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Good evening everyone. We are on the

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record. Today is Wednesday, the 19th day

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of August in the year 2026. This is a

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regular meeting of the Jersey City

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Municipal Council. We had a scheduled 6

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p.m. start. The clock on my cell phone

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is showing 6:07 p.m. May we have a roll

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call for the commencement of this

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meeting. Council person Brooks.

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Council person Zupa.

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» Present.

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» Council person Zupa.

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Council person Efos present.

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» Council person Little

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» Present.

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» Council person Gilmore is not here yet.

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Council person Singh

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» Present.

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» Council person Griffin

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» Present.

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» Council person Lavaro

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» Here.

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» And council president Ridley

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» Here.

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» We have eight council members in

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attendance at 6:07 p.m. Can we kindly

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rise for a moment of silence, please?

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Michael Ricardone

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Washington,

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former Ward A Councilman Timothy Hawks.

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On behalf of Council President Ridley

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and the members of the municipal council

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in accordance with New Jersey Public

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Public Laws of 1975,

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Chapter 231, the Open Public Meetings

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Act, also known as the Sunshine Law.

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Adequate notice of this meeting has been

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provided by the posting on a bulletin

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board of the first floor of city hall.

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The annual notice, which is the schedule

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of meetings and caucuses of the

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municipal council for the calendar year,

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2026, and filed in the office of the

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city clerk on Tuesday, November 25th,

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2025.

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In addition, at its time of its

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preparation, the agenda of this meeting

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was similarly disseminated on Friday,

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August 14th, 2026 at 9:10 p.m. to the

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mayor, municipal council, business

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administrator,

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corporation council, and the local

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newspapers and posted on the city's

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website so I can certify as to our total

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compliance with the Sunshine Law.

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Council President, before we move on to

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the regular order of business,

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We need to have a motion to add item

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10.58,

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city resolution 26-534

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to the agenda.

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And I'll read the title.

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It's a resolution authorizing that the

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calendar year 2026 municipal budget

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shall be read by title in accordance

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with NJSA 484-8.

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May I have a motion to add item 10.58?

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Motion

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» Motion made by council president Ridley.

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May I have a second?

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» Second.

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» Second by council person Griffin. On the

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motion to add item

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10.58 to the agenda. Council person

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Brooks.

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» I.

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» Council person Zupa.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Efos.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Little.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Singh.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Griffin.

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» Hi. Council Person Labaro

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» I.

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» And council president Ridley

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» I.

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» Motion carries 8 Z with council person

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Gilmore absent.

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May we have a motion to defer

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to item 10.58.

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Motion made by

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council person Ephro. May I have a

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second?

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» Second.

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» Second by council person Zupa. On a

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motion to defer to item 10.58.

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» Council person Brooks.

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» I.

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» Council person Zupa.

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» I.

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» Council person Ephro.

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» I.

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» Council person Little.

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» Council person Singh.

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» I.

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» Council person Griffin.

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» Hi. Council person Lavaro.

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» Hi.

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» And council president Ridley.

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» Hi.

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» Motion carries 80 with council person

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Gilmore absent.

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» For a final vote on item 10.58. Council

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person Brooks.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Zupa.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Efos.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Little.

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» Um I have not had a chance to read it

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yet because my internet's not working.

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So I will abstain.

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This is okay.

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» Council person Singh.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Griffin.

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» Hi.

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» Council person Lavaro.

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» Hi.

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» And council president Ridley.

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» I.

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» Steady resolution 10.58 is approved. 7

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01 with council person Little abstaining

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and council person Gilmore absent.

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All right. Now on to our regular order

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of business. I'm going to start with the

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first reading ordinances. If you will

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allow me to read them into the record.

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Before I do, I believe we are

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withdrawing item 3.1. I don't want to

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read anything that's not necessary into

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the record if we're not going to be

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voting on it. So

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before I do that, I got to get the

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camera on my BA just to confirm that we

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are withdrawing item 3.1 from the

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agenda.

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» John, I can confirm. Yes,

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» That's correct.

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» Okay.

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» All right. With that being said, I'm

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going to be reading items 3.2 through

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3.5. So starting with the first one,

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item 3.2, 2. City Ordinance 26-066

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is a franchise ordinance granting

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permission to David Abber Karum, his

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successors, and assigns to use

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approximately 46 square ft over the

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public right of way within 17 foot of

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right ofway North Street adjacent to lot

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14.03, 03 block 1505 on the official tax

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map assessment map of the city of Jersey

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City 117 North Street. Item 3.3,

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city ordinance 26-067

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is a bond ordinance reappropriating

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3,400,000

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in excess bond proceeds not needed for

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the original purpose in order to finance

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the cost of various capital improvements

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and the acquisition of various

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equipment. authorized in and by the city

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of Jersey City in the county of Hudson,

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New Jersey. Item 3.4, city ordinance

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26-068, is an ordinance authorizing

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a lease with Newport Senate LLC for the

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use of a police substation in Newport

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Mall. And item 3.5, city ordinance

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26-069,

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is an ordinance to amend section 3-85.1

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of the municipal code regarding the

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administration of the police offduty

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program. I'm going to mark Council

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Person Gilmore present at 6

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15 p.m. So we have all nine council

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members present at 6:15. Council

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members, I'm going to be taking a vote

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for introduction on items 3.2 through

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3.5. Council person Brooks,

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» I for introduction.

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» Council person Zupa,

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» I for introduction.

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» Council person Efos,

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» I for introduction.

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» Council person Little,

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» I for introduction.

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» Council person Gilmore.

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» Council person Singh,

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» I for introduction.

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» Council person Griffin. I would just

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like to thank the administration for for

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um hearing us Monday and um removing the

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money uh and putting it back into the

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homelessness program. I vote I for

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introduction.

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» Council person Lavaro,

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» I for introduction

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» And council president Ridley

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» I for introduction.

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» Items 3.2 through 3.5 are introduced

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unanimously 90.

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On to our second reading ordinances.

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Item 4.1, city ordinance 26-057,

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is an ordinance of the Jersey City

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Municipal Code amending the Jersey City

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Land Development Ordinance to remove

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Cyber Hotel and Data Center from the

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Industrial District. This is a public

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hearing. On this ordinance, any member

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of the public wishing to be heard,

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please come up to the podium and state

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your name for the record. And before you

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speak, just give me a moment to put the

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camera on you and I would need you to

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please state your name and spell your

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name for the record for our court

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reporter

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with the first speaker. Please state and

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spell your name for the record.

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» My name is Stephanie Stark. So the ph

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and an i s t a r tz

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t

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» A r tz.

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» All righty.

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Uh this is a comment on 41. Um there was

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a press release that went out that

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called out about five data centers in

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downtown specifically around um like the

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Harborside area. As I looked through the

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uh documentation for this ordinance, uh

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it appears that uh those data centers

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that are in downtown, they're considered

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colllocation data centers. uh this

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ordinance still allows colllocation data

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centers in the industrial area and

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anywhere in Jersey City. So I just

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wanted to call out that

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there was a kind of nonsense uh

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political theater press release that

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went out that tried to make I don't know

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someone look good for banning data

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centers um when the data centers they

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were referencing weren't really being

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banned. That's all.

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» Hey, this is still a public hearing on

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the ordinance. If you can just state and

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spell your name for the record.

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» It's Brendan Clark.

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» Can't hear you.

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» B R E N D E N.

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» Sir, you're going to have to bring the

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mic up. I can't hear you.

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» Brendan Clark. B R E N D E N. C L A R K.

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» Thank you, sir. Pleasure. Council

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President and members of the council,

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I'm here to ask you to table Ordinance

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26057 tonight, not because data centers

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should get a free pass, but because a

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categorical prohibition is the wrong

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response to problems that can be

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regulated.

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Before Jersey City eliminates this use

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from its industrial land, I think

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taxpayers deserve answers to some very

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specific questions. Electricity. We've

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been told data centers should be banned

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because they use enormous electrical

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demand and could raise our utility

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bills. But on July 7th, Governor Cheryl

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00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:10,000
signed the data center fair share law

284
00:12:07,279 --> 00:12:12,880
specifically to address that problem.

285
00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:15,200
The law directs the BPU to create

286
00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:17,360
separate rate structures for large data

287
00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:19,920
centers so that ordinary customers do

288
00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:22,880
not subsidize them. It specifically

289
00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:25,040
requires cost attributions to serving

290
00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:26,560
those facilities including generation,

291
00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:29,200
transmission, distribution, and

292
00:12:26,560 --> 00:12:32,320
substations to be allocated to the data

293
00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:34,399
center customers. So my question is, why

294
00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:36,480
are we banning an industry because of a

295
00:12:34,399 --> 00:12:39,279
cost shifting problem that the state of

296
00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:42,000
New Jersey just enacted legislation

297
00:12:39,279 --> 00:12:45,279
specifically designed to prevent?

298
00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:47,120
Second, money. Jersey City's own budget

299
00:12:45,279 --> 00:12:52,000
documents say this year we're facing a

300
00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:55,600
$225 million deficit. A 15.5%

301
00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:57,680
tax increase has gone into effect and

302
00:12:55,600 --> 00:13:00,240
we're telling homeowners we desperately

303
00:12:57,680 --> 00:13:01,839
need more recurring revenue. Yet at the

304
00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:04,800
same time, we're considering an

305
00:13:01,839 --> 00:13:06,959
ordinance eliminating an entire category

306
00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:09,920
of capital intensive development from

307
00:13:06,959 --> 00:13:12,240
our industrial property. Where is the

308
00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:14,880
fiscal impact study telling us how much

309
00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:17,200
ratable value and annual tax revenue

310
00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:19,760
ordinance 26057

311
00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:22,639
would could cost Jersey City? In

312
00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:25,839
Carterette, right down the road, NASDAQ

313
00:13:22,639 --> 00:13:29,200
and Equinex expanded the NY11 data

314
00:13:25,839 --> 00:13:31,200
center by 63,000 square ft. Carter

315
00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:33,519
publicly estimated that expansion would

316
00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:38,480
generate $13.5

317
00:13:33,519 --> 00:13:40,959
million in tax revenue over 30 years.

318
00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:44,000
If the concerns are legitimate, and many

319
00:13:40,959 --> 00:13:46,079
of them are, then regulate them. Instead

320
00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:47,760
of a ban, direct the planning

321
00:13:46,079 --> 00:13:50,079
department, finance department, and

322
00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:52,720
corporation council to develop a

323
00:13:50,079 --> 00:13:54,399
conditional use ordinance. Require every

324
00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:57,040
proposed data center to provide an

325
00:13:54,399 --> 00:13:58,800
independent electrical load study.

326
00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:01,519
Require compliance with the state's new

327
00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:04,000
data center rate payer protections.

328
00:14:01,519 --> 00:14:06,800
Require water usage infrastructure

329
00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:08,639
impact analysis.

330
00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:12,399
How much money will this ordinance, if

331
00:14:08,639 --> 00:14:15,199
adopted, cost Jersey City taxpayers?

332
00:14:12,399 --> 00:14:18,760
Let's not ban it. Let's regulate it.

333
00:14:15,199 --> 00:14:18,760
Thank you so much.

334
00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,959
» This is still a public hearing on this

335
00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:24,880
ordinance. Please state your name and

336
00:14:22,959 --> 00:14:29,040
spell your name for the record.

337
00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:34,320
» Jason Harley. Jason with J A Y S O N

338
00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:35,680
Harley. H A R L E Y B U R G.

339
00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:37,279
» Thank you.

340
00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:41,680
Um

341
00:14:37,279 --> 00:14:45,279
the in issue here is power and how do we

342
00:14:41,680 --> 00:14:48,240
get more power? Uh if everyone remembers

343
00:14:45,279 --> 00:14:50,079
we got to make power but cheaply. How

344
00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:52,000
many people here remember the little

345
00:14:50,079 --> 00:14:55,600
flywheel toys that you used to pull

346
00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:58,800
across the floor. Now interesting about

347
00:14:55,600 --> 00:15:00,720
the flywheel. China has the largest

348
00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:05,120
flywheel

349
00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:07,120
uh energy producing in in the world and

350
00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:11,600
flywheels basically can be made out of

351
00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:15,600
steel or by fiber uh fiber materials.

352
00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:18,720
Now Jersey City has two corridors that

353
00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:22,880
can make its energy. the uh down in

354
00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:24,560
Greenville uh on the down there what it

355
00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:27,120
called

356
00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:29,040
the Hudson River and then the the also

357
00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:32,160
the

358
00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:35,120
the Hackasack. Now the thing is is that

359
00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:39,600
Jury City has 43,000

360
00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:42,959
homeowners and we're being taxed hard.

361
00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:46,560
thing is is that if we take our people

362
00:15:42,959 --> 00:15:48,399
and do a consolidation called equity in

363
00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:52,320
our deeds

364
00:15:48,399 --> 00:15:57,040
with those 43,000 people homeowners,

365
00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:59,040
that's 2 two 215

366
00:15:57,040 --> 00:16:02,560
trillion

367
00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:06,000
coming out from the people's chest.

368
00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:10,320
If we use that, we can do very well. The

369
00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:13,199
thing is when we do a trusty ship,

370
00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:15,680
we would be able to do more with our own

371
00:16:13,199 --> 00:16:19,040
worth, not worry about speculators

372
00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:22,560
coming into our city and dividing us.

373
00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:25,360
Now, the city of Jersey City cannot do

374
00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:27,199
its own loans because if the loans

375
00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:32,000
become fault, the entire city goes

376
00:16:27,199 --> 00:16:34,560
under. But if you do a system of equity

377
00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:37,440
deeds, equity is on purpose. There's

378
00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:42,000
also people there in George. Jersey City

379
00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:44,480
has about 300,000 people now and 25% are

380
00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:48,800
kids, another 25% are seniors and the

381
00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:51,680
other 25 is uh the working class. The

382
00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:54,560
real thing here is working out a plan

383
00:16:51,680 --> 00:16:57,920
that works with the people. we become

384
00:16:54,560 --> 00:17:01,759
profitable by their own resources

385
00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:04,559
and when we do such a thing we will have

386
00:17:01,759 --> 00:17:07,360
the control of the data centers. Now

387
00:17:04,559 --> 00:17:09,439
I've done research on that and uh in

388
00:17:07,360 --> 00:17:13,600
order to do a data center like that

389
00:17:09,439 --> 00:17:15,280
power we have to uh use construction uh

390
00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:18,240
concrete. Now the real problem with

391
00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:23,039
Jersey City, these uh lands are on

392
00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:25,120
either side of a river bank and uh the

393
00:17:23,039 --> 00:17:27,439
real issue there is flooding. Now in

394
00:17:25,120 --> 00:17:28,880
this they do this construction here we

395
00:17:27,439 --> 00:17:31,440
would have to make sure these areas

396
00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:35,200
don't flood and are well protected and

397
00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:37,520
the point here is if we don't take a

398
00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:38,320
step forward for the city.

399
00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:39,679
» Thank you Jason.

400
00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:41,679
» Thank you. Time is up. God bless. Thank

401
00:17:39,679 --> 00:17:43,360
you.

402
00:17:41,679 --> 00:17:46,320
This is still a public hearing on city

403
00:17:43,360 --> 00:17:47,840
ordinance 26-057.

404
00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:49,520
Any member of the public still wishing

405
00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:51,120
to be heard, please come up to the

406
00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:51,600
podium and state your name for the

407
00:17:51,120 --> 00:17:52,880
record.

408
00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,559
» Motion.

409
00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:57,120
» Motion to close the public hearing on

410
00:17:54,559 --> 00:17:59,440
city ordinance 26-057

411
00:17:57,120 --> 00:18:00,799
was made by council person Gilmore. May

412
00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:01,600
I have a second?

413
00:18:00,799 --> 00:18:04,000
» Second.

414
00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:05,520
» Second by council president Ridley. on

415
00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:08,160
the motion to close a public hearing on

416
00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:11,799
city ordinance 26-057.

417
00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:11,799
Council person Brooks,

418
00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:22,720
Council Person Brooks. Sorry, I had

419
00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:24,000
feedback. I

420
00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:25,039
» Council Person Zupa.

421
00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:27,120
» Hi,

422
00:18:25,039 --> 00:18:28,400
» Council Person Ephro. I

423
00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:29,280
» Council Person Little.

424
00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:30,799
» Hi,

425
00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:32,080
» Council [clears throat] Person Gilmore.

426
00:18:30,799 --> 00:18:34,080
» I

427
00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:35,919
» Council person Singh. I

428
00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:36,720
» Council person Griffin.

429
00:18:35,919 --> 00:18:38,480
» I

430
00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:39,280
» Council person Lavaro.

431
00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:40,720
» Hi.

432
00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:41,440
» And council president Ridley.

433
00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:43,120
» Hi.

434
00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:46,400
» Motion to close the public hearing on

435
00:18:43,120 --> 00:18:49,679
city ordinance 26-057

436
00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:53,280
carries 90 for final consideration and

437
00:18:49,679 --> 00:18:56,720
adoption of city ordinance 26-057.

438
00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:57,760
Council person Brooks.

439
00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:59,200
» I.

440
00:18:57,760 --> 00:18:59,919
» Council person Zupa.

441
00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:02,880
» I.

442
00:18:59,919 --> 00:19:05,200
» Council person Ephro. Uh I'll vote I and

443
00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:07,440
I um just want to say appreciate the the

444
00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:09,600
comments before. Um I think this this

445
00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:11,200
ban is important not only for energy

446
00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:12,880
needs and I think we can't be too

447
00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:16,080
careful even with recent moves at the

448
00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:18,080
state level. Um but in addition to that

449
00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:20,240
land use that we have very limited land

450
00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:22,160
in Jersey City and I want to make sure

451
00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:24,480
that it's being put to the best use and

452
00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:27,280
I don't think data centers uh that are

453
00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:30,320
exclusively run as data centers not

454
00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:32,480
these collocation centers are um taking

455
00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:34,480
up that land. uh especially when the

456
00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:37,039
capital behind these kinds of industries

457
00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:39,120
is uh capital coming from artificial

458
00:19:37,039 --> 00:19:41,360
intelligence companies uh that are

459
00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:45,120
really hellbent on promulgating this

460
00:19:41,360 --> 00:19:47,039
industry at all costs. So I vote I

461
00:19:45,120 --> 00:19:50,640
council person.

462
00:19:47,039 --> 00:19:51,760
» Um I'm going to vote I as well. I I just

463
00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:54,000
want to clear up some of the

464
00:19:51,760 --> 00:19:56,320
misconceptions surrounding um the

465
00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:58,720
details of this. This is a ban on

466
00:19:56,320 --> 00:20:02,480
standalone data centers. Uh what Miss

467
00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:05,120
Start said was correct that it does

468
00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:07,679
exempt colllocated data centers but

469
00:20:05,120 --> 00:20:09,679
these are not the large

470
00:20:07,679 --> 00:20:11,440
AI data centers that people around the

471
00:20:09,679 --> 00:20:14,720
country are protesting right now. They

472
00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:18,880
are used by financial institutions,

473
00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:20,720
research institutions. Um they are used

474
00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:23,200
to meet the data needs of that

475
00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:25,840
particular business or research

476
00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:27,280
institution. So a laboratory on a

477
00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:29,919
college campus might have one of these

478
00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:32,000
if they if they are are running a large

479
00:20:29,919 --> 00:20:34,240
amount of computing. Um financial

480
00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:36,720
institutions frequently have these um

481
00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:38,799
they may take up one or two floors of

482
00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:41,520
their office building but they are not

483
00:20:38,799 --> 00:20:45,360
these standalone data centers um that

484
00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:47,440
are being driven by the rise of AI. Uh

485
00:20:45,360 --> 00:20:50,320
so so that is the difference between the

486
00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:55,559
two of them. um

487
00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:55,559
for the data centers that are

488
00:20:55,600 --> 00:21:02,799
being constructed across the country

489
00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:06,200
currently. And um

490
00:21:02,799 --> 00:21:06,200
is that me?

491
00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:22,120
the the standalone data centers that

492
00:21:18,799 --> 00:21:22,120
that we

493
00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:31,360
the standalone data centers that we are

494
00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:37,200
looking to ban create very few jobs for

495
00:21:31,360 --> 00:21:40,000
local Jersey City residents. And um

496
00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:41,760
given our very limited land in Jersey

497
00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:44,720
City, it is not a wise use of our

498
00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:46,960
industrial areas compared to industrial

499
00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:48,880
uses that could create better jobs and

500
00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:51,280
do not have the same energy and water

501
00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:53,600
usage concerns as large AI data centers

502
00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,799
have. So I just, you know, wanted to

503
00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:56,960
speak a little on the distinction

504
00:21:54,799 --> 00:21:59,600
between those, but uh I'm proudly vote

505
00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:01,440
I. I think this is a a great step for

506
00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:03,760
Jersey City.

507
00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:05,280
» Council Person Gilmore. I

508
00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:08,240
» Council person sing Singh.

509
00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:10,480
» Hi. And just um to add to what my

510
00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:13,679
colleagues are saying, they might be

511
00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:17,880
hiring less than 10 people from Jersey

512
00:22:13,679 --> 00:22:17,880
City, so it's not worth it.

513
00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:23,760
» Council person Griffin.

514
00:22:21,360 --> 00:22:25,280
Uh, and I I just want to say that um,

515
00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:27,280
you know, growing up in Jersey City,

516
00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:29,600
growing up in in in Greenville and in

517
00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:32,559
the Bergen area, we dealt with a lot of

518
00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:35,520
pollutants here in this city over the

519
00:22:32,559 --> 00:22:37,840
years and to bring a data center in uh,

520
00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:39,600
those types of data sensors that, you

521
00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:41,840
know, use heavy diesel, use a lot of

522
00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:43,760
water that cause air pollution is

523
00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:46,159
something that we don't need in our

524
00:22:43,760 --> 00:22:48,000
communities. I vote I,

525
00:22:46,159 --> 00:22:51,600
» Council Person Lavaro.

526
00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:54,400
» Yeah, I'm voting I. Um the the big the

527
00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:58,000
reason is affordability on this agenda

528
00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:59,840
and in future agenda we'll have a

529
00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:02,960
15% tax increase on Jersey city

530
00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:06,640
residents. And so um couple that with

531
00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:08,080
rising electricity tax increase on

532
00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:10,640
Jersey City residents and coupled that

533
00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:13,440
with rising uh electricity bills and

534
00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:18,640
utility costs. Um it's documented that

535
00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:20,240
uh these data centers um are driving uh

536
00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:22,480
demand

537
00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:26,960
uh and electricity costs are going up as

538
00:23:22,480 --> 00:23:31,039
a result. And so um I'm going to vote I

539
00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:33,360
and uh hope that we can see a uh our our

540
00:23:31,039 --> 00:23:34,880
electricity costs here in Jersey City um

541
00:23:33,360 --> 00:23:39,960
as well as throughout the state

542
00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:39,960
ultimately um re that in.

543
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:43,280
Council President Ridley.

544
00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:45,919
» I.

545
00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:49,919
» City Ordinance 26-057

546
00:23:45,919 --> 00:23:51,679
is adopted unanimously. 90.

547
00:23:49,919 --> 00:23:55,360
On to our next second reading ordinance.

548
00:23:51,679 --> 00:23:57,200
Item 4.2. City Ordinance 26-058

549
00:23:55,360 --> 00:23:58,960
is an ordinance authorizing the city of

550
00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:01,200
Jersey City to renew a lease for the

551
00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:02,960
Greater Neighborhood Alliance Community

552
00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:07,520
Garden sponsored by Greater Neighborhood

553
00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:10,159
Alliance for the use of block 30003.

554
00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:12,559
Lock 45, more commonly known as 81

555
00:24:10,159 --> 00:24:16,400
Garfield Avenue. This is a public

556
00:24:12,559 --> 00:24:19,600
hearing on the ordinance.

557
00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:21,200
Before I ask, if you can just state and

558
00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:24,000
spell your name for the record, I

559
00:24:21,200 --> 00:24:29,360
greatly appreciate it.

560
00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:33,120
» Charlene Burke, P H A R L E N E B U R K

561
00:24:29,360 --> 00:24:35,840
E. Good evening, council. I

562
00:24:33,120 --> 00:24:38,480
» Charlene, you got to bring the mic up.

563
00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:40,960
I am currently the acting president for

564
00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:43,919
the Jersey City Parks Coalition while

565
00:24:40,960 --> 00:24:45,919
Paula Mayioan has some personal things

566
00:24:43,919 --> 00:24:48,480
that she's attending to in the next few

567
00:24:45,919 --> 00:24:51,440
months. So I would like to speak on this

568
00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:53,279
ordinance all the way to the end of all

569
00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:56,159
the second readings. So all the

570
00:24:53,279 --> 00:24:59,120
community gardens, it's very important

571
00:24:56,159 --> 00:25:02,480
for our neighborhoods to have community

572
00:24:59,120 --> 00:25:04,720
gardens that are supported by the

573
00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:07,520
surrounding neighborhood because it's a

574
00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:10,799
place. It's a gathering place for people

575
00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:13,520
and it's a learning place for everyone.

576
00:25:10,799 --> 00:25:15,520
Whether you're young or you're older,

577
00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:18,320
there's something new to be learned

578
00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:21,200
about nature and what it does and how it

579
00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:25,120
exists and how it survives. That's what

580
00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:28,960
we do every single day of our lives. And

581
00:25:25,120 --> 00:25:31,760
we use this all of these observations in

582
00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:34,960
nature as a metaphor for what we

583
00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:38,559
struggle with. So, I really encourage

584
00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:40,799
not only you to vote affirmatively for

585
00:25:38,559 --> 00:25:44,000
all of these, but when any other

586
00:25:40,799 --> 00:25:47,520
community is bringing forth a community

587
00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:51,039
garden to you, that you all support that

588
00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:53,760
initiative because this is what really

589
00:25:51,039 --> 00:25:56,559
becomes the gathering place. If there's

590
00:25:53,760 --> 00:25:59,360
not a farmers market, if there's not a

591
00:25:56,559 --> 00:26:02,080
community center, these become the

592
00:25:59,360 --> 00:26:04,159
community gathering spaces. So, I

593
00:26:02,080 --> 00:26:06,960
encourage you all to support all of

594
00:26:04,159 --> 00:26:09,520
these as well as any of them that come

595
00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:11,039
forth to you from neighborhood

596
00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:14,559
initiatives,

597
00:26:11,039 --> 00:26:17,039
not the city necessarily determining,

598
00:26:14,559 --> 00:26:20,159
but from those that are supported by the

599
00:26:17,039 --> 00:26:24,279
neighborhood bringing to you to create

600
00:26:20,159 --> 00:26:24,279
them. Thank you.

601
00:26:25,279 --> 00:26:28,400
» This is still a public hearing on this

602
00:26:26,880 --> 00:26:29,679
ordinance. Any member of the public wish

603
00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:31,760
to be heard, please come up to the

604
00:26:29,679 --> 00:26:34,080
podium, state your name for the record.

605
00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:34,480
» Jason Harley Berg, we spell again.

606
00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:36,000
» No.

607
00:26:34,480 --> 00:26:39,440
» Okay.

608
00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:41,520
Um I was the adopted block program was

609
00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:43,919
an excellent program in the city.

610
00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:46,799
Actually, that was I was there when it

611
00:26:43,919 --> 00:26:50,880
was first done uh in Garfield Avenue

612
00:26:46,799 --> 00:26:52,480
when I did uh Green Waters. And uh it's

613
00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:55,039
interesting about that property, they

614
00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:58,240
only have a corner. Now, if you go in

615
00:26:55,039 --> 00:27:01,600
the back, there is another 11,000 square

616
00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:04,480
ft. And at the point I was trying to do

617
00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:07,440
when I was there is open that up. And

618
00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:10,320
the real thing uh with Miss Bert said,

619
00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:12,159
we need to have gardens uh in our

620
00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:15,840
community. And even more, we need to

621
00:27:12,159 --> 00:27:18,640
have more flowers. If you notice if you

622
00:27:15,840 --> 00:27:22,799
uh you're over 50, you're going to see a

623
00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:26,080
difference in the plants and the insects

624
00:27:22,799 --> 00:27:28,000
because of lack there's less insects.

625
00:27:26,080 --> 00:27:29,760
Now there is I think we have an

626
00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:33,120
ordinance for flowers. We need to do

627
00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:35,200
more but uh the adopt a lock program is

628
00:27:33,120 --> 00:27:38,320
very important but one thing we got to

629
00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:40,640
do is uh take that one step further.

630
00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:43,600
Flat roofs need to be have having

631
00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:45,679
gardens too. If anyone remembers during

632
00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:49,039
World War II, we had parents doing

633
00:27:45,679 --> 00:27:50,559
victory gardens. Very important was the

634
00:27:49,039 --> 00:27:51,679
home front. Without the home, without

635
00:27:50,559 --> 00:27:55,360
the homeront, there would have been no

636
00:27:51,679 --> 00:27:57,919
warfront. And if everyone starts using

637
00:27:55,360 --> 00:28:00,000
that uh the top of the roofs and have an

638
00:27:57,919 --> 00:28:02,320
ordinance that would help these uh

639
00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:04,880
individuals do that, we'd have more

640
00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:07,679
food, more flowers, and a better

641
00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:10,159
healthier life. And the key here is

642
00:28:07,679 --> 00:28:13,279
food. I mean, we don't have to use the

643
00:28:10,159 --> 00:28:15,200
atomic bomb with our with our an

644
00:28:13,279 --> 00:28:16,960
arsenal. We just need to throw our food

645
00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:19,279
out there. We have the most dangerous

646
00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:21,520
food there is high fructose corn syrup.

647
00:28:19,279 --> 00:28:25,279
It is very it's in everything. That's

648
00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:27,520
why America is 69% fat and obese. Cola

649
00:28:25,279 --> 00:28:29,520
wars started that. And if we start

650
00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:31,600
eating better, go back to the Bible

651
00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:34,399
reading, we can do better. And the real

652
00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:35,919
thing is we do need gardens, but we need

653
00:28:34,399 --> 00:28:38,559
people to be concerned. And the real

654
00:28:35,919 --> 00:28:42,399
problem is volunteers. And people don't

655
00:28:38,559 --> 00:28:44,640
give her, but they do. They have to. If

656
00:28:42,399 --> 00:28:46,399
they do that, they knew better. Hey, Mr.

657
00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:50,240
Gilmore, you know how hard it is to get

658
00:28:46,399 --> 00:28:51,840
people in involved in bite and bite and

659
00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:54,559
what happens around with all this stuff.

660
00:28:51,840 --> 00:28:57,120
The real thing here is let's be fruitful

661
00:28:54,559 --> 00:28:58,720
and let's do do it well because if we're

662
00:28:57,120 --> 00:29:02,360
not going to do it, we're all going to

663
00:28:58,720 --> 00:29:02,360
hell. Thank you.

664
00:29:03,679 --> 00:29:07,200
Still a public hearing on city ordinance

665
00:29:05,520 --> 00:29:08,559
26-058.

666
00:29:07,200 --> 00:29:10,480
Any member of the public still wishing

667
00:29:08,559 --> 00:29:12,000
to be heard, please come up to podium

668
00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:12,399
and state and spell your name for the

669
00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:13,679
record.

670
00:29:12,399 --> 00:29:15,600
» Motion.

671
00:29:13,679 --> 00:29:18,240
» Motion to close the public hearing on

672
00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:22,000
city ordinance 26-058

673
00:29:18,240 --> 00:29:23,200
was made by council person Gilmore.

674
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,240
» Who made the second?

675
00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:26,080
» Rolando.

676
00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:27,760
» If you can just allow me to read the

677
00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:29,840
motion into the record before you say

678
00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:32,880
second, I greatly appreciate it. I

679
00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:34,000
wouldn't have to ask who said it.

680
00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:35,360
» Second.

681
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,799
» There you go.

682
00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:39,600
» On the motion to close a public hearing

683
00:29:36,799 --> 00:29:40,320
on city ordinance 26-05A. Council person

684
00:29:39,600 --> 00:29:40,799
Brooks

685
00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:42,080
» I.

686
00:29:40,799 --> 00:29:42,480
» Council person Zuba.

687
00:29:42,080 --> 00:29:43,840
» I.

688
00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:44,399
» Council person Efos.

689
00:29:43,840 --> 00:29:45,679
» Hi.

690
00:29:44,399 --> 00:29:46,159
» Council person Little.

691
00:29:45,679 --> 00:29:47,600
» I.

692
00:29:46,159 --> 00:29:48,000
» Council person Gilmore.

693
00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:49,360
» I.

694
00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:49,840
» Council person Singh.

695
00:29:49,360 --> 00:29:51,520
» I.

696
00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:53,200
» Council person Griffin.

697
00:29:51,520 --> 00:29:53,840
» Council person Labaro.

698
00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:55,600
» I.

699
00:29:53,840 --> 00:29:58,399
» And council president Ridley.

700
00:29:55,600 --> 00:30:01,679
» I. Motion carries 90 to close the public

701
00:29:58,399 --> 00:30:03,679
hearing on city ordinance 26-058

702
00:30:01,679 --> 00:30:08,000
for final consideration and adoption of

703
00:30:03,679 --> 00:30:09,840
city ordinance- 20 excuse me 26-058.

704
00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:10,559
Council person Brooks

705
00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:11,760
» I.

706
00:30:10,559 --> 00:30:12,480
» Council person Zupa.

707
00:30:11,760 --> 00:30:13,760
» Hi.

708
00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:14,480
» Council person Ephro.

709
00:30:13,760 --> 00:30:15,919
» Hi.

710
00:30:14,480 --> 00:30:16,640
» Council person Little.

711
00:30:15,919 --> 00:30:18,080
» Hi.

712
00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:18,640
» Council person Gilmore.

713
00:30:18,080 --> 00:30:20,000
» Hi.

714
00:30:18,640 --> 00:30:20,640
» Council person Singh.

715
00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:22,000
» Hi.

716
00:30:20,640 --> 00:30:22,640
» Council person Griffin.

717
00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:24,559
» Hi.

718
00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:27,039
» Council person Labaro.

719
00:30:24,559 --> 00:30:27,679
» Hi. and council president Ridley

720
00:30:27,039 --> 00:30:30,159
» I.

721
00:30:27,679 --> 00:30:33,919
» City ordinance 26-058

722
00:30:30,159 --> 00:30:36,640
is adopted unanimously 90.

723
00:30:33,919 --> 00:30:40,480
On to our next second reading ordinance.

724
00:30:36,640 --> 00:30:42,399
Item 4.3, city ordinance 26-059,

725
00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:44,880
is an ordinance authorizing the city of

726
00:30:42,399 --> 00:30:47,279
Jersey City to renew the lease for the

727
00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:49,760
Ogden's End Community Garden, sponsored

728
00:30:47,279 --> 00:30:53,200
by Riverview Neighborhood Association,

729
00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:57,279
for the use of block 520,

730
00:30:53,200 --> 00:30:59,440
lot 28, more commonly known as 105 Ogden

731
00:30:57,279 --> 00:31:00,960
Avenue. This is a public hearing on this

732
00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:02,799
ordinance. Any member of the public

733
00:31:00,960 --> 00:31:04,320
wishing to be heard, please come up to

734
00:31:02,799 --> 00:31:07,360
the podium and state your name for the

735
00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:09,360
record. Motion

736
00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:11,919
Motion to close the public hearing on

737
00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:14,320
city ordinance 26-059

738
00:31:11,919 --> 00:31:16,000
was made by council person Gilmore. May

739
00:31:14,320 --> 00:31:16,720
I have a second?

740
00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:19,840
» Second.

741
00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:21,440
» Second by council person Lavaro. On the

742
00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:23,679
motion to close a public hearing on city

743
00:31:21,440 --> 00:31:25,120
ordinance 26-059.

744
00:31:23,679 --> 00:31:25,679
Council person Brooks.

745
00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:26,880
» I.

746
00:31:25,679 --> 00:31:27,360
» Council person Zupa.

747
00:31:26,880 --> 00:31:28,640
» I.

748
00:31:27,360 --> 00:31:29,200
» Council person Epro.

749
00:31:28,640 --> 00:31:30,480
» I.

750
00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:30,960
» Council person Little.

751
00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:32,399
» I.

752
00:31:30,960 --> 00:31:32,880
» Council person Gilmore.

753
00:31:32,399 --> 00:31:34,159
» I.

754
00:31:32,880 --> 00:31:36,399
» Council person Singh.

755
00:31:34,159 --> 00:31:36,960
» I. Council Person Griffin.

756
00:31:36,399 --> 00:31:38,880
» I.

757
00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:39,679
» Council Person Labaro.

758
00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:41,600
» I.

759
00:31:39,679 --> 00:31:42,159
» And Council President Ridley.

760
00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:44,559
» I.

761
00:31:42,159 --> 00:31:47,760
» Motion carries 90 to close the public

762
00:31:44,559 --> 00:31:50,159
hearing on city ordinance 26-059

763
00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:52,399
for final consideration and adoption of

764
00:31:50,159 --> 00:31:54,080
city ordinance 26-059.

765
00:31:52,399 --> 00:31:54,880
Council person Brooks.

766
00:31:54,080 --> 00:31:56,720
» Hi.

767
00:31:54,880 --> 00:31:58,880
» Council person Zupa. I.

768
00:31:56,720 --> 00:32:00,880
» Council person Efos. I.

769
00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:03,279
» Council person Little. Hi.

770
00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:04,960
» Council person Gilmore. I. Council

771
00:32:03,279 --> 00:32:06,399
Person Singh,

772
00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:06,880
» Council Person Griffin,

773
00:32:06,399 --> 00:32:08,399
» I.

774
00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:09,039
» Council Person Laboro,

775
00:32:08,399 --> 00:32:10,640
» Hi.

776
00:32:09,039 --> 00:32:11,120
» And Council President Ridley,

777
00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:14,000
» I.

778
00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:18,159
» City Ordinance 26-059

779
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:21,600
is adopted unanimously 90. On to our

780
00:32:18,159 --> 00:32:24,799
next second reading ordinance. Item 4.4,

781
00:32:21,600 --> 00:32:26,720
Four, city ordinance 26-060

782
00:32:24,799 --> 00:32:29,200
is an ordinance authorizing the city of

783
00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:32,559
Jersey City to renew the lease for Madoo

784
00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:35,200
Community Garden, sponsored by 167 Madoo

785
00:32:32,559 --> 00:32:38,240
Avenue Community Association, for the

786
00:32:35,200 --> 00:32:41,440
use of block 26301,

787
00:32:38,240 --> 00:32:43,360
lot 28, more commonly known as 142

788
00:32:41,440 --> 00:32:45,120
Makadoo Avenue. This is a public hearing

789
00:32:43,360 --> 00:32:46,399
on this ordinance. Any member of the

790
00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:48,240
public wishing to be heard, please come

791
00:32:46,399 --> 00:32:49,840
up to the podium, state your name, and

792
00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:52,080
spell it for the record.

793
00:32:49,840 --> 00:32:56,080
» Motion. Motion to close the public

794
00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:57,919
hearing on city ordinance 26-060

795
00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:58,880
was made by council person Gilmore. May

796
00:32:57,919 --> 00:32:59,600
I have a second?

797
00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:02,399
» Second.

798
00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:04,080
» Second by council person Griffin. On the

799
00:33:02,399 --> 00:33:07,039
motion to close a public hearing on city

800
00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:07,840
ordinance 26- 060. Council person

801
00:33:07,039 --> 00:33:08,399
Brooks.

802
00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:09,679
» I.

803
00:33:08,399 --> 00:33:10,159
» Council person Zupa.

804
00:33:09,679 --> 00:33:11,519
» I.

805
00:33:10,159 --> 00:33:11,919
» Council person Ephro.

806
00:33:11,519 --> 00:33:13,279
» I.

807
00:33:11,919 --> 00:33:13,760
» Council person Little.

808
00:33:13,279 --> 00:33:15,120
» Hi.

809
00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:15,519
» Council person Gilmore.

810
00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:16,799
» I.

811
00:33:15,519 --> 00:33:17,279
» Council person Singh.

812
00:33:16,799 --> 00:33:18,960
» Hi.

813
00:33:17,279 --> 00:33:21,120
» Council person Griffin.

814
00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:21,760
» Hi. Council person Lavaro.

815
00:33:21,120 --> 00:33:23,360
» I.

816
00:33:21,760 --> 00:33:23,919
» And council president Ridley.

817
00:33:23,360 --> 00:33:26,240
» I.

818
00:33:23,919 --> 00:33:29,840
» Motion carries 90 to close the public

819
00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:31,760
hearing on city ordinance 26- 060 for

820
00:33:29,840 --> 00:33:34,799
final consideration and adoption of city

821
00:33:31,760 --> 00:33:35,679
ordinance 26- 060. Council person

822
00:33:34,799 --> 00:33:36,480
Brooks.

823
00:33:35,679 --> 00:33:37,840
» I.

824
00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:38,320
» Council person Zupa.

825
00:33:37,840 --> 00:33:39,679
» I.

826
00:33:38,320 --> 00:33:40,240
» Council person Ephro.

827
00:33:39,679 --> 00:33:41,519
» Hi.

828
00:33:40,240 --> 00:33:42,159
» Council person Little.

829
00:33:41,519 --> 00:33:43,600
» Hi.

830
00:33:42,159 --> 00:33:44,159
» Council person Gilmore.

831
00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:45,279
» I.

832
00:33:44,159 --> 00:33:45,840
» Council person Singh.

833
00:33:45,279 --> 00:33:47,200
» Hi.

834
00:33:45,840 --> 00:33:49,120
» Council person Griffin.

835
00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:49,760
» Hi. Council Person Labaro.

836
00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:51,279
» Hi.

837
00:33:49,760 --> 00:33:52,000
» And council president Ridley.

838
00:33:51,279 --> 00:33:54,559
» Hi.

839
00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:58,320
» City ordinance 26-060

840
00:33:54,559 --> 00:34:01,039
is adopted unanimously. 90. On to our

841
00:33:58,320 --> 00:34:03,760
next second reading ordinance. Item 4.5.

842
00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:05,600
City Ordinance 26-061

843
00:34:03,760 --> 00:34:07,279
is an ordinance authorizing the city of

844
00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:09,280
Jersey City to renew the lease for

845
00:34:07,279 --> 00:34:10,960
Dwight Street Community Garden,

846
00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:15,200
sponsored by Dwight Street Block

847
00:34:10,960 --> 00:34:18,320
Association for the use of block 25604,

848
00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:21,200
lot 8, more commonly known as 185 Dwight

849
00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:22,560
Street. This is a public hearing on this

850
00:34:21,200 --> 00:34:24,079
ordinance. Any member of the public

851
00:34:22,560 --> 00:34:25,919
wishing to be heard, please come up to

852
00:34:24,079 --> 00:34:27,119
the podium, state, and spell your name

853
00:34:25,919 --> 00:34:29,440
for the record.

854
00:34:27,119 --> 00:34:33,679
» Motion. Motion to close the public

855
00:34:29,440 --> 00:34:35,520
hearing on city ordinance 26-061

856
00:34:33,679 --> 00:34:36,480
was made by council person Gilmore. May

857
00:34:35,520 --> 00:34:37,359
I have a second?

858
00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:41,280
» Second.

859
00:34:37,359 --> 00:34:43,520
» Second made by council president Ridley.

860
00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:46,960
On the motion to close the public

861
00:34:43,520 --> 00:34:49,280
hearing on city ordinance 26-061.

862
00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:50,960
Council person Brooks. I.

863
00:34:49,280 --> 00:34:52,720
» Council person Zupa. Hi.

864
00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:54,480
» Council person Efro. Hi.

865
00:34:52,720 --> 00:34:56,720
» Council person Little. Hi.

866
00:34:54,480 --> 00:34:57,839
» Council person Gilmore. Hi. Council

867
00:34:56,720 --> 00:34:58,400
person Singh.

868
00:34:57,839 --> 00:35:00,000
» Hi.

869
00:34:58,400 --> 00:35:00,560
» Council person Griffin.

870
00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:02,000
» Hi.

871
00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:02,560
» Council person Lavaro.

872
00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:04,320
» Hi.

873
00:35:02,560 --> 00:35:04,960
» And council president Ridley.

874
00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:07,280
» I.

875
00:35:04,960 --> 00:35:10,400
» Motion carries 90 to close a public

876
00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:12,320
hearing on city ordinance 26-061

877
00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:15,040
for final consideration and adoption of

878
00:35:12,320 --> 00:35:16,800
city ordinance 26-061.

879
00:35:15,040 --> 00:35:17,280
Council person Brooks.

880
00:35:16,800 --> 00:35:18,480
» I.

881
00:35:17,280 --> 00:35:19,040
» Council person Zupa.

882
00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:20,400
» Hi.

883
00:35:19,040 --> 00:35:20,960
» Council person Ephro.

884
00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:22,320
» Hi.

885
00:35:20,960 --> 00:35:22,880
» Council person Little.

886
00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:24,320
» Hi.

887
00:35:22,880 --> 00:35:27,520
» Council person Gilmore.

888
00:35:24,320 --> 00:35:28,880
» Hi. Council Person Singh, Council Person

889
00:35:27,520 --> 00:35:29,520
Griffin,

890
00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:31,520
» I.

891
00:35:29,520 --> 00:35:32,160
» Council Person Lavaro,

892
00:35:31,520 --> 00:35:33,839
» I.

893
00:35:32,160 --> 00:35:34,480
» And Council President Ridley,

894
00:35:33,839 --> 00:35:36,960
» I.

895
00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:40,880
» City Ordinance 26-061

896
00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:43,599
is adopted unanimously. 90. On to our

897
00:35:40,880 --> 00:35:46,400
next second reading ordinance. Item 4.6.

898
00:35:43,599 --> 00:35:48,320
City ordinance 26-062

899
00:35:46,400 --> 00:35:50,320
is an ordinance authorizing the city of

900
00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:53,520
Jersey City to renew the lease for

901
00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:55,599
Riverview Community Garden. sponsored by

902
00:35:53,520 --> 00:35:58,560
Riverview Community Garden Association

903
00:35:55,599 --> 00:36:00,960
for the use of block 30002.

904
00:35:58,560 --> 00:36:03,280
Block 2, more commonly known as 285

905
00:36:00,960 --> 00:36:04,640
Ogden Avenue for a community garden.

906
00:36:03,280 --> 00:36:06,000
This is a public hearing on this

907
00:36:04,640 --> 00:36:07,680
ordinance. Any member of the public

908
00:36:06,000 --> 00:36:09,119
wishing to be heard, please come up to

909
00:36:07,680 --> 00:36:11,200
the podium and state, spell your name

910
00:36:09,119 --> 00:36:13,440
for the record.

911
00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:16,079
» Motion to close a public hearing on city

912
00:36:13,440 --> 00:36:18,160
ordinance 26-062

913
00:36:16,079 --> 00:36:19,040
was made by council person Gilmore. May

914
00:36:18,160 --> 00:36:19,839
I have a second?

915
00:36:19,040 --> 00:36:22,480
» Second.

916
00:36:19,839 --> 00:36:23,839
» Second by council person Singh. On the

917
00:36:22,480 --> 00:36:26,160
motion to close the public hearing on

918
00:36:23,839 --> 00:36:28,000
city ordinance 26-062.

919
00:36:26,160 --> 00:36:28,800
Council person Brooks

920
00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:30,160
» I.

921
00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:30,720
» Council person Zupa.

922
00:36:30,160 --> 00:36:32,000
» I.

923
00:36:30,720 --> 00:36:32,560
» Council person Efos.

924
00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:33,839
» Hi.

925
00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:34,480
» Council person Little.

926
00:36:33,839 --> 00:36:35,920
» Hi.

927
00:36:34,480 --> 00:36:36,400
» Council person Gilmore.

928
00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:38,000
» I.

929
00:36:36,400 --> 00:36:38,560
» Council person Singh.

930
00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:40,160
» I.

931
00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:40,800
» Council person Griffin.

932
00:36:40,160 --> 00:36:42,400
» I.

933
00:36:40,800 --> 00:36:43,040
» Council person Labaro.

934
00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:45,680
» I.

935
00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:47,839
» And council president Ridley.

936
00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:50,079
» I.

937
00:36:47,839 --> 00:36:52,960
Motion carries 90 to close the public

938
00:36:50,079 --> 00:36:54,880
hearing on city ordinance 26-062

939
00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:57,760
for final consideration and adoption of

940
00:36:54,880 --> 00:36:59,040
city ordinance 26-062. Council person

941
00:36:57,760 --> 00:36:59,920
Brooks

942
00:36:59,040 --> 00:37:01,200
» I.

943
00:36:59,920 --> 00:37:01,920
» Council person Zupa.

944
00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:03,280
» Hi.

945
00:37:01,920 --> 00:37:03,920
» Council person Efos.

946
00:37:03,280 --> 00:37:05,200
» Hi.

947
00:37:03,920 --> 00:37:05,839
» Council person Little.

948
00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:07,280
» I.

949
00:37:05,839 --> 00:37:07,839
» Council person Gilmore.

950
00:37:07,280 --> 00:37:09,520
» I.

951
00:37:07,839 --> 00:37:10,720
» Council person Singh.

952
00:37:09,520 --> 00:37:12,400
» I.

953
00:37:10,720 --> 00:37:13,119
» Council Person Griffin.

954
00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:14,960
» I.

955
00:37:13,119 --> 00:37:15,680
» Council Person Labaro.

956
00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:18,720
» Hi.

957
00:37:15,680 --> 00:37:21,680
» And council president Ridley. I

958
00:37:18,720 --> 00:37:24,400
» City ordinance 26-062

959
00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:26,400
is adopted unanimously

960
00:37:24,400 --> 00:37:29,119
90.

961
00:37:26,400 --> 00:37:32,920
On to our last

962
00:37:29,119 --> 00:37:32,920
second reading ordinance.

963
00:37:34,720 --> 00:37:41,440
Item 4.7, city ordinance 26-063,

964
00:37:39,680 --> 00:37:43,680
an ordinance authorizing the city of

965
00:37:41,440 --> 00:37:45,680
Jersey City to renew the lease for the

966
00:37:43,680 --> 00:37:47,440
Mandela Community Garden, sponsored by

967
00:37:45,680 --> 00:37:49,520
Greenville Neighborhood Alliance for the

968
00:37:47,440 --> 00:37:51,119
use of block

969
00:37:49,520 --> 00:37:54,960
19503,

970
00:37:51,119 --> 00:37:57,280
lot 36, more commonly known as 447

971
00:37:54,960 --> 00:37:59,920
Martin Luther King Drive. This is a

972
00:37:57,280 --> 00:38:02,640
public hearing on this or on ordinance

973
00:37:59,920 --> 00:38:04,800
26-063. Any member of the public wish to

974
00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:06,640
be heard, please come up to the podium

975
00:38:04,800 --> 00:38:08,800
and state your name for the record.

976
00:38:06,640 --> 00:38:09,920
Before you do that, let me just get the

977
00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:10,720
camera on you.

978
00:38:09,920 --> 00:38:15,119
» Oh. Oh,

979
00:38:10,720 --> 00:38:17,200
» No. No, no. And it's Tina NoS. I do know

980
00:38:15,119 --> 00:38:18,640
you.

981
00:38:17,200 --> 00:38:20,880
When you're ready, Tina.

982
00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:23,440
» Hi. Yes, my name is Tina No. And yes, I

983
00:38:20,880 --> 00:38:25,119
do work for Education of Gearmore. Um,

984
00:38:23,440 --> 00:38:27,440
I'm just going to say we should leave

985
00:38:25,119 --> 00:38:29,760
all the gardeners alone. We better

986
00:38:27,440 --> 00:38:31,920
enough don't have trees. So to see that

987
00:38:29,760 --> 00:38:34,000
we have this on here, we shouldn't. I

988
00:38:31,920 --> 00:38:36,240
want to say especially in my community,

989
00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:38,240
we already know education in Gilmore,

990
00:38:36,240 --> 00:38:39,920
they not allowed to stand on a corner.

991
00:38:38,240 --> 00:38:42,079
So by them not allowed to stand on the

992
00:38:39,920 --> 00:38:44,400
corner, remember we was able to open up

993
00:38:42,079 --> 00:38:46,960
the garden and let the young people come

994
00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:49,599
inside of the garden. They end up having

995
00:38:46,960 --> 00:38:51,839
movie nights. They do game nights. They

996
00:38:49,599 --> 00:38:54,240
meet and greets and they interact in the

997
00:38:51,839 --> 00:38:55,920
community by them having that park. So

998
00:38:54,240 --> 00:38:58,480
to see I'm just going to ask y'all to

999
00:38:55,920 --> 00:39:00,240
please continue to help all the gardens

1000
00:38:58,480 --> 00:39:03,040
to continue to stay open because it's

1001
00:39:00,240 --> 00:39:05,520
very important by us not having enough

1002
00:39:03,040 --> 00:39:08,079
space for people. So to see that happen

1003
00:39:05,520 --> 00:39:11,200
they are able to go inside the park in

1004
00:39:08,079 --> 00:39:13,280
the um garden and um also learn about

1005
00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:15,200
the gardens and different vegetables and

1006
00:39:13,280 --> 00:39:17,119
different things that we do inside. So

1007
00:39:15,200 --> 00:39:20,160
please put an account of keeping all the

1008
00:39:17,119 --> 00:39:22,000
gardens open. Thank you.

1009
00:39:20,160 --> 00:39:24,800
This is still a public hearing on city

1010
00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:27,040
ordinance 26-063

1011
00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:28,880
and I see Erica Walker.

1012
00:39:27,040 --> 00:39:31,119
» Good evening, council. Erica Walker

1013
00:39:28,880 --> 00:39:32,640
McQuilla. I'm here in support of

1014
00:39:31,119 --> 00:39:35,359
renewing the lease of the Mandela

1015
00:39:32,640 --> 00:39:37,680
Community Garden on MLK Drive aka

1016
00:39:35,359 --> 00:39:39,040
Jackson A and really in support of all

1017
00:39:37,680 --> 00:39:41,440
community gardens throughout Jersey

1018
00:39:39,040 --> 00:39:43,839
City. I think sometimes we underestimate

1019
00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:46,000
just how important spaces like this are.

1020
00:39:43,839 --> 00:39:48,240
The Mandela Garden gives people a place

1021
00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:50,000
to come together, grow food, beautify

1022
00:39:48,240 --> 00:39:52,720
their neighborhood, and simply have

1023
00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:56,720
somewhere peaceful to go. And on Jackson

1024
00:39:52,720 --> 00:39:58,640
A especially, that matters. MLK, we have

1025
00:39:56,720 --> 00:40:00,400
people in the area who are unhoused,

1026
00:39:58,640 --> 00:40:02,160
people going through drug treatment and

1027
00:40:00,400 --> 00:40:04,320
recovery, and people just dealing with

1028
00:40:02,160 --> 00:40:06,160
the everyday stresses of life. Sometimes

1029
00:40:04,320 --> 00:40:08,800
being able to put your hands in the dirt

1030
00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:10,320
and plant something, watch it grow, and

1031
00:40:08,800 --> 00:40:12,480
feel like you're a part of something

1032
00:40:10,320 --> 00:40:14,720
positive can make a real difference. But

1033
00:40:12,480 --> 00:40:17,520
we can't expect volunteers to carry all

1034
00:40:14,720 --> 00:40:19,839
of this by themselves. We've seen Jersey

1035
00:40:17,520 --> 00:40:22,400
City raise money and bring in sponsors

1036
00:40:19,839 --> 00:40:24,960
for the Fourth of July and for FIFA

1037
00:40:22,400 --> 00:40:27,280
events. Those are major events, but they

1038
00:40:24,960 --> 00:40:29,520
come and go. Our community gardens are

1039
00:40:27,280 --> 00:40:31,280
serving Jersey City residents every day.

1040
00:40:29,520 --> 00:40:32,800
So, I would love to see the city use

1041
00:40:31,280 --> 00:40:34,960
some of those same relationships and

1042
00:40:32,800 --> 00:40:37,599
fundraising power to help our gardens

1043
00:40:34,960 --> 00:40:39,599
get sponsors, grants, tools, soil,

1044
00:40:37,599 --> 00:40:41,680
water, access, programming, whatever

1045
00:40:39,599 --> 00:40:43,520
they need to be successful. It doesn't

1046
00:40:41,680 --> 00:40:45,280
always take a lot of money. Sometimes

1047
00:40:43,520 --> 00:40:47,520
people just need a little help and and

1048
00:40:45,280 --> 00:40:49,599
the city willing to stand behind them. I

1049
00:40:47,520 --> 00:40:51,520
support this ordinance. I support our

1050
00:40:49,599 --> 00:40:53,760
community gardens. And I especially want

1051
00:40:51,520 --> 00:40:55,760
to thank our volunteers who keep these

1052
00:40:53,760 --> 00:40:57,440
spaces going. You're doing the real

1053
00:40:55,760 --> 00:41:02,119
community work and you deserve our

1054
00:40:57,440 --> 00:41:02,119
support. Also help keep Jersey Citys.

1055
00:41:04,960 --> 00:41:10,200
This is still a public hearing on city

1056
00:41:06,720 --> 00:41:10,200
ordinance 26-063.

1057
00:41:10,319 --> 00:41:13,359
Any member of the public still wishing

1058
00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:14,960
to be heard, please come up to the

1059
00:41:13,359 --> 00:41:16,160
podium and state your name and spell

1060
00:41:14,960 --> 00:41:17,280
your name for the record.

1061
00:41:16,160 --> 00:41:20,720
» Motion.

1062
00:41:17,280 --> 00:41:24,000
» Motion to close the public hearing on

1063
00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:26,000
city ordinance 26-063

1064
00:41:24,000 --> 00:41:26,880
was made by council person Gilmore. May

1065
00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:27,760
I have a second?

1066
00:41:26,880 --> 00:41:30,160
» Second.

1067
00:41:27,760 --> 00:41:32,160
» Second by council person Griffin. On the

1068
00:41:30,160 --> 00:41:34,720
motion to close a public hearing on city

1069
00:41:32,160 --> 00:41:36,960
ordinance 26-063.

1070
00:41:34,720 --> 00:41:37,839
Council person Brooks.

1071
00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:39,119
» I.

1072
00:41:37,839 --> 00:41:40,880
» Council person Zupa.

1073
00:41:39,119 --> 00:41:41,440
» I. Council Person Ephro.

1074
00:41:40,880 --> 00:41:42,720
» Hi.

1075
00:41:41,440 --> 00:41:43,280
» Council person Little.

1076
00:41:42,720 --> 00:41:44,640
» Hi.

1077
00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:45,119
» Council person Gilmore.

1078
00:41:44,640 --> 00:41:46,400
» I.

1079
00:41:45,119 --> 00:41:46,960
» Council person Sing.

1080
00:41:46,400 --> 00:41:49,280
» I.

1081
00:41:46,960 --> 00:41:50,720
» Council Person Griffin.

1082
00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:51,920
» I just want to thank everyone who

1083
00:41:50,720 --> 00:41:53,520
» This is the close the public hearing.

1084
00:41:51,920 --> 00:41:55,040
» Oh yeah. I

1085
00:41:53,520 --> 00:41:56,240
» Council Person Labaro.

1086
00:41:55,040 --> 00:41:57,760
» Hi.

1087
00:41:56,240 --> 00:41:59,359
» Council President Ridley.

1088
00:41:57,760 --> 00:42:01,839
» I.

1089
00:41:59,359 --> 00:42:05,200
» Motion carries 90 to close the public

1090
00:42:01,839 --> 00:42:07,359
hearing on city ordinance 26.063 063 for

1091
00:42:05,200 --> 00:42:10,560
final consideration and adoption of city

1092
00:42:07,359 --> 00:42:12,800
ordinance 26-063.

1093
00:42:10,560 --> 00:42:13,520
Council person Brooks

1094
00:42:12,800 --> 00:42:14,720
» I.

1095
00:42:13,520 --> 00:42:15,359
» Council person Zupa.

1096
00:42:14,720 --> 00:42:16,720
» Hi.

1097
00:42:15,359 --> 00:42:17,280
» Council person Ephro.

1098
00:42:16,720 --> 00:42:18,800
» I.

1099
00:42:17,280 --> 00:42:20,640
» Council person Little.

1100
00:42:18,800 --> 00:42:23,359
» I. And I'm proud to support all our

1101
00:42:20,640 --> 00:42:24,880
community gardens.

1102
00:42:23,359 --> 00:42:26,000
» Council person Gilmore.

1103
00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:27,440
» I.

1104
00:42:26,000 --> 00:42:28,720
» Council person Singh.

1105
00:42:27,440 --> 00:42:30,640
» I.

1106
00:42:28,720 --> 00:42:31,040
» Council person Griffin. You can say what

1107
00:42:30,640 --> 00:42:32,800
you want.

1108
00:42:31,040 --> 00:42:33,440
» Okay. Now,

1109
00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:38,880
» Um, you know, I want to thank everyone

1110
00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:42,079
um who came up today to speak on uh the

1111
00:42:38,880 --> 00:42:43,440
community gardens. Um, and you when you

1112
00:42:42,079 --> 00:42:46,400
think about the neighborhoods that

1113
00:42:43,440 --> 00:42:49,119
they're in, they are greatly needed. Um,

1114
00:42:46,400 --> 00:42:52,400
because you know, many of those areas

1115
00:42:49,119 --> 00:42:54,160
there's not much to do or you know there

1116
00:42:52,400 --> 00:42:56,720
you can you know what they say about

1117
00:42:54,160 --> 00:43:00,079
idle hands. So to to have these gardens

1118
00:42:56,720 --> 00:43:02,640
and to show people um you know how to

1119
00:43:00,079 --> 00:43:04,800
grow and and and for these people to see

1120
00:43:02,640 --> 00:43:08,800
things growing in their community I

1121
00:43:04,800 --> 00:43:10,560
think is very important. Uh so I vote I

1122
00:43:08,800 --> 00:43:12,079
» Council person Lavaro.

1123
00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:13,920
» Hi.

1124
00:43:12,079 --> 00:43:16,720
» And council president Ridley.

1125
00:43:13,920 --> 00:43:18,880
» Uh I just want to echo the sentiments of

1126
00:43:16,720 --> 00:43:22,560
people who spoke today in favor of

1127
00:43:18,880 --> 00:43:24,160
community gardens. I think it was 2011 I

1128
00:43:22,560 --> 00:43:27,200
started a community garden at the corner

1129
00:43:24,160 --> 00:43:30,800
of Ocean in Bay View. There is now uh

1130
00:43:27,200 --> 00:43:32,640
housing there, but at that time uh it's

1131
00:43:30,800 --> 00:43:36,560
not there anymore.

1132
00:43:32,640 --> 00:43:40,480
» Oh, they put the Yes.

1133
00:43:36,560 --> 00:43:43,200
» He wants to mess with me. So, um at that

1134
00:43:40,480 --> 00:43:44,880
time, you know, I don't I still don't

1135
00:43:43,200 --> 00:43:46,640
have a green thumb. I just didn't want

1136
00:43:44,880 --> 00:43:48,400
to see the empty lot there and figured

1137
00:43:46,640 --> 00:43:49,680
it could have a better purpose. But

1138
00:43:48,400 --> 00:43:52,240
luckily there were people in the

1139
00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:55,119
community who did have green thumbs um

1140
00:43:52,240 --> 00:43:56,960
who volunteered in that garden and made

1141
00:43:55,119 --> 00:43:59,200
sure that it was open to the community.

1142
00:43:56,960 --> 00:44:01,359
So community gardens in our neighborhood

1143
00:43:59,200 --> 00:44:03,359
are super important and we should do

1144
00:44:01,359 --> 00:44:05,920
anything that we can do to support them.

1145
00:44:03,359 --> 00:44:08,480
So with that I vote I.

1146
00:44:05,920 --> 00:44:10,960
» City ordinance 26-063

1147
00:44:08,480 --> 00:44:13,960
is adopted unanimously

1148
00:44:10,960 --> 00:44:13,960
90.

1149
00:44:20,319 --> 00:44:23,319
So,

1150
00:44:26,319 --> 00:44:32,160
we are going to go a little bit out of

1151
00:44:28,800 --> 00:44:34,319
order. I believe the council president

1152
00:44:32,160 --> 00:44:39,040
wants to

1153
00:44:34,319 --> 00:44:44,040
make a motion to defer to the public

1154
00:44:39,040 --> 00:44:44,040
hearing on the 2026

1155
00:44:44,079 --> 00:44:48,960
2027 Journal Square

1156
00:44:47,040 --> 00:44:50,319
special improvement district. Is that

1157
00:44:48,960 --> 00:44:53,599
correct, Council President?

1158
00:44:50,319 --> 00:44:55,680
» Correct. I just um anticipate there may

1159
00:44:53,599 --> 00:44:57,760
be less speakers on that and if people

1160
00:44:55,680 --> 00:45:00,079
are waiting specifically for that, I

1161
00:44:57,760 --> 00:45:01,599
want to give them that opportunity um

1162
00:45:00,079 --> 00:45:03,680
before we get to the public hearing on

1163
00:45:01,599 --> 00:45:06,640
the budget.

1164
00:45:03,680 --> 00:45:09,280
» Okay. So, the motion was made by Council

1165
00:45:06,640 --> 00:45:12,240
Person Ridley. May I have a second?

1166
00:45:09,280 --> 00:45:15,760
Second by council person Gilmore on the

1167
00:45:12,240 --> 00:45:18,800
motion to defer to the public hearing on

1168
00:45:15,760 --> 00:45:21,920
the 2026 2027 general square special

1169
00:45:18,800 --> 00:45:24,480
improvement district assessment role and

1170
00:45:21,920 --> 00:45:25,280
budget. Council person Brooks

1171
00:45:24,480 --> 00:45:26,480
» Hi.

1172
00:45:25,280 --> 00:45:27,200
» Council person Zupa.

1173
00:45:26,480 --> 00:45:28,480
» Hi.

1174
00:45:27,200 --> 00:45:29,200
» Council person Efos.

1175
00:45:28,480 --> 00:45:31,200
» Hi.

1176
00:45:29,200 --> 00:45:33,280
» Council person Little.

1177
00:45:31,200 --> 00:45:34,800
» Council person Gilmore.

1178
00:45:33,280 --> 00:45:35,520
» Council person Singh.

1179
00:45:34,800 --> 00:45:36,720
» Hi.

1180
00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:39,839
» Council person Griffin.

1181
00:45:36,720 --> 00:45:41,520
» Hi. Council person Lavaro I.

1182
00:45:39,839 --> 00:45:42,160
» And council president Ridley

1183
00:45:41,520 --> 00:45:45,920
» I.

1184
00:45:42,160 --> 00:45:48,720
» Motion carries 90 to defer to the public

1185
00:45:45,920 --> 00:45:51,760
hearing on Journal Square SID assessment

1186
00:45:48,720 --> 00:45:55,440
role and budget. So with that being

1187
00:45:51,760 --> 00:45:59,599
said, we are going to move to the public

1188
00:45:55,440 --> 00:46:01,200
hearing on the 2026 2027 general square

1189
00:45:59,599 --> 00:46:02,880
special improvement district and

1190
00:46:01,200 --> 00:46:04,240
assessment role. This is a public

1191
00:46:02,880 --> 00:46:06,160
hearing. Any member of the public

1192
00:46:04,240 --> 00:46:08,319
wishing to be heard, please come up to

1193
00:46:06,160 --> 00:46:12,160
the podium and state your name and spell

1194
00:46:08,319 --> 00:46:15,359
your name for the record.

1195
00:46:12,160 --> 00:46:18,000
It's for the Journal Square special

1196
00:46:15,359 --> 00:46:22,680
improvement district assessment role and

1197
00:46:18,000 --> 00:46:22,680
budget 2026 2027.

1198
00:46:24,640 --> 00:46:29,599
» Leverne, I can't hear you. This is a

1199
00:46:27,440 --> 00:46:32,000
public hearing on the SID. If you want

1200
00:46:29,599 --> 00:46:34,640
to speak on it, come up. I want to know

1201
00:46:32,000 --> 00:46:36,640
about the public speaking list. If you

1202
00:46:34,640 --> 00:46:38,480
count that we didn't get to that yet,

1203
00:46:36,640 --> 00:46:39,920
Miss Lever separate. We didn't get to

1204
00:46:38,480 --> 00:46:41,280
that yet.

1205
00:46:39,920 --> 00:46:42,720
» We're not there yet.

1206
00:46:41,280 --> 00:46:46,119
» Are we going there?

1207
00:46:42,720 --> 00:46:46,119
» We will be.

1208
00:46:52,880 --> 00:46:56,720
» So, are you speaking on the Journal

1209
00:46:54,880 --> 00:46:57,280
Square special improvement district?

1210
00:46:56,720 --> 00:46:58,640
» Yes.

1211
00:46:57,280 --> 00:46:59,359
» Make sure you stay on the subject,

1212
00:46:58,640 --> 00:47:01,839
Jason.

1213
00:46:59,359 --> 00:47:03,599
» All right. A question from uh how many

1214
00:47:01,839 --> 00:47:05,520
districts are there special in Jury

1215
00:47:03,599 --> 00:47:09,400
City?

1216
00:47:05,520 --> 00:47:09,400
» That's a question. I just wanted

1217
00:47:11,119 --> 00:47:13,440
» Seven

1218
00:47:12,640 --> 00:47:15,520
» Seven

1219
00:47:13,440 --> 00:47:17,599
» Seven

1220
00:47:15,520 --> 00:47:19,040
um and how much is this budget going to

1221
00:47:17,599 --> 00:47:20,240
be? This where is this money coming

1222
00:47:19,040 --> 00:47:23,119
from? Is this coming from the city of

1223
00:47:20,240 --> 00:47:25,920
Jur City or is this coming from the

1224
00:47:23,119 --> 00:47:27,280
merchants of the general square area?

1225
00:47:25,920 --> 00:47:29,760
It's based on an assessment of the

1226
00:47:27,280 --> 00:47:31,839
properties within the district.

1227
00:47:29,760 --> 00:47:33,520
» And how many blocks is that? It's not a

1228
00:47:31,839 --> 00:47:34,480
a back and forth. We're just here to

1229
00:47:33,520 --> 00:47:36,720
listen to your comment.

1230
00:47:34,480 --> 00:47:38,960
» All right. Yeah. I just But I'm not I'm

1231
00:47:36,720 --> 00:47:41,520
ignorant at this point.

1232
00:47:38,960 --> 00:47:44,640
And uh I'm sure that people uh want to

1233
00:47:41,520 --> 00:47:45,920
know. I'm just I'm I'm the inquisitor.

1234
00:47:44,640 --> 00:47:47,599
You're the teacher. If you don't know,

1235
00:47:45,920 --> 00:47:49,680
» Do you have your cell phone with you?

1236
00:47:47,599 --> 00:47:52,960
» Uh yes. You're going to go on there. If

1237
00:47:49,680 --> 00:47:55,119
you were to go online and click on the

1238
00:47:52,960 --> 00:47:56,400
assessment role and the actual budget,

1239
00:47:55,119 --> 00:47:56,880
you would see the answers to your

1240
00:47:56,400 --> 00:47:58,720
question.

1241
00:47:56,880 --> 00:48:02,160
» Okay. Well, this helps the city of

1242
00:47:58,720 --> 00:48:05,359
Jersey City and uh I would like to what

1243
00:48:02,160 --> 00:48:09,599
I'd like to see happen with the with the

1244
00:48:05,359 --> 00:48:12,000
districts. Um they do sweeping. Uh what

1245
00:48:09,599 --> 00:48:16,443
I would like to see is then to do

1246
00:48:12,000 --> 00:48:18,480
cleanup using u portable dry um

1247
00:48:16,443 --> 00:48:22,000
[clears throat] dry wet vacuums. Now, in

1248
00:48:18,480 --> 00:48:24,160
2008, I was laughed at about having the

1249
00:48:22,000 --> 00:48:26,640
uh street cleaners put in vacuum

1250
00:48:24,160 --> 00:48:28,400
cleaners. Unfortunately, those units are

1251
00:48:26,640 --> 00:48:29,760
terrible. They can't even take five

1252
00:48:28,400 --> 00:48:33,599
blocks and they had to go back to the

1253
00:48:29,760 --> 00:48:36,160
center. But again, if we have these um

1254
00:48:33,599 --> 00:48:38,240
areas being cleaned up with uh vacuum

1255
00:48:36,160 --> 00:48:40,480
cleaners, one is be less dust. Two,

1256
00:48:38,240 --> 00:48:42,720
there'd be less dirt and our city will

1257
00:48:40,480 --> 00:48:45,040
be cleaner. I mean, just using a little

1258
00:48:42,720 --> 00:48:49,280
application for that for all the

1259
00:48:45,040 --> 00:48:51,760
districts. So, uh, again, if, uh, who is

1260
00:48:49,280 --> 00:48:54,880
it? They're saying, uh, cleanliness is

1261
00:48:51,760 --> 00:48:57,599
next to godliness. Well, Jersey City has

1262
00:48:54,880 --> 00:49:00,160
two ghettos,

1263
00:48:57,599 --> 00:49:02,800
the poor and the rich. Now, what do

1264
00:49:00,160 --> 00:49:05,920
these two communities have in common

1265
00:49:02,800 --> 00:49:08,240
outside being diversely apart? They're

1266
00:49:05,920 --> 00:49:11,280
all tenants, whether you gain paying

1267
00:49:08,240 --> 00:49:15,280
$6,000 a month or you're getting section

1268
00:49:11,280 --> 00:49:18,640
8. Again, it's all about attitude and

1269
00:49:15,280 --> 00:49:21,280
about also people not giving uh rats

1270
00:49:18,640 --> 00:49:24,240
behind about anything because that they

1271
00:49:21,280 --> 00:49:27,920
feel that uh they're not obligated to be

1272
00:49:24,240 --> 00:49:30,240
good citizens and be caring people. And

1273
00:49:27,920 --> 00:49:33,040
uh as I do, thank you very much for your

1274
00:49:30,240 --> 00:49:34,720
time. God bless.

