Jersey City Municipal Council Caucus Meeting Summary – May 5, 2026

The Jersey City Municipal Council held a caucus meeting on May 5, 2026 (the transcript states the meeting was held on Monday, May 4, 2026), running from approximately 4:03 p.m. to 8:29 p.m. The caucus was a working session to review agenda items ahead of the formal council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2026. All nine council members were present. Discussions focused on contract renewals, several mayoral appointments, redevelopment planning, cannabis licensing, and the city's fiscal condition, including a projected $254 million budget deficit.

Human Resources and Benefits Contracts

• The Director of Human Resources, Khadijah McNair, presented two contract renewals:
  • Resolution 26-249: Renewal with Moreton & Company for voluntary supplemental benefits (auto, home, pet insurance, legal services, identity theft, employee discounts). No cost to the city; final one-year renewal (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027). Councilman Gilmore encouraged starting the next RFP as soon as possible to allow more vendors to bid.
  • Resolution 26-250: Renewal with Total Administrative Services Corp (TASC) for third-party billing services for retiree billing, COBRA, and FSA accounts. Cost: $60,000 for the final year (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027). Council members questioned the lack of recent competitive bidding. Gilmore noted the contract had expired on March 31, leading to a "paying without a contract" situation, and reiterated that this was a systemic problem.

Public Safety and Emergency Management

• Deputy Director Lauren Hart presented:
  • Resolution 26-246: Award to Target Solutions Learning LLC for fire training and operational management software. Cost discussed as $95,000 (a renewal notice of $79,303 was also mentioned), funded in the 2026 budget. The software tracks training records, PPE inventories, apparatus maintenance, and hosts mandatory annual training modules. Councilman Gilmore noted the difference between operating and capital expenses.
  • Resolution 26-245: Award to Pro PAC Inc. for two mass care shelter trailers equipped for 25 individuals each. Total cost $84,451.06, fully funded by the 2023 UASI grant. Councilman Gilmore pointed out the resolution text only referenced one trailer; Director Kears agreed to amend the text before Wednesday.
  • Resolution 26-247: Award to Motorola for 50 multi-band APX 800 radios at $521,545, fully funded by the 2023 UASI grant. Discussion covered radio lifecycle (7–10 years) and maintenance funding.

Finance and Bond Counsel

• Resolution 26-242: Request to increase the contract and purchase order for bond counsel Willnitz Goldman & Spitzer by $117,000, bringing the total to $317,000. The increase was needed to pay invoices from October and December bond sales. Council members expressed frustration about late invoices and lack of notification when the contract limit was exceeded. Councilman Lavaro requested copies of invoices; Corporation Counsel agreed to investigate whether the city had a legal obligation to pay beyond the original $200,000 not-to-exceed amount.

Community Development and Planning

• Acting Director Salop presented Resolution 26-255 accepting 2025 HUD entitlement grants. Council members requested copies of the consolidated plan and action plan, as well as HOME fund allocations.
• Planning Director Matt Ward presented two redevelopment resolutions:
  • Resolution 26-281: Authorize the Planning Board to study amendments to the Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan for the Berry Lane Park North District. A contract purchaser (NRP Properties LLC) submitted a proposal; a community meeting and survey were held. Council members asked about the removal of a rec center and whether the study was being done for a particular developer.
  • Resolution 26-282: Authorize the Planning Board to investigate nine properties as an area in need of redevelopment with condemnation power. The properties come from the abandoned property list. Council members identified properties that are being rehabilitated (e.g., 28 Magnolia, 103 Claremont) and requested they be removed from the study.

Health and Human Services Appointments and Programs

• HHS Director Nominee Linda Ivory Green presented. She discussed priorities including in-house vet services for TNR, streamlining the food vendor permitting process, restructuring HHS divisions, addressing the closure of Heights University Hospital, and creating an Office of Social Services. Council members expressed support.
• Summer Food Service Program grant (Resolution 26-251): Accept $392,606.14 from the NJ Department of Agriculture to feed more than 3,000 children in July and August. Discussion about site expansion and the meal provider (Whitson's Food Service).

