[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6243784,"mediaKeyId","3237740-618279d067f9771bf78f5c41c1cdbc8f","parentId",3237740,"title","Jersey City council introduces ordinance to ban algorithmic rent fixing amid widespread tenant complaints","audioSeconds",4495,"startMs",367000,"endMs",4862000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237740-618279d067f9771bf78f5c41c1cdbc8f&start=367&end=4862","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237740-618279d067f9771bf78f5c41c1cdbc8f/thumbnail_367000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6243784/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Jersey-City-council-introduces-ordinance-to-ban-algorithmic-rent-fixing-amid-widespread-tenant-complaints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243784-ed77814bd4cbfa3c80d3118bd3fd61be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187475&Signature=kdsFld16ogExoY3L5bpxaMKk~PYPX7e2d0eH9SyTQzLxY-BuuC07o6R0CVB4-fS6bI6vE8wIZinYeRvC2UVXyhBQBQiay-JtJuJ4iCrCl5QhbjXC4Daotx8jN4bZrueCXiHYzQNAxK7OTWkU4bSQKYm8huYR1EVTPuMxpRHBtFDtsqZUtfRj8qz5vdlhbDXFOsFyIS9bJ5mxkeq12F3T2PGJNJNnX7B8~Y~X~Yo8zIEIYZDspc8q8cHDf1Qxk8nD1E1k0a~G4RRlMuneVF1B-fdmV8sfF5lBhzusByRjc3OafXLkCaCDFbfI4BdDjpODvFFTjXN40lMpeOlJIC1GCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Jersey City, NJ","date","2025-05-08T18:12:16Z","article","The Jersey City Municipal Council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance to prevent algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market, responding to public testimony that automated pricing tools have inflated rents and undermined tenant protections.

The ordinance, introduced as City Ordinance 25‑057 and read into the record during first reading, “prohibits the use of specialized software and services designed specifically to coordinate pricing among what should be competing property owners,” Councilperson James Solomon said when the item was introduced. The council voted 8‑0 to introduce items 3.1 through 3.3, which included the rent‑fixing measure; the vote on introduction was recorded with Council President Waterman absent.

Tenant advocates and residents told the council the ordinance is needed to address what they described as systemic, algorithm‑driven price coordination. Kevin Weller, president of the Portside Towers East Tenant Association, told the council that “algorithmic pricing systems are being used to artificially inflate rents across our state,” and urged the council to act after the New Jersey attorney general filed a related lawsuit.

Multiple tenants from large buildings owned by institutional landlords described steep, often identical rent hikes and building‑service shortfalls. Jessica Brann, a scientist and Ward F tenant, said, “These pricing algorithms are not neutral. They are engineered to optimize revenue by leveraging shared data from competing landlords,” and described rent increases at her building that, she said, totaled more than 50% since 2021.

Speakers urged the council to preserve tenants’ ability to seek redress. Kevin Weller and others recommended a local ordinance to complement the state attorney general’s antitrust action, arguing municipal authority can provide enforcement pathways and private rights of action. Tenant advocates also warned of related code violations they say continue in some large properties, including absent 24‑7 uniform security and missing resident superintendents.

Council members noted the attorney general’s ongoing investigation and the need for careful legal review. At introduction, staff indicated the law department would continue reviewing the ordinance language and provide a memo before second reading.

The ordinance would not prevent landlords from setting rents based on their own independent analysis, according to sponsors; it targets software and services that aggregate competitor data for coordinated pricing. Supporters said the measure is narrowly tailored to prohibit algorithmic collusion without restricting ordinary business decision‑making.

The council will consider the ordinance again at second reading after the law department completes its review and provides additional guidance.

If adopted, the ordinance would join related local and state discussions about algorithmic pricing, tenant protections and enforcement. For now, the council’s introduction puts the city on record seeking to limit the use of algorithmic tools that residents and tenant groups contend have contributed to rising rents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jersey City Municipal Council Meeting May 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Jersey City Municipal Council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance to prevent algorithmic rent fixing after tenants and advocates told the council automated pricing tools have driven coordinated rent increases.","taxTitle","Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey","taxId",2747,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243767,"Council approves conveyance of 247 First Street to redevelopment agency; residents urge city to consider parkland",334,2230000,2564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237740-618279d067f9771bf78f5c41c1cdbc8f&start=2230&end=2564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237740-618279d067f9771bf78f5c41c1cdbc8f/thumbnail_2230000.jpg","/articles/6243767/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-conveyance-of-247-First-Street-to-redevelopment-agency-residents-urge-city-to-consider-parkland","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243767-f1059d750081f24fb193c6bc746fa20d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187475&Signature=JsvwRuQJi8jtND4eDvZ7No51cOMMAEcMUQ0Igu~LBrV74OLS3nB9x3K5xda6yh5ZSLRVGSnNf93tFGY8Mc9UpEp5zO2Bot35U06oG7HXSBYvl0Ft~xXP~GX0lXskBn1BZJNKau2P9VRQvRtMP1aL79Sngmq5q~u8GZh7MoFp8P0H~iVrOYVs2naBH7hMkRFgPc6su-py2NdanYQ6yEgp8wa2UgmXJ4F0oWUx9qPFPrCUywSxcpHeigtRpgyRsuDjr7KGWyt8dzEEKBZGf3eXQfpV-tfT4fu71jdDSZd3xoO2w0MhV3bAjucnAid8yI2mrC2mGh5JBSW5SKz8p8CYtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jersey City Municipal Council adopted an ordinance conveying a city‑owned parcel at 247 First Street to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, drawing public comment urging the city to consider converting unused parcels into parkland.

