A primary focus of the meeting was on enhancing the capabilities and resources of the city’s public safety departments. A resolution was passed to authorize a contract with Avid Exchange worth $6,985,500 for the New Jersey energy tracking and bill management system. This system is expected to streamline energy consumption tracking and optimize the billing process across public departments, contributing to more efficient energy use and potential cost savings.

The fire department’s need for a dedicated training facility was also a topic of considerable discussion. A proposed 10-year lease for a modular building was presented as a solution to provide the department with a space for essential training exercises. The potential to offer training services to other departments was seen as an opportunity to generate revenue. Questions regarding the timeline and the urgency to expedite the process were raised due to concerns over fire safety preparedness.

Addressing public safety communications, the Council moved to authorize an agreement with Fisher Telecom LLC for maintenance and support services for the Department of Public Safety’s phone system. In a similar vein, the acceptance of funds from the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Division of Criminal Justice was approved to aid in the purchase of body armor for the police department, thereby enhancing officer safety.

Infrastructure and environmental sustainability were also on the Council’s agenda. The Division of Forestry, in partnership with the Department of Recreation and Youth Development, sought authorization to accept a $20,000 grant from the State Department of Agriculture. This grant is intended to combat the spread of the spotted lanternfly—an invasive species—using a method that involves soil injection rather than direct spraying on trees, a technique expected to be more environmentally friendly and effective.

Furthering the city’s green initiatives, the Department of Infrastructure presented several items, including an ordinance for reserve parking for the disabled, a contract for on-call traffic engineering services, and another for tree planting. The tree planting resolution particularly emphasized the planting of Oaks for the spring season, with considerations for extending the contract to cover the fall and increasing the diversity of tree types planted.

This grant is designated for congregate nutrition, Meals on Wheels, and nutrition education programs. Additionally, a shared service agreement with Bergen County for prevention services was discussed to offset health educators’ costs for chronic disease prevention.

In terms of housing and economic development, the Council considered a request for the discharge of a mortgage encumbering a property within the city, highlighting the local government’s role in managing real estate assets. A contract with Trident Environmental LLC was also on the docket for preparing environmental reviews for Community Development block grant public facilities projects.

The allocation of funds for community services was another critical item discussed. The Council deliberated on the distribution of $660,000 to a local organization for the recruitment and training of law enforcement officers, with a potential reprogramming of $5,000 for the Urban League of Hudson County’s summer youth program. Additionally, the submission of the fiscal year 2024 Community Service Block Grant application with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs was authorized, along with a contract renewal with Civitas LLC for providing technical assistance in HUD Grant Management.

A discussion on the software system used for managing council agendas, specifically the I Compass system, brought forth concerns over functionality and the timely placement of resolutions, especially for matters such as grant funding and community development programs. The Council expressed a commitment to addressing these challenges collaboratively.

The meeting concluded with several resolutions, including the commemoration of a former councilman’s life, support for small businesses, and condemnations of backlash against an individual. Additionally, the Law Department was authorized to file affirmative tax appeals, and a settlement for a legal action against the city was approved.