Okay, good afternoon everyone. Thank you so much for coming. This is a special occasion. Welcome to the swearing in of the new Jersey City Municipal Council. And not to overshadow the municipal council, but let's congratulate our 50th
mayor of the great city of Jersey City, James Solomon with the official election. >> Thank you. certification of our election and from also from the Hudson County clerk. I don't want to steal his thunder. Junior Maldonado is a
certification from him as well. >> Fumbling. I want that. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations, mayor. I hand it to you. So then you put it in your >> This means it can't be taken back. So
I'm excited. Uh I'll be very brief because it's not my day uh or it's not my c uh event, but just wanted to first of all congratulate all the nine incoming members of the city council. You guys worked so so hard for this moment. So enjoy it. Uh to your families, to your friends who get to
celebrate, you know, take great pride in in what your uh son or daughter or friend or cousin or niece has accomplished today. And uh just, you know, have have a blast. So thank you guys so much. I'm not even gonna follow that up. Thank you, mayor. So, we're going to go in
ward order and then we'll go through the atlares. That's the way we've always done it. So, with that being said, I would like to call up our Ward A Councilwoman. And before I do that, I just want to say history was made with this election. Councilwoman Denise
Ridley became the first council woman, African-American council woman in W to receive three consecutive terms. So congratulations, we have the 50th mayor and then we have a three-term council woman in Ward A.
And I I love that cuz that's where I was born and raised. I'm not showing favorites though. >> Okay, >> so with that being said, I would like to invite Councilwoman Elect Denise Ridley up with C. Lawrence Trump, the president of the
municipal council of the great city of Newark. I'm just going to turn the podium around so we can all be heard. Yes. And who was ever holding the Bible? Good afternoon everyone. It it is a pleasure for me to be here
today to uh administer the oath of office for a wonderful council woman Denise Ridley. And so I shall say, I I state your name. do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same and to the government established
>> in the United States and in this state under the authority of the people, and that I will faithfully impartially >> and justly perform all the duties >> of the council person representing Ward
A >> of the >> of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing on January 15, 2026 and terminating on January 14th, 2030. 30.
Close enough. According to the best of my ability. So help me God. Congratulations right now. Nice. Okay. You would never know that.
Councilwoman Ridley would like to present you a certificate of election from the city of Jersey City on my behalf and also the certificate of election from our Hudson County Clerk Junior Maldonado. Congratulations again. Free term baby.
It's a little backwards, but at this time I would like to bring up Joel Brooks, council person in Ward B and his partner who will hold the Bible for him. You have to me. I, Joel Brooks, >> I, Joel Brooks,
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I'll support the >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> and that I will bear true faith
>> and allegiance to the same >> and allegiance to the same >> to the government established >> to the government >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority and that I will faithfully >> and >> I will faithfully >> impartially
>> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly >> all the duties >> all the duties >> as council person in Ward B >> as council person >> of the city of Jersey City >> of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing on January 15, 2026
>> for a term commencing on >> and a term to expire on January 14, 2030 >> and return according to the best of my ability. >> To the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> Congratulations. >> Oh, if I could just get your submission. It's your first official act as council person in Ward B. And I would like to thank Joel for allowing me and providing me the honor of swearing you in. And also that is certificate of election for from the
city of Jersey City on my behalf. And John will also hand you the certificate of election from our Hudson County Clerk, Junior Maldonado. Let's hear for Joel. Okay, next I'd like to bring up Thomas Zuper
Council person and his beautiful wife who will be holding the Bible and Judge Aid. Honorable judge are elect I want to congratulate you and your family on this momentous occasion and let's make it official
repeat after me. I Thomas Supaly swearly >> swear >> support the Constitution >> United States >> Constitution State of New Jersey >> that I will bear
>> faith >> and allegiance >> and to the government >> established in >> United States >> United States >> in this state >> under the authority of the people that I will faithully
impartially >> impart >> justly >> and justly >> perform on all the duties. Council person >> council person >> representing W C >> representing W city >> city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing on >> form
>> January 15 2026 >> January 26 >> terminating on >> and >> January 14th >> January 14th >> 2030 >> and to the best of my ability to help me
relations. Council person Zuper, you are official and I would like to present you with the certificate of election from the city of Jersey City on my behalf and my deputy clerk, John Hanin, will be presenting you the certificate from the Hudson County Clerk, Junior Maldonado. Let's
hear it for Tom Zupa. He's walking away without his gifts. What's going on? Next, I'd like to invite our new Ward D council person, Jake Efro. and whoever is going to Oh, okay. Great.
He's solo. I'm sorry. And he's given me the honor to swear him in and I greatly appreciate it. It is truly an honor um to do this. So, Jake, if you would just raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Jake Ephro, I >> do solemnly swear that I will support
the Constitution. of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> that I >> and allegiance to the same >> to the governments established
>> in the United States >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> that I impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly >> all the duties >> the duties >> as council person in ward
D >> for a term to commence on January 15, 2026 and a term to expire on January 14th, 2030 according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. Congratulations.
just need you seven people. >> Yes. And Jake, while you're signing, we are going to present you with a certificate of election on behalf of the city of Jersey City and also on behalf of Yes. of the Hudson County Clerk, Junior Maldonado.
Let's hear for Jake. Okay, I'd like to invite our new W E council person, Elena Little, and her fiance who will hold the Bible for her. Elena was very nice uh to allow me and I'm honored to do the oath for
her. Elena, you going to put Oh, you're ready to go. Left hand on a button. You've done this before. You'll repeat after me. I, Elena Little, do solemnly swear that I'll support the Constitution
of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same to the governments established in the United States and in this state
under the authority of the people, and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform all the duties as council person in Ward E for a term to commence on January 15,
2026 and a term to expire on January 14th, 2030 according to the best of my ability. But help me God. Congratulations. We take your first official act by
signing your oath of office. And councilwoman, I would like to also present you a certificate of election from the city of Jersey City on my behalf and also from the Hudson County Clerk, Junior Maldonado. Let's hear from Orlando.
At this time, I would like to invite one of our returning council members in Ward F, Frank E. You hear more and the Honorable Judge Cynthia Jackson to perform the oath of office.
Raise your right hand. I state your name. >> Do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey. that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the government established in the United States and in this state >> under the authority of the people
>> under the >> and that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform all the duties of the council person >> representing Ward F the city of Jersey City
for a term commencing January 15th, 2026 and terminating on January 14th, 2030 according to the best of my ability. So help me gods. Congratulations. Councilman, we'd like to present you
with the certificate of election from the city of Jersey City on my behalf and also from the Hudson County Clerk, Junior Maldonado. Let's hear it for Frank Educational Gilmore. At this time, I would like to invite our
new council person at lodge, Michael O. Griffin, and also to bring back the honorable Judge Cynthia Jackson. I state your name. I, Michael Oliver Griffith, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> that I will bear true >> faith and allegiance to the same
>> and to the government established in the United States >> and to the government established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and I will faithfully >> impartially >> and partially
>> and justly perform all the duties of a council person at large >> and justly perform >> of a council person >> person at large >> of the city of Jersey City >> of the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing on January 15,
2026 >> for a term >> and terminating on January ruary 14th, 2030 >> and terminating January 14th, 2030 >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> Congratulations. >> Get my m. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Yeah. Right. >> And on behalf of the city of Jersey City, this is a certificate of election and also on behalf of the Hudson County
Clerk, Junior Malanado certificate of election. Let's hear from Michael O. Griffin. Okay, at this time I would like to invite our new council person at lodge and returning again, Rolando
R. Labaro Jr. >> Should I do the Godfather just when I thought I was out? They're bringing me back in. And that will swear him in. Our honorable Hudson County Clerk E. Junior Maldonado.
>> Thank you, sir. I, Rolando R. Lavaro Jr. >> I, Rolando R. Lavaro Jr. do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> I will support >> the Constitution of the United States >> Constitution of the United States
>> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments >> to the government >> established in the United States
>> established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority uthority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of council person at
large >> all the duties council person at large >> at the city of Jersey City >> at the city of Jersey City >> for a term commencing >> for a term commencing >> January 15, 2026 >> January 15th >> and terminating >> and terminating
>> January 14th 2030 30 >> January for 14. >> According to the best of my abilities. >> According to the best of my abilities. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations God. getting slippery. Council
person Lavaro would like to present you with a certificate of election on behalf of the city of Jersey City and our Hudson County Clerk will present you with his certificate of election from the Hudson County Clerk's Office. Congratulations. Let's hear it for Rondo
Nevada. And I would like to invite our new council person at large, Matimus Singh. And she was kind enough to allow me to swear her in. And I'm honored. Okay, you're going to put your left
hand. Use your right hand. You will repeat after me. I, Mama Singh, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution
of the State of New Jersey. that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the saint, the government established in the United States and in this state
under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully, impartially, and justly perform all the duties as council person at large. for a term commencing
January 15th, 2026 and terminating on January 14th, 2030 according to the best of my ability. So help me God.
