All right, everyone. We're about to get started. If we can find our seats, silence our cell phones, close the back and side doors, I greatly appreciate it. If we're going to continue to talk, please take the conversation out to the
lobby. Thank you very much. Good evening everyone. We are on the record. Today is Wednesday, the 10th day of December in the year 2025. This is a regular meeting of the Jersey City Municipal Council. We had a scheduled 6 p.m. start. The clock
on my cell phone is showing 6:09 p.m. May we have the roll call for the commencement of this meeting. Council Person Ridley >> here. >> Council Person Huings >> here. Council person Bajiano here. >> Council person Cle here. >> Person Solomon >> here.
>> Council person Gilmore. Council person Deise >> here. Sure. >> Council person Rivera >> here. >> And council president Waterman >> here. >> We have all nine council members in attendance at 6:09 p.m. Can we kindly
rise for a moment of silence, please? Isabelle Chang, >> Armine Del Monica, >> John Wilson from the cemetery on Newark Avenue. Thank you very much on behalf of council president and the members of the municipal council in accordance with New
Jersey public laws of 1975 chapter 231 the open public meetings act also known as the sunshine law. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the posting on the bulletin board of the first floor of city hall. The annual notice which is the schedule of meetings and caucuses of the municipal council
for the calendar year 2025 and filed in the office of the city clerk on Friday, November 15, 2024. In addition, at its time of its preparation, the agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, December 5th, 2025 at 9:05 p.m. to the mayor, municipal council,
business administrator, corporation council, and and the newspapers and posted on the city's website so I can certify as to our total compliance with the Sunshine Law. Council President, I believe
we we have a motion or we're going to have a motion to defer to a resolution that is on the agenda. >> Motion. >> Okay, just let me find the resolution first and I'll take that motion. I know
it's Council Person Rivera that made the motion. >> Can we do 1051 and and 1052? We're going to do both 1051 and 1052. Okay. So, it's a motion to defer to items
10.51 and 10.52. Motion was made by council persona. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council person. >> On the motion to defer to items 10.51
and 10.52, council person Ridley. I >> council person healings. >> I >> council person Bajiano. >> Hi. >> Council person. >> I >> council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Council person Deise. >> Hi. >> Council person Ribera. >> Hi.
>> And council president Waterman. Motion carries 90 to defer to items 10.51 and 10.52. Council members. I guess we'll go in the order that they're listed. So, we'll start with item 10.51,
city resolution 25-820, which is a resolution recognizing Councilman Bongo's 50 years of public service with the city of Jersey City and designating the corner of Magnolia and Baldwin Avenue as Richard Bajano Junction.
There's going to be another moment to clap after we vote on the resolution. So, let's hold that clapping um and keep that energy. So, would does someone have the resolution to read into the record? Hey, would you like to read it into the
record for us? And before you do that, just let me get that camera on you. >> 52. And if you can identify yourself for the record, we all know Pam, but the people who are watching at home. Pam >> Pam Andes
A N Ds. >> Resolution recognizing Councilman Bo Rich Bojano's 52 years of public service with the city of Jersey City and designating the corner of Magnolia and Baldwin Avenue as
Richard Boiano Junction. Council offered and moved adoption of the following resolution. Whereas Councilman Rich Bojiano has been a resident of Jersey City for over 50 years, and whereas Councilman Rich Bojiano has served the
city for over 50 years, is a retired 37-year veteran of the Jersey City Police Department. And whereas Councilman Rich Bojiano served as an enlist enlisted US Marine >> from 1963
to 1968. And whereas Councilman Bosiano continued to serve in the US Army Reserves 469 Engineering Battalion from 1989 to 1991. And whereas Councilman Bojano currently
serves as the liaison between West Point and Jersey City's many ethnic groups as part of the winning the peace program. Whereas Councilman Bojano volunteered as a commissioner of the Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission from
1992 to95. And whereas Councilman Rich Bojiano is one of the founders of the Hilltop Neighborhood Association and served as president of the Hilltop for over 30 years. And whereas the president of the Hilltop Neighborhood Organization
for 30 years and for councilman for Ward C for the past 12 years, Councilman Bojano has been a trusted voice and advocate for residents of the Journal Square and Heights neighborhoods. and whereas pursuant to the municipal
council has the authority to designate any street or municipality owned property in Jersey City. Now therefore be it resolved by the city council of the city of Jersey City that in recognition of the 52 years of Councilman Richard Bojano's dedication
to public service and commitment to the community, the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Baldwin Avenue is hereby designated Richard Bojano Junction. Congratulations. We love you, Rich. >> Hey, that was just to read it into the
record, man. >> There's going to be another opportunity. All right. I don't know if we should take a vote on this. What do you think? You think we should table it? >> I agree. >> You're going to make a motion to table it? >> Okay.
>> We need more public input. >> We need more public input. We need more public meetings, I think. All right. With all joking aside, Council Person Ridley, >> uh, Rich, I just want to say that it has
been a pleasure serving on the council with you. We thank you for your dedication and your love for Jersey City. 52 years of service is a very long time. you will be truly missed, but we know that though you're gone from the
council, you'll still be a voice in Jersey City. So, we'll still see you around and we are sure that you will still be contacting us and making sure that we're doing what we need to do for Jersey City. We appreciate you. We love you. Thank you for your service. I vote
yes. >> Thank you, Council Person Helings. In my short time here, I was very honored to sit next to my good friend Rich Boiano. I bow. >> Thank you. Should we make him recuse
himself from this vote? >> Nah, let's let's let him vote. Councilman Bajiano, how how do you vote on your resolution? >> I don't know yet. I don't know. >> I'll vote yes because she'll kill me if I don't.
Okay, Council Person, >> Councilman Boiano, it's been a pleasure and honor to serve alongside you. I learned a lot from you. You know, we've disagreed at times, but I found your
wisdom um and your passion for Jersey City to be some of the most sincere that I've ever seen. And I know you're not going to stop caring for Jersey City. Um, and you're still young enough to run for president of the United States, so I
thought I vote I. >> Doesn't he always set the bar real high? Never he says anything, right? Council person Solomon. >> Um, Councilman Bjanote, it's been an honor to serve with you for eight years. Uh, you know, I think what always stands
out is how deeply you care about Jersey City, what a true public servant you are, and how committed you are to the people. and you know even when we disagree you always listened and that that is you know the mark of someone who truly cares and wants to make the city better. Uh so thank you for 52 years and
uh after this we we'll get uh the next the motorcycle squad named the Richard Bosiano motorcycle squad. So with with that I vote I >> horses. >> Exactly. >> Oh god don't get them started on the horse.
>> What about the horses? Yeah. >> Anyway, Council Person Gilmore, >> I just want to say this place is a joke. >> Um, no, in all honesty, um, Rich, it was just it was such an honor working with you. Um, even like outside of the
business on the council, uh, 50 years to contribute to anything is something, you know, worth recognizing. Um, I just thank you for your tenacity, your care, your passion. Um, and I see a lot of me and you when you, you know, when you get
upset sometimes, it's because you really passionate about something that you really believe in. Um, it was an honor working with you. Um, you're one of my favorite colleagues up here, man. And I proudly vote I. >> Thank you, Council Person Deise.
>> My buddy Rich, thank you so so much. not just for the past 52 years of being a fighter for Jersey City, uh, but being for my buddy here, shaking my chair, grunting. I I think it's a missed opportunity that there was not video footage of myself, Moren, and even when
Mera was here controlling the microphone and phone at times, but the comments, you know, stayed with me. But you always showed me different perspectives of things. You showed me how to work with people. you were an immense help in in every step of the way here and and
personally too. Um I cannot thank you enough for your service and I will make it my mission to watch and make sure that no smoke shops open up in the vicinity >> and there will be no pot city near the Richard Boiano junction. Proudly vote I.
>> Council person Rivera >> and Rich there's there's a lot to say here man. We we've been attached to the hip for 12 years, you know. Uh you, Joyce, myself, and uh I tell you, it
it's been great. You know, today you're making uh Michael Yun smile from heaven. And uh yeah, man. It's been great working with you. Thank you for the 52 years you gave the city. Thank you for being a United
States Marine. I was a URA and um I just want to confess a lot of times it was me that called your phone while we were in the council meeting to make it ring. I always used to blame everybody else
but it was 100% me. Uh I proudly vote I rich proud of you. >> Thank you. and Council President Orderman. >> Well, Councilman, um, Rich, um, it's a pleasure to work with you. I worked with you for 12 years, and one thing I know
about Rich, Rich is compassionate. Even when we come off the DAS and we go into the office, he's still going on about what he agreed with or what he disagree with. And to me, that's showing a sign of leadership and a person who really cares about their community. Even when
people didn't agree with you, he always stood his voice. And that's saying something about a person who have conviction conviction about their neighborhood. I know you love the Hilltop. I've heard a lot about it. I've learned about it by you sitting here. You're just a champion more than you
could imagine. I admire you how you said that you train the police officers and you go up there to train the cadetses and you made sure every year that there was some type of service for the cadetses. And to me, that's saying a lot about a person who really want to pass
the baton. So, I I proudly vote I and it was an honor to um name the street after you and not only that to even vote to even put you on the Lowe's theater because I know coming in that was some that was a theater you fought for. You and Michael Yung fought for that theater
when everybody else pretty much wanted to close it down. So, um congratulations. The best is still yet to come. You still got wind in you, Rich. I'm telling you, you're feisty. You're just feisty, you know, and that's all good. God bless you. Whatever you do next, I proudly vote on.
>> So, before I recap, I don't really get to vote here at all. So, I just want to say a couple of things about Council Person Bajiano. Um, I know Councilman Bajano for since I've been in the clerk's office, that's over 20 years. And I will say, um, I'm going
to miss his tenacity, his lack of putting his mic on, uh, during council meetings. um having his mic on mute when we did the um the teams meetings when we're in the pandemic. Um but all the good things though uh I am going to miss
you Rich, but it's never goodbye, it's see you later. So thank you so much for giving more than half of your life to the city that you love. It's not just the Hilltop that you love. You love Jersey City and so do I. Congratulations, Rich.
Resolution 25-820 is approved unanimously. 90 >> guys go up there for a pick. I I I think we should before you go up for a pitch, I think you should say a couple of words. >> Oh, yeah.
>> And don't say anything ridiculous or >> I won't I won't >> Your family is here, too. >> Ridiculous. >> Well, she wants me to say what I really think. I don't think so. I don't >> Wait, wait, wait. Do I have a mute button? >> I may be leaving tonight, but I'm still
going to be around. and I'm still here for the people of Jersey City and I always will be. I love this city. >> And uh I'm want to see it progress in many ways and I want to thank this council. I've enjoyed working with
everybody here and um I'll tell you the truth, you mentioned Michael Young and I miss Michael Young and I looked at his picture tonight hanging on my wall and I know he's looking down from heaven right now and u so I just want to say thank
you to all the people of Jersey City. Uh and you especially Yeah, I love you. Yeah, I love you and uh thank you very much. and I'm proud to have served Jersey City. And as I said, I'm not going anywhere. I'm still going
to be around and if I can help anybody, I'm more than glad to. Thank you very much. >> Yeah. Take a photo. >> Okay. We have the >> Yeah. >> Can we do one with us sitting? >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. We'll sit and then we'll come back up. We'll come up >> around. >> This way is better. >> Okay. >> Around this way and then with the seat so he can have >> Come on.
>> Now I got to get the wide angle ones. No one knows where to look. >> Now, Rich, do you want us Do you want a picture with us sitting at the seat? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Have them take one with us sitting at at the D, Sam, so Rich can have it
>> so he could see it. Yeah. Can you hear me? >> Sorry. They don't work. >> Once again, thank you to everybody. >> Excellent. Okay, we have one more resolution that
we defer to and that's item 10.52. Thank you. And it's a resolution. So many papers here. So, resolution 25-821, resolution honoring HUD post on its 10th
anniversary and recognizing its contributions to Jersey City. I believe council person will read the resolution into the record. >> Okay. Whereas in 2016, HUDPOST was founded by James De Loss Santos, born in Jersey
City with the mission of telling the stories of Hudson County through the eyes of its people. And whereas James de los Santos's personal journey includes early education at Christa McAuliff School PS28 which is in Jersey City
Heights, further schooling at Golden Door Charter School in Jersey City, and higher education at New Jersey City University NJCU in Jersey City. And whereas since its founding, HUD post has grown into a respected independent media
platform built on authenticity, consistency, and a deep connection to the communities of Hudson County, proving providing residents with local news, cultural narratives, civic engagement, and community reflections. And whereas under the leadership of
James de los Santos, HUDPost has become both a news outlet and a community symbol celebrating the diversity, resiliency, and vibrancy of the region's residents while empowering local voices and storytellers. And whereas
through sustained coverage of Jersey City's local businesses, nonprofit organizations, civic matters, community initiatives, and public life, HUDPOST has played a valuable role in elevating resident voices, strengthening community
awareness, and fostering civic pride. Whereas the publication has earned recognition from outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, Telmundo, Politico, MetroUK, and especially the latter calling HUDPOS a cultural
symbol built by and for its people and noting its efforts to spotlight the best of Hudson County. And whereas over nearly a decade, HUDPOST has not only informed and connected the community, but also contributed to the greater
civic participation, cultural identity, and resilience in local journalism amid evolving media landscapes. And now therefore, be it hereby resolved that the city council of the city of Jersey City hereby honors HUDPOST on the
occasion of its 10th anniversary, commends its many contributions to the residents of Hudson County, and recognizes it as a vital institution of communitydriven journalism and cultural expression. and be it further resolved
that a certified copy of this resolution be presented to James de los Santos, founder and editor of Hudpost, in recognition of his enduring vision, leadership, and service to Jersey City and Hudson County. Before we ask anyone to speak, let's
take a vote on resolution 25-821. Council Person Ridley, >> I want to say congratulations uh on 10 years and thank you for taking the time to cover uh all the news in the county because I know you all are all over. We
appreciate it. I enjoy watching uh you know your coverage and I think it's wonderful. So congratulations on 10 years and here's to many more. I vote I. >> Thank you. Council Person Helings, >> congratulations. I vote I.
>> Council Person Bajiano, >> congratulations and keep up the good work. >> I vote I. >> Council Person, you've done amazing work over the years. I've seen it grow. Um, you know, I've had good coverage, I've had bad
coverage, I got roasted in the comments section. It's all part of Fun Post. Um, but we we treasure and value, you know, the things that you do for our community and, you know, just keeping Jersey City and Hudson County connected through this
new medium and, uh, it's it's a beautiful things. I proudly vote I, >> Council Person Solomon, >> James, congratulations on 10 years. It's so exciting to have a successful media venture here in Hudson County. And you know, we need we need you to continue to
grow, continue to thrive because it, you know, makes it better for everybody here. So, I proudly vote I. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Um, yes. Congratulations. Thank you for your service. Oh, you're you're you're Is this the owner? >> Yeah.
>> Okay. I'm glad now that I got that out the way. When you guys post a picture of me, I don't care what you write, just make sure you post a good picture. How about I >> council person to chase >> angle lighting? That's very important. >> Yes.
>> Thank you for what you do. You know, in a community like Jersey City and Hudson County who we love information. We love knowing what's going on. It's incredible that it's so hard to do your work, not just yours, but the other organizations that are here. So, thank you for putting
that work in. Thank you for working with our students as you have in the past. Uh, I proudly vote I and look forward to keep continuing reading your work. >> Council person Rivera, >> great job. James Taks in the house all
day. Uh, I proudly vote I. Keep up the great work and council president Waterman. >> Congratulations. I vote I. >> Resolution 25-821 is approved unanimously 90.
Congratulations. would you like to say a few words? >> Uh, thank you to the council. Um, I think that at a time like this where journalism, the business itself is under attack and different forms of government
are attacking journalism. I think it's really uh really says something about the council to one uh you know show appreciation for the media despite some of you may not getting the best coverage and you know frankly not getting the best photos up there sometimes. But I
really appreciate it and thank you to the people of Jersey City because without them I can't do the coverage I do. It's just you us and a few people. So thank you. >> Before you go c can you just state your name for the record because for our court? >> Sure. My name is James Delos Santos. Thank you so much, James. Hold on. One
second. James, James, hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. James, James, hold on. Hold on. James. James. Where you going? James, >> I I just I just had one I had one final request, which is uh when you find a good picture of Frank, you let me know because I've been waiting four years to find one.
>> Thank you. >> Wow. >> Only the mayor elect can say that, right? Are we going to take a picture with James? Okay, perfect. >> Thank you. Oh yeah, she got work the way she
thinking. I'm fixing. >> Congratulations. Thank you. job. You're doing great. Okay. All right. So, as we're getting back to our seats, I got a big special birthday shout out
to Jordan Cole. Happy birthday, Jordan. To you. >> Well, we're not going to sing off key canaries. >> Um, since we're talking about birthdays, you know, this is the last meeting
before Christmas. So, I just want to remind everybody your clerk is going to be turning a year older on Christmas Day. So, not looking for a happy birthday sing along, but just just so you know, I share the same kind of uh month with Jordan. So, and anybody that's born on in December, happy
birthday to them, too. Okay. There are no first reading ordinances. Yay. Um, we're going to move on to our second reading ordinances. First second reading ordinance is item
4.1 city ordinance 25-10. This is an ordinance authorizing the city of Jersey City to enter into a lease purchase agreement as a leie with Jackson Square office LLC as a lesser for a 9-story office building to be constructed on block 22502
lot 36 through 37 between Orient Avenue and Carney Avenue on Martin Luther King Drive and ancillary improvements throughout Jackson Square. As discussed at the caucus meeting, I believe I'm going to have a motion to table city
ordinance 25-110 prior to conducting a public hearing. >> Motion correct? >> Yes. >> Motion made by council person Gilmore. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> Second by council person Ridley was first. >> Yes. >> On the motion to table city ordinance
25-110 prior to conducting a public hearing. Council person Ridley. >> I. Council person Hulings. >> I. >> Council person Bajiano. >> Council person Cle. >> Hi. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I.
>> Council person Deise. >> I. >> Council person Reber. >> Hi. >> And council president Waterman. >> Hi. >> Motion carries 90. Okay. On to our next second reading ordinance.
Item 4.2. 2. City Ordinance 25-119 is a bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements by and in the city of Jersey City in the county of Hudson, state of New Jersey, reappropriating 58,393. Hold on, guys. $393,447.96
in excess bond or note proceeds from various bond ordinance not needed for their original purpose to finance the cost thereof. I believe we're going to have a motion to table city ordinance 25-119
prior to conducting a public hearing. Do I have a motion? >> Second. Motion was made by council person Gilmore, seconded by council person Rivera. On the motion to table city ordinance 25-119 prior to conducting a public hearing,
council person Ridley, >> I. >> Council person Huings, >> I. >> Council person Bajiano, >> Council Person, >> I. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Council person Deise. >> Hi. >> Council person Ria.
>> Hi. and council president Waterman. Motion carries 90 >> public hearing. >> Nope. >> So just for the members of the public in person and watching at home, both first
I mean both second readings item 4.1 and 4.2 were tabled prior to conducting a public hearing. That basically eliminates the ordinance in some shape or form, but it will appear on the tabled agenda. The tabled agenda will expire with this council's term. So the
council's term will expire January 14th, 2026. Once that date ends, so does the tabled agenda and then we start over again just for an explanation purpose. Welcome. So with that being said, I know
that council persona has to leave us early. So because of that, I am going to take his vote on the remaining second reading ordinances. Are we planning on doing anything else with the second reading
ordinances that are listed that I shouldn't take his vote on? No. Okay, great. All right. So, Councilman Rivera, I need your vote on city ordinance 25-124.
I. >> And your vote on city ordinance 25-127? >> I. >> And your vote on ordinance 25-128. >> I.
>> Your vote on second reading ordinance 25-129. >> I. >> And your vote on second reading ordinance 25-130. I >> and last but not least on the second
readings 25.131 >> I >> that will include the second readings we'll go to the claims and addendums number one 2 and three >> I >> vote >> you said I >> yes sir >> thank you all right on to the
resolutions items 10.1 through 10.14 >> no on 10.4 4 I on the rest. Okay. Items 10.15 through 10.24.
>> No. On 1016, I on the rest. Okay. >> Items 10.25 through 10.37. >> I. >> Items 10.38 through 10.49.
I >> and items 1050 through 10.60 with the exception of 51 and 52 which were voted on earlier. >> No on 10.56 I under arrest. >> 10.56.
Okay. And I arrest. All right. Councilman. Thank you so much. And again, sorry for the loss. All right. Back to the order of business. We are now on item 4.3, city ordinance
25-124. This is a ordinance amending chapter 345 zoning section 52 regarding permitted uses in the medical zone. We have our first speaker. If you can
just bear with me one second. All right. So, that one did. >> Yes. Yes. Thank you. All right. Our first speaker, if you would approach and just state your name for the record.
>> Yes. Edward Urkins. >> Thank you. Edward, you can start. >> It's a shame, more than a shame, what has happened to Christ Hospital in our city. Everyone here already knows. How many hospitals do you think we need as a
city with the size of the population that we have to survive? I mean like in a humane fashion, in a just way. this hospital closes down or even if it decreases its size and its ability to
be available as a service for the general public. What will we do now? Jersey City Medical Center, what other hospitals do we have? I don't understand how I don't even understand how we could how
this is how most of this has even happened under his leadership for 12 years. We've been disgusted. We've been reading We've been reading reports that the staff at the hospital has been lobbying for support. Many members running uh many have made it part of the
new council were there. You've been there for them. This is this is tragic. This is tragic. We need full support for the hospital, right? The hospital should never ever be sold to a developer. This
land should never be sold to developers to build condos where we can see out across the river and into New York City. It's not a good exchange. A disaster. Find another place where we can build housing and housing that's
affordable for us all where we don't have to exchange it for a hospital. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of it. you. Our next speaker, if you can just state your name for the record and spell it
for me because I'm I don't recognize everybody that's up there. >> Sure. I'm Debbie White, Whit, and I am the president of HPAE. >> Okay. Thank you, Debbie. >> Hi. And I have with me a bunch of nurses
here, some who used to work at Christ Hospital, some who still do in a limited capacity or a differing capacities. We also have petitions signed by I'm not sure if it's how many names were on that
1,000 people in this city um condemning the closure of Christ hospital as an acute care center um or hospital. So I want to say as and I also want to introduce my colleague here uh Craig
Ford. He is the president of 1199J. They are the service workers at Christ Hospital. I can't even bring myself to call it the new name because of these owners. Um, but as I speak to you tonight, hundreds hundreds of healthcare workers are without work and the
community is without a hospital. The employer did this unilaterally and illegally without the permission of the Department of Health. They did this in violation of contract language, labor law, and yes, we are challenging it on
many fronts. Um, they did this in violation of the Warren Act, in violation of ORISA law, in violation of of other things as well. And um I'm sure the department of health is working on this as he as we speak, but it was done
in an impulsive and a very chaotic way causing a lot of harm to the community. Heights hospital should remain as an acute care hospital at the very least.
