Jersey City Municipal Council Meeting – January 6, 2026

This was the final regular meeting of the outgoing Jersey City Municipal Council, held on January 6, 2026, starting at 6:01 p.m. and adjourning at 7:15 p.m. All nine council members were present. The meeting featured unanimous approval of consent items, extensive public testimony decrying the lack of enforcement of recently passed tenant protection ordinances, and farewell statements from council members, including outgoing Council President Warderman and Councilperson Rivera.

Consent Calendar

• The council voted unanimously (9-0) to defer to claims and resolutions, as no ordinances were on the agenda.
• Claims were approved unanimously (9-0).
• Three resolutions were approved unanimously: Resolution 26-001 (rescheduling the reorganization meeting from January 15, 2026 at 6 p.m. to 4 p.m.); Resolution 26-002 (ratifying a contract with Royal Printing Service for election ballots for the December 4, 2025 runoff); and Resolution 26-003 (reimbursing the Hudson County Clerk for services rendered for the December 4, 2025 runoff).

Public Comments & Testimony

Approximately 15 members of the public spoke, with nearly all addressing the persistent failure to enforce housing and tenant protection laws, particularly at Portside Towers. Key speakers and positions:

• Gina Davison (resident) thanked outgoing Councilman Boggiano but criticized other council members for being co-opted by developers and a “power machine.”
• Tina Knowles (resident) expressed disappointment with “sneaky” backroom meetings and called for honest community collaboration.
• Yana (Journal Square resident) recounted a 22-minute delayed police response to a violent assault on December 16, 2025, despite calling 911 three times. She called for police reform.
• Kevin Weller (James Solomon Civic Association) acknowledged the council’s passage of four landmark tenant protection ordinances (algorithmic rent‑fixing ban, mandatory disclosure, exemption scope clarification, mandatory minimum fines) but documented 259 days of violations, 68 consecutive meetings, and over 1,000 speeches without enforcement. He presented “attempt medals” from the Guinness Book of World Records to each council member.
• Daniel (resident) urged the incoming administration to enforce four specific ordinances: 25‑057 (ban on algorithmic rent‑fixing), 25‑098 (sworn disclosure requirement), 25‑099 (clarification of exemptions), and 25‑105 (mandatory minimum fines). He emphasized that without enforcement, the laws are symbolic.
• Bob (Portside Towers resident) said 2025 was another year of inaction, resulting in neighbors being forced out by illegally high rents.
• Jessica (resident) noted 250 days of documented violations, 515 concealed code violations at Portside (including 14 life‑safety hazards), and a potential $10 million exposure from unenforced superintendent requirements. She demanded an audit and replacement of officials who prioritize landlords.
• Connor Sears (first‑time speaker, Portside tenant) reported unresolved service requests, rising amenity fees, and illegal utility charges through RUBS. He expressed cautious optimism for the new administration.
• Another speaker (name not given) thanked the council for its work but stressed that the Korean War memorial deed restriction (ordinance 07‑153) remains ignored, and that mandatory minimum fines have not been collected.
• Jesus Vasquez (attorney, Portside resident) quoted incoming Mayor Solomon’s May 2025 statement that “this city belongs to the people… not to landlords gaming the system.” He argued that Equity Residential’s use of algorithmic price‑fixing constitutes illegal collusion, and that Jersey City now has among the highest rents in the country. He warned of impending legal action.
• Susan Roca (Portside resident) asked whether laws serve anyone when unenforced. She cited a rumor that the outgoing mayor told council members to ignore Portside residents, saying “they’ll eventually go away.” She affirmed that residents are not going away.
• Lucas Roca (Fordham student, son of Portside resident) described visiting his mother over Christmas and finding no mandatory security guard or superintendent on site during a fire alarm. He called for enforcement.
• Joel (resident) reviewed the council’s powers under the Faulkner Act, noting it failed to override the bird‑safety veto, never exercised advice and consent, and launched a late lame‑duck investigative committee that issued no subpoenas.
• Michelle (resident) accused the outgoing administration of corruption, including fraudulent determinations by Dinah Hendon and “sweetheart deals” that dismissed millions in fines. She called for accountability.

Council Member Statements

Nearly every council member delivered farewell remarks:

• Councilperson Ridley thanked colleagues, acknowledging disagreements but emphasizing family-like bonds.
• Councilperson Hewlings praised the council’s hard work and expressed hope for incoming Mayor Solomon’s success.
• Councilperson Boggiano said it was a pleasure working with everyone and noted he would return to life in the hilltop.
• Councilperson Soleil noted it had been the honor of his life, recalling the tragic passing of Councilman Michael Yun and his decision to leave Wall Street to serve during COVID. He thanked colleagues for supporting him as the first Muslim and Palestinian American elected official.
• Councilperson Solomon (incoming mayor) thanked each member and presented tokens of appreciation, acknowledging that while they disagreed, everyone cares about Jersey City.
• Councilperson Gilmore declined additional remarks.
• Councilperson DeGeece said the experience was an honor, and she looked forward to returning to the citizen side of the microphone.
• Councilperson Rivera delivered a emotional speech, thanking his wife, family, colleagues, and city workers. He noted he was the longest‑serving Latino elected official in Jersey City history (12 years) and would return to being a community safety director at the Roberto Clemente Little League.
• Council President Warderman reflected on the city’s progress toward diversity, credited Mayor Fulop for bold changes, and took pride in being the first African American female council president. She thanked residents, staff, and God, and urged support for the new administration.

Key Outcomes

• Claims approved unanimously (9-0).
• Resolutions 26-001, 26-002, and 26-003 approved unanimously (9-0).
• Motion to adjourn passed by acclamation at 7:15 p.m.
• Multiple public speakers called on the incoming Solomon administration to rigorously enforce existing tenant protection laws, audit past enforcement failures, and replace officials who failed to act.
• Several council members acknowledged the public’s frustration and expressed hope that the new administration would address enforcement gaps.