Jersey City Council reviews bonding reallocations, Heights hospital zoning, at caucus

The Jersey City Council reviewed the second reading of ordinances related to transferring unused bond funds and changing the zoning of the Heights University Hospital, during yesterday’s caucus.

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

Deputy Finance Director Kyle Greaves explained that roughly $58 million in unused bond funds was reduced to about $47.5 million before being reappropriated to the general fund.

Therefore, funds for Reservoir 3, Pershing Field, Engine 10, a Martin Luther King Boulevard property, and a Newark Ave drop-in center would remain in tact. Other allocations include the recently settled 6th Street Embankment project, as well as line items for public safety, infrastructure, and public works.

“It would alleviate some temporary budget appropriations for next year,” Greaves argued.

Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore was concerned about Arlington Park improvement funding being cut.

“That project was completed, and the funding was no longer needed,” Greaves said.

“I definitively know the project didn’t even start. I don’t like the thought of anything going into a general fund. If there’s a conversation that needs to be had for us to pay for certain things, then we can have that conversation … If things go under or over budget, I would like to know,” Gilmore replied.

Greaves answered that’s it’s a decision that is ultimately up to the council, to which Gilmore said he wasn’t sure what was trying to be done here.

“Just to alleviate some temporary budget allocations next year, stuff for building improvements, Via, public safety leases, existing leases. This would help encumber the funds now before the next budget cycle,” Greaves stated.

He also said further scaling back is possible, but he took out what was advised to.

“ … It’s a bad way to do business altogether … To take away that authority and power from the council, I just don’t think that’s a responsible thing to do,” Gilmore added.

“Thee’s contracts that come to council for projects … There’s other reporting mechanisms we can use … It’s up to the council and the BA’s office,” Greaves further explained.

Acting Business Administrator Peter Horton then reiterated that any funding applications must be approved via council resolution.

“What are the existing appropriations this would be going toward?” Ward E Councilman James Solomon asked.

Greaves said he could provide a list, which Solomon appreciated.

“If we move these funds to capital and a new account, they could just be spent … How much … is going to be spent on existing contractors that are pre-approved?” Solomon, the mayor-elect, continued, to which Greaves said he would break it down.

Councilman at-Large Danny Rivera said the city needs four or five new fire trucks, to which Greaves said that’s something that could be included. He also offered to break down all the remaining leases.

Later, Supervising Planner Matt Ward explained proposal to limit development at the Heights University Hospital site was reviewed on November 25th by the city planning board while the council was meeting simultaneously.

The planning board determined that “the ordinance, as written, was not consistent with the Master Plan,” he noted.

“Senior housing and assisted living facilities were seen as needed,” Ward added.

“Everything still remains at five stories, correct?” Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano asked.

“They recommend that an alternative to what was sent to the planning board be reviewed and considered by council moving forward. They found the version sent to them was not consistent with the Master Plan,” Ward replied with more details.

Boggiano disagreed, saying he didn’t care what the planning board found and that the proposal was consistent with the area.

“If we were to adopt the amendments the panning board recommended, that would probably be a substantial change? We wouldn’t have another meeting to do that. Is that correct?” Solomon asked.

Acting Corporation Counsel Brittany Murray responded that he was correct.

“It’s accept the ordinance as written or obviously defer it to the next council? Or we accept it and state why it’s the right thing to do even though the planning board doesn’t find it consistent?” Solomon questioned.

‘You can reject the Planning Board’s recommendations as long as you place it on the record, the reason why,” Murray said.

“Got it, thank you,” Solomon answered before moving onto the next topic.

The Jersey City Council convenes for their regular session tomorrow at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St., which will also stream live on Microsoft Teams.