It should have an emergency department, dialysis, mental health beds, addiction treatment, and some impatient capacity. These units have the highest utilization. After Hudson Regional abruptly shut down the dialysis unit,
and this is just a story for you to reflect upon, those dialysis patients had nowhere to go. They showed up in the emergency department. This is how much Hudson Regional, the land owners and the hospital owners care about these patients. These patients showed up in
their emergency room without anywhere to get their dialysis done and had to be emergency dialized by nurses who had just been laid off. They had to be brought in to dialize those patients. There were also patients who needed
acute care or um ICU critical care beds who had to be transferred out and they continue to do that at this point. Don't let Christ hospital simply become highric condos. Please force these
owners because they will know not do this of their own accord. Force them to keep this as an acute care hospital. I I urge you um I appreciate you passing this amendment. >> Thank you. >> Okay, if you can just state your name
and spell your name for the record. >> Rebecca Low. R E B E C A L O W E. Good evening, Council President Waterman and the members of Jersey City Council. My name is Rebecca Lowe and I'm the
president of HBAE Local 5186 at Christ Hospital in Jersey City. Thank you Councilman Bogman and Salman for introducing ordinance 25124 to restrict the primary use of the land
in the medical district to be for medical care services only. As I speak to you tonight, access to health care for thousands of our fellow Jersey City residents and in the greater community of Hudson County has been greatly compromised because of the crisis
created by Hudson Regional Health. After suddenly shutting down all inpatient services at the hospital and just leaving an emergency room, HR HR was faced with patients who needed more than just emergency room. that led to the
reopening of observation beds, an emergency room, and a dialysis surate staffing. My heart just goes out to the patient and community in general for the hurdles that they now must jump through to receive any care that's in that area.
And that's not even saying anything about my colleagues who the rug was callously unfairly and illegally pulled out from under them by this employer. I've been providing care to critical care patients at this hospital for over 12 years. When ICU was shut down, I had
to make a decision. Either leave the hospital and go to another hospital work at ICU or take a position in Christ ER. I currently work in Christ ER. I stayed to fight for my patients and for the residents of the Heights. So, thank you for consideration. And I urge
you to approve ordinance 25-124 to ensure that the community would continue to have access to medical services and an acute community hospital. >> Thank you. >> Do you want the um the petitions the signed petitions?
Okay, our next speaker, thank you for all joining and right You can just state your name. You don't have to spell it because I do know who you are. >> Good evening, Danielle Damo. >> Thank you. Go ahead, Danielle. >> Many of you know me for speaking on
environmental issues. Green infrastructure and community resilience. But this ordinance speaks to something just as fundamental. Healthc care is a human right and our collective responsibility to protect access to it. In my op ed published in Jersey City
Times, I wrote about what I personally witnessed inside Christ Hospital. Real emergencies, real lives hanging in the balance and outcomes that depended entirely on how close aute medical care was in that moment. Those experiences
are etched into me and they are a major reason why I'm here tonight. The medical zone in Jersey City Heights was created with one clear purpose. to safeguard hospital services, acute care, diagnostic centers, ampulatory treatment and rehabilitation facilities. This
ordinance protects that purpose. It also draws an essential line. Senior housing is not medical care. Senior housing is important, but it cannot be allowed to replace or overshadow the acute care uses that saves lives every single day.
As someone who has lived here my entire life, who teaches our children, and who has witnessed firsthand the life and death stakes inside Christ Hospital, I want to be very clear. Access to care must be protected by design, not just
left vulnerable to market pressures. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past. We cannot let hospital zone land slip away into residential development while hospitals close in ER's response times grow longer. In a medical emergency,
proxis proximity isn't a luxury. It is a difference between recovery and tragedy. This ordinance ensures that the limited health infrastructure we have left remains dedicated to the people who depend on it. It reaffirms that the
medical zone should serve patients first, not developers. I urge you to vote yes and help ensure that when someone in our community needs life-saving care, it is close,
accessible, and protected. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, if you can just state your name and spell your name for the record. Renee Steinhagen. St I N H A G-N >> I N H A G-N
uh I'm here tonight. I am a Jersey City resident, but I'm speaking in my capacity as executive director of New Jersey Apple Seed Public Interest Law Center. Over in 2012, we represented in court um a group called SavePrice
Hospital. At that time we were urging the court, we were urging the department of health not to let Hudson Hulko sell the land under the property of Christ hospital. It is that sale that's separating the operation of a hospital
from the land on which it was which has created the economics that we have been led to and it has also created the situation that you've been in since I understand that there was at some point Barnabas Hospital was willing to come in until the landowner made sure that
didn't happen. So I'm here tonight to urge you to vote yes on this bill. But make clear since your department of planning has found that this or they have found and they've made a factual finding that this ordinance now is inconsistent
plan. Maybe maybe it's inconsistent with one goal of the master plan which is to promote resident uh senior housing wherever there's residential purposes. However, there's a more paramount purpose to the master plan and the
zoning ordinance itself cannot be compromised. There's a reason why you're eliminating the two residential uses to ensure that medical services becomes that medical services remain on the site and that residential
which are permitted use senior housing currently and assisted living do not become the exclusive use of that property. That needs to be stated on the record, not just heard from people in the audience. And I urge you to state on the record that you are preserving the
intent and purpose of the medical zone and district and that at this point under these circumstances where the owner of the land has no interest in maintaining any medical services that you need to eliminate senior housing and
assisted housing. Thank you. Our next speaker, you can state your name and spell your name for the record. >> Shimberg. >> I I You got to bring the mic up. Uh, all right, sir. >> Graham Schindberg.
>> Still can't hear you. >> Graham Shimberg. >> Graham. Spell that last name. >> Sh I M B E R G. Thank you so much. I'm speaking as a member of the community and a longtime
resident of the Heights neighborhood in favor of passing ordinance 25-124. The threat the owners of Hudson Regional Health are making against Christ Hospital is obscene. They made a commitment when they acquired this hospital less than a year ago to invest
in our community. For a city this size to only have one hospital, we need a minimum of two fully functioning hospitals in this city to support the volume of patients. It's greater than one hospital can do, not to mention proximity, like other speakers
have mentioned. From where I stand, I see a decisive land grab on the part of Hudson Regional Health. Not one that will benefit our community, but one that will line pockets of board members. There's no appetite for 55 plus living
facilities in the Heights neighborhood as we've seen by other failed proposed developments of the sort that haven't gained enough momentum to succeed. And when they fail at this ploy, and they will 100% fail to declare it as a
hardship and turn it into luxury condos with lengthy tax abatements that by no way benefit the community. It's a loophole that they're looking to exploit and not one that they should be granted. What my family and I would love to see happen is the hospital remain a hospital
and continue to serve those within our burgeoning community. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker, >> just state your name for the record. I know you're who you are. >> My name is Phil Karen. I can't spell my name. >> You don't have to.
>> Okay, good. So, here we go again. Over and over, we seeing high price condos, high price apartments, but the average citizen can't pay the
rent or the mortgage on these buildings. And so you're displacing people who would make reasonable income and replacing them with nothing.
And so just simply if this is the zoning is not consistent with the master plan, then the developer needs to come before
the community to address zoning. And so we are going to dismiss everything else and focus on zoning. I am against reszoning or changing the zoning map until at least 25% of the
people as affected by this in that community get a hearing by the representative and or the developers. I'm against reszoning or changing this
plan just for this developer. It's just that simple. >> Thank you, Bill. >> Bill Carrington. >> Our next speaker, if you can state your name and spell your name for the record, please. >> Um, my name is Cynthia Scott. C Y N T H
I A S T O TT. >> You went way too fast. Cynthia Scott. >> Right. >> You got to remember I'm I'm not hearing exactly what the audience No, please don't apologize. I just want to know the only reason why I'm I'm asking you to repeat it because I want your name
spelled correctly for the record. >> C Y N T H I A Scott SO TT. >> Thank you so much, Cynthia. >> Hi, good evening. Thank you everybody. I'm here on behalf of the Persian Field Neighborhood Association in support of this ordinance. We feel it's very
important to um preserve the medical zone. I was born at Christ Hospital and I grew up there were four hospitals in Jersey City. Um St. Francis, Christ Hospital, Medical Center, and Greenville Hospital. I think it's absurd that now we are working so hard as a city it
seems to increase the density, but yet we are not preserving services or providing services. Too many times we put the cart before the horse. We invite the people to come in. We don't have transportation. We don't have sewage. And we're not going to have healthcare. I think it's important that this
ordinance be um voted. Yes. >> If you can just state your name for the record. >> Hi. Yes. My name is Tina Noles and yes, I work for Education at Gearmore. I'm just going to say yes. I know they're going to vote yes because we have a new leader that he understands what's going
on. Um I had my son, he's 19 years old. I actually had him at Christ Hospital because medical center wouldn't take me because he was preached and he was already 11 lbs. And I remember when I first got out of high school and I was looking for volunteer, Christ Hospital
was actually the only hospital that actually reached back to me. So I was able to do my volunteers. Um I feel like for us to keep continue to take and make these hospitals apartment is wrong. One of my friends right now live in one of
the hospital, the old medical center and every day they having problems with that. We already know why they having problems with that because we all know it was a hospital. It wasn't supposed to be apartment. People was living in there. People was dying. People was
sick. People was confused. It was mental health. So to see constantly that we keep messing up the hospital instead of us building other things and so many empties apartments out there, so many empties of builders out there, so many other stuff is going out there, but we keep messing with the stuff that's messing up people jobs. I'm so confused
of what our mayor thought that was a good idea to let our hospital go. To see that he didn't concern that we only have one hospital in our community and we still haven't even finished with the safety and people still getting shot up. to see that happen. It just show you how
he didn't realize we still have homeless going on right now. And y'all making a building that someone can't even afford and stuff like that. My phone call just rung just now. But that's okay guys because y'all already know we have new leaders. New leaders. So meaning by us
having new leaders, they're going to understand the mission. Meaning that the hospital is not going to close. Meaning that's not going to be another apartment. meaning that's that's going to be a hospital and these people is going to continue to have their jobs. Thank you, Salomon. Have a good day.
>> Our next speaker can state your name for the record. >> My name is Adrian. A d r i a n ga g h a i n da. Thank you. So, uh, good evening, council members. I'm going to make my
comments short and sweet for once. I'm urging every member of the council to vote yes on ordinance 25-124 because we quite frankly need to save Christ Hospital. Christ Hospital was the facility my mom used to remove a tumor from her eye when I was 9 years old.
Christ Hospital is where my dad had a procedure to repair a hernia when I was 12 years old. And crazily enough, Christ Hospital is where I went when I shattered my ankle the night before my high school graduation. So Christ Hospital, ironically, is one of two
hospitals that Jersey City has. And as we know, Jersey City is the second largest city in the state. And for it to have only two hospitals pretty much shows that we really need to invest more in the health care and improving the quality of life of Jersey City's uh
residents. So voting against this ordinance just drastically affects the quality of life any resident would have. And at the very least, we just need to preserve this land to ensure that we have a functioning medical facility to replace what was Christ Hospital. We can't let
this land be used for anything otherwise. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, if you can just state your name for the record. >> Good evening, uh, Michael Griffin. >> Thank you, Michael. Uh you know I I come from a community of
uh displacement but to come here and talk about patients being displaced is ridiculous. Uh my grandmother you know her her hospital her hospital of choice was St. Francis I mean sorry um Christ
hospital my grandmother passed when she was 92 years old. U she lived a long life and I would like to thank the staff of Christ hospital for that. um you know the and and and these people these are these are these are our folks right and not only are they our folks
the patients are our folks and we can't turn our backs on them we can turn our backs on the developer but we can't turn our backs on them. So please vote yes on this ordinance and you know let's let's get it done.
You can just state your name for the record and spell it for me. >> Sure. Caleb Hansen. C A L E B H A N S E N. And council members, I'm here tonight to plead for the immediate passage of
ordinance 25-124. And everybody here behind me is out to speak tonight because we are out here trying to kill a scheme that is being devised by real estate developers who are disguising themselves as healthc
care chairboard members and executives. And Yan Mossh is a guy who is involved in numerous racketeering cases and charges. You can look it up in the Jersey City Times. and he is the guy who is the mastermind behind HR's scheme to
purchase Christ Hospital and subsequently close it. We know the planning board found an inconsistency in the master plan at the planning board meeting last week and this new city council can correct the record upcoming this next in this
upcoming January. And we cannot leave this site where Christ hospital rests to be unprotected for even one more month while HR is currently maneuvering in the shadows trying to shut down a city of 700 shut down a county of 750,000
people and their their second hospital leaving only one currently in operation overleveraging Jersey City Medical Center's capabilities to deliver effective care to the citizens of which they need to serve. And so this isn't just about zoning
technicalities. This is about a choice. A choice between protecting emergency care for those 750,000 people I just mentioned or handing over a blank check to a real estate speculator on the board. And so if we look at the facts,
you can see that Christ Hospital has served over 60,000 charity care patients per year, 200,000 Medicaid patients per year, and 12,000 mental health patients per year. It ran the only adolescent psychiatric unit in the region of the
county. And in April, HR told a federal bankruptcy judge that they had the resources to operate Christ hospital and they moved to buy it. And then six months later, lo and behold, here we are. So if they lied to the court to to acquire this land that Christ sits upon,
I think we can all do the math for ourselves. And so 65% of Christ patients were on Medicaid, undocumented or on charity care. And if you acquire a hospital with that knowledge and then close it, you have
violated the public trust. People will suffer and people will die. I call on the planning board and this council to see this emergency before you and we have great turnout tonight and I thank everybody for showing up. If the master
plan that was concocted here didn't anticipate this type of prep predatory fraud, then the master plan must be changed. You have the authority. You have the moral imperative. Choose the community. Choose to keep this land. Thank you.
You can state your name for the record. >> Good evening. My name is Shannon Ray. I'm speaking in support of this ordinance. Uh I am a nurse of almost 30 years, a previous nurse of the year winner. Being a nurse is such a huge part of my identity and I've seen
firsthand hospitals are an integral vital part of a community doing so much more than just providing direct patient care. that a city of our size would even think of closing such an important facility is is unbearable. Communities don't fall
apart in one fell swoop. They fall apart in the little moments, the little decisions that get made that build. Let's not let this be one of those moments. Don't let the heights suffer. Don't let Jersey City suffer. Thank you. >> You can just state your name for the
record. Essence Kelly speaker. Well, first and foremost, thank you guys for your service. I understand some of y'all last night. Just wanted to say that. Um, as far as the um I just want to speak from two different points of views. as a person that was coming out
of high school that became a medical assistant throughpoint health literally going to different hospitals and having to volunteer over a thousand hours between Bayon Hoboken as well as Christ and then ended up getting a job at 191 Palisade Avenue which is right across
the street and then you have the nursing department that was able to that you able to see right there and you know walking by that was really really a lot of motivation but just as a person that was able to work in the hospital. How many people are we disservicing? Cuz we
have to also think about our dialysis patients that have to get up and get there about three times a week. But I also want to speak from the developer side, too. Yes, it is medically zoned. And yes, there's going to be plenty of development that's going to continue to happen in this city and change is
inevitable, but at some point, what are y'allocating and giving these people that are losing the hospital? And just the last point between my mom having a surgery last week, she was in Jersey City Medical Center. You know where she had to do her
recovery at right in the emergency room because it's overstaffed, overworked, underpaid people. So what are you really saying? At least come through with something to give them back. At least an emergency room or something. Make it make sense. Don't
just allocate something just for residential. And yes, it is for seniors, but it should allocate everyone. Thank you. >> Next speaker, if you can state your name and spell your name for the record.
>> Liam L I A M Piva P A I V A C O S T A C O S T A >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay, good evening. My name is Liam Paak
Costa and I'm one of the co-chairs of the North New Jersey Democratic Socialist of America's Health Justice Working Group. I'd like to speak to the legal issues surrounding this hospital. I attended the planning board meeting and spoke there where they discussed the
master plan. They made it very clear that the council has the legal authority to override the master plan as long as you put your reason for doing so on the record. that the intention, the spirit of the master plan was to preserve the medical zone for medical purposes and
redevelopment of the land into 2,200 luxury condos does not serve that purpose, senior housing or not. Additionally, nothing is stopping the council from passing a new ordinance consistent with the master plan in 2026 if there are legal concerns with this
ordinance. The most important thing is to stop the redevelopment. Once the hospital is torn down, it will be much harder to rebuild it compared to preserving the hospital we already have. In the future, I envision Christ Hospital as a public hospital under a
Hudson County hospital authority as a result of the use of eminent domain. Something my working group will fight tirelessly to see come to pass. Ladies and gentlemen, people will die if this hospital remains closed. Pass this
ordinance and keep the blood of thousands of your constituents off your hands. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, if you can state your name and spell your name for the record. >> Sure. Morgane Dillionardis. M O R
G A I N E. last name D E space capital L E O N A R D I S. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,
council. And thank you everybody here tonight. Um I was born at Christ Hospital. My mother worked there for 48 years and was forced into retirement this past November when her unit closed overnight.
She told me this morning without a doubt that as we already know and heard that if this hospital closes, the people of our city are going to die. We need it to stay the way it is. And we need not only an emergency room, she was
telling me today, um, but specialized units to take care of our people. Somebody has already died because they couldn't make it to Hoboken in time because there was no specialized care in a month.
So, there's not much more to say. I think you know what the right thing to do is and we thank you for your service and thank you for your time. >> Next speaker, you could just state your name for the record. >> Just bring your the mic down, Esther.
There you go. Esther Witner. >> Very good. >> So I think it goes without saying that this is you know just a tragedy which what has happened. So without with repeating everything that's been said I
feel that we need to to talk about the elephant in the room. Um, it is public information and record that our mayor received uh contributions from people that had financial interest
in this building, this development, this hospital. We have Moshe, Gropali, Eisenrike. I don't know what kind if there was a quidd proquo what went on but mayor elect Solomon I think that uh once you
take office with the um with the force of the city to request an investigation maybe with the attorney general to find out exactly what happened here the people I mean we've just heard people aside
from people losing their jobs they've lost their lives and so We need to get to the bottom of this because if there was something that was done inappropriately or wrongly then they have to we have to bring that to
justice. Thank you. >> Next speaker if you can just state your name and spell your name for me. >> My name is Diana Crowder. C R O W D E R. I am a retired HPAE member. I worked at
UMDJ before it became Rodkus. So having worked in a hospital to come to this time in my life and to realize that if something happens to me, a stroke, a heart attack, there's only there'll be only one place to go and hopefully I'll
be close to it. So um I also want to reiterate I'm looking forward to the new leadership. I've canvased for the new leadership. I don't want to repeat what's already been said, but I do want to point out,
we keep talking about our families and the residents of Jersey City, but I want to look at you. You may need that Christ hospital. You may be hit by a truck as you walk out of here tonight.
Yeah. I'm I'm I'm concerned about your health. We're we're all in that in that light. We're all the same, right? We're all equal. That equalizes us. We don't know when a heart attack or a health incident
is coming. So, please, when you vote, think about us, but think about yourselves and your families. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, >> Ivonne Waler. >> Thank you. While I am for keeping the hospital, I want to go back to why this
happened. In 1986, when Ronald Reagan was president, he passed a law that's saying hospitals that receive Medicare cannot turn away a patient. Now, that sounds really good. It sounds really great. But what happened is when you
can't turn away patients who can't pay, you still got to pay your staff. And when St. Francis Hops to a close, they wrote a very good article in the New York Times, which I'm sorry I don't have in front of me, but I still remember it. They begged the state of New York for $2
billion. But they said, "We have these immigrants and they're not paying. We need your help." And the state said, "No." And they owe $2 billion. They couldn't pay their staff. And so, uh, we want quote, "We believe in no boards and
things like that." There's consequences to that kind of mentality. I have seen in my lifetime living in Jersey City, the Fairmont Hospital closed, the Jewish hospital closed, St. Francis closed, which they weren't doing bad. Their land
was very valuable and Christ hospital closed. So, you know, it I want to see that hospital remain open. Family members of my family uh went there. But there is a reason why hospitals across the United States are closing or they
become profit like Bayon Hospital where you have an emergency they'll stop the bleeding but they won't treat the patients. So somewhere along the line of we accept everyone we want everyone here is a reason why we don't have hospitals.
Thank you very much. It's good seeing you back. This is still a public hearing. Any member of the public wishing to be heard, please state your name for the record and spell it for me, please. >> Um, Kathleen Donardis. D E L E O N A R D
I S. Um, >> and it's Kathleen with a K or C. >> K. >> Thank you. >> Okay. just to let you know that I'm I was nurse there at Christ Hospital and I've been worked there for 48 years at
the hospital. My my concern is for our community. We serve uh a large population uh like West New York, Union City. So, I don't know where all these patients are going to be going. I mean if they have if they're suffering from a heart attack or
something by the time they get to some hospital either Hovoken or medical center they might not make it you know so it is thing that the hospital should remain open as a hospital in some form I know
they're thinking about or they want to sell the property possibly to build condos or whatever but there should be a hospital in the community that will serve the community um of Jersey City and West New York in Union City. That's
all. Thank you. You know what? Shame on us. I'm 77 years old. I was born into Margaret Haye. My sister that passed was one of the first babies born in the medical center. Margaret Hay 93
years ago, Mayor Haye built the second largest hospital in the United States of America in these United States and we sold it. I'm a developer, but I don't believe in developing taking away from
what we need. We didn't lo St. Francis Hospital where I was that Green Rainbow Hospital. What more do we want to lose? We got more people than we got hospitals to take care of them. People are losing
jobs. Who's gonna tell? I'm 77. My nephew just died in St. Francis. He came from Irvington, went to that hospital, Christ Hospital, I mean, and they took good care of him. What is wrong with us?