On behalf of of this city of Jersey City, we'd like to present you with a certificate of election and on behalf of our Hudson County clerk, Junior Maldonado, a certificate of election for Hudson County.
Let's hear from Matimus Singh. And again, history was made. Let me let me History was also made on election night. We had our first Indian-American elected. So the city council lot of history here and I'm so happy to
be a part of it. I'd like to thank everyone who took the time out to come out and for the council swearing in. Mayor, would you like to make some closing remarks? Not to put them on the spot. I I will uh make two points uh one
serious, one funny. So, first, just so so so proud of each of you. You guys are going to serve Jersey City with your heart. You're going to fight for a more affordable city. Each of you are going to do the people of Jersey City proud. So, to Denise, to Joel, to Tom, to Jake,
to Elena, to Frank, to Ma, to Michael, and to Rolando, thank you for raising your hand. Thank you for stepping up to serve our city. And I can't wait to see what you're going to do in the next four years. And and my second point is in just a few minutes you all are going to have the
great honor of sitting behind me as city councilmen and women uh at your 4:00 council meeting and I will not be there. Just for the record, that will be the first time in eight years he will not be here. He'll just be across the hall now
for the next four and hopefully four more. So, with that being said, thank you very much. This will conclude our swearing in. We're going to take a brief pause while we get ready to do uh handle our 4:00 municipal council meeting. But before we do that, I would love to have
all the newly elected council members to come up for a group picture. And if the mayor would like to join him, it would be fantastic. And if they wouldn't mind having their clerk in there, I wouldn't mind having a picture with them either. in the back door. I greatly appreciate
it. I didn't hear what he said. Don't care. All right. Council person Lavaro and Council person Little, are we here? Please report to the deis.
>> Okay. Do we have council person Little? Okay. Thank you. All right. Good afternoon, everyone. We are on the record. Today is Thursday, the 15th day of January in the year
2026. This is a reorganization meeting of the Jersey City Municipal Council. We had a scheduled 400 p.m. start. The clock on my cell phone is showing 4:04 p.m. May we have a roll call for the commencement of this meeting. Council
person Ridley >> here. >> Council person Brooks. >> Council person Zupa >> here. >> Council person Ephro. >> Council person Little. >> Council person Gilmore >> present.
>> Council person Singh. Council Person Griffin >> present. >> And council person Lavaro >> here. >> We have all nine council members in attendance at 4:04 p.m. Can we kindly
rise for a moment of silence, please? I'd like to dedicate this moment of silence to Thomas Hathaway, nephew of the late great Robert Burn, former city clerk. I on to Jersey City residents Rosita Maruza
to the flag of the United States of America. to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much on behalf of the members of the municipal council in the coordinates with the 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 2026 and filed in the office of the city clerk on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025. In addition, at its time of its preparation, the agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, January 9th, 2026 at 5:52 p.m. to the
mayor, municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, the newspapers, and posted on the city's website so I can certify as to our total compliance with the sunshine law. And those who were not here earlier, we
had the swearing in of our municipal council. And I'd like to take this time to congratulate all the new municipal council. With that being said, if any new council member has a question as we're moving through, this is a very light agenda.
Please feel free to ask that question. Um, we have no first readings, no second readings. We're going to move right on to our public speakers. And I ask everyone who is in attendance and everyone who is watching at home, please
pay close attention to your agenda. I'm going to be calling the number and the first name of each speaker. With that being said, first speaker 5.1 Lever. >> Don't see Leverne. >> Next speaker 5.2 Charlene. Charlene is
here. Good afternoon, Charlene Burke, Duncan Avenue. Congratulations to all of you on your positions that you've won and I wish you all success in the next four years of ende with all your
endeavors. I'd like to let you know I am Charlene Burke, the president of the Westside Community Alliance, which is a coalition of neighborhood groups on the west side of Jersey City.
I also serve on the Bayfront Committee um and have since the Bayfront Committee was in fact created and continue to have great interest in all development not only for Bayfront with affordable
housing but a lot of the um development that is taking place on the west side. I'm also the vice president of the Jersey City Parks Coalition and that is a very near and dear group to my heart
because it involves all of the parks in Jersey City. Many of them that still need a lot of TLC even after all the lessons we learned from CO. So I am here to help any and all of you on any issues
with parks. Also previously I was the grants administrator for the county of Hudson managing the consultant the grants consultant that worked with all the departments. With that I have quite a
bit of knowledge about where funding is being able to be obtained. Certainly in the past few years, things have changed, but there's still a lot of resources out there that many municipalities and even the county
would would take advantage of. I worked in shared services. That's another area that you have to think about sharing opportunities with other municipalities and even the county in order to reduce the costs of the city. So, there's a lot
of knowledge. What I'm trying to tell you is your residents have a lot of knowledge and don't always feel that you're up there alone, but actually reach out to your community because there's a lot of experts out there,
people who have work in fields that maybe you need some education in. So please don't don't hesitate and engage them because it's to your benefit and our benefit as the citizens of this
city. So I encourage you to do that in this role because in the past some of our council have thought oh no don't want to get the public involved but please don't feel that way and engage all of us and communicate to us. That's
what I stress. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.3 Albert Albert here. No. Next speaker 5.4 Obi
Obe not here. Next speaker 5.5 Mary Mary Mary Mary Cruz. >> Good afternoon council president, council members and the community. I begin my address to the council with the
question. What good is a policy if it's not shared and enforced? I asked this question because there is a no smoking policy that has been designated at the courthouse. A no smoking policy is put into action to protect the people who
have illnesses that are affected by cigarette smoke. People who have illnesses such as cancer and asthma that are triggered by a cigarette smoke should not have to request that such a policy be enforced. Out of respect to those who suffer such illnesses,
supervisors, administrators, and colleagues should abide by the policy, particularly when they work in a building, the courthouse, which is there to enforce the law, rules, regulations, and policies. I am
speaking on behalf of Iris Cordderero, my sister who has double lung cancer. She has worked in the courthouse for 35 years. Miss Cado has emailed the court directors, assistant court directors and human resource director with her
concerns about the lack of enforcement of this policy and how is it affect those that have the illnesses. She has reported the violations, provided names of the individuals who continue to violate the policy and still it continues. Some signs were posted and
some of those signs were removed. Employees continue to smoke in the areas that are designated no smoking areas. My sister has asked if everyone which was notified on non-smoking policies have been told which what location or
locations are designated non-smoking areas. Has anyone been spoken with when caught violating this policy? This has been going on for over one year. The last exchange of emails were January 6, January 8, 2026 from Wendy Bizolei and
Jennifer Durango regarding this matter. I am I sincerely hope for the the health of my sister and other employees with such illnesses that the no smoking policy will be taken seriously. My sister is not asking for special treatment but asks that when she comes
to work without risking her health. Should she not go to should she should not go to work thinking that she will be taken from her desk to the hospital bed because those in charge are not enforcing what has been adopted.
Thank you for you for your assistance in this matter. If any if anyone does their job and abides by the policy, there will be no need for me to come back to address the council. By the way, congratulations, Mr. Sullivan on becoming the mayor of Jersey City. I
know you will do a great job. Start with the Jersey City Board of Education. That would be nice. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.6, Kevin Davis. >> May I just ask a clarifying question?
>> Sure. Was that the uh county no smoking policy or the municipal no smoking policy? >> It it was I'll answer it. I got it, Mary. It was the municipal municipal council. I mean the municipal >> court at the municipal courthouse, >> right? Municipal court.
>> Okay. Thank you so much. I want to look into it. Right. Next. 5.6. Kevin Davis. Not here. 5.7 Gina. Okay. How about 5.8 Edward?
