640
the about the exact uh grants, but I
think these are already um for specific

1889
02:35:07,040 --> 02:35:12,399
uh programs.
>> What I'm saying is when we approved the

1890
02:35:10,880 --> 02:35:17,200
budget, they were using operating
dollars. Um and now with the insertion

1891
02:35:14,880 --> 02:35:21,680
of these, these become offsets against
those uh costs, right? So the insertion

1892
02:35:19,840 --> 02:35:24,800
of these grant dollars essentially
making those

1893
02:35:23,439 --> 02:35:28,640
dollars in the budget that were
initially

1894
02:35:26,399 --> 02:35:32,399
approved and allocated by the council.
Uh they become become surplus at that

1895
02:35:31,120 --> 02:35:36,960
point for for the city.
>> Let me get back to you with the answer

1896
02:35:33,920 --> 02:35:41,120
to that because my instinct is that I'm
probably not going to be that lucky, but

1897
02:35:39,040 --> 02:35:46,479
um let me look at into that and I I'll
get back to you. I I don't know.

1898
02:35:43,680 --> 02:35:50,560
» Gotcha.
>> Okay. Thank you.

1899
02:35:48,319 --> 02:35:54,680
» Thank you,
Isaac. Mayor's office

1900
02:35:57,200 --> 02:36:04,479
back.
All right. So, I'm here to speak on two

1901
02:36:02,160 --> 02:36:09,040
items. Uh
point2 and 3.3. I will, if the council

1902
02:36:07,280 --> 02:36:14,080
president permits, I'll talk about 3.3
first because that's the big one. Um

1903
02:36:11,200 --> 02:36:17,479
this is a let me get
formal title.

1904
02:36:17,520 --> 02:36:25,680
uh ordinance amending chapter 160 fee
and charges, chapter 122 public

1905
02:36:22,800 --> 02:36:31,840
assemblies, chapter 1, chapter 175 food
handling establishments, uh 329

1906
02:36:29,200 --> 02:36:36,479
parks, and chapter 345 zoning. I've
spoken to the majority of you guys about

1907
02:36:33,840 --> 02:36:40,399
this already. What this is is a
continuation. In July, we passed an

1908
02:36:38,399 --> 02:36:46,240
ordinance amending a number of fees.
This is round two of that. Um

1909
02:36:44,319 --> 02:36:52,000
I went over this all with you. you have
a document that's slightly updated with

1910
02:36:48,960 --> 02:36:56,399
u some slight modifications but
essentially what this is is you know no

1911
02:36:54,479 --> 02:37:00,319
one has done a comprehensive look at our
whole fee structure in quite a long long

1912
02:36:58,240 --> 02:37:04,800
time I've worked with a number of the
department directors division directors

1913
02:37:02,240 --> 02:37:09,280
that are here director Smith uh Miss
Vanessa Rodriguez director Woodson to

1914
02:37:07,680 --> 02:37:15,680
basically go through their sections and
determine what um probably needs to be

1915
02:37:12,080 --> 02:37:21,359
updated the largest chunks here are
under commerce, recreation,

1916
02:37:19,680 --> 02:37:25,520
and that it's not in this one, but
you've all seen it. The UCCC fees, which

1917
02:37:23,600 --> 02:37:30,800
are getting a total rewrite, those have
not been updated since 2001.

1918
02:37:28,560 --> 02:37:36,160
Um, the commerce fees, some of them have
not been updated since 1999. Property

1919
02:37:33,600 --> 02:37:41,840
maintenance, we think it's 2005 was the
last time some of these were updated.

1920
02:37:38,160 --> 02:37:48,319
Um, based on the c feedback from council
members Lavaro and Little, we did take a

1921
02:37:45,840 --> 02:37:52,880
look at the vacant lot registration fees
which were previously flat. Um, we

1922
02:37:51,280 --> 02:37:57,120
realized that we took a look at it.
Newark and Elizabeth have graduated fees

1923
02:37:54,960 --> 02:38:04,720
over time. Working with Director Smith,
we came up with a system that we believe

1924
02:37:59,760 --> 02:38:10,479
will um policy-wise both disincentivize
people from keeping lots vacant while

1925
02:38:06,319 --> 02:38:14,160
also not in incentivize um demolition of
buildings rather than bring them online.

1926
02:38:12,399 --> 02:38:20,479
Um
since we have discussed many of these

1927
02:38:17,200 --> 02:38:23,920
already with most of you, um I'll just
wait to see if anyone has questions. or

1928
02:38:23,120 --> 02:38:28,040
anything particular
>> questions. 3.3

1929
02:38:28,319 --> 02:38:33,680
» I don't have any questions. I'll just
make a statement. Um

1930
02:38:32,160 --> 02:38:37,760
I have not had an opportunity just to
thoroughly review it and I appreciate

1931
02:38:35,280 --> 02:38:41,200
you taking the time with me, Isaac. And
so I may have questions later on just to

1932
02:38:39,280 --> 02:38:49,200
put it on the record. Okay. Missed it.
Absolutely. Um right then. Um

1933
02:38:47,200 --> 02:38:52,640
» else has questions. I can
>> just go ahead.

1934
02:38:50,800 --> 02:38:55,680
» Sorry. Just just on the athletic fee
issue, I know Director Bitson and I

1935
02:38:54,560 --> 02:38:58,800
spoke and we're trying to get a meeting
with some of the other stakeholders who

1936
02:38:57,280 --> 02:39:03,359
wanted to be heard. I don't know if
we're going to do that by Thursday, but

1937
02:39:00,240 --> 02:39:08,399
we're working on it. Um, can you can you
speak to what outreach was done to some

1938
02:39:05,280 --> 02:39:11,840
of the coaches and uh athletic leagues?
I see the director here. I don't know if

1939
02:39:10,720 --> 02:39:14,000
he if he
>> come up. That was my question too.

1940
02:39:13,439 --> 02:39:18,080
Council member
>> here. I have a list of people he spoke

1941
02:39:16,240 --> 02:39:22,720
to, but that was a little bit older. if
he wants to he beats me to the answer.

1942
02:39:21,200 --> 02:39:25,960
» We brought up a couple rows, Pete.
That's good.

1943
02:39:26,080 --> 02:39:29,080
» So,

1944
02:39:32,800 --> 02:39:38,479
you you can you can share with me
offline. I just want to make sure we we

1945
02:39:36,479 --> 02:39:43,040
uh
>> Yeah, I just want to add that I've

1946
02:39:41,200 --> 02:39:48,000
probably been meeting I know for a fact
I've been meeting with situins since May

1947
02:39:45,520 --> 02:39:53,120
19th. only like the first day of my
third week here uh about this issue and

1948
02:39:51,120 --> 02:39:58,399
I've met with several little league
presidents um Jerry City Soccer

1949
02:39:55,920 --> 02:40:03,040
Association, Global Soccer Association,
almost a dozen programs uh and

1950
02:40:01,040 --> 02:40:07,359
associations in the city regarding this.
This is probably just for the recreation

1951
02:40:05,200 --> 02:40:14,880
side of it. It's probably the fourth
version of this since May. So, we have

1952
02:40:11,040 --> 02:40:18,000
made a lot of adjustments to this uh to
to what you see today in front of you.

1953
02:40:16,560 --> 02:40:22,560
» Have you resolved all of their concerns
or is there anything lingering?

1954
02:40:20,560 --> 02:40:28,720
» All of their concerns. I think I we've
adjusted to all of their concerns and I

1955
02:40:26,000 --> 02:40:33,120
think this is I believe that this is the
best version we've had since May 19th.

1956
02:40:31,840 --> 02:40:37,920
» Like I said, I appreciate you that you
made yourself available to me. We'll

1957
02:40:34,560 --> 02:40:40,560
again I don't know if we'll be um be
able to connect before Thursday with

1958
02:40:39,280 --> 02:40:42,880
them, but I'll make sure we schedule
something.

1959
02:40:41,120 --> 02:40:48,080
» Sounds good. Thank you.
>> Yeah, Pete. Um thank I just want to

1960
02:40:45,200 --> 02:40:53,280
thank you for reaching out um to all the
different organizations trying to

1961
02:40:50,880 --> 02:40:58,880
address as many of the needs as
possible. It's I mean everybody's not

1962
02:40:55,840 --> 02:41:04,080
going to like everything. Um but I
honestly think that you know something

1963
02:41:01,520 --> 02:41:09,280
had to be done. Uh there were people
taking advantage. There were people

1964
02:41:06,399 --> 02:41:16,479
taking advantage. Um and when that
happens, you have to have rules

1965
02:41:11,439 --> 02:41:20,319
implemented to protect the city. Um so I
mean they've reached out to as many

1966
02:41:18,319 --> 02:41:25,120
people as possible and tried to change
as many things as possible. And again

1967
02:41:22,800 --> 02:41:32,160
this has been a overarching theme in
recreation for for so long. Um and

1968
02:41:28,880 --> 02:41:37,840
something has to be done about it. still
keeping in mind organizations that's

1969
02:41:35,200 --> 02:41:42,319
doing a work that we don't want to harm.
>> I've got a partial list of who he spoke

1970
02:41:39,840 --> 02:41:45,920
to. This is a little bit old, but SEIFA,
Jersey City Soccer Association,

1971
02:41:43,840 --> 02:41:50,000
Washington Park, Jersey City Lacrosse,
Protoer Clemente, Global Soccer Academy,

1972
02:41:48,399 --> 02:41:53,680
Jackie Robinson Little League, Pfield
Field Little League. Those just some of

1973
02:41:51,120 --> 02:42:01,120
the ones he's spoken to already.
>> Any other questions through my three?

1974
02:41:57,280 --> 02:42:08,960
» I have uh Yeah, thank you, Isaac. Um
with regard to the UCCC

1975
02:42:03,600 --> 02:42:14,760
um that is chapter 345. Is that
>> No, no, no. That's sounding 345 is Oh,

1976
02:42:11,200 --> 02:42:14,760
345 is

1977
02:42:15,200 --> 02:42:20,880
» 345 is the actual chapter. Yeah, but
it's in 160. Yes.

1978
02:42:18,640 --> 02:42:29,200
» Okay. Um,
is there I I I know um part of the

1979
02:42:25,920 --> 02:42:35,920
rationale for the proposed increases is
to reflect the amount of work uh that it

1980
02:42:32,319 --> 02:42:42,560
takes to inspect larger
um buildings, larger developments. Um

1981
02:42:40,000 --> 02:42:49,200
is there any way we could do a carveout
for single family or owner occupied one

1982
02:42:46,240 --> 02:42:55,520
to two family home uh homes? So some of
the fees are graduated so that for

1983
02:42:51,760 --> 02:43:00,240
example the the CO for a water two
family will stay at just 150 whereas if

1984
02:42:58,080 --> 02:43:05,520
it's more than two units it will go up
you know um $20 per unit per additional

1985
02:43:03,040 --> 02:43:10,240
unit. There are a number of those uh
fees that are like that which will be

1986
02:43:07,439 --> 02:43:16,720
you know after a certain number x
because just an x increase on the on the

1987
02:43:13,680 --> 02:43:22,720
item to do it just to carve out one and
two families is difficult you know for

1988
02:43:18,560 --> 02:43:29,520
example I've got you know we have
for example you know um fuel oil piping

1989
02:43:26,880 --> 02:43:34,880
currently to get that inspected is $10.
it it's not a realistic even for a small

1990
02:43:32,080 --> 02:43:39,359
family house it's not $10 to go out and
have an inspector go out and do the work

1991
02:43:36,399 --> 02:43:42,640
and review. So the part of it is some of
these fees you just need to cover the

1992
02:43:41,280 --> 02:43:46,720
cost of the inspection. So increasing
that $25 that's you know a basic way to

1993
02:43:45,439 --> 02:43:50,319
increase to cover the cost of an
inspector going out and reviewing

1994
02:43:47,760 --> 02:43:54,640
certain fees. Even for a small house,
they still have to go out, you know, the

1995
02:43:51,920 --> 02:44:03,120
drains, the the another one here, the
grease trap or the even a the

1996
02:44:00,800 --> 02:44:05,680
um
catch basins, right? These are all

1997
02:44:04,640 --> 02:44:09,279
things that even if you're a small
house, it still takes an inspector to go

1998
02:44:07,120 --> 02:44:14,800
out, take the time, inspect it, view the
plans, do the whole thing.

1999
02:44:12,000 --> 02:44:20,640
» Got it. And is there anyone from HDC who
could speak to some of these changes?

2000
02:44:18,880 --> 02:44:23,760
This is one of those sectors that of the
code. I'll be honest, at some point it

2001
02:44:22,240 --> 02:44:29,840
got so technical that I was just like,
Vanessa, save me.

