OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jersey City Council Meeting: Hospital Support, Abatement Debate, and Housing Enforcement on October 13, 2025

Council and Caucus Meetings — Monday, October 13, 2025
BodyJersey City, New Jersey
SessionCouncil and Caucus Meetings
DateMonday, October 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:35:00

Transcript — Verbatim
2:20

On the bulletin board of the first floor of City Hall.

2:23

In addition, the annual notice was also filed in the office of the city clerk on Friday, November 15th, 2024.

2:30

The agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated to the municipal council, mayor, business administrator, corporation council, and local newspapers on Friday, October third, twenty twenty-five at five twelve PM.

2:42

The agenda was concurrently posted on the city's web page, one page.

2:47

Consequently, I can certify as to our complete compliance with the sunshine law.

3:10

Is that correct, Councilwoman?

3:12

Correct.

3:12

Motion.

3:13

Do you want me to very well?

3:14

Uh motion made by Ridley.

3:15

Is there a second?

3:16

Sorry.

3:17

I think I heard Waterman for that first, so I'll give that credit to Council President.

3:22

Uh Council members, please remember that adding a late item requires a six vote majority.

3:28

The motion to add agenda item ten point twenty-six.

3:31

How do you vote?

3:32

Councilperson Ridley?

3:34

Aye.

3:34

Councilperson Jewelings?

3:36

Aye.

3:36

Councilperson Boggiano.

3:38

Aye.

3:38

Councilman Soley.

3:41

Councilman Solomon.

3:43

Councilperson Gilmore.

3:45

Aye.

3:45

Councilperson De G's.

3:47

Aye.

3:48

Councilperson Rivera.

3:50

Aye.

3:50

And Council President Waterman.

3:54

We have seven votes.

3:55

That makes it uh official.

3:57

Uh the motion to add agenda item ten point two six has been added.

4:02

Seven zero.

4:05

Councilperson Ridley, is your is it your intention to make a motion to defer to agenda item ten point twenty-six and consider it now at the beginning of the meeting?

4:12

Yes.

4:13

Okay.

4:13

Very well.

4:14

So motion to defer to agenda item ten point twenty six is made by Ridley.

4:18

Is there a second?

4:19

I believe that was Rivera.

4:21

I heard on the motion to defer to agenda item ten point six.

4:26

How do you vote?

4:26

Councilperson Ridley.

4:29

Uh I will in fact do you need me to read it into record or no?

4:32

Well, we'll we're just gonna add it motion to defer.

4:35

Okay.

4:35

Yeah.

4:36

Aye.

4:36

Councilperson Ewings.

4:38

Aye.

4:38

Councilperson Boggiano.

4:41

Aye, and can I just say some well?

4:43

We're just all right.

4:46

Councilperson Soleil.

4:48

Councilperson Solomon.

4:52

Aye.

4:52

Councilperson Gilmore.

4:54

Aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████20%
Rent Control███████████████15%
Procedural█████████████13%
Tax Appeals███████████11%
Housing██████████10%
Public Health█████5%
Community Development█████5%
Workforce Development█████5%
Labor Rights█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Jersey City Council Meeting – October 13, 2025

The Jersey City Council met on October 13, 2025, to consider a resolution supporting University Heights Hospital, introduce several ordinances, hold a public hearing on a 30-year tax abatement for a downtown development, and vote on mandatory minimum fines for housing violations. Key votes included passage of the hospital resolution 9-0, adoption of the tax abatement 6-2-1, and unanimous approval of enhanced housing enforcement.

Late Item: University Heights Hospital Resolution

  • Resolution 25-651: Councilmember Ridley introduced a resolution expressing support for keeping University Heights Hospital (formerly Christ Hospital) open. The resolution cited 12,000 inpatient procedures and 70,000 emergency room visits at nearby hospitals in 2023, and that closure would jeopardize healthcare for thousands of residents and result in over 1,000 lost healthcare jobs. Councilmembers spoke in favor, emphasizing the hospital's historical importance and the need for transparency from Hudson Regional Health. The resolution passed 9-0.

First Reading Ordinances

  • 3.1 (Rent Control Expansion): Ordinance 25-106 to amend rent control to include owner-occupied two- to five-family units. Introduced and continued to the November 12 meeting for public hearing.
  • 3.2 (Inclusionary Zoning): Ordinance 25-107 amending Chapter 187. Introduced.
  • 3.3 (Traffic Regulations): Ordinance 25-108 designating multi-way stop intersections. Introduced.
  • 3.4 (Jackson Square Office Building Lease): Ordinance 25-109 authorizing a lease-purchase agreement for a nine-story office building and ancillary improvements. Councilmembers raised questions about finances and community benefits. The motion to introduce passed with some no votes (Councilmember Boggiano voted no on 3.1, 3.2, and 3.4; Councilmember Hewlings voted no on 3.4).

