You're like, "What did I do?" Pete, >> good evening everyone. Please take your seats and silence all cell phones. >> Today is Wednesday, the 22nd day of October, 2025. This is a regularly scheduled meeting of
the Jersey City Municipal Council. We had a planned 6 p.m. start. My watch is showing 6:06 p.m. I will now call the role. Council person Ridley >> here. Council person Huings >> present. >> Council person Biano >> here.
>> Council person >> here. >> Council person Solomon. Council person Gilmore present. Council person Deise >> here. >> Council person Rivera >> here. >> And council president Waterman >> here. >> We have eight council members present at
6:06 p.m. We have achieved a quorum. Kindly rise for a moment of silence and please remain standing as we salute the flag. On behalf of Council President Waterman, in accordance with chapter 231 of the New Jersey Public Laws of 1975,
officially known as a Senator Byron M. Fair Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided by posting the annual notice listing the schedule of municipal council meetings for the calendar year 2025 on the bulletin board of the first floor of
city hall. In addition, the annual notice was also filed in the office of the city clerk on Friday, November 15th, 2024. The agenda of this meeting was disseminated to the municipal council, mayor, business administrator,
corporation council, and local newspapers on Friday, October 17th, 2025 at 6:22 p.m. The agenda of this meeting was concurrently posted on the city's website. Consequently, I can certify as to our complete compliance with the
Sunshine Law. Uh, council members, before we address the first reading ordinances, I understand that the council president would like to make a motion to add agenda item 10.17, resolution 25-668 entitled a resolution recognizing
October as Hindu Heritage Month in Jersey City. Is that correct, Madam President? >> Yes. >> Okay. Very well. Motion made by the council president. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Cle. Council members, uh, remember that adding a late item requires a six vote majority. On the
motion to add agenda item 10.17, how do you vote? >> Council person Ridley, >> I. >> Council person Helings, >> I. >> Council person Bojaniano, >> I. >> Council person, >> I. >> Council person Solomon, >> I. >> Council person Gilmore.
>> Council person Gilmore is present at 6:09 p.m. Council person Deise. Hi, >> Council President Rivera. >> Hi. >> And Council President Waterman. >> Agenda item 10.17 has been added unanimously. 90. Uh, Madame President,
you wish me to read this into the record. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Very well. >> Sean, can I make a motion? >> A resolution of the Jersey City Municipal Council recognizing October as Hindu Heritage Month in the city of Jersey City. Whereas Hinduism is the
major religion of India and the third largest religion in the world with more than 1 billion adherence worldwide including over 4 million in the United States. And whereas the Hindu religion practices dharma a code of living with an emphasis on good conduct, morality,
acceptance of all and harmony with nature and has contributed tremendously to our city's vitality. And whereas the Hindu heritage, culture, and traditions have provided invaluable contributions and enriched Jersey City for decades. And whereas during the month of October,
the city of Jersey City wishes to come together to honor the contributions of the Hindu community in our city and join in celebrating Hindu culture, tradition, and values. Now therefore, be it resolved by the municipal council of the city of Jersey City that October be
recognized as Hindu Heritage Month. With that said, is it your intention, council president, to defer to agenda item 10.17 and consider it now at the beginning of the meeting? >> Yes. >> Very well. Motion to defer made by the council president. Is there a second?
>> Second. I think that was Cleet. I'm going to give that to Cle on the motion to defer to agenda item 10.17. How do you vote? Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Helings. >> I. >> Council person Bojano. >> I. >> Council person. >> I. >> Council person Solomon. >> I.
>> Council person Gilmore. >> Council person Deise. >> I. >> Council person Rivera. >> Hi. >> And council president Waterman. Motion approved 90. for final approval of resolution 25-668. How do you vote? Council person Ridley.
>> I. >> Council person Huings. >> I. >> Council person Bojaniano. >> I. >> Council person. >> I. >> Council person Solomon. >> I. >> Council Person Gilmore. >> I. >> Council person de Jes. >> I. >> Council person Rivera. >> I. >> And council president.
>> Hi. >> Resolution 25-668 was approved unanimously. 90. Council. Do you wish to pictures to be taken? I suppose >> Jim, you can come and say something and we could just
>> Good evening ma'am. Just state your name for the record. >> Jim A R J U M A T Last name Jaria J U W E R I A. Good evening esteemed members of the council and the residents of Jersey
City. My name is Arjuman Jaria. I am a pharmacist by profession and a community activist. It is an honor to stand before you today and I want to take a moment to share my journey and the recognition I have received for my contributions to our community. Last year I was humbled
to receive presidential lifetime achievement award from former president Joe Biden and daily point of light award founded by our former President George HW Bush and New Jersey governor's medallion awardee from Governor Phil Murphy. Additionally have been honored with the pres women of action award from
the city of Jersey City, the Jersey Cares Walk of Fame award and the Rusbury award, the 100 global women iconic award among many local, state, national and international accolades. These honors reflect my dedication to serving our
community and my unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity. I have worked tirelessly to advocate for various cultural celebrations including the successful initiation of Hindu heritage month which I introduced and a championed across 12 towns in Hudson
County. The efforts include involved countless emails, phone calls, text messages and personal visits written in resolutions and proclamations passed in support of our shared heritage. In May, I approached Mayor Philip with a proposal to celebrate Hindu Heritage
Month in Jersey City. We plan to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to our community. The major the mayor graciously approved our plans and we were excited to announce our event on May 9th, 2025. On J City's
official page, it was displayed. However, the day before the event, I received a call from a director of cultural affairs informing me that the event has been postponed. This decision was influenced by certain political Hindu community leaders and their calls
including some who do not reside in Jersey City. We were ready to honor community leaders fully aware that elected officials would be busy with election champions and unable to attend the Hindu heritage month event because of the elections. Despite this, I was
not given the courtesy of a meeting to discuss the critical decision. Despite the challenges, I agreed to the postponement. when agreed that the event could be rescheduled for October 2025. Yet my attempts to communicate with the cultural affairs department to clarify
the situation has gone unanswered. I need to update my sponsors, cultural affairs, cultural participants and guests. I have spoken with senior citizens from Hindu community and community members who reaffirmed that the original date held significant meaning and they believe we should not
change it because we are not changing the date on the proclamation. It has come to the attention that VHP president Tjel Sha has to taken over the event and I find myself sideline despite being the one who initiated this celebration. For
those who may not familiar, BHP refers to Hindu Vishwa Vishwah Hindu parish an organization with a controversial reputation in India as a dedicated community activist have successfully initiated. >> Can you I'm sorry to cut you off but you have to
>> you have to do the thing about the municipal council resolution. >> I can speak right. >> You have to do the resolution. >> This this is the resolution. This >> for the month to celebrate the month. That's what you have to do. talk because I already did format. >> Just accept the resolution. That's what it is. That's what that's we have to
stay on topic. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. >> We're going to move on. >> Yes. >> Sign up as a public. >> I have collected >> 250 signatures from Hindu community
members authorizing me to organize this event in Ja city. Yet I have not received a response from our mayor or cultural affairs regarding my efforts. Today I stand before you not just as an award recipient but as a deeply concerned community member who feels a
profound sense of betrayal. Why is their favoritism being shown towards certain individuals within our cultural initiatives? Is working with the community a burden? My aim is and has always been to create an environment of acceptance and harmony. It hurts me to
see how political manuring has overshadowed our cultural efforts. I seek your support in addressing these issues. Together we can foster a community that celebrates all cultures and ensures that every voice is heard and valued. Congratulations to
Councilman Salai on your marriage. Wishing you all the best as you embark on this wonderful journey. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Thank you, ma'am. Give a give it a >> just give it a um give it a resolution. >> Okay.
>> And we're just >> This is not the public sector act. She just went beyond. >> Right. This is not >> can do that, >> right? That's what she was supposed to. >> We don't got John John's. No. Relax. John's John's. No. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> You got it, John. Good. I'm I got your bag. I got your bag. Yeah, >> there's another I understand the administration would like to make a motion to add agenda item 10.18 resolution 25-669. Is that correct? >> That is correct. the uh law department
can speak more about it, but essentially it's the city accepting money based on a settlement agreement for a pilot program that >> so this is a resolution authorizing the city tax collector to enter into a written agreement for a pilot payment installment plan for Montgomery Green
Urban Renewal LLC KTE Retail Associates LLC. Um is there a motion? >> Can we talk what what is it? I mean we just got it. Is can someone speak to it? Right. >> Sure, Councilman. There was a lawsuit filed against the city. Um there was a
financial agreement entered into with this entity uh in 2004. Uh there was a 20-year financial agreement in place. We conducted an audit. The um tax office conducted an audit in 2023 and sent them
a bill saying they owed us additional funds. Um they filed a lawsuit contesting our um TrueUP. Uh, and this has been litigated for a little over a year and a half. We've agreed to accept a payment of $500,000 to settle the litigation. So, they'll pay that in an
installment plan. Um, but it is to settle the litigation that was filed against us. So, >> can you dulge um what was the like a little back? So, what was the what was the original amount that we >> 500? >> No, I think that's what we
>> settled >> originally. It was about uh 1.3 million. Uh we requested about 650,000 for the transfer of a unit and about the same for a transfer of a a parking uh unit as
well. I'm just trying to look. Yeah, 650 a little over 650,000. Um we said that they were under build by for a unit and then 683 approximately 683,000 for the parking garage. the plaintiffs objected uh and said it u did not go along with
our financial agreement and that's why the litigation ensued. So we believe it's a fair settlement based off what's been ongoing and that we should accept it and that's why we're putting it before the council. I >> I mean just on the surface for me I know the differentiation and the numbers from
1 something million to a settlement of five. I just I don't feel comfortable voting on it period unless like I get full backstory to see exactly what's going on. So I mean that's just for me. I don't
>> Is there a time consideration for this that has to be entered into before a certain date? That's >> the sooner we approve it, the sooner we get the funds. Can >> we get them in two weeks? just have a
north agenda item. >> Is there a motion, >> Britney? Um, I don't think you're gonna get one to be perfectly honest because we just got it and they want to ask questions and really this is not the forum. Normally in our our caucus meeting, we can go back and forth and really discuss
it. So, >> it was accidentally missed. So, if we want to put it on the next agenda, that's >> Yes, put it on the next agenda. That's it. >> So, the administration is going to withdraw this at this point. We're going to not introduce these light items. So, >> right. All right. So, fantastic. So,
we'll just move on to the first reading. And I understand Councilman Bojano, you wanted to make a motion. >> I can you turn >> Oh, sorry. Okay. I'd like to make a motion to withdraw 3.2. The community has been asking for a meeting with
planning on this for over a year. A couple of years ago, there was a community meeting about the proposed hotel on Route 139. Everyone was upset and against density, and almost 200 people showed up at that meeting. As councilman, I am asking my colleagues to
please give me the courtesy to support me on this to withdraw until we meet with planning. Also, the people are upset about Christ Hospital. There's a lot of information in the news threatening to develop this area into luxury rental units. I want to make sure
that this is just for medical and not luxury housing. This should be for medical or hospital use only. This land legal counsel, what is the area zoned for? >> Britney,
>> I'd have to find out. Councilman. >> All right. Again, I motion to withdraw 3.2. You know what's amazing? They want to close Christ Hospital and you see very little press coverage. We don't have any newspapers here, unfortunately, in Hudson County. I don't see the
reporters reporting everything that goes on. We had a massive demonstration up there at Christ Hospital. Very little coverage of it, and it's a shame. >> So, there was a motion. Councilman Hosaniano made a motion to withdraw agenda. But sorry, can I ask a
clarification question? My understanding is 3.2 doesn't cover the the area with Christ Hospital. Is that I just want to be clear. >> I think you're getting two things from the count right now. >> The mo the motion that he's making a withdrawal for the item is the zoning of
139 strictly to that, you know, one block or so radius around there. You know, the hospital is completely I just want to be clear. The 3.2 does not cover the area that's Christ Hospital at all. I want to clarify that. >> All right. So there is a motion on the floor. A motion to withdraw withdraw
agenda item 3.2 made by Bojano. Is there a second? Going once, going twice. Okay. >> Second. >> Second it. Um I want to second it only because I want to give him the courtesy
to have a community meeting. I >> Okay, that's fine. All right. Motion made by Bojano, seconded by Cleet. This is a motion to withdraw agenda item 3.2. On the motion, how do you vote? Council
>> Rich, so is what's what's the plan here? What what's >> we the people want to meet with the planning department? We want have a lot of issues in that whole area and we're not getting any answers and people are just tired of it. We've watched parts of this city being destroyed by
development. They don't want it. >> So you your your position is that whoever you've been trying to communicate haven't been responsive as it relates to the item here. >> We're not get they're not getting
>> or is one Oh, Rich. Are they not telling you what you want to hear or they not being responsive? They're not being responsive. >> All right. The the motion There is a motion on the floor. We had a second. The motion was to withdraw agenda item
3.2. Okay. I'm going to call a vote on that motion. Okay. Council person Ridley. Uh I haven't been involved in the meetings uh for this in that area. Um so I hear Rich saying that they didn't have meetings. I hear some
council people saying they did have meetings. Um it is a first reading. So, I will vote to not withdraw since it's a first read and uh in between the first and second read. I'm hoping that we can uh figure this out.
>> Okay, that's nay. Uh Council Person Helings, >> I agree with Councilwoman Ridley. Since it's the first reading, I'm going to vote no. And I'm hoping by the second reading, we have better answers as far as meeting with the public. Thank you,
Council Person Bojaniano. >> I'm voting yes and believe me, there will be paybacks for this. >> Council person, >> want to note that I do think 139 should be built up. It's near highway. Um, but out of respect for the councilman, I
vote I. >> Council person Solomon. >> No. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I guess I got a question. So, in light in light of all the confusion, if you will, is there any way we can
entertain the thought of voting and then um not having it come back in two weeks and build in that space how we did the other one? >> Got two people. He got a motion. Now, >> the motion is to withdraw this ordinance 3.2. >> No, I know what the motion is. I'm very
clear on the motion. I'm just asking is it I mean we've just did it last meeting. We introduced an emotion in the first reading and we've obliged to not hear it in the two weeks because we failed it came around too quick. So I'm just saying can we do that here is yes
or no. No one have an answer. So in light of all that I respect my colleague. If he wants to withdraw I vote I. >> Okay. Council person Deise, >> I'm gonna vote no, but like the other
council people that want some between the first and second read, I think that the community concerns should be addressed. >> Council person Rivera, >> no. >> And council president, >> at the caucus meeting, the planning department was here and this was discussed and in in full length of it.
Now, what we can do, we can go back and meet with the community again, but the planning board has met with them on numerous of times. Tanya had it here. Pat here. Um, Matt had it also and they explained that. So, I'm voting no because it is only the first reading. If Councilman Biano want a second meeting,
he can have time to schedule that. But, they did meet. That is not They were here on the caucus meeting and explained all that to us. And was at some of the meetings too, they said. So, >> wasn't explained properly. >> All right. Well, the the motion fails
63. Agenda item 3.2 two will remain on the agenda. So I will now read those all the first reading ordinances into the record. Agenda item 3.1 ordinance 25-11 and ordinance of the city of Jersey City
in the county of Hudson, state of New Jersey, providing for a special emergency appropriation in the amount of $14 million to fund contractually required severance liabilities resulting from the retirement of employees of the city.
Agenda item 3.2, ordinance 25-112, an ordinance of the Jersey City Municipal Council, amending the official zoning map and incorporation of compliance provisions. Agenda item 3.3, ordinance 25-113,
an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 90 animals to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores within Jersey City. Agenda item 3.3, I'm sorry, 3.4, ordinance 25-114,
an ordinance amending chapter 188, housing accommodations and affordable housing compliance. Agenda item 3.5, ordinance 25-115, an ordinance amending chapter 345 of the municipal code and the municipal zoning
map to create the Hackinack River Greenway Overlay District. Next agenda item, ordinance 25-116, an ordinance of the Jersey City Municipal Council to amend the Bates Street Redevelopment Plan. Agenda item
3.6, uh, ordinance 25-17, an ordinance authorizing a settlement agreement to settle the litigation the litigation surrounding the Sixth Street embankment. And lastly, agenda item 3.8, 8. An
ordinance of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City, authorizing a tax abatement with Jersey City Embankment Associates LLC, regarding property located at block602, lot one on the tax map of the city of
Jersey City, more commonly known as 437 Marin Boulevard, pursuant to the long-term tax exemption law, NJSA4A 20-1 EDSE. Now, John, is it now the proper time to
ask since we're not voting on um the actual motion to withdraw if we can introduce and then bring it back for a second reading in December as opposed to the next council meeting? >> We're talking about
>> 3.2 >> 3.2 the one Rich was talking about earlier. >> No, we didn't vote it in yet. Yeah. >> Is is can we is can we do that so that way sufficient time would have a labs to
allow you to have any additional meetings get any clear up in communications and all of that. >> So two more weeks wouldn't hurt. >> You you could you could introduce it today and carry it so you're not >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. We'll introduce and then we'll carry it to the
December meeting. >> Well, first we have to introduce it. So, we'll take a vote on introduc on introduction and then if you want to >> motion. All right. Okay. >> Oh. >> Oh, yeah. >> Real quick to clarify with the councilman. There's three meetings going forward. November 12th, November 26th, and I think December 10th. So, if you're
going to carry it, one of those dates. >> Okay. 26. Yeah. They give them two uh what's the names? That's that's enough time. Okay. >> All right. So, as far as the matter of introducing agenda items 3.1 through 3.8, how do you vote?
