The grant, originally applied for by the library board in December, did not come to the attention of the council until the city was notified of its success in July. This led to questions about procedural compliance, as city policy mandates council involvement in grant applications made in its name. One councilor expressed confusion over why the council had not been consulted. The councilor pointed out that using the city’s name in grant applications without prior consent could lead to unintended associations or commitments.

In addition to the grant discussion, the council approved several union-related agreements. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was reached with the BPU managers and supervisors association and the IOE street and parks divisions regarding paid family leave. These agreements align with new state laws on mandatory paid family medical leave starting January 2026.

The council also approved the promotion of Britney Cit to HR director, effective January 2026, following the retirement notice of the current HR director. This internal promotion is part of a broader strategy to ensure continuity in city operations. Moreover, the council accepted the retirement of Kimberly Markwart, a police records management technician with 19 years of service, and authorized the backfilling of her position.

A settlement agreement with the Teamsters Union was approved concerning back pay for the 2025 Juneteenth holiday. This agreement resolved a grey area regarding holiday pay. Additionally, the council updated the employee policy manual to reflect legislative changes and department recommendations, despite a request to table the matter for further review.