Okay, everyone, if we can find our seats, silence our cell phones, close the side and back doors. I greatly appreciate it. We're about to get started. Right. Right. Good evening everyone. We are on the record. Today is Wednesday, the 6th
day of May in the year 2026. 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 6:12 p.m. May we have a roll call for the commencement of this meeting. Council person Brooks,
>> present. >> Council person Zupa, >> present. >> Council person Efos, >> present. >> Council person Little, >> present. >> Council person Gilmore, left out. Council person Singh, >> here.
>> Council person Griffin. Council person Labaro. and Council President Ridley. >> Yeah, >> we have eight council members in attendance at 6:12 p.m. Can we kindly
rise for a moment of silence, please? And before we do that, I'm going to mark Council Person Gilmore present at 6:13 p.m. So, we now have all nine council members at 6:13. Again, please stand for a moment of silence.
Dante Corpus, um, resident of Jersey City for over 50 years, uh, pillar in the community. John Wilson, John Mack, Jersey City Police Department. Allegiance to the flag
of God. Thank you very much on behalf of Council President Ridley and the members of the municipal council in the coordinates 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 2026 and filed in the office of the city clerk on Tuesday, November 25th, 202.
25. In addition, at its time of its preparation, the agenda of this meeting was similarly disseminated on Friday, May 1st, 2026 at 7:40 p.m. to the mayor, municipal council, business administrator, corporation council, and the newspapers, and posted on the city's
website so I can certify as a total compliance with the Sunshine Law. Okay, council members, on to our first reading ordinances would allow me to read them into the record. Item 3.1, city ordinance 26-027,
is an ordinance amending chapter 218, multiple dwellings of the Jersey City Municipal Code to require disclosure, transparency, and accountability, and ratio utility billing systems. Item 3.2, 2. Ordinance number 26-028
is an ordinance amending chapter 260, rent control of the Jersey City Municipal Code to regulate ratio utility billing systems in rent control dwellings. Council members going to be taking a vote for introduction on items
3.1 and 3.2. Council person. >> Sean, may I just uh ask to confirm that the amendments that uh law department and our council office have made in the past days are reflected in the resolutions in the agenda? >> Those were the tweaks. We don't call
them amendments uh because it's a first reading. >> So, just so you know, >> tweaks. >> No problem. Cooperation Council. >> I can pull up the version that's live right now, but Sean, this is what we discussed yesterday about republishing. The council person have concerns about
whether the current version is the latest. >> I just wanted to to confirm. I I got a request from aids in my council office to make sure that those were >> a little >> Okay. Yeah. I just wanted to confirm. I got a request from aids in my council office to to make sure that these uh
changes were reflected in the current form. >> It does look like there are some changes in the current version uh changes that have not been affected in the version that is currently on the live agenda. >> So I'm not sure how to proceed. Um, so
the changes that were made and I republished the agenda, they're not there is what you're saying. >> That's correct. >> I I don't know what happened there unless on I don't want to blame anybody, but on the users end if you don't
publish the changes and save it save it first, then publish it, it's not going to show up even if I republish the agenda. clerk, can we just have them read it into the record? >> Sure. I don't have them in front of me, but if somebody has that, that would be
fantastic. >> We can try to pull them up the >> Can we close the side door, please? >> Lengthy. >> Excuse me. Excuse me. Can we close that side door, Kevin? Yeah, corporation council. >> This is going to take a little bit of time.
>> Are they are these like substantial changes to the ordinance or if we vote this in now, can these changes be added for second reading? >> I think these would be substantial changes. So that's why we wanted to make the tweaks to the first reading
ordinance. >> Can they be >> instead of re having to revertise it for a first reading? >> Gotcha. I mean given that they would be substantial and we would have to revertise it for a first reading even if it takes some time. My personal
preference would be to do it at this meeting to incorporate them. Can we make a motion to go to the second reading and then come back to the first reading to allow >> or does that not work? >> That's not going to work. Okay. Um, >> well, I have I have the email in front
of me uh with the information um detailing the changes that were made. Is it sufficient? >> Council Efos, if you Councilman Eros, if you would like to read them into the record. Um, but you can't do it that fast because our court reporter is is,
you know, she's really great at what she does, but if you speak too fast, I don't want anything missed. Corporation Council, is there any issue with me reading into the record uh the detail that you provided of the changes made?
Um emails Tuesday, May 5th, 4:15 p.m. >> going as fast as I can. Sean, >> thank you, council. That email that you're referring to doesn't spell out the text of the changes. It describes them. So, we would
still need to go through >> Sean. >> Yes. >> Can you go to the unplugless version and we can read them and I compass that >> I'm currently pulling up? Yeah. I don't have a computer with me up here.
I have enough electronics to deal with because I'm your camera operator as long as as well as the clerk. >> Those budget cuts, they cut to you, Sean. >> Go for it. >> Actually, you know what we can do? And um if there's a way that I'm going to
make this suggestion and I think it could be a good one for right now. How about before we take a vote on the first reading ordinances, why don't we defer to the resolution that we're going to defer to um after the first readings
and then perhaps the corporation council can uh make sure the changes are in the first readings and I can republish the agenda before we take the vote on the first readings. How's that sound, council? >> I would welcome that. Council
members, are we good with that? >> Yes. Let's go. >> Okay. All right. So, I'm going to need a motion to defer to item 10.12, city resolution 26-252. >> Motion. >> Motion made by council person Gilmore.
>> Second. >> Second by council person Griffin. On the motion to defer to item 10.12, city resolution 26-252. Council person Brooks. I >> council person Zupa. >> Hi, >> Council Person Ephro.
>> Hi, >> Council Person Little. >> Hi, >> Council Person Gilmore. >> I, >> Council Person Singh, >> I. >> Council Person Griffin, >> I. >> Council Person Lavaro, >> I. >> And Council President Ridley, >> I.
>> Motion carries 90 to defer to item 10.12, City Resolution 26-252. Council President, I'm going to turn it over to you. >> So, so Sean, you don't want to defer to that resolution to have us vote first?
>> Um, usually it's read into the record or whatever you want to read into the record is done first and then we usually take a vote on it. You can summarize if you like, but I think the longer you take, the better we are. No offense.
>> All right. So, I will read the uh certificate of recognition because the resolution is a resolution for us to accept the gift. >> Okay. >> So, we would need to accept that. We would need to vote on that. The the resolution isn't the ceremonial part is
what I'm trying to say. >> Okay. So, it's a resolution authorizing the city of Jersey City to accept a gift from Zoe. I'm not going to try to pronounce your last name. Leave that to the council president to aid children who may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally distressed by providing
Zoe's peace packs. Council members, I'll be taking a vote on res city resolution 26-252. Council person Brooks. I. >> Council person Zupa. >> Hi. >> Council person Ephro. >> Hi. Council Person Little.
>> Hi. And thank you. >> Council Person Gilmore. >> Hi. >> Council Person Singh. >> Hi. Thank you so much. >> Council person Griffin. >> Yes. I just want to say it's great uh when young people can um
share and and be motivation to their peers. So I vote I. Thank you. >> Council person Lavaro. >> I vote I. >> And Council President Ridley. >> I. City Resolution 26-252
is approved unanimously. 90. >> I'm going to ask if uh Zo Tacerinetis would uh stand up and approach the podium and I will read this certificate of recognition on behalf of the mayor's office.
Okay. City of Jersey City Office of the Mayor presents this certificate of recognition. This certificate is proudly presented to Zoe to Sarinetis, founder of Zoe's Peace Packs in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. The city of Jersey City honors Zoe for her
compassion and dedication to supporting children's mental health. Through community support, she has provided over 1,000 peace packs with calming tools and positive affirmations to children in need, including her generous donation to
the Jersey City Police Department. And this is dated May 6, 2026, and signed by our mayor, James Solomon. And Miss Zoe, if you have a few words you want to say, please feel free to say a few words now and then the council will come down and take a photo with you
and your family. >> Oh, we Come on. Come on. She got it. Come on, young lady. You got it. Come on up. >> Yes, you got it. I just want to say thank you very much for um recognizing me and
yeah, thank you. >> Thank you, Zoe. Thank you. >> Don't go anywhere, Zoe, because they're going to want to take a picture with you. Congratulations. All right. So, you probably didn't notice it
because they were taking a picture, but your clerk was ready to zoom downstairs like Z Superman to republish the agenda, but our handydandy acting business administrator did it for me. So, thank you for doing that and saving me a trip downstairs. Who knows if I would have
made it. Anyway, back to our first reading ordinances. I do not need to read them back into the record since I read them already. And I believe we are now all good to go with all of the changes. And I'll confirm that with our corporation council. I can
confirm and I can further confirm that the user error referred to previously was my own and not the council person's. >> No worries. We're all learning. All right. So, with that being said, council members are going to be taking a vote on
items 3.1 and 3.2 for introduction. Council person Brooks. >> I for introduction. >> Council person Zupa. >> I for introduction. Council >> person Efos. I for introduction. All your fault. No one kitted it. Council person Little.
>> I for introduction. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I for introduction. >> Council person Singh. >> I for introduction. >> Council person Griffin. >> I. >> Council person Lavaro. >> Hi. >> And council president Ridley. >> I for introduction.
>> Items 3.1 and 3.2 are introduced unanimously. 90. All right. on to our second reading ordinances. First second reading ordinance item 4.1, city ordinance 26-023
is an ordinance repealing and replacing chapter 188 housing accommodations and affordable housing compliance. Article 2, affordable housing and repealing and replacing uh chapter 160 fees and charges. Section R, Chapter 188, Housing
Accommodations and Affordable Housing Compliance, to reformat and organize the codified text. 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 do that, Ivonne, I just want to state for the record that
this ordinance, all it does is just clean up the text and the language that's in the ordinance cuz it was a little when it got codified, it wasn't totally correct. So, this is not changing anything that was previously
done by um the municipal council. >> Thank you, Ivon B. The reason why I came up because I read the ordinance and I was looking to see whether or not there was any changes made cuz as you know affordable housing pays zero dollars to the school system and we're looking at a
massive increase to the school system. So I was reading this and it's pretty lengthy. I mean I don't understand why I can lose my home for not paying my school taxes but we are creating housing in Jersey City that's exempt from school taxes. I mean to me that's wrong. you
know, you you you're creating um you you're making me um you're giving someone a privilege that I don't have. So, I was looking and I read the ordinance. I didn't see that and I was wondering when are you going to do that? Because when I look at the budget,
the friendly budget, um tax evated properties are non-ratables, which means they're not a ratable like a regular property is. And and the county does the ratable base. And 36% of the property in Jersey City is non-ratable, including
schools, cemeteries, whatnot, but half of that is affordable housing at 18%. So basically 1/5if of all the city's land is affordable housing, rounding everything off. And they're not paying school taxes. And that's a real worry
when we when it's being doubled. In 2005, we only pay $72 million to the school system. Now, as we know, that budget's really going up to the point that we have to have a business tax. So, I don't see how that's helping me. We'll be able to talk about we want something
that's fair. Well, what is fair to me? Why should I have to lose my house to pay for someone else's fair share of government? To me, I'm sorry. This is nothing but like buying uh buying votes because no one cares about the spending
of things at all. And and we know what's happened with the school system. We know that they're going to ask for more money. We know that. And from what I read recently that we're paying right now or will be paying 57% of that of the budget. That's a lot when the budget is
is $1.1 billion. I mean, I remember when the budget in the school was less than 200 $200 million. I remember that distinctly. Now, we're talking about billions of dollars. And we don't we have the same number of kids back in the 90s. We had we didn't have more kids. We
didn't. In fact, they were supposed to close schools. It was just that our our sanctuary cities uh gave us more kids, but it wasn't because people had more kids at all. So, you know, I want to know when will you start to or at least address that issue because there is an
unfairness here that you would take people's homes, put them in leans, and sell them to a developer because they can't afford the money coming from the board of ed while you're building more houses. That is quote affordable. but it's not affordable to me. Thank you very much.
>> This is still a public hearing. Leverne Washington, >> this comes in when we don't sit down, have community meetings, and explain to people the difference between affordable
housing, workforce housing, low income housing. Then housing has nothing in effect with the taxes. My family is one of the largest African-American families in this city that pay taxes. My family own about 39
houses in this city and we've been in this city since 1930. Okay? We do not break down stuff where people understand it cuz housing authority need to have more community meetings explaining this
to people and we need to have the stuff written out better and explainable. Lafayette Gardens, Duncan Project, Currywood, Booky Pro, all of them is in a different state.
And and when they built them houses back when I was a baby and we allow people to take them and tear him down and put that garbage up. We got one good brick building still in Montgomery that we need to renovate.
That's about 50 apartments. We need to come to the table and with people that understand the difference between lowend affordable workforce and all that. It's a big difference and taxes do get paid on these properties and not taking
nothing away from homeowners. It need to be explained better where it can work because we got a lot of people in this city that's homeless. These shelters are full. People with babies and families, they work and the jobs out
here is not paying like yesterday. They're not paying. And the I get phone calls for housing, people losing their apartments. They can't afford it and they work because this is just insult. What's what
what's going on? People think I work around here. I work for God. I do a I run a nonprofit. Everything I do is not a price tailing. A summer camp. I don't get no grant money. I don't want none. I raise my
money. I give back coats. I do stuff in this community to help our community. Stuff is not being broke down and explained. We got a lot of new people here. We got a lot of people been here and we're not explaining stuff to people
where we can get a better workmanship, a better understanding with this council, with this community. We got to do better people. Thank you. This is still a public hearing on this ordinance. Any member of the public still wishing to be heard?
>> I I did not hear that cuz everybody was speaking over everybody. So, let me ask you again. >> Motion. Motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 26-023 was made by council person Gilmore. May I have a second? >> Second.
>> Second by council person efos. Was it? >> Zupa. >> Zupa. On the motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 26-023. Council person Brooks. I. >> Council person Zupa. Hi. >> Council person Efos. I. Council person
Little. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I. >> Council person Singh. >> I. >> Council person Griffin. >> Council person Lavaro. >> Hi. >> And council president Ridley. >> I.
>> Motion carries 90 to close the public hearing on city ordinance 26-023. As discussed at the caucus meeting, there's one little typo error that was made that needs to be amended. It's in
section chapter 188-14 and it's at the very end of the paragraph where it says including those pursuant to and originally it had 188-18 and it should be 188-20. So with that being said, I just want to
confirm. I know that our corporation council stepped out, but we have our first assistant here to answer the question just to make sure that's not a substantial change. >> Yeah. No, that would not be a substantial change. >> Thank you so much. So, council members,
I need a motion to amend city ordinance 26-023 as read into the record. >> Motion. >> Motion made by council person Gilmore. And I believe this second was made by council person Zupa.
Just got to make sure your mic is on. Council person Brooks. >> Hi. >> Council person Zupa. >> Hi. >> There you go. Council person Efos. >> Hi. >> Council person Little. >> I. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I. >> Council person Singh. >> I.
>> Council person Griffin. >> I. >> Council person Lavaro. >> I. >> And council president Ridley. >> I. Motion carries 90 unanimously to amend city ordinance 26-023
for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 26-023 as amended. Council person Brooks >> I. >> Council person Zupa. >> Hi. >> Council person Ephro. >> Hi. >> Council person Little. >> Hi.
>> Council person Gilmore. >> Hi. >> Council person Singh. I >> council person Griffin >> I >> council person Lavaro >> I >> and council president Ridley >> I >> city ordinance 26-023
as amended is adopted unanimously 90. >> On to our next second reading ordinance item 4.2 2. City Ordinance 26-024, an ordinance amending chapter 332, vehicles and traffic of the Jersey City Municipal Code to resend regulations
regarding vehicle and pedestrian traffic at Society Hill at the request of Society Hill Droid Point Condominium Association, Inc. This is a public hearing on this ordinance. Any member of the public wishing to be heard? >> Motion. >> Second. Motion to close the public
hearing on city ordinance 26-024 was made by council person Gilmore, seconded by council person Zuper. On the motion to close the public hearing, council person Brooks, >> I. >> Council person Zupa, >> I. >> Council person Efos. >> I. >> Council person Little.
>> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I. >> Council person Singh. >> I. >> Council person Griffin. >> I. >> Council person Labaro. >> Hi. and council president Ridley. >> I motion carries 90 to close the public
hearing on city ordinance 26-024 for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 26-024. Council person Brooks >> I. >> Council person Zupa. >> Hi. >> Council person Efos. >> Hi. >> Council person Little. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore.