Council person Ridley, >> I. >> That's for all. Council, uh, Councilman Huings, >> I. >> Councilman Bojiano, >> no. On 3.2, I underest.
>> No. On 3.2, what was the other? >> I on the rest. >> Okay. Thank you, Council Person. >> I for all. >> Council person Solomon. >> So, um, no on 3.1. And then, um, I on all the rest. And
obviously, just want to thank, um, the Embankment Preservation Coalition, which is here today, uh, in support of 3.7 and 3.8 and you know 25 years of litigation and ultimately create a you know direct clear pathway to uh have the city
preserve the entire right of way the 30-foot uh right of way uh on uh blocks 1 through 8 but also to uh require for the city blocks 2 through eight to be more than 5 acres of open space and possible future uh transit corridor uh
for the future Jersey City. So with that, I vote no on 3.1 and I for all the rest. >> Okay. >> Councilman Gilmore, >> I for introduction. >> Council person, >> in regards to 3.3, the one on the pet stores, um, just want to put on the
record on Monday, some information was brought to us by animal control that they were not fully comfortable with this. After further discussion, we realize that there needs to be a whole separate ordinance for unlicensed breeding. So, we would like to go forward with this, but I do want to say on the record that we will be working
with Health and Human Services and Director Flanigan on a separate ordinance for unlicensed breeding, which was what they were uncomfortable with, and I apologize for not getting this ordinance to them sooner. I vote I for introduction on all. >> Council President Rivera, >> I
>> and Council President Waterman. Okay. Uh ordinance um agenda item 3.1 is introduced 81. Agenda item 3.2 is also introduced 81. The rest are introduced
90. Moving on to our second reading ordinances. I understand the council wants to carry agenda items 4.1 and 4.3. Oh, actually take a step back. I'm sorry. Before we move on to the second reading, I believe Councilman Gilmore would like to make a motion to carry
agenda item 3.2 two to the uh what meeting was that? >> November 26 meeting. >> November 26th meeting. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, uh motion to carry agenda item 3.2
to the November 26th council meeting. >> Second. >> There a second. And that was I think was that sorry on the motion. How do you vote? Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Hulings. >> I.
>> Council person Bojaniano. >> Hi. >> Council person. >> I. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I. >> Council person Deise. >> I. >> Council person Rivera. >> Hi. >> And council president Waterman. Motion
carries 90. So agenda item 3.2. to ordinance 25-112, an ordinance of the Jersey City Municipal Council amending the official zoning map and incorporation of IZO compliance provisions will be heard will be considered at the second reading
hearing on November 26th. Moving on to our second reading ordinances, I understand the council wishes to carry agenda items 4.1 and 4.3 to the next scheduled meeting which is November 12th, 2025. Is that is that correct? Yeah,
>> that was what was said at the caucus. >> So, very well. Uh, we'll take one at a time. Is there a motion to carry ordinance 25-108 to the November 12th meeting? >> Second. >> I didn't hear the motion. Motion made by >> Motion Rivera >> Rivera. Second by
>> Cle. On the motion to carry ordinance 25-108 to the November 12th council meeting. How do you vote? Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Hulings. >> I. >> Council person Boiano. I >> council person >> I >> council person Solomon >> I
>> council person Gilmore >> I >> council person de Jes >> I >> council person rivera >> hi >> and council president waterman motion carried 90 ordinance 25-108 will be considered at the November 12th council meeting now for agenda item 4.3
ordinance 25-10 is there a motion to carry ordinance >> motion made by second >> more sorry I couldn't Second >> Rivera. >> Rivera. >> On the motion to carry carry ordinance
25-110 to the November 12th meeting. How do you vote? Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Hulings. >> I. >> Council person Bojano. >> Hi. >> Council person. >> Hi. >> Council person Solomon. >> Hi. >> Council person Gilmore. >> I. >> Council person Deise. >> Hi. >> Council person Rivera.
>> Hi. >> And council president Waterman. Motion carried 90. Ordinance 25-110 will be considered at the November 12th council meeting as well. That leaves us with only one second reading ordinance left to consider tonight. That would be
agenda item 4.2, ordinance 25-109, an ordinance supplementing chapter 332, vehicles and traffic, article 2, traffic regulations, amending section 332-9, stop intersections to designate various intersections into multi-way stop
intersections. We will now have a public hearing on this ordinance. Anyone wishing to speak, please line up in front of the podium. Please clearly state your name and spell your name for the court reporter and just bear with me as I get the pardon me. Let me get the camera to
work. Okay. And we may begin. >> Greetings. My name is Erikica Walker. I am chief of staff to Councilman Gilmore's office in Ward F, but I am proudly speaking on behalf of myself tonight as a Jersey City resident. I would like to uh if I still have time at
the end of this, I want to um give that time to James Cook who lost his life. But James Cook uh was a constituent of Ward F and he called us almost every day about MLK and Myrtle Avenue and how dangerous this intersection is. So, I'm
so glad to see that we are getting some type of stop control at this intersection. Uh he we've been asking for a light though. Um but unfortunately a traffic study didn't warrant it. Uh but it did warrant the stop sign. I just asked the administration to support this
stop sign with all the bells and whistles possible because there are no stop signs on MLK. It's going to be really weird for uh traveling down MLK and having to stop for a stop sign versus a light. So, I'm asking for the street to be painted for uh the yellow
new sign to go on top of that stop sign at in addition to the ones that are being added to Bergen Avenue. Uh again, we don't use stop signs on Bergen Avenue. We use stop lights. So, this is a new stop mechanism. Please add all the bells and whistles that you can to these new four-way stop intersections. And I
would like to give the rest of my time for a moment of silence for James Cook. Thank you. There >> a motion to close the public hearing. >> Motion. >> Motion made by Cleet. >> Second. >> Second by I believe that was 00. On the
motion to close the public hearing, how do you vote? Council person Ridley. >> I. >> Council person Huings. >> I. >> Council person Bojanna. >> Council person. >> I. >> Council person Solomon. >> I. Council person Gilmore. >> I, >> Council Person De.
>> Council Person Rivera. >> Hi. >> And Council President Waterman. Motion to close the public hearing passes 90 for final consideration of adoption and adoption of ordinance 25-109. How do you vote? Council person Ridley.
>> I. >> Council person. >> I. >> Council person Bojanna. Council person. >> Thank you. Department of Infrastructure. I vote I. Council person Solomon. >> Hi, >> Council Person Gilmore. >> Um, yes, I would just like to thank um
Barker and her team. We've worked on this project for the last couple years. Uh, rest in peace to one of my friends, James Cook. Uh, we've been really trying to address this uncontrolled intersection on Myrtle MLK.
Um, while I'm not fully happy, uh, we wanted the traffic light, um, I will take the reasonable compromise and I proudly vote. I, >> Council President Deise, >> I, >> Council President Rivera, >> I,
>> and Council President Waterman. Ordinance 25-109 is adopted 90. We're about to move on to the public speaking portion. Councilman Solomon, did you >> Yeah, if I could do the votes. >> Yeah. So, Councilman Solomon is needs to leave. Is anyone else?
Okay. Um, so let me just call your vote on the resolutions. They're obviously resolution 10.16 we've already 10.17 already voted on and 10.18 was withdrawn
to for u approval of agenda items 10.1 through 10.0. 11. How do you vote, sir? >> Uh, I vote no on 10.9. I vote I and all the rest. And I vote no on John McKin's ringtone.
>> Oh, it's unanimous. I think >> I agree. >> No on 10.9. Yes. And all the rest. >> Yes. >> Okay. Very well, sir. >> All right. We are moving on to the public speaking
portion of the >> Do you thought you were going to >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> No, it's fine. I vote I and all but I thought you'd only said to 1011. >> Oh, I'm sorry. And you are correct, sir. And then uh as far as the remainder of the items 10.12 through 10.16, how do you vote? >> I vote I.
>> Okay. And >> I might as well get your vote now on the claims and addendum. >> I vote I. >> Okay. Very well, sir. Thank you. Moving on to the public speaking portion of the council meeting. As we all know there is three minutes
you can speak on any agenda item anything that you wish. Um and the first speaker is Liver Washington. >> Hold on one second. >> I miss you. I had death in my family back to back. That's why I had missed
the past two uh council meetings. But what's going on in our community, we need to get on board. I know it's election time. People are busy, but our kids and our young people are dying in the streets. And it's a sad time when
I'm out here fighting for youth, fighting for kids to go away in December to Dallas, a football team called the Hudson County Dolphins. I'm getting ready to do what I do in the community with school uniforms and
Colts. But more to that, we need to get on board, open up some more recreation center. When I was a child, we had can do. We had a went to 22 for recreation to the schools. We don't have nothing. I ride up and down these streets and our
young people are standing on corners and I taught them if I don't have a thousand kids calls me mom, grandma, aunt, I don't have one. I respect them. They respect me. And they said I asked them about jobs. We don't have enough job training. We don't have enough going on.
We got election come on. We got to do a new thing in this city. It might mean going backwards that will send us to go forward, but we need to open up some more centers, some more interviews for job, job training. Our
kids are losing it. They dying daily. Not from just being shot, being stared by each other by drugs, alcohol, drinking. They said I never heard so much death in the past month in my life. and I'm 77 and ain't
old people dying. It's young people. We not sending them no hope. There's no hope out there for them. We need more street soldiers. We need more programs and we open back up.
I do a free summer camp. I do what I God give me the strength to do at my age. But we I need you and we and we need each other. We got to make this better. Come
with a new program, not business as usual. We need housing. It's just so much. I get phone calls about people think I work here. I said, "No, I try to help out here, but we got to do better." And God bless
all of you. Gina Gina Davidson. >> Good evening. Gina Davidson. I'm speaking as a resident tonight. I do work for Councilman Gilmore, but speaking on my own behalf, justice for Drew. Uh, we just walked for Drew and for the
National Day Against Police Brutality. And this is a week when the mayor did it again. He made an announcement about a justified shooting without even speaking to a family, without even speaking to the family members of Tan Rogers. Say
his name, Tan Rogers, who was shot and killed by the police this week. We still have a problem here in Jersey City. And I was really um thinking about this today as I was taping up our our
signs, our Justice for Drew signs. They weren't supposed to have to last 10 years or two years, those signs. It's been 2 years since he was shot. So, I just want to say tonight that the
window for redemption is closing for some of you and it's already closed for others. And I want to thank council persons Bojiano, council persons Gilmore, and council person Solomon for
actually working for the people and listening to the people and speaking on our behalf and not being just another person who rubber stamps whatever this mayor wants to see. I was at one of the mayoral debates this week and I heard something that really
upset me. Council President Waterman, you said that when you were dealing with the Pompadoo situation, I was thinking about the children who would never leave their neighborhood. We need to ask why are their children
still not getting to take advantage of certain resources of adequate education. We need to pay attention to housing. We don't need a foreign art museum where
the tickets cost $55. $55 for a ticket that could provide art supplies for a child for half a year. So those of you who have been around and not managed to make change, it is time for you to step aside.
Consider this your divine intervention to step aside and give your votes over to somebody new, somebody progressive, somebody who will actually represent the people of this city. Thank you, >> Edward Perkins. Good evening.
Uh, I too am pleased that this is the last council meeting before the election. I will not wait until November 4th. I will vote early. I I'm not voting by mail, but I will vote early. Um,
I'm carrying a picture of a young man. There was just a police involved shooting. He was murdered. His family is outraged. The same thing has happened. Gina just reiterated it here for you. We
are tired of the mayor and and and how he moves. We are. It's more than distressing justice for Tan Rogers. And you know what you all can do for us? And if there are any of you that survive
and make it back here, you'll hear me saying it. What you can do for us is provide a CCB for us. So the state will have to work on that. What teeth and what power it has, but you still can
exercise that right and established civilian complaint review board in this city to start to build the trust back into the police department. But I'll stay on public safety. Public safety is more than just the police and
the brutality that we've been having to deal with. Public safety has to deal with the lack of housing, the lack of food, our water, our air. It has much more to do with just the police. And you have failed us
on almost every level. It is an indictment, not just on the mayor, but on this council. how we have not been able to raise the quality of our life materially here. Many of us are being priced out and
there's no answer coming from anywhere. But your sorry excuses for new affordable housing schemes that outpric more of us. And you tell us, "Oh, we need affordable housing. This is the only way we can get it." Enough has been
enough. Enough has been enough. I encourage everyone watching, everyone listening, vote. And you will hear this council will. Please be advised. Members of the public are upset about this last
police involved shooting. Have you any of you reached out to the family? Is that beneath any of you? A child was murdered. Someone's grandson, someone's brother was murdered. Is that beneath any of
you? Have any of you done what the mayor hasn't done and reached out to the family? You should right away. It's the human thing to do. Tina Nulls. >> Yes, my name is Tina NoS. Yes. Um, I
work for Education and Gilmore, but I'm talking for myself. Um, I just wanted to say, um, justice for Drew. Justice for Drew. I just wanted to say to y'all um yeah, I didn't really like what the mayor has
said, um about what happened in our community again because he never come in our community. Um I'm noticing the people that was behind the mayor is the ones who messed up everything in our community. Um I also wanted to say about
the small business in our community. I don't understand why would y'all take that from our community because the city did own it and then y end up taking it from us. Um I just wanted to thank um chief staff and education of Gilmore for
telling me to use my voice as me being an advocated for our community. I realized that we are able to come together without the leaders without the governor. I realized that when people were trying to build walls I was building bridges. Y'all came up here and
I beg y'all for help conced about how I was helping out the community. When education of Gilmore found out that I was giving out clothes, he was like, "You know what? That's something off my back." Because people call me about different about the fires and stuff. But as leaders, y'all overlook that y'all
consisted to take care of your own household started taking care of the community. I know when Jeremy Walker telling me that he's hiring, he don't go tell me to tell my friends. He go tell me to tell the community. And that just show me how y'all work. Y'all end up helping yel not helping out the
community. We should not have to be here saying justice for Drew because our mayor decide to bring the guy here who's over safety and he have not did nothing. Y that big building safety building in our community for no reason because it
have not been safety yet in our community. I see that we still have the construction people here still asking to get paid. I don't understand why um we still here guys. We got um today November 4th. We already know that's the election. We already know that we going
to be getting new people. So now on guys, just hold y'all complaints, hold y'all problems and just wait for the new people so they can understand us and they can look at us and they can make a difference because we already know. I've been coming here for a couple of years for six years and been the same people sitting in there sitting up there and we
already see what happened. Nothing >> J. Barksdale. >> Thank you, Council. J A Y B A R K S D A L E. I live in Ward E. My husband and I would like to know what plans have been or are being made to address the
situation where ISIS descends upon Jersey City and the federal administration decides to mobilize the National Guard to step in as well. That's a question. Well, I'll >> stay here for 2 minutes and 15 seconds
until somebody says something. >> Well, this is an opportunity to address the council. >> I just did. >> I They may or may not answer the question. I'm just letting >> Oh, I see. >> Well, you can think about it. >> What was the question? >> He wants to know how we address the IC
situ. The question is, what plans have been made or are being made to address the situation when ICE descends upon Jersey City and the federal administration decides to mobilize the National Guard to step in as well? What
plans have been made or are being made? >> Oh, okay. >> I think that question would be suited for either mayor or mayoral candidates. >> Oh. Oh. Oh, really? public safety. >> It would be really suited for public
safety because they would have to make the plan exactly how this >> plan after the event. >> No, no, no. They probably have the plan >> and you don't know about it. >> So, what will happen is if you reach out to the director of police, she'll tell
you exactly what the plan is if ICE decides to descend on Jersey City. because I know they they've been having meetings to teach people on protect your rights throughout the city. >> Okay. The city has an executive order, right,
>> that states essentially >> that we will not cooperate with federal enforcement officials, >> right? >> They cannot commandeer the Jersey City Police Department to assist them in
their apprehension of any individuals. We have had know your rights clinics. >> Yes. >> Where we tell people they need to make sure there's a valid judicial warrant >> um to to go into their house to arrest them. That a lot of what's happening is
ICE is going up to random people, >> right? >> And they're just, you know, scooping people off the streets and disappearing them. And people need to know their rights. They need to know their right to attorney. >> Yes. Yes. Thank you. Who's who's doing this? There are there's a network of
different organizations across Jersey City and across New Jersey, >> but it's not part of the city government. >> Thank you. City the city has um justice department approved um immigr immigration office that they help people
with immigrant services. It's located at 394 Central Avenue, the second floor, and they assist people. >> Erica Walker Justice for Drew and unfortunately now, Justice for Tan
Rogers. Good evening, Council President and members of the council. My name is Erica Walker. Again, while I proudly serve as chief of staff to Councilman Frank Educational Gilmore, tonight I'm speaking on my own behalf as a resident, a mother, and a community advocate who
deeply loves Ward F. First, I want to thank the council for postponing the vote on ordinance 25110. That decision shows respect for the people who live closest to this project and for the legacy of Thomas and John
Brelin Jackson, two formerly enslaved black men whose story began right here in Bergen or down there. By taking a pause, you've given us the space to ask, "How can this project, a $200 million project, truly serve the community the
Jackson Brothers once called home?" Because if we're going to invest 200 million into Jackson Square, or I should say 200 more million into Jackson Square, money that could also support affordable housing, youth recreation, and senior and a senior center, then
it's only right that those elements be built in the plan from the start. And I would take it a step further. Let's add the children to that vision. Let's invite parents, educators, and young people to share what they'd like to see. Whether that's a reading room,
an afterchool space, a music lab, or a playground that feels safe and welcoming. If this project is to honor the Jackson brothers, it should reflect their values: ownership, opportunity, and inclusion. We can't honor two men who fought for freedom and land ownership by excluding the very people
they paved the way for. That's why as the process moves forward, I'm asking that the next public meeting be held not just in Wardf, but in that big old beautiful public safety building. Jermaine Robinson said one of those top floors was supposed to be space for a community meeting, a community space,
but never has the community been invited to use it as such. We can make this more than a building. We can make it a legacy that lives, breathes, and grows with the community. Thank you again for pausing to do this right. I truly believe that when we
censor the people, not the politics, not the developers, we create something worthy of the Jackson's name and of Jersey City's future. Thank you. >> Pam Timson. >> Hello, my name is Pamson. P A M T I M P
S O N I would like to thank you also for tableabling 11 or 2025 110 uh this there's another layer to the development of this area. I'd like to
take you back in history and to how the Martin Luther King Shopping Plaza came into being from the beginning. And I think that that spirit should be considered when considering the future of the next build to the Jackson Square
Martin Luther King shopping plaza. It was back in the 80s when a number of organizations or devel um contractors came together and said what can we do for our community? They had seen what had happened on the Gold Coast
redevelopment and how they did not get any of the jobs or opportunities. They said, "Let us build our own communities." And they set out on that path. There was a number of developer developers at this time. You had June Jones and she speaks about what's
happened to her uh development projects in the Morse Canal. You had Don Wilson and the 27 houses that he built that he was removed for $15,000. Now, when you look at the hub, that was a community project. The neighborhood
development corporation joined together and through a series of cherettes, the Lawrence study. They've searched through community to find the solution to create an economic engine with it would continue to drive this community,
provide training, jobs, and business opportunities. This plan won the Paul David off planning award in 1995. It broke ground in 1997 and by 2001 it
boasted 70% black ownership of businesses and I believe was employing several hundred people at the time. It was the pride and joy of the community. However, this project was not built on grants. It was built on loans. $9
million of loans at a time when there was no economic development in the community. People rode buses for hours to get to jobs because there was nothing happening economically. But yet they managed to launch and opened the Ponderosa restaurant in city
markets and uh independent beauty supply and other businesses bank. They brought in a post office above ground railroad and uh the many things we see there now. But this project was not supported. And in fact, it was the EDC at that time
that was their partner. The EDC was a a government agency at this point, but it changed its mission and therefore began to not support. So, you should support the community speaking on this project because it has a legacy.
