Jersey City Municipal Council Meeting - October 23, 2025

The Jersey City Municipal Council met on October 23, 2025 (the meeting began at 6:06 PM on October 22, 2025, and was recorded as October 23 due to the transcript timestamp). The council achieved a quorum with eight members present, later nine. Key actions included recognizing October as Hindu Heritage Month, introducing multiple first-reading ordinances, carrying a zoning ordinance to a later meeting, adopting a stop-sign ordinance, and debating a controversial rent-control ordinance (25‑107) that was subsequently withdrawn by the council president for revision.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 25‑668 (added late): Recognizing October as Hindu Heritage Month in Jersey City. Approved unanimously 9‑0.
• Agenda items 10.1 through 10.8: Approved unanimously 9‑0.
• Agenda items 10.10 through 10.16: Approved unanimously 9‑0.
• Claims and addendums 1, 2, and 3: Approved unanimously 9‑0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Arjuman Javeria (community activist): Expressed concern that the city postponed a Hindu Heritage Month event she organized, and that the event was taken over by the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad). She collected 250 signatures but received no response from the mayor’s office. She requested support for her initiative.
• Erica Walker (Ward F chief of staff, speaking as resident): Supported the stop-sign ordinance for MLK and Myrtle Avenue, asking for enhanced signage and markings. Requested a moment of silence for James Cook, a constituent who died at that intersection.
• Gina Davidson, Tina Knowles, Edward Perkins, and others: Called for justice for Drew (Andrew Washington) and for T’Sean Rogers, a recent police shooting victim. Criticized the mayor’s handling of police accountability and urged the council to establish a civilian complaint review board.
• Multiple Portside Towers residents (Sue Corey, Susan Rokan, Brandon Cauffin, Sonia Karshner, etc.): Stated that their landlord (Equity Residential) violates city code by failing to provide 24/7 uniform security, a resident superintendent, and complete registration statements. They cited specific code sections and asked the council to enforce existing laws.
• Several speakers opposed ordinance 25‑107 (rent control reform): Described it as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” that would guarantee landlords a 40% net operating income and allow them to pass fines to tenants. They cited statements from mayoral candidates (Bill O’Day, James Solomon, Jim McGreevy) and housing experts (Katie Brennan, Matt Shapiro) who opposed the ordinance. They urged the council to withdraw it.
• Embarkment Preservation Coalition supporters (Stephen Gucciardo, Mira Prinzari, others): Urged passage of ordinances 25‑116, 25‑117, and 25‑118 (the embankment settlement). They highlighted the 25‑year fight, the benefits of a 5‑acre elevated park, stormwater control, and historic preservation. They asked the council to vote yes on November 12.
• Other speakers: Discussed park safety (Virginia Avenue Park), street paving, e-bike delivery ordinance, environmental rights for incarcerated people, Christ Hospital layoffs, and tenant protections.

Discussion Items

• Addition of Resolution 25‑668: Council President Waterman moved to add the Hindu Heritage Month resolution. It was deferred and approved unanimously after a brief presentation by Ms. Javeria.
• Withdrawal of Agenda Item 10.18 (Resolution 25‑669): The administration attempted to add a late resolution for a PILOT settlement (Montgomery Green Urban Renewal, LLC). Council members objected to voting on such short notice; the item was withdrawn.
• Motion to withdraw Agenda Item 3.2 (Zoning on Route 139): Councilman Boggiano moved to withdraw the first‑reading ordinance, citing lack of community meetings and concerns about Christ Hospital redevelopment. After debate, the motion failed 6–3 (Boggiano, Soleil, Gilmore voting yes; others no). The ordinance was introduced (8–1, Boggiano voting no) and later carried to the November 26 meeting by a 9–0 vote.
• Introduction of First‑Reading Ordinances (3.1–3.8): The council voted to introduce all eight ordinances. Ordinance 3.1 (special emergency appropriation for severance) passed 8–1 (Solomon no). Ordinance 3.2 (zoning map amendment) passed 8–1 (Boggiano no). The remaining six ordinances (3.3–3.8) passed unanimously 9–0. Ordinance 3.2 was subsequently carried to the November 26 meeting.
• Second‑Reading Ordinances: Agenda items 4.1 and 4.3 were carried to the November 12 meeting. Agenda item 4.2 (multi‑way stop intersections) had a public hearing; one speaker (Erica Walker) supported it and requested enhanced signage. The hearing was closed, and the ordinance was adopted unanimously 9–0.
• Debate on Ordinance 25‑107 (Rent Control): Council President Waterman introduced the ordinance on October 8. After extensive public criticism, Councilwoman Waterman and Councilman Soleil explained that the ordinance was intended to stabilize rent but was being misread. They announced that the ordinance would be withdrawn and replaced with a new, enforceable version. Councilman Soleil noted that a committee had been working on a draft for years, and that the new proposal would incorporate input from tenant advocates and the law department.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 25‑668 (Hindu Heritage Month): Approved unanimously 9‑0.
• Resolution 25‑669 (PILOT settlement): Withdrawn by the administration.
• Ordinance 25‑112 (Zoning map amendment, Item 3.2): Introduced (8‑1) and carried to the November 26, 2025 meeting for second reading.
• Ordinance 25‑109 (Stop intersections): Adopted unanimously 9‑0 after a public hearing.
• Ordinance 25‑107 (Rent control reform): Will be withdrawn; council president committed to introducing a new enforceable ordinance.
• All other resolutions and claims: Approved unanimously.
• Next meeting: November 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

The meeting adjourned at 9:39 PM.