Municipal Caucus Meeting - 2026-03-09

Second reading of ordinance 26-010 to make Franklin Street one-way westbound between Palisade Avenue and Central Avenue. Discussion focused on emergency response time concerns, school pickup/drop-off congestion mitigation, and coordination with NJ Transit bus route 87. Infrastructure department committed to working with schools and Hudson County Transportation Management Association on operational plans.

Second reading of ordinance 26-013 establishing new parking Zone 20 in the area of Pacific Avenue and Hudson Bergen Light Rail Station off Johnston Avenue. Created in response to Hudson Bergen Light Rail suspending overnight parking, with residents petitioning for permit parking similar to zones around Danford and Richard Street stations.

First reading of ordinance 26-015 incorporating 155 Morgan Street (historic firehouse formerly owned by Queen Latifah) into the Powerhouse Arts District redevelopment plan, assigning it to the rehabilitation district. Purpose is to facilitate redevelopment as a banquet and events facility by Silverman LLC. Property was declared area in need of redevelopment in 2025. No new residential rights created, so IZO not triggered.

Resolution 26-100 authorizing ratification of subordination agreement for 328 Pacific Avenue (Lafayette House), a rental development with 2 voluntary affordable units. Developer applying for HUD-backed loan requiring subordination of city's affordable housing controls. No risk to city as no money was loaned.

Resolution 26-101 exercising city's rights regarding March 15, 2026 deadline under Fair Housing Act amendments. City still negotiating rehab obligation numbers with Fair Share Housing Center through declaratory judgment motion. Resolution immunizes city from lawsuits for not meeting deadline.

Resolution 26-116 authorizing $405,600 contract renewal with Unicorn HRO LLC for payroll and human resources annual license and support services. System has 98% uptime. Implementation issues from past five years have been resolved over last three years.

Resolution authorizing $191,680 one-year contract renewal with Intellectics Inc for consolidated affordable housing portal (affordablehousingjc.com). Portal has nearly 500,000 page views in 2025 and over 14,000 registered users with approximately 550 units listed.

Resolution 26-107 authorizing award to Jolt Charge to install and operate 25 fast charging stations evenly distributed among Jersey City wards.

Resolutions 26-095 and 26-096 accepting 2026 assessment role and adopting 2026 budget for Jackson Hill Main Street Special Improvement District. Budget includes $106,000 for beautification (planters, sanitation, murals) from UEEZ funding and approximately $80,000 for cleaning with local hires.

Multiple resolutions authorizing shared service agreements with Guttenberg and Hoboken for animal control services, and contracts with The Traveling Vet ($10 TNR program for registered colony caretakers) and Alto Veterinary Services. Discussion included need for full-time in-house veterinarian.

Resolution authorizing public sale of 147 motor vehicles and tire machine through publicsurplus.com auction. Vehicles are impounded cars never claimed by owners.

Resolutions 26-117 and 26-118 ratifying professional service agreements with Bennett, Bricklin & Salzburg LLC and O'Toole Scrivo LLC to represent officers Felix de Jesus and Steven Gigante in Andrew Washington v. City of Jersey City. City has statutory obligation to provide representation for officers sued for conduct in course of official business.