Recap Council Mtg., Wed., July 15, 2026 - Regular Mtg. of the Municipal Council
Click here for July 15 Council Agenda Caucus Meeting via Microsoft Teams Council Meeting via Microsoft Teams Jersey City TV You Tube channel 2026 Municipal Council meetings, list of Councilpersons and other helpful links can be found at the bottom of this message. PLEASE NOTE: Council Meetings for July and August follow a summer schedule with only meeting per month. The first Caucus and Council meetings of September will follow be on a Tuesday and Thursday, due to Labor Day. Caucus Meeting: Monday, August 17, 10 AM Council Meeting: Wednesday, August 19, 6 PM Caucus Meeting: Tuesday, September 8, 4 PM Council Meeting: Thursday, September 10, 6 PM Council meeting began at 6:18 PM; adjourned at 1:43 AM. All Council Members present. |
Q3 PROPERTY TAX RESOLUTION |
Agenda Item 10.1-26-425 Pursuant to the Final Terms Provided by the Division of Local Government Services on July 13, 2026 - A Resolution for the Memorandum of Understanding: Division of Local Government Services for a Loan to Ameliorate Structural Municipal Budget Shortfalls and a Historic Municipal Budget Deficit Approved 9-0 VIDEO: Council President Ridley update regarding MOU, conversation with Senator Raj Mukherji and next steps for more favorable repayment terms for the $105M loan from the State Council meeting (Council meeting July 15, 2026) VIDEO: Overview of July 13 meeting with DCA and next steps for Q3 property taxes, Council President Denise Ridley (Caucus meeting July 13, 2026) Agenda Item 10.51-26-475 A Resolution Authorizing The City of Jersey City Chief Financial Officer or Tax Collector To Request Approval From The Director of Local Government Services To Exceed The 105% Calculation Of Estimated Billing And To Prepare And Mail Estimated Tax Bills. Approved 9-0 VIDEO: Addition and discussion of 26-475 and 26-476 Assuming a 12% increase from 2025, the entire estimated tax levy for 2026 would be $1,289,509,881.64, with an estimated tax rate of 2.648 Please note this is for Q3 tax bills Agenda Item 10.52-26-476 Fixing the Interest Rate on Delinquent Taxes, Assessments, or Other Municipal Liens or Charges To change the fixed interest rate on delinquent taxes, assessments, or other municipal liens or charges from the current rate of 8% to 4% on the first $1,500 and 18% to 9% on amounts over $1,500 |
RESOLUTION INTRODUCING THE CALENDAR YEAR 2026 MUNICIPAL BUDGET |
Agenda Item 10.2 - Resolution 26-426 Resolution Introducing the Calendar Year 2026 Municipal Budget. Approved 9-0 Please note this is the beginning of the budget process, with next steps to include department budget hearings, public comment and final adoption of the budget, slated for an August vote at either the August Council Meeting or a special meeting. VIDEO: Proposed 2026 Budget Presentation, William Viqueira, CFO(Caucus Meeting, July 13, 2026) From the Memorandum Regarding the 2026 Budget for the City of Jersey City The FY 2026 budget totals $886.5 million. That headline figure is larger than a normal operating year for one reason: it carries roughly $109.9 million in inherited, unpaid obligations left by the prior administration. The prior administration left roughly $136.8 million in costs unfunded in its adopted budget. After the Finance Department's adjustments for multi-year obligations and recurring reserves, $109.9 million of that lands in this year's budget as inherited bills. This budget reduces the true cost of running Jersey City's government by approximately $58 million — a 6.8% reduction. |
FIRST READING |
Agenda Item 3.1 - Ordinance 26-057 INTRODUCTION – July 15, 2026, 9-0 ADOPTED – An Ordinance of the Jersey City Municipal Code amending the Jersey City Land Development Ordinance to remove cyber hotel/data center from the Industrial District. Agenda Item 3.8 - Ordinance 26-064 WITHDRAWN INTRODUCTION – ADOPTED – An Ordinance amending Chapter 160 (Fees and Charges), amending the fee schedule for City-owned and operated parks to allow for the rental of athletic fields, public spaces, the operation of Adult Athletic Leagues, and various other fees. Administration is reviewing other fees throughout the city and will update language Ordinances authorizing the City of Jersey City to renew the leases for Community Gardens (Adopt-A-Lot programs) Agenda Item 3.2 - Ordinance 26-058 Greater Neighborhood Alliance (GNA) Community Garden Sponsored by the Greater Neighborhood Alliance for the Use of Block 30003, Lot 45, more commonly known as 81 Garfield Avenue. Agenda Item 3.3 - Ordinance 26-059 Ogden’s End Community Garden Sponsored by the Riverview Neighborhood Association for the use of Block 5202, Lot 28, more commonly known as 105 Ogden Avenue. Agenda Item 3.4 - Ordinance 26-060 McAdoo Community Garden Sponsored by the 167 McAdoo Avenue Condominium Association for the use of Block 26301, Lot 28, more commonly known as 142 McAdoo Avenue. Agenda Item 3.2 - Ordinance 26-061 Dwight Street Community Garden sponsored by the Dwight Street Block Association for the use of block 25604, Lot 8, more commonly known as 185 Dwight Street. Agenda Item 3.2 - Ordinance 26-062 Riverview Community Garden, sponsored by the Riverview Community Garden (Assoc.) for the use of Block 3002, Lot 2, more commonly known as 285 Ogden Avenue for a Community Garden. Agenda Item 3.2 - Ordinance 26-063 Mandela Community Garden Sponsored by the Greenville Neighborhood Alliance for the use of Block 19503, Lot 36, more commonly known as 447 Martin Luther King Drive. |
SECOND READING |
