Port Jervis Common Council approves grant applications, vehicle donation and $559,394 insurance renewal

The Port Jervis Common Council on June 22, 2026 approved a package of administrative measures including grant applications, procurement authorizations and an insurance renewal.

The council voted to authorize submission of a 2026 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant application to fund hiring of new police officers and empowered the mayor, police chief or their designees to execute any resulting grant award documents. "You just basically have to be in it to win it," Councilwoman Misty Fuller said, describing the committee discussion that preceded the resolution.

Council members also retroactively approved submission of a Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Year 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) application for wildfire personal protective equipment (PPE). The resolution reported a revised project cost of $27,700 and stated the city would provide a 5% match. The transcript included a mismatched match figure; the 5% match on $27,700 is $1,385. The council carried the resolution by voice vote.

The council accepted a donated surplus utility vehicle from the U.S. General Services Administration to be used by the fire department, authorizing payment of transportation costs to bring the vehicle from Fort Riley, Kansas. The council also approved acceptance of multiple procurement bids related to a prefabricated pole-barn administrative building for the Department of Public Works and authorized entering into an engineering oversight contract for New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRRI) small projects with compensation not to exceed $30,000.

Finance reported bills across funds totaling $718,380.37; the council approved payment of those bills by voice vote. The governing body also approved renewing the city’s insurance policies with Trident Public Risk Solutions for the 2026–2027 policy period at a premium of $559,394. Mayor Dominic thanked the city's insurance agent and clerk, saying Marshall Sterling and the clerk's office "did an immense amount of work on this renewal and they were able to save us a significant amount of money and...saved us in our insurance deductible."

Other actions included authorizing the creation of a grant-funded civil service service-coordinator position, approving police participation in the Port Jervis High School graduation parade, and accepting the resignation of Lisa Perkowski from the civil service roster. The council also approved a solicitation to procure architect/engineering services for Riverside Park under the DRRI and voted to suspend the July 13 meeting, allowing bills to be paid until the next meeting on July 27, 2026.

Votes at a glance - Motion to enter executive session to discuss police department personnel: carried (voice vote). - Approval of June 8, 2026 minutes: carried (voice vote). - Late duty assignment for employee #397 (July 20–Sept 14, 2026): carried (voice vote). - Authorize submission of 2026 COPS grant application and execution of award documents: carried (voice vote). - Authorize creation and civil service processing for grant-funded service coordinator: carried (voice vote). - Approve police involvement in high school graduation parade and route: carried (voice vote). - Approve DRRI Riverside Park solicitation for architect/engineer services: carried (voice vote). - Pay bills totaling $718,380.37: carried (voice vote). - Authorize insurance renewal with Trident Public Risk Solutions, premium $559,394: carried (voice vote). - Accept donated surplus utility vehicle from U.S. GSA (transportation costs to be covered by city): carried (voice vote). - Retroactive approval to submit AFG application for wildfire PPE, revised project cost $27,700, 5% city match noted: carried (voice vote). - Authorize engagement of engineering oversight for DRRI small projects, not to exceed $30,000: carried (voice vote). - Accept bids for DPW pole-barn administrative building and related site work: carried (voice vote). - Accept resignation of Lisa Perkowski (civil service): carried (voice vote). - Suspend July 13 meeting; next meeting scheduled July 27, 2026: carried (voice vote).

Why it matters: The actions advance funding and procurement for public safety, infrastructure and downtown revitalization projects and lock in the city’s insurance package for the coming year. Several items depend on external awards or contractor selection and will require follow-up as contracts are finalized or grant awards are offered.

What’s next: The council authorized staff to proceed with grant submissions, procurement and contracting where noted. The DRRI application and small-projects solicitations have upcoming deadlines July 6 and July 10/17 sessions; the council will next convene July 27, 2026.