City Ordinance 25‑053, described at second reading as authorizing conveyance of Block 11401 Lot 14 (street address 247 First Street) to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency, was the subject of a public hearing and brief public comment. After the hearing was closed, the council voted to adopt the ordinance; the final recorded vote adopted the ordinance (vote reported as 7‑1 with Councilperson Baggiano voting no and Council President Waterman absent).

During the public hearing, Charlene Burke testified that downtown playgrounds and parks are overcrowded and suggested the city consider converting underused city property into pocket parks or playgrounds to serve families and relieve pressure on existing sites such as Van Vorhees Park and Hamilton Park. Burke asked the council to consider parkland use when transferring city property to the redevelopment agency.

Council members responded during adoption that the conveyance corrects a clerical error and will allow a daycare to maintain required egress access under state law. The sponsor said broader concerns about parkland and open space are appreciated but not part of the conveyance, which is intended to facilitate the redevelopment agency's management of the site.

The ordinance moves ownership to the redevelopment agency, which will have authority to manage redevelopment; any decision to convert the site to parkland or to restrict development would require subsequent council action or agreement by the redevelopment agency.

","The council adopted an ordinance conveying Block 11401 Lot 14 (247 First Street) to the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency for redevelopment. Public commenters urged the council to consider converting surplus city‑owned property downtown into parkland or pocket parks to relieve crowded playgrounds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243772,"Council authorizes McGinley Square group to apply for county open‑space grant to restore Glenwood community garden",7166,198000,7364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237740-618279d067f9771bf78f5c41c1cdbc8f&start=198&end=7364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237740-618279d067f9771bf78f5c41c1cdbc8f/thumbnail_198000.jpg","/articles/6243772/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Council-authorizes-McGinley-Square-group-to-apply-for-county-openspace-grant-to-restore-Glenwood-community-garden","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243772-8c938bc92ebe00896ca56c0f041a6394/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187475&Signature=cF7GXJ8RPy0ZoUWdcp~yl53nKmu6XTZKbsl7BuQTLYh2YCRJbhsWr74dBrJMq1HUsoThCtNH6SIvtwm8f78Z7g1rXV7Wu~pPekHG9Ox8CRBRYkWY-oguNp2qGKI6p~MTegUjZ3uVB83KvSbr6g2Ri41jAftsZAiUQHy0tRXMsGxRi2r7K6cr8zXj~YQnfDfXqLiLCY3p6fO-14XFvXwA3IKbfKR7RhNYJSZuuwO44pccvsSU3dxsZA5LSz2E3CUd9-DcVGgzCx~7ZdcEC~koSAQIhlYeAGQ04Xr8YvvXp6~z0ca2iezfxcLcPuyFBL6FFv3Y2rBzBGIHQJ2zs3wOxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jersey City Municipal Council voted to allow a community group to apply for county open‑space grant funding to support the Glenwood Community Garden, while stopping short of directing any acquisition of privately owned land.

Resolution 25‑326, read into the record as a late agenda item and described as authorizing support for the McGinley Square Community Board’s 2025 Hudson County Open Space Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust grant application for the Glenwood Community Garden at 128 Glenwood Avenue, was added to the agenda and later approved by the council. The council vote to authorize the application passed 6‑2; two council members voted no and Council President Waterman was absent.

Supporters told the council the garden has existed for roughly 24 years and serves nearby schools, students and neighbors. Nathan McCormick, a McGinley Square resident and board member, said the resolution simply “allows our group to even apply for a grant, to even attempt to have a conversation” and framed it as a time‑sensitive, administrative step to pursue funding.

Multiple neighbors and community leaders described the garden’s role in the neighborhood’s quality of life and urged the city’s backing. Sandra Edwards Busing Riley, who said her family has lived on Glenwood since 1957 and whose work includes experiential education at Saint Peter’s University, said the green space provides “nourishing food for St Peter’s students, neighbors, and the greater community.” Charlene Burke and other neighbors also testified in favor of supporting the application.

