Municipal Council, October 21, 2026

Motion to add item 3.4, Ordinance 26-089 (rent control exemption for newly constructed multiple dwellings), to the agenda

• 0:04:45 Unidentified: A member said the sponsors would not move to add the ordinance after colleagues and the administration asked for more time, and would seek its introduction at the November 12 meeting.
• 0:05:43 Unidentified: A second member said the sponsors were pulling the item for the night to allow review and addressed the Newport tenants present.

Motion to add item 10.33, Resolution 26-715, to the agenda

Motion to add item 10.34, Resolution 26-716, to the agenda

Motion to add item 10.35, Resolution 26-717, to the agenda

Motion to add item 10.36, Resolution 26-718, to the agenda

An Ordinance supplementing Chapter 332 (Vehicles and Traffic) Article III (Parking, Standing and Stopping) amending Section 332-28 (Bus Stops, Taxi Stands and Loading Zones) to clarify language and define permissible uses.

An Ordinance of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City Adopting an Amendment to the Powerhouse Arts District Redevelopment Plan.

Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Chapter A350 (Rules of Order) of the Jersey City Municipal Code to Establish a Standing Finance Committee of the Municipal Council

An Franchise Ordinance granting permission to the Barrow Street LLC, its successors and assigns, to construct private improvements within 60 square feet of the Newark Avenue Public right-of-way, adjacent to Lot 2.02, Block 11405, on the Official Tax Assessment Map of the City of Jersey City. (157 Newark Avenue)

An Ordinance supplementing Chapter 332 (Vehicles and Traffic) Article IX (Parking for the Disabled) of the Jersey City Code designating a reserved parking space at various locations throughout the City.

An Ordinance supplementing Chapter 332 (Vehicles and Traffic) Article II (Traffic Regulations) amending Section 332-9 (Stop Intersections) to Designate Various Intersections into Multi-Way Stop Intersections.

An Ordinance amending Chapter 160 (Fees and Charges), Section 160-3 (Public safety) to include fees for use after normal work hours of the City's training facility located at 15 East Linden Avenue.

An Ordinance authorizing the acquisition of various snow removal equipment by and for the City, appropriating therefor the sum of $200,000 and providing that such sum so appropriated shall be raised from the Capital Fund Balance of the City.

Update by the West District police commander on Monticello Avenue, introduced by the business administrator

• 0:23:47 Staff: The business administrator, introduced by the clerk by role only, introduced the West District captain to give an update on Monticello Avenue.
• 0:24:00 Staff: The captain, who identified themself as Captain Joseph Olszewski, West District Commander, reported on patrols, grant-funded and walking posts, a camera, quality-of-life enforcement, arrests, tickets and crime figures for the Monticello Avenue area.
• 0:27:10 Unidentified: A member asked for a recap of what was done in the corridor after the community meeting.
• 0:31:22 Unidentified: A member asked about the September 25 shooting near schools; the captain described the notification arrangement with charter schools.

Public request for hearing

Petitions and communications (items 6.1 to 6.20), officer communications (7.1) and reports of directors (8.1 to 8.4)

Meeting Claims List

Meeting Claims Addendum #1

Meeting Claims Addendum #2

A Resolution honoring Elder Edward Barfield for a Lifetime of Exemplary Service.

A Resolution authorizing the insertion of Special Items of Revenues and Appropriations in the CY2026 Municipal Budget Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:4-87.

A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the exchange of information for the purpose of administering the municipal payroll tax between the City of Jersey City, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Taxation and the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services.

• 3:46:32 Mamta Singh: Said many businesses were not paying the payroll tax and that the information exchange could help register more businesses and increase collections.

A Resolution authorizing the City of Jersey City to accept a gift of a statue from Arts 14C.

A Resolution authorizing the payment of a claim submitted by Elizabeth Truck Center for repairs to Squad 30's 2023 E-One Fire Truck, Pumper style apparatus.

A Resolution authorizing an award of a contract to purchase vehicles through the Fire Prevention Trust Fund for inspectors at the Fire Prevention Bureau

Resolution authorizing the payment of a claim submitted by Johnson Control Fire for providing Inspection contracts for Fire Protection at city Owned Buildings and Monitoring at all buildings.

