Jersey City Municipal Council Caucus Meeting - September 9, 2025

The Jersey City Municipal Council held a caucus meeting on September 9, 2025, at 4:02 PM. Seven council members were present, achieving a quorum. The meeting covered a wide range of items including budget amendments, contract awards, ordinances on rent control and redevelopment, and a proposed shift of council funds to engineering and other departments. No public comments were heard. Final votes are scheduled for the regular council meeting on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, with a special meeting on September 17 for budget adoption.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 10.3 authorizing temporary appropriations to cover payroll until budget adoption.
• Resolution 10.4 accepting $428,000 from national opioid settlements, bringing total received to approximately $2 million.
• Resolution 10.5 canceling a duplicate grant balance with no financial impact.
• Resolution 10.8 authorizing replacement of a lost tax sale certificate.
• Resolution 10.9 authorizing an accelerated tax sale for the current year.
• Resolution 10.20 (25-584) awarding a contract to Whitson's Food Service to provide meals for approximately 200 children through the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Resolution 10.21 (25-585) accepting a grant for breast cancer self-check samples and brochures.
• Resolution 10.19 (25-583) awarding a contract to Polar Power Systems for rental and maintenance of the chiller system at Pershing Ice Rink.
• Resolution 10.22 (25-586) designating administrative agents for the city's affordable housing program.
• Resolution 10.6 (25-570) canceling taxes on a condo unit at 11 Irving Street and granting a five-year tax abatement based on a county board decision, resulting in a credit of $7,390.03 for 2024 and 2025.
• Resolution 10.7 (25-571) rejecting all proposals for real property appraisal services to reissue with longer terms.
• Resolutions 10.23–10.27 (25-587 to 25-591) authorizing mortgage discharges and submission of a FY2026 Community Services Block Grant application for $976,320.
• Resolution 10.29 (25-593) awarding a contract to Continental Hardware for lumber and building materials.
• Resolution 10.28 authorizing payment to NW Financial for advisory services.
• Other resolutions: 10.10 (support for 32BJ SEIU security officers), 10.12-10.14 (reappointments of municipal court judges), 10.15-10.16 (reappointments to Medical Center Board), 10.17-10.18 (West Side Avenue SID assessment and budget), 10.30 (access agreement for billboard), 10.31 (professional services agreement), 10.32 (lien removals), 10.33 (settlement of consolidated lawsuits), 10.34 (budget reading by title), 10.35 (reappointment to Housing Authority), 10.36 (appointment to Redevelopment Agency), 10.37 (support for Christ Hospital interns), 10.38 (honoring West Indian Carnival).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the caucus.

Discussion Items

• Budget Amendments (10.1 & 10.2): Finance Director Kyle presented the administration's amendment (10.1) with a 0.97% tax impact, equating to approximately $38 on the average assessment of $480,000. Councilman Solomon introduced an alternative amendment (10.2) to shift roughly $1 million from the council's line item to traffic engineering and other departments (city clerk, quality of life, sanitation). Several council members, including Councilman Gilmore, argued for distributing funds to recreation, tenant-landlord enforcement, and DPW. Councilman Solomon expressed openness to additional changes by noon on Tuesday. It was clarified that the council must approve either 10.1 or 10.2.
• Medical Center Expansion (Ordinance 25-097): Director Diana Jeffrey of the JCRA explained that a deed restriction on hospital property must be discharged to allow a major expansion. In exchange, the city will receive $26.75 million from the sale of a portion of the land. Attorney Nevins McCann detailed the expansion: a parking garage with 1,200–1,400 spaces and additional medical office buildings. The hospital is the largest charity care provider in the county, having invested $500 million across Jersey City. Councilman Boggiano asked about parking for nearby teachers; McCann agreed to follow up.
• Rent Control Ordinances (3.4, 3.5, 3.6): Councilman Solomon introduced three ordinances: (3.4) requiring landlords to disclose non-use of AI algorithms in leases, (3.5) clarifying state-level rent increase exemptions, and (3.6) establishing a mandatory minimum fine of $100 per violation per day for housing-related offenses. He noted that 3.6 is the maximum allowed by law. Councilman Boggiano raised concerns about enforcement and prosecutorial discretion. The council agreed to set up a meeting with the prosecutor to discuss dismissal of violations.
• Redevelopment Plan Amendments:
  • Journal Square 2060 Plan (Ordinance 25-086): Attorney Charles Harrington requested that two lots on Cottage and Van Riper streets be rezoned from Zone 4 to Zone 3 to allow higher density and a 10% affordable housing requirement. Planning staff opposed the change. Councilman Solomon noted that since planning did not recommend it, the amendment might need further review and could require returning to first reading. A meeting with planning was suggested.
  • Fayette Broadway Plan (Ordinance 25-087): Councilman Boggiano reported strong community opposition. Attorney Eugene Paolino for the developer stated that four community meetings were held, but the opposition relates to an adjacent project, not the plan amendment. Council members noted that no follow-up meeting occurred between first and second reading. The council expects public testimony at the Wednesday meeting. Councilman Boggiano advocated pulling the ordinance.
• Other Items:
  • A bond ordinance (25-095) was withdrawn due to a pending settlement meeting on the embankment issue; it will be reintroduced later.
  • The street naming ordinance (25-096) for Bentley Avenue commemoratively designating Walter R. Lazinski Way was noted.
  • Franchise ordinances for 88 Regent Street, 328 Halliday Street, and Via JC parking lease were discussed.
  • Traffic and parking ordinances (4.6–4.9) were presented.

Key Outcomes

• The council will vote on either budget amendment 10.1 or 10.2 at the Wednesday meeting (September 10). A special meeting for final budget adoption is set for September 17 at 6 PM.
• Ordinance 25-097 (Medical Center deed restriction discharge) is expected to advance pending state EDA approval.
• The bond ordinance (25-095) was formally withdrawn; a revised version will be introduced after the settlement meeting.
• Councilman Boggiano requested a meeting with the prosecutor to discuss enforcement of housing code violations.
• No final actions were taken on the redevelopment plan amendments; they will be discussed further at the regular meeting.