[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6657764,"mediaKeyId","5066622-ca06c4140f1a6936ee7367afb67a0870","parentId",5066622,"title","Residents urge Bayonne to cancel USDA contract after reports of Canada geese gassing; city staff say they will review alternatives","audioSeconds",185,"startMs",976000,"endMs",1161000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066622-ca06c4140f1a6936ee7367afb67a0870&start=976&end=1161","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066622-ca06c4140f1a6936ee7367afb67a0870/thumbnail_976000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657764/Bayonne-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Residents-urge-Bayonne-to-cancel-USDA-contract-after-reports-of-Canada-geese-gassing-city-staff-say-they-will-review-alternatives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657764-858d2c3cbd277f81c92f2f7ed1b91abb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136838&Signature=ETUw6wXlFpydb80q~1IkCjN69gqS00P-slAWIcwigMbEGZDoEiGQXrraw7uG5VeK9j3Mf4V18NGowd6ERw9YDun5HZ3wET6KEg5tvJgx71A2yZAHOBn9vb5uvSMFBIArXHDDqsQBntIcvDO5l8C63t3GAlyrZgM44bPPxRF2yM5zFluteEJp9OGcCLCiZhHZYIV1yjrKCTrw28hdoJ1AmvTI3qo0RCgHkzvkMcmJQrPwIAgVEr7xr7y3C9REwpF5IZPhCy8Ou22uMusOfyF4wPyx8r9lrb1y9IhINQhsv072mUG5FbBSctg8oQQS05dZNkjyfkH6IkH1eWgpcYdF~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bayonne","date","2025-06-24T02:53:50Z","article","Scores of residents and animal‑welfare advocates used the June 18 public‑comment period to urge the City of Bayonne to stop allowing lethal removal of Canada geese on city property and to work with advocacy groups on nonlethal methods.

Speakers including Pamela Sturt and Doreen Grama (identified in the record as representing the Bridal Protection League of New Jersey) described multiple lethal removals by USDA Wildlife Services on Bayonne parks between 2020 and 2024 and called on city officials to cancel or restrict the USDA contract and to pilot habitat‑modification or other nonlethal approaches.

Doreen Grama told the council she had documentation she said showed 316 geese were gassed to death on Bayonne properties from 2020 to 2024. She urged city officials Tom Cotter and Jacqueline McNulty to \"cancel the lethal methods of the USDA and work with Bridal Protection League to implement nonlethal methods.\" Pamela Sturt said many municipalities have moved to nonlethal management and that lethal removal is costly and recurring: \"it's a 1 time expense as opposed to having to pay the USDA every year.\"

Council and staff responses
When asked to explain why the city appeared to allow enforcement or removal activity, staff clarified that USDA Wildlife Services performed the lethal removals on city properties under agreements approved by Bayonne, and that the city does not itself gas animals. A city representative acknowledged seeing a Freedom of Information Act report that listed Tom Cotter as having signed the USDA agreement and confirmed the city had received a new USDA contract signed January 16, 2025.

A parks/operations official (speaking from the dais) told residents the city had used nonlethal approaches in other contexts — citing private companies that employ deterrents and habitat modification — and said the city would look into alternatives. That official said they would attempt to review the options and indicated they would try to implement changes if possible, but they did not commit to a specific timeline for removing lethal methods for the 2025 season.

What residents asked for
Speakers asked the council and staff to:
- Cancel the USDA lethal‑removal contract or remove lethal methods from it.
- Meet with advocacy groups (Bridal Protection League and local APL wildlife mitigation teams) to pilot habitat‑modification alternatives.
- Provide public documentation and FOIA records detailing the scope of past lethal removals, dates and locations.