Resolution Authorizing The Jersey City Department of Public Safety Police To Apply For And Accept Funds Under The FY 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) State Program Through The Hudson County Prosecutors Office

A Resolution of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City awarding program year 2025 HUD Entitlement Funds for HOWPA and ESG and authorizing contracts for the 2025 Program Year (April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026).

A Resolution of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City authorizing the City to accept Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Local Mobility Initiatives Program funding from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority for the Jersey City Protected Bike Parking Expansion and Jersey City Bike Share Expansion Projects and associated planning and design activities.

A Resolution concerning renewing local support for Downtown Flwr LLC (Previously Oceanfront Holdings, LLC) to Operate a Class 5 Retail Cannabis Business.

• 3:47:37 Joel A. Brooks: Asked for confirmation of the Cannabis Control Board's vote on the renewal before voting.
• 3:49:22 Jake Ephros: Voted no, citing concerns about workplace conditions reported to the council office by workers.
• 3:50:03 Staff: The Corporation Counsel, called on by the clerk by role, advised members voting against the application to state specific reasons on the record at this meeting.
• 3:51:16 Eleana Little: Voted no, citing worker allegations about working conditions brought to the member's attention.
• 3:53:33 Staff: A staff member reported that the Cannabis Control Board voted 6-0-1 on June 22, 2026, with one member absent.

A Resolution authorizing an amendment to ratify a "no cost" extension to a contract with MKW + Associates, LLC in connection with construction administration services for Arlington Park - Improvements, Project No: 2019-033, for the Department of Infrastructure, Division of Architecture.

A Resolution ratifying the first renewal of an open-end contract with Power Concrete Co., Inc. for the 2025 On-Call Concrete and ADA Ramps Project, Project No. 2025-005-E for the Department of Infrastructure, Division of Engineering.

A Resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Pennetta Industrial Automation LLC., for the Pershing Field Complex HVAC equipment replacement of rooftops units for the Department of Recreation and Youth Development.

• 3:57:52 Jake Ephros: Asked whether the HVAC work was for the Pershing Field community center or the pool, citing a difference between the resolution and a council information request response.
• 4:01:29 Staff: A staff member said it was one contract covering two systems, the community center and the lobby and staff area of the pool building, and separate from the Monday pool closures.
• 4:06:46 Mamta Singh: Said the project was unrelated to the pool's Monday closures, which the recreation department described as maintenance days.

A Resolution rejecting all bids received pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13.2(d) for the Municipal Courthouse HVAC Replacement Project

A Resolution authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Jersey City and the County of Hudson to install communication equipment associated with the Jersey City Public Safety Digital Trunked Radio System on property owned by the County of Hudson located at 110 S. Hackensack Avenue, Kearny NJ 07032 known as the Juneau Building.

A Resolution Authorizing The City Of Jersey City Department Of Public Safety To Accept A Gift From Joseph Caulfield For The City Of Jersey City Department Of Public Safety Community Outreach.

• 3:55:51 Thomas Zuppa, Jr.: Voted no, citing the donor's record on union labor and affordable housing.
• 3:59:47 Jake Ephros: Voted no on 10.17 and 10.18, saying they did not feel comfortable accepting donations from these donors.

Resolution authorizing the City of Jersey City to accept a donation of $40,000.00 from Lord, Abbett & Co. for the purchase of equipment for the Department of Public Safety.

• 3:55:03 Joel A. Brooks: Voted no, saying the equipment should be funded from another source such as a capital request rather than a gift from this entity.

A Resolution requesting a change in the title, text, or amount of appropriation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:4-85.

A Resolution Recognizing October as Filipino American History Month

A Resolution approving the appointment of Sung Hun Cho, Esq. as an Assistant Municipal Prosecutor for the Jersey City Municipal Court.

• 3:56:41 Thomas Zuppa, Jr.: Voted no and said it was not a personal objection to the appointee; the rest of the stated reason is cut off in the transcript.
• 4:02:23 Eleana Little: Said additional assistant municipal prosecutors could address a backlog of quality-of-life and housing violations in the municipal court.

A Resolution authorizing an accelerated tax sale.

