Jersey City Municipal Council Regular Meeting – March 26, 2026

The Jersey City Municipal Council met on March 26, 2026, for a regular meeting that began at about 6:05 p.m. and adjourned at 8:38 p.m. All nine council members were present. The raw transcript states “Wednesday, the 25th day of March in the year 2026,” which conflicts with the supplied meeting timestamp; no agenda or minutes were available for cross-reference. The council certified compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, introduced ordinances, adopted the Powerhouse Arch District Redevelopment Plan amendment, carried a Liberty State Park-area parking ordinance to the next meeting, received a mayoral proclamation, heard extensive public testimony, and confirmed several department directors.

Consent Calendar

• First-reading ordinances 26-017 (parking prohibited at certain hours at PS 1696 on Sussex Street) and 26-018 (personnel article amendment) were introduced unanimously, 9-0.
• Claims and addendums 1 and 2, described by Councilperson Brooks as encompassing $18.7 million in spending, were approved unanimously, 9-0.
• Petitions/communications items 6.1–6.35 and reported directors items 8.1–8.5 were received without comment.
• Resolutions 10.1–10.8 were approved unanimously, 9-0; Resolution 10.9 (Christ Hospital) was approved 8-0, with Councilperson Brooks recused.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Powerhouse firehouse (Ordinance 26-015): Catherine Moore spoke in favor, noting the firehouse had been largely abandoned since 2005, that the project would be mostly two stories, and that the redevelopment plan would provide flexibility. She asked historic preservation to help recreate interior details and asked city planning to correct a map showing 151 Bay Street condos.
• Education and Sharing Day proclamation: Rabbi Moshe Shapiro accepted the mayor's proclamation for March 29, 2026, marking 124 years since the Rebbe's birth, and spoke about moral education and charity.
• Justice for Drew / mental health: Gina Davison and Tina supported the resolution recognizing Andrew Washington. Tina said many nonprofits have not been paid and called for more support. Family members Denise Ervin Davis and Doris Tony Irvin thanked the council for the mental health awareness day and urged real investment in social workers, mental health clinicians, and police accountability.
• Shelter and Phil Orphanitis: Gina Davison called the appointment of Phil Orphanitis at the city shelter “an insult,” saying the prior response was “tepid, insufficient.” Councilperson Zupa asked the administration for an offline update on Orphanitis's status.
• Bike lanes and traffic safety: Yvonne Balser criticized bike lanes on South Street and Bergen Avenue, alleging residents were not notified, delivery trucks cannot navigate the street, and a woman was hit while crossing a bike lane to a bus. Another speaker supported more bicycling but suggested police education, possible licensing of delivery riders, and wider bike lanes.
• Safer streets and potholes: Makaiah Charlotte, a University Academy Charter High School student, presented a petition of 178 residents urging increased infrastructure funding, safer streets, and pothole repairs.
• 150 Bay Street / affordable housing: Nick, a housing advocate, thanked Councilwoman Little for working on a deal, supported a taller building (using 52 stories vs. 40 as an example), and argued 30% more height would mean 30% more tax revenue and 30% more affordable units; he said a handful of wealthy condo owners should not block it.
• Eve Taylor: detailed allegations of identity theft, repeated court summonses, a fraudulent warrant, and municipal court corruption; she said she had been ignored and needed relief.
• TNR and animal shelter funding: Elizabeth Cook (JC Catwatch), Susan Olland (volunteer with Perfect JC), and Chris Black (Final Hope rescue) described volunteer trap-neuter-return work at personal expense, rising medical costs, hoarding cases, and the need for low-cost spay/neuter and an in-house city veterinarian. Elizabeth cited a “$1 invested in TNR saves about $7” estimate and a 12% reduction in animal control budgets over 10 years; she served 169 cats in 2025 and 247 in 2024. Susan thanked the council for postponing the Lafayette parking ordinance vote and highlighted the human dimension of pet surrender. Chris also said the city having only one hospital was “unforgivable.”
• Christ Hospital / Heights University Hospital: Stephanie Starts criticized the council for “agitating the community” and fostering false hope about saving the hospital, and urged defining health care needs rather than promising a hospital. Liam Paiva Costa (North NJ DSA) supported Resolution 26-130 but warned against eminent domain leading to another for-profit owner; he called for a publicly owned, nonprofit/university-run hospital. Gabe, a nurse and Heights resident, said the city is reduced to one hospital in a flood zone, and Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC) is overwhelmed with hallway waits of up to six hours.