2002
02:44:27,279 --> 02:44:33,120
Save him, Vanessa.
>> Hi, Vanessa Rodriguez from Construction

2003
02:44:32,000 --> 02:44:39,840
Code.
>> Thank you. Yeah. Could you I guess where

2004
02:44:35,920 --> 02:44:45,439
I'm coming from with this is um you know
like I said the

2005
02:44:43,439 --> 02:44:52,880
I understand the rationale for you know
if you have to inspect a high-rise going

2006
02:44:48,080 --> 02:44:56,720
up um but for a one to two family home I
mean

2007
02:44:54,399 --> 02:45:02,000
could you maybe expound on the or expand
on the example that Isaac used in terms

2008
02:44:58,479 --> 02:45:05,120
of the the actual cost or the time to to
do some of these inspections?

2009
02:45:03,840 --> 02:45:07,920
First, I'll speak on something simple
like say a water heater. You want to

2010
02:45:06,640 --> 02:45:12,880
change out the water heater in your
house. Right now, I think the permit

2011
02:45:09,760 --> 02:45:16,319
fees for that are about $90 to $100 in
the current fee schedule. In order to do

2012
02:45:14,880 --> 02:45:21,960
that, we have to take in the permit. A
clerk has to review that. It goes to

2013
02:45:17,920 --> 02:45:21,960
three different subcode offic.

2014
02:45:22,080 --> 02:45:28,960
And then three inspectors have to go out
and inspect that project for a fee of

2015
02:45:26,240 --> 02:45:32,880
$100. Um I think in the new fee schedule
it's going up to like 1520 which is

2016
02:45:31,279 --> 02:45:37,600
still pretty reasonable but it will help
us cover some of that additional cost

2017
02:45:34,479 --> 02:45:43,439
and maybe hire some more inspectors.
>> Got it. So it's I mean it's not uh

2018
02:45:41,120 --> 02:45:48,080
actually capturing the cost of the time
of our employees but it's um mitigating

2019
02:45:47,279 --> 02:45:51,279
it.
>> Correct. And the lower cost on the

2020
02:45:49,760 --> 02:45:54,160
smaller projects, the higher cost on the
bigger projects. We're hoping it's all

2021
02:45:52,720 --> 02:45:58,240
going to balance out and help cover
those costs.

2022
02:45:55,600 --> 02:45:58,240
» Okay.

2023
02:46:00,000 --> 02:46:06,240
Any other questions?
>> One thing just to make the point is that

2024
02:46:04,800 --> 02:46:10,479
even though we're increasing them, we're
not increasing them, you know, more or

2025
02:46:08,960 --> 02:46:15,600
even equal to some of our neighbors.
They forunately this was 25 years of not

2026
02:46:13,840 --> 02:46:21,680
increasing it. So we're increasing but
not re not coming to the par with some

2027
02:46:18,560 --> 02:46:24,640
of the surrounding towns.
>> Correct. We're It seems like a big

2028
02:46:23,279 --> 02:46:29,680
increase for us, but when you compare it
to comparable towns, we're nowhere even

2029
02:46:26,880 --> 02:46:34,720
near where their permit prices are. Like
I give an example for renovation, we're

2030
02:46:31,439 --> 02:46:40,720
charging $15 per thousand of work. We're
bringing that to 18,000 where Hobok and

2031
02:46:37,520 --> 02:46:43,760
Norc and Bayon are charging between 21
and 28.

2032
02:46:42,160 --> 02:46:48,840
» So where we're going up, we're still
significantly below other towns.

2033
02:46:49,520 --> 02:46:58,479
Do um do we have
um I guess a calculation of estimated

2034
02:46:55,359 --> 02:47:03,200
projected revenue with these increases?
>> We did an initial one with for both fees

2035
02:47:01,120 --> 02:47:07,520
combined. I'll work on that councilman
of to get one that's updated with you

2036
02:47:05,279 --> 02:47:10,640
know just for this one and for you know
a lot of there were a lot of edits and

2037
02:47:08,880 --> 02:47:15,680
changes. We didn't have the full UCCC
list at the time. The issue though,

2038
02:47:12,479 --> 02:47:19,600
Councilman, is that a number of our
revenue items, the way that they're

2039
02:47:17,200 --> 02:47:24,640
listed would be they don't like match
one to one here. So, for example,

2040
02:47:22,160 --> 02:47:28,399
something so simple as the the
entertainment licenses are just listed

2041
02:47:26,399 --> 02:47:31,680
as entertainment license. And so, you
can't break them up and say, well, this

2042
02:47:30,080 --> 02:47:34,800
entertainment licensing brings in this
much, this much over this much. It's

2043
02:47:33,120 --> 02:47:39,680
harder to do that. It takes time. And
the finance system tends to clump a

2044
02:47:37,840 --> 02:47:48,439
number of our items together. It's very
hard to get an exact number for you

2045
02:47:43,760 --> 02:47:48,439
» now. Um, okay. So,

2046
02:48:00,240 --> 02:48:07,200
» good.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I just there's a few

2047
02:48:04,240 --> 02:48:13,279
few other things I'll speak to you u
offline. I mean, I would really like to

2048
02:48:10,080 --> 02:48:18,960
have seen it like broken down like each
department versus like all of it on one.

2049
02:48:16,880 --> 02:48:24,000
Um, but there's a few things I'll reach
out to you.

2050
02:48:21,120 --> 02:48:28,080
» Okay, Isaac. Next one.
>> The second ordinance is 3.2. This is

2051
02:48:26,319 --> 02:48:31,680
related, but you know, because it's
basically creating something entirely

2052
02:48:29,359 --> 02:48:35,520
new, kept it separate.
>> Up a little bit.

2053
02:48:33,520 --> 02:48:39,120
» 3.2 Two is an ordinance that would be
creating a um license fee for

2054
02:48:37,760 --> 02:48:42,800
billboards. This is something that New
York, Elizabeth, Bertham, Boy, Trenton

2055
02:48:41,040 --> 02:48:46,960
have helps the city keep track of who's
the actual owner versus the property

2056
02:48:44,319 --> 02:48:50,319
owner, keep you know over offset cost of
things like inspecting them as oh

2057
02:48:48,800 --> 02:48:54,399
Councilman Zuba stepped away but he
knows this year we had an issue with a

2058
02:48:52,319 --> 02:48:57,439
billboard in his award. This is
something that a number of other missies

2059
02:48:56,080 --> 02:49:04,560
have. We're basically adopting the same
structure. New York has almost the exact

2060
02:48:59,439 --> 02:49:07,560
same uh language in their code.
questions.

2061
02:49:08,240 --> 02:49:12,040
Okay, thank you.

2062
02:49:12,479 --> 02:49:23,560
And I think uh
Director Diaz left, but um Keith, are

2063
02:49:20,160 --> 02:49:23,560
you doing 10.22?

2064
02:49:27,200 --> 02:49:35,960
No. Okay.
So, we'll move on to uh Morgan. Health

2065
02:49:32,560 --> 02:49:35,960
and Human Services.

2066
02:49:40,080 --> 02:49:48,640
Good evening, Council President, members
of the council. I have one item for your

2067
02:49:44,240 --> 02:49:53,439
consideration. Resolution 26-578,
agenda number 10.42, 42 resolution

2068
02:49:51,600 --> 02:49:58,560
authorizing up to a three-month
extension of a contract with Witson's

2069
02:49:55,840 --> 02:50:02,000
Food Service Bronx LLC to provide the
childhood adultare food program for the

2070
02:50:00,479 --> 02:50:07,600
Department of Health and Human Services,
Division of Food and Nutrition. So, our

2071
02:50:05,680 --> 02:50:12,800
one-year contract with them ends next
week. Um, and this is just for a

2072
02:50:10,000 --> 02:50:17,600
three-month extension while we go out to
bid

2073
02:50:14,720 --> 02:50:22,800
and the funds will be reimbursed because
it is still covered by the grant.

2074
02:50:20,640 --> 02:50:28,560
Morgan, I just want Morgan, I just want
to thank you uh for coming before the

2075
02:50:25,279 --> 02:50:32,000
council before the contract expired. Oh,
>> no problem.

2076
02:50:30,800 --> 02:50:37,840
» We appreciate that.
>> No problem. My pleasure. Any other

2077
02:50:34,960 --> 02:50:41,600
questions?
>> Thank you very much.

2078
02:50:39,040 --> 02:50:49,160
» Thank you.
Next up, uh

2079
02:50:45,279 --> 02:50:49,160
Lieutenant Cogleton.

2080
02:50:49,200 --> 02:50:52,200
is

2081
02:50:59,600 --> 02:51:04,240
good evening, council president and
council members. Lieutenant Colin

2082
02:51:02,960 --> 02:51:07,600
Congleton from the Jersey City Police
Department here on behalf of Director

2083
02:51:05,920 --> 02:51:13,040
Anthony Ambrose and the public safety
department to speak on agenda item

2084
02:51:10,080 --> 02:51:17,200
number 4.3 which references ordinance
26-068.

2085
02:51:15,439 --> 02:51:23,359
This is an ordinance authorizing a lease
with Newport Center Mall LLC for the use

2086
02:51:19,680 --> 02:51:25,680
of a police substate in Newport Mall.
>> I'd be happy to answer any questions you

2087
02:51:24,880 --> 02:51:28,720
have about that.
>> Questions? 4.3.

2088
02:51:27,200 --> 02:51:31,439
» Yeah. How how much do they charge us for
that?

2089
02:51:29,120 --> 02:51:35,200
» Uh that that's zero cost. I think had to
put $1 in the lease, but it's a very

2090
02:51:33,279 --> 02:51:40,319
favorable lease to us. And in fact,
they've actually invested $50,000 into

2091
02:51:37,600 --> 02:51:43,680
that space uh to run our secure network
for the police department in there so

2092
02:51:41,680 --> 02:51:46,960
that we can take reports for anybody
that should come into that location and

2093
02:51:45,279 --> 02:51:49,520
we can also dock our body more cameras
there.

2094
02:51:47,439 --> 02:51:53,680
» Yes. I think this is this is a
no-brainer.

2095
02:51:51,359 --> 02:51:59,040
Yeah.
We thank all involved for this.

2096
02:51:57,200 --> 02:52:05,720
» Okay. Thank you, Lieutenant.
>> Thank you,

2097
02:52:00,960 --> 02:52:05,720
» Director Vincent Recreation. What?

2098
02:52:11,040 --> 02:52:17,439
» Good afternoon. Good evening. Sorry.
Good evening, council president and

2099
02:52:14,319 --> 02:52:22,479
council members. I have two items today
for you. Oh, I have two, but we already

2100
02:52:19,840 --> 02:52:28,240
kind of spoke on 3.3. Uh, agenda item
3.3, the fee structure and agenda item

2101
02:52:26,479 --> 02:52:33,279
10.5.
Uh, I'll talk about 10.5 first. So, this

2102
02:52:30,800 --> 02:52:38,800
is a resolution authorizing the city of
Jersey City to apply for and accept

2103
02:52:36,080 --> 02:52:43,200
grant funding uh from the New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs under

2104
02:52:40,800 --> 02:52:47,359
fiscal year 2027
for recreational opportunities for

2105
02:52:45,040 --> 02:52:53,040
individuals with disabilities, the ROID
program for a specific program called

2106
02:52:50,160 --> 02:52:58,319
Buddy Baseball in Jersey City. This is a
program that we are actually starting uh

2107
02:52:55,680 --> 02:53:04,399
this month um this year with
pre-existing funds uh both from approved

2108
02:53:01,680 --> 02:53:10,720
budget funds and from pre-existing roy
funds for this year and we're asking to

2109
02:53:07,760 --> 02:53:17,040
make this an annual uh thing an annual
program. Uh currently we we set the

2110
02:53:14,640 --> 02:53:21,040
capacity for this program at 40
individuals.

2111
02:53:18,560 --> 02:53:24,880
Uh right now we have 31 signed up. So,
we're extremely excited about it. Uh,

2112
02:53:23,279 --> 02:53:28,960
and if you guys have any questions, any
further questions?

2113
02:53:26,240 --> 02:53:35,040
» I I just have a statement. Um, again,
coming from recreation, this is so much

2114
02:53:32,000 --> 02:53:40,560
a need. So many parents, you know,
always asking for programs for their

2115
02:53:37,840 --> 02:53:46,080
teens um with disabilities to
participate in. So, this this is great.

2116
02:53:43,040 --> 02:53:51,040
I hope we can grow the program next year
to multiple sports with more individuals

2117
02:53:48,800 --> 02:53:54,080
to participate. This is great right
here.