When do we say no necessities there on developers? They don't want to build a Florida house. Now they want to take and build million dollar condos and these people need a job. What's wrong? When do we say no? We la the largest hospital in
the United States of America. The medical center, the Margaret Hay. We had a planet there. We had all that stuff there. We don't have no more in this city. We launched everything to developing. I'm a developer, but you stop in line
with stuff. You got to say no. Sometime this is not right there. People in Jersey City, we get sick in here tonight. Where we going? Number emergency room up there. We got nothing downtown no more.
We got nothing in the green room no more and the medical center can't take care of 10 good people. What's wrong with us? When do we say no? Let's start this new year off right.
Tell them to build to go build on the waterfront. Tell them take some mud and throw it out here like they did downtown years ago here. Don't let them do that. We need to build that hospital instead of tearing it down. We didn't we need to make the
developers and whoever up there at Christ Hospital build it back up. Look what they did to the medical center. Look at the medical center. what they took from us and what they put back. We ain't got no place to go no more. We got
to go to Bayon or Hoboken. Come on y'all. Let's do better. >> Our next speaker, if you can state your name for the record. Good evening. My name is Karen Bonopen. Do you need to spell?
>> No. Um, she's right. What's wrong with us? And what I can tell you is what's not wrong with us. It's not the immigrants. Immigrants work in the hospital. They're
doctors. They're nurses. They're You can't blame it on immigrants. I just had to get up and talk about this cuz it's I wasn't even planning on on talking. But that is not what's wrong. What's wrong is that the system is so bad that
people cannot pay health care. So, they have to go without health care whether they're immigrants or not. There's a lot of people, you know, that can't pay healthare. So, yes, please do something about keeping the hospital open, not
just for ER. And regarding um um housing for senior citizens, that's a loophole. I mean cuz in about a couple years I'm a senior citizen so they you can give it to anybody so
definitely do not do that. I believe it was taken out of the ordinance so that's a good thing. Thank you. >> This is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25-124. Any member of the public still wish to be heard? Please come up to the podium
and state your name for the record. I have a motion to close the public hearing. >> Second. >> Are you coming up to speak, ma'am? >> Okay. >> There's anyone else? >> My name is Ruth. >> Hold on. Hold on. Cuz I did call for a
motion to close the public hearing. >> What is your name? Ruth ind. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to second what all these other people have been saying about passing the zoning ordinance and um you know when I moved to Jersey City in 1986,
Christ Hospital was a functioning hospital and everybody that I knew in the neighborhood went there and used it. That's no longer the case. when somebody gets sick, they try to find some other hospital to go to. Um,
and I also feel very angry at Mayor Phillip for kind of being the midwife to introduce the new hospital owners into this neighborhood. I'm really angry at that. And what I would like is a commitment from the new people that are going to be on the council, especially
Mayor Elect Solomon, to do something beyond just passing this audience, this ordinance, the zoning ordinance. Will you commit yourself to doing something to actually finding a real hospital to take it over? Is that something that
you're planning on doing? Thank you. Yasmin Clark. Good evening, council members and residents, and thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Yasmin Clark, and I'm here on behalf of the new Agile Apprentice University
campus at 99 Storms Avenue, the future home of our communitydriven digital arts. And Jasmine, are you speaking on the ordinance about >> Are you speaking on this ordinance? This is the time to speak on this ordinance only. motion.
>> Hold on. >> I'm going to ask one last time. This is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25124. Are there any other public speakers wishing to be heard on this ordinance? >> Motion. >> Hearing none. Motion to close a public
hearing on city ordinance 25-124 was made by council person late. >> Are we speaking on the ordinance? >> Yes. 4.4. >> I mean, >> it >> I don't understand. >> It's 4.3. We on 4.3.
>> When I'm in the middle of a motion, I'm taking it. I'm not stopping the motion >> from now on. I'm not stopping. So, who made that motion? That was council person. Yeah. >> Seconded by council president Waterman. On the motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-124.
Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Huings. >> I. >> Council person Bajiano. >> I. >> Council person. >> Hi. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I. >> Council person Deise. >> Hi. >> Council person Ria.
>> He's he won't mention his name again. there >> and council president waterman. Motion carries 80. Well with council person rea absent for final consent. >> I thought he voted on it right.
>> Well he he not not the not that's sorry before just as a sponsor read something into the record. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um, so I'm one of the co-sponsors of the ordinance with Councilman Bojaniano, and I just just wanted to read this into the record in response to the uh, planning board. Um, the council
understand the planning board and staff's intent and the recommendations and believes the recommendations are in line with the master plan. However, under the current circumstances, the city council must take steps to ensure that the original purpose and intent of the medical district is satisfied and that the zoning ordinance is not
compromised. Uh thus we do not uh I as the sponsor do not support adopting the recommendation in this situation. The expressed purpose of the medical district is to recognize the existing medical facilities in the city and other medical related uses traditionally associated with these facilities. It was created to ensure that we have
sufficient health care services in the city. This means emergency services, acute care beds, sameday surgery, physicians offices, psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation, dialysis, hospice, residential addiction services and more. While senior housing and assisted living are both important uses
prioritized by the master plan, and senior housing is already permitted wherever residential is permitted, they are not healthcare services. No one ever imagined or intended that these might be the primary uses in the medical zone. By removing these two permitted uses, the council is making clear that no developer could remove all healthcare
uses and make either senior housing or assisted living the main or only use in the district. This body has a duty to ensure sufficient healthcare services for the residents of Jersey City which must take priority here. Additionally, the medical districts are small and already surrounded by housing. So, removing these two uses will not have a
significant impact and the over overall possible permitted senior housing citywide. Thus, the council should it pass uh this ordinance that the changes to the medical district laid out by ordinance 25124 are not only consistent with the purpose of the medical district, but it is in fact necessary to
protect that purpose. Thus, the governing body uh which created the district and the master plan um if it approves this ordinance will not be adopting the planning board recommendation. Thank you for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 25-124. Council person
Ridley, >> uh I just want to say that we all understand the importance of having healthc care in this city. Uh that's a couple months ago now, I introduced a resolution asking the state
to intervene to help save uh Christ Hospital and the council voted on it unanimously. And some of the things that were mentioned here by public speakers are some of the things that I said that day about how we had so many hospitals in the past and now our city is growing and our hospitals are dwindling. Um and
it's definitely the wrong direction. Uh, so I believe that this ordinance is a good start and with that I vote I >> council person >> I >> council person Biano >> I just want to say I've been involved in this issue from the beginning and I want
to thank Linda from the box cafe northeast from the Palisad organization and others from that organization. The reason I've been so concerned about this is because this hospital saved my life shortly after 911. And if it wasn't for
the hospital, I probably wouldn't be here today. I spoke I just also want to let you know I spoke to the governor about this, Governor Murphy. I spoke to other people and I thought surely something would be done, but evidently nothing has been done. And I think it's
a damn disgrace that this hospital is closing. We used to have five hospitals in Jersey City. And another thing that really burns me up, I want the name to go back to Christ Hospital, not the name they have now.
I I vote I council person. I have to abstain. I serve as a volunteer on the Christ hospital board, but I do want to echo my council colleagues and what they're saying that
the hospital component can't be ancillary to development. That the hospital component has to be the primary reason for that site and it has to remain a medical zone um with a hospital and um Leverne is right. We used to have
Medicare for all with uh Margaret Hey. We used to have um free health care here in Jersey City and we've seen the healthcare facilities dwindle over time. I actually did use Christ Hospital last
year. They found a asymmetric mass in my nasal fairings and um that's I started to have breathing problems and you know the staff was exemplary and they did the best that they could. the state has refused to help Christ Hospital and you
know I think that the next council should look into the possibility of a municipal housing a municipal hospital authority um if the current owners aren't willing to actually put a put forward a plan
that is um going to save this hospital that we might have to take it over or we need to do something. Yes, the status quo is not acceptable. Um, and Christ Hospital has been around for 150 years, and I I believe that it
will be around for another 150 years, and I believe in Yep. I believe in the next council and the mayor to do the right thing and keep it open. Thank you. And I abstain, but that those are my comments to put on the record. Thank you,
>> Council Person Solomon. Uh just want to make a few few comments. um first appreciate uh so many people coming HPA uh 1199J many residents of you know the neighborhood near the hospital Persian Field and you know kind of very much
hear the concerns on your minds cuz you know Jersey City can't afford to lose this you know extraordinary uh healthc care uh facility and access and you know the the current closure with everything but the emergency room has already resulted in you know horrific consequences and so you know I am fully
committed to doing everything in my power to return uh real acute care to the site of Christ Hospital. Um and to do everything in my power to, you know, force both the state and the current owners to uh take better action. Um when it comes to this specific ordinance, I
think it's important just remember part of the reason we we had to move forward with it was the current owners submitted a proposal to city planning that that called for the demolition of the hospital and the construction of 2,200 luxury only units using the language here. So the reason why you know the the
you know I think it's appropriate for the council to override the master plan is that was never the intent of a hospital zone of a medical use zone it was never the intent to create luxury only housing uh with no healthcare use whatsoever and and that was not something that we thought well maybe this will happen it's something that
they themselves proposed to city planning. Um and and I think the the broader point that was made by a couple folks that I just want to reemphasize is, you know, we we got here for multiple reasons um over multiple years of owners putting money and greed before
people. And that fundamentally is what has to change. It has to stop. Um in Jersey City, you know, the previous owners Care Point sold the land out. That's something that Miss Steinhagen mentioned. The previous owner's care point siphoned $150 million into their pockets for management fees. So while
our nurses are working hard, while our doctors are working hard, while our uh custodial staffs are working hard, these people were literally taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of the hospital into their own pockets. And that that greed was allowed to go unchecked is a stain. It's a stain on the city. Uh and
it's something that can never be allowed to happen again. And then obviously the new owners came in as was said, you know, promised the bankruptcy court that they had the funds to maintain the hospital. Promised everybody who would talk to them that they had the funds to maintain the hospital. and then all of a sudden on a dime switched to trying to close the hospital and and and did not
follow state law to close it. They broke the law when they laid off hundreds of Jersey City employees, workers, nurses, uh didn't follow the appropriate steps. So, um this passing this ordinance uh makes it clear that they can't build luxury only housing, that anything that would come in the future would have to
be negotiated with the city, and we will guarantee and make sure that there's real acute care uh that is on that site. um and that we're not letting somebody get away with with, you know, a truly uh sort of dishonest transaction. Uh so with that, I again appreciate you all being here and I proudly vote I.
>> Council person Gilmore. >> Um I just want to thank everyone for coming out voicing their concerns. Um, what's extremely problematic for me, um, and this is essentially what happens when you open up the floodgates. I just
can't understand for the sake of sheer math, why would you think a city that has more people need less medical care facilities? I just I just don't understand how how that works. Um, I vividly recall us advocating some years
ago for Greenville to stay open. Um, and I also vividly recall standing on MLK 12:30 in the morning at the individual was wounded by gunfire and the EMT had to rush to shoot him all the way across town because Greenville was closed down.
Um, we need to really look at how we put ourselves at a disadvantage for the almighty dollar. Um, because like one of the speakers said, think about your own life. What if we're at a meeting in the Heights and something happened to us and
we need immediate medical care. Um, you think emergency, your body is going to say, "Oh, wait till they get to Hoboken Hospital or wait till they get to the medical center all the way across town." Um, so I think we we need to go beyond the legislation and really work with the
state powers to ensure that we're doing literally everything humanly possible to ensure that the city have adequate medical facilities for our residents. So I vote I and I thank the bill sponsors
as well. Council person Deise, >> I agree with everything that my council colleagues just said. I think we all do here and I thank all the speakers that have been coming out and advocating, especially the unions. Um, I thank the Councilman Solomon for his commitment during his administration. I was born in
that hospital. My mom died in that hospital. That community does not need unaffordable housing. It needs healthc care services. I vote I. Council person Rivera voted yes earlier and council president >> I vote I
>> city ordinance one excuse me city ordinance 25-124 is adopted 801 with council person Sole abstaining our next second reading ordinance item 4.4 4, city ordinance 25-127
is an ordinance amending chapter A350, council rules of order. This is a public hearing. On this ordinance, any member of the public wishing to be heard, please come up to the podium and state your name for the record before you start speaking. Gina, just give me one second. If we're going to
start to exit and have conversations, can we do it quietly and exit the room, please? We still have business to conduct. Thank you. And our first speaker, if you could state your name for the record. Gina
>> Gina Davidson. G I N A D A V I S O N. >> Thank you, Gina. >> Thank you, Sean. >> Sorry, we uh we kind of jumped it there a minute. Excited about the >> and I apologize. I apologize. >> Oh, we we uh we understand. So, listen,
I just wanted to talk about item 4.4. Um, I wanted to make absolute sure that we are continuing to require physical attendance from our council people. Yes. That this is just a digital Okay, that's wonderful because very important to us
that they they still be present to hear public comments. >> 100%. The the the electronic thing that we were talking about in the the change is the ability to revote electronically. So instead of me calling for a roll call, they would be able to vote all at
once and then I would recap the vote obviously for the members of the public, uh it would also require me to have a laptop and every council member to have a laptop. I'm sorry I'm taking some of your time, but in order to show the vote as they do in like the um Congress and
Senate. >> No. And I I love that, right? Because it's more efficient. It's more accurate. Uh, so I totally agree. Again, as long as council folks are going to be here and present, that's wonderful. Um, and my second question is, can we consider
allowing a different method of sign up for seniors and or folks, not to imply that seniors are all not using technology, but some aren't, right? And so just to make sure that all of our populations are represented, um you know, can we keep open that phone number
line so that people can sign up to speak via a telephone call to the clerk's office? >> So the only issue with the telephone line is it it's now all voicemail. There's a whole menu that a person would have to go through in order to talk to a person. >> It's an automated response. >> Yeah. And I rather them not do that. But
if they need assistance, they can always contact either their council person, their council aid. The council aid can sign them up electronically as long as they have the information, meaning the phone number and the email address. >> Okay, perfect. >> We're just trying to cut off the time. >> Welcome people to have us help them sign
up. >> Yes, that's fine. >> Okay. Thank you, Sean. Appreciate it. >> This is still a public hearing. And we have Erica. >> Sorry about jumping the gun. >> No, no. And I apologize. I apologize. so excited about, you know, stepping into
the future. Erica Walker, I do work for the office of a ward F, but I'm speaking on behalf of myself tonight as a Jersey City resident. Um, I did have a question also regarding 4.4. Why the striketh through on the word uh public speaking
and it's called public hearing now. What change does that make? >> I I I'm think just to be um what do you call it? >> Consistent. >> Consistent. Dan, thank you for the word. Just to be consistent across the board, that's the only reason why they that's a
strike out there. >> Okay. Um, at Monday's caucus, the city clerk Sean challenged us to name one municipality that offers hybrid council meetings. Tonight, I'm here to offer several. And to make a simple point that hybrid access is not unusual, not complicated, and not new. Cities like
Port Angeles, Mercer Island, Westlake, and Portland all run hybrid council meetings. Residents can attend in person, join online, phone in, and in many cases even provide public comment remotely. And here in New Jersey, we're already seeing the standard we should be meeting. Bayon has held hybrid council
and zoning board meetings. Euing Township formally adopted semi- remote participation for public bodies. The scatteraway and Rockaway Burrow continue to offer remote or hybrid formats for various boards and committees. So, the question is no longer whether hybrid meetings are possible, but why isn't
Jersey City doing what so many other municipalities already do? Hybrid meetings increase accessibility for residents who work late, care for family members, have mobility barriers, or simply cannot make it to city hall at 6 p.m. They increase transparency by letting people observe government in
real time, not just through a recording posted later. And they also increase inc increase participation by allowing residents to register and speak remotely, something many cities have already mastered. In Ward F, we've demonstrated that hybrid formats can be done and done well. Every quarterly town
hall and every Saturday community caucus we've held has been hybrid, run by one person, not a team or four or more. If technical support and planning is a challenge, I am more than happy and willing to help troubleshoot and build a workable system for the city. So, as you
discuss the next round of amendments to council rules, I urge you to con include this priority. Make all council meetings hybrid and let's take it further. Extend hybrid access to the planning board, zoning board, and especially the JC
where major decisions about development and public land are made. If we truly want a more informed and engaged city, then participation must be accessible, not just for those who can physically enter the building, but for all Jersey City residents. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> This is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25-127. Do we have any member of the public wishing to be heard? >> Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-127
by council person Gilmore. Can you help me with the second, please? >> Council person. Thank you. On the motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-127. Council person Ridley. >> Hi. >> Council person Huings.
>> Hi. >> Council person Bajana. >> Hi. >> Council person Cle. >> Hi. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Hi. >> Council person Deise. And council president Waterman. Motion carries 800
to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-127 for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 25-127. Council person Ridley >> I. >> Council person Huings >> I. >> Council person Bajiano
>> I. >> Council person. >> Sorry I'm going to vote I. I do believe it should be hybrid but um you know late we'll let the next council figure that out. Council person Solomon.
>> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Hi. >> Council person Deise. Council person Rivera voted earlier and council president Waterman. City ordinance 25-127 is adopted unanimously. 90.
>> On to our next second reading ordinance. Item 4.5, city ordinance 25-128, is an ordinance supplementing chapter 332, vehicles and traffic, article 3, parking, standing, stopping, amending section 332-22, parking prohibited at all times along
Stuben Street between Warren Street and Washington Street. This is a public hearing on this ordinance. Any member of the public wishing to be heard, please come up to the podium, state your name for the record, and spell your name for the record. For the record. >> Hello, my name is Katherine Moore. K A T H R Y N. You're
>> going way too fast, Katherine. Katherine. >> K A T H R Y N. Moore M O O R E. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um I'm actually the person that uh asked for this ordinance to be set
because a clerical error happened about two or three months ago and our parking on Stuben all of a sudden disappeared. Many many many people in our neighborhood have uh received uh violations for parking there, but it was
an error. Maybe 20, 30 years ago. It used to be no parking, but when somebody changed some signs on the block, they um saw that it was still in the record and um uh put new signs up unbeknownst to anybody. Uh
and we're now getting this fixed, which I think is fantastic. But I think the signs should come down immediately so then our um neighborhood can have people parking once again. And when the signs uh get returned, we would like that to happen as soon as possible. Um and uh
just put a priority on this because it's it's a full block of parking downtown and we really need uh those spots. And I don't know if there's any relief for the people that received uh uh tickets at that time when it when those new signs
came up, but it would be nice if there was an excuse that they could bring to court to u have relief from a signs that should not have came up. Anyway, that's it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. This is still a public hearing on city
ordinance 25-1281 128 and your name >> J Barkale J A Y B A R KS D A L E R >> KS D A L E I live at 311 Washington and
walk along that stretch uh almost every day and I just want to make sure that when Parket comes back it's only on the the uh west side. Is that the right side? Yeah. Not on the east side, which is the empty parking lot, which alas,
and that's another issue. Uh but not on both sides of the street. >> Okay. Thanks. >> This is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25-128.
Any member of the public still wishing to be heard, please come up to the podium and state your name for the record. Motion. >> Motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-128 was made by council person. May I have a second? >> Second by council president waterman. On
the motion to close a public hearing on city ordinance 25-128. Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Huings. >> I. >> Council person Bajiano. >> I. >> Council person. >> I. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I.
>> Council person Deise. and council president Waterman. Motion carries 800 with council person Ria absent for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 25-128. Council person Ridley >> I. >> Council person Huings. >> I.
>> Council person Bajiano. >> Oh. >> Did you say no? >> No. >> Council person. >> Hi. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Hi. >> Council person Deise. >> Hi. Council person Rever voted yes
earlier and council president Waterman. City ordinance 25-128 is adopted 81 with council person Bajiano voting no. On to our next second reading ordinance item 4.6 city ordinance 25-129
is an ordinance of the Jersey City Municipal Council amending the Jersey City official zoning map and incorporating of compliance provisions. This is a public hearing on this ordinance. Any member of the public wish to be heard. You come up to the podium and state your name for the record and
please spell it for me. And I see our first speaker. >> Yes. Hi. Good evening, council. My name is Adam Lazarus. L A Z A R O S. >> L A Z A R O S. >> Thank you. >> Uh I represent a property owner impacted
by this ordinance. Hopefully most if not all of the council members received our letter this morning asking not that this they vote no but that this vote is tabled for the future for the following reasons. Uh primarily legally speaking there was no notice given to impacted
property owners as well as the planning board did not have a chance to review this ordinance for consistency with the master plan. For those reasons, technically this would be a defective vote legally speaking, but primarily property owners who are impacted like my clients did not have a chance to review
this ordinance to discuss it with council or with members of the public. I understand there was a public hearing or community meeting that was held, but the property owners, one that I represent, and there's another one who are most impacted by this change in the ordinance, were not invited to speak on this. If you look at the change in the
zoning map that was made between ordinance 112 and 129, there are five or six properties which had a change in their designation. Those are the property owners who were not asked to speak at that community meeting. For those reasons, we believe it would be imperative that the council tables this
vote, allows those property owners to speak to the public to speak to council about these changes and come back in the future. And then if council chooses to actually approve this change in the ordinance, then that's their prerogative. Thank you. >> This is still a public hearing on city
ordinance 25-129. You could just state your name for the record. >> Yes. Uh thank you. Uh Charles Harrington of Connell Foley. Um I'm here uh on behalf of the other property owner that uh Mr. Lazarus just uh referred to. Uh
they are um he's probably the the largest uh the owner of the largest property within this area that's affected by these amendments. Um and and that's why we we uh join in in Mr. Wine's uh letter uh which was distributed to the council uh to request
that they table this and that you know the next council take this up and give us an opportunity uh to to discuss it further you know with with the uh with the planning department with with the city council you know as um you
Councilman Bojano uh which he's you know terrific I and I've had many many discussions over over the years here but you know he always says the community involvement Right. Uh and that was uh some of the the uh comments that were made on the first reading that the community has to has to have an input on
this and there was subsequently a community meeting on this. I was not advised about that. My client was not advised about that. Uh and I think as the the largest property owner uh within this district within this ordinance uh that has not involved in those
discussions, I think I think it's appropriate to take a step back and have that have that discussion. I don't think there's any rush to put this through. I this is something that was went through the ordinary course of business with the planning department and then then it was
here before this council. uh and I don't see again there's I don't see an imminent rush uh uh to have this and I think as a matter of fairness I really think my my clients uh should you know have the opportunity to discuss this further and as as a matter of you know
community benefits there may be an opportunity to to to talk about what other additional community benefits come could uh come as a result of this with my client's property and Mr. Lazarus uh client's property which are both located at the western end of Route uh 139 and
and Kennedy Boulevard right on the corner there. So that is it is it is a different type of property there. Uh we've had many you know discussions with the the community over years with larger developments. We understand that that's not something that's going to happen
here, but uh we really would like the opportunity to to further have that discussion um with, you know, have the discussion with the the primarily affected property owners uh along with the community. Uh and I I think it's appropriate to to table it and I respectfully ask that that the council
consider that. >> Thank you. >> This is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25-129. Any member of the public still wishing to be heard, please come up to the podium and state your name for the record. Motion >> second. >> Motion to close the public hearing on
city ordinance 25-129 was made by council person Gilmore, seconded by council person. On the motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-129, council person Ridley. >> Hi. >> Council person Huings. >> Hi. >> Council person Bajanna.