At the same time, some council members raised legal and procedural concerns because the garden sits on private property. Councilmember Salih questioned whether the city or the applicant had first reached out to the property owner; the law department and staff confirmed the city had not completed any acquisition negotiations and that authorizing the grant application would not itself acquire the land. Councilmembers cautioned that applying for acquisition funds while ownership is contested could lead to dispute and potential legal defense by the owner.

The sponsor’s office and city law staff said the resolution simply authorizes the community group to apply for county funds; if a grant were awarded, acquisition or use of the site would require subsequent legal steps, including city outreach to the owner and any required agreements or purchases.

The council’s approval preserves the community board’s ability to pursue a time‑sensitive grant application while the underlying property ownership and possible acquisition remain unresolved. Community members said they hope the allocation of grant funding could restore and expand the garden as a neighborhood green space regardless of future negotiations.","The council approved a resolution allowing the McGinley Square Community Board to apply for a Hudson County Open Space Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust grant to support the Glenwood Community Garden at 128 Glenwood Avenue, amid public testimony about the site's 24‑year history and disagreement over private ownership and potential sale.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":44,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":50,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6243778,"Council advances update to building service worker wage and benefits standards; labor groups urge stronger protections",7603,7970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237740-618279d067f9771bf78f5c41c1cdbc8f&start=367&end=7970","/articles/6243778/Jersey-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Council-advances-update-to-building-service-worker-wage-and-benefits-standards-labor-groups-urge-stronger-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243778-eae6ac73aaf528cb27aecef6f904bd35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187475&Signature=YNWfZiHrIY6WrmMMWk~8F7WVtVXSRIR0RY7bCopsuBHmsIDbbfg20RSaa~x78OjWNlY271OuJN0z1BHxh3xFqdY1ajBUI4piej~CTFdBFzJdjsCYuqtbGm4puvKupMLoaJeu8Kaa19TcUvvAfozcY5bzhrK6tK-jh0L8yI9jS0QQyhbyT0PrnLa5rEiSgIbg4y~Xsg74PhCgPi423Kdd0uHt-8uDmpJ1qLSmYWZBsiOIgc691PkzkhoP87lzTw1jhMXEB6Fz5lCtnRqgkTXwSYLXRtgNuL8OHr7hE40~bysJ9glTQbYi7VM-BHP1wNsDWi9mleNogeJYQoW0YmFfHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jersey City Municipal Council introduced an ordinance to amend local standards for building service workers in covered development projects, prompting testimony from labor representatives and building staff who called for higher wages, broader coverage and stronger enforcement.

City Ordinance 25‑056 was read into the record during first reading alongside two other items; the council voted 8‑0 to introduce items 3.1 through 3.3, which included the wage and benefit amendment. Sponsors described the amendment as updating required wage, benefit and leave standards for building service workers in certain tax‑abated developments.

Representatives of SEIU Local 32BJ and residential workers spoke in favor of the ordinance at the public comment period. Adrian Orozco, New Jersey political director for SEIU Local 32BJ, told the council the standards have not been updated since 2012 and that many residential building service workers — porters, doormen and concierges — “remain shut out of the prosperity they helped create.” Orozco urged the council to expand coverage, update minimum pay levels and add anti‑retaliation protections.

Concierge and porter Joe Tarrasi, who identified himself as a 32BJ member, said the proposed standard would “go a long way” toward ensuring workers could cover basic living costs and receive paid time off.

Sponsors said the ordinance would expand categories of covered workers and update the wage floor and benefits to reflect current costs. The ordinance text shown at first reading included expanded coverage language and additional notice and pay‑stub requirements; the law department will continue to review the language ahead of second reading.

Labor and tenant advocates urged prompt passage, arguing the change is tied to the city’s decision‑making on tax incentives for developers: they said public dollars and tax benefits should require projects to support living wages and reliable services for residents.

Councilmembers requested additional detail from staff on enforcement mechanisms and whether changes will apply retroactively to existing projects; staff indicated those specifics would be clarified before second reading.

The ordinance remains at the introduction stage; council members will consider final adoption at a later meeting after law department review and any amendments.

","The council introduced and advanced an ordinance to update required wage, benefit and leave standards for building service workers in tax‑abated development projects. Labor representatives and building workers urged the council to expand protections, citing high cost of living and long‑standing wage stagnation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Jersey City council introduces ordinance to ban algorithmic rent fixing amid widespread tenant complaints

Council approves conveyance of 247 First Street to redevelopment agency; residents urge city to consider parkland

Council authorizes McGinley Square group to apply for county open‑space grant to restore Glenwood community garden

Council advances update to building service worker wage and benefits standards; labor groups urge stronger protections