• 4:00:05 Jake Ephros: Said the tax sale was budgeted in the 2026 budget and that not holding it would have large consequences for the 2027 budget.
• 4:03:10 Frank E. Gilmore: Abstained on counsel's advice and asked for policies on payment plans for homeowners.
• 4:07:24 Mamta Singh: Asked the administration to expand payment plan options for homeowners before properties reach tax sale.
• 4:08:24 Michael O. Griffin: Asked for the word 'accelerated' to be changed next year and for a payment plan system.
• 4:09:42 Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr.: Estimated 700 to 800 owner-occupied homes would go into the sale and said the administration committed to explore installment plans for individual owner-occupied homes.

A Resolution authorizing electronic tax sale.

A Resolution authorizing the acceptance and execution of amendment #G2023-03.2 to the agreement between the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the City of Jersey City for additional funding to support the Port Liberte Ferry Terminal Program.

A Resolution of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City designating the Hudson County Plaza Study Area as an area in need of redevelopment and more specifically as a non-condemnation redevelopment area.

• 4:14:33 Thomas Zuppa, Jr.: Said the designation followed a study the prior council requested, that the land is county-owned surface parking, and that a redevelopment plan would come to the council next, with a community meeting on October 28.
• 4:18:11 Eleana Little: Said the member had advocated building social housing on the county-owned parking lot since 2023.
• 4:23:58 Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr.: Said the member looked forward to affordable housing from the development.

Resolution of the municipal council of the city of Jersey City supporting the transition to clean energy initiatives, and urging state and federal policymakers to invest in renewable energy infrastructure

Resolution authorizing an award of an open-ended contract to Turn Out & Safety, Inc. for the purchase of Personal Protective gear for firefighters under the New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NJCPA), Bergen County Coop for the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire.

Resolution Authorizing the award of a contract to Adamo Brothers Construction, Inc., for the Arlington Park Improvements, Project No. 2019-033 for the Department of Infrastructure, Division of Architecture.

A Resolution Authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with Garden State Community Development Corporation for the Provision of Outreach and Other Social Services

• 4:20:55 Mamta Singh: Said the agreement provides a mobile hygiene unit and asked to hear how many people the program reaches.

A resolution amending a professional services agreement with the Waterfront Project, Inc. to provide legal services to income eligible tenants as part of the Jersey City Right to Counsel Program.

A Resolution ratifying the renewal of a contract with the Jersey City Medical Center to perform Medical Services and Medical examinations for civilians, and uniformed employees and also for applicant Employees of the City of Jersey City (“City”).

A Resolution amending a professional services agreement with the law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky to serve as outside counsel to the City of Jersey City on various litigation matters.

Resolution awarding a contract to Herc Rentals, Inc for the rental, preventative maintenance, ice making, installation and breakdown of a chiller system for the Jersey City Ice Rink under State Contract for the Department of Recreation and Youth Development.

• 4:15:52 Thomas Zuppa, Jr.: Said the member hoped the contract ended the long effort to keep the ice rink open.
• 4:17:34 Jake Ephros: Said the member hoped the rental would be followed by a permanent chiller as soon as possible.
• 4:24:51 Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr.: Asked whether the rental was a temporary fix and whether CDBG funds could pay for a permanent one.

A Resolution approving the appointment of Walkidia Staten as Acting Chief Financial Officer.

• 4:16:04 Thomas Zuppa, Jr.: Said the salary ordinance increase was meant to attract senior finance talent and urged the administration to be cautious with salaries and hiring, stating it was not about the appointee.
• 4:25:23 Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr.: Said the council should review the salary ordinance to curtail salary spending ahead of the next budget cycle.

Resolution Designating Official Signatories of the City of Jersey City

Resolution authorizing the use of competitive contracting to procure a contract to establish a community mental health crisis response to 911 and other calls where behavioral health is the reported issue in order to help Jersey City residents access help.

• 4:19:04 Eleana Little: Presented the resolution, said it was a late item so the request for proposals could meet its 20-day advertising period and put response teams in the field before the winter holidays, and said it authorizes competitive contracting only, not the RFP itself.
• 4:17:40 Jake Ephros: Thanked Councilperson Little, the administration and advocates for work on the crisis response initiative.

Motion to adjourn