>> Hi. >> Council person Singh. >> Hi. >> Council person Griffin. >> Hi. >> Council person Lavaro. >> Hi. and Council President Ridley. >> I, >> City Ordinance 26-024 is adopted unanimously. 90. On to our
next second reading ordinance. Item 4.3, city ordinance 26-025, is an ordinance ratifying the renewal of a lease agreement with Rialto Capital Urban Renewal LLC for the use of space at the Lessers building located at Fort
Beacon Way, Jersey City, and extending the same through April 30th, 2031. 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. >> Motion second. Motion to close the public hearing on
city ordinance 26-025 was made by council person Gilmore and the second was made by >> Griffin. >> Thank you. If you guys would just wait for me to call for the motion that would be very helpful. On the motion to close
the public hearing on city ordinance 26-025. Council person Brooks >> I. >> Council person Zupa. >> I. >> Council person Efos. >> I. >> Council person Little. >> I. Council person Gilmore >> I. >> Council person Singh >> I. >> Council person Griffin
>> I. >> Council person Lavaro >> I. >> And council president Ridley >> I. >> Motion carries 90 to close the public hearing on city ordinance 26-025 for final consideration and adoption of city ordinance 26-025.
Council person Brooks. >> I. >> Council person Zupa. >> I. >> Council person Ephro. >> Hi. >> Council person Little. >> I. Council Person Gilmore. >> I, >> Council Person Singh, >> I. >> Council Person Griffin, >> I. >> Council Person Labaro.
>> Hi. >> And Council President Ridley, >> I. >> City Ordinance 26-025 is adopted unanimously. 90. On to our last second reading. Ordinance item 4.4. City Ordinance 26-026
is an ordinance authorizing the extension of an amended deed of easement for 14th Florence Street Corporation. permitting the developer to make improvements on a portion of 12th Street Public Right ofway in an area east of Provo Street and continuing in an area
adjacent to north side of Newport Parkway in connection with the construction of the new public pedestrian walkway. 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. Hearing none. May I have a motion to
close the public hearing on city ordinance 26 days 026. >> Motion. >> I'm going to give that motion to council person Gilmore because he was loud. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council person Griffin. See, when we do it in a nice timely manner, I
have no problems hearing who's made the motion or the second. Council person Brooks. >> I. >> Council person Zupa. >> I. >> Council person Efos. >> I. >> Council person Little. >> I. >> Council person Gilmore. I >> council person Singh >> I >> council person Griffin >> I
>> yeah council person Lavaro >> I >> and council president Ridley >> I >> motion to close the public hearing on city ordinance 26-026 is approved unanimously 90 for final consideration and adoption of city
ordinance 26-026 council person Brooks >> I council person Zupa >> hi >> council person Ephos >> I >> council Person Little. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> Hi. >> Council person Singh. >> I.
>> Council person Griffin. >> I. >> Council person Lavaro. >> I. >> Council P. And council president Ridley. >> I. >> City ordinance 26-026 is adopted unanimously. 90. Okay. Council members and ladies and
gentlemen, everyone in present and everyone watching at home. We are now going to our public request for speaking. I'm going to be calling the first the the number and the first name of the individual. You'll have three minutes to speak and we are being very
strict with the three minutes. So, be considerate of the rest of the people who are listed. We have a long speakers list. With that being said, item four 5.1 Lever Go ahead. >> You ready? >> I'm here tonight going to be here for my
city, my community. We getting miscommunication of what's going on, how things are being handled. And I just would like more commun more communication
with the community so that we know what to look for as we move on with the new council, new mayor. Cuz like I say, I represent my community with what I do out here. I'm on nobody's
payroll but God. I've been giving out over 100 rooms of furniture that the Marriott Marquee had gave me from New York. I'm about to finish that. I'm getting ready to get with my summer camp. In a couple more months, I do a free camp with the
kids and do this to that. But I would love cuz we have problem with housing, like I said before, with the communication going on, people with jobs that don't pay that much, and they they everybody's not on section
8 or TR. And people are catching holy hell out here today. So we need to start in our community with some relationship and having some togetherness cuz I don't know what to say. Summer's approaching,
getting warmer. A lot's going to go going on with our children and in these streets and we need to prepare for that. We don't want all that killing, murdering, kids getting run over with bikes, motorbikes, and it's a lot. I ride these streets day
and night and I see what my people going for. And by the past two months, sitting in my building, the red building, giving out that furniture and watch what's going on in MLK from at least from Bram Hall to down here by my
church on Wana. It's a disgrace. Our people need help out here. People been, they can't get up. It's sad. I got two women's, sisters,
mothers, daughter, whatever, sitting over their backs 24/7. It goes beyond these walls. We need to help our community. We need to set them better. Yesterday is gone.
We can't bring yesterday back. But we can bring a new day today. We got babies out here that I see running up and down my street that we need help. That's why I do my free summer camp.
Everybody can't afford everything out here. They got to pay for let's get together, work together. And I talked with the new director from B of Recreation. He said, "Miss But I got your back. >> Thank you, Lever. >> Thank you.
>> Our next speaker, 5.2, Edward. >> Justice for Drew. Justice for Drew. Justice for Drew. Let me just begin with us being over a 100 days past this new administration and it is
fair game to be order to degrade what you all have been doing so far. So, it's not fair for you to take congratulatory walks around the city or with any one newspaper or news organization and say
all that you think you've done good for Jersey City without checking in with us first. And I want to start with our community, the black community, and the Croson report, the Croson study. It's incumbent upon this administration
to do everything that you can to turn the tide from how Steven Fulip left us. 41 years I am born in Jersey City and I can tell you our story. I've seen this past 12 years what you've all seen the neglect of the southside towards FA and
B mostly and the upgrade of downtown for decades. But Steven Fulip was just recently a part of that. He's neglected us and abused us. It's incumbent upon you to turn the table. To turn the table starting with our city council president first, ma'am, it's on
you. It's not fair that you get to sit in this position and we don't have you as an advocate for our community. Not that you are not, but we must see it, ma'am. We must feel it. You must bring
the pressure to Mayor Solomon. You have to bring the pressure to him. Help him understand how we really feel. The neglect, the abuse, our levels of poverty, our levels of insanity, our levels of distrust. Help him feel it.
Vote for him was not unanimous in our community. That was broken up. And it did take a runoff. It did. And there will be more. But I promise you, do not overstep us. Don't overlook us. that Croen report is a lot. There's more gun
violence in our awards. There's more mental health crisis in our ward. The lack of housing more so in our ward. Jobs that we can afford to live here with the ever rising cost of living in our ward. The worst
public schools in our ward. So the distrust, the disrespect, the neglect, that's where we are. That's where we are. It's incumbent upon you to change the tide. Come out and talk to us, listen to
us, and then work to help change. And thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.3, Gina. She's not. Is Gina here? >> Not here. >> Not here. >> Next speaker, 5.4, for Tina
>> is here. >> Hi. Yes, my name is Tina. Yes, I do work for education at Gear Mall, but I'm speaking upon myself. Justice for Drew. Justice for Drew. So, yes, I'm going to start off about with Tommy Best. Like, I feel Tommy
Best. I feel because I was here when Salomon and Educational Gmore actually said he do a good job in that position to see him see them take that away. It feel just like how it was when I was asking the other mayor for help on me doing the nonprofit in the community. It
seemed like that we are good to build our community up and take care of the community and do all the hard work but we're not good to get that pay. That's what it seemed like to me. It seem like they always overlook us, the the ones who actually do the strength and build
up our community and make sure everything is okay. First of all, I want to say we need to pray for our community of the two young girls who got shot. We already know our community suffer the most because we don't have jobs. We don't have no type of entertainment for
our kids and our community. So today, I'm saying I feel that no one is listening. They don't um speak upon what the nonprofits do in the community for years. They don't they don't support our leadership as our boots on the ground.
It seemed like to me is no one is listening. They actually just listening to their yourself. I never wanted to be in the spotlight spotlight, but I realized that what we needed in our community, we needed an advocate to tell the truth about what going on right now.
I'm so confused about who I should trust and who I who I not should trust. I was sitting here that day when we passed that for Tommy Best. I thought that that was going to be a good thing. But to realize that they give us positions and then take it away from us is like really
sadness because we all do so much in the community. to see that. That's probably the reason why I'm not growing because the people be making their side deals and not helping out the ones who really need the support and stuff. So, I'm just asking y'all tonight, just think about
it. Just think about it. Somebody gave y'all that position and told y'all that y'all was doing a good job and then turn around and give it to someone out the community. I'm not saying that we can't hire people from out the community, but look at the ones who's actually doing the work.
Our next speaker 5.5 Ivonne B I'm going to change what I'm going to speak about because I want to correct what was said earlier. All tax evated properties whether it is affordable or workforce or low income is all tax
evated. It does not pay school tax. The difference is work for houses is usually 15 years and after that it expires. Whereas other like San Lafayette had their tax abatement renewed and they now got a 68year tax abatement which is
ridiculous. But I want to talk about what Glenn Cunningham uh wanted to do to rectify something. Public housing pays zero, including to the city. They had a certain deal that allowed them to deduct water and sewer before the city received
10% of the money they should receive. But as utilities went up, the city received nothing. So when Glenn Cunningham was mayor before he passed away, he actually hired a a new director and try to get at least $100,000 from public housing because if you go to
other towns, they pay public housing pays an abatement tax to the city, but ours pays 0 right now. Now, if you think I'm lying, ask the director of public housing. Prove me wrong. I don't lie. I state the
facts. So the bottom line is public housing pays nothing because of the sweetheart deal we gave way back when back then. So you know now I just sat down and I just spoke to um uh Lorenzo and I asked him what are we going to be
paying of that 1.1 billion we're going to be paying our fair share is going to go up. We're going to be paying $625 million of that money. And that's a lot of money when you have a portion of the
city who who will not be paying into it including rent control which has they're only paying according to consumer price index. They don't pay tax increases. So, if you add up the 18% from affordable housing and if you add up rent control,
that could be more than half the city that's not paying into the school system and you can take my property and put in your tax lean because I may not be able to afford to pay it. But you're talking about what is fair. Fair is having everybody pay. That's fair. Now, the
reason why we have a problem with housing, and I will admit there's a problem with housing, is because according to the Jersey City's data, not my data, 40.8% of the people in Jersey City was not born in Jersey City. That's the problem
we're having. You may not like that data. It's not my data. It's from the city of Jersey City that I looked at. So yes, that is a reason why we have a problem with housing. But that's not why I should be losing my house to pay for more taxes while others don't pay. I
want fairness. I don't want a special deal. Next speaker, 5.6, Erica. >> Greetings. My name is Erica Walker and I'm speaking tonight uh not as chief of staff and thank you to my councilman who allows us
or not allows but never infringes upon our freedom to express ourselves on this microphone. Appreciate you. Um but tonight I'm speaking now by as a concerned resident Erica Walker, someone who cares deeply about the future of Jersey City and the direction we are headed in. First, I do want to
acknowledge that this new administration is still early in its transition and that many residents, including myself, recognize the efforts being made to bring new energy, new ideas, and a new direction to city hall. Very refreshing after Fulip. But change takes time, and I understand
that progress takes work. I'm here for it. And I think it's important that we acknowledge both the effort and the intention behind trying to move the city forward. But at the same time, acknowledging progress does not mean we stop pushing for better. It means we
continue holding our government accountable to the highest standard possible, especially when it comes to transparency, inclusion, equity, and I think we could use a couple of lessons on what real equity looks like. Those lessons coming soon. And community
trust. People are frustrated. People want transparency. People want fairness. People want inclusion. And people want to know that the voices of the residents actually matter in the decisions being made about our city. I think the larger conversation many residents are trying
to have is about equity and trust in government overall. But I'd like to spend the rest of my time on a resolution to study changes to the Morris Canal redevelopment plan. And honestly, I'm struggling to understand why. Why are we studying every development plan that was already
revised just a few years ago after extensive public engagement? Residents spent years attending meetings, workshops, hearings, planning board meetings around the area. People fought hard to shape that plan as is right now. Community members sacrificed their time,
energy, and trust to participate in that process because they believed their voices mattered. The community already told the city what they want. So why are we now discussing studying the removal of those very things, especially after the everything the community has already endured surrounding the Steeltech site
and the long history of contamination concerns in that area. For years, residents advocated to get that land cleaned up and transformed into something that would actually benefit the people instead of cause them cancer. Not just developers, benefit the people. And now, thank you. And now after all of
that work, we're entering we're entertaining the possibility of removing key community develop benefits from the redevelopment plan. That makes no sense. The people deserve the plan as written. They deserve the retail space that was promised. They deserve the park improvements, the additional green space
that keeps the that for the city that keeps getting denser and hotter and more overdeveloped. They absolutely deserve that community center. Honestly, I cannot believe we're even talking about studying the removal of a community center in Ward F. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Our next speaker, 5.7 Austo. Is Austo here? No. 5.8 It ain't Charlene. Before we begin, Sean, could I just ask that in the future, maybe a small light could be here for those of us as we age
and can't see as well, we could have a light to light up our paper. I would love to do that, but I don't know if our budget will allow me to do that. >> Good evening, council. Tonight, I'm wearing my Earth Month shirt t-shirt saying together, raising
the awareness of endangered and threatened species worldwide because of human indifference. But it echoes into the month of May. save together for historic pres preservation because the city is failing to preserve and protect many of the
landmarks that were cornerstones of the communities that lived, worked, and stayed here through the good and the not so good years. You are all aware of the landmark Jersey City Women's Club could become the
Westside Community and Senior Center if acquired by the city. It is a turnkey operation that has the caretakers residents parking in a host of 501c3 organizations ready to manage and run programming
immediately. Was built in 1910. If you haven't seen it yet, I encourage you to reach out to me and arrange a tour. Other successful adaptive reuses have been the Barrow Mansion, the Apple Tree House, Powerhouse Arts District,
American Can Company, the Beacon, and restorations of the Brennan Courthouse, the main library, and right here, City Hall, the very room we're standing in. But others linger, like the powerhouse, too long neglected. And yet, cities
across the nation and abroad have revitalized and reused powerhouses in a number of creative ways that leads to increased investment around it. St. Peter's Prep's buildings on York Street, denied demolition by the city,
deteriorate while the courts stalled the case. The Pathside building at Journal Square, the perfect size for a municipal arts center, sold off to a developer, supposedly incorporating it into a new structure. Boulevard drinks is soon to
go. Miss America Diner, gutted interior, lost all of its charm. Larsson's Restaurant, a victim of developer vision. Montilleó's another development wins. And this year, 2026, the 250th
celebration of the formation of our nation's founding. And right here in this city, we have three buildings that predate the revolution. The new Kirk House on Summit Avenue and Journal Square is the oldest, standing in place
since 1690, and today covered in graffiti and unused. The Apple Treehouse Circus 1700 restored. It's the Jersey City History Museum. Programmed and loved by everyone who
enters the space at Bergen Square. A home run for the city. And the Vanvor House 1740 continues as a private residence well cared for at Thank you. Finish. No,
>> we have way too many speakers. Sorry. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.9 Esther. >> Make sure you hear me. Do you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Um, good evening, council. I would like
to speak about something that I've brought up before before the council, but this evening I would like to read it in the form of the Jersey City Times editorial, which put it very well. The Jersey City Times is calling for the City Council to immediately form a
special committee with subpoena power to investigate the causes of Jersey City's $250 million budget. In a February 4th report, Mayor James Solomon called the city's finances, quote, "a house of cards built on tricks
and gimmicks and laid the blame squarely at the feet of former mayor Steven Fulip, who Solomon suggested had cooked the books in service of his run for governor. Now, Jersey City has been forced to go hatin to the state for a
bailout, which may not come. If ever there was a case for a formal investigation, this is it. Under the Faulner Act, the city council has the authority to form a committee with subpoena power and the ability to compel
testimony under oath. Such a committee would allow the council to obtain the necessary testimony and records to understand how the city's finances reached this catastrophic point. A fair and impartial investigation should include, but not be limited to,
testimony from Fulip, the former director of finance, the former business administrator, council members, department heads, and other members of Fulip's administration. It is important that we understand how these actions occurred and ensure they
do not happen again by implementing stronger fiscal fiscal controls. An investigation is all the more important because there were plenty of warning signs. Reporting by the Jersey City Times cited municipal finance professionals who described the 2021
budget as underappropriate and potentially quote fraudulent, a claim too serious to ignore. According to the city's own 2021 municipal audit, Jersey City was in fact underappropriated by $43 million.