2118
02:53:51,760 --> 02:53:59,279
» Yeah. So, we we actually this fall we
have two adaptive sport programs. We're

2119
02:53:56,479 --> 02:54:02,880
doing adaptive soccer at Marti Field and
we're doing adaptive baseball. We're

2120
02:54:01,040 --> 02:54:08,800
calling it buddy baseball. It's kind of
like Bayon just completely imitating

2121
02:54:06,000 --> 02:54:11,840
that program uh at McGovern Park College
Little League Field.

2122
02:54:09,920 --> 02:54:16,800
» Yes. And I I even want to push the
envelope a little more. Um

2123
02:54:15,120 --> 02:54:20,399
summer programs for this same
demographic.

2124
02:54:18,479 --> 02:54:26,160
Um,
I just think I know at one point we were

2125
02:54:22,560 --> 02:54:31,120
doing uh what they call it um
Project Glad is I forget what they

2126
02:54:29,120 --> 02:54:38,479
called it, but it was our special needs
program um in the summer for for kids.

2127
02:54:34,399 --> 02:54:41,840
So, um I'm happy to see this. I really
am.

2128
02:54:40,479 --> 02:54:44,160
» Okay.
>> Any other questions?

2129
02:54:43,279 --> 02:54:48,560
» No, we're good.
>> Okay. And then if anyone else has

2130
02:54:45,760 --> 02:54:53,760
questions on uh agenda item 3.3, the
fees, um you can email me. I

2131
02:54:52,080 --> 02:55:02,640
» think we beat that one.
>> Yeah. So, um with with the fees, um

2132
02:54:58,560 --> 02:55:08,800
is there a limit on how many people can
rent monthly?

2133
02:55:05,200 --> 02:55:14,880
It's it's per facility or per location,
per field. Um, I can

2134
02:55:12,960 --> 02:55:19,680
probably put something together for you
per location.

2135
02:55:16,800 --> 02:55:24,560
Um, but usually it's, you know, the
window we're looking at really is like

2136
02:55:21,920 --> 02:55:29,920
from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. or 10 p.m.
and then how many groups you can fit in

2137
02:55:26,800 --> 02:55:37,840
that time frame. Um, per location.
There's about 108 rentable locations.

2138
02:55:35,040 --> 02:55:40,640
Um, so we have data. If you want, I
could share it with your your office.

2139
02:55:39,680 --> 02:55:43,600
» That'd be great.
>> Yes, not a problem.

2140
02:55:42,319 --> 02:55:47,279
» Thank you.
>> Thank you, director.

2141
02:55:44,880 --> 02:55:53,800
» All right. Have a nice evening.
>> HC. Uh, Colleen Smith, division

2142
02:55:50,800 --> 02:55:53,800
director.

2143
02:55:59,040 --> 02:56:04,640
» Hi, council. Good to meet you. Colleen
Smith. I am the new director of the

2144
02:56:02,960 --> 02:56:09,920
division of housing preservation and I'm
here to talk about item 10.3

2145
02:56:07,520 --> 02:56:16,640
resolution 26539.
Um this is in relation to the DCA lead

2146
02:56:13,920 --> 02:56:21,680
remediation and abatement program. We
are seeking a an adjustment to the

2147
02:56:19,840 --> 02:56:28,080
grants receivable and grants reserve
appropriation from $1.5 million to $1

2148
02:56:26,080 --> 02:56:31,640
million.
questions. 10.3,

2149
02:56:32,479 --> 02:56:40,399
» welcome. Uh, and good to finally meet
you. Um, just a a question. It sounds

2150
02:56:38,000 --> 02:56:46,479
like we got more grant money than we had
even applied for um for the uh lead

2151
02:56:44,560 --> 02:56:50,880
mitigation program. Is that right?
>> Correct. So, the original application

2152
02:56:48,319 --> 02:56:57,200
was for something around $1.6 million.
We were awarded $2 million. Um, and we

2153
02:56:54,800 --> 02:57:00,960
are spending down as much as we can by
the end of the grant term.

2154
02:56:59,040 --> 02:57:05,520
» I know we have a limited time for the
rest of the grant term. I'm just

2155
02:57:02,160 --> 02:57:09,840
wondering given there's some extra funds
um and given the kind of struggle with

2156
02:57:07,760 --> 02:57:15,920
communication to a lot of homeowners
about the lead remediation program. um

2157
02:57:13,760 --> 02:57:19,680
wondering if there's we can use those
funds creatively to do different kinds

2158
02:57:17,920 --> 02:57:25,120
of communication, do different kinds of
programming to make sure that homeowners

2159
02:57:22,319 --> 02:57:30,160
get the communication uh that they need
about um yeah, what they need to do for

2160
02:57:28,399 --> 02:57:34,800
lending their homes. And I know it's
been a struggle with a lot of people

2161
02:57:32,080 --> 02:57:38,000
getting these final notices um and
thinking that that's the very first

2162
02:57:36,080 --> 02:57:41,840
notice they got. So just getting curious
about like what could do,

2163
02:57:39,200 --> 02:57:44,880
» right? So this is um specifically
there's a couple different lead programs

2164
02:57:43,439 --> 02:57:49,520
that are operating out of the division
and this is related to funding that was

2165
02:57:46,720 --> 02:57:54,319
made available to uh remediate or abate
lead in specific homes. Uh so when the

2166
02:57:52,479 --> 02:58:00,080
program started the restrictions were
limited to people who were making um at

2167
02:57:56,319 --> 02:58:04,479
or tenants who were at 80% of AMI or uh
who were in a 1 to four unit dwelling.

2168
02:58:02,240 --> 02:58:08,000
And it seems like the the DCA had
expanded some of the eligibility

2169
02:58:06,000 --> 02:58:12,240
criteria at the start of the year. Um
and so we've been trying to socialize

2170
02:58:09,760 --> 02:58:16,000
the new and expanded um eligibility
criteria. So we had a team out in um a

2171
02:58:14,560 --> 02:58:21,359
couple different zones. So one of the
things that the DCA did recently is um

2172
02:58:18,160 --> 02:58:26,640
they allowed us to uh look at their
community assessment uh zoning and uh

2173
02:58:24,800 --> 02:58:30,479
automatically qualify certain households
if they're falling in those zones. And

2174
02:58:28,319 --> 02:58:33,680
so we've been doing postings in bodeas
and laundromats and other community

2175
02:58:32,160 --> 02:58:40,399
centers in the areas where we can
expedite uh approval because we have

2176
02:58:36,399 --> 02:58:47,359
about five weeks or so to identify new
households to continue spending and then

2177
02:58:42,880 --> 02:58:50,560
um get those those um jobs scheduled. Um
so that is is where we are. But any

2178
02:58:49,600 --> 02:58:56,000
other questions?
>> So do do the owner reach out or the

2179
02:58:53,920 --> 02:59:00,880
tenant? Uh either
>> either or

2180
02:58:58,319 --> 02:59:08,319
interesting. Okay. I know I remember
when this first came down and I guess in

2181
02:59:03,920 --> 02:59:17,600
part of the problem with the funds were
we didn't have I guess capacity in house

2182
02:59:11,520 --> 02:59:23,920
to really to to one manage it. Um, so I
mean I I just think that whenever it's

2183
02:59:22,000 --> 02:59:28,960
whenever it's services that people
really need, we just have to go above

2184
02:59:25,920 --> 02:59:33,680
and beyond with regards to advertising
and getting it out. And I get it. It is

2185
02:59:30,800 --> 02:59:38,000
a challenge. Um, but I just think we
need to do everything in our power. Um,

2186
02:59:35,760 --> 02:59:41,920
and also I'll be setting up a meeting to
come. Your office is right next to mine.

2187
02:59:40,240 --> 02:59:45,920
Normally I just walk in, but you're new,
so I'll I'll give you a call. Thank you.

2188
02:59:44,000 --> 02:59:48,560
» Um I look forward,
>> you know, I look forward to it as well.

2189
02:59:47,120 --> 02:59:52,560
And I think um one of the things that
you should all be expecting is we've

2190
02:59:49,920 --> 02:59:56,160
crafted out um an email with the revised
and expanded eligibility criteria and

2191
02:59:54,880 --> 03:00:00,000
information about some of the zones that
we're specifically targeting and we can

2192
02:59:57,760 --> 03:00:03,359
get those out to the aids in all of your
um all of your offices. And so if

2193
03:00:01,520 --> 03:00:06,560
there's constituents who identify who we
can quickly get somebody out there, do

2194
03:00:05,200 --> 03:00:10,000
the assessment, collect the paperwork.
Um we've got about 25 applications that

2195
03:00:08,800 --> 03:00:14,880
are pending that we're still reviewing
and trying to push through. Uh, but we

2196
03:00:12,240 --> 03:00:19,319
have room for for more and welcome any
referrals that you might be able to make

2197
03:00:16,000 --> 03:00:19,319
to us directly.

2198
03:00:20,080 --> 03:00:27,720
» Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you,

2199
03:00:23,439 --> 03:00:27,720
» Director Woodson Commerce.

2200
03:00:32,880 --> 03:00:41,520
Afternoon, Council President and Council
members. I have one resolution for your

2201
03:00:37,279 --> 03:00:45,399
consideration. It's item number 10. 21
resolution 26-57.

2202
03:00:45,520 --> 03:00:54,000
It's a resolution for local support for
Earth Company LLC to operate a class 5

2203
03:00:51,680 --> 03:00:57,920
retail cannabis business. It will be
located at 260 Martin Luther King Jr.

2204
03:00:56,479 --> 03:01:02,200
Drive
>> questions 10.21 21

2205
03:01:03,359 --> 03:01:09,520
» 60
>> near Wilkinson.

2206
03:01:07,040 --> 03:01:13,960
Oh, what was that? Between Wilkerson and
Boswick.

2207
03:01:10,399 --> 03:01:13,960
» Oh, good luck.

2208
03:01:15,040 --> 03:01:23,279
Um,
did we do a com may art? We do a

2209
03:01:20,720 --> 03:01:28,800
compliance check with the applicant to
see if they're compliant with all taxes,

2210
03:01:27,520 --> 03:01:32,640
regulations.
>> This is not for a renewal. This isn't an

2211
03:01:30,479 --> 03:01:36,800
initial application.
>> Yeah. I'm asking mean there's a

2212
03:01:35,680 --> 03:01:40,160
location, right?
>> Yes. Actually, the applicant owns the

2213
03:01:38,800 --> 03:01:44,399
building. He purchased the building for
this.

2214
03:01:40,800 --> 03:01:50,880
» Yeah. Have we checked do we check their
compliance with applicable laws paying

2215
03:01:47,439 --> 03:01:54,240
pay payroll taxes with that venture or
something else or

2216
03:01:52,640 --> 03:01:55,840
» that's not something that we would check
whenever

2217
03:01:54,640 --> 03:02:00,160
» we don't check any of that stuff
>> especially not for an initial

2218
03:01:57,600 --> 03:02:03,160
application.
>> Okay.

2219
03:02:03,520 --> 03:02:10,319
» Okay. Thank you
>> Sean. Just a reminder on this one. will

2220
03:02:08,319 --> 03:02:13,840
need to vote on the rest of the items on
the page first so that the council has

2221
03:02:12,240 --> 03:02:17,439
the opportunity to read their reasons
into the record.

2222
03:02:15,920 --> 03:02:21,040
» Thank you for that reminder.
>> Thank you.

2223
03:02:19,760 --> 03:02:27,359
» Can I ask a question for the
administration just um

2224
03:02:23,840 --> 03:02:35,040
the whole cannabis um framework here in
Jersey City? are does the administration

2225
03:02:29,600 --> 03:02:40,240
have plans to um to examine do a
comprehensive examination of kind of our

2226
03:02:36,640 --> 03:02:45,040
cannabis market here and uh I mean we're
oversaturated some would say and um but

2227
03:02:43,359 --> 03:02:51,439
then I think in this area particular
there's not um terribly so um and and

2228
03:02:49,920 --> 03:02:58,720
then we've got as I understand it
applicants out there um who have pending

2229
03:02:54,160 --> 03:03:02,560
applications that uh may be
waiting for them to come before us and

2230
03:03:00,319 --> 03:03:08,279
so forth around that. Um, are are we do
we have plans to to address all of this

2231
03:03:04,880 --> 03:03:08,279
in some way?

2232
03:03:10,960 --> 03:03:19,040
» I'm happy to take that back to speak
with um the head of HEDC um whether

2233
03:03:16,800 --> 03:03:23,840
that's part of her perview to review
this. Um, I also understand that there's

2234
03:03:21,520 --> 03:03:29,760
a cannabis control board, so there may
be input there on, you know, the ideas

2235
03:03:26,000 --> 03:03:32,720
of doing this review. Um, if you have
specific ideas that we should be looking

2236
03:03:31,680 --> 03:03:40,359
at,
>> send us a note and council request and I

2237
03:03:36,000 --> 03:03:40,359
can I can follow up on it.

