Jersey City Municipal Council Caucus Meeting – February 11, 2026

This caucus meeting, originally scheduled for February 9, 2026, was postponed due to a water pipe burst at City Hall. All nine council members were present. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including budget transfers, contract awards, grant acceptances, a bird-friendly design ordinance, appointments, and late resolutions regarding ICE enforcement and a rent protection investigation committee. No formal votes were taken; these will occur at the February 12 council meeting.

Bird-Friendly Design Ordinance (Item 3.3)

• Planning staff’s Cameron Black presented the ordinance, which had been vetoed by the mayor after prior passage. The planning board removed a site plan approval threshold, making the ordinance apply to all development. Planning staff prefers the threshold (capturing 60–70 projects per year) for easier enforcement. Black stated that brick is cheaper than glass by $100 per square foot and that claims of high costs are false. Council members discussed threshold options (100 ft vs. 75 ft) and requested cost analysis and prior meeting transcripts.

Monticello Court Improvements (Item 10.18)

• Brian Weller recommended awarding a $495,138 contract to Adam or Brothers Construction for park improvements. Councilman Zupa raised concerns about the contractor’s wage violation claims filed with the state. Council requested the law department investigate whether these violations disqualify the contractor. The item may be tabled pending a report.

Disabled Parking Reserved Spaces (Item 4.2)

• Drew Banghart explained a second-reading ordinance designating six new accessible parking spaces. Council discussed the lengthy approval process, the need to re-establish a committee, and the possibility of expediting permits for urgent cases.

Budget Transfer Resolution (Item 10.1)

• Danny Bage presented a resolution transferring unexpended 2025 balances to cover contractual obligations. The largest transfer ($2.17 million) addresses underbudgeted health benefits. Councilman Lavaro questioned whether this contributes to the city’s budget deficit. Administration confirmed the deficit includes health benefit shortfalls. Transfers also cover electricity and street lighting increases due to a 17% rate hike.

Emergency Temporary Appropriation (Item 10.2)

• Danny Bage also presented a resolution to establish 11 new grant accounts, including UEZ staff support, electric charging stations, and the Edward Byrne grant for police overtime. Council clarified that the Byrne grant reimburses the city for already-incurred overtime costs.

Summer Food Service Program (Item 10.11)

• Offer Cohen explained the closeout of grant accounts and a $41,327 carryover. The program serves over 3,000 children at up to 58 sites. The state reduced an initial award, but all food costs are fully reimbursed.

Lead Remediation and Abatement Grant (Item 10.14)

• Director Richardson reported a state grant reduced from $2 million to $1.5 million due to low homeowner participation. Council suggested including program information with property tax bills to boost applications. The council may consider tabling the resolution to explore restoring the full amount.

Financial Advisory Services Contract (Item 10.15)

• The council considered a resolution to award NW Financial Group a one-year contract (up to $300,000) with four optional renewals. Several council members expressed lack of confidence given the city’s $254 million deficit and NW Financial’s long tenure. Acting BA Horton stated the contract will be used only for specific tasks (pilot and abatement analysis) while a broader RFP for financial services is prepared. Council requested copies of NW Financial’s prior analyses on selected tax abatements.

Cannabis Business Licenses (Items 10.16 and 10.17)

• Director presented two resolutions providing local support for retail cannabis businesses: one at 523 Tunnel Avenue (Class 5) and one at 488-492 Communipaw Avenue (Class 6 – delivery). Council noted that 18 Class 5 licenses have been approved, with three closed and one reopening. The 600-foot distance rule was removed after the cap was instituted. Councilwoman Little expressed support for the Tunnel Avenue location.

Fire Department Grant (Item 10.10)

• Deputy Chief Hart presented a $939,000 FEMA grant for equipment and training. Councilwoman Little and others raised concerns about grant language requiring cooperation with ICE, conflicting with Jersey City’s sanctuary city executive order. The law department will provide a memo on the issue by the council meeting.

Tax Assessor Appraisal Contracts (Items 10.6 and 10.7)

• Laura Takuri requested approval of contracts with two appraisal firms (up to $80,000/year each) to defend property tax appeals. She noted over 2,300 pending cases, many from COVID-era office vacancies. Council asked for data on appeal outcomes and budget adequacy. The tax appeal underfunding is part of the budget deficit.

