Jersey City Municipal Council Caucus: April 6, 2026

The Jersey City Municipal Council held a caucus meeting on Monday, April 6, 2026, starting at 4:06 PM and adjourning at 6:09 PM. All nine council members were present, achieving a quorum. The meeting covered a wide range of agenda items including permits, grant applications, contracts, franchise ordinances, and ceremonial resolutions. Most items are scheduled for a formal vote at the Wednesday, April 8, 2026 council meeting.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was presented; all items were discussed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public testified during the general public comment period. However, several individuals spoke on specific agenda items as representatives of applicants or city staff, including:
  • Danny Mirabeau (developer) answered questions regarding the Farming House affordable housing project.
  • Charles Harrington (attorney) spoke on franchise ordinances for 189 Phillips Street and 231 First Street.
  • Benjamin Wine (attorney) spoke on the franchise ordinance for 412 Liberty Avenue.
  • Andrew Abrams (Chief Public Defender) spoke on public defender reappointments.

Discussion Items

• Liberty National Golf Club Fireworks Permit (10.20): The city administration presented a resolution authorizing a permit for a fireworks display on May 4, 2026, as part of Jersey City's 250th anniversary celebration. Council members questioned the role of CarePoint as permit holder and whether the event would be open to the public. The administration clarified that public safety (fire and police) had signed off and that the permit is necessary for the next stage of review. The council asked for clarification on the city's legal obligation to approve such permits if no safety concerns exist.

• Jersey City Arts and Cultural Trust Fund Appointments (10.19): Council discussed appointments to the trust fund, noting that Ward E representative's name was misspelled (Gallagher). The appointments include returning appointee Sandy Martini. Staggered terms ensure not all seats are renewed at once.

• Dedication by Rider for Arts Tax Revenue (10.2): The administration presented a resolution to dedicate by rider the proceeds from the payroll tax to the Arts Trust Fund, as recommended by an audit. The current balance in the fund is $1,526,518.58. Council members requested annual balances since 2022 and clarification on how funds are allocated to grantees. The administration noted that the 2025-26 grant cycle is in review with announcements expected April 30, 2026.

• Affordable Housing Trust Fund Award – Farming House (10.22): The Division of Community Development requested authorization to award up to $2,950,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to Harmony Householdings LLC for a 44-unit mixed-use project at 174-178 MLK Drive. The project includes 10 affordable units with a 30-year affordability period. Delays were due to state court approval of the trust fund spending plan. Council members questioned the lack of very low-income units (below 30% AMI) and asked for details on the deferred developer fee ($1.07 million). The developer explained that the deferred fee is used to bridge financing. Council requested verification of affordability distribution and rent amounts.

• Public Safety Resolutions – Communications Center Maintenance (10.16), Highway Safety Grant (10.17), Pedestrian Safety Grant (10.18): The Department of Public Safety presented three resolutions. The first authorized a contract with Software House International for hardware maintenance at the Bishop Street server room ($63,762.15), reduced by $70,000 from the previous year. The second authorized applying for a 2027 state highway safety grant (no match) for traffic enforcement and salary subsidy. The third authorized applying for a pedestrian safety grant (up to $70,000, no match). Council requested that future grant applications include an executive summary and budget details.

• Grant Right Management Contract Renewal (10.4): The Grants Office presented a renewal of a contract with Grant Right Management for grant application coordination and compliance ($33,000/month, total $396,000). Grant Right has submitted $47 million in applications in 2026 so far, securing $5.4 million in grants (mostly non-competitive). In 2025, they helped secure $7.5 million (including $1 million from competitive AFG grant). Their compliance work saved the city from losing $8.3 million in FEMA funding. Council compared performance to previous contractor and requested competitive grant success ratios.

• Recreation Contracts – Irrigation Maintenance (10.24), Park Maintenance Extension (10.36), Bat House License (10.6): The Department of Recreation presented a renewal of an irrigation maintenance contract with Ascape Construction (one-year renewal), a three-month month-to-month extension with Clark Moynihan for park maintenance (while new bid is prepared), and a license agreement for a bat house at Enus Jones Park built by Brunswick School in partnership with Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association. Council discussed snow removal issues in Hamilton Park and the potential for in-house maintenance.

• Pollinator Habitat Grant (10.23): The Grants Office presented a resolution to accept a $1,000 grant from Bergen County Audubon Society for a pollinator garden at Reservoir Number 3, created with the Youth Advisory Board. The resolution also supports eight nearby schools.