2238
03:03:43,120 --> 03:03:55,760
» Mike is on. Okay. uh Matt planning
and council members. Matt is here for

2239
03:03:50,960 --> 03:04:00,800
3.1. And I just want to uh remind you
that Councilwoman Little's office gave

2240
03:03:58,319 --> 03:04:05,520
out a handout with some of the
questions, answers to some of the

2241
03:04:02,319 --> 03:04:09,680
questions you might have. Go ahead,
Matt.

2242
03:04:06,960 --> 03:04:14,399
» Uh I don't know if I received that, but
um I'll just wing it. Hopefully I get

2243
03:04:12,720 --> 03:04:20,560
the answers.
All right. Ordinance 26-070,

2244
03:04:18,720 --> 03:04:24,399
an ordinance of the municipal council of
the city of Jersey City adopting an

2245
03:04:22,720 --> 03:04:31,520
amendment to the powerhouse arts
district redevelopment plan. Uh this is

2246
03:04:27,760 --> 03:04:42,279
a ordinance that began with a resolution
uh passed last fall uh by the prior

2247
03:04:35,760 --> 03:04:42,279
council. Um that was resolution 25-545.

2248
03:04:42,800 --> 03:04:52,000
who is authorizing the planning board to
study an amendment to the powerhouse

2249
03:04:47,439 --> 03:04:57,279
district redevelopment plan. And uh the
ordinance before you comes with a

2250
03:04:54,960 --> 03:05:05,439
favorable recommendation
uh from the planning board u to re to

2251
03:05:01,840 --> 03:05:11,600
adopt the this ordinance. Um the
substance of the ordinance is to update

2252
03:05:09,600 --> 03:05:19,520
standards in the transition zone of the
redevelopment plan and establish the

2253
03:05:14,160 --> 03:05:24,399
block 13002 transition bonus. This bonus
uh

2254
03:05:21,040 --> 03:05:31,120
if utilized would
result in the creation of on-site

2255
03:05:26,800 --> 03:05:38,160
affordable housing at 15% of all units
and the creation of an art ccentric

2256
03:05:33,760 --> 03:05:45,760
space to a Jersey uh artcentric space on
site that would be reserved for a Jersey

2257
03:05:40,560 --> 03:05:54,960
city-based nonprofit. The uh bonus
in the amended amendment uh language or

2258
03:05:49,520 --> 03:06:00,479
the proposed text um includes uh
includes the requirement for designation

2259
03:05:57,680 --> 03:06:06,640
in an RDA by the JCA, the Jersey City
Redevelopment Agency. It includes uh the

2260
03:06:04,319 --> 03:06:10,800
requirements of that onset affordable
housing, the consolidation of the

2261
03:06:08,479 --> 03:06:16,640
property and that the the creation of
that artentric space. Uh it also

2262
03:06:13,520 --> 03:06:24,160
includes some sort of some uh parameters
around the creation of that space. um

2263
03:06:19,920 --> 03:06:30,720
like like being 4,300 square ft as well
as listing um the fact that this would

2264
03:06:27,439 --> 03:06:37,439
be $0 for a period of 30 years in
perpetuity to be um renewed on a 30-year

2265
03:06:34,640 --> 03:06:44,880
basis. Um,
and it requires the the selected entity

2266
03:06:42,160 --> 03:06:49,040
um to
serve and promote the arts community

2267
03:06:46,640 --> 03:06:56,319
within Jersey City and the youth of
Jersey City. And it requires the uh

2268
03:06:52,720 --> 03:07:04,160
redeveloper to to advertise and complete
an RFP process um for that space.

2269
03:07:02,640 --> 03:07:10,240
Anyone have any questions?
>> Yes. Um, so, uh, Matt, without, um, I

2270
03:07:07,279 --> 03:07:15,760
know Elena, uh, council person little,
she's not here, uh, but she she does

2271
03:07:12,960 --> 03:07:21,040
have a Lord Jesus, I'm not going to read
all of this. Yeah, she have a lot of

2272
03:07:18,479 --> 03:07:27,319
questions. I know, um, we are looking to
host a joint meeting uh, wards effing.

2273
03:07:28,319 --> 03:07:38,960
Um, so we'll be in contact with everyone
as it relates to this.

2274
03:07:33,279 --> 03:07:44,800
» Okay. Anyone else? Any um questions?
>> I think I sent a series of questions.

2275
03:07:41,520 --> 03:07:49,640
» Yeah. Yes. Uh so I've received uh
information request 183-2026.

2276
03:07:49,760 --> 03:07:58,240
Um I'm in
uh I am preparing a response to that. Um

2277
03:07:55,600 --> 03:08:05,840
several of the items we can upload to
the ordinance. Um some of the items I

2278
03:08:01,840 --> 03:08:11,840
think would be best to um maybe address
tonight. I we do have uh representative

2279
03:08:09,040 --> 03:08:16,640
the petitioner here. Uh Mr. uh
Harrington from Connell Foley is

2280
03:08:13,600 --> 03:08:19,920
representing Exchange Towers LLC. I
believe that there were some questions

2281
03:08:18,080 --> 03:08:25,279
that came along in that information
request that might be best um addressed

2282
03:08:22,720 --> 03:08:30,000
towards them or they could maybe answer
some of those questions here tonight.

2283
03:08:28,080 --> 03:08:35,520
» I
I have a a question. Um, just one. Is

2284
03:08:33,439 --> 03:08:40,560
there a community group written into the
redevelopment plan?

2285
03:08:37,760 --> 03:08:44,479
» Who's talking right now? Oh, ultimate
Griffin. I didn't see your mouth moving.

2286
03:08:42,560 --> 03:08:49,120
You were right behind the mic.
>> Can you say that again? I had trouble.

2287
03:08:46,560 --> 03:08:54,399
» Uh, is there any community groups
written into the redevelopment plan?

2288
03:08:52,080 --> 03:08:57,920
» Are there any redevelopment groups?
>> Is there any community group written

2289
03:08:56,399 --> 03:09:01,640
into the redevelopment plan?
>> No. There's not. Okay.

2290
03:09:03,359 --> 03:09:07,359
» Any other questions?
>> Now, with regard to my questions, you're

2291
03:09:05,920 --> 03:09:11,680
just going to respond to them on email
or

2292
03:09:08,160 --> 03:09:18,960
» Yeah, I was preparing to do a uh written
response and um will come encompass

2293
03:09:16,479 --> 03:09:23,359
enclosed attachments uh to address some
of the items that we can deliver. I

2294
03:09:20,800 --> 03:09:31,840
think there were some questions that
went to but that might be in the item

2295
03:09:26,720 --> 03:09:36,720
provided from council person little. Um
uh or or you could hear from the

2296
03:09:34,880 --> 03:09:40,560
petitioner uh or council
>> hear from the petitioner director.

2297
03:09:38,399 --> 03:09:45,439
» Yeah like I'm happy to talk to you
offline or we can talk now whatever

2298
03:09:42,640 --> 03:09:49,439
works for you guys. Um yeah I'll I'll
put out three questions if I may.

2299
03:09:47,840 --> 03:09:54,880
» Okay. Um, those are the ones that are
bold in my I I gave a series of about 10

2300
03:09:52,240 --> 03:10:00,319
questions, maybe 12 to 15. I'm not sure
exactly. Um,

2301
03:09:57,920 --> 03:10:06,560
» yeah. So, the uh I see the bold ones.
I'm sorry. I didn't realize um those

2302
03:10:03,439 --> 03:10:16,080
were had a more importance. Uh the
petitioner is exchange um powers LLC.

2303
03:10:11,439 --> 03:10:22,080
I'll upload a 10% disclosure statement
um that will list the names behind the

2304
03:10:17,840 --> 03:10:25,120
LLC. Um the property owner, I not sure,
they can correct me if I'm wrong, I

2305
03:10:23,680 --> 03:10:33,760
don't believe they're the property owner
at this time. Um, and the developer

2306
03:10:30,560 --> 03:10:40,720
presumably at this point in time would
be the same uh LLC that is petitioning

2307
03:10:38,399 --> 03:10:45,359
for these, but they would be subject to
designation in an RDA by the JC. So,

2308
03:10:44,880 --> 03:10:52,560
» yeah,
>> that's hard to say. Um,

2309
03:10:48,880 --> 03:10:57,439
regarding the next uh bold statement,
has the city and/or JC checked to see if

2310
03:10:55,920 --> 03:11:01,920
the applicant is compliant with the
city's rules and regulations?

2311
03:11:00,000 --> 03:11:07,520
Um, that's unknown. I don't know if the
JC has done that. Um, we wouldn't do

2312
03:11:05,680 --> 03:11:12,080
that. Uh, that
>> we don't check their compliance with

2313
03:11:09,840 --> 03:11:17,359
» No, that could be maybe that could be
considered arbitrary or capricious. uh

2314
03:11:14,960 --> 03:11:23,120
they are going through a process that
was authorized by city council. We are

2315
03:11:20,800 --> 03:11:27,439
supposed to study this amendment. It's a
I assume it's a kind of a due process

2316
03:11:25,760 --> 03:11:37,200
that point.
>> Um so I'm not sure if that was done for

2317
03:11:32,399 --> 03:11:40,560
tonight. Um and then to please explain
the process that was employed to

2318
03:11:38,720 --> 03:11:45,840
determine the community benefits. Please
include who was involved in the process.

2319
03:11:42,880 --> 03:11:51,600
I believe that the affordable housing
well that's required by the ICO as part

2320
03:11:48,560 --> 03:11:58,720
of any sort of increase to the zoning
capacity of a redevelopment area or zone

2321
03:11:54,720 --> 03:12:07,279
district. So that that's baked in. Um
and then the art ccentric uh space the

2322
03:12:02,160 --> 03:12:10,800
inclusion of that is similar to uh other
goals and objectives of the powerhouse

2323
03:12:09,040 --> 03:12:15,520
arts district redevelopment plan. I
believe that was part of the the

2324
03:12:12,560 --> 03:12:25,760
resolution that came before the council
last fall. Um, now there was uh some

2325
03:12:20,720 --> 03:12:30,880
back and forth um about the other items
that go in there such as the the terms

2326
03:12:28,640 --> 03:12:35,760
of that lease, what kind of language
would um should be in there regarding

2327
03:12:33,439 --> 03:12:42,160
how it should be fitted out. uh to
ensure that uh whatever nonprofit is

2328
03:12:39,040 --> 03:12:48,720
selected gets a facility that's going to
serve um their mission um so that

2329
03:12:46,080 --> 03:12:52,240
they're not left with a bill at the end
of the day or a white box that

2330
03:12:50,640 --> 03:12:59,840
essentially doesn't serve the purpose of
that nonprofit. Uh so there was language

2331
03:12:55,359 --> 03:13:04,479
put in with regards to that. Um, I can
point those paragraphs out if you would

2332
03:13:02,319 --> 03:13:11,120
like.
>> And the last one is just um if I could

2333
03:13:07,920 --> 03:13:15,120
get information about the other
from the other redevelopment plans that

2334
03:13:12,720 --> 03:13:22,000
have these similar
um conditions for artentric type spaces

2335
03:13:18,800 --> 03:13:28,399
that being the redevelopment plans that
um house the art house productions,

2336
03:13:24,160 --> 03:13:34,319
Nimbus Dance. Um, uh, yeah, that that's
going to take a little more research and

2337
03:13:31,600 --> 03:13:41,040
time, uh, to pull those things together.
Uh, I can speak from the I can speak

2338
03:13:37,600 --> 03:13:45,600
from the my memory. Um, don't hold me if
I'm exactly wrong. Where did I put your

2339
03:13:43,760 --> 03:13:49,120
item?
It's over here. Yeah, I mean you could

2340
03:13:47,760 --> 03:13:54,000
see where I'm going with that, which is
just that

2341
03:13:50,239 --> 03:13:59,920
» I don't believe that there was an RDA
for the what's called Provos Square,

2342
03:13:56,800 --> 03:14:05,680
which is where one of the phases is
where the New Jersey Symphony is now

2343
03:14:01,680 --> 03:14:10,720
located. Um,
with regards to Art House Productions, I

2344
03:14:08,720 --> 03:14:17,120
similarly don't recall there being an
RDA on that project, but a perhaps a

2345
03:14:13,760 --> 03:14:22,000
developers agreement. Um, I will have to
double check and I

2346
03:14:20,239 --> 03:14:27,279
memory serves me I do believe that there
might have been a project or an RDA for

2347
03:14:24,960 --> 03:14:34,640
the for the building called the Lively
uh where the Nimbus Arts Center is. I

2348
03:14:30,800 --> 03:14:38,800
don't know what the creative center is.
>> I don't either.