>> Thank you, ma'am. >> Charles Peters. Charles Peters. No. Uh Kevin Barfield. No. Kristen Jrogaart. Good evening. I have a few of my regular
questions that haven't been answered for months and a few new ones. The park at Country Village is 25% completed and sits 75% um in dire need of improvements. Can anyone tell me when the rest of that
park is going to be finished? The participatory budget from a few years ago, Martiniac Enright Park received funding from it to be redone. It was never redone. It hasn't been touched besides volunteers. Is that money gone?
And will the park be redone? If the money has been saved someplace, when can it be used? If it hasn't, what happened to the money? Um, Caven point right now sits five city vans, abandoned buses,
five storage trailers, police barricades. The bathrooms are a disgrace. The parking lot is a disgrace. There are about 400 families that come in there every weekend. to um through the Jersey City Soccer
Association, through various football games, through high school soccer games. Cars can't get in, cars can't get out. It's like driving on the surface of the moon. Besides the fact you can't park anywhere because of all the the city's you basically using it as a dump storage
site. Um, the bathrooms at Caven Point, at Barry Lane, at Enus Jones. I would rather go to the bathroom at the Port Authority bus terminal than any of those. When are they going to be fixed and watched and guided? They're either locked or a disgrace.
Um, crossing guards. What is there any update on crossing guards? My school hasn't had a crossing guard in the vicinity, at least a twob block vicinity, in a year and a half. I'd also like to discuss the um building and the
the Jackson Square building that was pulled. I'm glad it was pulled for more consideration, but right now the public safety building, there is an entire floor that sits empty and there are multiple offices that are not used. When is there an audit of all of the space
within the city that is used where instead of putting money into new offices, we can use that space? I would never deprive a park, arches, beautiful statues, whatever the case may be. But if that can be more of a community space, which is much needed, we would
prefer that to be there. Um, there is currently a children's museum in the public safety building. I don't know a child that has been there besides for the ribbon cutting. So, when are we going to open up those things to the public and not keep them locked behind closed doors? Thank you.
Simone Bratweight. >> Evening, Jersey City Council. Excuse my voice. My um allergies are acting up. But hi, my name is X Braithweight and I am the lead environmental justice organizer for Clean Water Action. Um, I want to first thank Council President
Waterman and Councilman Gilmore for supporting resolution 25-654, a resolution declaring environmental rights for incarcerated people. Um, I have my colleague here, Cindy Boen, who did her undergraduate research on New
Jersey uh, incarceration facilities and found that their facilities have one of the highest rates of water contamination violations in the state. EC coli, um, Legionaire's disease, and we've heard directly from incarcerated people about
their lived experiences. Um, mothers, grandmothers. I actually have a handout or an infographic I'd like to hand you guys if that's allowed. Thank you. And anybody interested in hearing about our campaign can definitely speak to one of us after. It's called the Safe Water,
Safe Lives Campaign. And we are here because uh New Jersey incarcerated people uh have consistently and consistently came from overburdened communities. So polluted uh contaminated by water um air pollution and these
individuals once they get into incarcerated incarceration facilities are forced to drink and bathe in water potentially contaminated by carcinogens or other harmful toxins. So, the resolution, which is item 10.3, I
believe, um says that every year in prison takes two years off of your life expectancy. And this is an injustice greater than any punishment that one deserves. Um it was actually introduced by Congresswoman Presley in last
Congress. She introduced an environmental rights and prisons act. Obviously given the political climate we're in now, something that progressive can only be uh exemplified at the state level. So Sydney and I research partner have uh proposed that you guys accept
and um affirm a declaration of rights for incarcerated people to further an environmental rights and prisons act that would cover the urban heat island effect, right? the fact that one in three uh incarceration facilities are next to a super fund site, the soil, the
water contamination, obviously the real world impacts that the these have on incarcerated people and their families. Um we have support from the ACLU, the support from the Institute for Social Justice, as well as the returning citizens of New Jersey. And we'd also
love the support of Jersey City Council. and you guys would be one of the first cities to officially recognize a declaration of rights for incarcerated people. So I urge you all to do so. So thank you >> Desai. Greetings council. I would like to begin
by thanking you all for recognizing uh October as Hindu Heritage Month. I think it is a small step in the right direction, but I'm here to unfortunately address something that is taking us back in the wrong direction. I live in the Journal
Square area and I wanted to speak more about an incident I went through exactly a week ago and how the public safety response failed in that situation. Last Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m., I was walking toward the intersection outside my apartment at the corner of Summit and
Academy Street. I have to cross both streets to get to my apartment. If I walk on the other side of Summit, that is across the municipal court. There is a liquor store that attracts drunk men hanging around that cat call any woman that walks by. It doesn't matter. You
could wear like a full winter jacket. I've seen them harass a pregnant woman. So anyway, I usually go up to the intersection. and that's where I crossed this two streets to get to my apartment. When I got to the intersection, I'm going to detail what happened next. Um, I'm going to bring up race and religion
only because this was a hate related attack that I faced and I think it's important to the story. To continue, I then saw a belligerent man clearly on drugs um half-hazardly crossing the crosswalk I was about to walk right taking up the whole space like that.
Very tall, lanky man um with his arms swinging out. If I crossed, he would have hit me with his arm. So, I decided to wait until he crossed because he was it was clear he was staring at me and the Muslim man in front of me dressed in his ethnic attire. The belligerent man
was angry that the Muslim man dared to share the crosswalk. He started screaming and staring at me. Started ranting racist MAGA talking points. He threatened me by saying, "That's right. You Indians should stay out of my way. You are always getting in our way." The
kicker, the man was actually a person of color. Um, at first I was surprised. We've come to a point where even minorities are spewing out racist rhetoric against the South Asian diaspora. He But, you know, should we be surprised
when every day in the national news we're seeing somebody trashing on South Asians just to get in the news? I guess not. He went on about how Indians are taking all the jobs that they're coming into the US and they think they know better but they're not American. The
funny thing is I'm born and brought up in the US. Grew up in the South, came up to New York City because I love the diversity and the opportunities here. I specifically came to Jersey City for the affordability. It's a city that according to the 2010 census has 27,000
people of Asian Indian race. That's almost 11% of the city's population. Oh man, I'm speaking I'm running out of time. I just wanted to say that I called 911. I think it's important. I'm sorry I'm running out of time. I didn't keep track. Um I called 911 to say what was
going on because he kept walking. He was threatening and I was scared that he would attack other people, but I was rudely dismissed by 911. Sorry, the three minutes is >> Can you send Pam an email? She's right behind you. And um
>> thank you. she can make sure that the 911 operator, if you tell the time that you called, they'll be able to see who picked up the phone call. Okay? >> And hold them account >> to be held accountable. That was what I wanted to address too because I have
seen that you guys have held a no confidence vote against him and he has continued to fail us. You can go on Reddit. You can go on Instagram. I don't mean to take up more time, but you know, someone has called in about a stabbing and they've been made feel they've been made to feel bad the way I was when I
called the operator. So, this isn't just one operator. This is a systemic problem. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Morin Rios. No, Chris Capers. All right. Good evening, council. Um,
I've been protesting out in front of 29 Van Ripen in 612 Pavonia for the last couple of months. My fellow union members and I have tried to engage the city's officers for weeks now to alert
them on issues at the job site. We appreciate the construction code officials office looking into it and taking action to protect workers and residents alike from irresponsible development.
I worked to highlight that we received word from some workers on these sites that their bosses are telling them that the union is to blame for the jobs being shut down. We are out there to take their jobs for
this false information. Let me set the record straight. The only ones to blame for work being stopped are NAMDA and AJ D who failed to obtain legally required permits.
We are out there because we know better than anyone how hard it is to pour concrete day in and day out. I myself worked on a concrete crew for years. These jobs are tough and they require
great skill and focus. So, we are out there to call out the developers and the contractors who think it's cute to hide in shadows and line their pockets on the backs of hardworking men and women.
Every construction worker in Jersey City deserves a good wage, health care, and a path to a dignified retirement. We put our bodies on the line to to solve the city's biggest problems, whether that be fixing roads after a
sinkhole or removing lead from a school or building residential highrises to help relieve the housing crisis. Don't we deserve our fair share, too? So to my non-UN brothers and sisters working all over this city, I'm here to
say we stand with you. We fight for you. Our aim is that every single worker has access to wages, benefits, peace of mind that our members enjoy around fighting to preserve. Like I mentioned in the
last meeting, there are still hundreds of concrete workers from the Journal and 35 Cottage Street who are waiting to be paid. Every single person in this room can help get this money back by signing our
petition that's on the clipboard in the back and coming out to support the fight and that we demand dignity, respect, and fair compensation for construction workers in Jersey City. Thank you. >> Thank you,
>> Laura Mestred. >> Good evening, everyone. >> Evening. >> So, I'm a researcher with the Labour's Eastern Region and I help support our organizing efforts here in Jersey City. We're here to speak out and fight back against worker exploitation and
irresponsible contractors and developers operating here in Jersey City. As Chris just said, we've been protesting at the Namdar Group's 29 Van Ripen and 612 Pavonia Avenue projects to bring attention to the worker exploitation and
wage theft that is plaguing Jersey City development. Last Thursday, the Jersey City Construction Code officials office posted a stop construction notice at 612 Pavonia Avenue for exceeding the terms and conditions of permits. We have since
learned that on October 8th, 29 Van Ripen was also cited for exceeding the limit of the permit, which to put it in plain English means that general contractor AJ and their subcontractors were building without a permit. This is
truly outrageous. Neither Namar Group nor general contractor AJ is new to building in Jersey City. AJ is one of the most prolific contractors in Jersey City. And Tom Beri, a co-owner of the
subcontractor Concrete Rising, is a former permit expediter who reportedly became a regular fixture at the building department here in Jersey City. These are seasoned professionals that should know building permits are required. So,
two incidents of working without a permit is a pattern of non-compliance. We believe that this is not merely an oversight, but at the very least a willful violation of building code that puts the community and workers at risk. I want to personally thank the
construction code officials office for taking notice of this issue and acting decisively to protect workers and residents from this flagrant disregard on behalf of NAMA and AGA. But more needs needs to be done. We believe the community deserves to know how this
oversight was allowed to happen before permits are issued for work to continue. We are asking the council to refer this matter to the county prosecutor, attorney general, or the state department of community affairs. From our point of view, it is clear that
developers like Namar and contractors like AJ believe they are above the law and that the rules don't apply to them. and we are prepared to continue protesting and speaking up as long as developers and contractors think they can get away with this egregious
behavior here in Jersey City. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Rochelle Hoffman. >> Rochelle Hoffman. >> He's not Oh, she's right there. Good evening, council, members of the le community leaders. My
name is Rashel Hoffman, and I stand before you today on behalf of We Care Movement, a community faith-based organization here in Jersey City, dedicated to promoting health, safety, and wellness across our neighborhoods. I'm here to urge the council to support
Senate Bill 4442 and to approve a local ordinance that we have not have yet that strengthens alcohol warning signage requirements in our city. Everyday alcohol misuse quietly impacts our families, our youth,
and our neighborhoods. It contributes to car accidents, domestic violence, liver disease, and countless preventable deaths. Yet too often the warnings about these dangers are hidden in fine print, outdated or placed where no one truly
sees them. Senate Bill 4442 seeks to change that and ensures that alcohol warning signs are visible, current and truthful, not blurred behind the counter or ignored on dusty shelves. This bill will require clear clearer messaging
about the health risk of alcohol use, including links to cancer, liver disease, mental health issues, and pregnancy complications. Our city has an opportunity and a responsibility to be proactive. By
passing a local ordinance aligned with Senate Bill 4442, we can make sure every establishment that sells or serves alcohol display bold, factual, and accessible warning signs. This is not about shaming
businesses or restricting choice. It's about empowering individuals with knowledge so they can make informed decisions. Just as we see strong warnings for tobacco and vaping, our residents deserve the same transparency
about alcohol risk, I ask this council to be on the right side of prevention and public health. Let us let us be the city that cares enough to inform, to protect, and to act together. Let's
support bill Senate Bill 4442 and pass the ordinance to amend our alcohol warning signage because when people know better, they do better. And when we care together, we build a healthier future for all. And I just
want to say thank you to the council, Kevin Willer. Good evening, city council. I'm Kevin Weller from the forever rent controlled Portide Towers East in W F. I know that the second reading of 25107 has been pushed, but it's still important that we
address it this meeting and in the press so it does not pass ever. Last night, I heard from the New York Times about this ordinance. For nearly 40 years, Jersey City rent control has been built on return on investment. Landlords get a fair return
on their actual cash equity. If they claim they can't make that return, they file for hardship relief. Hardship isn't arbitrary. It exists because the Constitution prohibits taking property without just compensation. The rent leveling board examines each application. They look at the actual
investment, debt structure, operating choices. If a landlord overpaid for a building, the board says tenants don't subsidize your bad purchase. If they're carrying reckless debt, the board adjusts. If they violated city codes like failing to bide required security
or superintendence, those violations reduce their effective return. This system protects the landlord's constitutional rights while protecting tenants from exploitation. It's been tested in court. It works. But ordinance 25107 deletes all of these time- tested
safeguards. Section 260-10E, the board's power to deny imprudent purchases, gone. Section 260-10J, adjustments for over financing, gone. Board discretion replaced with an
automatic guarantee. What guarantee? a 40% net operating income margin in a rent control ordinance. Let me put that in perspective. The stock market averages 9% annually with significant risk. Grocery stores 1.6 margins. Airlines lose money without
loyalty programs. But this ordinance guarantees landlords 40% more than four times the stock market. More than 25 times what successful businesses can earn with zero risk. This isn't hardship relief. This is redefining what hardship means in a way that makes rent control
meaningless. And it gets worse. Under 25105, landlords who violate codes face $100 per day per tenant minimum fines. But under 107, those fines become operating expenses that reduce NOI below 40%. So the landlord applies for
hardship and the tenants reimburse the fine through higher rent. Violate the code, get fined, build the victims. We've come before you for three years asking for help with serious housing violations and enforcement issues. I have strong written commitments from all the mayoral candidates, including Ali,
McGrevy, OD, and Solomon. They do not that they do not support this ordinance. Do not vote for an ordinance that will cause this council to be remembered for ending rent control. Not redefine hardship as a 40% profit guarantee. Thank you.