This $43 million deficit, coupled with a tax cut by Fullip in the same election year, ballooned the shortfall to over $93 million by end 2021. Moody's picked up on this downgraded Jersey City bond rating, citing internal controls that
needed to be addressed. In 2023, a 5-year Oh, let me go to this. In 2023, the city council approved a settlement of $325,000 to former CFO Lubnu Numeir for her whistleblower lawsuit where she claimed
she was fired in 2020 for refusing to falsify financial statements related to the municipal budget. I can't finish the entire article, but I'm just giving you a sense. I'll send the article to you if you have not read it, but we need action. We need to know what happened.
taxpayers are tax increases. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.10, Patricia. Is Patricia here? >> She's not here. >> Okay. 5.11, Joseph. Joseph B.
>> She's not here. Joseph Burger. >> 5.12. Eric, >> not here. >> Not here. Thank you. 5.13 Agnes not here. 5.14 Rochelle.
She's here. Good evening, council. How are you? My name is Rosha Hoffman. I am the co-founder and director of a nonprofit organization based out of my hometown, Jersey City. What Sean is handing out is
our upcoming project, the Junth Freedom Flag Mural. This is our second year. We are very excited. We have the co woohoo. We have the Joy City Cultural Affairs who is in support. I come before you to ask for support. As other nonprofits
mentioned before, we are on the ground running. We see gaps in our community. We see lack of resources being provided. We find ways to bring beautifification to the Southside. I hope tonight that you guys will find an interest and ways
that we can continue to have this mural installed on the south side of Jersey City. So, I'm going to pivot. I know last time I spoke about um transparency within our city and the lack of youth recreation.
I mentioned on social media and others that I not that concerned really who is going to be appointed, but I will say on the record here at city council, we know that we need help with our youth. Be it
on the south side, the north side, the west side, the east side, wherever side, the children in Jersey City deserve better. The children in Jersey City should not be pawns in this political
circus. Whatever you guys want to say, but the children of Jersey City deserve true leadership. Leadership that's going to care for the youth. Those who are going to invest into their whatever you guys say. I'm not into
recreation, but to invest into the skill sets of our youth. Time and time again, I go through Jersey City, I drive around, I see in various areas where kids are just standing on the corner. I hear from families that we deal with through my nonprofit that they need help. There's no resources. They they
struggle to find places for their kids to go. So, let's be transparent in what we're doing. Let's not just make this about who is sitting in that seat, but let's keep in mind that the youth is our future. And if we don't take this opportunity now to make it known as Jersey City and setting the standards
for other municipalities and other cities to see what we're doing, I say shame on you. I say shame on you guys because you have a unique opportunity to make the change to show that Jersey City being the second largest city in the state of New Jersey that we can do it.
We can come together and we can make things happen for our youth. Let's not just talk about it. Let's just do it. We do several initiatives without funding. So, if you guys can find the funds to help us with this mural, the QR code there and my phone number is listed. And
I thank you for this time and this opportunity. Have a good night. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.15, Phillip. >> Members of city council, I want to thank you for allowing me to speak. First of all, I want to give credit to the police in the west district. Someone have been
calling them and very important. I've been asking that to happen uh several years ago. Uh they're coming through and they're making a good impact. They got some negative push back though from Peter Barnes in his Facebook page saying that the people are being harassed. I I disagree with that. He knows better than
that. But then again, it discredit him because he made uh the week before uh a very negative statement saying that I didn't have a license to do business and destiny told him he was a lie. He could take a look. He refused to look at that. He also made some very unkind and uh
statements about Gilmore as well, which is not really true. So that really impacts on his credibility. I want to give credit to uh Frank Gilmore. Every time I call him, every time I reach out to him, my family, my friends, anyone, he's always responsive. He write
letters, he return my calls and he's doing an extremely good job. Want to want to get give credit also to Myra Singh. This is a new uh a newbie and her actions of course respond or even asking questions when the people
come here to speak and then have her aid follow up because Jasmine give me a call more than one time answer my email and that's something very unusual and then also Snow give me a call. It is uh heart-wrenching when you have a person like Denny's really been here for three
terms. Have not answered a single question on the phone, email, and letters up to the last time I made the last complaint. Last time I was here, I say you didn't respond to my calls. Even when you were on the campaign, you refused to answer and you say you would
have and never did. I give you a copy of that letter. You say you would answer. I know you weren't going to answer. You're just really dishonest. However, I was here for like three terms raising the issue of inconsistency based on race. And I point out that me and my
black family had 127 and here we got uh treated in one kind of way. I spoke that this is a white business. I spoke of city um Newport. It's a white entity as well. Different treatment and of course the bthoon center. But the moment that I
said white Jews, if you're talking black and white and the the Jews at 127, they are indeed white. And if you if you act, I get that from Ethos and Little say, "Well, we don't call them white Jew." Who who are they in America? In America, they are considered white Jews. Solomon
is a white Jew. Philip is a white Jew. In in in Israel, you have white Jews. There are ais uh there a whole bunch of them Zionists, etc. But they are white Jews. They're also black Jews in Israel and they were
airlifted from from Ethiopia and and of course they're considered black Jews. So, however, if I don't get an answer from two of you all next week with three y'all, I'm going to sue you. You got 13 days to answer. >> Thank you, Philip. >> I promise you.
>> So, Sean, I got to respond to that one. >> So, Mr. Carrington, I've answered everything you've said. So, if you need me to resend those emails, I will. But the same way you just got up here and talked about Mr. Peter Barnes who isn't here to defend himself and said that he made false claims against you and it
wasn't right is not right for you to get up here and make false claims. And I answered you on record the last time you were here. So it is what it is. Feel free to sue. >> And Mr. Carrington, you can refer to them just as people. Uh I I have every hope that you can refer to people as uh
w without identifying their race or religion. that that that's what my council colleagues were getting to last meeting. Uh and I think I'm the fourth person up here to say it. So, we'll go through all nine if we have to, but uh you you can talk about your grievances and we respect your right to say it. We
can do it without identifying people by their just by their race or religion. >> Thank you, Councilman. And Jasmine works for my office, so we did get back to you. So, just to be clear, I just want to
make sure we clear here. Um, because I know in the black community, we refer to people as black people. So, what is the proper term to refer to people by? Just so we know, because I do it all the time, and I want to make sure I'm in context referring to people. Is it by
religion? Is it by color? Is it by ethnicity? Is it by socioeconomical stat? Like, what is it? I identify as black. People say all the time, the black councilman, I'm not offended because I am in in fact black. So, how
do we identify? So, we're all on the same page. I again, I don't speak for everyone here, but there's certainly tone when Mr. When someone comes up here and says, "Those white Jews are doing X, Y, and Z." There's a tone there, Frank. And you know that, Councilman Gilmore, there's a difference between identifying someone,
I'm white, you can call me white, you can call me white and use an expert if you'd like. uh but for for someone to come here and say those religion and and uh appearance there's a tone there. I think there's a difference there's nuance in the way people speak and
that's what I'm referring to by Mr. Carrington. I think u our council colleagues uh refer to as the same >> referring to the tone in which she's >> yeah if someone calls me that Indian Hindu Indian Hindu Indian Hindu three times like that if the tone is like that
of course I'm going to be offended why do you have to talk about my religion why do you have to talk about you can talk about councilman council woman saying but who like generally we don't talk uh like that right >> so it's the tone >> tone >> okay I know I just
clear. I just want to play by the same set of rules. That's all I'm just asking for clarification. That's >> all right. Thank you. >> I can I can just say I think like saying very specifically the Jews, which I've heard come up before. I don't I I didn't hear any statements just now, but the
Jews is particularly uh you know, yeah, offensive. Um so I think that's just uh you know, what my experience, what I can say. Um but yeah, I think like talking about racism and racist discrimination,
uh we it is important to name, you know, uh who who is on different sides of different treatment by the city government. So I think it is important to not pretend to be colorblind or anything and to say, you know, white property owners versus black property owners are being treated differently when talking about racist
discrimination. I think that's absolutely fair game and very important to do so, but saying things like the Jews is very offensive. Yeah. >> Okay. Sean. >> Okay. Our next speaker 5.16 Raphael
Raphael Grayson I believe is last name. No. 5.17 Ryan. Thank you. 5.18 Danielle. >> Good evening, council president and members of the council. I'm speaking
tonight on items 6.36 and 6.37 regarding the proposed fireworks displays at Liberty State Park on August 9th and September 26th. I've spoken about fireworks before and I'm going to say it again plainly. We really need to
start stepping away from this. This is not about being anti-seleelebration. Jersey City deserves joy. But fireworks are not harmless entertainment. Excuse me, just one second. I'm sorry. They're not harmless entertainment. They come with real impacts that we continue
to ignore. There are a public health issue. They're an environmental issue. And they're a quality of life issue. Every time we approve a display like this, we're affecting far more far more than the people entertaining and and attending. We are impacting veterans
living with PTSD. We are impacting children. We are impacting pet owners dealing with panic, lost animals, and emergencies. And we are impacting our environment, especially in a place like Liberty State Park. Fireworks pollute
the air. They leave debris. They just shoved wildlife. So the question is why are we still defaulting to this? Because at the same time we are watching small businesses, the ones that are right of passage in this city, the places that define our neighborhoods and our culture
solely disappear. The spots people grow up with, the places that make Jersey City feel like Jersey City. We are told there isn't enough support, not enough protection, not enough room for them. So, it's not hard to ask, why are we
holding on so tightly to fireworks? Something we know causes harm while the things that actually build community are being erased. If something has to go, it shouldn't be the small businesses. In 2026, we know better. Other cities are
moving toward alternatives like drone shows and other forms of celebration that don't come at this cost. If we're serious about sustainability and quality of life, this is where it shows because approving these isn't just routine. It's
a choice to continue something we already know is harmful. At the very least, we should pause approvals like this and have a real conversation about a citywide approach instead of handling this one permit at a time. We need
standards. We need alternatives. And we need to listen to the residents who have been raising these concerns again and again. Stepping away from fireworks isn't about taking something away. Is about choosing something better. Thank you.
>> The president can >> our next >> Thank you for every single time coming and you taking out your time. We I do respect your opinion. And I I do believe in that. But at the same time, city will
be doing their own firework on July 4th, right? So if we stop one, we have to have the same rules for everyone. So right now, I think we have to figure out how do we go about it in future instead
of just saying no to one organization or association or someone special. So thank you again coming out and we understand your point. Thank you. >> Okay, our next speaker 5.19 Maris >> Maris here
Chandler not here 5.20 20 Kevin, good evening, city council. I'm here tonight after a uh closed session of the Portside Towers Tenant Association to discuss this council.
Hope you're your meeting that you had earlier was equally uh productive. Two weeks ago, kidding a little bit. Uh two weeks ago we took a leap of faith. Tonight we still have faith.
I want to put what you are doing in a frame larger than my building. For 4 years I've been hearing from tenants in this city who do not live in my building. They email me. They find me at neighborhood meetings, tenant associations,
co-governance sessions. They ask some of the same questions like, "What is this charge? Can I do anything about it? Can my landlord just quadruple my trash fee with no transparency?
Isn't that all part of my rent under rent control?" Most of the time, I don't have answers beyond I know how you feel. Tonight, the law starts to shine a light where transparency should have always been. Even when the law already offers protection, without
transparency, a sophisticated bad actor can evade the law for a while. Former corporation council Peter Baker once said about that in this room, "They do so at their own peril." Really liked it when he said that.
The two ordinances on first reading tonight would put real transparency and real consumer protection protection into the hands of every renter in a master metered or rubs building in this city together with the mayor's executive order on housing violation penalties.
This is some of the work that we've been really hopeful for. Michelle and I both serve on this administration's co-governance housing committee. We sat in this hall at the 100th day launch. We felt that there was hope in the room. There was an energy in the room. Something was different with this
administration and there was an excitement about it. As far as the public records show, the first 100 days though have not yet produced the first $100 in collected housing violation fines citywide. Not talking about port side. As I mentioned on April 8th when I was
here before you, the state law gives a city one year to bring housing violations to court. Every 24 hours, one more day of fines from the year before becomes permanently uncollectible. Since the cclick fix anniversary speech I gave here on April 8th. 28 more days have
expired citywide. Never coming back. I know you're still digging out from what the last administration allowed. The next 100 days though should be when the results start landing. How many more free months will lawb breakakers get while the people they are hurting have
no relief? You have met our restraint with your promise to follow through. It's May 6th. Hundreds of families in the city paid more rent this month than the law allows. Will this happen again in June? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.21, Daniel.
>> I'll keep it quick for you guys. Just wanted to say as a Jersey City resident, I support agenda items 3.1 and 3.2. I typically pay over $100 per month at least in Rub's charges, but I honestly have no idea how those charges are calculated or exactly what I'm paying
for. And residents across the city deserve greater transparency and accountability when it comes to utility billing. Thank you. Our next speaker, 5.22, Dan. Yes. Thank you. Next speaker, 5.23, 23. Jessica,
>> keep it quick, too, but please pass 3.1 and 3.2. Sorry, that right. Um, the both of them are extremely important to us. We keep getting bills that no one can explain. Um, it's part of the package of the issues. Please
pass this. Thank you. >> Next speaker. 5.24. Joel. Good evening. For myself and on behalf of thousands of tenants throughout Jersey City, agenda items 3.1 and 3.2 are critical transparency tools to enable us to
better understand monthly rubs billing. I look forward to their passage at the next meeting. Thank you. Next speaker 5.25, David. Thank you. Next 5.26, Mark
I want to thank councilors Ephro and Little for their consideration and understanding of the rubs issues. Ordinance 26028 clarifies the definition of rent to include rubs in the rent control buildings chapter 260 and ordinance 26027
uh lays out landlord disclosures for rubs by amending chapter 218. I'm a little disappointed that the enforcement mechanism is by individual tenant complaint in municipal court, but I do understand that the state may preempt other options. Nonetheless, I fully
support both ordinances and thank the council for introducing them. >> Our next speaker 5.27, 27. Brendan, >> as a tenant of Jersey City, I fully support the passing of of three items 3.1 and 3.2. As of this day, I am
absolutely convinced that my ROS bill is calculated by management playing craps in a casino. Need to cut losses. Next speaker 5.28, 28 Michelle >> city council. Um I would like to have a better understanding on the monthly rubs
billing and the city's laws to support transparent transparency. With my line of work, I am I actually shouldn't be saying this live, but with my line of work, I am not home like the average person. I could be gone days, sometimes weeks, but yet I had this large, large
bill, and I'm just wondering who and what am I paying for. So, um, with that said, I would like to support, um, the agenda for the items 3.1 and 3.2. Thank you so much.
>> Our next speaker, 5.29, Himaishu. Hello. Uh I raised this last time as well but uh kind of raising it again that we would like to better understand Rub's billing uh for city laws to support better transparency. Uh therefore I support agenda items 3.1 and
3.2 on behalf of all the residents. Thank you. Next speaker 530 not here. Thank you. Next speaker 5.31 Drew. >> Hi council. I just wanted to speak
quickly about items 31 and 32. Given our city could use transparency around finances. I think it's only fair that residents of this city get that transparency for their personal finances as well, especially when it comes to Rub's billing. I think this is something that is pretty reasonable. A lot of people are being charged every month
without ever seeing the actual meter readings or any breakdown of where the numbers are coming from. If tenants are expected to pay these costs, we should at least be able to verify the accuracy of them. Um, it's hard to feel confident in charges when there's no visibility into how they're calculated and blindly
making payments um is our only choice. This isn't about refusing to pay bills. It's just about fairness, clarity, and base accountability. Um, it should be the standard and therefore I implore you to support these items. Thank you. >> Next speaker 5.32, Sylvia, >> I will also short and sweet. I would
like to thank you first for amend the 218 and 260 ordinance on wraps and please pass forward. Thank you. >> 5.33 Gracie >> she's not here. >> 5.34 Sonia
here >> and Danilo's not here either. 5.36 mil. >> Um, I would like to echo the sentiments of everyone behind me. Please support 3.1 and 3.2 and as and when you hopefully pass them, please enforce them
fully. >> Next speaker 5.37. John, >> I think you know what I'm going to say, but uh yeah, thank you for putting these ordinances forward. I fully support agenda items 3.1 and 3.2. Uh the rubs issue is just yet another loophole of many loopholes exploited by landlords
and they were happily left open by the previous administration. So please continue to do the work you're doing which is the stuff that the Philip administration steadfastly failed to do. Thank you. Next speaker 5.38 Shannon. And next speaker 5.39 Michelle.