5.9 Tina 5.10 David Tenants. Oh, there you go. Good afternoon, council. Uh, it's a pleasure to even speak in front of you guys. Uh, Councilman Gilmore, Denise
Ridley, I know I know a few of you here. Um, I'm I'm here to speak about the involvement of minority contractors and what's going on here in the city. Um, we, you know, I I I've come to understand
the politics and what's going on and and we just like to be included in what's actually going on. So, over the course of a few last weeks, I've spoken with a couple of people and and we we've got an organization that that we're
spearheading. Um it's called the CCA. It's called the Contractors Community Action Association and um we're going to band together so we can get all the contractors vetted and get these guys qualified to be on the jobs. We
understand that these jobs are difficult to get on. we understand all the the the nuances that needs to be done in order for us to get them qualified. So, we want to we want to spearhead that and I would like to thank Denise Ridley, our
council person, for assisting us in this process. Um, we we're thankful for her. you know, if it wasn't for her, we we we didn't actually have a plan to uh to address this this lack that's going on in our community because I I hear a lot
of the help. I do a lot of the uh the uh the the takeoffs for our minority contractors and I understand the lack that we have. I understand, you know, some of the guys are not, you know, privy to the information that's needed
for us to even be on these jobs. So, I I've taken it personal. I I've I said to myself, instead of me coming here and and and trying to do it on my own, I'm trying to do it for for the community I'm from. And uh and that's Jersey City,
regardless of what ward I'm in or what section of town I live in. I I I think that helping out first and getting our guys qualified should help in the assistance in getting these jobs. Um, I
want to thank personally uh, Councilman Gilmore for for always taking our calls and letting us know, you know, what we would need to do as a group. Um, I I hear a lot from our our our contractors
cuz they they they asked me to do all of the take calls for all of the jobs around the city. I personally built a $26 million building myself. Uh 460 Grand Street. I used all of minority contractors. Um ease construction,
Barnes Construction, uh every contractor that I knew. Uh and I understand what it takes to get these things done. Um so, uh I I thank you and again
uh thank you for your time. Thank you, Richard Green. >> Afternoon, members of the council. Um, my name is Richard Green and I'm here on behalf of the Community Contractors Association or CCA. CCA is a
Jersey City-based organization formed to organize, prepare, and connect local contractors, laborers, and craftsmen to opportunity. As Jersey City grows, development grows with it. But many local contractors continue to watch major projects rise around them without
seeing meaningful access to the work. We hear a lot of broad language about inclusion, equity, and opportunity. But without specific legislation, clear requirements, and measurable outcomes, those words stay ambiguous. And ambiguity is dangerous because it allows
symbolic action to look like progress while real conditions for people never change. Broad promises can be justified with very little action. as press release a excuse me a press release can satisfy the moment but without structure
accountability and enforcement nothing of substance reaches the people who are supposed to be benefiting CCA exists to change that we are building an organiza we're we're we're bu we are building an organized body of
local contractors who are actively working towards licensing insurance and compliance we are not asking for special treatment We're building readiness so that when opportunity exists, local contractors are ex are not excluded by paperwork, process, or lack of
information. But readiness alone is not enough. There must also be accountability in how opportunity is created. A relationship between this city and the community contractors association creates that accountability. Not in theory, but in
practice. We track participation, access, and outcomes. we will be able to say not emotionally but factually whether local contractors are gaining real access to city supported projects including these 30-year tax abated and
publicly in incentivized developments. We will also pay attention to legislative action because real change does not happen through statements. It happens through policy. We will follow voting records. We will follow proposed ordinances. We will follow whether laws
are being written that actually require inclusion and not just encourage it. Our goal is not conflict. Our goal is clarity. Clarity in opportunity, clarity in process, and clarity in responsibility. CCA is prepared to work
with this city to prepare local contractors, improve access to opportunity, create real accountability, and turn promises into measurable outcomes. We are not asking for favoritism. We are asking for fairness and that is written, enforced, and
measured. We look forward to building an working relationship with this council and the administration. One that moves forward broad lang one that moves beyond broad language and into real results that the people of this city can live with. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Um I would like to give a copy of this. >> We'll distribute it. Philip Carrington and Deca Muslim, Leslie Sherber, Jeff Kaplowitz. of Kaplowitz, 56 Cherry Street. I'm the president of
Society Hill 1. I serve on the U Bayfront Commission and I'm the chairman of the cannabis control board. Good afternoon. First, I want to wish you a happy new year. And to those who were reelected and those who are newly elected, I want to congratulate you and
wish you all the best in service servicing the citizens of Jersey City. I stand before you to ask your vote to make Councilwoman Denise Ridley the council president. I have known her for eight years and I can honestly say she has been the best representative for
Wday A in my lifetime. Her motto from day one is we honor the past and we embrace the future. She and her staff have always been available and been very proactive in responding to Ward Day residents for their problems and requests. She has
been a member of the JC and Bayfront boards. She's the only council president, a council person to usher in a development and a groundbreaking in Jury City that incorporates 35% affordable housing from the neediest to
workforce housing. She has always been available, not just for her ward, but for the whole city. She listens to residents with their problems and suggestions. fellow council members who have served with her would state that she is always
open to speaking and working with them for their ward issues and for the city. She will not only be a true asset to you or fellow to you her fellow council members but all the residents of Jersey City.
Honor the past and embrace the future. Once again, I ask you to vote for councilwoman Ridley as your council president. I thank you. >> Thank you,
Kevin Willer. Good evening, city council. New city council. I got dressed up for the occasion. I'm Kevin Weller from the Forever Ren Control Portside Towers East in Ward F. Congratulations to each of you on your
election. We're keeping tonight brief, so several listed speakers will not actually speak tonight given the inauguration schedule. I have one ask tonight. Reinstate resolution 25564. On August 20th, the previous council
voted 8 to zero to establish the renter protection special investigation committee. Subpoena power authority to compel testifi testimony under oath. Council person Cleet was named project manager. The press covered it. The public
expected action. The committee issued zero subpoenas, held zero hearings, allowed every violation we brought to their attention to continue uncorrected. As far as we can tell, that committee was Mayor Phob's final tool to ensure nothing got fixed while he was still in
office. We're asking this council to be different. The committee matters because three years of public testimony, over 1,000 before the previous uh council, has produced no answers. We've asked questions at council meetings since
November 2022. Here's what needs investigating. Why have the reported same seven violations in two buildings daily for 269 consecutive days resulted in no enforcement? Why are mandatory minimum
fines not being applied? Why did the municipal prosecutor certify compliance when the landlord tenant office has photographic evidence of ongoing violations? These are legitimate questions. The committee gives you these legal tools to get answers under oath. Now, let's talk
about money. We have submitted 3,766 individual cclick fix violations. Each documented, timestamped, each one part of the public record. The previous council was copied on every daily email with links to every new ticket. As soon
as this council has email addresses, you will start receiving them, too. I encourage you to find out how many of those 3,700 summones were issued on a per tenant or per unit per day basis. And if they were not, you have the reason this city is in the financial
state it is in. This city has a fiduciary obligation to collect fines for violations. At Port Side alone, the maximum accumulated penalty exposure for over 269 days exceeded 1.7 billion. It's not a typo. Billion with a B. And
the city has collected almost nothing. And if we were to limit just to the mandatory minimum fine since the new ordinance went live in October, we're still talking over $35 million in uncollected fines, most of which were never summoned. You have a budget crisis. You have a
credit downgrade. You have uncollected fines sitting on the table. Mayor Solomon's own ordinance established mandatory minimum penalties. Please see to it they are collected. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.17 Jess. >> Uh thanks. I I just want >> Oh, I'm sorry.
>> Oh, sorry. Um, I just wanted to say thank you and I I think it's a great idea to reinstate that committee and I would be happy to be a part of it. >> Thank you very much. Likewise. >> It's getting better.