Zahira Hamdani. Okay. Uh, Suie Corey, thank you and good evening. I'm going to describe my building, Portide Towers, and you can tell me what's missing. We're at 527
unit residential complex, two towers. Over a thousand of people live at Portide. The city code says buildings our size requires specific things. First, we're supposed to have a 24-hour uniform security. Walking patrols,
someone in uniform who's trained to respond when something happens. Look around our lobby at 3:00 a.m. What's missing? Security guard. We don't have one. Second, we are supposed to have a resident superintendent. Someone who
lives on site. Somewhere we can find when heat stops working or pipes burst. Ask any tenant in our building who is the resident superintendent. Nobody knows. Third, our landlord is supposed to file
registration statements every year. Lists of tenants base rents from 1983. Emergency contacts. Corporate officer information. The things that city needs to verify were incomplence. file a public records request. What's
missing? The basic information the ordinance requires. So, let me ask this obvious question. If you're missing the security guard, the superintendent, and the required paperwork, how is this landlord allowed to operate?
And here's a better question. If they're allowed to skip these requirements, what requirements can't they skip? Can they skip providing heat? Can they skip maintaining elevators, which they do? Can they skip fixing bro broken locks?
Because if there's no consequence for ignoring these three major sections of city code, why would they follow any of it? I keep hearing this landlord needs relief. They need higher rents. They need hardship ex exceptions. They need
ordinances changed, but they can't do basic things the law already requires. the gritty superintendent accurate paperwork. You don't get to ask for special treatment when you're not doing the ordinary things. You don't get relief when you're not in complences with the
bare minimum. Fix what's missing. Provide security. Disclose the superintendent. File complete registration statements. Do the things every other landlord in your city has to do. And then you can come back and ask for something extra. But not
before that. Thanks, >> Daniel Feldman. >> As the five of you may know, this is my 33rd time giving a speech in front of you all during public speaking. My first speech was in February of 2024 and in 15 of my last 18 speeches. So my speech on
December 11th, 2024, January 15th of this year, February 13th, March 12th, March 26th, April 9th, April 23rd, May 7th, May 21st, June 11th, June 26th, July 16th, August 20th, September 23rd, and October 8th on each of those dates. I discussed the fact that we at Portide
Towers do not have 247 uniform security despite the fact that chapter 218 article 1 of the Jersey City Code of Ordinances states very clearly that every owner or agent of an owner of a multiple dwelling of 100 or more dwelling units shall furnish a minimum of one uniform security guard for each
residential building. Now on December 11th, 2024, January 15th of this year, February 13th, March 12th, March 26th, April 9th, April 23rd, May 7th, May 21st, June 11th, June 26th, July 16th, August 20th, September 23rd, and August 8th. On each of those dates, I pleaded with all of you to do something about
the fact that our landlord is blatantly violating Jersey City law at the expense of the safety of myself and my neighbors. Now, on January 15th of this year, 280 days ago, Council Member Daniel Rivera, you told us, quote, "That security stuff is very, very important, and we want to make sure that you know
that we're hearing you." On June 11th of this year, 133 days ago, Council Member Cle also said, quote, "I hope everyone on this council reaches out to the municipal prosecutor's office after today and pushes to have these violations prosecuted." End quote. Yet, nothing has changed. Now, on September
23rd of this year, a young woman residing at Portside Towers was traumatized when while standing in front of Portide Towers East Tower at 155 Washington Street, she realized that there was a man behind her with his pants unzipped touching himself. He sped
away on a scooter, but then came back and hid behind a parked car, staring at her. When the police finally arrived, they were not able to find the man who had since sped off again on his scooter. And for as far as I know, he's still out there. Now, if we had uniform security
at the time, this incident would not have happened because per NJAC1355A, uniform security guards must be trained in homeland security and counterterrorism, communications and emergency response, theft protection, detention of suspects, which would have been very helpful for this young woman
at the time. Also, first aid and CPR and more with continued training every two years. Neither a concierge nor a security camera can do any of that. This is basic safety. The law is very clear
that buildings such as ours with 100 or more dwelling units must furnish at least one 24/7 uniform security guard. This is my 16th time asking you all about it. Please, let's do something about it.
Thank you. Sylvia, hello. Okay. Uh, Susan Roa. >> Good evening. My name is Susan Roa and I live at Portside Towers. Last month, I read something in the city code, section 218-1A.
It says, "Buildings like ours must have 24-hour uniform security. Not a camera, not a desk agent. Uniform security 24 hours a day." I looked around. There is no uniform security. My landlord has
argued that they are in compliance. I went back to the code. Chapter 254-45 says we must have a resident superintendent. Someone who lives on site, someone we can find in an emergency. I've tried to learn who the
resident super is in my building and in my neighbor's building at 100 Warren Street. We can't get an answer. Then I found section 260-2F. Every landlord must file a registration statement with the city. It must list
important information including oh the superintendent, the emergency count contact and corporate officers. You know what we found? Incomplete forms, missing information. The exact information the
ordin ordinance requires are left blank. So I have a simple question. If the landlord won't tell tenants who the superintendent is is and they won't tell the city who the superintendent is, does the superintendent exist?
If a uniform security guard isn't on site at 2 a.m. when someone needs help, does the security guard exist? Here's what I think happened. The landlord looked at the requirements and decided which ones cost money. Security costs
money. Skip it. Superintendent costs money. Skip it. Two buildings requiring their own security guard and super double skip it. Then they filed filled out just enough paperwork to look like they're trying, but they left out the
parts that would prove they're not in compliance. That's calculated non-compliance with a paper trail designed to confuse you. Conduct an investigation. Find out if the two port side supers exist and where our securities have
gone. Because if a landlord can make required staff disappear by just filing incomplete documents, what's the point of having requirements at all? Thank you, Joel Rothus. Welcome. Speak, sir.
>> Good evening, Council President Waterman and Council Members. Council member Solomon, who is a candidate for mayor, has gone on record against Council President Waterman's ordinance 225-107. He said, quote, "Ordinance 25-107
proposes such a broad and overarching reform of rent control that will have a multitude of unforeseen consequences. I am committed to protecting our tenants and am deeply concerned about moving forward with an ordinance that could negatively impact tens of thousands of
our residents." End quote. We thank Council Member Solomon for his leadership in speaking out. Uh, please let Councilman Member Ridley know that I'm asking her as she's running on Solomon's slate in two weeks to ask her
to make her intent known today publicly. Join council member Solomon in opposition to 25-107. The council member Solomon is worried about unforeseen consequences. Let me show you what's completely foreseeable. The quote rent burdened exemption close
quote requires tenants to prove income annually in director Richardson's landlord tenant office. Federal tax returns, W TWS, payubs, social security statements, pension records, child
support documentation. The office would have to review each application, calculate household income, likely four to six hours per application. The office employs only three people. Conservative estimate, if just 5% of rent controlled households
apply, that would be 1,500 applications. At 5 hours each, that's 7,500 staff hours. With three people, if they did nothing else, it would take 18 months to process the first wave. Basic math, the office would need 35 to 40
full-time staff. This clearly wasn't presented to Director Richardson for his input before introducing it for a first reading at last council meeting. Here's what will actually happen. Applications will pile up unprocessed. Tenants will wait months. They'll
receive no relief. Meanwhile, their rents will keep climbing because landlords file for a 40% NOI and get approved immediately. So, tenants do the paperwork, wait forever, get nothing. Landlords file once and get rapid approval. Council member Solomon is
right to be concerned. The proposed uh ordinance is a deliberate design that enriches bad actor landlords and further harms the tenants of Jersey City. Please all council members join council member Solomon on record today and make the statement that the record on the
record to protect tenants and demand that ordinance 25107 be withdrawn. Thank you. Annie Asus. >> Good evening, council. Katie Brennan is a Democratic nominee for state assembly and a recognized
housing policy expert. She said about Waterman's ordinance 25-107, quote, "This proposal is a wolf in sheep's clothing. It's meant to sound like it would help tenants, but it would totally undermine rent control in Jersey City. There's language buried in here
that would guarantee landlords get a 40% profit. This that is unheard of and would guarantee rent increases across the city. It would also allow landlords who break the law to pass any fines or penalties directly onto their tenants. There would be zero incentive for
landlords to follow the rules. End quote. When someone who studies housing policy professionally and will soon have state level legislative authority warns you about zero incentive to follow the law. Listen, let me show you how that
works. City code requires 24-hour security. That costs money. A landlord decides to skip it. Under current law, the landlord gets fined. Those fines hurt. It's cheaper to provide security than pay continuous fines. That's how
incentives create compliance. But if ordinate if ordinance 25-107 were to pass, here's the new math. Skip security. Get fined under ordinance 25-105. Those fines reduce net operating income
below 40%. File for hardship. Board restores you to 40%. Tenants pay higher rent to cover the fine. Providing security costs money from your profit. Not providing security costs money from tenant rent. Which would you choose?
Miss Brennan is exactly right. Zero incentive. Worse, there's perverse incentive to violate because fines justify rent increases. You passed Ordinance 25-105 two weeks ago to create real consequences. But consequences only work
if they hurt the person breaking the law, not the victims. Why have housing codes if violating them becomes more profitable than following them? Miss Brennan calls this a wolf in sheep's clothing. She's right. While it looks
like protection, it functions as permission. Withdraw Ordinance 25-107 on the record or vote no. Thank you. David Wilson, >> the video stream is down. I don't know if there's
>> All right. Well, I don't news to me. Um, I'll try and contact it. meantime you can begin. Hi. Um, good evening, Council President Waterman, members of the council.
What I want to say tonight is that we here in Jersey City, we need each other. We need to be able to count on each other. uh we are only as strong as as our weakest link. And what that one thing
that came up for me today in this meeting is there was a question from the floor. What are we going to do when ISIS is coming into our communities, disappearing people? What if the president is tries to mobilize the National Guard? Council member Cleet was
on top of it. He had, you know, he was right there with an answer. Here's what we're trying to do. here's with the, you know, the resources that exist and we're going to need to count on the Jersey City Police Department for this. So,
there's a problem with that, right? So, today I was at a march against police brutality because we have had a problem holding the Jersey City Police Department accountable for police violence. So the very people that we are
going to be counting on to protect us from ICE, there's an accountability issue there. And in a similar way, we at we at Portside have um noticed
that there are really strong tenant protection laws in Jersey City. And so that's why we have been filing um every day we've been filing tickets for violations that our landlord Equity
Residential has been committing every single day. And for example, you know, neither building has a superintendent on the premises. And that's there was a specific set aside when the buildings were first put into operation that there
were apartments that were set aside for that. But we don't have that. So there's a disconnect there between what the law is, which is quite strong actually, and what the enforcement is and what we're
actually receiving as tenants, which is not strong. And so, you know, things here in the city and in this country are going to get worse before they get better. and the the bonds and uh that and the links that we
have are going to be tested, I think, in ways that they haven't been tested before. And you know, I mean, I can't help but notice council member Gilmore was there at the at the police brutality rally and he has stood with us at
courtside. And I'm not saying everybody is going to live up to the standard of council member Gilmore, but we have to try and we need each other. We need to stick together. Thank you. >> Suzanne D. Feliz. Evening everybody. If you rent in this
room or you have friends and family who rent, please listen to this. Good evening everyone. Mustab Ali, candidate for mayor, and something that captures said something that captures how tenants feel about Waterman's ordinance 25-107.
It's hard to imagine a more cynical move than making tenants pay their landlord's fines. Jersey City deserves leadership that protects working families, not giveaways to slum lords dressed up as reform. I'll fight to enforce our rent
control, not gut it." End quote. Cynical. That's the exact right word. For 3 years, tenants have stood here asking for enforcement of existing laws. We documented violations. We have filed petitions. We showed you buildings without required security, without
superintendence, without basic maintenance. The response, a committee that has issued no subpoenas and has had no results in months. Investigations that never start. fines that never get collected. But then
during a busy mayoral campaign, an ordinance appears guaranteeing landlord profits. And it moved fast. When we ask for action on violations, we hear about complexity and process. When landlords want 40% margins, things move quickly.
Mr. Ellie calls that cynical. We agree it's outrageous. Two weeks ago, you passed mandatory minimum fines. Finally, we thought real consequences. But if ordinance 25-107
passes, those fines become meaningless. Landlords raise rents to cover them. The tenants who suffered the violations end up reimbursing the landlord. You wouldn't enforce existing law, but you're considering new law that makes
enforcement pointless. You wouldn't investigate safety violations, but you're willing to guarantee the violators a profit floor. You wouldn't collect fines from landlords who break the rules, but you'd let them bill those fines to their
tenants. After years of asking for help, this is the response. An ordinance disguised as protection that serves only landlord interests. Choose protection. Withdraw ordinance 25-107. Withdraw ordinance 25-107
or vote no. Can we hear a motion? We have 30 seconds. 31 seconds. Doesn't doesn't happen at this point. This is a public speaking portion. Anyone here want to pay for their landlord's violations?
anyone? No. Good to know. Good to know. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Jessica Bran. >> Good evening, city council, and good evening, Council President Waterman. So, you introduced ordinance 25107 on
October 8th, and I want to ask some questions because I don't think you intended what this ordinance does. First question, did you draft this yourself? If you did, we need a different conversation about why you chose to
eliminate board discretion, create a 40% profit guarantee, and let landlords bill tenants for violation fines. But I don't think you did. Which leads to the second question. Who gave this to you? Someone wrote this ordinance with a 40%
NOI figure. Someone structured the fine pass through mechanism and someone designed the rent burdened exemption. But council president, you put your name on this. What analyses did you perform? What data supports the 40% guarantee?
And what kind of economic impact did you calculate? or did this come from outside? Did someone hand you a draft and tell you it would help tenants? Did they explain what happens when landlords bill tenants for code violations? Did they tell you
this eliminates meaningful rent control? Did they tell you this eliminates meaningful rent control? Those aren't accusations. They're questions you should answer before voting. Because here what here's what I think happened. Someone recognized rent control is hard
to attack directly. It's not popular. Look at the room. So, they drafted an ordinance that claims to protect tenants while serving landlord interests. There's some tantalizing details in this 107 that on the surface are appealing.
But they did it while you weren't looking. They brought it during a mayoral campaign. They hoped it would pass before anyone noticed. You delayed the second reading and discussion of the ordinance and that discussion was coinc coincidentally missing from the October 6th caucus
video. That suggests something's wrong. A delay without investigation just kicks the problem further down the road. Under the Faulner Act, you have the power to investigate. You can compel testimony from whoever drafted this. You can require economic analyses. You can hold
public hearings with tenant advocates. Council President, you have built a reputation for listening to residents and this ordinance appeared from a lot of different perspectives to be without tenant input and that should trouble
you. So, I'll ask you again, will you launch an investigation into how this was drafted, who provided it, and what analyses support it? Because if you vote without those answers, you're not governing. You're rubber stamping someone else's policy. Use your authority. Get answers.
Thank you. Thank you, >> Barbara Goldberg. >> Go ahead, Barbara. >> Excuse me. Good evening, city council. After standing before you for three years, appealing for your help with my fellow Portside Towers tenants, I wanted
to acknowledge that you have provided me with so much inspiration. You see, I write and illustrate children's books. The main characters are a dog named White Lightning and a cat named Baba
Bob. Their home is Jersey City, and the view from their apartment looks remarkably like the view from Portside Towers. And some of their adventures take them to places that look remarkably like this very city hall.