1275
00:49:33,040 --> 00:49:37,680
This is still a public hearing on the

1276
00:49:34,720 --> 00:49:38,960
Journal Square 2026 2025 special

1277
00:49:37,680 --> 00:49:40,800
improvement district and assessment

1278
00:49:38,960 --> 00:49:42,240
role. Any member of the public still

1279
00:49:40,800 --> 00:49:44,400
wishing to be heard, please come up to

1280
00:49:42,240 --> 00:49:45,040
the podium, state, and spell your name

1281
00:49:44,400 --> 00:49:46,880
for the record.

1282
00:49:45,040 --> 00:49:48,960
» Move to close.

1283
00:49:46,880 --> 00:49:52,079
» Motion to close the public hearing on

1284
00:49:48,960 --> 00:49:53,920
the 2026 2027 general square special

1285
00:49:52,079 --> 00:49:56,640
improvement district assessment role and

1286
00:49:53,920 --> 00:49:57,839
budget was made by council person Zupa.

1287
00:49:56,640 --> 00:49:58,559
May I have a second?

1288
00:49:57,839 --> 00:50:01,119
» Second.

1289
00:49:58,559 --> 00:50:02,960
» Second by council president Ridley. on

1290
00:50:01,119 --> 00:50:06,240
the motion to close a public hearing on

1291
00:50:02,960 --> 00:50:08,800
the 2026 2027 Journal Square SID

1292
00:50:06,240 --> 00:50:09,599
assessment and budget. Council person

1293
00:50:08,800 --> 00:50:10,400
Brooks

1294
00:50:09,599 --> 00:50:11,680
» I.

1295
00:50:10,400 --> 00:50:12,480
» Council person Zupa.

1296
00:50:11,680 --> 00:50:13,920
» Hi.

1297
00:50:12,480 --> 00:50:14,720
» Council person Efos.

1298
00:50:13,920 --> 00:50:17,280
» Hi.

1299
00:50:14,720 --> 00:50:19,839
» Council person Little stepped out.

1300
00:50:17,280 --> 00:50:20,240
Council person Gilmore.

1301
00:50:19,839 --> 00:50:22,079
» Stepped out.

1302
00:50:20,240 --> 00:50:22,960
» Stepped out. Sorry. Council person

1303
00:50:22,079 --> 00:50:23,760
Singh.

1304
00:50:22,960 --> 00:50:25,760
» Hi.

1305
00:50:23,760 --> 00:50:28,000
» Council person Griffin. Hi.

1306
00:50:25,760 --> 00:50:30,960
» Council person Lavaro. Hi.

1307
00:50:28,000 --> 00:50:34,000
» And council president Ridley. Hi.

1308
00:50:30,960 --> 00:50:37,680
Motion carries 70 to close a public

1309
00:50:34,000 --> 00:50:39,760
hearing on the 2026 2027 Journal Square

1310
00:50:37,680 --> 00:50:42,079
special improvement assessment role and

1311
00:50:39,760 --> 00:50:46,000
budget with council members Little and

1312
00:50:42,079 --> 00:50:49,839
Gilmore absent. Okay. Now on to our

1313
00:50:46,000 --> 00:50:53,599
public hearing on the calendar year 2026

1314
00:50:49,839 --> 00:50:55,839
municipal budget. Before we start lining

1315
00:50:53,599 --> 00:50:58,880
up, I'd like you to line up in an

1316
00:50:55,839 --> 00:51:00,559
orderly fashion in the middle of the

1317
00:50:58,880 --> 00:51:02,319
floor.

1318
00:51:00,559 --> 00:51:04,319
And just so you know, you're going to be

1319
00:51:02,319 --> 00:51:05,680
paying attention to the little clock on

1320
00:51:04,319 --> 00:51:08,240
top of the big clock because that's

1321
00:51:05,680 --> 00:51:10,880
going to give you five minutes. You get

1322
00:51:08,240 --> 00:51:13,040
five minutes and it's very strict. So

1323
00:51:10,880 --> 00:51:15,680
you please you have to stay on the

1324
00:51:13,040 --> 00:51:16,640
subject of the budget.

1325
00:51:15,680 --> 00:51:17,359
» That being said,

1326
00:51:16,640 --> 00:51:17,920
» One second,

1327
00:51:17,359 --> 00:51:18,800
» Sean.

1328
00:51:17,920 --> 00:51:20,240
» Okay,

1329
00:51:18,800 --> 00:51:21,520
» We I just want to say a few things

1330
00:51:20,240 --> 00:51:23,280
before we start, but go ahead, Corp

1331
00:51:21,520 --> 00:51:25,839
Council, if you have something to say. I

1332
00:51:23,280 --> 00:51:28,480
was going to flag that I suspect that at

1333
00:51:25,839 --> 00:51:31,920
this moment in time we want to defer to

1334
00:51:28,480 --> 00:51:34,079
a late item resolution to wave what is

1335
00:51:31,920 --> 00:51:34,720
otherwise the mandatory reading of the

1336
00:51:34,079 --> 00:51:35,119
budget.

1337
00:51:34,720 --> 00:51:37,680
» We did.

1338
00:51:35,119 --> 00:51:38,160
» We did that and we actually approved it.

1339
00:51:37,680 --> 00:51:40,559
» Sorry.

1340
00:51:38,160 --> 00:51:43,040
» That's okay.

1341
00:51:40,559 --> 00:51:46,240
» Um I just want to go through uh the

1342
00:51:43,040 --> 00:51:48,000
process because I know that all of the

1343
00:51:46,240 --> 00:51:50,720
budget stuff can be a little confusing.

1344
00:51:48,000 --> 00:51:53,040
So I just want to um outline a few

1345
00:51:50,720 --> 00:51:56,160
things in the beginning. Uh this is a

1346
00:51:53,040 --> 00:51:58,240
public hearing on the introduced budget.

1347
00:51:56,160 --> 00:52:00,800
I know tonight some of you may see a

1348
00:51:58,240 --> 00:52:03,119
resolution for budget amendments. There

1349
00:52:00,800 --> 00:52:07,200
will be a public budget hearing for the

1350
00:52:03,119 --> 00:52:09,040
amendments next week. We are holding a

1351
00:52:07,200 --> 00:52:11,280
special meeting for that on next

1352
00:52:09,040 --> 00:52:14,640
Wednesday the 26th

1353
00:52:11,280 --> 00:52:18,559
um at 5:00 p.m. So this is on the budget

1354
00:52:14,640 --> 00:52:20,480
as introduced. Um, as most of you know

1355
00:52:18,559 --> 00:52:23,520
from our discussions at previous

1356
00:52:20,480 --> 00:52:28,880
meetings, or if you do not know, um, the

1357
00:52:23,520 --> 00:52:32,319
state has mandated a 15% tax increase

1358
00:52:28,880 --> 00:52:34,720
that is mandated from the state. Um,

1359
00:52:32,319 --> 00:52:37,599
of course, our council isn't thrilled

1360
00:52:34,720 --> 00:52:39,680
about that and we welcome any uh

1361
00:52:37,599 --> 00:52:42,079
assistance and advocacy from residents

1362
00:52:39,680 --> 00:52:44,160
who would like to join in with pushing

1363
00:52:42,079 --> 00:52:46,000
for some more changes at the state, but

1364
00:52:44,160 --> 00:52:48,800
that is just where we are. So, I want

1365
00:52:46,000 --> 00:52:50,880
everyone to be aware of that. And again,

1366
00:52:48,800 --> 00:52:53,119
tonight we are not voting on the budget,

1367
00:52:50,880 --> 00:52:56,400
but we are having a public hearing on

1368
00:52:53,119 --> 00:52:58,319
the introduced budget. And with that,

1369
00:52:56,400 --> 00:52:59,839
Sean, you can take it away.

1370
00:52:58,319 --> 00:53:03,400
» Okay.

1371
00:52:59,839 --> 00:53:03,400
Our first speaker,

1372
00:53:03,760 --> 00:53:09,040
» Ivonne Bolster. And yes, I read the

1373
00:53:05,920 --> 00:53:11,599
budget very well. And I'm going to quote

1374
00:53:09,040 --> 00:53:15,760
the pages you have there. For instance,

1375
00:53:11,599 --> 00:53:19,520
on page or you have sheet 27A,

1376
00:53:15,760 --> 00:53:22,559
we're paid $7 million in notes and bond

1377
00:53:19,520 --> 00:53:24,880
on Bayfront. This is another example why

1378
00:53:22,559 --> 00:53:27,839
the city cannot afford affordable

1379
00:53:24,880 --> 00:53:30,240
housing because the burden is not placed

1380
00:53:27,839 --> 00:53:33,760
on the tenants. It's going to be placed

1381
00:53:30,240 --> 00:53:36,800
on us. So, this is I've always said

1382
00:53:33,760 --> 00:53:40,319
there is a a u something a problem with

1383
00:53:36,800 --> 00:53:41,760
this seven. It is notes. in his

1384
00:53:40,319 --> 00:53:43,359
interest. I mean, it's ridiculous. And

1385
00:53:41,760 --> 00:53:45,040
you want to push more affordable housing

1386
00:53:43,359 --> 00:53:46,559
and I got to pay the bond interest on

1387
00:53:45,040 --> 00:53:50,800
this.

1388
00:53:46,559 --> 00:53:55,760
On sheet 27A, it also shows that we're

1389
00:53:50,800 --> 00:53:58,800
paying $88 million in total bond debt.

1390
00:53:55,760 --> 00:54:02,240
Now, when Mayor Full came into office,

1391
00:53:58,800 --> 00:54:06,000
the bond debt was $59 million. So, we're

1392
00:54:02,240 --> 00:54:07,520
now paying a total of $29 million extra.

1393
00:54:06,000 --> 00:54:10,079
And yet, our rateable base has

1394
00:54:07,520 --> 00:54:14,079
increased.

1395
00:54:10,079 --> 00:54:17,599
on page 20, which is really important,

1396
00:54:14,079 --> 00:54:20,319
the city has put aside $13 million for

1397
00:54:17,599 --> 00:54:22,240
tax appeals. You're underfunding the

1398
00:54:20,319 --> 00:54:24,160
budget.

1399
00:54:22,240 --> 00:54:25,839
When I look at the friendly budget,

1400
00:54:24,160 --> 00:54:28,160
which is not here, and it should be

1401
00:54:25,839 --> 00:54:30,319
here, by the way. It has in the past.

1402
00:54:28,160 --> 00:54:33,920
and the friendly budget from previous

1403
00:54:30,319 --> 00:54:39,119
years. It would show you that the city

1404
00:54:33,920 --> 00:54:43,920
in 2025 paid $34 million in tax appeals

1405
00:54:39,119 --> 00:54:46,800
and in 2024 we paid $49 million in tax

1406
00:54:43,920 --> 00:54:49,520
appeals. So automatically this budget is

1407
00:54:46,800 --> 00:54:51,359
underfunded for tax appeals. And the

1408
00:54:49,520 --> 00:54:54,960
reason why we underfunded for tax

1409
00:54:51,359 --> 00:54:56,880
appeals because landlords cannot pass on

1410
00:54:54,960 --> 00:54:59,440
a tax increase of the rent control. So

1411
00:54:56,880 --> 00:55:02,160
they run the tax court and they win and

1412
00:54:59,440 --> 00:55:04,000
then me the taxpayer got to pay not only

1413
00:55:02,160 --> 00:55:06,720
for affordable housing, I got to pay for

1414
00:55:04,000 --> 00:55:08,559
all the tax appeals because privileged

1415
00:55:06,720 --> 00:55:10,800
people are not going to pay a tax

1416
00:55:08,559 --> 00:55:12,319
increase. And by the way, I'm going up

1417
00:55:10,800 --> 00:55:15,680
15.5%

1418
00:55:12,319 --> 00:55:18,720
on the city, 17% on the board of ed, and

1419
00:55:15,680 --> 00:55:21,760
10 14% on the county. The most you can

1420
00:55:18,720 --> 00:55:24,079
bring up for September for rent control

1421
00:55:21,760 --> 00:55:27,119
tennis is 4.1%.

1422
00:55:24,079 --> 00:55:30,000
I got it from the city's website.

1423
00:55:27,119 --> 00:55:32,400
So that's a real problem. You you're

1424
00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:34,880
putting people like me, the independent,

1425
00:55:32,400 --> 00:55:36,880
in in tax jeopardy.

1426
00:55:34,880 --> 00:55:40,720
Now, the other thing I want to bring up

1427
00:55:36,880 --> 00:55:44,240
is that the city is

1428
00:55:40,720 --> 00:55:46,559
you have $49 million in deferred

1429
00:55:44,240 --> 00:55:48,960
payments. What's the problem for that?

1430
00:55:46,559 --> 00:55:50,960
If we're getting money from the state,

1431
00:55:48,960 --> 00:55:55,040
then why does this budget show deferred

1432
00:55:50,960 --> 00:55:58,040
payments? Doesn't make sense at all.

1433
00:55:55,040 --> 00:55:58,040
Now,

1434
00:55:58,400 --> 00:56:03,359
I know you would like to bra to blame

1435
00:56:00,720 --> 00:56:05,680
the mayor, the previous mayor, but you

1436
00:56:03,359 --> 00:56:07,839
know, Jersey City is under the Forkner

1437
00:56:05,680 --> 00:56:10,240
Act, which means the budget process

1438
00:56:07,839 --> 00:56:12,319
belongs to you. The mayor's job is to

1439
00:56:10,240 --> 00:56:14,480
spend the money. It's your job to lose

1440
00:56:12,319 --> 00:56:17,520
the budget. But the problem is that ever

1441
00:56:14,480 --> 00:56:22,160
since you got elected to office, you've

1442
00:56:17,520 --> 00:56:24,640
been spending and spending and spending,

1443
00:56:22,160 --> 00:56:27,040
and the budget has not been out. Now I

1444
00:56:24,640 --> 00:56:29,760
may not blame the new people but there's

1445
00:56:27,040 --> 00:56:31,680
there's three people here that's was

1446
00:56:29,760 --> 00:56:34,319
part of the previous administration and

1447
00:56:31,680 --> 00:56:37,200
there's Mayor Stalin himself. So the

1448
00:56:34,319 --> 00:56:39,599
budget if you don't do the budget the

1449
00:56:37,200 --> 00:56:41,760
state of New Jersey goes after you does

1450
00:56:39,599 --> 00:56:43,760
not go after the mayor but you go

1451
00:56:41,760 --> 00:56:46,160
ordinance after ordinance. Some of these

1452
00:56:43,760 --> 00:56:48,400
ordinances is is open-ended. I should

1453
00:56:46,160 --> 00:56:50,160
say resolutions they're open-ended and

1454
00:56:48,400 --> 00:56:52,720
you just vote on them. You vote on them.

1455
00:56:50,160 --> 00:56:55,680
Why don't we have a fixed budget in

1456
00:56:52,720 --> 00:56:57,839
February? So when I have my bills, I

1457
00:56:55,680 --> 00:56:59,920
know what they are. But you spend spend

1458
00:56:57,839 --> 00:57:02,240
spend spend and therefore by the time

1459
00:56:59,920 --> 00:57:06,079
you have a budget, you can't cut nothing

1460
00:57:02,240 --> 00:57:08,720
back. If I did that with my household,

1461
00:57:06,079 --> 00:57:11,040
I'll be in the street. I have to first

1462
00:57:08,720 --> 00:57:13,280
pay my bills and then what's left over

1463
00:57:11,040 --> 00:57:15,280
is for other things. But you spend spend

1464
00:57:13,280 --> 00:57:17,680
spend the first three quarters. The

1465
00:57:15,280 --> 00:57:19,280
first three quarters are estimated

1466
00:57:17,680 --> 00:57:21,680
bills.

1467
00:57:19,280 --> 00:57:24,640
Now those people that have a mortgage,

1468
00:57:21,680 --> 00:57:27,920
they have to put in more money in escrow

1469
00:57:24,640 --> 00:57:30,640
and their bank is going to war more than

1470
00:57:27,920 --> 00:57:33,440
what you you have. So the the bottom

1471
00:57:30,640 --> 00:57:36,160
line is it is your job. You like to

1472
00:57:33,440 --> 00:57:39,440
blame um I guess Phil and he deserves he

1473
00:57:36,160 --> 00:57:41,920
deserves full but it's your job and you

1474
00:57:39,440 --> 00:57:43,280
have not been doing your job especially

1475
00:57:41,920 --> 00:57:46,000
those who were in previous

1476
00:57:43,280 --> 00:57:48,799
administrations. The bonding is out of

1477
00:57:46,000 --> 00:57:50,400
control. You cannot have the bonds keep

1478
00:57:48,799 --> 00:57:52,559
going up. And it doesn't make sense

1479
00:57:50,400 --> 00:57:56,079
because when Philip got into office, the

1480
00:57:52,559 --> 00:58:00,000
city's debt was the city's revenue was

1481
00:57:56,079 --> 00:58:02,960
$485 million. When he left office, it

1482
00:58:00,000 --> 00:58:05,520
was $750 million. We're now looking at

1483
00:58:02,960 --> 00:58:07,839
something much higher than that. Much

1484
00:58:05,520 --> 00:58:10,640
higher than that. And yet you have to

1485
00:58:07,839 --> 00:58:11,599
continually defer compensation. Where is

1486
00:58:10,640 --> 00:58:14,760
the money going?

1487
00:58:11,599 --> 00:58:14,760
» Thank you.

1488
00:58:30,559 --> 00:58:32,960
You can state your name.

1489
00:58:31,760 --> 00:58:34,960
» Stephanie starts.

1490
00:58:32,960 --> 00:58:36,880
» Okay.

1491
00:58:34,960 --> 00:58:39,599
» Just to start off, it's uh almost late

1492
00:58:36,880 --> 00:58:43,119
August and we are talking about a budget

1493
00:58:39,599 --> 00:58:45,839
that began in January 2026.

1494
00:58:43,119 --> 00:58:47,200
They spent it. I mean, what is there to

1495
00:58:45,839 --> 00:58:49,280
what is there to talk about? What

1496
00:58:47,200 --> 00:58:52,559
savings are there to make when we start

1497
00:58:49,280 --> 00:58:54,960
the process in late June, July?

1498
00:58:52,559 --> 00:58:59,200
kind of the dies cast. Um I would ask

1499
00:58:54,960 --> 00:59:01,599
that for 2027 that process began in Q1

1500
00:58:59,200 --> 00:59:04,640
and we actually make an effort to make

1501
00:59:01,599 --> 00:59:07,520
changes to how this city spends and look

1502
00:59:04,640 --> 00:59:10,160
for ways to save residents money. The

1503
00:59:07,520 --> 00:59:12,400
cost of living in Jersey City is 26%

1504
00:59:10,160 --> 00:59:14,799
higher than the national average driven

1505
00:59:12,400 --> 00:59:17,680
by housing costs that are about 85%

1506
00:59:14,799 --> 00:59:20,400
above the US norm. Jersey City will get

1507
00:59:17,680 --> 00:59:22,240
more expensive as homeowners, landlords,

1508
00:59:20,400 --> 00:59:26,160
and small businesses are burdened by

1509
00:59:22,240 --> 00:59:27,920
this 15.5% property tax. Well, let's

1510
00:59:26,160 --> 00:59:30,640
make one thing clear. This was not a

1511
00:59:27,920 --> 00:59:32,559
transparent process. This property tax

1512
00:59:30,640 --> 00:59:34,079
was decided by the mayor and the mayor

1513
00:59:32,559 --> 00:59:36,400
alone.

1514
00:59:34,079 --> 00:59:38,640
Mayor owns this property tax, how it was

1515
00:59:36,400 --> 00:59:41,440
rolled out, how poorly it was

1516
00:59:38,640 --> 00:59:43,520
communicated, and the harm it will build

1517
00:59:41,440 --> 00:59:46,880
bring to residents. All of that is owned

1518
00:59:43,520 --> 00:59:49,599
by the mayor. Our already inflated

1519
00:59:46,880 --> 00:59:51,599
housing costs are going to increase. We

1520
00:59:49,599 --> 00:59:53,920
are already seeing residents spend less

1521
00:59:51,599 --> 00:59:55,920
in response to this. Bis local business

1522
00:59:53,920 --> 00:59:58,400
owners are reporting a slower August

1523
00:59:55,920 --> 01:00:00,160
than usual. Gym owners are reporting

1524
00:59:58,400 --> 01:00:02,160
canceled memberships and fewer

1525
01:00:00,160 --> 01:00:04,319
individual class purchases because

1526
01:00:02,160 --> 01:00:06,240
renters are receiving renewals that

1527
01:00:04,319 --> 01:00:09,440
includes the added cost of the property

1528
01:00:06,240 --> 01:00:11,440
tax. Some that assumed it would be 20%.

1529
01:00:09,440 --> 01:00:13,920
Dog walkers are losing clients because

1530
01:00:11,440 --> 01:00:15,760
people are already moving out of town.

1531
01:00:13,920 --> 01:00:17,359
Small business owners will be forced to

1532
01:00:15,760 --> 01:00:20,000
raise their prices and be

1533
01:00:17,359 --> 01:00:22,319
disincentivized to create jobs. When

1534
01:00:20,000 --> 01:00:24,480
locals pull back their spending, stores

1535
01:00:22,319 --> 01:00:26,640
raise their prices, and employers cut

1536
01:00:24,480 --> 01:00:29,280
back on hiring, the local economy

1537
01:00:26,640 --> 01:00:31,599
suffers. Also, this mayor can claim

1538
01:00:29,280 --> 01:00:33,760
fiscal responsibility.

1539
01:00:31,599 --> 01:00:36,720
How fiscally responsibility is it to get

1540
01:00:33,760 --> 01:00:39,040
to August and not have a budget? How

1541
01:00:36,720 --> 01:00:41,599
fiscally responsible for it is the city

1542
01:00:39,040 --> 01:00:44,640
to continue continue to spend to

1543
01:00:41,599 --> 01:00:46,880
continue to hand out patronage jobs with

1544
01:00:44,640 --> 01:00:48,799
inflated salaries?

1545
01:00:46,880 --> 01:00:51,200
All we know about this budget is that it

1546
01:00:48,799 --> 01:00:53,200
asks residents to pay more while city

1547
01:00:51,200 --> 01:00:56,079
hall does less and has the nerve to

1548
01:00:53,200 --> 01:00:57,440
expand their own compensation. While

1549
01:00:56,079 --> 01:01:00,640
residents struggle to pay their

1550
01:00:57,440 --> 01:01:02,960
mortgages, rent, grocery bills, this

1551
01:01:00,640 --> 01:01:05,440
administration has expanded highle

1552
01:01:02,960 --> 01:01:07,520
compensation. The mayor's inner circle

1553
01:01:05,440 --> 01:01:10,079
and newly created positions account for

1554
01:01:07,520 --> 01:01:12,319
roughly 20 employees, earning nearly

1555
01:01:10,079 --> 01:01:14,960
four million in combined salaries before

1556
01:01:12,319 --> 01:01:17,520
benefits. The mayor's highest paid

1557
01:01:14,960 --> 01:01:20,000
employees earn nearly three times the

1558
01:01:17,520 --> 01:01:22,240
average city hall employee. The mayor's

1559
01:01:20,000 --> 01:01:24,079
directors are paid one and a half times

1560
01:01:22,240 --> 01:01:26,640
more than the average director level

1561
01:01:24,079 --> 01:01:28,960
employee. Fiscal responsibility cannot

1562
01:01:26,640 --> 01:01:30,799
mean higher taxes for residents while

1563
01:01:28,960 --> 01:01:33,599
expanding six figure salaries and

1564
01:01:30,799 --> 01:01:36,160
executive compensation within city hall.

1565
01:01:33,599 --> 01:01:38,000
The city's chief financial a officer

1566
01:01:36,160 --> 01:01:40,319
should be the strongest advocate for

1567
01:01:38,000 --> 01:01:42,559
fiscal restraint, not an example of

1568
01:01:40,319 --> 01:01:44,480
exceptions being made at the top. The

1569
01:01:42,559 --> 01:01:47,680
person charged with holding the line on

1570
01:01:44,480 --> 01:01:49,599
city spending received a $60,000 raise,

1571
01:01:47,680 --> 01:01:51,599
bringing his total compensation to

1572
01:01:49,599 --> 01:01:53,839
$250,000.

1573
01:01:51,599 --> 01:01:56,160
The CFO's raise was justified by

1574
01:01:53,839 --> 01:01:59,040
consolidating roles. Yet, the city later

1575
01:01:56,160 --> 01:02:01,040
created a new $150,000 position to

1576
01:01:59,040 --> 01:02:03,520
support him. Leadership means

1577
01:02:01,040 --> 01:02:06,480
demonstrating the same fiscal discipline

1578
01:02:03,520 --> 01:02:08,319
expected from everyone else. The mayor

1579
01:02:06,480 --> 01:02:10,799
should be focused on programs that help

1580
01:02:08,319 --> 01:02:12,640
keep homeowners and renters in Jersey

1581
01:02:10,799 --> 01:02:14,480
City. He should be developing new

1582
01:02:12,640 --> 01:02:16,400
revenue streams to offset the burden

1583
01:02:14,480 --> 01:02:18,000
placed on homeowners. And he should be

1584
01:02:16,400 --> 01:02:20,720
creating jobs that pay well for

1585
01:02:18,000 --> 01:02:22,480
everyone, not just a select few, so

1586
01:02:20,720 --> 01:02:24,640
people can keep up with the cost of

1587
01:02:22,480 --> 01:02:26,880
living. Now, I have a question about

1588
01:02:24,640 --> 01:02:29,280
where is some of this money? We received

1589
01:02:26,880 --> 01:02:31,359
a $15 million grant from the state. How

1590
01:02:29,280 --> 01:02:33,359
is it being used? According to the

1591
01:02:31,359 --> 01:02:35,760
city's audited financial statements, at

1592
01:02:33,359 --> 01:02:38,559
the end of 2025, we had a surplus of

1593
01:02:35,760 --> 01:02:40,559
nearly 28 million. Why was only 2.2

1594
01:02:38,559 --> 01:02:43,680
million introduced in the budget? Where

1595
01:02:40,559 --> 01:02:46,559
is that 26 million? There was an attempt

1596
01:02:43,680 --> 01:02:48,400
at the end of 2025 to reallocate 58

1597
01:02:46,559 --> 01:02:50,000
million, then I think changed down to

1598
01:02:48,400 --> 01:02:52,000
4745

1599
01:02:50,000 --> 01:02:54,799
in excess proceeds from previously

1600
01:02:52,000 --> 01:02:56,880
authorized bonds. That was tabled. The

1601
01:02:54,799 --> 01:02:58,960
money is still there. I think 9 million

1602
01:02:56,880 --> 01:03:01,680
of that was spent in June. I think 3

1603
01:02:58,960 --> 01:03:05,440
million is probably on the book uh this

1604
01:03:01,680 --> 01:03:08,079
agenda for first reading ordinance.

1605
01:03:05,440 --> 01:03:10,960
The 2025 audit conclude there are only

1606
01:03:08,079 --> 01:03:14,880
94 millions in deferred charges but

1607
01:03:10,960 --> 01:03:18,000
cannot explain the mayor's claims of 255

1608
01:03:14,880 --> 01:03:20,240
million deficit. This unpaid bills

1609
01:03:18,000 --> 01:03:22,720
narrative does not match the city's own

1610
01:03:20,240 --> 01:03:25,440
records. The city readily admits in

1611
01:03:22,720 --> 01:03:27,760
documents that the 109 million unpaid

1612
01:03:25,440 --> 01:03:32,000
bills number is an estimate. it

1613
01:03:27,760 --> 01:03:34,240
reconstructed with no single source.

1614
01:03:32,000 --> 01:03:37,039
Line items complete future headcount

1615
01:03:34,240 --> 01:03:40,039
requests, capital expenditures, and

1616
01:03:37,039 --> 01:03:40,039
reserves.

1617
01:03:45,119 --> 01:03:48,079
» Next speaker, you're Brandon, right?

1618
01:03:47,119 --> 01:03:51,920
» Yes, sir.

1619
01:03:48,079 --> 01:03:54,079
» Okay. When you ready? in the budget

1620
01:03:51,920 --> 01:03:56,640
under appropriations that had

1621
01:03:54,079 --> 01:03:58,799
appropriations in 2025.

1622
01:03:56,640 --> 01:04:01,520
For 2026,

1623
01:03:58,799 --> 01:04:05,119
45 of those appropriations have an

1624
01:04:01,520 --> 01:04:08,240
increase of more than 10%.

1625
01:04:05,119 --> 01:04:12,880
Of that, there are 11 appropriations

1626
01:04:08,240 --> 01:04:17,520
that have an increase of more than 100%.

1627
01:04:12,880 --> 01:04:21,200
There are such increases as a 36,000%

1628
01:04:17,520 --> 01:04:24,319
increase in a line item that is just

1629
01:04:21,200 --> 01:04:26,799
called traffic engineering other

1630
01:04:24,319 --> 01:04:30,559
expenses.

1631
01:04:26,799 --> 01:04:33,200
There is a line item with an increase of

1632
01:04:30,559 --> 01:04:36,559
141.5%

1633
01:04:33,200 --> 01:04:40,480
and its description is just information

1634
01:04:36,559 --> 01:04:43,440
technology salaries and wages.

1635
01:04:40,480 --> 01:04:46,880
Now, I think everyone in this room would

1636
01:04:43,440 --> 01:04:49,920
agree that we are owed a little bit more

1637
01:04:46,880 --> 01:04:52,319
of an explanation as to why any

1638
01:04:49,920 --> 01:04:55,280
appropriations that are increasing by

1639
01:04:52,319 --> 01:04:58,240
more than 10%.

1640
01:04:55,280 --> 01:05:01,119
We're not asking for a lot. Two, three,

1641
01:04:58,240 --> 01:05:04,160
four sentences for every item that is

1642
01:05:01,119 --> 01:05:07,760
being increased by more than 10% when

1643
01:05:04,160 --> 01:05:09,520
you're asking us to pay 15%. I know

1644
01:05:07,760 --> 01:05:10,960
there were a lot of meetings over the

1645
01:05:09,520 --> 01:05:13,440
past month where you had department

1646
01:05:10,960 --> 01:05:15,520
heads come in here, present their

1647
01:05:13,440 --> 01:05:18,720
budgets. Maybe they explained that in

1648
01:05:15,520 --> 01:05:21,520
detail to y'all, but we unfortunately

1649
01:05:18,720 --> 01:05:23,760
aren't don't always have the ability or

1650
01:05:21,520 --> 01:05:26,160
the privilege to be at those meetings or

1651
01:05:23,760 --> 01:05:28,559
watch them for 4 hours online. But I

1652
01:05:26,160 --> 01:05:31,599
think the least this council can do is

1653
01:05:28,559 --> 01:05:34,799
give your constituents some information

1654
01:05:31,599 --> 01:05:39,359
as to why those line items are being

1655
01:05:34,799 --> 01:05:42,400
increased so much. I mean things

1656
01:05:39,359 --> 01:05:45,440
sustainability, other expenses is

1657
01:05:42,400 --> 01:05:47,920
increased by 237%

1658
01:05:45,440 --> 01:05:50,079
over its appropriation last year. We

1659
01:05:47,920 --> 01:05:52,000
need information as to what that is.

1660
01:05:50,079 --> 01:05:55,680
Maybe there's a great reason for it, but

1661
01:05:52,000 --> 01:05:58,079
you're asking us to put a lot of extra

1662
01:05:55,680 --> 01:06:02,240
money on our tax bill, but we're getting

1663
01:05:58,079 --> 01:06:04,799
no information here. So, please, please

1664
01:06:02,240 --> 01:06:10,440
consider working with us and giving us

1665
01:06:04,799 --> 01:06:10,440
information on this. Thank you so much.

1666
01:06:13,680 --> 01:06:17,839
» Next speaker,

1667
01:06:15,839 --> 01:06:20,400
» State your name for the record. Last

1668
01:06:17,839 --> 01:06:22,720
name ever. First name greatest. Okay. My

1669
01:06:20,400 --> 01:06:25,680
legal name.

1670
01:06:22,720 --> 01:06:30,480
You can see that coming. My legal name

1671
01:06:25,680 --> 01:06:34,440
Kevin. Ke V I N. Uh. My last name Davis.

1672
01:06:30,480 --> 01:06:34,440
D A V I S.

1673
01:06:36,079 --> 01:06:40,480
All right. So, at the last meeting, I

1674
01:06:38,480 --> 01:06:42,640
had something up my sleeve. I

1675
01:06:40,480 --> 01:06:45,039
blindfolded myself to show what it's

1676
01:06:42,640 --> 01:06:47,520
like living in Jersey City. We are

1677
01:06:45,039 --> 01:06:50,640
blindfolded and we can't see what we are

1678
01:06:47,520 --> 01:06:53,119
doing. Well, you know what? We are also

1679
01:06:50,640 --> 01:06:56,680
handcuffed as my magic trick is about to

1680
01:06:53,119 --> 01:06:56,680
show you you.

1681
01:07:06,720 --> 01:07:11,280
We are handcuffed and there's so many

1682
01:07:08,640 --> 01:07:15,960
things we are unable to do to change

1683
01:07:11,280 --> 01:07:15,960
this budget. Abracadabra.

1684
01:07:20,160 --> 01:07:24,960
All right. And don't worry, I had a

1685
01:07:22,880 --> 01:07:26,799
locksmith disable the locks, so they're

1686
01:07:24,960 --> 01:07:29,440
not legally a restraining device, so I'm

1687
01:07:26,799 --> 01:07:32,240
not committing any crimes. I did do my

1688
01:07:29,440 --> 01:07:34,079
homework. My dad's a lawyer. Just by

1689
01:07:32,240 --> 01:07:35,839
being Jewish, I should know enough law

1690
01:07:34,079 --> 01:07:40,400
myself.

1691
01:07:35,839 --> 01:07:43,760
All right. So, we are handcuffed by the

1692
01:07:40,400 --> 01:07:46,480
calendar because look at the month right

1693
01:07:43,760 --> 01:07:48,640
now. It is August. The fiscal year

1694
01:07:46,480 --> 01:07:50,640
started in January. So, how are you

1695
01:07:48,640 --> 01:07:53,599
supposed to change the budget when most

1696
01:07:50,640 --> 01:07:55,119
of the year is already over? We are

1697
01:07:53,599 --> 01:07:57,599
handcuffed

1698
01:07:55,119 --> 01:08:00,319
for uh for next year's budget for with

1699
01:07:57,599 --> 01:08:02,079
expiring pilot agreements. So, there's

1700
01:08:00,319 --> 01:08:03,599
going to be even more of a revenue

1701
01:08:02,079 --> 01:08:06,960
crunch.

1702
01:08:03,599 --> 01:08:08,720
We are handcuffed by underutilized

1703
01:08:06,960 --> 01:08:11,039
government-owned properties. We have so

1704
01:08:08,720 --> 01:08:12,799
many government-owned properties where

1705
01:08:11,039 --> 01:08:15,520
we could be getting readables and

1706
01:08:12,799 --> 01:08:17,759
revenue out of. Just like open your eyes

1707
01:08:15,520 --> 01:08:19,600
and think of the possibilities.

1708
01:08:17,759 --> 01:08:22,080
Schools have issues with capacity. Why

1709
01:08:19,600 --> 01:08:23,839
not take some of that space? Build a

1710
01:08:22,080 --> 01:08:25,279
school at the bottom. Have luxury

1711
01:08:23,839 --> 01:08:29,759
housing up top. We have a housing

1712
01:08:25,279 --> 01:08:32,480
crisis. we don't have enough housing to

1713
01:08:29,759 --> 01:08:35,520
on the supply side uh to answer the

1714
01:08:32,480 --> 01:08:37,440
demand side. Uh we are handcuffed by the

1715
01:08:35,520 --> 01:08:39,359
inclusionary zoning ordinance because

1716
01:08:37,440 --> 01:08:41,679
even though it's good to build

1717
01:08:39,359 --> 01:08:43,520
affordable housing uh there's certain

1718
01:08:41,679 --> 01:08:46,000
developments where it may not make

1719
01:08:43,520 --> 01:08:48,319
sense. So why not do it on a case-byase

1720
01:08:46,000 --> 01:08:51,359
level uh rather than grinding it to a

1721
01:08:48,319 --> 01:08:54,799
halt. Uh we are handcuffed by

1722
01:08:51,359 --> 01:08:56,640
expenditures that already occurred. Um,

1723
01:08:54,799 --> 01:08:59,839
you can't exactly cut something in the

1724
01:08:56,640 --> 01:09:02,880
budget if it's already been spent. Uh,

1725
01:08:59,839 --> 01:09:05,600
we are handcuffed uh by low cash

1726
01:09:02,880 --> 01:09:07,600
reserves. Uh, and that ties into another

1727
01:09:05,600 --> 01:09:10,000
thing that we're handcuffed by. Uh,

1728
01:09:07,600 --> 01:09:12,719
we're handcuffed uh by our bond rating

1729
01:09:10,000 --> 01:09:15,600
being downgraded. Um, so when the bond

1730
01:09:12,719 --> 01:09:18,880
ratings downgraded, uh, borrowing is

1731
01:09:15,600 --> 01:09:21,279
more expensive. Uh, so if we increased

1732
01:09:18,880 --> 01:09:23,839
our cash reserves, we upgraded our bond

1733
01:09:21,279 --> 01:09:25,759
rating, we can refinance our debt, not

1734
01:09:23,839 --> 01:09:29,359
cut any services, and have more money to

1735
01:09:25,759 --> 01:09:31,839
spend on other things. Um, we are

1736
01:09:29,359 --> 01:09:33,600
handcuffed by the long-term loan

1737
01:09:31,839 --> 01:09:35,679
agreement because any budget we have to

1738
01:09:33,600 --> 01:09:37,520
do from now on, we have to go to the DCA

1739
01:09:35,679 --> 01:09:39,759
first, just like for today, we only have

1740
01:09:37,520 --> 01:09:41,920
one budget amendment, even though we

1741
01:09:39,759 --> 01:09:43,759
originally had four because the DCA

1742
01:09:41,920 --> 01:09:47,679
said, "No, no, no. It has to be one bond

1743
01:09:43,759 --> 01:09:50,080
agree. It has to be one um amendment. It

1744
01:09:47,679 --> 01:09:52,400
has to be a tax increase of at least

1745
01:09:50,080 --> 01:09:55,120
15.5%.

1746
01:09:52,400 --> 01:09:59,199
Um we are handcuffed by rising health

1747
01:09:55,120 --> 01:10:01,920
care costs. Uh we're also handcuffed by

1748
01:09:59,199 --> 01:10:04,080
uh deferred healthcare payments.

1749
01:10:01,920 --> 01:10:06,000
Uh we are handcuffed because of a

1750
01:10:04,080 --> 01:10:08,640
mismatch between the city and the state

1751
01:10:06,000 --> 01:10:10,640
fiscal year calendars. The state fiscal

1752
01:10:08,640 --> 01:10:13,120
year in Trenan has a different schedule

1753
01:10:10,640 --> 01:10:14,640
than ours. Why can't we map ours so

1754
01:10:13,120 --> 01:10:17,199
we're at the same time as them? Because

1755
01:10:14,640 --> 01:10:19,520
especially now that we're pretty tied in

1756
01:10:17,199 --> 01:10:21,199
with them for our budget as well as the

1757
01:10:19,520 --> 01:10:22,880
mandates they pass on, why can't we look

1758
01:10:21,199 --> 01:10:25,199
into moving our fiscal year to match the

1759
01:10:22,880 --> 01:10:28,159
state? I brought that up at Zupa's town

1760
01:10:25,199 --> 01:10:30,880
hall. Uh we are handcuffed by a

1761
01:10:28,159 --> 01:10:32,800
dysfunctional OPER process uh where some

1762
01:10:30,880 --> 01:10:35,040
of my Oprah requests are older than

1763
01:10:32,800 --> 01:10:37,199
Richard Boiano.

1764
01:10:35,040 --> 01:10:38,640
Um well, that's not very nice to Richard

1765
01:10:37,199 --> 01:10:41,520
to compare it to the length of time that

1766
01:10:38,640 --> 01:10:43,360
I'm waiting for my Opras. Um, we're

1767
01:10:41,520 --> 01:10:44,640
handcuffed by the a blame game where

1768
01:10:43,360 --> 01:10:46,239
people are blaming the last

1769
01:10:44,640 --> 01:10:48,239
administration, the current one. I don't

1770
01:10:46,239 --> 01:10:49,760
care whose fault it is. Just fix the

1771
01:10:48,239 --> 01:10:52,800
issues.

1772
01:10:49,760 --> 01:10:55,920
We are, oh god,

1773
01:10:52,800 --> 01:10:58,239
we we are handcuffed by a taxpayer

1774
01:10:55,920 --> 01:11:00,400
funded government communications machine

1775
01:10:58,239 --> 01:11:03,120
that controls the narrative. And

1776
01:11:00,400 --> 01:11:05,440
sometimes we're the first, we find out

1777
01:11:03,120 --> 01:11:08,400
about things from them first. Uh, that

1778
01:11:05,440 --> 01:11:10,800
sounds very uh, Ministry of Truthish.

1779
01:11:08,400 --> 01:11:12,239
Uh, we are handcuffed by the Socialist

1780
01:11:10,800 --> 01:11:13,679
and Office Committee. Oh, good. I only

1781
01:11:12,239 --> 01:11:16,000
have 20 seconds left. You guys are

1782
01:11:13,679 --> 01:11:18,640
spared. But maybe you should listen to

1783
01:11:16,000 --> 01:11:21,679
all your constituents, not just the 73

1784
01:11:18,640 --> 01:11:23,760
in W D that are members of the DSA. Uh,

1785
01:11:21,679 --> 01:11:26,159
it's called democracy for a reason. You

1786
01:11:23,760 --> 01:11:29,679
got to listen to the people.

1787
01:11:26,159 --> 01:11:33,719
We need to stop being handcuffed.

1788
01:11:29,679 --> 01:11:33,719
Stay sharp, Jersey City.

1789
01:11:36,000 --> 01:11:40,880
Oh, my

1790
01:11:39,280 --> 01:11:42,400
You can just state your name and spell

1791
01:11:40,880 --> 01:11:45,440
your name for the record. Uh,

1792
01:11:42,400 --> 01:11:46,880
» My name is Iwani Skivas. It is spelled I

1793
01:11:45,440 --> 01:11:47,679
O A N I S.

1794
01:11:46,880 --> 01:11:55,600
» Slow.

1795
01:11:47,679 --> 01:11:56,400
» I O A N I S. Last name S K O U L I D A

1796
01:11:55,600 --> 01:11:58,320
S.

1797
01:11:56,400 --> 01:12:01,679
» L I D A S.

1798
01:11:58,320 --> 01:12:03,199
» Correct. All right. Um, so hello city

1799
01:12:01,679 --> 01:12:06,400
council.

1800
01:12:03,199 --> 01:12:08,640
Obviously, it is very understandable how

1801
01:12:06,400 --> 01:12:12,320
difficult a position that the city is in

1802
01:12:08,640 --> 01:12:15,520
with this uh budget crisis but on in

1803
01:12:12,320 --> 01:12:18,239
part by the actions of a previous

1804
01:12:15,520 --> 01:12:20,320
administration that did not care about

1805
01:12:18,239 --> 01:12:22,239
uh keeping this uh city financially

1806
01:12:20,320 --> 01:12:25,760
healthy. However, unfortunately for the

1807
01:12:22,239 --> 01:12:28,080
residents of Jersey City today, we are

1808
01:12:25,760 --> 01:12:30,239
struck uh stuck with a drastically

1809
01:12:28,080 --> 01:12:33,679
increasing tax burden that we have no

1810
01:12:30,239 --> 01:12:37,040
way out of. Uh and it is no fault of our

1811
01:12:33,679 --> 01:12:39,360
own. And yes, uh unfortunately, Jersey

1812
01:12:37,040 --> 01:12:41,440
City residents will feel real pain with

1813
01:12:39,360 --> 01:12:43,760
this tax increase causing Jersey City to

1814
01:12:41,440 --> 01:12:46,480
be ever more unaffordable.

1815
01:12:43,760 --> 01:12:48,880
But while we may, some of us may be able

1816
01:12:46,480 --> 01:12:52,000
to rationalize why there are few options

1817
01:12:48,880 --> 01:12:53,840
for Jersey City besides this large tax

1818
01:12:52,000 --> 01:12:57,199
increase. What residents cannot accept

1819
01:12:53,840 --> 01:12:59,440
is a budget after accepting this which

1820
01:12:57,199 --> 01:13:01,840
uh mind you our council and mayor have

1821
01:12:59,440 --> 01:13:03,760
full control over that does not make it

1822
01:13:01,840 --> 01:13:05,679
its first priority to protect residents

1823
01:13:03,760 --> 01:13:07,760
as much as possible from the

1824
01:13:05,679 --> 01:13:10,080
unaffordability by putting these taxes

1825
01:13:07,760 --> 01:13:12,800
to good use. And that's where my

1826
01:13:10,080 --> 01:13:16,800
confusion lies. How can a budget which

1827
01:13:12,800 --> 01:13:18,239
purports to uh sorry how can a budget

1828
01:13:16,800 --> 01:13:20,880
which purports to be engaged in

1829
01:13:18,239 --> 01:13:24,560
discipline spending cutting almost $10

1830
01:13:20,880 --> 01:13:27,440
million from the vast majority of uh

1831
01:13:24,560 --> 01:13:29,840
departments in the city blow 30% of

1832
01:13:27,440 --> 01:13:32,400
those savings just on police salary and

1833
01:13:29,840 --> 01:13:34,400
wages? Yes, because of this budget

1834
01:13:32,400 --> 01:13:36,159
budget crisis it may be impossible to

1835
01:13:34,400 --> 01:13:38,480
continue fully funding every department

1836
01:13:36,159 --> 01:13:40,239
in the city. But do we really believe

1837
01:13:38,480 --> 01:13:42,960
drastically cutting the department of

1838
01:13:40,239 --> 01:13:44,560
health and human services, uh, cutting

1839
01:13:42,960 --> 01:13:46,400
right to council, cutting the division

1840
01:13:44,560 --> 01:13:48,640
of affordable housing, and cutting the

1841
01:13:46,400 --> 01:13:50,560
division of sanitation to name a few

1842
01:13:48,640 --> 01:13:52,719
parts of the city services that have

1843
01:13:50,560 --> 01:13:54,800
been drastically cut? Is all of this

1844
01:13:52,719 --> 01:13:57,280
worth

1845
01:13:54,800 --> 01:13:59,440
just a small percentage of increase for

1846
01:13:57,280 --> 01:14:00,880
police wages? Why is disciplined

1847
01:13:59,440 --> 01:14:03,280
spending suddenly out of the question

1848
01:14:00,880 --> 01:14:05,280
when it comes to the police? To put it

1849
01:14:03,280 --> 01:14:07,440
frankly, the solution to budget uh

1850
01:14:05,280 --> 01:14:10,400
Jersey City's budget crisis brought on

1851
01:14:07,440 --> 01:14:13,760
by the proposed 26 uh budget by Mayor

1852
01:14:10,400 --> 01:14:16,480
Solomon is to cut the vast majority of

1853
01:14:13,760 --> 01:14:18,960
city services that crucially protect

1854
01:14:16,480 --> 01:14:21,360
residents when we're in this very

1855
01:14:18,960 --> 01:14:25,120
difficult uh situation with the tax

1856
01:14:21,360 --> 01:14:27,920
increase. And it's to solve uh whatever

1857
01:14:25,120 --> 01:14:29,840
crime that may be uh increasing when

1858
01:14:27,920 --> 01:14:32,719
people are put into extreme financial

1859
01:14:29,840 --> 01:14:35,520
hardship by a minor 3% increase in

1860
01:14:32,719 --> 01:14:37,120
police wages. The alternative is the

1861
01:14:35,520 --> 01:14:39,600
people's budget for which this council

1862
01:14:37,120 --> 01:14:41,600
has received so many letters in support.

1863
01:14:39,600 --> 01:14:43,679
So many services which uh will be

1864
01:14:41,600 --> 01:14:45,920
crucial for working-class residents in

1865
01:14:43,679 --> 01:14:48,880
the face of a large tax increase are

1866
01:14:45,920 --> 01:14:52,320
able to remain properly funded

1867
01:14:48,880 --> 01:14:56,080
uh if we don't just blow uh $3 million

1868
01:14:52,320 --> 01:15:00,000
for a 3% increase in police salaries.

1869
01:14:56,080 --> 01:15:04,080
And I don't care what uh the uh director

1870
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:05,840
of uh public safety says. This small uh

1871
01:15:04,080 --> 01:15:08,800
increase in the budget is not the

1872
01:15:05,840 --> 01:15:11,679
difference between an entire city police

1873
01:15:08,800 --> 01:15:13,840
precinct shutting down. So no, Jersey

1874
01:15:11,679 --> 01:15:16,080
City residents are not begging for

1875
01:15:13,840 --> 01:15:18,239
salaries for bloated police leadership

1876
01:15:16,080 --> 01:15:20,239
or for tens of cops to amulously stand

1877
01:15:18,239 --> 01:15:22,560
around at ma minor rallies at the city

1878
01:15:20,239 --> 01:15:24,560
hall or for funding overtime abuse by

1879
01:15:22,560 --> 01:15:26,960
the police. We are begging to be able to

1880
01:15:24,560 --> 01:15:28,800
afford to live in the city we love with

1881
01:15:26,960 --> 01:15:31,440
its important city services that the

1882
01:15:28,800 --> 01:15:33,360
least advantage of us rely on. And so

1883
01:15:31,440 --> 01:15:36,239
I'll briefly add that while I appreciate

1884
01:15:33,360 --> 01:15:38,000
the direction of the budget amendment uh

1885
01:15:36,239 --> 01:15:39,440
later in this meeting, it barely

1886
01:15:38,000 --> 01:15:41,120
scratches the surface of what I'm

1887
01:15:39,440 --> 01:15:44,560
talking about. And it's very

1888
01:15:41,120 --> 01:15:47,120
disappointing to see uh D uh DCA

1889
01:15:44,560 --> 01:15:49,520
pressuring the city council to roll all

1890
01:15:47,120 --> 01:15:52,320
of their amendments into one when there

1891
01:15:49,520 --> 01:15:54,400
are no terms of that in theou.

1892
01:15:52,320 --> 01:15:56,560
So what Jersey City needs to best

1893
01:15:54,400 --> 01:15:58,719
support us in this face of a large tax

1894
01:15:56,560 --> 01:16:03,159
increase is a workingclass centered

1895
01:15:58,719 --> 01:16:03,159
people's budget. Thank you very much.

1896
01:16:07,360 --> 01:16:10,239
» Just state and spell your name for the

1897
01:16:08,880 --> 01:16:12,719
record.

1898
01:16:10,239 --> 01:16:15,600
» Good evening, council. My name is Isaac

1899
01:16:12,719 --> 01:16:17,440
Himenez.

1900
01:16:15,600 --> 01:16:19,199
Just to clear something up that

1901
01:16:17,440 --> 01:16:21,040
Stephanie said, municipalities do

1902
01:16:19,199 --> 01:16:24,000
budgeting this late because they need

1903
01:16:21,040 --> 01:16:25,520
the state budget done first.

1904
01:16:24,000 --> 01:16:28,640
I'm not going to entertain you with

1905
01:16:25,520 --> 01:16:31,120
magic tricks. I'm speaking today as a

1906
01:16:28,640 --> 01:16:32,560
concerned Jersey City resident and I'm

1907
01:16:31,120 --> 01:16:34,640
concerned with this budget. That's why

1908
01:16:32,560 --> 01:16:36,640
I'm here.

1909
01:16:34,640 --> 01:16:38,400
Not because this amendment doesn't

1910
01:16:36,640 --> 01:16:41,600
attempt to address a growing police

1911
01:16:38,400 --> 01:16:44,159
budget because it attempts to, but

1912
01:16:41,600 --> 01:16:46,960
because the process, the lack of local

1913
01:16:44,159 --> 01:16:48,719
control, the overreach of the state. It

1914
01:16:46,960 --> 01:16:51,199
was shared in the Jersey City Times that

1915
01:16:48,719 --> 01:16:52,880
after four amendments to this budget

1916
01:16:51,199 --> 01:16:55,120
were drafted by different council

1917
01:16:52,880 --> 01:16:56,800
members, the DCA instructed the city

1918
01:16:55,120 --> 01:16:58,320
that only one amendment would be heard

1919
01:16:56,800 --> 01:17:00,640
and that amendment would be chosen by

1920
01:16:58,320 --> 01:17:03,120
the council president.

1921
01:17:00,640 --> 01:17:05,120
Thank you, Councilman Brooks, Ephro, and

1922
01:17:03,120 --> 01:17:06,880
Councilwoman Little for initiating this

1923
01:17:05,120 --> 01:17:08,560
amendment process. And thank you,

1924
01:17:06,880 --> 01:17:10,880
Council Member Griffin, Lavaro, and

1925
01:17:08,560 --> 01:17:13,920
Ridley for having your own amendments.

1926
01:17:10,880 --> 01:17:16,080
Democracy is important. Local control is

1927
01:17:13,920 --> 01:17:18,159
important. I want to be clear when I say

1928
01:17:16,080 --> 01:17:21,199
this. DCA is holding this city's

1929
01:17:18,159 --> 01:17:23,280
autonomy hostage. Where in theou for the

1930
01:17:21,199 --> 01:17:25,120
105 million did it say the state would

1931
01:17:23,280 --> 01:17:27,360
need to have its budget approved by the

1932
01:17:25,120 --> 01:17:28,960
state and and that the council president

1933
01:17:27,360 --> 01:17:31,120
had the sole authority to select an

1934
01:17:28,960 --> 01:17:33,440
amendment. That was never a condition to

1935
01:17:31,120 --> 01:17:35,360
my knowledge of the loan.

1936
01:17:33,440 --> 01:17:37,760
What was a condition of the loan was

1937
01:17:35,360 --> 01:17:40,080
that Jersey City had to raise its taxes

1938
01:17:37,760 --> 01:17:41,920
and that was hard. That, in my view, was

1939
01:17:40,080 --> 01:17:44,000
a painful and yet necessary decision

1940
01:17:41,920 --> 01:17:45,440
that the city had to make to rid itself

1941
01:17:44,000 --> 01:17:47,600
of the situation wrought on by the

1942
01:17:45,440 --> 01:17:50,159
former administration.

1943
01:17:47,600 --> 01:17:53,120
But what we choose to pay for with those

1944
01:17:50,159 --> 01:17:54,800
levied taxes should be our choice. And

1945
01:17:53,120 --> 01:17:56,800
when we ask the residents of Jersey City

1946
01:17:54,800 --> 01:17:58,800
where they'd rather see their taxes go,

1947
01:17:56,800 --> 01:18:00,560
they tell us. And they tell us in this

1948
01:17:58,800 --> 01:18:01,840
chamber.

1949
01:18:00,560 --> 01:18:04,080
They tell us they want to see more

1950
01:18:01,840 --> 01:18:05,760
affordable housing. They tell us they

1951
01:18:04,080 --> 01:18:07,920
want to see mental health crisis

1952
01:18:05,760 --> 01:18:09,840
response because too many Jersey City

1953
01:18:07,920 --> 01:18:11,840
residents have been left to fend for

1954
01:18:09,840 --> 01:18:14,480
themselves or worse, be criminalized

1955
01:18:11,840 --> 01:18:17,719
during their hardest moments. Justice

1956
01:18:14,480 --> 01:18:17,719
for Drew.

1957
01:18:18,400 --> 01:18:22,080
They tell us they want to see code

1958
01:18:20,159 --> 01:18:24,480
enforcement. They tell us they want to

1959
01:18:22,080 --> 01:18:25,679
see effective animal care and control.

1960
01:18:24,480 --> 01:18:27,120
They tell us they want traffic

1961
01:18:25,679 --> 01:18:28,880
enforcement. And we need that because

1962
01:18:27,120 --> 01:18:33,080
these drivers on the road are

1963
01:18:28,880 --> 01:18:33,080
crazy. And I say that as a driver.

1964
01:18:34,320 --> 01:18:38,719
What I've never once heard a speaker at

1965
01:18:36,159 --> 01:18:40,480
this day say who wasn't employed

1966
01:18:38,719 --> 01:18:43,120
directly by the department is that we

1967
01:18:40,480 --> 01:18:45,679
need more police overtime or more deputy

1968
01:18:43,120 --> 01:18:47,440
chiefs or more police captains. The

1969
01:18:45,679 --> 01:18:49,360
people's budget calls for funding real

1970
01:18:47,440 --> 01:18:51,280
public services that keep us safe,

1971
01:18:49,360 --> 01:18:53,199
healthy, and thriving. Over 300

1972
01:18:51,280 --> 01:18:54,960
residents sent you all letters this past

1973
01:18:53,199 --> 01:18:57,199
week calling for a budget that reflects

1974
01:18:54,960 --> 01:18:58,800
the priorities of the people. It is

1975
01:18:57,199 --> 01:19:01,040
unacceptable that the state can come in

1976
01:18:58,800 --> 01:19:03,760
and say no, you can't do that. The state

1977
01:19:01,040 --> 01:19:05,120
may be scared, scared that a movement is

1978
01:19:03,760 --> 01:19:06,800
being built here in Jersey City of

1979
01:19:05,120 --> 01:19:08,480
working-class residents and that we're

1980
01:19:06,800 --> 01:19:10,560
organizing, fighting, and winning a

1981
01:19:08,480 --> 01:19:11,920
Jersey City. They're scared that this

1982
01:19:10,560 --> 01:19:14,480
movement could grow outside of Jersey

1983
01:19:11,920 --> 01:19:17,040
City and, god forbid, land in Trenton.

1984
01:19:14,480 --> 01:19:19,760
But it already has. This movement will

1985
01:19:17,040 --> 01:19:21,280
grow. This movement will win. I strongly

1986
01:19:19,760 --> 01:19:22,960
urge you to vote I on the amendment and

1987
01:19:21,280 --> 01:19:24,719
that you remember this moment in budget

1988
01:19:22,960 --> 01:19:26,880
years to come. Remember that it's

1989
01:19:24,719 --> 01:19:28,880
working people who run this city. We

1990
01:19:26,880 --> 01:19:31,440
cannot punish, police, or incarcerate

1991
01:19:28,880 --> 01:19:33,920
our way to safety. Every dollar we spend

1992
01:19:31,440 --> 01:19:36,400
on police is a dollar not spent on

1993
01:19:33,920 --> 01:19:38,080
housing or healthcare or economic

1994
01:19:36,400 --> 01:19:42,440
security and that's what keeps our

1995
01:19:38,080 --> 01:19:42,440
community safe. Thank you.

1996
01:19:44,880 --> 01:19:49,600
» If you can just state and spell your

1997
01:19:47,040 --> 01:19:52,080
name for the record. Uh my name is Zach

1998
01:19:49,600 --> 01:19:54,159
Cordialis. Zac.

1999
01:19:52,080 --> 01:19:55,440
» Hold on.

2000
01:19:54,159 --> 01:19:56,080
Go ahead.

2001
01:19:55,440 --> 01:19:58,719
» Slow.

2002
01:19:56,080 --> 01:20:02,960
» Z A C. First name. Uh last name

2003
01:19:58,719 --> 01:20:03,679
Cordalis. K O U R G I I I missed the

2004
01:20:02,960 --> 01:20:04,239
first letter.

2005
01:20:03,679 --> 01:20:11,440
» Sorry.

2006
01:20:04,239 --> 01:20:13,679
» K O U R G I A L I S.

2007
01:20:11,440 --> 01:20:16,560
» Thank you.

2008
01:20:13,679 --> 01:20:18,560
» Uh hello. So I'm also uh here to speak

2009
01:20:16,560 --> 01:20:22,000
about my support for the people's budget

2010
01:20:18,560 --> 01:20:24,159
and to not increase uh the police's

2011
01:20:22,000 --> 01:20:26,320
budget, which I think is unnecessary and

2012
01:20:24,159 --> 01:20:27,840
wasteful in light of this historic

2013
01:20:26,320 --> 01:20:31,360
budget crisis. I understand we've been

2014
01:20:27,840 --> 01:20:33,199
had to tighten our belt on uh various

2015
01:20:31,360 --> 01:20:35,840
services including useful services like

2016
01:20:33,199 --> 01:20:38,080
via in light of the historic budget

2017
01:20:35,840 --> 01:20:39,440
crisis that was left by Philip. Uh and

2018
01:20:38,080 --> 01:20:41,520
we've had to deal with the property tax

2019
01:20:39,440 --> 01:20:43,840
increases. But it's for that exact

2020
01:20:41,520 --> 01:20:45,199
reason that I think uh you know 3%

2021
01:20:43,840 --> 01:20:46,880
increase is unnecessary and should be

2022
01:20:45,199 --> 01:20:49,120
spent on essential services for the

2023
01:20:46,880 --> 01:20:51,040
working people of Jersey City. Uh the

2024
01:20:49,120 --> 01:20:53,199
crime rate across the entire country is

2025
01:20:51,040 --> 01:20:54,800
at a historic low and Jersey City

2026
01:20:53,199 --> 01:20:57,360
already had a crime rate well below the

2027
01:20:54,800 --> 01:20:59,280
average. I can assure you increasing the

2028
01:20:57,360 --> 01:21:00,560
uh already considerable police budget is

2029
01:20:59,280 --> 01:21:02,480
not going to reduce the crime rate much

2030
01:21:00,560 --> 01:21:04,640
further. It will likely have the

2031
01:21:02,480 --> 01:21:07,040
opposite effect if it means not fully

2032
01:21:04,640 --> 01:21:08,400
funding programs like rental assistance

2033
01:21:07,040 --> 01:21:10,640
through the division of housing

2034
01:21:08,400 --> 01:21:13,280
preservation and the arrive unit program

2035
01:21:10,640 --> 01:21:16,239
for mental health crisis response work.

2036
01:21:13,280 --> 01:21:18,239
Crisis of affordability and of strained

2037
01:21:16,239 --> 01:21:20,239
healthcare system especially in light of

2038
01:21:18,239 --> 01:21:22,159
the closing down of Christ hospital will

2039
01:21:20,239 --> 01:21:24,480
be a primary driver of crime going

2040
01:21:22,159 --> 01:21:26,719
forward. If we re really care about

2041
01:21:24,480 --> 01:21:28,560
public safety, we we will m maintain

2042
01:21:26,719 --> 01:21:31,199
funding for other essential city

2043
01:21:28,560 --> 01:21:34,360
services and pass a people's budget.

2044
01:21:31,199 --> 01:21:34,360
Thank you.

2045
01:21:38,239 --> 01:21:40,719
» Just state and spell your name for the

2046
01:21:39,760 --> 01:21:42,239
record.

2047
01:21:40,719 --> 01:21:51,040
» Oraing.

2048
01:21:42,239 --> 01:21:52,560
L A U R A. P E A T I N G.

2049
01:21:51,040 --> 01:21:54,159
The problem is I couldn't really hear

2050
01:21:52,560 --> 01:21:55,120
you. You're not close enough to the mic.

2051
01:21:54,159 --> 01:22:00,560
Just your last name.

2052
01:21:55,120 --> 01:22:04,320
» Sorry. K is in kitten. I I'm sorry. K is

2053
01:22:00,560 --> 01:22:07,600
in kitten. E is in elephant. A T as in

2054
01:22:04,320 --> 01:22:10,719
Tommy. I N G.

2055
01:22:07,600 --> 01:22:13,199
» Thank you.

2056
01:22:10,719 --> 01:22:16,719
» You had a tough budget to deal with. You

2057
01:22:13,199 --> 01:22:19,360
had to make cuts. State didn't help. But

2058
01:22:16,719 --> 01:22:21,440
you made the wrong cut. You weren't

2059
01:22:19,360 --> 01:22:23,199
thinking about the right people and you

2060
01:22:21,440 --> 01:22:25,760
weren't thinking about the right

2061
01:22:23,199 --> 01:22:28,159
approach. You cut services. You cut

2062
01:22:25,760 --> 01:22:30,800
health and human services. You cut

2063
01:22:28,159 --> 01:22:33,360
rental assistance. God forbid you cut

2064
01:22:30,800 --> 01:22:35,679
mental health, which is only going to

2065
01:22:33,360 --> 01:22:38,159
make things worse.

2066
01:22:35,679 --> 01:22:40,159
We have someone in Washington trying to

2067
01:22:38,159 --> 01:22:42,880
solve all our problems by a brutal

2068
01:22:40,159 --> 01:22:45,040
police force. You can't police our

2069
01:22:42,880 --> 01:22:48,639
problems away.

2070
01:22:45,040 --> 01:22:53,360
spend our money on what our city needs.

2071
01:22:48,639 --> 01:22:55,760
That will save us money, save our city,

2072
01:22:53,360 --> 01:22:58,480
and yes, police can be helpful. I've

2073
01:22:55,760 --> 01:23:00,400
been helped by many policemen,

2074
01:22:58,480 --> 01:23:02,639
but we don't need to increase that.

2075
01:23:00,400 --> 01:23:05,440
They've the the the crime rate is low

2076
01:23:02,639 --> 01:23:07,440
all over the country, but definitely

2077
01:23:05,440 --> 01:23:10,080
including here.

2078
01:23:07,440 --> 01:23:11,600
Think about your what you're cutting

2079
01:23:10,080 --> 01:23:12,880
and think about some of the other things

2080
01:23:11,600 --> 01:23:14,480
people mentioned. They sounded pretty

2081
01:23:12,880 --> 01:23:16,159
good to me, too, but I didn't know about

2082
01:23:14,480 --> 01:23:19,159
them. But please pass the people's

2083
01:23:16,159 --> 01:23:19,159
budget,

2084
01:23:24,480 --> 01:23:28,400
Jason Berg.

2085
01:23:26,480 --> 01:23:30,960
Um,

2086
01:23:28,400 --> 01:23:34,239
what is it? The

2087
01:23:30,960 --> 01:23:35,840
box comes back to roost. Uh, this whole

2088
01:23:34,239 --> 01:23:39,679
problem with our budget has been going

2089
01:23:35,840 --> 01:23:41,600
on since the uh abatements. We don't pay

2090
01:23:39,679 --> 01:23:44,080
enough. the abatements are really

2091
01:23:41,600 --> 01:23:47,600
hurting us. We have to stop the

2092
01:23:44,080 --> 01:23:51,360
giveaways and the bad the the uh we gave

2093
01:23:47,600 --> 01:23:55,040
away property to uh the science center

2094
01:23:51,360 --> 01:23:58,080
which then built a condo

2095
01:23:55,040 --> 01:24:00,400
and as far as I'm concerned it's a

2096
01:23:58,080 --> 01:24:02,320
breach of contract and the city of

2097
01:24:00,400 --> 01:24:06,000
Jersey City need to take that building

2098
01:24:02,320 --> 01:24:09,360
over for the breach of contract.

2099
01:24:06,000 --> 01:24:12,320
Now stop the giveaways. All right. and

2100
01:24:09,360 --> 01:24:16,639
that look at what we give away.

2101
01:24:12,320 --> 01:24:19,280
Uh when Jersey City gave property to um

2102
01:24:16,639 --> 01:24:23,280
to Hudson County, then Hudson County

2103
01:24:19,280 --> 01:24:25,520
then charged us for other stuff. I mean

2104
01:24:23,280 --> 01:24:29,760
good good a good hand is always feeding

2105
01:24:25,520 --> 01:24:31,679
the other or good mouth. Now best way to

2106
01:24:29,760 --> 01:24:36,639
solve our problems is the hardest. It's

2107
01:24:31,679 --> 01:24:39,199
called zerobased management budget. It's

2108
01:24:36,639 --> 01:24:41,360
Japanese a Japanese thing during the

2109
01:24:39,199 --> 01:24:44,880
70s. It's the hardest thing to do. You

2110
01:24:41,360 --> 01:24:46,719
have to prove your worth to the

2111
01:24:44,880 --> 01:24:48,719
administrators. What are you going to

2112
01:24:46,719 --> 01:24:50,239
do? How you going to do it? And be

2113
01:24:48,719 --> 01:24:52,800
practical.

2114
01:24:50,239 --> 01:24:54,800
And affordable housing. Well, that's an

2115
01:24:52,800 --> 01:24:59,440
oxymoron.

2116
01:24:54,800 --> 01:25:01,280
30%. You go, you get $1,000 and you pay

2117
01:24:59,440 --> 01:25:04,400
$300.

2118
01:25:01,280 --> 01:25:08,000
You got $700 left. have not a lot to do

2119
01:25:04,400 --> 01:25:09,600
anything with these days. And uh if you

2120
01:25:08,000 --> 01:25:11,600
want to stop affordable housing, let's

2121
01:25:09,600 --> 01:25:13,520
have this administration do an

2122
01:25:11,600 --> 01:25:16,880
inventory. How many houses you go down

2123
01:25:13,520 --> 01:25:20,639
in the city that that are that's sitting

2124
01:25:16,880 --> 01:25:22,320
there as a city waste? I mean, go down

2125
01:25:20,639 --> 01:25:24,320
Clammont Avenue, there's some beautiful

2126
01:25:22,320 --> 01:25:26,480
houses that are abandoned. I mean, how

2127
01:25:24,320 --> 01:25:32,080
many abandoned houses do we need to put

2128
01:25:26,480 --> 01:25:34,239
down a city? The thing is we are losing

2129
01:25:32,080 --> 01:25:36,639
our recyclables.

2130
01:25:34,239 --> 01:25:38,239
Back when I was a kid, I'm 73. Don't

2131
01:25:36,639 --> 01:25:41,880
look at they were 40, which is a problem

2132
01:25:38,239 --> 01:25:41,880
every time I go out.

2133
01:25:42,400 --> 01:25:48,080
The women are not trying to go after me.

2134
01:25:44,159 --> 01:25:50,800
The authorities are. Okay.

2135
01:25:48,080 --> 01:25:54,880
And I want you to know folks that uh I

2136
01:25:50,800 --> 01:25:59,199
am I was cited as a person of interest

2137
01:25:54,880 --> 01:26:02,320
when I was called out as a individual as

2138
01:25:59,199 --> 01:26:03,679
a homeland security risk. I was called a

2139
01:26:02,320 --> 01:26:05,440
sovereign citizen. Oxen

2140
01:26:03,679 --> 01:26:06,080
» Jason you got to stay on the subject of

2141
01:26:05,440 --> 01:26:09,280
the budget.

2142
01:26:06,080 --> 01:26:11,920
» All right. Now we are losing we have

2143
01:26:09,280 --> 01:26:14,560
recyclables the city property we're

2144
01:26:11,920 --> 01:26:17,840
losing. We have carpet baggers or better

2145
01:26:14,560 --> 01:26:21,120
can baggers coming in from New York City

2146
01:26:17,840 --> 01:26:22,400
taking our recyclables and that's and

2147
01:26:21,120 --> 01:26:24,320
that's a lot of money. Just look at

2148
01:26:22,400 --> 01:26:27,440
recyclables. How many are doing that?

2149
01:26:24,320 --> 01:26:29,920
And back when uh when when Ferrara was

2150
01:26:27,440 --> 01:26:32,880
running back in the day and I wanted to

2151
01:26:29,920 --> 01:26:34,480
get we got to want to raise money to

2152
01:26:32,880 --> 01:26:36,960
make the city cleaner make sure that

2153
01:26:34,480 --> 01:26:40,400
Jersey City is the permanent way to to

2154
01:26:36,960 --> 01:26:43,679
reestablish recycling in the city. And

2155
01:26:40,400 --> 01:26:46,639
um we want to create better jobs and

2156
01:26:43,679 --> 01:26:48,880
stuff. Duke Duke, it's called Cottage

2157
01:26:46,639 --> 01:26:52,159
Industries. Look at that. Education is

2158
01:26:48,880 --> 01:26:55,520
the key to our lives. If literacy, you

2159
01:26:52,159 --> 01:26:58,520
want to stop crime, literacy is key. And

2160
01:26:55,520 --> 01:26:58,520
um

2161
01:26:58,639 --> 01:27:04,719
you see um the the hardest thing about

2162
01:27:01,760 --> 01:27:06,560
any industry is budgets, is the

2163
01:27:04,719 --> 01:27:08,880
employees, and the health. The real

2164
01:27:06,560 --> 01:27:12,560
thing here is we got to go back to God

2165
01:27:08,880 --> 01:27:15,360
and health, not pharmaceuticals.

2166
01:27:12,560 --> 01:27:17,600
I'm a four-time cancer survivor and I

2167
01:27:15,360 --> 01:27:19,199
knew it. I take care of myself. The

2168
01:27:17,600 --> 01:27:22,880
thing is everyone in the city is

2169
01:27:19,199 --> 01:27:26,080
polluted and uh W A right near Home

2170
01:27:22,880 --> 01:27:27,760
Depot was a nice dump for how Honeywell

2171
01:27:26,080 --> 01:27:30,000
and the real thing here is we got to

2172
01:27:27,760 --> 01:27:32,639
look at we have look at it and look at

2173
01:27:30,000 --> 01:27:34,480
the properties and we can do a lot more

2174
01:27:32,639 --> 01:27:37,199
when we think of a future with the

2175
01:27:34,480 --> 01:27:39,360
zerobased Japanese management. If you

2176
01:27:37,199 --> 01:27:41,280
have a mind you have a set if you have a

2177
01:27:39,360 --> 01:27:43,679
set of cards you can play. If they're

2178
01:27:41,280 --> 01:27:46,400
old jokers, I think you're gonna lose

2179
01:27:43,679 --> 01:27:48,239
because again, if they're all the same,

2180
01:27:46,400 --> 01:27:50,000
how do you know how you didn't change?

2181
01:27:48,239 --> 01:27:53,000
God bless you all. Thank you for my

2182
01:27:50,000 --> 01:27:53,000
time.

2183
01:27:55,040 --> 01:27:58,480
» Let me just state and spell your name

2184
01:27:56,800 --> 01:28:02,000
for the record.

2185
01:27:58,480 --> 01:28:05,760
» Hi, my name is Vicky Hernandez. V I C K

2186
01:28:02,000 --> 01:28:07,920
Y H E R N A N D E Z.

2187
01:28:05,760 --> 01:28:11,920
» Can you spell your first name slowly?

2188
01:28:07,920 --> 01:28:13,280
for V I C K Y

2189
01:28:11,920 --> 01:28:13,920
» And Hernandez, right?

2190
01:28:13,280 --> 01:28:17,040
» Yes.

