Recap Council Mtg. Wed., April 23, 2025 & Regular Mtg. of Jersey City Municipal Council

Click here for the April 23, 2025 Council Agenda

Next Caucus Meeting: Monday, May 5, 4 PM Next Council Meeting: Wednesday, May 7, 6 PM

Council began at 6:37 PM and adjourned at 11:20 PM.

All Councilmembers present with the exception of Ward B Council Seat, recently vacated by Mira Prinz-Arey, who has assumed the role of Executive Director of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation.

Resolution 25-294 to appoint Maureen Hulings passed 6-2 (Solomon, Gilmore) to fill the vacated Ward B seat.

FIRST READING

Agenda Item 3.2 - Ordinance 25-051

Introduced 8-0 April 23, 2025

An Ordinance authorizing an amendment to a dedication agreement between Grand & Jersey, LLC and the City of Jersey City for certain land and improvements located on a portion of Regent Street between Liberty View Drive and Douglas and Arthur Skinner Memorial Drive in the Liberty Harbor North Redevelopment Area.

Amends the dedication agreement for 88 Regent Street to replace Exhibits A and B of the dedication agreement with a new survey and a new metes and bounds description of the area to be dedicated as a public right of way

Agenda Item 3.3 - Ordinance 25-052

Introduced 8-0 April 23, 2025

An Ordinance amending Ordinance 25-010 updating the Construction Site Safety Manual with a 2024 Edition to (1) Include the installation requirements and maintenance for Air Pressurized Standpipes for buildings under construction or demolition and (2) Delete references to the 2019 Edition of the Construction Site Safety Manual.

Agenda Item 3.4 - Ordinance 25-053

Introduced 8-0 April 23, 2025

An Ordinance authorizing the conveyance of Block 11401, Lot 14, more commonly known by the street address of 247 First Street, to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency.

The City of Jersey City (City) desires to convey the property to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) for the purpose of promoting redevelopment and accomplishing the objectives of any applicable Redevelopment Plan.

SECOND READING

Agenda Item 4.1 - Ordinance 25-005

Introduced 7-0 January 29, 2025

Carried to May 21 meeting to allow for proper notification

An Ordinance implementing Chapter 67 (Pedestrian Malls), Article III (Provost Street between Bay Street and Morgan Street Pedestrian Mall).

Creates a pedestrian mall for the section of Provost Street between Bay Street and Morgan Street.

Agenda Item 4.2 - Ordinance 25-026

Introduced 7-0 March 12, 2025

Adopted 7-1 (Boggiano) April 23, 2025

Public Hearing for this ordinance will be re-advertised and held on April 23 at the Council Meeting

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 131 Entitled “Construction Codes, Uniform” Requiring Applicants for Construction Permits to Demonstrate Prior Approvals from Certain City Officials and Agencies

Before any construction permit may be issued by the Construction Official of the City of Jersey City, the applicant must demonstrate that the following prior approvals have been obtained and are in good standing:

A. Demolition Permit: Permits for new construction will not be issued for a site with an existing structure unless a demolition permit has been issued for the property.

B. Subdivision/Consolidation: Applications for permits will not be accepted for properties unless the lots have been either subdivided or consolidated.

C. State-Mandated Prior Approvals: i. Waterfront Development Permit: For projects within 500 feet of the Hudson River. ii. DEP Flood Hazard Permit: For sites located within the Special Flood Hazard Zone.

iii. DEP Soil Erosion and Sediment Control: For land disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more.

iv. Passaic Valley Sewage: For new construction, additions, and changes of use. v. NJ Sports and Exposition Authority: For areas within their jurisdiction (NJSEA Website). vi. NJ Department of Community Affairs: For health facilities, as per Bulletin 98-3 (NJ DCA Bulletin 98-3)

D. Local Prior Approvals: i. Jersey City Zoning: Approval from the Jersey City Zoning Board. ii. Jersey City MUA: For water and sewer requirements. iii. Jersey City Health Department: For rodent control. iv. Jersey City Traffic and Engineering: For a traffic safety plan and any street and sidewalk closures. v. Jersey City Fire Safety: For combustible permits. vi. Plan Review Fee: Payment of the plan review fee.

GRACE PERIOD FOR CODE REVISIONS

Applicants may submit a complete permit application, including all prior approvals, for review under the code in force immediately preceding any subcode revision within six months following the operative date of the subcode revision.

This grace period shall apply only to revisions of subcodes.

Agenda Item 4.3 - Ordinance 25-045

Introduced 7-0-1 April 11, 2025

Adopted 6-0-2 (Gilmore, Watterman) April 23, 2025 An Ordinance amending Chapter 84 (Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis) to amend Regulations of Cannabis Establishments and Cannabis Distributors.

The following number of licenses are permitted for each class, subject to all applicable state and local regulations:

a) Class 1 Cannabis Cultivator license: a total of three licenses.

b) Class 2 Cannabis Manufacturer license: a total of three licenses. c) Class 3 Cannabis Wholesaler license: a total of three licenses. d) Class 4 Cannabis Distributor license: a total of three licenses. d) Class 5 Cannabis Retailer license: a total of forty-eight licenses, with no more than eight issued in each ward of the City.

The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board shall consist of seven members, to be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of Council.

License Caps by Class

Class 5 (Retailers): Capped at 48 licenses, though initial numbers may exceed this due to grandfathering.

Classes 1–4: Limited to 3 licenses each.

