Jersey City council asked to pay $60K in fire-protection bills dating to 2025 and to OK contract renewals that already started

JERSEY CITY — Several items on the Jersey City Council’s Wednesday, Oct. 21, agenda ask members to sign off on money and contracts after the fact: paying bills for work already done, and “ratifying” contract renewals whose terms have already begun.

$60,150 in fire-protection invoices back to April 2025

Resolution 26-689 would pay Johnson Control Fire $60,150.02 for “inspection contracts for fire protection at city owned buildings and monitoring at all buildings.” The invoices cover services from April 24, 2025, to July 22, 2026: $50,864.09 in 2025 invoices and $9,285.93 in 2026 invoices. The fact sheet lists the type of award as “CLAIM,” and the resolution refers to an “NC Voucher.” The packet’s attachment list also includes a purchase order for Johnson Controls Fire.

The fact sheet says council approval is needed “due to many facilities needing new dialers to make them universal and accessible, this includes fire alarms and monitoring services and updating of fire extinguishers.” Payment depends on the company signing a release. The fact sheet lists Director of Public Works James Leavy as project manager. Hudson TV asked the city whether a contract or purchase order covered the work and why the 2025 invoices are only now going to the council.

$222,996 to repair a fire engine damaged in a 2025 crash

Resolution 26-687 would pay Elizabeth Truck Center $222,996.45 for repairs to Squad 30’s 2023 E-One pumper. The engine was damaged in a crash on April 15, 2025, and the repairs were finished on April 26, 2026, the resolution says. The city’s insurer, Starr Specialty Lines, paid $122,996.45. The city covers the remaining $100,000, its per-claim deductible.

The police crash report attached to the resolution says the engine was responding to an emergency call with its lights activated. It was turning left from Kellogg Street onto Route 440 North when it was struck by a tractor-trailer traveling south on Route 440. The truck’s driver told police that a truck stopped in the right lane blocked his view. The engine’s front passenger was taken to Jersey City Medical Center complaining of back pain, the report says. Hudson TV asked the city why the payment is going to the council now and whether it is seeking to recover the deductible from the other vehicle’s insurer.

Medical exam contract renewed after its start date

Resolution 26-713 would “ratify” the second one-year renewal of the Jersey City Medical Center contract for medical services and exams for city employees and job applicants, worth up to $472,924. The renewal is “effective retroactive as of October 1, 2026,” three weeks before the council vote. According to the resolution, the original contract expired Oct. 1, 2025, and the first renewal, approved April 8, 2026 (Res. 26-164), ran from Jan. 1, 2026, to Oct. 1, 2026. The resolution doesn’t say what covered Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025. Hudson TV asked the city.

Sidewalk and ADA ramp contract

Resolution 26-695 would ratify the first renewal of Power Concrete Co.’s on-call concrete and ADA ramp contract “effective as of September 1, 2026.” The council votes seven weeks later. The renewal can cost up to $2,269,924 if the city orders the maximum quantities; $800,000 is certified as available now. Hudson TV asked the city why the renewal is being ratified after its start date.

Numbers that don’t add up

Resolution 26-714 would add $75,000 to the city’s contract with the law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky for outside counsel on labor matters. The resolution says the firm’s contract is currently capped at $125,000, then adds $75,000 “for a total contract amount of $125,000.” It says $75,000 is available in the account, but its funding certification lists $50,000, and it says $15,667.51 remains unspent on the existing purchase order. Hudson TV asked the city what the correct current cap and new total are.

A separate resolution on the same agenda, for the tenant right-to-counsel program, also misstates a total (see our story).

The city

Hudson TV emailed city spokesperson Kimberly Wallace Scalcione on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the questions above on each of these five resolutions. A response will be added if received.

The council meets Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m., according to the agenda.

Hudson TV asks: Should the council keep approving bills and contract renewals after the work has already started? Reply A: Yes, the work had to get done. Reply B: No, approval should come first.
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