2349
03:14:35,279 --> 03:14:46,239
» Is that it came up in our It came up in
a uh a previous meeting about um some um

2350
03:14:44,080 --> 03:14:48,720
funds. Is that a Is there an address on
that property?

2351
03:14:46,880 --> 03:14:50,880
» There was some space in downtown Juria
City.

2352
03:14:49,520 --> 03:14:52,000
» Is that on Washington?
>> I think it's supposed to be on

2353
03:14:51,680 --> 03:14:53,920
Washington.
>> Okay. I I I'll look into that one as

2354
03:14:53,600 --> 03:14:55,279
well.
>> Yeah,

2355
03:14:54,160 --> 03:14:56,160
» I know. I know what you're talking
about.

2356
03:14:55,760 --> 03:15:01,840
» Okay.
>> I I didn't know it had a name.

2357
03:14:59,520 --> 03:15:08,880
» Okay.
And and with these RFPs, um,

2358
03:15:06,319 --> 03:15:17,520
is the city any way involved in a
selection process to ensure a fair

2359
03:15:13,840 --> 03:15:24,720
process, fair selection?
>> I I do not know that. What I do know is

2360
03:15:19,920 --> 03:15:29,200
that subject that that uh if there are
concerns that the council has regarding

2361
03:15:26,640 --> 03:15:34,000
an RFP process that that could be
incorporated perhaps into a condition of

2362
03:15:31,359 --> 03:15:38,239
approval or any sort of site plan moving
forward or perhaps into the performance

2363
03:15:36,239 --> 03:15:44,680
standard of a redevelopers agreement
with the JC. And my my understanding is

2364
03:15:41,279 --> 03:15:44,680
that the

2365
03:15:45,200 --> 03:15:54,160
how these different arts organizations
can bid for the arts space in the

2366
03:15:50,560 --> 03:15:58,880
building that that is a private matter
between the developer and those arts

2367
03:15:57,120 --> 03:16:04,800
organizations as opposed to going
through the city. I'm just wondering if

2368
03:16:01,600 --> 03:16:09,920
that process could be taken over by the
city, that that process could be made a

2369
03:16:07,040 --> 03:16:13,600
public RFP process as opposed to living
in the private sector exclusively. Is

2370
03:16:11,920 --> 03:16:18,000
that is that something that could be
written into the redevelopment plan or

2371
03:16:16,560 --> 03:16:25,520
otherwise?
>> I I mean I do think there's opportunity

2372
03:16:21,040 --> 03:16:32,640
for the JC to include that in their
designation and RDA. So the creative

2373
03:16:30,160 --> 03:16:39,120
centers my vague recollection it's very
vague um that the city was received a

2374
03:16:36,800 --> 03:16:44,640
shell that's why it was in our capital
budget right so we received a shell of a

2375
03:16:41,920 --> 03:16:47,600
white space a white box and then we
build it out and build something called

2376
03:16:46,160 --> 03:16:51,600
the creative center
>> um I only learned when I took a tour of

2377
03:16:49,600 --> 03:16:56,479
New Jersey Symphony that they said their
their landlord is the city of Jersey

2378
03:16:53,359 --> 03:17:00,640
City um so I didn't realize that we had
we owned that physical property there.

2379
03:16:59,279 --> 03:17:04,960
I'm not sure if that's the same case
with uh the creative center. I know

2380
03:17:02,880 --> 03:17:09,840
that's not the case with art house or
the lively. Right. So, um there's

2381
03:17:08,479 --> 03:17:14,479
different models there and just kind of
looking at what the different

2382
03:17:11,359 --> 03:17:18,120
» models are that can work best for Jersey
City in that sense.

2383
03:17:19,439 --> 03:17:26,160
» Did you receive your answer?
>> I'll I'll ask some more detailed

2384
03:17:24,239 --> 03:17:30,160
question offline. Okay.
>> Yeah.

2385
03:17:27,840 --> 03:17:37,040
I do have one other question has goes to
the affordability and this is more for

2386
03:17:33,359 --> 03:17:44,319
the administration and all the way up to
um the deputy mayor um and director

2387
03:17:40,160 --> 03:17:49,279
Chilon um the commitment coming in for
me and I believe for for the

2388
03:17:46,640 --> 03:17:56,640
administration and mayor Solomon is 20%
affordable housing as the minimum to

2389
03:17:52,800 --> 03:18:01,200
like achieve. Um, I know in some cases,
uh, that may may not necessarily not

2390
03:17:58,960 --> 03:18:04,479
necessarily be achievable, but we we may
not have as much control over that. Um,

2391
03:18:03,200 --> 03:18:10,560
but this is a case where we're kind of
reopening the plan. Um, and

2392
03:18:08,640 --> 03:18:15,120
and in doing so, the inclusionary zoning
ordinance, what does it require? 10 10%.

2393
03:18:14,399 --> 03:18:21,520
Is that
>> this location? It would require 15

2394
03:18:18,239 --> 03:18:25,359
» with through the re amendment or just as
just through the ICO

2395
03:18:22,880 --> 03:18:31,840
» through an amendment to the by pursuant
to the ICO it would require 15 on site

2396
03:18:27,680 --> 03:18:38,160
» require 15. Um so you know we ran on the
idea that we would do 20% um regardless

2397
03:18:35,279 --> 03:18:42,399
like whatever the like kind of that
would be the minimum and I I guess my

2398
03:18:40,560 --> 03:18:46,800
question to the administration and Matt
you can answer it as well if you want

2399
03:18:43,760 --> 03:18:51,600
but um uh
are is there a commitment to to

2400
03:18:49,040 --> 03:18:56,479
achieving that goal and and how are we
going to realize that um if we're

2401
03:18:53,600 --> 03:19:01,279
reopening redevelopment plans um and
allowing these changes to come in under

2402
03:18:58,800 --> 03:19:06,479
that threshold. So, I I'll put it on the
record for myself already because I made

2403
03:19:04,000 --> 03:19:13,359
I made a promise for affordability.
Um, and that uh wasn't achieved with the

2404
03:19:09,760 --> 03:19:19,439
current budget um outcome, but um uh and
and we had a promise around 20%

2405
03:19:15,520 --> 03:19:23,439
affordability. And so, um my my
commitment is to keep that promise

2406
03:19:20,800 --> 03:19:27,840
around this. So, uh, I'm going to ask
the administration where where they

2407
03:19:25,760 --> 03:19:33,359
stand on this and whe what what their
rationale and logic is for, um,

2408
03:19:30,080 --> 03:19:37,600
reopening this plan, um, and allowing
the, uh, the amendments to move forward

2409
03:19:35,760 --> 03:19:45,560
in this way, um, if we're not achieving
the 20% we want to see um, as a goal for

2410
03:19:42,319 --> 03:19:45,560
the city.

2411
03:19:47,359 --> 03:19:52,800
Know, that's not an that's not an answer
today for sure.

2412
03:19:53,120 --> 03:20:00,800
Okay. If we don't have an uh answer for
the councilman, can we uh can

2413
03:19:58,239 --> 03:20:05,040
administration get back to him on that?
Um if we don't have an answer tonight,

2414
03:20:03,439 --> 03:20:07,279
» could I could I just briefly address
some of the comments since

2415
03:20:06,640 --> 03:20:11,600
» Okay.
>> Okay. And I'll get out of the way. Uh uh

2416
03:20:10,080 --> 03:20:18,160
yeah, for record, Charles Harrington of
Connoy on behalf of the applicant. Uh

2417
03:20:14,319 --> 03:20:21,920
first one with regard to the uh RFP. Um,
uh, Councilman, I believe the answer is

2418
03:20:19,760 --> 03:20:27,760
yes because a little different here in
that the the, uh, developer will need to

2419
03:20:24,399 --> 03:20:30,800
be designated by the JCA. So that that
can be something that could be

2420
03:20:28,800 --> 03:20:35,120
incorporated into the redevelopment
agreement and how that process works.

2421
03:20:33,120 --> 03:20:38,800
Uh, and, you know, they can they can put
into it that it's, you know, you know,

2422
03:20:36,640 --> 03:20:43,840
the review, you know, the city gets gets
a say, the the the JCA gets a say as to

2423
03:20:42,000 --> 03:20:47,600
who they think is qualified or not
qualified in the best use for for the

2424
03:20:45,760 --> 03:20:50,000
space. So I think that is something you
you can achieve through the

2425
03:20:48,560 --> 03:20:54,800
redevelopment agreement. It's a little
different from some other projects where

2426
03:20:52,399 --> 03:20:59,040
like the the Lively I'm not I worked on
that. I don't recall if there was a

2427
03:20:56,080 --> 03:21:05,200
redevelopment agreement or not uh with
regard to the RFP process there. Um and

2428
03:21:03,439 --> 03:21:09,040
uh you know we have been working you
we've had a lot of community meetings to

2429
03:21:06,640 --> 03:21:14,319
to get to where we are. Uh and just to
Councilman Lavaro to to address the the

2430
03:21:10,960 --> 03:21:19,760
affordable housing. uh it is 15% that's
what's required under the ICO but I'd

2431
03:21:16,720 --> 03:21:24,560
note that currently the zoning only
permits what's called work live units

2432
03:21:22,239 --> 03:21:29,520
these are these are types of units that
went back to when this plan was created

2433
03:21:26,880 --> 03:21:35,279
where the idea was to create uh these
these units a minimum of 900 square ft

2434
03:21:32,319 --> 03:21:40,319
that have your slop sinks you'd have all
is it had to be equipped for artists

2435
03:21:37,680 --> 03:21:44,960
right um not not your necessarily your
typical residential unit so you can't

2436
03:21:42,239 --> 03:21:52,080
have your typical residential unit here
under the current zoning. Um like the

2437
03:21:47,439 --> 03:21:56,160
Lively next door is that that um that uh
zoning was changed so that you could

2438
03:21:53,760 --> 03:22:00,000
permit residential units. So what we're
doing here is we're going to it would it

2439
03:21:57,760 --> 03:22:06,080
would permit straight you know typical
residential units and of those 15%

2440
03:22:02,319 --> 03:22:11,600
affordable. So you are creating 15% of
your standard you know uh residential

2441
03:22:08,720 --> 03:22:16,800
units within the area and then also as
part of this you know the 4,300 square

2442
03:22:14,479 --> 03:22:22,560
ft um that's going to be provided for
the local uh Jersey City based

2443
03:22:18,960 --> 03:22:27,120
nonprofit. It's at a zero cost uh to the
ultimate user. So that's going to be

2444
03:22:24,560 --> 03:22:32,239
built out uh by the owner and then in
perpetuity. that's there there's no

2445
03:22:29,040 --> 03:22:36,479
revenue to to the uh uh to the owner,
current owner, future owner. It runs

2446
03:22:34,160 --> 03:22:43,040
with the land. And then uh there's also
commitment in in the redevelop in the

2447
03:22:38,560 --> 03:22:47,680
zoning um to make um improvements to the
intersection and the immediate area

2448
03:22:44,720 --> 03:22:51,760
because that intersection's offset. Uh
so uh that is part of the requirements

2449
03:22:50,000 --> 03:22:55,760
under the zoning too that that the
developer would work with the department

2450
03:22:53,600 --> 03:23:00,080
of infrastructure to come up with a plan
to to make that a better situation.

2451
03:22:59,120 --> 03:23:04,160
» Okay.
>> Thank you Chuck.

2452
03:23:01,200 --> 03:23:11,160
» So Matt, what's what's the height what's
the height um threshold in this

2453
03:23:07,600 --> 03:23:11,160
redevelopment plan?

2454
03:23:11,760 --> 03:23:21,120
» So it's currently
125 ft.

2455
03:23:17,200 --> 03:23:26,640
And I believe it's going to 210 ft
should a project utilize this bonus.

2456
03:23:24,960 --> 03:23:33,600
Them numbers again
>> the maximum under the existing zoning.

2457
03:23:30,640 --> 03:23:42,160
So they could apply for a project right
now that is up to 125 ft

2458
03:23:39,120 --> 03:23:46,600
and the
double check. Give me the moment here.

2459
03:23:49,040 --> 03:23:57,760
Yes, it would. The maximum height
pursuant to the proposed bonus, the

2460
03:23:55,439 --> 03:24:03,439
subject of this ordinance would go up to
210 ft.

2461
03:24:00,880 --> 03:24:07,840
» How many more units does that?
>> It's roughly 12 to 13 stories to

2462
03:24:07,279 --> 03:24:14,160
» 20
>> 20 to 21 stories. Yeah.

2463
03:24:10,800 --> 03:24:19,840
» How many more units?
Yeah, it writes in 20 stories is max

2464
03:24:18,720 --> 03:24:25,520
» the number of units.
>> How many units?