>> Hi. >> Council person. >> Hi. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. Council Person Gilmore, >> Council Person Deise, >> and Council President Waterman. Motion carries. 8 Z to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-129.
>> Peter, hold. >> Council person Ria absent. >> I'm sorry, Sean. Excuse me, Sean. I'm trying to get to the new year. Sean >> uh Peter, um can you speak to um the I
guess notion that all individuals in the area that this uh reszone is going to be affected were notified or weren't notified >> in what capacity? you talk about the community meeting or >> so for the community meeting that was
hosted by uh the planning division who I think sent links to the councilman and asked him to advertise it upon his request. So I think the councilman advertised it. I don't know what capacity but uh that's how the city handled the uh the advertisement for that. >> Okay. And um I guess my second question
um what what is I mean is there urgency like what if we reconvene and look to consider this um in the new year does it hinders anything as it relates to
individuals meeting financial deadlines or anything like that? >> To my knowledge no but I don't speak on behalf of any of the developers, anyone that's planning development over there. Um the urgency would be you know this came to this council this council was involved in the community process with it. This council obviously will not be
there for the new year at least not all of you. So if it's a project that this council felt strongly about you know this is the opportunity to have input with it. Otherwise you know if you wait for the new year it'd be the new council that would get to make that decision. >> Okay. All right. And I just want to say for the record that I love the fact that
a developers attorney is coming here speaking about the importances of a public community meeting. I love it. So, Rich, did um as it relates to the community meeting, are you familiar with if everyone was notified for the uh
public community meeting? >> No. >> This is downtown. >> No, no, >> no. This is on one and n I mean 139 >> from my understanding. I think the councilman his aid posted on Facebook, media, whatever social things he
controls. I don't know to what effect individuals are directly notified. Um >> or isn't isn't don't they're supposed to send out letters to the people in the area within a certain >> that's different supposed to do that right >> that's for if planning made changes or
went to the planning board then they have to notice people I think it's in 2008 ft of the actual affected area this was a amendment that was done previously and then came to the council the council requested some amendments to that plan directly through the ordinance uh he
requested a community meeting which I believe took place in some form and then based on that community meeting, planning came back with their recommendations based on that community meeting which would led to the changes in the original ordinance. >> Okay. >> Gilmore, I was reading something else when you said it and I didn't hear you. I Yes, I'm satisfied.
>> Oh, you good with this? >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, can can the law department weigh in on this question of the the sort of, you know, should this have gone back to planning board uh before we're hearing it? So, is it a defective vote
or not? >> Uh, no. The council can move forward and vote on it. >> Okay. So for for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 25-129, Council Person Ridley,
>> um, so I understand that that there was a community meeting and we just said I guess it was posted to social media and not everybody received that notice, some of the bigger uh, property owners there, which can be I can understand how that can be problematic and not everybody get
it. Um, and then you answered my question about whether or not this had to go back to planning and it didn't. Um, on this one, I think I'm going to h I mean, if it doesn't impact anything, then maybe we should wait and make sure
that all the property not um owners are advised and are aware like formally through a letter. Um, so I am going to uh vote no and hold off on this. >> Council person Healings, >> abstain.
>> Council person Bajana, >> I'm going to abstain. >> No, there's a reason. >> Council person, >> um, I think 139, it's next to highway and if we are downsizing it, like the construction materials are different.
Um, and no one wants to live next to a highway that's like in a house made of wood. And um, you really should build up that area and put affordable housing there. Um, that being said, I do respect the community process. I think it should
be brought up at the next council. So, I'm going to vote no. >> Council person Solomon. >> Sure. No. >> Council person Gilmore. Um, in light of I mean I'm a huge advocate of transparency and community input. Um, so
I guess the best thing to come out of this is that the developers attorney is agreeing on um agreeing with me on something. Um, I don't see a harm in delaying this and rekindling. Um, ultimately the goal is to get it right.
Uh, so I'll vote no. >> Council person Deise. >> No. Council person Rever voted yes earlier. Council President Waterman. So, city ordinance 25-129 is defeated
162 with council member Rivera voting yes and council members Huings and Bajiano abstaining. City ordinance is defeated. >> Who voted no? Sean, >> everybody but council person Rivera
Vajiano and Gulings. Next ordinance, item 4.7, city ordinance 25-130, is an ordinance of the Jersey City of the city of Jersey City authorizing the city of Jersey City to enter into a lease agreement with the Exchange Place Alliance District
Management Corporation for space at 335 Washington Street. This is a public hearing on this ordinance. Any member of the public wishing to be heard, please come to the podium and state your name for the record. Just give me one second.
Okay. >> Hi, uh, Katherine Morgan. K A T H R Y N M O R E. Um, I'm speaking uh in particular about the uh section that says the tenant will accept I'm sorry,
before Performing the tenants's work. Tenants shall provide plans specifications including without limitation alterations, signs, colors, materials, and lighting of for the premise the director of landlords, department of infrastructure, and the director of cultural affairs for their
written approval. I believe we should have the um uh historic preservation uh group added to this because this uh building is in the rehabilitation zone of the neighborhood of of the of the
redevelopment plan and this is a historically significant building. So I think uh preservation should be uh notified and a part of this um uh these alterations that will happen on the interior and the exterior of the
building. Um that's it. >> Thank you. This is still a public hearing on this ordinance. Any member of the public wish to be heard, please come up to the podium and state your name for the record. >> Jay Barkstdale.
Um, the grapevine has it that this lot is connected with the Boys and Girls little bitty plot on the norththeast corner. Is that true? Is it is it connect? You should know this
also. >> There's there's no the the redevelopment plan required actions on both lots in connection to the development at the 107 Morgan parking lot. However, like there's no ongoing
connection between the lot. So, what's happening at 335 Washington has no bearing on what would happen at what is now the community garden that the Boys and Girls Club has. >> What is going to happen to the community garden? >> So, um and >> is that another time?
>> Sure. I'm happy to talk to you about another time. It's not on the ordinance. Yeah, we can. >> This is still a public hearing on city ordinance. Just give me one second. I'm sorry. 25-130. If you can just state your name for the record.
>> Good evening. Donald Pepe from Scrency Hollandbeck on behalf of the Exchange Place Alliance. Don, >> just come a little close and bring the mic up. >> Excuse me. Don Pepe from Scrency Hollandbeck on behalf of the Exchange Place Alliance. I'm just here to answer any questions if you have them. And I'd ask the I'd ask the council >> Does the council have any questions for
Mr. Pepe? >> Just I guess update for the council bits on there, but we we did work on some small changes to the the ordinance and the contract. uh which uh you know I don't have public speak requirements that would be thank you
incumbent upon this. >> Thank you. >> This this is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25-130. Um Sonia Kesha Sean this is not about the ordinance but we had someone registered that you confirmed and that
is not on the public speaking agenda. So, I just wanted to >> we can talk be be before you guys start to speak. Okay. >> On on the sidebar, >> this is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25-130. Any member of the public still wishing to be heard, please come up to the podium and state your name for the
record. >> Motion. >> Motion to close a public hearing on 25-130 was made by council person, seconded by council person Gilmore. On the motion to close a public hearing on city ordinance
25-130. Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Huings. >> I. >> Council person Bajiano. >> Hi. >> Council person Cleet. >> Hi. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Council person Deise. And council
president Waterman. Motion carries 800 with council person Rivera absent to close a public hearing on city ordinance 25-130 for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 25-130. Council person Ridley >> I. >> Council person Huings. >> I.
>> Council person Bajiano. >> I. >> Council person Salite. >> Hi. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Council person Deise. Council person Rever voted yes earlier. And council president Waterman.
City Ordinance 25-130 is adopted unanimously 90. For our final second reading ordinance, item 4.8, City Ordinance 25-131 is an ordinance establishing the Jersey City Accessibility Advisory Committee.
This is a public hearing on this ordinance. Any member of the public wish to be heard, please come up to the podium and state your name for the record. >> Hello, this is Katherine Morgan. Um, I just wanted to say that this is a fantastic thing to be coming to the
city. There's many things, especially in my neighborhood where accessibility is a very true and difficult thing uh for people to get around with all the elevated platforms and and um roads that are not very well done and sidewalks that are not really working and you know
um some of these things are around historic buildings. So, there's always an better ways to improve to be able to mobilize. I also feel like there's no um parking in the area that has anything for people to be able to, you know, park
in and any handicap spots, public handicapped spots in the area. So, hopefully this this uh panel and this discussion will will start that conversation. And uh with um the project manager being uh Councilman uh Cle, is
there someone that's going to um follow through on this or is this said and done and we just move forward? >> I uh I leave it to the next mayor Solomon. >> I just say if it passes, it's the law. So So it's regardless it's it's
obviously the obligation for us to implement it, but it's a wonderful idea. So >> Okay. So it's wonderful and I can't wait to uh see where it goes from here. Thank you very much. >> This is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25-131. And I see Danielle. Go ahead.
>> Good evening. This ordinance is an important step toward making the city generally accessible for all residents, including those with disabilities and special needs. This ordinance lays out the committee's purpose clearly to promote safety, acceptance, and full participation in civic life. to identify
barriers in transportation, housing, recreation, education, and public facilities, to improve communication between city government, and the disability community, and to advance awareness and compliance with accessibility laws like the ADA. It even calls for the development of a special
needs registry to support first responders during emergencies. All of that is meaningful and necessary. But if this committee is going to succeed, then the process by which its 11 members are chosen must be transparent, inclusive, and accountable. Right now, the
ordinance states that members will be appointed by the mayor and the council president, and that they will serve two-year terms without compensation. But the public deserves clarity on how candidates will be identified, what qualifications will be prioritized, who
will be allowed to apply, and how residents, especially those with disabilities, can participate in or observe that selection process. An accessibility committee cannot begin with an inaccessible or opaque appointment system. Tonight, as you
consider adopting this ordinance, I ask you to pair it with a commitment to full transparency. made the application process public, ensure representation from people with lived experience of disability, including the person that stands speaking to you right now. And
given the community confidence that this that this committee reflects the diversity and reality of residents who face accessibility barriers every day. If we want the committee to have legitimacy, trust, and impact, it must
start with openness. Thank you. If >> you can just state your name and spell your name for the record. >> Cherry thing. S H E R R Y. S >> I'm sorry. S It's Come a little closer to the mic. Okay, go ahead. Spell it again.
>> S H E R R Y. S I N G H. >> Thank you. >> I'm here tonight. Um I'm very proud of all the council members that's sitting up there. Council, I know we have spoken about this for a few years and as the
founder of whole spectrum autism for about 10 and a half years here in Jersey City, Hudson County, I'm very proud and I'm looking forward to move forward in a positive way with this organs. So, thank you council and for the new council members that's coming in. I hope we can
all work together and make this city proud. >> Thank you. This is still a public hearing on city ordinance 25-131. Any member of the public still wish to be heard, please come up to the podium and state your name for the record. >> Motion
second. >> Motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-131, excuse me, was made by council person, seconded by council president. On the motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 25-131, council person
>> I. Council person Huings. >> Hi. >> Council person Bajanna. >> Hi. >> Council person Cle. >> I. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Council person Deise and Council President Waterman. Motion carries 80
with council person Rivera absent for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 25-131. Council person Ridley. I. >> Council person Huings. I. >> Council person Biano. Hi. Council person Sole
>> just want to thank um Sherry and all the advocates that pushed for this. Um this is the last act that I'll do on this council. I think it's very important um because
you know when we speak about diversity in this city it does it shouldn't just mean about skin color, ethnicity, you know, religion, uh cultures. It also means you know people from all walks of life and
whether they have disabilities or whether they grow old and um have different needs. Um, this committee seeks to bridge that gap from the promise of, you know, what Jersey City
offers and making it a reality to create a table for all of those that are differently uh, aabled. And, you know, I have a sister that has Down syndrome and um, this city can be better and we owe
it to them. whether it's jobs programs, whether it's events, whether it's um the crosswalks that have um that say the numbers out loud for them, whether it's wheelchair swings at Persing Field that need to be done.
There's so much um there's so many different constituents that need to be serviced in Jersey City. And you know, I hope uh Mayor Solomon will follow through on this. And I proudly vote I.
>> Council person Solomon. >> I want to thank Councilman Clay for bringing this forward. You know, it uh it is >> there have been I've had, you know, many many many conversations across Jersey City uh of folks talking about the need to improve accessibility um expand uh
how we view diversity in the city and and so this is a wonderful idea and very committed to implementing it to its uh you know full potential. So I proudly vote I and thank thank my colleague Council Person Gilmore, Council Person Deise. >> I want to thank Councilman Slay for the
work doing this is very passionate about it and he included me from the beginning. My sister is on the autism spectrum. Uh so it's something that's very near and dear to our hearts and the advocates here too. We understand there are a ton of people out there and resources and we're we're looking forward to to bringing them together and
expanding them and making sure that city codes and ordinances are all reflective of that inclusion. I truly think this is going to be one of the most meaningful significant committees that the city's had. So, thank you. I vote I. >> Council person Rivera voted I earlier and council president Waterman.
City Ordinance 25-131 is adopted unanimously. 90. Okay. So, now we're going on to our public request for a hearing. I'm going to be calling the number and the first name of the individuals, but so please pay attention closely to your agenda.
With that being said, our first speaker, 5.1, Leverne, >> don't go nowhere before I say I love you. I'm going to miss you and me and you go back so many, many years together. And God bless you and may he keep you and keep you covered, right? I
love you. Thank you for being here for us. You saved my life 60 years ago when you first got on with Blaze Chopper and Gang. Then was the day we had real cops in the
street that took care of the neighborhoods. I never forget you. You I never and I love you and may God keep you. I love you, man. Anyway,
to the council that's leaving, may God keep you too. You guys did a good job and praying that you will still keep your eyes on the prize, which is our city, and help us because like this year
here was not an easy year for us. and with changes in the White House in all houses. Now, this year is the first year that I gave out so much food and clothes that I brought. Nobody gave it to me. I went and brought my stuff. And to God be
the glory. But to you all, keep on keep it on and walk straight and not backwards. And may God love you, keep you. And new mayor, new council, we'll see you next month. Be blessed and have a blessed holiday. Thank you.
>> Okay, our next speaker 5.2 Edward. >> Yes. Uh, so much has happened this year and the first thing I want to say is I'm very happy that the mayor lost the ginatorial race the primary in June.
Mayor Steven Fullip has lost distrust with Jersey City's people and the proof was in the pudding when more than twothirds of the voters in the state denied him the opportunity to lead us. And um I'm I'm just so very happy.
And then we all had a chance to go to the ballot just two times and now um the struggle continues. And uh the first thing that I want to say is I'm using my body and my my voice
to represent different struggles that happen across the city where people feel left behind or people feel like um they've been forgotten. Right. And um the first thing that I want to point to is the t-shirt that I'm wearing and it has Andrew Washington on
it. Two years ago or two and a half years ago, Andrew was murdered by the Jersey City Police Department while experiencing a mental health crisis. And his family has not gotten justice. What justice looks like is for Jersey City to afford us a 24/7
mental health response. A 24/7 humane mental health response. If you want to couple that with whatever other like arrive together or any other examples that are out there, then you can do that. But what we don't need is
an inhumane response. A demilitarized response is what we need. We don't need SWAT to arrive. Uncaring, untrained police officers. I have been carrying a picture around
since this incident happened. Another police involved shooting. This time it's with a young black man named Tesan Rogers. And I promise you that there are members of the community who feel the distrust,
who feel hurt, and who demand justice for Tawn, their family member, for a member of their community. So that's what I'm doing moving forward. Our community needs repair. We need affordability. Obviously, affordability
for everyone, but there is more that we need in public safety revolves around policing. We don't need in black and brown communities to be overpoliced with zero response to our real needs. And the real need is police transparency.
There's so much more to say, but thank you. Our next speaker, 5.3, Gina Good evening. Gina Davidson, ward B, aid to Councilman Gilmore, but I am speaking on my own behalf as a resident of Jersey City tonight.
Justice for Drew. Justice for Tan Rogers. Councilman Bojaniano, I want to thank you for your 52 years in counting. You set an example of how to stick with the people to the end. It is possible. Thank
you. I'm here tonight to get some things on the record. Last week, y'all voted unanimously to require bird friendly construction, something that Chicago, New York, and many other cities are way ahead of us on. We saw 30 plus people come and advocate for local wildlife,
local birds, people who go out regularly to do inventory on their free time of how many birds die in this city on a monthly basis. And yet Steven Fulip, who many of you have supported,
decided tyrannically that he would not sign into law the bare minimum requirements to protect our wildlife. actually feel sorry for him. I feel sorry for Steven Fulip and for his family, for his children. I cannot
imagine having a father who would put profits over reducing harm. Profits over protecting some of the smallest creatures that we share space with. profits over the health and wellness of the birds that live in our city and the
millions of birds that pass through our city on one of the world's critical bird migration routes. Yes, we are part of the Atlantic flyway, a great global migration pattern. And how hypocritical of us, Jersey City, to talk about our bird sanctuary in Liberty State Park as
a tourist attraction, while a literal gauntlet of buildings lies less than a mile north of it. If you look up Atlantic Flyway on Google AI search, the second line specifies
that Jersey City is a specific threat to this important migration route. How dare we not take every step we can to reduce our destructive impact on our environment, on our children's lives?
Ecological decline is one of the most dangerous issues humans have created for ourselves and for our world. So, as usual, I will say to those of you who supported and continue to support Mayor Steven Trump, shame on you. This
is who he is. Profits over people, profits over wildlife, profits over the environment. And in that vein, I'm also asking we vote down all of his reappointments items 25-822 to 825. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.4 Tina. >> Hi. Yes, my name is Tina Noles and yes, I'm speaking upon myself and yes, I do work for education at Gilmore. Justice for Drew. Justice for Drew.
Justice for Tashan Rogers. >> Rogers. >> Justice for Tan Rogers. >> First of all, I want to say for this me giving out clothes in this community for 25 years. I seen that me and my friends came together and we was able to help
our community out in warf. When you go past Oak and Martin Luther King, you know, education and Gilmore, the block is clear because I did my part with the boots on the ground. I didn't have to wait until I got in office. I did it automatic because I live in the community and I seen that that's the
type of stuff we need. I thank God for education of Gear Chief Staff Erica because if it wasn't for them, I would have never used my voice. I never would have never been out boots on the ground making sure every block association get flyers about what go on in the community the senior buildings get flyers what go
on in the community we are the ones who bought it out yes they had departments was doing that but they wasn't out on the ground we made that happen um I also wanted to say by all the fires been going on going on we already know Red
Cross already had reached out to who community treasure so we want to make sure We support all nonprofits, all nonprofits here in Jersey City because they the ones who be boots on the grounds here and we got to make sure I just now seen that the Christmas
lights is coming on Martin Luther King. Thank you, Education Gilmore because we also want a little bit of shine in our community. It's not fair that when I come here I feel a little happy. When I go back up there, I feel a little depressed. Thank God for y'all making sure that happened. So, first of all, I want to say about the birds. When we was
in Atlantic City, we was wondering why they get up so early in the morning to clean around the the hotel. They said because the birds crash into the windows because the windows make them see that they can go through, but reality they can't. Sean, is it all right for me to give you this to give this to the mayor? Because one of the birds right here
broke the eyes out because it hit window because of the developments and stuff. So, I just want to make sure you put this on Philip vest so he can know about the birds. We do care about the birds. And I just wanted to sing goodbye sweetheart. Oh goodbye sweetheart.
Goodbye sweetheart. Oh goodbye sweetheart. Thank you guys. >> Goodbye. Our next speaker 5.5 Donna. Donna is not here. Okay, next speaker 5.6 Esther.
>> Good evening, >> Esther. You got to bring the mic down toward you. >> I know. Uh my name is Esther Whitner. Okay. So, I'd like to uh talk about resolutions 25-822
to 825. While Mayor Fulip is still governing the city and he does have the right to u make these appointments, I don't think that that's the right thing to do. And also, you are all still council people.
So, you have the ability to not support it. And I'm asking you not >> Esther people are not going to be able to hear you if the mic is not faced toward There you go. >> Okay. And is that better? >> Yes. >> All right. Get So I'm asking uh that you
please not support those resolutions. As an example, the um the appointment to the MUA for Koviello is out until 2029. I think that's wrong. The other point that I'd like to make is we have people
on this council who also serve on the JC and the MUA. For example, um Rivera and Ridley serve on the JC. Rivera cast his vote. He even voted for himself to be reappointed to the uh to
the board, which is wrong. And for the MUA, uh, Councilwoman Huings, you also sit on the MUA. So, I am asking that you all who sit on those boards recuse yourself because to me it seems like there's a conflict of interest when
you're voting on a board that you sit on. So, and I ask all of you to vote no on these appointments because I think the incoming mayor should be able to have
that um the pleasure of doing that and you know supporting the will of the people that has obviously changed uh everything in the city. I'd also like to say on a last note, congratulations Mayor Elect Solomon. Um, and to those
that will not be returning, Councilwoman Huings and Boiano and Waterman and Salet, wherever you are, thank you for your service. It's much appreciated. I know it's not an easy job. And happy birthday, Sean. And merry Christmas to everyone. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.7, Phillip. Good evening, council members. My name is Phil Carrington. Of course, this is a public city, but an open letter to Mayor Elect Solomon.