Recreation Director Appointment

• Acting Director Peter Vincent presented his qualifications and vision for the Recreation Department. Council members asked about facilities maintenance, indoor recreation space, special needs programming, seniors, and partnerships. He discussed his experience with turf fields and possible use of NJCU facilities. Councilman Gilmore stated his support for Tommy Best, a long-time department employee, citing the need for internal promotion. The administration announced that Mr. Best had been appointed to a new position as Director of Community Development for Recreation, reporting to the Deputy Mayor, with a salary range around $100,000. No vote was taken.

DPW Uniforms and New Director

• Resolution 26-259: Renew contract with Cintas for rental uniforms for DPW at a cost of $300,000/year. Councilman Gilmore questioned the cost and requested an analysis of purchasing uniforms versus the rental contract. It was noted that the benefit is part of union contracts.
• Acting DPW Director Jim Levy presented his background and plans for snow response, accountability, and use of the scale at DPW to weigh refuse trucks. Council members asked about his residency (he lives outside Jersey City and intends to move), handling of "old vs. new Jersey City," and how he would handle disagreements with the administration.

Emergency Appropriations and HVAC Contracts

• Resolution 26-241: Emergency temporary appropriations for several departments, including snow removal vendors, public defender services, HVAC repairs, and custodial supplies. Council members requested itemized breakdowns of expenditures.
• Resolution 26-260: Ratify an emergency contract with McCluskey Mechanical for HVAC work at 75 Bishop Street (East District police station) at $174,000. Discussion about warranty coverage and the need for preventive maintenance.
• Resolution 26-262: Award open-ended contract to Northeast Sweepers for RAVO street sweeper parts and repairs (up to $150,000). The new DPW director expressed interest in exploring alternative sweeper brands in the future.
• Resolution 26-261: Award contract to Nielsen Fleet for lights and sirens for the city fleet, open-ended contract amount up to $70,000.

Cannabis Licenses

• Resolution 26-268: Support for Prime Genetics LLC, a cannabis cultivator/manufacturer at 26 Cornelison Ave. Council noted MOUs with Women Rising and Segunda Quimbamba.
• Resolution 26-267: Support for Xena NJ LLC, a consumption area at 759 Bergen Ave. This would be the first consumption lounge in the city. Discussion about hours (noon–11 p.m.), no food/beverages, ventilation requirements, and distance to schools.
• Resolution 26-266: Support for Other Side Dispensary LLC consumption area at 36 Congress St. The business has closed, owes three quarters of cannabis taxes, and may be seeking to sell the license. Council members expressed concerns about the license being sold to the highest bidder and blocking future applicants in Ward D. No decision was made; Corporation Counsel was asked to look into the matter.

Residency Waivers

• Resolution 26-276: Waive residency for various employees. Corporation Counsel explained the ordinance applies to senior-level employees; there is no grandfathering. Councilman Gilmore asked to remove an individual who is not a city employee. The resolution will be updated.

Appointment of Business Administrator

• Resolution 26-277: Appoint Ruby Choi as Business Administrator. Ms. Choi, a Jersey City resident, answered questions about fiscal discipline, performance metrics, and change management. Council members welcomed her. No vote taken.

Other Items

• Resolution 26-275: Ratify cyber insurance policy from Calbell Cyber. No questions.
• Resolution 26-263: Authorize public sale of 94 motor vehicles and two camera trailers via online auction. Council asked for results of previous auctions.
• Resolution 26-252: Accept a gift of "Zoe's Peace Pack" from Zoe Sierra 90s (~$600).
• Resolution 26-253: Authorize Planning Board investigation at Newark and Baldwin Avenues.
• Resolution 26-283: Create a community advisory board for the Bayside Park Recreation Center project.
• Resolution 26-265: Codification services contract was withdrawn at Councilman Gilmore's request because a purchase order was missing.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; this was a caucus. All items will be considered at the regular council meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
• Several resolutions will be amended before the regular meeting:
  • 10.5 (shelter trailers) to reference two trailers.
  • 10.36 (residency waiver) to remove an individual who is not a city employee.
  • 10.25 (codification) to be withdrawn and resubmitted with a purchase order.
  • 10.2 (bond counsel) to provide invoices and investigate legal obligation.
  • 10.42 (redevelopment investigation) to remove properties that are being rehabilitated.
• Council members requested numerous documents, including expenditure breakdowns, UASI grant budgets, and contract histories.
• The council was informed that the city faces a $254 million budget deficit, and Councilman Gilmore advocated for using the fund balance to mitigate tax increases.