>> Good evening. Michelle Hirs, president of the Portside Towers West Tenant Association at 100 Warren Street. I want to add to the record that I support the city supporting transparency on behalf of its tenants. Thank you for
introducing ordinances 26-027 and -028. Now I want to be honest about what this council with this council about what the past two weeks have cost. Two weeks ago I asked the people capital T capital P
behind me to do something I've never asked them to do before to come to this room and not speak. Even though most of them had remarks already written. They trusted that the work we've done together for years could survive a few
weeks of public quiet. They agreed and tonight with the exception of supporting the Rubs ordinances, they agreed again. That's not a small thing. The pressure that brought us to this microphone to begin with every other Wednesday for
nearly four years has not lifted and our rents continue to increase. tenants approach me and ask why the number of public speakers at this microphone are now fewer and whether in
a way we're giving up. The answer I give every time is the same. We are not. We're not giving up. We're just doing something different and we are choosing to do it together. What we're choosing is to give this council and the administration something we have not
given you in nearly four years. a room without our voices in it. We're coming tonight as witnesses, not as speakers. But our quiet has a cost and it has a name. It's called time. Every week we
don't speak is a week that brings our build that the things at our buildings get harder for the people behind me. The longer we stay quiet, the more we have to ask of them. When I see them in the elevator, they thank me for the work and then they usually ask me how much
longer. Tonight, you put forward something simple and powerful, a real answer in writing for every renter in the city who's been opening a rub statement they can't possibly fully understand. The
next 100 days will tell us whether what starts here ends up having a meaningful effect. So, the people are all still right here, but note that our quiet is on purpose,
and in return, please make the people's quiet count. Thank you. Um, Michelle and uh, Porsa, I just I just want to say um, um,
I just I love the fact that when you feel we're not doing our jobs, you come here and you give us the hard criticism, but in the same light when you do see effort and, you know, initiative, you acknowledge that as well. Um, so and I'm
appreciative of that because a lot of time in this arena like you never you never see this part, right? Because the average person is just not coming out to thank someone for doing the job they supposed to be doing in the first place. Um, so I acknowledge that and I assure
you that rest assure it don't matter if one or 100 people speak. Um, we take these concerns seriously and I told you guys that this is going to be the most independent-minded thinking council and people are going to look to address
issues that were near and dear to us. Um, so I just want that to be on the record. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, our next speaker 5.40 Chris. All right. Good evening, council members. Uh, first off, I just want to
say Tommy Best deserves his flowers. I've been born and raised right here in Jersey City. I seen him active in the community, so hats off to him on that note. But I'm here to speak in strong support of Pete Vincent for the director
position. Yeah, clap it up. I've had the opportunity to know Pete for years. And what stands out most is his integrity, work ethic, and commitment to the community. Pete understands the real needs of the city. I believe he will lead both with
professionalism and purpose. This isn't the time to be separated as a city, but we should um build around Pete and, you know, rally with him. We can't do it alone. I respectfully
urge the council to to support his appointment. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.41 Patricia Patricia Rogers. Thank you. Next speaker 5.42 Megan.
Megan's not here. 5.43 Alex. Uh good evening, council. Uh first though, just like Chris said, uh very thankful for for Mr. Best, the the passion I has for the for the youth has been incredible. Uh as a Jersey City
resident, I've seen the impact that he had in the lives of the youth. But I'm here uh on behalf of Major Solomon's appointment of Pete Vincent as director of Department of Recreation and Youth Development. I have known Pete for over
20 years. And throughout that time, he has consistently demonstrated a genuine passion for sports and a deep commitment to being a positive role model for youth and the young people in our community. In my 30 years living in Jersey City, I've personally experienced the impact
of recreation in my life. Growing up in Hudson Gardens during my teenage years, I can honestly say that things were not always easy. Like many young people in our city, I need an outlet. And for me, that outlet was sports throughout the recreation leagues of Jersey City.
Today, I'm proud to serve as the head basketball coach at St. Peters Prep in Jersey City for the past 15 years. I have the opportunity to help shape and guide young men not just athletes but as students individuals because my experience through uh the recreation
department. I have a lot of respect for everyone who showed interest in the recreation position. J City is filled with dedicated passionate individuals who care deeply about our youth and want to make a difference. There are many people capable of doing the job. We need
to come together as a community and support the recreation department and the appointment of Major Solomon. Furthermore, Jersey City has a real opportunity to invest in its future by placing leaders with a genuine understanding of our community and the right experience and opposition to expand youth programs and create
meaningful opportunities for the next generation. We need to continue on building pathways for our young people to grow, develop, and succeed both in the classroom athletics. Pete has the ability to impact many young life in Jur City in a positive and and long-lasting
way. He understands what our youth needs because he has been around them working with them and supporting them for years. Once again, thank you for your time and your consideration and continued service to our community. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.44 Terrence
Prep and Hudson follow each other. Um, I've been a lifelong Jersey City resident. Uh, I've spent 40 years in education working with young people. Uh, I'm here to talk and uh just uh put uh
my word in for Pete Vincent. I think Pete's uh background fits what we need today. I think the diversity of Jersey City is reflected in the diversity of Pete's professional and personal background. U recreation, I've seen it
change over the many years that I've been associated with Jersey City. I don't necessarily think that it's changed to reflect our changing community. And I think what Pete brings from having been a high school coach to a college administrator uh to working
with youth organizations to being a father and to being a resident from here originally. I think all of those things combine all right to make him an ideal candidate right for what we need in recreation which is diversity which is programming and not just sports
programming. It's recreation and youth development. And I think uh we have to look at those things for our young people as well. Not every kid is going to be a sports uh oriented, but I think every uh every young person deserves to have a recreation program that's going
to reflect their needs, whether it's robotics or podcasts or content creation or whatever else is coming along the way. Now, I think Pete sees those things. I think his experience is going to make him a great leader for the program. Thank you. Our
next speaker 5.45 Dana. Dana's not here. Okay. Next speaker 5.46. John and council. Thanks for the opportunity the other night to speak a little on behalf of our appointed uh appointed DPW director. I wanted to actually say it
publicly. So, you know, council members, I'd like to just say a few brief comments. In the short period of time working with Jim, everything's been extremely positive. He's been really engaged with the staff. He's listened to everybody's concerns, challenges, and what stands out the most to me is he's been already beginning looking at ways
to improve processes and different services for Jersey City, for the council, for the city, and for the residents. He's been real practical, results focused, and he wants to fix problems, not just talk about them. And his 25
years of sanitation and storm experience with his background is definitely what Jersey City needs. And based on what I've seen already, I'm confident he's the right person to lead DPW. So, thank you. And just one other note, did you guys all get the information on 1019? We emailed it to you today. >> Forms.
>> Yeah, we emailed everything to you guys today. I just want to make sure you got it all >> received. >> Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.47, Tariq. Sorry. >> Did you say right No, he right here. Okay.
He got taller. I ain't seen him since he was a little kid. That's why I ain't see him. >> Good evening. My name is Tariq Battle Holly. I was born and raised in Jersey City and I'm here to speak on behalf of Pete Benson. Two years ago, Pete gave me an opportunity that truly changed my
coaching career through the United East AU program here in Jersey City. He trusted me to step in into coaching into a coaching role and work with all the kids in our community. At the time, I was just starting out trying to find my way. And he saw something in me before I
fully saw it in myself. Since then, he's been more than just someone who gave me a chance. He's been a mentor, a guide, and honestly like a big brother to me. He's always pushed me to grow, to lead with purpose, and to be better, not just on the court, but off the court, too.
Because of Pete, I've been able to develop as a young coach and make a real impact on kids in Jersey City, helping them build confidence, discipline, and a love for the game of basketball. And I was just and I just want to say it was never just about the X's and Os. The opportunity he gave me turned into
something much bigger. We built a relationship, a support system, and at the end of the day, we became family. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.4. 48 Bal. >> Good evening, council. I'm a product of Jersey City Rec. Come from Jersey City Rec and play
>> loud. Pull pull the mic up each. Good evening, council. I'm a product of Jersey City Wreck. to come from Jersey City wreck and play in the Big East and play overseas. I stand before you today to speak about Peter Vincent and why he's the right choice as the athletic
director of Jersey City. It isn't about filling a position. It's about leadership, vision, and the impact. It's about choosing someone who understands that athletic is more than wins and losses. It's about building young people, strengthening the community, and creating opportunities that last far
beyond the game. Peter J. Vincent brings 15 years of proven leadership in athletics at both high school and collegiate levels. What separates him is not experience but results. He has led programs to success from high school and
college. He builds culture. He's someone who understand discipline, structure, mentorship all start at the foundation of success. Jersey City deserves a director who understands his unique energy, diversity, and potential.
He's not just familiar with the community. He served it, coached it, and helped it. Helped it. The future of Jersey Athletic, the future of Jersey City athletics deserves someone who has already proven they can lead at the highest level and still have
the passion to do even more. My vote is for Pete for Wreck. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.49 Michael. >> Good afternoon everyone. Uh my name is Michael Mincy. I'm a resident of Jersey
City. Uh I also coach basketball. I've been involved with basketball youth developments for about 30 years. Pete Vincent is a friend of mine. He's also a brother. He's helped me in many ways.
Uh I applaud you to vote yes for P. Vincent. Thank you. Our next speaker 550 Abe. Is Abe here? Abe K. No. >> Okay.
5.51. John Hester. Evening. I'm from Bayon or live in Bayon, but I'm from Jersey City, born and raised. And I coached basketball at St. Dominic Academy for the last 13 years. Our five daughters and three sons are all students in Jersey City on the high
school level. I've known Pete for 15 years and I know a lot of people have come up and said some really good things about him, which are true. I feel a little bit like I'm in the fast money round of Family Feud. I know it's going to be a little redundant, but his resume speaks for itself. The position that he is vying for and hopefully being
approved for tonight, he's suited for it. Everything that he's been doing throughout his career has made him has prepared him for this position. He can handle large operating budgets. He knows how to handle facilities, logistics, different sports. He's also able to deal
with not just boys, but also girls, kids from people from all different socio economic backgrounds. Really fits every description required to do what's best for the people of Jersey City. And the recreation department is key for the
youth, but not just the youth, for everybody. When our youth are occupied with athletic opportunities, social opportunities, and ultimately leadership opportunities, those are the young people that could ultimately be sitting where you are sitting today if they get that opportunity on the ground floor. And
Pete is somebody that can provide that opportunity with his leadership. So for my money, Jersey City deserves Pete Vincent. Thank you. Our next speaker, 5.51, John Bernardo. >> Yes, my name is John Bernardo. I am a
Jersey City native. I was born in Margaret Hake, played basketball at St. Peters Prep. Um, my wife and I when we got married, we moved to California. When we came back from California about 5 years later, we were very pleasantly
surprised with the economic boom, if you will, of Jersey City. But what we were disappointed with is the state of sports. Uh my oldest son um could not find a basketball game anywhere really. It was very difficult. Um but thankfully
my younger son, we found the Hurly Family Foundation and that's where I met Coach Pete Vincent. Um through that program, my son had 10 great years of organized basketball. Um he's now graduating from McNair. He's going to Purdue University and large part of the
organization sports and everything you learn from that. Um in terms of specifically about Coach Vincent, there's a term in basketball, uh the term is called playing up. Um you
can reclass and play at a lower level. your eighth graders could move down to seventh grade and and playing the easier team. Coach Vincent is known of taking kids from Jersey City and playing up. We will play in the hardest levels. We may not win every tournament, but by going
through that process, each one of those kids will win in the long run. And that's what Coach Pence is all about. Councilman Gilmore, you you mentioned earlier there was a great discussion about, you know, what do we call ourselves? you know, are we representing
black or white or Indian or Asian? Um, I think Coach Vincent will represent all that and all that. Well, I don't know the answer to that question, but rich, poor, black, right, left, right. Um, he will take care of all those needs
because once again, all coach Pittz knows is about playing up and that's the direction to go. Thank you. Our next speaker 5.53 June. >> Hey June, how are you? >> I'm good. Thank you Sean for asking.
Good evening council president, members and council, particularly our ward council persons. I rise tonight in opposition of resolution 26.281, item 10.41 41 on tonight's agenda regarding the reopening and
reconsideration of the Morris Canal redevelopment plan for 417 Communo Avenue. Let me be very clear, our community absolutely supports affordable housing. We understand the need for it and we welcome development that includes
it. But what we cannot support is amending a carefully crafted redevelopment plan simply because the developer does not want to comply with the visions and expectations of this community that we fought so very hard for. The issue before us tonight is not
affordable housing versus no affordable housing. The issue whether redevelopment plans are designed for people or redesigned for the convenience of developers. The Morris Canal redevelopment plan was crafted with community input, community sacrifice,
and community vision. Residents envisioned a fullervice neighborhood, one that includes not only housing, but also commercial and retail opportunities that allow people to live, shop, work, and invest within their own community.
We deserve the dignity and convenience of walking our neighborhood stores, shopping, cafes,armacies, and services instead of constantly leaving our neighborhood and spending our dollars elsewhere. Retail and commercial development creates opportunity,
jobs, entrepreneurship, and reinvestment into the local economy. Without that component, we continue a cycle where our community houses people but not economically sustaining them. 417 Communore Avenue also carries history. A
significant at one point this property was supposed to be the the buildout of Berry Lane Park. Later, this community fought against the proposal of a 17story tower next to two and fivetory homes. A proposal advanced with little
transparency and without genuine community support. That battle led to a lengthy court proceeding and ultimately the collapse of the project. The people fought hard for this redevelopment plan that exists today. Many of us were advocating for Lafayette long before
developers saw value in its neighborhood. We should now not disregard the vision simply because a developer refuses to include commercial and retail space. In this council, please consider reopening and red the redevelopment plan. Then perhaps the
better solution is for us to issue an RFP for developers willing to build what the community already said it wants and needs, not to amend the plan downward to accommodate what one developer is willing not to do. Please table this
resolution. Thank you. >> Our next speaker 5.54 Jasmine. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Jasmine Reese. Tonight I'll be speaking on behalf of Coach Vincent and the impact he has had on my life. I'm proud to say I was born and raised here in Jersey City. I'm a graduate of Hudson Catholic High School in New Jersey City
University where I earned my bachelor's degree in criminal justice. It was there at both Hudson and NJCU that I had the opportunity of further my academic and athletic career and more importantly of being guided by someone I I will forever know as coach Pete Vincent. He has been a mentor, an adviser, and truly my
lifelong coach in every sense of the word. As a student athlete, I faced significant adversity and during back-to-back injuries resulted in multiple surgeries. But during those moments when I felt at my lowest, Coach Vincent never wavered. While I was recovering, he showed up for me in ways far more beyond the court. He checked
in. Not only, he checked in and stepped in. Whether it was making sure I had plenty resources I needed while recovering and maintaining my academics. He became a critical part of my support system when I needed it most. He pushed me to dig deeper and to
rediscover my purpose and to believe in myself when I struggled to. Through his guidance and support, I realized that my journey and my purpose has always been bigger than the game of basketball. That's how I knew he was more than just a coach. Coach Vincent prepared me for not only the game but but as a student
and as a young woman navigating life. Whether he was drawing up plays on the court, helping build my academic schedule, introducing me to programs and internships, or writing letters of recommendation, he has always been there guiding, supporting, and advocating for me. I wholeheartedly believe that Mr.
Vincent is deserving of this position. His passion, his commitment, and his unwavering dedication to our youth truly set him apart. He not only prepared me for the game, but for life, for every opportunity and challenge that presented itself and how to accept it, execute
those opportunities and challenge with perseverance, dignity, and efficiency. And for that, I'll forever cherish that and be grateful. Thank you. >> Our next speaker, 5.55, Cy, >> did I get your name right?
