Jersey City Municipal Council Regular Meeting - November 26, 2025

The Jersey City Municipal Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 (noted as 6:21 p.m. start; the official timestamp provided is November 26, 2025, per the instruction). The meeting was called to order with 8 members present (Councilperson Solomon absent). Two items were added to the agenda: Ordinance 25-131 (Accessibility Advisory Committee) and Resolution 25-769 (cash management plan), approved 8-0.

First Reading Ordinances

• Ordinances 3.1 through 3.5 were introduced unanimously (8-0). These included amendments to council rules, parking restrictions, zoning map changes, a lease agreement, and the accessibility committee.

Second Reading Ordinances

• Ordinance 25-112 (Zoning Map): Defeated without public hearing because it was superseded by newly introduced ordinance 25-129. Vote: 8-0 to defeat.
• Ordinance 25-119 (Bond Ordinance): Carried to the December 10, 2025 meeting for further review.
• Ordinance 25-120 (Franchise): Tabled prior to public hearing at the applicant's request.
• Ordinance 25-121 (Municipal Code Amendment): Adopted 8-0 after a closed public hearing.
• Ordinance 25-122 (Facade Inspection Standards): Adopted 7-1 (Councilperson Rivera voted no). The ordinance aligns city inspection intervals with state regulations (10-year cycle). Public speaker Kevin Weller opposed, citing safety concerns over longer intervals.
• Ordinance 25-123 (Bird-Friendly Design Standards): Adopted 7-1 (Councilperson Hewlings abstained). Extensive public testimony—over 20 speakers—supported the ordinance, citing bird mortality data (up to 1 billion bird deaths annually in the U.S.) and minimal construction cost increases (typically under 1%). Opponents, including Eric Connor of Better Blocks NJ, argued costs could be 2-3 times higher and the ordinance is more restrictive than other cities. The council committed to further stakeholder discussions.
• Ordinance 25-124 (Medical Zone Uses): Carried to December 10, 2025 meeting.
• Ordinance 25-125 (Rent Control – Institutional Ownership): Adopted after a public hearing, but the vote count was disputed. Recorded votes: Councilperson Ridley abstained, Hewlings no, Bagiano abstained (left early), Soleil aye, Gilmore aye, DeGeece no, Rivera no, Waterman aye. The president declared it adopted 7-0-1? (Note discrepancy: 3 ayes, 3 noes, 2 abstentions – motion would typically fail; however the transcript states adoption). Numerous property owners and tenant advocates spoke. Supporters argued the ordinance closes loopholes for corporate landlords; opponents said it unfairly targets small landlords. Councilperson Gilmore promised to introduce amendments in January.
• Ordinance 25-126 (30-Year Tax Exemption for Newport Parkway): Defeated 6-1? (Soleil aye, Hewlings abstain, others no). Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, citing the project's $30 million renovation cost ($33,700/unit) as routine maintenance, potential loss of rent control for 713 market-rate units, and precedent of extending abatements. The developer argued the abatement preserves 160 affordable units and adds 18. Council President Waterman noted the ordinance was an attempt to protect tenants in Ward B.

Public Comments & Testimony

• E-Bike Safety (Marty): Described being hit by an e-scooter rider (age 14), hospitalized 6 days, criticized lack of enforcement and insurance requirements.
• Christ Hospital Closure (Caleb Hanson): Alleged bankruptcy fraud by Hudson Regional Health System; called for emergency master plan re-examination.
• Portside Towers Tenant Issues: Multiple residents (Kevin Weller, Dan Feldman, Carol Cho, Anna, etc.) reported 218+ days of code violations, including missing 24/7 security and resident superintendent, and alleged selective enforcement by the municipal prosecutor. They urged the council to enforce existing laws and subpoena records.
• City Finances (Eve Taylor): Criticized 51.4% property tax increase over 3 years, $94M operating deficits, and uncollected fines; called for use of private collection agencies.
• Local 246 (John Kilroy): Opposed a management union contract approved in under 6 months while other unions faced lengthy negotiations.
• Rent Control and Tax Abatement: Additional speakers supported or opposed ordinances 125 and 126, with detailed legal arguments about exemptions, affordable housing, and school funding.

Key Outcomes

• Added two items to the agenda.
• Introduced 5 first-reading ordinances.
• Defeated one ordinance (zoning map) and carried two to next meeting.
• Tabled one franchise ordinance.
• Adopted ordinances 25-121 (unanimous), 25-122 (7-1), 25-123 (7-1), and 25-125 (declared adopted despite apparent tie vote).
• Defeated ordinance 25-126 (tax abatement) with only one vote in favor.
• Councilperson Gilmore pledged to refine rent control ordinance in January.
• The meeting adjourned at 11:35 p.m.