2465
03:24:22,560 --> 03:24:34,000
» There isn't uh there isn't a density
standard. So, um it it is un it's not in

2466
03:24:32,080 --> 03:24:41,359
it's not written hardcoded into the
language. Um, I don't know. Did you

2467
03:24:39,439 --> 03:24:47,920
» The the reason why I asked is because
we're talking about 20 stories. Um, and

2468
03:24:45,120 --> 03:24:53,359
then we're talking about 15 versus 20%.
Now, I could see if it was like eight

2469
03:24:50,800 --> 03:24:59,279
stories or something like that. 15 10%.
But 20 stories, that's that's a lot. And

2470
03:24:56,960 --> 03:25:04,239
an additional 5%
I don't see any harm in in that doing

2471
03:25:01,600 --> 03:25:11,600
20%. It's uh councilman. It would be
going from 12 stories to 19 stories. The

2472
03:25:07,600 --> 03:25:16,000
20 stories is limited to a uh an amenity
use level only. So it's uh seven seven

2473
03:25:14,640 --> 03:25:22,160
additional stories.
>> Okay. 19 stories.

2474
03:25:18,960 --> 03:25:27,200
» Well, no. So it's
still 20. It's still 20 stories in

2475
03:25:25,040 --> 03:25:30,000
what's just the other story is not
housing.

2476
03:25:28,720 --> 03:25:34,239
Correct.
>> Right.

2477
03:25:30,880 --> 03:25:40,720
» Yeah. So it's 20 stories.
20 stories is 20 stories regardless of

2478
03:25:36,880 --> 03:25:46,319
the functionality of what it is.
It's it's a distinction where every

2479
03:25:44,239 --> 03:25:50,800
every building is entire is is allowed
an amenity level on the roof level, but

2480
03:25:48,319 --> 03:25:55,920
you're you're restricted as to uh the
square footage of it. So in in in in uh

2481
03:25:53,760 --> 03:26:00,239
instead of trying to comply with the
smaller amenity level, we the idea was

2482
03:25:58,160 --> 03:26:04,080
to create a bigger amenity level level
and that that then gets defined as a

2483
03:26:02,319 --> 03:26:06,960
story. That's that's how that came
about.

2484
03:26:04,880 --> 03:26:11,279
» Yes. And it makes sense.
>> So are the units we're seeing now with

2485
03:26:08,880 --> 03:26:15,520
this amendment more in line with the
residential unit that you mentioned,

2486
03:26:12,800 --> 03:26:19,600
Chuck, or or back to the the artist
studio?

2487
03:26:17,279 --> 03:26:24,239
» It's it's a mix. It would be a mix of
market rate. I mean a mix of of units

2488
03:26:21,840 --> 03:26:30,479
not 900 square feet minimum. You'd have
a mix of studios ones, twos, and threes

2489
03:26:27,680 --> 03:26:35,520
as well as in the uh uh the affordable
units be a mix of the studios ones,

2490
03:26:33,120 --> 03:26:40,000
twos, and threes as as required by the
the

2491
03:26:37,680 --> 03:26:45,279
uh the concept plan that that we had put
together and presented was 240 units. So

2492
03:26:42,399 --> 03:26:48,720
it would create 36 affordable units.
Do you have a a breakdown of percentage

2493
03:26:46,720 --> 03:26:55,200
of how many studios versus the
>> Well, that you could uh not more than

2494
03:26:51,680 --> 03:27:01,359
20% could be ones or twos. So that's
three. No, uh it's uh seven. Seven,

2495
03:26:59,040 --> 03:27:05,600
right? 10 out of 36.
>> So you couldn't have more than seven of

2496
03:27:03,040 --> 03:27:09,920
those units could be studios or ones.
And then the majority have to have four

2497
03:27:07,439 --> 03:27:13,920
one-bedroom and three studios.
>> Okay. I I think we do need to see more

2498
03:27:11,600 --> 03:27:18,640
development like that. Um, and and Matt,
I I'll I'll talk to you offline about

2499
03:27:15,600 --> 03:27:21,920
it, but we're having projects of
majority studios being built and we're

2500
03:27:20,640 --> 03:27:28,000
talking about affordability. Council
Lavaro's point of we want to be at 20%.

2501
03:27:24,960 --> 03:27:32,720
But 20% of of what for whom is really
the question. If we're only only build

2502
03:27:29,920 --> 03:27:36,960
building for people who aren't uh if our
families need affordable housing, we

2503
03:27:34,239 --> 03:27:42,239
need to start looking at affordable one,
two, and threebedroom apartments. So

2504
03:27:39,120 --> 03:27:49,359
» and and a minimum of those 36 a minimum
of 20% of the 36 have to be three

2505
03:27:44,399 --> 03:27:55,680
bedrooms. That's that's eight.
Has anyone um conducted a a fiscal

2506
03:27:51,600 --> 03:28:03,279
analysis of uh the benefits for the
upzoning and um tried to

2507
03:28:00,000 --> 03:28:07,600
do a financial valuation of the
>> I don't I'm not aware of a contract that

2508
03:28:05,200 --> 03:28:12,560
we hold that we we don't
>> so so I would put that to the

2509
03:28:08,800 --> 03:28:18,080
administration whether um to
the business administrator Troy and um

2510
03:28:15,840 --> 03:28:24,399
to um others of the administration
deputy mayor and others. Um I I I would

2511
03:28:22,640 --> 03:28:28,399
frankly I'm I'm probably going to write
it seek to do an ordinance on this

2512
03:28:26,319 --> 03:28:34,640
stuff. Um but we don't have to wait for
an ordinance. um that that these sort of

2513
03:28:31,760 --> 03:28:38,080
accompanying any sort of uh amendments
to redevelopment plans that they be

2514
03:28:36,160 --> 03:28:43,439
accompanied with some sort of financial
valuation so we know what the financial

2515
03:28:41,439 --> 03:28:47,840
benefit is to the developer and and what
the give back and community benefit is

2516
03:28:46,000 --> 03:28:55,840
uh to the city and be able to compare
that uh cost um valuation. Uh

2517
03:28:54,239 --> 03:28:59,359
it's not just a straight numbers game as
as Councilman Zupa said, depends on what

2518
03:28:57,920 --> 03:29:04,880
the home is and who's who's living in
it. But um at the same time, uh we

2519
03:29:02,319 --> 03:29:12,239
should know that we're getting uh fair
value back to the people of Jersey City.

2520
03:29:08,880 --> 03:29:15,279
» Yes, I second council person.
>> Agreed.

2521
03:29:13,520 --> 03:29:20,479
» Because they always tell us it's not
financially feasible. We don't ever see

2522
03:29:18,080 --> 03:29:24,640
the numbers.
Huh? Thank you.

2523
03:29:23,040 --> 03:29:28,479
» Um, I want to say because we're going to
take it from the top.

2524
03:29:25,600 --> 03:29:33,359
» No, we're not. We still got No, I would
like to take it from the top.

2525
03:29:30,960 --> 03:29:37,279
I said we have director uh Diaz back
with us.

2526
03:29:34,160 --> 03:29:41,279
» Oh, he came back
again.

2527
03:29:38,640 --> 03:29:47,600
» I'm sorry about that, council. Um, I
have one more item for you. Item 10.22,

2528
03:29:44,160 --> 03:29:52,800
resolution 26-558.
This is uh requesting permission to

2529
03:29:50,000 --> 03:29:58,640
amend anou between DCD and the
department of recreation. Um was

2530
03:29:56,160 --> 03:30:05,040
originally requested I believe at 165
and now we are requesting to amend that

2531
03:30:00,800 --> 03:30:12,479
to 220 to cover the cost to repair the
uh the Persian Field Park.

2532
03:30:09,200 --> 03:30:19,600
» Any questions? 10.22.
>> This go comes with the the bond

2533
03:30:15,520 --> 03:30:25,520
ordinance reallocation. No,
>> no. So, there's actually two separate

2534
03:30:21,439 --> 03:30:32,080
things. This is for the Persian field
repairs, building repairs. The

2535
03:30:28,319 --> 03:30:37,040
improvements, the the capital bond um
sorry, capital project reappropriation

2536
03:30:34,080 --> 03:30:42,640
is incorrectly labeled as field, but
it's the Pavonia pool that needs to be

2537
03:30:40,080 --> 03:30:44,399
repaired. So, two different things.
Gotcha.

2538
03:30:43,200 --> 03:30:47,680
» Okay.
>> Is the ice rink.

2539
03:30:45,840 --> 03:30:52,920
» Yes. is the ice rink.
>> Yes, ice rink is included in these

2540
03:30:49,279 --> 03:30:52,920
improvements. Yeah.

2541
03:30:53,279 --> 03:30:59,359
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Um

2542
03:30:57,359 --> 03:31:04,080
» uh wait, we still Yeah, I'm trying to
clear the room so then we can start from

2543
03:31:01,120 --> 03:31:07,880
the top. Um director Hart, you have you
want to speak to 3.7?

2544
03:31:10,960 --> 03:31:15,680
» We appreciate your um patience sitting
back there.

2545
03:31:14,239 --> 03:31:20,319
» My pleasure.
Nice to you, too.

2546
03:31:17,680 --> 03:31:23,439
» And evening,
>> council president Ridley and council

2547
03:31:21,840 --> 03:31:27,359
members. Uh, acting deputy director
Lauren Hart, public safety, division of

2548
03:31:24,960 --> 03:31:34,359
fire, here to speak on two funding items
for your consideration. Agenda item 3.7.

2549
03:31:30,319 --> 03:31:34,359
This is an ordinance 26-076.

2550
03:31:34,640 --> 03:31:41,200
This is a bond ordinance reappropriation
in excess of bron proceeds not needed

2551
03:31:38,880 --> 03:31:44,880
for their original purposes. I have two
items that we're looking uh for

2552
03:31:42,960 --> 03:31:50,080
consideration. These were previously
requested uh in the August council

2553
03:31:46,800 --> 03:31:54,080
meeting. Uh they were removed. One of
them relates to the SCBAs, the air packs

2554
03:31:52,319 --> 03:31:57,920
that our firefighters wear in their back
when they go into the fire buildings

2555
03:31:56,319 --> 03:32:00,800
that are on on fire to rescue our
residents.

2556
03:31:59,520 --> 03:32:05,920
I'm respectfully requesting
appropriation of approximately 1.2

2557
03:32:03,359 --> 03:32:10,720
million to be used towards replacement
of our SCBA packs which are out of

2558
03:32:08,479 --> 03:32:16,239
warranty at the end of this month. As
I've previously highlighted to you, we

2559
03:32:12,560 --> 03:32:21,840
were successful in securing 650,000
in grant funding from the Department of

2560
03:32:18,080 --> 03:32:27,120
Homeland Security 2025 assistance to
firefighter grant program. This $1.2

2561
03:32:25,040 --> 03:32:32,319
million appropriation coupled with this
grant money will be sufficient to

2562
03:32:28,960 --> 03:32:37,600
purchase new SCBA packs, which now are
coming with lifetime warranties

2563
03:32:34,880 --> 03:32:42,319
for approximately $1.8
million. It should be noted that this

2564
03:32:39,680 --> 03:32:45,800
grant money must be utilized by the
beginning of 2027.

2565
03:32:45,920 --> 03:32:51,680
I have one other item to discuss and if
you have questions on that

2566
03:32:48,640 --> 03:32:59,040
» question 3.7 um so director if we can
get um a breakdown of where all this

2567
03:32:55,920 --> 03:33:04,640
money is coming from the different um
the different bonds

2568
03:33:01,359 --> 03:33:09,439
» that would be from me. Um so this is
another capital reappropriation. It

2569
03:33:07,760 --> 03:33:16,080
comes from and I can send you the
specific line item, but it was bundled

2570
03:33:13,279 --> 03:33:20,479
in 2022 as miscellaneous building
approve improvements that were never

2571
03:33:18,560 --> 03:33:29,120
used.
>> Okay. Yeah, we can just see exactly

2572
03:33:23,920 --> 03:33:31,200
um the projects that it came from. Um
that'll be

2573
03:33:29,680 --> 03:33:35,200
» there were no there were no projects
tied to it.

2574
03:33:33,040 --> 03:33:41,200
» What do you mean there was no projects?
So I again I can share this with you um

2575
03:33:38,319 --> 03:33:46,720
separately but whenever there are uh
capital projects that didn't spend all

2576
03:33:43,680 --> 03:33:50,960
the money capital money allocated it
falls into this miscellaneous building

2577
03:33:49,040 --> 03:33:56,000
bucket
that acrews over time and that is where

2578
03:33:54,000 --> 03:34:00,640
this money is coming from. That's why I
was Okay. So, they come from

2579
03:33:58,720 --> 03:34:03,520
» projects already finished.
>> Projects already completed.

2580
03:34:02,000 --> 03:34:06,960
» That's what I was say. I want I want to
see where what projects did it come

2581
03:34:05,439 --> 03:34:09,600
from. That's
>> We can send you that list.