The books are written for children ages 3 to 10. But a university librarian who has read all of the books tells me there are quite a few adults who might learn a thing or two from them. The books tell the story of White
Lightning the dog who is not a rule follower. As a result, Jeff gets himself into entanglements that frequently devolve into angry outbursts or heartbreak. And who comes to her rescue? Bob the
cat. a rule follower. Bob knows that the rule of law is essential to a just and stable society. Bob the Cat knows that laws are typically written to write a wrong. Bob
the Cat knows that laws are not suggestions. Tonight I am acknowledging that for the past three years, this city council has helped supply inspiration for these
children's stories. Much inspiration. One reader recently told me that she's hopeful that in upcoming books, Bob and White Lightning are never accosted in their building as a result of the lack
of uniform security. What I'm hoping is that I'll be writing a very different story very soon. The tenants of Portside Towers and throughout Jersey City deserve a happy ending. Thank you,
>> Sonia Kersner. >> Good evening. Fall is here. Time to cuddle up, watch movies, listen to music. Today I want to talk about three of my favorites. First, Groundhog Day. This is how this this these meetings feel. Week after week, month after
month, year after year to today marks our 65th appearance. Over 1,000 speeches for you, from us, and just as many moments of ignorance from you for us. Council President Waterman, on October 8, you said to one of your constituents
who briefly interrupted that the council listens while people talk. Obviously not. You don't listen because if you had listened on October 8 when you passed the tax breaks for the Silverman project at the Sandre Pompidu hearing to us over
the past three years and at multiple other hearings on over 100 pilot projects since 2014. All of you would have voted in favor of the people and not against them. You would have stopped the Kushner's Pompy. You would have
voted no on the Silverman ordinance and you would have never introduced ordinance 25-107. But you did not. You didn't listen and you are not even respectful with your people. Which brings me to the next feature. Respect. RCT.
Yes, I feel I have to spell it out to you like Artha did because clearly you have no understanding of what respect means. Let me tell you first what it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean that half of you leave the room when we speak and
that the other half disappears behind their screens. It doesn't mean getting names wrong during your condolences when someone just lost a parent and this person has been called by their name for 50 over 50 times. Respect also doesn't
mean ignoring that we are not safe in our homes and that tenants all over Jersey City report being harassed by their landlords who do whatever they want because they know exactly that you will look the other way. And respect definitely does not mean guaranteeing
landords a 40% profit margin. As a business owner, I can tell you that no one has ever guaranteed me a profit margin. not a profit at all. I feel discriminated against by this by this proposal. This is the total opposite of
respect. And isn't that ironic? This opposite, don't you think? Aren't these tax breaks, the guaranteed profits, the uninforced laws, the ignorance of your own rent leveling board so ironic? Aren't they the right that you've
already paid when it turns out your people don't want to write with you at all anymore? Isn't it ironic? Don't you think it's like a negative NOI on election day? It's the good advice that you just didn't take. It's 10,000 votes when all you will get is
>> Thank you. Thank you, Dano Kushner. respect. That is the minimum we can expect from all of you. Here's a story about disrespect against all of us from one of you. The proposed ordinance 25107
defines, I quote, "An applicant may be entitled to a rent increase sufficient to produce a fair net operating income of 40% of annual gross income." Wow, let that sink in. 40% NOI. And I know there
are a couple of rules that need to be fulfilled to get the increase. And equity at the moment, of course, doesn't fulfill any of them. But considering how to 260 is enforced today, these rules are not worth the paper they are written on. My wife just said she has her own
business. Will she get 40% on NOI guarantee too? that would help us cover the rent increases we are going to get if this goes into law. Let's look at this from a financial perspective. EQR will make about 3.3
billion gross income in 25. NOI will be about 1 billion. That's 30%. 30% not bad actually way above average as we heard. But no, not enough. What you are suggesting President Waterman is to give
them a little extra. they make 30% already but Jersey City they can make 40%. Isn't that something? Based on average NOI apartment currently they make about 6 to 7 million with port
side alone. With the proposed ordinance that number would go up automatically to 9 million without them having to do anything. No improved security, no super onsite, no functioning appliances or elevator, no upgraded bathrooms,
nothing. Two to three million more just like that. But here comes the kicker. If if finally this body enforces the fiance against equity, their NOI would actually become negative. So a true motivation to
fix things, right? Oh, wait. No, they just can increase rents until the NOI becomes 40% again. Thus, we renters would pay the fines they get for the neglect against us renters. Wow.
I wonder what the motivation of a mayoral candidate is to try to introduce such ridiculous regulation right before the election and then skip the second reading. This is more than disrespect
against 72% of our constituency. This is disregarding human needs to support endless corporate greed. No, you don't have to thank me. >> Thank you. >> Yes,
>> Brandon Coffin. Good evening. I want to explain a trick our landlord Equity Residential uses. I call it the paperwork shell game. Now, the Now, the shell game is a classic game. It used to be the most popular game played on the streets of
Jersey City. And well, now it's played in the landlord offices of Jersey City. The goal of the game is simple. You've got three D, sorry, three shells and there's a little pebble under. You mix them up and you get to guess on which one has the pebble in it. Spoiler, it's
none of them. Now, what how it works is the city says you must file form A with 10 pieces of information. So, equity files form A with eight pieces of information. You skip the two that exposure violations. Then when someone complains like, "We filed it. It's not
our fault. We only filed it. We're in compliance, I suppose." And technically, they filed it. They just skipped the details that and hope nobody would notice and claimed comp and keep claiming compliance. Our landlord does
this in every building in the city, every form, every requirement, every time. Section 260-2F says, "Register your superintendent." They registered something but not who the superintendent is or where the tenants can find them. They might not even be ex exist. They
could be a ghost for all we know. Section 260-2G says register your b your base rents. They register something but that's not the base rents from 1983. That would show what the legal rents to this day would be. They file enough paper to create a paper trail, but they
leave out the parts that actually matter, the things that expose the truth and their violations. Now, here's the catch around the show game. You lose. You can The players can never win. The scammers always win. It's brilliant, really. If they filed nothing, you'd say
they're not in compliance. But because they filed something, they say, "We're in compliance." Meanwhile, what they filed is useless because it doesn't tell tenants who to call in an emergency. I, for instance, was trying to move furniture this past weekend. It took an hour and a half to
bring it for an elevator to arrive to my apartment and for me to get the furniture out cuz I wanted to return the wheels. And when you try to It's just paperwork. They file paperwork for the glory of filing paperwork to feed the giant paperwork machine, assuming that all
that matters they file paperwork. And when you try to enforce the rules, the they point to their incomplete forms and claim to file. And when you point out, they stick their fingers in their ears and go la, we filed. And well, that's what the ordinance requires. Complete and accurate information, not
information that helps the tenants and the city enforce the laws. And that's exactly what they don't provide because complete accurate would prove they've been violating the law for years. Thank you. Eve Taylor. Before Eve, come Jessica.
Jessica, you addressed me about the ordinance. Where you at, Jessica? She went out. Okay. Well, she addressed me about the ordinance cuz she is correct. Never would I hurt tenants. That is not my intent. This ordinance that I put forth
was to get stabilization to rent. Now, we are talking with different um parties. People are sending me their concerns and Councilman Cle and I is working on drafting something that can pretty much help stabilize and not hurt.
So, um, people are giving me information so I don't want it misunderstood. No, this is to help the residents and we will continue to critique it until we get it right. But I'm just amazed with everybody that's running saying, you know, this is a a fog or whatever, but
they never try to put nothing forth to help stabilize rent. >> I also want to add, if you allow me, Madam President, that the um the law does not guarantee >> correct >> 40% profit for landlords. In fact, >> in order to do the hardship application,
that's that's the baseline that they'd have to be under the 40%. But there are literally a litany of other things they have to meet and I'll go over them right now actually. Um, let's see. Give me one second up.
>> Provide proof of ownership of the units or dwelling for at least a year prior to the application. Submit 6 years of landlord registration statements or obtain a base rent calculation pursuant to this chapter. Um it says ever that
there are no outstanding illegal rent petitions or failure to main services at the time of the application. Submit to reasonable inspection of the subject units um let's see by the office of landlord tenant relations and then they
have to submit proof of their expenses. They have to submit their statements. It is actually creating a larger body of evidence that needs to be submitted in order for them to have a hardship application
accepted. Now, I said on the Deis when this was presented that I had >> concerns, legitimate concerns because of the fact that we don't want to make promises that we can't keep. We don't want to pass laws that cannot be
enforced. So, Council President and myself and the corporation council had a meeting regarding this and how we could actually make it enforceable. And these are some of the same concerns I've had when Councilman Solomon brought up his
ordinances as you've seen before. But I hope you give the council president the same grace you gave council uh Councilman Solomon. Like did anyone reach out to council president to explain this? I don't know. But >> yes, he Okay, he did. I forward your questions.
>> Okay. >> We did. >> Oh, I I would caution everyone from jumping the gun on the council president. She actually the if you guys are standing here against it, guess who also is against it? Left rack. All the
landlords. There has been significant pressure because it actually it total misreading and I'm happy to sit with you guys and discuss this. Um, it actually is like incredibly like expands expands rent control um, beyond what I think
could be enforced, but >> it's a work in progress, >> but we are working on it. There's going to be a new draft with actual things that can be enforced and um, yeah, just give council president a little grace. That's all I ask for. Um, she's trying
to do the right thing and the 40% guaranteed profit is not is not in there. There's >> it's it it's not I could sit down and read it with you afterwards if you'd like. >> Um >> no, I just wanted Jessica, I appreciate your your um comment because you know
it's right. That is not my heart intent. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is Eve Taylor here? >> Okay, hold on one second. We're going to change the camera angle. Are you ready? All right. And begin.
I'm Eve Taylor and I live at 3272nd Street. I'm here tonight to publicly endorse Billow Day for Jersey City Mayor. This is about survival for me. Billow Day and Corey were the ones who showed up when my building had no heat and dangerous carbon monoxide. They came after hours on a weekend and they acted fast. Their intervention saved lives and
afterward they helped me get rental assistance when every other door was closed. Bill also has many times invited me to events which provide food when I cannot afford to eat out. That is what real leadership looks like. By contrast, my own councilman, James Solomon, empty
chair, has not returned a single call in over a year, not one, even while I face retaliation, vandalism, and repeated break-in attempts at home. And then Jim McGrevy, who personally invited me to a church meeting, then physically pushed me out the door when I arrived. Meanwhile, his campaign has flooded the
city with glossy flyers that cost more than a week of groceries for people like me who rely on food stamps. He has Governor Murphy's direct number and could have helped stop this housing nightmare in hours. Instead, he spends on paper litter. He doesn't return my calls or follow up. My landlord is Muhammad Shahid data realy at 240 Newark
Avenue. For six years, his lawyer Roberto Tarkin and employee Hassan have attacked my housing. He sent men to my door attempting to breakins five times this summer, installed cameras to stalk me, and filed false police reports. I had police come to my apartment door multiple times, hunting me based on false reports when I have told them 20
to 30 times, I have no relationship to that man. Now, due to lack of law enforcement, Robera Tarkin, who has no contact and four unprosecuted harassment summons, has filed to evict me again for no lawful reasons. So, I have court eviction court tomorrow again. Last weekend, the landlord tried again to set
the building on fire. This summer, I had to sleep in my car and flee to my parents' home to stay alive. So tonight, I'm asking the voters to look at what real public service means. Voters, ask yourself if you want a police force who stalks you. Do you want leaders who turn their back when you're fighting to stay
alive, or do you want an action person who will answer your 911 call? Bill O Day doesn't just talk about safety. He's the action man who does the job. If we want a city that protects its residents instead of abandoning them, then he deserves my vote and he deserves to be elected Jersey City's next mayor. Thank
you. Nicole Peterin, Shannon Ray. Good evening, council prepared some remarks that I believe are still relevant. Former Governor Jim McGravy, candidate for mayor, issued a statement about ordinance 25-107.
Quote, "This situation highlights exactly why I've proposed a comprehensive tenants bill of rights for Jersey City. We don't need complicated new rules that can be exploited by bad actors. We need clear, strong, and enforcable protection. My plan includes
a tenant advocacy unit to help renters fight back, lowers rent increase limits, and bans algorithmic price fixing. It's about putting tenants first. Period. This ordinance with its dangerous provision simply doesn't meet that test. End quote. Councilman Bojano, you're running on
Governor McGrevy's slate. You were the only council member who did not vote yes on the first reading. We thank you for that courage. We're asking you to go the rest of the way tonight and make your full opposition to Ordinance 25107 clear on the record.
Councilman Gilmore, you are a councilman in Ward F. We know you would never support this ordinance. We would like to go on record in opposition today. Council President, every major candidate for mayor has condemned this ordinance publicly. This puts you in um an
impossible position politically, but I too believe this isn't what you intended. Did you intend to guarantee landlords 40% margins while grocery stores operate at 1.6? Did you intend to let them bill tenants for code violation fines? Did you intend to create an
unfunded mandate that Director Richardson simply cannot implement? If you didn't intend these things and someone handed you an ordinance designed to do exactly that and your name is on it, you delayed the second reading. That tells me something felt wrong. But you
thought the warrant this warranted a first reading. That means we've got to take it seriously. Governor McGrevy is right. We don't need complicated rules that bad actors exploit. We need enforcement of what we already have.
The 40% guarantee, the fine pass through, the unfunded mandate. These are features designed to end meaningful rent control while appearing to help tenants. Council President, you have the opportunity to withdraw this. Councilman Boiano and Gilmore, you had the opportunity to go on record tonight.
Withdraw 25107 and don't let this define your campaign when every other candidate has already condemned it. Thank you. John Wilson, >> I just want to say that the intent is to introduce a new ordinance and withdraw
this one. Okay. And an ordinance that is enforcable that was done in collaborate. You're shaking your head, but there's there's actually a committee that was working on this, okay, for a long time. And it started way way long ago. It
started before COVID. Okay. So, it's going to implement the things that we discussed, things that are feasible. We don't want to make things that aren't um enforceable. And that was the concern I gave to council president. But she's committed to bettering this ordinance
and a new one will be introduced and this one will will be withdrawn. So, you don't have to ask them. It's going to get done. All right. So, just want to put that on the record. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Yeah. Um, so yeah, I was going to follow up on what Jesse Brown said, but
obviously there's been a lot of discussion since then. >> Uh, but I mean it's still a bit troubling the way it came about, you know, like it just was when Jersey City banned algorithmic rent pricing. You heard from tenants, hours of testimony in here, press coverage,
dialogue between council members and residents. You understand it because people who lived it explained it to you. But when you passed it passed, sorry, when you passed ordinance 25-105 two weeks ago, the same thing, hundreds of speeches, conversations between tenants, advocates, and even the landlord lobby,
but this one just appeared out of nowhere. No testimony, no conversations with tenant leaders or public input process. And there's nothing backing it up. No financial impact statement, no data showing current hardship procedures don't work. Um but the other troubling
thing is when uh Councilman Sally when you said like there's so many things that they have to meet in order to claim for hardship. We've seen like rent control exemption they is this just granted to them whatever despite rent control. So why should we believe that
they have will have a hard time like applying for hardship? That's that's the real issue. And I don't understand why these things can't just get enforced because well, it's the law. I mean, you say about making things which are enforcable. These are
ordinances. Surely they're designed to be enforceable. So why is it that there are so many ordinances and for years they just haven't been enforced. And this is why we're here every every meeting and with nothing. So, I mean, it's heartening to
know that this thing is um under review now and that it will be withdrawn, but it's just that if it hadn't been, you know, it's just it hadn't been picked up on like it has been, as I say, it was just snuck in. There was no discussion, >> it was discussed, but
>> with whom, but there was nothing in this chamber, was it? There was no like there were no tenants involved. There were no like um housing advocates at all. It's just it was just suddenly bang, there it is. It it wasn't suddenly. Normally what we normally do is there was a meeting. Not
only that though, before CO happened, there was a committee. We're just trying to really adjust a lot of things that the committee had. There are some council people who were on that committee to be honest. They're not saying anything, but they were on that committee. So with me introducing this
ordinance is a part of stabilization of rent. Now we knew when we introduced it that people will have concerns. That's why we do an introduction. That's why we carry. You come here, you know, often enough to know that is part of our process what we do and we do hear from
the public and we adjust it and we bring it back. So, it's not like somebody was trying to slip something under the radar. You cannot slip it under the radar because it is public. So, we know your concerns. Like I said, we will adjust. We hearing everything you said
and um we got the information. We do. So it's not like nobody was trying to slip nothing. This is the process. >> It's the same. >> It's the same process that been going on ever since I took office. It's not nothing we hiding. We you know that we do this. >> Well, I didn't know if otherwise this is
this is what it is. Thanks for introduce, we table, we come back, we withdraw. We do that all the time. >> Okay. So it's introduce. We won't pass this one, but the whole idea is to get stabilization with rent. That's this is
what we aim. >> Well, that's good to know, >> right? Okay. >> And you're saying that you're you are not going to pass this one. I hope we we keep saying it. >> I know it's fine, but the live stream keeps going down, so it' be good to make sure that's on the record. >> There's It is on the record. It's the
same way when Councilman Solomon had a bill to do a $100 fine for each tenant. And I raised questions as to the enforcability because then you have to prove that the tenant lives there and they have to come to court. And then I said, "You should discuss it with the department director, the division
director, and the municipal prosecutor." And guess what? You guys came and celebrated that, >> right? >> Once it all came together, it's it's not going to be clean. Lawmaking is going to be messy. We're going to go back and forth, and that's part of the process. So, >> okay. Well, >> and it was no malice on council
president part. I think it's a complete misreading, but we're withdrawing it, and we're going to do something that's enforcable. >> It's good to know. Okay. Thanks for the explanations. >> Yeah. Grace Jolly. >> Good evening, council. When I last spoke, I expressed appreciation for the
passage of the new minimum fines ordinance, a hopeful sign that our city was ready to take enforcement seriously. Yet, here we are just two weeks later and I still find myself deeply
concerned. Over 180 days of reported code violations have passed. violations that amount to more than a billion dollars in in uncolcted fines. And despite that staggering figure, the only
action taken has been citations for three malfunctioning vents and one unwrapped mattress. That is avoidance, not enforcement. Meanwhile, residents continue to live in
fear and frustration. Our buildings still lack required 24/7 uniformed security. We come home at night unsure who may be in our lobbies. And when we wake up hoping nothing
serious happens because there is no one on site to respond. This is not how safety or trust should look in Jersey City. And let's not forget this is an election
year in our city with the municipal elections set in less than two weeks. Many voters remain undecided. A reminder that transparency and trust
in leadership are built not through words but through consistent visible action that protects voters. Council members, we expect action now.
