Jersey City Municipal Council Caucus Meeting - August 17, 2026

This caucus meeting began at 10:10 AM with five council members present, eventually reaching eight members. The meeting covered a wide range of resolutions, including audits, budget amendments, and various departmental items.

Discussion Items

• Audit Presentation (2025 Financial Audit): Mark Bednars of Donahue, Duranda, Doran, and Tompkins presented a 270-page audit. Key findings included an unmodified opinion on the current fund but a disclaimer on fixed assets due to no inventory. Fund balance increased by $9 million to $41.9 million, supported by $37 million in deferred charges (emergency appropriations). Seventeen additional findings included a $71,000 vendor overpayment (only $15,000 authorized), insufficient surety bond coverage, non-reliable accumulated absence reports, and issues with grant reserves. Councilman Griffin expressed strong frustration, calling for accountability and termination of responsible officials.
• Budget Amendment Process: CFO Bill introduced a unified budget amendment required by the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS). The amendment includes increased local revenue, movement of health benefits into the appropriations cap requiring cuts, and reductions in police overtime. Council members expressed frustration that their individual amendments could not be submitted as planned, but acknowledged the need for a single amendment to meet DLGS requirements.
• Police Off-Duty Program (Resolution 26-502): Director Prinzeri of the EDC presented a $1.95 million grant application for off-duty police in SIDs. Council members questioned the allocation process, data-driven deployment, and walking posts vs. standing posts. The program funds up to three officers per shift, with a two-hour buffer for incidents.
• Youth Works Program (Resolution 26-503): Dr. Bryant presented Phase Three of the UEZ Youth Works Program, requesting $1 million. The program served 624 students across 116 businesses this summer, with an independent evaluation underway. Expansion to year-round employment is planned.
• Fixed Assets RFP (Resolution 26-478): CFO introduced a proposal to contract for an appraisal and valuation of the city's fixed assets to address a recurring audit finding. Council urged public online access to the inventory.
• Tax Collector Appointment (Resolution 26-449): Sean Nolan, from Passaic, was introduced as the new tax collector. He discussed his experience with PILOTs, collections, and scaling up to Jersey City's $457 million levy. Council members asked about his approach to enforcement and revenue recovery.
• Digital Tax Map Maintenance (Resolution 26-479): Laura Takuri from the tax assessor's office presented a three-year contract to Adams, Riemann, and Higan for $139,625 per year. Council member noted prior budget discussion.
• WIC and Food Programs: Offer Cohen and Morgan Span presented grant acceptances for WIC and CACFP programs. Council requested itemized spending details and clarification on budget offsets.
• Transportation Planning Resolutions: Lindsay from transportation planning presented several items: extension of a contract with Street Plans Collaborative (remaining $34,240), acceptance of NJTPA grant ($128,162.50 for salaries), and award of two camera-assisted parking enforcement contracts (Automotis Inc. and Municipal Parking Services). The program targets commercial corridors for safety, with no upfront cost to the city. Council asked about implementation, community engagement, and revenue projections.
• Community Development Items: Amari Santiago presented four items: designation of NEPA certifying officer, discharge of mortgage for 24 Stegman, partial discharge at 307 Bergen, and acceptance of CSBG grant ($989,803). Council asked about nonprofit partners.
• IT and Communications: Director Noble presented contracts for data/voice services (Horizon, $367,479.68, with $100k savings), fiscal software (Edmonds GovTech, $73,410), and Cisco switch upgrades ($797,272.07). Council noted communication issues with temporary appropriations.
• FIFA Community Event Grant: Director presented a reimbursement grant from Choose New Jersey. Council requested full accounting of FIFA event revenues/expenditures.
• Police Off-Duty Code Amendment (Ordinance 26-069): Sgt. Woods presented amendments to allow an 8% administrative fee for third-party vendor (Extra Duty Solutions). The change redeploys current staff and addresses audit findings. Council asked about efficiency and future in-house capability.
• DPW Items: John Lich presented fuel contracts (diesel and gas, $900k each), open-end contracts for lumber ($418,876) and custodial supplies ($521,000), and a recycling grant ($322,488). Council questioned spending history and right-sizing of custodial contract. The lumber and custodial contracts were noted as open-end, with historical spend lower than maximum.
• Cannabis Control Board Legal Services (Resolution 26-509): Contract to Ron P. Mandelo PC for legal advice.
• Animal Services Grant (Resolution 26-490): Director Burns presented a $100,000 PETCO Love grant for spay/neuter and wellness care to keep pets in homes. He noted cost savings: sheltering costs ~$1,500/animal vs. $500/animal for in-home support.
• Opioid Settlement Grants (Resolution 26-492): Vivian Webb presented acceptance of $197,108.51 from national opioid settlements. Council urged using funds for salary offsets in HHS and asked about allowable uses.
• Grants Receivable Cancellation (Resolution 26-477): Housekeeping measure to cancel legacy grant balances pre-2016.
• HHS Grants (Resolutions 26-493, -495, -496): Health Officer Paul Bellamboyer presented three grants: Peaceful Families domestic violence program ($800,000), Mental Health Awareness Training (renewal), and Drug Overdose Prevention ($850,000/year). No local match required. Council asked about staffing and program reach.
• Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan (Resolution 10.54): Director Marion presented authorization to open the plan for study. Council President Ridley expressed support for community input, including a potential grocery store and height concerns.
• Exchange Place SID Budget (Resolution 26-485): Introduction of FY2027 budget. Council member requested hybrid meeting options.
• Journal Square SID Budget (Resolutions 10.10-10.11): Budget of ~$1.2 million, with $900k from SID assessment. Director exploring formula change to assessed value.
• Bond Ordinance Reappropriation (Ordinance 26-067): Reappropriates $5.3 million in excess bond proceeds for capital improvements: City Hall roof ($1.2M), Fire Department SCBA packs ($1.2M), Engine 9 HVAC and 28 Patterson St. rehab ($500k), public safety IT network ($1.4M), fire training facility foundation ($700k), and Section 20 costs ($500k). Council expressed concern over taking funds from previous projects like a homeless drop-in center.

Key Outcomes

• The council will hold a public hearing on the calendar year 2026 municipal budget on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, with a special meeting for the budget amendment.
• The council will formally accept the 2025 audit and corrective action plan in September.
• Resolutions on the audit-related items (10.46, 10.48) were withdrawn for a future meeting.
• Council requested numerous information items via council requests, including vendor overpayment details, past spending histories, and grant itemizations.
• The meeting adjourned at 2:21 PM.