Okay, our next speaker 5.17 Jess. >> Hello Jessica Rsula, longtime tenant often speaker here at the council. Good to see you all. First of all, thank you to the outgoing council for all they did and did not accomplish. Congratulations to Mayor Solomon and the entire new
council and returning members. Happy to see you guys here tonight and looking forward to what we can accomplish together. I don't have a long speech uh prepared for tonight because I mostly just wanted to be here and show up to show that we are going to show up. We're going to keep showing up. Tonight's about your inauguration and after tonight is about what we're going to do, what we're going
to do together, what you're going to do to return to uh uh the act on your commitments to your population, your constituents. Um we continue to have the same violations existing at our building. They affect us. They affect many tenants throughout the city. This is not a ward specific issue and your
commitment is not to any single ward. It is to the city as a whole and we will hold you accountable to that. Um I want to set expectations and reinforce the issues. So, I'm glad to hear that there is that that you are looking to step up and work with us and that is what we expect and we will continue to be here week by week. Thank you. Good luck and
appreciate your service. >> Thank you. Our next speaker 5.18 Daniel. >> Good afternoon. My name is Daniel Feldman and I'm a resident at Portside Towers owned by Equity Residential. I've actually given well over 30 speeches to the previous council dating back to February 2024. all of which have
concerned ongoing issues involving my landlord. Now, for most of you, it's your first day on the council, so I don't want to overwhelm you too much. Uh that said, over the past 269 consecutive days, US port side tenants have documented ongoing violations of the Jersey City Code of Ordinances committed
by our landlord via both email and cclick fix. And yet, all of these violations continue unin interrupted. For example, we don't have 247 uniform security guards at port side towers, despite the fact that chapter 18, article one of the Jersey City Code of Ordinances states 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. In fact, on September 23rd, this past September, a young woman residing at Portside Towers, was traumatized when, while standing in
front of Port Side Towers East at 155 Washington Street, she realized that there was a man behind her with his pants unzipped, touching himself. He sped away on a scooter, but then came back and hid behind a parked car, staring at her. When the police finally arrived, they were not able to find the man who had since sped off again on his
scooter, and as far as I know, is still at large. Now, if we had a uniform security guard at the time, this incident wouldn't have happened because per NJAC13 col55A, uniform security guards must be trained in Homeland Security and counterterrorism, communications, and emergency response, theft protection,
detention of suspects, first aid and CPR, and more with continued training every two years. Neither a concierge nor a security camera can do any of that. And that's just one example of how our landlord, Equity Residential, has repeatedly violated the law under the previous administration with little to
no consequences. Also, under the previous administration, prosecutor Jake Hudnut has dismissed millions in landlord fines by abusing prosecutorial dismissal, allowing Equity Residential to continue to violate the law at the expense of US tenants. This has created
a vicious cycle whereby our landlord violates the law. US tenants report the violations and city prosecutors dismiss or grossly reduce the fines equity residential must pay. This selected non-inforcement, in my opinion, also contributes to the city's budgetary issues as city prosecutors dismiss
millions of dollars in potential fines that could offset enforcement costs, fund tenant protections, and support basic city services. When laws are not enforced, tenants lose, bad actors are rewarded, and the city forfeits both accountability and revenue. I look forward to working with this new council
to ensure that these ongoing violations committed by Equity Residential are addressed as required by the law. Thank you and congratulations to you all. Our next speaker, 5.19, Connor, 5.20, 20. Marshall. >> Good evening. My name is Marshall Fe and
I'm a tenant at Portside Towers. This is my first time speaking before city council. I want to start by acknowledging the newly sworn in council. With new leadership comes fresh opportunity, and tonight I want to share both hope and clear expectations. Like
many residents, I've watched the same issues persist at Portside Towers. We continue to experience the absence of an on-site superintendent as well as lack the required uniform security guard. These are not minor inconveniences. The they affect resident safety,
maintenance, response, and our overall quality of life. What's most troubling is that these issues continue despite existing laws and ordinances meant to protect tenants. The problem is not lack of rules, it's lack of enforcement. As a tenant, it's discouraging to see
violations go unressed. When enforcement is inconsistent or non-existent, it sends a message that tenant protections are optional. With a new council in place, I'm hopeful, but I want to be clear about expectations. We need meaningful enforcement, transparency,
and a serious investigation into ongoing violations, not just continued discussion. I'm speaking tonight in support of the Portside Tenant Association and with many residents who simply want laws on the books to be enforced. Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing this council take
action. Our next speaker 521, Barbara. >> Good evening, city council. My name is Barbara Goldberg. Since the previous city council did absolutely nothing, zero, zilch, to effectively respond to
three years of requests for help from tenants of Portside Towers. I've recycled a speech that I made at this very same podium almost one year ago today. Here we go. I have great respect for the facts and
truth. Apparently, that's not reality for all Americans and certainly not re been reality for the powers running Jersey City until today. Fact number one, Portside Towers tenants
in October 2023 won a ruling by the Jersey City Rentle Leveling Board confirming that our buildings are indeed protected by Jersey City's rent control law under ordinance 260.
reality. Almost three years later, we are headed into February of 2026 and that ruling is still languishing uninforced despite to port side
showing up here at every city council meeting begging for help. Fact number two, section 269 explicitly gives director of landlord tenant relations Shyron Richardson the power to quote remedy
violations by adjusting rentals, ordering rebates, and bringing up appropriate legal charges unquote. Reality landlords treat Director Richardson's determinations as mere suggestions. They
ignore the law without facing any daily fines or legal consequences. Act number three, section 2617 states that quote, "Each day a violation continues shall
constitute a separate offense." unquote. Reality, not a single daily fine has been issued against our landlord equity despite continuous violations since October 20 since the October 2023
ruling. In closing, I urge our new city council to use your power to make facts and truth finally become reality for the people who live in Jersey City. Please
and thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.22, Shannon. Good evening, city council. My name is Shannon Ray. For the new city council members, I would like to enthusiastically welcome you and congratulate you all. My fellow port
side residents and I are thrilled and excited for the future of Jersey City. I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I am a proud motan living most of my life in Minneapolis. But back during the summer of 2020, I needed a break from my beloved home base. As a
healthcare worker during a global pandemic, I felt the pull to work where I was needed most alongside the fear and unknown that gripped us all. I'd recently emerged from a difficult and abusive marriage when shortly
thereafter, Minneapolis experienced the unrest following the murder of George Floyd. I love my hometown, but a temporary change seemed vital. I got a job with a travel nurse agency and was placed on assignment for 13 weeks at Jersey City Medical Center. Strangest
thing happened. I was enjoying the work so much that I signed a second 13-week contract. And during that time, I felt this mysterious truth, the creeping realization that this was my new home. By the end of that second contract, I was recruited by JCMC into a management
position. And surprising pretty much everyone in my life, mostly me, I moved here permanently. I rented a one-bedroom at a little place called the Portside Towers. The next big surprise was joining the fight for justice with my new neighbors. I learned a lot about
city government, tenant rights, local politics, and myself. So now, three years later, I stand more committed than ever. My home and my neighbors mean everything to me because I had to fight really hard for the peace that I get
when I look out my window and see the Statue of Liberty. I am not at all afraid of the fight. I've won awards in my career. I've raised two beautiful kids who are now extraordinary adults. I've built a life I am fiercely proud
of. I really look forward to working with you. I heard many of you vow to protect tenant rights during your campaigns. Now is your chance to bring those individual promises together into one united council so we can finally ensure justice for the over 70% of
Jersey City residents who rent their homes. I can't wait to see what we can do together. Thanks. >> Our next speaker 5.23 Joel. Thank you. 5.24 24. Susan, >> good afternoon, city council members. My
name is Susan Roka. Happy new year and welcome. Welcome to your new positions, to the new year, and to meeting some of your Portide Tower constituents. We are here to let you know that we are rooting for you, that we stand together with you to make Jersey City the chosen home of
all of us, to be the best that it can be. For it to be affordable, to be fair, and for big business to be held accountable for their actions. They should not be able to be protected by their dubious contributions and backroom deals. We are looking to each of you to
represent the best city, Jersey City, and listen, support, and engage with its citizens to raise this city to a higher standard of living for everyone. You will see portside residents at every council meeting this year, as did the last council for the last three years.
You're hear our grievances meeting after meeting, not because we want to complain, but because we want, expect, and deserve change. change that is in within within your power to make support and most importantly enact. You were
voted in because Jersey City residents believed in you believe that you are here because you love this city as much as we do. It's not only where we live but it's where we shop, where we dine, where we re raise our kids and support our neighbors. But the recent growth of
this city cannot and should not be second to the people who populate it. And the LLC's who run the management of our buildings should not be able to run the residents out of their homes because of illegal and astronomical rent hikes.
It's in your power to hold them accountable. So, yes, it's about the fact that Equity Residential does not provide the mandatory live-in superintendent or the mandatory 247 guard and that Equity has not paid their uh many fines, leave it against them.
But it's more than that. It's about it's about the fact that we stand before you united as Jersey City residents asking, needing, and expecting what you promised during your campaigns to help the citizens of Jersey City make this a
better place for everyone. Thank you. Our next speaker, 5.25, Jesus. Thank you. Next, 5.26, Tara. Thank you. Next, 5.26 27 Mark. Thank you. 5.28 Brendan.
He's not okay. Thank you. Uh 5.29 Jessica. Thank you. 530 Carol. Thank you. 5.31 Ezekiel. 5.32. Michelle, you are definitely here.