Park Maintenance Contracts (Item 10.12)

• Keith presented a resolution renewing an open-ended contract with Clark Moynihan for Pershing and Gateway parks. Councilman Gilmore questioned the contractor’s daily presence and requested the maintenance schedule. Acting BA Horton clarified the contract has a one-year term and no without-cause termination clause. A cost analysis for bringing services in-house is underway.

Local Recreation Improvement Grants (Items 10.13 and Late Item)

• Keith presented two grant applications: one for a vandal-proof bathroom at Pershing Field and repairs to splash pads, and a second for additional splash pad work. The second application was added as a late item because the consultant discovered it recently. The deadline is February 13. Council approved adding it to the agenda.

Jackson Hill Neighborhood Preservation Program Grant (Item 10.21)

• Vivian Webb presented a resolution to accept a $125,000 state grant with a $25,000 city match for the Jackson Hill Special Improvement District. Gillian Sergeant-Allen detailed that the five-year grant targets a seven-block area for beautification, safety, and sanitation improvements. Council discussed prior grant compliance issues.

Payroll Tax Administration Ordinance (Item 3.1)

• Peter introduced an ordinance allowing up to 3% of payroll tax collections to fund administration, in accordance with a new state law. Council discussed the potential for increased compliance and revenue. The administration has an open RFP for software to track uncollected taxes.

Franchise Ordinance for Bollard (Item 3.2)

• A franchise granting permission for a lit protective bollard at 1075 West Side Avenue was presented. The bollard was required by the site plan approval to separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Clearance of 15 feet for disabled access was confirmed.

Off-Duty Police and Public Works Fees Ordinance (Item 4.1)

• This second-reading ordinance reforms fees for nonprofit and cultural events. Council discussed the discount structure (25% for events under $10,000; 50% over $10,000), administrative fee (10% of gross cost), and definition of nonprofit. Marathon and 5K events are exempt. Minor corrections were noted.

Acceptance of Morgan Street Property (Item 4.3)

• Ordinance authorizing acceptance of 95 Morgan Street. Councilwoman Little requested an environmental report before moving forward. The item will be carried to the next meeting rather than tabled.

Van Wagonen Avenue Stairs Franchise (Item 4.4)

• A franchise for concrete stairs extending into the right-of-way at 20 Van Wagonen Avenue. No questions.

Appointments

• Bill Vicura as Director of Finance and acting CFO. Vicura answered questions about his background and his approach to the budget crisis. Council encouraged formation of a task force with council representation.
• Sarah Levine as Corporation Counsel. Levine described the law department’s five core functions, severe understaffing (10 attorneys for over 100 litigations and 2,500 tax appeals), and lack of case management systems. She committed to transparent communication and equal service to both council and administration.

Executive Orders (Items 8.1 and 8.2)

• Sean Gallagher reported two executive orders signed by former Mayor Fulop that were discovered via an OPRA request. One bars discrimination against contractors associated with Israel; the other pertains to anti-Semitism. Councilman Efros expressed opposition and urged the administration to strike them. Copies were distributed to all council members.

Late Items Added to Agenda

• Three items were added by motion: (1) Resolution 26-065 expressing opposition to federal ICE enforcement policies; (2) a resolution establishing a Rent Protection Special Investigation Committee with a 12-month term, first meeting within 30 days, and regular public meetings; (3) an additional Local Recreation Improvement Grant application for splash pad repairs. Council discussed the parameters of the rent committee, including scope, meeting frequency, and legal support.

Key Outcomes

• Formal votes on all ordinances and resolutions will be held at the February 12, 2026 council meeting.
• The following items are expected to be withdrawn: Resolution 26-045 (council office staffing) and Resolution 26-061 (duplicate claim payment).
• Ordinance 26-004 (95 Morgan Street) will be carried to the next meeting pending environmental review.
• The council will vote on a motion to add the three late items (requires six votes).
• The Rent Protection Special Investigation Committee will be established upon passage, with at least five council members. Its first meeting will be scheduled within 30 days, and it will operate under the Open Public Meetings Act, with minutes and recordings archived.
• The law department will provide a memo on grant language regarding ICE cooperation and on the legality of reappointing holdover directors.
• Requests for documents (cost analysis, prior meeting transcripts, NW Financial analysis, etc.) will be circulated to the entire council.
• The city is actively seeking alternative funding sources to address the $254 million budget deficit, with an emphasis on grant applications.