What the record shows
- Public commenters reported numbers and locations of lethal removals and provided materials to the clerk. Doreen Grama said the locations and counts were: Avenue A (96 geese), Thomas D. Domenico Park (75), Dennis P. Collins Park (40), Veterans Park (105); she summarized those counts as totaling 316 geese gassed to death from 2020 to 2024.
- The transcript records a city official saying she had seen the FOIA report listing Tom Cotter's name on the USDA agreement and that a new contract was signed January 16, 2025; she said she would \"try my best\" to see if changes could be implemented for this year but did not guarantee it.

Ending
Speakers left documentation with the council and urged the city to pursue nonlethal, habitat‑based alternatives. City staff indicated they will review the county/city records and the contract documents and follow up; the city did not record an immediate vote or an ordinance to end lethal methods during the June 18 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-0618 Bayonne City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and animal‑welfare advocates told the Bayonne council on June 18 they oppose reported USDA lethal removals of Canada geese on city property and urged the city to cancel or limit the contract and pursue nonlethal alternatives.","taxTitle","Bayonne City, Hudson County, New Jersey","taxId",12589,"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},6657768,"Bayonne council advances multiple redevelopment plans and financial agreements as residents raise eminent‑domain concerns",2429,111000,2540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066622-ca06c4140f1a6936ee7367afb67a0870&start=111&end=2540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066622-ca06c4140f1a6936ee7367afb67a0870/thumbnail_111000.jpg","/articles/6657768/Bayonne-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Bayonne-council-advances-multiple-redevelopment-plans-and-financial-agreements-as-residents-raise-eminentdomain-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657768-27e5e29510438bd9de76946bfa4ba1ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136838&Signature=GNkn5yMpQ9QnLtDACm97hRZfwOncoGsSewawSX1M2BenPwSo9SNThRcHGkSS7e6o1dEBED6Zl3HH21IzluSh3vHh0nMgeJK~FElkOk-t43WGat3poCImsfU1gk~whLoGYTEs-poDGoWIpZ8wHL5SHdpgYMzuB7tkvjPp32maVRdsFuiqCDuwF49qcI3Sxa6P-FwcUB-7T7cOxdovT6eGsk78t6vNtYmIAnk96EfUJkJUei4x6LY6hBgWyIS5OouvBZt9ngl-2TGloxzbrdY4keg0J4oi3ntATjTfmP-0VjkWc4fHRpulmgpmDQdVgvq25yBuMMsUnNbkJ682MsqtFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Municipal Council of the City of Bayonne on June 18 voted to advance multiple redevelopment plans and to introduce several financial-agreement ordinances for public hearing, while some residents criticized the use of redevelopment powers that they said could amount to eminent domain for private projects.

Council votes and introductions dominated the meeting: the council adopted a redevelopment plan for 18–22 East 15th Street (second reading and final-passage resolution taken), and introduced a set of financial agreements and redevelopment-plan ordinances scheduling public hearings for July 16 for several properties including 80–84 East 20th Street, 211–217 Broadway, 474–476 Broadway and tax-exemption financial agreements for properties on Goldsboro Drive. Several other ordinances amending municipal codes (property maintenance, building and housing, stormwater management, traffic) were also moved to final passage or introduced, and the council heard public comment on related issues.

Why this matters: redevelopment plans and long-term financial agreements can change tax arrangements, property control and redevelopment rights for city parcels. Residents who spoke at the meeting urged the council to avoid using redevelopment tools that remove private-property rights or to press for stronger community benefits in exchange for development approvals.

The meeting record shows several roll-call votes. For the redevelopment measure identified as the ordinance adopting the redevelopment plan for 18–22 East 15th Street, Councilmember Booker voted aye and Councilmember Carroll recorded a no vote on the resolution ordering final passage; Councilmember Perez and Councilmember Weimer recorded aye votes. (The transcript shows Councilmember LaPalouse spoke in opposition but the roll-call lines list specific aye/no votes for other members.) Multiple later introductions were approved unanimously for the purpose of scheduling public hearings on July 16.