>> Yes. I put on my sparkles for you. All right. Hi, good afternoon. I'm Michelle Hirsch, president of the Portside Towers West Tenant Association, elected JCDC F-32 committee me member, JCDC co-chair of
the subcommittee on civic engagement, 2024 Ward F extraordinary Woman of the Year for Tenant Advocacy and James Solomon Civic Association 2025 co-advocate of the year with Kevin. And
to this day, I continue to be a tenant advocate for all tenants of Jersey City and beyond. Tenants from all wards, including us portsiders, have built a public library of evidence documenting violations, broken promises, and the
willful non-inforcement of the previous council. I have confidence that Mayor Solomon will lead you with integrity so the Fullip administration monkey business comes to an immediate end. Over the past three years that I've spoken at these
meetings, sometimes I've started with a word of the day with the old administration words such as stoogge, corrupt, or obfuscate. But tonight or this afternoon, my word is renaissance, a revival, a new beginning, a period of
renewed growth after a time of decline. I hope the new dawn of the Solomon administration brings these three items. Number one, first clean house. The Philip administration left behind a mess
of financial irregularities, dismissed fines, and buried violations. For example, just last week, I watched municipal assistant prosecutor Vishnu Cameron flagrantly misrepresent the city's rent control law to a judge. And
of course, as always, it was in our landlord's favor. from the municipal prosecutor's office to the office of landlord tenant relations to the finance office whistleblower victims who the city silenced with taxpayer money. You
have both the authority and the obligation to investigate. Understand and use your Faulner Act powers as the tool of accountability it was designed to be. Second, get your own counsel. The corporation council's
office has historically served the administration's interests, not those of the councils. Independent legal advice will protect you. Third, stay who you are, please. The city wears down good people. Always
be true to your moral compass. Remember why you ran. Protect the people who voted you into office. May your tenure be marked by courage, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Jersey City. Please be the change
that we need. Let's get some good work done. Thank you and all the best. >> Yes, council. We continue. I'll just make some brief remarks if I may. Um, so I wasn't intending to speak. Thank you all for coming out tonight.
um been when I was off the council inspired by your movement and all the work that you've done um to advocate for tenants and to fight for affordability here in Jersey City. Um and uh for my part, Senator Deas, um I answer the call
and I will say I I will also um echo what my council colleague said. Let's reinstate that committee. I'd like to also be on that committee and to be able to employ our investigative powers to its fullest extent and to be able to fight for and defend the people of Jersey City and the Portide Tower residents. Thank you all. Continue hard
work. Thanks. >> Okay, our next speaker 5.33 Jeff Dublin. >> He left. I think Jeff somewhere he left out. He must have left. >> Okay. 5.34. Paula,
is Paula here? Oh, okay. >> Good afternoon. My name is Paula Mahayossan, president of the Jersey City Parks Coalition. First of all, I'd like to congratulate all of you and the parks coalition looks forward to collaborating in the future. I'm just I would like to
um raise with the council that the Jersey City Parks Coalition has a memorandum of understanding between the city and ourselves. And under that memorandum of understanding of there's an open line of communications to talk about open space, park space and
historic landmarks. Um tonight um I'm here to talk about resolution 2606, the res resolution adopting the calendar year 2026 temporary budget. From my um
financial background, I understand the challenges in putting together a budget. I'm not here to talk about those challenges. I'm here to just make note of one specific FCOA reference number and it's related to Veteran Affairs and that's number 27
338. Under the proposed budget, the Veteran Affairs salary and wages is listed at $60,000. Compared to previous budget, it was a six figure salary in wages. The veteran affairs operating expense as of
last night under the temporary budget it was $30,000. In 24 hours it's been listed as $5,000 decrease down to $25,000. The reason why I raised this is that um the Jersey City Parks Coalition
implemented a program through Health and Human Services Veteran Affairs and received a grant of $40,000 to implement veteran programs throughout the city. And in in one year, we spent $41,750 based on charitable donations, grants
through Health and Human Services, and many hours, volunteer hours through our um residents. My concern is if the operating expense for the city budget is $25,000 and a loan for a nonprofit volunteer
100% volunteers spend over $46,000 a year. It it seems imbalanced. We want to continue collaborating with you and we hope that you can increase the budget so that we can continue programming for our veterans. Just to highlight in 2025
um we implemented four programs a relationship with merging vets and players which brings professional um proathletes and veterans as part of our wellness program. We leverage body mechanics uh rehabilitation organization on the west side. We also
implemented an arts program with veterans utilizing art therapists a local art therapists. We also implemented um uh massage therapy with salvation um wellness and um we also engage with the
county. So I implore you when you look at budget revisit those lines specific. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> May I ask a question for clarity? >> Sure. >> Uh so thank you for for that. Um, I just wanted to to check the reduction to 25,000
um in this resolution that we would be voting on. That's reflective of there being a kind of overall 35% decrease in in the budget because we're just trying to put forward a temporary budget. Um, but once we get a statutory budget in
place that we would uh be able to more fully fund the Veterans Affairs, I just want to check if that's accurate. Yeah, that's correct. This is a temporary budget. Sony represents a portion of what the entire budget would be for the year. It's a statutory cap that applies to every municipality throughout the
city. So, the 35% is the cap that would apply for the, you know, se next several months until a full budget is introduced. >> Thank you for that. >> Yes. >> Can I ask a clarifying question as well? Um, so you were on the website and you saw this
number change over the past 24 hours. this >> my understanding I said it was 30,000 under operating expense and it's now 25 unless I'm reading it wrong but it's accurate >> no changes were you know made that I know of the clerk can confirm that he's only uploaded and he didn't make any changes either
>> yes there were there was no I don't I don't know ex when did you look at it first and then when was the last time you look at because the number >> printed it this afternoon it's 25 unless I misread it could >> there there were no changes made any
exact >> the same exact document >> and again it's a temporary budget. It's a work in progress. >> Understood. Thank you for consideration. >> Of course. >> I'm more concerned of ensuring those proper operating expenses against city. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> And our last speaker for the night 5.35 Eve. It's >> right there. Welcome and congratulations 2026 Jersey City Council. I'm Eve Taylor, resident
of W E. I'm so happy to see you. I came to talk about the temporary budget resolution 260006 which authorizes $220 million in temporary spending. Even a temporary budget is supposed to plan to pay for what is spent and I don't see a plan of what revenues will be collected to cover this. I know that you are inher
inheriting a financial mess. Jersey City should not have to operate on temporary appropriations at all. The 2026 budget should have been finalized and approved by last October 1st. Why does revenue collection matter right now? Because Jersey City's net debt increased from about 418 million 418 million in 2013 to
about $745 million in 2024. That's approximately a $327 million increase or about 78%. During the same period, a major revenue stream municipal court fines collections collapsed. Historically, collections were about 16
to$8 million annually. From 2020 to 2024, collections collapse, dropping to roughly 9 or10 million per year. That is a 6 to8 million per year estimated annual loss. Over 5 years, that's potentially 25 to$50 million in fines
revenue that should have been collected but wasn't. That budget hole has been plugged year after year by incurring either interestbearing debt or by increasing taxes. Budget holes like that result in wrongful cost shifting which downstream creates the excruciating financial pressure on residents such as
myself. I know you heard all heard about resident cost increases during your campaigns, but I don't know if you heard about the why. A material contributor is the rampant municipal court ticket fixing happening. Collections collapsed because the municipal court has instituted a systematic ticket fixing
policy. audit samples and Jake Hudnett's own testimony before city council last year agreed that potentially 80 to 90% of housing fire and harassment summons are dumped and not adjucated correctly. The court still refuses to enforce chapter 260 rent control ordinance section 7 anti-tenant harassment
prosecutions and has maintained that stance for more than six years. Um, summons are dismissed via prosecutor discretionary abuse without repairs ever made. The worst slum llords in the city are getting virtually zero penalty and um on top of that municipal fine budgets
have been set by copy pasting prior year under collected actuals which totally invalidates budget variance matrix. Um even for temporary budget measures we need to install a truly balanced budget one that includes accurate goodfaith re revenue collection projections especially municipal court fines. I'm
also urgently asking you to take immediate corrective action to stop the ongoing and rampant municipal ticket fixing problem. And since the chief judge Remy Eid is here in city hall today, you can restart restart that investigation now and tell him directly to immediately account for all of the Simmons fines collections. This is an
opportunity for a clean reset, honest numbers, reinforcement in a budget that does not force residents to make up for revenue the city is legally required to collect. Thank you. you. >> Um Sean, I just want to say um first I
just want to congratulate all of the new council members that's here. Um and second um as it relates to just affordability across the board. Um all of us ran on affordability, addressing
affordability and accountability. Um, I'm extremely hopeful that we will be able to accomplish a lot more this year. I understand a sentiment of of anger as it relates to
one say not doing anything but not doing enough. Not doing enough to ensure that people are able to live in their homes at a reasonable rate. And on top of that, making sure we hold landlords that's neglecting and are retaliatory
towards tenants accountable. Um, so I'm very hopeful with all my new colleagues that we'll have a better grasp on that and addressing that. Um, but I think for the sake of the committee, it has to only be three of us because four we will
have the sunshine all of the meetings. Oh, it can be four. Oh, okay. Perfect. All right. So, there it is. One, two, three, four. Um, okay. So, um, there it is. Four. But like I said, yeah, I think, um, I think we'll be able to get a lot done. And I
would just ask everyone to hold us accountable, but you know, give us the time to really like get in there to make sure we are going to be able to address uh the issues as it relates to these
landlords. Lord knows I can't stand them. I see what's being done. Um for the life of me, um government just is at tortoise speed. I even being in it, I can't understand it. Um, but you guys voices are heard. I can assure you that.