Public Hearing and Vote: 177 Grand Street Tax Abatement (Ordinance 25-101)

  • Project: 413 residential units (62 affordable, 15%), 30-year PILOT, with estimated annual payments of $2.4 million versus full taxes of $3.4 million.
  • Public Comments: Multiple speakers expressed positions. Supporters (e.g., Christopher de Los Angeles, Eric Powers, Casey Cockett) argued the project brings affordable housing to downtown Paulus Hook and benefits local businesses. Opponents (e.g., Stephanie Daniels of Historic Paulus Hook Association, Philip Petruzelli, Tony Sandkamp, Michelle Hirsch) contended the abatement shifts tax burden, does not fund public schools, and that the developer should build without subsidies, noting the project is the minimum required by inclusionary zoning.
  • Council Discussion: Councilmembers Hewlings and Waterman supported, calling it the first affordable housing project downtown. Councilmembers Solomon and Gilmore opposed, stating 15% is insufficient and that a policy should be developed. Councilmember Ridley expressed concerns but voted aye, citing commitments to local contractors.
  • Vote: 6-2-1 (six in favor, two against, one abstention). Ordinance 25-101 adopted.

Second Reading Ordinances

  • 4.2 (Lincoln Park Parking): Ordinance 25-103 restricting parking for street cleaning. Adopted 7-2.
  • 4.3 (Disabled Parking): Ordinance 25-104 designating reserved parking spaces for disabled individuals. Adopted 9-0.
  • 4.4 (Mandatory Minimum Fines for Housing Violations): Ordinance 25-105 establishing $100 per unit per day minimum fines for violations of rent control and property maintenance codes. Public speakers Kevin Weller, Mark Boyles, and Michelle Hirsch strongly supported, citing weak enforcement and the need for deterrence. Adopted 9-0.

Public Comments

  • Chris Capers and Percy Lujan spoke about wage theft and unsafe conditions at Namdar Group construction sites, urging the council to hold developers accountable.
  • Jake Ephros expressed solidarity with union workers at Christ Hospital and construction sites, calling Jersey City a union town.
  • Kevin Weller urged the council to ensure enforcement of the newly passed housing ordinance, citing ongoing security violations at Portside Towers.
  • Gina Davison criticized the council's vote on the tax abatement and called for more focus on low-income housing.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 25-651 (University Heights Hospital support) passed 9-0.
  • Ordinance 25-101 (177 Grand Street tax abatement) adopted 6-2-1.
  • Ordinance 25-103 (Lincoln Park parking) adopted 7-2.
  • Ordinance 25-104 (disabled parking) adopted 9-0.
  • Ordinance 25-105 (mandatory minimum housing fines) adopted 9-0.
  • First reading ordinance 3.1 (rent control) continued to November 12, 2025 for public hearing.

Meeting Transcript

On the bulletin board of the first floor of City Hall. In addition, the annual notice was also filed in the office of the city clerk on Friday, November 15th, 2024. The agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated to the municipal council, mayor, business administrator, corporation council, and local newspapers on Friday, October third, twenty twenty-five at five twelve PM. The agenda was concurrently posted on the city's web page, one page. Consequently, I can certify as to our complete compliance with the sunshine law. Is that correct, Councilwoman? Correct. Motion. Do you want me to very well? Uh motion made by Ridley. Is there a second? Sorry. I think I heard Waterman for that first, so I'll give that credit to Council President. Uh Council members, please remember that adding a late item requires a six vote majority. The motion to add agenda item ten point twenty-six. How do you vote? Councilperson Ridley? Aye. Councilperson Jewelings? Aye. Councilperson Boggiano. Aye. Councilman Soley. Councilman Solomon. Councilperson Gilmore. Aye. Councilperson De G's. Aye. Councilperson Rivera. Aye. And Council President Waterman. We have seven votes. That makes it uh official. Uh the motion to add agenda item ten point two six has been added. Seven zero. Councilperson Ridley, is your is it your intention to make a motion to defer to agenda item ten point twenty-six and consider it now at the beginning of the meeting? Yes. Okay. Very well. So motion to defer to agenda item ten point twenty six is made by Ridley. Is there a second? I believe that was Rivera. I heard on the motion to defer to agenda item ten point six. How do you vote? Councilperson Ridley. Uh I will in fact do you need me to read it into record or no? Well, we'll we're just gonna add it motion to defer. Okay. Yeah. Aye.

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