Jersey City Municipal Council Caucus Meeting - November 25, 2025
Jersey City Municipal Council Caucus Meeting - November 25, 2025
The Jersey City Municipal Council held a caucus meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025 (started at 4:05 PM, adjourned at 5:41 PM). Roll call began with 5 members present, later increasing to 7. The meeting covered a wide range of resolutions, ordinances, and discussions, including a special announcement on the city's first dependent eligibility audit, contract awards for public works and public safety, and several zoning and redevelopment items.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 25-745: Award of contract to Foley Power Systems for a 2025 Caterpillar 950 GC wheel loader ($266,945).
- Resolution 25-746: Contract with W. Campbell and Supply Company for heavy duty parts ($100,000).
- Resolution 25-747: Contract with Northeast Auto and Truck Part LLC for fluids and lubricants ($500,000).
- Resolution 25-748: Contract with City Auto and Truck Parts LLC for heavy duty vehicle parts ($700,000).
- Resolution 25-749: Contract with F and S Tire Corporation for tires ($350,000).
- Resolution 25-750: Contract with Verizon Connect Fleet USA for GPS tracking subscriptions ($414,625).
- Resolution 25-751: Contract with Sherwin Williams for paint and supplies ($225,000).
- Resolution 25-752: Contract with Jewel Supply for electrical supplies ($140,000).
- Resolution 25-753: Contract with Karasoft Technology Corporation for forensic software ($55,960.80).
- Resolution 25-759: Ratification of lease for modular trailers for East District Police Facility ($66,864).
- Resolution 25-754: Contract with Network Management Solutions for IT maintenance and support (annual, $400,000).
- Resolution 25-758: Ratification of contract with Verizon Wireless for mobile voice/data services ($572,000, down from $767,000 prior year).
- Resolution 25-760: Ratification of contract with Gold Type Business Machines for field computer support ($366,024).
- Resolution 25-761: Contract with Gold Type Business Machines for ALPR camera system support.
- Resolution 25-755: Agreement with Edmund SkovTech for financial software support.
- Resolution 25-767: Grant reimbursement ($124.52).
- Resolution 25-768: Opioid settlement funds ($2,747).
- Resolution 25-740: Designation of open space/recreation/historic preservation trust funds for 15 properties.
- Resolution 25-743: Agreement with NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for use of National Guard Armory.
- Resolution 25-756: Contract with Great Lakes Recreation for splash pads at Dr. Lena Edwards Park.
- Resolution 25-757: Contract with Ben Schaefer Recreation for playground equipment at Virginia Avenue Park.
- Resolution 25-737: Reprogramming CDBG funds for home improvement program (recouping $53,990.98 from terminated Habitat for Humanity contract).
- Resolution 25-734: Accept grant from Farm Credit East for healthy greens program (up to $50,000, no match).
- Resolution 25-735: Accept additional $10,000 from county for Meals on Wheels.
- Resolution 25-744: Authorize bid for new mobile outreach units (revised to two units, funded by DCD).
- Resolution 25-733: Designate loading zone at 531 Newark Avenue.
- Resolution 25-738: Accept $1 million NJDEP grant for electrifying Via Jersey City fleet.
- Resolution 25-739: Tri-party agreement for EV charging stations on private property for Via fleet.
- Resolution 25-764: Request NJDOT extension for Manhattan Avenue/Franklin Street Bikeways grant.
- Resolution 25-728: Congratulating Pastor Erin.
- Resolution 25-729: Supporting NJ Senate bill 4442/A5521 on alcohol health warning signage.
- Resolution 25-730: Fixing 2026 meeting dates.
- Resolution 25-731: Certifying compliance with annual audit requirement.
- Resolution 25-732: Correcting reappointment period of Judge Rami Yaid (to October 28, 2026).
- Resolution 25-736: Appointing Daniela Pepe to Cannabis Control Board.
- Resolution 25-741: Reimbursement of $31,617.58 to Shad Burke for erroneous vehicle auction.
