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.
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:
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:
Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon. On behalf of behalf of council and the members of the municipal council, in accordance with the New Jersey public laws of 1975, Chapter 231, the Open Public Meetings Act, also known as a sunshine law. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by posting on the Bulletin board on the first floor of City Hall, the annual notice, which is a schedule of meetings and caucuses of the municipal council for the counter year 2026 and filed in the Office of City Clerk on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025. In addition, at the time of its preparation, the agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, April 3rd, 2026 at 427 p.m. to the mayor, municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, and the local and the local newspapers, as well as posted on the city's website. So I can certify as to our total compliance with the sunshine law. Is Monday, the sixth day of April 2026? This is the municipal council caucus. We scheduled 4 p.m. start. It is 4 06. May I have a roll call for the commencement of this meeting? Councilman Brooks. Present. Councilman Zupa. Councilman Efros. Present. Councilperson Little here. Councilman Gilmore. Councilperson Singh. I'm here. Councilperson Griffin. Councilman Lavaro. Here. And Council President Ridley. Here. Okay. We have all nine council members present at 4.07 p.m. We have achieved a quorum. Uh how do you want to start, Council President? Do you want to just Okay? We'll start with uh McDallia. Okay. Good evening, Council uh persons. Uh my director is out of the office this week, so I'm filling in for her. I'd like to just go over uh the first resolution, which is uh item 10.20. Uh that is resolution 26-171. It's authorizing the granting of a permit liber uh for Liberty National Golf Club for a fireworks display in May. Like to emphasize permit because it is only uh to allow them to continue uh the permitting process. Okay. Questions? What is the occasion for the fireworks display on May 4th, other than Star Wars Day? I think this is part of uh our uh 240 uh sorry, 250. Our our celebration of our 250th anniversary uh mixed in with uh you know whatever event they're having there to recognize that. Yeah. One other question. Um in the attached documents, uh page four in section one. Does that chart um not charge point for me? Care point is the permit holder.