>> Oh, that's great. Uh Seily >> Sey thank you >> well many things have been said I'm also speak here to speak on behalf of Pete uh one of my lifong lifelong friends um Pete not long I know him and his family
for most of my life uh high school to college to present day he's a tremendous uh student athlete uh definitely has been a downto-earth person uh critical thinking driven focused most importantly a passionate leader leader. He embodies
dedication, teamwork, and forward thinking. Uh from banquetss to barbecues, holidays, he's just always a great person. I've learned and become a better person. Just always thinking bigger. He always pushed me to be
better, a sense of community, family, and conversely, I think uh I've had an impact on him as well. Uh many things have been said uh regarding the community Jersey City and I know with Pete uh it's going to be a collaborative effort
not just for the persons. He's definitely the person but it's going to take like it's a family. But with that I vote Pete Vincson. >> Next speaker 5.56 Alberto Good evening, council members. My name is Alberto Vasquez and I'm here in
support of uh Pete Vincent. As someone stated before, they were a product of Jersey City Recreation. I uh stand here before you as another product of Jersey City Recreation. Without Jersey City Recreation, it wouldn't give me the opportunity to play at Hudson Catholic, where I was a
varsity baseball player. Wouldn't have helped me got to Ruckers University where I was a Big East baseball player. wouldn't have helped me got to the opportunity to play professional baseball with the Minnesota Minnesota and with the New Jersey Jackals. I say that because recreation guided me
throughout my life. It was extremely important. The people that were there were extremely important to me in my life. know when Pete Vincent when I was the head coach at Hudson Catholic and he was the head first varsity girls basketball coach. I saw a man back then 15 years ago that
was dedicated dedicated to student athletes which is important to me. I think he knows what it takes for everyone in his in his entire program to get better. Not just sports, like Mr. Matthew said before, it's
education as well. He's going to be there. He's organized. He's committed. And I got to be honest with you, he's the best fit for recreation. And I extremely support Pete Vincent for Jersey City Recreation Director. Thank you. Our next speaker, 5.57, Midhun,
not here. Thank you. Next speaker, 5.58, Kevin. Kevin Davis. No. Next speaker 5.59 Lorenzo. Good evening, council members. Um,
following statements I'm about to make are in my capacity as a private citizen and not in my capacity as a school board member. These statements are also not representative of the board or its individual members and solely represent my own personal opinions as a resident
and taxpayer. Um there's three agenda items I want to speak on and I'll name them. They are 10 26, 10.27, and 10.28.
um 26 and 27. Uh the addition of the consumption lounge at these two um dispensaries or their cannabis
dispensaries. Uh 36 Congress Street and 759 A Bergen Avenue. One is across the street from where St. Peters colleges and it's also um directly across the street there's a
childhood center early childhood center um where the old was it the old municipal courthouse was I think it was uh and then you also have 36 Congress streets three doors over there's an early childhood center I don't know why
these key these things keep ending up near early childhood centers even the down near the pedestrian plaza is near a childhood center. Um, I hope you will vote against these. Uh, I don't think we need to have consumption lounges for these cannabis
places and we quite honestly have too many of them. Um and myself, as some of you know, myself and two retired educators have been ad advocating against them to even open. Um
and I'll just add on to the to the third item uh 10.28. Uh I'm also speaking against uh this Prime Genetics LLC at 26 Cornell Avenue where in this abandoned warehouse they
want to basically I guess build out and grow and manufacture weed to sell to some of the dispensaries or what have you. Um, I don't know about you all, but it doesn't matter whether I'm downtown,
the Heights, Bergen, Lafayette, Greenville, uh, Westside. Everywhere I go, I smell this smell that smells like a skunk, this weed smell. And I thought they were supposed to have some devices
to deal with that odor, but it's everywhere. and something needs to be done to address that. And please don't vote for these. >> Thank you, >> Lorenzo. You few things. Well, one, the smoke
you're smelling is from illegal marijuana use. It's not necessarily coming from the licensed dispensaries. Um, but to your bigger question, you said you don't know how they keep winding up by these early childhood institutions. I believe the legislation
does not exempt those areas. Can you correct correct me if I'm wrong? I think it their only thing is exempt is the school and not um early childhood uh >> we would need to look into that and get back to you. I can try to pull it up
right now, but I off top of my head. 200 That's the studio. >> Okay. Our next speaker, 5.60, Laura. >> Good evening. My name is Laura Mstreda and I'm here representing the Lyuna Eastern Region to speak in support of
resolution 26-253 and provide a suggestion for resolution 26-281. For those of you who may not know, our members are a critical piece of the Jersey City fabric. Whether local 3 is pouring concrete for a new residential
high-rise, local 472 is constructing the Gateway Tunnel, Local 55 is rehabbing housing authority apartments, or Local 108 is helping reduce the city's waste at Sims Metal Recycling. It's hard to deny that our members help keep this
city moving and growing each and every day. Not only do Lyuna members work in Jersey City, over 400 call Jersey City home and hope to stay here for many years to come. So whenever the city has the opportunity to facilitate the
creation of more affordable housing and union construction jobs at the same time, we will be here in fullthroated support. Resolution 26-253 authorizes the planning board to conduct an area need of redevelopment study and
for a parcel located in corner of Newark A and Baldwin Aav. By facilitating this the redevelopment of this lot under the direction of the county, Jersey City stands to gain critically needed mixed income housing and quality construction jobs for skilled local craft workers.
That's a win-win in our book and we hope you will support it tonight. Resolution 26-281 directs the planning board to amend the Morris Canal redevelopment plan. And for far too long, we think that we've seen that the positive economic impact of quality construction jobs has been
treated as an afterthought in these plans. And we have some ideas for how to correct that. As we've already discussed with some of you, we want to encourage all redevelopment plans moving forward to include provisions that integrate clear workforce development goals and ask developers to detail the
construction labor impact of their proposed projects. We also encourage the city to expand the use of redevelopment agreements as broadly as possible to ensure the JCA has the opportunity to negotiate on the community's behalf from the very start.
Look, it's no secret that the cost of living has skyrocketed in Jersey City, and our members are not immune to these challenges. As a construction union, our interests can place us at a crossroads. Redevelopment brings more construction job opportunities, but at the same time, it is driving gentrification, and that
creates tough choices. But it's not tough to support development that benefits the entire Jersey City community. meaning development that creates quality career opportunities for Jersey City residents and quality affordable housing for Jersey City families. Resolution 26-253 helps to do
that and resolution 26-281 has potential. So, we thank you and hope that you make the right decision tonight for the the whole community. Thanks. >> Our next speaker 5.61, Gary. Is Gary here?
Oh, next 5.62. Stephanie. This is in reference to resolution 26256. Tonight, the council is voting on a resolution to extend the deadline on a $2.2 million Department of
Transportation grant to improve pedestrian safety on Pacific Avenue and Caven Point Avenue. This grant was awarded in FY2023. Work dates back to 2022. This resolution will move back the grant to October
2026. This past Friday at 9:20 p.m., James Jones, an 87year-old Elizabeth resident, was struck by a vehicle near Pacific Avenue and Forest Street. This is an area that's covered by this grant. Mr.
Jones sadly succumbed to his injuries. There are very real world consequences. I understand a lot of this work was put off by the Fullip administration, but the urgency is very real behind this
work. This week, the city will host some Vision Zero walking tours, and that's very quaint and very charming, but that does not accelerate vision zero work. We know where to prioritize vision zero work. We would start with
pedestrian and cyclist deaths. You then go to where there is money that's already been awarded to the city. There's 5 million in addition to that 2.2 million. There is a 58page vision zero report that was informed by an 18
member task force online and in-person surveys, in-person tableabling at four city events and fourformational events. It seems at times that you're treating this like it's a warm-up, like there's time for political theater, but it's not clear when you're going to take
accountability. For now, the Philip administration is the scapegoat. Next, it'll be the governor and the budget committee, and then it'll be the state financial monitor. These are kind of Steve Phillipsesque behaviors,
and I'm concerned that we're repeating some bad behavior. You know, the mayor seems determined to repeat the same mistakes with the recreation department. It seems he's already campaigning for governor. You know, we he's got these uh instead of grammatically incorrect
tweets, there are random featurelength videos, including one marketing his recreation director pick as some sort of LeBron James figure. Now, I don't know why the other director picks did not get sizzle reels. I would have loved to
learn about Linda Ivory Green. But the city's social media would probably be better used by implementing vision zero recommendations on public education campaigns to change norms about how p people treat traffic safety.
Thank you. Our next speaker 5.63 63 and DGO. >> Good evening everyone. Thank you for giving me this time and this opportunity to speak today. I have known Pete Vincent. He's a good guy as an academic coach while I served my time
at NJCU playing volleyball. Um, but everyone that spoke on his behalf, they represent private and Catholic schools and aren't really involved within the recreation programs. So, I don't really think they can really speak on who qualifies for recreation director's position. So, I'm here to
speak on behalf of Coach Best, who was born and raised in Jersey City and still serves for Jersey City recreation. Our recreation department is more than just programs. It's where our community comes together. It's where kids uh learn, teamwork, where families connect,
and where people of all walks of life has a sense of belonging. And because of that, Tom Best uh his leadership in this space truly matters. Right now, we have an opportunity to move forward in our community in a meaningful way. We have a
chance to have leadership that reflects the diversity, energy, growth, and the culture that must live on that will be invested within our youth and in our city. This is why I'm advocating for coach Bass. His work ethics is not just
about programs. It's how his outreach has is done and is done with intention in class. Every resident he meets feels seen and welcome within his present and knew that he was going to stick to his job for the youth. With his voice, we open the doors
to new ideas, deeper trust, and stronger community engagement. Mr. best brings not only experience and dedication that he has already given but also a perspective that is incredibly valuable and ensuring our recreation spaces
serves everyone not just wars C, D and E but also wars A, B and F and um his leadership will also bridge those gaps and that will inspire youth who would um also like to see themselves reflected in
positions of leadership and strengthen the connection between the department of the community like myself. I am one of many that can definitely attest to what I'm speaking of because I was his former student athlete and also became a colleague of his where I became a head
coach within my community also serving with passion and purpose. So um this is isn't just about excluding anyone. It's about expanding the table. It's about making sure that our leadership reflects the richness of our community and it is
equipped to meet its needs. We all benefit when leadership is inclusive, thoughtful, and a true representative. So today, I encourage you to support Mr. Tom Best on becoming the the director of recreation and youth development, not
just because of what he stands for, but as he leads with an example and because his leadership is impactful to our entire community. So I do thank you and imagine what he congrats. Thank you.
>> Our next speaker 5.64 Keith Keith not here. Next speaker 5.65 Marilyn. Good evening. My name is Marilyn Hoffman. I'm a resident at 162 Bidwell
Avenue, the Carl House in Wardf. It's a dangerous, unsafe living arrangement and the senior citizens being taken advantage of and the management department is not doing anything about it. We need your help. Thank you.
>> I'm sorry. Can you repeat that address? >> What was the address again? The address >> I know it was Bidwell. He didn't have I sorry the number >> can't hear Sean is 162 Bidwell. >> Oh 162 Bidwell. Thank you.
>> I'm deaf. I can't hear you. >> Hold on. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Next speaker 5.66 66 Frank >> afternoon council. I don't think there's anyone besides
wherever she is. Leverne is more Jersey City than me. I went to PS38 Hudson Catholic and Jersey City State College and I was born in Margaret Hag so I can talk about Jersey City. Resolution 10.27
and resolution 10.28 28 should be voted on unanimously. Resol resolutions six or 10.26 should has not paid its 2% excise tax which all other dispensaries paid for three consecutive quarters. It
is not fair to grant this business that lounge. The reason why is because there's one lounge per ward. And I believe that being that being considered for this opportunity, a closed business should not be able to be permitted to have a license while
remaining closed. We pay our quality taxes on the first day, not the 15th, but the first day. There should not be any special treatment or empathy for a business that criticizes Jersey City at every turn that they are.
And also uh we faced the same challenges that every other dispensary had having being waited and waited and waiting for the CCB and the CRC and it takes 18 months. We all did that. We didn't borrow any money. We didn't get any loans. We use our own money. We didn't
get any grants either where a lot of these businesses have got a grant. And also uh for the for for and we also did for our infrastructure and our f finances from the beginning. We
did that. We didn't need any of the city council. We didn't do anything with the CCB. We did it oursel. And also this industry is not for everyone. Six cannabis businesses have gone out of business after spending millions of dollars. Four of them on Tundley Avenue.
You had uh Medicine Women, Blossom, uh there's another one over there, Kush Club. They closed down there. So, you had three there. You had the one on Central Avenue. We have this one on uh Congress. And we have another one. And as you guys know that this was supposed
to be just for Jersey City residents. and Frank Gilmore and Denise, council person, council president Denise New, I talked to him about that because the MSOs are now looking for small businesses that going out of business so that they can come into the city. So,
it's not that it's a regular business person from Jersey City. It's going to be those MSOs, which means multi-state operators who are going to put out the smaller businesses. And so from all that and I say to all the 48 dispensaries waiting, we welcome you to the struggle.
Our next speaker 5.67 Terrence. Good evening. Let the record state that the following people have been notified of this situation I'm going to talk about which is parking in Jersey City where the residents of Skyline Drive. The people that were notified are from
the zoning council permits department infrastructure DPW Jersey City Police Department. Denise Ridley, Frank Gilmore, James Solomon, Jeff Dublin, Rich from MUA, Andy Kaplan, Doug G. Monty from zoning, Jean security, Walter
Barrett, Captain Kelly, Jersey City Police Department, parking enforcement supervisor Abraham, Kim Sims, Clarissa Vasquez, all of them have been notified that we live on a dead-end block. It's attached homes. It's not a culde-sac. I have proven it through pictures and
through emails which were provided through the city from the area of view. Park spaces were taken away wrongfully. UPS, FedEx, DHL, sanitation department, police department vehicles, all on video
making a turn and getting off the block without any delay or difficulties. I spoke with the permits department. I spoke with zoning. We've been back and forth for over two years. They we were asked by Denise Ridley, our council woman, to just do a favor for a
neighbor who has made this one complaint to park across our driveway, which we did. I spend every month going to Zoom court because I get a ticket. I applied for a parking permit, which is $5.
I paid $180. I got nothing. Okay. uh multiple emails, visits, phone calls, popups at different meetings. I provided pictures, videos of the school bus in question making a turn with no problems. Actually, I had Mr.
Gilmore do a turn with me cuz we have the same vehicles. Am I correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. And to no no avail. I mean, this is an ongoing thing. Parking is crazy in Jersey City. And we did everything that we were supposed to do. And the thing
about it, everything was approved, but nothing has been done. I got the emails, the paperwork saying that everything was approved. The signs are still up. We got the cops coming at 4:30, 5:00 in the morning with the sirens to move the car for what? It's legally parked. It's not
a culdeac. Your pictures prove it, but it's still an ongoing thing. So, the resolution is, oh, we're going to take the signs down, but the signs still remain. The police still come. The tickets still come. I got to go to court next Friday, do Zoom. I got to take a day off from work to go
to Zoom to beat a ticket that I've been beaten that shouldn't even be getting. So, if anybody needs copies of the emails or which I'm sure you have and the pictures, just let me know and I'll send them again. >> Hey, Peter. Um, can we, um, have
infrastructure follow up? Uh, cuz I know it's been some time now since me and both council president uh, really were down there. Um, and I know that they were looking into addressing. >> Is it possible you could send me the emails, a chain of the information that
help with them? >> Yeah. And I'll send you what I have too, Peter, cuz they have been asking for a long time and they went through two different directors at this point who promised that they would uh rectify the situation.
>> So, Peter, um if we can if the council can get a copy of because I know yesterday um the director for the cannabis said that we collected upwards of 800,000 in T. if we can get a um I guess
a print out of where those funds were dis dispersed and how they were dispersed because I know there's certain I know some was supposed to go to the school, some was supposed to go to social equity groups and stuff like that. So, we can get a breakdown of where those funds went uh for those tax
years. >> Yep, we'll do. I know we sent something in response to that. I don't know if we sent all the funds dispersements, but I'll double check and if not, we'll make sure you get them. >> Thank you. Okay. 5 point our last speaker 5.68 Stephanie Taylor.
She's not here. Okay. All right. That will conclude our public speaking portion of the meeting. Thank you. I clap too if I um >> any questions or comments on petitions
communications item 6.1 through items 6.45 hearing none. There are no officer communications. Any questions or comments on reported directors 8.1 through 8.4? Hearing none. On to our claims and
addendum number one. Council members going to be taking a vote on claims and addendum number one. Council Person Brooks. >> Hi. >> Council Person Zuba. >> Hi. >> Council person Ephro. >> Hi. >> Council person Little. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I.
>> Council person Singh. >> Hi. >> Council person Griffin. >> I. >> Council person Lavaro. >> And council president Ridley. >> I. >> I. >> Claims and addendum number one are
approved unanimously. 90. Okay. on to our resolutions. Council members, before I take a vote on 10.1 through 10.11, I believe the BA would like to address the council on item 10.8.
>> Yes. So, we are withdrawing couple of resolutions, but I'll let Sean go through his process. In this particular section, we're withdrawing 10.8, resolution 26-248. Uh, the law department needs some more time just to restruct everything.