- Resolution 25-742: License and gift agreement with Friends of Van Vorst Park.
- Resolutions 25-735, 25-736, 25-738, 25-739, 25-740, 25-741, 25-742, 25-743, 25-744, 25-745, 25-746, 25-747, 25-748, 25-749, 25-750, 25-751, 25-752, 25-753, 25-754, 25-755, 25-756, 25-757, 25-758, 25-759, 25-760, 25-761, 25-764, 25-767, 25-768 (all discussed and presumably approved).
Discussion Items
Dependent Eligibility Audit – Kadidra McNair, Director of Employee Benefits, announced the city's first dependent eligibility audit. The deadline was November 24, 2025, but an extension may be granted. The audit aims to remove ineligible dependents (e.g., spouses not legally married, children over age 26 on medical, over 19 on dental unless full-time student) to control rising health insurance costs. Council members were advised to direct constituents to her office.
Capital Funding Repurposing (Ordinance 25-119) – Presented by the finance department, this ordinance consolidates numerous capital accounts into eight broader categories for flexibility. Councilman Boggiano and others expressed concerns about lack of accountability, potential loss of earmarked funds for specific projects (e.g., Pershing Field, Reservoir, North District), and circumventing council oversight. The administration argued it would allow faster emergency spending. Councilman Gilmore questioned the impact on specific projects like the Holiday Street firehouse. The ordinance was discussed but not voted on at caucus.
Recreation Programs at Armory – Keith from Recreation presented a resolution to use the National Guard Armory. Councilman Boggiano noted that the previous agreement allowed use of public schools in exchange for the armory, but the acting director stated there is no formal deal. The start of indoor programs was delayed until January 1, 2026, causing concern about a month without activities for youth, especially in the south side. The councilman urged expediting the process.
EV Charging and Via Fleet – Mike Mandela presented two resolutions: accepting a $1 million NJDEP grant to fully electrify the Via Jersey City fleet, and a tri-party agreement for charging stations on private property. Councilman Boggiano raised concerns about reliability during power outages, citing California. Mandela noted the city is developing microgrids. The chargers will be for Via vehicles only, with a separate community charging grant expected later.
Bikeways Grant Extension – Resolution 25-764 requested a six-month extension from NJDOT for the Manhattan Avenue/Franklin Street Bikeways project. Councilman Gilmore questioned the repeated extensions and whether public safety concerns had been addressed. Mandela stated that design plans were submitted, and the extension is needed to award the construction contract. The councilman expressed frustration that the project keeps coming back without full homework done.
201 Newark Avenue Franchise (Ordinance 25-120) – This ordinance for private improvements on the sidewalk sparked debate. Ann Studholm, representing the Saffron Homeowners Association, argued the city should not act while litigation is pending over the zoning board approval. Charles Harrington, for the applicant, urged the council to proceed, noting the project (a hotel/restaurant restoring the Capital One bank) received unanimous zoning board approval after five hearings. Corporation Counsel Brittany Murray recommended caution due to ongoing litigation. Councilman Boggiano opposed the project, citing community opposition and destruction of a beautiful building. The council did not vote at caucus.
Newport Parkway Tax Exemption (Ordinance 25-126) – Jim McCann presented a 30-year tax abatement for converting an existing 178-unit affordable housing project at 30 and 40 Newport Parkway to a full Chapter 188 affordable project. The current abatement expires December 2028. The new deal would increase the city's service charge from $2 million (6% of gross revenue) to $3.8 million (10%). McCann argued it preserves affordable housing and the city gets more than under conventional taxation (35% of $6.3 million would be $2.2 million). Councilman Gilmore expressed concern about rushing the abatement three years early and the burden on residents. Councilman Boggiano jokingly asked for abatement on his house. The decision was left for the regular meeting.
