Talks are underway on the possibility of adding a bike path along a road bordering Liberty State Park.
And so are conversations on the Cannabis Control Board’s future and more overall enforcement of traffic violations.
During Monday morning’s council caucus, Traffic Engineering Director Jennifer Wong revealed how a possible Phillip Street bike path, west of Liberty State Park and east of the Liberty Science Center, would span about a mile from Thomas McGovern Drive to Audrey Zapp Drive.
At the center of a proposed New Jersey Department of Transportation Bikeway Grant application, the Phillip Street “shared-use path” — a bike lane and walkway — would connect to the greater bike network.
Right now, the stretch has no sidewalks, Wong said. If the council approves the grant application, as much as $1 million could be awarded in state funds to the city.
Council discussions also centered on the Cannabis Control Board, as Acting Corporation Counsel Brittany Murray shared that only one person sits on what was formerly a five-member panel. A recent ordinance increased membership to seven, among other changes to local industry regulations.
Mayor Steve Fulop recommended three people — Brittani Bunney, Jose Cantarero and Jeffrey Kaplowitz – be “reappointed.”
“With three new appointments, we would establish a quorum,” said Murray.
At least one, Bunney, was among those who were part of a mass resignation. It’s unclear why they left, but Councilman Rich Boggiano previously called a “mess” of a situation.
“I just don’t feel comfortable with reappointing anyone who has resigned,” said Councilman Frank Gilmore.
At the dais, councilmembers also discussed improving traffic enforcement after Councilman James Solomon proposed a resolution “demanding” that additional resources be allocated.
“At a recent meeting, the public safety director said that he didn’t want to deploy officers to a specific traffic enforcement unit, but he wanted all officers to do it,” said Solomon. “My concern is that in that system, when no one’s responsible, it just doesn’t get done.”
Boggiano attributed issues to improper leadership and the size of the police department. Council President Joyce Watterman was concerned about whether layoffs were on the table.
Councilwoman Denise Ridley wondered why traffic enforcement has not met expectations.
“Shouldn’t they already be enforcing traffic violations. Like, isn’t that the job of the police already? So, if they’re not doing it, like why were they told to stop?” she said.
Ridley and Councilman Dan Rivera supported revitalizing bike and motorcycle patrols.
In other business, Murray said a completed project at 130 Bay St. qualifies for a proposed five-year tax abatement because policy allows such incentives for “conversions to commercial space.”
The council also discussed a proposed ordinance requiring firearms to be secured with a trigger lock and in a locked container.
Though there was some confusion about its purpose, given what’s already on the books under state and federal law, Murray said the city’s ordinance would be “ancillary” to any criminal investigation. The Hoboken City Council passed a similar ordinance.
On the table is a proposed one-year, $1.3 million contract with Whitsons Culinary Group for the Meals on Wheels program, which, according to Senior Dietician Offer Cohen, delivers meals to 460 to 480 people.
Whitsons is the current provider, said Cohen, but multiple providers submitted proposals for the new contract.
An awarded $510,000 Community Funding Grant would help in “revitalizing” the Curries Woods Food Pantry if a memorandum of understanding is approved by the council.
The pantry exists near Jersey City’s border with Bayonne and would be expanded to help address a “food desert,” according to Cohen.