Class 6 (Delivery): Limited to 6 licenses, or 1 per ward.

Consumption Lounges: Limited to 1 per ward (with a proposed overall cap of 6 citywide, to account for future ward redistricting issues).

Distancing requirements: A 200 ft buffer remains in effect for schools (up to secondary education only)—a clarification was made to exclude higher education institutions.

VIDEO: Acting Corporation Counsel Brittany Murray reviews proposed changes

Agenda Item 4.6 - Ordinance 25-048

Introduced 7-1-1 April 9, 2025

Adopted 7-1 (Boggiano) April 23, 2025

An Ordinance approving a 30-year tax exemption for 701 Newark Avenue, LLC, Block 7902, Lots 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, to be known as Block 7902, Lot 25.01, more commonly known by the street address of 693-701 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306 pursuant to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Act

the Entity applied fora 30-year long-term tax exemption to in order to receive funding from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency ("NJHMFA") in the amount of approximately $11,537,940 to be used towards the construction of a new thirty-five (35) story mixed-use development containing three hundred sixty (360) dwelling units, of which ninety (90) units shall be dedicated as affordable units, approximately 2,979 square feet of commercial space, amenities, and related improvements on the Property

701 Newark, LLC, has agreed to: 1. pay 11% of the Annual Gross Revenue for years one through fifteen which is estimated to be $6,513,936 in the first five years following Substantial Completion of the Project and 12% of the Annual Gross Revenue for years sixteen through twenty and 13% of the Annual Gross Revenue for years twenty-one through thirty; 2. pay an annual sum equal to 2% of each prior year’s Annual Service Charge as an Administrative Fee which is estimated to be $137,135 in the first five years; until the correct amount due from the applicant is determined by the auditor’s report, required to be submitted to the Director of Finance and the City Clerk, by the Financial Agreement. After the auditor’s report is accepted by the City’s Director of Finance, and within 90 days thereafter, the City and the Applicant will adjust any over or under payment so made, or needed to be made during the particular period covered by the auditor’s report; and 3. create approximately 650 full time equivalent temporary new construction jobs and 20 new permanent full time jobs; and 4. provide employment and other economic opportunities for City residents and businesses.

Client has entered into a redevelopment agreement with the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, the project here is required to be 100% union construction; PLA negotiated and finalizedthat they have signed, waiting for the unions to counter sign; also an obligation that our requirement that the maintenance at the buildings be 100% union in perpetuity; client has already signed up with 32BJ

VIDEO: Discussion regarding Ordinance approving a 30-year tax exemption for 701 Newark Avenue

RESOLUTIONS

Agenda Item 10.35 - Resolution 25-295

Resolution Introducing the Calendar Year 2025 Municipal Budget

Budget hearing on the status of the financial statement will be scheduled

28 days must elapse between introduction and public hearing

VIDEO: Director Annisia Cialone presents spending plan

Major Allocations:

50%: Rehabilitation to meet Jersey City’s 3,700-unit rehab requirement

20% max: Administration includes funding for Right to Counsel and program support

30% minimum: “Affordability Assistance” — includes:

Emergency rental assistance in partnership with Hudson Cty

Emergency health and safety repairs

Down payment assistance for deed-restricted affordable homeownership

“Buy-down” program to deepen affordability (e.g., reducing AMI levels from 80% to 30%)

Agenda Item 10.15 - Resolution 25-275

A Resolution authorizing the adoption of a spending plan for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Formally adopts a spending plan in relation to the use of various funding in the City's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

This Spending Plan projects the anticipated collection of fees and directs how the trust fund monies will be dispersed through the end of the fourth round in July 2035.

As of November 26, 2024, Jersey City has collected approximately $6,890,978 in development fees, interest, payments in lieu and payments from sale of “95/5” affordable units.

The City anticipates that it will receive approximately $52,875,000 from residential development and nonresidential development fees.

All projects currently before the planning and zoning boards for development approvals that may apply for building permits and certificates of occupancy, excluding those that include affordable housing units or are otherwise exempt from development fees pursuant to the City’s development fee ordinance.

2025 Caucus/Council Meeting Schedule Caucus (4 PM) and Council Meetings (6 PM) are held in-person at Council Chambers, unless otherwise noted. A recording will be uploaded on the city's Jersey City TV You Tube channel within 24-48 hours of each meeting. LIVESTREAM: All Municipal Council Caucuses and Meetings are streamed via Microsoft Teams. Public speakers must be present in person to speak at Council Meetings. Link to view Caucus Meeting via Microsoft Teams Link to view Council Meeting via Microsoft Teams

Link to Jersey City Online Permitting and Licensing Portal

Link to Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authorities (JCMUA) Link to JC Housing , Economic Development & Commerce CITY COUNCIL AND WARDS

Joyce E. Watterman, Councilperson-at-Large, Council President Daniel Rivera, Councilperson-at-Large Amy DeGise, Councilperson-at-Large Denise Ridley, Councilperson, Ward A, President Pro Tempore Mira Prinz-Arey, Councilperson, Ward B Richard Boggiano, Councilperson, Ward C Yousef J. Saleh, Councilperson, Ward D James Solomon, Councilperson, Ward E Frank E. Gilmore, Councilperson, Ward F Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Wendy S. Paul, MPA Executive Director Jersey City Apartment Owners Association 344 Grove Street | Suite 189 | Jersey City, NJ 07302 tel: 551-430-0371 | wpaul@jcaoa.com