The reason for this is that the Steve Phillip administration had been stringing this matter along, telling a series of lies. And this lie or these lies, I have a transcript, but I don't say things unless I have facts back it up. Let me give you the lie. They have
been saying for the last three years that 450 Martin Luther King Drive is a senior citizen handicap building. That's not a mistake. That is the outright lie. It is important for them to say that.
And of course, we have a a tenant that live in that building. She's here, Tina. She's not a senior citizen and she's not a handicap person and her family's there. We have babies in there and children in there who tell a lie. William Mun make that statement as a lie
to cover up his tracks and he make that statement on the oath. So that's a lie on the oath. The director of um Christine make support that lie. Council President Wadma wrote a letter I will say covered
up that line. The law department has been saying for the last three years in court that that is a fact. They've been so good at that that the judge saying again this is in a transcript. It's not he say she say and it's not one time
they say repeatedly. That's line number one. Line number two and these things are extremely important for them. They have a copy. I have a copy. This is a Jersey City license was issued to us in 2022.
This is a permit. But the line say they say repeatedly that my application to get these license that they have was denied which means I don't have it. I mean the lie was so pervasive that in
July the 19th 20 um 2024 last year I told the judge look they're lying. The judge told them, told the law department to meet with me and me and Erica, meet the the lawyer downstairs August the 22nd at 2:02 p.m. and give them the
license in their hands. Today, they're still saying that the application to get these license were denied, never issued. It's not a mistake. This is a boldfaced lie repeated. They need and this lie is
not being said. you what you want to say operating in bad faith, you want to say dishonest, you whatever you want to say. I'm a black man. We say it like it is. You're lying like hell. But this is being said in the in the appellet court. It was successful
encouraging or having the lawyer, the judge Anthony Delia to repeat this again. This is in the transcript. >> Thank you, Phillip. Our next speaker, 5.8, Eight. Cassie
not here. She left. >> Okay. 5.9. Charlene. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Oh, I live in Booker T projects and I'm telling y'all, I've been living
for eight months in hell because they got some gas coming from the I live on the first floor and they putting gas and and that liquid stuff. I've been breathing that for for um two years now. They've been putting that stuff in
my apartment and I I can't go to the bathroom. For eight months, I've been in Booker T in in Booker Trying to get somebody to help me and nobody won't help me. I'm telling you, I live I can't
even go to the bathroom. I can't go to the I have to use the mask to get my clothes out of my room. I've been living like this for eight months and I'm tired and I need help. Them people in Boo killed my sister. Now
they trying to kill me and the old lady used to live there. They killed up. How many people y'all want to to die in Book of G? We need help. >> Frank, you is Frank, did you? Frank,
she's getting his information. William, somebody will come get your information. Okay, our next speaker 5.9 Charlene. >> Good evening, council. Firstly, I'd like to say congratulations to Mayor Alex Solomon
and to Councilwoman Ridley. So, I agree with the previous with Esther. I think that the appointments that the current administration is putting forth, I think really should be reserved for the new administration
to do. I also hope that like many of the forums brought out that we're going to make it a very public process about what jobs are available in the city and that they're going to be on the website or in some public way that all the residents
can know they could apply especially if they have the talents or the experience for those jobs. Uh unlike previously where people were put in because they're in the know or connected or relative or
some other connection that we have people who actually are passionate about the jobs and actually want to do a better um job for Jersey City and the residents that exist here. So, I'm really hoping
that that's a new direction we take. And with that, all of the boards as well. We have many talented people in this city that have a wealth of knowledge that could make those boards so robust and
actually have dialogues that take place instead of a just a wall of people that do not respond to the public in any way. And I'm really looking forward to this kind of change coming forward because
that's certainly what we have spoken about uh during the whole election. Um lastly, I want to ask about that bond ordinance that was tabled. Um is that possibly going to rear its head in
January? >> Cannot. >> Okay. >> It cannot. >> It cannot. >> No. >> Okay. because I want to make sure that as we move forward that perhaps in
revisiting those kind of monies that are access or what those listed as that we could work especially with the parks or even public safety. I'm sure those dollars are needed in those various
categories, but parks especially have been underfunded for a long time. You know, when even certain parks were favorites, others were were denied. So, I really hope that we can even that out
going forward that all parks are considered with their problems and their maintenance and their futures. So, thank you. Thank you, >> Charlene. Just just one more thing. The only way that ordinance would ever see the light of day again is if the new
administration and new council would introduce it as it was. >> Okay. Thank you. I didn't know that. >> Next. 5.10. Earl Earl Johnson.
5.11 Danielle Good evening again. I am a lifelong Ward C lower heights resident, meaning I've spent decades watching my neighborhood get the cracked sidewalks, the cut down healthy trees, the luxury developments, and the will get it to eventually energy
from city hall. So trust me, I know exactly what it looks like when government attention is everywhere except where people actually live. And tonight, oh, we're not here to fix any of that. No, we're here to watch a lame duck administration try to cling to
power through 2026 like is the last season of a bad TV show. Resolutions 25 A2222, 25A23, 258 A24, and 25 A25 would reappoint three people to the redevelopment agency
and appoint someone to the water authority for terms running 6 months into 2026. You heard that right. We just had an election. A new mayor and council were chosen. And somehow the outgoing
administration still wants to pick who controls redevelopment and water bills for the next 2 years. That's not continuity. That's not stability. That's Trump I mean Fullip trying to govern from the shadows like a political ghost
who doesn't know when to leave the house. We didn't vote for the back this backroom lineup. We didn't ask for it. and we should not be stuck with the last administration's BFFs through 2026. Meanwhile, because apparently tonight
needs even more irony, the same mayor vetoed Ornis 25-123. The bird friendly communityfriendly design standards that passed planning board public comment and council. And even the American Bird Conservancy
had to step in and say, "The mayor's veto reflects a misunderstanding of bird friendly design and an assumption that just requirements jeopardize housing productions, which is unsupported by data from any other city." A
translation, the excuses aren't real. The data isn't on their side. And yes, developers are the ones being protected, not residents, not wildlife, and definitely not neighborhoods like mine. But right now, tonight, the question is
simple. Are you going to respect the voters's choice, or are you going to help the outgoing administration run Jersey City from behind the curtain until 2026? I'm asking you with all due respect and a healthy dose of side eye to choose
democracy over nostalgia for the lost ad administration. Vote no on 25 A22 A23 A24 and A25. Let the new mayor lead. Let the new council lead. Let the people's
vote actually matter. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.12 James Yeah. Next. 5.13. Ryan. Good evening, council. Uh, for the record, this is Ryan Spain speaking.
It's been a little while. I know that when people come up here, uh, they typically focus their comments on one specific policy or one particular initiative. However, what I'd like to do today is offer up a broad set of ideas. And the hope here is that each of you as
lawmakers or whatever capacity you operate in after last week's election, the hope is that each of you keep this stuff in the back of your mind when you're thinking about what laws you will and will not pass. And to that end, my main point here is very simple. Any
action taken, any law passed should prioritize three main groups of people. Middle-class residents, working-class residents, and small business owners. And that is so critically important because all the data is showing us that each of these groups are struggling more
now than they have at any point in recent history. As a matter of fact, when you look at the past 50 years, the past half century, you see that with each passing decade, the financial well-being of our middle class has gotten worse and worse as time has gone on. And what is equally problematic is
that you can look at several other advanced economies around the world, Britain, France, Canada, and you see that their middle classes are actually better off than ours. And that is in spite of us being the wealthiest country on the planet. So clearly something there isn't adding up.
Now there are a lot of theories as to why that's happening. But to save everybody some time, the main difference is that each of those countries have policies in place which specifically target and promote middle class interests. And at the end of the day,
that is why the policies you pass are so consequential. Ultimately, they have the potential to provide real tangible help to the members of our middle class. So getting these policies right is of the utmost importance and to be fair to this
body uh that is not easy because getting and passing good policy uh is difficult. There's a very delicate balance that has to be struck. On one hand, we need to make sure that we maintain a strong and healthy profit incentive so that business owners and entrepreneurs
continue to come to Jersey City, invest here, keep building the city up while at the same time, we need to make sure that these policies do not leave middle and working-class people behind. Again, it's a very delicate balance. However, uh this body has proven on multiple
occasions that it is possible. So to close out, my goal is to encourage all of you to keep this in the back of your mind as a proverbial north star. Uh with that, I do see I'm running out of time. So thank you for the opportunity to speak and I wish you all the best in
2026. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.14, Debbie, I think I think she left. 5.15 Renee. I think she left two.
Whoops. Sorry about that. Next 5.16, Rebecca. Rebecca Low left. 5.17. Ivonne. First, I want to wish um Councilman Boiano best of luck because she worked
very hard. I've known him for many years. But I am concerned about one thing. I read in the paper or social media, I should say, that we have two Democratic socialists that will be coming on the council. But actually, it's more than that.
According to what I have discovered, there are many members in this administration and the come administration who are part of the workers families party which was endorsed by the young communist league
which is a communist organization which you know I'm not very fond of to be very honest. Um the workers family believed in wealth redistribution. I mean, taking my whatever I have like we don't we do not
have a city income tax. We had people received a property bill. That's it. So, if you raise taxes to take from them to give to others, you're stealing their property. What it's all about. And if I
think about how much debt the city is in, such as at the start of this administration, you were spending $850 million in debt, paying $59 million in the budget on that debt. Now it is
$1.5 billion in debt, paying $72 million from the budget to pay that debt. So we're already poor. 3,000 people win the tax lean according to the record. But what really concerns me is who these
people endorsed. According to their the their information I got online, the workers parties endorsed them along with the Communist League. Um, let me get this correct. Denise Riley, Joel Brooks,
Jake Ethos, Elena Little, Frank Gilmore, James Solomon, Katie Brennan, Rashley Bali, plus some others. Now, I look at the whole list, which is a national list. It's basically all of Jersey City,
not Mercer County, not Bergen County, but here is a city in which we are sucking out the property from people, forgetting about them. Not one of you people who when you ran for office
talked about the problem that people face when they went into tax lean. And I and I watch all of them. In fact, I watched the debate um Solomon when you were on WPIX and your first comment, well, one of your comments was you're going to raise taxes and so taxes not
high enough as it is. You're going to raise taxes and yet during the debate, you brag how you didn't vote for a tax increase, but you're going to raise taxes as a mayor. So, you know, I am very much concerned about this. I don't think >> Thank you, Ivon.
>> People should be losing their homes for ideology. Our next speaker 5.18 Eve is Eve Taylor here. He's gone.
Okay. Next. 5.19. Mana. Good evening. Now it's um 2025 175 years ago in n in 1848
KL Marx and Ry Henel said haunting Europe the spectre of communism within this 170 years history of mankind especially in Europe
and America very much changed. Europe experienced what does mean socialism first phase of communism and as recently
President Trump in Eur said in Europe he don't do not recognize he in a while very soon in 10 15 maybe 20 years if American societ society will
continue the same move which we can observe now it means that new at that time new president of America will say I don't recognize my
country why I said it because despite of democracy something very very profound changes in our society
and we can see it very easily in New York City in Jersey City. I received a message from Mr. Ali. He offering me
to follow mom Dani. Recently Solomon accept his assistance and attract young people. Only a few thousand participate in this voting and
they elect Solomon. But with all responsibility I'm saying to all council members he is very very open liar
despite of his will. I can uh provide exact dates and numbers and documents but I will skip it. most important to me
that people have to recognize this profound changes in the society. I don't accept uh strange uh statement from Solomon. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. Sorry. I appreciate you. >> Our next speaker 5.20 Albert Evening. >> Evening. >> Rough night two weeks before Christmas. Anyway,
I just want to take a moment to extend sincere thank you to our city council for your service over the past few years. Public service is demanding work and it often happens without recognition.
Yet each of you showed up meeting after meeting, decision after decision with a commitment to doing what you believed was best for our community. We've seen meaningful progress through
your help. Improvements in our neighborhoods, support for local businesses, investments in public safety, infrastructure, and programs to strengthen the quality of life for residents across the city.
Some of these achievements are visible every day. Others happen quietly behind the scenes. But all of them reflect your dedication and your willingness to put in the time and the effort that give good
governments requires. You've navigated challenges, balanced competing priorities, and listened to the voices of residents who care deeply about this city.
And even when debates were tough and opinions differed, you demonstrated that working through complex issues is part of what makes our local government strong. Most importantly,
you chose to serve. It's a decision that takes patience, resilience, and a genuine sense of responsibility to your neighbors. That choice matters, and the impact of your work will be felt long
after this term ends. So tonight, on behalf of the community, I thank you. I thank you for your leadership, your hard work, your commitment to making our city better. We appreciate what you've done and I
appreciate each of you and I hope I wish you the best moving forward. Thank you all for you. >> Our next speaker Jay 5.21 21. Oh, you good. Oh, thank you, Jay.
Our next speaker, 5.22, Lauren. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> When you're ready. >> All right. I'm reading this letter on behalf of Dr. Christine Shepard from the American Birds Consery. She raced to thank the council for their ongoing
leadership um in the city on sustainable development. The mayor's recent veto of ordinance 25-123 was grounded in several misunderstandings about how bird friendly design works, how architects routinely meet these requirements in dozens of other cities and the actual
cost and design implications involved. We hope this letter helps clarify those issues and reinforces the feasibility and importance of including bird- friendly requirements within Jersey City's development. The veto frames bird friendly requirements as a specialty glass mandate that must be added on top
of an already complete building design. In reality, the ordinance simply requires that architects design with bird safety in mind from the outset, just as they already do with fire safety, energy performance, and accessibility. When bird friendly design is incorporated early, compliance can be
achieved using costneutral and lowcost materials and strategies, many of which improve energy efficiency. Bird friendly buildings do not require specialty glass. Examples of costneutral compliance approaches include exterior
window screens, solar shading devices, fritted or patterned glass only where truly necessary. None of these strategies require the highpriced specialty windows referenced in the veto letter. It is also important to note
that bird friendly glass will not slow or halt development projects. The veto asserts that these requirements will slow down or halt otherwise valuable projects in our pipeline. There is no evidence from any jurisdiction with a bird-friendly building
requirement that such laws impede construction starts, stall the development pipeline, or reduce housing production. Developers adapt easily because the requirements are predictable, performance-based, and incorporated early when design flexibility is highest and cost impacts
are lowest. Affordable housing and bird friendly design are compatible. To our knowledge, none of the 23 cities and five states that have adopted bird friendly building laws have reported these laws causing any housing production to stall. This includes New
York City, where all affordable housing permitted since early 2021 has used bird- friendly design. Voluntary approaches do not prevent window collisions. The veto letter suggests shift shifting to voluntary standards. However, ABC is not aware of
any bird- friendly buildings that have been built due to the existence of voluntary guidelines after people invested much time in crafting them. Mandatory requirements, however, ensure that bird friendly buildings are actually designed and built so that Jersey City can meaningfully address the conservation crisis. You have the
opportunity to provide clarity and leadership. We respectfully urge you to continue championing strong birdfriendly building standards that support environmental responsibility and housing goals. Thank you and ABC would meet with you. >> Next speaker 5.23 you.
>> Why you >> Hi, good evening. >> Um, can I start? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, just want to start by thanking everyone who voted to pass the bird friendly requirement. It was very disappointing to see it was fetled by
the outgoing mayor, especially without any clear justification. Birds are an essential part of our ecosystem and our daily lives. They are our pollinators, our natural pest control, and they help maintain the overall ecosystem health and contribute
to our well-being by connecting us to the nature. When a migratory bird is lost to a window strike, we lose not just one bird today, but its future offspring that will slowly reduce populations over time. We've seen the ecological
consequences of these declines in other species. So why aren't we taking any actions today when we still can? There's a misconception that bird friendly design is expensive and in reality there are many affordable options and if the opponents actually do their due
diligence they'll be surprised by how cost effective these designs are and how they can even um lower long-term operation cost. For all the benefits that the birds provide, the incremental cost, if any, is very minimal. Um,
protecting birds means protecting the health, beauty, and resilience of our city and the environment. So, I strongly urge that we keep this issue at the forefront so it can be passed again. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Our next speaker 524, Kim. Hi, Kim Carrero. C O R R E R O. >> Okay. >> First, I want to sincerely thank the council for your support in November in
voting the ordinance 25-123. Um, I'm on the board of the Native Land Society of New Jersey. I'm on the board of the Jersey City uh trade shade tree committee and I'm a volunteer for Jersey City Birds. I live in Journal Square.
I've been there since 2011. I am around the corner from Councilman Bajano and in that time I've witnessed a complete boom of luxury development in our area. This week, Mayor Phillip vetoed
Ordinance 25123, citing that bird safe design would raise construction costs and conflict with affordability goals. Bird friendly design isn't an exotic luxury. It is a
basic science-based mitigation for a problem our buildings create. Glass collisions kill up to a billion birds a year in the US and thousands of them fly here through Jersey City along the
Atlantic flyway, one of the busiest migration corridors in the US. A few simple design changes will save countless birds and cost developers pennies on the dollar compared to the overall project. Protecting birds and
building housing are not opposing goals. Cities around the country require bird- friendly facades with no collapse of construction, no apocalypse of affordability. Jersey City can too if we choose to lead instead of veto. Birds
play an enormous and often overlooked role in creating healthy, livable environments for people, especially in cities. And when we protect our birds, we protect the systems that make our communities healthier and more
resilient. I want to close with one bird who has stayed close to my heart. Viking. Many of you heard my husband speak in November about Viking, a young redtailed hawk who was struck on Bavonia
Avenue on Halloween and suffered a concussion and a broken beak. After five and a half weeks of intensive care, he's finally been moved into a flight cage at the Raptor Trust where he's rebuilding his strength and learning to fly again.
And if he can prove he's strong enough, he'll be released back into the sky. Council members, birds like Viking don't get to vote on their survival, but you do. Thank you for your continued support
and a special thank you to council person Bajiano. >> Thank you. >> You >> our next speaker 5.25 Robert. Is Robert here? >> I am Robert Pooh. I would like to thank
the council for overwhelmingly supporting and voting for the bird friendly ordinance. Uh very saddened and disappointed by Mayor Fulip's pardoning gift to us of all the things to use his only ever veto on. Uh the energy and
creativity that have been put into fighting these very basic minimal bird friendly members is wildly out of proportion to the modest cost. Uh, this ordinance, as I said, is ve very basic and minimal and is the least we can do
to protect threatened wildlife. I look forward to our new mayor and council passing this ordinance. Our next speaker, 5.26, Tom, not here. Next, 5.27, Kevin
council. I'm Kevin Weller from the forever rent controlled Portide Towers East in Ward F. First, I want to congratulate Councilwoman Ridley and Councilman Gilmore on their re-election in WS A and F. And I want to
congratulate Mayor Elect Solomon. Your name right, who will be the next mayor of Jersey City. I find myself feeling anxious as this council ends its term with just one more
meeting after tonight. This is our 68th time before you speak the king as a group. Every problem we have brought before you remains. That's sad. But the anxiety comes because in part part of me has held hope
that this council would yet take some action to stop the lawlessness that we've documented over a thousand times in our buildings and in many others throughout Jersey City. It seems tonight will end like all of the other meetings with no action that will stop many ordinance violations.
Maybe we will hear from the committee tonight. In any case, I will still hope something happens by the next meeting, our last time together with this current council. In some ways, for your sake as well as ours. More about that at the next
meeting. I'm anxious because I anticipate being disappointed, but I still have hope. As a councilman, James Solomon has sponsored and this council has unanimously passed some of the best tenant protection laws in this country.
Ban on algorithmic rent price fixing, mandatory disclosures when landlords use that software, mandatory minimum fines for housing violations, and clarifications on the limits of exemptions to rent control so transparency happens whether or not a building has an exemption.
I've never been to a Jersey City Council meeting when our current mayor has been present. Tonight, I'm glad we have a mayor elect in the room who is sure to enforce the laws he himself sponsored. That has to be true, right?
We'll make it through the next council meeting, the last meeting on January 5th under the current uh current administration, and then we will see what Councilman Gilmore, Councilwoman Ridley, and our new council will do under the new leadership of the new enforcer and chief, Mayor James Solomon.
Mayor elect, be brave, be bold, and please do what it takes for us to change our signs from enforced 260 to 260 enforced. Our next speaker 5.28 Subie.
Next speaker 5.29 Daniel. So, with this being the last city council meeting of the calendar year, I was uh feeling a bit reflective. So, this is my 20th city council meeting um at which I've given a speech in 2025. I've given a speech at all the city
council meetings this year except for one when I was traveling in 18 of those 20 speeches, including this one. Again, I'm going to spare you the dates this time. I've discussed the fact that we don't have 247 uniform security in Port Site Towers. Again, despite the fact that chapter 18, article 1 of the Jersey
City Code of Ordinances states very clearly that every owner or agent of an owner of a multiple dwelling of 100 or more dwelling units shall furnish a minimum of one uniform security guard for each residential building. This year, I've discussed incidents like when a man with unzipped pants was touching himself in front of our building at 155
Washington Street while standing behind a young woman, or when a resident's car window was punched in and shattered in front of 100 Warren Street, or when an attacker entered our building, chasing a woman who he was attacking, leaving a trail of blood, and yet no action was
taken by this council. Um, occasionally a few of you gave us uh what turned out to be hollow words of support, such as on June 11th when uh council member Cleet, you said, quote, "I hope everyone on this council reaches out to the municipal prosecutor's office after today and pushes to have these
violations prosecuted." End quote. Or on January 15th when council member Rivera said, quote, "That security stuff is very, very important and we want to make sure that you know that we're hearing you." Unfortunately, all of these words carried no action. um or when this council formed the renter protection special investigation committee on
August 20th whose purpose was to investigate why violations of rent control 247 uniform security having onsite an on-site superintendent or more had gone uninforced only for that special investigation committee to have done absolutely nothing. Hopefully, you know, if you guys could do a Hail Mary
this last month, that would be amazing. Uh but I'm not counting on it. And um I'm pretty disappointed in this council. I'll just say that as well as this administration and municipal prosecutor Jake Hudnet. Um that said, looking ahead, I want to congratulate Mayor Elect Solomon for your victory. Um I was
somewhat critical of you in my last two speeches, but I'm quite confident that you along with your new council will bring great change and I'm extremely extremely confident that you're going to do a much better job than Steven Fulip. Um, Mayor Elect, I do hope that your administration and your incoming council
will investigate why daily violations at Portside Towers continue with almost no enforcement. I ask that you look closely at the role of Jake Hudnut and his office since very few violations have been prosecuted and the ones that have been prosecuted have resulted in Equity
Residential negotiating fines down to less than 10% of the amounts initially assessed. I also hope uh mayor elect that you will ensure that the Korean War Memorial is locked at night as required by the Jersey City Code of Ordinances.