>> All right, council members, especially for the new council members that are newly elected, we are now at our petitions and communications. These are communications or petitions that were filed in my office um prior to the council meeting occurring. So, what we do is we list them and if any council
member has a question or would like a copy of any of these petitioning communications, you can just send a request to me and I will provide that copy for you in advance when you guys are all set up with your emails and you receive the agenda electronically. Um, I
did try to do that for you guys. I used your uh emails that I had for the election purposes to make sure you guys all had an advanced copy of the agenda. So, with that being said, I'm going to run through the petitions and communications items 6.1 through
630. Any questions or comments on any of the petitions and communications? There are no officer communications. We have one report of director. Any questions or comments on that? Hearing none. On to our claims. And we
had addendums number one, two, and three added while we were swearing you in. So, I'm going to be taking a vote on claims and addendums number one, two, and three. Before we take a vote, does any council member have a question on any of
the claims and addendums number one, two, and three? >> Um, yes. I don't think we've been able to see them yet, right? >> So, if you if you were to um go on I don't know if you have your phone with you. I you you don't have laptops or
Surface Pros yet assigned to you, but you will have those. Uh if you're able to access the agenda on your phone, you can actually look at the claims uh and all of the addendums. I did republish the agenda. >> So with this, yes, just a quick question
for clarification. So, these claims represent um bills that have not been paid since the last council meeting. Is that correct? >> That is correct. And it's some of the bills that were left over from the prior administration. And if I stand
corrected, please let one of the budget people come up and speak or address the council. >> Yep, that's correct. Um you see majority of the bills will indicate the year in which uh what budget is being paid out of. Uh majority of the bills are for
2025. One of the addendum items is for our first quarter uh taxes to the board of education for this year. >> Thank you. And just as a point of clarification for all the members of the council that um was on the claims and addendum and correct me if I'm wrong,
city clerk and administration th those payments for those items were approved by the city council through contractual resolutions and things of that nature in previous previous meetings. So they were approved by the city council and now they're just coming up to say pay the
bills and we're all asked to sign off on that. Not our resolutions, previous someone else's resolutions that were approved. >> In most cases, yes, unless it's under the different bid thresholds, which
wouldn't have required a contract. So, like bills under 17,500 and such. Right. >> Okay. Council. So, with that being said, I'm going to take a vote on claims and addendums number one, two, and three. Council person Ridley. Hi,
>> Council Person Brooks. >> Um, abstain. I haven't read them. Council person Zupa. >> I I reviewed them in the short time we had to do so. >> He did say I correct. Thank you. Sorry. Council person Efos,
>> abstain. >> Okay. Council person Little. >> I. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I. Council Person Singh, Council Person Griffin >> I, >> and Council Person Lavaro
>> I. >> Claims and addendums number one, two, and three are approved. 702 with council members Brooks and Ephro abstaining. On to our resolutions. So, council
members, normally I would take a vote on resolutions from 10.1 to 10.5, but because we have special resolutions in the beginning of the meeting, first being a resolution appointing a council member as council president. So, with
that being said, we're going to vote on these two ordinance, I mean, these two resolutions individually. With that being said, I need a motion to nominate a council member as council present. Do I have um any nominee nominees?
>> Councilwoman Ridley. >> So, Council Person Ridley has been nominated by Council Person Griffin. Do I have a second? >> Oh, that was Gilmore. >> Gilmore. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Griffin second. >> Oh,
you guys sound alike a little bit. >> Got to get used to the voices. The Sean is new to this, so you got to bear with a little bit. And we got the second from council person Griffin on the motion to nominate council person
Ridley as council president. Council person Ridley. >> Uh first I just want to thank Councilman Gilmore and Councilman Griffin for the nomination in the second and I vote I. >> Council person Brooks I.
>> Council person Zupa I. >> Council person Ephro. Hi. Council person Little >> I. >> Council person Gilmore >> I. >> Council Person Singh. Council Person Griffin
>> I. >> And Council Person Lavaro. >> I'll just um say congratulations to the council woman um on your appointment. Looking forward to working with you. Um, I know you'll do. I know how uh competent you are at administering uh
your office and um we may not always agree on everything, but uh um you definitely are do a good job of administering the count the the duties of the city council. So I um I vote I and have all the confidence in the world. Thanks. >> Congratulations.
>> Congratulations. feeling your thunder. I know >> we're going to have to do that one more time. So, this was just to nominate. >> Oh, >> it was a motion to nominate. I don't know if you heard me, but it was a motion to nominate. So, we'll do it
again. No worries. >> My fault. My fault. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Okay. All right. >> All right. >> You should have interrupted me, Sean. >> It's okay. It's okay. So, with that being said, item 10.1, city resolution
26-004, a resolution appointing council person Denise Ridley as council president. Council person Ridley. Uh since we uh informally took the vote, uh I just want to thank my council
colleagues for um you know their confidence in me and uh hopefully the vote goes the same way and I just really appreciate it and I'll make more comments after but I vote I >> thank you council person Brooks I.
>> Council person Zupa. >> Congratulations council council president Denise Ridley I. Council Person Efos, >> congratulations. I council person Little, >> congratulations. I >> Council Person Gilmore, >> congratulations. I vote I.
>> Council person Singh, >> I. And congratulations, Council President. >> Council Person Griffin, >> I congratulations. >> And Council Person Lavaro, stop stealing my thunder and I know no speech here.
Just uh congratulations. I'm looking forward to working with you. I vote I and I'm clearing out the space for you right now. >> So with that being said, res city resolution 26-004 is approved unanimously 90. Now we can
raise and congratulate council person council president Ridley. Council President Ridley, if you'd like to take your seat and switch your seat with one of the atlarges. And Council Person Lavaro has volunteered. Congrats.
>> Right here, buddy. Well, >> yes. >> Yeah. >> Once you move, >> you're there. >> It doesn't mean I'm going to call you first. >> Yes. Just make sure your mic is on, too. I don't want to steal your thunder now.
But anyway, so once we move seats, that's where we're going to be sitting cuz uh it also helps me when I'm calling the roll call. So, I'm getting used to the voices. I haven't heard Council Person Lavaro's voice in a while, and I just made a mistake with Council Person
Gilmore and Griffin. So, I want to make sure um I'm hearing it in the way I should be hearing it, in what ear I'm hearing those voices. And we like to sit them in ward order, too. All right. With that being said, our next resolution is a resolution
appointing a council member as council president promp. This is a motion to nominate a council person as council president proemp. Do we have any nominees? >> I would like to nominate Frank
Educational Gilmore. >> So we have a motion to nominate Frank Educational Gilmore as council president proemp by council person Griffin. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council person Ridley.
On the motion to nominate council person Gilmore as council president proemp council person Brooks. >> I see how I switch it around. See? >> Yes. I was ready. Hi. >> I love it. Council pre council person Zupa. >> Hi.
>> Council person Ephro. >> I. >> Council person Little. >> I. >> Council person Gilmore. I >> You can vote for yourself. Council person Singh. I. >> Council person Griffin. I >> council person Lavaro
>> I >> and council president Ridley >> I >> motion carries 90 to nominate council person Gilmore as council president proempt for now the official
resolution item 10.2 2 city resolution 26 there's 005 a resolution appointing Frank Educational Gilmore as council president proemp council person Brooks
>> I council person Zupa >> congratulations I >> council person Ephos >> congratulations I council person >> I and congratulations >> council person Gilmore >> thank you I vote I
>> council person thing. >> Council person Griffin, >> I I just want to take this time to uh say how proud I am of Frank. Uh you know, for many of you who don't know, we actually grew up in the same community.