We expect laws that are passed to be upheld. Fines that are written into the code to be collected. And we expect that you are fully on your constituent's side because without enforcement ordinances are only
words and words don't keep residents safe nor do they keep Jersey city's community as diverse and lovely as it is. Thank you. Drew Kachchinowski
not here. Uh, Terara Smite. Good evening, council. Regarding Waterman's ordinance 25-107, Hudson County Commissioner Bill O Day, candidate for mayor, recently said, quote, "I've stood with tenants in front
of this council at meetings. Some residents have been there every single time asking for one simple thing. Enforce our housing laws and hold bad landlords accountable." And now the same council is considering an ordinance that would let those landlords pass their fines right back to the tenants who
suffered from the violations. That tells you who they're really listening to. The council I lead as mayor won't even entertain legislation like this. End quote. Councilman Rivera, you are running on Commissioner Oday's slate. We are asking you to go on record
today in opposition to ordinance 25-107. Stand with the person you are linking your political future to. Commissioner OD has stood with tenants. He's been in this chamber and heard our testimony. He knows what we've been asking for.
Enforcement. That's what we've asked for for 3 years. Instead, you're being asked to vote for an ordinance that makes enforcement pointless. Landlords violate codes, get fined, then raise rents to cover the costs. Fine becomes just
another expense passed to tenants. Commissioner ODay recognizes this and made clear that the council he leads won't entertain it because he understands that letting landlords pass fines to victims isn't accountability. Councilman Rivera, we're asking you to
show the same clarity today. You choose to align yourself with Commissioner Oday's campaign. Honor that choice by aligning with his position on this ordinance. Go on record. Make your opposition clear. Show voters you stand with the person whose slate you're
running on. Because if Commissioner ODay becomes mayor and the new council repeals this on day one, the question will be where were you when it passed? Withdraw Ordinance 25107 or vote no. I hope we hear from council
tonight. Michelle Hirs On August 20th, this council passed resolution 25-564, which created the renter protection special investigation committee. Tonight, I'll address the duty of those
who serve on the committee, council PE persons, Cleet Deiz, and Gilmore. The resolution gives you a clear mandate. Investigate the enforcement of rent control, housing standards, and property maintenance codes. It gives you subpoena power. It gives you the authority to
compel testimony from department directors. That was August. This is October. October 8th, you voted on the first reading of ordinance 25-107. No matter how any of you voted, the mere existence of 25-107
demands investigation by the renter protection committee. With all due respect, I came here was either one or two years ago. I lost track. And I gave a speech about the committee that I know existed in 2019
about rent control. And so you're saying it's been revived. It's been officially revived. that committee. >> It was revived a long time ago, like over a year ago. There were weekly meetings that Councilman Gilmore's office was also involved in as well. And
we had a draft, a working draft May 8th. You could Oprah this or I could email to you like it's, you know, I can email to you right after this. Uh there was a working draft that was done April. No, it was done May 8th, excuse me. And
it was submitted uh to all the council people and essentially because of everything that's happening. Um we we put it on pause, but council president has been adamant in terms of addressing
the issue of landlords and um the private equity owners and the different LLC shell companies. and she thinks that well she knows that they're taking advantage of renters and she wanted to put an ordinance that was so strong that
would protect them that would make it so essentially a high bar for a landlord to get a hardship application and that was the intent of it. Now when I read it I said that this is
going to be very hard to enforce and it's the same things that we have discussed here on this day with any of the ordinances that have come up no matter what. Like we want to make sure that it's enforcable or else it's words written on a page like some the speaker
just said. And so we had a meeting today about it and we're incorporating the draft that was it was a almost final final draft essentially of years of work even before 2019 Councilman Solomon some
of his works involved in there as well. I'm not I'm not going to take credit all by myself. Like it's it's been a a like just years of reviewing this and that that was the intent and the
committee has met twice. We're not going to send out subpoenas to the um to the department directors. They're going to come on their own valition. We're producing RFIs like requests for information, production of documents, but for out I believe the um corporation
council is looking into subpoenas for outside individuals. So that's uh that's the latest on that. and I'm incompletely like I I'm on your side and I want to enforce the law and I've tried to be
kind to Councilman Solomon, kind to Council President Waterman when it comes to the enforcement and that's that that's my biggest concern. I don't want you to guys to get upset when it's not enforced. >> That's what we >> I appreciate that. Sorry. You going to
say something, President Warman? >> No. So that's the intent of it. >> Okay. This is the third time >> and it's going to be and it's going to be withdrawn because there's the the changes we're making are going to be significant enough when we had a discussion about this that they would
warrant uh a first reading anyway. So the council president was sick and tired of what's happened on the south side. This was to force a discussion on it and to force the issue and you know she was successful in that. And I I hope give her the grace that we gave Councilman
Solomon, you know, um that's all I asked for because he hadn't met he hadn't even met with the department of directors and then he did and the ordinance was made better because of it, right? And we were here for that and you guys celebrated that and I celebrate it too because once we have these discussions in public like
it makes everyone's lives better and easier and sometimes there's miscommunication between departments, right? And sometimes there's miscommunication between council members and division directors and you know one hand doesn't know what the left left and right are doing and that that's what
we're trying to bridge the gap here. Okay. >> I understand and I want to say thank you for giving us the context and more information. And in response to that, I want to say it's kind of a shame that there wasn't more forthcoming transparent information
from the council that this has been happening as you claim. Where's the newspaper articles? Where's the op- eds? Where's anything that talks about what you guys are working on supposedly to our benefit? I I haven't heard anything.
Um and so I still have some questions. Um because the ordinance, the way it was written, it is not tenant friendly. There might be aspects of it, but there are a lot of things that totally demolish anything that's tenant friendly. And I'd like to know how they
possibly even got drafted into an ordinance. 12 pages tried to get pushed through. Makes no sense to me. So, I'm still going to make a request that the Special Investigative Committee launch a formal inquiry into how that ordinance
came to be drafted and introduced. Who wrote it? Who requested it? What landlord lobby had input into language that would guarantee profits while shifting violation costs onto tenant victims? The committee has subpoena
power under resolution 25-564. Use it. Find out who pushed for the poison pill and then let us know. Be transparent with us. We would really appreciate that. >> Thank you, Michelle. >> We'll do it. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> We We will do it. Okay. >> Philip Carrington Council, I want to thank you for allowing me to speak. I'm here to speak on the issue of taxation without representation, but I'd be remissed if I didn't speak on number 12, Miss Desai.
Um, the all light-skinned people, I don't care where you're from, India, uh, Brazil, Mexico, they are all racist towards black people. So, she have a problem with what the black man said about is wrong. But she should also be
consistent and let us know how racist they are towards black people. They are upset now because that they they're not being treated as white people. So you have pulled the white card all the time. So I don't care what a black man say about her. She didn't say what the Indians say about black people. And I
know they do. I'm 72. And in Barbados, in Trinidad, they are as racist as you can towards black people. So you need to vote some over there. Be consistent and don't play me. I'm here to speak facts. June the 10th, 2022,
a group was allowed to block Martin Luther King Drive. Approval. June the 22nd, 2022, another group was able to block Oak Street and Martin Luther King. July 11th, I was prohibited from blocking Oak
Street and Martin Luther King vibe. on that block. I own or control seven six of the 11 parts of the property. I was going to hold a cultural event. I'm here also because I received this disturbingly a letter from Joyce after didn't give me a um an explanation as to
why it was closed. George gave me a fraud letter cover up the the behavior saying we don't block Martin drive because it is close proximity to our senior citizen center and have a busy bus route. Again, they block it two times here, but then for me it don't
block. That's not really true. What I was planning to do was to have a cultural event. Again, I don't pay one set of taxes on the commercial district. We pay two sets of taxes. So, I'm a taxpayer, but the white people from Papidor from France was allowed to come
here and hold a hearing. And all I say to you, look, I need to hold a I need a hearing as to how this occur and how this is allowed. Pablo don't not only got a hearing, they got grant money, they got tax abatement. And the black
man who's paying two sets of taxes can't get a hearing. So what what does it really does, Joyce? And I again I wrote you several letters over and over again. I came here. I didn't call your name, but I asked you to correct it. You
didn't correct this letter. What this letter really do, Joyce, is impact upon your credibility. It shows that black people that are there that who supported by the mayor or support the mayor doesn't give a damn about black people. Again, I am not begging for any grant money. I'm not asking to do anything
just to correct this letter. This letter is really a lie letter. I never thought a letter. Donna Doran. >> Good evening, council. My name is Donna Doran and I live on Fifth Street between Jersey and Kohl's and I'm here to speak
to you. You speak a little into the microphone. Sure. I live on uh Fifth Street between Jersey and Kohl's and I'm here to speak to you about the embankment project and my opposition to the two ordinances that are on the table for this evening. Um we all know that
the uh issues with the embankment have been going on for many many years and uh Mr. Phillip has been the mayor for 12 years and prior to that he was our wardy councilman for eight years. We're in the midst of a mayoral election in which
every single candidate is in favor of making the embankment a park. And now here we are on the eve of the election. Uh and an ordinance is proposed to settle this long-term litigation. And don't get me wrong, I have nothing against my neighbors and colleagues
who've been fighting for the embankment for many years and are tired of this litigation and want to put an end to it. But I'm concerned about uh a lame duck administration entering into a contract with another developer
for this park because there's going to be ongoing issues that have to be de negotiated with this developer. And if you go enter into the contract at this point, you're basically tying the hands of the next administration because they're going to have to live with this
deal. And this could end up depending on how it works out in even more litigation and could uh force this matter to drag on longer and longer. So, I'm asking you to empower whoever the incoming
administration is to allow them to negotiate with the developer and to seek out terms which are favorable to the city. Also, I was looking at the attachment to the ordinance and um I think some of the math is wrong. I mean, I have my tax bill with me for my
property, and I mean, it compares the uh the benefits of the tax abatement versus the payment of taxes. I mean, I pay county tax, county open space tax, district school tax, arts and culture tax, local school tax, municipal open
space tax, which I don't know what that goes for when you're giving out abatements, municipal library, and municipal tax. And I think all those taxes should be figured in when you're giving out abatements to developers. And we don't even know
who this developer is going to be. The Heymans supposedly are getting out of the deal. We don't know who they're going to assign this contract to. I mean, is is it going to be more of the Kushners coming in? Are we going to give another tax abatement to the Kushner family? I mean, is that really what you
want to do? Um, and then I'm concerned about all the toilets, man. I have a sump pump in my house. My sump pump tells me we've got development problems. When I bought my house 27 years ago, my pump
>> squarely went off. It >> your three minutes is up. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Sabrina. >> Sabrina Harold here. June Jones.
Good evening, council members. I come before you. My name is June Jones. I am the executive director and founder of the Morris Canal Community Development Corporation which is located in Lafia section which is the oldest African-American community in the state
of New Jersey. I come before you today with a heavy heart and a deep sense of frustration regarding a recent challenges faced by our nonprofit. Despite our commitment to developing affordable housing, we have encountered
numerous obstacles that have hindered our progress. We have spent nearly $600,000 on our project to construct 47 condominiums for families to own with at least 20% designated for affordable
housing. We believe that home ownership is important and is vital for our community, but our efforts have been met with significant difficulties. I believe we have been hoodwinkedked and discriminated against. Experience has
made it very painful and clear to me why diversity and equity and inclusion DEI initiatives are crucial. Unfortunately, the reality we face reflects the sad truth for many that this administration's leadership clearly
believes that DEI symbolizes discrimination, exclusion, and inequity. When we approached the mayor for a tax abatement, we were turned down. We were initially supposed to acquire the property for a nominal fee only to be
assessed $970,000 later. The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency used an appraisal that never was validated, clearly marked as a draft to guide their decision. A parcel of land designated for our project was sold in a
city auction to an individual from Brooklyn and the JC lost our signature page of our redevelopment agreement. On top of that, the JCA director insisted on conducting a second environmental investigation on a property we had
already thoroughly evaluated. All of these incidences collectively delayed our project approximately four years. And it's it is unconscionable that our designation was terminated on February 16, 2021 during Black History Month just
as we were preparing for a groundbreaking ceremony. Our commitment to this project never wavered even during the COVID pandemic when so many other businesses stopped. Yet, we witnessed the city granting 18 acres of
prime real estate and $2 million to the Liberty Science Center for a construction of Scitec City, a controversial science school that has yet to be realized and materialized and $2 million for that. And now you
want to build a ma'am, your three minutes is up. >> Thank you. I'll come back and finish in two weeks. Lily Heck. >> Good evening. I'm Lily Heck and I'm speaking as a member of the Jersey City
Tenants Union. I'd like to actually do some compare and contrast based on what we just heard. Uh because we oppose regressive and unnecessary tax abatements for invasive housing development companies and corporate landlords as opposed to, you know, locals. um who are supporting
communities of color. And in the same vein, we'd like to oblif uplift the effort by Leuna Local 33, Soul Jersey City, and multiple other Jersey City organizations to strongly oppose unethical gentrification as well as exploitation of workers in Namar's
building of unaffordable highrises in Journal Square that displaced families instead of housing them. The people of Jersey City have been organizing. We've been finding and learning from each other and block by block, building by building, we are all waking up to the
fact that Jersey City's MO, you know, as far as we hear in the news and as far as we see from our government, is to reverse Robin Hood. Its MMO is to take from the poorest and redistribute to the wealthiest. Jersey City is notorious for cozying up to
corporate landlords that systematically displace tenants, especially the city's most marginalized tenants. Our city gives perks to the richest as they expand their prohibitively overpriced empires, separating neighbors and destroying communities while exploiting and denying pay to their workers.
And the kicker is they can and would build here even without government welfare relief in the form of tax abatements. These companies don't need our charity. We're a pretty desirable place to build. And how does the city get the money to prop these corporate
landlords up? by overt taxing the city's poorest homeowners and disproportionate disproportionately sucking intergenerational wealth and vitality from communities of color, the same communities our city already underserves. I encourage everyone here
to visit the website of the University of Chicago Property Tax Project and pull up the interactive map showing which neighborhoods in Jersey City pay the most disproportionate property taxes. and let's see if you think corporate landlords need or deserve tax abatements when the people of Jersey City are
struggling to be safely and sustainably housed. To be clear, the way to do sustainable citywide affordable housing is to make housing affordable, universally affordable, not perpetually jacking up rents across the city using
the corporate fig leaf of, you know, minimal affordable units if that, especially not studio units. Uh Jersey City's corporate landlords, and I'd like to emphasize this, are among the city's greatest threats to public safety as they build their invasive housing
monopolies. Uh living in Jersey City becomes untenable for local families in perpetuity. Our union sees this every day. There's pest infestations, weeks with no heating or hot water, toxic mold, walls and ceilings that collapse. Um and that's if you're lucky enough to
have a place to live. Argu Jeria left Candace Lawrence. Marty Jervis. Oh, okay. All right. Hello.