Okay, with that being said, council members are going to be taking a vote on items 10.1 through 10.11 with the exception of 10.8 which has been withdrawn. Council person Brooks, >> I vote I on all. >> Council person Zupa. >> I,
>> Council Person Efos, >> I. >> Council person Little, >> I. >> Council person Gilmore, >> I. >> Council person Singh, >> I. >> Council person Griffin, >> I. Council person Lavaro. >> So what was um
>> 10.1 through 10.11 with the exception of 10.8 which has been withdrawn. >> Um can you re reiterate whatever somebody said earlier? I I wasn't paying attention. >> Yeah, the law department's looking at a 10.8 regarding the questions by council. So they just need more time to review
that. Um on 10.1 um the numbers you did provide me with some numbers there. Um I'm going to vote no. It's uh the appropriation for we we
want to pay our public defenders, but the um like I said, we want to rightsize these these uh budgets, these numbers. And it looked to me like uh you could probably get away with 20,000 rather than 80,000 increase. Um
and uh I'll vote uh yes on I'll vote no on 10.8. That's just a >> 10.8 has been withdrawn. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I vote yes on all the rest. So, you're
voting no on 10.1 and I on all the rest except for 10.8 which has been withdrawn. Correct. >> Correct. >> Thank you, Council President Ridley. >> I Okay, we just recap. Item 10.1 is approved 81
with Council Person Lavaro voting no. Items 10.2 through 10.7 are approved unanimously, 90. And items 10.9 through 10.11 are also approved unanimously 90. On to our next
set of resolutions. Items 10.12 through 10.21 with the exception of 10.12 because it was approved earlier. Council person Brooks. >> I vote I on all and I'm excited to see the improvements come further improvements um on Monaceel A with
respect to 10.17. Council person Zupa >> on 10.13. That's the study to look at Newark and Baldwin, which is a county owned property. I know there was some concern from from the public about there not being a public meeting before this
was heard by the council. Uh and and I'll repeat what I said to the community on Monday when I left the caucus to go to the Hilltop meeting. Uh we can anticipate and I will ensure substantial public comment on on this before anything is done. And just to be clear,
it's just a study to determine what, if anything, can be done with what is currently a parking lot owned by Hudson County. Uh the the other example I can give is the last council voted on a similar study for county plaza. And what has happened since is we are in process
of scheduling public comment for for the county's development there. And the process includes a planning board vote, two council meetings, and substantial public comment. So, if you are skeptical or concerned about this particular resolution, it's only a study and I will
ensure and work with the county to make sure that they come uh and listen to public comment as I have done uh over the last 3 months for every uh proposed development or idea in WC. Uh I vote I on the rest and just on uh 10.19 uh thank you to the BA's office
for sending me the DPW contract. Uh the contract for the uh rentals and cleaning of the uniforms is uh unsatisfied is sub substantially in the contract and is a requirement of that contract. We can look into that
collectively bargained again. So I vote I on all. >> Thank you. Council person Efos. >> Uh I vote I. >> Council person Little. I vote I on all and on 10.13 I just want
to say um this is building um affordable housing on county owned land is something I've advocated for since 2023 and I am really really thrilled to see the county moving forward with it. We do not have nearly enough affordable housing and this is a great opportunity. So thank you
>> council person Gilmore. Um I vote I for all. I just want to say on 10:19 um I think we should uh still explore um like I guess the possibility of h us
having wash machines and dryers in house. Um, I know the I guess I do see looking on my colleagues um email screen here, they did send the uh they did send correspondence um but I
don't see I specifically spoke to the volume of uniforms that were supposed to be washed. I do see a contract that say that the uniforms are supposed to be clean. Um, I mean, of course, we want our essential workers to have the
necessary san sanitized uniforms to work. Um, but I still think that we should be looking into ways to make sure these things are essentially costefficient. Um, so with all that, I'll vote I.
>> Council person Singh. >> Um, I vote I, but I have a comment on 10.13. Uh my aid attended the hilltop meeting last night or day before. Um
people were really upset community outreach was not done by county. So I think that should be the first step. County should make efforts to reach out to the community. And the second thing is um I think it would be great if uh
county can share the commitment um of how many affordable and workforce units this project will deliver. And uh my other comment is on 10.19. I've got couple of um texts about um we
are not um happy with the DPW asking for um uniforms uh renting the uniforms. I want to make it clear the intention was to find out what are the options available is buying
better than renting and how does it work. The intention was not to say that oh this is expense and we do not support that. As a new council and especially when we are in deficit we are trying to look for the ways where we have we know
the the other options available and I do put I for all the 10.19 too. >> Thank you council person Griffin. Yes, I want to say uh when it comes to
10.19 as a um hospitality professional specializing in housekeeping, I believe in-house is actually the way to go. Um you know, there are machines uh and chemicals that that um we can use and I'm I'm pretty sure that would be far
less than $3,000 annually. >> 300,000 >> $300,000 annually. um and and probably including a staffer to do all the washing and drying. Um but I'm going to go ahead and and um vote I
on all >> council person Lavaro >> and um 10.19 uh 10.21 rather uh just thanks to the administration for sh providing the information. um did receive it at uh 3:24 PM um and had the
opportunity to just review this and I'm looking at it and if I could just walk through this with you um and the BA's office. So I'm looking at um do do you have that information in front of you? So, the Neielson fleet contract goes
back to 2023. And in 2023, we expend we requested $20,000. And then it says again requested 20,000 to POS um which I assume means that you asked for additional money at later in
the down the road. Collectively we expended um close to $38,000 um or 39,000 maybe of the 40,000. Um 2024 there were three POS um and and so the numbers varied 30,000 35,000
30,000 requests. Uh the dollar amounts are 64 70 90,000 in 2024. um 2025 the request 1 PO $60,000 request we spent 22,000 um this year we're
requesting 70,000 um I I would urge the administration to these open-ended contracts I've brought it to the budget hearings our budget meetings um we need to rightsize these you could do you could do another PO later down the road
if you if we need more lights and sirens um but I I just want to reiterate for record and for the public that uh $254 million budget deficit uh every $3.8 million in re in in additional expenses that ends up on our budget and the tax
ends up on the taxpayers 1% more to taxpayers. Um and so if we have a budget crisis, we need to act like we have a crisis and be able to control our spending like we have a crisis. And so I'm going to vote no on 10.21 to one as I think we can we can come in with a
lower amount on this and then uh and we should be right sizing all of these contracts um if we can and if we can do it retroactively I think we should be looking at um those contracts as well uh again 3.8 million saves us 1% to the taxpayers of Jury City I vote yes on all
the rest no on 10.21 21. >> Council President Ridley. >> I >> Okay, I can just recap. Items 10.12 through 10.20 are approved unanimously. 90. Item 10.21
is approved 81 with Council Person Lubaro voting no. Our next set of resolutions. >> Hold on. Excuse me, Sean, before we move on. So, I guess for as it relates to the
the outsiders dispensary, um does it still hold true that they're they haven't paid their tax revenue. The next section, Councilman, I don't know if you want to wait until Sean goes through them or how you want to do it. >> Say that one more time.
>> It's that's between 10:22 and 1033. the other side dispensary is what you're talking about. >> That's 26, right? >> Yeah. And and I'm I was just getting to that. >> Yes. >> Do you do we want to wait for Sean to go through them first or do we want to talk about it now? It's up to the council.
>> Oh, he's going to he's about to go through them now. We we >> I didn't ask for a vote yet. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. >> Happy to go over it now. So, yes, there's still outstanding taxes for that item. We are going to ask to withdraw those which is why I was trying to get
Sean to cue that up. Um but good time as any. So 1026 resolution 262 sorry resolution 26 desk 266 um on advice of council. We're going to withdraw it. There's some outstanding questions there that council has to review before we can have the council
vote on it. I just wanted to to raise I don't know if um BA and council have gotten the email from the business owner and and the lawyer representing the business. Um that was around 5:30 p.m. just to it spelled out some clarifications before we commit to
withdrawing this. >> We have received the letter. I'll let uh corp council respond. I can confirm we received a communication in the hour prior to the council meeting when corporation council and the council was in a closed session. There's extensive
information in there we have not had time to properly review. So it is my advice that the administration withdraws this item. And just for the record on the caucus meeting I did recommend the administration to withdraw 10.25 25 city resolution 26-265.
That's our MUN code, our um codification services. We just have to get a PO. So, we'll bring it back for the next meeting. >> Objection. >> Thank you. All right, council members. So, I'm going to be taking a vote on items 10.22 through 10.33
with the exception of 1025 and 26, which has been withdrawn. Council person Brooks. Uh before I vote, I just want to say uh recognize the owner uh of Zena is here um with regard to 10.27 the consumption
lounge. Uh he gave me and my staff a tour of the consumption lounge. Um and uh you know this is not new information. Uh I've been sober for 11 years from drugs and
alcohol. Uh and all right. All right. >> Not necessary, but I appreciate that. Um, but you know, I look at the, uh, cannabis industry a little bit differently. Um, but, you know, with
respect to hate them, um, this is a guy that is born and raised in Jersey City. He wants to give back, uh, to the city. Um, excited to work with him on the west side. And you know, I'd say to folks that have some concerns about the
cannabis industry, um, this is highly highly regulated. Um, we are getting tax dollars back for our schools. Um, and yeah, so, you know, I just wanted to get
that on the record. Uh, I vote I on all. Thank you. >> Council person Zupa, >> I. >> Council person Ephos, >> I vote I. Council person Little >> I for all. >> Council person Gilmore. >> You said to 36
>> 33 10.22 10.3 >> I >> council person sing >> I for all. >> Council person Griffin >> I. >> Council person Lavaro. Just to put on
the record again, um, thank you again to the administration, 10.22 is an open-end contract. Um, the numbers over the past four years. In 2022, um, we requested 60,000, spent 54,000.
2023, we requested 100,000 of the contract awarded 100,000, and we expended 48,000. In 2024, a 100,000 um awarded and we spent 72,000. In 2025,
we requested a 100,000 and we spent less than 8,000. Um here we're spending 150,000. Um we could probably come in at like the 50,000 mark or less. Um even and then again have additional POS
moving forward. Um I can't urge you enough. This is the kind of stuff where we really need to find the uh the savings um for the for the people of Jersey City, the taxpayers of Jersey City. Uh that uh $254 million budget deficit and the t the potential tax
implications uh for Jersey City homeowners and then ultimately renters when it gets passed on from uh the property owners. Um it'll be it'll be devastating and uh um we need to we need to tighten things up. Um, I'm going to
vote no on 10.22 and I would normally vote no on the contract starting January 1st. I appreciate the law department's um efforts and everything they're doing to bring things into order there. Um, and
um, I'm going to vote yes on all the rest. Council President Ridley. >> I >> Okay, if I can just recap, item 10.22 is approved 81 with Council Person
Lavaro voting no. Items 10.23 and 24 are approved unanimously 90. Items 10.27 through 10.33 are also approved unanimously 90. and for the balance of our resolutions items 10.34
through 10.43 but I believe the BA would like to address the council on 10.42. Yes, thank you Sean. Uh once again 1042 resolution 26-282. The administration is going to withdraw it. This is a scattered site plan that I
know a lot of you had questions back on Monday for. Um we're just doing deeper analysis to kind of address some of the concerns that council raised and we'll bring that back once the list has been cleaned up. So, yes, withdrawing 4 point I mean 10.42. Peter, while while I have you in
a talking mood, can we uh go to 1041 and just be clear about what we're doing here? We're authorizing the planning board to study and prepare an amendment for the Morris County Canal redevelopment plan. Now, I
know normally when we reopen plans, we go through a community process and I want to ensure that we're going to do this here and that nothing is going to be changed. Um, we know that amendment has to come back before the council, so nothing would be changed without us voting on it, but I just want to be
clear about what exactly we're doing in 10.41. >> Absolutely. So, uh, this would have a substantial public process. This is, you know, just open up to start studying it again. Um specifically this is about a contaminated lot, industrial lot that's adjacent to Berlane Park which is
privately owned. Um the original plan had extensive development for that site. Uh I think 17 stories in total with a lot of community improvements. Um during that public process there was a lot of uh feedback that was looked upon the
density as a very negative part for the community. So there was some question about whether it was appropriate. So essentially this will open that up to restudy it to see if there's a different development that could go there that wouldn't be as dense. There is a currently a proposal from one developer I believe to do six stories that would
be substantially less deaths in the dense than the original project would also have substantial affordable housing included in the project as well. So I think it makes a lot of the original concerns that are addressed and brought by the community. But the first step to even getting there is to reopen the plan to see if that'd be appropriate and going through the public process again
to make sure the public has time to digest the information and provide feedback on the information. >> Um I just I just want to say real briefly um the original plan was for the city to acquire it for rec center.
That's the original plan. The original development plan included these 17 stories with the community give back. Even in all of that, the condensed plan, if you will, still gets the same amount of density, which mean they get the same
group of people in said area, just with lower stories. So, it's I just think that we I I just think that when when we're looking at these opening these redevelopment plans, we
just have to be clear on where the community stands. Like, I just think we give the developers too much wiggle room. And I get it. If this was 1980, we should do that. But we're like the Gold Coast. We're the economic engine of the
of the state basically. Um so I I just think we need to to act like it to reinvision how we um deal with these redevelopment plans. >> Understood. Council, I also have the deputy mayor here who's worked on the plan a little bit closer than I have and he has a few comments. >> Thank you. Um thank you for the
opportunity to address the council on this. Deputy mayor, I'm just so sorry. Can you just introduce yourself for our court reporter? Of >> course. Uh, Deputy Mayor Keshan Podar, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development for the city. >> Thank you so much. >> Um, so just to clarify a couple of
points here, Councilman. Um, as you know, the current redevelopment plan does specify a menu of community benefits. Uh, that included a community center. It included a significant commercial retail space. It included an open space requirement, and it included
5% affordable housing. The previous developer, as you know, tried to accommodate all of those uses on the site by building a 17story tower because that was the only way to fit everything on the site. Um, there was obviously a great deal of community push back to
that level of height in that neighborhood and also ultimately the developer wasn't able to execute. Um, so now there is a new contract purchaser for the property. Uh, I attended a recent community meeting at the I believe it was a Morris Canal CDC monthly meeting. Um and the community
basically to to Peter's point had four takeaways that I had. Um the first was that they appreciated reduced density. The second was that they appreciated an increase in the affordable housing amount. Um the third and I believe some of the members of the public spoke to this earlier was there was a lot of
interest in a big commercial retail space potentially for a grocery store. Um and then I think the fourth thing I heard is as you know uh this site has been contaminated and vacant for quite some time and so I did feel quite a bit of desire from the community to see if there was a viable project to move
forward. So the whole point of this resolution would be to begin that study process that extensive study process that we've described so that we can see if we can get to a project that the community will support with the developer. it would need to come back before the council anyway at a later
point in order to get to an approved project. >> So, with the the proposed amendment, does that not include the retail space? Because I think that was one of the concerns we heard tonight, but you're saying with proposed amendment opening it back up, we could get a commitment
for a retail space there. >> Correct. This amendment does not specify anything about what it's going to become. It just allows a planning board to conduct more meetings. It allows us to continue the conversation with the developer and with the community about what we want the project to ultimately
look like, including potentially a large retail component. >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah, I mean I I guess I would be comfortable voting for this if we if we're going to have it come back to us and we get the ability to vote on it and we can make sure that we see
retail space potentially recreation center and then also we heard from uh Leuna um talking about labor agreement making sure we can get good union labor in the construction of the project. Um but I also you know uh show some
difference here to the council person uh of the ward. >> Can I can I um jump in here? So um so you had a community meeting with residents. Yeah. And they they responded favorably to proposed amendments and and
I I asked this knowing that June Jones spoke here and she opposed. I had no idea that uh I assumed that uh that there was buy in from from the community on this. So um I mean it's been a while
since I I've been back in the council, but June Jones is in Morris Canal in some level, right? So >> So Councilman, the community was not considering this amendment. They were not considering the question of what's before you tonight. The planning
department went through the current redevelopment plan requirements in detail and pulled the community essentially did a survey on what the community would like to see at the site and we are trying to use that feedback to enter into further discussions with
the developer and the community. Um so again there is no substantive requirement in this what you are voting on tonight to pursue any particular type of project. So, the community wasn't commenting on opening up the plan or not opening up the plan. They were just giving their views on what they would
potentially like to see on the site. >> Uh, I'm confused. Was it a survey or was it a community meeting or was it a community meeting to fill out a survey? >> Uh, it was a ladder. There was a community meeting. Residents were able to speak and then the planning
department also put forward a survey during the meeting. I was looking at one of the um one of the attachments to this resolution and it was a survey and it appeared that um tied for first in terms of community
priorities were um affordable housing and a community center. That was what it looked like to me from the survey that was included as an attachment. Is that accurate? >> Uh I don't recall what was specifically in the survey, but again that would be part of the study process. uh to move
forward. >> So, I think the the major concern and I know we talked about at um the caucus is one the recreational or community space. People just want to make sure that that's not being pulled out. But what
I'm hearing you say and I confirm, you know, let me know if I'm wrong. And my understanding of what this is is it's not changing anything right now. It is just a study. The community will be engaged. We will have community meetings. There's nothing specifically that we're pulling out from that
original 17 story. And right now it still requires 17 stories. So in order for us to lower it, we need to open the study also. Correct. >> Yes, that's correct. >> Um I also want to correct for the record. Um I was recalling incorrectly. Those two options were tied for second.
