Jersey City Municipal Council Regular Meeting - April 23, 2026

The Jersey City Municipal Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 2026, starting at approximately 6:04 PM. All nine council members were present. The meeting included the introduction and adoption of ordinances, a lengthy public comment period covering a wide range of community issues, and votes on multiple resolutions including appointments, grants, and permits.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Laverne and several others (Tina, Patricia, Maureen, Lorenzo) spoke in strong support of Thomas Bess for the position of Director of Recreation, emphasizing his decades of community service and urging the council to prioritize local candidates. Patricia criticized the hiring process as politicized.
• Gina Davison, Mercedes Fielding: Advocated for increased funding and support for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for community cats, noting residents are currently handling the issue without city resources. Gina also announced she is leaving Jersey City due to financial strain.
• Charlene: Thanked the council for the swamp milkweed resolution, supported the 128 Glenwood community garden acquisition, urged increasing the Open Space Trust Fund rate (currently a quarter of a penny), and opposed out-of-town appointees to the JCMUA board.
• Edward: Called for progress on mental health crisis response funding, expressed solidarity with Tommy Bess, and urged the council to address hospital closures and budget priorities.
• Yvonne: Disputed Mayor Solomon's claim that tenants under rent control are exempt from tax increases, citing the rent control ordinance and tax court outcomes. She argued that homeowners are losing their homes while tenants are protected.
• Sherry Singh: Founder of Whole Spectrum Autism, stated that city funding for special needs programs has been cut, leaving families without activities. She requested investigation into where the recreation department funds are going.
• Philip Carrington: Alleged inconsistent police enforcement at 127-133 Martin Luther King Drive, occupied by a religious group without a certificate of occupancy, while he faced harassment when he attempted to operate there. Received commitment from Councilman Gilmore to follow up.
• Renee: Thanked the council for assistance with PS16 school space issues and bus stop safety, and urged continued partnership to build a permanent school facility.
• Joe Maney: Heavily criticized Ward B Councilman Brooks for not holding a town hall in over 100 days, lack of presence at police meetings, dismissive responses to homicides, and staffing only DSA members. Brooks responded that his first town hall would be held the next evening.
• Shuren, Nathan, Dominic, Robert, George, Derman, Jim: All spoke in favor of Resolution 26-210 to acquire 128 Glenwood Avenue for a community garden, describing it as a vital green space in a dense neighborhood and urging the council to preserve it.
• Rochelle: Supported state Senate bill on alcohol warning signage, and advocated for qualified Black women for HR director positions and for Tommy Best as recreation director.
• Danielle: Strongly supported the Glenwood garden, senior farmers market resolution, and lot lien enforcement, but opposed the fireworks permit for Liberty National Golf Club due to environmental and quality-of-life impacts. She urged consistent standards.
• Kevin Weller, Michelle Hirsch (Portside Towers tenant associations): Announced that residents chose silence tonight as a show of trust in the council to address their affordability concerns, hoping it signals good work getting done. Council members thanked them.
• Ali Issa / Shehab Zahi Hussein: Food truck operators in Zone 1 opposed the proposed lottery system for parking locations, arguing it would destroy businesses built over years. They requested that compliant existing vendors retain their spots. Councilman Efros committed to follow up.
• Mohammed Ladl: A 20-year food truck operator pleaded to keep his location, noting he has always followed rules.
• Jessica Taub, Dolly Walker (Parents United for JCPS Education Reform): Demanded release of the special education audit Part 2, a comprehensive independent audit, and a national search for a permanent director of special education. They cited financial mismanagement and poor student outcomes (14.2% graduation ready for special ed students). Council members expressed support and discussed possible avenues for involvement.
• Arjuman Juriya: Called for improved trash management, community clean-up days, and education campaigns. Noted businesses sweeping debris onto streets.
• Jose Corrubias: Complained about ambiguous no-parking signage during the marathon that led to towing and tickets. He demanded cancellation of tickets, revision of signage language, and an inquiry. Council noted they cannot cancel tickets but will look into enforcement.
• Mike Travistino (Laborers Union): Supported appointment of Councilman Griffin to the JCRA and urged the council to include worker protections and wage standards in redevelopment plans. Mentioned 15 stop-work orders and $500K in back wages recovered in Jersey City.
• Dennis Davino (All Saints Condominium Association): Objected to a tree being planted without condo board approval in front of 305 Whiton Street, citing violations of forestry standards and damage to their stoop. Councilwoman Ridley directed follow-up.
• Jeff Ward Sheimer: Thanked the council for ward financial updates and requested regular pro-forma financial statements to track budget performance. Business administrator committed to releasing 2025 annual financial statement in June.
• Lorenzo: Urged council to fill potholes, support Tommy Best, and consider changing the fiscal year cycle. Council President Ridley noted the possibility.
• Maureen Nally: Questioned residency of two new JCMUA appointees, supported community garden, and urged council to research facts before voting. Corporation counsel explained that MUA is an independent board and historically has non-resident members.
• Danny Castillo: Supported Jose's concerns about signage, called for better notification systems for events, and emphasized need for cleanliness and responsible development.
• Jim: Thanked council for including JC Together on Bayfront Advisory Board and urged transparency on special education audit.