2191
01:28:13,920 --> 01:28:19,280
» Thank you.

2192
01:28:17,040 --> 01:28:21,520
» Hello. I'm I'm Vicki Hernandez. I'm the

2193
01:28:19,280 --> 01:28:23,520
executive director at the Waterfront

2194
01:28:21,520 --> 01:28:25,679
Project, Jersey City's lead right to

2195
01:28:23,520 --> 01:28:29,440
council provider.

2196
01:28:25,679 --> 01:28:32,159
Um, one of the uh budget items uh

2197
01:28:29,440 --> 01:28:35,440
proposed in the mayor's budget calls for

2198
01:28:32,159 --> 01:28:37,840
a reduction of more than 50% in right to

2199
01:28:35,440 --> 01:28:41,360
council funding. funding that the city

2200
01:28:37,840 --> 01:28:44,400
has been waiting a very long time for.

2201
01:28:41,360 --> 01:28:46,800
I want to start by thanking the council

2202
01:28:44,400 --> 01:28:48,960
representatives here, Council President

2203
01:28:46,800 --> 01:28:52,800
Ridley, Council Members Little, Brooks,

2204
01:28:48,960 --> 01:28:55,040
Ephro, and Lavaro for the various budget

2205
01:28:52,800 --> 01:28:57,520
amendments um that have been introduced

2206
01:28:55,040 --> 01:29:01,840
to restore right to council funding to

2207
01:28:57,520 --> 01:29:04,000
its 2025 level of $328,000.

2208
01:29:01,840 --> 01:29:06,719
Your leadership means everything to the

2209
01:29:04,000 --> 01:29:08,960
families at risk of losing their home.

2210
01:29:06,719 --> 01:29:11,440
The Waterfront Project is often the

2211
01:29:08,960 --> 01:29:13,840
first call by residents, by elected

2212
01:29:11,440 --> 01:29:16,560
officials and their staff, by community

2213
01:29:13,840 --> 01:29:18,960
service providers and advocates whenever

2214
01:29:16,560 --> 01:29:22,800
a tenant is in crisis and at risk of

2215
01:29:18,960 --> 01:29:25,040
losing their home. Um we receive calls

2216
01:29:22,800 --> 01:29:28,400
and text messages

2217
01:29:25,040 --> 01:29:30,400
um seven days a week. Um, if the

2218
01:29:28,400 --> 01:29:32,480
Waterfront Project were not here, those

2219
01:29:30,400 --> 01:29:35,120
residents would walk into housing court

2220
01:29:32,480 --> 01:29:37,920
with no representation at all and in

2221
01:29:35,120 --> 01:29:39,840
most cases they would be evicted. We

2222
01:29:37,920 --> 01:29:42,480
don't just represent tenants in court.

2223
01:29:39,840 --> 01:29:44,639
We help them to navigate crisis, connect

2224
01:29:42,480 --> 01:29:47,520
them with resources, and help them get

2225
01:29:44,639 --> 01:29:50,320
to a stable place.

2226
01:29:47,520 --> 01:29:52,560
This year alone, 176 Jersey City

2227
01:29:50,320 --> 01:29:54,159
households received a full legal

2228
01:29:52,560 --> 01:29:56,639
representation from the Waterfront

2229
01:29:54,159 --> 01:29:59,600
Project's legal team. These are families

2230
01:29:56,639 --> 01:30:01,360
across Jersey City's neighborhoods

2231
01:29:59,600 --> 01:30:04,400
staying housed because the waterfront

2232
01:30:01,360 --> 01:30:06,159
project is a lifeline for them. The

2233
01:30:04,400 --> 01:30:09,120
residents we serve are the same

2234
01:30:06,159 --> 01:30:11,600
residents most exposed to the city's

2235
01:30:09,120 --> 01:30:14,239
current fiscal crisis. When property

2236
01:30:11,600 --> 01:30:16,719
taxes rise, building owners pass those

2237
01:30:14,239 --> 01:30:20,480
costs down to tenants through higher

2238
01:30:16,719 --> 01:30:22,639
rent. The families facing rent increases

2239
01:30:20,480 --> 01:30:25,280
they're unlikely to be able to afford as

2240
01:30:22,639 --> 01:30:27,280
a result of this year's tax changes are

2241
01:30:25,280 --> 01:30:29,440
the ones most likely to end up in

2242
01:30:27,280 --> 01:30:33,199
housing court and most in need of a

2243
01:30:29,440 --> 01:30:35,440
lawyer if this funding is cut. The

2244
01:30:33,199 --> 01:30:37,760
mayor's proposed budget cuts that

2245
01:30:35,440 --> 01:30:40,480
lifeline by more than half. Jersey City

2246
01:30:37,760 --> 01:30:44,159
saw 5,716

2247
01:30:40,480 --> 01:30:48,880
eviction filings last year, up 26,000

2248
01:30:44,159 --> 01:30:50,400
p I'm sorry, up 26% since 20122.

2249
01:30:48,880 --> 01:30:55,520
And warrants of removal nearly

2250
01:30:50,400 --> 01:30:57,840
quadrupled between 2022 and 2024.

2251
01:30:55,520 --> 01:30:59,600
This program already runs lean. We only

2252
01:30:57,840 --> 01:31:02,800
have three attorneys and one intake

2253
01:30:59,600 --> 01:31:04,880
specialist for the entire city. Um, and

2254
01:31:02,800 --> 01:31:10,320
of the households we fully represented

2255
01:31:04,880 --> 01:31:12,239
this year, 65% of the cases closed

2256
01:31:10,320 --> 01:31:15,440
ended with the tenant keeping their home

2257
01:31:12,239 --> 01:31:18,080
outright and 96% avoided a formal

2258
01:31:15,440 --> 01:31:21,199
courtordered removal. That's a that's a

2259
01:31:18,080 --> 01:31:24,159
tremendous track record of helping to

2260
01:31:21,199 --> 01:31:26,480
keep keep people housed.

2261
01:31:24,159 --> 01:31:29,040
The difference that representation makes

2262
01:31:26,480 --> 01:31:31,360
is stark. Statewide research shows the

2263
01:31:29,040 --> 01:31:34,080
tenants with a lawyer avoid the worst

2264
01:31:31,360 --> 01:31:35,600
outcome of eviction in 80 to 90% of

2265
01:31:34,080 --> 01:31:38,480
cases.

2266
01:31:35,600 --> 01:31:40,239
We're asking uh that the council support

2267
01:31:38,480 --> 01:31:43,600
the amendments to restore right to

2268
01:31:40,239 --> 01:31:46,840
council funding to $328,000.

2269
01:31:43,600 --> 01:31:46,840
Thank you.

2270
01:31:50,239 --> 01:31:53,280
» You can just spell and state your name

2271
01:31:51,840 --> 01:31:56,719
for the record.

2272
01:31:53,280 --> 01:31:57,679
» Good evening. Elizabeth Hurley. H U R L

2273
01:31:56,719 --> 01:32:00,159
E Y.

2274
01:31:57,679 --> 01:32:01,920
» Thank you.

2275
01:32:00,159 --> 01:32:03,920
» My name is Liz Hurley and I'm the legal

2276
01:32:01,920 --> 01:32:06,400
director of the Waterfront Project, the

2277
01:32:03,920 --> 01:32:09,520
legal services provider for Jersey City

2278
01:32:06,400 --> 01:32:11,120
tenants facing eviction. Each day, the

2279
01:32:09,520 --> 01:32:14,239
landlord tenant division of the Hudson

2280
01:32:11,120 --> 01:32:17,360
County Superior Court has roughly 60 to

2281
01:32:14,239 --> 01:32:19,440
80 eviction cases on its regular trial

2282
01:32:17,360 --> 01:32:22,080
calendar. Additionally, the court

2283
01:32:19,440 --> 01:32:24,000
permits up to 20 emergency applications

2284
01:32:22,080 --> 01:32:26,639
from tenants who have been locked out

2285
01:32:24,000 --> 01:32:29,040
that day or who face a lockout the

2286
01:32:26,639 --> 01:32:32,000
following day. For those who come in

2287
01:32:29,040 --> 01:32:33,679
excess of the 20 count or who have a

2288
01:32:32,000 --> 01:32:36,320
lockout in coming days, they are told

2289
01:32:33,679 --> 01:32:38,960
that they must come back. The scene is

2290
01:32:36,320 --> 01:32:41,199
chaotic and emotions run high with

2291
01:32:38,960 --> 01:32:43,840
tenants terrified about where they will

2292
01:32:41,199 --> 01:32:45,760
go if they lose their home. Our team of

2293
01:32:43,840 --> 01:32:48,239
three attorneys is present in court each

2294
01:32:45,760 --> 01:32:50,320
day providing a first and last line of

2295
01:32:48,239 --> 01:32:53,120
defense against the irreparable harm of

2296
01:32:50,320 --> 01:32:55,280
eviction. Each day tenants are told to

2297
01:32:53,120 --> 01:32:56,800
find someone from the waterfront project

2298
01:32:55,280 --> 01:32:59,920
and because of the right to council

2299
01:32:56,800 --> 01:33:01,920
funding they do.

2300
01:32:59,920 --> 01:33:04,320
The city has already recognized that

2301
01:33:01,920 --> 01:33:06,400
tenant representation is essential by

2302
01:33:04,320 --> 01:33:09,040
codifying the right to council, but that

2303
01:33:06,400 --> 01:33:11,520
right is meaningless without adequate

2304
01:33:09,040 --> 01:33:13,840
funding. Just this summer, we've

2305
01:33:11,520 --> 01:33:16,800
prevented numerous evictions of some of

2306
01:33:13,840 --> 01:33:19,199
Jersey City's most vulnerable residents,

2307
01:33:16,800 --> 01:33:21,679
senior citizens, households with young

2308
01:33:19,199 --> 01:33:24,080
children, and tenants with disabilities.

2309
01:33:21,679 --> 01:33:26,239
I'll provide one example. A recently

2310
01:33:24,080 --> 01:33:28,560
widowed mother of four who missed her

2311
01:33:26,239 --> 01:33:31,520
court date in June,

2312
01:33:28,560 --> 01:33:33,679
was facing eviction the very next day.

2313
01:33:31,520 --> 01:33:36,719
She walked into court with a warrant of

2314
01:33:33,679 --> 01:33:39,199
removal, scheduling her lockout with no

2315
01:33:36,719 --> 01:33:41,360
idea of where she and her children would

2316
01:33:39,199 --> 01:33:44,159
go while they were grieving the terrible

2317
01:33:41,360 --> 01:33:47,440
recent loss of her husband who lost his

2318
01:33:44,159 --> 01:33:49,679
battle to cancer on June 9th.

2319
01:33:47,440 --> 01:33:54,239
She walked out that day having worked

2320
01:33:49,679 --> 01:33:56,560
with us to file an emergent application

2321
01:33:54,239 --> 01:33:58,400
and she had an order vacating the

2322
01:33:56,560 --> 01:33:59,920
judgment that had been filed against

2323
01:33:58,400 --> 01:34:02,560
her.

2324
01:33:59,920 --> 01:34:04,560
Within a week, we secured a grant of

2325
01:34:02,560 --> 01:34:07,600
rental assistance to keep her family

2326
01:34:04,560 --> 01:34:10,080
housed through November. This critical

2327
01:34:07,600 --> 01:34:12,159
time will allow her and her family to

2328
01:34:10,080 --> 01:34:14,560
get back on their feet and find a path

2329
01:34:12,159 --> 01:34:17,040
forward. Investment in the right to

2330
01:34:14,560 --> 01:34:19,520
council is not only the right thing to

2331
01:34:17,040 --> 01:34:22,000
do, it is the fiscally responsible thing

2332
01:34:19,520 --> 01:34:25,600
to do. It is an investment in our city's

2333
01:34:22,000 --> 01:34:27,679
stability, in our residents, and in the

2334
01:34:25,600 --> 01:34:30,320
future of the city.

2335
01:34:27,679 --> 01:34:33,040
Please allow us to continue to do this

2336
01:34:30,320 --> 01:34:36,199
vital work. We cannot do it without you.

2337
01:34:33,040 --> 01:34:36,199
Thank you.

2338
01:34:40,239 --> 01:34:41,920
If

2339
01:34:40,400 --> 01:34:43,199
» You can just state and spell your name

2340
01:34:41,920 --> 01:34:49,760
for the record.

2341
01:34:43,199 --> 01:34:54,400
» Hi, my name is Aar Borfuanes. Z A H

2342
01:34:49,760 --> 01:34:55,199
O U L A.

2343
01:34:54,400 --> 01:34:57,440
I'm here to

2344
01:34:55,199 --> 01:34:58,400
» Your f your first name. Oh, Zaharula.

2345
01:34:57,440 --> 01:34:59,440
» And what's your last name?

2346
01:34:58,400 --> 01:35:00,080
» Morphanius.

2347
01:34:59,440 --> 01:35:01,360
» Can you spell that?

2348
01:35:00,080 --> 01:35:02,400
» O R.

2349
01:35:01,360 --> 01:35:03,040
» Yeah. Gotcha.

2350
01:35:02,400 --> 01:35:04,159
» Ready?

2351
01:35:03,040 --> 01:35:05,040
» Yes.

2352
01:35:04,159 --> 01:35:12,880
» Go ahead.

2353
01:35:05,040 --> 01:35:13,920
» M O R F O G E N.

2354
01:35:12,880 --> 01:35:16,960
» Thank you.

2355
01:35:13,920 --> 01:35:19,600
» Thank you.

2356
01:35:16,960 --> 01:35:22,719
So, the word going around there's two.

2357
01:35:19,600 --> 01:35:24,880
There's crisis and there's austerity.

2358
01:35:22,719 --> 01:35:27,679
Austerity is presented usually as a

2359
01:35:24,880 --> 01:35:30,000
pragmatic form of arithmetic, especially

2360
01:35:27,679 --> 01:35:31,679
when externally applied and mandated

2361
01:35:30,000 --> 01:35:35,199
from, you know, a higher level of the

2362
01:35:31,679 --> 01:35:38,000
state. A deficit appears, numbers

2363
01:35:35,199 --> 01:35:42,719
circulate. Suddenly, the specifics of

2364
01:35:38,000 --> 01:35:44,800
what is cut, where it's cut, and why

2365
01:35:42,719 --> 01:35:47,840
are supposed to be inevitable and

2366
01:35:44,800 --> 01:35:50,639
universally agreed upon. But a budget is

2367
01:35:47,840 --> 01:35:52,880
a political document. It tells us what

2368
01:35:50,639 --> 01:35:56,080
we consider necessary, what we're

2369
01:35:52,880 --> 01:35:58,000
willing to sacrifice,

2370
01:35:56,080 --> 01:36:01,040
whose lives are expected to absorb the

2371
01:35:58,000 --> 01:36:02,800
cost, and

2372
01:36:01,040 --> 01:36:05,199
from whom.

2373
01:36:02,800 --> 01:36:06,960
Jersey City is being asked to weather a

2374
01:36:05,199 --> 01:36:09,600
fiscal crisis that did not emerge

2375
01:36:06,960 --> 01:36:11,679
overnight. It was produced by a model of

2376
01:36:09,600 --> 01:36:14,400
governance that treated development as a

2377
01:36:11,679 --> 01:36:16,880
substitute for public investment. Sell,

2378
01:36:14,400 --> 01:36:18,719
abate, borrow, defer, and then attract

2379
01:36:16,880 --> 01:36:20,480
another developer. and then we're going

2380
01:36:18,719 --> 01:36:23,280
to call the whole resulting bubble

2381
01:36:20,480 --> 01:36:26,239
prosperity. I think we all saw how that

2382
01:36:23,280 --> 01:36:29,120
played out. Corporate development is not

2383
01:36:26,239 --> 01:36:30,960
pro-social and it is not infrastructure.

2384
01:36:29,120 --> 01:36:34,000
Pro-social infrastructure would be the

2385
01:36:30,960 --> 01:36:36,560
library, the affordable home, the street

2386
01:36:34,000 --> 01:36:38,800
getting maintained, the transit that

2387
01:36:36,560 --> 01:36:41,679
gets our workers home on time, and a

2388
01:36:38,800 --> 01:36:44,000
hospital system that has capacity, maybe

2389
01:36:41,679 --> 01:36:45,840
even services that answer when people

2390
01:36:44,000 --> 01:36:47,760
need them.

2391
01:36:45,840 --> 01:36:50,880
These are not luxuries that we can

2392
01:36:47,760 --> 01:36:53,199
afford only when the books are balanced.

2393
01:36:50,880 --> 01:36:55,520
They are material conditions that make a

2394
01:36:53,199 --> 01:36:57,280
city livable in the first place,

2395
01:36:55,520 --> 01:36:59,360
contribute massively to the social

2396
01:36:57,280 --> 01:37:01,280
determinance of health, and these are

2397
01:36:59,360 --> 01:37:04,000
the determinants of health that prevent

2398
01:37:01,280 --> 01:37:05,600
more suffering and yes, more spending if

2399
01:37:04,000 --> 01:37:08,639
that's

2400
01:37:05,600 --> 01:37:10,639
more important than human suffering.

2401
01:37:08,639 --> 01:37:13,920
We cannot talk about austerity without

2402
01:37:10,639 --> 01:37:16,239
asking who is being asked to sacrifice

2403
01:37:13,920 --> 01:37:17,920
what.

2404
01:37:16,239 --> 01:37:21,040
This takes me back to the Pompadoo

2405
01:37:17,920 --> 01:37:22,719
project which is very instructive here.

2406
01:37:21,040 --> 01:37:25,440
Millions of public dollars were

2407
01:37:22,719 --> 01:37:28,320
committed to a prestige project tied to

2408
01:37:25,440 --> 01:37:30,560
a major private development while the

2409
01:37:28,320 --> 01:37:32,639
city now confronts the consequences of

2410
01:37:30,560 --> 01:37:34,560
years of deferred obligations and

2411
01:37:32,639 --> 01:37:36,239
one-time solutions.

2412
01:37:34,560 --> 01:37:38,320
If public investment creates the

2413
01:37:36,239 --> 01:37:40,880
conditions for private wealth, then

2414
01:37:38,320 --> 01:37:42,639
private wealth has an obligation to

2415
01:37:40,880 --> 01:37:44,480
replenish the public wealth from which

2416
01:37:42,639 --> 01:37:46,560
it came.

2417
01:37:44,480 --> 01:37:49,280
If residents are being asked to pay

2418
01:37:46,560 --> 01:37:51,119
more, then we deserve more than a

2419
01:37:49,280 --> 01:37:52,719
spreadsheet. We deserve true

2420
01:37:51,119 --> 01:37:55,440
transparency.

2421
01:37:52,719 --> 01:37:57,679
We deserve to know where the money went,

2422
01:37:55,440 --> 01:37:59,920
what was deferred, who received the

2423
01:37:57,679 --> 01:38:01,920
abatements, who benefited from the

2424
01:37:59,920 --> 01:38:04,560
growth of this city, and why ordinary

2425
01:38:01,920 --> 01:38:06,320
people are now being asked by the state

2426
01:38:04,560 --> 01:38:08,880
under threat of bankruptcy to weather

2427
01:38:06,320 --> 01:38:11,920
the consequences.

2428
01:38:08,880 --> 01:38:14,159
Let's further define our terms.

2429
01:38:11,920 --> 01:38:17,760
So, austerity is more than simply making

2430
01:38:14,159 --> 01:38:20,080
cuts. It is about what we cut and who it

2431
01:38:17,760 --> 01:38:22,239
affects most.

2432
01:38:20,080 --> 01:38:24,719
Thus, austerity is the erosion of our

2433
01:38:22,239 --> 01:38:27,520
capacity to live with dignity and

2434
01:38:24,719 --> 01:38:29,440
respect. It destroys our neighborly

2435
01:38:27,520 --> 01:38:31,360
bonds. It diminishes our capacity to

2436
01:38:29,440 --> 01:38:33,760
care for one another. And once that

2437
01:38:31,360 --> 01:38:36,480
capacity is gone, it's much harder to

2438
01:38:33,760 --> 01:38:39,280
rebuild than it was to balance a budget

2439
01:38:36,480 --> 01:38:40,800
by cutting it. I mean, think about what

2440
01:38:39,280 --> 01:38:42,639
it's going to be like to have to rebuild

2441
01:38:40,800 --> 01:38:45,360
Head Start once it's gutted. We're

2442
01:38:42,639 --> 01:38:47,280
dealing with this on a micro level. Now,

2443
01:38:45,360 --> 01:38:50,560
public safety cannot begin at the moment

2444
01:38:47,280 --> 01:38:52,239
of a crisis. It has to begin upstream in

2445
01:38:50,560 --> 01:38:54,080
whether people have a home, whether

2446
01:38:52,239 --> 01:38:56,000
children have somewhere to go, whether

2447
01:38:54,080 --> 01:38:58,239
it's stable, whether communities have

2448
01:38:56,000 --> 01:39:00,000
places to gather, whether people have

2449
01:38:58,239 --> 01:39:02,000
access to care before they reach a

2450
01:39:00,000 --> 01:39:05,600
breaking point, and who responds to that

2451
01:39:02,000 --> 01:39:08,000
call and how. That means restructuring

2452
01:39:05,600 --> 01:39:10,320
police spending, restructuring it around

2453
01:39:08,000 --> 01:39:12,639
a broader conception of safety,

2454
01:39:10,320 --> 01:39:14,880
specifically in investing in the social

2455
01:39:12,639 --> 01:39:16,560
infrastructure that prevents violence

2456
01:39:14,880 --> 01:39:18,080
rather than simply managing the

2457
01:39:16,560 --> 01:39:19,920
aftermath.

2458
01:39:18,080 --> 01:39:22,719
This is why we need a people's budget

2459
01:39:19,920 --> 01:39:24,000
for all of Jersey City. Not just a

2460
01:39:22,719 --> 01:39:26,560
budget written around what the

2461
01:39:24,000 --> 01:39:28,320
billionaire class needs from this city,

2462
01:39:26,560 --> 01:39:30,800
but around what the people who live here

2463
01:39:28,320 --> 01:39:33,760
need from one each other one another.

2464
01:39:30,800 --> 01:39:36,159
Sorry, long day of talking.

2465
01:39:33,760 --> 01:39:38,239
But a budget built through democratic

2466
01:39:36,159 --> 01:39:40,000
participation, transparency, and

2467
01:39:38,239 --> 01:39:41,600
investment in social infrastructure that

2468
01:39:40,000 --> 01:39:43,600
makes a city more than a collection of

2469
01:39:41,600 --> 01:39:46,639
properties and commuters is something we

2470
01:39:43,600 --> 01:39:48,800
deserve. We deserve to be our own city.

2471
01:39:46,639 --> 01:39:51,280
Not a bedroom community for Manhattan.

2472
01:39:48,800 --> 01:39:53,760
Not a playground for capital. Not a city

2473
01:39:51,280 --> 01:39:55,760
whose public life is hollowed out so

2474
01:39:53,760 --> 01:39:59,520
much that private development can

2475
01:39:55,760 --> 01:40:01,600
flourish unhindered for

2476
01:39:59,520 --> 01:40:03,840
what 60-year tax abatements. Anyway, I

2477
01:40:01,600 --> 01:40:06,560
digress. Under the threat of bankruptcy

2478
01:40:03,840 --> 01:40:09,119
from Trenton, we deserve a Jersey city

2479
01:40:06,560 --> 01:40:10,960
with a life of its own. We deserve a

2480
01:40:09,119 --> 01:40:15,119
Jersey City where people can afford to

2481
01:40:10,960 --> 01:40:18,480
stay, work, raise families, gather, eat,

2482
01:40:15,119 --> 01:40:21,719
grow old, and enjoy the art of life.

2483
01:40:18,480 --> 01:40:21,719
» Thank you.

2484
01:40:24,320 --> 01:40:28,480
You can just state your name and spell

2485
01:40:27,199 --> 01:40:34,960
your name for the record.

2486
01:40:28,480 --> 01:40:36,560
» Dion Patterson. P A T E R S O N.

2487
01:40:34,960 --> 01:40:39,600
» Thank you.

2488
01:40:36,560 --> 01:40:42,400
Uh, I'm here on behalf of my uncle, 79

2489
01:40:39,600 --> 01:40:45,679
years old. Um, I keep hearing the 15 and

2490
01:40:42,400 --> 01:40:48,080
a half% property tax increase, but what

2491
01:40:45,679 --> 01:40:52,960
I don't hear is the I'm going to use the

2492
01:40:48,080 --> 01:40:55,440
number 78 million. In August of 2025 on

2493
01:40:52,960 --> 01:40:58,719
my street, specifically streets around

2494
01:40:55,440 --> 01:41:01,679
me, there was a sewer infrastructure uh

2495
01:40:58,719 --> 01:41:04,320
concerned going up digging the streets.

2496
01:41:01,679 --> 01:41:07,119
As of a year later, the streets still do

2497
01:41:04,320 --> 01:41:10,000
not have a curb. But yet, based off of

2498
01:41:07,119 --> 01:41:12,639
the 2024

2499
01:41:10,000 --> 01:41:15,360
authorized and consent, the council

2500
01:41:12,639 --> 01:41:18,480
consented to JCMUA sewer capital

2501
01:41:15,360 --> 01:41:21,119
projects. Have we looked into we paid

2502
01:41:18,480 --> 01:41:24,159
this money? Did they do it? I can say

2503
01:41:21,119 --> 01:41:27,520
no. Water is in my basement because the

2504
01:41:24,159 --> 01:41:30,000
curb is still not there.

2505
01:41:27,520 --> 01:41:32,480
Secondly, I'm hearing all of the

2506
01:41:30,000 --> 01:41:35,199
increases with engineering capital

2507
01:41:32,480 --> 01:41:37,440
projects to other things. One of the

2508
01:41:35,199 --> 01:41:41,040
concerns is as a homeowner, are we

2509
01:41:37,440 --> 01:41:44,080
taking into account 15 and a half%

2510
01:41:41,040 --> 01:41:46,480
increase? But yet, when vehicles are

2511
01:41:44,080 --> 01:41:49,280
parked on the sidewalk, we're expected

2512
01:41:46,480 --> 01:41:52,239
to fix it out of our own funds. When we

2513
01:41:49,280 --> 01:41:55,440
call the police station to say, "Please

2514
01:41:52,239 --> 01:41:58,480
come assist," no one comes. On

2515
01:41:55,440 --> 01:42:01,679
Wednesday, I called at 2:15, waited to

2516
01:41:58,480 --> 01:42:05,440
4, no one came. Got back in the house at

2517
01:42:01,679 --> 01:42:08,400
6:15, called again, no one came. But

2518
01:42:05,440 --> 01:42:12,719
it's funny, we received two weeks ago a

2519
01:42:08,400 --> 01:42:15,280
notice that sidewalks must be updated.

2520
01:42:12,719 --> 01:42:18,000
How can I update a sidewalk when cars

2521
01:42:15,280 --> 01:42:21,760
are constantly parked with their left

2522
01:42:18,000 --> 01:42:26,239
front wheel and rear uh uh wheel on the

2523
01:42:21,760 --> 01:42:29,119
sidewalks? But yet the 15 12% increase

2524
01:42:26,239 --> 01:42:31,760
is going through. I hear about all of

2525
01:42:29,119 --> 01:42:35,360
the salary increases and items of that

2526
01:42:31,760 --> 01:42:38,320
nature. I hear it. But if we're calling

2527
01:42:35,360 --> 01:42:41,679
and no one's coming, who's getting paid

2528
01:42:38,320 --> 01:42:43,840
for that? If we're calling and no one's

2529
01:42:41,679 --> 01:42:48,320
looking into it, who's getting paid for

2530
01:42:43,840 --> 01:42:50,560
that? If we're paying 78 million for a

2531
01:42:48,320 --> 01:42:53,119
sewer infrastructure update that we

2532
01:42:50,560 --> 01:42:55,760
voted yes for and curbs are not

2533
01:42:53,119 --> 01:43:01,000
complete, who's checking on that when it

2534
01:42:55,760 --> 01:43:01,000
becomes the homeowner's cost? Thank you.

2535
01:43:04,639 --> 01:43:07,520
» You can state and spell your name for

2536
01:43:06,480 --> 01:43:10,639
the record, please.

2537
01:43:07,520 --> 01:43:13,920
» Sure. My first name is Rick. R I C K.

2538
01:43:10,639 --> 01:43:16,560
Last name is Pine. That's P is in papa.

2539
01:43:13,920 --> 01:43:19,520
E is in echo. R is in Romeo. R is in

2540
01:43:16,560 --> 01:43:20,880
Romeo. I is in India. N is in November.

2541
01:43:19,520 --> 01:43:21,520
E is an echo.

2542
01:43:20,880 --> 01:43:23,280
» Thank you.

2543
01:43:21,520 --> 01:43:24,880
» You're welcome. Uh I'm encouraged by

2544
01:43:23,280 --> 01:43:28,239
some of my the previous speakers

2545
01:43:24,880 --> 01:43:31,360
actually. Um but I'll be quick

2546
01:43:28,239 --> 01:43:33,840
hopefully. Um I guess I just wanted to

2547
01:43:31,360 --> 01:43:36,880
say that I also don't understand why it

2548
01:43:33,840 --> 01:43:38,960
seems like the so-called public safety

2549
01:43:36,880 --> 01:43:40,960
budget seems to be untouchable when it

2550
01:43:38,960 --> 01:43:44,320
comes to the operating budget

2551
01:43:40,960 --> 01:43:47,119
discussion. Um to me some things like

2552
01:43:44,320 --> 01:43:48,560
inspectors and right to council and

2553
01:43:47,119 --> 01:43:50,960
health services and street

2554
01:43:48,560 --> 01:43:52,400
infrastructure safety and park services.

2555
01:43:50,960 --> 01:43:54,639
The to me like these are the kinds of

2556
01:43:52,400 --> 01:43:57,280
things that impact the root cause of

2557
01:43:54,639 --> 01:43:59,360
what make our neighborhoods safe. And if

2558
01:43:57,280 --> 01:44:00,639
everybody in every department is

2559
01:43:59,360 --> 01:44:02,400
supposed to be having their budgets

2560
01:44:00,639 --> 01:44:05,440
tightened, I don't know why that doesn't

2561
01:44:02,400 --> 01:44:06,800
apply to all of them or at least uh what

2562
01:44:05,440 --> 01:44:09,920
have you applies to all of them

2563
01:44:06,800 --> 01:44:11,199
everywhere. Um I really think that's all

2564
01:44:09,920 --> 01:44:12,880
I just wanted to say. I am pleasantly

2565
01:44:11,199 --> 01:44:16,360
surprised by some of the other speakers.

2566
01:44:12,880 --> 01:44:16,360
Uh, thank you.

2567
01:44:18,639 --> 01:44:21,520
» You can just state and spell your name

2568
01:44:20,239 --> 01:44:26,320
for the record, please.

2569
01:44:21,520 --> 01:44:27,840
» Anna Cologne. A N A C O L O N.

2570
01:44:26,320 --> 01:44:30,719
» C O

2571
01:44:27,840 --> 01:44:33,679
» B C O L O N.

2572
01:44:30,719 --> 01:44:36,320
» L O N. Thank you.

2573
01:44:33,679 --> 01:44:38,719
I'm co-founder of the Fair Housing

2574
01:44:36,320 --> 01:44:40,639
Action Network where we advocate for

2575
01:44:38,719 --> 01:44:42,800
tenants, landlords, homeowners, or

2576
01:44:40,639 --> 01:44:46,480
anyone facing housing instability and

2577
01:44:42,800 --> 01:44:50,000
needing advocacy. Um, today we are here

2578
01:44:46,480 --> 01:44:52,960
um to urge the city of New City of

2579
01:44:50,000 --> 01:44:55,199
Jersey City to restore the full 328,000

2580
01:44:52,960 --> 01:44:58,320
in funding for the right to council

2581
01:44:55,199 --> 01:45:00,800
rather than reducing it to 160,000, a

2582
01:44:58,320 --> 01:45:02,800
cut of 168,000.

2583
01:45:00,800 --> 01:45:05,440
The right to counsel gives eligible

2584
01:45:02,800 --> 01:45:07,840
tenants facing eviction access to legal

2585
01:45:05,440 --> 01:45:10,560
representation and helps them understand

2586
01:45:07,840 --> 01:45:12,880
their rights, where to turn to for help.

2587
01:45:10,560 --> 01:45:16,080
Cutting this funding in half reduces

2588
01:45:12,880 --> 01:45:18,159
access to exactly that help. When

2589
01:45:16,080 --> 01:45:20,239
someone is accused of a crime, we make

2590
01:45:18,159 --> 01:45:22,239
sure they know their rights, including

2591
01:45:20,239 --> 01:45:23,920
their right to an attorney. We do that

2592
01:45:22,239 --> 01:45:26,320
before we know whether they are innocent

2593
01:45:23,920 --> 01:45:29,119
or guilty because we understand how

2594
01:45:26,320 --> 01:45:30,800
serious the consequences can be. So when

2595
01:45:29,119 --> 01:45:32,719
someone is facing the loss of their

2596
01:45:30,800 --> 01:45:36,320
housing, who makes sure they know their

2597
01:45:32,719 --> 01:45:38,800
rights. If FHN has seen what can happen

2598
01:45:36,320 --> 01:45:40,639
when nobody does. We encountered a

2599
01:45:38,800 --> 01:45:42,880
tenant who went through eviction court

2600
01:45:40,639 --> 01:45:44,880
without an attorney. She may have

2601
01:45:42,880 --> 01:45:47,280
qualified for free legal help, but she

2602
01:45:44,880 --> 01:45:49,440
didn't even know it existed. Right to

2603
01:45:47,280 --> 01:45:52,320
counsel helps close that gap by making

2604
01:45:49,440 --> 01:45:54,560
sure eligible tenants know their rights

2605
01:45:52,320 --> 01:45:57,280
and have access to legal representation

2606
01:45:54,560 --> 01:46:00,000
before facing eviction court alone.

2607
01:45:57,280 --> 01:46:02,560
After she was evicted, FHN researched

2608
01:46:00,000 --> 01:46:04,960
her situation and identified illegal

2609
01:46:02,560 --> 01:46:07,600
rent increases. An attorney could have

2610
01:46:04,960 --> 01:46:09,440
recognized that, but by then she had

2611
01:46:07,600 --> 01:46:11,920
already lost her housing, and today she

2612
01:46:09,440 --> 01:46:13,840
is homeless. And the need isn't limited

2613
01:46:11,920 --> 01:46:17,280
to those who qualify for traditional

2614
01:46:13,840 --> 01:46:19,760
legal aid. FHN also met a nurse who put

2615
01:46:17,280 --> 01:46:21,600
herself through college, built a career,

2616
01:46:19,760 --> 01:46:23,760
and then went through a divorce. Two

2617
01:46:21,600 --> 01:46:26,159
incomes becoming one. On paper, she had

2618
01:46:23,760 --> 01:46:27,920
a good job. In reality, she could earn

2619
01:46:26,159 --> 01:46:29,840
too much to qualify for certain

2620
01:46:27,920 --> 01:46:32,639
assistance while she didn't have enough

2621
01:46:29,840 --> 01:46:34,639
to afford a private attorney. Right to

2622
01:46:32,639 --> 01:46:36,800
council was originally envisioned as

2623
01:46:34,639 --> 01:46:39,119
universal representation for Jersey City

2624
01:46:36,800 --> 01:46:40,719
tenants regardless of income. What

2625
01:46:39,119 --> 01:46:44,719
ultimately passed was limited to

2626
01:46:40,719 --> 01:46:47,280
households at at or below 80% of area

2627
01:46:44,719 --> 01:46:49,119
median income. We already narrowed who

2628
01:46:47,280 --> 01:46:51,600
can receive help. Now we're cutting the

2629
01:46:49,119 --> 01:46:54,800
funding by more than half. What gets cut

2630
01:46:51,600 --> 01:46:57,360
next? New Jersey DCA found that helping

2631
01:46:54,800 --> 01:47:00,560
a household avoid eviction costs about

2632
01:46:57,360 --> 01:47:02,880
costs about 1,300 on average and nearly

2633
01:47:00,560 --> 01:47:04,880
86% of the families who received that

2634
01:47:02,880 --> 01:47:08,000
intensive help either stayed in their

2635
01:47:04,880 --> 01:47:10,239
homes or were successfully relocated.

2636
01:47:08,000 --> 01:47:13,520
By comparison, New Jersey analysis

2637
01:47:10,239 --> 01:47:16,000
estimated approximately 26,000 for one

2638
01:47:13,520 --> 01:47:17,840
year of homeless shelter per household.

2639
01:47:16,000 --> 01:47:20,719
So the question is why are we cutting

2640
01:47:17,840 --> 01:47:23,360
prevention? Why are our systems so often

2641
01:47:20,719 --> 01:47:26,159
reactive instead of proactive? Why wait

2642
01:47:23,360 --> 01:47:28,639
for a crisis and spend more fixing what

2643
01:47:26,159 --> 01:47:30,560
we could have helped prevent? Housing is

2644
01:47:28,639 --> 01:47:32,719
no different. We should be strengthening

2645
01:47:30,560 --> 01:47:34,960
prevention, not cutting it. Because

2646
01:47:32,719 --> 01:47:37,840
behind every housing crisis is a human

2647
01:47:34,960 --> 01:47:40,480
being. A renter facing eviction, a

2648
01:47:37,840 --> 01:47:42,239
landlord trying to stay afloat, a nurse

2649
01:47:40,480 --> 01:47:45,360
whose two income households suddenly

2650
01:47:42,239 --> 01:47:47,679
became one, a senior on a fixed income,

2651
01:47:45,360 --> 01:47:50,239
or a homeowner struggling with rising

2652
01:47:47,679 --> 01:47:52,000
taxes and housing costs. Let's steward

2653
01:47:50,239 --> 01:47:54,000
the resources and infrastructure we

2654
01:47:52,000 --> 01:47:55,920
already have while remembering the

2655
01:47:54,000 --> 01:47:58,400
people who have lived here, build their

2656
01:47:55,920 --> 01:48:00,239
lives here, and call Jersey City home.

2657
01:47:58,400 --> 01:48:01,679
Today we are asking Jersey City to

2658
01:48:00,239 --> 01:48:04,960
protect one important piece of that

2659
01:48:01,679 --> 01:48:06,639
prevention, right to council. FH

2660
01:48:04,960 --> 01:48:09,119
respectfully asked Jersey City to

2661
01:48:06,639 --> 01:48:11,119
restore the full 328,000

2662
01:48:09,119 --> 01:48:14,000
and right to council funding and to

2663
01:48:11,119 --> 01:48:19,080
consider investing more and expanding in

2664
01:48:14,000 --> 01:48:19,080
ser expanding services, not less.

2665
01:48:21,920 --> 01:48:24,960
» You can just state and spell your name

2666
01:48:23,520 --> 01:48:27,040
for the record, please.

2667
01:48:24,960 --> 01:48:31,520
» Anna Basset.

2668
01:48:27,040 --> 01:48:32,400
A an N A B A SS E T.

2669
01:48:31,520 --> 01:48:34,719
» Thank you.

2670
01:48:32,400 --> 01:48:36,159
» You're welcome. So, my name is Annab

2671
01:48:34,719 --> 01:48:38,159
Bassid, uh the co-founder of Fair

2672
01:48:36,159 --> 01:48:40,000
Housing Action Network, and I'm here in

2673
01:48:38,159 --> 01:48:43,040
support of the full funding of the Right

2674
01:48:40,000 --> 01:48:45,040
to Council and the Waterfront Project.

2675
01:48:43,040 --> 01:48:46,960
Um tomorrow morning, you'll likely find

2676
01:48:45,040 --> 01:48:50,480
me at Hudson County Superior Court

2677
01:48:46,960 --> 01:48:53,280
supporting a tenant I'll call Georgina.

2678
01:48:50,480 --> 01:48:56,239
Georgina earns roughly $70,000 a year

2679
01:48:53,280 --> 01:48:59,040
and paid about two uh $2,200 a month in

2680
01:48:56,239 --> 01:49:01,679
rent. She and her landlord got into a

2681
01:48:59,040 --> 01:49:04,800
dispute over utility charges that were

2682
01:49:01,679 --> 01:49:07,280
not written into her lease. The utility

2683
01:49:04,800 --> 01:49:09,600
bill was not even in her name and she

2684
01:49:07,280 --> 01:49:12,800
repeatedly asked the landlord to explain

2685
01:49:09,600 --> 01:49:14,480
what she supposedly owed. Eventually,

2686
01:49:12,800 --> 01:49:17,520
they agreed that she could break the

2687
01:49:14,480 --> 01:49:19,920
lease and then she moved out. But the

2688
01:49:17,520 --> 01:49:23,199
landlord still filed for eviction,

2689
01:49:19,920 --> 01:49:26,080
claiming unpaid rent. The problem is

2690
01:49:23,199 --> 01:49:28,400
Georgina paid her rent. What is being

2691
01:49:26,080 --> 01:49:31,199
presented as unpaid rent includes

2692
01:49:28,400 --> 01:49:34,880
disputed utility charges and fees she

2693
01:49:31,199 --> 01:49:37,440
says she never owed. Now she has to walk

2694
01:49:34,880 --> 01:49:39,920
into eviction court and defend herself

2695
01:49:37,440 --> 01:49:43,520
against a claim that turns a disputed

2696
01:49:39,920 --> 01:49:46,320
utility bill into an alleged rent debt.

2697
01:49:43,520 --> 01:49:49,040
Georgina needs a lawyer, but she falls

2698
01:49:46,320 --> 01:49:51,119
into a gap we see all of the time. She

2699
01:49:49,040 --> 01:49:53,280
makes too much money to qualify for many

2700
01:49:51,119 --> 01:49:55,119
traditional low-income legal services,

2701
01:49:53,280 --> 01:49:58,159
but she does not have thousands of

2702
01:49:55,119 --> 01:50:00,080
dollars to hire a private attorney. I

2703
01:49:58,159 --> 01:50:02,480
know that gap very well because I've

2704
01:50:00,080 --> 01:50:06,080
lived it myself and I see other tenants

2705
01:50:02,480 --> 01:50:09,440
living it now. Another tenant I'll call

2706
01:50:06,080 --> 01:50:12,000
an who lived for more than a decade in a

2707
01:50:09,440 --> 01:50:13,520
rent controlled building. A new owner

2708
01:50:12,000 --> 01:50:15,600
presented the tenants with a lease

2709
01:50:13,520 --> 01:50:18,560
containing provisions that raised

2710
01:50:15,600 --> 01:50:21,600
serious legal concerns and refused to

2711
01:50:18,560 --> 01:50:24,880
sign that illegal lease. She documented

2712
01:50:21,600 --> 01:50:27,360
her objections and proposed provisions.

2713
01:50:24,880 --> 01:50:29,199
In retaliation, the landlord stopped

2714
01:50:27,360 --> 01:50:31,520
accepting her rent and then took her to

2715
01:50:29,199 --> 01:50:34,560
court for non-payment and for refusing

2716
01:50:31,520 --> 01:50:37,280
to sign the lease. Anne's refusal to

2717
01:50:34,560 --> 01:50:39,520
sign was ultimately right, but her

2718
01:50:37,280 --> 01:50:42,159
landlord disregard disregarded her

2719
01:50:39,520 --> 01:50:43,920
rights and she was still dragged to

2720
01:50:42,159 --> 01:50:46,000
court and made to pay several thousand

2721
01:50:43,920 --> 01:50:49,199
dollars to be represented by attorney on

2722
01:50:46,000 --> 01:50:52,000
her own. The bleak housing system here

2723
01:50:49,199 --> 01:50:54,080
in Jersey City painfully teaches us that

2724
01:50:52,000 --> 01:50:56,400
being legally right does not protect you

2725
01:50:54,080 --> 01:50:58,320
from being evicted. And having rights

2726
01:50:56,400 --> 01:51:00,080
does not position you well enough to

2727
01:50:58,320 --> 01:51:02,400
defend yourself when your landlord is

2728
01:51:00,080 --> 01:51:04,159
taking you to court. When you are

2729
01:51:02,400 --> 01:51:05,920
already overwhelmed and your housing is

2730
01:51:04,159 --> 01:51:07,679
on the line, knowing your rights is not

2731
01:51:05,920 --> 01:51:09,600
the same as having a lawyer who knows

2732
01:51:07,679 --> 01:51:11,920
how to defend them. And that's why right

2733
01:51:09,600 --> 01:51:14,239
to counsel matters.

2734
01:51:11,920 --> 01:51:16,560
Tomorrow morning, if Georgina doesn't

2735
01:51:14,239 --> 01:51:18,960
get an attorney, we will be there

2736
01:51:16,560 --> 01:51:20,639
supporting her in every way that we can.

2737
01:51:18,960 --> 01:51:23,679
But advocacy is not legal

2738
01:51:20,639 --> 01:51:26,080
representation. As an advocate, there's

2739
01:51:23,679 --> 01:51:28,719
both a metaphorical and a very literal

2740
01:51:26,080 --> 01:51:31,520
line I personally cannot cross in that

2741
01:51:28,719 --> 01:51:33,119
courtroom. I can stand beside her, but I

2742
01:51:31,520 --> 01:51:36,159
cannot stand before the judge and

2743
01:51:33,119 --> 01:51:38,000
represent her. She needs an attorney.

2744
01:51:36,159 --> 01:51:40,000
And when tenants in Jersey City face

2745
01:51:38,000 --> 01:51:42,000
evictions, we hear it over and over. Did

2746
01:51:40,000 --> 01:51:43,760
you call the waterfront project? The

2747
01:51:42,000 --> 01:51:45,679
city says it. Other organ other

2748
01:51:43,760 --> 01:51:48,239
organizations say it. Our residents say

2749
01:51:45,679 --> 01:51:49,840
it. Our landlords say it. We all say it

2750
01:51:48,239 --> 01:51:52,880
because we trust the waterfront project

2751
01:51:49,840 --> 01:51:55,679
to put a lawyer next to a tenant. We

2752
01:51:52,880 --> 01:51:57,520
need for tenant legal service. Sorry.

2753
01:51:55,679 --> 01:52:00,080
The need for tenant legal services is

2754
01:51:57,520 --> 01:52:03,840
enormous and only a fraction of those

2755
01:52:00,080 --> 01:52:06,159
who need a lawyer ever get one. Right to

2756
01:52:03,840 --> 01:52:08,000
council expands that capacity, allowing

2757
01:52:06,159 --> 01:52:10,239
the waterfront project to serve more

2758
01:52:08,000 --> 01:52:12,400
tenants, including people like Georgina

2759
01:52:10,239 --> 01:52:15,599
and an who would otherwise fall through

2760
01:52:12,400 --> 01:52:18,400
that gap. We cannot keep telling people

2761
01:52:15,599 --> 01:52:20,880
call the waterfront project um while

2762
01:52:18,400 --> 01:52:23,920
proposing to give waterfront only half

2763
01:52:20,880 --> 01:52:25,760
of what it needs to answer those calls.

2764
01:52:23,920 --> 01:52:28,239
Cutting the funding in half does not cut

2765
01:52:25,760 --> 01:52:31,162
the need in half. It means fewer tenants

2766
01:52:28,239 --> 01:52:31,920
have a chance to not be displaced.

2767
01:52:31,162 --> 01:52:34,239
[clears throat and cough]

2768
01:52:31,920 --> 01:52:36,320
Tomorrow morning, FHN will have

2769
01:52:34,239 --> 01:52:37,920
organized Georgina's evidence, made the

2770
01:52:36,320 --> 01:52:40,719
calls, helped her understand what is

2771
01:52:37,920 --> 01:52:42,719
happening, will show up, but we're not

2772
01:52:40,719 --> 01:52:45,719
her lawyer.

2773
01:52:42,719 --> 01:52:45,719
Thanks.

2774
01:52:48,000 --> 01:52:51,360
» Can you please state your name and spell

2775
01:52:49,760 --> 01:52:56,719
it for us?

2776
01:52:51,360 --> 01:52:59,920
» Anthony Silver. S I L V E R.

2777
01:52:56,719 --> 01:53:01,293
Thank you.

2778
01:52:59,920 --> 01:53:01,840
When you're ready, Anthony.

2779
01:53:01,293 --> 01:53:04,239
[clears throat]

2780
01:53:01,840 --> 01:53:06,639
Good evening, council president, members

2781
01:53:04,239 --> 01:53:08,639
of the city council. My name is Anthony

2782
01:53:06,639 --> 01:53:11,199
Silver. I'm a police officer with the

2783
01:53:08,639 --> 01:53:12,639
city of Jersey City. I've had the

2784
01:53:11,199 --> 01:53:14,800
privilege of serving this city for the

2785
01:53:12,639 --> 01:53:16,719
past 11 years.

2786
01:53:14,800 --> 01:53:18,080
I'm here tonight because I believe we

2787
01:53:16,719 --> 01:53:19,360
need to have an honest conversation

2788
01:53:18,080 --> 01:53:21,360
about the future of this police

2789
01:53:19,360 --> 01:53:24,000
department

2790
01:53:21,360 --> 01:53:25,520
and the safety of this city.

2791
01:53:24,000 --> 01:53:28,000
For 11 years, I've watched our

2792
01:53:25,520 --> 01:53:29,599
department be asked to do more with way

2793
01:53:28,000 --> 01:53:31,040
less.

2794
01:53:29,599 --> 01:53:32,880
We are among the lowest paid police

2795
01:53:31,040 --> 01:53:34,639
departments in the county while serving

2796
01:53:32,880 --> 01:53:37,040
one of the largest populations with one

2797
01:53:34,639 --> 01:53:38,719
of the highest call volumes.

2798
01:53:37,040 --> 01:53:40,960
There was a time when people fought to

2799
01:53:38,719 --> 01:53:42,639
become a police officer here. People

2800
01:53:40,960 --> 01:53:45,760
wanted to work here, build their careers

2801
01:53:42,639 --> 01:53:49,040
here, raise their families here.

2802
01:53:45,760 --> 01:53:51,280
Today, people are leaving and fewer

2803
01:53:49,040 --> 01:53:54,239
people are willing to come. We need to

2804
01:53:51,280 --> 01:53:56,320
ask ourselves why.

2805
01:53:54,239 --> 01:53:58,719
Our officers haven't stopped caring.

2806
01:53:56,320 --> 01:54:00,560
They continue to work nights, weekends,

2807
01:53:58,719 --> 01:54:02,560
and holidays. They respond to

2808
01:54:00,560 --> 01:54:04,320
emergencies, walk into dangerous

2809
01:54:02,560 --> 01:54:07,119
situations, and put their lives on the

2810
01:54:04,320 --> 01:54:10,239
line to protect this community.

2811
01:54:07,119 --> 01:54:12,080
But dedication does not pay the bills.

2812
01:54:10,239 --> 01:54:13,679
For officers who live in this city, it

2813
01:54:12,080 --> 01:54:15,679
is becoming increasingly difficult to

2814
01:54:13,679 --> 01:54:18,000
afford to stay here and to raise their

2815
01:54:15,679 --> 01:54:19,920
families. And when an experienced

2816
01:54:18,000 --> 01:54:22,480
officer leaves, the city doesn't just

2817
01:54:19,920 --> 01:54:25,280
lose an employee. It loses years of

2818
01:54:22,480 --> 01:54:29,719
training, experience, knowledge, and

2819
01:54:25,280 --> 01:54:29,719
close relationships with this community.

2820
01:54:32,639 --> 01:54:36,960
Then the city has to recruit and train

2821
01:54:34,719 --> 01:54:38,639
someone new, hoping that that officer

2822
01:54:36,960 --> 01:54:40,159
stays long enough to develop the same

2823
01:54:38,639 --> 01:54:42,639
experience.

2824
01:54:40,159 --> 01:54:44,480
That is not sustainable.

2825
01:54:42,639 --> 01:54:46,719
There's another cost that we won't uh we

2826
01:54:44,480 --> 01:54:49,199
don't always talk about. It's the impact

2827
01:54:46,719 --> 01:54:51,280
of the officers who remain. When

2828
01:54:49,199 --> 01:54:53,040
staffing levels fall, the officers who

2829
01:54:51,280 --> 01:54:56,719
stay are asked to carry more of the

2830
01:54:53,040 --> 01:54:58,719
workload. more calls, more overtime,

2831
01:54:56,719 --> 01:55:01,520
more responsibilities, and more time

2832
01:54:58,719 --> 01:55:04,400
away from their families. And eventually

2833
01:55:01,520 --> 01:55:06,719
that creates a cycle.

2834
01:55:04,400 --> 01:55:08,880
The department loses officers. The

2835
01:55:06,719 --> 01:55:11,760
remaining officers work harder and fill

2836
01:55:08,880 --> 01:55:14,320
the gaps. Burnout increases, morale

2837
01:55:11,760 --> 01:55:16,800
suffers, and more officers begin looking

2838
01:55:14,320 --> 01:55:19,679
for the door. We cannot wait until that

2839
01:55:16,800 --> 01:55:21,440
cycle becomes impossible to reverse.

2840
01:55:19,679 --> 01:55:23,520
We also have to remember that policing

2841
01:55:21,440 --> 01:55:26,239
is not a job where experience can simply

2842
01:55:23,520 --> 01:55:28,159
be replaced overnight. You can hire a

2843
01:55:26,239 --> 01:55:31,520
new officer, but you cannot immediately

2844
01:55:28,159 --> 01:55:33,440
replace 10 to 15 years of experience.

2845
01:55:31,520 --> 01:55:35,360
You cannot instantly replace an officer

2846
01:55:33,440 --> 01:55:37,040
who knows the neighborhoods, knows the

2847
01:55:35,360 --> 01:55:39,119
people, understands the patterns of

2848
01:55:37,040 --> 01:55:40,960
crimes, knows how to handle difficult

2849
01:55:39,119 --> 01:55:43,599
situations, and has built relationships

2850
01:55:40,960 --> 01:55:46,560
within the community. Those things take

2851
01:55:43,599 --> 01:55:48,639
years to develop. That experience is an

2852
01:55:46,560 --> 01:55:50,800
investment.

2853
01:55:48,639 --> 01:55:53,679
And when experienced officers leave, we

2854
01:55:50,800 --> 01:55:55,440
lose that investment.

2855
01:55:53,679 --> 01:55:57,599
This isn't simply about asking for more

2856
01:55:55,440 --> 01:56:00,000
money. This is about investing in public

2857
01:55:57,599 --> 01:56:02,800
safety. If we want to attract good

2858
01:56:00,000 --> 01:56:04,719
officers, we have to be competitive. If

2859
01:56:02,800 --> 01:56:06,960
we want to retain experienced officers,

2860
01:56:04,719 --> 01:56:08,560
we have to give them a reason to stay.

2861
01:56:06,960 --> 01:56:10,239
If we want residents to receive the

2862
01:56:08,560 --> 01:56:13,280
level of police to service that they

2863
01:56:10,239 --> 01:56:16,320
deserve, we did we need enough qualified

2864
01:56:13,280 --> 01:56:18,400
and experienced officers to provide it.

2865
01:56:16,320 --> 01:56:20,719
So, I'm asking this council and this

2866
01:56:18,400 --> 01:56:22,080
administration to seriously look at

2867
01:56:20,719 --> 01:56:24,320
where our police department stands

2868
01:56:22,080 --> 01:56:25,760
compared to the rest of this county.

2869
01:56:24,320 --> 01:56:28,159
Look at what we're asking our officers

2870
01:56:25,760 --> 01:56:30,400
to do. Look at the workload. Look at the

2871
01:56:28,159 --> 01:56:32,639
call volume. Look at the recruitment at

2872
01:56:30,400 --> 01:56:34,480
the retention. And most importantly,

2873
01:56:32,639 --> 01:56:36,480
look at where we're headed. If nothing

2874
01:56:34,480 --> 01:56:39,520
changes,

2875
01:56:36,480 --> 01:56:41,520
give our officers a reason to stay. Give

2876
01:56:39,520 --> 01:56:44,000
prospective officers a reason to come

2877
01:56:41,520 --> 01:56:45,440
here. and give experienced officers a

2878
01:56:44,000 --> 01:56:48,159
reason to make their department their

2879
01:56:45,440 --> 01:56:50,239
career. Because this isn't just about

2880
01:56:48,159 --> 01:56:52,320
police officers. It's about every

2881
01:56:50,239 --> 01:56:54,800
resident who calls 911 and expects

2882
01:56:52,320 --> 01:56:56,639
someone to answer. It's about every

2883
01:56:54,800 --> 01:56:58,960
family that wants to feel safe in their

2884
01:56:56,639 --> 01:57:02,639
neighborhoods. It's about business that

2885
01:56:58,960 --> 01:57:04,480
depends on the safety of the community.

2886
01:57:02,639 --> 01:57:06,560
I've been proud to wear this uniform for

2887
01:57:04,480 --> 01:57:09,040
11 years and I want to continue serving

2888
01:57:06,560 --> 01:57:11,520
the city. I want to continue serving the

2889
01:57:09,040 --> 01:57:13,360
residents of Jersey City. But we cannot

2890
01:57:11,520 --> 01:57:15,520
take our officers for granted and expect

2891
01:57:13,360 --> 01:57:18,159
them to stay forever.

2892
01:57:15,520 --> 01:57:20,560
We we have the opportunity to change the

2893
01:57:18,159 --> 01:57:22,400
direction we are heading.

2894
01:57:20,560 --> 01:57:24,880
We can make this department a place

2895
01:57:22,400 --> 01:57:27,360
where police once again want to build a

2896
01:57:24,880 --> 01:57:29,360
career. A place where experienced

2897
01:57:27,360 --> 01:57:30,960
officers want to stay and a place where

2898
01:57:29,360 --> 01:57:33,440
the next generation of officers sees

2899
01:57:30,960 --> 01:57:35,119
Jersey City as an opportunity, not

2900
01:57:33,440 --> 01:57:37,520
simply a stepping stone to somewhere

2901
01:57:35,119 --> 01:57:39,599
else. Investing in our police officers

2902
01:57:37,520 --> 01:57:41,360
is investing in the public safety. And

2903
01:57:39,599 --> 01:57:46,119
investing in public safety is investing

2904
01:57:41,360 --> 01:57:46,119
in the future of Jersey City. Thank you.

2905
01:58:00,719 --> 01:58:04,320
» Next speaker, if you can just state and

2906
01:58:02,560 --> 01:58:08,000
spell your name for the record, please.

2907
01:58:04,320 --> 01:58:09,360
» Frank [clears throat] Frank Wilson. Wo

2908
01:58:08,000 --> 01:58:10,000
N.

2909
01:58:09,360 --> 01:58:10,880
Um,

2910
01:58:10,000 --> 01:58:12,080
» Thank you, Frank.

2911
01:58:10,880 --> 01:58:14,800
» This is the last place I want.

2912
01:58:12,080 --> 01:58:17,920
» Hold on one second. If we can just quiet

2913
01:58:14,800 --> 01:58:20,400
down and just let their speaker speak.

2914
01:58:17,920 --> 01:58:22,800
Thank you.

2915
01:58:20,400 --> 01:58:25,760
» This is the last place I wanted to be.

2916
01:58:22,800 --> 01:58:28,320
But I sent a few council members emails

2917
01:58:25,760 --> 01:58:30,960
that I never got a reply. And I sent the

2918
01:58:28,320 --> 01:58:32,480
mayor an email. I never got a reply. So,

2919
01:58:30,960 --> 01:58:34,239
I really don't think you all are going

2920
01:58:32,480 --> 01:58:35,679
to take me serious right now, especially

2921
01:58:34,239 --> 01:58:38,320
when this councilman won't even look me

2922
01:58:35,679 --> 01:58:40,800
in the eye. Thank you.

2923
01:58:38,320 --> 01:58:42,639
I want your uninvited attention. Some of

2924
01:58:40,800 --> 01:58:45,040
you have seen me at the past mayor

2925
01:58:42,639 --> 01:58:46,400
meetings when I discussed some things

2926
01:58:45,040 --> 01:58:49,040
and I'm going to bring him up again

2927
01:58:46,400 --> 01:58:52,000
today and some of it has to do with the

2928
01:58:49,040 --> 01:58:53,840
police. We need to split it in two. It's

2929
01:58:52,000 --> 01:58:56,719
not the police. It's not the rank and

2930
01:58:53,840 --> 01:58:58,480
file. It's not the patrolman. I looked

2931
01:58:56,719 --> 01:59:01,040
at the meeting for the public safety

2932
01:58:58,480 --> 01:59:02,560
meeting and the numbers that they

2933
01:59:01,040 --> 01:59:06,159
quoted.

2934
01:59:02,560 --> 01:59:09,040
There's 300 people from sergeant up to

2935
01:59:06,159 --> 01:59:11,520
deputy chief with 120 something

2936
01:59:09,040 --> 01:59:13,040
detectives and 400 rank and file

2937
01:59:11,520 --> 01:59:15,440
patrolman that put their lives on the

2938
01:59:13,040 --> 01:59:17,520
line every day. That means it's for

2939
01:59:15,440 --> 01:59:22,239
every patrolman

2940
01:59:17,520 --> 01:59:24,320
the 1.5 upper management controls them.

2941
01:59:22,239 --> 01:59:26,400
I don't know any patrolman that need to

2942
01:59:24,320 --> 01:59:29,040
have that much guidance that we don't

2943
01:59:26,400 --> 01:59:34,639
have more patrolman on on the bead and

2944
01:59:29,040 --> 01:59:38,480
not as many brass. were brass heavy.

2945
01:59:34,639 --> 01:59:40,800
Okay. And I I say this because the last

2946
01:59:38,480 --> 01:59:44,159
two chiefs, the fire and the police

2947
01:59:40,800 --> 01:59:45,920
chief, retired with their pension and a

2948
01:59:44,159 --> 01:59:50,000
$420,000

2949
01:59:45,920 --> 01:59:52,880
payout for fire and $512,000

2950
01:59:50,000 --> 01:59:54,880
for police. That's almost a million for

2951
01:59:52,880 --> 01:59:56,400
two individuals. I think that's

2952
01:59:54,880 --> 01:59:59,199
excessive.

2953
01:59:56,400 --> 02:00:01,920
Okay.

2954
01:59:59,199 --> 02:00:04,800
I'm leading. It says here that there's a

2955
02:00:01,920 --> 02:00:07,280
law that was enacted in 2010 that

2956
02:00:04,800 --> 02:00:10,080
cretails the contractual obligation of

2957
02:00:07,280 --> 02:00:12,159
payouts to $15,000

2958
02:00:10,080 --> 02:00:14,400
dollars to anybody that was hired after

2959
02:00:12,159 --> 02:00:18,159
2010.

2960
02:00:14,400 --> 02:00:20,960
Okay, I say that because I found and I

2961
02:00:18,159 --> 02:00:23,920
gave one of the councilman this. Okay, I

2962
02:00:20,960 --> 02:00:27,599
found this um notice that came from the

2963
02:00:23,920 --> 02:00:31,280
previous administration that he he gave

2964
02:00:27,599 --> 02:00:35,280
an executive order that any any deputy

2965
02:00:31,280 --> 02:00:40,440
chief that was promoted from 2018 and up

2966
02:00:35,280 --> 02:00:40,440
was given 180 sick days.

2967
02:00:40,480 --> 02:00:44,080
From what I see, this is still in

2968
02:00:42,320 --> 02:00:46,159
effect.

2969
02:00:44,080 --> 02:00:48,560
So that means we're giving them 100 half

2970
02:00:46,159 --> 02:00:51,440
a year salary when they retire. anybody

2971
02:00:48,560 --> 02:00:53,760
that was from 2018.

2972
02:00:51,440 --> 02:00:56,159
The these numbers that I'm quoting have

2973
02:00:53,760 --> 02:00:58,560
nothing to do with the rank and file.

2974
02:00:56,159 --> 02:01:01,599
It's a bloated system of payouts at the

2975
02:00:58,560 --> 02:01:04,080
end. It's a bloated thing for patronage

2976
02:01:01,599 --> 02:01:08,560
that you've you've given these these

2977
02:01:04,080 --> 02:01:11,360
deputy chiefs a half a year salary.

2978
02:01:08,560 --> 02:01:13,840
I'd like to add that. Okay. And I don't

2979
02:01:11,360 --> 02:01:15,760
see anywhere where it's been revoked. I

2980
02:01:13,840 --> 02:01:18,080
asked the mayor. I never heard a word

2981
02:01:15,760 --> 02:01:20,159
back from them. So, it's like go along

2982
02:01:18,080 --> 02:01:21,840
to get along. And some of you may have

2983
02:01:20,159 --> 02:01:23,360
still been here when this was put into

2984
02:01:21,840 --> 02:01:26,760
effect because this was put into effect

2985
02:01:23,360 --> 02:01:26,760
in 2018.

2986
02:01:27,119 --> 02:01:31,040
So, I'd like to give this to the record

2987
02:01:29,199 --> 02:01:33,119
that you have to now see it. If we can

2988
02:01:31,040 --> 02:01:34,800
put this into the record, whoever takes

2989
02:01:33,119 --> 02:01:38,239
these papers that you have, you can't

2990
02:01:34,800 --> 02:01:40,639
just like say, "Okay, move on." Um, I

2991
02:01:38,239 --> 02:01:42,960
I'd like you to get your attention. And

2992
02:01:40,639 --> 02:01:45,199
some of you, I know two of you up there

2993
02:01:42,960 --> 02:01:48,080
saw me at at the one of the meetings and

2994
02:01:45,199 --> 02:01:50,159
I discussed this. And I'd like to make

2995
02:01:48,080 --> 02:01:52,159
sure that all of you understand this.

2996
02:01:50,159 --> 02:01:54,639
Again, it's not the rank and file.

2997
02:01:52,159 --> 02:01:58,239
Everybody says police, police, police.

2998
02:01:54,639 --> 02:02:01,760
You've got 400 cops on the job in the

2999
02:01:58,239 --> 02:02:03,840
cars. You got 300

3000
02:02:01,760 --> 02:02:07,360
management personnel

3001
02:02:03,840 --> 02:02:11,520
that aren't patrolling in the cars.

3002
02:02:07,360 --> 02:02:13,440
Uh, I think something's wrong here.

3003
02:02:11,520 --> 02:02:15,520
I I

3004
02:02:13,440 --> 02:02:17,199
So, I I I think think you need to start

3005
02:02:15,520 --> 02:02:18,480
taking a look at this and you start to

3006
02:02:17,199 --> 02:02:20,400
need to take a look at these payout

3007
02:02:18,480 --> 02:02:22,560
numbers that they're entitled to it.

3008
02:02:20,400 --> 02:02:24,239
Take it in the current year. Don't all

3009
02:02:22,560 --> 02:02:26,480
of a sudden saddle us with a million

3010
02:02:24,239 --> 02:02:28,639
dollars because two individuals retired

3011
02:02:26,480 --> 02:02:30,880
and are getting paid a million bucks

3012
02:02:28,639 --> 02:02:32,960
because this problem you got is never

3013
02:02:30,880 --> 02:02:34,880
gonna go away.

3014
02:02:32,960 --> 02:02:37,599
and I can't afford another hit because I

3015
02:02:34,880 --> 02:02:39,280
just got the one in the mail. Um I can't

3016
02:02:37,599 --> 02:02:40,719
afford another one again to say, "Okay,

3017
02:02:39,280 --> 02:02:43,119
well, we made a mistake." And all this

3018
02:02:40,719 --> 02:02:45,360
kind of stuff. So, you're all now in the

3019
02:02:43,119 --> 02:02:47,920
position. It's not somebody else. It's

3020
02:02:45,360 --> 02:02:49,840
not the previous mayor. Um if you want,

3021
02:02:47,920 --> 02:02:54,520
I'll leave this.

3022
02:02:49,840 --> 02:02:54,520
And that's all I got to say. Thank you.

3023
02:03:04,239 --> 02:03:07,280
Speaker

3024
02:03:05,360 --> 02:03:08,960
» Philip Petraelli P.

3025
02:03:07,280 --> 02:03:13,440
» Bring up Bring up the mic. Phil.

3026
02:03:08,960 --> 02:03:17,679
» Philip Petraelli. P H I L I P.

3027
02:03:13,440 --> 02:03:21,199
Petraelli. P E T R U Z C Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

3028
02:03:17,679 --> 02:03:23,360
Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z E L L I. Thank

3029
02:03:21,199 --> 02:03:25,520
you. And many of the people tonight have

3030
02:03:23,360 --> 02:03:26,960
talked about, you know, they need more

3031
02:03:25,520 --> 02:03:29,520
money and other things. What I want to

3032
02:03:26,960 --> 02:03:32,639
do is actually challenge the council to

3033
02:03:29,520 --> 02:03:35,440
do something else. I've been a resident

3034
02:03:32,639 --> 02:03:38,880
for approximately 29 years in Jersey

3035
02:03:35,440 --> 02:03:40,800
City. I have a home. I consider it my

3036
02:03:38,880 --> 02:03:43,040
community. I can walk down the street. I

3037
02:03:40,800 --> 02:03:45,119
know my neighbors. If I go I can walk to

3038
02:03:43,040 --> 02:03:47,280
my doctor's offices. If I go somewhere

3039
02:03:45,119 --> 02:03:49,440
else because you're going to for if

3040
02:03:47,280 --> 02:03:51,119
taxes go much higher, I'm going to have

3041
02:03:49,440 --> 02:03:52,639
to leave a lot of that behind. And

3042
02:03:51,119 --> 02:03:55,040
that's not something I want to do at my

3043
02:03:52,639 --> 02:03:58,000
age. It's one of the greatest things

3044
02:03:55,040 --> 02:04:00,800
stresses stress providers uh that people

3045
02:03:58,000 --> 02:04:03,599
go through is that. But my challenge is

3046
02:04:00,800 --> 02:04:07,199
to you not only find a way to reduce the

3047
02:04:03,599 --> 02:04:10,560
budget if you can if you can't make sure

3048
02:04:07,199 --> 02:04:13,920
future increases are limited to

3049
02:04:10,560 --> 02:04:17,199
inflationary rates instead of anything

3050
02:04:13,920 --> 02:04:20,880
excess in excess of that. And that mean

3051
02:04:17,199 --> 02:04:23,360
that may mean uh selling assets which

3052
02:04:20,880 --> 02:04:24,800
we've done in the past. If you sell 100

3053
02:04:23,360 --> 02:04:28,320
million assets, you can probably get the

3054
02:04:24,800 --> 02:04:30,400
state off your back immediately.

3055
02:04:28,320 --> 02:04:32,960
Um,

3056
02:04:30,400 --> 02:04:36,719
if a department says goes beyond the

3057
02:04:32,960 --> 02:04:38,560
budgetary amount, limit that department,

3058
02:04:36,719 --> 02:04:40,320
furlow the people for a while until they

3059
02:04:38,560 --> 02:04:43,920
get back and think, put some

3060
02:04:40,320 --> 02:04:45,920
consequences for exceeding the budget.

3061
02:04:43,920 --> 02:04:47,920
You have to give some accountability to

3062
02:04:45,920 --> 02:04:51,199
the people that are spending the money.

3063
02:04:47,920 --> 02:04:53,280
You can authorize it. Where's the end to

3064
02:04:51,199 --> 02:04:55,920
make sure that it happens that way and

3065
02:04:53,280 --> 02:04:58,560
people are held accountable?

3066
02:04:55,920 --> 02:05:01,040
You know, you people are all aware that,

3067
02:04:58,560 --> 02:05:03,920
you know, the 15% is unsustainable over

3068
02:05:01,040 --> 02:05:07,280
time. You're driving people, the retired

3069
02:05:03,920 --> 02:05:10,400
people out. You I'm well into my 70s and

3070
02:05:07,280 --> 02:05:13,040
a 15% increase is

3071
02:05:10,400 --> 02:05:16,320
is really excessive. So why don't you

3072
02:05:13,040 --> 02:05:19,040
ask the pass an amendment to move the

3073
02:05:16,320 --> 02:05:22,560
school budget so it's voted on in April

3074
02:05:19,040 --> 02:05:24,639
every year. You can pass that here at

3075
02:05:22,560 --> 02:05:26,560
your level

3076
02:05:24,639 --> 02:05:28,960
and make sure that people have a choice

3077
02:05:26,560 --> 02:05:30,800
in what the city count what the school

3078
02:05:28,960 --> 02:05:33,040
budget spends cuz we're spending

3079
02:05:30,800 --> 02:05:36,320
excessive of somewhere said somebody

3080
02:05:33,040 --> 02:05:40,000
said 30,000 a student for an education

3081
02:05:36,320 --> 02:05:43,679
that is subpar when was it 49% of the

3082
02:05:40,000 --> 02:05:45,840
people can't pass math and what 50% pass

3083
02:05:43,679 --> 02:05:49,040
reading or something like that. You

3084
02:05:45,840 --> 02:05:51,440
know, it's really poor for a city this

3085
02:05:49,040 --> 02:05:52,960
size to have that poor of a school

3086
02:05:51,440 --> 02:05:55,119
representation.

3087
02:05:52,960 --> 02:05:57,840
Put some teeth behind the budget you

3088
02:05:55,119 --> 02:05:59,840
make and make sure you follow up on it.

3089
02:05:57,840 --> 02:06:01,280
You know, the past administration said,

3090
02:05:59,840 --> 02:06:03,280
"It's somebody else. It's somebody

3091
02:06:01,280 --> 02:06:05,040
else." Put some teeth. A gentleman

3092
02:06:03,280 --> 02:06:06,800
tonight made a great thing on the

3093
02:06:05,040 --> 02:06:11,040
budget.

3094
02:06:06,800 --> 02:06:12,320
Pass it in June for the following year.

3095
02:06:11,040 --> 02:06:13,920
That way they know what they're

3096
02:06:12,320 --> 02:06:16,080
spending. They know if they go over,

3097
02:06:13,920 --> 02:06:17,920
they're going to be penalized.

3098
02:06:16,080 --> 02:06:21,199
Help the people out, the residents out

3099
02:06:17,920 --> 02:06:25,719
that want to have a long-term home and

3100
02:06:21,199 --> 02:06:25,719
community here. Thank you.

3101
02:06:28,320 --> 02:06:31,679
If you can just state and spell your

3102
02:06:30,239 --> 02:06:36,800
name for the record, please.