Doing so would uh bring a really significant layer of safety to myself and my fellow tenants. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, >> I just want to clarify something for the record that um the committee has been meeting. We went over because you guys
leave every time. Um, and I try tell Kevin to tell you guys what's going on. Um, but we've met multiple times. We've gone line by line through the RFIs, okay? And we have sent the RFIs to the department heads and division directors
and we're awaiting our response for that. And we also want to schedule them for a hearing. And every time that we have listened to you and you said, you know, let's loop back with the prosecutor, I CCed Councilman Gilmore,
we got the answers that we wanted and then, you know, Solomon put up legislation based off of all that information. Okay. So, we have tried and we have every anytime I said we're going to CC someone, we did. So,
and the committee has been meeting. So, I I hope that is trickled down, you know, because you guys leave the end, we don't get to address you, but I do want to address that. Thank you. >> Okay. Our next speaker, 530, Barbara. Good evening, city council.
My three minutes will be a wide-ranging goodbye to 2025 in Jersey City. So, here we go. As I've said in the past, I'm not a big fan of AI. However, I suddenly have a shred of new respect for AI's
ability to size up some people. You see, in the last few months of 2025, my phone has consistently corrected the spelling of fullup to F L
O P, which spells FL. That's pretty astute. A I pretty astute. It's been more than three years since I joined fellow portsiders in begging for Jersey City officials help. It's also
been more than three years since that I've been watching inaction by the Jersey City officials. That makes it pretty tough for me to say that I'm hopeful for change in 2026. But portsiders are a strong bunch. So,
they've enabled me to find a remnant of hope for change in 2026. This cynicism may come from a four decade journalism career reporting on a lot of crime, including corruption,
across the United States. In that news job, I lived in New York City, in other parts of New Jersey, and in several New England cities and towns. And I can honestly tell you that Jersey
City seems to be the windiest and most corrupt place where I have ever lived. But I'm an optimist. Looking ahead to 2026, I'm relieved to bid farewell to Jersey
City's current administration. In the interest of maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere at this city council meeting, I've used a red editing pencil to completely strike out my heartfelt goodbye message. It is
definitely not G-rated and it wouldn't pass the sensors. Instead, let's say I'll say this. Let 2026 be a year of positive change and action
in Jersey City. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.31 Drew 5.32 Sylvia 5.33 Anna uh me Hi,
this is for Mayor Elect Solomon and for our incoming council members next year that include Gilmore and Ridley. I look forward to working with you on improving the state of housing in this city. Today I had a meeting with Senator Raj Mccerji
to discuss this very issue and I was entreated to dis recently speaking at the slumlord bill hearing. The senator said he'll be working with you on improving this city's slumlord issues. I am a tenant in the heights. I come
speak here in solidarity with the portside tower tenants and I'm also a part of the Jersey City tenants union. And for the past year and a half, the tenants union has helped numerous tenants and visited numerous buildings across Jersey City. We have witnessed
the extent of how landlords are flagrantly disregarding the law, both city and state. I myself have a very aggressive slum lord, Yousef, you know, who I've been fighting over the past year and a half. Through this fight, I
have learned firsthand the many sink holes that exist throughout the city's system. The construct number one, the construction office kept closing my tickets as maintenance, forcing me to escalate to the state, and only then did they finally issue violations for
construction without permits? Number two, why does the code compliance office not have more weight? Why can't they directly issue immediate fines to landlords? Why does it have to even go through the court where it gets dismissed or consolidated?
And then landlords have zero incentive to do maintenance. Number three, my landlord has been harassing me for the last year and a half, inundating me with illegal notices, a plethora of unnecessary and bothersome messages
sending me four notices to quit, and two illegal leases spreading rumors about me and the super being recorded. saying about me. They need to get rid of that after an inter agency inspection
sweep of my building and other retaliatory things all year. Yet, nobody has stopped them. The city just allows it and I have to live like this. This is not okay. Harassment and retaliation
against tenants and organizing needs to be stopped in its track. And I'm not the only one. There are tenants across the city who are being harassed by their landlords. And the last thing is that landlords across Jersey City are issuing predatory
leases with a lot of sneaky language and regular people don't understand this. The city needs to step up. So I'm begging you, Solomon, please, can we work together and fix this? Thank you. Our
next speaker 5.34 Venia 5.35 Mark. Good evening, city council. As this term gathers for its final meeting, I didn't realize there was one in next year, but we'll carry on. Um,
the long view becomes clearer. For 3 years, I followed your work closely, hoping to see a council prepared to meet the real pressures facing Jersey City. Too often, I saw a pattern of choosing what was easy rather than what was necessary. Developers consistently found
favorable wins while residents faced rising costs and thinning protections. Affordable housing became something negotiated away rather than secured. Millions of dollars in fines were bargained down to a slap on the wrist. Your investigative powers, which exist
precisely for moments of uncertainty, were not used, and even the investigative committee that was formed, drifted without purpose, answering no one. The only real exceptions to this mediocrity came in the last few months with ordinances about algorithmic rent
fixing, mandatory minimum fines, and then at your last meeting, you denied yet another tax abatement for developers. Thank you. These actions mattered. Choices like these shape whether tenants can trust their own government to stand firm when it counts.
But tonight's not only a critique. Even in this uneven landscape, several of you worked with conviction, and those efforts deserve recognition. Councelor Frank Gilmore have been a steady voice of tenants. He showed up in person to inspect buildings, asked sharp
questions of the council's legal advisers, and consistently press for transparency and fairness. His work has reminded many of what active representation can look like. Mary elect James Solomon played a crucial role in guiding the rent control legislation,
keeping it alive when it could easily have been stalled and coming to support tenants even when they were not from his ward. His commitment to tenants rights has been clear. Council President Joyce Waterman in the final phase of her service put forward a thoughtful
proposal to strengthen rent control and reinforce section 260. Even though the measure didn't pass, her willingness to take on a complex issue late in her term deserves appreciation. To those who showed persistence and integrity, thank you. You demonstrated
what public service can be. To the rest of the council, I wish you well in whatever comes next. As the voters showed you, a council that leans too comfortably towards developers or avoids its investigative responsibilities leaves residents wanting change. I look
forward to working with a mostly new council in the months ahead. My hope is the next body brings stronger resolve, clearer oversight, and real transparency to issues like rent control and robs. Thank you. And next speaker 5.36 Suzanne.
Next speaker 5.37 Sonia. Good evening councel again. Um on January 25th, 2023 I appeared here appeared here in front of you for the first time. As there's unfortunately for me nothing to celebrate that you as a
council did to help us. I reflected back on how I begged you to help and I'm sharing some highlights just from my side tonight. Actually, it's sad low lightss because all of my 49 speeches have simply been ignored. Let's start in
2023. The ability to look into the mirror is priceless. Today, I honestly wonder if you even have a mirror. No safety, no belonging. We talked about how you cannot feel you belong when you don't feel safe in a place. Tonight, I
wonder how much those of you who have to leave the council feel that they really belong in Jersey City. Talk less, smile more. S Sir Aaron Burr's recommendation to young politician Alexander Hamilton.
Look around. Who's smiling today? I've got to skip ahead a bit. Forgive me. I'm sure you remember the unanimous rent leveling board ruling in our favor in October 2023. The many mentions of the Faulner Act and everything that did not
follow. Talking about the Faulner Act and reflecting on some of its most serious consequences. I recall us talking about the prisoners de dilemma. Isn't it ironic? We also talked about servant leadership which means leaders serving their
people. You had a choice and you've been served. In 2023 and 2024, we talked about the first amendment, suppression of free speech at not one but two state of the city addresses and countless opportunities to investigate under the
Faulner Act. Here it is again. Isn't it ironic? In 2024, we talked about Dr. King's famous quote, "The ark of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." I guess I think sadly we haven't reached the end yet. The only
thing I know for sure is that it the accountability doesn't end with a term. Maybe justice only starts here. Oh, and another favorite of me was when we talked about the German TV show called Money or Love. Another choice that we
got to see multiple times. Well, I guess people hands people's hands were tired. Um, as yours, Council President Waterman is unfortunately not here. I guess they just couldn't vote for those who didn't show them love. Showing people love
means that you hear them and that you solve problems for them. They don't see any love. If you hide behind a screen or if you go in a meeting, Councilman, the only time that you show up is um when when it is for billionaires over
birds, pockets over people and me me over the majority. Congratulations, James. Um >> thank you, >> mayor elect. We hope we can change this. >> Our next speaker 5.38 vanilla Good evening.
Tonight is not just the last meeting of the year. It's the last meeting of this council I can attend. First, I want to address the members who will not be returning. Miss Waterman, uh, Mr. Geese, Miss Hutings, Mr. Biano,
Mr. Salet, Mr. Rivera. For the last three years, we stood here meeting after meeting telling you that people were being evicted. We showed you the cases, the violations, the illegal rent increases. We pleaded for action. We
asked for enforcement. We asked to protect the residents who trusted you. You watched families pushed out of buildings you knew were violating the law. You saw complaints. You heard the testimony. You were made fully aware,
but you chose not to act. You ignored the renters of this city. You ignored the very laws this council passed. Some of you chose to not run again. So, this is forever part of your legacy. For the others, the voters did not ignore us.
And in November, the voters issued their own eviction notices. And now, as the council transitions, we turn toward the future with hope. Because next year begins a new chapter in Jersey City. During the campaign
season, all of the elected made clear a clear commitment. Housing, affordability, tenants rights, enforcement would be priorities. So tonight, I want to focus on what we hope for in 26. We hope for a year in which the laws
that protect residents are fully implemented and enforced. We hope for a year when year when renters more than 70% of the city are not treated as an afterthought but as the backbone of this community.
A year when when inspections are thorough, rent rolls are complete, fines are applied fairly and enforcement becomes normal. A year in which evictions decrease and residents feel secure in their homes because the city keeps communities whole. But with the
hope comes responsibility for us and for the new leadership. This next administration has an opportunity, a historic one, to reset how Jersey City treats its tenants and enforces its laws. You inherit not just
a city but a mandate to fix what has been broken and to restore trust where trust was lost. We are ready to work with you. We are ready to support you. But we are ready to hold you accountable for every promise you made.
Let be the year where Jersey City finally becomes a city where renters are protected, laws are enforced, and no one is above accountability. and my congratulations. May I elect? >> Our next speaker 5.39, Brendan.
>> Good evening, city council. I'd first like to start off by congratulating Mayor Lex Salman on his victory. Congratulations. I look forward to being presently surprised and things actually improving in Jersey City that I've been coming to the city for 10 years. I am really hopeful that some
things will change. Now, let's go moving on. I want to speak about how you might be able to solve the city's ever growing budget issue. As the budgets continues to grow larger and larger and we've and the city's given out tax abatements to
baote support the it's the actual needs there. Here's my suggestion. Clear the prosecution's office. Get better prosecutors and simply find the buildings that are in violation of local code. This could put a solid chunk and
maybe the city's bond ratings will actually be high for a change. It's a very simple concept. When you break the law, you pay a fine. When your housing isn't legal, you pay a fine. I would like I'd encourage you to take
days idea about repossessing slum lords buildings and re and using them as public housing. This would actually start solving problems and help fund the government. I look forward to change happening. You've got a clear deck, new council
with a few old friends and a majority on it. I believe you can do a lot of good things if you're actually willing to. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.40 Cynthia. Next speaker 5.41 Susan. Good evening, council members. Since
this is the last meeting of the year, I thought it'd be I'd bring a little seasonal spirit to a very unseasonable problem. So, tonight I brought a letter, not to the mayor elect, congratulations, Councilman Solomon, not to the outgoing council, but to Santa. Dear Santa, all I
want for Christmas is for Portide Towers to finally receive the services that New Jersey law already promised us. Santa, my port side neighbors and I have tried very hard to stay on the nice list. We've come to meeting after meeting. We've spoken respectfully, even when the
council sometimes prefers to look down at their phones. We've asked specifically for enforcement of laws that are mandated by Jersey City. We stand together as the Portside Tenant Association and work with our neighbors to follow every official process. And
yet, despite all of that, what we received this year feels a lot less like presence and a lot more like a lump of coal. Because all of this time and all of these speeches, it would be nice to end the year knowing that our efforts to be active and vocal Jersey City citizens
are rewarded with recognizing that laws need to be enforced. But Santa, has the council really been on the nice list? Have they done everything they could to ensure that Equity Residential is held accountable? Is there a sort of nice
list that they might be able to recognize their unanimous vote for the algorithmic price fixing ban even if the enforcement is still to be in question or committees they vowed to form and from what we heard tonight uh might actually be squeaking forward. So, thank you for that. That sounds wonderful. But
Santa, while you're at it, could you please deliver the live-in su on-site superintendent that state regulations require? Because right now, when something breaks after hours, we're told to answer to call an answering service. That is not a system. That is wishful
thinking. A midnight plumbing emergency should not depend on luck, voicemail, or a Christmas miracle. Santa, I know there are limits to even your magic. You can't compel this outgoing council to take meaningful action in its final days, but
you can ask the new council continue whatever good work has been done so far and truly be the agents of change for their constituents. And maybe Santa, you can deliver one more message. remind this outgoing council and particularly our new mayor elect that being on
Santa's nice list for portside me uh residents means showing up consistently every other Wednesday for the last three years doing our homework being a voice for the neighbors who aren't here and standing up to an LLC looking to squeeze profit out of our overburdened renters
and avoid any accountability for their inaction and that deserves much more than a lump of coal. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.42 Joel. Madame President and council members,
it's now time to close the books on your tenure. What is the record of this body? At best, it's mixed. At worst, it's absent. At all times, apparently tethered to a lame duck mayor Steve Fulip. Only after
his defeat in the gubanatorial primary, did this body act with any visible independence. Too little, too late. You did clarify and improve security ordinances for multi multiple dwellings. Thank you.
Unfortunately, the administration failed to enforce this. Mayor elect Solomon, we look forward to your administration's enforcement activities. You did, under Council Member Solomon's
leadership, enact new ordinances relating to security, rent setting algorithms, and enforcement enhancements. We look forward to strong and effective enforcement of these by Mayor Elect Solomon's administration.
This council's record on meeting your oversight obligations under the Faulner Act is more dubious. Notwithstanding our repeated and respected respectful pleas for independent council investigations uh beginning in 2023,
this body failed to act until August 20th. Tonight is the penultimate meeting for two of the members of this subcommittee. While some work has apparently been done, the work will not be completed by the
end of this term. Will this subcommittee continue into the next council? In some, your record is nearly complete. Your professed understanding and support of us and our needs were appreciated even if it many times it felt hollow.
Your legislative actions while delayed are appreciated. Mayor elect Solomon and council member elect council members elect Ridley Brooks Zupa Ephros Little Gilmore
Griffin S uh Singh and Lavaro. We look forward to working with you to improve the security in of Jersey City renters. And as a following note, we I agree with many of the previous speakers. Vote no
on resolution items 1053 to 1056. Let the new administration elect who's going to run the city in various admin in various uh councils going forward. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.43 Shannon
Since my first city council meeting almost three years ago, I've been through some significant changes in my life. In this room, I have talked about a lot of personal things. I announced a job loss, a name change, and frankly, I
will never forget that night. Several of you were very supportive, and that has never been forgotten. I announced a major health issue and for the first time ever I spoke publicly about being the victim of domestic violence. It was very difficult to do but I found
strength in these in this room to do those things. Um I've made friends that will last a lifetime and I have worked as hard as I know how to work to fight for justice for myself and my neighbors. The fight against a bad actor landlord is not an
easy one. The landlord has every advantage at their disposal in terms of resources, money, time, and influence. It's hard to think about what other kind of contractual relationship is so unevenly matched as that between an
individual renter and a multi-billion dollar company. Still, I've never given up and I won't and I know the people here with me won't either. I didn't know much about city level politics when I first started coming here, but I believed that when right is on one's
side, justice can't help but prevail, even if it takes a long, long time and stubborn determination. I do stand terribly disappointed that more hasn't been done than and that I am paying over 30% more in rent than I was
3 years ago despite the fact that this is illegal. I'm disappointed that though the very city council body that I stand before is responsible for many of the ordinances, those ordinances have not been enforced. It's chilling, frightening, and
maddening. But once again, I will not stop. Mayor elect James Solomon uh spoke in his beautiful acceptance speech about our citizens duty to hold our leaders accountable.
I appreciated that and I have every intention of continuing to do so. Even though the faces may change that we speak to, my message will never waver. Justice for port side. >> Next speaker 5.44 Jessica. Good evening, council. Uh, you know my
name. I'm Jessica Bran and I'm speaking tonight as a constituent again, a community member and a tenant whose family, like thousands of others, has been fighting for justice. A family that includes the last speaker, Shannon. For three years, month after month, during council sessions like this, we've
stood here presenting undeniable facts demanding the enforcement of established laws and asking for fair treatment. we have shared our stories of being systematically overcharged and I was reflecting that I'm still paying um a substantial amount over actually it's
double what I was paying in 2021 at this stage um and even after clear victories at the rent leveling board we've endured this relentless non-compliance that has landed us in the news countless times countless times as this council prepares to leaves leave
leave office I offer part one of part of two-part farewell and our community is I would say not just disappointed. I thought about that and what does disappointment means? It believes you have it means you have a belief in something and it didn't come to pass. Um
it's not a belief that we're talking about. It's law. It's the rule of law and it's the enforcement of our laws. And what are we as a country without that? We're heartbroken and frankly I can't speak for everyone but I'm enraged and I'm usually pretty calm, collected and
cool person but there's a lot of emotion around this for us and rage is part of it. This general failure to enforce ordinances and laws causes rage and has created a crisis of trust and the consequences the sheer enormity of it
the financial and emotional toll on us and other vulnerable families is overwhelming. And so when a governing body appears to look the other way, one's left to wonder who's paying the price for this indifference and who's benefiting it. But I had to stop and tell myself, this is not a moment of
defeat. This is a moment of change that you did not stop. To the thousand or more tenants of this city, and especially to my partner Kevin, and to Michelle and Joel who have so fiercely and tirelessly led this charge, please listen. We organized a movement that reached
every corner of this city. We elevated tenant rights and local governance to the forefront of political discourse here. Tenants aligned and changed the outcome of local mayoral elections plural. The gubernatorial primary was a decisive ousting of the current mayor
under whose administration this profound wrongdoing was allowed to fester. And most immediately, our collective work has helped elect a new slate of city council members who will take and a new mayor elect who will take office in January. And we have together changed
the future of this city. To the incoming council and mayor elect Solomon, we will prevail because we've won the future. I believe in you. The community believes in you and we will not stop fighting until every ordinance is enforced. Thank
you. Our next speaker 5.445 Tara Tara here next 5.46 Carol's here.
>> Wait, wait, wait. >> What? >> Hold on. Do you have a s you have another Carol McNickel? That's That's who's next. Go ahead, Carol. >> Please don't kick me out. >> No.
>> Hi. Um Carol McNichol. Um Jersey City homeowner resident 30 years. Um, I just off the top of my head, I just want to say my colleague Lorraine Freeny and I have worked on the bird ordinance for over a year and a half. We did our due
diligence. We did our research. We, you know, we crossed all the tees, dotted the eyes. We had a unanimous vote at the planning board, which I almost felt like they were going to get up and applaud at the end. Um, the council passed it. Thank you very much. Um, so needless to
say, we're very disappointed with the veto. Um, but we're very relieved that this can also come up next year in January and be reintroduced um with the new council and then from there we can we have so much work to do
after that um to help these birds and these bird collisions and to Steven Phillip. I mean, Stephen, I do this all the way. James Solomon, I want to say I that's a pretty slip of some kind. I want to say thank you for your support
on the ordinance and we wish you all the best. We we're so over the moon that you won the election that the council that has come together for the new year is everything we would ever wanted. So, you you have a big fan in us and we look
forward to working with you guys. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.47 Gracie. Good evening. Tonight I want to speak briefly about something that is both personal and I think important for the
city to hear. For a long time, I have come before this council month after month, year after year to ask for help and to advocate for my community. I showed up because I believed that engagement matters, that participation
matters, and that when residents speak, the elected officials will listen. But after all this time, I stand here with deep regret. Because despite the effort, despite the clarity of the issues, despite the persistence we brought to
every meeting, no real help ever came, not once. It didn't have to be this way. This council could have eased the burden on our community. Your support would have signaled also to other parties that
our safety mattered, that our concerns mattered, that we mattered. Instead, we were left to na navigate everything alone with only our neighbors beside us. Yet, even in that disappointment, there
is something positive that I want to acknowledge. The community that formed around this fight, the people who stood together, encouraged each other, and refused to give up has been a source of strength. It reminded me why I kept
coming here in the first place because Jersey City is full of residents who care deeply about their homes and their neighbors. As this council changes and new terms begin, I want to leave you with this.
Residents remember who listened and who didn't. and we still hope that the future of this city will look different, more responsive, more compassionate, more committed to the people you serve. We may not have received the help we
asked for, but we are still here. We love this city and we believe in you and we still believe that accountability and positive change are possible if when those in power choose them next year.
Thank you. I wish those of you who part this council best of success for what's next. Happy holidays and a healthy new year everyone and congratulations
to Mayor Elect James Solomon. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.48 Michelle Hi, good evening. Three years ago, I stood before you with two words of the day. Corrupt and obfuscate.