Resident speakers and concerns
Sharon Nedrowski, a resident who addressed multiple redevelopment items, warned against using redevelopment authority to “pick winners and losers” and said eminent-domain powers for redevelopment risk taking private property for private use. Nedrowski told the council: \"you should not be picking winners and losers,\" and urged more participatory renewal approaches rather than condemnation-based redevelopment.

Melissa Goodeski Rodriguez and other residents urged the council to secure more visible community benefits from incoming development and to plan for neighborhood amenities that help new residents patronize local businesses. Several speakers asked the council to require workforce-housing provisions in financial agreements; at least one councilmember said they hoped to \"work in some form of workforce housing requirement into those agreements\" before finalizing financial agreements.

What the council voted and scheduled
- Adopted/final-passage votes (final adoption recorded in meeting): redevelopment plan for 18–22 East 15th Street (second reading occurred earlier; final‑passage resolution moved and recorded). On that resolution the transcript records Councilmember Booker voting aye and Councilmember Carroll voting no; Councilmember Perez and Councilmember Weimer voting aye. (Transcript lines show Councilmember LaPalouse expressed opposition in floor remarks.)
- Introduced and set for public hearing (July 16): ordinances approving financial agreements between the city and East 20 Fifth Street Urban Renewal LLC (80–84 East 20th Street), 211–217 Broadway Urban Renewal LLC (211–217 Broadway), Nova Group Urban Renewal LLC (474–476 Broadway), and a financial-agreement split for properties on Goldsboro Drive (155 and 110 Goldsboro Drive). Those introductions were moved by the council and scheduled with public hearings on July 16 per the record.
- Designation actions: The council designated certain parcels for redevelopment review (for example a redevelopment plan adoption for 935–939 Broadway was moved and scheduled for public hearing) and directed planning-board action on other parcels.

Council remarks and staff clarifications
Council and staff exchanged clarifications on the scope and timing of financial agreements and tax-exemption language. During discussion of amended and restated financial agreements for Goldsboro Drive properties, a staff member identified the term being used as a 30‑year financial agreement; that staff explanation was given in response to council questions about the length of the exemption/financial agreement.

Background and next steps
Most introduced ordinances and financial agreements were scheduled for public hearings July 16; the council will receive public comment and then decide final passage at those hearings. Residents who spoke asked the council to require workforce-housing provisions, to be transparent about redevelopment choices, and to avoid condemnation-based transfers where possible.

Votes at a glance
(Items listed as they appeared in the June 18 transcript; many were introduced for July 16 public hearings; records below follow the meeting motion/vote language in the transcript.)
- O1 (redevelopment plan, 18–22 East 15th Street): second reading and final-passage resolution moved; recorded votes include Booker (aye), Carroll (no), Perez (aye), Weimer (aye). Outcome: resolution ordering final passage moved (transcript shows mixed votes).
- O7–O15: Several ordinances were introduced and set for public hearing July 16 (budget cap bank ordinance O7; financial agreements O8–O10; redevelopment plan O11; amended/restated financial agreements O12–O13; property sale O14; other traffic/fees O15). Outcome: introduced/scheduled for hearing July 16.
- R (various redevelopment designations and planning directives): council moved a number of resolutions directing planning-board actions and designating redevelopers or non‑condemnation redevelopment areas; those applied to parcels noted on the official tax map. Outcome: motions carried where recorded; in at least one case a councilmember recorded a no vote while most members voted aye.

The council packet and the formal ordinances and financial-agreement documents filed with the clerk contain the full legal descriptions, dates and the text of the financial terms and should be consulted for the definitive legally binding language. The council set public hearings on July 16 for the introduced financial agreements and redevelopment-related ordinances; the hearings will be the next public opportunity for residents to formally comment.