3103
02:06:31,679 --> 02:06:38,000
» Yes. Uh, Jennifer King. J N I F E R K I

3104
02:06:36,800 --> 02:06:40,719
N G.

3105
02:06:38,000 --> 02:06:43,760
» Thank you, Jennifer. I wasn't prepared

3106
02:06:40,719 --> 02:06:46,159
to talk tonight, so I just But um my

3107
02:06:43,760 --> 02:06:47,679
story is the perfect culmination of

3108
02:06:46,159 --> 02:06:48,159
» Jennifer, you could just bring it close

3109
02:06:47,679 --> 02:06:49,920
to you.

3110
02:06:48,159 --> 02:06:51,280
» Yeah,

3111
02:06:49,920 --> 02:06:53,520
» That's better.

3112
02:06:51,280 --> 02:06:55,760
» My story is the perfect culmination of

3113
02:06:53,520 --> 02:06:57,920
what's happening here this evening and

3114
02:06:55,760 --> 02:07:00,800
why funding for the waterfront project

3115
02:06:57,920 --> 02:07:03,040
is so important and the tax increase

3116
02:07:00,800 --> 02:07:06,480
isn't working for the people that are

3117
02:07:03,040 --> 02:07:09,520
the heart of Jersey City. My landlord is

3118
02:07:06,480 --> 02:07:11,679
not a nice person and wants to tear down

3119
02:07:09,520 --> 02:07:14,480
the building we live in I've lived in

3120
02:07:11,679 --> 02:07:17,840
for 20 years and build another

3121
02:07:14,480 --> 02:07:20,960
high-rise. Instead of offering us a

3122
02:07:17,840 --> 02:07:22,480
buyout, he tried to sue my partner and

3123
02:07:20,960 --> 02:07:24,880
I.

3124
02:07:22,480 --> 02:07:28,320
We were referred to the waterfront

3125
02:07:24,880 --> 02:07:31,599
project because we made too much for a

3126
02:07:28,320 --> 02:07:32,960
free lawyer and not enough for $500 an

3127
02:07:31,599 --> 02:07:37,119
hour.

3128
02:07:32,960 --> 02:07:38,639
Um they stepped up for us unbelievably

3129
02:07:37,119 --> 02:07:40,480
so.

3130
02:07:38,639 --> 02:07:42,560
Um

3131
02:07:40,480 --> 02:07:46,000
Barl Dalton

3132
02:07:42,560 --> 02:07:50,000
not only let my landlord and his lawyer

3133
02:07:46,000 --> 02:07:53,440
know that their action was almost

3134
02:07:50,000 --> 02:07:55,280
criminal but also got us our rightful

3135
02:07:53,440 --> 02:07:57,599
buyout.

3136
02:07:55,280 --> 02:07:59,840
The tie-in with the tax increase

3137
02:07:57,599 --> 02:08:03,920
affected us in the fact that we are not

3138
02:07:59,840 --> 02:08:06,800
able to stay in Jersey City,

3139
02:08:03,920 --> 02:08:09,760
which truly breaks my heart. [snorts] I

3140
02:08:06,800 --> 02:08:13,280
have raised my children here. I've made

3141
02:08:09,760 --> 02:08:16,000
lifelong friends. I've worked, shopped,

3142
02:08:13,280 --> 02:08:18,079
woripped, and helped save a piece of

3143
02:08:16,000 --> 02:08:20,239
Jersey City history that is older than

3144
02:08:18,079 --> 02:08:22,159
this country.

3145
02:08:20,239 --> 02:08:25,040
I am

3146
02:08:22,159 --> 02:08:28,000
not far away uh to keep close to that

3147
02:08:25,040 --> 02:08:32,880
historic site, but I'm not in Jersey

3148
02:08:28,000 --> 02:08:36,639
City. And the very real fact is that as

3149
02:08:32,880 --> 02:08:39,119
renters, we can't afford to stay here. I

3150
02:08:36,639 --> 02:08:40,960
have friends who are homeowners and

3151
02:08:39,119 --> 02:08:44,480
whose family has been here for

3152
02:08:40,960 --> 02:08:47,840
generations considering giving it all up

3153
02:08:44,480 --> 02:08:50,239
because they can't afford to stay.

3154
02:08:47,840 --> 02:08:53,199
The people who spoke up this evening is

3155
02:08:50,239 --> 02:08:55,440
just a fraction of the people who reside

3156
02:08:53,199 --> 02:08:58,320
here and feel the same as all these

3157
02:08:55,440 --> 02:09:00,560
people who have spoken tonight. If you

3158
02:08:58,320 --> 02:09:03,280
lose the people who have made up the

3159
02:09:00,560 --> 02:09:06,159
heart of Jersey City, Jersey City will

3160
02:09:03,280 --> 02:09:09,440
just be a name and its living history

3161
02:09:06,159 --> 02:09:12,079
will be lost. Please rework the budget

3162
02:09:09,440 --> 02:09:16,360
and make it work for all and not just a

3163
02:09:12,079 --> 02:09:16,360
few. Thank you.

3164
02:09:18,960 --> 02:09:21,840
You can just state and spell your name

3165
02:09:20,800 --> 02:09:25,679
for the record, please.

3166
02:09:21,840 --> 02:09:33,040
» Hi, my name is Jeff JFF Vortimer Viking

3167
02:09:25,679 --> 02:09:34,560
Victor. O R C H E I M E R. Um, briefly,

3168
02:09:33,040 --> 02:09:36,800
first of all, thank you very much for

3169
02:09:34,560 --> 02:09:40,960
all for council for their patience and

3170
02:09:36,800 --> 02:09:42,880
for the real passion and and outstanding

3171
02:09:40,960 --> 02:09:45,360
comments by the people who spoke before

3172
02:09:42,880 --> 02:09:47,840
me. I did want to say um you know as an

3173
02:09:45,360 --> 02:09:49,440
older resident of Jersey City, I am

3174
02:09:47,840 --> 02:09:51,760
grateful for the Jersey City Police

3175
02:09:49,440 --> 02:09:53,199
Department for keeping a low crime rate.

3176
02:09:51,760 --> 02:09:54,960
Again, my wife and I are a little less

3177
02:09:53,199 --> 02:09:57,040
able to defend ourselves than we once

3178
02:09:54,960 --> 02:09:59,920
were. And I have a daughter whose dog

3179
02:09:57,040 --> 02:10:01,920
insists on going out late at night. Um

3180
02:09:59,920 --> 02:10:05,040
there is a sense of order in Jersey

3181
02:10:01,920 --> 02:10:07,920
City, frankly, that I don't attribute to

3182
02:10:05,040 --> 02:10:10,159
national trends. Um I don't find in New

3183
02:10:07,920 --> 02:10:13,719
York City at all and I do not take for

3184
02:10:10,159 --> 02:10:13,719
granted. Thank you.

3185
02:10:16,239 --> 02:10:23,840
Hi everyone. Uh, my name is Campbell

3186
02:10:18,480 --> 02:10:26,320
Charie. That's C A M P B E L L. Uh, C H

3187
02:10:23,840 --> 02:10:28,000
A R S H E

3188
02:10:26,320 --> 02:10:33,119
» C H A R

3189
02:10:28,000 --> 02:10:35,440
» Uh C H A R S H E Campbell Charie.

3190
02:10:33,119 --> 02:10:36,800
» S H I'm sorry. S H E

3191
02:10:35,440 --> 02:10:38,960
» S H E. Yeah.

3192
02:10:36,800 --> 02:10:41,119
» Thank you, sir.

3193
02:10:38,960 --> 02:10:43,040
Uh so I just wanted to impress upon the

3194
02:10:41,119 --> 02:10:45,360
council and also everyone in this

3195
02:10:43,040 --> 02:10:47,760
chamber uh the importance uh I heard

3196
02:10:45,360 --> 02:10:50,639
someone Isaac say it of establishing

3197
02:10:47,760 --> 02:10:53,199
local control over Jersey city's budget

3198
02:10:50,639 --> 02:10:55,040
and um also thinking about progressive

3199
02:10:53,199 --> 02:10:57,280
meth methods of taxation to deal with

3200
02:10:55,040 --> 02:10:59,280
the budget crisis. Um, I've been

3201
02:10:57,280 --> 02:11:02,239
involved in the effort to save Christ

3202
02:10:59,280 --> 02:11:04,719
Hospital. Um, and the Christ hospital

3203
02:11:02,239 --> 02:11:06,159
closure let the city and even the New

3204
02:11:04,719 --> 02:11:09,040
Jersey Department of Health without

3205
02:11:06,159 --> 02:11:11,280
legal and regulatory options regarding

3206
02:11:09,040 --> 02:11:14,079
bigging uh bringing a bad faith hospital

3207
02:11:11,280 --> 02:11:16,480
operator, that's HR, to heal and

3208
02:11:14,079 --> 02:11:19,119
reestablishing critical health services

3209
02:11:16,480 --> 02:11:21,840
uh in the Jersey City Heights. Um uh

3210
02:11:19,119 --> 02:11:23,760
there are now state legislative efforts

3211
02:11:21,840 --> 02:11:26,159
uh to give the state new powers to step

3212
02:11:23,760 --> 02:11:28,960
in in these kinds of situations. But

3213
02:11:26,159 --> 02:11:31,679
let's be clear, the situation is bad. Uh

3214
02:11:28,960 --> 02:11:34,000
there are 1.2 hospital beds for a city

3215
02:11:31,679 --> 02:11:37,199
of 300,000 people. That's less than half

3216
02:11:34,000 --> 02:11:39,199
the national average. And god forbid uh

3217
02:11:37,199 --> 02:11:42,000
there's another natural disaster or

3218
02:11:39,199 --> 02:11:44,960
pandemic. Um the the city's going to be

3219
02:11:42,000 --> 02:11:48,079
really screwed. So um that's a that's a

3220
02:11:44,960 --> 02:11:52,480
situation where a lack of HR used

3221
02:11:48,079 --> 02:11:54,800
lawfare and all manner of things to uh

3222
02:11:52,480 --> 02:11:56,960
basically uh avoid accountability and

3223
02:11:54,800 --> 02:12:00,880
and similarly right now with this budget

3224
02:11:56,960 --> 02:12:03,440
process with the $255 million uh budget

3225
02:12:00,880 --> 02:12:06,800
deficit the aid package offered by the

3226
02:12:03,440 --> 02:12:09,599
state cond conditioned upon the 15.5 uh%

3227
02:12:06,800 --> 02:12:11,760
property tax increases and uh the

3228
02:12:09,599 --> 02:12:13,520
inability of Jersey City of the council

3229
02:12:11,760 --> 02:12:15,920
and the mayor to levy any form of

3230
02:12:13,520 --> 02:12:18,159
progressive property tax uh or adjust

3231
02:12:15,920 --> 02:12:21,679
any taxes on developers or local uh

3232
02:12:18,159 --> 02:12:23,360
corporate residents um at the municipal

3233
02:12:21,679 --> 02:12:27,440
level. That's smacks of the same problem

3234
02:12:23,360 --> 02:12:29,360
to me. Um so uh that problem is the lack

3235
02:12:27,440 --> 02:12:31,840
of adequate local control over both our

3236
02:12:29,360 --> 02:12:34,320
social services and budgetary prospects.

3237
02:12:31,840 --> 02:12:36,159
Uh so short term I would reiterate

3238
02:12:34,320 --> 02:12:38,159
support for passing the people's budget

3239
02:12:36,159 --> 02:12:40,639
which prioritizes funding social

3240
02:12:38,159 --> 02:12:43,920
services including critical uh health

3241
02:12:40,639 --> 02:12:45,199
services. Uh but more long-term uh we

3242
02:12:43,920 --> 02:12:46,960
don't want to live in a city where

3243
02:12:45,199 --> 02:12:49,440
powerful corporate actors can make

3244
02:12:46,960 --> 02:12:51,840
self-interested moves and then escape

3245
02:12:49,440 --> 02:12:54,079
accountability when the bills come due.

3246
02:12:51,840 --> 02:12:56,079
Uh long term we need the state to give

3247
02:12:54,079 --> 02:12:58,000
Jersey City more power to levy

3248
02:12:56,079 --> 02:13:00,400
progressive property taxes. And the

3249
02:12:58,000 --> 02:13:02,480
state also needs to look seriously at le

3250
02:13:00,400 --> 02:13:04,960
levying new taxes on private developers

3251
02:13:02,480 --> 02:13:06,639
and corporations direct to directly

3252
02:13:04,960 --> 02:13:10,400
benefit one of New Jersey's largest

3253
02:13:06,639 --> 02:13:12,880
cities uh and the 1.3 to$ 1.5 billion it

3254
02:13:10,400 --> 02:13:15,360
provides the state annually. Um but the

3255
02:13:12,880 --> 02:13:18,159
power to do that only begins at the

3256
02:13:15,360 --> 02:13:20,560
community level democratically with

3257
02:13:18,159 --> 02:13:22,400
transparency and with a long-term

3258
02:13:20,560 --> 02:13:24,400
organizing strategy and with the

3259
02:13:22,400 --> 02:13:28,840
fullthroated support of the mayor and

3260
02:13:24,400 --> 02:13:28,840
city council. Thanks very much.

3261
02:13:32,320 --> 02:13:35,199
» Just bring the mic down if you could

3262
02:13:33,760 --> 02:13:36,000
just state and spell your name for the

3263
02:13:35,199 --> 02:13:42,719
record, please.

3264
02:13:36,000 --> 02:13:44,480
» Donna Rristauchi. R I S T O R U C I.

3265
02:13:42,719 --> 02:13:47,440
» Thank you, Donna.

3266
02:13:44,480 --> 02:13:51,280
» Um, well, actually, everyone has said

3267
02:13:47,440 --> 02:13:55,040
what I what I had thought to say, so I

3268
02:13:51,280 --> 02:13:57,599
meant I I'll just take a minute. Um,

3269
02:13:55,040 --> 02:14:00,079
you know, I think I I I uh I want to

3270
02:13:57,599 --> 02:14:01,920
thank the people who have given concrete

3271
02:14:00,079 --> 02:14:04,400
examples, you know, from the waterfront

3272
02:14:01,920 --> 02:14:07,599
and the uh right to legal counsel and so

3273
02:14:04,400 --> 02:14:09,360
on because it adds it makes it real, you

3274
02:14:07,599 --> 02:14:11,760
know, shows really what the budget how

3275
02:14:09,360 --> 02:14:14,880
it affects people and and what we need

3276
02:14:11,760 --> 02:14:18,159
to do. A budget is a statement of your

3277
02:14:14,880 --> 02:14:19,760
values and

3278
02:14:18,159 --> 02:14:23,440
and that's what that's what our budget

3279
02:14:19,760 --> 02:14:26,079
should be. I I think that that our state

3280
02:14:23,440 --> 02:14:28,239
talk about handcuffs. The state then the

3281
02:14:26,079 --> 02:14:31,840
DCA has really put handcuffs on our

3282
02:14:28,239 --> 02:14:35,520
ability to make our budget reflect our

3283
02:14:31,840 --> 02:14:37,760
values. Our our values are for the

3284
02:14:35,520 --> 02:14:40,239
services for the people, you know, and

3285
02:14:37,760 --> 02:14:43,199
um you know, I used to work for a labor

3286
02:14:40,239 --> 02:14:46,239
lawyer and he told me that the law has

3287
02:14:43,199 --> 02:14:49,280
nothing to do with justice. And I think

3288
02:14:46,239 --> 02:14:51,920
that that's we sometimes see that, you

3289
02:14:49,280 --> 02:14:54,480
know, in our uh especially in the in the

3290
02:14:51,920 --> 02:14:56,000
way the state is um controlling our

3291
02:14:54,480 --> 02:14:58,719
constitution

3292
02:14:56,000 --> 02:15:02,159
basically defended the property of

3293
02:14:58,719 --> 02:15:03,840
wealthy white land owners and and

3294
02:15:02,159 --> 02:15:06,079
everything that we have gotten

3295
02:15:03,840 --> 02:15:08,480
throughout the years has been a fight, a

3296
02:15:06,079 --> 02:15:11,920
struggle. And I think that's that's what

3297
02:15:08,480 --> 02:15:14,079
we need to to continue to do here. I

3298
02:15:11,920 --> 02:15:17,280
think that the DSA has really added a

3299
02:15:14,079 --> 02:15:19,760
lot to the um the Democratic Socialists

3300
02:15:17,280 --> 02:15:22,400
of America has added a lot to our budget

3301
02:15:19,760 --> 02:15:24,719
process here because they're actually

3302
02:15:22,400 --> 02:15:27,599
organizing like a bunch of individuals

3303
02:15:24,719 --> 02:15:30,000
you can just say so much and do so much

3304
02:15:27,599 --> 02:15:32,800
but to be organized and struggle

3305
02:15:30,000 --> 02:15:35,360
together in a movement as one of an

3306
02:15:32,800 --> 02:15:37,599
earlier speaker said is is the only way

3307
02:15:35,360 --> 02:15:40,239
that we will get a budget that can

3308
02:15:37,599 --> 02:15:43,679
reflect our values and really protect

3309
02:15:40,239 --> 02:15:47,239
the people of our of our city. So that's

3310
02:15:43,679 --> 02:15:47,239
all. Thanks.

3311
02:15:49,440 --> 02:15:52,960
» Next speaker,

3312
02:15:51,360 --> 02:15:54,880
you can just state your name and spell

3313
02:15:52,960 --> 02:16:01,599
it for the record, please.

3314
02:15:54,880 --> 02:16:07,520
» Monnique K. Andrews. M O N I Q U E K

3315
02:16:01,599 --> 02:16:09,760
like in kite. Andrews. A N D R E WS.

3316
02:16:07,520 --> 02:16:12,239
» Thank you so much.

3317
02:16:09,760 --> 02:16:13,760
Uh, first I wanted to uh speak about the

3318
02:16:12,239 --> 02:16:16,560
fact that I'm glad y'all did the moment

3319
02:16:13,760 --> 02:16:18,880
of silence this today, but I would hope

3320
02:16:16,560 --> 02:16:21,920
that you have would have done it for

3321
02:16:18,880 --> 02:16:23,760
Nolan Wells, the young man that lost his

3322
02:16:21,920 --> 02:16:25,920
life in Mississippi. Today is his

3323
02:16:23,760 --> 02:16:28,400
birthday and I was hoping that I had

3324
02:16:25,920 --> 02:16:30,320
heard that from this panel. But besides

3325
02:16:28,400 --> 02:16:33,519
that,

3326
02:16:30,320 --> 02:16:36,880
um, speaking of this budget, one thing

3327
02:16:33,519 --> 02:16:41,120
that I'm concerned about is that the

3328
02:16:36,880 --> 02:16:43,679
street on Ocean Avenue between Stevens

3329
02:16:41,120 --> 02:16:46,479
Avenue all the way to Sheffield Avenue

3330
02:16:43,679 --> 02:16:49,840
has been torn up for months.

3331
02:16:46,479 --> 02:16:52,479
And the cars are being ripped apart

3332
02:16:49,840 --> 02:16:56,639
coming through there which also is

3333
02:16:52,479 --> 02:17:00,319
across from the

3334
02:16:56,639 --> 02:17:03,200
cemetery down the street from a school

3335
02:17:00,319 --> 02:17:05,040
where kids got to go back and forth. You

3336
02:17:03,200 --> 02:17:07,760
can break your leg going across the

3337
02:17:05,040 --> 02:17:10,559
street. Okay. But yet we're talking

3338
02:17:07,760 --> 02:17:13,679
about bike lanes.

3339
02:17:10,559 --> 02:17:16,719
Okay. where the difference is the bike

3340
02:17:13,679 --> 02:17:20,000
lanes are green in the square and

3341
02:17:16,719 --> 02:17:22,160
downtown but they're black in Greenville

3342
02:17:20,000 --> 02:17:24,399
where you can't see them at night. So

3343
02:17:22,160 --> 02:17:27,200
now you're you're you know driving your

3344
02:17:24,399 --> 02:17:28,800
car and you're about to lose your car.

3345
02:17:27,200 --> 02:17:30,880
Who's going to pay for that? Is that

3346
02:17:28,800 --> 02:17:33,040
going to be in the budget?

3347
02:17:30,880 --> 02:17:35,280
I'm paying I'm paying insurance for a

3348
02:17:33,040 --> 02:17:37,439
car that it keeps getting torn up from

3349
02:17:35,280 --> 02:17:40,800
the streets of the you know the streets

3350
02:17:37,439 --> 02:17:43,760
that y'all not paving. How can you have

3351
02:17:40,800 --> 02:17:45,439
this work done and don't hold these

3352
02:17:43,760 --> 02:17:48,080
people accountable for making it

3353
02:17:45,439 --> 02:17:49,920
smoother for the for the residents?

3354
02:17:48,080 --> 02:17:52,880
That's a danger. That's a safety hazard.

3355
02:17:49,920 --> 02:17:55,599
It's it's a problem. Okay. The other

3356
02:17:52,880 --> 02:17:57,760
thing, um, [clears throat] there was a

3357
02:17:55,599 --> 02:18:01,200
young man that made a statement about

3358
02:17:57,760 --> 02:18:03,840
people that live in Greenville.

3359
02:18:01,200 --> 02:18:06,719
Uh, if they can't afford it, they need

3360
02:18:03,840 --> 02:18:10,080
to leave. And he's supposed to be the

3361
02:18:06,719 --> 02:18:14,880
mayor's top dog or something.

3362
02:18:10,080 --> 02:18:15,599
Um, yeah, Steuart. Steuart Thomas. Um,

3363
02:18:14,880 --> 02:18:18,160
yeah. [clears throat]

3364
02:18:15,599 --> 02:18:21,359
Well, let him know this. I hope he's

3365
02:18:18,160 --> 02:18:23,439
listening. Um, I was born and raised

3366
02:18:21,359 --> 02:18:25,280
here. I don't think he was. So, if

3367
02:18:23,439 --> 02:18:28,280
anybody going to leave, it's going to be

3368
02:18:25,280 --> 02:18:28,280
him.

3369
02:18:32,559 --> 02:18:36,960
Next speaker.

3370
02:18:35,519 --> 02:18:38,240
You can just state your name. You don't

3371
02:18:36,960 --> 02:18:40,960
have to spell it. I know who you are.

3372
02:18:38,240 --> 02:18:44,880
Esther.

3373
02:18:40,960 --> 02:18:46,880
» Um, my name is Esther Whitner.

3374
02:18:44,880 --> 02:18:48,800
Good evening, council. [clears throat]

3375
02:18:46,880 --> 02:18:50,800
We are nearing the end of what has been

3376
02:18:48,800 --> 02:18:54,639
an extraordinarily difficult budget

3377
02:18:50,800 --> 02:18:57,120
season. A 15% tax increase is not just a

3378
02:18:54,639 --> 02:18:59,760
number on a spreadsheet. It impacts

3379
02:18:57,120 --> 02:19:02,719
mortgage payments, rents, seniors on

3380
02:18:59,760 --> 02:19:05,920
fixed incomes, working families, small

3381
02:19:02,719 --> 02:19:08,160
property owners, and their tenants.

3382
02:19:05,920 --> 02:19:10,800
When the dust settles on this budget, we

3383
02:19:08,160 --> 02:19:13,200
cannot simply turn the page and move on.

3384
02:19:10,800 --> 02:19:16,479
The question is no longer how did we get

3385
02:19:13,200 --> 02:19:18,240
here. The question is what kind of city

3386
02:19:16,479 --> 02:19:21,359
are we going to be from this point

3387
02:19:18,240 --> 02:19:23,840
forward. Jersey City has spent years

3388
02:19:21,359 --> 02:19:26,319
talking about progress and growth we

3389
02:19:23,840 --> 02:19:28,319
have built and we have developed. But

3390
02:19:26,319 --> 02:19:31,280
growth without affordability is not

3391
02:19:28,319 --> 02:19:33,359
progress for everyone. That is why the

3392
02:19:31,280 --> 02:19:36,160
decisions being made outside this

3393
02:19:33,359 --> 02:19:39,120
chamber are important, too. At last

3394
02:19:36,160 --> 02:19:41,200
night's JC meeting, resolutions were

3395
02:19:39,120 --> 02:19:43,519
approved authorizing the procurement of

3396
02:19:41,200 --> 02:19:46,080
economic analysis and construction

3397
02:19:43,519 --> 02:19:48,640
advisory services that can influence

3398
02:19:46,080 --> 02:19:50,319
redevelopment throughout the city. And

3399
02:19:48,640 --> 02:19:52,720
while they may sound like routine

3400
02:19:50,319 --> 02:19:54,880
resolutions, they are not routine to the

3401
02:19:52,720 --> 02:19:57,040
residents who will ultimately live with

3402
02:19:54,880 --> 02:19:59,680
the consequences.

3403
02:19:57,040 --> 02:20:02,160
Every pilot, redevelopment agreement,

3404
02:19:59,680 --> 02:20:04,960
and every dollar of public support must

3405
02:20:02,160 --> 02:20:07,280
now be viewed through a different lens.

3406
02:20:04,960 --> 02:20:10,479
Does this decision make Jersey City more

3407
02:20:07,280 --> 02:20:13,520
affordable or does it cost the taxpayer?

3408
02:20:10,479 --> 02:20:16,160
We cannot endure a 15% tax increase

3409
02:20:13,520 --> 02:20:18,560
today and at the same time establish

3410
02:20:16,160 --> 02:20:21,600
policies that create the conditions for

3411
02:20:18,560 --> 02:20:25,680
another affordability crisis tomorrow.

3412
02:20:21,600 --> 02:20:27,600
That means you have learned nothing.

3413
02:20:25,680 --> 02:20:29,600
now should mark the end of an era in

3414
02:20:27,600 --> 02:20:31,920
which residents discover the financial

3415
02:20:29,600 --> 02:20:34,720
consequences of government decisions

3416
02:20:31,920 --> 02:20:37,920
only after those consequences arrive on

3417
02:20:34,720 --> 02:20:40,560
their tax bills. From this day forward,

3418
02:20:37,920 --> 02:20:43,600
fiscal discipline and affordability must

3419
02:20:40,560 --> 02:20:45,600
become inseparable. Residents should

3420
02:20:43,600 --> 02:20:47,680
receive quarterly public financial

3421
02:20:45,600 --> 02:20:50,240
reports from this administration

3422
02:20:47,680 --> 02:20:52,640
presented publicly by those responsible

3423
02:20:50,240 --> 02:20:55,359
for managing our finances, produce

3424
02:20:52,640 --> 02:20:57,840
revenues, spending, debt, outstanding

3425
02:20:55,359 --> 02:20:59,760
obligations, and the budget. We should

3426
02:20:57,840 --> 02:21:02,000
never again have to wait for a fiscal

3427
02:20:59,760 --> 02:21:05,920
crisis to learn the condition of our

3428
02:21:02,000 --> 02:21:08,640
city's finances. And before we subsidize

3429
02:21:05,920 --> 02:21:10,560
developers and surrender revenue, ask

3430
02:21:08,640 --> 02:21:13,359
what it means to residents and what it

3431
02:21:10,560 --> 02:21:15,760
will ultimately cost them.

3432
02:21:13,359 --> 02:21:17,760
Before we celebrate growth, ask whether

3433
02:21:15,760 --> 02:21:20,479
the people who already live here will

3434
02:21:17,760 --> 02:21:22,880
still be able to afford to remain here.

3435
02:21:20,479 --> 02:21:25,680
Jersey City is not about its skyline and

3436
02:21:22,880 --> 02:21:27,359
shiny buildings. It's about its people.

3437
02:21:25,680 --> 02:21:30,319
And the people cannot afford another

3438
02:21:27,359 --> 02:21:33,280
massive tax increase. The lesson of this

3439
02:21:30,319 --> 02:21:35,359
year must be ongoing. Never again should

3440
02:21:33,280 --> 02:21:39,120
oversight and affordability be an

3441
02:21:35,359 --> 02:21:41,439
afterthought. Every budget, every pilot,

3442
02:21:39,120 --> 02:21:44,000
redevelopment agreement, you must first

3443
02:21:41,439 --> 02:21:46,479
ask one question. Can the people of

3444
02:21:44,000 --> 02:21:49,280
Jersey City afford the city we are

3445
02:21:46,479 --> 02:21:51,439
creating? Because if the answer is no,

3446
02:21:49,280 --> 02:21:53,359
then no matter how much we build, you

3447
02:21:51,439 --> 02:21:56,560
will have failed to build a city for its

3448
02:21:53,359 --> 02:22:00,399
people. I would also like to ask I sent

3449
02:21:56,560 --> 02:22:02,160
a an email to the mayor and to uh Mr.

3450
02:22:00,399 --> 02:22:04,399
Vicera. They didn't respond. I don't

3451
02:22:02,160 --> 02:22:06,880
think they're speaking to me now. But I

3452
02:22:04,399 --> 02:22:09,120
do think that it would be a good idea to

3453
02:22:06,880 --> 02:22:10,800
have a public meeting with the CPA, with

3454
02:22:09,120 --> 02:22:12,640
the auditor, with the business

3455
02:22:10,800 --> 02:22:14,880
administrator for the public to

3456
02:22:12,640 --> 02:22:17,120
understand

3457
02:22:14,880 --> 02:22:19,600
line by line, not on a not on a

3458
02:22:17,120 --> 02:22:22,240
flowchart, not on a chart, but we need

3459
02:22:19,600 --> 02:22:26,800
to understand the reconciliation

3460
02:22:22,240 --> 02:22:31,600
the numbers of how we went from 2025 to

3461
02:22:26,800 --> 02:22:33,040
a deficit of $250 million. this year. We

3462
02:22:31,600 --> 02:22:34,880
need to understand what part is

3463
02:22:33,040 --> 02:22:37,520
structural, what part is deferred

3464
02:22:34,880 --> 02:22:40,000
obligations. We need to understand the

3465
02:22:37,520 --> 02:22:42,160
the actual numbers because we deserve

3466
02:22:40,000 --> 02:22:44,399
that. We're paying for that. And so when

3467
02:22:42,160 --> 02:22:48,080
we're told that there's this major

3468
02:22:44,399 --> 02:22:53,000
deficit, then we deserve the answers in

3469
02:22:48,080 --> 02:22:53,000
um in full clarity. Thank you.

3470
02:22:56,399 --> 02:22:59,960
Please come forward.

3471
02:23:00,080 --> 02:23:02,800
You can just state your name for the

3472
02:23:01,439 --> 02:23:06,560
record. Charlene,

3473
02:23:02,800 --> 02:23:09,040
» Thank you. Charlene Burke. You

3474
02:23:06,560 --> 02:23:11,920
» Council council president, thank you for

3475
02:23:09,040 --> 02:23:14,319
the five minutes affording the public to

3476
02:23:11,920 --> 02:23:16,720
comment on the budget. And I would like

3477
02:23:14,319 --> 02:23:19,920
to ask about next week's meeting. Will

3478
02:23:16,720 --> 02:23:23,200
we have a public uh the ability to

3479
02:23:19,920 --> 02:23:26,720
comment on the amendments following

3480
02:23:23,200 --> 02:23:28,800
those as well? Got that?

3481
02:23:26,720 --> 02:23:29,840
» Yes.

3482
02:23:28,800 --> 02:23:31,120
» Okay. Thank you.

3483
02:23:29,840 --> 02:23:33,680
» Five minutes again.

3484
02:23:31,120 --> 02:23:37,040
» Five minutes again. Thank you very much.

3485
02:23:33,680 --> 02:23:40,319
Um, I did have the opportunity to watch

3486
02:23:37,040 --> 02:23:42,800
some of the department here uh hearings

3487
02:23:40,319 --> 02:23:47,280
that you had and I commend you all for

3488
02:23:42,800 --> 02:23:50,080
the for having the stamina and actually

3489
02:23:47,280 --> 02:23:51,920
being able to ask questions on the fly

3490
02:23:50,080 --> 02:23:54,000
because I understand a lot of those

3491
02:23:51,920 --> 02:23:56,880
documents were not given to you until

3492
02:23:54,000 --> 02:23:59,359
shortly before you had the director

3493
02:23:56,880 --> 02:24:01,920
sitting there. Now, as a member from the

3494
02:23:59,359 --> 02:24:05,200
public, I didn't have those documents,

3495
02:24:01,920 --> 02:24:07,840
so I wasn't able to follow along with

3496
02:24:05,200 --> 02:24:10,240
all of the commentary that was going on

3497
02:24:07,840 --> 02:24:12,560
there. And I would appreciate in the

3498
02:24:10,240 --> 02:24:15,680
future that in fact, if it's being

3499
02:24:12,560 --> 02:24:18,000
handed to you, then even if it's an if

3500
02:24:15,680 --> 02:24:20,479
that's within the P hour leading up to

3501
02:24:18,000 --> 02:24:24,080
it, it should be available online as

3502
02:24:20,479 --> 02:24:26,640
well, so a public member can watch and

3503
02:24:24,080 --> 02:24:27,920
follow along with the commentary. That's

3504
02:24:26,640 --> 02:24:30,319
number one.

3505
02:24:27,920 --> 02:24:33,600
This is the transparency that this

3506
02:24:30,319 --> 02:24:35,920
administration was promising us and it's

3507
02:24:33,600 --> 02:24:40,399
really important especially in the kind

3508
02:24:35,920 --> 02:24:42,640
of critical times we're in. Um I

3509
02:24:40,399 --> 02:24:44,479
appreciated the certainly all of the

3510
02:24:42,640 --> 02:24:48,000
questions that came from all of you

3511
02:24:44,479 --> 02:24:50,560
about trying to squeeze out every dollar

3512
02:24:48,000 --> 02:24:53,520
that could be squeezed out of the budget

3513
02:24:50,560 --> 02:24:55,520
or you know asking about whether the

3514
02:24:53,520 --> 02:24:59,040
departments needed to spend the money

3515
02:24:55,520 --> 02:25:02,240
that they do. I really think that, you

3516
02:24:59,040 --> 02:25:05,359
know, if we look back on when everybody

3517
02:25:02,240 --> 02:25:08,560
was running for their positions and in

3518
02:25:05,359 --> 02:25:11,280
the runoff, our mayor was well aware of

3519
02:25:08,560 --> 02:25:13,680
the kind of hole we were in. Maybe not

3520
02:25:11,280 --> 02:25:17,280
to the degree he stated once he was

3521
02:25:13,680 --> 02:25:20,000
here, but he was stating at the forums

3522
02:25:17,280 --> 02:25:22,800
and certainly at the debate that the

3523
02:25:20,000 --> 02:25:26,560
Westside Community Alliance held that it

3524
02:25:22,800 --> 02:25:28,800
was 100 to $150 million.

3525
02:25:26,560 --> 02:25:32,399
So you would think that walking in the

3526
02:25:28,800 --> 02:25:36,160
door from day one, you would have taken

3527
02:25:32,399 --> 02:25:40,800
some kind of actions that would have

3528
02:25:36,160 --> 02:25:43,280
actually cut or controlled the

3529
02:25:40,800 --> 02:25:45,920
expenditures that are going on for this

3530
02:25:43,280 --> 02:25:48,560
year. Not where we're doing it in

3531
02:25:45,920 --> 02:25:50,080
August, but where we were doing it in

3532
02:25:48,560 --> 02:25:52,880
January.

3533
02:25:50,080 --> 02:25:56,240
Now, of course, that's history, but it

3534
02:25:52,880 --> 02:25:59,280
bothers me so that here we are at the

3535
02:25:56,240 --> 02:26:02,560
brink of 2027.

3536
02:25:59,280 --> 02:26:05,280
So now, whatever you're deciding today,

3537
02:26:02,560 --> 02:26:09,359
I think you need to ditto this for next

3538
02:26:05,280 --> 02:26:12,479
year or between now and the end of the

3539
02:26:09,359 --> 02:26:17,439
year, you all should be looking at

3540
02:26:12,479 --> 02:26:21,439
cutting more out of the budget for 2027.

3541
02:26:17,439 --> 02:26:25,120
And when I say cuts, I'm talking about

3542
02:26:21,439 --> 02:26:28,560
um the payroll. And I know it's an

3543
02:26:25,120 --> 02:26:32,560
unpopular way to talk about where you

3544
02:26:28,560 --> 02:26:36,800
need to cut, but honestly, it's 60% of

3545
02:26:32,560 --> 02:26:38,960
the entire budget. And if you attended,

3546
02:26:36,800 --> 02:26:42,319
many of you have attended community

3547
02:26:38,960 --> 02:26:45,280
meetings, you hear people complaining

3548
02:26:42,319 --> 02:26:48,000
all the time that departments in this

3549
02:26:45,280 --> 02:26:52,000
city do not do the work that they're

3550
02:26:48,000 --> 02:26:55,680
supposed to do. Well, excuse me. If we

3551
02:26:52,000 --> 02:26:58,560
have employees, paid employees to do the

3552
02:26:55,680 --> 02:27:02,000
work, and that department's not doing

3553
02:26:58,560 --> 02:27:07,280
the work, what are we doing with this

3554
02:27:02,000 --> 02:27:10,800
payroll? just having people paid to have

3555
02:27:07,280 --> 02:27:15,120
a job and a title. I know you have

3556
02:27:10,800 --> 02:27:18,479
unions. I know you also have um civil

3557
02:27:15,120 --> 02:27:21,520
service, but there also has to be some

3558
02:27:18,479 --> 02:27:24,160
kind of track record that these people

3559
02:27:21,520 --> 02:27:26,399
have in their jobs. Now, maybe some of

3560
02:27:24,160 --> 02:27:28,720
the supervisors aren't well trained

3561
02:27:26,399 --> 02:27:31,040
about being supervisors,

3562
02:27:28,720 --> 02:27:34,000
and I can attest to that on the parks

3563
02:27:31,040 --> 02:27:36,640
level because we've had without

3564
02:27:34,000 --> 02:27:39,120
supervision of the personnel in the

3565
02:27:36,640 --> 02:27:41,600
field, they cut down all the rain

3566
02:27:39,120 --> 02:27:44,640
gardens or the community gardens that

3567
02:27:41,600 --> 02:27:46,720
exist in our parks. So, all the

3568
02:27:44,640 --> 02:27:49,600
volunteer efforts that have been put

3569
02:27:46,720 --> 02:27:53,120
into our parks are removed in one fell

3570
02:27:49,600 --> 02:27:56,080
swoop. And these are problems on a small

3571
02:27:53,120 --> 02:27:58,399
scale, but I could repeat every single

3572
02:27:56,080 --> 02:28:02,160
department has the same kind of

3573
02:27:58,399 --> 02:28:05,160
problems. Please look into this. Thank

3574
02:28:02,160 --> 02:28:05,160
you.

3575
02:28:08,560 --> 02:28:12,319
Next speaker, if you can just state your

3576
02:28:10,880 --> 02:28:14,080
name and spell it for the record,

3577
02:28:12,319 --> 02:28:14,960
please.

3578
02:28:14,080 --> 02:28:20,080
» R O

3579
02:28:14,960 --> 02:28:24,720
» Rosanna, just bring up the mic to you.

3580
02:28:20,080 --> 02:28:31,600
R O S E A N A

3581
02:28:24,720 --> 02:28:32,960
Petraelli P E T R U Z Z Z E L L I

3582
02:28:31,600 --> 02:28:35,680
» Thank you.

3583
02:28:32,960 --> 02:28:37,920
» I came this evening because we have been

3584
02:28:35,680 --> 02:28:40,800
living here for over 30 years and built

3585
02:28:37,920 --> 02:28:44,000
a home, a community, and we're facing

3586
02:28:40,800 --> 02:28:46,160
the fact that we may have to leave and

3587
02:28:44,000 --> 02:28:48,160
we don't want to leave. But after

3588
02:28:46,160 --> 02:28:51,280
sitting here and hearing all these

3589
02:28:48,160 --> 02:28:53,280
people and how much they're suffering, I

3590
02:28:51,280 --> 02:28:55,120
only want to come up here to say that I

3591
02:28:53,280 --> 02:28:57,040
hope you're hearing that your neighbors,

3592
02:28:55,120 --> 02:28:58,960
the people that put you there, because

3593
02:28:57,040 --> 02:29:02,720
we need your help. They all need your

3594
02:28:58,960 --> 02:29:07,120
help and they're scared and this is

3595
02:29:02,720 --> 02:29:10,960
unsustainable. Solomon is not listening

3596
02:29:07,120 --> 02:29:14,160
and it's it's just scary. and from the

3597
02:29:10,960 --> 02:29:15,760
police officers who gave me chills as a

3598
02:29:14,160 --> 02:29:18,399
community that came out and asked for

3599
02:29:15,760 --> 02:29:20,800
your help and the people who need the

3600
02:29:18,399 --> 02:29:24,000
police officers and not getting any

3601
02:29:20,800 --> 02:29:27,040
response. They need your help. So, I

3602
02:29:24,000 --> 02:29:29,200
hope you're all listening and reach out

3603
02:29:27,040 --> 02:29:34,200
and help the people that put you there.

3604
02:29:29,200 --> 02:29:34,200
I pray for all of us. Thank you.

3605
02:29:35,359 --> 02:29:39,439
Next speaker, you can just state and

3606
02:29:37,920 --> 02:29:46,080
spell your name for the record, please.

3607
02:29:39,439 --> 02:29:48,720
» Yes. My name is Roxan Small. S M A L L.

3608
02:29:46,080 --> 02:29:50,960
» Thank you, Roxan.

3609
02:29:48,720 --> 02:29:53,680
» People,

3610
02:29:50,960 --> 02:29:57,120
I oppose of this little this property

3611
02:29:53,680 --> 02:30:00,960
tax. I'm a homeowner

3612
02:29:57,120 --> 02:30:03,520
and I have one tenant.

3613
02:30:00,960 --> 02:30:06,479
I'm trying to keep her. I don't want to

3614
02:30:03,520 --> 02:30:09,439
go up on her rent.

3615
02:30:06,479 --> 02:30:10,720
It's hard to get tenants out here. And

3616
02:30:09,439 --> 02:30:13,840
this [clears throat] tax increase makes

3617
02:30:10,720 --> 02:30:17,200
it even harder.

3618
02:30:13,840 --> 02:30:20,000
So, I oppose of this tax increase

3619
02:30:17,200 --> 02:30:24,439
because I am trying to keep my home and

3620
02:30:20,000 --> 02:30:24,439
I am also trying to keep a tenant.

3621
02:30:24,800 --> 02:30:31,120
I also have one more thing. I the lady

3622
02:30:28,720 --> 02:30:34,760
talked about the street on Ocean Avenue.

3623
02:30:31,120 --> 02:30:34,760
I live on Ruckers.

3624
02:30:34,960 --> 02:30:40,319
They went into the pipeline

3625
02:30:37,600 --> 02:30:43,120
in the street. Didn't even put it back

3626
02:30:40,319 --> 02:30:48,479
together.

3627
02:30:43,120 --> 02:30:50,399
So now we're we we're damaging our cars.

3628
02:30:48,479 --> 02:30:52,399
We're damaging our car. We have to go in

3629
02:30:50,399 --> 02:30:55,040
other directions to keep from going up

3630
02:30:52,399 --> 02:30:59,319
that block.

3631
02:30:55,040 --> 02:30:59,319
My car has been damaged twice.

3632
02:30:59,439 --> 02:31:04,960
So again, council,

3633
02:31:02,160 --> 02:31:06,960
we need help. We need help with the with

3634
02:31:04,960 --> 02:31:09,600
the roads that they're digging up and we

3635
02:31:06,960 --> 02:31:11,280
also need help with this tax

3636
02:31:09,600 --> 02:31:13,680
because we all are trying to keep our

3637
02:31:11,280 --> 02:31:18,760
homes out out here and we all are trying

3638
02:31:13,680 --> 02:31:18,760
to keep our tenants. Thank you.

3639
02:31:21,200 --> 02:31:24,080
You just state and spell your name for

3640
02:31:23,120 --> 02:31:26,880
the record.

3641
02:31:24,080 --> 02:31:31,680
» Sure. My name is Dina Tikv. D as in

3642
02:31:26,880 --> 02:31:37,840
David. I N A. Last name T as in Tom. S

3643
02:31:31,680 --> 02:31:39,200
as in Sam. U K R O V as in Victor.

3644
02:31:37,840 --> 02:31:42,000
» Thank you.

3645
02:31:39,200 --> 02:31:43,359
» You um I want to heark back to the

3646
02:31:42,000 --> 02:31:45,760
happier part of this meeting. We were

3647
02:31:43,359 --> 02:31:46,880
talking about community gardens. Um,

3648
02:31:45,760 --> 02:31:48,160
however, I wanted to speak about

3649
02:31:46,880 --> 02:31:50,080
something that's not an existing

3650
02:31:48,160 --> 02:31:51,280
community garden ordinance. Uh, so I was

3651
02:31:50,080 --> 02:31:52,880
told this might be the time to do it

3652
02:31:51,280 --> 02:31:55,840
since it goes into the budget area. Let

3653
02:31:52,880 --> 02:31:57,520
me know if that was incorrect. Um, I was

3654
02:31:55,840 --> 02:31:59,600
so happy to see all the support for the

3655
02:31:57,520 --> 02:32:01,200
community gardens in our community. I'm

3656
02:31:59,600 --> 02:32:02,800
representing a newer garden tour to our

3657
02:32:01,200 --> 02:32:05,600
system. For the last 7 years, I've been

3658
02:32:02,800 --> 02:32:08,240
running the Arlington Community Garden.

3659
02:32:05,600 --> 02:32:10,640
It is on the lot between 283 and 289

3660
02:32:08,240 --> 02:32:12,960
Arlington Avenue in Bergen Lafayette.

3661
02:32:10,640 --> 02:32:14,880
Um, and it's a lovely little home. We

3662
02:32:12,960 --> 02:32:17,120
grow organic fruits, vegetables,

3663
02:32:14,880 --> 02:32:18,560
flowers. We have a pollinator garden. We

3664
02:32:17,120 --> 02:32:20,640
host a lot of events for the community

3665
02:32:18,560 --> 02:32:22,160
with a focus on education, especially

3666
02:32:20,640 --> 02:32:23,760
for the children. You know, we grow a

3667
02:32:22,160 --> 02:32:25,760
pumpkin patch. Then for Halloween, they

3668
02:32:23,760 --> 02:32:28,640
decorate the pumpkins. Um, we do Easter

3669
02:32:25,760 --> 02:32:31,040
egg hunts. It's a lovely space. Um,

3670
02:32:28,640 --> 02:32:32,640
unfortunately, uh, looks like a luxury

3671
02:32:31,040 --> 02:32:34,880
developer that was working nearby

3672
02:32:32,640 --> 02:32:38,399
reported us as a lot overgrown with

3673
02:32:34,880 --> 02:32:40,319
weeds a few weeks ago and DPW sent in

3674
02:32:38,399 --> 02:32:43,439
workers and raised the whole garden to

3675
02:32:40,319 --> 02:32:44,960
the ground. Um, I can hear the fellow

3676
02:32:43,439 --> 02:32:46,800
gardeners in the audience understand how

3677
02:32:44,960 --> 02:32:48,800
devastating this was for all of us for

3678
02:32:46,800 --> 02:32:51,359
all of the the work, the hundreds of

3679
02:32:48,800 --> 02:32:53,280
hours. I was on maternity leave hoing

3680
02:32:51,359 --> 02:32:54,800
with a baby strapped to my back for 3

3681
02:32:53,280 --> 02:32:57,040
hours a day and I could have been

3682
02:32:54,800 --> 02:32:59,120
sleeping with my newborn that time. Um,

3683
02:32:57,040 --> 02:33:01,680
it it really was heartbreaking for all

3684
02:32:59,120 --> 02:33:03,520
of us. Um, and I want to say the workers

3685
02:33:01,680 --> 02:33:05,120
were actually lovely. I happened to walk

3686
02:33:03,520 --> 02:33:07,600
in as they were finishing their job and

3687
02:33:05,120 --> 02:33:09,760
I did manage to save one row of the

3688
02:33:07,600 --> 02:33:13,120
garden beds, but most of what we had

3689
02:33:09,760 --> 02:33:16,000
done was was taken away. Um, and I'm

3690
02:33:13,120 --> 02:33:18,800
wondering if there's anything that we

3691
02:33:16,000 --> 02:33:20,800
might be able to do um, first to

3692
02:33:18,800 --> 02:33:22,000
investigate how something like this

3693
02:33:20,800 --> 02:33:23,840
happened. So, I've been in contact with

3694
02:33:22,000 --> 02:33:26,319
some folks. I want to give a very

3695
02:33:23,840 --> 02:33:27,920
enthusiastic thank you to Erica Walker

3696
02:33:26,319 --> 02:33:29,200
um, on Councilman Gilmore staff who was

3697
02:33:27,920 --> 02:33:31,280
very responsive and helped connect me

3698
02:33:29,200 --> 02:33:33,760
with some folks. Um, that said, it did

3699
02:33:31,280 --> 02:33:35,600
take me Mhm. Thank you. It did take me

3700
02:33:33,760 --> 02:33:37,840
more than a month of calls and emails to

3701
02:33:35,600 --> 02:33:40,240
finally get connected with somebody from

3702
02:33:37,840 --> 02:33:42,640
that and so now I'm speaking with Sonia

3703
02:33:40,240 --> 02:33:44,319
Dublin about the adopt a lot program. Um

3704
02:33:42,640 --> 02:33:46,560
and I'm excited that that can help it go

3705
02:33:44,319 --> 02:33:49,040
forward. But the whole process has been

3706
02:33:46,560 --> 02:33:51,040
really hard. The adopt a lot link on the

3707
02:33:49,040 --> 02:33:53,520
website has been broken for at least the

3708
02:33:51,040 --> 02:33:57,040
3 months I've been trying to go um and

3709
02:33:53,520 --> 02:33:59,680
fill it out. Um we requested wood chips,

3710
02:33:57,040 --> 02:34:01,439
you know, more than 3 months ago and DPW

3711
02:33:59,680 --> 02:34:03,280
responded saying the truck is broken.

3712
02:34:01,439 --> 02:34:05,680
the wood chipper is broken and then they

3713
02:34:03,280 --> 02:34:07,520
just stop responding to emails. So, I I

3714
02:34:05,680 --> 02:34:09,520
feel like there's a limited space for

3715
02:34:07,520 --> 02:34:12,640
low-level tasks that the city might be

3716
02:34:09,520 --> 02:34:14,000
able to assist us with uh all of the

3717
02:34:12,640 --> 02:34:16,399
community gardens, but especially

3718
02:34:14,000 --> 02:34:18,960
getting a a new or an existing space,

3719
02:34:16,399 --> 02:34:21,280
but a new space formally recognized um

3720
02:34:18,960 --> 02:34:22,720
so it can be protected in the future. Um

3721
02:34:21,280 --> 02:34:24,160
especially if we can get like a hose

3722
02:34:22,720 --> 02:34:28,399
hookup so we don't have to hand water

3723
02:34:24,160 --> 02:34:30,160
from rain barrels. Um, and I see that

3724
02:34:28,399 --> 02:34:31,760
you all appreciate how wonderful

3725
02:34:30,160 --> 02:34:33,120
community gardens are for the community,

3726
02:34:31,760 --> 02:34:35,840
but I'm hoping that we can be a bit more

3727
02:34:33,120 --> 02:34:37,840
diligent in establishing resources for

3728
02:34:35,840 --> 02:34:39,760
supporting these gardens, maybe helping

3729
02:34:37,840 --> 02:34:41,680
us replace those perennial plants in the

3730
02:34:39,760 --> 02:34:43,200
pollinator garden that were cut down and

3731
02:34:41,680 --> 02:34:46,080
I paid for out of my own pocket the

3732
02:34:43,200 --> 02:34:47,840
first time. Um, at minimum, if I Google

3733
02:34:46,080 --> 02:34:49,200
Jersey City Community Gardens, I should

3734
02:34:47,840 --> 02:34:51,040
be taken to a page with an actual

3735
02:34:49,200 --> 02:34:52,560
person's contact information on there,

3736
02:34:51,040 --> 02:34:53,840
so I don't need to spend I the

3737
02:34:52,560 --> 02:34:55,600
hypothetical and don't need to spend

3738
02:34:53,840 --> 02:34:58,240
another month trying to get help. um in

3739
02:34:55,600 --> 02:34:59,760
the future. Um yeah, thank you all for

3740
02:34:58,240 --> 02:35:01,200
the support that you've done and I hope

3741
02:34:59,760 --> 02:35:03,359
that you can make a little space in the

3742
02:35:01,200 --> 02:35:07,399
budget for more community garden support

3743
02:35:03,359 --> 02:35:07,399
going forward. Thank you.

3744
02:35:08,479 --> 02:35:12,319
» Next speaker, if you can come to the

3745
02:35:10,560 --> 02:35:14,479
podium, state and spell your name for

3746
02:35:12,319 --> 02:35:19,359
the record, please.

3747
02:35:14,479 --> 02:35:20,880
» Dar Little D E N A R. You need me to

3748
02:35:19,359 --> 02:35:22,080
spell my last name?

3749
02:35:20,880 --> 02:35:24,080
» Low. You said

3750
02:35:22,080 --> 02:35:26,160
» Little. Little. No.

3751
02:35:24,080 --> 02:35:28,319
You're good. Thank you.

3752
02:35:26,160 --> 02:35:30,960
» Okay. So, today I'm here to address the

3753
02:35:28,319 --> 02:35:34,399
council on the 15.5

3754
02:35:30,960 --> 02:35:37,600
tax hike.

3755
02:35:34,399 --> 02:35:40,160
» Okay. I think that, you know, with that

3756
02:35:37,600 --> 02:35:42,720
tax hike, it affects everyone. Lower

3757
02:35:40,160 --> 02:35:45,840
class, middle class,

3758
02:35:42,720 --> 02:35:47,520
um higher class.

3759
02:35:45,840 --> 02:35:50,000
It's a real slap in the face to the

3760
02:35:47,520 --> 02:35:52,560
people.

3761
02:35:50,000 --> 02:35:55,600
See the lower class, we we keep you guys

3762
02:35:52,560 --> 02:35:57,520
in these seats. You want us to vote for

3763
02:35:55,600 --> 02:35:59,359
you guys, we're there to vote for you

3764
02:35:57,520 --> 02:36:01,359
guys.

3765
02:35:59,359 --> 02:36:05,200
You know, I'm not a homeowner. I'm a

3766
02:36:01,359 --> 02:36:07,120
renter. And I believe, you know, with

3767
02:36:05,200 --> 02:36:10,160
that 15.5

3768
02:36:07,120 --> 02:36:13,200
increase, it might affect, you know, the

3769
02:36:10,160 --> 02:36:15,920
the rent. Also, I'm also a father, a

3770
02:36:13,200 --> 02:36:17,520
single a single father, just like the

3771
02:36:15,920 --> 02:36:20,160
rest of these people in here. might be

3772
02:36:17,520 --> 02:36:22,399
parents, you know, that that that that's

3773
02:36:20,160 --> 02:36:24,720
a big slap in the face to to the people.

3774
02:36:22,399 --> 02:36:27,439
And I live in an urban neighborhood. We

3775
02:36:24,720 --> 02:36:30,080
feel it even more.

3776
02:36:27,439 --> 02:36:32,640
You know, I I live up on Bergen. Right

3777
02:36:30,080 --> 02:36:34,960
around the corner is Monttoello. Nothing

3778
02:36:32,640 --> 02:36:37,359
is getting developed there. Everything's

3779
02:36:34,960 --> 02:36:40,399
getting snatched away. We try to call

3780
02:36:37,359 --> 02:36:43,040
you guys. No one picks up the phones.

3781
02:36:40,399 --> 02:36:45,040
But then we hear about a budget.

3782
02:36:43,040 --> 02:36:48,000
Who's the budget for? Is it for the

3783
02:36:45,040 --> 02:36:50,800
people or is it for the mayor?

3784
02:36:48,000 --> 02:36:52,960
Because we all deserve to live the same

3785
02:36:50,800 --> 02:36:55,920
way.

3786
02:36:52,960 --> 02:36:57,760
No one's better than no one. We all are

3787
02:36:55,920 --> 02:37:01,120
human.

3788
02:36:57,760 --> 02:37:03,040
You guys were just like us.

3789
02:37:01,120 --> 02:37:04,880
So, you know, if you want to continue to

3790
02:37:03,040 --> 02:37:07,040
stay in those seats, you should care

3791
02:37:04,880 --> 02:37:08,800
about the people

3792
02:37:07,040 --> 02:37:11,280
because the people is going to keep you

3793
02:37:08,800 --> 02:37:15,080
there, not the mayor.

3794
02:37:11,280 --> 02:37:15,080
That's all I got to say.

3795
02:37:19,760 --> 02:37:24,800
Um, okay. Next speaker. Sorry. Give me a

3796
02:37:23,280 --> 02:37:26,560
second. If you could just state and

3797
02:37:24,800 --> 02:37:29,439
spell your name for the record, please.

3798
02:37:26,560 --> 02:37:34,080
» Um, Demetriottis Vandermark.

3799
02:37:29,439 --> 02:37:38,319
D M E T R I O T I S.

3800
02:37:34,080 --> 02:37:39,359
Last name is Vandermark. V A N D E M A R

3801
02:37:38,319 --> 02:37:42,399
K.

3802
02:37:39,359 --> 02:37:44,560
» Thank you.

3803
02:37:42,399 --> 02:37:47,680
I want to bring to your attention uh two

3804
02:37:44,560 --> 02:37:49,840
exhibits of evidence. Um I'm also asking

3805
02:37:47,680 --> 02:37:54,640
that no council members interrupt my

3806
02:37:49,840 --> 02:37:57,520
time. If it doesn't apply, let it fly.

3807
02:37:54,640 --> 02:37:59,359
Exhibit one. I would like to bring to

3808
02:37:57,520 --> 02:38:01,520
your attention the Supreme Court case of

3809
02:37:59,359 --> 02:38:04,080
Kilo versus the city of New London,

3810
02:38:01,520 --> 02:38:06,720
2005.

3811
02:38:04,080 --> 02:38:09,760
Imminent domain, which Jersey City has

3812
02:38:06,720 --> 02:38:11,520
no specific local legislation against,

3813
02:38:09,760 --> 02:38:14,080
allows the government to seize private

3814
02:38:11,520 --> 02:38:16,960
property for public use, especially in

3815
02:38:14,080 --> 02:38:18,720
times of financial constraint.

3816
02:38:16,960 --> 02:38:20,800
This also means that the government can

3817
02:38:18,720 --> 02:38:22,479
allow a private developer to seize

3818
02:38:20,800 --> 02:38:25,120
private properties of the working and

3819
02:38:22,479 --> 02:38:28,000
poor class to be developed for public

3820
02:38:25,120 --> 02:38:31,680
usage to promote de excuse me, promote

3821
02:38:28,000 --> 02:38:34,160
economic development. And this is JC in

3822
02:38:31,680 --> 02:38:36,960
the flesh. According

3823
02:38:34,160 --> 02:38:39,520
to Justice Sandra Okconor, the justices

3824
02:38:36,960 --> 02:38:42,240
who voted in favor of the city of New

3825
02:38:39,520 --> 02:38:44,160
London voted in favor of a predatory act

3826
02:38:42,240 --> 02:38:47,120
which prays on the poor and the working

3827
02:38:44,160 --> 02:38:49,280
class. And this is the tale of the have

3828
02:38:47,120 --> 02:38:52,880
and the have nots.

3829
02:38:49,280 --> 02:38:54,720
It seems quite similar to the 15.5% tax

3830
02:38:52,880 --> 02:38:57,760
increase that the city and council has

3831
02:38:54,720 --> 02:38:59,439
already voted on and will pass.

3832
02:38:57,760 --> 02:39:02,240
God, you got to remember that all money

3833
02:38:59,439 --> 02:39:04,640
is not good money.

3834
02:39:02,240 --> 02:39:07,600
This increase is predatory and will

3835
02:39:04,640 --> 02:39:10,399
affect marginalized communities.

3836
02:39:07,600 --> 02:39:14,399
Similar to Senica Village aka Central

3837
02:39:10,399 --> 02:39:16,640
Park, this was all in the plan.

3838
02:39:14,399 --> 02:39:19,040
You all campaigned and said that you

3839
02:39:16,640 --> 02:39:23,520
were for the people. However, you all

3840
02:39:19,040 --> 02:39:26,319
are traitors. True Benedict Arnold.

3841
02:39:23,520 --> 02:39:30,399
And in the final exhibit,

3842
02:39:26,319 --> 02:39:32,479
Trump is very similar to Solomon.

3843
02:39:30,399 --> 02:39:35,520
Trump is providing tax cuts to the

3844
02:39:32,479 --> 02:39:37,680
wealthy while taxing the poor.

3845
02:39:35,520 --> 02:39:39,840
Solomon is taxing Jersey City residents

3846
02:39:37,680 --> 02:39:42,880
while giving developers tax abatements,

3847
02:39:39,840 --> 02:39:45,920
aka Canal Crossing.

3848
02:39:42,880 --> 02:39:48,160
Trump fired federal employees.

3849
02:39:45,920 --> 02:39:51,920
Solomon laid off 31 city employees and

3850
02:39:48,160 --> 02:39:53,760
then had them exported out by police.

3851
02:39:51,920 --> 02:39:55,439
Trump hired political cronies who

3852
02:39:53,760 --> 02:39:57,359
weren't qualified to hold executive

3853
02:39:55,439 --> 02:39:59,439
positions.

3854
02:39:57,359 --> 02:40:01,920
Solomon has hired endless amounts of

3855
02:39:59,439 --> 02:40:05,760
non-J city residents at six-f figureure

3856
02:40:01,920 --> 02:40:07,760
incomes while claiming a budget deficit.

3857
02:40:05,760 --> 02:40:09,600
Trump advised during his campaign run

3858
02:40:07,760 --> 02:40:12,479
that he would not go into new wars or

3859
02:40:09,600 --> 02:40:14,479
higher grass prices.

3860
02:40:12,479 --> 02:40:16,479
Solomon promised during a runoff debate

3861
02:40:14,479 --> 02:40:18,560
in Lincoln Park he wouldn't hire taxes

3862
02:40:16,479 --> 02:40:21,520
higher than the inflation rate.

3863
02:40:18,560 --> 02:40:24,800
According to the US Bureau of Labor and

3864
02:40:21,520 --> 02:40:27,920
Statistics, as of June 2026, the

3865
02:40:24,800 --> 02:40:30,080
inflation rate is 3.5%.

3866
02:40:27,920 --> 02:40:32,880
Not 15.5%.

3867
02:40:30,080 --> 02:40:35,040
It's not the same.

3868
02:40:32,880 --> 02:40:36,240
Trump withheld the Epstein files and

3869
02:40:35,040 --> 02:40:38,720
then when they were produced, he

3870
02:40:36,240 --> 02:40:40,800
redacted names.

3871
02:40:38,720 --> 02:40:43,840
The independent audit of the Philip

3872
02:40:40,800 --> 02:40:45,920
administration was withheld.

3873
02:40:43,840 --> 02:40:50,319
When it was produced, we discovered that

3874
02:40:45,920 --> 02:40:52,160
the deficit is not $250 million, but $94

3875
02:40:50,319 --> 02:40:56,479
million.

3876
02:40:52,160 --> 02:40:58,479
Why do we need $150 plus more dollars? I

3877
02:40:56,479 --> 02:41:00,479
don't want to hear that they didn't know

3878
02:40:58,479 --> 02:41:02,479
about this because there are a few

3879
02:41:00,479 --> 02:41:05,280
people that were up here on the city

3880
02:41:02,479 --> 02:41:08,160
council today, 8 years prior, 12 years

3881
02:41:05,280 --> 02:41:10,000
prior that knew about this.

3882
02:41:08,160 --> 02:41:11,680
All I'm just asking is just don't forget

3883
02:41:10,000 --> 02:41:14,000
about the people who voted you all in

3884
02:41:11,680 --> 02:41:15,359
these seats. Guys, you got to be for the

3885
02:41:14,000 --> 02:41:17,600
people and you got to have a soul up

3886
02:41:15,359 --> 02:41:19,280
here. We all have to answer to a higher

3887
02:41:17,600 --> 02:41:23,800
power. I hope you guys believe in a

3888
02:41:19,280 --> 02:41:23,800
higher power or you believe in God.

3889
02:41:27,280 --> 02:41:32,000
Next speaker, just state your name for

3890
02:41:29,840 --> 02:41:33,040
the record.

3891
02:41:32,000 --> 02:41:35,439
» Good evening. My name is Phil

3892
02:41:33,040 --> 02:41:38,240
Carrington. Do you have a serious

3893
02:41:35,439 --> 02:41:41,359
problem with this 15%? You were asking

3894
02:41:38,240 --> 02:41:44,960
15 at one time uh 20 and now you're

3895
02:41:41,359 --> 02:41:48,160
asking for 15%.

3896
02:41:44,960 --> 02:41:51,760
See, that's a 15% increase to make up

3897
02:41:48,160 --> 02:41:54,479
your shortfall for the city. But it is a

3898
02:41:51,760 --> 02:41:58,479
40 something% decrease for poor black

3899
02:41:54,479 --> 02:42:01,840
people. How do we arrive at that number?

3900
02:41:58,479 --> 02:42:03,920
It's 15.5% you're asking for. The county

3901
02:42:01,840 --> 02:42:05,760
asked for 14%. The board asked for

3902
02:42:03,920 --> 02:42:07,280
another 14%.

3903
02:42:05,760 --> 02:42:12,080
I don't know of any black person who

3904
02:42:07,280 --> 02:42:16,399
whose income increased 15, 20, 30%.

3905
02:42:12,080 --> 02:42:18,000
So this is a joke. No, it's a scam. See,

3906
02:42:16,399 --> 02:42:20,720
every time you look around, you're

3907
02:42:18,000 --> 02:42:22,800
asking us for more money, more money,

3908
02:42:20,720 --> 02:42:26,640
and more money. And I'm not seeing

3909
02:42:22,800 --> 02:42:28,880
anybody's income reaching that level.

3910
02:42:26,640 --> 02:42:31,359
Let me give you an example. Atlantic

3911
02:42:28,880 --> 02:42:33,280
City, they asked for 20%

3912
02:42:31,359 --> 02:42:37,680
for that on the people. It didn't help

3913
02:42:33,280 --> 02:42:42,479
the budget. See, 20% is a serious number

3914
02:42:37,680 --> 02:42:44,479
because 20% of the world's oils in

3915
02:42:42,479 --> 02:42:47,040
chaos

3916
02:42:44,479 --> 02:42:49,439
in terms of the straits of harmoose. If

3917
02:42:47,040 --> 02:42:51,280
your income for your business was

3918
02:42:49,439 --> 02:42:54,720
decreased 20%, you're going out of

3919
02:42:51,280 --> 02:42:57,840
business. 20% in the 1930s

3920
02:42:54,720 --> 02:43:01,200
caused inflation, cause all kinds of

3921
02:42:57,840 --> 02:43:05,120
chaos, cause a depression. And so if you

3922
02:43:01,200 --> 02:43:07,200
are increasing your income to 15% and we

3923
02:43:05,120 --> 02:43:08,880
are decreasing you're asking black

3924
02:43:07,200 --> 02:43:11,439
people or you're forcing black people

3925
02:43:08,880 --> 02:43:14,240
out of the Jersey City. How does that

3926
02:43:11,439 --> 02:43:17,600
work? See

3927
02:43:14,240 --> 02:43:21,920
every time you look around this money is

3928
02:43:17,600 --> 02:43:24,399
going up up and up.

3929
02:43:21,920 --> 02:43:25,680
At one point the mayor says that he he's

3930
02:43:24,399 --> 02:43:27,600
not going to take any money from

3931
02:43:25,680 --> 02:43:30,160
developers. He didn't say he's not going

3932
02:43:27,600 --> 02:43:34,640
to take any money for commercial

3933
02:43:30,160 --> 02:43:38,560
landlords. How is he going to raise the

3934
02:43:34,640 --> 02:43:41,120
budget, the taxes to 15.5%

3935
02:43:38,560 --> 02:43:44,319
and then tell me he's going to bring

3936
02:43:41,120 --> 02:43:47,200
them bring about $1,000

3937
02:43:44,319 --> 02:43:50,960
a month rent. The only way you can do

3938
02:43:47,200 --> 02:43:53,840
that is if the commercial landlords buy

3939
02:43:50,960 --> 02:43:57,520
up all of black people's properties who

3940
02:43:53,840 --> 02:44:00,240
can't pay these taxes.

3941
02:43:57,520 --> 02:44:03,439
But this is this increase is for

3942
02:44:00,240 --> 02:44:05,600
commercial landlord and speculators from

3943
02:44:03,439 --> 02:44:07,359
my standpoint. So the commercial

3944
02:44:05,600 --> 02:44:09,359
landlords will pick up all of these

3945
02:44:07,359 --> 02:44:12,800
black people's properties who can afford

3946
02:44:09,359 --> 02:44:15,359
it and lose it for non- taxes, have it

3947
02:44:12,800 --> 02:44:18,720
as a write off, and of course then you

3948
02:44:15,359 --> 02:44:21,760
could afford to charge $1,000 a month

3949
02:44:18,720 --> 02:44:24,720
rent. It is impossible for you to tell

3950
02:44:21,760 --> 02:44:27,600
me he's going to make it possible to

3951
02:44:24,720 --> 02:44:29,760
have $1,000 a month rent. I'm a

3952
02:44:27,600 --> 02:44:32,319
landlord, man, a property owner. It is

3953
02:44:29,760 --> 02:44:34,800
it just can't be done. You see, in the

3954
02:44:32,319 --> 02:44:38,960
black community, we say figures don't

3955
02:44:34,800 --> 02:44:41,200
lie, liars do figure.

3956
02:44:38,960 --> 02:44:44,720
I'm having a serious serious problem

3957
02:44:41,200 --> 02:44:47,040
understanding why are we going at the

3958
02:44:44,720 --> 02:44:48,880
level of 15%.

3959
02:44:47,040 --> 02:44:50,479
After the county did what they're doing,

3960
02:44:48,880 --> 02:44:53,439
after the board doing what they're

3961
02:44:50,479 --> 02:44:56,560
doing, what is in it for us?

3962
02:44:53,439 --> 02:44:59,040
Let me say it again. That is an increase

3963
02:44:56,560 --> 02:45:01,600
to fill his shortfall.

3964
02:44:59,040 --> 02:45:03,040
I don't know of any black person and I'm

3965
02:45:01,600 --> 02:45:05,840
black so I only speak for black people

3966
02:45:03,040 --> 02:45:08,960
but other people are hurt as well whose

3967
02:45:05,840 --> 02:45:10,640
income have increased even 10%.

3968
02:45:08,960 --> 02:45:15,240
5%.

3969
02:45:10,640 --> 02:45:15,240
See if you were charging 15%.

3970
02:45:15,520 --> 02:45:20,800
Then I have to charge my tenants some

3971
02:45:18,960 --> 02:45:23,840
kind of percent.

3972
02:45:20,800 --> 02:45:28,399
I mean it's just that simple. People are

3973
02:45:23,840 --> 02:45:30,640
screaming right now. right now

3974
02:45:28,399 --> 02:45:34,399
they can't pay the taxes. You are adding

3975
02:45:30,640 --> 02:45:38,720
to the problem. This is this is this is

3976
02:45:34,399 --> 02:45:41,920
a scam. This is nothing more than a scam

3977
02:45:38,720 --> 02:45:44,479
for the speculators

3978
02:45:41,920 --> 02:45:46,640
and the commercial landlords.

3979
02:45:44,479 --> 02:45:48,319
You can laugh or you can do all you that

3980
02:45:46,640 --> 02:45:52,640
you want to do or say all you have to

3981
02:45:48,319 --> 02:45:54,160
say, but I guarantee you 20 to 15% of

3982
02:45:52,640 --> 02:45:56,720
black people are going to lose their

3983
02:45:54,160 --> 02:45:59,920
property within the next year. You can't

3984
02:45:56,720 --> 02:46:03,439
really afford this. There is no way. I

3985
02:45:59,920 --> 02:46:05,520
don't see incomes that will bring you up

3986
02:46:03,439 --> 02:46:08,960
to this level.

3987
02:46:05,520 --> 02:46:12,080
It is unfair. But this area was designed

3988
02:46:08,960 --> 02:46:14,160
that way. Give me some better numbers.

3989
02:46:12,080 --> 02:46:17,600
letting me understand that it this is

3990
02:46:14,160 --> 02:46:20,240
going to profit people or benefit us. It

3991
02:46:17,600 --> 02:46:22,560
does not. It may benefit the city or

3992
02:46:20,240 --> 02:46:27,200
those who were running this scam, but it

3993
02:46:22,560 --> 02:46:30,439
hurt black property owners.

3994
02:46:27,200 --> 02:46:30,439
That's it.

3995
02:46:33,920 --> 02:46:39,840
Okay. This is still a public hearing on

3996
02:46:36,319 --> 02:46:42,160
the 2026 fiscal year municipal, excuse

3997
02:46:39,840 --> 02:46:43,520
me, calendar year municipal budget. Any

3998
02:46:42,160 --> 02:46:45,200
member of the public still wish to be

3999
02:46:43,520 --> 02:46:46,399
heard, please come up to the podium and

4000
02:46:45,200 --> 02:46:47,040
state and spell your name for the

4001
02:46:46,399 --> 02:46:48,560
record.

4002
02:46:47,040 --> 02:46:50,560
» Motion.

4003
02:46:48,560 --> 02:46:53,520
» Motion to close the public hearing on

4004
02:46:50,560 --> 02:46:58,840
the calendar year 2026 municipal budget

4005
02:46:53,520 --> 02:46:58,840
was made by council person Gilmore.

4006
02:47:01,520 --> 02:47:06,399
» We're we're in the middle of taking a

4007
02:47:03,520 --> 02:47:07,840
vote. Sorry.

4008
02:47:06,399 --> 02:47:08,800
May I have a second?

4009
02:47:07,840 --> 02:47:12,399
» Second.

4010
02:47:08,800 --> 02:47:14,080
» Second by council president Ridley on

4011
02:47:12,399 --> 02:47:17,359
the motion to close the public hearing

4012
02:47:14,080 --> 02:47:19,760
on calendar year 2026 municipal budget

4013
02:47:17,359 --> 02:47:21,200
which is introduced municipal budget.