Tonight, as you prepare to exit this chamber for the last time or the second to last time, confusing because the website has contradictory information, I have one final word, complicit, defined as involved with others in an activity
that is unlawful or morally wrong. In January 2023, I reminded you of bid rig. July 23rd, 2009, when the FBI arrested 44 New Jersey operatives, political operatives, including mayors and
assemblymen. In Operation Bidrigg, developers paid politicians to cash to ignore building codes and steer approvals their way. Today, developers and landlords don't need cash and envelopes. They have campaign
contributions, lobbying relationships, and the implicit understanding that if you don't enforce the laws against them, they'll support your political future. And so, here we are. For three years, portsiders and friends have created a
public library of evidence. Hundreds of speeches, thousands of hours of video documenting the same unresolved violations. meeting after meeting after meeting. We've handed you the evidence on a silver platter. You've chosen to
look the other way. Why? To give a departing mayor cover to protect political futures. To avoid the discomfort of doing what you know is right. You had the power to act. The Faulner Act gave you authority. You
created an investigative committee on August 20th, a quarter of a year ago, that has yet to yield any change for us. You refused to enforce tenant protections. You surrendered your power willingly, and in doing so, you became
complicit. Let the record reflect the people of this city have been fighting for themselves by themselves. Your administration didn't just fail to help. It put up roadblocks. It slowwalked processes. It buried requests. It
endangered lives with willful non-compliance. And you watched it happen. And to Mayor Phillip directly, what you have allowed to happen to the people is a shondaanda. The kind of deep lasting disgrace that follows a person.
You failed the tenants. You swore to protect and you did it knowingly. The shame is yours to carry. History doesn't forget and neither do we. Congratulations to Mayor Lex Solomon and the incoming
council. You've inherited both our hope and our understandable >> scrutiny. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.4. 49 Marilyn Marilyn Hoffman. Next 550 Caleb I think he left.
Next 5.51, Rachel. >> Good evening, city council. I hope you guys don't get as sick of me as um other people in here and have to come up and do this repeatedly um year after year, but we intend to if if this doesn't get
passed. Um, so I just wanted to thank city council for voting 7 to0 to pass 25-123 to protect New Jersey wildlife. Um, we worked really hard to explain and highlight this issue and were absolutely gutted and heartbroken to learn that the
mayor overrode our efforts. I was so hopeful and thankful that while national environmental protections are being defunded and destroyed, our little city had kept faith in our responsibility to protect and preserve the natural world. It's rough out there. You look
everywhere and see wages in this country have not kept up pace with our needs for health, safety, and housing. Housing is expensive, but blaming the cost of housing on things like safety regulations, immigrants, and yes, environmental protections,
environmental standards that haven't even been put in place yet are traps that make us smaller and divide us. We are always stronger when we can link up and build coalitions that will raise us all up. We will keep saying it. The decreasing numbers of wildlife we are
seeing in our lifetime is horrific and catastrophic. As a volunteer for with the birds, we see the deadly consequences of poor design decisions made over and over again. We've been frantic finding so many dead birds that we are running into bags together
putting birds in our pockets trying to save them to bring them to rehabers. It's stupid. It's sad. We don't need to keep building that way. All we are asking is to follow tested methods to plan construction with the scientific knowledge of what helps or
hurts wildlife going forward. I believe following New York City and Newark and pioneering this in Hudson County is something Jersey City will be proud of. We know how to save birds. So, let's do it. We can't wait. We'll keep fighting and we'll see you in the new year. Thank you.
Our next speaker 5.52 Beth here 5.53 Jeff. >> Are you Jeff? Ma'am. Okay. A lame duck mayor strikes down a bill protecting birds. How did that headline
not go out? I'll never know. It kind of seems unfair. But I'm not angry. I am a patient person. And what I did want to do is to think about uh the best of us and where
we express the best of us. And so I thought, what if I were to take a look at someone who had aspirations to be governor? What would this person want to
tell the world, want to tell New Jersey? And so the mayor of Jersey City recently um did not win the governor's race, but he did put out there his aspirations. And in his aspirations, he mentioned
first that he is a leader in sustainability and he is proud as one of the top 15 sustainable cities in America. He also wanted to show that, quote, "There is simply no candidate running
for governor who has a more comprehensive track record of driving environmental conversations." Mayor Ful, he wanted to show New Jerseyians that he is a leader in the environment and
sustainability. Why? because he knows that the residents of Jersey City, that the residents of New Jersey care about these issues, want to see these issues addressed. He also mentions that since 2013, under
his leadership, JC has been a leader in the fight to protect our environment. He touts that his actions against climate change have been by far the most aggressive action plan of any
municipality in New Jersey. He mentions words like adopting ambitious polit policies being on the cutting edge of sustainability. Why? This is what we want. We want ambition.
We want cutting edge. He also points out that he has spent $70 million on protecting parks and nearly 1 billion to upgrade utilities.
He wants to spend money because that's what we want. Don't be fooled by the tired affordability argument. It's the same thing that would have kept sprinklers out of apartments. We look forward to
2026 and doing the right thing. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.54. Let's see. I'm here to talk about the bird that I got all my advocation for birds started.
Uh there's a bird called an oven bird and uh I want to play the song for you. It's a beautiful song and it sounds like it's saying teacher teacher teacher. But here's what it sounds like. Uh, one one afternoon I was walking
along the Hudson River and I heard that sound and this is a bird that migrates through Hudson County maybe two weeks out of the year. And I heard it and I turned the corner to try to find it. And this was just after I started getting into birds. And I turned the corner and
I see it on the ground, but it's not alive. It's next to the window and it's dead. And seeing this really impacted me. And seeing that bird inspired me to advocate today. And it showed me that a billion birds die a year. And I I saw
that in in a city where near where I live. My generation is watching and we're learning from you. And if you teach us to do the right thing to protect nature and to live sustainably, you'll be
providing us with a beautiful world. As important, you will be teaching us to be stewards of nature. I understand the reasons you not reoting tonight and I ask you the next administration to do the right thing in early 26.
I'll be back here to help protect the birds I love. Next speaker 5.55 Raphael. >> Good evening, council president and members of the city council. Uh my name is Raphael Moise Grace and I'm a proud
resident of Ward B. First I want to congratulate Mayor Elect James Solomon on his victory. Um I also want to acknowledge him and in the continue role his continued role as Councilman award E. The voters have sent a clear message
in December and I I look forward to seeing the new administration lead Jersey City with more transparency, more accountability, and more affordability. And I know I'm jumping the gun a little bit, but I'll say this now on day one.
It's time to release the services of Regional Industries based in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The city deserves a real evaluation of whether uh we should uh return to collecting our own trash or
recontract waste management. Jersey City residents deserve efficiency and reliability for taxes that we pay. I want to extend the same message to the exception to um Councilman Frank
Educational Gilmore of Ward F. I strongly believe that every ward in this city should have at least a one fully supported recreational center within the next two terms. And yes, I'm speaking that into existence. Um,
recreation changed lives in this city before and it can absolutely do it again. And when I was a kid growing up in the Brett Shundler administration, we had a program called Summer Fun. And we took field trips to zoos. We partnered with
community groups. We cleaned bacon lots, turned them into gardens. My summer fun year was in 1998, which tells you uh I'm getting a little older. But those programs kept me active, kept me focused, and kept me
outside, kept me kept me out of trouble. I grew up on Belmont Avenue between Bergen and Kennedy, and it wasn't the easiest block in the '9s, but it shaped me. And I know firsthand how powerful
uh powerful positive programming and safe recreational spaces can be for a child. That's why I voted for Mayor Elect Solomon and most members of his slate. And I believe in Jersey City where longtime residents can stay, raise their families, actual afford to live in
neighborhoods that that they built. Right now, too many of us are struggling with two job with like me who work two jobs in New York City to make ends meet for my family. So I ask all of you new leadership and returning leadership
treat people right listen to the people and prioritize affordability. If you do that resident, thank you. Our next speaker, 5.56, Liam left
5.57, Maria. Hello. Okay. Hi. Uh, my name is Maria Ross. I am a um resident of Jersey City for 35 years. I live in Ward F. And I'm happy to say that Councilman Gilmore and
Councilman Solomon have been very receptive and helpful when I have reached out to them when I needed assistance. I am very concerned about um this agenda on it and the reports of
directors letters from Mr. Fulip. He has no less than one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, seven appointments and one veto on this letter. So that uh I don't know
if if you guys have the authority right now to reject this uh these uh appointments that he's making because that's like uh unbelievable. He's just like leaving, but he's not really leaving. Uh specifically uh you have
resolutions 10 10.53 10.54 10.55 10.56. These are all um appointments to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency. Uh including I have to say with all due respect Mr. Daniel Rivera, he will no
longer be a city council person and so he is not eligible for this position. Uh, two city council members are appointed by the mayor. One of them, of course, is Miss Ridley, who was reelected. Uh, but Mr. Rivera was not. So, he does is not eligible for the
spot, and he actually voted yes on this resolution before he left. Um, there's also a Mr. Caviello appointing him to be um part of the JCMUA.
Mr. Kaviello already has an appointment with JCMUA uh making over $212,000 a year. Um he is now going to be appointed to the zoning board as well. So all I mean I'm sure you've read this
and I don't know how much you can do to stop this but I certainly hope that you can and I want to thank you all for serving the community as much as you have. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.58 Campbell.
Next speaker 5.59 Tiffany. >> Hi everyone. Uh my name is Tiffany Fischer. I'm a council woman in Hoboken. Um, congratulations to Denise, to Mayor Alex Solomon, to uh, Councilman Gilmore on your re-elections and um, wishing you
all the best and and to everyone who I know, Amy, etc. Um, just wishing you the best. um being a council person is hard and you know there's a lot of tough issues here uh you know that we heard tonight and um I imagine some of you are
leaving feeling like you don't have the ability to continue supporting it or as easily. So um thank you to everyone who serves. So I am here um to support my colleagues and neighbors and um on the
bird ordinance. Um I'm not necessarily speaking to Jersey City specifically, but just holistically, we often in Hoboken will work with Councilman um um Solomon, sorry, Councilman Solomon and uh and Yousef um just because the
Heights and Wordy are just so close to Hoboken and we'll often maybe do an ordinance in Hoboken that we'll then um you know talk with our colleagues in Jersey City and you guys will adopt or more likely you will have adopted an ordinance that we'll take on in in
Hoboken and this is actually one of them. Um I've worked with you heard Jeff Train up here earlier and his son Otis. They live in Hoboken. They're very active in around wildlife. I am the council person. Every time there's a hurt bird, I get the call. Whether it's a pigeon freezing cold in a snowy night
or it's a bird that you know hit a window that hasn't yet died or bird that's hit a window that has died. I get calls probably every other week. Um, I've instructed a lot of neighbors how to care for them, to take them to the Wild Bird Fund, Raptor Trust, etc. This
to me is something I was really excited to hear that your council supported it unanimously, that you learned a lot about what a small change to a developer's budget can do to just be so beneficial to the wildlife in our area.
You know, I think I can speak for both cities cuz I see it that we love wildlife. We love, you know, being able to see the migratory birds. You know, they're all over social media. You know, this is something that um has a small impact on the profit of developers that
make a lot of money in your city and in my city. It wasn't it was unfortunate and disappointing to see Mayor Fulip veto. This wasn't a surprise. Um you know, he he did receive a lot of donations from the development community for pretty much all his campaigns. So,
this is is something that he gave back on his way out the door. But I'm happy to hear that I believe this is going to come back in January and I hope and I hope that the new council will support it and then we will be able to leverage all the work you guys have done and replicate it in Hoboken. So, thank you
and just want to give my support for that. Take care. >> Our next speaker 5.60 Elna Uh, good evening members of the city council. Uh, first of all, at the end of the year 2025, I'd like to thank you for
your service to Jersey City, both the incumbents and the outgoing council people. Thank you very much. I think it's a service that too many citizens just take for for granted. Um, well, full disclosure, I am a member
of the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association Board of Directors, but I am speaking as a constituent tonight. Against my better judgment, I'd like to let you know that what I'm talking about involves pee and poop.
I want to call to your attention that to my extreme disappointment, the HPNN was not awarded a grant from the Open Space Trust Fund. Our application was for $500,000 funding for Portland Lou for
Hamilton Park, one of the most wellused parks in the city. We were in heartened by the one in Hoboken and had been researching uh the Portland Lou for many years now. We have seven schools in our neighborhood which
use a park for their breaks from the classroom. There are two tennis courts, a basketball court which are also used for recreation department clinics. These courts are used constantly even on warmer winter days. People from other
neighborhoods drive to Hamilton Park to use the courts and to picnic there. The H the HPNA has been paying just under $200 per month to rent a portaotty from May through December for the duration of our weekly farmers market.
Even at twice weekly cleaning, the potty gets pretty full. I personally have cleaned human feces from the gazebo platform and steps to the basement. We've had to warn parents to keep their children from playing in the cluster of holly bushes surrounding the electrical
panel box on the south side of the park as it sometimes is where the unhoused relieve themselves. In our application, we had letters of support from Councilman Solomon, director of architecture, Brian Weller, chairman of the Hamilton Park
Conservancy, Teddy Tsui, executive director and founder of the Scandinavian School of Jersey City, Maria Sharp, and Pat Deaney from the Recreation Department. Pat conducts the uh summer basketball league. and in 2 hours we
obtained 50 signatures in the neighborhood uh in support of this uh proposal or our grant application. I don't know if the city council has any say in reviewing the grant awards, but I
I sure hope you will be able to look into this. Hamilton Park is in dire need of a public restroom. >> Thank you. to help funding for to support the Portland Loo. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.61 Bo.
>> Uh good evening uh council members. Uh it was more than five years why I spoke here last time. Uh today I'm going to speak about item 10.6 16 resolution 25785
powerhouse R3 development plan in the rehabilitator zone. So the potential 50story 1,000 units building is several magnitudes out of scale than common
sense. The new proposal is five times larger than the original plan with various violations. So if we draw a rectangle covering these tall buildings along the marine build marine boulevard
on the map it's like four blocks north to south two blocks west to east that will cover the Kushner building the Hrix the Morgan the Hilton the group home the residents in the seven columbus plus the
new building it will be 400,000 people per square uh per square mile. It is six times larger than the most dense area in Manhattan. It is 23 times
more dense than Jersey City than San Francisco. And uh um it will be the most dense building cluster in the United States. It is four times than the current winner which is
the co-op city in Bronx. It is three times more dense than than the most dense area in Singapore. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, man, we are building the most dense building cluster in the world. It's 20 times larger than the
current winner in the world. So in Jersey City, we are building a world wonder, a world record, the most dense building seat cluster in the world. It will be a worldclass attraction point.
Okay, that's the first point. The second point, I'm not sure what what will happen to the weed store in the building because in the plan there will be elementary school in uh in the building and also there's a weed store so it will
make the headline in the world globally. If if here in Jersey City we have a building the first floor has a we store and second floor is elementary. I'm not sure how that works. Okay that's second point. The third point is there's no
study about the traffic or whatever the past capacity. I'm not sure it won't work. It it simply won't work because a lot of buildings were built in last few years and now more and more companies are shifted to mandary commuting. Um, it
seems to work. So, >> thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.62, Bianca. Next speaker, 5.63, Sed 5.64, Sylvia. Oh, 5.6. 65 David.
>> Hello. Uh good evening members of the Jersey City Council. Thank you for the opportunity to speak at this hour. Uh my name is David Clemens and I'm a proud resident of Ward A living in this community for almost two years. I'd like to begin by thanking Councilwoman Ridley for her willingness to engage residents
uh to work with New Jersey Transit on the overnight parking issue affecting light rail lots within Jersey City. Your responsiveness and openness to conversation have been appreciated during this time when many of us have felt uncertain about what comes next. I came here to speak about the sudden
removal of overnight parking. Of course, knowing that it's a little tricky with the jurisdiction. Uh with this specific change, I know there's near uh immediate consequences for many residents, but I believe it reflects a larger and ongoing challenge for our area. Parking access and long-term infrastructure planning.
The commun corridor is is not a part of the city where living car-free is as simple as say downtown or Newport. As development continues and more residents moved in, the demand for parking will only grow. The current situation underscores that reality. I represent a
household that household that both commutes into New York City for work using New Jersey Transit and also travels frequently within New Jersey and New York for family via car. I am a commuter and I don't believe that I'm abusing that a lot when I park overnight. New Jersey Transit has
vilified nearby residents with blanket statement statements about usage and abuse. I also want to emphasize my willingness to be a part of constructive solutions. In the nearly two years I've lived here, I've watched the light rail off light light rail lot, lots of words
here, shift from half capacity to consistently full. During that time, I've also observed areas where more diligent enforcement, especially around monthly passes and improper use, could free up numerous spaces for commuters and residents alike. These type of operational improvements could meaningfully expand access without
removing overnight parking altogether. But none of this is possible without open communication. New Jersey Transit CEO Chris Kurri recently stated that residents are taking up spaces instead of using parking in their own buildings. The fact is there is no parking available in any of the nearby
buildings. We wait lists are long, street spaces are extremely limited, and many of us were informed when we moved there that the light rail lot would be a reliable long-term option. This disconnect highlights why ongoing dialogue between New Jersey Transit, the city, the community, and even developers
is essential. I shared my plea this morning at the New Jersey Transit Board meeting to provide a local residents perspective. I even urged the council to look at the most recent Reddit activity on Jersey City over this issue. In the last 24 hours, there are over hundreds of comments and dozens of concerned
residents speaking out. And those are just the vocal ones. I believe this will be a significant disruption to potentially hundreds of local residents in the area that this surrounding area cannot support. In closing, I support resolution 25-781 and hope this is continues conversation and action around
the immediate parking needs with long-term solutions. I am happy to work with you. Uh, Councilwoman Redley. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.66, Natalie here.
5.67 Tobias 5.68 Austo. Good evening, city council members. Uh thank you for for hearing my uh my uh thoughts tonight. Um so a few months ago I was here talking about the World Cup and I recommended that the city council
begin meetings to inform the community and the businesses of what's coming. Uh this is the largest event that's ever been held on the planet. Uh we're a few weeks from the end of 2025 and no such community meetings to my knowledge have taken place. So, I'm here to strongly
recommend that the incoming uh administration or even for the next few weeks, community meetings begin in the wards discussing what is coming uh in 2026 with the World Cup. 1.3 million people are going to go through Jersey City to get to the stadium eight times
between June 11th and July 19th. 50,000 people are going to make their way into Jersey City every single day for 39 days straight. That's they're not closing. On top of that, the service the city services are
going to be uh strained. Some of the emergency services are going to be delayed. I mean, Jersey City Hospital sits at the entrance to Liberty State Park. On the other side of this, Alive Nation is managing Liberty State Park and they're keeping their plan secret. So
that means that small businesses in Jersey City probably won't have an opportunity to take part in the $3.4 billion revenue generator that's going to happen between June 11th and July 19th. Airbnb. Someone has to tell the residents that
are going to try to Airbnb that they have to have safety precautions in their Airbnbs because we don't want to strain the fire department as well. Human trafficking, that's a huge issue with the World Cup. It's so huge that they have a department in Zurich that addresses human trafficking at their
tournaments. So, listening to everybody today about the sanctuary in Liberty State Park, I'm curious what's going to happen to that sanctuary for 39 days of 50,000 people with lights and noise. that has to be communicated to the company Live Nation that's going to
manage that event because at the end of the day articles like the one that came out today in the Independent the cities in the United States are looking at a bill of about $250 million post World Cup. FIFA is not going to pay for it.
The host committee is not going to pay for it. And they're not even going to get blamed for it. the ones that are going to get blamed for not being informed, not being educated, not having a plan, and not fighting for Jersey City businesses to get into that event for 39
days is going to be whoever or whomever s in the city council or in the mayor's office. And we can stop that by beginning these community meetings as soon as possible. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.69, Lorraine
left. Thank you. 5.70 Michael V. No. 5.71 Katherine Moore. Uh I'm here about uh the resolution for um
uh 22785. I'm kind of confused why this request is actually uh on the agenda. Um the attached amendment uh is not ready for consideration. There's no solid vision or site of of
the site and an empty promise of a school uh inside a national historic landmark with complicated restrictions with no ask from the board of ed or the New York SDA and it dismisses the importance of the required Toll Brothers
obligation of phase 4 which is 32 workforce housing units uh pinned to the concessions of the double density Toll Brothers received. received in phase 1 through three and this was memorialized in March of 2008 that there would be
four phases to the Toll Brothers project and this would be the final um final nail in the uh uh the box that was was created. The legal obligation for these 32 workforce housing units in this
amendment shows next to nothing of any kind of respect for it happening anytime soon. It's uh sort of an afterthought inside the uh 150 bay. Uh it will only
be built if 14C uh residencies uh fails and how long that can you know that could be two to three years. It could be next year, it could be 5 years from now and then we'll never see those 32 workforce housing units inside that
building. And then at the same time uh the buildout will have to you know will have to happen. Um the uh uh the the just basically the design that they're planning is really not suitable. A school within this building is not suitable. You will be
displacing uh businesses on the ground floor that you know use this. Any kind of bonus um for the school is not written into this plan. Um, and if you can't have the school, then you can't have 52 stories.
