Jersey City Council Caucus Meeting – October 20, 2025

This caucus meeting of the Jersey City Municipal Council convened on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 4:07 p.m. with seven council members present; Councilperson Hewlings was absent, and Councilperson Soleil arrived at 4:19 p.m., bringing attendance to eight. The meeting was held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The agenda included resolutions, ordinances for first and second reading, and a major presentation on the Harsimus Branch Embankment settlement.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 25-659: Authorized the public sale of 127 vehicles no longer suitable for use via online auction.
• Resolution 25-658: Renewed a one-year contract for $60,000 with Brown & Brown for insurance consulting services (November 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026).
• Resolution 25-653: Accepted a $500,000 grant from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund for the Lowe’s Theater exterior rehabilitation.
• Resolution 25-652: Authorized the cancellation of two tax sale certificates previously owned by Conrail.
• Resolution (age‑friendly grants): Accepted a $24,244 grant from the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services for the Division of Senior Affairs.
• Resolution 25-657: Recognized the 2025 Subaru Loves Pets Program Grant ($0 cost to city) from Hudson Subaru for animal welfare.
• Resolution 25-661 and 25-662: Authorized cancellation of real estate taxes on properties acquired by the city (335 Washington Street and 155 Bay Street units/theater).
• Resolution 25-664: Designated a loading zone on Erie Street (south of Pavonia Avenue), Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Resolution 25-665: Consolidated northbound bus stops on Palisade Avenue at Jefferson and Prospect to a new stop at Palisade and Waverly.
• Resolution 25-660: Withdrawn (grant consultant claim by Millennium Strategies LLC) – carried to next meeting.
• Resolution 25-666: Recognized the legacy of the Church of God in Christ Temple and its leaders.

Discussion Items

• Affordable Housing Code Update (Ordinance 3.4): An ordinance amending Chapter 188 of the municipal code to align with new state uniform housing affordability controls. No questions were raised.
• Pet Store Ban (Ordinance 3.3): The Division of Animal Care and Control requested that the pending resolution banning pet stores also include home‑breeders, citing concerns about animal lineage, health records, and shelter overcrowding. The council agreed to amend the language before introduction on Wednesday.
• Hackensack River Greenway Overlay District (Ordinance 3.5): An ordinance creating an overlay district requiring developers along the western shore to construct, maintain, and manage a public greenway aligned with the county plan. Developers would receive a lot coverage exemption for the 30‑foot easement. No public meeting was held; the administration deemed the 2021 master plan process sufficient.
• Route 139 Rezoning (Ordinance 3.2): Proposed rezoning of properties along upper Route 139 from R‑1 or government zones to NC‑1, R‑3, or RC‑3 (5–8 stories). Councilperson Solomon requested a tabling, stating residents were “furious” and had not been adequately consulted. The council agreed to table the ordinance on Wednesday after the administration’s preferred withdrawal.
• Bait Street Redevelopment Plan Amendment (Ordinance 3.6): An amendment reducing previous 20‑ and 30‑story proposals to a 5‑story base with height bonuses tied to affordable housing. The density standard would be eliminated; all units could reach maximum height with affordable housing inclusion.
• Special Emergency Appropriation for Severance Liabilities (Ordinance 3.1): A $14 million appropriation to fund severance payments for retiring police and fire personnel. The repayment would be spread over five years (2026–2030) at ~2.5% interest, with annual installments of $2.8 million. Director Kyle Greaves noted that without this borrowing, the city would face a $40 million cash deficit and a tax increase of 4.72% instead of the adopted 0.97%. The council discussed the impact on future hiring and the need to explore alternative financing methods.
• Harsimus Branch Embankment Settlement (Ordinances 3.7, 3.8, and 4.1): A comprehensive presentation on the 27‑year legal dispute. The settlement would transfer Blocks 2–8 to the city as publicly owned open space (over 5 acres) and allow Block 1 to be developed by Albanese Organization with 600 residential units (instead of 400 residential + 200 hotel), including 15% affordable housing on the converted hotel units. The developer would also build a 30‑foot walkway with a grand stair, elevator, and public restrooms on Block 1; a bridge to Block 2; a public park on Block 2; and a reconstructed Roberto Clemente ball field. The financial analysis (NW Financial) showed a conventional tax yield of 5.4% vs. a PILOT yield of 5.96%, generating ~$3 million annually for the city and $120 million over the PILOT term. The settlement requires two readings; the second reading is scheduled for November 12, 2025. The council noted that the Embankment Preservation Coalition had not yet provided final review.
• Jackson Square Office Building Lease‑Purchase (Ordinance 4.3): Proposed ordinance for a 9‑story office building on MLK Drive. Councilperson Solomon expressed opposition, citing deteriorating police stations and the need to control spending. Councilperson Rivera supported the project, noting the need for pedestrian plazas and equitable development on that side of town. The ordinance was carried to the November 12 meeting.
• Stop Intersections (Ordinance 4.2): Routine ordinance designating multi‑way stop intersections.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Councilperson Solomon raised complaints about construction noise (6:30 a.m. Sundays) on Broadway and Tonnelle Avenue, and a movie filming on Baldwin Avenue that restricted parking and lights. Jennifer from the administration noted that weekend crane work is necessary to avoid weekday road closures.
• A brief exchange about animal control: Councilperson Solomon praised a recent response to an injured cat, and the division director committed to seven‑day service.

Key Outcomes

• Route 139 Rezoning: Councilperson Solomon will move to table or request withdrawal on Wednesday, pending a community meeting.
• Pet Store Ban: The ordinance will be amended to include home‑breeders before introduction on Wednesday.
• Embankment Settlement Ordinances: Introduced for first reading; will return for second reading on November 12, 2025. The IZO amendment (4.1) was carried to the same date.
• Jackson Square Office Building: Carried to November 12 meeting with a request to explore affordable housing and senior amenities.
• Special Emergency Appropriation: No vote taken at caucus; will be on the regular meeting agenda.
• Resolution 25-660 (Millennium Strategies): Withdrawn, carried to next meeting.
• Meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m.