4014
02:47:19,760 --> 02:47:22,160
Council person Brooks

4015
02:47:21,200 --> 02:47:23,840
» I.

4016
02:47:22,160 --> 02:47:24,720
» Council person Zuba.

4017
02:47:23,840 --> 02:47:26,160
» Hi.

4018
02:47:24,720 --> 02:47:28,160
» Council person Efos.

4019
02:47:26,160 --> 02:47:31,880
» I to close public hearing.

4020
02:47:28,160 --> 02:47:31,880
» Council person Little.

4021
02:47:31,920 --> 02:47:34,960
» Hi. Council person Gilmore.

4022
02:47:34,080 --> 02:47:37,520
» Hi,

4023
02:47:34,960 --> 02:47:40,720
» Council Person Singh.

4024
02:47:37,520 --> 02:47:42,479
Council Person Griffin,

4025
02:47:40,720 --> 02:47:43,279
Council Person Lavaro.

4026
02:47:42,479 --> 02:47:45,200
» I,

4027
02:47:43,279 --> 02:47:46,640
» And Council President Ridley,

4028
02:47:45,200 --> 02:47:49,040
» I.

4029
02:47:46,640 --> 02:47:52,000
» Motion carries 90 to close the public

4030
02:47:49,040 --> 02:47:54,560
hearing on the calendar year 2026

4031
02:47:52,000 --> 02:47:57,279
introduced municipal budget.

4032
02:47:54,560 --> 02:48:01,680
So, um, really, really quickly, if I

4033
02:47:57,279 --> 02:48:04,560
may, I literally just now was made aware

4034
02:48:01,680 --> 02:48:08,200
of

4035
02:48:04,560 --> 02:48:08,200
some possible,

4036
02:48:09,359 --> 02:48:13,120
this has to do with the right to council

4037
02:48:10,800 --> 02:48:15,840
funding. So, when we reviewed the

4038
02:48:13,120 --> 02:48:18,800
spreadsheet as a council, um, we saw

4039
02:48:15,840 --> 02:48:21,840
last year was budgeted 328,000 and this

4040
02:48:18,800 --> 02:48:24,960
year was budgeted 160,000. We saw that

4041
02:48:21,840 --> 02:48:27,680
was a cut of over 50% and we introduced

4042
02:48:24,960 --> 02:48:29,840
an amendment to restore it. Um I have

4043
02:48:27,680 --> 02:48:32,960
just been told um by the administration

4044
02:48:29,840 --> 02:48:35,439
that it was actually not a cut but that

4045
02:48:32,960 --> 02:48:37,840
this additional amount is still required

4046
02:48:35,439 --> 02:48:40,800
to meet the need of right to counsel and

4047
02:48:37,840 --> 02:48:43,120
I am just for the record so everyone has

4048
02:48:40,800 --> 02:48:44,960
this information. Um I'm hoping to ask

4049
02:48:43,120 --> 02:48:49,160
corporation council andor the business

4050
02:48:44,960 --> 02:48:49,160
administrator to explain.

4051
02:48:50,319 --> 02:48:57,680
Sure. I'm happy to address that. So, the

4052
02:48:54,479 --> 02:49:02,720
administration did not reduce funding

4053
02:48:57,680 --> 02:49:05,120
for right to counsel in 2026. The 2026

4054
02:49:02,720 --> 02:49:07,600
right to counsel program is being

4055
02:49:05,120 --> 02:49:09,680
covered by a grant. So, what might look

4056
02:49:07,600 --> 02:49:12,560
to the public like a reduction compared

4057
02:49:09,680 --> 02:49:14,240
to the 2025 budget just reflects that

4058
02:49:12,560 --> 02:49:16,000
that money is coming from a different

4059
02:49:14,240 --> 02:49:18,399
source. It's not coming from city

4060
02:49:16,000 --> 02:49:20,080
coffers. It's coming from a grant. And

4061
02:49:18,399 --> 02:49:22,560
for the council and the public's

4062
02:49:20,080 --> 02:49:24,319
awareness, future budgets will likely

4063
02:49:22,560 --> 02:49:26,319
not have that line item either because

4064
02:49:24,319 --> 02:49:28,240
the right to council program will be

4065
02:49:26,319 --> 02:49:31,439
funded by the affordable housing trust

4066
02:49:28,240 --> 02:49:34,880
fund and development fees that go into

4067
02:49:31,439 --> 02:49:36,560
it. The amendment resolution that the

4068
02:49:34,880 --> 02:49:39,600
council will be voting on later this

4069
02:49:36,560 --> 02:49:42,479
evening, which adds that money back in,

4070
02:49:39,600 --> 02:49:45,600
will therefore reflect, by my math, a

4071
02:49:42,479 --> 02:49:48,160
roughly 50% increase in funding for the

4072
02:49:45,600 --> 02:49:49,600
right to counsel program. Um, the

4073
02:49:48,160 --> 02:49:51,520
administration and I know the mayor

4074
02:49:49,600 --> 02:49:52,880
personally is incredibly supportive of

4075
02:49:51,520 --> 02:49:55,439
that amendment and of the right to

4076
02:49:52,880 --> 02:49:57,359
council program broadly. I know that

4077
02:49:55,439 --> 02:49:59,439
personally because as a resident I

4078
02:49:57,359 --> 02:50:01,200
talked to then councilman Solomon about

4079
02:49:59,439 --> 02:50:03,359
this program and he championed the

4080
02:50:01,200 --> 02:50:05,359
legislation that has created that

4081
02:50:03,359 --> 02:50:06,800
office. And so it's a wonderful thing

4082
02:50:05,359 --> 02:50:08,399
that we're contributing additional

4083
02:50:06,800 --> 02:50:10,319
resources towards the right to council

4084
02:50:08,399 --> 02:50:14,080
program and the amazing work that the

4085
02:50:10,319 --> 02:50:15,760
waterfront project does.

4086
02:50:14,080 --> 02:50:17,600
And and just to clarify, when we

4087
02:50:15,760 --> 02:50:19,279
introduced our amendment to restore this

4088
02:50:17,600 --> 02:50:21,359
funding, which we thought was restoring

4089
02:50:19,279 --> 02:50:23,840
it over over a week ago, when we

4090
02:50:21,359 --> 02:50:25,520
introduced this amendment, that was also

4091
02:50:23,840 --> 02:50:28,720
the impression that everyone else was

4092
02:50:25,520 --> 02:50:30,479
under in the administration that that

4093
02:50:28,720 --> 02:50:33,840
this was going to be a restoration of

4094
02:50:30,479 --> 02:50:35,439
funding, but that now

4095
02:50:33,840 --> 02:50:37,040
some

4096
02:50:35,439 --> 02:50:39,359
accounting practices, I guess, have been

4097
02:50:37,040 --> 02:50:41,200
unearthed to from the previous

4098
02:50:39,359 --> 02:50:44,720
administration to show that it was never

4099
02:50:41,200 --> 02:50:44,720
cut to begin with.

4100
02:50:47,600 --> 02:50:52,399
So, I believe there was a

4101
02:50:48,960 --> 02:50:55,120
miscommunication of how the um

4102
02:50:52,399 --> 02:50:57,200
information was reflected. So, I'm happy

4103
02:50:55,120 --> 02:50:59,439
to provide more information, whatever

4104
02:50:57,200 --> 02:51:02,640
questions the council has, but we just

4105
02:50:59,439 --> 02:51:05,840
want to clarify that miscommunication.

4106
02:51:02,640 --> 02:51:08,640
And final question,

4107
02:51:05,840 --> 02:51:11,279
is the amount included in the budget

4108
02:51:08,640 --> 02:51:15,200
amendments,

4109
02:51:11,279 --> 02:51:18,880
will that get us closer to the need

4110
02:51:15,200 --> 02:51:20,479
for right to council in Jersey City, or

4111
02:51:18,880 --> 02:51:23,960
is it the administration's opinion that

4112
02:51:20,479 --> 02:51:23,960
that is an excess?

4113
02:51:26,319 --> 02:51:30,080
I think we heard plenty in the public

4114
02:51:28,319 --> 02:51:31,760
comment tonight about how there is much

4115
02:51:30,080 --> 02:51:34,080
more need for funding for these

4116
02:51:31,760 --> 02:51:36,240
services. This is a phenomenon

4117
02:51:34,080 --> 02:51:38,479
nationwide. This is not a Jersey City

4118
02:51:36,240 --> 02:51:40,160
specific problem. Um but I think we can

4119
02:51:38,479 --> 02:51:42,800
comfortably say that these dollars will

4120
02:51:40,160 --> 02:51:44,960
be well spent. There is no such thing as

4121
02:51:42,800 --> 02:51:46,640
an excess of funding for legal services

4122
02:51:44,960 --> 02:51:48,880
for tenants.

4123
02:51:46,640 --> 02:51:50,640
» Thank you.

4124
02:51:48,880 --> 02:51:54,319
» Can I just get a clarification on this

4125
02:51:50,640 --> 02:51:56,960
just since we're talking about this? So

4126
02:51:54,319 --> 02:52:01,279
is the amendment that's on the agenda

4127
02:51:56,960 --> 02:52:02,080
include an additional was it 168,000 for

4128
02:52:01,279 --> 02:52:05,439
it does.

4129
02:52:02,080 --> 02:52:09,680
» So does that bring the total to 320

4130
02:52:05,439 --> 02:52:12,720
plus,000 or 480,000 plus? I'm trying to

4131
02:52:09,680 --> 02:52:14,160
understand now just looks looks like

4132
02:52:12,720 --> 02:52:15,520
» The latter

4133
02:52:14,160 --> 02:52:17,840
» 480.

4134
02:52:15,520 --> 02:52:19,600
» That's correct. So the full line item

4135
02:52:17,840 --> 02:52:21,439
for right to council is being covered by

4136
02:52:19,600 --> 02:52:24,240
a grant and so what is reflected in the

4137
02:52:21,439 --> 02:52:26,160
budget amendments is in addition to that

4138
02:52:24,240 --> 02:52:29,680
and that will be paid out of the city as

4139
02:52:26,160 --> 02:52:32,160
compared to any external sources.

4140
02:52:29,680 --> 02:52:34,319
That's definitely um a communication

4141
02:52:32,160 --> 02:52:36,640
error in in the budget workbooks because

4142
02:52:34,319 --> 02:52:38,560
it clearly says I I don't have it in

4143
02:52:36,640 --> 02:52:40,880
front of me right now, but it's it had

4144
02:52:38,560 --> 02:52:42,880
the offset

4145
02:52:40,880 --> 02:52:45,120
um I believe in the in the budget

4146
02:52:42,880 --> 02:52:47,760
workbook and that's why folks thought

4147
02:52:45,120 --> 02:52:50,240
that at least I thought that it was uh

4148
02:52:47,760 --> 02:52:53,600
um reduced. So

4149
02:52:50,240 --> 02:52:55,040
» I am not an expert in this and I of many

4150
02:52:53,600 --> 02:52:57,279
people sitting here have not spent the

4151
02:52:55,040 --> 02:52:59,279
most time with those budget workbooks.

4152
02:52:57,279 --> 02:53:00,640
My understanding is the confusion came

4153
02:52:59,279 --> 02:53:04,160
from the fact that the former

4154
02:53:00,640 --> 02:53:06,000
administration in 2025 added that

4155
02:53:04,160 --> 02:53:08,960
roughly

4156
02:53:06,000 --> 02:53:11,200
120 160 some odd thousands to the 2025

4157
02:53:08,960 --> 02:53:13,120
budget because it had not yet secured

4158
02:53:11,200 --> 02:53:15,840
the grant that we have now secured to

4159
02:53:13,120 --> 02:53:17,600
cover 2026. So it doesn't look like an

4160
02:53:15,840 --> 02:53:19,359
offset like many other line items

4161
02:53:17,600 --> 02:53:22,319
because there's an asymmetry between the

4162
02:53:19,359 --> 02:53:24,479
calendar years. So it was added in 2025.

4163
02:53:22,319 --> 02:53:27,600
We now have a grant that applies as of

4164
02:53:24,479 --> 02:53:29,200
January 1, 2026. So, it doesn't look

4165
02:53:27,600 --> 02:53:30,800
like an offset from an accounting

4166
02:53:29,200 --> 02:53:32,319
perspective like many of the other grant

4167
02:53:30,800 --> 02:53:34,720
offsets that you're used to seeing in

4168
02:53:32,319 --> 02:53:36,240
those workbooks, but I can commit to

4169
02:53:34,720 --> 02:53:38,160
working with Ruby and the administration

4170
02:53:36,240 --> 02:53:40,240
to share documentation that will make

4171
02:53:38,160 --> 02:53:41,680
all of that grant funding clear for the

4172
02:53:40,240 --> 02:53:43,200
council and and that will be public

4173
02:53:41,680 --> 02:53:45,279
information you can share with residents

4174
02:53:43,200 --> 02:53:47,040
as well. So, it's it's perfectly clear

4175
02:53:45,279 --> 02:53:48,160
exactly what dollars and cents are going

4176
02:53:47,040 --> 02:53:53,040
to this program.

4177
02:53:48,160 --> 02:53:56,399
» So, Sarah, I'm a little confused. Um, so

4178
02:53:53,040 --> 02:53:58,080
the money is coming via a grant. I

4179
02:53:56,399 --> 02:54:00,319
thought the money when we wrote the

4180
02:53:58,080 --> 02:54:02,560
legislation was coming from the

4181
02:54:00,319 --> 02:54:04,720
developers paying it to the So is it

4182
02:54:02,560 --> 02:54:07,120
coming from both or is it where is

4183
02:54:04,720 --> 02:54:10,560
specifically is it coming and where is

4184
02:54:07,120 --> 02:54:13,040
where is the grant coming from?

4185
02:54:10,560 --> 02:54:15,680
» To answer your question, the right to

4186
02:54:13,040 --> 02:54:17,439
council program will be funded in future

4187
02:54:15,680 --> 02:54:19,200
years out of the affordable housing

4188
02:54:17,439 --> 02:54:21,600
trust fund and the developer fees that

4189
02:54:19,200 --> 02:54:23,359
go into it. There is a lengthy process

4190
02:54:21,600 --> 02:54:25,200
that the city has to go through in order

4191
02:54:23,359 --> 02:54:26,720
to be able to do that. We've talked with

4192
02:54:25,200 --> 02:54:28,240
this council before about the spending

4193
02:54:26,720 --> 02:54:30,479
plan that has to be approved by the

4194
02:54:28,240 --> 02:54:33,359
courts. And so that is why we hope that

4195
02:54:30,479 --> 02:54:35,680
in 2027 those fees will be available and

4196
02:54:33,359 --> 02:54:37,200
will cover the program in this year

4197
02:54:35,680 --> 02:54:39,359
while we're still taking some of those

4198
02:54:37,200 --> 02:54:40,880
administrative steps. It is being funded

4199
02:54:39,359 --> 02:54:42,319
through a grant. I don't know the

4200
02:54:40,880 --> 02:54:43,520
specifics of that grant, but we can

4201
02:54:42,319 --> 02:54:45,439
absolutely follow up and provide you

4202
02:54:43,520 --> 02:54:49,760
with that information. Yes, if we can

4203
02:54:45,439 --> 02:54:52,240
please just get the the

4204
02:54:49,760 --> 02:54:56,319
I guess all the logistics

4205
02:54:52,240 --> 02:54:58,960
because if in 20 if in 2025

4206
02:54:56,319 --> 02:55:01,200
they disperse the initial grant amount

4207
02:54:58,960 --> 02:55:03,200
and then at the top of this year they

4208
02:55:01,200 --> 02:55:05,680
dispersed the full grant amount which is

4209
02:55:03,200 --> 02:55:08,000
bringing us to the four whatever it is.

4210
02:55:05,680 --> 02:55:09,840
Um if we can just get all of those

4211
02:55:08,000 --> 02:55:10,720
numbers and exact source where the grant

4212
02:55:09,840 --> 02:55:12,399
was.

4213
02:55:10,720 --> 02:55:13,840
» Absolutely. They probably won't come

4214
02:55:12,399 --> 02:55:14,640
from me, but we'll make sure you get

4215
02:55:13,840 --> 02:55:15,359
that

4216
02:55:14,640 --> 02:55:18,720
» Someone.

4217
02:55:15,359 --> 02:55:21,439
» And a question. So why isn't right to

4218
02:55:18,720 --> 02:55:23,840
council stand alone? because I fear it

4219
02:55:21,439 --> 02:55:28,359
going to the affordable trust fund funds

4220
02:55:23,840 --> 02:55:28,359
can be co-mingled and and

4221
02:55:30,319 --> 02:55:34,720
» So the legislation that was passed by

4222
02:55:32,960 --> 02:55:37,680
the previous council introduced by the

4223
02:55:34,720 --> 02:55:39,359
now mayor specifically designated

4224
02:55:37,680 --> 02:55:41,279
development fees that go into the

4225
02:55:39,359 --> 02:55:42,479
affordable housing trust fund as a

4226
02:55:41,279 --> 02:55:44,800
source of funding for the right to

4227
02:55:42,479 --> 02:55:47,200
council program so that it would have a

4228
02:55:44,800 --> 02:55:48,960
consistent dedicated funding source

4229
02:55:47,200 --> 02:55:50,560
separate from the annual municipal

4230
02:55:48,960 --> 02:55:52,880
budgeting process.

4231
02:55:50,560 --> 02:55:54,560
Under state law, we are allowed to use a

4232
02:55:52,880 --> 02:55:56,240
portion of those development fees to

4233
02:55:54,560 --> 02:55:58,080
support administrative programs like

4234
02:55:56,240 --> 02:55:59,600
right to council. And so my

4235
02:55:58,080 --> 02:56:02,880
understanding is that the legislative

4236
02:55:59,600 --> 02:56:05,040
intent was to have developers contribute

4237
02:56:02,880 --> 02:56:05,920
towards the costs of housing that some

4238
02:56:05,040 --> 02:56:09,120
tenants bear.

4239
02:56:05,920 --> 02:56:12,479
» Okay. So that percentage for right to

4240
02:56:09,120 --> 02:56:13,840
council once we get the fees they'll be

4241
02:56:12,479 --> 02:56:14,800
moved.

4242
02:56:13,840 --> 02:56:15,920
» No.

4243
02:56:14,800 --> 02:56:17,439
» Yeah. I'm trying to

4244
02:56:15,920 --> 02:56:18,640
» Up to 20%

4245
02:56:17,439 --> 02:56:22,479
» Will be moved

4246
02:56:18,640 --> 02:56:23,920
» And out of affordable housing.

4247
02:56:22,479 --> 02:56:24,399
» It would be in a separate account or

4248
02:56:23,920 --> 02:56:26,479
admin.

4249
02:56:24,399 --> 02:56:29,120
» Guys, you got to speak one at a time for

4250
02:56:26,479 --> 02:56:31,520
my court reporter.

4251
02:56:29,120 --> 02:56:33,520
» Up to 20% of the affordable housing

4252
02:56:31,520 --> 02:56:37,200
trust fund monies coming from those

4253
02:56:33,520 --> 02:56:40,319
different developer fees may be used for

4254
02:56:37,200 --> 02:56:42,720
administrative purposes. So staff and

4255
02:56:40,319 --> 02:56:47,439
etc. instead of you know the development

4256
02:56:42,720 --> 02:56:50,319
of affordable housing. um of that 20% of

4257
02:56:47,439 --> 02:56:52,800
administrative uh money that can be

4258
02:56:50,319 --> 02:56:54,479
spent, it remains to be seen how much

4259
02:56:52,800 --> 02:56:57,200
would go to right to council. And so I

4260
02:56:54,479 --> 02:56:58,720
know that's one of the um just topics of

4261
02:56:57,200 --> 02:57:00,240
discussion as we finally get the

4262
02:56:58,720 --> 02:57:02,560
affordable housing trust fund committee

4263
02:57:00,240 --> 02:57:06,399
back off the ground, but that is still

4264
02:57:02,560 --> 02:57:07,840
all in the works. Um and so I think it's

4265
02:57:06,399 --> 02:57:09,439
very important that we continue to have

4266
02:57:07,840 --> 02:57:10,880
funding for for the office in the

4267
02:57:09,439 --> 02:57:11,600
meantime while all of that money is

4268
02:57:10,880 --> 02:57:15,760
coming online.

4269
02:57:11,600 --> 02:57:18,479
» No, understood. My question is the 20%

4270
02:57:15,760 --> 02:57:22,080
or up to 20%.

4271
02:57:18,479 --> 02:57:25,760
Will that be taken

4272
02:57:22,080 --> 02:57:28,720
will will that money be taken and placed

4273
02:57:25,760 --> 02:57:34,160
like will water get it immediately? Will

4274
02:57:28,720 --> 02:57:36,399
» Or is it taken out as it's needed?

4275
02:57:34,160 --> 02:57:38,240
» See what I'm saying?

4276
02:57:36,399 --> 02:57:42,080
» No. What my my understanding is that

4277
02:57:38,240 --> 02:57:43,760
that money then can be voted maybe I'm

4278
02:57:42,080 --> 02:57:45,359
wrong but my understanding is that the

4279
02:57:43,760 --> 02:57:47,279
affordable housing trust fund committee

4280
02:57:45,359 --> 02:57:48,880
can vote to dedicate a certain amount of

4281
02:57:47,279 --> 02:57:50,800
funding stream to the office of the

4282
02:57:48,880 --> 02:57:53,600
right to counsel. It would get that

4283
02:57:50,800 --> 02:57:56,960
funding stream up to that 20% of the

4284
02:57:53,600 --> 02:57:59,680
allowed administrative fees and then the

4285
02:57:56,960 --> 02:58:01,520
office of the right to counsel would

4286
02:57:59,680 --> 02:58:03,760
make use of it how they will. Some could

4287
02:58:01,520 --> 02:58:05,840
go to waterfront project. Eventually, it

4288
02:58:03,760 --> 02:58:08,720
could develop a staff of its own. It's

4289
02:58:05,840 --> 02:58:11,359
also part of the legislative intent.

4290
02:58:08,720 --> 02:58:13,439
» Thank you.

4291
02:58:11,359 --> 02:58:14,319
» Um, all right. You finished, council?

4292
02:58:13,439 --> 02:58:15,439
» I'm finished.

4293
02:58:14,319 --> 02:58:17,520
» Okay.

4294
02:58:15,439 --> 02:58:20,000
» Well, I just I just want to take this

4295
02:58:17,520 --> 02:58:23,120
time to thank all the residents for

4296
02:58:20,000 --> 02:58:25,920
coming out um voicing their concerns as

4297
02:58:23,120 --> 02:58:29,439
it relates to the budget. Um, full

4298
02:58:25,920 --> 02:58:32,640
transparency. We are in trying times.

4299
02:58:29,439 --> 02:58:36,240
There's some very hard decisions and

4300
02:58:32,640 --> 02:58:38,960
just a microcosm of how complicated it

4301
02:58:36,240 --> 02:58:43,920
is to come to a balanced budget. You

4302
02:58:38,960 --> 02:58:46,720
heard about 50 60 people came before the

4303
02:58:43,920 --> 02:58:48,880
council and spoke to how they think

4304
02:58:46,720 --> 02:58:51,520
funds should be dispersed in the

4305
02:58:48,880 --> 02:58:53,520
municipal budget. And it and like I

4306
02:58:51,520 --> 02:58:58,080
said, it's just a microcosm of how

4307
02:58:53,520 --> 02:59:02,560
complicated it is to try to advocate for

4308
02:58:58,080 --> 02:59:04,479
every program. Um, and I just want to

4309
02:59:02,560 --> 02:59:07,120
just to set the record straight because

4310
02:59:04,479 --> 02:59:11,680
several people have said, uh, there's

4311
02:59:07,120 --> 02:59:13,200
been elected officials in here as

4312
02:59:11,680 --> 02:59:15,200
there's been this mess with the

4313
02:59:13,200 --> 02:59:18,640
finances. I'm only going to speak on the

4314
02:59:15,200 --> 02:59:20,880
behalf of Councilman Gilmore. Uh, I know

4315
02:59:18,640 --> 02:59:25,120
for the last four years I was screaming

4316
02:59:20,880 --> 02:59:27,680
to anybody who were here how I think the

4317
02:59:25,120 --> 02:59:29,840
decisions that was made during the last

4318
02:59:27,680 --> 02:59:32,240
administration was going to harm Jersey

4319
02:59:29,840 --> 02:59:35,120
City. The beautiful thing is that all of

4320
02:59:32,240 --> 02:59:38,160
these council meetings are recorded and

4321
02:59:35,120 --> 02:59:41,920
people can consult the records. It's one

4322
02:59:38,160 --> 02:59:45,040
thing to be outraged and frustrated

4323
02:59:41,920 --> 02:59:47,520
about the situation that we're in and

4324
02:59:45,040 --> 02:59:50,399
having feelings on why we're in that

4325
02:59:47,520 --> 02:59:55,040
situation. It's a total another thing to

4326
02:59:50,399 --> 02:59:59,439
misrepresent the facts of what happened.

4327
02:59:55,040 --> 03:00:02,800
I vividly recall about one time revenue

4328
02:59:59,439 --> 03:00:05,439
builders getting us in trouble down the

4329
03:00:02,800 --> 03:00:08,000
line because I know just being in

4330
03:00:05,439 --> 03:00:10,560
business is not a sustainable mechanism

4331
03:00:08,000 --> 03:00:12,160
to keep revenue coming in. I knew that.

4332
03:00:10,560 --> 03:00:16,399
I learned that in Ruckers business

4333
03:00:12,160 --> 03:00:20,720
school. Um so I understand that people

4334
03:00:16,399 --> 03:00:22,640
are frustrated. I am frustrated too. Um,

4335
03:00:20,720 --> 03:00:25,600
and it's not going to just be black

4336
03:00:22,640 --> 03:00:28,720
people losing houses, but the way that

4337
03:00:25,600 --> 03:00:32,399
these taxs are going up, people are in

4338
03:00:28,720 --> 03:00:35,600
trouble in the whole Jersey City. The

4339
03:00:32,399 --> 03:00:37,520
entire Jersey City, every single ward. I

4340
03:00:35,600 --> 03:00:40,560
talk to homeowners every day. They can't

4341
03:00:37,520 --> 03:00:44,560
afford to live in Jersey City right now.

4342
03:00:40,560 --> 03:00:47,760
Regardless of a 5, 10, 12, 15, 20% tax

4343
03:00:44,560 --> 03:00:50,479
increase, they can't afford to live now.

4344
03:00:47,760 --> 03:00:52,880
Many of our residents are on fixed

4345
03:00:50,479 --> 03:00:55,120
incomes. It's already taking two and

4346
03:00:52,880 --> 03:00:57,439
three incomes to subsidize the cost of

4347
03:00:55,120 --> 03:00:59,200
living as it is.

4348
03:00:57,439 --> 03:01:03,439
So

4349
03:00:59,200 --> 03:01:06,640
I I sympathize. I feel the frustration.

4350
03:01:03,439 --> 03:01:09,120
I feel the anger. I feel the pain. We

4351
03:01:06,640 --> 03:01:12,640
are in trying times. And I know in my

4352
03:01:09,120 --> 03:01:14,399
heart of hearts that that increase is

4353
03:01:12,640 --> 03:01:16,399
going to cause us to lose some

4354
03:01:14,399 --> 03:01:19,359
residents. um some residents are going

4355
03:01:16,399 --> 03:01:21,920
to lose their like I know that I'm not

4356
03:01:19,359 --> 03:01:24,399
hopeful of it. I don't think like I know

4357
03:01:21,920 --> 03:01:27,760
definitively that is what's going to

4358
03:01:24,399 --> 03:01:31,200
happen. I do this work every day.

4359
03:01:27,760 --> 03:01:34,479
So I know that. Um but again I I just

4360
03:01:31,200 --> 03:01:36,960
want to commend everyone for coming out

4361
03:01:34,479 --> 03:01:40,240
speaking out letting their voices be

4362
03:01:36,960 --> 03:01:42,160
heard. Um, and I know at least for my

4363
03:01:40,240 --> 03:01:45,200
part, I'm going to do everything I can

4364
03:01:42,160 --> 03:01:47,600
do literally in my power as it relates

4365
03:01:45,200 --> 03:01:49,040
to making sure the budget is balanced,

4366
03:01:47,600 --> 03:01:51,520
making sure money is not

4367
03:01:49,040 --> 03:01:53,840
misappropriated, making sure I'm

4368
03:01:51,520 --> 03:01:55,840
educating the residents on how municipal

4369
03:01:53,840 --> 03:01:58,160
government work, how the dollars are

4370
03:01:55,840 --> 03:01:59,680
spent, how the dollars are traced, what

4371
03:01:58,160 --> 03:02:01,840
should be happen, what shouldn't be

4372
03:01:59,680 --> 03:02:04,160
happen. If you've been watching the

4373
03:02:01,840 --> 03:02:07,279
budget meetings, I've been asking a ton

4374
03:02:04,160 --> 03:02:10,560
of questions and like many residents, I

4375
03:02:07,279 --> 03:02:15,080
am frustrated, too. Um, so I just wanted

4376
03:02:10,560 --> 03:02:15,080
that to be on the record. Thank you.

4377
03:02:15,760 --> 03:02:19,920
» Okay, we're moving on to our public

4378
03:02:17,760 --> 03:02:22,080
request for a hearing. I'm going to be

4379
03:02:19,920 --> 03:02:24,880
calling the number and the first name of

4380
03:02:22,080 --> 03:02:27,200
the individual. Please pay attention to

4381
03:02:24,880 --> 03:02:31,680
your agenda. With that being said, first

4382
03:02:27,200 --> 03:02:35,760
speaker 5.1 Leverne I believe she left.

4383
03:02:31,680 --> 03:02:41,439
Next speaker 5.2 Ira

4384
03:02:35,760 --> 03:02:43,520
here. Next speaker 5.3 Charlene.

4385
03:02:41,439 --> 03:02:48,080
She left.

4386
03:02:43,520 --> 03:02:51,760
Next speaker 5.4. Ivonne.

4387
03:02:48,080 --> 03:02:54,560
Ivonne Bolster. And as I said before, in

4388
03:02:51,760 --> 03:02:57,279
2024, 4,200

4389
03:02:54,560 --> 03:02:59,520
people went in tax lean according to the

4390
03:02:57,279 --> 03:03:02,479
Jersey Journal. They print the tax as

4391
03:02:59,520 --> 03:03:04,800
their last tax lean. Not one of them

4392
03:03:02,479 --> 03:03:07,359
were affordable housing tenants or rent

4393
03:03:04,800 --> 03:03:10,160
control because the reason why we have a

4394
03:03:07,359 --> 03:03:12,560
problem I am still subsidizing people

4395
03:03:10,160 --> 03:03:15,359
who get cheap housing and no one wants

4396
03:03:12,560 --> 03:03:18,000
to address that. But that is the truth.

4397
03:03:15,359 --> 03:03:19,920
Affordable housing is not erodable. So

4398
03:03:18,000 --> 03:03:21,840
their buildings are not added to the

4399
03:03:19,920 --> 03:03:26,000
state to the county when he does the

4400
03:03:21,840 --> 03:03:29,600
budget rent control. I'm going if a rent

4401
03:03:26,000 --> 03:03:32,319
control tenant went up 15.5%

4402
03:03:29,600 --> 03:03:35,439
you would use my tax dollars to take

4403
03:03:32,319 --> 03:03:38,960
that landlord to court because the rent

4404
03:03:35,439 --> 03:03:40,560
for like I said September is 4.1%.

4405
03:03:38,960 --> 03:03:42,560
So we have like two different people

4406
03:03:40,560 --> 03:03:45,040
here two different standards. You have

4407
03:03:42,560 --> 03:03:47,600
reduced a homeowner into an indentured

4408
03:03:45,040 --> 03:03:49,439
servant to subsidize affordable housing

4409
03:03:47,600 --> 03:03:52,880
and rent control. That's where we are.

4410
03:03:49,439 --> 03:03:55,920
We keep going up. With this new tax

4411
03:03:52,880 --> 03:03:57,760
increase, the average taxes will be

4412
03:03:55,920 --> 03:04:01,439
$13,000.

4413
03:03:57,760 --> 03:04:04,160
Across the United States based upon the

4414
03:04:01,439 --> 03:04:07,040
2024 numbers, the last they have, the

4415
03:04:04,160 --> 03:04:10,399
average taxes for property in the United

4416
03:04:07,040 --> 03:04:13,040
States is $1,800.

4417
03:04:10,399 --> 03:04:15,359
less than $2,000.

4418
03:04:13,040 --> 03:04:16,720
So, you wonder why there's no such thing

4419
03:04:15,359 --> 03:04:19,680
as affordable housing if you don't have

4420
03:04:16,720 --> 03:04:23,040
affordable taxes. Doesn't work. We have

4421
03:04:19,680 --> 03:04:25,920
a a problem because of the bonding. We

4422
03:04:23,040 --> 03:04:28,160
have problems as one person said earlier

4423
03:04:25,920 --> 03:04:31,680
uh about these boat deals with it and

4424
03:04:28,160 --> 03:04:33,920
when people leave. My first budget

4425
03:04:31,680 --> 03:04:36,080
hearing was sometime in the 70s. I've

4426
03:04:33,920 --> 03:04:40,319
been going meetings for over 50 years.

4427
03:04:36,080 --> 03:04:42,720
The budget was $90 million. And I said,

4428
03:04:40,319 --> 03:04:44,720
"Oh my god." I remember as a child

4429
03:04:42,720 --> 03:04:48,319
reading about Jersey City becoming 300

4430
03:04:44,720 --> 03:04:51,040
years old in 19 in 1960.

4431
03:04:48,319 --> 03:04:54,160
I remember reading about that and I

4432
03:04:51,040 --> 03:04:57,200
said, "It took 300 years to get to $90

4433
03:04:54,160 --> 03:05:00,399
million." Well, oh my, we're near a

4434
03:04:57,200 --> 03:05:01,600
billion dollars. And that's that was 50

4435
03:05:00,399 --> 03:05:03,279
years from now. I mean, that's

4436
03:05:01,600 --> 03:05:05,439
ridiculous. You're spending and

4437
03:05:03,279 --> 03:05:07,840
spending. You're appeasing groups.

4438
03:05:05,439 --> 03:05:10,160
You're make you're forcing a person who

4439
03:05:07,840 --> 03:05:12,160
votes and you want their vote and you're

4440
03:05:10,160 --> 03:05:14,080
passing their tax burden on to the small

4441
03:05:12,160 --> 03:05:17,680
homeowner. Yes, you are losing

4442
03:05:14,080 --> 03:05:20,160
long-term. And I used to live downtown

4443
03:05:17,680 --> 03:05:22,720
in Vanos Park and I had to see I had to

4444
03:05:20,160 --> 03:05:25,279
sell my house. When reval happened in

4445
03:05:22,720 --> 03:05:29,120
2018, the Jersey Journal had picture of

4446
03:05:25,279 --> 03:05:32,800
my house. It was a tax of $48,000

4447
03:05:29,120 --> 03:05:34,160
for a row house. So, of course, people

4448
03:05:32,800 --> 03:05:35,760
are going to sell to developments

4449
03:05:34,160 --> 03:05:38,160
because nobody else can afford to live

4450
03:05:35,760 --> 03:05:40,319
in Jersey City thanks to incompetence by

4451
03:05:38,160 --> 03:05:44,640
city government going way back. And by

4452
03:05:40,319 --> 03:05:47,439
the way, we had a a a budget that

4453
03:05:44,640 --> 03:05:50,000
started in July 1st. It didn't work. So,

4454
03:05:47,439 --> 03:05:53,040
that's the came to you does not work. I

4455
03:05:50,000 --> 03:05:53,520
see my time is up. I'm letting you lousy

4456
03:05:53,040 --> 03:05:54,560
job.

4457
03:05:53,520 --> 03:05:57,120
» Thank you,

4458
03:05:54,560 --> 03:05:59,279
» Ivonne. I I just want to say I I

4459
03:05:57,120 --> 03:06:01,359
understand your position as it relates

4460
03:05:59,279 --> 03:06:03,359
to affordable housing, but there are

4461
03:06:01,359 --> 03:06:05,279
some people who own affordable houses on

4462
03:06:03,359 --> 03:06:07,680
that foreclosure list. There are

4463
03:06:05,279 --> 03:06:09,680
definitively I don't think I know

4464
03:06:07,680 --> 03:06:12,080
definitively. In fact, there have been

4465
03:06:09,680 --> 03:06:15,920
some people who had affordable homes

4466
03:06:12,080 --> 03:06:18,319
that lost a house on affordable um on a

4467
03:06:15,920 --> 03:06:19,600
sheriff sale. But I get your position. I

4468
03:06:18,319 --> 03:06:21,840
don't agree with it, but I get your

4469
03:06:19,600 --> 03:06:26,640
position.

4470
03:06:21,840 --> 03:06:26,640
» Okay. Our next speaker, 5.5, Esther

4471
03:06:28,080 --> 03:06:36,600
5.6 Albert.

4472
03:06:31,680 --> 03:06:36,600
» Thank you. 5.7 Brendan.

4473
03:06:37,680 --> 03:06:45,880
Thank you. 5.8 Danielle.

4474
03:06:41,920 --> 03:06:45,880
5.9 Ming.

4475
03:06:47,760 --> 03:06:52,040
5.10. Jeff.

4476
03:06:52,800 --> 03:06:56,000
All right. First of all, thank you for

4477
03:06:54,479 --> 03:06:57,279
your professionalism tonight and your

4478
03:06:56,000 --> 03:06:59,200
service to the community. It's something

4479
03:06:57,279 --> 03:07:03,200
I really appreciate. I think the council

4480
03:06:59,200 --> 03:07:05,439
has um really helped bring a lot more

4481
03:07:03,200 --> 03:07:07,600
information into the community. Um just

4482
03:07:05,439 --> 03:07:08,880
a quick mention before about the date of

4483
03:07:07,600 --> 03:07:10,960
the board of ed election. I would

4484
03:07:08,880 --> 03:07:13,520
certainly for anyone who's still hanging

4485
03:07:10,960 --> 03:07:16,080
in uh participating in the board of

4486
03:07:13,520 --> 03:07:18,240
election is extremely important as it is

4487
03:07:16,080 --> 03:07:20,800
this year as it is frankly every year.

4488
03:07:18,240 --> 03:07:22,240
Um quick thing. The mayor continues to

4489
03:07:20,800 --> 03:07:24,319
support the current structure of an

4490
03:07:22,240 --> 03:07:27,120
independent board of education. He

4491
03:07:24,319 --> 03:07:29,520
commented about that on his um uh

4492
03:07:27,120 --> 03:07:31,120
internet show last night. What I don't

4493
03:07:29,520 --> 03:07:33,520
understand is why do we have an

4494
03:07:31,120 --> 03:07:35,920
independent board of education while

4495
03:07:33,520 --> 03:07:38,080
maintaining council and mayoral control

4496
03:07:35,920 --> 03:07:39,520
of the police and fire departments which

4497
03:07:38,080 --> 03:07:42,160
are also of course very critical

4498
03:07:39,520 --> 03:07:44,640
agencies to the cities. Um, just to be

4499
03:07:42,160 --> 03:07:47,120
brief, do any council members have a

4500
03:07:44,640 --> 03:07:50,080
thought about the idea that I think was

4501
03:07:47,120 --> 03:07:52,479
considered some years ago regarding um a

4502
03:07:50,080 --> 03:07:55,359
referendum where voters can decide their

4503
03:07:52,479 --> 03:07:57,840
favorite struct their favored excuse me

4504
03:07:55,359 --> 03:07:59,840
structure for the board of education.

4505
03:07:57,840 --> 03:08:02,640
Just any ideas or anyone who's lived

4506
03:07:59,840 --> 03:08:05,200
through that before and uh why it didn't

4507
03:08:02,640 --> 03:08:07,040
come about and just a brief thought from

4508
03:08:05,200 --> 03:08:09,120
anyone.

4509
03:08:07,040 --> 03:08:11,279
I'll let you finish your your time and

4510
03:08:09,120 --> 03:08:11,840
then I'll I'll comment.

4511
03:08:11,279 --> 03:08:13,920
» That's it.

4512
03:08:11,840 --> 03:08:16,000
» That's it. Okay. Well, yeah, the council

4513
03:08:13,920 --> 03:08:18,479
did consider that in 2020. I was on the

4514
03:08:16,000 --> 03:08:21,040
council at that time. It is probably my

4515
03:08:18,479 --> 03:08:22,720
worst council meeting. Um, it was a very

4516
03:08:21,040 --> 03:08:25,680
contentious meeting and then COVID

4517
03:08:22,720 --> 03:08:27,760
happened, so we had other priorities at

4518
03:08:25,680 --> 03:08:29,680
the time. But if that is something that

4519
03:08:27,760 --> 03:08:32,880
residents are looking to come back, then

4520
03:08:29,680 --> 03:08:35,120
I would uh advise the residents to lobby

4521
03:08:32,880 --> 03:08:39,319
the council to reconsider.

4522
03:08:35,120 --> 03:08:39,319
» Okay. Thank you very much. Our

4523
03:08:39,840 --> 03:08:45,640
next speaker 5.11 Erica L

4524
03:08:47,200 --> 03:08:51,240
5.12 Isaac

4525
03:08:52,399 --> 03:08:55,399
5.13

4526
03:08:57,040 --> 03:09:02,319
hold not here

4527
03:08:59,680 --> 03:09:07,279
you can help me with it

4528
03:09:02,319 --> 03:09:07,279
» Thank you 5.14 McKenzie

4529
03:09:08,960 --> 03:09:13,000
5.15 Kevin

4530
03:09:15,279 --> 03:09:21,920
» Smoke okay

4531
03:09:17,200 --> 03:09:26,880
» The greatest spoke okay got it

4532
03:09:21,920 --> 03:09:31,000
» 5.16 Joseph is not here

4533
03:09:26,880 --> 03:09:31,000
5.17 Sam

4534
03:09:32,399 --> 03:09:37,279
I um I'm still going through the budget

4535
03:09:34,800 --> 03:09:39,439
and I don't understand it completely.

4536
03:09:37,279 --> 03:09:42,160
I've only printed out the 2024 I think

4537
03:09:39,439 --> 03:09:44,720
audit and

4538
03:09:42,160 --> 03:09:47,120
um I haven't printed out the 2025 audit

4539
03:09:44,720 --> 03:09:50,800
yet. Um what I thought was a little

4540
03:09:47,120 --> 03:09:53,359
interesting is that it's very easy to

4541
03:09:50,800 --> 03:09:56,720
lie in a budget or at least be

4542
03:09:53,359 --> 03:10:01,600
misleading or somewhat deceptive.

4543
03:09:56,720 --> 03:10:04,720
um as we even if unintentionally

4544
03:10:01,600 --> 03:10:07,600
um there's you know as as I just saw

4545
03:10:04,720 --> 03:10:11,279
with the miscommunication over the

4546
03:10:07,600 --> 03:10:13,439
funding for um

4547
03:10:11,279 --> 03:10:17,279
what was it for the yeah for for for the

4548
03:10:13,439 --> 03:10:20,319
council. So I I I think

4549
03:10:17,279 --> 03:10:22,000
um like that type of level of analysis

4550
03:10:20,319 --> 03:10:23,600
is is certainly required and that's what

4551
03:10:22,000 --> 03:10:25,600
I'm trying to do to just trying to

4552
03:10:23,600 --> 03:10:29,200
figure out what the line items in in the

4553
03:10:25,600 --> 03:10:30,800
budget are. My perspective right now I'm

4554
03:10:29,200 --> 03:10:32,800
my perspective is a little different

4555
03:10:30,800 --> 03:10:34,720
from maybe other people in the council

4556
03:10:32,800 --> 03:10:37,520
and certainly everybody in the room. I

4557
03:10:34,720 --> 03:10:39,680
think it's abundantly clear that taxes

4558
03:10:37,520 --> 03:10:41,840
have to increase

4559
03:10:39,680 --> 03:10:44,800
and it doesn't even seem like 15% is

4560
03:10:41,840 --> 03:10:46,960
close enough. What? And that that

4561
03:10:44,800 --> 03:10:49,200
frustrates me and concerns me, but it

4562
03:10:46,960 --> 03:10:50,800
doesn't give me the level of anxiety

4563
03:10:49,200 --> 03:10:53,800
that

4564
03:10:50,800 --> 03:10:53,800
a

4565
03:10:53,920 --> 03:10:59,279
that future budget increases

4566
03:10:57,040 --> 03:11:01,120
are that that we're going to see future

4567
03:10:59,279 --> 03:11:03,520
budget increases that are even worse

4568
03:11:01,120 --> 03:11:05,520
than now. So, I don't know if if just

4569
03:11:03,520 --> 03:11:07,760
I'm not sure if you've seen this week,

4570
03:11:05,520 --> 03:11:10,319
but two numbers that are even worse than

4571
03:11:07,760 --> 03:11:12,960
Jersey City's budget is the $40 trillion

4572
03:11:10,319 --> 03:11:14,720
budget from the US government and I hope

4573
03:11:12,960 --> 03:11:18,080
you continue to watch for the rest of

4574
03:11:14,720 --> 03:11:21,680
your lives, the rate of the 30-year

4575
03:11:18,080 --> 03:11:25,040
bond, which went over 5%. So, just na

4576
03:11:21,680 --> 03:11:26,960
our what we're facing locally is

4577
03:11:25,040 --> 03:11:28,960
magnified on the national level. And

4578
03:11:26,960 --> 03:11:31,200
what gives me anxiety

4579
03:11:28,960 --> 03:11:34,399
is that this the type of spending that

4580
03:11:31,200 --> 03:11:37,399
we're seeing and the debt is

4581
03:11:34,399 --> 03:11:37,399
unsustainable

4582
03:11:37,520 --> 03:11:43,600
uh in in the 2024

4583
03:11:40,640 --> 03:11:46,720
budget. It's there seems like the the

4584
03:11:43,600 --> 03:11:48,160
debt and I just want also also to

4585
03:11:46,720 --> 03:11:50,000
clarify a number of people have spoken

4586
03:11:48,160 --> 03:11:51,680
about the the debt or deficit. There may

4587
03:11:50,000 --> 03:11:54,240
have been a deficit of a couple hundred

4588
03:11:51,680 --> 03:11:58,720
billion dollars, but the debt for Jersey

4589
03:11:54,240 --> 03:12:00,319
City, Moody's reports it as 1.4 billion

4590
03:11:58,720 --> 03:12:02,160
dollars,

4591
03:12:00,319 --> 03:12:04,160
which includes some kind of guarantees,

4592
03:12:02,160 --> 03:12:07,520
which I'm which is unclear to me about,

4593
03:12:04,160 --> 03:12:11,439
which I'm not clear about, but the the

4594
03:12:07,520 --> 03:12:13,600
debt is at least over $500 billion. It

4595
03:12:11,439 --> 03:12:16,880
seems to me that this current budget,

4596
03:12:13,600 --> 03:12:20,000
even with the 15% uh increase, doesn't

4597
03:12:16,880 --> 03:12:22,319
even come close to managing an actually

4598
03:12:20,000 --> 03:12:24,399
fiscally responsible budget that we can

4599
03:12:22,319 --> 03:12:27,359
rely upon in the next 10, 20, or 30

4600
03:12:24,399 --> 03:12:30,359
years to get us into uh a balanced

4601
03:12:27,359 --> 03:12:30,359
spending.

4602
03:12:34,319 --> 03:12:39,720
Thank you. Our next speaker, 5.18,

4603
03:12:36,720 --> 03:12:39,720
Stephanie

4604
03:12:50,720 --> 03:12:53,120
Stephanie,

4605
03:12:51,359 --> 03:12:56,960
» Sorry. Okay. I just wanted to make a

4606
03:12:53,120 --> 03:12:59,680
point. Last summer in April 23rd, 2025,

4607
03:12:56,960 --> 03:13:02,000
resolution 25275

4608
03:12:59,680 --> 03:13:04,319
passed the adoption of the spending plan

4609
03:13:02,000 --> 03:13:06,960
for the affordable tr housing trust fund

4610
03:13:04,319 --> 03:13:08,479
where it says the 20% is approved for

4611
03:13:06,960 --> 03:13:10,240
right to council. So, that's what kind

4612
03:13:08,479 --> 03:13:12,560
of confused me because I thought a judge

4613
03:13:10,240 --> 03:13:15,279
approved that last summer, but I will

4614
03:13:12,560 --> 03:13:17,439
let that hang out in your court for

4615
03:13:15,279 --> 03:13:20,160
though. Um, I want to make a broader

4616
03:13:17,439 --> 03:13:22,479
point about how we approach problems in

4617
03:13:20,160 --> 03:13:24,880
Jersey City. Um, especially knowing what

4618
03:13:22,479 --> 03:13:26,560
the actual problem is is crucial in

4619
03:13:24,880 --> 03:13:29,359
solving it. Last week, there was a

4620
03:13:26,560 --> 03:13:31,279
shooting and an encampment. If we only

4621
03:13:29,359 --> 03:13:33,680
diagnose that as a housing problem,

4622
03:13:31,279 --> 03:13:36,319
we're not addressing the full problem.

4623
03:13:33,680 --> 03:13:38,720
St. Lucy's does not allow people who are

4624
03:13:36,319 --> 03:13:40,720
in active addiction to stay there. We

4625
03:13:38,720 --> 03:13:42,560
see this as an issue elsewhere in the

4626
03:13:40,720 --> 03:13:44,800
city. The friends of Montichello came

4627
03:13:42,560 --> 03:13:46,960
and spoke before you about the substance

4628
03:13:44,800 --> 03:13:48,560
abuse problems they've identified.

4629
03:13:46,960 --> 03:13:50,479
Business owners around the Newark

4630
03:13:48,560 --> 03:13:52,640
pedestrian plaza have identified a

4631
03:13:50,479 --> 03:13:55,120
similar problem. Some of the people

4632
03:13:52,640 --> 03:13:57,600
there may be unhoused, but not all of

4633
03:13:55,120 --> 03:13:59,600
them are. Um they congregate there

4634
03:13:57,600 --> 03:14:02,880
because the city allows them to engage

4635
03:13:59,600 --> 03:14:04,479
in an active addiction. Um, now maybe

4636
03:14:02,880 --> 03:14:05,840
next week, the week after, the

4637
03:14:04,479 --> 03:14:08,000
Department of Health will have a hearing

4638
03:14:05,840 --> 03:14:10,560
on Christ Hospital. If we use that as an

4639
03:14:08,000 --> 03:14:12,720
opportunity to only advocate for a

4640
03:14:10,560 --> 03:14:14,399
hospital without identifying the full

4641
03:14:12,720 --> 03:14:15,920
scope of needs and necessary

4642
03:14:14,399 --> 03:14:18,479
interventions, we're not doing the

4643
03:14:15,920 --> 03:14:20,319
people of Jersey City any favors. If

4644
03:14:18,479 --> 03:14:22,880
someone has a substance abuse disorder,

4645
03:14:20,319 --> 03:14:24,960
they need specific interventions and

4646
03:14:22,880 --> 03:14:27,439
they may also have other serious medical

4647
03:14:24,960 --> 03:14:29,359
needs like dialysis. I think we're

4648
03:14:27,439 --> 03:14:32,239
seeing the same disconnect in other

4649
03:14:29,359 --> 03:14:35,359
areas. the autom modus and municipal

4650
03:14:32,239 --> 03:14:37,120
parking systems resolutions tonight. Res

4651
03:14:35,359 --> 03:14:39,520
residents are asking for safe streets

4652
03:14:37,120 --> 03:14:42,160
where they live, but this plans to

4653
03:14:39,520 --> 03:14:44,319
monitor transit station areas. They want

4654
03:14:42,160 --> 03:14:46,080
people want hardened infrastructure in

4655
03:14:44,319 --> 03:14:47,760
the places their children play soccer,

4656
03:14:46,080 --> 03:14:49,760
ride their bikes, and cross the street

4657
03:14:47,760 --> 03:14:51,600
on their way to school. Also, let's

4658
03:14:49,760 --> 03:14:53,840
acknowledge that the two vendors up for

4659
03:14:51,600 --> 03:14:56,640
approval are donors to the mayor and

4660
03:14:53,840 --> 03:14:58,160
some council members. MPS donated to

4661
03:14:56,640 --> 03:15:00,239
team Solomon, which would include

4662
03:14:58,160 --> 03:15:02,800
council members Little Singh, Griffin,

4663
03:15:00,239 --> 03:15:05,120
Lao, and Ridley. Now, I thought having

4664
03:15:02,800 --> 03:15:06,720
two donors apply for the contract was

4665
03:15:05,120 --> 03:15:08,960
going to be a Sophie's choice for the

4666
03:15:06,720 --> 03:15:11,359
city, but not here. Everybody gets their

4667
03:15:08,960 --> 03:15:13,439
paytoplay. Now, what I'd like to see

4668
03:15:11,359 --> 03:15:15,120
this city do during caucus is make sure

4669
03:15:13,439 --> 03:15:17,279
that we are applying for every grant

4670
03:15:15,120 --> 03:15:19,120
donor uh grant dollar available. For

4671
03:15:17,279 --> 03:15:21,040
example, the state already taxes

4672
03:15:19,120 --> 03:15:23,439
polluters. The regional greenhouse gas

4673
03:15:21,040 --> 03:15:25,680
initiative has funding available for

4674
03:15:23,439 --> 03:15:28,239
projects like HVAC systems, damaged

4675
03:15:25,680 --> 03:15:30,399
roofs, microtransit. That sounds

4676
03:15:28,239 --> 03:15:33,920
incredibly relevant to Jersey City. In

4677
03:15:30,399 --> 03:15:36,399
fact, we have 1.6 million already from

4678
03:15:33,920 --> 03:15:38,560
this program for VIA. Do we know if

4679
03:15:36,399 --> 03:15:40,319
we're going to get that money next year?

4680
03:15:38,560 --> 03:15:42,479
Um, if we want to solve the problems,

4681
03:15:40,319 --> 03:15:45,120
let's really diagnose them and use the

4682
03:15:42,479 --> 03:15:47,120
solutions we already have um and make

4683
03:15:45,120 --> 03:15:51,319
sure those interventions actually work.

4684
03:15:47,120 --> 03:15:51,319
Thank you. Our

4685
03:15:51,520 --> 03:15:56,120
next speaker 5.19 Demetrius.

4686
03:15:56,239 --> 03:16:01,479
Thank you. 5.20 Nick.

4687
03:16:02,080 --> 03:16:12,080
Thank you. Next. 5.21. Eric.

4688
03:16:07,200 --> 03:16:14,560
Thank you. 5.22. Mark.

4689
03:16:12,080 --> 03:16:18,760
Mark L. No.

4690
03:16:14,560 --> 03:16:18,760
5.23. Dinor.

4691
03:16:19,279 --> 03:16:23,479
5.24 Jonathan.

4692
03:16:27,279 --> 03:16:32,720
» Hi, good evening. I want to briefly

4693
03:16:29,840 --> 03:16:34,640
cover the um p the pilot for traffic

4694
03:16:32,720 --> 03:16:36,239
enforcement that you're voting on later.

4695
03:16:34,640 --> 03:16:38,160
That is not what I'm here to speak about

4696
03:16:36,239 --> 03:16:41,200
tonight, but I would urge the council to

4697
03:16:38,160 --> 03:16:44,560
support that. I am here to speak about

4698
03:16:41,200 --> 03:16:46,560
housing and specifically the um 417

4699
03:16:44,560 --> 03:16:48,640
Communa, the Steeltech project. you

4700
03:16:46,560 --> 03:16:51,439
know, there is an item before you uh to

4701
03:16:48,640 --> 03:16:53,040
reopen the development plan to have the

4702
03:16:51,439 --> 03:16:55,680
uh you know, city planning take a look

4703
03:16:53,040 --> 03:16:57,439
at that. I'll I'd like again like to

4704
03:16:55,680 --> 03:17:00,000
thank the uh council president. She's

4705
03:16:57,439 --> 03:17:01,279
held a few uh meetings in the ward and I

4706
03:17:00,000 --> 03:17:03,120
know a few of the other council members

4707
03:17:01,279 --> 03:17:05,040
have attended. I've really appreciated

4708
03:17:03,120 --> 03:17:07,439
um everyone who's shown interest in

4709
03:17:05,040 --> 03:17:09,760
this. Uh to summarize the uh there was a

4710
03:17:07,439 --> 03:17:12,000
visioning session a few months ago and

4711
03:17:09,760 --> 03:17:14,160
the attendees there you know they had a

4712
03:17:12,000 --> 03:17:16,000
survey and they said that they wanted

4713
03:17:14,160 --> 03:17:18,160
more affordable housing and they wanted

4714
03:17:16,000 --> 03:17:19,439
a commercial component and I know there

4715
03:17:18,160 --> 03:17:22,080
have been some back and forth

4716
03:17:19,439 --> 03:17:24,640
negotiations you know with the developer

4717
03:17:22,080 --> 03:17:25,920
and I think the plan now is they're

4718
03:17:24,640 --> 03:17:27,359
looking at a commercial component you

4719
03:17:25,920 --> 03:17:29,200
know maybe they can try to get a grosser

4720
03:17:27,359 --> 03:17:31,680
in the area you know we'll see what

4721
03:17:29,200 --> 03:17:34,160
happens but I think you know it's a

4722
03:17:31,680 --> 03:17:36,960
pretty good start and what this affords

4723
03:17:34,160 --> 03:17:38,640
us you know if you vote vote for uh that

4724
03:17:36,960 --> 03:17:40,560
resolution. It doesn't mean we

4725
03:17:38,640 --> 03:17:42,800
necessarily have to go 100% with the

4726
03:17:40,560 --> 03:17:44,880
developer plan. You know, everyone will

4727
03:17:42,800 --> 03:17:48,160
have a chance to weigh in and ultimately

4728
03:17:44,880 --> 03:17:50,080
it'll go before the council, but me as a

4729
03:17:48,160 --> 03:17:51,920
somewhat nearby resident, I think it's a

4730
03:17:50,080 --> 03:17:54,479
good plan and I urge the council to

4731
03:17:51,920 --> 03:17:56,640
support it. You know, as a city, we have

4732
03:17:54,479 --> 03:17:58,239
a affordable housing crisis. We need

4733
03:17:56,640 --> 03:18:00,560
more units, both market rate and

4734
03:17:58,239 --> 03:18:02,399
affordable. We need the tax revenue that

4735
03:18:00,560 --> 03:18:04,880
this project would provide. And

4736
03:18:02,399 --> 03:18:06,560
honestly, if what we've talked about

4737
03:18:04,880 --> 03:18:09,359
here with all the givebacks, if this

4738
03:18:06,560 --> 03:18:11,920
still isn't enough, my question is what

4739
03:18:09,359 --> 03:18:13,520
is what is the standard? Like why can

4740
03:18:11,920 --> 03:18:15,439
the community come and say they want

4741
03:18:13,520 --> 03:18:17,920
this and then one or two people can say

4742
03:18:15,439 --> 03:18:20,399
no and we don't do it. I don't get that.

4743
03:18:17,920 --> 03:18:24,520
So I'd urge everyone to vote yes on

4744
03:18:20,399 --> 03:18:24,520
that. Thank you very much.

4745
03:18:25,040 --> 03:18:30,120
» Next speaker 5.25. Rachel

4746
03:18:30,319 --> 03:18:36,040
not here. 5.26

4747
03:18:33,040 --> 03:18:36,040
Frank

4748
03:18:37,840 --> 03:18:42,120
5.27 Leslie

4749
03:18:43,200 --> 03:18:47,640
5.28 Rashia

4750
03:18:49,600 --> 03:18:55,520
5.29 29. Vicki, I think she left. Oh,

4751
03:18:52,720 --> 03:18:57,680
no. She's here. Sorry.

4752
03:18:55,520 --> 03:19:00,960
Sorry, Vicki.

4753
03:18:57,680 --> 03:19:02,960
» I just want to um express our

4754
03:19:00,960 --> 03:19:05,439
appreciation for the clarifications that

4755
03:19:02,960 --> 03:19:08,239
were made tonight as it relates to the

4756
03:19:05,439 --> 03:19:10,239
right to council funding and our

4757
03:19:08,239 --> 03:19:14,080
appreciation for the administration and

4758
03:19:10,239 --> 03:19:17,600
the council. This is crucial funding and

4759
03:19:14,080 --> 03:19:19,439
um it will not be wasted. It will be put

4760
03:19:17,600 --> 03:19:22,439
to the best possible use. So, thank you

4761
03:19:19,439 --> 03:19:22,439
all.

4762
03:19:23,920 --> 03:19:27,880
» 530 Grace.

4763
03:19:29,359 --> 03:19:34,040
» No.

4764
03:19:31,040 --> 03:19:34,040
5.31

4765
03:19:34,479 --> 03:19:38,359
Tisa. Tisa,

4766
03:19:44,800 --> 03:19:49,399
» Take your time.

4767
03:19:45,840 --> 03:19:49,399
» How are you, Tisa?

4768
03:19:49,913 --> 03:19:53,439
» [laughter]

4769
03:19:50,880 --> 03:19:57,040
» Good evening everybody. I know it's been

4770
03:19:53,439 --> 03:19:59,680
a very tumultuous night, but it's good

4771
03:19:57,040 --> 03:20:01,760
to see some good faces and to see that

4772
03:19:59,680 --> 03:20:03,680
people still care about this city and

4773
03:20:01,760 --> 03:20:06,080
that they're willing to come out and you

4774
03:20:03,680 --> 03:20:07,920
guys did a great job taking that abuse.

4775
03:20:06,080 --> 03:20:10,640
And now I got to remember I only got

4776
03:20:07,920 --> 03:20:13,120
three minutes. I am here to speak about

4777
03:20:10,640 --> 03:20:16,319
tonight. Once again, my name is Tisa

4778
03:20:13,120 --> 03:20:18,880
Dowling. I am a born born born and

4779
03:20:16,319 --> 03:20:22,960
raised here at Jersey City, Jersey City

4780
03:20:18,880 --> 03:20:24,479
resident and I'm here about resolution

4781
03:20:22,960 --> 03:20:26,319
26

4782
03:20:24,479 --> 03:20:29,200
530.

4783
03:20:26,319 --> 03:20:31,920
Um, I'm here to support that that you

4784
03:20:29,200 --> 03:20:35,040
please allow

4785
03:20:31,920 --> 03:20:36,960
the business administrator to that you

4786
03:20:35,040 --> 03:20:39,359
guys approve

4787
03:20:36,960 --> 03:20:42,479
the board, the Jersey City Planning

4788
03:20:39,359 --> 03:20:45,920
Board to study and prepare an amendment

4789
03:20:42,479 --> 03:20:47,920
to the Mars Canal redevelopment plan.

4790
03:20:45,920 --> 03:20:50,960
Um, we had a great meeting the other

4791
03:20:47,920 --> 03:20:57,200
night where the council president came

4792
03:20:50,960 --> 03:20:57,200
out and a representative from um, Mr.

4793
03:21:00,560 --> 03:21:04,000
Good morning.

4794
03:21:01,359 --> 03:21:06,640
» Came out in reference to what was going

4795
03:21:04,000 --> 03:21:09,760
on down there in Ward F right off

4796
03:21:06,640 --> 03:21:12,399
Communal Avenue. And we do need help and

4797
03:21:09,760 --> 03:21:15,520
we are isolated. It's like a desert down

4798
03:21:12,399 --> 03:21:18,880
there, transportation. And as far as

4799
03:21:15,520 --> 03:21:22,800
grocery stores, we don't even have a um

4800
03:21:18,880 --> 03:21:25,760
a post office anymore. And we got a new

4801
03:21:22,800 --> 03:21:28,000
library named Communal. that's nowhere

4802
03:21:25,760 --> 03:21:30,479
near communal Paul Avenue and we're

4803
03:21:28,000 --> 03:21:32,880
still isolated down there. We need help.

4804
03:21:30,479 --> 03:21:35,120
So, I really, really, really would love

4805
03:21:32,880 --> 03:21:37,040
to have you guys. Let's get back to the

4806
03:21:35,120 --> 03:21:39,040
table. I'm not saying I agree with

4807
03:21:37,040 --> 03:21:41,200
everything, but let us get back to the

4808
03:21:39,040 --> 03:21:43,680
table and see what kind of resources we

4809
03:21:41,200 --> 03:21:46,399
can get in my neighborhood because now I

4810
03:21:43,680 --> 03:21:49,520
have to walk four blocks over to catch

4811
03:21:46,399 --> 03:21:51,840
the number 16 or I have to walk two

4812
03:21:49,520 --> 03:21:53,840
block or I have to walk seven blocks to

4813
03:21:51,840 --> 03:21:56,319
go to the light rail or just wait for

4814
03:21:53,840 --> 03:21:59,040
the number one that drives me past the

4815
03:21:56,319 --> 03:22:01,359
light rail down there at Liberty City um

4816
03:21:59,040 --> 03:22:03,439
science center to go to exchange place

4817
03:22:01,359 --> 03:22:06,960
in order to catch the light rail because

4818
03:22:03,439 --> 03:22:09,279
the light uh the bus on Garfield doesn't

4819
03:22:06,960 --> 03:22:12,000
start running till 8:00. So if I got to

4820
03:22:09,279 --> 03:22:14,239
be the Hoboken by 7:30, I can't even

4821
03:22:12,000 --> 03:22:15,840
think about even going down Garfield to

4822
03:22:14,239 --> 03:22:18,399
catch the light rail over there on

4823
03:22:15,840 --> 03:22:20,640
Garfield. So we really need you guys to

4824
03:22:18,399 --> 03:22:22,720
look in to what's going on and give us

4825
03:22:20,640 --> 03:22:24,800
the opportunity to come back to the

4826
03:22:22,720 --> 03:22:26,560
table to see what we can put in our

4827
03:22:24,800 --> 03:22:28,880
community cuz I'm really tired of

4828
03:22:26,560 --> 03:22:31,600
Walmart and shop, right? I would like to

4829
03:22:28,880 --> 03:22:34,960
walk to my grocery store.

4830
03:22:31,600 --> 03:22:38,120
Okay, and I'm going to leave it at that.

4831
03:22:34,960 --> 03:22:38,120
Thank you.

4832
03:22:38,479 --> 03:22:47,120
Our next speaker 5.32 Phillip I think

4833
03:22:42,560 --> 03:22:51,479
they left right Petra is

4834
03:22:47,120 --> 03:22:51,479
uh 5.33 Anna.

4835
03:22:52,720 --> 03:22:58,439
Oh,

4836
03:22:54,239 --> 03:22:58,439
5.34 Anna.

4837
03:22:59,680 --> 03:23:04,040
5.35 Daniel.

4838
03:23:09,760 --> 03:23:15,120
Good evening, Council President Ridley.

4839
03:23:12,399 --> 03:23:17,120
» There you and members of the council.

4840
03:23:15,120 --> 03:23:18,399
» Wait, wait till your crew stand behind

4841
03:23:17,120 --> 03:23:21,279
you, Dan.

4842
03:23:18,399 --> 03:23:24,800
» Okay. My name is Dan Feldman and I have

4843
03:23:21,279 --> 03:23:28,080
lived at Portside Towers since 2021.

4844
03:23:24,800 --> 03:23:30,479
In 2023, the Jersey City Rent leveling

4845
03:23:28,080 --> 03:23:32,880
board determined that Portside Towers is

4846
03:23:30,479 --> 03:23:35,760
subject to rent control.

4847
03:23:32,880 --> 03:23:38,160
Is now August 2026,

4848
03:23:35,760 --> 03:23:40,560
and I still have not been told what my

4849
03:23:38,160 --> 03:23:43,600
legal rent is. So, I want to keep my

4850
03:23:40,560 --> 03:23:45,760
question tonight very simple.

4851
03:23:43,600 --> 03:23:47,520
After the rent leveling board determines

4852
03:23:45,760 --> 03:23:49,920
that a building is subject to rent

4853
03:23:47,520 --> 03:23:53,680
control, what is supposed to happen

4854
03:23:49,920 --> 03:23:56,479
next? And when is it supposed to happen?

4855
03:23:53,680 --> 03:23:59,600
Because from where I stand as a tenant,

4856
03:23:56,479 --> 03:24:02,000
there seems to be no clock. My landlord

4857
03:23:59,600 --> 03:24:04,880
can send me a lease every year telling

4858
03:24:02,000 --> 03:24:07,359
me what rent I am expected to pay. And

4859
03:24:04,880 --> 03:24:11,200
they send me a bill every month that I'm

4860
03:24:07,359 --> 03:24:14,560
required to pay. But 1,035

4861
03:24:11,200 --> 03:24:17,600
days after the rent leveling board's

4862
03:24:14,560 --> 03:24:19,760
determination, I cannot point to any

4863
03:24:17,600 --> 03:24:23,760
document from Jersey City that tells me

4864
03:24:19,760 --> 03:24:25,359
what rent I am legally supposed to pay.

4865
03:24:23,760 --> 03:24:28,239
Now, that should concern more than just

4866
03:24:25,359 --> 03:24:30,080
the residents of Portside because a rent

4867
03:24:28,239 --> 03:24:32,720
control determination should lead

4868
03:24:30,080 --> 03:24:35,600
somewhere. There should be a defined

4869
03:24:32,720 --> 03:24:38,080
process, someone responsible for

4870
03:24:35,600 --> 03:24:40,640
carrying out said process, and a point

4871
03:24:38,080 --> 03:24:43,920
at which the affected tenant receives an

4872
03:24:40,640 --> 03:24:46,720
answer. So, tonight I'm asking the

4873
03:24:43,920 --> 03:24:49,200
council for something very specific.

4874
03:24:46,720 --> 03:24:53,279
Please require the city to tell portside

4875
03:24:49,200 --> 03:24:55,840
tenants in writing what our legal rents

4876
03:24:53,279 --> 03:24:58,479
are. If there is something preventing

4877
03:24:55,840 --> 03:25:00,720
the city from doing that today, tell us

4878
03:24:58,479 --> 03:25:04,640
what it is. who is responsible for

4879
03:25:00,720 --> 03:25:06,399
resolving it, when it will be resolved.

4880
03:25:04,640 --> 03:25:09,520
1,035

4881
03:25:06,399 --> 03:25:11,920
days after unanimous determination, I

4882
03:25:09,520 --> 03:25:13,760
should not still have to ask this

4883
03:25:11,920 --> 03:25:17,640
question.

4884
03:25:13,760 --> 03:25:17,640
What is my legal rent?

4885
03:25:17,760 --> 03:25:21,000
Thank you.

4886
03:25:22,800 --> 03:25:31,279
Next speaker 5.36 Deepa

4887
03:25:26,720 --> 03:25:36,840
you 5.37 Barbara

4888
03:25:31,279 --> 03:25:36,840
thank you 5.38 Mark

4889
03:25:44,000 --> 03:25:48,319
good evening city council

4890
03:25:46,319 --> 03:25:50,640
tonight I'm speaking for renters all

4891
03:25:48,319 --> 03:25:53,439
across Jersey city it's Something that

4892
03:25:50,640 --> 03:25:57,359
sounds fairly innocuous but isn't.

4893
03:25:53,439 --> 03:25:59,439
Mandatory amenity fees. State regulators

4894
03:25:57,359 --> 03:26:01,200
are already sounding the alarm. New

4895
03:25:59,439 --> 03:26:03,920
Jersey Attorney General Jennifer

4896
03:26:01,200 --> 03:26:06,160
Davenport's made it clear that junk fees

4897
03:26:03,920 --> 03:26:09,520
and mandatory add-ons violate the New

4898
03:26:06,160 --> 03:26:11,439
Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. At Portide,

4899
03:26:09,520 --> 03:26:16,560
management charges every apartment a

4900
03:26:11,439 --> 03:26:18,960
mandatory $750 annual amenity use fee.

4901
03:26:16,560 --> 03:26:21,359
That's nearly 400,000 a year coming from

4902
03:26:18,960 --> 03:26:23,520
our community on top of the rent. And

4903
03:26:21,359 --> 03:26:27,600
here's the funny part. It's called a use

4904
03:26:23,520 --> 03:26:30,000
fee, except you don't have to use it.

4905
03:26:27,600 --> 03:26:32,399
You don't use the gym, you still pay.

4906
03:26:30,000 --> 03:26:33,760
Don't use another lounge, you pay. Don't

4907
03:26:32,399 --> 03:26:37,359
use the amenities at all,

4908
03:26:33,760 --> 03:26:39,120
congratulations, you still pay. In fact,

4909
03:26:37,359 --> 03:26:41,200
you can politely decline the entire

4910
03:26:39,120 --> 03:26:44,720
package and they're still happy to put

4911
03:26:41,200 --> 03:26:46,880
the $750 on your bill. It's not an

4912
03:26:44,720 --> 03:26:49,359
optional service. It's an additional

4913
03:26:46,880 --> 03:26:52,479
housing cost and calling it an amenity

4914
03:26:49,359 --> 03:26:54,960
fee doesn't change what it is. Chapter

4915
03:26:52,479 --> 03:26:57,200
260 defines rent as any price for the

4916
03:26:54,960 --> 03:27:00,000
use of a housing space including charges

4917
03:26:57,200 --> 03:27:02,560
paid for services connected with that

4918
03:27:00,000 --> 03:27:04,479
housing space. It also says that rent

4919
03:27:02,560 --> 03:27:07,600
increases beyond those authorized by the

4920
03:27:04,479 --> 03:27:09,680
ordinance are void. If a landlord can

4921
03:27:07,600 --> 03:27:11,760
simply take part of the rent, put it in

4922
03:27:09,680 --> 03:27:15,120
a different bucket and call that bucket

4923
03:27:11,760 --> 03:27:17,600
a fee, then rent control becomes a very

4924
03:27:15,120 --> 03:27:20,800
easy game to beat. It's basically three

4925
03:27:17,600 --> 03:27:24,000
card monty. The cards are labeled rent,

4926
03:27:20,800 --> 03:27:26,800
amenity fee, and other mandatory charge,

4927
03:27:24,000 --> 03:27:28,479
and the tenant loses always. We

4928
03:27:26,800 --> 03:27:30,960
shouldn't allow corporate landlords to

4929
03:27:28,479 --> 03:27:32,960
bypass Jersey City's rent protections by

4930
03:27:30,960 --> 03:27:34,960
breaking out mandatory charges on the

4931
03:27:32,960 --> 03:27:38,720
invoice. So tonight I'm asking this

4932
03:27:34,960 --> 03:27:40,720
council for three things. First, ask the

4933
03:27:38,720 --> 03:27:44,160
office of landlord tenant relations to

4934
03:27:40,720 --> 03:27:47,600
enforce 260 against compulsory fee

4935
03:27:44,160 --> 03:27:49,760
breakout schemes. Second, encourage the

4936
03:27:47,600 --> 03:27:51,920
rent protection special investigative

4937
03:27:49,760 --> 03:27:55,200
committee to investigate mandatory

4938
03:27:51,920 --> 03:27:57,359
amenity fees and other similar charges.