2582
03:34:08,319 --> 03:34:15,120
» Thank you. Please.
>> So, so out of curiosity because it's in

2583
03:34:11,920 --> 03:34:20,479
the building fund. Um, and not saying
I'm not agreeing with this question. Um

2584
03:34:18,880 --> 03:34:26,080
» so these could have been these funds
could have been used for different

2585
03:34:22,720 --> 03:34:31,840
building projects like for instance
uh five corners library or like uh south

2586
03:34:30,080 --> 03:34:33,680
district east district police
departments and things like that.

2587
03:34:33,040 --> 03:34:39,120
Correct.
>> So there are separate um and I think we

2588
03:34:36,640 --> 03:34:45,200
shared this with the council before
different line items under the capital

2589
03:34:42,239 --> 03:34:49,920
projects plan for those projects. This
is just a miscellaneous catch all of

2590
03:34:47,920 --> 03:34:53,840
everything left over from projects that
have been completed. So I can send you

2591
03:34:51,920 --> 03:34:57,720
the full list. Um we shared it during
the budget conversations.

2592
03:34:59,439 --> 03:35:05,279
» Okay. Next one.
>> Second item we're hoping to include in

2593
03:35:02,720 --> 03:35:10,319
this funding is um in 2024 the city
agreed to purchase a multi-story

2594
03:35:07,359 --> 03:35:14,800
training facility valued at $1.7 million
through a lease finance program. Uh the

2595
03:35:12,800 --> 03:35:20,560
containers for this Lion Training Tower
were delivered to the site on August of

2596
03:35:17,600 --> 03:35:23,680
2025, over a year ago. However, those
containers are still sitting there

2597
03:35:21,760 --> 03:35:27,200
unassembled because we require funding
to do the site work as part of the

2598
03:35:25,600 --> 03:35:30,800
foundation so we can have the builder
come back and assemble the project. Uh

2599
03:35:29,200 --> 03:35:35,520
the fire department needs approximately
700,000 uh for the pilings for the

2600
03:35:33,520 --> 03:35:41,080
foundation and for the installation of
both electrical and propane gas

2601
03:35:38,080 --> 03:35:41,080
infrastructure.

2602
03:35:41,120 --> 03:35:45,600
This is all tied to uh 3.7, right? The
funding,

2603
03:35:44,000 --> 03:35:49,359
» correct? Yep.
>> Any other questions?

2604
03:35:48,319 --> 03:35:54,160
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. Have a good night.

2605
03:35:51,520 --> 03:35:58,239
» And in the essence of clearing everyone
out, I see Chris, so I'm assuming you're

2606
03:35:56,640 --> 03:36:05,680
here for the Can I just add one more
thing? Go ahead. Avoid confusion. This

2607
03:36:02,160 --> 03:36:12,399
uh ordinance is a total of 2.6.
So fire department talked about the 1.2

2608
03:36:08,319 --> 03:36:18,880
two for the fire breathing apparatus,
600 for the training tower. Um there's

2609
03:36:16,640 --> 03:36:24,479
an additional 250 which is what I was
talking about with Persian Field. It's a

2610
03:36:21,359 --> 03:36:31,200
pool, the Pavonia pool that needs to be
repaired. So that's an additional 250.

2611
03:36:27,840 --> 03:36:36,399
Um and then there's the 15% contingency
section 20 costs that we talked about

2612
03:36:33,120 --> 03:36:43,040
last time when there was a capital um uh
ordinance. So, in total, all of those

2613
03:36:39,760 --> 03:36:48,880
those three projects total the 2.6.
We're going to make a small edit just to

2614
03:36:44,800 --> 03:36:52,960
clarify. It's the Persian Field Park at
Pavonia Pool. Um I think in the

2615
03:36:50,960 --> 03:36:57,840
ordinance it's flipped.
>> Just want to uh correct you. Pavonia

2616
03:36:54,800 --> 03:37:01,520
pool is at Pavonia and Westside. Persing
Field is in the Heights. So, it's two

2617
03:36:59,840 --> 03:37:04,000
different locations.
Two different locations.

2618
03:37:02,479 --> 03:37:08,080
» Two different
>> heights. Is that on the first reading

2619
03:37:06,080 --> 03:37:10,000
one? It's the first rating. Yeah. Okay.
>> So, we'll make those edits.

2620
03:37:09,279 --> 03:37:14,479
» Yep. Perfect.
>> Sorry about

2621
03:37:12,319 --> 03:37:19,279
just just to clarify 1022 then. So, it
it says Persian Field Ice Rink. Is that

2622
03:37:16,399 --> 03:37:22,640
not what's being from the
>> 1022 is correct.

2623
03:37:21,040 --> 03:37:27,520
» It's uh 3.7.
>> 3.7. Yes. I think correct.

2624
03:37:24,720 --> 03:37:33,359
» All right. So, Persing Field Ice Rink
and also Pavonia Pool are getting

2625
03:37:30,319 --> 03:37:35,760
repairs. Correct. Big W Seed Day.
>> Yeah.

2626
03:37:33,680 --> 03:37:39,800
» Yeah. I think we should pull
>> video cut a deal.

2627
03:37:40,399 --> 03:37:49,520
» All right, Sean, can we defer to uh
>> So, yes, go ahead. You had

2628
03:37:44,960 --> 03:37:54,720
» Chris is here for 10.12 10.13.
>> Let me just do 10.12 to 10:15.

2629
03:37:52,080 --> 03:37:59,840
» That is correct. So he's here for both
the Mcinley Square and the Westside

2630
03:37:56,720 --> 03:38:02,880
Avenue special districts, their budgets,
assessment roles, and obviously, you

2631
03:38:02,000 --> 03:38:07,200
know, we're going to have a public
hearing on both,

2632
03:38:04,000 --> 03:38:13,319
» right? Any questions on those uh SID
roles, West Side and McGinley Square.

2633
03:38:16,239 --> 03:38:23,120
» Thank you guys. Have a good night.
>> Good night. Good night, Chris.

2634
03:38:21,359 --> 03:38:25,680
All right. Now we can take it from the
top.

2635
03:38:23,680 --> 03:38:30,560
» Yes.
I have to I have to depart early. I have

2636
03:38:27,600 --> 03:38:34,560
to pick my um kids up. I do just want to
I handed um

2637
03:38:32,239 --> 03:38:41,120
» Can we I'm sorry. Can Can we just add
one more thing? I think Bill wants to

2638
03:38:36,800 --> 03:38:46,479
explain something about the claims list.
>> This I should have done this uh earlier,

2639
03:38:43,520 --> 03:38:51,520
but I left it off. I wanted to just
raise that in right in the context of

2640
03:38:49,040 --> 03:38:56,720
this being our first council meeting
cycle on a new schedule. Uh one of the

2641
03:38:54,560 --> 03:39:02,399
things that came up last week is that uh
it it did create uh some issues with

2642
03:38:59,439 --> 03:39:09,920
processing claims and making vendor
payments. Um and so what I would like to

2643
03:39:05,120 --> 03:39:16,160
do is to uh ensure the clerk will have
an agenda item for claims on all f you

2644
03:39:12,399 --> 03:39:20,319
know future um agendas. Uh but we will
provide council with the actual claims

2645
03:39:18,080 --> 03:39:24,239
list on Fridays prior to the meeting as
we did before. That gives the finance

2646
03:39:22,399 --> 03:39:29,200
department more time to actually process
the claims and to make payments. Uh I

2647
03:39:26,560 --> 03:39:35,840
think the the result of um trying to
accelerate that for this particular

2648
03:39:32,560 --> 03:39:40,720
uh issue is more vendors will get paid
late um or we will have to provide

2649
03:39:38,399 --> 03:39:46,720
addendum which creates work for both us
and for and for you. So I did wanted to

2650
03:39:43,200 --> 03:39:50,000
just uh let you all know uh we uh would
like to continue to provide you the

2651
03:39:48,479 --> 03:39:54,800
claims list on the Friday before the
meeting. Make sure we're paying as many

2652
03:39:51,680 --> 03:39:57,840
vendors on time as possible.
>> Thank you. Yeah,

2653
03:39:56,319 --> 03:39:59,520
» thank you.
>> Um,

2654
03:39:58,399 --> 03:40:06,160
» Councilman Gilmore.
>> Yes. Um, so there there's an item. It's

2655
03:40:03,200 --> 03:40:14,239
already in I compass. Um, it's it's
actually just an update. I believe late

2656
03:40:10,080 --> 03:40:21,040
late last year. Um the prior council we
voted on zone parking for

2657
03:40:17,439 --> 03:40:25,279
Clifton Place and I don't know somehow
we missed

2658
03:40:23,120 --> 03:40:30,800
making sure we were addressing it with
appropriate time. It should have

2659
03:40:27,840 --> 03:40:38,160
reflected 3 to 11 but somehow it
reflected 8 to 4. Um, so it's a it's a

2660
03:40:35,840 --> 03:40:42,640
late item in a sense that it's not on
the agenda, but it's something that

2661
03:40:39,520 --> 03:40:47,520
we've been working tirelessly on. Um,
and it's just a it's amendment. It's

2662
03:40:44,880 --> 03:40:51,359
amendment. It's a update to reflect the
actual time for the residents in that

2663
03:40:49,600 --> 03:40:55,920
area.
I've sent out a

2664
03:40:54,319 --> 03:40:59,680
print out to each of the members
>> as far as zone parking.

2665
03:40:57,600 --> 03:41:05,120
» Is it time sensitive?
>> Yeah. Yes. timesensitive in a sense that

2666
03:41:02,479 --> 03:41:09,760
um we're actually wasting city resources
because people were issuing people were

2667
03:41:07,040 --> 03:41:14,239
getting tickets issued and all of that
other stuff. So, we just want to make

2668
03:41:11,760 --> 03:41:20,399
sure we get this uh cleared up.
Something that we've been meaning to to

2669
03:41:18,560 --> 03:41:25,520
put it on, but dealing with the budget
and stuff, uh we wanted to focus

2670
03:41:22,960 --> 03:41:30,160
specifically on that. Uh but it's time
in a sense that uh people are getting

2671
03:41:27,600 --> 03:41:34,080
tickets and wasting resources with the
courts with the parking authority

2672
03:41:32,319 --> 03:41:40,399
residents having to take off for work
and things like that.

2673
03:41:37,279 --> 03:41:43,840
» So you're going to um motion add it at
the council meeting. Okay. And can you

2674
03:41:42,800 --> 03:41:50,479
um
>> circulate the petition

2675
03:41:47,040 --> 03:41:56,000
» um for infrastructure or whoever took
the petition in place.

2676
03:41:54,479 --> 03:42:02,720
That's going to be an additional first
reading ordinance. Correct.

2677
03:41:59,439 --> 03:42:06,319
» Well, he's going to um make a motion to
add it as a late item.

2678
03:42:04,479 --> 03:42:09,359
» Understood. But I'm saying it's a first
reading ordinance. Correct.

2679
03:42:07,439 --> 03:42:14,160
» Um yeah, I would assume this would be a
a a first reading ordinance since it's

2680
03:42:11,359 --> 03:42:21,160
establishing a parking zone. Um
>> we're amended. Yes. So it will have to

2681
03:42:16,160 --> 03:42:21,160
Yeah, essentially we have to Yes.

2682
03:42:23,120 --> 03:42:29,200
Okay.
>> And that's already in IC compass.

2683
03:42:26,239 --> 03:42:33,600
» Yes, it's already everything.
>> And did we did it go through the

2684
03:42:31,200 --> 03:42:39,359
process? Uh, BHO.
>> So, it went through this morning when we

2685
03:42:36,239 --> 03:42:47,439
were flagged. Um, but I don't know
procedurally how we add a late item.

2686
03:42:43,760 --> 03:42:51,680
» So, we add a late item by um council.
Council member making a motion to add

2687
03:42:49,760 --> 03:42:57,359
and you get a second and then you need
six votes out of the nine in order to

2688
03:42:54,479 --> 03:43:01,279
add the item.
>> Okay.

2689
03:42:58,720 --> 03:43:04,279
» Learn something new today. Welcome
aboard.

2690
03:43:04,720 --> 03:43:12,399
» Hey. Hey Sean. Uh
I also have a a late item I'd like to

2691
03:43:10,080 --> 03:43:18,640
add. It's a resolution.
Um it's it's a resolution for Miss uh

2692
03:43:15,760 --> 03:43:24,800
Jacqueline Jeter who is a resident in a
Heights who in May was crowned Miss New

2693
03:43:22,000 --> 03:43:29,840
Jersey senior
um 2026.

2694
03:43:27,040 --> 03:43:35,800
It was originally on this agenda but it
was moved to the 23rd. I would like to

2695
03:43:31,840 --> 03:43:35,800
bring it back to this agenda.