Agenda Item 4.1 - Ordinance 26-040 INTRODUCTION – June 10, 9-0 ADOPTED – Carried to September 23 Meeting An Ordinance of the City of Jersey City, in the County of Hudson, New Jersey approving the contribution of a portion of annual service charges paid to the City of Jersey City pursuant to financial agreements entered into by the City of Jersey City into the City's Education Infrastructure Capital Account. Carried from June 24 Mtg. Agenda Item 4.2 - Ordinance 26-043 Defeated INTRODUCTION – June 10, 9-0 ADOPTED – An Ordinance of the Municipal Council of the City of Jersey City, County of Hudson, State of New Jersey, amending and supplementing Chapter 3 (Administration of Government), Article XIV (Department of Law) of the Jersey City Municipal Code to establish the position of Legislative Counsel to the Municipal Council and to clarify the respective roles of the Corporation Counsel and Legislative Counsel. This ordinance was defeated; a legislative advisor will be hired as part of Council staff Agenda Item 4.3 - Ordinance 26-045 AND Agenda Item 4.4 - Ordinance 26-046 INTRODUCTION – June 10, 9-0 ADOPTED – Carried to September 23 Meeting An Ordinance of the City of Jersey City, County of Hudson, New Jersey granting a tax exemption with respect to certain property identified as block 21501.01, lot 1 (850-870 Garfield Avenue) and authorizing the execution of a financial agreement with Garfield Phase 1A Urban Renewal LLC. Carried from June 24 Mtg. An Ordinance of the City of Jersey City, County of Hudson, New Jersey granting a tax exemption with respect to certain property identified as block 21501.02, lot 1.01 (874-902 Garfield Avenue) and authorizing the execution of a financial agreement with Garfield Phase 1B Urban Renewal LLC. Carried from June 24 Mtg. Agenda Item 4.5 - Ordinance 26-049 An Ordinance adopting amendments to the Jackson Hill Redevelopment Plan regarding the expansion of the Transit Proximity Bonus. The Application would increase the Transit Proximity Bonus to properties locating within a ten (10) minute walk from the nearest a Hudson Bergen Light Rail Station (from 5 minutes). The proposed increase to the Transit Proximity Bonus to 1,750 feet meets the goals and objectives of the Jersey City Master Plan and is consistent with the Jersey City Master Plan. |
RESOLUTIONS |
Agenda Item 10.15 - Resolution 26-439 and Agenda Item 10.16 - Resolution 26-440A Resolution accepting the 2026-2027 Assessment Roll of the Central Avenue Special Improvement District of the City of Jersey City AND A Resolution adopting and ratifying the 2026-2027 budget of the Central Avenue Special Improvement District of the City of Jersey City. Agenda Item 10.17 - Resolution 26-441 A Resolution (1) Introducing and approving the 2026-2027 budget of the West Side Avenue Special Improvement District; (2) Directing the City Clerk to publicly advertise the budget and schedule a Public Hearing; and (3) Directing the Tax Assessor to prepare an Assessment Roll for properties within the district based upon the budget. Agenda Item 10.18 - Resolution 26-442 A Resolution (1) Introducing and approving the 2026-2027 budget of the McGinley Square Special Improvement District; (2) Directing the City Clerk to publicly advertise the budget and schedule a public hearing; and (3) Directing the Tax Assessor to prepare an assessment roll of properties within the District based upon the budget. Agenda Item 10.26 - Resolution 26-450 A Resolution authorizing an amendment to a professional services contract agreement with the Engenuity Infrastructure, LLC, to prepare plans and specifications for the Christopher Columbus Drive Roadway Improvements Project, for the Department of Infrastructure, Division of Engineering. This is a time extension for a previously approved, DOT funded project; project design and construction has been delayed to closely coordinate a water and sewer project with the JCMUA Sewer and water infrastructure is worse than anticipated; once that is done then Infrastructure can continue with improvements, including major sidewalk improvements on the west end of Columbus and bike lanes |
DEFERRED OR TABLED |
INTRODUCTION – March 11, 2026 9-0 CARRIED to April 8 meeting 9-0 TABLED - April 8, 2026 9-0 An Ordinance Supplementing Chapter 332 (Vehicles and Traffic) Article VIII (Permit Parking) Amending Section 332-58 (Parking Restrictions in Residential Zones) to establish a new permit parking Zone 20 for streets adjacent to the Liberty State Park HBLR Station east of Pacific Avenue Ordinance tabled; no public hearing. Upon conclusion of community meeting, footprint of proposed parking zone will be evaluated; may extend to a larger footprint. |
2026 Caucus and Council Meeting Schedule Council meetings: second and fourth Wednesdays at 6 pm, unless otherwise noted. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL James Solomon, Mayor Denise Ridley, Councilperson, Ward A, Council President Joel A. Brooks, Councilperson, Ward B Thomas Zuppa, Jr., Councilperson, Ward C Jake Ephros, Councilperson, Ward D Eleana Little, Councilperson, Ward E Frank E. Gilmore, Councilperson, Ward F, President Pro Tempore Michael O. Griffin, Councilperson-at-Large Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr., Councilperson-at-Large Mamta Singh, Councilperson-at-Large 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. Caucus Meeting via Microsoft Teams Council Meeting via Microsoft Teams Office of the City Clerk - Sean J. Gallagher, R.M.C. Jersey City Online Permitting and Licensing Portal Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authorities (JCMUA) |
Next reports
See our recap of the Regular Jersey City Municipal Council Mtg. from Wed. May 20, 2026
Check out our recap from the May 6, 2026 Council Meeting