4939
03:27:55,200 --> 03:28:00,160
And third, formally clarify the

4940
03:27:57,359 --> 03:28:02,800
mandatory amenity fees must be included

4941
03:28:00,160 --> 03:28:05,359
in lawfulbased rent and remain subject

4942
03:28:02,800 --> 03:28:07,520
to the applicable controls.

4943
03:28:05,359 --> 03:28:10,160
Because whether you call it rent, an

4944
03:28:07,520 --> 03:28:12,800
amenity fee, a resident fee, or a we

4945
03:28:10,160 --> 03:28:14,800
found another way to charge you fee, the

4946
03:28:12,800 --> 03:28:17,200
tenants know what it really is. It's

4947
03:28:14,800 --> 03:28:19,600
money coming out of our pockets for the

4948
03:28:17,200 --> 03:28:21,920
right to keep living in our homes. Thank

4949
03:28:19,600 --> 03:28:24,399
you.

4950
03:28:21,920 --> 03:28:29,160
Our

4951
03:28:24,399 --> 03:28:29,160
next speaker 5.39 David

4952
03:28:30,080 --> 03:28:38,560
5.40 Claudia

4953
03:28:32,800 --> 03:28:41,680
thank you 5.41 Sen Keitha

4954
03:28:38,560 --> 03:28:43,840
5.42 Danilo

4955
03:28:41,680 --> 03:28:47,960
thank you

4956
03:28:43,840 --> 03:28:47,960
5.43 43. Brendan,

4957
03:28:50,239 --> 03:28:58,479
that's okay. I caught it, but and after

4958
03:28:53,840 --> 03:29:02,960
the agenda was printed. Uh 5.44.

4959
03:28:58,479 --> 03:29:05,840
Thank you. 5.45.

4960
03:29:02,960 --> 03:29:09,080
She speaking, Susan.

4961
03:29:05,840 --> 03:29:09,080
Thank you.

4962
03:29:12,160 --> 03:29:16,880
Good evening, Council President Rid

4963
03:29:14,560 --> 03:29:19,840
Ridley, members of the council. My name

4964
03:29:16,880 --> 03:29:21,680
is Susan Roa and I'm here about Portide.

4965
03:29:19,840 --> 03:29:24,399
Portide was determined to be rent

4966
03:29:21,680 --> 03:29:27,840
controlled in 2023.

4967
03:29:24,399 --> 03:29:29,920
It is now August 2026

4968
03:29:27,840 --> 03:29:32,640
and tenants still have not been told

4969
03:29:29,920 --> 03:29:35,680
what their legal rents are. The board's

4970
03:29:32,640 --> 03:29:38,080
2023 determination instructed the city

4971
03:29:35,680 --> 03:29:40,880
bureau of rent leveling to obtain the

4972
03:29:38,080 --> 03:29:43,760
owner's records and recalculate every

4973
03:29:40,880 --> 03:29:45,520
single rent. The city office is

4974
03:29:43,760 --> 03:29:47,040
responsible for carrying out the rent

4975
03:29:45,520 --> 03:29:49,760
leveling work after the board's

4976
03:29:47,040 --> 03:29:53,439
determination. The owner holds these

4977
03:29:49,760 --> 03:29:55,439
records, leases, ledgers, rent rolls.

4978
03:29:53,439 --> 03:29:57,680
Almost three years later, the bureau

4979
03:29:55,439 --> 03:29:59,840
still hasn't obtained them all. That's

4980
03:29:57,680 --> 03:30:01,600
from the written testimony filed with

4981
03:29:59,840 --> 03:30:04,319
the rent protections special

4982
03:30:01,600 --> 03:30:06,319
investigation committee. And on Monday,

4983
03:30:04,319 --> 03:30:09,040
residents at Portside were notified that

4984
03:30:06,319 --> 03:30:11,920
the Equity Residential and Avalon Bay

4985
03:30:09,040 --> 03:30:14,479
communities have come together as Vivark

4986
03:30:11,920 --> 03:30:17,520
Residential. The company holding our

4987
03:30:14,479 --> 03:30:21,279
records has a new name as of this week.

4988
03:30:17,520 --> 03:30:24,960
New name, same records. You have two

4989
03:30:21,279 --> 03:30:26,720
tools for this. Number one, the Rent

4990
03:30:24,960 --> 03:30:29,920
Protection Special Investigation

4991
03:30:26,720 --> 03:30:32,399
Committee has subpoena power. State law

4992
03:30:29,920 --> 03:30:34,640
allows a committee of council members to

4993
03:30:32,399 --> 03:30:38,000
subpoena testimony and documents from

4994
03:30:34,640 --> 03:30:41,200
the people within New Jersey. So, if the

4995
03:30:38,000 --> 03:30:43,439
city still needs leases, ledgers, rent

4996
03:30:41,200 --> 03:30:46,160
roles, or testimony from the people who

4997
03:30:43,439 --> 03:30:49,279
maintain these records, the committee

4998
03:30:46,160 --> 03:30:51,040
has a tool to obtain them. In five

4999
03:30:49,279 --> 03:30:53,600
months of hearings, the committee has

5000
03:30:51,040 --> 03:30:55,200
heard from city directors and staff. But

5001
03:30:53,600 --> 03:30:57,279
when the committee was asked in July

5002
03:30:55,200 --> 03:31:01,120
whether any landlords have invi have

5003
03:30:57,279 --> 03:31:02,640
been invited to testify, the answer was

5004
03:31:01,120 --> 03:31:05,439
no.

5005
03:31:02,640 --> 03:31:07,279
Number two, any one of you can require a

5006
03:31:05,439 --> 03:31:09,200
report from any aspect of city

5007
03:31:07,279 --> 03:31:12,399
government by written request to the

5008
03:31:09,200 --> 03:31:15,439
mayor. No vote, no committee, one

5009
03:31:12,399 --> 03:31:17,200
member, one letter. The statue is on a

5010
03:31:15,439 --> 03:31:19,680
one-page handup. Our group just is

5011
03:31:17,200 --> 03:31:20,960
leaving with the the city clerk. One of

5012
03:31:19,680 --> 03:31:24,399
you could send the letter tomorrow

5013
03:31:20,960 --> 03:31:27,600
morning. Where are the records? What

5014
03:31:24,399 --> 03:31:30,399
does the city need in order to ask them?

5015
03:31:27,600 --> 03:31:33,120
Either tool works. The letter takes one

5016
03:31:30,399 --> 03:31:35,439
of you and one page. So that's what I'm

5017
03:31:33,120 --> 03:31:37,600
asking for you tonight. Send it while

5018
03:31:35,439 --> 03:31:42,040
the people who keep those records are

5019
03:31:37,600 --> 03:31:42,040
still in place. Thank you.

5020
03:31:43,920 --> 03:31:51,600
» Next speaker 5.4. 46 John

5021
03:31:48,640 --> 03:31:54,479
speaking.

5022
03:31:51,600 --> 03:31:57,680
Sorry, I am speaking.

5023
03:31:54,479 --> 03:31:59,760
Don't be sorry. It's kind of a joke. Uh

5024
03:31:57,680 --> 03:32:01,520
anyway, yeah. Uh last year, James

5025
03:31:59,760 --> 03:32:03,439
Solomon claimed, "If your landlord

5026
03:32:01,520 --> 03:32:06,000
breaks the law, we will freeze your

5027
03:32:03,439 --> 03:32:08,080
rent." He also championed and sponsored

5028
03:32:06,000 --> 03:32:10,000
several ordinances designed to protect

5029
03:32:08,080 --> 03:32:12,880
tenants from landlords lawbreaking,

5030
03:32:10,000 --> 03:32:14,239
including issuing mandatory fines. The

5031
03:32:12,880 --> 03:32:16,000
last time I spoke at one of these

5032
03:32:14,239 --> 03:32:19,439
meetings was way back in March this

5033
03:32:16,000 --> 03:32:21,359
year. Sorry.

5034
03:32:19,439 --> 03:32:23,120
At the time, our landlord was continuing

5035
03:32:21,359 --> 03:32:25,600
to break the law as it had already been

5036
03:32:23,120 --> 03:32:28,640
doing for decades. Our rent remains

5037
03:32:25,600 --> 03:32:31,439
unfrozen. Also, back in March, no fines

5038
03:32:28,640 --> 03:32:33,680
have been collected. That was over 5

5039
03:32:31,439 --> 03:32:36,080
months ago. Our rent remains very much

5040
03:32:33,680 --> 03:32:38,640
unfrozen and the mounting fines remain

5041
03:32:36,080 --> 03:32:40,399
very much uncolcted. Almost three years

5042
03:32:38,640 --> 03:32:42,479
ago, as you know, our buildings were

5043
03:32:40,399 --> 03:32:44,560
determined to be rent controlled. The

5044
03:32:42,479 --> 03:32:46,720
city began working on cor calculating

5045
03:32:44,560 --> 03:32:48,960
roll backs, etc., not without a sneaky

5046
03:32:46,720 --> 03:32:50,720
attempt to trim off a year. Yet,

5047
03:32:48,960 --> 03:32:53,200
residents are still waiting to be told

5048
03:32:50,720 --> 03:32:55,279
what their legal rents should be. Why

5049
03:32:53,200 --> 03:32:56,720
won't the city enforce these ordinances?

5050
03:32:55,279 --> 03:32:59,359
Why won't the city tell us what we

5051
03:32:56,720 --> 03:33:01,520
should be legally paying in rent? Why

5052
03:32:59,359 --> 03:33:03,600
won't the city collect the fines owned

5053
03:33:01,520 --> 03:33:05,359
owed by our and other landlords? We've

5054
03:33:03,600 --> 03:33:07,680
been told the infrastructure isn't there

5055
03:33:05,359 --> 03:33:10,160
to collect the fines. And come on, the

5056
03:33:07,680 --> 03:33:11,840
city has a municipal court, a judge, a

5057
03:33:10,160 --> 03:33:13,200
prosecutor, and all the evidence it

5058
03:33:11,840 --> 03:33:15,600
needs to back up the grounds to make

5059
03:33:13,200 --> 03:33:17,920
them pay. Yet, the choice is presumably

5060
03:33:15,600 --> 03:33:19,600
let's not rock the boat. Who cares if it

5061
03:33:17,920 --> 03:33:22,160
upsets several thousand of the city's

5062
03:33:19,600 --> 03:33:24,160
general population. The administration

5063
03:33:22,160 --> 03:33:25,680
promised much, but in terms of tenant

5064
03:33:24,160 --> 03:33:28,399
protections against corrupt landlords,

5065
03:33:25,680 --> 03:33:30,160
at least is delivered precisely nothing.

5066
03:33:28,399 --> 03:33:31,600
In that respect, there's zero difference

5067
03:33:30,160 --> 03:33:33,279
between this administration and the

5068
03:33:31,600 --> 03:33:35,840
Fulip administration. That is not a

5069
03:33:33,279 --> 03:33:37,600
badge of honor. I saw that the mayor was

5070
03:33:35,840 --> 03:33:39,680
publicly speaking on the Make Polluters

5071
03:33:37,600 --> 03:33:41,439
Pay Act this week. I applaud that and

5072
03:33:39,680 --> 03:33:43,120
it's good to see. But where's the same

5073
03:33:41,439 --> 03:33:45,600
enthusiasm for making law-breaking

5074
03:33:43,120 --> 03:33:47,840
landlords pay? He's gone very tight

5075
03:33:45,600 --> 03:33:50,239
lipped on that subject. Our landlord

5076
03:33:47,840 --> 03:33:52,239
alone owes so much in fines it would

5077
03:33:50,239 --> 03:33:54,800
wipe out the budget deficit several

5078
03:33:52,239 --> 03:33:56,560
times over. Yet the city's solution is

5079
03:33:54,800 --> 03:34:00,080
to make its residents pay for it instead

5080
03:33:56,560 --> 03:34:02,000
by a massive tax hike. Why? Why does

5081
03:34:00,080 --> 03:34:03,680
this city continue to put the rich,

5082
03:34:02,000 --> 03:34:06,080
powerful, and corrupt over the welfare

5083
03:34:03,680 --> 03:34:07,920
of its residents? I urge everyone in

5084
03:34:06,080 --> 03:34:10,080
this room, everyone watching the live

5085
03:34:07,920 --> 03:34:11,840
stream, all your friends, your families,

5086
03:34:10,080 --> 03:34:13,680
as many people as you can find to

5087
03:34:11,840 --> 03:34:15,359
contact your council representatives,

5088
03:34:13,680 --> 03:34:17,439
contact the mayor's office, contact the

5089
03:34:15,359 --> 03:34:19,439
prosecutor's office, call them, email

5090
03:34:17,439 --> 03:34:21,120
them, write to them, demand to know why

5091
03:34:19,439 --> 03:34:22,640
you are being made to put the bill of

5092
03:34:21,120 --> 03:34:24,080
closing the budget deficit while

5093
03:34:22,640 --> 03:34:26,000
landlords are being allowed to break the

5094
03:34:24,080 --> 03:34:28,720
law with impunity compounding the

5095
03:34:26,000 --> 03:34:30,080
financial hardship placed on you. The

5096
03:34:28,720 --> 03:34:32,560
time to stop putting the regular people

5097
03:34:30,080 --> 03:34:35,560
of Jersey City first is long overdue.

5098
03:34:32,560 --> 03:34:35,560
Thanks.

5099
03:34:37,200 --> 03:34:49,560
» Next speaker 5.47 Mel.

5100
03:34:42,000 --> 03:34:49,560
» Okay. Music to my ears. 5.48 Shannon.

5101
03:34:49,894 --> 03:34:52,239
[laughter]

5102
03:34:51,120 --> 03:34:54,239
» Sing.

5103
03:34:52,239 --> 03:34:56,160
» Don't want me to sing. Good evening

5104
03:34:54,239 --> 03:34:59,040
council.

5105
03:34:56,160 --> 03:35:00,880
Uh, good evening, Council President

5106
03:34:59,040 --> 03:35:03,920
Ridley, members of the council. My name

5107
03:35:00,880 --> 03:35:07,359
is Shannon Ray. I am a nurse and have

5108
03:35:03,920 --> 03:35:09,600
lived at Portside Tower since 2021.

5109
03:35:07,359 --> 03:35:12,399
Portide, as you know, was determined to

5110
03:35:09,600 --> 03:35:15,680
be rent controlled in 2023.

5111
03:35:12,399 --> 03:35:19,040
It is now August 2026, and I still

5112
03:35:15,680 --> 03:35:21,279
haven't been told what my legal rent is.

5113
03:35:19,040 --> 03:35:26,000
I said this to your committee at the

5114
03:35:21,279 --> 03:35:28,560
July 27th hearing on August 7th, 2024.

5115
03:35:26,000 --> 03:35:33,120
The city's own bureau computed the

5116
03:35:28,560 --> 03:35:36,000
permitted base rate for 523 of the 527

5117
03:35:33,120 --> 03:35:38,640
units in my building. Those numbers are

5118
03:35:36,000 --> 03:35:42,399
wrong. The bureau can fix them

5119
03:35:38,640 --> 03:35:45,600
regardless. Nobody ever sent me mine.

5120
03:35:42,399 --> 03:35:47,200
So, at work, when I give a high-risk

5121
03:35:45,600 --> 03:35:49,760
medication,

5122
03:35:47,200 --> 03:35:52,000
getting the number right matters. A

5123
03:35:49,760 --> 03:35:54,080
second nurse or health care professional

5124
03:35:52,000 --> 03:35:56,319
reads the dose back to me before the

5125
03:35:54,080 --> 03:35:59,439
medication ever reaches the patient,

5126
03:35:56,319 --> 03:36:01,680
every single time. Here at home, there's

5127
03:35:59,439 --> 03:36:04,720
another number that matters to me, the

5128
03:36:01,680 --> 03:36:06,880
legal rent for my apartment. The city

5129
03:36:04,720 --> 03:36:08,880
calculated that number two years ago,

5130
03:36:06,880 --> 03:36:11,600
but Director Richardson never provided

5131
03:36:08,880 --> 03:36:13,439
it to me. So, I'm asking our new

5132
03:36:11,600 --> 03:36:16,239
director of housing preservation,

5133
03:36:13,439 --> 03:36:19,439
Director Smith, when will you read that

5134
03:36:16,239 --> 03:36:21,840
number back to me?

5135
03:36:19,439 --> 03:36:25,120
So, this month, I signed my renewal

5136
03:36:21,840 --> 03:36:26,800
anyway. Another 4% increase. Like the

5137
03:36:25,120 --> 03:36:28,640
renewals I've signed before, it still

5138
03:36:26,800 --> 03:36:30,800
reflects my landlord's position

5139
03:36:28,640 --> 03:36:33,200
regarding my rent, not what the rent

5140
03:36:30,800 --> 03:36:36,880
leveling board determined unanimously in

5141
03:36:33,200 --> 03:36:39,279
2023. So once again, I signed a lease

5142
03:36:36,880 --> 03:36:43,279
with a new rent amount without knowing

5143
03:36:39,279 --> 03:36:45,920
the most basic thing. What is my legal

5144
03:36:43,279 --> 03:36:47,439
rent? As I mentioned before, the city

5145
03:36:45,920 --> 03:36:49,439
has a new director of housing

5146
03:36:47,439 --> 03:36:51,840
preservation, Colleen Smith. She started

5147
03:36:49,439 --> 03:36:53,920
on August 3rd. Our associations have met

5148
03:36:51,840 --> 03:36:55,680
with her. Welcome, director. We're glad

5149
03:36:53,920 --> 03:36:59,680
you're here.

5150
03:36:55,680 --> 03:37:03,359
Section 260-9 gives her bureau three

5151
03:36:59,680 --> 03:37:06,399
things it can do. It can adjust rents.

5152
03:37:03,359 --> 03:37:07,920
It can order rebates and bring legal

5153
03:37:06,399 --> 03:37:10,160
charges.

5154
03:37:07,920 --> 03:37:13,680
The bureau already has the number I've

5155
03:37:10,160 --> 03:37:15,359
been asking for, just my legal rent.

5156
03:37:13,680 --> 03:37:18,720
Send every tenant the legal rent the

5157
03:37:15,359 --> 03:37:21,760
bureau computed in 2024. Set the rents

5158
03:37:18,720 --> 03:37:23,600
to those amount. Border rebates on the

5159
03:37:21,760 --> 03:37:26,960
difference.

5160
03:37:23,600 --> 03:37:29,840
So my ask goes to the council.

5161
03:37:26,960 --> 03:37:33,040
Each of you can help with one sentence

5162
03:37:29,840 --> 03:37:37,600
tonight. say on record that you want

5163
03:37:33,040 --> 03:37:39,840
that authority used and used quickly. My

5164
03:37:37,600 --> 03:37:43,080
neighbors and I are signing new leases

5165
03:37:39,840 --> 03:37:43,080
this month.

5166
03:37:43,120 --> 03:37:47,040
So, just like you'd expect every nurse

5167
03:37:45,439 --> 03:37:49,760
who gave you a medication to ask,

5168
03:37:47,040 --> 03:37:52,319
"What's the proper dose?" I want to know

5169
03:37:49,760 --> 03:37:55,560
what is my legal rent. I'd like to know

5170
03:37:52,319 --> 03:37:55,560
the answer.

5171
03:37:56,399 --> 03:37:59,399
Our

5172
03:38:01,200 --> 03:38:08,080
next speaker, 5.49, Michelle.

5173
03:38:05,760 --> 03:38:09,760
» Good evening, council. I have an open

5174
03:38:08,080 --> 03:38:13,040
letter to the new director of the

5175
03:38:09,760 --> 03:38:16,239
landlord tenant office. And you, dear

5176
03:38:13,040 --> 03:38:18,000
Miss Smith. Hello. I'm Michelle Hirsch,

5177
03:38:16,239 --> 03:38:20,880
president of the Portide Towers West

5178
03:38:18,000 --> 03:38:23,040
Tenant Association. Portide tenants,

5179
03:38:20,880 --> 03:38:25,920
welcome you. We've been waiting for

5180
03:38:23,040 --> 03:38:28,319
someone to get some good, lawful work

5181
03:38:25,920 --> 03:38:31,279
done for this city.

5182
03:38:28,319 --> 03:38:32,880
During the January 11th, 2023 council

5183
03:38:31,279 --> 03:38:35,279
meeting, I read a letter to your

5184
03:38:32,880 --> 03:38:38,239
predecessor appealing to his moral

5185
03:38:35,279 --> 03:38:41,040
compass and asking him to align himself

5186
03:38:38,239 --> 03:38:43,120
to chapter 260. You should watch it.

5187
03:38:41,040 --> 03:38:45,680
Dina Henden had failed tenants before

5188
03:38:43,120 --> 03:38:48,479
him. Now, we have a new director. So,

5189
03:38:45,680 --> 03:38:50,319
tonight, a new letter. Nearly three

5190
03:38:48,479 --> 03:38:52,319
years ago, the rent leveling board

5191
03:38:50,319 --> 03:38:54,800
determined that both portside buildings

5192
03:38:52,319 --> 03:38:56,720
have always been subject to rent control

5193
03:38:54,800 --> 03:38:58,800
and instructed your office to

5194
03:38:56,720 --> 03:39:02,720
recalculate and adjust rents to their

5195
03:38:58,800 --> 03:39:06,960
lawful 2016 rates. Those recalculations

5196
03:39:02,720 --> 03:39:10,239
were completed in August 2024.

5197
03:39:06,960 --> 03:39:12,880
Chapter 260-7 lets a tenant deduct an

5198
03:39:10,239 --> 03:39:17,279
unpaid refund 30 days after a

5199
03:39:12,880 --> 03:39:19,680
determination orders it. Section 260-9

5200
03:39:17,279 --> 03:39:22,239
makes that rebate a penalty against the

5201
03:39:19,680 --> 03:39:24,800
landlord 30 days after the determination

5202
03:39:22,239 --> 03:39:27,359
is served. And it gives you the power to

5203
03:39:24,800 --> 03:39:30,000
adjust rentals and order rebates.

5204
03:39:27,359 --> 03:39:32,239
Neither clock starts until your office

5205
03:39:30,000 --> 03:39:34,479
issues a written determination to each

5206
03:39:32,239 --> 03:39:36,319
tenant setting their le their unit's

5207
03:39:34,479 --> 03:39:39,760
legal rent and ordering their money

5208
03:39:36,319 --> 03:39:41,760
returned. It's been 2 years.

5209
03:39:39,760 --> 03:39:44,399
As far as I'm aware, no such

5210
03:39:41,760 --> 03:39:47,520
determinations have ever been issued.

5211
03:39:44,399 --> 03:39:50,399
Not a dollar has come back to a tenant.

5212
03:39:47,520 --> 03:39:53,200
You may be told to wait until the end of

5213
03:39:50,399 --> 03:39:55,840
current litigation with my landlord, but

5214
03:39:53,200 --> 03:39:58,080
no court has stayed the board's

5215
03:39:55,840 --> 03:40:01,920
determination or ordered your office to

5216
03:39:58,080 --> 03:40:04,239
wait. Miss Smith, we are aware that the

5217
03:40:01,920 --> 03:40:07,120
people who have the most access to you

5218
03:40:04,239 --> 03:40:09,600
are not tenants, but they do not hold

5219
03:40:07,120 --> 03:40:13,279
your powers that are grant grounded in

5220
03:40:09,600 --> 03:40:15,840
chapter 260. Only you do. Instead of

5221
03:40:13,279 --> 03:40:17,359
lawful outcomes, for years, all we've

5222
03:40:15,840 --> 03:40:20,319
heard is that your office is

5223
03:40:17,359 --> 03:40:22,080
understaffed. That's not an excuse when

5224
03:40:20,319 --> 03:40:25,040
there are families whose homes are

5225
03:40:22,080 --> 03:40:29,120
hanging in the balance. and council

5226
03:40:25,040 --> 03:40:30,880
members, use your Faulner Act powers.

5227
03:40:29,120 --> 03:40:34,520
NJSA40

5228
03:40:30,880 --> 03:40:34,520
colon 269A-37.1,

5229
03:40:34,960 --> 03:40:40,239
page two of your handout, states in

5230
03:40:37,680 --> 03:40:42,399
part, "Nothing in this section shall be

5231
03:40:40,239 --> 03:40:45,439
construed to prohibit the council's

5232
03:40:42,399 --> 03:40:49,040
inquiry into any act or problem of the

5233
03:40:45,439 --> 03:40:52,960
administration of the municipality. Any

5234
03:40:49,040 --> 03:40:55,279
council member may at any time require a

5235
03:40:52,960 --> 03:40:57,680
report on any aspect of the government

5236
03:40:55,279 --> 03:41:00,160
of the municipality by making a written

5237
03:40:57,680 --> 03:41:02,000
request to the mayor. So ask Mayor

5238
03:41:00,160 --> 03:41:03,600
Solomon how many legal rent

5239
03:41:02,000 --> 03:41:05,760
determinations have been served on

5240
03:41:03,600 --> 03:41:08,720
portside tenants? How many rebates have

5241
03:41:05,760 --> 03:41:13,080
been ordered? Chapter 260 on the phone

5242
03:41:08,720 --> 03:41:13,080
will give you this power. Thank you.

5243
03:41:14,319 --> 03:41:20,800
The next speaker 550 Tina

5244
03:41:17,760 --> 03:41:23,920
» She left

5245
03:41:20,800 --> 03:41:24,960
» 5.51 Elizabeth

5246
03:41:23,920 --> 03:41:26,399
» Not here

5247
03:41:24,960 --> 03:41:30,000
» She's here

5248
03:41:26,399 --> 03:41:32,560
» Elizabeth you don't she don't want us

5249
03:41:30,000 --> 03:41:34,640
» I got it 5.52

5250
03:41:32,560 --> 03:41:35,359
Anthony

5251
03:41:34,640 --> 03:41:37,120
you left

5252
03:41:35,359 --> 03:41:42,920
» Yeah anony's

5253
03:41:37,120 --> 03:41:42,920
» 5.53 Medallia I don't believe she's here

5254
03:41:43,279 --> 03:41:47,479
I 54 Renee.

5255
03:41:53,439 --> 03:41:56,000
» Evening.

5256
03:41:54,640 --> 03:41:57,279
» You can bring that up to you, Renee.

5257
03:41:56,000 --> 03:41:57,840
Bring the mic up to you.

5258
03:41:57,279 --> 03:42:00,160
» There you go.

5259
03:41:57,840 --> 03:42:03,279
» Okay. Thank you. Um, good evening. My

5260
03:42:00,160 --> 03:42:05,279
name is Renee Pera. Um, I would like to

5261
03:42:03,279 --> 03:42:08,000
start, if I may, by speaking directly to

5262
03:42:05,279 --> 03:42:09,840
the local business owners um, who have

5263
03:42:08,000 --> 03:42:13,279
started petitions asking for our school

5264
03:42:09,840 --> 03:42:15,120
bus stop to be moved on Washington. Um,

5265
03:42:13,279 --> 03:42:16,479
I understand your frustration, but I

5266
03:42:15,120 --> 03:42:18,319
don't know if you realize that next

5267
03:42:16,479 --> 03:42:20,160
school year there will be even more

5268
03:42:18,319 --> 03:42:21,760
buses.

5269
03:42:20,160 --> 03:42:24,720
I hope you're listening tonight because

5270
03:42:21,760 --> 03:42:26,239
we are on the same side. You are our

5271
03:42:24,720 --> 03:42:29,040
neighbors.

5272
03:42:26,239 --> 03:42:31,680
I always cry. We come into your shops

5273
03:42:29,040 --> 03:42:33,840
and restaurants. You know our families.

5274
03:42:31,680 --> 03:42:36,479
You know our pets. You know our

5275
03:42:33,840 --> 03:42:39,040
children. You've watched them grow.

5276
03:42:36,479 --> 03:42:41,520
We don't want this either. We don't want

5277
03:42:39,040 --> 03:42:43,359
to bust our two, three, and foury olds

5278
03:42:41,520 --> 03:42:45,040
across the city for preschool because

5279
03:42:43,359 --> 03:42:47,439
there's been no consideration made for

5280
03:42:45,040 --> 03:42:49,120
them in their own neighborhood. And now,

5281
03:42:47,439 --> 03:42:51,359
despite years and years of growth and

5282
03:42:49,120 --> 03:42:53,040
data, our five and six-year-olds are

5283
03:42:51,359 --> 03:42:54,800
also about to be busted out of their

5284
03:42:53,040 --> 03:42:56,560
neighborhood.

5285
03:42:54,800 --> 03:42:58,640
We don't want our very small children

5286
03:42:56,560 --> 03:43:00,560
and their siblings to have to wait at an

5287
03:42:58,640 --> 03:43:02,319
unsheltered bus stop in all weather,

5288
03:43:00,560 --> 03:43:04,239
blistering heat, driving rain, and

5289
03:43:02,319 --> 03:43:06,080
bitter cold, waiting for the buses to

5290
03:43:04,239 --> 03:43:07,840
reach us in the mornings. We don't want

5291
03:43:06,080 --> 03:43:09,520
buses returning our children in the dark

5292
03:43:07,840 --> 03:43:11,359
fall and winter evenings while

5293
03:43:09,520 --> 03:43:15,040
frustrated drivers go around them on the

5294
03:43:11,359 --> 03:43:16,720
wrong side of the road. Please join us.

5295
03:43:15,040 --> 03:43:19,520
Moving the bus stop just moves the

5296
03:43:16,720 --> 03:43:21,600
problem to somebody else's block. Buses

5297
03:43:19,520 --> 03:43:23,199
are a symptom. The real problem is that

5298
03:43:21,600 --> 03:43:25,600
we don't have enough classrooms for the

5299
03:43:23,199 --> 03:43:27,359
children who already live here. Several

5300
03:43:25,600 --> 03:43:28,960
months ago, four parents sat down with

5301
03:43:27,359 --> 03:43:31,040
representatives from the city and the

5302
03:43:28,960 --> 03:43:33,520
board of education. We left feeling

5303
03:43:31,040 --> 03:43:35,439
hopeful. We felt heard. We genuinely

5304
03:43:33,520 --> 03:43:37,359
thought something was finally moving,

5305
03:43:35,439 --> 03:43:38,800
but months have passed without a

5306
03:43:37,359 --> 03:43:40,800
meaningful update, and many of our

5307
03:43:38,800 --> 03:43:42,880
questions remain unanswered. It's

5308
03:43:40,800 --> 03:43:45,600
incredibly disappointing because we have

5309
03:43:42,880 --> 03:43:47,840
shown up in good faith. We are proud to

5310
03:43:45,600 --> 03:43:49,520
live here. We love Jersey City. We

5311
03:43:47,840 --> 03:43:51,760
believe in this city and in the people

5312
03:43:49,520 --> 03:43:53,920
leading it.

5313
03:43:51,760 --> 03:43:55,840
Will you work with us? Will you join

5314
03:43:53,920 --> 03:43:58,160
your voices with ours in making

5315
03:43:55,840 --> 03:44:00,160
meaningful progress to do better for our

5316
03:43:58,160 --> 03:44:02,000
children? The next time a developer

5317
03:44:00,160 --> 03:44:04,319
comes before this city asking to build

5318
03:44:02,000 --> 03:44:06,399
hundreds more apartments, please ask one

5319
03:44:04,319 --> 03:44:08,080
simple question. Where will the children

5320
03:44:06,399 --> 03:44:10,560
who live in those apartments go to

5321
03:44:08,080 --> 03:44:12,239
school? Our schools are either more than

5322
03:44:10,560 --> 03:44:14,479
a century old with inadequate

5323
03:44:12,239 --> 03:44:16,560
infrastructure or so overcrowded that

5324
03:44:14,479 --> 03:44:18,880
our educators are being asked to move

5325
03:44:16,560 --> 03:44:21,199
heaven and earth to give our children

5326
03:44:18,880 --> 03:44:23,359
the education they deserve. We are not

5327
03:44:21,199 --> 03:44:25,359
asking for luxury. We are not asking for

5328
03:44:23,359 --> 03:44:27,439
privilege. We are simply asking for

5329
03:44:25,359 --> 03:44:30,800
classrooms. We are asking for planning.

5330
03:44:27,439 --> 03:44:33,760
We are asking for a permanent solution.

5331
03:44:30,800 --> 03:44:36,560
So to our businesses, join us. To the

5332
03:44:33,760 --> 03:44:38,319
board of education, do better. And to

5333
03:44:36,560 --> 03:44:40,800
the city, please help us keep this

5334
03:44:38,319 --> 03:44:42,640
moving. We are not asking Jersey City to

5335
03:44:40,800 --> 03:44:44,319
stop growing. We are asking Jersey City

5336
03:44:42,640 --> 03:44:47,199
to plan for the children who come with

5337
03:44:44,319 --> 03:44:48,880
that growth. Because when we talk about

5338
03:44:47,199 --> 03:44:51,040
thousands of new residents coming to

5339
03:44:48,880 --> 03:44:55,199
Jersey City, please remember some of

5340
03:44:51,040 --> 03:44:57,439
them are 3 feet tall. Thank you.

5341
03:44:55,199 --> 03:45:02,439
Our

5342
03:44:57,439 --> 03:45:02,439
next speaker 5.55 Quinn.

5343
03:45:06,000 --> 03:45:09,680
» Hello council. My name is Quinn

5344
03:45:07,439 --> 03:45:12,000
Slotsnik. The last time I spoke before

5345
03:45:09,680 --> 03:45:13,680
you was in June to raise awareness and

5346
03:45:12,000 --> 03:45:15,840
ask for your help regarding the burden

5347
03:45:13,680 --> 03:45:18,000
that has been put upon Jersey City's

5348
03:45:15,840 --> 03:45:19,680
public school system with aging school

5349
03:45:18,000 --> 03:45:23,120
buildings as more than half of our

5350
03:45:19,680 --> 03:45:24,720
schools are between 95 and 130 years old

5351
03:45:23,120 --> 03:45:26,640
and rampant development that adds

5352
03:45:24,720 --> 03:45:29,199
additional students without accompanying

5353
03:45:26,640 --> 03:45:32,399
classrooms. Specifically, I am here as a

5354
03:45:29,199 --> 03:45:34,399
PS16 parent. With 10,000 new units being

5355
03:45:32,399 --> 03:45:37,520
added to our zone over the next few

5356
03:45:34,399 --> 03:45:39,520
years, we need additional space. Now,

5357
03:45:37,520 --> 03:45:41,279
for this upcoming school year, a few

5358
03:45:39,520 --> 03:45:44,160
band-aids have been slapped on the

5359
03:45:41,279 --> 03:45:46,640
issue. PreK students have been told that

5360
03:45:44,160 --> 03:45:49,359
Danforth, which already is a band-aid in

5361
03:45:46,640 --> 03:45:51,120
of itself, is at capacity. So, new

5362
03:45:49,359 --> 03:45:53,760
registrants are being busted to other

5363
03:45:51,120 --> 03:45:55,359
schools across the city like PS22 and

5364
03:45:53,760 --> 03:45:57,359
PS26.

5365
03:45:55,359 --> 03:45:59,600
How is this a more efficient use of

5366
03:45:57,359 --> 03:46:00,880
resources than focusing on actually

5367
03:45:59,600 --> 03:46:03,199
getting school space that can

5368
03:46:00,880 --> 03:46:07,920
accommodate the capacity needs in a

5369
03:46:03,199 --> 03:46:10,239
zone? ES16 preK students represent 10%

5370
03:46:07,920 --> 03:46:14,239
of the preK student population in Jersey

5371
03:46:10,239 --> 03:46:17,040
City. That's 228 students out of 2099 in

5372
03:46:14,239 --> 03:46:20,160
2025 and 2026 school year. But we

5373
03:46:17,040 --> 03:46:23,040
currently have 0% of the preK classrooms

5374
03:46:20,160 --> 03:46:24,880
in the zone. The kindergarten students

5375
03:46:23,040 --> 03:46:28,399
for the upcoming year anticipate being

5376
03:46:24,880 --> 03:46:31,040
put into classes of 35 to 40 children as

5377
03:46:28,399 --> 03:46:33,040
another band-aid. Late registrants have

5378
03:46:31,040 --> 03:46:37,840
been placed in kindergarten classes at

5379
03:46:33,040 --> 03:46:42,479
PS3. More busing. In total, PS16 has

5380
03:46:37,840 --> 03:46:45,760
8.91% of students, but only 1.97%

5381
03:46:42,479 --> 03:46:48,720
of JC classrooms. The math just doesn't

5382
03:46:45,760 --> 03:46:50,080
add up. As it stands, I still don't know

5383
03:46:48,720 --> 03:46:52,160
where my daughter will attend

5384
03:46:50,080 --> 03:46:54,640
kindergarten next year or in what

5385
03:46:52,160 --> 03:46:56,880
conditions. Will she be in a class of 35

5386
03:46:54,640 --> 03:46:59,359
to 40 kids with her education suffering

5387
03:46:56,880 --> 03:47:00,800
as a result? Will she be busted Danforth

5388
03:46:59,359 --> 03:47:02,880
for the third year in a row, divorced

5389
03:47:00,800 --> 03:47:04,640
from the PS16 campus and the total

5390
03:47:02,880 --> 03:47:08,239
school activities like watching the

5391
03:47:04,640 --> 03:47:10,160
school school plays

5392
03:47:08,239 --> 03:47:12,000
to a classroom that does not yet exist?

5393
03:47:10,160 --> 03:47:14,160
As you may remember, renovations on

5394
03:47:12,000 --> 03:47:16,319
Danfor's third floor were halted by the

5395
03:47:14,160 --> 03:47:18,000
New Jersey DO in the spring when

5396
03:47:16,319 --> 03:47:20,080
concerned parents alerted them to the

5397
03:47:18,000 --> 03:47:22,800
work that was being done by JCPS without

5398
03:47:20,080 --> 03:47:24,319
appropriate permitting. In March, the

5399
03:47:22,800 --> 03:47:25,920
superintendent said that barring a

5400
03:47:24,319 --> 03:47:29,199
miracle, kindergarten would be at

5401
03:47:25,920 --> 03:47:31,279
Danforth next year, 26th 27th. Parents

5402
03:47:29,199 --> 03:47:33,680
immediately started advocating to create

5403
03:47:31,279 --> 03:47:35,520
that miracle. But after months, our

5404
03:47:33,680 --> 03:47:37,600
efforts continue to be met with lack of

5405
03:47:35,520 --> 03:47:41,199
response and action on the part of the

5406
03:47:37,600 --> 03:47:43,279
city, JCPS, and the BOE. We know that

5407
03:47:41,199 --> 03:47:45,120
this body is not responsible for school

5408
03:47:43,279 --> 03:47:47,279
construction, but we're hoping you will

5409
03:47:45,120 --> 03:47:49,279
help advocate to those who are. When

5410
03:47:47,279 --> 03:47:52,000
developers bring projects for approval,

5411
03:47:49,279 --> 03:47:54,319
please consider the lack of classrooms.

5412
03:47:52,000 --> 03:47:56,640
And we ask for short-term lease space

5413
03:47:54,319 --> 03:47:58,720
downtown to accommodate PS16

5414
03:47:56,640 --> 03:48:01,439
overcrowding so our children do not have

5415
03:47:58,720 --> 03:48:04,439
to be bust all over the city. Thank you.

5416
03:48:01,439 --> 03:48:04,439
Our

5417
03:48:08,239 --> 03:48:13,080
next speaker, 5.56, Patrick.

5418
03:48:13,600 --> 03:48:18,720
» Good evening. I'm here to talk on the

5419
03:48:15,600 --> 03:48:22,000
same topic, PS16. Um, I was here a few

5420
03:48:18,720 --> 03:48:24,960
months ago. Um, and kind of wanted for

5421
03:48:22,000 --> 03:48:27,760
to to provide an update. Um, you know, I

5422
03:48:24,960 --> 03:48:30,160
said that PS16 is at 200% capacity. That

5423
03:48:27,760 --> 03:48:31,840
remains the case. Uh we're expecting 35

5424
03:48:30,160 --> 03:48:34,640
to 40 students per classroom this coming

5425
03:48:31,840 --> 03:48:36,720
year. I subsequently raised the issue

5426
03:48:34,640 --> 03:48:39,439
with the board of education and they

5427
03:48:36,720 --> 03:48:40,319
resolved to do a study um about

5428
03:48:39,439 --> 03:48:41,760
redistricting.

5429
03:48:40,319 --> 03:48:42,720
» I'm sorry, Patrick, can you just pull it

5430
03:48:41,760 --> 03:48:43,600
up a little closer to you?

5431
03:48:42,720 --> 03:48:44,800
» Sorry about that.

5432
03:48:43,600 --> 03:48:46,399
» Yeah.

5433
03:48:44,800 --> 03:48:49,840
» Um so the board resolved to do a

5434
03:48:46,399 --> 03:48:52,000
redistricting study. Um I do I welcome

5435
03:48:49,840 --> 03:48:55,120
the study. Um but I've also used my

5436
03:48:52,000 --> 03:49:01,239
powers of prognostication to I can

5437
03:48:55,120 --> 03:49:01,239
reveal what they will show. Um so

5438
03:49:01,439 --> 03:49:05,840
what they will show is that there is not

5439
03:49:03,520 --> 03:49:08,960
school space downtown to accommodate

5440
03:49:05,840 --> 03:49:10,960
several hundred students uh currently

5441
03:49:08,960 --> 03:49:14,479
let alone projected students in coming

5442
03:49:10,960 --> 03:49:19,120
years. Um PS3 has 181 seats available.

5443
03:49:14,479 --> 03:49:22,640
PS5 has 74 seats. PS37 has about 150 um

5444
03:49:19,120 --> 03:49:24,800
for a total of 405 seats. Um,

5445
03:49:22,640 --> 03:49:26,640
hypothetically, if we max out those

5446
03:49:24,800 --> 03:49:29,520
schools capacity, bear with me, I'm

5447
03:49:26,640 --> 03:49:33,760
sorry, and numbers are um so boring to

5448
03:49:29,520 --> 03:49:37,520
me. Anyway, uh PS16 is about 550

5449
03:49:33,760 --> 03:49:39,439
students over capacity. Um to bring all

5450
03:49:37,520 --> 03:49:41,279
of our preschoolers into the PS16 zone,

5451
03:49:39,439 --> 03:49:44,640
we would need to account for another 240

5452
03:49:41,279 --> 03:49:47,520
students. Uh a total of 790 kids as of

5453
03:49:44,640 --> 03:49:51,120
last year and more like 800 this year.

5454
03:49:47,520 --> 03:49:55,920
So, summing it all up, uh we're short

5455
03:49:51,120 --> 03:49:57,600
like 800 seats in the in the PS16 zone.

5456
03:49:55,920 --> 03:50:00,239
Um there's not enough capacity across

5457
03:49:57,600 --> 03:50:02,080
downtown to handle these students. Um

5458
03:50:00,239 --> 03:50:04,080
it's simply inescapable that we need

5459
03:50:02,080 --> 03:50:06,319
school space.

5460
03:50:04,080 --> 03:50:08,800
Um I would suggest instead of contorting

5461
03:50:06,319 --> 03:50:10,960
our district maps and squeezing kids

5462
03:50:08,800 --> 03:50:14,960
into every inch uh of school space

5463
03:50:10,960 --> 03:50:16,880
across downtown, um we we need space. If

5464
03:50:14,960 --> 03:50:19,680
we wind up with too much capacity

5465
03:50:16,880 --> 03:50:24,080
somehow, I I'm sure that it will be

5466
03:50:19,680 --> 03:50:26,800
utilized um in in coming years.

5467
03:50:24,080 --> 03:50:29,359
Recently, the board of education voted

5468
03:50:26,800 --> 03:50:31,520
to extend the superintendent's contract

5469
03:50:29,359 --> 03:50:34,000
over the objections of many parents and

5470
03:50:31,520 --> 03:50:36,880
along with the mayor, um Councilwoman

5471
03:50:34,000 --> 03:50:38,080
Little and others, the mayor made a

5472
03:50:36,880 --> 03:50:39,920
strong case against renewing the

5473
03:50:38,080 --> 03:50:42,239
contract that rested largely on academic

5474
03:50:39,920 --> 03:50:44,160
performance. Maybe the superintendent

5475
03:50:42,239 --> 03:50:46,080
bears responsibility for academic

5476
03:50:44,160 --> 03:50:47,840
performance, but there are two things

5477
03:50:46,080 --> 03:50:50,479
that are shown to improve it as well.

5478
03:50:47,840 --> 03:50:52,319
One is alleviating poverty, and two is

5479
03:50:50,479 --> 03:50:54,319
updated school facilities and good

5480
03:50:52,319 --> 03:50:56,080
repair.

5481
03:50:54,319 --> 03:50:58,960
More than half of our Jersey City school

5482
03:50:56,080 --> 03:51:02,080
buildings are between 900 uh 95 and 130

5483
03:50:58,960 --> 03:51:03,520
years old, and they show their age. Um,

5484
03:51:02,080 --> 03:51:05,040
and it should be obvious, but students

5485
03:51:03,520 --> 03:51:09,439
and teachers thrive when their built

5486
03:51:05,040 --> 03:51:10,960
environment is welcoming to them.

5487
03:51:09,439 --> 03:51:12,880
Knowing that schools are slow to get

5488
03:51:10,960 --> 03:51:15,359
built, we are asking for short-term

5489
03:51:12,880 --> 03:51:20,040
space downtown to handle some of this um

5490
03:51:15,359 --> 03:51:20,040
added capacity. I thank you very much.

5491
03:51:20,319 --> 03:51:25,279
» Our next speaker, 5.57, Jack,

5492
03:51:23,199 --> 03:51:27,680
» If if I may, I just want to thank the

5493
03:51:25,279 --> 03:51:28,800
parents for your continued efforts and I

5494
03:51:27,680 --> 03:51:31,520
want you to know that you don't go

5495
03:51:28,800 --> 03:51:33,520
unseen. Um, I've spoken to the

5496
03:51:31,520 --> 03:51:36,000
administration about this and they are

5497
03:51:33,520 --> 03:51:38,560
actively looking at two sites where it

5498
03:51:36,000 --> 03:51:40,000
may be possible to negotiate a school as

5499
03:51:38,560 --> 03:51:43,199
part of a new development. Those are

5500
03:51:40,000 --> 03:51:45,359
111st Street and 155 Montgomery. Um,

5501
03:51:43,199 --> 03:51:48,960
they're, you know, actively looking at

5502
03:51:45,359 --> 03:51:50,800
that. And, um,

5503
03:51:48,960 --> 03:51:52,560
I I know they were also looking at

5504
03:51:50,800 --> 03:51:54,239
short-term leases and possibly

5505
03:51:52,560 --> 03:51:55,600
converting commercial space. And I don't

5506
03:51:54,239 --> 03:51:59,479
know where that stands, but I will try

5507
03:51:55,600 --> 03:51:59,479
and get an answer for you.

5508
03:52:02,080 --> 03:52:06,319
Good evening. I'll be quick. My name is

5509
03:52:04,319 --> 03:52:07,840
Jack McKe, Hudson County Complete

5510
03:52:06,319 --> 03:52:10,640
Streets campaign manager, and I'm here

5511
03:52:07,840 --> 03:52:12,160
to speak in favor of resolution 26

5512
03:52:10,640 --> 03:52:14,000
26-511,

5513
03:52:12,160 --> 03:52:16,239
which is to improve the curb management

5514
03:52:14,000 --> 03:52:20,640
in Jersey City. I live downtown in

5515
03:52:16,239 --> 03:52:23,279
Newark. I I see the chaos that poor curb

5516
03:52:20,640 --> 03:52:24,720
management creates. I see that are are

5517
03:52:23,279 --> 03:52:27,680
our parking enforcement. There just

5518
03:52:24,720 --> 03:52:29,840
aren't enough people to tackle all the

5519
03:52:27,680 --> 03:52:32,080
illegally parked cars. And uh just on a

5520
03:52:29,840 --> 03:52:34,560
personal level, I mean, I've I have felt

5521
03:52:32,080 --> 03:52:36,880
the heat of a radiator on my stomach

5522
03:52:34,560 --> 03:52:39,920
from when a parked car blocked a view. I

5523
03:52:36,880 --> 03:52:42,640
mean, that person was also going 40 down

5524
03:52:39,920 --> 03:52:44,239
a street where they shouldn't. But um

5525
03:52:42,640 --> 03:52:47,279
this is something that we need. It's

5526
03:52:44,239 --> 03:52:48,880
good. Uh by my understanding, it's not

5527
03:52:47,279 --> 03:52:50,880
something the city has to pay for. the

5528
03:52:48,880 --> 03:52:52,160
company that automotives would they

5529
03:52:50,880 --> 03:52:53,920
would install it, they would take care

5530
03:52:52,160 --> 03:52:55,840
of it, they would maintain it and uh it

5531
03:52:53,920 --> 03:52:58,960
would make our streets safer, collect

5532
03:52:55,840 --> 03:53:02,319
revenue and uh bring some much needed

5533
03:52:58,960 --> 03:53:03,439
order to our streets for me downtown but

5534
03:53:02,319 --> 03:53:04,640
for wherever these are going to be

5535
03:53:03,439 --> 03:53:07,199
deployed and I hope this is something

5536
03:53:04,640 --> 03:53:09,279
the city sees is effective, solves a

5537
03:53:07,199 --> 03:53:11,439
problem, generates revenue, takes the

5538
03:53:09,279 --> 03:53:14,399
burden off an overburdened uh

5539
03:53:11,439 --> 03:53:15,760
trafficking for parking enforcement and

5540
03:53:14,399 --> 03:53:19,760
uh it can just be one of those

5541
03:53:15,760 --> 03:53:19,760
win-winwins. So, thanks

5542
03:53:21,439 --> 03:53:26,199
Next speaker 5.58 Phillip

5543
03:53:29,600 --> 03:53:33,120
once again

5544
03:53:31,840 --> 03:53:35,680
thank the council for allowing me to

5545
03:53:33,120 --> 03:53:39,840
speak

5546
03:53:35,680 --> 03:53:45,040
want to add to what I said earlier today

5547
03:53:39,840 --> 03:53:48,960
this e this afternoon this evening right

5548
03:53:45,040 --> 03:53:51,439
in if you're taking over a new business

5549
03:53:48,960 --> 03:53:53,920
as they do in construction.

5550
03:53:51,439 --> 03:53:56,880
They have a clause called contingency.

5551
03:53:53,920 --> 03:53:59,359
Contingent upon the unforeseen

5552
03:53:56,880 --> 03:54:00,880
and usually in their construction

5553
03:53:59,359 --> 03:54:03,760
performer,

5554
03:54:00,880 --> 03:54:06,800
the unforeseen or contingency usually

5555
03:54:03,760 --> 03:54:09,600
have a 15 to 25%

5556
03:54:06,800 --> 03:54:12,000
of the budget. The mayor should have had

5557
03:54:09,600 --> 03:54:14,800
a contingency. I understand that there's

5558
03:54:12,000 --> 03:54:16,720
some problems, but where is his

5559
03:54:14,800 --> 03:54:19,199
contingency plan? You just can't come

5560
03:54:16,720 --> 03:54:22,239
and ask people for 15%. When you should

5561
03:54:19,199 --> 03:54:24,000
have had a contingency plan from 15 to

5562
03:54:22,239 --> 03:54:26,287
25%.

5563
03:54:24,000 --> 03:54:27,680
I need to see that. I also

5564
03:54:26,287 --> 03:54:31,120
[clears throat] heard that we are going

5565
03:54:27,680 --> 03:54:33,600
to make some charges to bring legal

5566
03:54:31,120 --> 03:54:35,520
action against Steve Phillip, which I

5567
03:54:33,600 --> 03:54:37,120
think is a good idea, but I want to hear

5568
03:54:35,520 --> 03:54:39,279
something more. How are you going to

5569
03:54:37,120 --> 03:54:42,720
bring that? What is the basis? Because

5570
03:54:39,279 --> 03:54:45,279
Steve has some shrewd, dishonest,

5571
03:54:42,720 --> 03:54:47,359
well seasoned attorneys behind him. they

5572
03:54:45,279 --> 03:54:50,319
make false statements but they get over

5573
03:54:47,359 --> 03:54:52,080
with that and so I would like to give

5574
03:54:50,319 --> 03:54:56,880
some information on that but I want to

5575
03:54:52,080 --> 03:55:01,760
hear clarity as to how that is going to

5576
03:54:56,880 --> 03:55:03,520
take care. I really came to speak on the

5577
03:55:01,760 --> 03:55:06,720
suburban

5578
03:55:03,520 --> 03:55:08,800
waste disposal and I've heard the mayor

5579
03:55:06,720 --> 03:55:11,120
say it's somewhere down in St. Paul's

5580
03:55:08,800 --> 03:55:12,880
Avenue. I'm not going down there to pick

5581
03:55:11,120 --> 03:55:15,199
it, but the people down there needs to

5582
03:55:12,880 --> 03:55:17,439
be revved up. And it's a good idea to

5583
03:55:15,199 --> 03:55:18,560
rev the people up because those people

5584
03:55:17,439 --> 03:55:20,960
ain't going to come in the black

5585
03:55:18,560 --> 03:55:23,680
neighborhood. I can't get black folks to

5586
03:55:20,960 --> 03:55:27,199
come, black upass negroes

5587
03:55:23,680 --> 03:55:30,960
festival. Uh get Gilmore to come one

5588
03:55:27,199 --> 03:55:33,120
time and we had

5589
03:55:30,960 --> 03:55:35,040
um what's the name? Jerry Walker and

5590
03:55:33,120 --> 03:55:36,399
Brandy Warren this time. None the

5591
03:55:35,040 --> 03:55:38,319
members of the city council. So y'all

5592
03:55:36,399 --> 03:55:40,800
don't come in the black neighborhood. So

5593
03:55:38,319 --> 03:55:44,080
I ain't going nowhere. they are. But

5594
03:55:40,800 --> 03:55:47,120
anyway, the point is the people needs to

5595
03:55:44,080 --> 03:55:48,560
be revved up and the mayor needs to go

5596
03:55:47,120 --> 03:55:50,960
after the money. That's what I want to

5597
03:55:48,560 --> 03:55:53,600
say. There's some secret pocket of money

5598
03:55:50,960 --> 03:55:55,279
that funding that project. I have some

5599
03:55:53,600 --> 03:55:57,439
information information on that because

5600
03:55:55,279 --> 03:56:00,720
I had to sue the state. They closed my

5601
03:55:57,439 --> 03:56:02,560
business down for the D. So, I would

5602
03:56:00,720 --> 03:56:04,319
like to speak with some person to meet

5603
03:56:02,560 --> 03:56:06,800
with them to let them know about that

5604
03:56:04,319 --> 03:56:09,279
that pocket of money. But it is

5605
03:56:06,800 --> 03:56:12,319
important that money is there. It has to

5606
03:56:09,279 --> 03:56:14,800
be used up. But it is see is a secret

5607
03:56:12,319 --> 03:56:17,279
pocket of money. So yes, get the people

5608
03:56:14,800 --> 03:56:19,439
to march, pick it, whatever else. And

5609
03:56:17,279 --> 03:56:22,000
I'm not seeing much of them here. But

5610
03:56:19,439 --> 03:56:24,080
the pocket of state money and it's not

5611
03:56:22,000 --> 03:56:25,840
really state money. It is federal money

5612
03:56:24,080 --> 03:56:28,000
that was sent to the state and the state

5613
03:56:25,840 --> 03:56:30,080
deciding that. Again, I have information

5614
03:56:28,000 --> 03:56:31,279
on that, but I'm not willing to give it

5615
03:56:30,080 --> 03:56:34,239
unless I'm asked.

5616
03:56:31,279 --> 03:56:39,399
» Thank you.

5617
03:56:34,239 --> 03:56:39,399
Our next speaker 5.59, Patrick

5618
03:56:41,279 --> 03:56:44,720
Evening, Council President Ridley and

5619
03:56:43,199 --> 03:56:46,160
council members. I'm here to ask for

5620
03:56:44,720 --> 03:56:48,880
your support in allowing us to move

5621
03:56:46,160 --> 03:56:51,279
forward with the study of 417 Communa

5622
03:56:48,880 --> 03:56:53,520
Steeltech project. Uh the site has been

5623
03:56:51,279 --> 03:56:56,399
vacant for 30 years. previous developers

5624
03:56:53,520 --> 03:56:59,199
spent five getting a 17story tower

5625
03:56:56,399 --> 03:57:01,199
approved that was not financable. And uh

5626
03:56:59,199 --> 03:57:03,040
my team for the last 14 months has

5627
03:57:01,199 --> 03:57:05,920
worked with council president uh whose

5628
03:57:03,040 --> 03:57:08,640
ward this is in um the local some local

5629
03:57:05,920 --> 03:57:10,880
stakeholders including Morris Canal CDC

5630
03:57:08,640 --> 03:57:12,880
uh and we've spent

5631
03:57:10,880 --> 03:57:15,120
uh we've had five community meetings

5632
03:57:12,880 --> 03:57:18,319
over that time as well and I've also met

5633
03:57:15,120 --> 03:57:20,000
uh various residents one-on-one um who

5634
03:57:18,319 --> 03:57:22,720
live around the site. Our current

5635
03:57:20,000 --> 03:57:24,319
proposal calls for several elements that

5636
03:57:22,720 --> 03:57:26,640
the community told us were important to

5637
03:57:24,319 --> 03:57:28,720
them, including a shorter building, a

5638
03:57:26,640 --> 03:57:31,600
grocery store, and community space in

5639
03:57:28,720 --> 03:57:33,359
the historic head house along Commun. We

5640
03:57:31,600 --> 03:57:35,199
hope to start the formal process with

5641
03:57:33,359 --> 03:57:38,000
city planning staff and continue the

5642
03:57:35,199 --> 03:57:39,680
next round of community meetings um with

5643
03:57:38,000 --> 03:57:41,439
Councilman Gilmore's development

5644
03:57:39,680 --> 03:57:43,199
transparency town hall that he put

5645
03:57:41,439 --> 03:57:45,040
together, I think next week, which we're

5646
03:57:43,199 --> 03:57:49,560
signed up for. Um and again, we hope for

5647
03:57:45,040 --> 03:57:49,560
your all support tonight. Thank you.

5648
03:57:50,479 --> 03:57:56,040
our next speaker 5.60 Rick

5649
03:57:57,359 --> 03:58:02,640
again.

5650
03:57:59,359 --> 03:58:05,359
This one's for me. Um, a few I guess

5651
03:58:02,640 --> 03:58:08,319
like things I wanted to bring up while I

5652
03:58:05,359 --> 03:58:10,560
was here. Uh, firstly, I forgot about

5653
03:58:08,319 --> 03:58:12,720
the cameras for parking safety was

5654
03:58:10,560 --> 03:58:14,000
coming up today and I just wanted to get

5655
03:58:12,720 --> 03:58:15,520
out into the ether that I think that

5656
03:58:14,000 --> 03:58:17,520
those are generally a net positive. I

5657
03:58:15,520 --> 03:58:21,520
think that'll be a good idea, but I

5658
03:58:17,520 --> 03:58:24,880
think like longterm we should

5659
03:58:21,520 --> 03:58:26,319
be uh cognizant of like what goal we're

5660
03:58:24,880 --> 03:58:28,560
trying to accomplish with those because

5661
03:58:26,319 --> 03:58:30,319
I'm sure they'll bring in, you know,

5662
03:58:28,560 --> 03:58:33,279
more revenue to the city overall, which

5663
03:58:30,319 --> 03:58:34,560
is probably a good thing. Um, but for me

5664
03:58:33,279 --> 03:58:37,760
and I think some of the other people

5665
03:58:34,560 --> 03:58:40,640
that have just spoke, um, I think things

5666
03:58:37,760 --> 03:58:44,479
like those in terms of like what makes

5667
03:58:40,640 --> 03:58:47,199
the streets safer for people, um, like

5668
03:58:44,479 --> 03:58:49,439
people walking or driving or on the bus,

5669
03:58:47,199 --> 03:58:51,279
those are the cameras are again like a

5670
03:58:49,439 --> 03:58:54,160
net positive, but I don't think they'll

5671
03:58:51,279 --> 03:58:56,319
accomplish all the goals that we

5672
03:58:54,160 --> 03:58:58,160
uh would like want to accomplish with

5673
03:58:56,319 --> 03:59:04,479
making the streets safer for

5674
03:58:58,160 --> 03:59:07,680
pedestrians. Next thing for me, um,

5675
03:59:04,479 --> 03:59:12,000
I live up in the Heights and I tried to

5676
03:59:07,680 --> 03:59:15,920
walk to the reservoir in Persian Park

5677
03:59:12,000 --> 03:59:19,520
last night and I guess it was closed at

5678
03:59:15,920 --> 03:59:20,960
700 p.m. Uh, my understanding was that

5679
03:59:19,520 --> 03:59:25,359
parks like that are supposed to close at

5680
03:59:20,960 --> 03:59:29,439
8:00 p.m. And I'm here to just voice my

5681
03:59:25,359 --> 03:59:31,439
frustration and I suppose that

5682
03:59:29,439 --> 03:59:35,600
my understanding is the director of park

5683
03:59:31,439 --> 03:59:38,160
maintenance is Samuel Kazio. Um,

5684
03:59:35,600 --> 03:59:40,560
and I guess I'm looking for a bit of an

5685
03:59:38,160 --> 03:59:43,680
explanation as to why the reservoir was

5686
03:59:40,560 --> 03:59:47,120
closed at 700 p.m. And I don't think

5687
03:59:43,680 --> 03:59:49,279
that he's here. Uh, but you are, so I'm

5688
03:59:47,120 --> 03:59:52,560
voicing that.

5689
03:59:49,279 --> 03:59:56,000
And the last thing I wanted to say is

5690
03:59:52,560 --> 03:59:59,040
that there are a lot of delivery robots

5691
03:59:56,000 --> 04:00:01,279
in the city and I don't like them. I

5692
03:59:59,040 --> 04:00:03,520
think they take up space that humans

5693
04:00:01,279 --> 04:00:05,760
could take up. I think they block

5694
04:00:03,520 --> 04:00:08,080
intersections when traffic tries to get

5695
04:00:05,760 --> 04:00:09,920
through. I saw one with a broken wheel

5696
04:00:08,080 --> 04:00:11,840
blocking a crosswalk in the heights the

5697
04:00:09,920 --> 04:00:13,359
other day. And I think that's not only

5698
04:00:11,840 --> 04:00:16,800
annoying, but I think it's just

5699
04:00:13,359 --> 04:00:19,520
dangerous. And just conceptually, I

5700
04:00:16,800 --> 04:00:21,439
think they're like a breakdown in the

5701
04:00:19,520 --> 04:00:24,080
social fabric of seeing other human

5702
04:00:21,439 --> 04:00:28,800
beings on the street together.

5703
04:00:24,080 --> 04:00:31,600
And I think that we should either just

5704
04:00:28,800 --> 04:00:35,279
ban them outright or just tax the hell

5705
04:00:31,600 --> 04:00:37,840
out of them so badly that any business

5706
04:00:35,279 --> 04:00:40,000
that wants to like put them into the

5707
04:00:37,840 --> 04:00:41,920
city, it just like financially doesn't

5708
04:00:40,000 --> 04:00:44,319
make any sense. or we make so much on

5709
04:00:41,920 --> 04:00:46,399
them that, you know, there's our budget

5710
04:00:44,319 --> 04:00:49,680
problems, whatever.

5711
04:00:46,399 --> 04:00:51,920
And yeah, I think that that's it. Um,

5712
04:00:49,680 --> 04:00:53,600
oh, and I'm uh I know I'm a little ahead

5713
04:00:51,920 --> 04:00:56,960
of the curve and short on time, but I

5714
04:00:53,600 --> 04:00:58,640
think uh sidewalk bumpouts are a good

5715
04:00:56,960 --> 04:01:01,199
idea. I can't wait to see the Department

5716
04:00:58,640 --> 04:01:03,120
of Infrastructure. Thank you.

5717
04:01:01,199 --> 04:01:04,800
» Could you give your your information to

5718
04:01:03,120 --> 04:01:06,880
Arjun right here? We're getting an

5719
04:01:04,800 --> 04:01:08,319
answer on Persian Field. I'm sorry about

5720
04:01:06,880 --> 04:01:10,800
um the reservoir supposed to close at

5721
04:01:08,319 --> 04:01:14,960
sunset which would be 7:48 or 8:00 p.m.

5722
04:01:10,800 --> 04:01:20,040
So I'll find out and let you know

5723
04:01:14,960 --> 04:01:20,040
our next speaker 5.61 Donna

5724
04:01:21,359 --> 04:01:25,800
5.62 Frank

5725
04:01:26,960 --> 04:01:35,960
5.63 Monnique gone

5726
04:01:30,800 --> 04:01:35,960
» Thank you 5.64 64 Tiffany

5727
04:01:36,000 --> 04:01:41,160
here 5.65 Dion

5728
04:01:43,120 --> 04:01:45,439
let's keep

5729
04:01:43,920 --> 04:01:48,439
» 5.66

5730
04:01:45,439 --> 04:01:48,439
cat

5731
04:01:49,520 --> 04:01:55,399
okay 567

5732
04:01:52,399 --> 04:01:55,399
Thomas

5733
04:01:56,960 --> 04:02:04,840
5.68 is a duplicate of 5.43 5.69 69

5734
04:02:01,840 --> 04:02:04,840
June.

5735
04:02:19,279 --> 04:02:25,120
» Good evening, council.

5736
04:02:21,520 --> 04:02:27,600
I'm here um intentionally

5737
04:02:25,120 --> 04:02:29,199
on the language to you a little bit

5738
04:02:27,600 --> 04:02:32,319
more.

5739
04:02:29,199 --> 04:02:37,760
I am here to speak intentionally on

5740
04:02:32,319 --> 04:02:39,920
resolution 10 uh 54. Um but I understand

5741
04:02:37,760 --> 04:02:42,479
you got to hand out the information that

5742
04:02:39,920 --> 04:02:45,359
I um put together with the friends of

5743
04:02:42,479 --> 04:02:48,640
Barry Lane and meeting minutes that we

5744
04:02:45,359 --> 04:02:52,000
put together from previous meetings. So

5745
04:02:48,640 --> 04:02:56,479
I won't be reiterating or repeating

5746
04:02:52,000 --> 04:02:59,279
that. Um I think from the conversations

5747
04:02:56,479 --> 04:03:03,359
that um took place [clears throat] in in

5748
04:02:59,279 --> 04:03:06,800
the caucus meeting um it's important for

5749
04:03:03,359 --> 04:03:10,319
you to understand where we are at Morris

5750
04:03:06,800 --> 04:03:13,840
Canal. We've been

5751
04:03:10,319 --> 04:03:16,640
uh in business since 1999.

5752
04:03:13,840 --> 04:03:19,840
Uh we hold community meetings monthly

5753
04:03:16,640 --> 04:03:23,600
since then. Um, as a matter of fact, I

5754
04:03:19,840 --> 04:03:26,560
truly want to thank uh, Councilwoman Ma

5755
04:03:23,600 --> 04:03:29,199
for coming to our community meeting and

5756
04:03:26,560 --> 04:03:32,399
bringing your aid and hearing our uh,

5757
04:03:29,199 --> 04:03:35,439
concerns and you, Councilman Brooks, for

5758
04:03:32,399 --> 04:03:38,960
sending your representative to listen to

5759
04:03:35,439 --> 04:03:43,279
our concerns. It's very important and I

5760
04:03:38,960 --> 04:03:45,520
can't thank uh Councilman Gilmore and

5761
04:03:43,279 --> 04:03:49,199
Erica enough for just their

5762
04:03:45,520 --> 04:03:50,880
attentiveness in what's going on. And I

5763
04:03:49,199 --> 04:03:52,720
just want you to understand that there's

5764
04:03:50,880 --> 04:03:56,160
been a whole lot going on in these

5765
04:03:52,720 --> 04:03:58,720
years. And when we talk about our

5766
04:03:56,160 --> 04:04:01,279
council person who is ward A and the

5767
04:03:58,720 --> 04:04:03,840
councilman that's Ward F, you need to

5768
04:04:01,279 --> 04:04:06,399
understand that with the redistricting

5769
04:04:03,840 --> 04:04:08,800
redistricting of the maps, our

5770
04:04:06,399 --> 04:04:12,080
neighborhood is cut in half. Half of

5771
04:04:08,800 --> 04:04:15,359
Lafayette is in Ward F, half is in A. So

5772
04:04:12,080 --> 04:04:17,920
when we talk to Councilman Gilmore, it's

5773
04:04:15,359 --> 04:04:19,840
because that's the person we voted for.

5774
04:04:17,920 --> 04:04:22,160
That's the person who understood us, who

5775
04:04:19,840 --> 04:04:25,520
was who was aligned with us during that

5776
04:04:22,160 --> 04:04:29,760
voting period. We are now trying to

5777
04:04:25,520 --> 04:04:32,880
regain a relationship with Councilwoman

5778
04:04:29,760 --> 04:04:35,680
uh Ridley who up to this point hasn't

5779
04:04:32,880 --> 04:04:37,920
been that engaging with us. However, I

5780
04:04:35,680 --> 04:04:41,199
think we had a breakthrough last night

5781
04:04:37,920 --> 04:04:44,960
and at the JC meeting, which brings me

5782
04:04:41,199 --> 04:04:47,680
to a very important point, notification.

5783
04:04:44,960 --> 04:04:51,199
In a Mars Canal redevelopment plan

5784
04:04:47,680 --> 04:04:53,680
around uh page nine, there is a law that

5785
04:04:51,199 --> 04:04:56,720
says you must notify us whenever things

5786
04:04:53,680 --> 04:05:00,160
are going on in the neighborhood. I want

5787
04:04:56,720 --> 04:05:04,720
not only the council but the JC, all of

5788
04:05:00,160 --> 04:05:06,960
the agencies to hold uh fast to that. It

5789
04:05:04,720 --> 04:05:09,040
is important. We shouldn't find out

5790
04:05:06,960 --> 04:05:11,359
what's going on in our neighborhood by

5791
04:05:09,040 --> 04:05:14,800
looking at an agenda. We should know

5792
04:05:11,359 --> 04:05:18,160
beforehand and inclusion is really

5793
04:05:14,800 --> 04:05:20,800
important for us to to work this out.

5794
04:05:18,160 --> 04:05:23,359
It's a new administration. I hope it's a

5795
04:05:20,800 --> 04:05:23,920
new day and that we'll be able to work

5796
04:05:23,359 --> 04:05:26,479
» Thank you.

5797
04:05:23,920 --> 04:05:28,319
» Closely together going forward.

5798
04:05:26,479 --> 04:05:33,479
» Thank you.

5799
04:05:28,319 --> 04:05:33,479
» Our next speaker 5.70 Jerome.

5800
04:05:35,520 --> 04:05:41,000
» Thank you. 5.71 Dena.

5801
04:05:43,840 --> 04:05:46,640
» All right. Nice to talk to you guys

5802
04:05:45,120 --> 04:05:48,399
again. You heard from me a couple hours

5803
04:05:46,640 --> 04:05:50,239
ago. Thank you all for your patience. um

5804
04:05:48,399 --> 04:05:53,199
on community gardens when I spoke about

5805
04:05:50,239 --> 04:05:55,120
the more budget aligned aspect of our

5806
04:05:53,199 --> 04:05:56,880
concerns of the Arlington community

5807
04:05:55,120 --> 04:05:59,680
garden that was accidentally cut down by

5808
04:05:56,880 --> 04:06:01,120
DPW. Um and on the budget side, you

5809
04:05:59,680 --> 04:06:02,960
know, funding to replace any of the

5810
04:06:01,120 --> 04:06:05,120
perennial plants or get a water hose

5811
04:06:02,960 --> 04:06:07,680
hookup um or compost and wood chips

5812
04:06:05,120 --> 04:06:10,239
going forward would be lovely. However,

5813
04:06:07,680 --> 04:06:11,760
I also wanted to note that kind of a

5814
04:06:10,239 --> 04:06:13,199
larger issue is the breakdown in

5815
04:06:11,760 --> 04:06:14,720
communication when things like this

5816
04:06:13,199 --> 04:06:16,960
happen. So over the course of the last

5817
04:06:14,720 --> 04:06:18,560
few hours, I've had at least five other

5818
04:06:16,960 --> 04:06:20,800
audience members approach me and say

5819
04:06:18,560 --> 04:06:22,640
that their pollinator gardens or rain

5820
04:06:20,800 --> 04:06:24,239
garders are also mowed down. It seems to

5821
04:06:22,640 --> 04:06:26,160
be a right of passage in Jersey City if

5822
04:06:24,239 --> 04:06:28,720
you're in the gardening space. And I'm

5823
04:06:26,160 --> 04:06:31,359
generally wondering whether anything can

5824
04:06:28,720 --> 04:06:34,640
be done to communicate when a larger lot

5825
04:06:31,359 --> 04:06:36,640
area is going to be raised down. So

5826
04:06:34,640 --> 04:06:38,720
there's no signage posted. There were no

5827
04:06:36,640 --> 04:06:40,560
alerts on cclick fix for the area. There

5828
04:06:38,720 --> 04:06:42,080
was kind of no way for any of the

5829
04:06:40,560 --> 04:06:43,680
surrounding people to discover that this

5830
04:06:42,080 --> 04:06:46,399
work is taking place. and it seems to be

5831
04:06:43,680 --> 04:06:48,239
a larger issue and if there's no person

5832
04:06:46,399 --> 04:06:50,880
we can message for coordinating

5833
04:06:48,239 --> 04:06:52,800
community gardens um I don't really know

5834
04:06:50,880 --> 04:06:54,080
how we prevent such issues going

5835
04:06:52,800 --> 04:06:55,600
forward. So I would love if you can

5836
04:06:54,080 --> 04:06:57,680
consider ways we can address

5837
04:06:55,600 --> 04:07:00,399
specifically the communication issue

5838
04:06:57,680 --> 04:07:03,560
when a big area is going to be serviced.