2696
03:43:36,880 --> 03:43:44,800
» So that would be the uh same process.
you would have to make a motion to add

2697
03:43:42,319 --> 03:43:51,199
it back at the council meeting and then
as a late item and then uh get the votes

2698
03:43:48,000 --> 03:44:00,399
to add it. So, council, I know we're on
a new schedule, but um and this was was

2699
03:43:55,040 --> 03:44:05,120
added in um because of the amount of
presentations that we've had and that

2700
03:44:02,479 --> 03:44:10,720
the residents request, we are looking to
limit the honorary resolutions to two

2701
03:44:08,160 --> 03:44:15,439
per meeting. We already have two on this
meeting. Um so that's why we moved Miss

2702
03:44:13,359 --> 03:44:22,319
Jeter to
the 23rd. Um it is my understanding that

2703
03:44:19,760 --> 03:44:26,239
um she reached out or some of her
representatives reached out to the

2704
03:44:23,760 --> 03:44:31,600
councilman um because she has a conflict
on the 23rd. So he is recommending that

2705
03:44:28,720 --> 03:44:36,000
we add it back. I would also recommend
that we follow the same procedure we

2706
03:44:34,000 --> 03:44:39,840
followed over the summer of making sure
that we take the pictures before the

2707
03:44:37,600 --> 03:44:44,399
meeting. I would ask that whoever is
available here uh before the meeting

2708
03:44:42,160 --> 03:44:48,720
that we get those pictures out the way
uh when we do these resolutions. But

2709
03:44:46,560 --> 03:44:51,840
let's be mindful of the new schedule and
make sure we have things in on time so

2710
03:44:50,479 --> 03:44:57,600
that we don't have a bunch of late
items. Our agendas are always packed as

2711
03:44:54,720 --> 03:45:02,880
we see it is 7:47 and we are not through
this whole agenda yet at the caucus

2712
03:44:59,439 --> 03:45:06,880
meeting. So let us keep the schedule and
the amount of things on the agenda in

2713
03:45:05,040 --> 03:45:11,960
mind as we're moving through so we can
be um as efficient as possible.

2714
03:45:14,399 --> 03:45:21,120
» Thank you council president. I
appreciate that.

2715
03:45:17,359 --> 03:45:26,399
So just um on the burst reading
ordinance, it's a parking zone. What do

2716
03:45:23,199 --> 03:45:30,960
you um which zone are we talking about?
So I can make sure that um I have that

2717
03:45:29,520 --> 03:45:37,880
in I compass.
>> Councilman has left. I believe it is

2718
03:45:34,399 --> 03:45:37,880
zone 12.

2719
03:45:38,080 --> 03:45:44,680
» Zone 12. Thanks.
>> I believe so. Oh, wait, wait, wait,

2720
03:45:41,680 --> 03:45:44,680
wait.

2721
03:45:45,359 --> 03:45:49,920
It has two different ones here. One's
one one part says 12, one says two. So,

2722
03:45:48,880 --> 03:45:53,199
we'll confirm for you.
>> So, it's it's both.

2723
03:45:51,359 --> 03:45:57,560
» I'm not sure, but we'll I'll have the
councilman confirm for you.

2724
03:45:54,560 --> 03:45:57,560
» Okay.

2725
03:45:59,279 --> 03:46:05,199
Okay.
I have it marked, so I'm good. Um, am I

2726
03:46:04,399 --> 03:46:10,479
taking it from the top?
>> Take it from the top. So, I'm happy to

2727
03:46:08,160 --> 03:46:18,560
say that all first readings were touched
on 3.1 to 3.8 with now 3.9 being the

2728
03:46:16,160 --> 03:46:22,720
late item. On to our second reading
ordinances. Any questions or comments on

2729
03:46:20,800 --> 03:46:28,080
item 4.1,
which is a franchise ordinance for 117 N

2730
03:46:26,080 --> 03:46:35,000
Street.
Any questions or comments on 4.2, which

2731
03:46:31,040 --> 03:46:35,000
is a bond ordinance?

2732
03:46:35,040 --> 03:46:45,920
Hearing none. 4.3 was touched on
earlier. 4.4. Any questions or comments

2733
03:46:40,880 --> 03:46:52,080
on the police offduty program?
Hearing none. We're going to have a

2734
03:46:48,319 --> 03:46:55,760
public hearing on the 2026 2027 Westside
Avenue special improvement district and

2735
03:46:53,760 --> 03:47:01,279
assessment role and budget. Same thing
for the 2026 2027 Mcinley Square special

2736
03:46:59,760 --> 03:47:05,439
improvement district and assessment
role. There'll be two separate hearings

2737
03:47:02,880 --> 03:47:09,840
on that. Then we'll go to our public
speaking portion of the meeting. 27

2738
03:47:07,439 --> 03:47:16,640
speakers and counting. Any questions or
comments on petitions and communications

2739
03:47:12,319 --> 03:47:19,640
items 6.1 through
6.46.

2740
03:47:20,000 --> 03:47:25,520
If you have anything that you would want
me to send you, just please send me an

2741
03:47:24,000 --> 03:47:29,199
email and I'll get them to you as soon
as I can. There are no officer

2742
03:47:27,680 --> 03:47:34,080
communications. Any questions or
comments on reported directors 8.1

2743
03:47:31,359 --> 03:47:40,160
through 8.2? Hearing
none, on to our claims and addendums

2744
03:47:36,720 --> 03:47:45,920
number one and two.
Now to our resolutions. Items 10.1

2745
03:47:43,600 --> 03:47:51,359
through 10.3 were touched on earlier.
10.4 Four is a resolution 26-540 is a

2746
03:47:49,840 --> 03:47:55,439
resolution authorizing the city of
Jersey City to apply for and accept

2747
03:47:53,520 --> 03:48:00,080
grant funding from the New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs under

2748
03:47:57,120 --> 03:48:07,680
the fiscal year 2027 New Jersey state
budget appropriation operating a 2027

2749
03:48:05,040 --> 03:48:11,840
10.5 was touched on earlier 10.6 6.
Resolution 26-542.

2750
03:48:10,239 --> 03:48:17,920
It's a resolution in honor of
remembering the legacy and impact of

2751
03:48:14,319 --> 03:48:23,199
Mayor Glenn Dale Cunningham on the 16th
of September.

2752
03:48:20,720 --> 03:48:29,520
Item 10.7 was touched on earlier. Item
10.8, city resolution 26-544.

2753
03:48:26,640 --> 03:48:34,640
It's a resolution honoring Kira Bar,
also known as B girl crazy, for her

2754
03:48:32,000 --> 03:48:40,720
achievements in breaking and as she
represents the United States at the 2026

2755
03:48:37,439 --> 03:48:42,239
youth Olympic Games in Dar Synagal.
>> And Sean,

2756
03:48:41,680 --> 03:48:49,199
» yep.
>> 10.6 and 10.8. And if we vote to add um

2757
03:48:46,399 --> 03:48:52,319
Councilman Griffin's resolution, those
will will defer to after the first

2758
03:48:51,840 --> 03:48:59,920
readings.
>> So 10.6 10.8 8

2759
03:48:55,840 --> 03:49:03,680
not uh 10.9 or 10.10. Correct.
>> Correct.

2760
03:49:00,640 --> 03:49:06,479
» And then it would be 10.43 if we add it.
>> Correct.

2761
03:49:04,160 --> 03:49:14,960
» Got it. Okay. We can make a compound
resolution. I mean motion. Um next 10.9

2762
03:49:11,840 --> 03:49:21,199
city resolution 26-545
is a resolution celebrating the life of

2763
03:49:16,960 --> 03:49:26,399
Miss Mrs. Beatus Staggers. Item 10.10 10
resolution 26-546 is a resolution

2764
03:49:23,920 --> 03:49:31,760
commemorating the 110th anniversary of
the Rotary Club of Jersey City and

2765
03:49:28,800 --> 03:49:38,800
honoring 110 years of service above
shelf self excuse me. Item 10.11 city

2766
03:49:36,560 --> 03:49:43,600
resolution 26-547
I believe is being withdrawn just to

2767
03:49:40,720 --> 03:49:45,520
confirm with the business administrator.
>> That's correct. We're withdrawing that

2768
03:49:45,120 --> 03:49:50,040
one.
>> 10.11 we're withdrawing.

2769
03:49:52,160 --> 03:49:55,160
10.12

2770
03:49:55,439 --> 03:50:06,720
through 10.15 was touched on earlier.
10.16 city resolution 26-552

2771
03:50:03,680 --> 03:50:12,960
is a resolution to cancel and refund tax
sale certificate number 2025-0298

2772
03:50:10,880 --> 03:50:18,880
and refund the lean holder pursuant to
the tax order vacating the full judgment

2773
03:50:15,600 --> 03:50:26,920
on block 5103 lot 1, more commonly known
as 178 Ogden Avenue, Jersey City, New

2774
03:50:22,000 --> 03:50:26,920
Jersey. Items 10.17

2775
03:50:26,960 --> 03:50:35,279
through 10.31 were touched on earlier.
Item 10.32,

2776
03:50:32,800 --> 03:50:40,000
city resolution 26-568
is a resolution authorizing the

2777
03:50:36,800 --> 03:50:44,160
dispersement of funds from the city of
Jersey City Insurance Fund Commission

2778
03:50:41,680 --> 03:50:50,479
for the payment of premiums and policies
of excess risk lines.

2779
03:50:48,000 --> 03:50:59,120
Items 1033
through 1037 were touched on earlier.

2780
03:50:53,359 --> 03:51:03,840
Item 10.38, city resolution 26-574
is a resolution authorizing an award of

2781
03:51:01,760 --> 03:51:08,960
professional service agreement with the
firm Plankton LLP to represent the city

2782
03:51:07,040 --> 03:51:15,199
in affirmative action litigation on
contingency basis of 15%.

2783
03:51:12,319 --> 03:51:19,680
» Sean, could I just address that briefly?
So, council, as you have heard the

2784
03:51:17,279 --> 03:51:24,800
director of finance speak about several
times over this year, the city has been

2785
03:51:22,000 --> 03:51:30,960
engaged in a process of auditing all
claims that were submitted by Horizon

2786
03:51:27,760 --> 03:51:35,920
prior to our switch over to Etna. Um,
Platkin LLP is a firm that is recognized

2787
03:51:33,439 --> 03:51:40,399
not just in the state but nationwide for
do doing exactly that kind of

2788
03:51:37,680 --> 03:51:44,560
comprehensive audit of claims and of
contracts with Horizon specifically. And

2789
03:51:43,199 --> 03:51:49,359
so we're engaging the firm on a
contingency basis, which means we don't

2790
03:51:46,720 --> 03:51:53,680
pay anything unless they successfully
lead us through a process, litigation or

2791
03:51:51,600 --> 03:51:57,680
otherwise, that results in a recovery
for the city, in which case they take a

2792
03:51:56,080 --> 03:52:01,279
percentage of that. And so we're
engaging them, still at preliminary

2793
03:51:59,439 --> 03:52:05,680
stages, to assist with that
investigation and exploration in the

2794
03:52:03,680 --> 03:52:08,479
event that we find any claims that we
want to pursue, we are confident that

2795
03:52:07,279 --> 03:52:11,520
they are the firm that can help us
pursue that. So that's why we're

2796
03:52:09,760 --> 03:52:17,439
engaging them in this way.
>> Okay. Okay. So, the 15% is what they

2797
03:52:14,479 --> 03:52:23,359
would claim if they find anything.
>> That's correct. If they recover money

2798
03:52:19,279 --> 03:52:28,080
for the city, they get 15% of that.
>> I applaud the administration for this.

2799
03:52:25,600 --> 03:52:34,000
Thank you.
>> Okay. Items 10.39 through 10.42 were

2800
03:52:31,279 --> 03:52:38,960
touched on earlier and 10.43 late item
if it added. We touched on that. May May

2801
03:52:37,040 --> 03:52:43,040
I ask the magical question? May I have a
motion to motion

2802
03:52:40,399 --> 03:52:46,640
» at 7:55
p.m. I think the motion was made by

2803
03:52:44,880 --> 03:52:48,640
council person Griffin. May I have a
second?

2804
03:52:47,279 --> 03:52:52,000
» Second.
>> Second.

2805
03:52:49,120 --> 03:52:54,880
» You can't do the second too.
>> Second.

2806
03:52:52,800 --> 03:53:00,000
» Second was on council per council
president Ridley. On the motion to

2807
03:52:56,800 --> 03:53:06,960
adjourn at 7:55 p.m. All council members
present by acclamation, please say I. I.

2808
03:53:02,399 --> 03:53:06,960
We are out of here at 7:55 p.m.