• Hudson County Open Space Grant Applications (10.29–10.33): The Division of Architecture presented five resolutions to apply for Hudson County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation grants for Leonard Gordon Park (Phase 2), Point Park, Martinic and Wright Park, Monticello Park, and Terrace Avenue Park. Matching fund requirements vary; the city uses capital dollars already bonded. Council requested details on capital account balances, open space trust fund balances, and a comprehensive parks capital plan. Concerns were raised about the budget crisis and using open space trust funds as match to reduce taxpayer burden.

• Electric Vehicle Charging Station Claim (10.28): Infrastructure presented a resolution to pay a claim of $37,680.37 to ChargePoint for overdue hardware and software warranties. The invoice was automatically sent after services were completed, bypassing the normal quote process. The administration assured that future payments will be processed as quotes. Council requested a list of all charging station locations and confirmed that the expense will be charged to the 2025 budget.

• Traffic Signal Maintenance Contract (10.27): Engineering presented a resolution to award a contract to Gen Electric for maintenance and repair of traffic signals ($3.1 million maximum, one-year with two renewal options). The contract includes 24/7 emergency response and annual inspections. Council asked about turnaround times and spending history; the department will provide prior years' expenditure data.

• Franchise Ordinances (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4): Multiple franchise ordinances were discussed:

  • 3.1: Easement for public pedestrian access at 189 Phillips Street (Scholars Village development) including sidewalk, lighting, and elevated public plaza. Developer responsible for maintenance.
  • 3.2: Franchise for 412 Liberty Avenue – residential stair encroachment. The applicant (Benjamin Wine) explained that the existing stairs are not code-compliant; the new design aligns with neighboring properties and improves safety. Council requested a site visit.
  • 3.3: Franchise for 231 First Street – entry stairs and garden area in Harsimus Cove Historic District. The encroachment matches surrounding streetscape and maintains at least 5 feet of sidewalk width.
  • 3.4: Franchise for HHNJ PropCo Phase 3 at 15th and 16th Streets – elevated ramp and stairs for building entry. The encroachment leaves at least 5 feet of sidewalk and includes street trees.

• Municipal Court Public Defender Reappointments (10.14, 10.15): Chief Public Defender Andrew Abrams presented resolutions reappointing himself (contract $14,000) and nine additional public defenders (per diem $275 per session). He noted the court's high volume and specialization. Total budget is less than half of Newark's in-house system.

• Human Resources Medical Services Contract (10.13): Deputy Director Jim Carroll presented a renewal of a contract with Medical Center for employee medical exams ($472,924 max). Services include pre-employment testing, drug screening, and fitness-for-duty evaluations. Council requested prior years' spending and a fee schedule.

• Other Resolutions:

  • 10.1: Dedication by rider for state forfeiture funds. Council requested balance history and clarification on allowable uses.
  • 10.3: Dedication by rider for payroll tax proceeds to the Board of Education. Council asked about annual balances, budget transparency, and past payroll tax audits.
  • 10.5: Grant application for Management Enhancement Review Program.
  • 10.7–10.9: Ceremonial resolutions for Golden Door Charter School (April 2026), Sikh Heritage Month (April 2026), and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 2026). These will be deferred to the Wednesday meeting to allow speakers.
  • 10.10: Polling place lease agreements.
  • 10.11: Payment to Hudson County Community Enterprises for digitizing records. The project scanned city records from 1861–1989 and 2012–2019; work on 1989–2012 is ongoing.
  • 10.12: Withdrawn.
  • 10.25: Grant application for Pathway to Recovery program (administered by city with local nonprofits).
  • 10.26: Grant application for Local Efficiency Achievement (LEAP) implementation grant.
  • 10.34, 10.35: Lawsuit settlements (Nehemiah and M.M.) previously discussed in closed session.
  • 10.37: Ceremonial resolution honoring Black Maternal Health Week 2026.
  • Late item: Resolution honoring Marine PFC Fred Jackson for Congressional Gold Medal (added by Councilman Griffin).

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken, as this was a caucus meeting. All resolutions and ordinances are expected to be voted on at the Wednesday, April 8, 2026 council meeting at 6:00 PM.
• The administration withdrew resolution 10.12 due to missing information.
• Ceremonial resolutions (10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.37, and the Jackson resolution) will be deferred to Wednesday to allow for speakers.
• Council requested numerous follow-up items to be provided before Wednesday: clarification on fireworks permit obligations, annual balances for arts fund, payroll tax fund, forfeiture fund, and open space trust fund, detailed grant performance metrics, capital account balances, parks plan update, EV charging station list, traffic signal spending history, medical contract fee schedule, and more.