5839
04:07:00,399 --> 04:07:03,560
Thank you.

5840
04:07:03,840 --> 04:07:07,279
» Thank you Dina. I just want to share

5841
04:07:05,520 --> 04:07:10,000
this happened at Leonard Gordon Park as

5842
04:07:07,279 --> 04:07:13,120
well. Um, and I reached out to parks

5843
04:07:10,000 --> 04:07:15,520
following that and got what I think is a

5844
04:07:13,120 --> 04:07:17,040
a hopeful answer that um, there's going

5845
04:07:15,520 --> 04:07:19,680
to be a lot more communication going

5846
04:07:17,040 --> 04:07:21,439
forward and uh, communication and just

5847
04:07:19,680 --> 04:07:23,600
education of the workers who are being

5848
04:07:21,439 --> 04:07:25,359
sent there to be able to look out for

5849
04:07:23,600 --> 04:07:27,199
the kind of gardens and also making sure

5850
04:07:25,359 --> 04:07:29,439
the gardens can proactively put up

5851
04:07:27,199 --> 04:07:31,600
signage so that the workers have really

5852
04:07:29,439 --> 04:07:33,040
clear. So yeah, this was really

5853
04:07:31,600 --> 04:07:34,640
important to us too because of Leonard

5854
04:07:33,040 --> 04:07:38,800
Gordon Park and um, want to make sure it

5855
04:07:34,640 --> 04:07:38,800
never happens again. So thank you

5856
04:07:39,600 --> 04:07:43,439
All right, that will conclude our public

5857
04:07:41,359 --> 04:07:46,080
speaking portion of the meeting. On to

5858
04:07:43,439 --> 04:07:50,000
our petitions and communications. Any

5859
04:07:46,080 --> 04:07:52,319
questions or comments on items 6.1

5860
04:07:50,000 --> 04:07:56,239
through

5861
04:07:52,319 --> 04:07:58,160
6.56? I know I owe Council Person Little

5862
04:07:56,239 --> 04:08:00,399
some copies. I'm I'm sorry I didn't get

5863
04:07:58,160 --> 04:08:03,279
them to you. Very short staff this week

5864
04:08:00,399 --> 04:08:06,080
with vacations going on,

5865
04:08:03,279 --> 04:08:07,600
but I will get them to you. Um, any

5866
04:08:06,080 --> 04:08:08,960
question? Well, there's no office

5867
04:08:07,600 --> 04:08:12,399
communications. Any questions or

5868
04:08:08,960 --> 04:08:15,760
comments on reporter directors 8.1

5869
04:08:12,399 --> 04:08:17,199
through 8.17

5870
04:08:15,760 --> 04:08:19,520
hearing? None. We're going to go right

5871
04:08:17,199 --> 04:08:21,199
to our claims and addendum number one.

5872
04:08:19,520 --> 04:08:23,600
So, council members going to be taking a

5873
04:08:21,199 --> 04:08:27,319
vote on claims and addendum number one.

5874
04:08:23,600 --> 04:08:27,319
Council person Brooks,

5875
04:08:28,239 --> 04:08:33,439
» Before I vote, um just wanted to see if

5876
04:08:30,160 --> 04:08:36,439
there was an answer on the Moody's um

5877
04:08:33,439 --> 04:08:36,439
fee.

5878
04:08:44,160 --> 04:08:49,840
Councilman, the claims related to

5879
04:08:46,319 --> 04:08:52,800
Moody's is the we asked them to rate the

5880
04:08:49,840 --> 04:08:54,479
note rollover we did in July. Uh and

5881
04:08:52,800 --> 04:08:56,000
there's a fee for those services.

5882
04:08:54,479 --> 04:09:00,239
» Yeah.

5883
04:08:56,000 --> 04:09:01,520
» Thank you. I vote I.

5884
04:09:00,239 --> 04:09:05,120
» Council person Zupa.

5885
04:09:01,520 --> 04:09:08,080
» I council person Ephro. Hi,

5886
04:09:05,120 --> 04:09:09,760
» Council Person Little.

5887
04:09:08,080 --> 04:09:10,800
» Council Person Gilmore,

5888
04:09:09,760 --> 04:09:12,080
» I

5889
04:09:10,800 --> 04:09:12,960
» Council Person Singh,

5890
04:09:12,080 --> 04:09:15,040
» I

5891
04:09:12,960 --> 04:09:18,399
» Council Person Griffin.

5892
04:09:15,040 --> 04:09:20,080
» Uh, I may have asked this, but I don't

5893
04:09:18,399 --> 04:09:22,800
remember what the answer is. So, with

5894
04:09:20,080 --> 04:09:24,239
the claims, can they be more specific?

5895
04:09:22,800 --> 04:09:25,840
Right. I'm just looking at claims and

5896
04:09:24,239 --> 04:09:27,520
I'm seeing stuff just encumbrance.

5897
04:09:25,840 --> 04:09:29,199
Encumbrance.

5898
04:09:27,520 --> 04:09:31,680
Like, there's a lot of things. I don't

5899
04:09:29,199 --> 04:09:36,520
know what we're paying for. is just

5900
04:09:31,680 --> 04:09:36,520
there's no it's not specific.

5901
04:09:37,920 --> 04:09:43,760
» My understanding is that it comes from

5902
04:09:39,920 --> 04:09:45,840
our admin system. Um

5903
04:09:43,760 --> 04:09:48,880
I don't know Bill if you want to say

5904
04:09:45,840 --> 04:09:49,920
anything more about the

5905
04:09:48,880 --> 04:09:51,840
list.

5906
04:09:49,920 --> 04:09:53,520
» Bill, if you could help. Thank you.

5907
04:09:51,840 --> 04:09:55,359
» Sure council man. I would have to look

5908
04:09:53,520 --> 04:09:58,399
at it. The list is generated directly

5909
04:09:55,359 --> 04:10:01,040
from our financial platform.

5910
04:09:58,399 --> 04:10:02,560
We have put some work into that to get

5911
04:10:01,040 --> 04:10:04,080
you one list. As you might recall, it

5912
04:10:02,560 --> 04:10:06,000
wasn't long ago you get two lists and

5913
04:10:04,080 --> 04:10:08,080
they didn't quite make sense. So, we did

5914
04:10:06,000 --> 04:10:09,439
do some work to consolidate it. I'll

5915
04:10:08,080 --> 04:10:12,160
take a look and see if it can be a

5916
04:10:09,439 --> 04:10:15,399
little more descriptive as well.

5917
04:10:12,160 --> 04:10:15,399
» Thank you,

5918
04:10:16,239 --> 04:10:20,080
» Council Person Lavaro.

5919
04:10:18,800 --> 04:10:21,760
» Hi.

5920
04:10:20,080 --> 04:10:22,560
» And Council President Ridley,

5921
04:10:21,760 --> 04:10:24,960
» I.

5922
04:10:22,560 --> 04:10:29,840
» Claims and addendum number one are

5923
04:10:24,960 --> 04:10:32,880
approved unanimously. 90.

5924
04:10:29,840 --> 04:10:34,960
» On to our resolutions

5925
04:10:32,880 --> 04:10:37,680
going in order. Council members going to

5926
04:10:34,960 --> 04:10:40,680
be taking a vote on items 10.1 through

5927
04:10:37,680 --> 04:10:40,680
10.12.

5928
04:10:40,960 --> 04:10:44,560
10.1 through 10.12. Council person

5929
04:10:43,760 --> 04:10:46,880
Brooks.

5930
04:10:44,560 --> 04:10:49,040
» Uh before I vote on these, I just wanted

5931
04:10:46,880 --> 04:10:51,040
to defer to my colleague, Councilman

5932
04:10:49,040 --> 04:10:53,279
Labaro. Sorry to put you on the spot. I

5933
04:10:51,040 --> 04:10:54,000
think you had um Oh,

5934
04:10:53,279 --> 04:10:56,880
» Yeah.

5935
04:10:54,000 --> 04:10:58,160
» Some thoughts on the prescription.

5936
04:10:56,880 --> 04:11:01,199
plan.

5937
04:10:58,160 --> 04:11:03,040
» Yes. Um I shared some emails with

5938
04:11:01,199 --> 04:11:07,120
everybody, raised some questions about

5939
04:11:03,040 --> 04:11:11,120
the language. Um that's unclear to me as

5940
04:11:07,120 --> 04:11:14,319
to whether or not we were um uh changing

5941
04:11:11,120 --> 04:11:16,960
the terms for future years uh on the

5942
04:11:14,319 --> 04:11:20,160
contract. Um,

5943
04:11:16,960 --> 04:11:24,399
Corporation Council has advised me in um

5944
04:11:20,160 --> 04:11:27,680
in writing that uh that uh this only

5945
04:11:24,399 --> 04:11:30,960
impacts the purchase order, this

5946
04:11:27,680 --> 04:11:33,760
resolution itself um and not for only

5947
04:11:30,960 --> 04:11:36,760
2026 and not 27 and 28. Is that

5948
04:11:33,760 --> 04:11:36,760
accurate?

5949
04:11:38,399 --> 04:11:44,239
» That's correct. The intention and effect

5950
04:11:41,600 --> 04:11:48,560
of this resolution is to increase the

5951
04:11:44,239 --> 04:11:51,680
purchase order. These two contracts um

5952
04:11:48,560 --> 04:11:54,720
authorize the city to pay for services

5953
04:11:51,680 --> 04:11:56,640
based on utilization. And so the cap

5954
04:11:54,720 --> 04:11:59,120
that was reflected in the original

5955
04:11:56,640 --> 04:12:00,880
resolutions that awarded these contracts

5956
04:11:59,120 --> 04:12:02,560
did not reflect the amount that we were

5957
04:12:00,880 --> 04:12:03,920
committing to spend. Rather, it

5958
04:12:02,560 --> 04:12:05,760
reflected the amount that we were

5959
04:12:03,920 --> 04:12:08,160
actually set aside in a PO to pay for

5960
04:12:05,760 --> 04:12:10,000
these services. But as the year goes on,

5961
04:12:08,160 --> 04:12:11,920
we learn what that utilization rate

5962
04:12:10,000 --> 04:12:14,399
actually is and how much we actually

5963
04:12:11,920 --> 04:12:17,920
owe. So what this resolution does, it it

5964
04:12:14,399 --> 04:12:20,000
increases the PO for calendar year 2026.

5965
04:12:17,920 --> 04:12:22,319
We will have to do this process again in

5966
04:12:20,000 --> 04:12:23,760
2027 based on what we know about our

5967
04:12:22,319 --> 04:12:25,760
utilization at that point to make sure

5968
04:12:23,760 --> 04:12:28,720
that we're setting aside money in order

5969
04:12:25,760 --> 04:12:31,439
to pay based on utilization.

5970
04:12:28,720 --> 04:12:33,040
Um, I will also just note that the

5971
04:12:31,439 --> 04:12:36,399
amount [snorts] that we're adding to the

5972
04:12:33,040 --> 04:12:37,920
PO here is consistent with what was in

5973
04:12:36,399 --> 04:12:40,239
the introduced budget for these

5974
04:12:37,920 --> 04:12:42,239
services. So this is just making the PO

5975
04:12:40,239 --> 04:12:43,520
consistent with what is in the budget

5976
04:12:42,239 --> 04:12:46,520
that was introduced by the

5977
04:12:43,520 --> 04:12:46,520
administration.

5978
04:12:49,040 --> 04:12:54,239
» And and then Sarah, can we um and if you

5979
04:12:51,520 --> 04:12:58,560
saw my message earlier about including

5980
04:12:54,239 --> 04:12:59,840
your your um legal opinion on this as

5981
04:12:58,560 --> 04:13:01,199
part of the public record,

5982
04:12:59,840 --> 04:13:03,199
» We will not be doing that. That

5983
04:13:01,199 --> 04:13:06,159
contained confidential and privileged

5984
04:13:03,199 --> 04:13:08,800
attorney client advice. I have shared my

5985
04:13:06,159 --> 04:13:10,479
remarks for the record. If there's any

5986
04:13:08,800 --> 04:13:12,239
further information you like from the

5987
04:13:10,479 --> 04:13:13,680
administration to clarify that

5988
04:13:12,239 --> 04:13:15,439
resolution, I'm sure they would be happy

5989
04:13:13,680 --> 04:13:18,479
to provide it, but I'm not authorizing

5990
04:13:15,439 --> 04:13:22,560
sharing that email.

5991
04:13:18,479 --> 04:13:26,960
» Okay. So, that uh hopefully that

5992
04:13:22,560 --> 04:13:29,920
explains for folks where things stand.

5993
04:13:26,960 --> 04:13:31,840
» Welcome.

5994
04:13:29,920 --> 04:13:34,880
» Thank you, Councilman, and thank you,

5995
04:13:31,840 --> 04:13:37,520
admin, for answering questions. Um, I

5996
04:13:34,880 --> 04:13:40,640
vote I on all. I'm really looking

5997
04:13:37,520 --> 04:13:43,279
forward to getting this uh

5998
04:13:40,640 --> 04:13:47,080
uh list and appraisal and valuation for

5999
04:13:43,279 --> 04:13:47,080
our fixed assets.

6000
04:13:48,159 --> 04:13:54,080
Council person Zupa vot.

6001
04:13:51,199 --> 04:13:55,359
» Council person Epris.

6002
04:13:54,080 --> 04:13:56,319
» Council person Little.

6003
04:13:55,359 --> 04:13:59,960
» Hi.

6004
04:13:56,319 --> 04:13:59,960
» Council person Gilmore.

6005
04:14:07,760 --> 04:14:14,399
going to um abstain on 107 I on arrest.

6006
04:14:12,319 --> 04:14:17,199
» I I couldn't hear you.

6007
04:14:14,399 --> 04:14:20,199
» Want to abstain on 107 I on arrest.

6008
04:14:17,199 --> 04:14:20,199
» Okay.

6009
04:14:20,800 --> 04:14:24,960
Council person Singh.

6010
04:14:23,680 --> 04:14:27,199
» Hi.

6011
04:14:24,960 --> 04:14:28,479
» Council person Griffin.

6012
04:14:27,199 --> 04:14:30,800
» Hi.

6013
04:14:28,479 --> 04:14:34,319
» Council person Labbor.

6014
04:14:30,800 --> 04:14:36,479
And just on on 10.6 and 10.7

6015
04:14:34,319 --> 04:14:39,120
um

6016
04:14:36,479 --> 04:14:41,920
for for the viewing public, this is our

6017
04:14:39,120 --> 04:14:43,920
prescription benefits coverage for um

6018
04:14:41,920 --> 04:14:46,000
Medicare retirees,

6019
04:14:43,920 --> 04:14:49,680
uh eligible retirees,

6020
04:14:46,000 --> 04:14:55,600
um and for our city employees.

6021
04:14:49,680 --> 04:14:57,600
um the the original contract and um I

6022
04:14:55,600 --> 04:15:01,040
guess correct me if I'm wrong on any of

6023
04:14:57,600 --> 04:15:04,800
my language like estimated our costs to

6024
04:15:01,040 --> 04:15:07,040
be $14 million annually for one and then

6025
04:15:04,800 --> 04:15:11,439
um what the exact number was for the

6026
04:15:07,040 --> 04:15:14,479
other one but um and and collectively

6027
04:15:11,439 --> 04:15:16,800
it's increasing the purchase order

6028
04:15:14,479 --> 04:15:19,279
because and correct me again if I'm

6029
04:15:16,800 --> 04:15:23,359
wrong but we've already exceeded those

6030
04:15:19,279 --> 04:15:26,000
dollars, the uh um the amount spent on

6031
04:15:23,359 --> 04:15:29,520
our prescription drug coverage um here

6032
04:15:26,000 --> 04:15:32,319
in Jersey City uh for our employees. Um

6033
04:15:29,520 --> 04:15:34,720
and we're increasing it by 50% in both

6034
04:15:32,319 --> 04:15:36,960
cases. Right. So the total increase is

6035
04:15:34,720 --> 04:15:38,399
13 million. It's budgeted to the

6036
04:15:36,960 --> 04:15:42,319
administration's credit. It's been

6037
04:15:38,399 --> 04:15:44,720
budgeted here um in our introduced

6038
04:15:42,319 --> 04:15:48,479
budget and um that will come for a final

6039
04:15:44,720 --> 04:15:53,399
vote. Um you I I just want to comment on

6040
04:15:48,479 --> 04:15:53,399
a couple things which is that um there

6041
04:15:54,319 --> 04:15:58,640
Gilmore said this somebody needs to be

6042
04:15:55,920 --> 04:16:03,439
held accountable for this stuff. I mean

6043
04:15:58,640 --> 04:16:05,359
this is really um egregious um and and

6044
04:16:03,439 --> 04:16:07,760
I've asked for and I still have to kind

6045
04:16:05,359 --> 04:16:09,680
of look at the record on this uh what

6046
04:16:07,760 --> 04:16:15,520
happened in 2025 when this was approved

6047
04:16:09,680 --> 04:16:18,880
in December of 2025. Um but um to

6048
04:16:15,520 --> 04:16:20,479
uh under uh estimate these costs that

6049
04:16:18,880 --> 04:16:23,359
severely

6050
04:16:20,479 --> 04:16:27,520
um when we know that these costs just

6051
04:16:23,359 --> 04:16:30,479
keep rising year after year. Um I can't

6052
04:16:27,520 --> 04:16:34,080
help but think that there's uh more than

6053
04:16:30,479 --> 04:16:35,920
just uh an error in judgment, right?

6054
04:16:34,080 --> 04:16:40,720
that there was something intentionally

6055
04:16:35,920 --> 04:16:42,880
done here to um uh to defer charges,

6056
04:16:40,720 --> 04:16:45,520
which is what this is, has shown up in

6057
04:16:42,880 --> 04:16:46,720
our budget. So, for folks who've asked

6058
04:16:45,520 --> 04:16:51,199
about where the some of the deferred

6059
04:16:46,720 --> 04:16:53,600
charges are, um here's um I guess was it

6060
04:16:51,199 --> 04:16:55,199
21 million of it or something to that

6061
04:16:53,600 --> 04:16:57,760
effect. I'm not sure exact what the

6062
04:16:55,199 --> 04:17:01,279
numbers are at this point, but um but

6063
04:16:57,760 --> 04:17:03,359
between these two contracts, uh so you

6064
04:17:01,279 --> 04:17:07,920
can find some of it right here, a good

6065
04:17:03,359 --> 04:17:10,080
chunk of it. Um and it's uh uh it's

6066
04:17:07,920 --> 04:17:13,199
frankly terrible for the for the people

6067
04:17:10,080 --> 04:17:15,199
of Jersey City. And um and so we have to

6068
04:17:13,199 --> 04:17:16,880
deal with this kind of moving forward

6069
04:17:15,199 --> 04:17:20,960
and figure out how best to bring these

6070
04:17:16,880 --> 04:17:22,239
costs under control. Um, and it's my

6071
04:17:20,960 --> 04:17:23,760
idea that I'm going to fight to do that

6072
04:17:22,239 --> 04:17:26,720
and figure out working with the

6073
04:17:23,760 --> 04:17:31,520
administration how to rein these costs

6074
04:17:26,720 --> 04:17:34,880
in. Um, that being said, um,

6075
04:17:31,520 --> 04:17:38,080
given the uh opinion of the corporation

6076
04:17:34,880 --> 04:17:40,800
council that this is uh um only

6077
04:17:38,080 --> 04:17:44,159
affecting 2026

6078
04:17:40,800 --> 04:17:46,880
and that uh um and that's budgeted for

6079
04:17:44,159 --> 04:17:51,359
in this current budget. Um, I'm going to

6080
04:17:46,880 --> 04:17:53,600
vote I on all.

6081
04:17:51,359 --> 04:17:56,159
» Council President Ridley.

6082
04:17:53,600 --> 04:17:59,120
» I

6083
04:17:56,159 --> 04:18:02,080
» Hey Sean, I'm Excuse me, Sean. I had to

6084
04:17:59,120 --> 04:18:05,120
abstain on six and seven.

6085
04:18:02,080 --> 04:18:08,560
10.6 and 10.7

6086
04:18:05,120 --> 04:18:10,960
toward two of the not the same two of

6087
04:18:08,560 --> 04:18:13,040
the

6088
04:18:10,960 --> 04:18:15,120
uh prescription

6089
04:18:13,040 --> 04:18:19,040
benefits.

6090
04:18:15,120 --> 04:18:20,880
So I abstain on 10.6 and 10.7.

6091
04:18:19,040 --> 04:18:24,080
Got it.

6092
04:18:20,880 --> 04:18:27,279
I can just recap.

6093
04:18:24,080 --> 04:18:31,199
Items 10.1 through 10.5 are approved

6094
04:18:27,279 --> 04:18:32,880
unanimously. 90. Item 10.6 is approved.

6095
04:18:31,199 --> 04:18:35,600
801

6096
04:18:32,880 --> 04:18:40,960
with council person Gilmore abstaining.

6097
04:18:35,600 --> 04:18:43,680
Item 10.7 same vote 8 01 with council

6098
04:18:40,960 --> 04:18:47,199
person Gilmore abstaining. Items 10.8

6099
04:18:43,680 --> 04:18:48,720
through 10.2. 2 are approved unanimously

6100
04:18:47,199 --> 04:18:51,199
90.

6101
04:18:48,720 --> 04:18:53,199
On to our next set of resolutions going

6102
04:18:51,199 --> 04:18:56,000
from 10.13

6103
04:18:53,199 --> 04:18:58,239
through 10.23.

6104
04:18:56,000 --> 04:19:00,640
Council person Brooks.

6105
04:18:58,239 --> 04:19:02,479
» A lot of great grant funding in here. I

6106
04:19:00,640 --> 04:19:03,600
vote I on all.

6107
04:19:02,479 --> 04:19:04,720
» Council person Zupa.

6108
04:19:03,600 --> 04:19:06,159
» Hi.

6109
04:19:04,720 --> 04:19:07,120
» Council person Efos.

6110
04:19:06,159 --> 04:19:08,319
» Hi.

6111
04:19:07,120 --> 04:19:09,199
» Council person Little.

6112
04:19:08,319 --> 04:19:11,359
» Hi.

6113
04:19:09,199 --> 04:19:15,439
» Council person Gilmore.

6114
04:19:11,359 --> 04:19:18,640
» A quick question. Sean for um 1013. Uh

6115
04:19:15,439 --> 04:19:20,239
Steph is that's the young lady that's

6116
04:19:18,640 --> 04:19:22,960
HR, right? That's the

6117
04:19:20,239 --> 04:19:24,960
» She's the HR director. Correct.

6118
04:19:22,960 --> 04:19:25,520
» She we haven't voted on her appointment

6119
04:19:24,960 --> 04:19:29,359
yet.

6120
04:19:25,520 --> 04:19:31,199
» No, this is this is voting to for her to

6121
04:19:29,359 --> 04:19:34,840
become a member of the

6122
04:19:31,199 --> 04:19:34,840
» Insurance fun commission.

6123
04:19:35,680 --> 04:19:40,319
» So because HR is now under

6124
04:19:38,159 --> 04:19:43,760
» It's under the BA. It's not a standalone

6125
04:19:40,319 --> 04:19:45,840
department. Oh, okay.

6126
04:19:43,760 --> 04:19:49,479
» She's a division director basically.

6127
04:19:45,840 --> 04:19:49,479
» Yes. Yes.

6128
04:19:51,920 --> 04:19:57,000
» And we going to which one again, Sean?

6129
04:19:54,000 --> 04:19:57,000
» 10.23.

6130
04:19:59,920 --> 04:20:04,000
» I council person Singh.

6131
04:20:03,040 --> 04:20:06,479
» Hi.

6132
04:20:04,000 --> 04:20:10,120
» Council person Griffin. I

6133
04:20:06,479 --> 04:20:10,120
» Council person Labaro.

6134
04:20:10,560 --> 04:20:12,239
What what numbers are we voting through

6135
04:20:11,920 --> 04:20:16,439
to

6136
04:20:12,239 --> 04:20:16,439
» 10.13 to 10.23?

6137
04:20:17,600 --> 04:20:22,560
» Um just on uh 10.16 I just want to

6138
04:20:20,159 --> 04:20:25,520
reiterate what I said at caucus um with

6139
04:20:22,560 --> 04:20:28,479
this new round of funding the opioid

6140
04:20:25,520 --> 04:20:30,720
settlement um

6141
04:20:28,479 --> 04:20:33,279
staying within compliance rules for for

6142
04:20:30,720 --> 04:20:34,800
these funds. Um, I would urge the

6143
04:20:33,279 --> 04:20:39,199
administration since it takes effect in

6144
04:20:34,800 --> 04:20:43,279
2027 to look at using this as a offset

6145
04:20:39,199 --> 04:20:46,479
for our budget in the next budget cycle.

6146
04:20:43,279 --> 04:20:49,840
um we need to use every dollar I will

6147
04:20:46,479 --> 04:20:53,359
implore um that we can use to offset

6148
04:20:49,840 --> 04:20:57,600
these grants in 2026 where this money

6149
04:20:53,359 --> 04:21:00,720
was used in 2026 to award grants to uh

6150
04:20:57,600 --> 04:21:05,040
programs that had to do with steam kind

6151
04:21:00,720 --> 04:21:10,159
of education um around uh um opioid use

6152
04:21:05,040 --> 04:21:12,319
and so forth and drug use um

6153
04:21:10,159 --> 04:21:14,399
helpful but it wasn't it wasn't an

6154
04:21:12,319 --> 04:21:16,399
essential program that we were like

6155
04:21:14,399 --> 04:21:21,120
having to do because we never had this

6156
04:21:16,399 --> 04:21:23,199
money previously. So I know because

6157
04:21:21,120 --> 04:21:24,960
when I worked at St. Peters University,

6158
04:21:23,199 --> 04:21:26,399
I applied for the grant and St. Peters

6159
04:21:24,960 --> 04:21:30,239
University was awarded a grant at the

6160
04:21:26,399 --> 04:21:33,279
time. Um and so um I would implore us to

6161
04:21:30,239 --> 04:21:35,840
use these monies for uh budget offsets.

6162
04:21:33,279 --> 04:21:37,920
Um I vote I

6163
04:21:35,840 --> 04:21:38,960
council person Ridley, Council President

6164
04:21:37,920 --> 04:21:42,800
Ridley, sorry.

6165
04:21:38,960 --> 04:21:46,159
» That's okay. Same thing. I

6166
04:21:42,800 --> 04:21:49,520
» Items 10.13 through 10.23 are approved

6167
04:21:46,159 --> 04:21:51,840
unanimously 90.

6168
04:21:49,520 --> 04:21:55,760
» On to our next set of resolutions. Items

6169
04:21:51,840 --> 04:21:59,520
10.24 through 10.35.

6170
04:21:55,760 --> 04:22:00,479
Again 24 to 35. Council person Brooks.

6171
04:21:59,520 --> 04:22:01,920
» Hi.

6172
04:22:00,479 --> 04:22:05,279
» Council person Zupa.

6173
04:22:01,920 --> 04:22:06,640
» I just on a note on 1035 there for

6174
04:22:05,279 --> 04:22:08,080
anyone concerned about the pilot

6175
04:22:06,640 --> 04:22:12,720
program. And this is just a pilot for

6176
04:22:08,080 --> 04:22:14,960
the um parking and violation cameras. Uh

6177
04:22:12,720 --> 04:22:16,720
it's for enforcement. It's not to

6178
04:22:14,960 --> 04:22:18,239
collect any data. I understand there's

6179
04:22:16,720 --> 04:22:22,080
some concern about other types of

6180
04:22:18,239 --> 04:22:24,640
cameras uh utilized in other parts of um

6181
04:22:22,080 --> 04:22:26,720
the US. That's not what this is. Uh and

6182
04:22:24,640 --> 04:22:28,800
and someone asked a great question in my

6183
04:22:26,720 --> 04:22:30,159
our town hall the other day, which was

6184
04:22:28,800 --> 04:22:31,680
why don't we just hire more parking

6185
04:22:30,159 --> 04:22:33,279
enforcement officers, which is also a

6186
04:22:31,680 --> 04:22:34,640
great idea, but they can't be at two

6187
04:22:33,279 --> 04:22:37,040
places at once. And we have an issue in

6188
04:22:34,640 --> 04:22:38,880
W C specifically around Bergen Avenue

6189
04:22:37,040 --> 04:22:41,040
where this pilot's going to go and in

6190
04:22:38,880 --> 04:22:42,800
Journal Square with double parking which

6191
04:22:41,040 --> 04:22:44,560
uh makes the streets less safer for

6192
04:22:42,800 --> 04:22:47,520
everyone. So I vote I on all and that

6193
04:22:44,560 --> 04:22:49,600
was my note on 1035.

6194
04:22:47,520 --> 04:22:51,760
Council person Nefros,

6195
04:22:49,600 --> 04:22:53,920
» I will vote I on all and just to carry

6196
04:22:51,760 --> 04:22:57,120
on the the comments of my colleague,

6197
04:22:53,920 --> 04:23:00,239
Councilman Zupa. Um just want to put

6198
04:22:57,120 --> 04:23:04,159
into the record that the pilot program

6199
04:23:00,239 --> 04:23:07,439
for uh CAP, the camera um automated

6200
04:23:04,159 --> 04:23:09,520
parking enforcement. It's not a ALPR,

6201
04:23:07,439 --> 04:23:11,359
the automated license plate reader. Um

6202
04:23:09,520 --> 04:23:13,359
it does not capture all passing

6203
04:23:11,359 --> 04:23:16,319
vehicles. These cameras, they do not

6204
04:23:13,359 --> 04:23:17,840
capture images um regardless of whether

6205
04:23:16,319 --> 04:23:20,319
a crime has occurred. It's really only

6206
04:23:17,840 --> 04:23:22,720
for those violations of parking rules.

6207
04:23:20,319 --> 04:23:24,399
It does not capture or store details

6208
04:23:22,720 --> 04:23:26,080
that aren't relevant to the parking

6209
04:23:24,399 --> 04:23:29,520
violation, whether it's the state of

6210
04:23:26,080 --> 04:23:32,479
your car, bumper stickers, and so on. No

6211
04:23:29,520 --> 04:23:35,199
uh faces or facial recognition

6212
04:23:32,479 --> 04:23:37,840
technology is used. Um it's not

6213
04:23:35,199 --> 04:23:40,000
searchable by law enforcement for any

6214
04:23:37,840 --> 04:23:42,720
reason, and it's not shared with any

6215
04:23:40,000 --> 04:23:44,960
third party or unauthorized users. So,

6216
04:23:42,720 --> 04:23:46,560
um, you know, we I just felt like it was

6217
04:23:44,960 --> 04:23:48,800
really important to make that clear into

6218
04:23:46,560 --> 04:23:50,960
the record for the public um before we

6219
04:23:48,800 --> 04:23:53,680
vote on this. It is a pilot so we can

6220
04:23:50,960 --> 04:23:55,840
assess as we go. Um, but I look forward

6221
04:23:53,680 --> 04:23:58,319
to uh seeing if this is really effective

6222
04:23:55,840 --> 04:24:01,359
as it has been in other cities for uh

6223
04:23:58,319 --> 04:24:03,600
street safety. So, I vote I.

6224
04:24:01,359 --> 04:24:06,399
» Council person Little.

6225
04:24:03,600 --> 04:24:08,560
» I also vote I. I would like to echo my

6226
04:24:06,399 --> 04:24:13,520
colleagues Ephesus, Councilman Ephris

6227
04:24:08,560 --> 04:24:15,600
and and Zuba. Um, you know, we take

6228
04:24:13,520 --> 04:24:17,600
street safety concerns very seriously

6229
04:24:15,600 --> 04:24:20,399
and we also take privacy concerns very

6230
04:24:17,600 --> 04:24:23,120
seriously. Um,

6231
04:24:20,399 --> 04:24:25,840
this has a proven track record of

6232
04:24:23,120 --> 04:24:27,359
helping with parking enforcement and

6233
04:24:25,840 --> 04:24:31,040
street safety, traffic safety,

6234
04:24:27,359 --> 04:24:35,040
pedestrian safety in other cities. Um,

6235
04:24:31,040 --> 04:24:38,080
and to add on to um everything that

6236
04:24:35,040 --> 04:24:39,600
Councilman Effort said, this camera

6237
04:24:38,080 --> 04:24:44,399
assisted parking enforcement program

6238
04:24:39,600 --> 04:24:47,199
does not do, um, it does

6239
04:24:44,399 --> 04:24:49,520
um, deidentify faces and personal

6240
04:24:47,199 --> 04:24:52,399
features before the imagery is even

6241
04:24:49,520 --> 04:24:55,680
transmitted or stored. So, it it blurs

6242
04:24:52,399 --> 04:24:58,239
the faces essentially before before it's

6243
04:24:55,680 --> 04:25:00,640
even uploaded. Um

6244
04:24:58,239 --> 04:25:02,800
and it only captures the vehicles

6245
04:25:00,640 --> 04:25:04,560
violating the parking rules. So if you

6246
04:25:02,800 --> 04:25:10,080
are not violating a parking rule, your

6247
04:25:04,560 --> 04:25:14,159
vehicle will not be captured um in an

6248
04:25:10,080 --> 04:25:16,000
image. So um this is very very limited.

6249
04:25:14,159 --> 04:25:19,359
This is not part of the surveillance

6250
04:25:16,000 --> 04:25:23,520
state. This is um a really helpful and

6251
04:25:19,359 --> 04:25:27,680
useful tool for us to achieve our vision

6252
04:25:23,520 --> 04:25:29,520
zero goals. So I vote I. Council person

6253
04:25:27,680 --> 04:25:30,880
Gilmore.

6254
04:25:29,520 --> 04:25:33,520
Council person Singh.

6255
04:25:30,880 --> 04:25:36,800
» I vote I and want to clarify one more

6256
04:25:33,520 --> 04:25:38,319
thing. Um I asked this question to

6257
04:25:36,800 --> 04:25:42,720
infrastructure

6258
04:25:38,319 --> 04:25:45,920
both the the location they have chosen

6259
04:25:42,720 --> 04:25:49,439
are uh near public transit and the

6260
04:25:45,920 --> 04:25:52,880
reason for that is that majority sorry

6261
04:25:49,439 --> 04:25:56,479
majority of people come and park their

6262
04:25:52,880 --> 04:25:59,359
cars and leave for the city. So we do

6263
04:25:56,479 --> 04:26:02,080
not want to target residents. We just

6264
04:25:59,359 --> 04:26:04,319
want to make sure people who are parking

6265
04:26:02,080 --> 04:26:07,199
and leaving Jersey City right away.

6266
04:26:04,319 --> 04:26:09,520
That's the idea behind it and I vote I

6267
04:26:07,199 --> 04:26:11,120
on all. Thanks.

6268
04:26:09,520 --> 04:26:12,080
» Council person Griffin.

6269
04:26:11,120 --> 04:26:14,399
» Hi.

6270
04:26:12,080 --> 04:26:15,920
» Council person Lavaro.

6271
04:26:14,399 --> 04:26:18,399
» Sorry, I'm just going to backtrack just

6272
04:26:15,920 --> 04:26:20,880
to because I I made some incorrect

6273
04:26:18,399 --> 04:26:23,199
information with regard to resolutions

6274
04:26:20,880 --> 04:26:24,479
10.6 to 10.7. My vote remains the same,

6275
04:26:23,199 --> 04:26:28,000
but just for the record, I want to

6276
04:26:24,479 --> 04:26:33,439
correct the 10.6 six. The amount for the

6277
04:26:28,000 --> 04:26:37,600
previous um contract was or cap or was

6278
04:26:33,439 --> 04:26:41,520
$14 million and this increases that for

6279
04:26:37,600 --> 04:26:44,880
this 2026 year to 21 million and that's

6280
04:26:41,520 --> 04:26:46,880
50% increase. And then the other

6281
04:26:44,880 --> 04:26:50,880
resolution for also pro prescription

6282
04:26:46,880 --> 04:26:54,000
drug for Medicare eligible retirees. Um

6283
04:26:50,880 --> 04:26:56,319
it was approved in 2025 at 12 million

6284
04:26:54,000 --> 04:26:59,279
and this increases the cap to $18

6285
04:26:56,319 --> 04:27:02,159
million. So a $6 million increase 50%

6286
04:26:59,279 --> 04:27:04,640
again. Between those two um it's a $13

6287
04:27:02,159 --> 04:27:07,840
million increase. So just want to make

6288
04:27:04,640 --> 04:27:11,600
sure for the media as well report that

6289
04:27:07,840 --> 04:27:13,840
correctly. Um and um with regard to the

6290
04:27:11,600 --> 04:27:16,960
resolutions that we're talking about uh

6291
04:27:13,840 --> 04:27:20,720
10.24 to 10.35

6292
04:27:16,960 --> 04:27:23,840
um on 10.26 and 10.27

6293
04:27:20,720 --> 04:27:25,520
um I I just want to I I don't think I

6294
04:27:23,840 --> 04:27:28,319
necessarily it's not going to change my

6295
04:27:25,520 --> 04:27:29,920
vote here but I'm going to vote yes. Um

6296
04:27:28,319 --> 04:27:32,239
but I requested certain information

6297
04:27:29,920 --> 04:27:35,120
related to that. Ask my staff to um

6298
04:27:32,239 --> 04:27:37,680
follow up on that. It's not uh I don't

6299
04:27:35,120 --> 04:27:42,239
what I see I don't think it's complete

6300
04:27:37,680 --> 04:27:46,080
that I received. Um and then on 10.35,

6301
04:27:42,239 --> 04:27:48,080
um can you just clarify for me that uh

6302
04:27:46,080 --> 04:27:51,640
this is a pilot program and how long is

6303
04:27:48,080 --> 04:27:51,640
the pilot for?

6304
04:28:02,399 --> 04:28:06,880
» Oh, Peter. Oh, Peter was on this, right?

6305
04:28:04,880 --> 04:28:07,359
» Yeah.

6306
04:28:06,880 --> 04:28:09,600
this.

6307
04:28:07,359 --> 04:28:11,520
» Sorry, I can I can answer this. So,

6308
04:28:09,600 --> 04:28:13,520
we're we're planning on running it for a

6309
04:28:11,520 --> 04:28:15,920
few months um and they're in different

6310
04:28:13,520 --> 04:28:19,840
locations and doing an evaluation and

6311
04:28:15,920 --> 04:28:22,239
sharing the results back to the council.

6312
04:28:19,840 --> 04:28:24,080
» So, hypothetically,

6313
04:28:22,239 --> 04:28:25,199
um how many months did you say six

6314
04:28:24,080 --> 04:28:26,000
months?

6315
04:28:25,199 --> 04:28:28,399
» A few months.

6316
04:28:26,000 --> 04:28:31,520
» Few months. The contract itself is for

6317
04:28:28,399 --> 04:28:35,760
one year. So if if at the conclusion of

6318
04:28:31,520 --> 04:28:39,199
the um pilot

6319
04:28:35,760 --> 04:28:40,720
conclude that it's not uh effective

6320
04:28:39,199 --> 04:28:43,279
which I don't think it I think it will

6321
04:28:40,720 --> 04:28:46,640
be but um but if we come to that

6322
04:28:43,279 --> 04:28:49,600
conclusion do we have an out on the

6323
04:28:46,640 --> 04:28:52,600
contract to

6324
04:28:49,600 --> 04:28:52,600
terminate

6325
04:28:54,720 --> 04:28:59,840
» The contract is zero costs but I believe

6326
04:28:57,040 --> 04:29:03,920
in the contract we also of certain

6327
04:28:59,840 --> 04:29:05,600
requirements and um if the if any vendor

6328
04:29:03,920 --> 04:29:09,359
is not meeting the requirements of the

6329
04:29:05,600 --> 04:29:13,399
city we can terminate the contract.

6330
04:29:09,359 --> 04:29:13,399
» Thank you. I I vote I

6331
04:29:13,920 --> 04:29:18,080
» On all

6332
04:29:15,199 --> 04:29:19,520
» I and Council President Ridley

6333
04:29:18,080 --> 04:29:22,960
» I

6334
04:29:19,520 --> 04:29:26,080
» Items 10.24 through 10.35 are approved

6335
04:29:22,960 --> 04:29:28,319
unanimously 90.

6336
04:29:26,080 --> 04:29:30,159
On to our next set of resolutions. Items

6337
04:29:28,319 --> 04:29:32,239
10.36

6338
04:29:30,159 --> 04:29:36,560
through 10.46.

6339
04:29:32,239 --> 04:29:37,600
Again, 36 to 46. Council person Brooks.

6340
04:29:36,560 --> 04:29:39,439
» Hi.

6341
04:29:37,600 --> 04:29:40,319
» Council person Zupa.

6342
04:29:39,439 --> 04:29:42,159
» Hi.

6343
04:29:40,319 --> 04:29:43,120
» Council person Efos.

6344
04:29:42,159 --> 04:29:44,479
» Hi.

6345
04:29:43,120 --> 04:29:45,520
» Council person Little.

6346
04:29:44,479 --> 04:29:47,199
» Hi.

6347
04:29:45,520 --> 04:29:47,840
» Council person Gilmore.

6348
04:29:47,199 --> 04:29:49,439
» Hi.

6349
04:29:47,840 --> 04:29:50,399
» Council person Singh.

6350
04:29:49,439 --> 04:29:52,560
» Hi.

6351
04:29:50,399 --> 04:29:54,720
» Council person Griffin. Hi.

6352
04:29:52,560 --> 04:29:54,880
» Council person Lavaro.

6353
04:29:54,720 --> 04:29:56,800
Did

6354
04:29:54,880 --> 04:29:57,840
» You say 10:46?

6355
04:29:56,800 --> 04:29:59,439
» Yes.

6356
04:29:57,840 --> 04:30:00,720
I have a notation. This is withdrawing.

6357
04:29:59,439 --> 04:30:05,520
Is that wrong?

6358
04:30:00,720 --> 04:30:08,920
» That's correct. It's withdrawn. 10:46.

6359
04:30:05,520 --> 04:30:08,920
» Oh, I'm sorry.

6360
04:30:11,359 --> 04:30:16,680
So, we're going to third uh 45

6361
04:30:17,439 --> 04:30:24,840
because 46 was withdrawn. I apologize.

6362
04:30:21,120 --> 04:30:24,840
It's long day.

6363
04:30:26,479 --> 04:30:31,399
I vote uh no on 10.41.

6364
04:30:32,159 --> 04:30:40,000
Um and this is a claim again um

6365
04:30:37,520 --> 04:30:41,680
work that was not under contract at the

6366
04:30:40,000 --> 04:30:45,680
time. I've consistently voted against

6367
04:30:41,680 --> 04:30:49,800
this. I'm going to vote no on 10.41

6368
04:30:45,680 --> 04:30:49,800
and vote I and all the rest.

6369
04:30:52,000 --> 04:30:57,359
So, President Ridley,

6370
04:30:55,040 --> 04:30:59,439
» I

6371
04:30:57,359 --> 04:31:02,960
» Okay,

6372
04:30:59,439 --> 04:31:05,920
I can just recap. Items 10.36

6373
04:31:02,960 --> 04:31:08,880
through 10.40 are approved unanimously.

6374
04:31:05,920 --> 04:31:11,840
90. Item 10.41

6375
04:31:08,880 --> 04:31:15,359
is approved 81 with council person

6376
04:31:11,840 --> 04:31:16,960
Lavaro voting no. Items 10.42 through

6377
04:31:15,359 --> 04:31:21,479
10.45

6378
04:31:16,960 --> 04:31:21,479
are approved unanimously 90.

6379
04:31:21,600 --> 04:31:30,239
Okay, on to our next set of resolutions.

6380
04:31:25,279 --> 04:31:35,319
Um, I believe we are withdrawing

6381
04:31:30,239 --> 04:31:35,319
item 10.48. Is that correct?

6382
04:31:35,680 --> 04:31:37,199
» It's correct.

6383
04:31:36,640 --> 04:31:39,520
» Yes.

6384
04:31:37,199 --> 04:31:43,359
» Okay. So, council members are going to

6385
04:31:39,520 --> 04:31:46,159
be taking a vote on items 10.47

6386
04:31:43,359 --> 04:31:50,560
through 10.56.

6387
04:31:46,159 --> 04:31:52,239
I'm holding 10.57 for a reason.

6388
04:31:50,560 --> 04:31:55,239
and wait till you hear what that reason

6389
04:31:52,239 --> 04:31:55,239
is.

6390
04:32:00,960 --> 04:32:06,319
» And keep in mind 10.48 has been

6391
04:32:03,279 --> 04:32:08,640
withdrawn. Council person Brooks,

6392
04:32:06,319 --> 04:32:11,640
» I vote I. Congratulations. Uh, Mr.

6393
04:32:08,640 --> 04:32:11,640
Nolan,

6394
04:32:12,080 --> 04:32:15,359
» Person Zupa.

6395
04:32:13,120 --> 04:32:18,399
» I,

6396
04:32:15,359 --> 04:32:21,040
» Council Person Efos. I go,

6397
04:32:18,399 --> 04:32:22,640
» Council Person Little,

6398
04:32:21,040 --> 04:32:23,680
Council Person Gilmore,

6399
04:32:22,640 --> 04:32:26,800
» I

6400
04:32:23,680 --> 04:32:30,000
» Council Person Sing,

6401
04:32:26,800 --> 04:32:34,080
» I and I congratulate corporate council

6402
04:32:30,000 --> 04:32:37,080
to get the furniture for the office.

6403
04:32:34,080 --> 04:32:37,080
» Okay,

6404
04:32:37,680 --> 04:32:43,600
» Council Person Griffin.

6405
04:32:39,279 --> 04:32:45,199
» Uh 10:49, I'm going to abstain. um only

6406
04:32:43,600 --> 04:32:49,040
because I believe that, you know, with

6407
04:32:45,199 --> 04:32:50,560
300,000 residents, I believe, you know,

6408
04:32:49,040 --> 04:32:53,279
uh we didn't search hard enough within

6409
04:32:50,560 --> 04:32:55,120
our city, uh this is no knock to Mr.

6410
04:32:53,279 --> 04:32:58,960
Nolan. Um I'm pretty sure he's

6411
04:32:55,120 --> 04:33:02,319
qualified. Um and congratulations. Uh

6412
04:32:58,960 --> 04:33:05,279
but I vote eye on everything else.

6413
04:33:02,319 --> 04:33:08,561
» Council person Lubara,

6414
04:33:05,279 --> 04:33:10,320
» Just a question on 10.49. Um is Mr.

6415
04:33:08,561 --> 04:33:13,520
Nolan a Jersey City resident in his

6416
04:33:10,320 --> 04:33:13,520
residency required?

6417
04:33:19,359 --> 04:33:22,359
is

6418
04:33:22,959 --> 04:33:26,799
to

6419
04:33:23,279 --> 04:33:29,439
» He is not a resident of Jersey City. I

6420
04:33:26,799 --> 04:33:31,359
hope and think that his residency is not

6421
04:33:29,439 --> 04:33:33,439
required, but I do not know off the top

6422
04:33:31,359 --> 04:33:34,799
of my head.

6423
04:33:33,439 --> 04:33:38,080
It's not going to change my position on

6424
04:33:34,799 --> 04:33:41,199
this, but um if he is required and just

6425
04:33:38,080 --> 04:33:43,600
like the previous um appointees, it's a

6426
04:33:41,199 --> 04:33:47,359
a waiver is required um in order to do

6427
04:33:43,600 --> 04:33:50,561
that, I would assume. I don't know to

6428
04:33:47,359 --> 04:33:54,799
look into that. That'd be great. Um

6429
04:33:50,561 --> 04:33:58,240
so that being said, um

6430
04:33:54,799 --> 04:34:00,719
I too am going to abstain on 10.49 49.

6431
04:33:58,240 --> 04:34:04,639
And I'm going to share my reasons, which

6432
04:34:00,719 --> 04:34:09,680
is uh we we've got talent here in Jersey

6433
04:34:04,639 --> 04:34:14,359
City. And um and frankly, a lot of good

6434
04:34:09,680 --> 04:34:14,359
talent's gotten um

6435
04:34:14,959 --> 04:34:20,320
has left the city and uh we should be

6436
04:34:17,920 --> 04:34:23,039
trying to find ways to uh retain talent,

6437
04:34:20,320 --> 04:34:25,760
but also retain institutional knowledge.

6438
04:34:23,039 --> 04:34:28,160
um and folks who are familiar with

6439
04:34:25,760 --> 04:34:32,240
Jersey City. Um and we have people

6440
04:34:28,160 --> 04:34:34,719
literally in the tax office who've uh

6441
04:34:32,240 --> 04:34:36,160
put in a lot more time and had

6442
04:34:34,719 --> 04:34:38,080
credentials and there are people who've

6443
04:34:36,160 --> 04:34:40,799
left um that I don't think probably

6444
04:34:38,080 --> 04:34:44,400
should have left um probably could have

6445
04:34:40,799 --> 04:34:47,359
retained them. Uh

6446
04:34:44,400 --> 04:34:50,320
I I wish him the best. Um but I will say

6447
04:34:47,359 --> 04:34:54,799
this that um I think he Mr. Nolan

6448
04:34:50,320 --> 04:34:57,840
suggested that he had 25 um um pilots

6449
04:34:54,799 --> 04:35:01,119
that he worked on in in Payic. Um I

6450
04:34:57,840 --> 04:35:04,400
looked at their audit report. Um it

6451
04:35:01,119 --> 04:35:08,080
didn't mount more than 11 11 audits in

6452
04:35:04,400 --> 04:35:11,680
the previous uh three years. Um we have

6453
04:35:08,080 --> 04:35:13,439
over 140 and like hundreds I think of

6454
04:35:11,680 --> 04:35:16,160
fiveyear audits, fiveyear tax

6455
04:35:13,439 --> 04:35:18,799
abatements. Um

6456
04:35:16,160 --> 04:35:21,199
he'll be taking on the payroll tax um

6457
04:35:18,799 --> 04:35:23,279
which we know we've had challenges with

6458
04:35:21,199 --> 04:35:25,920
and now we have the opportunity and

6459
04:35:23,279 --> 04:35:29,279
funding to be able to put together a

6460
04:35:25,920 --> 04:35:30,799
robust um payroll tax department and

6461
04:35:29,279 --> 04:35:32,160
there's only two cities in the state of

6462
04:35:30,799 --> 04:35:35,439
New Jersey that do that. New York and

6463
04:35:32,160 --> 04:35:39,520
Jersey City. Um and Pay didn't have

6464
04:35:35,439 --> 04:35:41,840
that. So, um, when he was here at caucus

6465
04:35:39,520 --> 04:35:44,959
did not speak to that, um, and how he

6466
04:35:41,840 --> 04:35:48,080
would, um, address the payroll tax. Um,

6467
04:35:44,959 --> 04:35:51,920
so, uh,

6468
04:35:48,080 --> 04:35:54,561
obviously we need a tax collector. Um,

6469
04:35:51,920 --> 04:35:56,480
and so he has the votes already to pass.

6470
04:35:54,561 --> 04:36:00,480
So, I'm just going to abstain. Uh but

6471
04:35:56,480 --> 04:36:03,760
but I will also ask this is that um

6472
04:36:00,480 --> 04:36:06,561
the tax collector is also a um to call

6473
04:36:03,760 --> 04:36:08,719
the position where you get um tenure

6474
04:36:06,561 --> 04:36:10,879
» Statutory required position.

6475
04:36:08,719 --> 04:36:11,520
» Oh, I'm asking if it's a tenur position.

6476
04:36:10,879 --> 04:36:14,400
» It is.

6477
04:36:11,520 --> 04:36:16,240
» It is. So by by with this vote, are we

6478
04:36:14,400 --> 04:36:18,959
voting for his tenure or is it

6479
04:36:16,240 --> 04:36:20,799
» No, it's his appointment.

6480
04:36:18,959 --> 04:36:24,000
His first appointment. He would have to

6481
04:36:20,799 --> 04:36:26,000
be reappointed in order to get tenure.

6482
04:36:24,000 --> 04:36:26,240
When does that reappoint come up for

6483
04:36:26,000 --> 04:36:28,000
you?

6484
04:36:26,240 --> 04:36:29,680
» I believe it's written in the

6485
04:36:28,000 --> 04:36:33,279
resolution. I don't have it in front of

6486
04:36:29,680 --> 04:36:36,719
me, but I believe it's either three or

6487
04:36:33,279 --> 04:36:38,879
four years. Um, with the clerk, it's

6488
04:36:36,719 --> 04:36:40,480
three years. It's got to be similar to

6489
04:36:38,879 --> 04:36:43,520
that.

6490
04:36:40,480 --> 04:36:46,160
» Interesting. Um, so I abstain. I vote on

6491
04:36:43,520 --> 04:36:50,000
I and all the rest.

6492
04:36:46,160 --> 04:36:53,199
and Council President Ridley,

6493
04:36:50,000 --> 04:36:55,439
» I do not have the ordinance in front of

6494
04:36:53,199 --> 04:36:57,600
me and I'm trying to like search it from

6495
04:36:55,439 --> 04:37:00,240
my phone, but I think it was just

6496
04:36:57,600 --> 04:37:01,920
answered and I think I remember the tax

6497
04:37:00,240 --> 04:37:05,439
collector being part of the ordinance

6498
04:37:01,920 --> 04:37:07,840
where we have to do a waiver. Um, so

6499
04:37:05,439 --> 04:37:10,160
since we don't really have clarity on

6500
04:37:07,840 --> 04:37:13,279
that, I'm going to abstain because I

6501
04:37:10,160 --> 04:37:15,439
would prefer to do the waiver um, at the

6502
04:37:13,279 --> 04:37:17,279
same time. Uh, so we don't have a

6503
04:37:15,439 --> 04:37:19,359
situation like we did last time where we

6504
04:37:17,279 --> 04:37:24,480
confirmed someone and then later had to

6505
04:37:19,359 --> 04:37:27,760
go back and do the waiver. Um, but

6506
04:37:24,480 --> 04:37:31,279
best of luck to uh, Mr. Nolan and this

6507
04:37:27,760 --> 04:37:33,680
is in no way a reflection of him in his

6508
04:37:31,279 --> 04:37:37,600
resume.

6509
04:37:33,680 --> 04:37:41,439
» Hold on. Sarah, can can we just confirm

6510
04:37:37,600 --> 04:37:43,439
um because

6511
04:37:41,439 --> 04:37:46,000
we may have a bigger problem on our

6512
04:37:43,439 --> 04:37:48,080
hand. Um this is just for the

6513
04:37:46,000 --> 04:37:51,279
appointment. Now if there's a residency

6514
04:37:48,080 --> 04:37:53,600
status, what if anything happened? If

6515
04:37:51,279 --> 04:37:56,240
the the residency waiver get voted down

6516
04:37:53,600 --> 04:37:59,279
then how like

6517
04:37:56,240 --> 04:38:01,439
» Yes. So, can we is there any way we can

6518
04:37:59,279 --> 04:38:04,480
quickly confirm

6519
04:38:01,439 --> 04:38:08,879
um is the tax collector on the list for

6520
04:38:04,480 --> 04:38:13,520
the residency waiver? Because my fear is

6521
04:38:08,879 --> 04:38:15,680
if it is and for some reason he doesn't

6522
04:38:13,520 --> 04:38:20,039
clear that hurdle, what if anything

6523
04:38:15,680 --> 04:38:20,039
happens with this appointment vote?

6524
04:38:21,680 --> 04:38:28,480
The doicile requirement for certain city

6525
04:38:25,359 --> 04:38:32,000
employees is spelled out in chapter 53,

6526
04:38:28,480 --> 04:38:34,799
section two of our municipal code. Um,

6527
04:38:32,000 --> 04:38:36,799
section one of that same chapter defines

6528
04:38:34,799 --> 04:38:39,439
the employees who are covered by that

6529
04:38:36,799 --> 04:38:43,520
local residency requirement. It looks

6530
04:38:39,439 --> 04:38:45,359
like it does include the tax collector.

6531
04:38:43,520 --> 04:38:47,840
As we discussed the last time the

6532
04:38:45,359 --> 04:38:50,799
residency waiver resolution came before

6533
04:38:47,840 --> 04:38:53,600
this council, the ordinance as drafted

6534
04:38:50,799 --> 04:38:56,160
is largely silent as to what happens in

6535
04:38:53,600 --> 04:38:58,799
the event an employee fails to obtain a

6536
04:38:56,160 --> 04:39:00,561
waiver. It would be up to this council

6537
04:38:58,799 --> 04:39:03,680
to consider any amendments that would

6538
04:39:00,561 --> 04:39:05,920
give more clarity. A local ordinance

6539
04:39:03,680 --> 04:39:07,680
cannot interfere with certain

6540
04:39:05,920 --> 04:39:09,600
entitlements that an employee might

6541
04:39:07,680 --> 04:39:11,439
have. So for example, we talked about

6542
04:39:09,600 --> 04:39:14,400
how the local ordinance could not

6543
04:39:11,439 --> 04:39:16,799
overcome tenure in the case of our dear

6544
04:39:14,400 --> 04:39:18,799
clerk. So this would be untested

6545
04:39:16,799 --> 04:39:20,561
territory. There's no clarity in the

6546
04:39:18,799 --> 04:39:22,561
code as written about what the city

6547
04:39:20,561 --> 04:39:23,920
needs to do if it hires someone who then

6548
04:39:22,561 --> 04:39:27,199
fails to get a waiver.

6549
04:39:23,920 --> 04:39:31,439
» Okay. So VA, in light of that

6550
04:39:27,199 --> 04:39:33,439
explanation for legal, um Sean, is it

6551
04:39:31,439 --> 04:39:34,320
too late to request to pull it? because

6552
04:39:33,439 --> 04:39:36,879
we kind of

6553
04:39:34,320 --> 04:39:38,798
» We already have a vote on it and

6554
04:39:36,879 --> 04:39:40,080
» The I'm just awaiting council

6555
04:39:38,798 --> 04:39:43,080
president's vote on the rest of the

6556
04:39:40,080 --> 04:39:43,080
items.

6557
04:39:43,280 --> 04:39:49,200
» Well, I mean

6558
04:39:46,480 --> 04:39:51,040
I know I just need clarity. So that's if

6559
04:39:49,200 --> 04:39:52,798
I'm going to change my vote if we not

6560
04:39:51,040 --> 04:39:57,400
pulling it. So you go and ask the

6561
04:39:52,798 --> 04:39:57,400
council president about the rest.

6562
04:39:58,718 --> 04:40:02,560
» Yeah. Yeah.

6563
04:39:59,120 --> 04:40:04,320
» I vote I on all arrests.

6564
04:40:02,560 --> 04:40:06,240
So,

6565
04:40:04,320 --> 04:40:07,280
council person Gilmore, you're going to

6566
04:40:06,240 --> 04:40:09,680
change your vote, you said.

6567
04:40:07,280 --> 04:40:11,680
» Yeah, because I mean the thing is we

6568
04:40:09,680 --> 04:40:13,120
have to be able to do things in decency

6569
04:40:11,680 --> 04:40:15,440
or we have to be able to do things

6570
04:40:13,120 --> 04:40:18,400
right. I don't want to be in uncharted

6571
04:40:15,440 --> 04:40:21,520
territory,

6572
04:40:18,400 --> 04:40:23,680
right? So, if it's if I mean I just

6573
04:40:21,520 --> 04:40:26,878
don't understand how this stuff isn't

6574
04:40:23,680 --> 04:40:30,320
isn't out.

6575
04:40:26,878 --> 04:40:30,958
So, I I don't know what we can do. I

6576
04:40:30,320 --> 04:40:34,240
don't know if the

6577
04:40:30,958 --> 04:40:37,120
» So, is there a a request, I guess, or is

6578
04:40:34,240 --> 04:40:42,000
there a um is the administration willing

6579
04:40:37,120 --> 04:40:44,400
to move this item to the next meeting?

6580
04:40:42,000 --> 04:40:45,840
» We just voted on it.

6581
04:40:44,400 --> 04:40:47,760
» Yeah, but you have council people who

6582
04:40:45,840 --> 04:40:48,878
now want to change their vote.

6583
04:40:47,760 --> 04:40:51,440
» All right. Well, I'm changing my

6584
04:40:48,878 --> 04:40:52,798
» Which they are entitled to do.

6585
04:40:51,440 --> 04:40:55,760
» I don't want to be in uncharted

6586
04:40:52,798 --> 04:40:57,280
territory. I'm changing my vote to no.

6587
04:40:55,760 --> 04:41:01,280
» I didn't hear you.

6588
04:40:57,280 --> 04:41:01,280
» I'm changing my vote to no.

6589
04:41:03,840 --> 04:41:08,958
No on 1049. I on all the rest.

6590
04:41:06,878 --> 04:41:13,160
» Yes.

6591
04:41:08,958 --> 04:41:13,160
» Is anyone else changing their vote?

6592
04:41:14,160 --> 04:41:17,718
» Before I recap

6593
04:41:18,480 --> 04:41:21,680
I I

6594
04:41:20,240 --> 04:41:24,680
think the administration is trying to

6595
04:41:21,680 --> 04:41:24,680
figure.

6596
04:41:24,798 --> 04:41:28,760
We're not withdrawing it.

6597
04:41:30,480 --> 04:41:38,400
So just to confirm, I have Gilmore

6598
04:41:32,878 --> 04:41:41,200
voting no. Is Griffin you abstain to

6599
04:41:38,400 --> 04:41:42,400
» And Lavaro and council president?

6600
04:41:41,200 --> 04:41:45,718
» Correct.

6601
04:41:42,400 --> 04:41:45,718
» Anyone else?

6602
04:41:46,480 --> 04:41:51,840
All right.

6603
04:41:49,280 --> 04:41:56,240
Hearing none.

6604
04:41:51,840 --> 04:41:59,200
Item 10.47 is approved unanimously. 90.

6605
04:41:56,240 --> 04:42:02,200
Item 10.4 48 has been withdrawn. Item

6606
04:41:59,200 --> 04:42:02,200
10.49

6607
04:42:04,320 --> 04:42:10,798
is approved. 5

6608
04:42:08,560 --> 04:42:13,760
1

6609
04:42:10,798 --> 04:42:16,080
3

6610
04:42:13,760 --> 04:42:18,320
with council person Gilmore voting no

6611
04:42:16,080 --> 04:42:20,958
and the following council members

6612
04:42:18,320 --> 04:42:24,638
abstaining Griffin Lavaro and council

6613
04:42:20,958 --> 04:42:27,040
president Ridley.

6614
04:42:24,638 --> 04:42:30,480
And items 1050

6615
04:42:27,040 --> 04:42:32,240
through 10.56 are approved unanimously

6616
04:42:30,480 --> 04:42:34,718
90.

6617
04:42:32,240 --> 04:42:36,798
And on to the great moment of the night.

6618
04:42:34,718 --> 04:42:40,160
So

6619
04:42:36,798 --> 04:42:43,280
this is a local budget law requirements

6620
04:42:40,160 --> 04:42:47,280
that I must read the amendment

6621
04:42:43,280 --> 04:42:51,040
resolution in full prior to intro taking

6622
04:42:47,280 --> 04:42:52,798
the introductory vote of the amendment.

6623
04:42:51,040 --> 04:42:55,760
So, it's a resolution authorizing

6624
04:42:52,798 --> 04:42:57,680
amendments to the calendar year 2026

6625
04:42:55,760 --> 04:43:00,240
municipal budget. Whereas the calendar

6626
04:42:57,680 --> 04:43:02,240
year 2026 municipal budget for the city

6627
04:43:00,240 --> 04:43:05,360
of Jersey City was introduced on July

6628
04:43:02,240 --> 04:43:08,958
15, 2026, whereas a public hearing was

6629
04:43:05,360 --> 04:43:11,360
held on August 19th, 2026 and where it

6630
04:43:08,958 --> 04:43:13,680
is a desired to amend said budget prior

6631
04:43:11,360 --> 04:43:16,480
to adoption. Now, therefore, it be

6632
04:43:13,680 --> 04:43:19,120
resolved by the city council of the city

6633
04:43:16,480 --> 04:43:21,920
of Jersey City as follows. The following

6634
04:43:19,120 --> 04:43:26,840
amendments to the approved calendar year

6635
04:43:21,920 --> 04:43:26,840
2026 municipal budget be made.

6636
04:43:27,200 --> 04:43:32,080
General revenues. Number three,

6637
04:43:29,440 --> 04:43:33,760
miscellaneous revenues. Section A, local

6638
04:43:32,080 --> 04:43:36,878
revenues,

6639
04:43:33,760 --> 04:43:41,680
ABC license, excuse me, ABC fees and

6640
04:43:36,878 --> 04:43:46,680
licenses. Account number 08-029

6641
04:43:41,680 --> 04:43:46,680
one from 1 million to 1,120,000.

6642
04:43:46,878 --> 04:43:51,280
Food vendor licenses account number

6643
04:43:49,040 --> 04:43:56,040
08031

6644
04:43:51,280 --> 04:43:56,040
from 1 million to1 million20,000

6645
04:43:57,120 --> 04:44:01,120
and festival licenses account number

6646
04:43:59,120 --> 04:44:04,240
08033

6647
04:44:01,120 --> 04:44:06,878
from 10,000 to 13,000

6648
04:44:04,240 --> 04:44:13,160
parking enforcement permits and fees

6649
04:44:06,878 --> 04:44:13,160
from 2 million 400,000 to 2,480,000.

6650
04:44:13,840 --> 04:44:18,000
Is it all right if I don't have the

6651
04:44:16,000 --> 04:44:20,560
account numbers or do I have to read

6652
04:44:18,000 --> 04:44:22,480
them too?

6653
04:44:20,560 --> 04:44:26,400
I'm going to go back. Uh, the account

6654
04:44:22,480 --> 04:44:30,400
number for the carnival is 08033.

6655
04:44:26,400 --> 04:44:33,760
Parking enforcement 08042

6656
04:44:30,400 --> 04:44:36,958
parking. Okay, I think I'm caught up.

6657
04:44:33,760 --> 04:44:41,360
Uh, parking tax, parking lot taxes. It's

6658
04:44:36,958 --> 04:44:44,680
been a long day. OE44 from 8,900,000

6659
04:44:41,360 --> 04:44:44,680
to 8,916,000.

6660
04:44:45,120 --> 04:44:53,760
Recreation program fees 08-614

6661
04:44:50,080 --> 04:44:59,638
250,000 to 264,000.

6662
04:44:53,760 --> 04:44:59,638
Car inound license and fees 08-616

6663
04:45:00,718 --> 04:45:04,840
from 1 million to 1,ion45,000.

6664
04:45:05,440 --> 04:45:09,798
Interstate waste 08170

6665
04:45:09,920 --> 04:45:15,320
from nothing to 361,850.

6666
04:45:15,760 --> 04:45:25,560
Scrap metals 80 excuse me 08-615

6667
04:45:20,718 --> 04:45:25,560
from nothing to 454,264.

6668
04:45:26,638 --> 04:45:33,718
Fuel reimbursements 08165 from nothing

6669
04:45:30,320 --> 04:45:33,718
to $121,13.

6670
04:45:34,718 --> 04:45:42,040
Lot cleaning charges 08123 from nothing

6671
04:45:38,560 --> 04:45:42,040
to $16,659.

6672
04:45:43,280 --> 04:45:50,520
Recycling receptacles 08248

6673
04:45:46,480 --> 04:45:50,520
from nothing to 14,445.

6674
04:45:51,200 --> 04:45:57,120
Total section A local revenues 08001

6675
04:45:55,200 --> 04:46:00,878
57,800

6676
04:45:57,120 --> 04:46:04,280
from 57,839,000

6677
04:46:00,878 --> 04:46:04,280
to 59,15,321.

6678
04:46:06,080 --> 04:46:11,120
Next is number three, miscellaneous

6679
04:46:09,120 --> 04:46:13,600
revenue section B, state aid without

6680
04:46:11,120 --> 04:46:15,760
offsetting appropriations.

6681
04:46:13,600 --> 04:46:18,760
Building aid allowance for school aid

6682
04:46:15,760 --> 04:46:18,760
09-203523,53

6683
04:46:21,920 --> 04:46:24,920
to531,319.

6684
04:46:27,680 --> 04:46:32,560
Transitional aid 09212

6685
04:46:31,040 --> 04:46:37,920
from

6686
04:46:32,560 --> 04:46:40,798
120 million to to 15 million.

6687
04:46:37,920 --> 04:46:44,560
State loan 092213

6688
04:46:40,798 --> 04:46:47,360
from nothing to 105 million

6689
04:46:44,560 --> 04:46:50,480
total total section B state aid without

6690
04:46:47,360 --> 04:46:53,920
offsetting appropriations 09001

6691
04:46:50,480 --> 04:46:56,920
from 185,149,000

6692
04:46:53,920 --> 04:46:56,920
to185,156,816.

6693
04:47:01,120 --> 04:47:05,200
Number three, miscellaneous [snorts]

6694
04:47:02,718 --> 04:47:07,840
revenue. Section F, special items of

6695
04:47:05,200 --> 04:47:10,000
general revenues anticipated with prior

6696
04:47:07,840 --> 04:47:12,160
written consent of the director of the

6697
04:47:10,000 --> 04:47:14,718
of local government services. Private

6698
04:47:12,160 --> 04:47:17,440
and public, excuse me, public and

6699
04:47:14,718 --> 04:47:20,240
private revenues offset appropriations.

6700
04:47:17,440 --> 04:47:23,120
Senior nutrition

6701
04:47:20,240 --> 04:47:25,280
10-874

6702
04:47:23,120 --> 04:47:29,440
$11,250

6703
04:47:25,280 --> 04:47:31,440
to nothing. Total section F, special

6704
04:47:29,440 --> 04:47:33,840
items of revenue,

6705
04:47:31,440 --> 04:47:36,000
excuse me, special items of general

6706
04:47:33,840 --> 04:47:37,920
revenue anticipated with prior written

6707
04:47:36,000 --> 04:47:40,000
consent of the director of local

6708
04:47:37,920 --> 04:47:42,400
government services. Private and public

6709
04:47:40,000 --> 04:47:44,400
and private revenues offset with

6710
04:47:42,400 --> 04:47:47,400
appropriations

6711
04:47:44,400 --> 04:47:47,400
10-00123,474,29544

6712
04:47:53,680 --> 04:47:56,680
to23,463,4544.

6713
04:48:00,718 --> 04:48:08,798
Summary of revenues number one surplus

6714
04:48:03,920 --> 04:48:12,680
anticipated sheet four number 108-101

6715
04:48:08,798 --> 04:48:12,680
two from 2,238,433

6716
04:48:13,040 --> 04:48:16,360
to 2,238,433.

6717
04:48:19,920 --> 04:48:24,400
Only a couple more pages. Number two,

6718
04:48:22,400 --> 04:48:26,160
surplus anticipated with prior written

6719
04:48:24,400 --> 04:48:29,280
consent of director of local government

6720
04:48:26,160 --> 04:48:33,160
services. Sheet 4 number two account

6721
04:48:29,280 --> 04:48:33,160
number 8 08102

6722
04:48:33,440 --> 04:48:41,840
0 from 0 to 0 miscellaneous revenues

6723
04:48:37,760 --> 04:48:45,160
total section A local revenues 08001

6724
04:48:41,840 --> 04:48:45,160
from 57,839,000

6725
04:48:45,200 --> 04:48:48,520
to 59,15,321

6726
04:48:49,840 --> 04:48:55,840
total section B state aid without

6727
04:48:52,000 --> 04:48:59,680
offsetting appropriations 09-00001

6728
04:48:55,840 --> 04:49:03,798
1 185,149,000

6729
04:48:59,680 --> 04:49:03,798
to 185,156,816

6730
04:49:05,200 --> 04:49:09,440
total section C dedicated uniform

6731
04:49:07,680 --> 04:49:12,798
construction code fees offset with

6732
04:49:09,440 --> 04:49:15,920
appropriations 08-000029

6733
04:49:12,798 --> 04:49:18,638
million to 9 million

6734
04:49:15,920 --> 04:49:21,280
total section D special items of revenue

6735
04:49:18,638 --> 04:49:23,280
anticipated with prior written consent

6736
04:49:21,280 --> 04:49:25,600
of the director of local government

6737
04:49:23,280 --> 04:49:27,600
services shared service agreement

6738
04:49:25,600 --> 04:49:30,600
11-001

6739
04:49:27,600 --> 04:49:30,600
117,393

6740
04:49:30,878 --> 04:49:34,600
to 117,393

6741
04:49:34,878 --> 04:49:38,958
total section E special items of revenue

6742
04:49:37,200 --> 04:49:41,520
anticipated with prior written consent

6743
04:49:38,958 --> 04:49:45,440
of the director of government services

6744
04:49:41,520 --> 04:49:48,000
additional revenues 08003

6745
04:49:45,440 --> 04:49:51,040
nothing to nothing

6746
04:49:48,000 --> 04:49:53,760
total section F special items of revenue

6747
04:49:51,040 --> 04:49:55,200
anticipated with prior written consent

6748
04:49:53,760 --> 04:49:57,760
of the director of local government

6749
04:49:55,200 --> 04:50:00,760
services, public and private revenues

6750
04:49:57,760 --> 04:50:00,760
1000123,474,29544

6751
04:50:04,638 --> 04:50:07,958
to 23,463,4544

6752
04:50:11,840 --> 04:50:18,160
total section G special items of revenue

6753
04:50:15,360 --> 04:50:20,240
general revenue anticipated with prior

6754
04:50:18,160 --> 04:50:22,480
written consent of the director of local

6755
04:50:20,240 --> 04:50:26,760
government services of the special items

6756
04:50:22,480 --> 04:50:26,760
08004 4123,420,320

6757
04:50:29,440 --> 04:50:33,080
to $123,420,

6758
04:50:34,240 --> 04:50:41,560
320.