Ending: The council proceeded to other business after votes and public comment and scheduled the advertised July 16 hearings for the introduced items.","The Bayonne Municipal Council voted to advance a series of redevelopment plans and financial agreements and to introduce several related ordinances for public hearing, while residents and speakers urged caution about eminent domain and called for stronger community benefits from developers.",{"_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},6657759,"Bayonne council conditionally designates New York Waterway to negotiate ferry terminal agreement, authorizes escrow to cover professional fees",270,4080000,4350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066622-ca06c4140f1a6936ee7367afb67a0870&start=4080&end=4350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066622-ca06c4140f1a6936ee7367afb67a0870/thumbnail_4080000.jpg","/articles/6657759/Bayonne-City/Hudson-County/New-Jersey/Bayonne-council-conditionally-designates-New-York-Waterway-to-negotiate-ferry-terminal-agreement-authorizes-escrow-to-cover-professional-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657759-17aa6c79f54c0878ee5d0c1017892f1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136838&Signature=k5Vh88qw70AtLDTeBhSg4T1AXqwo6~l41O110hJ9ziVvkDUHczgVR6E0EnEER7WIRT-ITU8aDFByYMrwTU1DbL67aSvEQJX8gFYXkYN1XQ96OW~aw3Eavt7P4AQqIO1czFtUhjQ7KHnHCYuOhMa-wLxGqcYmYiKNmPekJ2UMMiu1Du-wQohhteumGBXENlEeXcUnIWqElgW9Pt-SZXjrtQMu~AM-1h5AMI3UKRkMh8tpSgdTPv-2o~12jzheH2l9W7Y0U9gB5hFMHRoCVBXt6uEuyAp~LnVvoPe9G6-OxRcX86SX8nY--hNp0e6deLr2XikW~XfPs5uHqfa0zNBtLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Municipal Council of the City of Bayonne on June 18 conditionally designated New York Waterway as a prospective redeveloper and ferry operator for the former military ocean terminal peninsula and authorized interim exclusive negotiations and an interim cost agreement that would require New York Waterway to fund an escrow to cover the city's professional fees during negotiations.

City attorney or staff presenter Gary Baumann (identified on the record as the presenter of the redevelopment/ferry recommendation) told the council the city solicited multiple proposals, conducted interviews and recommended New York Waterway as the appropriate partner to negotiate a long‑term definitive agreement. Baumann described the current council action as an authority to negotiate exclusively and to accept funding from the proposer to cover legal, planning and financial consultants while negotiations proceed. \"All we're asking from the council tonight is the authority to negotiate with them for a definitive agreement,\" Baumann said; he added the proposer would fund an escrow so the city would no longer carry the consultant bills alone during the negotiation phase.

The council voted to adopt the conditional‑redeveloper resolution and to authorize the mayor to execute an interim cost and conditional redevelopment agreement that permits exclusive negotiations. The transcript shows recorded aye votes from the council on that resolution.

Next steps and scope
If negotiations succeed, the council will receive a definitive long‑term agreement for its approval; the conditionally designated status does not itself transfer property or finalize operating terms. The presenter said there remain details to negotiate and that negotiations could fail — in which case the council could withdraw the conditional designation and consider other proposers.

Why this matters
A long‑term ferry operator and terminal agreement would change transportation options for Bayonne residents and could trigger landside and waterside improvements. City staff said landside improvements already have funding set aside; the conditional designation is intended to move the project to negotiated terms and, ultimately, to a council vote on a definitive agreement.

Ending
Council members expressed support for moving negotiations forward without disclosing detailed proposal comparisons in public at this stage. The council approved the conditional designation and interim cost agreement; staff will return with negotiation updates and a final agreement for council approval if negotiations succeed.","The council granted authority to negotiate an exclusive interim redevelopment and ferry‑operator agreement with New York Waterway for the former military ocean terminal peninsula and authorized the firm to fund an escrow to pay city professional fees during negotiations; the council said a definitive agreement would return for final council vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge Bayonne to cancel USDA contract after reports of Canada geese gassing; city staff say they will review alternatives

Bayonne council advances multiple redevelopment plans and financial agreements as residents raise eminent‑domain concerns

Bayonne council conditionally designates New York Waterway to negotiate ferry terminal agreement, authorizes escrow to cover professional fees