We came up together. Um and you know, we've been stuck to the hip for a long time. So, you know, I'm a proud parent today. Hi, >> Council Person Lavaro.
>> Congratulations, Councilman Agora. >> Council President Ridley, it seems like your son is not too happy about you being council president. >> I'm just joking. I'm just joking.
>> All these long nights, mommy. Um, >> I want to say uh congratulations to Councilman Gilmore and I look forward to working together. With that, I vote I. >> City resolution 26-005 is approved unanimously. 90.
Congratulations, Frank. Education. happy. >> I was so happy. I was just like, "Okay, I'm the center." >> Oh, you are the center >> always. >> Let me say this. >> That's the good luck.
>> I I will say this. So, with with Council Person Lavaro and Council Person Singh volunteering to move, they had just inherited more real estate than any other council member has. Easy access to
>> and the easy access to both exits on both sides, right? And I have to have eyes in the back of my head to see if they're leaving or not. But anyway, so like I was explaining earlier, council members, I usually take a vote on all of the
resolutions, uh, the balance of the resolutions. So, I am going to take a vote on items 10.3 through 10.5. And if we have any questions or comments, you can make them as I take a vote. Um, and with that being said, I'm going to call
for a vote on the rest. >> Actually, before you do that, I'm sure Sean. >> Sure. because I I need to know whether that council municipal council um budgets budget if that will account for us being able to or staffing levels what what
level of staffing for the first third of this budget or 30 how how long is this budget get through April >> the temporary budget is through March 31st >> March 31st >> that's my understanding It it sets the it was calculated with budget salaries
calculated 120,000 for council staff. Um I'll just be straightforward and to the point I need to see that bumped up and can we make can we amend this budget this moment today? So uh because it's a work in progress, I would re make the
recommendation that we move forward with the temporary budget as is and we can always make the amendment because remember council person Lavaro, we we we have to introduce the budget. So in between the temporary budget and introduction
um discussions can be made and um we can actually introduce it with an increase if that's what the council wishes to do. But if we adopt a budget that doesn't fund our salaries and then I'm actually one of the few Council who hasn't hired at this point or hasn't um so I've not
selected my staff. Um, but the money will run out and then we'll be just doing exactly what previous administration's done, overspending budgets that weren't that weren't budgeted for by we're if we're staffing at full levels and then we end up
spending um out of the gate the same amount of money that at full levels, but in fact the budget only allows for a quarter of the staff or or whatever the half the amount, then we're going to be overspending over time. bill. Um, if it's possible to amend the budget, this
temporary budget without uh causing us any risk, I just need to know what what that is so that uh can amend the council budget appropriately to be able to reflect that. >> I'm going to leave it to the experts on that. >> So, we're under the the calculation we're under the cap about 10 million.
So, if the council want to make a floor amendment to increase the temporary budget tonight, I believe they're able to do so. Um, speaking with legal prior to the meeting, the interpretation was once temporary budget is set, the only way to increase it is through emergency temporary appropriations, which is a a
little different type of resolution requires two-thirds of the vote. But with the recent changes to uh local finance, the local finance notices, there is uh language in there that says the council can take action prior to March 31st, 2020
to make uh additional changes. So, it's whether the council wants to do it today or I guess any council meeting prior to March 31st. Um, >> can I ask a follow? So, if we have an emergency temporary appropriation, um, that would be a resolution with one one
reading. >> That's correct. And but the the I'm sorry, Kyle, I didn't mean to steal your thunder, but the resolution would require six votes from the municipal council to be approved. So, but we could introduce that at the next council meeting in order to address if there's a shortfall.
>> That has been the past practice. Typically, those haven't taken place until after the statutory period has ended when the budget is supposed to be adopted. We've had issues in the past where, you know, the budget process has spilled into September, right? And we've had to uh do emergency appropriations. >> I believe this increase uh based on a
local finance notice, >> it may not require an emergency. I think we still have to do a little more research there, but there are >> and the city council person could introduce that resolution. Could I get a law department? >> I think to your point, if you wanted to increase it or require resolution, whether it's emergency temporary
appropriation or a resolution to, you know, that cost you talking about either way, it'd be a resolution. Um, we spoke to the, you know, law department brief beforehand about the changes. They comfortable with that and they can give you opinion if they'd like or >> the council can introduce that resolution. Correct.
>> That's correct. and a two-thirds vote. I'm okay with that. Council members, if uh it should be a majority, a super majority of us deciding I >> So, just to be clear, we are not able to amend this budget here tonight. We are being given this bud budget at our first
meeting with with no caucus, which is where we typically ask questions. Um and and we're not able to amend it tonight. Is that accurate? >> No, I think they said that we were able to amend if we wanted to tonight. Correct. >> Correct. the ZO prohibition you amended it tonight you are able to you know do
it I think the the request was if there's a question about how much the council wants you want to talk about it you know we could do it at any tonight or any meeting or preceding this one or after this one >> uh well I mean in that sense if we can
well we know it the initial the initial gave us I forget the exact number so whatever onethird of that would Should we amend it to there? >> So, I I'm I'm just going to make a
suggestion for the council instead of going back and forth with, you know, possibilities. I think if we were to move forward with the temporary budget tonight, and then we can have at the next count regular SC council meeting, which would be January 28th, we'll have
a caucus on January 26th. that can be the time to um present an amendment uh where you guys can vote on it and where you would have to have uh six votes if it's an emergency temporary appropriation.
It's just a suggestion. I mean, if you guys want to do something tonight, that's totally >> okay with that. Personally for me, >> I just really want to >> have time. >> Sorry. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. I I just really want to um express my dissatisfaction with this process. And I know part of it
is because the council used to be sworn in on January 1st and then we would be able to review um review the temporary budget um and you know sink our teeth into it and then pass it in the mid January meeting. Um
you know that no longer happens and this is a state law that the council has now sworn in on January 15th. Um but because of that we've been sworn in. We don't have a caucus meeting, which is where we typically ask questions. Um, and we're presented with this temporary budget,
which as was explained to me earlier, um, by the acting BA is, you know, necessary to make sure that, um, make sure that our contracts are paid on time and and things like that. And of course, we all want to keep the lights on and
keep the city running, but um it's just, you know, I just want to express my dissatisfaction with the process of being given this temporary budget to vote on and not having had time to review it. Well, I would uh interject and make the suggestion that everyone um we'll make
sure everybody has the council budget so that we can review it and we can have a definite amount for when we do that amendment because I know it's a little difficult for council people right now to decide what that number is to make the amendment. Um and then we can bring it back at the following meeting.