6759
04:50:36,560 --> 04:50:41,560
Total miscellaneous revenues 13-099

6760
04:50:41,600 --> 04:50:44,600
$399,844

6761
04:50:46,560 --> 04:50:50,440
to 400,262,89544

6762
04:50:53,200 --> 04:50:58,320
receipts from delinquent taxes number

6763
04:50:55,440 --> 04:51:01,320
four 15-499

6764
04:50:58,320 --> 04:51:01,320
3,182,466

6765
04:51:02,000 --> 04:51:05,638
to 3,182,466

6766
04:51:05,760 --> 04:51:12,878
6. Number five, subtotal general re

6767
04:51:09,120 --> 04:51:15,878
revenues items 1 2 3 and 4

6768
04:51:12,878 --> 04:51:15,878
13-1994,420,97444

6769
04:51:20,320 --> 04:51:23,798
to 405,683,7944.

6770
04:51:28,160 --> 04:51:33,520
Number six, amount to be raised by taxes

6771
04:51:30,400 --> 04:51:36,958
for support of municipal budget.

6772
04:51:33,520 --> 04:51:39,600
A local local tax for municipal purposes

6773
04:51:36,958 --> 04:51:42,600
including reserve for uncollective taxes

6774
04:51:39,600 --> 04:51:42,600
07-190459,953,660.72

6775
04:51:48,000 --> 04:51:51,000
to458,568,888.35

6776
04:51:56,400 --> 04:52:01,718
addition to local district school tax

6777
04:51:58,718 --> 04:52:01,718
07-19169,29

6778
04:52:03,120 --> 04:52:08,200
97 to 651,48481.

6779
04:52:13,520 --> 04:52:18,520
Number C, minimum library tax

6780
04:52:15,520 --> 04:52:18,520
07-192,512,729

6781
04:52:21,440 --> 04:52:24,840
to $21,512,729.

6782
04:52:27,280 --> 04:52:31,680
Total amount to be raised by taxes for

6783
04:52:29,920 --> 04:52:34,680
support of municipal budget

6784
04:52:31,680 --> 04:52:34,680
07-199482,125686

6785
04:52:39,440 --> 04:52:42,760
with 72480,733,98.35.

6786
04:52:47,120 --> 04:52:51,760
Number seven, total general revenues

6787
04:52:49,280 --> 04:52:54,760
13-299

6788
04:52:51,760 --> 04:52:54,760
886,546,59416

6789
04:52:59,280 --> 04:53:04,120
to 860 $886,416,892.79.

6790
04:53:07,840 --> 04:53:13,440
Number eight, general appropriations, OP

6791
04:53:10,480 --> 04:53:16,320
A, operations with caps. Office of the

6792
04:53:13,440 --> 04:53:20,120
mayor, cultural affairs, other expenses.

6793
04:53:16,320 --> 04:53:20,120
Account number 20-112,423,481

6794
04:53:23,040 --> 04:53:26,840
to $443,481.

6795
04:53:30,878 --> 04:53:35,120
Office of the city clerk and municipal

6796
04:53:32,638 --> 04:53:38,160
council. Pay attention.

6797
04:53:35,120 --> 04:53:40,958
City clerk's office. Salary and wages.

6798
04:53:38,160 --> 04:53:43,760
Uh, account number 20-120

6799
04:53:40,958 --> 04:53:47,080
1,46,543

6800
04:53:43,760 --> 04:53:47,080
to 1,76,255.

6801
04:53:50,560 --> 04:53:54,878
Municipal Council Office other expenses.

6802
04:53:52,718 --> 04:53:59,200
Pay attention again.

6803
04:53:54,878 --> 04:54:02,680
Count number 2123 21,857

6804
04:53:59,200 --> 04:54:02,680
to 45,926.

6805
04:54:03,120 --> 04:54:10,000
Office of Assessments Count uh City

6806
04:54:06,080 --> 04:54:11,760
Assesses Office Salary and wages 20-150

6807
04:54:10,000 --> 04:54:15,480
1,600

6808
04:54:11,760 --> 04:54:15,480
excuse me 1,68,599

6809
04:54:15,600 --> 04:54:19,000
to 1,134,455.

6810
04:54:20,240 --> 04:54:25,520
City Assesses Office other expenses

6811
04:54:23,120 --> 04:54:28,520
account number 20-150

6812
04:54:25,520 --> 04:54:28,520
$361,764

6813
04:54:28,878 --> 04:54:32,280
to $370,514.

6814
04:54:32,878 --> 04:54:38,718
Department of Public Safety Police

6815
04:54:34,798 --> 04:54:41,718
Salary and Wages account number 25-240

6816
04:54:38,718 --> 04:54:41,718
$104,988,279

6817
04:54:43,520 --> 04:54:47,240
to $104,788,279.

6818
04:54:50,718 --> 04:54:55,280
Quality of life, salary and wages.

6819
04:54:52,560 --> 04:54:58,280
Account number 25-273

6820
04:54:55,280 --> 04:54:58,280
4,374,520

6821
04:54:58,958 --> 04:55:02,600
to $4,395,520.

6822
04:55:04,798 --> 04:55:10,080
Traffic and parking salaries and wages

6823
04:55:07,200 --> 04:55:14,440
account number 25-274

6824
04:55:10,080 --> 04:55:14,440
9 million from 9,555,178

6825
04:55:15,040 --> 04:55:18,040
to9,600,178

6826
04:55:19,920 --> 04:55:25,440
Department of Health and Human Services

6827
04:55:21,760 --> 04:55:28,638
HHS Director's Office. Other expenses

6828
04:55:25,440 --> 04:55:30,560
account number 27-330

6829
04:55:28,638 --> 04:55:34,360
20,000

6830
04:55:30,560 --> 04:55:34,360
to 220,000

6831
04:55:34,480 --> 04:55:41,320
Community Health and Wellness salary and

6832
04:55:36,560 --> 04:55:41,320
wages count number 27-334

6833
04:55:42,638 --> 04:55:45,638
319,692

6834
04:55:45,680 --> 04:55:49,000
to $338,923

6835
04:55:50,000 --> 04:55:56,160
Senior Citizen Affairs Salary and wages

6836
04:55:52,718 --> 04:55:59,160
account number 27 7-335

6837
04:55:56,160 --> 04:55:59,160
$567,630

6838
04:55:59,440 --> 04:56:02,840
to $600,590

6839
04:56:03,440 --> 04:56:06,718
Department of Housing Economic

6840
04:56:04,878 --> 04:56:08,958
Development and Commerce Housing

6841
04:56:06,718 --> 04:56:11,200
Preservation Salary and Wages Count

6842
04:56:08,958 --> 04:56:15,480
Number 22-194

6843
04:56:11,200 --> 04:56:15,480
1 million from 1,134,545

6844
04:56:16,000 --> 04:56:19,000
to1,162,187

6845
04:56:20,000 --> 04:56:26,120
affordable housing salary and wages

6846
04:56:22,240 --> 04:56:26,120
count number 22. 2-199512,225

6847
04:56:28,240 --> 04:56:32,040
to $530,567.

6848
04:56:33,120 --> 04:56:38,320
Tenants right to council other expenses

6849
04:56:35,440 --> 04:56:42,840
account number 20-171

6850
04:56:38,320 --> 04:56:42,840
from $3 to $171,000.

6851
04:56:43,840 --> 04:56:47,040
Department of Recreation and Youth

6852
04:56:45,440 --> 04:56:50,560
Development, Park Maintenance, Salary

6853
04:56:47,040 --> 04:56:53,878
and Wages, account number 28-375

6854
04:56:50,560 --> 04:56:53,878
from 2,243,389

6855
04:56:54,400 --> 04:56:57,718
to $2,274,533.

6856
04:56:58,560 --> 04:57:03,958
Enrichment salary and wages account

6857
04:57:00,638 --> 04:57:03,958
number 28-41,71,412

6858
04:57:06,638 --> 04:57:09,638
to1,714,889.

6859
04:57:13,120 --> 04:57:20,280
Recreation salary and wages 28-42

6860
04:57:16,878 --> 04:57:20,280
from 1,569,434

6861
04:57:21,120 --> 04:57:24,120
to1,580,727.

6862
04:57:26,160 --> 04:57:32,320
Department of Infrastructure

6863
04:57:27,680 --> 04:57:35,040
Sustainability Salary and Wages 20-129

6864
04:57:32,320 --> 04:57:38,440
from $18,79

6865
04:57:35,040 --> 04:57:38,440
to $131,526.

6866
04:57:39,520 --> 04:57:44,160
Unclassified employee group health

6867
04:57:41,680 --> 04:57:46,480
insurance other expenses account number

6868
04:57:44,160 --> 04:57:50,440
23-220

6869
04:57:46,480 --> 04:57:50,440
from 153,280,434

6870
04:57:51,120 --> 04:57:55,920
to70

6871
04:57:53,040 --> 04:57:57,920
million

6872
04:57:55,920 --> 04:58:00,320
reserve for bargaining agreements and

6873
04:57:57,920 --> 04:58:02,480
salaries salary and wages account number

6874
04:58:00,320 --> 04:58:07,798
30-414

6875
04:58:02,480 --> 04:58:07,798
from $6 million to $5,630,000

6876
04:58:08,320 --> 04:58:13,680
reserved for accumulated absences,

6877
04:58:10,320 --> 04:58:19,160
salary, and wages. Account number 30-476

6878
04:58:13,680 --> 04:58:19,160
from $9 million to $8 million, $260,000.

6879
04:58:22,560 --> 04:58:29,440
Only two more pages. Total

6880
04:58:24,958 --> 04:58:32,958
appropriations item 8A within caps

6881
04:58:29,440 --> 04:58:37,000
account number 34-199

6882
04:58:32,958 --> 04:58:37,000
from $545,684,153

6883
04:58:39,120 --> 04:58:42,760
to 561,88012

6884
04:58:45,920 --> 04:58:51,200
B. Contingent other expenses account

6885
04:58:48,400 --> 04:58:54,480
number 35-470

6886
04:58:51,200 --> 04:58:56,480
from $1 million to $1 million. Total

6887
04:58:54,480 --> 04:58:59,920
appropriations including contingent with

6888
04:58:56,480 --> 04:59:03,480
caps account number 34-201

6889
04:58:59,920 --> 04:59:03,480
from $546,684,153

6890
04:59:05,280 --> 04:59:08,760
to 562,880,112.

6891
04:59:11,120 --> 04:59:15,760
Detail salary and wages account number

6892
04:59:13,760 --> 04:59:19,240
34-201

6893
04:59:15,760 --> 04:59:19,240
from 297,8984,827

6894
04:59:23,600 --> 04:59:27,320
to $297,40,441.

6895
04:59:30,878 --> 04:59:36,160
Other expenses including contingent

6896
04:59:33,280 --> 04:59:39,160
account number 34-201

6897
04:59:36,160 --> 04:59:39,160
248,699,326

6898
04:59:41,600 --> 04:59:44,600
to265,839,711.

6899
04:59:48,878 --> 04:59:54,240
E deferred charges and statutory

6900
04:59:51,200 --> 04:59:56,718
expenditures within excuse me municipal

6901
04:59:54,240 --> 04:59:59,280
within caps. Number one, deferred

6902
04:59:56,718 --> 05:00:01,200
charges over expenditure of

6903
04:59:59,280 --> 05:00:03,440
appropriation reserves. Account number

6904
05:00:01,200 --> 05:00:06,440
55-550,

6905
05:00:03,440 --> 05:00:06,440
$246,8

6906
05:00:06,480 --> 05:00:09,480
246,88

6907
05:00:09,600 --> 05:00:13,320
to $487,133.

6908
05:00:14,400 --> 05:00:20,480
Federal and state grants fund grant

6909
05:00:16,798 --> 05:00:24,840
reserves account number 55566

6910
05:00:20,480 --> 05:00:24,840
from 0 to $296,778.

6911
05:00:25,680 --> 05:00:30,080
Total deferred charges and statutory

6912
05:00:27,600 --> 05:00:32,320
expenditures municipal within caps count

6913
05:00:30,080 --> 05:00:36,840
number 34-209

6914
05:00:32,320 --> 05:00:36,840
108 million from 108,85,655.37

6915
05:00:38,798 --> 05:00:42,360
to 108,623,478.37

6916
05:00:45,120 --> 05:00:51,360
H1 total of general appropriations for

6917
05:00:48,638 --> 05:00:53,840
municipal purposes within caps account

6918
05:00:51,360 --> 05:00:58,760
number 34-299

6919
05:00:53,840 --> 05:00:58,760
654 million 769,88.37

6920
05:01:00,320 --> 05:01:04,840
to

6921
05:01:01,840 --> 05:01:04,840
671,53,590

6922
05:01:07,280 --> 05:01:12,400
D um $590.37

6923
05:01:10,878 --> 05:01:16,400
sorry

6924
05:01:12,400 --> 05:01:18,798
a operations excluded from caps employee

6925
05:01:16,400 --> 05:01:22,560
group health insurance section I'm

6926
05:01:18,798 --> 05:01:25,360
excuse me account number 23-2220

6927
05:01:22,560 --> 05:01:29,840
from 16,719,000

6928
05:01:25,360 --> 05:01:32,480
566 to zero. Reserve for snow operations

6929
05:01:29,840 --> 05:01:35,798
account number 30-475

6930
05:01:32,480 --> 05:01:35,798
from 2,238,433

6931
05:01:36,240 --> 05:01:40,240
to nothing.

6932
05:01:38,400 --> 05:01:43,600
declared state of emergency cost for

6933
05:01:40,240 --> 05:01:47,600
January 2026 storm response and recovery

6934
05:01:43,600 --> 05:01:51,760
NJSA 40A col4-45B

6935
05:01:47,600 --> 05:01:54,560
and 40A col4-45

6936
05:01:51,760 --> 05:01:57,040
in parenthesis BB

6937
05:01:54,560 --> 05:02:01,000
account number 30-475

6938
05:01:57,040 --> 05:02:01,000
from nothing to 2,238,433

6939
05:02:01,920 --> 05:02:07,920
total other appropriations excluding

6940
05:02:03,920 --> 05:02:08,718
from caps account number 34-353

6941
05:02:07,920 --> 05:02:11,600
million

6942
05:02:08,718 --> 05:02:15,000
470,728

6943
05:02:11,600 --> 05:02:15,000
to $36,751

6944
05:02:15,360 --> 05:02:18,360
$751,162.

6945
05:02:19,120 --> 05:02:23,840
Sorry about that. Public and private

6946
05:02:21,600 --> 05:02:27,360
programs offset by revenues senior

6947
05:02:23,840 --> 05:02:29,760
nutrition account number 41-874

6948
05:02:27,360 --> 05:02:32,878
11 from 11,250

6949
05:02:29,760 --> 05:02:34,958
to zero. Total public and private

6950
05:02:32,878 --> 05:02:37,440
programs offset by revenues account

6951
05:02:34,958 --> 05:02:41,000
number 40-999

6952
05:02:37,440 --> 05:02:41,000
from 24,474,29547

6953
05:02:43,280 --> 05:02:46,680
to 24,463,4547.

6954
05:02:49,360 --> 05:02:54,160
Total operations excluding from caps

6955
05:02:51,680 --> 05:02:58,440
account number 34-305

6956
05:02:54,160 --> 05:02:58,440
77 from 77,945,2347

6957
05:03:01,040 --> 05:03:04,040
to61,214,2747

6958
05:03:06,718 --> 05:03:13,200
detail

6959
05:03:08,638 --> 05:03:16,638
salary and wages account number 34-305

6960
05:03:13,200 --> 05:03:19,638
0 to 0. Other expenses account number

6961
05:03:16,638 --> 05:03:19,638
34-305

6962
05:03:19,840 --> 05:03:23,638
7 from 77,945,2347

6963
05:03:25,840 --> 05:03:28,840
to61,214,2747

6964
05:03:31,680 --> 05:03:37,200
H2 total general appropriations for

6965
05:03:34,240 --> 05:03:39,920
municipal purposes excluding from caps

6966
05:03:37,200 --> 05:03:44,200
account number 34-309

6967
05:03:39,920 --> 05:03:44,200
from 213,127,900

6968
05:03:44,560 --> 05:03:49,480
3247

6969
05:03:46,480 --> 05:03:49,480
to196,397,11647

6970
05:03:53,280 --> 05:03:59,440
K. District school purposes items I and

6971
05:03:57,360 --> 05:04:01,120
J excluded from caps. Account number

6972
05:03:59,440 --> 05:04:04,080
29-410

6973
05:04:01,120 --> 05:04:07,080
from 1,182,800

6974
05:04:04,080 --> 05:04:07,080
to1,182,800.

6975
05:04:10,400 --> 05:04:14,280
Last page. Get excited.

6976
05:04:14,320 --> 05:04:18,340
Oh, total general appropriations

6977
05:04:16,160 --> 05:04:21,718
excluding from caps account number

6978
05:04:18,340 --> 05:04:21,718
[clears throat] 34-399

6979
05:04:22,480 --> 05:04:25,958
from 214,310,73247

6980
05:04:28,400 --> 05:04:31,400
to197,579,91647.

6981
05:04:34,798 --> 05:04:45,040
L subtotal general appropriation items

6982
05:04:37,840 --> 05:04:48,040
H1 and O account number 400 from 869

6983
05:04:45,040 --> 05:04:48,040
million80,54084

6984
05:04:51,360 --> 05:04:59,160
excuse me to 8 million869

6985
05:04:54,958 --> 05:04:59,160
million excuse me $83,5684

6986
05:05:00,798 --> 05:05:05,760
B reserve for uncollective taxes account

6987
05:05:03,760 --> 05:05:09,320
number 50-899

6988
05:05:05,760 --> 05:05:09,320
from 17,466,53.32

6989
05:05:10,638 --> 05:05:14,360
to 17,333,385.95.

6990
05:05:16,400 --> 05:05:19,920
Number nine, total general

6991
05:05:17,760 --> 05:05:22,878
appropriations, excuse me, account

6992
05:05:19,920 --> 05:05:26,680
number 34-499

6993
05:05:22,878 --> 05:05:26,680
from 886,546,594.16

6994
05:05:29,280 --> 05:05:34,040
to86

6995
05:05:31,040 --> 05:05:34,040
886,416,892.79.

6996
05:05:37,520 --> 05:05:42,400
Summary of appropriations H1 total

6997
05:05:40,480 --> 05:05:46,560
general appropriations for municipal

6998
05:05:42,400 --> 05:05:50,120
purposes with caps count number 34-299

6999
05:05:46,560 --> 05:05:50,120
from 654,769,88.37

7000
05:05:52,878 --> 05:05:56,600
to 671,53,590.37

7001
05:05:59,760 --> 05:06:06,080
A operations excluding from caps other

7002
05:06:03,040 --> 05:06:09,840
operations account number 34-300

7003
05:06:06,080 --> 05:06:13,240
from 53 million 470,728

7004
05:06:09,840 --> 05:06:13,240
to 36,751,162.

7005
05:06:15,200 --> 05:06:20,480
Uniform construction code account number

7006
05:06:18,000 --> 05:06:23,680
222-999

7007
05:06:20,480 --> 05:06:25,760
from 0 to 0. Shared service agreements

7008
05:06:23,680 --> 05:06:29,040
account number 42-999

7009
05:06:25,760 --> 05:06:32,160
0 to 0. Additional appropriations offset

7010
05:06:29,040 --> 05:06:35,600
by revenues account number 34-303

7011
05:06:32,160 --> 05:06:37,280
0 to 0. Public and private programs

7012
05:06:35,600 --> 05:06:39,120
offset by revenues. Account number

7013
05:06:37,280 --> 05:06:42,520
40-999

7014
05:06:39,120 --> 05:06:42,520
from 24,474,29547

7015
05:06:44,958 --> 05:06:48,280
to $24,463,4547.

7016
05:06:49,680 --> 05:06:55,920
Total appro operations excluded from

7017
05:06:52,400 --> 05:06:59,240
caps account number 34-305

7018
05:06:55,920 --> 05:06:59,240
from 77,945,2347

7019
05:07:01,040 --> 05:07:04,040
to61,214,2747

7020
05:07:07,120 --> 05:07:11,120
C. Capital Improvements account number

7021
05:07:09,360 --> 05:07:14,560
44-990

7022
05:07:11,120 --> 05:07:16,958
to 0. D Municipal Debt Service account

7023
05:07:14,560 --> 05:07:20,680
number 45-999

7024
05:07:16,958 --> 05:07:20,680
from 87,993,131

7025
05:07:21,360 --> 05:07:24,360
to87,993,131.

7026
05:07:27,760 --> 05:07:32,878
E total deferred charges sheet 28

7027
05:07:30,638 --> 05:07:36,120
account number 46-999

7028
05:07:32,878 --> 05:07:36,120
from 47,189,778

7029
05:07:37,440 --> 05:07:40,440
to47,189,778.

7030
05:07:42,958 --> 05:07:50,160
F judgment sheet sheet 28 I didn't say

7031
05:07:46,320 --> 05:07:53,920
the curse word uh account number 37-480

7032
05:07:50,160 --> 05:07:56,400
from 0 to 0. G. Cash deficit with prior

7033
05:07:53,920 --> 05:07:58,480
consent of local finance board account

7034
05:07:56,400 --> 05:08:02,240
number 46-885

7035
05:07:58,480 --> 05:08:05,040
from 0 to 0. K local district school

7036
05:08:02,240 --> 05:08:08,000
purposes account number 29-410

7037
05:08:05,040 --> 05:08:11,000
from 1,182,800

7038
05:08:08,000 --> 05:08:11,000
to1,182,800.

7039
05:08:13,040 --> 05:08:19,680
N transferred to board of education

7040
05:08:15,600 --> 05:08:24,080
account number 29-45 from 0 to 0. M res

7041
05:08:19,680 --> 05:08:27,878
reserve for uncollective taxes 50-899

7042
05:08:24,080 --> 05:08:27,878
SE se from 17,466,500

7043
05:08:28,320 --> 05:08:33,160
excuse me from 17,466,53.32

7044
05:08:34,480 --> 05:08:37,958
to 17,333,385.95.

7045
05:08:40,320 --> 05:08:44,560
And last but not least, total general

7046
05:08:42,798 --> 05:08:47,560
appropriations account number

7047
05:08:44,560 --> 05:08:47,560
34-49986,546,59416

7048
05:08:52,400 --> 05:08:55,400
to86,416,892.79.

7049
05:09:00,638 --> 05:09:03,798
Be it

7050
05:09:07,280 --> 05:09:10,520
Thank you.

7051
05:09:22,480 --> 05:09:26,718
Be it be it further resolved that this

7052
05:09:24,638 --> 05:09:28,000
is the complete amendment [laughter] in

7053
05:09:26,718 --> 05:09:31,000
accordance with the provision of

7054
05:09:28,000 --> 05:09:31,000
NJSA484-9

7055
05:09:31,120 --> 05:09:37,920
be published on the the city of Jersey

7056
05:09:34,000 --> 05:09:40,080
City's website on August 20th 2026 and

7057
05:09:37,920 --> 05:09:42,080
that said publication shall contain the

7058
05:09:40,080 --> 05:09:44,560
notice of public hearing and set

7059
05:09:42,080 --> 05:09:48,000
amendment to be held at the Jersey City

7060
05:09:44,560 --> 05:09:50,718
City Hall on Wednesday, August 26, 2026

7061
05:09:48,000 --> 05:09:52,958
at 5:00 p.m. It is hereby certified that

7062
05:09:50,718 --> 05:09:55,760
this is a true copy of a resolution

7063
05:09:52,958 --> 05:09:58,638
amending the budget soon to be adopted

7064
05:09:55,760 --> 05:10:01,520
by the municipal council on the well

7065
05:09:58,638 --> 05:10:04,520
introduced on the 19th day of August

7066
05:10:01,520 --> 05:10:04,520
2026.

7067
05:10:08,560 --> 05:10:13,440
Johnny, can you run that back? Actually,

7068
05:10:12,080 --> 05:10:15,040
one more time. I missed a couple.

7069
05:10:13,440 --> 05:10:17,440
» I don't even know if I would run that

7070
05:10:15,040 --> 05:10:19,840
back for a year's worth of salary added

7071
05:10:17,440 --> 05:10:21,360
to my salary. So, with that being said,

7072
05:10:19,840 --> 05:10:23,760
council members, I'm going to be taking

7073
05:10:21,360 --> 05:10:26,400
a vote of introduction on the budget

7074
05:10:23,760 --> 05:10:28,080
amendment item 10.57.

7075
05:10:26,400 --> 05:10:29,200
Council person Brooks,

7076
05:10:28,080 --> 05:10:30,718
» I.

7077
05:10:29,200 --> 05:10:32,480
» Council person Zupa,

7078
05:10:30,718 --> 05:10:34,480
» I'm going to vote I just briefly though.

7079
05:10:32,480 --> 05:10:36,878
I mean, Sean's reading of that without

7080
05:10:34,480 --> 05:10:38,160
any inflection whatsoever um was the

7081
05:10:36,878 --> 05:10:41,160
most pleasant part of this budget

7082
05:10:38,160 --> 05:10:41,160
process.

7083
05:10:42,824 --> 05:10:44,844
[laughter]

7084
05:10:45,360 --> 05:10:48,718
» On a more serious note, I do want to

7085
05:10:46,878 --> 05:10:51,280
thank my colleagues for who I work with

7086
05:10:48,718 --> 05:10:52,958
on the budget amendments. Um we we tried

7087
05:10:51,280 --> 05:10:54,958
to focus on some priorities which were

7088
05:10:52,958 --> 05:10:57,440
bringing back our senior bus driver,

7089
05:10:54,958 --> 05:10:59,120
finding um

7090
05:10:57,440 --> 05:11:01,360
money to bring back the other revenue

7091
05:10:59,120 --> 05:11:02,798
generating positions. I appreciate the

7092
05:11:01,360 --> 05:11:04,878
administration's assistance on getting

7093
05:11:02,798 --> 05:11:06,480
the small but meaningful appropriation

7094
05:11:04,878 --> 05:11:07,920
for the Museum of Jersey City History so

7095
05:11:06,480 --> 05:11:10,798
we can continue their operations for the

7096
05:11:07,920 --> 05:11:12,798
year. Uh and and that was meaningful and

7097
05:11:10,798 --> 05:11:14,080
when we said we tried to work with um

7098
05:11:12,798 --> 05:11:15,600
each other and the administration on

7099
05:11:14,080 --> 05:11:19,360
lowering the tax levy that wasn't that

7100
05:11:15,600 --> 05:11:21,760
was not uh theater. Uh it was a true

7101
05:11:19,360 --> 05:11:26,080
attempt. I'm aware that there was a

7102
05:11:21,760 --> 05:11:28,240
comment made um by someone from the DCA

7103
05:11:26,080 --> 05:11:30,400
who we appreciate their support and and

7104
05:11:28,240 --> 05:11:32,000
uh funding here as well. Uh but it

7105
05:11:30,400 --> 05:11:34,638
certainly was not a waste of time to try

7106
05:11:32,000 --> 05:11:36,560
to ease the burden on our residents. Uh

7107
05:11:34,638 --> 05:11:39,680
with that again I vote I and thank

7108
05:11:36,560 --> 05:11:42,480
everyone for their efforts.

7109
05:11:39,680 --> 05:11:44,718
Council person Efos just to comment on

7110
05:11:42,480 --> 05:11:46,878
on the process and address some of the

7111
05:11:44,718 --> 05:11:50,878
residents issues that were brought up

7112
05:11:46,878 --> 05:11:52,480
tonight about this whole process. Uh it

7113
05:11:50,878 --> 05:11:54,798
for the record we had multiple

7114
05:11:52,480 --> 05:11:56,718
amendments um worked together with some

7115
05:11:54,798 --> 05:11:58,240
of my council colleagues. So, Councilman

7116
05:11:56,718 --> 05:12:01,120
Brooks, Councilwoman Little, thank you

7117
05:11:58,240 --> 05:12:04,400
for working really closely together to

7118
05:12:01,120 --> 05:12:06,080
um try and and find money to paper over

7119
05:12:04,400 --> 05:12:08,080
and and reverse a lot of the cuts to

7120
05:12:06,080 --> 05:12:10,400
critical services, especially in

7121
05:12:08,080 --> 05:12:11,520
community care. Um, and to make sure

7122
05:12:10,400 --> 05:12:12,958
that we have funding for things like

7123
05:12:11,520 --> 05:12:14,718
right to counsel, for mental health

7124
05:12:12,958 --> 05:12:16,798
crisis response, for staffing,

7125
05:12:14,718 --> 05:12:18,400
affordable housing, uh, and our

7126
05:12:16,798 --> 05:12:22,000
infrastructure department, among other

7127
05:12:18,400 --> 05:12:23,280
things. Um and appreciate our council

7128
05:12:22,000 --> 05:12:25,440
colleagues who all put amendments

7129
05:12:23,280 --> 05:12:28,718
forward as well. Council president for

7130
05:12:25,440 --> 05:12:32,560
leading the effort to kind of unify um

7131
05:12:28,718 --> 05:12:35,920
to councilman Lavaro for uh finding uh

7132
05:12:32,560 --> 05:12:38,080
as as much revenue as that we can really

7133
05:12:35,920 --> 05:12:40,798
accept. Um, I know there's some risk

7134
05:12:38,080 --> 05:12:44,320
that we are talking about in terms of um

7135
05:12:40,798 --> 05:12:46,718
maybe less of a surplus next year if we

7136
05:12:44,320 --> 05:12:48,638
uh max out in the anticipated revenues,

7137
05:12:46,718 --> 05:12:50,718
but I I really appreciate the diligence

7138
05:12:48,638 --> 05:12:53,520
that you've been taking to all of those

7139
05:12:50,718 --> 05:12:55,600
line items. So, um grateful to to have

7140
05:12:53,520 --> 05:12:57,040
the kind of coordination with all the

7141
05:12:55,600 --> 05:12:59,120
council members and working with the

7142
05:12:57,040 --> 05:13:02,480
administration through what's just been

7143
05:12:59,120 --> 05:13:05,280
a really rocky and arduous process. and

7144
05:13:02,480 --> 05:13:07,600
um vote I and and I know we'll hear a

7145
05:13:05,280 --> 05:13:09,120
lot more comments next week. Uh and I'll

7146
05:13:07,600 --> 05:13:11,680
I'll save some more comments on the

7147
05:13:09,120 --> 05:13:15,360
budget myself for for next week when we

7148
05:13:11,680 --> 05:13:19,638
have our final vote.

7149
05:13:15,360 --> 05:13:19,638
» Thank you, Council Person Little.

7150
05:13:20,080 --> 05:13:25,120
» Um I'd like to echo my colleagues

7151
05:13:22,160 --> 05:13:28,560
comments. Um, you know,

7152
05:13:25,120 --> 05:13:30,480
several of us on the council worked to

7153
05:13:28,560 --> 05:13:32,240
prepare our own amendment packages

7154
05:13:30,480 --> 05:13:35,280
either in collaboration with others or

7155
05:13:32,240 --> 05:13:37,040
individually and um were under the

7156
05:13:35,280 --> 05:13:39,760
impression that each of them would be

7157
05:13:37,040 --> 05:13:42,400
considered and able to be debated upon

7158
05:13:39,760 --> 05:13:45,120
this day which in in the interest of a

7159
05:13:42,400 --> 05:13:47,840
transparent government is is how I felt

7160
05:13:45,120 --> 05:13:51,920
it should be. Um

7161
05:13:47,840 --> 05:13:54,400
unfortunately due to um

7162
05:13:51,920 --> 05:13:57,440
time and staffing constraints, we were

7163
05:13:54,400 --> 05:13:58,878
told Friday morning after we had already

7164
05:13:57,440 --> 05:14:01,680
submitted our proposed amendment

7165
05:13:58,878 --> 05:14:05,520
packages that DCA only had the capacity

7166
05:14:01,680 --> 05:14:09,200
to review one of the amendment packages.

7167
05:14:05,520 --> 05:14:13,040
and um Council President Ridley called

7168
05:14:09,200 --> 05:14:16,160
an and called an emergency meeting and

7169
05:14:13,040 --> 05:14:20,958
um different council members and council

7170
05:14:16,160 --> 05:14:23,840
staff members. Um so, you know, staff

7171
05:14:20,958 --> 05:14:27,200
members representing offices um got

7172
05:14:23,840 --> 05:14:29,840
together and tried to come up with a

7173
05:14:27,200 --> 05:14:32,718
compromise that we could all feel okay

7174
05:14:29,840 --> 05:14:34,240
about. Um,

7175
05:14:32,718 --> 05:14:36,638
so I want to thank Council President

7176
05:14:34,240 --> 05:14:38,560
Ridley for her leadership in this. Uh,

7177
05:14:36,638 --> 05:14:41,440
this was not the ideal scenario that we

7178
05:14:38,560 --> 05:14:43,360
wanted to be

7179
05:14:41,440 --> 05:14:46,798
introducing amendments under. We we

7180
05:14:43,360 --> 05:14:52,320
would have loved to present them and

7181
05:14:46,798 --> 05:14:55,040
debate them out in the open here. Um,

7182
05:14:52,320 --> 05:14:59,040
but that was we were told by the state

7183
05:14:55,040 --> 05:15:01,920
that that was not an option. Um,

7184
05:14:59,040 --> 05:15:04,000
so

7185
05:15:01,920 --> 05:15:08,000
that being said, there are some things

7186
05:15:04,000 --> 05:15:12,400
that um we fought really hard for and I

7187
05:15:08,000 --> 05:15:14,718
I want to acknowledge and um that I'm

7188
05:15:12,400 --> 05:15:18,958
that I'm proud of in this compromise

7189
05:15:14,718 --> 05:15:20,958
amendment. Um, so we are going to have

7190
05:15:18,958 --> 05:15:24,000
funding for a mental health first

7191
05:15:20,958 --> 05:15:26,638
responders program which had been

7192
05:15:24,000 --> 05:15:31,120
promised to groups like Jersey City

7193
05:15:26,638 --> 05:15:33,360
Together and the Drew Washington family

7194
05:15:31,120 --> 05:15:36,878
and the Justice for Drew Coalition and

7195
05:15:33,360 --> 05:15:39,360
had never come to fruition. So I'm I'm

7196
05:15:36,878 --> 05:15:43,440
very excited about that. Um that was a

7197
05:15:39,360 --> 05:15:48,000
big success um finding that in there um

7198
05:15:43,440 --> 05:15:50,638
that we fought for. Uh we were able to

7199
05:15:48,000 --> 05:15:53,200
um restore the senior bus driver in

7200
05:15:50,638 --> 05:15:56,240
health and human services. We were able

7201
05:15:53,200 --> 05:15:58,878
to um

7202
05:15:56,240 --> 05:16:02,080
fund um additional park maintenance

7203
05:15:58,878 --> 05:16:03,520
staff. Since we are working to after the

7204
05:16:02,080 --> 05:16:05,760
park maintenance contracts were ended,

7205
05:16:03,520 --> 05:16:09,760
we are working to bring

7206
05:16:05,760 --> 05:16:12,638
that in house. Um we are able to fund um

7207
05:16:09,760 --> 05:16:14,878
additional uh recreation aids for the

7208
05:16:12,638 --> 05:16:18,080
youth. Uh we were able to backfill a

7209
05:16:14,878 --> 05:16:22,080
position in sustainability that we had

7210
05:16:18,080 --> 05:16:24,638
hoped to fill months ago as this

7211
05:16:22,080 --> 05:16:27,360
individual um resigned in January of

7212
05:16:24,638 --> 05:16:30,320
this year. So you know these are

7213
05:16:27,360 --> 05:16:32,320
definitely some wins and they were all

7214
05:16:30,320 --> 05:16:35,280
done without changing the topline

7215
05:16:32,320 --> 05:16:37,280
number. Um, I will say in in our

7216
05:16:35,280 --> 05:16:39,440
amendment that package that we initially

7217
05:16:37,280 --> 05:16:41,360
submitted, um, myself, Councilman

7218
05:16:39,440 --> 05:16:43,520
Brooks, and Councilman Efos, um, we had

7219
05:16:41,360 --> 05:16:46,320
actually tried to reduce the overall

7220
05:16:43,520 --> 05:16:50,240
budget number, um, so that we could get

7221
05:16:46,320 --> 05:16:51,760
closer to 15.0 instead of 15.5%, but,

7222
05:16:50,240 --> 05:16:53,520
um, you know, we can't get everything we

7223
05:16:51,760 --> 05:16:56,240
want and this compromise is still at

7224
05:16:53,520 --> 05:16:57,840
15.5%. So, it does not change your tax

7225
05:16:56,240 --> 05:17:00,240
dollars as compared to the mayor's

7226
05:16:57,840 --> 05:17:02,240
budget. Um,

7227
05:17:00,240 --> 05:17:03,840
but it it does not increase it either.

7228
05:17:02,240 --> 05:17:07,200
and we were able to fund some of these

7229
05:17:03,840 --> 05:17:10,160
really important um community services,

7230
05:17:07,200 --> 05:17:13,040
right to counsel, um mental health first

7231
05:17:10,160 --> 05:17:15,360
responders, recreation,

7232
05:17:13,040 --> 05:17:17,840
um sustainability. We didn't get

7233
05:17:15,360 --> 05:17:20,958
everything we wanted, but that is that

7234
05:17:17,840 --> 05:17:24,160
is the nature of a compromise. Um, and I

7235
05:17:20,958 --> 05:17:26,160
do also want to acknowledge that um, a

7236
05:17:24,160 --> 05:17:27,440
large chunk of the savings and why we

7237
05:17:26,160 --> 05:17:29,600
were able to fund some of these

7238
05:17:27,440 --> 05:17:33,600
positions is because we were able to

7239
05:17:29,600 --> 05:17:35,920
reduce police overtime by $200,000.

7240
05:17:33,600 --> 05:17:37,760
Um, and I I do want to acknowledge and

7241
05:17:35,920 --> 05:17:39,760
give credit where credit is due. This

7242
05:17:37,760 --> 05:17:43,120
new leadership, Director Ambrose, unlike

7243
05:17:39,760 --> 05:17:44,798
his predecessor, uh, has been very on

7244
05:17:43,120 --> 05:17:47,280
top of overtime and he's been making

7245
05:17:44,798 --> 05:17:48,798
great strides. and um you know I I want

7246
05:17:47,280 --> 05:17:50,480
to acknowledge his leadership in

7247
05:17:48,798 --> 05:17:53,760
reducing overtime and finding cost

7248
05:17:50,480 --> 05:17:55,280
savings for the city there. Um

7249
05:17:53,760 --> 05:17:57,280
acknowledging that there will always be

7250
05:17:55,280 --> 05:17:58,958
some overtime just due the to the nature

7251
05:17:57,280 --> 05:18:01,200
of the job. It is still something that

7252
05:17:58,958 --> 05:18:03,680
we can streamline and work to make more

7253
05:18:01,200 --> 05:18:06,638
efficient and and find more cost savings

7254
05:18:03,680 --> 05:18:10,000
in. So I'm very happy about that. Um,

7255
05:18:06,638 --> 05:18:12,320
again, you know, this these amendments

7256
05:18:10,000 --> 05:18:15,760
maybe don't go as far as I would have

7257
05:18:12,320 --> 05:18:17,040
hoped in certain areas, but um, they are

7258
05:18:15,760 --> 05:18:18,958
definitely a step in the right

7259
05:18:17,040 --> 05:18:20,560
direction. And I want to thank all of my

7260
05:18:18,958 --> 05:18:22,240
council colleagues for engaging in this

7261
05:18:20,560 --> 05:18:24,400
process in good faith. I want to thank

7262
05:18:22,240 --> 05:18:29,120
all of our staff who have worked long

7263
05:18:24,400 --> 05:18:31,040
hours um, you know, and and

7264
05:18:29,120 --> 05:18:32,718
the administration and all the

7265
05:18:31,040 --> 05:18:34,560
departments who came and testified

7266
05:18:32,718 --> 05:18:38,798
before us during the budget hearing

7267
05:18:34,560 --> 05:18:40,560
process. So I vote I

7268
05:18:38,798 --> 05:18:44,320
» Council person Gilmore.

7269
05:18:40,560 --> 05:18:46,400
» Um just want to say this have been

7270
05:18:44,320 --> 05:18:48,878
longest budget season I've been a part

7271
05:18:46,400 --> 05:18:51,440
of. I think I've spoke with my

7272
05:18:48,878 --> 05:18:53,760
colleagues in the administration

7273
05:18:51,440 --> 05:18:55,920
more in the last two weeks than I spoke

7274
05:18:53,760 --> 05:19:00,718
with the last administration in the last

7275
05:18:55,920 --> 05:19:02,878
four years. Um, and that's uh that's a

7276
05:19:00,718 --> 05:19:05,600
credit to the administration on a pledge

7277
05:19:02,878 --> 05:19:09,280
to to work together. You know, we don't

7278
05:19:05,600 --> 05:19:11,600
always agree on everything. Um, but we

7279
05:19:09,280 --> 05:19:16,000
find a way to figure it out and make it

7280
05:19:11,600 --> 05:19:18,480
work. Um, I'm not taking a victory lap

7281
05:19:16,000 --> 05:19:22,798
here, uh, because, you know, the tax

7282
05:19:18,480 --> 05:19:26,480
levy is still too high, um, for my

7283
05:19:22,798 --> 05:19:29,120
liking. Uh, but I think it's a step in

7284
05:19:26,480 --> 05:19:32,958
the right direction. Um, and I'm eager

7285
05:19:29,120 --> 05:19:37,120
to see what we can really do next year

7286
05:19:32,958 --> 05:19:38,622
to save some people. That's my time. Uh,

7287
05:19:37,120 --> 05:19:40,640
» Emotion.

7288
05:19:38,622 --> 05:19:40,640
[laughter]

7289
05:19:41,040 --> 05:19:47,040
» I'm eager to see what we can do next

7290
05:19:43,600 --> 05:19:49,120
budget cycle to begin to give some

7291
05:19:47,040 --> 05:19:51,040
people some relief. I know it's been

7292
05:19:49,120 --> 05:19:54,400
very burdensome

7293
05:19:51,040 --> 05:19:57,680
um on the taxpayers, but I do want to uh

7294
05:19:54,400 --> 05:20:00,080
thank my colleagues. There was countless

7295
05:19:57,680 --> 05:20:02,160
conversations without running violations

7296
05:20:00,080 --> 05:20:04,958
on sunshine

7297
05:20:02,160 --> 05:20:08,080
um the administration calls at the calls

7298
05:20:04,958 --> 05:20:10,798
and communicating just trying to get as

7299
05:20:08,080 --> 05:20:13,920
many priorities addressed as possible in

7300
05:20:10,798 --> 05:20:16,080
this budget. Um and again, it's it's

7301
05:20:13,920 --> 05:20:20,160
hard. It's hard. You can literally make

7302
05:20:16,080 --> 05:20:21,840
the argument that every entity that was

7303
05:20:20,160 --> 05:20:23,760
cut in the beginning deserved the

7304
05:20:21,840 --> 05:20:26,638
funding. You people can literally make

7305
05:20:23,760 --> 05:20:29,120
that argument. Um so it's it's hard when

7306
05:20:26,638 --> 05:20:31,840
you trying to incorporate the priorities

7307
05:20:29,120 --> 05:20:33,440
of nine different council members and

7308
05:20:31,840 --> 05:20:35,920
administration.

7309
05:20:33,440 --> 05:20:39,760
Uh people that's vocal in the public,

7310
05:20:35,920 --> 05:20:43,040
community leaders. It's it's hard. Um,

7311
05:20:39,760 --> 05:20:45,600
but the thing I enjoy most is the

7312
05:20:43,040 --> 05:20:48,878
willingness of my colleagues in the

7313
05:20:45,600 --> 05:20:51,840
administration to listen to different

7314
05:20:48,878 --> 05:20:54,480
perspectives and point of views. Um,

7315
05:20:51,840 --> 05:20:57,040
they've been dogging the administration

7316
05:20:54,480 --> 05:20:59,920
these last, I don't know, couple months

7317
05:20:57,040 --> 05:21:02,480
or so. But I'll tell you one thing, what

7318
05:20:59,920 --> 05:21:04,798
you won't say about this administration

7319
05:21:02,480 --> 05:21:06,798
is that they're not willing to listen

7320
05:21:04,798 --> 05:21:09,120
and work with people. You may not always

7321
05:21:06,798 --> 05:21:10,878
agree with the conclusion they come to,

7322
05:21:09,120 --> 05:21:12,798
but at the very least, they're going to

7323
05:21:10,878 --> 05:21:15,040
afford you the opportunity to come to

7324
05:21:12,798 --> 05:21:18,160
some meetings, give some input, and

7325
05:21:15,040 --> 05:21:20,878
they're going to offer some compromises

7326
05:21:18,160 --> 05:21:23,280
as well. So, um, with that, I'll vote. I

7327
05:21:20,878 --> 05:21:24,638
Sean,

7328
05:21:23,280 --> 05:21:28,280
» Council person sing,

7329
05:21:24,638 --> 05:21:28,280
» I'll cut it short.

7330
05:21:28,400 --> 05:21:34,718
Um as uh council woman little said that

7331
05:21:31,360 --> 05:21:36,638
there are lot of amendments uh and

7332
05:21:34,718 --> 05:21:39,680
everybody has worked hard so thank you

7333
05:21:36,638 --> 05:21:42,718
council president um lot of transparency

7334
05:21:39,680 --> 05:21:45,680
discussing and figuring out ways to uh

7335
05:21:42,718 --> 05:21:49,280
accommodate all what we wanted and I'm

7336
05:21:45,680 --> 05:21:51,120
happy that senior bus driver bus driver

7337
05:21:49,280 --> 05:21:53,600
for seniors

7338
05:21:51,120 --> 05:21:56,160
uh the that was really important because

7339
05:21:53,600 --> 05:21:58,638
I work closely with seniors and small

7340
05:21:56,160 --> 05:22:02,400
trips matter they look forward to those

7341
05:21:58,638 --> 05:22:05,440
trips. So that is exciting. I also

7342
05:22:02,400 --> 05:22:08,320
wanted um one employee for clerk's

7343
05:22:05,440 --> 05:22:10,798
office. We know that uh regularly you

7344
05:22:08,320 --> 05:22:13,440
get birth certificate

7345
05:22:10,798 --> 05:22:15,840
uh death certificate, marriage

7346
05:22:13,440 --> 05:22:18,638
certificate every single day. So many

7347
05:22:15,840 --> 05:22:21,120
requests. So so accommodating

7348
05:22:18,638 --> 05:22:23,840
everything. Um everybody worked very

7349
05:22:21,120 --> 05:22:27,320
hard and uh this is the starting this is

7350
05:22:23,840 --> 05:22:27,320
our first budget.

7351
05:22:28,320 --> 05:22:35,840
our first budget and um thank you for uh

7352
05:22:32,878 --> 05:22:39,200
thank you to everybody working as a team

7353
05:22:35,840 --> 05:22:42,920
and I vote I

7354
05:22:39,200 --> 05:22:42,920
» Council person Griffin

7355
05:22:43,760 --> 05:22:53,120
» With a a 15 and a half% tax raise um you

7356
05:22:50,080 --> 05:22:56,320
know we we we must ensure that city

7357
05:22:53,120 --> 05:22:58,798
services are you

7358
05:22:56,320 --> 05:23:02,638
moving in the right direction. People

7359
05:22:58,798 --> 05:23:06,160
need to see what they're paying for. Um

7360
05:23:02,638 --> 05:23:09,040
and also, you know, um I think we got a

7361
05:23:06,160 --> 05:23:12,240
lot of wins uh coming out of this with

7362
05:23:09,040 --> 05:23:16,878
like, you know, funding arrive uh

7363
05:23:12,240 --> 05:23:19,600
bringing some employees back. Um,

7364
05:23:16,878 --> 05:23:22,400
but one one thing I got to say is um,

7365
05:23:19,600 --> 05:23:25,440
you know, people, if we expect our

7366
05:23:22,400 --> 05:23:27,600
homeowners to sacrifice,

7367
05:23:25,440 --> 05:23:30,480
then every department needs to

7368
05:23:27,600 --> 05:23:32,160
sacrifice. Every every department from

7369
05:23:30,480 --> 05:23:33,760
top to bottom needs to sacrifice

7370
05:23:32,160 --> 05:23:35,600
something.

7371
05:23:33,760 --> 05:23:37,920
Um,

7372
05:23:35,600 --> 05:23:41,200
you know, it's a lot on people and we

7373
05:23:37,920 --> 05:23:45,680
need to show them that we're we're doing

7374
05:23:41,200 --> 05:23:50,080
our all to at least improve, um, our

7375
05:23:45,680 --> 05:23:53,280
city since we can't lower the tax levy.

7376
05:23:50,080 --> 05:23:57,200
Um, I want to thank my colleagues, um,

7377
05:23:53,280 --> 05:24:00,080
everyone I spoke to, which is everybody.

7378
05:23:57,200 --> 05:24:02,400
Um, and I want to, you know, thank our

7379
05:24:00,080 --> 05:24:06,718
council president,

7380
05:24:02,400 --> 05:24:08,878
uh, for having these meetings. Um, I

7381
05:24:06,718 --> 05:24:10,798
want to thank my staff

7382
05:24:08,878 --> 05:24:15,798
for showing up when I couldn't. And I

7383
05:24:10,798 --> 05:24:15,798
especially, you know, want to thank, um,

7384
05:24:17,920 --> 05:24:20,878
every time I called you, you was too

7385
05:24:19,280 --> 05:24:22,958
busy.

7386
05:24:20,878 --> 05:24:25,760
No, I wanna I want to I want to I want

7387
05:24:22,958 --> 05:24:27,440
to especially thank Frank Gilmore.

7388
05:24:25,760 --> 05:24:30,160
um

7389
05:24:27,440 --> 05:24:33,040
Rolando Lavaro,

7390
05:24:30,160 --> 05:24:35,840
uh Tom Zupa,

7391
05:24:33,040 --> 05:24:40,000
um

7392
05:24:35,840 --> 05:24:43,360
and and you know um you know people were

7393
05:24:40,000 --> 05:24:46,320
burning the midnight oil um to at least

7394
05:24:43,360 --> 05:24:48,638
you know make these these um cuts to

7395
05:24:46,320 --> 05:24:54,798
improve other services.

7396
05:24:48,638 --> 05:24:57,520
Um so thank you all for that. I vote I.

7397
05:24:54,798 --> 05:24:59,040
» Council person Lavaro,

7398
05:24:57,520 --> 05:25:01,920
» Before I cast my vote and make a

7399
05:24:59,040 --> 05:25:03,600
statement, c can I just ask um can we

7400
05:25:01,920 --> 05:25:06,958
get confirmation on what with these

7401
05:25:03,600 --> 05:25:10,520
amendments what the tax rate tax levy

7402
05:25:06,958 --> 05:25:10,520
increase will be?

7403
05:25:14,798 --> 05:25:20,160
Still an increase at the end, but

7404
05:25:17,600 --> 05:25:22,160
a decrease in the increase. hopefully

7405
05:25:20,160 --> 05:25:25,840
» Decrease in the increase.

7406
05:25:22,160 --> 05:25:28,878
» Councilman, with the changes uh

7407
05:25:25,840 --> 05:25:32,280
in the amendment, the levy

7408
05:25:28,878 --> 05:25:32,280
is 458,5688.35.

7409
05:25:34,560 --> 05:25:38,160
They must have missed that when Sean

7410
05:25:35,840 --> 05:25:41,718
read it. Uh that's a reduction in the

7411
05:25:38,160 --> 05:25:41,718
levy of 1,384,772.37.

7412
05:25:44,240 --> 05:25:49,958
That means the tax rate increase is

7413
05:25:46,958 --> 05:25:49,958
15.15%.

7414
05:25:50,718 --> 05:25:57,270
» I think they missed it, but I said it.

7415
05:25:55,250 --> 05:25:57,270
[laughter]

7416
05:25:57,680 --> 05:25:59,200
» Oh, decrease.

7417
05:25:58,400 --> 05:26:02,200
» Said a lot, Sean.

7418
05:25:59,200 --> 05:26:02,200
» 15.15.

7419
05:26:03,760 --> 05:26:07,440
» Okay.

7420
05:26:05,280 --> 05:26:10,240
So, let let me begin with um some

7421
05:26:07,440 --> 05:26:13,440
acknowledgements first. Um while the

7422
05:26:10,240 --> 05:26:15,360
budget cycle was too long, um this

7423
05:26:13,440 --> 05:26:17,680
budget amendment process was not a long

7424
05:26:15,360 --> 05:26:20,080
one. Uh from the time the council

7425
05:26:17,680 --> 05:26:23,200
received it, um we've had a little over

7426
05:26:20,080 --> 05:26:25,920
a month, um to come to these amendments.

7427
05:26:23,200 --> 05:26:27,520
It was very compressed and very intense.

7428
05:26:25,920 --> 05:26:30,240
Um and there were plenty of

7429
05:26:27,520 --> 05:26:31,840
disagreements, I can say. But I can also

7430
05:26:30,240 --> 05:26:34,320
say that everyone has been working very

7431
05:26:31,840 --> 05:26:36,080
hard. So, I want to acknowledge u

7432
05:26:34,320 --> 05:26:37,600
members of the administration, the

7433
05:26:36,080 --> 05:26:40,160
business administrator Ruby Choy,

7434
05:26:37,600 --> 05:26:41,760
finance director Bill Vicera, um Stu

7435
05:26:40,160 --> 05:26:44,000
Thomas and Isaac Smith from the mayor's

7436
05:26:41,760 --> 05:26:46,718
office um for their hard work um

7437
05:26:44,000 --> 05:26:48,958
throughout this uh member process and

7438
05:26:46,718 --> 05:26:51,360
supporting the city council. Um I want

7439
05:26:48,958 --> 05:26:53,600
to thank um the council president's

7440
05:26:51,360 --> 05:26:55,600
office uh Billy Wilson um for all of his

7441
05:26:53,600 --> 05:26:57,600
work. Um and of course the council

7442
05:26:55,600 --> 05:26:59,520
president uh Denise really for her

7443
05:26:57,600 --> 05:27:02,798
leadership in keeping this process on

7444
05:26:59,520 --> 05:27:05,680
track and dealing with nine different

7445
05:27:02,798 --> 05:27:07,520
egos um throughout this process. Um I

7446
05:27:05,680 --> 05:27:09,360
want to thank um Councilman Zupa and

7447
05:27:07,520 --> 05:27:11,840
Councilman Griffin um with whom I

7448
05:27:09,360 --> 05:27:13,520
co-hosted some budget town hall meetings

7449
05:27:11,840 --> 05:27:16,080
and I thank all my co colleagues in the

7450
05:27:13,520 --> 05:27:18,000
council um for all your work that you've

7451
05:27:16,080 --> 05:27:21,200
done um throughout this process and this

7452
05:27:18,000 --> 05:27:22,878
budget amendment process. Um, now I just

7453
05:27:21,200 --> 05:27:26,240
really want to thank everyone who came

7454
05:27:22,878 --> 05:27:27,360
out and I say uh I mean I don't know

7455
05:27:26,240 --> 05:27:29,920
that they really want to be thanked

7456
05:27:27,360 --> 05:27:31,360
because it's not a good outcome. So

7457
05:27:29,920 --> 05:27:34,718
everyone who's come out to speak at

7458
05:27:31,360 --> 05:27:37,520
different uh um this public hearing

7459
05:27:34,718 --> 05:27:39,360
tonight and town halls and everywhere

7460
05:27:37,520 --> 05:27:41,680
else and um and we still have another

7461
05:27:39,360 --> 05:27:43,920
one and encourage people to come out.

7462
05:27:41,680 --> 05:27:47,280
But I want you to know that um I have

7463
05:27:43,920 --> 05:27:49,600
been listening. I hear the anger. I hear

7464
05:27:47,280 --> 05:27:52,400
the frustration. And I want you to know

7465
05:27:49,600 --> 05:27:55,120
it's justified. Um, people are being

7466
05:27:52,400 --> 05:27:58,000
asked to pay more and I've heard this

7467
05:27:55,120 --> 05:27:59,760
for a problem that they did not create.

7468
05:27:58,000 --> 05:28:01,440
And many are still are wondering out

7469
05:27:59,760 --> 05:28:05,360
loud if this is a city they can afford

7470
05:28:01,440 --> 05:28:08,480
to stay in. That fear is very real. And

7471
05:28:05,360 --> 05:28:10,638
I'm not going to talk around it. What I

7472
05:28:08,480 --> 05:28:13,440
heard tonight from renters and

7473
05:28:10,638 --> 05:28:15,200
homeowners alike was one message. This

7474
05:28:13,440 --> 05:28:17,680
budget has to work for all of us, not

7475
05:28:15,200 --> 05:28:19,680
just a few. and has to answer the

7476
05:28:17,680 --> 05:28:22,400
question, can the people of Jersey City

7477
05:28:19,680 --> 05:28:25,360
still afford to live here? And sadly for

7478
05:28:22,400 --> 05:28:27,040
many, the answer is no.

7479
05:28:25,360 --> 05:28:30,000
Um,

7480
05:28:27,040 --> 05:28:32,320
I am voting yes on this amendment, not

7481
05:28:30,000 --> 05:28:34,080
because it's the budget I would write,

7482
05:28:32,320 --> 05:28:36,958
but because it's the best hand I can

7483
05:28:34,080 --> 05:28:38,400
play with the cards I've been dealt. I'm

7484
05:28:36,958 --> 05:28:40,878
voting yes on this amendment, not

7485
05:28:38,400 --> 05:28:42,798
because it's the I said that already. I

7486
05:28:40,878 --> 05:28:45,040
went through this budget line. I went

7487
05:28:42,798 --> 05:28:46,798
through this budget line by line and

7488
05:28:45,040 --> 05:28:50,480
proposed revenue increases to help bring

7489
05:28:46,798 --> 05:28:53,760
the tax levy down, reducing the levy, as

7490
05:28:50,480 --> 05:28:56,160
the finance director said, to um the tax

7491
05:28:53,760 --> 05:28:57,760
increase to 15.15%.

7492
05:28:56,160 --> 05:29:01,160
And I regret that I can't do more in

7493
05:28:57,760 --> 05:29:01,160
this budget cycle.

7494
05:29:03,360 --> 05:29:07,680
Besides trying to lower the levy, one of

7495
05:29:05,040 --> 05:29:09,840
my priorities in this budget process um

7496
05:29:07,680 --> 05:29:12,160
was to restore the jobs of all 31

7497
05:29:09,840 --> 05:29:13,680
employees who were laid off on July

7498
05:29:12,160 --> 05:29:15,440
10th.

7499
05:29:13,680 --> 05:29:17,360
I proposed several millions of dollars

7500
05:29:15,440 --> 05:29:20,240
in expense reductions to offset the cost

7501
05:29:17,360 --> 05:29:22,638
of restoring those jobs. And this

7502
05:29:20,240 --> 05:29:26,160
amendment restores the jobs for five of

7503
05:29:22,638 --> 05:29:29,680
the 31 employees laid off on July 10th

7504
05:29:26,160 --> 05:29:31,920
with levy neutral expense offsets.

7505
05:29:29,680 --> 05:29:33,600
But it's not enough.

7506
05:29:31,920 --> 05:29:35,840
It's not enough for the two dozen more

7507
05:29:33,600 --> 05:29:37,760
employees who were laid off and are not

7508
05:29:35,840 --> 05:29:40,000
being made whole

7509
05:29:37,760 --> 05:29:41,760
and their families.

7510
05:29:40,000 --> 05:29:43,600
And they didn't cause this deficit any

7511
05:29:41,760 --> 05:29:46,920
more than the families facing this tax

7512
05:29:43,600 --> 05:29:46,920
increase did.

7513
05:29:46,958 --> 05:29:51,760
I'm very glad that Right to Council be

7514
05:29:49,200 --> 05:29:56,080
fully funded as a city will need these

7515
05:29:51,760 --> 05:29:58,400
services, but we also need much more.

7516
05:29:56,080 --> 05:30:01,440
foreclosure assistance and prevention

7517
05:29:58,400 --> 05:30:02,958
programs, rental assistance, help for

7518
05:30:01,440 --> 05:30:07,760
families before they ever reach a

7519
05:30:02,958 --> 05:30:09,440
courtroom or receive an eviction notice.

7520
05:30:07,760 --> 05:30:12,320
One of the speakers said tonight that a

7521
05:30:09,440 --> 05:30:14,320
budget is a statement of values. And I

7522
05:30:12,320 --> 05:30:16,320
agree wholeheartedly,

7523
05:30:14,320 --> 05:30:18,480
and I'll be honest with everyone out

7524
05:30:16,320 --> 05:30:20,798
there, this budget does not reflect

7525
05:30:18,480 --> 05:30:23,360
mine. My own amendments don't even

7526
05:30:20,798 --> 05:30:25,680
reflect my values here. They reflect my

7527
05:30:23,360 --> 05:30:28,638
priorities in this process given the

7528
05:30:25,680 --> 05:30:30,400
constraints we were handed.

7529
05:30:28,638 --> 05:30:33,200
Still, I'm voting yes on this amendment

7530
05:30:30,400 --> 05:30:35,280
tonight. But I want you to know to the

7531
05:30:33,200 --> 05:30:37,520
people of Jersey City that my work on

7532
05:30:35,280 --> 05:30:39,040
this budget crisis continues and my

7533
05:30:37,520 --> 05:30:41,200
fight continues for Jersey City's

7534
05:30:39,040 --> 05:30:43,200
residents, my neighbors, for the workers

7535
05:30:41,200 --> 05:30:48,320
and the families who came out to be

7536
05:30:43,200 --> 05:30:50,080
heard. Thank you all. I vote I.

7537
05:30:48,320 --> 05:30:52,558
» Council President Ridley.

7538
05:30:50,080 --> 05:30:53,360
» Mr. President Comm, can I make a quick

7539
05:30:52,558 --> 05:30:55,280
» Go ahead, Bill.

7540
05:30:53,360 --> 05:30:56,958
» Thank you, Councilman. I just wanted to

7541
05:30:55,280 --> 05:30:59,840
add one thing to your comments. I think

7542
05:30:56,958 --> 05:31:02,000
we added back approximately 11 positions

7543
05:30:59,840 --> 05:31:02,400
of those 31. So, I just wanted to get

7544
05:31:02,000 --> 05:31:03,680
that from

7545
05:31:02,400 --> 05:31:05,440
» Oh, really? All of them?

7546
05:31:03,680 --> 05:31:09,600
» I think there were 11.

7547
05:31:05,440 --> 05:31:12,878
» 11. 11. Okay, great. Good to hear. Thank

7548
05:31:09,600 --> 05:31:15,360
you. That's good to know.

7549
05:31:12,878 --> 05:31:19,360
» Council President Ridley.

7550
05:31:15,360 --> 05:31:22,400
» Okay. Uh it's been a long evening and an

7551
05:31:19,360 --> 05:31:25,280
even longer budget process that we are

7552
05:31:22,400 --> 05:31:29,200
still not through yet. Um so I'll have

7553
05:31:25,280 --> 05:31:32,160
more to say next week, but I want to

7554
05:31:29,200 --> 05:31:35,680
start by thanking this council.

7555
05:31:32,160 --> 05:31:38,320
This council worked extremely hard. Uh

7556
05:31:35,680 --> 05:31:41,200
and we started the work before the

7557
05:31:38,320 --> 05:31:43,200
budget process started. So, as soon as

7558
05:31:41,200 --> 05:31:46,400
this council knew that we were in a

7559
05:31:43,200 --> 05:31:49,440
budget deficit, um you know, we started

7560
05:31:46,400 --> 05:31:51,360
deciding what we could go without. So, a

7561
05:31:49,440 --> 05:31:55,520
lot of well, all of this council walked

7562
05:31:51,360 --> 05:31:57,920
in the door expecting to be able to um

7563
05:31:55,520 --> 05:32:01,120
use their fully allotted and legal

7564
05:31:57,920 --> 05:32:04,638
budgets. They took a cut on that. Um and

7565
05:32:01,120 --> 05:32:08,400
I thank them for that. But not just

7566
05:32:04,638 --> 05:32:09,920
taking cuts on the budget,

7567
05:32:08,400 --> 05:32:12,000
but

7568
05:32:09,920 --> 05:32:13,600
serving as a council person,

7569
05:32:12,000 --> 05:32:17,040
particularly in a city as large as

7570
05:32:13,600 --> 05:32:20,320
Jersey City, is definitely a sacrifice.

7571
05:32:17,040 --> 05:32:22,080
Um, we did two weeks worth of budget

7572
05:32:20,320 --> 05:32:24,160
hearings, then came back and did an

7573
05:32:22,080 --> 05:32:26,160
extra day. There were council people

7574
05:32:24,160 --> 05:32:27,760
here who had vacations planned. there

7575
05:32:26,160 --> 05:32:30,320
were council people who had other

7576
05:32:27,760 --> 05:32:32,480
obligations and they put those things

7577
05:32:30,320 --> 05:32:34,718
off to be here for the residents and to

7578
05:32:32,480 --> 05:32:37,280
review that information and I thank them

7579
05:32:34,718 --> 05:32:39,280
for that sacrifice and you know anybody

7580
05:32:37,280 --> 05:32:42,000
can say well you signed up for the job

7581
05:32:39,280 --> 05:32:43,600
or we voted you in and we get all that

7582
05:32:42,000 --> 05:32:45,520
and I'm not making light of that or

7583
05:32:43,600 --> 05:32:48,878
saying that anybody does not appreciate

7584
05:32:45,520 --> 05:32:51,680
their job um but being up here is a

7585
05:32:48,878 --> 05:32:53,760
sacrifice um and you sacrifice a lot of

7586
05:32:51,680 --> 05:32:56,878
time from your personal life your

7587
05:32:53,760 --> 05:32:58,638
families etc So, I want you to know that

7588
05:32:56,878 --> 05:33:00,080
I appreciate that because there were a

7589
05:32:58,638 --> 05:33:02,240
lot of times during this process where

7590
05:33:00,080 --> 05:33:04,400
we had to pivot where you might have

7591
05:33:02,240 --> 05:33:05,680
thought something was done or we were

7592
05:33:04,400 --> 05:33:07,920
going to wrap something up in a certain

7593
05:33:05,680 --> 05:33:11,280
amount of time and then everything just

7594
05:33:07,920 --> 05:33:13,600
changes uh at a moment's notice. You can

7595
05:33:11,280 --> 05:33:16,958
get an email from me 11:00 on a Sunday

7596
05:33:13,600 --> 05:33:20,160
night. Um, and it just continuously

7597
05:33:16,958 --> 05:33:23,280
changes and that's that is the job. Uh

7598
05:33:20,160 --> 05:33:25,920
so we did run into a lot of changes in

7599
05:33:23,280 --> 05:33:30,320
this process. Having the state included

7600
05:33:25,920 --> 05:33:32,638
uh definitely presented its challenges.

7601
05:33:30,320 --> 05:33:34,798
Having the state being able to kind of

7602
05:33:32,638 --> 05:33:37,920
change things as they see fit.

7603
05:33:34,798 --> 05:33:39,760
Definitely has its challenges. Uh and

7604
05:33:37,920 --> 05:33:42,878
that is a new process that we are

7605
05:33:39,760 --> 05:33:45,920
navigating. As my colleague said, we did

7606
05:33:42,878 --> 05:33:48,558
what we could with what we had and

7607
05:33:45,920 --> 05:33:50,320
everyone worked very hard going through

7608
05:33:48,558 --> 05:33:52,638
different line items, working on their

7609
05:33:50,320 --> 05:33:56,080
priorities. Thank you to all the council

7610
05:33:52,638 --> 05:33:57,920
members for doing that. Even as far as,

7611
05:33:56,080 --> 05:34:00,000
you know, Councilman Lavar, you did a

7612
05:33:57,920 --> 05:34:03,440
lot of work around the revenues and some

7613
05:34:00,000 --> 05:34:05,600
of those other items as as we were going

7614
05:34:03,440 --> 05:34:08,160
through the different departments. So,

7615
05:34:05,600 --> 05:34:10,320
everybody pitched in and kind of did

7616
05:34:08,160 --> 05:34:11,920
their part of what they could do. And I

7617
05:34:10,320 --> 05:34:15,280
appreciate that. I appreciate the

7618
05:34:11,920 --> 05:34:17,840
administration, Stu, Isaac, because if I

7619
05:34:15,280 --> 05:34:20,160
was in those emails and telling people

7620
05:34:17,840 --> 05:34:22,798
we're pivoting, you were in those

7621
05:34:20,160 --> 05:34:26,400
emails, too. Or calling me saying, "Hey,

7622
05:34:22,798 --> 05:34:29,920
we just got thrown a bone from the um

7623
05:34:26,400 --> 05:34:31,840
from the state, Bill, Ruby, answering

7624
05:34:29,920 --> 05:34:34,638
all our emails. We ask for a lot of

7625
05:34:31,840 --> 05:34:36,400
information. Uh [laughter] so we

7626
05:34:34,638 --> 05:34:39,440
appreciate you getting those things to

7627
05:34:36,400 --> 05:34:41,360
us in a timely manner." So, just the the

7628
05:34:39,440 --> 05:34:43,520
entire administration and the council, I

7629
05:34:41,360 --> 05:34:47,360
really thank you for all that you did.

7630
05:34:43,520 --> 05:34:52,718
Um, and just so we're clear, tonight we

7631
05:34:47,360 --> 05:34:56,878
are voting to introduce the amendment.

7632
05:34:52,718 --> 05:34:58,798
Next week, we will take a vote on the

7633
05:34:56,878 --> 05:35:01,680
amendment. There will be a public

7634
05:34:58,798 --> 05:35:04,480
hearing on the amendment next week. next

7635
05:35:01,680 --> 05:35:07,440
Wednesday the 26th at 5:00 p.m. and then

7636
05:35:04,480 --> 05:35:10,958
there will also uh be a final budget

7637
05:35:07,440 --> 05:35:13,600
vote on next Wednesday. So that is the

7638
05:35:10,958 --> 05:35:16,400
process. That's what's taking place now.

7639
05:35:13,600 --> 05:35:19,120
Um as I mentioned earlier, the state has

7640
05:35:16,400 --> 05:35:21,280
a lot of opinions and restrictions. They

7641
05:35:19,120 --> 05:35:23,920
are not willing to go between the 15%

7642
05:35:21,280 --> 05:35:27,920
levy. Thankfully, we were able to get it

7643
05:35:23,920 --> 05:35:30,480
down from 15.5 to 15.1.

7644
05:35:27,920 --> 05:35:34,240
Um, not a big drop, but we did what we

7645
05:35:30,480 --> 05:35:37,440
were able to do, and I'm still trying to

7646
05:35:34,240 --> 05:35:40,400
hold on to what I can hold on to. Uh,

7647
05:35:37,440 --> 05:35:42,798
and that is to continue to fight and put

7648
05:35:40,400 --> 05:35:45,360
pressure to hopefully change these

7649
05:35:42,798 --> 05:35:47,760
terms. So, I am still fighting for that.

7650
05:35:45,360 --> 05:35:50,798
I have, uh, a meeting with the state

7651
05:35:47,760 --> 05:35:52,798
tomorrow. Um, we have some meetings

7652
05:35:50,798 --> 05:35:54,718
scheduled for next week. So, I am still

7653
05:35:52,798 --> 05:35:57,680
pushing for that. I would ask residents

7654
05:35:54,718 --> 05:35:59,520
to continue to push for that. We are the

7655
05:35:57,680 --> 05:36:00,958
municipal council. You get in the booth,

7656
05:35:59,520 --> 05:36:02,480
you vote for us, and you vote for

7657
05:36:00,958 --> 05:36:03,840
everybody up the line for your state

7658
05:36:02,480 --> 05:36:06,480
legislators all the way up to the

7659
05:36:03,840 --> 05:36:08,638
governor. Um, and a lot of these

7660
05:36:06,480 --> 05:36:10,400
situations and decisions are being made

7661
05:36:08,638 --> 05:36:13,360
above us, and we need you to push with

7662
05:36:10,400 --> 05:36:15,920
us. Uh, cuz it will benefit all of us if

7663
05:36:13,360 --> 05:36:19,520
we can renegotiate some of these terms.

7664
05:36:15,920 --> 05:36:22,160
So, with that, I vote I, and uh, we'll

7665
05:36:19,520 --> 05:36:26,320
see you next week.

7666
05:36:22,160 --> 05:36:29,600
» Not too fast. Um,

7667
05:36:26,320 --> 05:36:33,440
city resolution 10.57

7668
05:36:29,600 --> 05:36:35,192
is introduced unanimously. 90.

7669
05:36:33,440 --> 05:36:37,200
Nope.

7670
05:36:35,192 --> 05:36:41,680
[laughter] Um,

7671
05:36:37,200 --> 05:36:44,000
item 10.58 was approved earlier and the

7672
05:36:41,680 --> 05:36:45,920
only thing that the council president

7673
05:36:44,000 --> 05:36:49,200
didn't mention is that I'm going to be

7674
05:36:45,920 --> 05:36:51,360
putting an encore performance on reading

7675
05:36:49,200 --> 05:36:54,320
the amendment back into a record again

7676
05:36:51,360 --> 05:36:56,480
next Wednesday. So everybody who enjoyed

7677
05:36:54,320 --> 05:36:59,440
it, come and visit again.

7678
05:36:56,480 --> 05:37:02,480
» On that, may I have a motion to adjourn

7679
05:36:59,440 --> 05:37:05,120
at 11:44

7680
05:37:02,480 --> 05:37:07,120
p.m.? Motion was made by council person

7681
05:37:05,120 --> 05:37:09,440
Gilmore. And I did hear a second by

7682
05:37:07,120 --> 05:37:12,638
council person Singh. All in favor of

7683
05:37:09,440 --> 05:37:14,558
the motion to adjourn at 11:44 p.m. Ple

7684
05:37:12,638 --> 05:37:17,120
by acclamation. All council members

7685
05:37:14,558 --> 05:37:21,280
present, please say I. I. We are out of

7686
05:37:17,120 --> 05:37:21,280
here at 11:44 p.m.