Jersey City Municipal Council Regular Meeting - April 9, 2026

This regular meeting of the Jersey City Municipal Council was held on April 9, 2026 (note: the transcript indicates the meeting began on April 8, 2026 at 6:09 PM and concluded at 9:16 PM; the metadata provided specifies April 9, 2026 as the meeting date). The council addressed ordinances, resolutions, public comments, and claims.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 26-189 (added to agenda) – Honoring Montford Point Marine PFC Fred Jackson on his recognition with the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. Approved 8-0.
• First Reading Ordinances 3.1–3.4 – Easement and franchise ordinances for pedestrian access, private improvements, and encroachment. Introduced 7-0 (later 9-0 after absent members voted).
• Resolutions 10.6 (26-157) – Authorizing installation of a bat house in Enos Jones Park (approved 9-0). 10.7 (26-158) – Honoring Golden Door Charter School as a 2026 National ESEA Distinguished School (approved 9-0). 10.8 (26-159) – Recognizing April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month (approved 9-0).
• Resolutions 10.1–10.5, 10.9–10.11, 10.13 – Approved as a block (9-0). Resolution 10.12 withdrawn.
• Resolutions 10.14–10.19, 10.21–10.25 – Approved 9-0, except 10.15 with one abstention (Councilperson Zupa) and 10.20 (fireworks) defeated.
• Resolutions 10.26–10.38 – Approved 9-0, including open space trust fund applications and resolutions honoring Black Maternal Health Week and Montford Point Marine.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bat House (10.6) – First and second grade students from Brunswick School spoke in favor, citing ecological benefits (bats eat 600–1,000 bugs per hour). Teacher Alison Scags also supported.
• Golden Door Charter School (10.7) – Principal Tabitha Madeira, student Bauman, and ESL teacher Kathy Clark celebrated the school’s national award and multilingual program.
• Sikh Heritage Month (10.8) – Arjuman Juveria and representatives from the Sikh community highlighted contributions, the “Let’s Share a Meal” initiative (over 10,000 meals delivered twice a year), and called for continued recognition.
• Salary Ordinance (4.3) – Yvonne Balser criticized the city for prioritizing salary increases while residents face high taxes, tax liens (4,200 properties in 2024), and school tax hikes. Danielle Dadamo expressed mixed support, urging transparency and measurable outcomes.
• General Public Comments:
  • Laverne Washington thanked the city for allowing her to distribute furniture from hotel renovations to those in need.
  • Edward voiced opposition to national policies and called for resistance.
  • Stephen Fuller criticized development (e.g., 40 units with only 10 affordable, 15 parking spaces) and urged blocking unaffordable housing in low-income areas.
  • Tina shared her nonprofit work and requested city investment in grassroots organizations.
  • Gina Davidson highlighted animal rescue challenges, thanked Councilman Gilmore for a meeting, and condemned deer culling at Liberty State Park.
  • Yvonne Balser raised concerns about bike lane widths and emergency vehicle access, requesting an OPRA for police response data.
  • Charlene Burke (Ward B, Parks Coalition) urged support for park capital projects and open space trust fund resolutions.
  • Philip Carrington alleged racial inconsistency in code enforcement, comparing treatment of Black-owned and white-owned properties.
  • Danielle Dadamo opposed fireworks resolution (10.20), citing noise impacts, and called for a moratorium on new dispensaries and smoke shops.
  • Darlene Maser, Susan Nolan, Denise Devlin, and others advocated for increased TNR (trap-neuter-return) funding for feral cats, citing high costs (spay/neuter: $300–$650) and a burgeoning stray population.
  • Rochelle Hoffman (WeCare Movement) supported Senate Bill S3761 for enhanced alcohol warning signage on MLK Drive (9 liquor stores in a mile).
  • Aaron Kent, Brendan, Michelle, David, and other Portside Towers tenants demanded enforcement of security guard (Chapter 218), superintendent disclosure (Chapters 254, 260), and Korean War Memorial closure (Ordinance 07-153) ordinances. They noted lapsed fines due to inaction.
  • Catherine Moore raised concerns about polling location equity after redistricting, with some voters forced to walk over a mile uphill.
  • Patrick Ambrosi (Jersey City Parks Coalition) supported open space funding and reported missing/damaged benches at Leonard Gordon Park.
  • Felicia Palmer (Tapioca) proposed a local rewards program for businesses during the 2026 World Cup and requested council support.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 26-016 (Permit Parking Zone) – Councilperson Gilmore moved to table after a community meeting requested expansion and changes. Motion approved 9-0.
• Ordinance 26-017 (Parking at PS 16) – Public hearing closed and ordinance adopted 9-0.
• Ordinance 26-018 (Fixed Salaries) – Public hearing held; Yvonne Balser and Danielle Dadamo spoke. Councilperson Zupa questioned Business Administrator Peter regarding salary adjustments and comparability with other first-class cities (Newark, Paterson). BA noted salaries for directors range $150k–$200k. Ordinance adopted 7-0-2 (Gilmore and Griffin abstained).
• Claims and Addendums (9.1) – Councilperson Zupa questioned a $5,600 furniture expenditure. Councilperson Little voted nay on that item; others aye. Claims 1 approved 7-2; addendums 2 and 3 approved 8-1.
• Resolutions 10.1–10.3 (Dedication by Rider) – Councilperson Little noted the city had collected arts tax (since 2022) and payroll tax (since 2019) without legally dedicating funds. She requested a written accounting from the CFO or BA. Resolutions approved despite concerns.
• Resolution 10.20 (Fireworks Display) – Several council members voted no, citing impacts on animals (especially dogs), air quality, and residents with PTSD. Resolution defeated (majority no).
• Resolution 10.22 (Development at MLK & Stegman) – Councilperson Brooks and Gilmore supported as a step forward for an underserved area, though only 10 affordable units out of 40.
• Open Space Resolutions (10.29–10.33) – BA confirmed $15 million in capital accounts for parks could cover the required match (approx. $2.82 million) if county grants are awarded.
• Rent Leveling and Enforcement – Tenants from Portside Towers repeatedly urged enforcement of existing ordinances. Councilperson Zupa requested a report from Director Richardson on fines. BA stated the acting municipal prosecutor is cooperative with the special investigation committee.
• Korean War Memorial Closure – Council members expressed willingness to work on enforcement; the Corporation Counsel is reviewing the easement deed.
• Rubber Stamping Concerns – Several public speakers criticized the council for not acting on enforcement; the council responded by noting the newly formed special investigatory committee.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: Bat house installation, Golden Door Charter School recognition, Sikh Heritage Month, salary ordinance (7-0-2), multiple resolutions, open space grant applications, claims.
• Defeated: Resolution 10.20 (fireworks) – defeated on its own.
• Tabled: Ordinance 26-016 (parking zone) – sent back for community discussion.
• Directives: Councilperson Little requested a written accounting of dedicated funds (arts and payroll taxes) from the administration. Councilperson Zupa requested a report on housing fines from Director Richardson.
• Next Steps: The special investigatory committee is to meet on Monday (April 13) and issue an interim report in 34 days. Council members committed to working with Hudson County Board of Elections on polling location equity and with the administration on TNR funding for feral cats.