The the most popular option on the survey was the commercial. >> So So here here's what I I don't want to see. I because you know um I've been in a bunch of sharetses and and worked
on many many plans and I just I just want to make sure and ensure that the community is driving this train because um you know there there have been instances where developers opened up redevelopment plans and it was a
disaster right there there was there was nothing um appropriate for the community written into these plans and and you know the community they they they're there every day, right? And and you do have professionals. They may not be um
planning or architectural and and some communities you do have that, but you know, these are professional people that understand um where they live and and and their surroundings. So, you know, the the developer is going to have to take a backseat and listen.
>> And I guess this just my last point. Um, so just to be clear, there's really nothing definite. We're just studying the area, but noted that the developer wants to take out the community center. That's what they're
starting with. Did I read that correct or did I misread anything? Yes, Councilman, you're correct that the developer's original proposal did not include a community center. >> Thank you. >> Also, for record, I want to say we are just authorizing planning board to study
right now. >> So, um I I just wanted to seek some additional clarification on a couple points if possible. Um Deputy Mayor, thank you. Um it do I understand correctly that the
initial developer for whom this um original redevelopment plan was created which was 17 stories and included commercial space and included a community center has withdrawn and that
this existing redevelopment plan as is on the books will not get built because there's no developer that wants to build it. >> Correct. uh the previous developer uh lost the contract of sale for the property because the property owner got frustrated and was desegated by the JCA.
So that deal and that developer is is gone. >> Okay, that's different from no developer. The the answer there is that that developer doesn't want can't build that. That's different from no developer can build that. >> That's that's correct.
Um, and if we are opening this to study, um, just just thinking out loud here, it seems like the commercial space and the community center are really important, uh, to the community based on what we've heard tonight and what we've seen in the
results of the study. I know the initial proposal was 17 stories and this revised proposal is six stories without any of those amenities that the community is asking. Just thinking out loud, there's a lot of space between 6 and 17. I wonder if there could be some compromise that would still include those
amenities. >> That would be part of the study process and further negotiation. >> All right. So, I just don't want this to get lost because we're we're talking about stories and we're talking about affordability. Just so the public is
clear, the same amount of people is slated to occupy the space whether it's six stories or 17 sto. So let's not let's not get lost in oh they're bringing the height down. They're getting the density. They're getting those amount of units in there, which
was the point that we've been advocating for the beginning, asking the first developer to just lower the density and you still can't you still can make the money. >> But but if it if it has to be spread out, if it has to be shorter, it has to
be spread out. Maybe there's not space for a community center. Is that the concern? >> No. No. That's See, and that's my ve that's my very point that I don't want that to be confused. The whole premise is and again I don't want to well I mean I want my point to
be um my point to be received well um but I don't want to spend too much time on it. Um so the position of the new developer was not necessarily um that he didn't want to do that that
he didn't want to do the six stories because he wouldn't have had the community space. there was a political angle associated with this development. Um there was like uh going to court there was so so much stuff going into
it. So I'm just saying if we're going to open it up this time that we are transparent and we know exactly what we're looking to do and the community is leading the child. I just want to be clear on those points right there.
Deputy Mayor, has any sort of fiscal analysis been done at this point? >> Uh, no. We have not done in detail the financial analysis. We would want to hone in on what the final proposal is before before doing that.
All right. Um I'm sorry, but when it when it comes we get a lot of developers, especially in our community, that cannot afford to build and they get and their plans get approved and I don't understand I don't understand what that process is
and how that works. But there's a lot of people I mean we're the triangle on Monttoello that's been sitting there for 20 years and it's supposed to be 10 stories affordable housing and all that stuff hasn't hasn't come to fruition. um
you know and and there were some points where um the councilman and I um some years ago talking to developers and just asking them let us see your your performer right um they didn't want to show them but it seems like you know it it's it's
a lot of smoke and mirrors with these developers and they come and they say what they're going to do and they can't even afford it. So, like, can we put something in place to make sure that these guys are like
for real? Thank you. >> I have one more question. I'm sorry. Um, so the the the previous developer who's no longer I mean, he still technically owns a property. Is that where? No. >> No. The uh property
the property is privately owned by the family that used to have it as an industrial site. So, the private property owner has now chosen a new developer to try to sell the property to. >> A new developer. So, and he's selling the property to the new developer. >> The new developer has a contract to
purchase. It is not yet sold. >> And are we familiar with what the what the asking price is on all that? And >> I am not. >> Hi there. I have a question. Um, so you know, as the lay person looks at the
packet that was pres, you know, that's part of the public agenda, it's it, you know, what it looks like is the developer is seeking a favorable amendment to the redevelopment plan, right? Favorable to them. Um, I heard you say, deputy mayor, that that's not
necessarily what will come from the study if a study is done. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Okay. Um, I'm going to float an idea and maybe or maybe I'll just make a I don't know. Is a motion out of order, clerk?
>> Depends on what motion you're looking to make. >> Motion to carry uh 10.41. >> Yeah. Right. You would make a motion to withdraw 10.41. >> Okay. Well, it's not mine. It's not my resolution. It's the administration's.
But, you know, there's I think, you know, deputy mayor, you could see there's a lot of consternation um about even opening, you know, opening this up. Um so maybe withdrawing
might be appropriate. The point, the only point I would make, Councilman, is that opening it up allows us to pursue further community engagement on what this project should actually look like and further the discussions the developer on what the project should actually look like in
accordance with the feedback that we've received in the previous community meeting and otherwise. The risk with not proceeding is of course that, you know, we delay the process and the lot just continues to sit vacant. So we view this as a way to continue this discussion,
not as a way to end it. And again, any change to the plan would come back before the council. >> Now my my question is um who's who's opening up the um plan? Is it the administration or is it what is it NPR?
Is it the developer? >> It's the administration. >> Okay. All right. Uh, deputy mayor, is it possible if we delay the process, we the developer might might lose the interest? >> That's always possible. >> Possible. Okay.
No, but then I'm saying what are the possibilities? We we need to check the possibilities. We would not approve if we are not getting what we are looking for. So that's what I'm trying to know, right? >> Yeah. And again you would have the opportunity later on to vote this down
if it didn't come to your liking. Only thing I think we we will appreciate if you can do it depir you can keep us posted whatever steps you are taking community what are they asking how is it going what what is the developer
offering that's what I feel I can be I see your expressions >> I'm just I just think with so much dialogue I'm just going to motion to pull us because with so much dialogue with we on with the current plan, right?
Only one developer couldn't do it. In fact, in all honesty, that developer articulated with me personally that he actually tried to come back to the table. So, I just think in
in all all fairness, just so we can have a concrete understanding of where we're starting at, what we trying to get, that we should just pull it, have the dialogue. It's been abandoned for teen years anyway. No one seemed to take a
issue of it that much then. I don't think two weeks or a month is going to deter the developer if he was going to embark on his journey or not. They stand to make good money. It's very valuable land in case anybody is oblivious to the
value of the land. They stand to make good money. So, I just think that if we want to do things right, sometimes we got to proceed with cautious. And this cautious is real. It come from the trauma that we've been exposed to.
Right. This is not we we're not just coming out of the blue with this stuff. We're we're traumatized by the past behaviors of past administrations and past developers. That's just the reality. >> Yeah. >> In light of all of that, not trying to be here longer than what we have to be
here. I'm just going to motion to pull it. >> Second. >> Before we do that, I I don't want to take anything away from Council Person Brooks because he actually wanted to make the motion. >> Okay. full. >> So, what I'll do is to be fair, because
I'm one of the fairest guys you'll ever meet. >> Thank you, Sean. >> We'll make a motion to withdraw item 10.41, city resolution 26281, made by Council Person Brooks, seconded by Council Person Gilmore, >> third by Griffin,
>> and third by Griffin on and Lavar. Fourth, um on the motion to withdraw item 10.41 41 from the agenda. Council person Brooks >> I. >> Council person Zupa. >> Uh I'll vote I. I mean even with my prior comments about a study just opening up public comment. Um I do want
to note a concern about the proposed developer though uh being having a a a horrid labor record. So I think we should take into consideration what Leyona and local 3 said about redevelopment plans. So I vote I to withdraw. Council
>> person Efos. I to withdraw. Council person Little. >> Um I'm just going to state again that, you know, I hope a resolution can be reached that maintains the benefits such as um the uh the commercial space and
the community center as well as affordable housing. Um you know, I don't know what that looks like. I I'm really torn on this because um you know the the existing plan seems like it could work. It might be a little taller
than some people are comfortable with, but it would include these really critical amenities like the community center. Um but you know on the flip side just opening it up to study doesn't commit us to anything and it would allow us to evaluate all the different possible
scenarios. So, um I I think I think I'm going to vote nay because I would like to see the administration explore ways to get some productive
project done at this site. And I'm not, you know, I I think what this developer's proposal has a lot of flaws in it. um maybe the original one was better. Maybe the move is to go and try and find someone to build um the
original redevelopment plan to your point. Um but I I guess I you know I don't see the harm in opening it up to study, but um it's you know I at the end of the day I want to see something built
there that will benefit the community. Council person Gilmore >> I. >> Council person Singh >> I will vote no because I feel we should move forward. Let's see what are the offers. What is the community asking
for? How are we negotiating just moving forward and if we can obviously disapprove if we don't like the new project but I'll vote no for this for now. >> Council person Griffin. >> Hi. >> Council person Lavaro.
I'm gonna vote I, but I just want to add a little extra context here, which is um I I remember this development when I was on the council. It was like hours upon hours upon hours in this council chambers and caucus talking through
this. The community was if if my recollection is correct and and folks can correct me. Um initially just wanted to like didn't even want it developed. wanted to be be part of it was like supposed to be part of Berry Lane Park and it was privately owned but the the community was pushing for it to be just
a community center Berry Lane Park part of the the the whole open space around that. Um ultimately um it got proposed and I I can't even recall exactly what the benefits were. Um it was the 17 stories I guess and and the community
center and all that. Um but there was a lot of uh community engagement and a lot of community uh battles and lawsuits I recall now. Um and so when I saw June Jones come to the mic um it all kind of
came back to me in that sense. But uh um and so I'm definitely voting I to withdraw and um you know I I think this is you know I appreciate that you make you had a community meeting but clearly something
didn't uh um click because um the Morris Canal folks June Jones is a a fixture and a legend in that neighborhood and community and um I think folks need to kind of be aware of that and be able to connect with that and be able to relate
to that um and and moving this forward um along with the council people who represent those neighborhoods. So I vote I to withdraw. >> Council President Ridley, >> so I have a question like withdrawing this and not moving forward with opening the study leaves the current plan the
way it is with the 17 stories and everything else. Right now whose responsibility is that to find somebody to build that? that would go back to that property owner as all the other developers have been coming through that property owner. >> Correct. It would be totally up to the property owner. >> Okay. So, we're depending on him to be
able to find someone to develop this land. Um, I'm going to vote no. Um, I think that we need to have some more community discussion. I think that opening that plan up allows for that.
Um, one of the main points as I was here on the council back in 2021 when we were discussing this, one of the main points was the height. Uh, people didn't want the rec center at that time. Um, they felt like it was just going to be a blink box. We didn't have a plan and
knowing how the city was going to handle the rec center. Those were all the different arguments for not moving forward with this project. and even at these uh community meetings that have been having recently, the height is still an issue. So, I get the uh push
back of it. But if we're saying that we want to figure out where the middle ground is or how to revamp this project, so it is something that the community wants, then I think that we have to open up the plan and do those and have those those conversations not with the
developer, but with the community and with community meetings. Um, so that's why I'm going to vote no because I think it is time for us to sit down and really decide what it is we want to see here. >> Okay.
Motion to withdraw item 10.41, city resolution 26-281 from the agenda is approved 63 with council members Little Singh and Council President Ridley voting no. All right.
Again, to the balance of our resolutions, items 10.34 through 10.43 with the exception of 10.41 and 42 which have been withdrawn. Council person Brooks. Uh before I vote, I just want to
acknowledge um the outpouring uh from the community or certain members of the community for both uh acting director Pete Vincent and uh Coach Best. Uh, and I want to be transparent about my decision. Um, I did
uh meet with Coach Best and um had a great conversation with him. I also met with acting director Vincent and and had a great conversation with him. Subsequent to my conversation with both of them, um, Coach Best was offered the
position, the director position, which she accepted. Um, and I wish him well. Um, and you know, I'm going to say something shock, something potentially shocking. Um, I didn't vote for James Solomon in November. Um, but you know,
we did partner uh in December and I view him as a partner. Um, and you know, I I I think um there's a lot of uh there was a thorough process. Um, it
was a thoughtful process and that process yielded uh, acting director Vincent. I do want to highlight that Hudson County is offering three free summer camps in Lincoln Park this summer. And I challenge Jersey City's
recck department to do the same thing uh, for our kids south of Communa. At least at least one free summer camp south of Commun. Um so um on 10.34
I vote I on 10.35 more cowbell is always good. Um >> I vote I on all of the remaining resolutions. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good question. >> Just want to reiterate I agreed because
as a drummer you'll always need more cowbell. With that being said, council person Zupa, >> I was gonna ask my colleague who he voted for in November, but then he made me laugh with the cowbell. >> Um, I want to acknowledge our clerk. Speaking of directors, Sean Gallagher, this is Municipal Clerk's Week. So,
thank you, Sean, for all you do to uh >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Sean. >> Thank you. >> So deserved. >> Take a bow, Sean. And as to everyone who's who's up uh for a director position, including our B our
new BA, I want to thank them for taking the time to speak with me and for their commitment to changing the culture here in our city. Uh which means promoting people on their merit, meaningful investigations into alleged misconduct, and removing politics from the workplace
here uh through our city um city positions. So, thank you for all of that. and and generally and of course th this came up more specifically to the recreation department uh position but what's before us is an appointment from the mayor and the two considerations I
have are is the person qualified uh which not only is Mr. Vincent is but also all the directors and was there a fair process which I'm satisfied there was. So um before I vote I also want to thank uh former director Keith Donath for his service and Peter as your
service for acting BA. You had a tough position coming in from the prior administration. This council does things a little bit differently than the prior council under the prior mayor. Uh so thank you for your service in that position and I wish the new directors and our new BA uh great success. I look
forward to working with you. I vote I >> council person Ephro. >> Thank you Sean for uh being our our beautiful clerk. And I guess we have a we're voting on you as part of uh resolution 26-276
for waving employees doiciled outside of the city of Jersey City. uh Bayon resident Sean Gallaer certainly deserves such a waiver for his dedication to our city. Um I yeah I congratulations to the appointed directors um made time uh with
me to to speak and share their vision for the different roles that they're stepping into. Um, and on the the rec director role, uh, I got to meet with P. Vincent, um, heard and saw a very clear and detailed plan for the vision of the
recreation department and and obviously tonight we heard from community, uh, who came out in support of him and and with a lot of trust. Um and to you know just echo the transparency of my colleague uh Councilman Brooks. I I also talked with
Tommy Best given the circumstances of uh this recreation director consideration. Um and I really appreciate his uh reaching out and and sharing his uh thoughts with me about the the role as well. Um just today I was I walked
through the hiring process um in the mayor's office with the deputy mayor and that was really helpful in seeing just step by step what the considerations were in in making the the decision to um appoint uh P. Vincent. Um, and I also
got to discuss with the the mayor some of the kind of goals that uh we have in in W D and some of the priorities um and making sure that under uh a P Vincent Park Department that we would be able to to meet certain commitments and share
them as priorities including uh having phase two of Leonard Gordon Park uh committed to and and the um the gazebo uh beyond phase two also be uh committed to uh understanding mean that these are are going to be lengthy processes and
and require good deal of money to improve, but they're really important for our community in addition to Cole Street, which has been condemned for, uh, look what looks like failed developers, uh, in the past, um, but that is still under study. Um and then
finally, uh having 28 Patterson, which was promised as the kind of rec center for Ward D, for the Heights, um be actually prioritized, whether it's entirely rec center or community space that includes some recreation. I I really appreciate that, um the the
mayor's administration share these priorities and um and that P. Vincent would be able to work together in carrying them out. Um, so with that, I I vote I on all these resolutions here, and I just want to be transparent always in my votes, especially around items
where we have a lot of different voices coming from a lot of different parts of the community um to to raise their opinions. So, I vote I council person. >> I want to thank all the appointees for making time to meet with me. Um, I think
we had really productive meetings and I'm excited to work with you. I I do acknowledge I had some um questions for acting director Vincent at caucus that I think um he was possibly not able to
fully answer at caucus because it was a topic outside the purview of city parks and wreck. Um, and you know, I I left the meeting without my questions being fully answered, but I'm happy to report that uh yesterday uh the mayor spoke
with Mr. Vincent and also Mr. Vincent made time to have a 30-minute meeting with me at 9:00 at night. And I'm happy to report that my concerns have been addressed and um and you know, I think this is an appointment that I
can support. I I I also want to recognize the service that Mr. Best has provided to this city and um you know I wish him immense success in his new position
which uh will also be reporting directly to DE deputy mayor Bryant uh same as same as the recreation director will be. And um you know I I do want to also acknowledge uh my colleague Councilman
Gilmore's point about um recognizing in general the lack of diversity in um in directors in Jersey City. Um, I believe with nominating um, acting director um, Ivory Green, I believe that
will be I I I believe she will be the I will I believe she will be the only black director in Jersey City. And I think that's a problem. I think that's not enough. Um, so I do want to acknowledge that concern and and say that that
concern is very valid and that I expect the administration to take this into consideration when future director positions open up >> and your vote. >> Sorry, >> your vote. >> Oh, I for all. >> Thank you,
Council Person Gilmore. >> Um, yeah. First, uh before I cast my votes, I just want to thank all the directors who took the time to sit down to meet with me and my team to articulate their vision for Jersey City.