Good afternoon board. My name is Candace Lawrence. Um, here today to not discuss budgets or future plans, but to speak about something a little more urgent. It's the immediate safety of our children and the dangerous conditions of our
parks. So, I live on in Jersey City on Virginia Avenue, lifelong resident. Virginia Avenue Park is suffering. I have a 2 and 1/ halfyear-old grandson who I I've
recorded him since October 6th. He's gone to the park every day and he's like, "This is broken. This is broken. He's two and a half." You know? So, I get it. Maybe I should wait and and sign up again to speak, but um for for future
electives, but what do we do? You know what I mean? Like I'm like I'm hearing now that um there have been some things in place but this isn't even on the agenda today from what I see like um hopefully you know for Ward F I mean I
I'm sure that there's only four parks. So I'm just I'm concerned as like just a resident what's going on. There's four parks. I take him to to to exchange place. I take him from A to E but he can't play in his own ward.
I get it. You guys don't respond back, but I'll be here week in and week out. Um, I did read and I have been conversing with a few people. You youth rec services have kind of said that, you know, there may be some things already
in place. Um, so I shouldn't worry. I'm >> They didn't tell you anything. >> I'm sorry. >> Excuse me. They didn't tell you if there was something in place. They said it may be cuz recreation should >> Well, it's it's merely I I I'm new to this so I'm this is my first time. I
didn't really know what to say how to >> Good. You're doing good. >> Doing good. Um Councilman Gilmore, this your ward issue is that people like we want things done right away. Um so they are in a
process of rectifying and fixing the park but the issue is that the weight right and you know people are frustrated because they want their kids to be able to have access to a public park and they're not afforded that. Um, so that's
that's the issue. She um, Miss Lawrence have reached out uh, several times. In fact, >> since July 14th, since July. Um, and I I do want to let you speak, but I I have a few seconds left. I just want to say like it's it's
October and I get some people's have requested where they've been here 50 times. I don't want to be that person. My grandson will grow soon. It's not just about him either, you know. I go I go to sit the park to be peaceful and let them play and I'm like there's a
huge hole in the park. Who comes to um uh reacted like proactively see what's going on at these parks as opposed to reacting to just a civilian saying, "Hey, that's broken." You know, thanks.
>> Could you could you um give me um my aid as she stepped out? But if you at the end, send me your information. Okay. I I'll come down to get it cuz she stepped up. >> Marty Zeras.
No. Tom Monahan. No. Uh good evening counselors. Uh my name is Tom Manhan. I'm a Second Street resident, a lawyer, a parent, and I'm the past president of the Haramus Cove Association, Haramus Cove Neighborhood Association. I'm speaking tonight uh in
support of the tremendous community benefits that would be obtained by the settlement agreement involving the Haramus branch embankment. Um this is in large part thanks to the embankment coalition and the many people who have worked for decades to make this happen. Like any good settlement, while
achieving a tremendous goal and finally taking a concrete step to toward turning the embankment into a phenomenal wild open space in the heart of downtown Jersey City, there are many things to be unhappy about. And I'm unhappy about the massive windfall the Heman interests and the LLC's and the Albinous organization
they're getting here in 30-year tax in a 30-year tax abatement. Make no mistake, these are bad actors that engineered an unlawful transfer from Conrail and held the embankment hostage for decades. We should not let the Albanese organization whitewash the bad acts of Steve Heyman
and Victoria Heyman and the LLC's with renderings of a park and promises for the future. For decades, these very same entities fought this at every step and have deprived us of having the embankment park built for many, many years. That is their legacy.
It is important to remember that a leopard doesn't change its spots. A leopard eats your face. And we've been dealing with these leopards for years. Which is why I believe the city should demand more concrete enforcement provisions in the settlement agreement to ensure that the LLC's and the
Albanese organization actually deliver on the promises outlined in the settlement agreement. Namely, delivering blocks 2 through 8 and providing the community benefits promised by the agreement in a timely manner. This could be accomplished by a mortgage lean in favor of the city with respect to blocks
238 that would become enforceable if the after the 5-year term in section 3 expires. That would give the simp city a simple way to acquire title if it is not timely delivered. I also think the city should likewise insist on a mortgage lean against block one the block one
property that the highman interests are getting for the value of the community benefits. That way, if the developer fails to deliver those benefits, either due to claimed lack of funding or otherwise, the city would have an easy enforcement mechanism to ensure that it has the
funds to complete the development. I hope that the city insists on these simple enforcement measures, which the Heman party should have no problem agreeing to if they actually intend to keep their promises. I think we should be proud of this settle what this settlement would accomplish while
knowing full well who we're dealing with. After all, they've been fighting us for 25 years. Thank you. Ariel Levkovitz. Hello and good evening. My name is Ariel Leavitz. I am a resident in Ward F, uh,
looking across the street to Ward E. And I'm also a policy specialist with the Humane World for Animals, previously known as the Humane Society of the United States. I'm here speaking in support of agenda number 3.3, ordinance
number 25-113, which is the retail ban uh for dogs, cats, and rabbits in Jersey City pet stores. Um, I want to first extend my gratitude to Councilwoman Rivera and Councilwoman uh Dejis, um, as well as
your staff. It's been great to work alongside you on this ordinance. And just briefly, this is a very straightforward and intentionally narrow proactive ordinance to prevent a problem from ever entering Jersey City, which is
blocking the puppy mill to pet shop pipeline. So through public records, we know that most pet shop puppies are coming from puppy mills from commercial breeders with inhumane facilities. They focus on quantity over quality and put
profits far above the well-being of the animals. This also creates a consumer protection issue for folks buying puppies from pet stores because those puppies are often sick because of the conditions that they're coming from. Um, some puppy stores can also offer
financing through third parties which can put people at interest rates above 150% is what we've seen. So, since there are no puppy selling pet stores in Jersey City, this is preventative. Um, and this is blocking, for example,
stores from New York that just enacted a state law in December from coming over to New Jersey, which some of them have already started um moving into New Jersey and and trying to access the New York City market from across the river.
So, this would only affect pet shops. It would still allow for adoption day events and collaboration between animal shelters, animal rescues, and pet stores that decide to work together. It would also allow folks to continue to get the choice of their pet from an animal
shelter, a rescue, or a responsible breeder who only ever sells directly to the public um and never sells through a third party. And I do hope that the full council will uh join the co-sponsors in
support of this ordinance um and join over 500 communities nationwide as well as 154 in New Jersey. Thank you so much for your time. Mirror printer patients Stewart.
No. Moren Crowley. >> First, I'd like to ask permission for the next speaker to come up with me. Steven Goiardo. We're talking about the same issue. >> I have three. >> Is that okay? >> A piece. Moren, you y'all want to switch
spaces or how you want to do? You have three minutes, please. Yeah, we actually signed up at the same time and Stephen submitted first, but somehow I my computer was faster. >> Okay, so he wants to go first and then you go. Okay, that's fine.
>> Three minutes. >> Good evening, city council. Thank you very much. I'll be very brief. Um, the Embankment Preservation Coalition supports the passage of the ordinances 37, 38, and 41 related to the resolution
of 20 years of litigation and the transfer of blocks 2 through8 of the embankment parcels to the city. The approval of the settlement, the pilot, and the amendment ordinances by city council on November 12th will be a
significant milestone and a giant win for the citizens of Jersey City. the completion of the embankment project on block one and the preservation of 5 acres of open space in the center of historic downtown
together with an impressive list of additional public v benefits will be nothing short of transformational. We are grateful to be part of this process. Uh we have done everything we can do within our within our control to
make this a good settlement. The coalition is always available to the council to discuss any questions or concerns. We encourage you to vote yes on these ordinances and to be a part of moving this incredible opportunity forward. I hope we are all celebrating
together on November 12th. Thank you very much. Um, I just wanted to say that this is really the culmination of incredible efforts for 27 years. Thousands of supporters, thousands of people who
commented at the Surface Transportation Board on our issues. I think that was the most comments they've ever had on one of their abandonment cases. um hundreds of people who showed up for endless land use board meetings, um
historic preservation. I think we had the second longest series of zoning board hearings in the history of the city. Um we um you know, we've had incredible community support. We've also
had at least 40 local um citywide, regional, and national organizations who've given us their support, including the litigation partners, Rails to Trails Conservancy, the um National the uh
National Trust, um you know, uh filing litigation briefs. So, just amazing. Um it's taken more than a village to get here. And so in addition to the benefits in the ordinances that are enumerated
there that Stephen mentioned, we're going to have incredible benefits going forward that aren't enumerated, but they're there. That's we're going to retain the embankment forest, the only Jersey City area that meets American
forestry standards for urban tree canopy. Um we're going to protect the historic districts that were threatened. um by development all along the embankment. We're going to control storm water important to hundreds of
properties adjacent to the site. And the energies expended by all the parties in adversarial litigation can now turn to constructive engagement in creating the first segment of a park and safe
off-road trail that will serve all the people of our city. Thank you for the actions that you have taken to defend the city resource and we hope that you will vote uh we to approve these ordinances on November
12th. Thank you very much. Keith Booze. No, Sam Pesson. Thank you, council. As a member group of the Embangment Preservation Coalition, the Friends of
Liberty State Park 100% supports the Embangment Preservation Coalition's positions. and the statements we just heard. This urban reuse of former railroad tracks as public parkland to serve the public good
is enlightened, visionary, and necessary to benefit future generations. You have this golden once-ina-lifetime opportunity to take action to end this 27-year battle to save and reuse this
embankment. priceless unique urban natural space for positive and peaceful passive recreation with all its quality of life and ecological benefits for generations to come. So I urge you to
honor and bless Jersey City's future by this action. And I feel that this is the best, greatest, most beneficial community give back from any
abatement in Jersey City's entire history. This park will also be accessible to people from throughout Jersey City. It doesn't just benefit a couple of blocks in either direction, but people from the
whole city, from every ward, will be able to get to the embankment to enjoy it and be uplifted by nearby bus and light rail and the path train.
And the embangment park will also be a link, an amazing link to trails east and west and north and south. Just as Liberty Park is a great blessing to all who visit, this elevated urban
forest with trails will also be a great and spectacular urban green treasure. So, this is a historic and exciting opportunity and I urge you to please unanimously do the right thing when you vote in two weeks. And I lastly want to
thank and praise the leaders of the Embangment Preservation Coalition, Moren Crowley, Steven Coiardo, and Jamie and Bethany and the whole board as persevering
unsung heroes of Jersey City. Thank you. Ben Silva. >> Good evening. Can Can you all hear me? Okay. >> Yeah. >> Good evening. My name is Ben Silva. BN S I L V A. And I reside and vote at 3186
Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. Uh, I am the business agent for HPAE Local 5186. Proudly representing over 200. >> Come closer. >> Closer to the mic. >> Can you hear me? All right. I'm the business agent for HPAE Local 5186 representing over 200 RNs at Christ
Hospital, now Heights University Heights University Hospital. Uh, the last time I spoke at our last meeting, uh, I reported that our members had received layoff notices but no plan from management. This morning, we learned their plan. Over half of our members
have been told they will be laid off effective on Saturday. They're closing the endoscopy unit. They're closing cardiac cath lab. They effective on Friday. They'll be reducing med surge to 18 beds. They're reducing be reducing the ICU to two beds. And what they're
going to do with this property, as we warned you all two weeks ago, is redevelop it into a 10-story monstrosity spanning one end of the property to the other. This will effectively destroy Heights University Hospital and reduce
the the number of jobs and the care that the our community will receive. Um we are once again asking this council to guarantee that that land from top to bottom, the entire property be zoned for only an acute care hospital so that we
can fight these layoffs. we can continue to serve our community and we can make sure that this property is not caught up in shady real estate schemes which is what got us here in the first place. Thank you Bob.
>> Bob Britney is is this is this area zoned for a hospital? Oh, not now >> that you know >> it would have to be if there's a hospital there. >> It would have to be. >> Yes, there should be.
>> So, can we get a reason for keep it as a >> He's He's talking to the attorney. You don't have to worry. >> Can be. That's right. >> Ben, you're going to be surprised. >> Oh. >> I don't know the details about it. I'd have to speak to planning and the planning board about it. I'm not sure about >> zoning
>> anything that's going on right now. >> Okay. >> Or zoning. >> Thank you. You want to find out the zoning? >> You want to know what it's zoned as? >> Yes. >> What the process would tell you? >> We would all be against zone.
>> Excuse me. Excuse me, Britney. Answer our question. Is it zone as a hospital? You don't know. >> I believe it's zone M for medical. >> Okay. >> I believe so. >> Okay. >> So, I guess the bigger question is how do we keep that designation
or >> Well, I mean, it's zoned already. So, oh, so it's contingent upon the step. >> Okay. >> All right. >> The next the next speaker is Cheryl Mays. >> Okay.
>> Good evening all. I'm here today to speak about issues concerning how the Jersey City Public Schools treats its employees, especially African-American women. Now, I understand that you all don't have jurisdiction, but when you run for seats, you always tell quality of life and affordable housing. So, it
should concern you if there's an employee in the city that has been found guilty of unfair practices. I'm sure you all heard about the 70 verdict in favor of a black woman who sued the district. But it astounds me that not one elected official has commented on a verdict,
good, bad, or indifferent. And the district recently settled another whistleblower lawsuit. billion dollar budget hard at work taxpayers and if you're running for mayor there should have been a comment let me just run down some of the problems we employees under
local 22 62 face on a regular basis not being paid overtime in a timely manner as per the CBA our salaries have been incorrect for the last 11 years and we went to two accountants who verified that 10-month employees have not
received vacation days as per the CBA and some 12-month employees have not receive their accurate aotment of vacation days. Some of us recently realize our longevity is incorrect and others haven't been paid any longevity longevity even if they've earned it. We
know that everything that takes place in the school system has a dollar amount attached to it and there were more than 2,000 findings in the um HR department's audit. Most of the board is too busy fratonizing to govern the district. But your city officials and the quality of
life for all residents should concern you. And unfortunately, our union works with the employer to keep us at a financial disadvantage. We were the first women to hold leadership roles in our union. As you can see, we're black women. She was the first black person to
hold the role and I was the second black I mean, I'm sorry. I was the second black person to hold ms. She was the president. I was the vice president and our own affiliates we believe with the help of the district plotted to unjustly remove us and they were successful. See,
we were holding the district accountable to the letter of the contract. In other words, we didn't bow down. Lacking jurisdiction doesn't justify when people are suffering. It's clear that we need eyes on a higher level of government to look into this school budget to make
sure that they're not abusing it. And I want to thank you waterman for always answering me when I call. But as I said before, we have to kick this up and I am working on getting the audit for you, the HR order for you. Thank you all for listening. Anna outlaw
Donna Restuchi. for him. >> I'll start off. Justice for Drew. Justice for the people of Gaza who are being killed with weapons paid for our country. So, I'm here in support of the ordinances of uh for the embankment for
all three of them. Um and I, you know, I have nothing more to add really than what other people have said. I just would like to um reiterate the the widespread support from the residents of Jersey City. I'm on the board of the
Horsmus Cove Association which is in the area of of the embankment. We have been following this and supporting this year for years. I haven't been here for years and years as long as a lot of other
people, but um but we supporting it. And you know, I'd like to just say that the embankment's national um annual meeting was held last week amid all the threats of the noraster of the storm. I personally was thinking maybe, you know,
people wouldn't be able to come out. The room was full. It was packed. And that's the kind of support that the people have for the for the building this embankment. The people on from the embankment coalition who negotiated this had done such an amazing job. And at one
point the proposal was not our proposal was that was that we have historic plaques, you know, as as the answer to to the whole thing and not re not re um re rejuvenating or pre
preserving the embankment as a park for the people of all of Jersey City, not just our ward, but all over and every everywhere. It'll it'll just be great for children for education purposes, for teaching them about nature, all kinds of
of things. So, um I think we you know, you need to vote in favor of all three ordinances to make sure that it actually gets carried out. And um and that's it. Thanks,
Christopher Lamb. Good evening. It's getting late, so I'll be brief. Um, my name is Chris Lamb, uh, vice president of the Journal Square Community Association. I'm joined by, uh, one of my board trustees, Margaret
Domen. Um, the JSQCA is a proud lifetime member of the embankment coalition. Uh we recognize the value of the embankment as a park, a trail and environmental asset and a resiliency asset to the city.
Uh and its connectivity to what will be a future network of trails including the Essex Hudson Greenway uh and the Bergen Arches which traverse Journal Square. Uh the JSQCA board stands in strong support of the ordinances that would
bring a resolution to the embankment litigation and advance a shared vision for a greener and more connected Jersey City. For decades, residents have imagined the embankment as a space that links neighborhoods, preserves history, and
brings nature back into the heart of the city. This settlement represents a meaningful step toward that goal. Uh we celebrate the hard work of all the parties involved, of the coalition, the community who have tirelessly pushed and
pushed for decades. Uh we urge all of you to support these ordinances and to help make this vision a reality for current and future generations of Jersey City residents. Thank you. Jennifer Anne Meyer.
>> Hi, I'm Jenny Meyer. I'm one of the embankment creatures. Um, and I'm just really want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone on the council um to probably six councils um before you and some of you have crisscrossed those.