• Portside Towers / rent control enforcement: Multiple Portside residents and supporters described a system “running on trust for 40 years.” They said the Rent Leveling Board ruled 6-0 that rents were unauthorized 888 days ago, but no rents have been recalculated and no rebates ordered. Carol said 67 neighbors submitted documentation and 62 received no response; Sylvia Lou said 767 neighbors filed in 2014 and were ignored. Deepa said base rents were never filed in 30 years. Suzanne said a DCA inspection found 515 violations, including 14 life-safety issues, and tenants were never notified. Joel said 71 guilty pleas resulted in $142,000 not being collected after a prosecutor's representation of superintendent compliance that speakers called false. Brendan said violations have been documented daily for 338 days, with 527 units at Portside affected and no fines collected; he urged an in-depth municipal court report. Several speakers cited Ordinance 25-099, which they said makes clear that no landlord, regardless of rent control status, is exempt from the housing code. Mark urged the council to vote no on Director Cialone's confirmation and on the Veolia bulk water agreement. David praised the special investigatory committee. Michelle said she did not witness leadership from Director Cialone and urged the council not to be a “mayoral rubber stamp.”
• OPRA: Kevin D. said he received one OPRA response but was still waiting on another after two months; he suggested centralizing resumes and using technology to speed redaction.
• School zone sign: Tyrone Call, a University Academy Charter High School student, presented 168 signatures asking for a school zone sign near the school, citing NJSA requirements, a car speeding into a teacher's parked car this year, and a student hit last year.
• Lafayette parking ordinance: Rebecca applauded the council for deferring the Zone 20 parking ordinance, saying the neighborhood was not adequately notified and that Lafayette residents need better public transit, not just parking restrictions.
• School facilities resolution: James Nelson supported Resolution 26-146 backing Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz's S3382; he clarified it requests a November 2026 referendum to raise the EDA bonding ceiling for school facilities, does not directly grant money, and would not immediately fund Jersey City projects.
• Korean War Memorial enforcement: A speaker urged enforcement of Ordinance 07-153 requiring Portside security to close Washington Street near the Korean War Memorial from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., saying city officials had not responded and that enforcement could yield $2,000 per day and protect the memorial.
• Municipal finances: Brendan criticized Resolution 26-122, the emergency temporary appropriation, saying the city should instead enforce mandatory minimum fines; he said the city's fiscal crisis stems partly from uncollected housing violations.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26-016 (Permit Parking Zone 20): Councilperson Gilmore moved to carry the ordinance to the April 8 council meeting after discussion at Monday's caucus, with Councilperson Griffin seconding; Council President Ridley wanted a meeting with area residents first. The motion carried unanimously, 9-0.
• Proclamation: The council read a proclamation from Mayor James Solomon declaring March 29, 2026 “Education and Sharing Day” in Jersey City; Rabbi Moshe Shapiro spoke and received a photo with the council.
• Christ Hospital resolution (10.9): Councilperson Efros called it “our first step” toward figuring out next steps, including possible eminent domain and a public hospital. Councilperson Little said it does not commit the city to eminent domain and keeps options open for a publicly owned or not-for-profit hospital. Councilperson Zupa said “we need a hospital in the Heights.” The resolution passed 8-0.
• Mental health awareness and school facilities resolutions: Resolution 10.23 designating August 27 as Andrew Jerome Washington III Mental Health Awareness Day and Resolution 10.25 supporting the S3382 school facilities bonding referendum were among the resolutions approved 9-0. Councilmembers spoke in favor of both, with family members urging continued work on mental health crisis response.
• Director confirmations: The council debated confirmation of Anisia Cialone as HEDC Director (Resolution 26-149 / item 10.28). Supporters said they had productive conversations and would hold her accountable; opponents Councilperson Gilmore and Councilperson Lavaro voted no, with Lavaro giving a lengthy statement citing the development record, displacement, and a lack of a personal commitment to change. Councilperson Brooks and Efros abstained on the Public Safety Director appointment (10.29); the council confirmed Anthony Ambrose 7-0-2, Andy Kaplan as Infrastructure Director 9-0, and approved a Women's Advisory Board appointment (10.30) 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 26-015 (Powerhouse Arch District Redevelopment Plan amendment) adopted unanimously, 9-0, after public hearing closed 9-0.
• Ordinance 26-016 carried to the April 8, 2026 municipal council meeting unanimously, 9-0.
• Resolutions 10.1–10.8 approved 9-0; Resolution 10.9 approved 8-0 (Brooks recused).
• Resolutions 10.10–10.19 approved unanimously, 9-0.
• Resolutions 10.20–10.27 approved unanimously, 9-0.
• Resolution 10.28 (HEDC Director confirmation) approved 7-2, with Councilpersons Gilmore and Lavaro voting no.
• Resolution 10.29 (Public Safety Director confirmation) approved 7-0-2, with Councilpersons Brooks and Efros abstaining.
• Resolution 10.30 (Women's Advisory Board appointment) approved unanimously, 9-0.
• Claims and addendums 1 and 2 approved unanimously, 9-0.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.