um as it relates to 1036, uh the things that's problematic for me with with this resolution in particular is that um I agree with some of the people um being able to
live outside the jurisdiction of Jersey City, but I just think that all of our directors should reside within Jersey City. I don't like the thought of giving um waiverss to individuals who haven't
already been working in a municipality and subsequently moved away, but they have poured they have sweat equity if you will. Um so I mean I don't know is Sean I guess I mean I either had to verb
yes or no. I can't say this person yes this person no because they're all grouped in together. Correct. >> That is correct. you can't itemize a resolution. >> So, in the future, I just hope the administration um take that into consideration uh
because it makes the council job, well, at least mine um harder than it should be. I think all of these individuals should have um come before the council individually. I mean, I get what you're trying to do. essentially trying to
clean the books. But um for me, I just don't feel comfortable with any of our directors um the it the waiver for them not being here, especially if they just started. Um so
I'm going to I I'm going to vote no on that one. Um, as it relates to recreation, as I told you guys, recreation is by far the most important department to me in this in this whole
uh, municipal government. But before I cast my vote, I just want to briefly explain my position on this nomination and the broader concerns many residents face across Jersey City and raised throughout this process. First, let me be crystal clear. This is not personal.
I respect the mayor authority to nominate any individual to serve in his administration. Furthermore, I respect anyone willing to step into public service working for the city of Jersey City. Um, my vote today is rooted in principle and is my responsibility to
represent the people of Jersey City, all of Jersey City. Over the past several weeks, this conversation has centered heavily around Tommy Bess and rightfully so. Tommy have spent decades investing in our community, mentoring young people, building relationship throughout
the communities and demonstrating a deep commitment to this city. The support he received from the community was genuine, or authentic and and rooted in trust. But this moment is bigger than any one person. Jersey City is the most diverse
city in the country. Jersey City is the most diverse city in the country. Jersey City is the most diverse city in this country. It is becumbent upon all
of us that that diversity be reflected. Be it religion, race, socioeconomical status, old residents, new residents, we have to have representation of everybody. I cannot overemphasize that.
The easiest thing for me to do tonight is just vote yes on Pete Vincent. My son plays on his team. John came up here and said about how Pete always play people up. My son plays up. My son is on a
scholarship at that program. But my choice have to be rooted in principle. It has to be rooted in principle. I can't preach one thing and then my votes not be indicative of what I preach,
right? So for me, my vote is about equity. It's about diversity. It's about inclusion. In fact, last year I sat in that seat nominated council I mean nominated Tommy Best to be recctor for
three reasons. one, there was no male AfricanAmerican representation in the department of in in Jersey City and department leadership. That fact still holds to be true. Two, we felt like he had the
necessary credentials and we felt it was important to raise people from within. All of those facts to this day still holds to be true. So for me, Tommy Best didn't do anything to lose my vote,
right? So I just have to be consistent on what I practice, what I preach. And this is no knock to Pete, right? This is not me saying that he's not qualified, but for me, the question is bigger of
bigger than who's qualified. In fact, several people who came to that podium today is qualified to be the director of recreation. Definitively, I know that I'm tasked with choosing who do I think is the best person. Those are two
drastically different things. In fact, I'm qualified to be the director in recreation. But the fact is, I feel like Tommy Best is the best person to represent recreation. Um, so I'm going to vote no
on 1039 and uh no on 36 and I'll vote I on arrest. >> Council person Singh. Sean, I've never worked with any cler before you. So for
me, you are the best. Um, I want to say thank you to the new administration for doing what we most of us always wanted. For example, all the directors are here because of their work, their
experience, not I recommended them or someone from past or new administration or council recommended them. So I'm very happy that you are running a fair process and that's what we expected from you guys. So thank you for going through
the work hours of work you guys are putting just to have a fair process. I'm very excited for all of you. I am happy that Miss Green uh she's a she's a
breath of fresh air. so approachable, ready to do the work, already on top of everything. I'm I'm really excited for you DPW director. I want to say that you have handled bigger city than us and you are bringing
great experience. We are really looking forward and quite positive about you joining in DPW. I want to say about Mr. Vincent and before I go to Mr. Vincent I would say Miss Choy welcome very excited
I am all about AI so that's going to be my focus but you do what you have done in the past again you are coming with lot of experience so thank you so much um I want to say about Mr. Vincent the vision he has for recreation as Miss
Hoffman Roshelle Hoffman said whoever is getting uh this position should be based on what can they do for our youth especially youth has so much potential. Jersey City has so many young kids. They are looking for direction. the
experience you bring. We can only look for positive outlook and especially these young kids they were sharing the experience working with you. You are born and raised in Jersey City. You are a father. I know personally couple of
people I just asked randomly they said you know he they feel so comfortable with you and also you have served and worked with diverse community and I really appreciate that. Of course, I hope one day Indian director will be
getting there for sure. But then uh I'm excited that we have Mr. Best in the team. We have you in the team and my friend Keith Donathan has been doing great work. Uh neighborhood associations really love him. the work commitment. I
think I can really say proudly that recreation has the best team now and um we can't wait to see all the fun and excitement uh with working with youth. Congratulations to all of you
and my vote is yes all four. >> Okay. Council Person Griffin, >> I just want to speak briefly on uh 1036 uh because actually um one of my my aids is on that list and I I want to be
clear. He put sweat equity into this city and was priced out and had to move out with family. Um, now, you know, he he is looking to come back, but I just wanted to put that out there that, you know, it it's it's getting expensive out
here and we have a job to do. Um, so um, where else are we? Uh, 10 10:39. I I do share the the sentiments uh that Councilman Gilmore uh shares. I I I and again, nothing against um Mr. Vincent.
he spoke. Um, I think he's a great guy. Um, but you know, Coach Best, I I witnessed him build his resume. I I I watched those championships won. I watched I watched a level of of um
a a level of pride built into a community um and and and and those young girls he coached in the school that he was at. and um you know my my my most of my family um on my mother's side of Lincoln
Lions and you know the the the pride that I saw in them and and what he and and and and what he he means to the community, not just the Lincoln community, but the Jersey City community. Um you know, kids wanted to go to Lincoln just to play with uh for
for Coach Best. And and and it's more than just basketball. Coach Best would reach out to uh Jersey City Antiviolence to to work with them to talk to parents who who lost um children due to gun
violence. He he is a legend in our community. Um so on that uh my vote will be no. Um but yes on everything else and congratulations to everyone. So, you're voting no on 1039 and I all
the rest. Correct. >> That is correct. >> Thank you, Council Person Lavaro. So, I want to begin by just saying a few words about all the four appointees and about the broader expectations I
hope all four directors will carry into their work. I have met with each of the four candidates. I've asked them questions privately and on the public record at caucus yesterday. I believe each of them is qualified and
I'll be voting yes on all four. Thank you. I I want to be clear though about how I approach these votes. I've generally believed that a mayor should be able to assemble the team he needs to govern. When the candidates are
qualified and there's no disqualifying, ethical or other concern, my I will vote yes, not as a favor to the administration, but because the executive branch must be able to function. I've not always voted yes, but that's
what I'm doing tonight. Yes, vote for me, however, is not a blank check. It is the beginning of a working relationship. And tonight, I want to put a few markers down for them, for the appointees, for this body, and for the residents we serve.
And on Monday at the caucus, I asked each of the candidates two questions. And actually, I don't think I got it to Mr. for Vincent because uh the question went on so long, but uh the the first was about old Jersey City and New Jersey
City. I've lived in this city for 48 years. I've watched it changed, sometimes in ways that have lifted people up and sometimes in ways that have pushed longtime residents to the margins. The expectations of longtime residents and newer residents are not
always the same. The values are not always the same. And as our city continues to grow and change, our directors will be the ones who decide every single day whose voices count when the calls come in, whose neighborhoods
get the attention, and whose expectations get met. I asked each of these candidates how they would balance those different worlds and I will not pretend that I got the perfect answer from anyone but I will be watching each each of you not
for what you said yesterday uh Monday but for how you will actually run your department in the months and years ahead. The second question was about disagreement. I asked each candidate, if your professional judgment or feedback from the community points you in a
different direction than the administration's policy preference, how do you reconcile that? A director works for the mayor, but a department director serves the public. Those two things are not the same, and I will be watching to see whether each of
these directors knows the difference. The answer I'm hoping for is not a promise to fight for the fight with the mayor. That is not your job, but a posture, a center of gravity that includes the people of this city, not just the corner office on the second
floor of 280 Grove Street. Now, I just want to say a word about each of the the appointees. uh to Ruby Choi, our incoming business administrator. You come to this role as an expert in metrics and accountability uh with a track record of helping reform
a large and entrenched institution such as the NYPD. That experience is part of why you were brought here and I welcome it. The city is facing a roughly $250 million budget deficit, ongoing concerns
about retroactive contracts, and serious questions about fiscal discipline that I've raised tonight and that the public will continue to press. I'm hoping for transparency, expecting contracts will come to this council in
time to be reviewed, and I will hope you will establish measurable outcomes for every department of the city, so that residents in this council can hold city government accountable for results, not just promises. As you do that work, I ask you to bring change while respecting the culture, the employees, and the longtime residents
who built this city. Welcome to your job. to Linda Ivory Green, our incoming director of health and human services. Uh you have shared with me your ambitious vision for this department, consolidating 10 units into four,
establishing a new office of social services with patient navigators and patient case management and pursuing national accreditation. This is the kind of structural thinking this department needs and I will be watching um to see it executed. With 30 years of service in
this department, you know as well as anyone, I expect Health and Human Services under your leadership to be leaders in addressing access, equity, and outcomes across all six wards. To Mr. Levy. James Levy, our incoming
director of public works. You have told me your approach to bridging the gap between the this department and the residents it serves as simple. Produce results. As we said in during the election to get done. That is our that was our
mantra in the campaign and it is the right one for the department you are taking over. More constituent calls come into my office about your department and the work you do than almost any other. Paving, uh, potholes, sanitation, tree
maintenance, snow removal. The residents I that I represent expect responsiveness and they expect equity of services all across all wards, not just the wards that are loudest or best connected. Let's get done. Welcome to Jerry
City. Now, before I turn to Mr. Vincent, I want to uh acknowledge the conversation that has been here in this chamber. Um there are residents across this city, including members of the NAACP,
the councilmen, and many members of the black community who have raised concerns about diversity in our director ranks and about homegrown leadership in a department that touches black families and black youth every single day. Those concerns are legitimate. They predate
this appointment and they will not disappear after tonight's vote and they should not. But I do want to recognize Mr. Tommy Best, a deeply qualified, longtime servant of this city and someone I am proud to call a friend. The work Mr.
Best has done in this city for over two decades speaks for itself. I am glad the administration has brought him into a senior role within this department. It's long overdue and I'll be watching to make sure he is fully empowered to do his work. And now to Mr. Vincent, Pete Vincent,
our incoming director of recreation and youth development and parks. Uh the road to your appointment has not been a quiet one. Um six years ago, I sat on this city council and watched a reorganization of the recreation
department that required long tenur employees to reapply for their own jobs. I voted no. I wrote to the state civil service commission. I sponsored legislation to repeal that reorganization and I lost
that vote. What I said then, I will say again tonight, those employees deserve better than what they got and the children and families of Jersey City deserve better than what came after that. So, you are stepping
into a department that has not served its employees great, its children or its families the way it really should. And let me say what I think needs to be said. This department deserves reform, accountability, and strong empath
empathetic leadership. The residents of the city deserve better than what has historically been delivered. And I'm confident you are willing to be the director who does that work and I will hold you accountable to that standard. And welcome, Mr. Vincent.
Thank you. With that, um, I vote I and all all the appointees and I and all the resolutions. >> You, Council President Ridley. >> Okay. On 10:37,
our BA um had great conversations. These this is a big role to fill. Um, and we are putting our confidence in you that no, you won't know everything on day one, but you are willing to learn and
that you will uh serve us well here in Jersey City. 10:38. Uh, Director Green, we know that you have been with the city for quite some time because you started when you were two. So, 30 years, you know, you're still
very young. uh and we appreciate all that you've done here. Uh we look forward to seeing what you're going to do in health and human services and some of the ideas that you've already we've already discussed. I look forward to you implementing 1039.
Uh Peter Vincent, uh we know it's been a lot of conversation and a lot of uh back and forth, but I think that everybody has pretty much said that your resume speaks for itself. They believe in your ability. We we will be watching to see
what you do with recreation. You presented some wonderful ideas and I'm looking forward to seeing you implement those things as well. DPW, it is not an easy department and what I can say, Mr. Levy, is that when I spoke with you, I
truly enjoyed our conversation. But what I thought was more important, like I said, DPW isn't a easy department. Our DPW workers are tough. They don't just accept anybody.
And more than one DPW employee has reached out and said, "We like this guy." And that's very important. So, um, I'm happy to see that the synergy is starting there in that department. and I'm looking forward to see some of those
changes. And not on this agenda, uh, Mr. Tommy Best, I would like to publicly send him a congratulations in his new role. I know that he is going to do great things there and we are looking forward to seeing uh what he is going to
do in this new director role. So, director Bess, if you're watching, congratulations and I vote I on all Council, Council President, can I make one sentence? Um, if I may, because I failed
to acknowledge it. I just want to acknowledge that we've um appointed the first Asian-American to business administrator. If I don't say it for my Asian sister, who will? So, congratulations. All right. If I can just recap the vote.
Items 10.34 through 10.35 were approved unanimously 90. Item 10.36 is approved 81 with council person Gilmore voting no. Items 10.3
uh sorry 10.37 through 10.38 are approved um unanimously 90. Item 10.39 is approved. 62 >> Barbara Wardell >> with council members Gilmore and Griffin
voting no. And items 104 and 43 are approved unanimously. 90. Before I ask for a motion to adjourn. I just want to >> Sorry. Wouldn't it be 72 for for Pete Vincent? You said 62. >> I did say 62. You're correct. Thank you
for that. >> It's 72. Sorry. Hey, Councilwoman pay attention. >> Mr. Vincent, I didn't want to uh uh jip you from a a vote. I apologize for that. With with that being said, uh before I
ask for a motion to adjurnn, I just want to put it on the record. Uh I know I was one of the individuals that was mentioned on the whole waiver resolution uh about my residency. So, I just wanted to say this. I spent my first 26 years
of my life in Jersey City. I was born in Margaret Hey. I checked the boxes of a true Jersey City resident and I gave more than half of my life to this city working on my 33rd year. So, I just
wanted to put it out there. I I know I live in Bayon and I you can quote me. You can look at other previous minutes of council meetings. As far as I'm concerned, that's Jersey City South. I've been a Hudson County boy my entire life.
>> Motion. >> See, now they want to rush me. >> Anyway, the votion was made by Council Person Griffin. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Council Person Little. On the
motion to adjourn at 9:48 p.m. All council members present by acclamation, please say I. I. We are out of here at 9:48 p.m. Thank you so much everyone present and everyone watching at home. Remember teamwork makes the dream work. Have a great rest of the night. Stay
safe on your way. >> Oh boy. I see you. I see you.