Fiat Broadway Redevelopment Plan (Ordinance 25-087) – Gene Polino requested to untable the ordinance and reported on community meetings. He stated that issues with adjacent construction and the deli (Salumeria Urculano) were addressed: the construction is nearly complete, and the deli owner declined a lease and is moving. The planning board recommended the amendment. Councilman Boggiano countered that the community is still upset and the developer's meeting was an embarrassment. The council will vote on untabling at the regular meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Late Item Introduced: Councilman Solomon introduced an ordinance establishing a Jersey City Accessibility Advisory Committee, added as a late item with no objection, to be discussed on December 10, 2025.
- Ordinance 25-112 (Second Reading): To be defeated if the council introduces the replacement first reading ordinance (25-129) for 139 Gateway zoning changes.
- Item 4.7 (Ordinance 25-124): Carried to December 10, 2025, pending planning board report.
- Order of Business Inverted: Resolutions were approved before claims.
- Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 5:41 PM by Councilperson Gilmore, seconded by Councilperson Soleil, all in favor.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, everyone, we're about to get started. If we can silence our cell phones, closed aside and back doors, I'd greatly appreciate it. Okay, good evening, everyone. We are on the record. Today is Monday, the 24th day of November in the year 2025. This is a city council caucus meeting of the Jersey City Municipal Council. We had a schedule 4 p.m. start. The clock on my cell phone is showing 4.05 p.m. May we have a roll call for the commencement of this caucus, Councilperson Ridley. Yeah. Councilperson Hewlings will not be here. Councilperson Bajano. Councilperson Soleil is not here yet. Councilperson Solomon is not here yet. Councilperson Gilmore. Councilperson The Jeece is not here. Councilperson Rivera. And Council President Waterman. Okay. We have five council members in attendance at 4.05 p.m. On behalf of Council President Warneman and the members of the municipal council in accordance with New Jersey Public Laws of 1975, Chapter 231, the Open Public Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the posting on the bulletin board of the first floor of City Hall, the annual notice, which is the schedule of meetings and caucuses of the municipal council for the county year 2025 and filed in the office of the city clerk on Friday, November 15th, 2024. In addition, and it's time of its preparation, the agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, November 21st, 2025 at 5.05 p.m. to the mayor, municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, and the local newspapers and posted on the city's website so I can certify as to our total compliance with the Sunshine Law. Council members, before we start our caucus meeting, we do have a special announcement from the director of employees benefits, Kadidra. McNair, would you please come up and give us our insight and what we need to do before the deadline? Good evening, uh City Council. So as uh Sean just mentioned, I'm sorry. I don't have anything, any resolutions to present, but I do want to um make sure that everyone is aware of the dependent eligibility audit that the city is currently going through. As some of you may know that the city is going through a dependent eligibility audit to audit those individuals that are currently enrolled in the city's plans on the medical, the dental, and the prescription plan. Um this is pertaining to anyone that have a spouse or dependent child or children on the plan. Um, just to give you a little bit of background according to the plan rules, in order for a dependent child or spouse to remain on the plan, you have to be legally married. And for children, you under the age of 26 to remain on the medical and the prescription plan, and you have to be under the age of 19 to remain on the dental plan. If you are over the age of 19 concerning a dental plan, you have to be enrolled as a full-time student, and you must show proof that you are a full-time student. The city has never gone through a dependent eligibility audit. This is the very first time, and is important as we know that everything is rising, right? Food, health insurance, and one way to control the cost is to make sure that we remove those who are no longer eligible to remain on the plan. Um the we sent out several notices. Um it's them back a couple of months ago. And um, we're approaching the deadline, which is today. Um, we may extend it again just to give those who are kind of trickling in and providing documentation who may be having trouble uploading the information to the secure portal. They are also providing their documents uh directly to our office, and we are forwarding those same documents to the secure portal as well. Um, but I did want us to give you a heads up that you may receive phone calls. Um, again, we are working with those individuals who um who are kind of slow with the process. Um, but uh again, I just wanted to give you a heads up. Any questions? Of course. Enjoy your holiday. It's uh and just to add that real quickly, if you have any constituent that reach out to you, feel free to direct them to Kajita's office.
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