>> Yeah, I would just like to echo uh Councilwoman Little's uh points here. It's a it's a little frustrating just because it does seem we're locked into voting on this right now. Um I just like to get clarity on what kind of payment failures there would be in the next
weeks if we were to delay this vote until we have that more time to really go through everything. Um how you know how catastrophic in terms of like staffing and and the lights being on so to speak. And as I explained to uh councilwoman a little earlier, personnel
and payroll is processing regardless if you have a temporary budget in set in place. So city is technically operating at uh with a deficit until the temporary budget's allocated for salaries and wages. Again, we're going to make our debt service payments and all of our statutory uh payments on time, but it's
bad practice to not have a budget in place. As far as other contracts and and and bigger ticket items like health insurance and um just general operations, we need to establish temporary budget for every department to start preparing their their contracts
and coming to council to get approval. Um and they can't do that until the budget's set in place, right? So, we may be allocating like $100,000 to a certain office. They're not technically authorized to spend that full amount because some of that is required to come to council for, you know, extension of a
contract, renewals, um carryover balances from prior contract. So, they can't really do anything until that budget is is set in place. >> Thank you. >> What's what's the amount in there now? What's the actual amount? So the total
budget um while Kai's looking I just want to add to the largest payments that we usually have related to healthcare insurance payments things like that that would be our biggest concern if we don't have budget and you know we have outstanding bills have to pay. We're a self-insured city, so if we don't pay that, there's
always a, you know, a concern that, you know, we could get with notices threatening to turn a benefits off or not play killings. That's where the emergency that we want, not emergency, that's where the the issue that we want to make sure we're fully funded to make sure we have some kind of operating budget just to make sure those payments can go on time. >> Yeah. The total allocation proposed
right now is 220 million. Uh that is >> So just for the for the sake of the council uh aids, what's what's that number? So it's just with the advisement from the BA uh we were I was advised 120,000 per council uh per council member
>> 120 for for the four months >> for for um >> oh annually the whole Oh okay >> and just for the record this is 120,000 for our council aid salaries. So all the aids we would >> office Yeah. >> We have four aids. They're making 30,000
each. >> Well, time aids to 60, >> right? >> This is not my decision makes. >> Okay. >> If I could uh quick question. So that reflects um 20-123. Is that mal council's office-sw? Is that
>> correct? So that should be for the council president, council members. Uh, like I said, the two full-time a 60,000 and I believe there's one civilian employee uh on the budget as well. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Just for the the record for the public that um the $300,000 uh dollar is the maximum that the state would allow Jersey City uh for each of our council offices. So, that would be a maximum of four full-time aids at
$75,000 a year or eight part-time at half of that or some combination thereof. Um, and we, you know, each of our council offices are are not able to uh fully staff at this yet until we and fully meet our constituents needs uh
until we staff at this level and and budget for this level. So, I just want to make that clear about the discussion we're having. Um, I wanted to thank um, Peter and Keith. I wanted to thank you for taking my phone call earlier today. Um, I was wondering if you could explain for the
record um, what you explained to me on the phone about how you developed the numbers for this budget to last us up until April supposedly. >> Kyle Greavves, by the way, I work in the finance department. Um well we have finance department comprises of a couple
of divisions. We have an office of management and budget um our budget directors here uh Celendra Pnath and we also have fiscal officers assigned to each department and we send the requests out before the end of the year saying what are your quarter one needs for each department. So we take their feedback if
there's any you know lease payments due earlier in the year you might see um you know additional funds for one office. So we coordinate directly with each department and then you know we we take a look at what the personnel is and what's required for the first three months and then of course any debt
service payments that are due uh the first few months of the year. >> Thank you. And what I recommend too, since we do have a lot of new members to the council, um, and even old members, some besides going to be confusing, confusing myself, you know, I want to make the finance department available where if we
have questions throughout this process, especially if it's the first time you'll be voting on a full budget, you know, I'd be happy to have them do presentations or have one-on-one meeting with you just so you understand the process to it, what your responsibility is with a councilman, and what we do as the administration. >> Emails coming, Peter. I'll break it up
into threes. Hi. Uh, one other question. So, the temporary budget that has been submitted is uh a statutory 35% um of the projection of the total annual budget. Is that correct? >> That is that's the cap. We're a little
bit below. There's additional worksheet attached to the resolution um um detailing all of that. >> Thank you. If there are no further questions on this, can I switch to the CDBG grant item 10.4?
>> Sure. Um, so, so the work here is uh um I guess it was um some capital work at Persian Field um heat uh HVAC and some something heating issues. >> Yeah. So, so the council knows normally
at caucus we'd have the director here and they'd explain you know the background why this grant was was implemented why it's needed um to kind of give you a quick overview since they're not here today we didn't have a caucus this is for the Persian field pool and for HVAC issues they have over there um
>> it's not working as intended there's money there that's from the grant it's not coming from the city budget it's completely grant funding so it won't cost anything to the taxpayers um or at least not the city taxpayers and won't cost anything to the city directly as far as our budget So this is really just a uh not an emergency. We want to get
done as quickly as possible because when we get this done that we can go through with the grant reporting and start the action which will probably be in the next two weeks to get that repair in place. >> It's already been bid out or is it where's that stand at this point? >> So we have vendors, you know, that have open-ended contracts with the city. So most likely they would use one of those
contracts with the current vendors to make the repair to it. Um this is more about just getting the funding in place so that we can do that. Uh we can actually pay them to do the repair. Um, just so I'm clear, it's it's going to be uh external contractors doing this work as opposed to in in house.
>> It's we have open-ended contract with certain vendors that are there to repair things like this. Um, they're paid through the state uh um the name of it, but they're approved to the state. So, they approve RFP process with the city. They're not going to do it directly, but once they hand it to the state, then we
can use them through the co-op. >> Now, I I have a question about Persingfield. Um the repairs uh does that include uh the ice skating rink? >> So right now these repairs are just focused on the HVAC unit which will primarily affect the pool and the internal facilities. Um I'm sure
there'll be more repairs and things of that to come, but I want the director more to speak about. >> Yeah, if I can just say I'm I'm glad that uh we're acting immediately to ensure like possibilities of recreation in the Heights. Um, just how c can you walk us through how confident we feel
that the 165,000 is like the right amount that matches the capital and labor needed to make sure the HVAC system uh is is running functionally. I believe they I don't want to speak for the director, but I believe what they've told me. They've already approached them. They've, you know, gotten quotes and invoices from so this is basically
they told us how much it would cost. We went to the grant to get approval from the federal government. Once the council approves this, we go back to the federal government and say, "Hey, the council approval, we can proceed with it. It gets signed off and they start the work." >> Okay. And just for future reference, um,
who who inhouse would basically kind of fact check, for lack of a better phrase, that that amount is is proper and good and that this vendor is getting the right amount that matches the capital and labor needed. It would depend which department obviously it's granting that it rotates in. In this case, um, it
comes to the ATDC. So the CGB is the one that actually kind of works through the state and uh federal grants for that office. Generally what happens is if there's a defect over there uh the director from recreation or building the streets you know would kind of do their analysis first to see if it can be fixed
in-house require some kind of professional or specialized attention. They would contact the vendors if we have them in a co-op. If we don't have a vendor that could fix it we might have to go out to RFP or find another vendor that could do it for us. They obtain quotes and that they submit the quotes back to CDB the BA and then we review
them make sure that's in the budget and that the grant could fund it or if we have to need to would fund our turn funded source. >> Right. Thank you for answering so many questions tonight. >> All right. With that being said, council members, any other questions on any other item?
Hearing none, I'm going to be taking a vote on items 10.3 through 10.5. Council person Brooks, I vote I on all just with the uh stipulation. I echo what council person Little said in terms of for the public
that we did not have a caucus um to and we didn't have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions about the budget. Um, but I'm confident that we'll we we do have the uh powers to make amendments very soon. Uh, if we all decide that
it's what needs to be done. So, I vote I. Thank you. >> Council person Zupa. >> Yes. Just briefly wanted to say it's an honor to be up here with so many hardworking, dedicated people. We have our work cut out for us, but we're all going to dig in. Uh, specifically on 10.3, the budget. Looking forward to working with this council and the
administration on being more responsible with our city spending and taxpayer dollars. Uh so I vote I on all and for 10.4 excited that we're going to have the improvements much needed in W Cingfield. >> You council person Ephro
>> I vote I. >> Council person Little. >> I vote I for all. Um, you know, again wanting to note that it, you know, wish we could have had more time to sink our teeth into the budget, but looking forward to working with this council for
um, you know, to to make adjustments as needed. And once again, I I want to thank everyone um, all the the city staff um, and department heads for for being willing to ask answer questions on short notice.
>> Thank you, Council Person Gilmore. I >> council person sing Singh. Council person Griffin. >> I council person Lavaro. >> Just um on 10.3. Council President, if I
may suggest um maybe instead of having all the council people coming to the administration trying to work out our our council budget, if you could maybe appoint a couple of council people to act on our behalf to um I trust whoever you put there to um to uh figure out
what what the allocation will be for us for the city council around that. Um and then um uh I vote I all >> and Council President Ridley. >> Uh I'm going to vote I on all and I just want to uh reassure the council uh that
we are working to make sure that everything is clear and um we're working with the clerk's office to make sure that we have uh available classes and training on the budget and just council and how we're flowing in general. um
from outside training sources. So, we will make sure that everybody understands what's going on and that we have a chance to uh review all that we need to review. You will all have a copy of everything you need. Uh and we should be ready for the next meeting. So, I vote I for all.
>> Okay. Items 10.3 through 10.5 are approved unanimously. 90. Just as council president Ridley had stated, uh we'll be looking to set up uh some training for the the new council members and obviously it's open to the
council members that have been here before. Um it's always good to get a refresher and it will also be open to your aids as well. I highly recommend the aids to be there too. Uh we will provide you with a time, date and place once that's all put in place. And again,
I am want to say my congratulations to all of you behind me. It's going to be a pleasure and I'm looking forward to working with you all. With that being said, >> I am asking the famous question motion to adjourn at 5:32 p.m. was made by council person Gilmore. May I have a
second? >> Second. >> Oh, made the second first. >> Who made the second first? >> Michael did. I heard Michael's voice. >> Griffin. On the motion to adjourn at 5:32 p.m. All council members present by
acclamation, please say I. I. >> We are out of here at 5:32 p.m. Thank you so much everyone present. Everyone watching at home. Remember, teamwork makes the dreamwork. Congratulations council members. You just completed your first council meeting. Have a great night.
See you all at the inauguration.