Discussion Items

• Correction to Caucus Statements: Marty Valenti read a memo from OEM Director Greg Kears clarifying that Resolutions 26-219 and 26-220 for interoperable communication equipment are fully funded by a 2024 UASI grant, have no association with FIFA World Cup, and are needed for tactical and IED operations. Director Kears was absent due to family medical reasons.
• Deferrals: Items 10.10 (Senior of the Year) and 10.11 (Swamp Milkweed) were deferred and later unanimously approved. Item 10.45 (study of Baldwin/Newark Ave) was withdrawn due to additional community outreach requested by Councilman Zupa.
• Budget and Fiscal Updates: Council President Ridley announced that the 2025 annual financial statement will be released in June, and discussions with the administration on regular financial reporting are ongoing. The business administrator confirmed the city is committed to purchasing 128 Glenwood Avenue using capital funds if grants fall through, but the vote tonight was only to pursue county grant funding.

Key Outcomes

• First Reading Ordinances (3.1-3.4): Introduced unanimously (9-0). These covered traffic regulations at Society Hill, lease renewal for the Lessers Building, affordable housing compliance reform, and a deed easement for a pedestrian walkway.
• Second Reading Ordinances (4.1-4.4): All adopted unanimously (9-0). These approved easements and encroachments for pedestrian access, stair renovations, and public right-of-way improvements.
• Resolution 26-199 (Senior of the Year): Approved 9-0 honoring Mt. Syed.
• Resolution 26-200 (Swamp Milkweed as Native Plant of the Year): Approved 9-0.
• Resolution 26-210 (128 Glenwood Community Garden Grant Application): Approved 9-0. The city will pursue county open space trust funds for acquisition; no city funds committed in this vote.
• Resolution 26-219/220 (OEM Communications Equipment): Approved as part of a larger block (items 10.27-10.39) with some dissenting votes on specific claims (see below).
• Resolution 10.9 (Claim for NW Financial Group): Approved with 5 ayes, 3 noes (Councilmembers Zupa, Gilmore, Lavaro), and 1 abstention (Councilmember Griffin). Several members noted the work was performed outside the contract period and urged better financial controls.
• Resolution 10.12 (Appointment of John Allen to JCMUA): Approved 5-2-2. Noes: Zupa, Efros. Abstentions: Little, Singh.
• Resolution 10.51 (Fireworks Display at Liberty National Golf Club): Approved 8-1. Councilmember Little voted no, citing environmental concerns. Councilmember Zupa abstained on 10.40 but voted aye on 10.51 after clarification that the event honors veterans.
• Resolutions 10.46-10.50 (including reappointments and permits): Approved unanimously 9-0.
• Claims and Addendum #1: Approved 9-0, totaling $131.8 million in spending.
• Motions to Add/Defer/Adjourn: All approved unanimously.
• Upcoming Meetings: Councilman Brooks announced his first town hall for April 24 at 6:30 PM at Miller Branch Library.