Um obviously to the mayor and I think we've had five other mayors like work on this. So this has been such a team effort. Um and we really want to especially uh thank Aniaone and Britney Murphy and John McKenna um who labored
day and night on the settlement issues. Um, and all of the city planners contribute did so much to the historic preservation reviews at the surface transportation board in writing redevelopment plans, conducting public outreach, um, and we'd like to compliment the city infrastructure staff
for their work to the Bergen Arches study and their support for the trail planning um, in Jersey City. So, um, it's an amazing accomplishment and again, we thank our it's a coalition. that's um you know all of these different groups um over time and we're
just uh thrilled and it's it's not over. So we'll have to continue working together to make sure that it it's what it's supposed to be. But thank you >> Jenkins. Good evening, council members. Um, this evening I want to talk about a couple of
streets that need to be repaved. I drive I drive these streets every some mornings to get to work and they are horrendous. And the streets are Summit and Montgomery to Sip Avenue, especially the area by
the little courthouse, that's Academy Street. Rough. very rough. Um, west side down to Duncan from Duncan to Sip Avenue. Another rough street, but I know they're doing construction right now in that
area. Um, and Bergen from Montgomery to Forest Avenue. I travel these streets and they they're a little rough when I got to go make feel like your car your engine about to drop out the bottom of your car. Um, I also would like to thank all you residents who came out to speak
about issues that concern you all and I also want to thank um, Councilman Gilmore. There's been several situations. I work for the Joyce City Public Schools District. Um, and there has been several situations. I'll move back. Okay. There have been
several situations to which I did reach out to him. and I don't even live in his ward, but I thank you for using your platform and your voice to stand up for me. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart and as to some of those situations there. Some of them are being
corrected as I speak to you right now. So, I appreciate you. I give you a round of applause for your um continuous dedication to the people of uh Jersey City. And also, well, that is all. and you all have a
lovely evening. >> Thank you. >> Karen Venopen, >> good evening. Um, I'm here because I have two requests. Firstly, I am the lead organizer of a
children's garden in front of city hall. It is a community garden that falls under the city's adopt a lot program. We are currently in a bit of a gray zone because instead of a yearly lease the way the other gardens have and we had
since 2011, we are currently on a month-to-month lease. This because of big park plans that the mayor and the planning department had and was supposedly the start in fall 2024. Given that these plans have not happened
and seemingly won't happen, we request to go back on a yearly lease in 2026 when we hopefully will celebrate our 50th year of gardening. Secondly, and as much as I love our garden, I want to dedicate a little bit
more time on this topic. Please change the ebe ebike delivery ordinance 24037. More specifically, the way it punishes the ebike delivery riders by sending them in front of a judge for not wearing
a reflective vest or having proof of completion of a safety course that may or may not be given to them by the apps that they contract for. As was recently pointed out in a Jersey City Times
article, violations of the ordinance are punished punishable by fines $50 to 2,000 and potentially imprisonment for up to 90 days. Under section D of municipal code
chapters 175 to 242, it says that the certification has to be shown upon demand of an authorized employee of the city police department or other person authorized by law.
This is awfully vague and I was here in spring 2024 when you all voted for this. I pointed out um that the delivery workers are mostly immigrants from Africa. My concerns were
specifically in light of a possible Trump uh presidency were dismissed. But here we are. We have Trump. Not only do we have Trump, we have a city prosecutor who stands behind the uh pre um
candidate for um sorry my time is running and it makes me nervous. Um in short, ICE is in picking up people in in New York. That's a tunnel ride away
uh from Jersey City. Do something about this. The time is now. also justice for Drew and Ton >> Sydney Bogen. >> Good evening. My name is Sydney Bogen and I am the campaign manager for the Safewater Safe Lives Campaign that's in
partnership with Women Who Never Give Up and Clean Water Action. I'm here supporting resolution 25-654, the Declaration of Environmental Rights for Incarcerated People. Through our campaign and research, we have heard countless accounts from people who have served decades behind bars and others
served a few years all share the same truth. Environmental neglect rooted in racial and economic inequity where incarcerated people are treated as less deserving of basic human rights. Um Simone Braithweight had passed out to the council earlier some testimonies and
photos from inside the facilities. Um one testimony I wanted to share was a loved one who has someone incarcerated um their loved one expressed heat stress related symptoms and had to run to the shower to get water because that was the only readily available source of water
for him. And you can see in the photo the shower has mold and rust on it. Um, we cannot continue to build towards a state whose focus is rehabilitation while allowing prison conditions that dehumanize, harm, and contradict that very idea of healing and justice.
People, no matter where they are, have the right to live and work in safe conditions, to report environmental hazards without fear of retaliation, and to return back to their communities healthy. Currently in New Jersey, there are no safeguards in place to ensure that incarcerated people are protected from environmental hazards. By passing
resolution 25-654, Jersey City can lead the way in affirming that environmental justice has no walls and that human rights do not end at incarceration. Thank you. >> Rob Kushner. >> Hi, my name is Rob Kushner. I'm speaking
on behalf of the resol resolutions in favor of the embankment um preservation and I just want to say a couple things about that there's been you know there's
a comparison a little bit here an important comparison between the embankment experience and the highline I don't know if how many of you have been to the highline if you haven't been there I highly doubt I highly recommend that you go and see
it. Um, and when the Highline was preserved, people thought it was going to be cool, but they had no idea how cool it was going to be, how amazing the experience was going to be. And it keeps getting better and better and better every year. And it's also become an ex
an an economic engine to that neighborhood in New York City. Um that same kind of dynamic is bound to happen with the with the preservation of the embankment. Um people will want people
in all over Jersey City will want to walk and have that experience up there. And it's also unique. It's not the same as the Highline. It's more natural. It's an actual urban forest that is already existing there. Um, and the only other thing that I
wanted to mention is that the the coalition members who've been working at this for like over 20 years to make this happen, they are amazing people and they've become my friends and I trust them. Okay? I just want to let you know I
really trust them and I hope that you'll be in favor of this resolution. So, thank you very much, Elena Little. >> Hi, good evening, city council. Uh, my name is Elena Little and I'm a resident of downtown Jersey City. I'm here to
speak in favor of ordinances 25-117, 1118, and 108. I am a proud member of the embankment preservation coalition and I wholeheartedly support the vision of a natural elevated public park natural being the key word for passive
recreation for connection to the Bergen Arches and as part of the East Coast greenway. The Embankment Preservation Coalition has been fighting for this vision for nearly 30 years. I applaud the founders, the leaders and all who have given their
time and energy towards this vision. This is truly a generational project and I strongly urge the city council to pass the ordinances to help make it happen. I also want to use the time I have tonight to say justice for Drew.
I want to urge the city to fully implement the arrive together program and also urge the city to be planning ahead to ensure sustained funding for case workers and community-based mental health first responders after the CBrooks Washington Act grant funding for
a pilot program has been spent. Thank you. Justice for Drew. >> Katie Lionus. It's Katie Lionus and I'm here coalition group. Um I want to just have a few things. I sort of agree with all the things they've said.
>> Keep looking at you and not them. And I agree with the uh speaker who spoke about it being uh amazing uh should you speak closer to the mic ma'am? >> Yeah. Amazing park. Um it's an elevated park which is a really amazing um urban
phenomena and you need no go no further than the Highline to see its potential as as was spoken of before. I mean anyone who's been a top the Highland can help but appreciate the unique perspective of the city. gives how it creates a sanctuary amid the hustle and bustle of the urban environment. Um
other cities beyond New York, Paris, Roderdam, Atlanta, Toronto, Helsinki, Chicago, Singapore, Philadelphia and Mexico City have planning elevated parks and they expand the city. They bring the cities together. Um this the poor, the
rich. Um and some projects like the Mexico City one are being built from scratch and we don't need to build it from scratch. we already have this embankment that's there. Um, and the embankment not only is a foundation for a park, it's also provides uh the
structure and also the history. It carries the history because it's been sitting there untouched for so long. Um, it's our story. It's Jersey City's story. The history of our story told through the railroads. The natural history of our sto of our city told
through the plants that have flourished on the embankment. um the things that that survive. Um it would be our park, everybody's park. Uh a place safe for bicyclists and pedestrians and a sanctuary that that spans the city.
Tom Miller. Tom Miller. Not here. Shawn Payeyton. Sean, >> that's the last Oh, this the last one he said.
>> Sean Payeyton. >> Good evening, council. I'm here to speak about ordinance 25-107. I'm glad it would be pulled, but let's talk about what happened here. We heard tonight about a huge effort spent figuring out out how to get a 40% NOI
into rent control. Important people weren't consulted. When they read what was proposed, they came out strongly against it. People with real expertise. Councilman Salah likes this ordinance clearly. Let's see who doesn't. Former Governor Jim McGrevy, a lawyer, thinks
this is really bad for tenants. Bill OD, decades in Hudson County politics, totally against this. Msab Ali, Harvard Law School, strongly opposed. Katie Brennan, Democratic nominee for assembly, housing expert. Nobody asked
her before this was introduced. She read it. Called it a wolf in sheep's clothing. The Portide Towers tenants, Michelle and Kevin, were just nominated as 2025 advocates of the year for supporting 40% NOI guarantees for landlords. Councilman Solomon against
it. But there's someone else. Someone who's been fighting for tenant rights longer than anyone I just named combined. Mash Shapiro. President of the New Jersey Tenants Association. Councilman Salah did your committee reach out to them to him. Mash Shapiro
leads the oldest and largest statewide tenant organization in the United States. Founded in 1969. That's 56 years of advocacy. His organization has won passage of 18 major landlord tenant laws. Those laws are why New Jersey tenants have the strongest
legal protections in the country. Senator Corey Booker consults him. Governors work with him. PBS interviews him. The port side associations are NJTO affiliates. We see we sent him this ordinance. Here's his written statement.
The New Jersey tenants organization agrees with the positions taken herein by our affiliates Towers East Tennis Association and Porsai Towers West Tennis Association. NOI hardship formulas are inherently unfair.
Inherently unfair from the man who has spent 56 years making tenant law in this state. This poison pill will not be pushed through. Every mayoral candidate, every housing expert, and the dean of the New Jersey tenant advocacy are totally against what this does to rent
control. Nobody wants this. Drop it. Thank you. I I want to reiterate like I said before that I had concerns with the law and I brought them up gracefully with the
council president as I have done with my council colleagues in the past. Me telling you to give her the same grace you gave Councilman Solomon does not mean that I support the ordinance that was proposed because I did it. I said I raised my objections here in this
council chamber and we had a meeting about it today to scrap it and put something better. Okay. So, I just want to reiterate that because sounds like I was in support of it, but also this is being misread. So, if you I'd love to
connect with that lawyer and have them connect with our law department and you know see where the disconnect is. But again, me raising the objection that I did, I did it in a respectful way. Same way I did it with Councilman Solomon on multiple occasions. So,
>> yeah, I'm >> I'm just um I'm just glad that people take the time out to advocate for people who don't have the ability or time to do it. Um because I share the sentiment of
the residents because for so long we've seen things in certain times in certain seasons pushed through. So this is not a far-fetched idea when people say is this something that's being pushed through.
There's a real reality. There's a history here. There's a pattern of this happening. I vividly recall things like this transpiring when I was a city employee working in the department of recreation. And this just speaks to the
anger that residents feel when they feel like elected leadership is not listening to them. Um so I'm happy that it happened. I'm happy also that my colleagues have taken to consideration and this is how
legislation should work, right? It should be a introduction. People should have the ability to v that process, look at everything that's good with it and throw everything away that's wrong with it to make legislation that affect the
lives and real people in real time. So, I'm gratefully it played out like that. I'm grateful that it that proposal wouldn't be going through and that something else is coming up. Um, so thank you to everybody that was involved, all of the experts. And for
the record, we you're not going to be able to consult the experts all the time on everything, but I understand the sentiment. Thank you. >> I I also want to thank the people that did speak because it's not I know it's
not out of malice. you your immune system as a community should be operating in this manner to you know it's silly season we want to make sure nothing crazy happens but I also say give the council president a little grace and the benefit of the doubt um
I'm not running for reelection and you know I want to do what's in the best interest of everyone and I believe she does as well and I believe just as I believe Councilman Gilmore does so thank Very well. That concludes our list of
public speakers. The next agenda item is the list of petitions and communications. That would be items 6.1 through 6.27. Council members, are there any questions or comments on the petitions and communications?
Hearing none, our next agenda item is the list of officer communications items 7.1 through 7.2. Council members, are there any questions or comments on the officer communications? Okay, hearing none, we'll move on to the
next agenda item, the report of directors, items 8.1 through 8.2. Council members, are there any questions or comments on the reports of director directors? Hearing none. Uh, normally at this time we would approve the claims, but uh, we
actually need to approve the resolutions first. So, I'm going to ask that we slightly invert the order of business to approve the resolutions first. That said, I believe item agenda item 10.9 is being withdrawn. Is that correct, Mr. Horton? >> Yes. The administration is going to
withdraw item 10.9, resolution 25-660 as discussed at caucus. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. That said, I'll be taking a vote on agenda items 10.1 through 10.8. Council members, how do you vote? Council person Ridley, >> I.
>> Council person Hulings, >> I. >> Council person Boiano. Council person, >> I can't hear you. >> So, my bad. That was the first time that happened. I want to vote I for all and I want to thank uh Councilman Gilmore's office as
well as Sydney and Simone uh for bringing this issue to the four. Um the environmental injustice that happens in our prisons is unacceptable and often times you know we see the systems of oppression that occur that are tested
overseas. They're revisited and perfected on minority populations here in America. and we can't stand for it. We still have for-profit prisons and we need to make sure that the people that are incarcerated have dignity and human
rights just like everyone else. Thank you. Vote right. >> Councilman Solomon has already voted. Uh Councilman Gilmore. >> Um yes, first X I want to apologize to you guys. We should have uh deferred to
10.3. I don't know where we got lost at. So, I do apologize. Um, but thank you for your work in this area as you advocate for some of our most disadvantaged communities. Um, and it's it's a sad sight to see how individual
advantage of because of mistakes that they've made in society. Uh so many times we see big corporation profit off the backs of individuals who've made mistakes in society and then subsequently these same organizations won't hire these other individuals.
Well, these same individuals when they come home after they've been rehabilitated. Um so thank you for all the work that you do advertising um the the issues that that community is uh dealing with. Um, I proudly vote I on all.
>> Council person de Giz, >> I, >> Council Person Rivera, >> I, >> and Council President Waterman. >> I want to thank X X and Sydney for just being on the front front line. I know what it is to deal with those who've been incarcerated. I have volunteered my
time to make sure that certain um, needs of theirs was met. So continue to be on the front line for those who don't have a voice because it's so crucial in the day and time in which we live because once they are released they have so many other challenges and uh we need to
continue to fight so when they come out that they really are rehabilitated and they are more have more um programs accessible to them so they can move on with their life and it won't be a revolving door. So, thank you for making um us aware of the treatment that
they're receiving while they incarcerated. And I proudly vote I thank you. Agenda items 10.1 through 10.8 have been approved unanimously 90 uh 10.9 was withdrawn. The balance of
the resolutions agenda items 10.10 through 10.16. Remember 10.17 we already voted on. How do you vote? Council person Ridley. I >> council person. >> Yes. >> Council person Bojanna. Council
>> person. >> I for all. >> Council person Solomon. Oh, you already voted. Sorry. Councilman Gilmore. >> I. >> Councilman Deji. Council person Deise. >> Hi. >> Council person Rivera. >> I. >> Council President Waterman. Uh the vote
tally for 1010 through 10.1690. Now we can go back to the claims and addendums. I did print out copies of the claims and addendums one, two, and three for the council's review. There was an issue uploading it into uh I compass.
So, I'm not sure if the members of the public saw it, but the council has it, but I do have copies in front of you. Uh on the claims and addendums one, two, and three, how do you vote? Councilman, Council Person Ridley, >> I. >> Council person Hulings,
>> I. Council person Bojaniano. >> Council person Cle. >> Council person Solomon has already voted. Council person Gilmore >> I. >> Council person Deise. >> Hi. >> Council person Rivera. >> Hi. >> And council president Waterman. The claims and addendums one, two, and three
are approved unanimously. That concludes our agenda. Unless there's no other business, may entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> I believe that was Cleet making the motion. I believe the second was Rivera. On the motion to adjurnn. Was it someone? I couldn't.
>> Huh? That was James. >> Yeah. Okay. On the motion to adjurnn at 9:39 p.m. How do you vote? Council person Ridley. >> Council person Huings. >> I. >> Council person Biano, Council Person. >> I,
>> Council Person Gilmore, Council Person De, Council Person Rivera, and Council President Waterman. Motion carries 9 Z well 80 uh to adjourn at 9:39 p.m. See everyone on November 12th at 6 p.m. Be
well.