You can maybe have 30 stories or you can build as of right. But I think we're going about it wrong, saying that they can build this high-rise without anything um for the community other than, you know, they get to have their their high-rise and um the 32 workforce
housing units are put off to the side. January 13th is going to be the sixth extension for Toll Brothers uh to finish this project and I don't think we should give them any more time. I think uh they should move ahead and they should work
with what they have and build as of right and respect the uh redevelopment plan. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.72 Issha here. 5.73 Joseph. Good evening. My name is Joseph Daniel. I am an owner at 161st Street and
current treasurer of the Oakman HOA. I'm going to speak to a few concerns regarding resolution 25-785. One, the original development obligations. Toll Brothers, the original developer, was expected to build a
modest five-story structure on this site. Although they later received exceptions to build the three existing towers, they were required to include 32 workforce housing units on the lot at 156 Bay Street. We already have approval
to build a five-story structure that would provide the required workforce housing units. This work has not happened and these units are vital to providing for our nurses, teachers, police, and perhaps even officials in this room. The focus should be on
getting this five-story building to break ground as soon as possible. This is what is needed in our community, not a study centered on a new 50story building. Legal history. Patna challenged the city's decision to grant the noted exceptions, but ultimately
lost in court. Despite this, the underlying requirement for workforce housing on the lot remains. Current building rights. Toll Brothers retains the legal ability to build up to 12 stories on the site, not 50. As a
reminder, Padna is in support of the original plan. Repeated delays. The building was originally required to be completed by 2016. Since then, Toll Brothers has filed five extensions and is now seeking an additional 2-year
extension uh to be heard on January 13th. Homeowners should have received certified letters regarding this extension. We did not. Proposal for workforce housing relocation. Developer Jeff Gural is seeking to move the
required workforce housing units into 150 Bay Street, displacing the long-standing 14C arts community. The proposal includes suspect rationale for this relocation and poses a significant legal and community issue. Questionable
school promise. The developers also claim they will build a school at 150 Bay, but this has not been requested by the NJ schools development authority nor the local school board. The building would require substantial renovations and raises concerns as it would sit above a craft brewery and a cannabis
business. Historic preservation issues. 150 Bay is a national historic landmark and any modifications must comply with strict preservation requirements. Based on the proposal, it is clear that the motivation for this request is to allow for an attached gymnasium to be built,
which currently would violate the building's protections as a historic landmark. The developer's request to remove preservation status and protections is apparent and would set a dangerous precedent that puts profits first. I want to thank you for hearing me out and also congratulations to Mayor
El Solomon. I look forward to working with you. >> Thank you. Next speaker 5.74 5.75 Bridget good evening and congratulations James really looking forward to working with
you. So, my name is Bridget Seagull and I'm the president of the Oakman Condominium on 161st Street and I'm speaking on behalf of the largest group of non-developer homeowners within 200 ft of the proposed site. Our perspective
is both deeply invested and directly impacted. The core issue here is the variance breaks the redevelopment plan. Powerhouse Arts District redevelopment plan was created to ensure responsible, predictable, and balanced development
that has absolutely been violated. A 50story tower on this lot is a massive departure from the plan and from the expectations under which every current homeowner purchased their property. Granting yet another exception
undermines public trust and sets a precedent that the plan no longer has meaning. Let's just throw it out the window. Everything else seems to be all the developers have had uh an opportunity to make a lot of money.
Development history matters. Original obligations as Katherine has said is the Toll brothers were required to build a 12 to 15story building, not towers. They've had variances and so and such. They were asked to have uh 32
units for our uh workforce across Jersey City. The pattern of delays and avoid avoidances. The project was supposed to be completed by 2016. It's almost 10 years ago when they made that promise and now they're asking for
another variance. So finally, the real risk here is that if the promise if the promises regarding the school or relocating housing fall through, as many expect, the developer may end up with a nearly completed
50story building. I mean, the birds have no chance with that one either without delivering the public benefits being used to justify the variance. And in closing, I urge the board to uphold the integrity of the
redevelopment plan, protect the character and the livability of our neighborhood, and deny the request for a 50story variance at 156 Bay Street. Thank you very much.
Next speaker 5.76 AB high 5.77 Victoria 5.78 Sidharth 5.79 NASA 5.80 80 max but that was max 5.81 81. Karen, >> good evening. That went quickly. Um, I'm
here to um please ask uh if anybody could tell me how I can get the children's garden from a monthto-month lease back on the yearly lease like everybody else. uh over the
other gardens in the in the program. We were put on a monthto month because there were some issues with uh plans that Mayor Fulp had, but that's not happening. Um for me, it's not political. We started under Mayor
Healey. We're going to be under Mayor Solomon soon hopefully. So, um I just want to know because I kind of feel it's going to be in the, you know, fall through the crack somewhere. Um, I will
email everybody, so maybe that's going to be easier. I would also like to thank everybody who uh is on the council that I won't see here anymore and that has listened to me or at least pretended to listen. I do see the difference. and um
congratulations uh Frank and um >> Denise and uh of course also James. I hope um >> that we not just the garden but can work
with each other in a good way and uh happy holidays for everybody. Thank you. >> And and Karina, we'll we'll figure out what the status is because I haven't gotten an update on the city hall park in a long time. So it should be if if it's not going it should be year to year. >> Apparently it's not happening cuz I saw this in this long list of things we
don't need money anymore. Got it. Okay. That's why I'm here. >> We'll we'll figure it out. Okay. >> Get your back. Thanks. >> Next speaker 5.82. Kevin, >> so my my girlfriend's jealous of all the attention I give you guys because she
thinks I go to way too many Hoboken and Jersey City council meetings and I have to listen to her because she's out of my league. Councilman Clay understands because his wife is way out of his league, too. So, um, the other day, um, jokes on her
because now she understands why it's important. Uh, we went to Liberty State Park. Uh, she drove. She has a driver's license, uh, unlike me. And on the way back, we were stopped at a red light listening to some romantic music. Uh, I'm in Love with a Stripper by Tain. Um,
and while we were stopped at the red light, all of a sudden, a ebike uh delivering food came really close to our car and was going very fast, ran through the red light, it was so close to our car, the seat belt thing
immediately tightened up on us. And she said, "Oh my god, what am I going to do?" And I said, 'Well, Lauren, if he was wearing a vest with a number on it or had a license plate, you would be able to call into the police like you said you want to, but you can't because I don't go to enough city council
meetings. So, uh, we do have some time left, uh, for me to place some, um, testimony. They are recorded. >> Thought I'd leave it alone. I got more than this home. I've been calling this
out while some gaslight is usual. I'm so ahead of my time. I taught Jesus in Hebrew school. Got my brain wired tight like machines. I move like algorithms hopped up on infetamines. They say if there's no PBL, they'll bite where they please. So next time I'm broke, I'll just rob Mickey. It's like delivery
biker Mario Kart from the street. It's not his fault. Poor guy had a timer to beat. Raise coins like a bonus round. Smack a senior then swerve. >> Yo, the app made me twitch. Girl, you look good. Won't you back that bike up? Use a fine. Don't run that light up.
Calling all deliveries. Don't run that light up. Stay off the sidewalk, girl. Back that bike up. Girl, you look back up. You cyclist. Don't run that light up. Calling deliveries. Don't run that light up. Stay off the sidewalk, girl.
Back that bike up. Every block's become a lesson in aggression, man. I'm a VIP. Very important pedestrian. Blow through the red. Yell Idaho. Stop. But this ain't potatoes. It's a gridlock block. Jersey ain't formland. It's per steel. Act with the laws. You might learn
what's real. They say, "What about the cars with the condescending grin? Like every law they miss gets erased in the wind. Frog in real life every day. >> All right. Sadly, I can't play the rest of the song, but you get the picture. The two of you that still have to deal with me for the next four years. Well,
three of you. The rest of the uh six of you get to be on vacation. And thank you all for your service. >> All right. Is it on Spotify? >> Is that what it takes? I guess I'll bring my drum set next council meeting.
Uh 5.83. Colen, not here. 5.84. Javier 5.85. Pam. >> Wow, >> what a reception. >> Yeah. Dear council members, class,
graduating class of 2025, if I could do individual resolutions, I would and maybe I will. As a council aid, I have had the privilege to work with you and your council staff behind the council chambers. And I want the public to know there is so much work,
love, and respect for each other and for the people of Jersey City. Our office manager, Tammy, calls us a council family, and and that's what we are. Many people see only the anger and frustration in this room. I get to see the love and respect outside of this
room. I'm gonna cry. This is just the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. to Councilman James Solomon and soon to be the next mayor of Jersey City. It was just the other day I was giving you a tour as an NJCU professor. You listen, you are present. You inspire
people. Thank you. Congratulations to council members Denise Ridley and Frank Gilmore. Your st you and your staff are all amazing and caring people. Your experience is invaluable. Thank you. Council President Joyce Waterman. Now I'm going to really cry. and Councilman
Danny Rivera. I have known you when you started before this journey. My kids were three, five, and seven. They are 15, 17, and 21. Council President, you are living history as the first African-American female council
president. We met you in 2010 at Ruckers University for women's ready to run into your passion for women to have a voice and for equity and diversity in the workplace has come a long way. 13 years ago in these offices it it looked
different. Thank you Councilman Danny Rivera. You are the third parent for my kids and for everyone's kids and their kids. Thank you for all that you do. And Dr. Madrrona would be so proud of that high school kid that worked in his office. Council person Amy Dejis, another third
parent of my kids. You are a great policy maker and fighter. I would want you in my corner anytime. Thank you. Council person Moren Hulings. You bring balance to all the different parties in a room. Thank you for being that person. I appreciate you. Councilman Ysef Sal,
you are Jersey City's native son and I know you love Jersey City. You are also Jersey City history on this council and it has been difficult and you will be back one day. This is just chapter two. Please enjoy your honeymoon year. Thank
you. And Councilman Rachiano, I have no more time. We all love and respect you and we're throwing a party. Um you love everybody and help everyone. And Sean Gallagher, Robert Burn is smiling down on us. Happy anniversary again. Congratulations to the city council
class of 2025. I look forward to seeing your next chapter. I love you all. Thank you. >> I don't know who's speaking after Pam, but I don't know you're going to be able to top that. Uh, next 5.86, Jennifer.
Jennifer. No. 5.87. William. That's William, not Max. Not Max and I don't have anything on my phone. So, my name is Bill Lillis, a parishion of
Our Lady of Sorrows and a member of the Jersey City Together's Public Health and Safety Committee. I want to thank the nine of you have served the current term. As a former history teacher who taught a course on American government, I am frightened by what is taking place
on the federal level. Our democratic system is in peril. So it gives me hope and optimism that the democratic traditions that will continue as normal here in the days ahead in Jersey City. To those of you who are departing, I
suggest you take time the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. Spend it with your time and family. You deserve it. But my purpose in coming to speak tonight is to once again to encourage our elected officials to make the hiring
of outreach workers to go out on emergency calls involving individuals with a mental health andor a substance abuse issue a priority for 2026. It is my hope that instead of relying on
grant money from the state, which has proven unsatisfactory in getting a comprehensive program in place, that we all lot funding from the Jersey City budget and make health and safety a priority for the people who are most
vulnerable in our city. We also want to work with the council and the newly elected mayor to establish proper credentials and expectations that we want for our public health, our public safety director.
We want a safety director who works with the council, who actually answers your emails and answers the emails of his people or her people. We want a director that works with the people. We want a director who understands the nuts and
bolts of what community policing is and understands that it not only works for the people, but that type of system works for the police officers as well. In the past two years, we've worked with Councilman Rivera, Councilman Gilmore,
Councilman Solomon. We appreciate the time and effort you put that in. You put into doing that. So, we're hoping that when we were pushing before George Floyd was murdered, we were pushing for this
program before Drew W Washington was killed by a Jersey City bullet. We want a program in place and we hope to work with the council. We hope to work with a newly elected mayor to actually make that happen and do this for the common
good of the people. Thank you very much. Next speaker 5.88 Adrian I believe he left 5 89 Rolando I don't see Rolando. >> Yeah he's >> and not on your list but listed be uh
registered before the um meeting started 5.90 Yasmin. Did she leave? >> Yeah. And last but not least, 5.91, David. And I'll be the first to apologize, David. Not sure why you didn't wind up in the
spot that you actually was supposed to be in, but I appreciate your patience by waiting around to speak. The hard feelings. U well, I'm a tenant at Portide Towers. You have heard a lot from us over these last
three years. Um, and I commend you for listening. We've I've never had the opportunity to address Steve Fulp on any of these issues and you come here and you listen to us. So, um, thank you for
that. Um, you may feel like you've heard everything, but you haven't quite heard everything. One, there are some things. Portsight Towers is like an onion and there's just more and more things. Um,
so I'm just this is not something I think that you can fix, but this is you I want you to understand the kind of people that we're dealing with. Um, it used to be that like most other, you know, large apartment buildings,
Courtzside would circulate, they would create a list of who the employees were, who the the concieres and the orders and and the maintenance workers so that you could to make it easier for you to give them tips at the holidays. um they used
to list themselves the people in the leasing office on the same sheet of paper which I thought was odd but you know it's okay. Um then after we started to kind of protest about the you know incredibly you know
enormous rent increases that we we were being asked to peg. They responded by no longer making producing these lists. So they were punishing their workers
because of I think actions that we were taking um and making it more difficult for them to be tapped and they said that they had a policy that their employees couldn't accept tips.
So I'm like, well, if you call it a policy, you know, but anyway, so this is this is what we have at port side. And uh so I was going to say a few things that other people have said uh far more
eloquently. And so, you know, it's it's going to be it's a new time. We have a new council coming in that may be able to do more. Um, I think in many cases this council wanted to do more for tenant rights and tenant protections
than you were able to do because you were, you know, under the the constrictions of the Philip administration. And so now that that's changed um and so we are going I'm very
personally I'm hopeful about what we're going to be able to do with the new mayor elect and with the incoming council and we are going to be watching very closely because we just to make sure that you do what we hope you're
going to do. Thank you. That will conclude our public speaking portion of the meeting. All right, council. On to our petitions and communications. Any questions or comments on items 6.1 through 6.25?
Hearing none. Any questions or comments on office communications 7.1? Any questions or comments on reported directors 8.1 through 8.9? Hearing none on to our claims and addendums number one and number two. So
council members taking your vote on claims and addendums number one and number two. Council person Ridley >> I. >> Council person Huings >> I. >> Council person Bajiano. >> Council person Sole. >> I. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi.
>> Council person Gilmore. Council person Deise. Hi. >> Council person Rivera voted yes earlier and council president Waterman. Claims and addendums number one and number two are approved unanimously. 90.
On to our resolutions. >> Hey Sean, can I just ask uh I guess Oh my goodness. >> Peter. Um, Peter, as it relates to 1016, um, can you speak um to two things? One,
uh, if state community was notified of the proposal coming or meetings or engagement with the community. And two, um, is it true the allocation that was raised, uh, as it relates to the
affordability being potentially moved to another site? >> Well, I know there was a history of community meetings coming up to this project. I don't know exactly when the last one was or the time frame of that. Um, I can get that information for if you'd like. As far as affordability
component, I'm not, you know, independently aware of the details of that. I have to get more information for you. >> You you and just so the record is clear, you you want to say anything? >> Well, I mean, it is a it is a a proposal in my ward. I'm not in favor of it
moving forward at this stage. Not against us more having more conversation. >> Yeah. >> So, let's be clear, Pete. the administration position right now is you're not aware of the two questions I had.
>> No, I am aware that there were committee meetings previously. I don't know the exact date of them as far as the component for affordable housing. I yourself is not working on the project. I have the intimate knowledge of that. I can get you the answer from the planning department that proposed it should you need the information going forward. But
>> you don't have it now. >> But now, Councilman. >> Okay. All right. Okay. Ready. All right. Council members going to take a vote on resolutions items 10.1 through
10.14. Again, that's 10.1 through 10.14. Council person Redley. >> I'm going to vote no on 10.4. On 10.12, uh, thank you to David that came out to
speak. Um, I just want to reiterate what I said at the caucus meeting. We realize that it is not New Jersey Transit's job to supply parking for city residents. Uh, but we would like to have a community conversation with them. um
especially given the fact that uh there are other light rail stations outside of the Liberty Park light rail stations uh in Ward A and throughout the city where there is zero parking. So just as they state residents are a
burden in their parking lot, their commuters have also been a burden on our streets in our residential areas. So I think um they can give us the courtesy of a conversation on that and also we want to make sure that they are standardizing parking uh in their lots
as some lots are cheaper than others particularly the Liberty State Park lot uh causing an overflow or an exceeding number of commuters to park there as opposed to some of the more expensive lots throughout the city. Uh and with
that I vote I on all the rest except 10.4. Four. >> Got it. >> Council person Helings. >> I on all. >> Council person Biano. >> No on 104. I on the rest. >> Council person.
>> Vote. No. On 104. I on the rest. >> Council person Solomon. >> No one for I on the rest. >> Council person Gilmore. >> No. On 10.4. I on the rest. >> Council person Deise.
>> No on 104. I on the rest. >> Council person Rivera voted no on 104 and I on the rest. Council President Waterman. >> No on 104. And I >> All right. If I can just recap the vote.
Wait one second. Sorry. Items 10.1 through 10.3 are approved unanimously. 90. Item 10.4 is defeated 18 with council person Huings voting yes. Items 10.5
through 10.14 are approved unanimously. 90. On to our next set of resolutions, items 10.15 through 10.24. That's 10.15 through 10.24.
Council person Ridley. >> Uh, no. On 1016 and I on the rest. >> Thank you. Council person Hulings. >> No on 1016. Eye on everything else. >> Okay. Council person Bajanna
>> on 1016. I on everything else. >> Council person. >> No. On 1016 I the rest. >> Council person Solomon. >> Um no 16 I and the rest and then 16 you know want want the new council person in Wordy to meet with the community and and
work forward on this but uh I don't think it's ready to move forward. >> Council person Gilmore. No on 16. I on the rest. >> Council person Deise. >> No on 16. I on the rest.
>> Council person Ribera voted. No one 16 and I on the rest. And council president Waterman. >> No one 16 and I on. >> Okay. >> Here. >> I know. >> Item 10.15 is approved unanimously 90.
Item 10.16 is defeated. 09 with all council members voting no. Items 10.17 through 10.24 are approved unanimously. 90. On to our next set of resolutions. Items
10.25 through 10.37. Again, that's 10.25 through 10.37. Council person Ridley, >> did you say I for all? >> I for all. >> Thank you. Council person Healings.
>> I for all. >> Council person Bajanna, >> I for all. >> Council person So Cle, >> I for all. >> Council person Solomon, >> I'm abstain on 1037 and then I for the rest. >> Thank you. Council person Gilmore.
>> Um I'm going to >> 10.37. 25 to 37. >> No, no, no. I was I'm going to um vote no on 35 and 36 uh just because I don't have enough information. Uh
and I'll vote I on the rest. >> Okay. Council person Deise >> I on all. >> Council person Rever voted I on all earlier and council president Waterman. All right. Just give me one moment
to recap. Items 10.25 through 10 34 are approved unanimously. 90. Item 10.35 is approved 81 with council person
Gilmore voting no. Item 10.36 is approved 81 with council person Gilmore voting no. Item 10.37 is approved 801 with council person Solomon abstaining
and items and that will include that. So the next set of resolutions is items 10.38 through 10.49. 10.38 through 10.49. Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Helings.
>> I own all. >> Council person Bajiano. >> I. >> Council person. >> I for all. >> Council person Solomon. >> I for all. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Hi. >> Council person Deise. >> I. >> Council person Rivera voted yes earlier
and council president Waterman. >> Items 10.38 through 10.49 are approved unanimously 90. And for the balance of our resolutions, items 1050 through 10.60. Council person Ridley.
>> Uh I just want to say a few things uh about the board appointments because I know a couple people made comments about that. Um myself and Council Member Rivera um we're currently on the board and not
voting this doesn't remove us from that board. Um, I think what people have to realize is, um, you know, a lot of people spoke about the new administration and coming in and Councilman Elect Solomon, but what, uh,
not Mayor Elect Solomon, excuse me. What uh, Mayor Solomon is going to need is assistance with moving forward. This is a large city. He's not going to be able to come in and change everything on day one in, you know, in the snap of a finger, right? and we have to help him
get there. And we are all committed to working together to assist and we should be moving this city together forward. Um, and you know, I get it, but we cannot uh live in fear of the ghosts of
mayor's past. We have to work towards uh making sure that we're moving the city forward and we're in the best interest and that we're lending a hand to this new administration and working together for residents as best we can. Um, but I do have a question. I know uh some residents ask, should we be voting on
our own appointments? We always have. >> Yes. >> Should we or should we not be doing that? >> You can vote on your own appointment. >> Okay. >> And Council Person Ridley, I would even go a little further and say it's almost
like going in the polling place and voting for yourself. >> Right. Right. I just wanted to be clear >> because I don't want anybody to say I shouldn't have voted for myself. So, I'm just making sure I don't mind. If we're not supposed to, I won't. But, um, so with that being said, on these uh
resolutions, I know we have waited on the rest of the uh MUA appointments before on previous meetings. So, on that one, I am going to vote no and wait. Um, but I vote I for all the rest. You're voting no on 10.56
>> and I on the rest. >> Right. >> Got it. >> Council person Huings. >> Um 10.56. I'm going to abstain and vote yes on all the others. >> You council person Bajiano.
>> 56. No. I am the rest. >> Council person. Vote. >> No on 1056. I am the rest. Council Person Solomon. >> No. And 1056 I and the rest.
>> Council person Gilmore. >> Um I just want to say um as it relates to the issues and concerns about the appointments. Um ideally I you know I understand the argument on the surface. uh you want the next administration to
make appointments, but the person that's leading the next administration um voted in favor. Um so in light of all that um I vote I on all but um 56. >> You're going to vote no on 56?
>> Yes. Okay. >> Council person Deise. >> No on 1056. I on the rest >> and council person rea voted no on 56 and I on the rest earlier. Council President Waterman,
>> no on 1056. And um when it comes to the board appointments, part of the challenge that you have in filling them is that people come straight from work and volunteer. Some of these boards are over at 11:00 at night just like we here at the council. You see what time it is.
But but you we we we get paid to to be here to be perfectly honest. But when you join a lot of the city boards, there is no pay. There is no stipen. And so people come and volunteer. And sometime it's very difficult to fill these seats in this board on various boards. It's
not as easy as people think. And um I believe this though maybe with the next administration that they can create some type of stipen because I believe that if people come from work and um they give their time there should be some type of stipen um because they
are definitely you know um spending time from their families. Some boards do have stipens when you look throughout the state or even in the county there are some boards that do get stipens. And so moving forward I hope that these boards do get stipens. So with with that I do
vote I and then maybe you'll get a better pool of people coming in to sit on these boards be >> okay with that being said items 1050 through 10.55 are approved unanimously 90 item 10.56
is defeated 081 with council person Huings abstaining items 10.57 through 10.60 60 are approved unanimously. 90. >> Sean, before we leave, I just want to
say to everyone, happy holidays. Enjoy your family. Um, to all the residents who came out to speak. Um, I've taken everything in. One of the worst things I hate about government is the speed in
which it goes. Um, so I understand a lot of the frustrations. Um, but you guys have my commitment to continue to make sure we do things that's always in the best interest of the uh residents of Jersey City. I don't want any Christmas
gifts. Um, but again, everybody, happy holidays. >> Motion. >> So, motion to do I have a motion to adjourn at 11:09 p.m.? I have a motion by council person, seconded by Council
President Waterman. All in favor on the motion to adjourn at 11:09 p.m. by acclamation, please say I. All council members, we are out of here at 11:09 p.m. Thank you so much everyone present, everyone watching at home. Remember, teamwork makes the dreamwork. Have a
great rest of the night. Happy holidays to everyone. Stay safe. Pray for him too. Thank you. Yeah, I just