Bayonne council adopts multiple ordinances, easements and equipment purchases; summary of votes and key items

The Bayonne Municipal Council on May 14 took final or introductory action on a mix of ordinances, development easements, contracts and equipment purchases. The following is a concise summary of the formal actions recorded at the meeting; vote tallies are listed where the roll call is shown in the transcript.

- Ordinances (second readings / public hearings): - O1 (postponed): Ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for 18–22 East 15th Street (Block 253, Lots 30, 39 and 40) — the council moved to postpone final consideration at the May 14 hearing (motion carried by roll call). - O2: Ordinance authorizing an encroachment agreement with 111 Avenue F Partners Urban Renewal LLC (107–111 Avenue F and 86 East 20th Street, Block 456, Lot 78.0180.0280.039 and 10) — second reading held and final passage ordered; roll call recorded ayes. - O3: Ordinance adopting redevelopment plan for 33–37 East 18th Street (Block 226, Lots 12–14) — second reading held and final passage ordered; council voted aye on final passage. - O4–O9: Additional ordinances (amendments to the Revised General Ordinances chapters on traffic, property maintenance, building and housing, restricted parking zones, and stormwater) were advanced for public hearing/final passage on June 18; roll calls for introduction were recorded as ayes.

- Major contract and project awards: - R2: Awarded contract to Zenith Construction Services, Inc. for Phase 3B of the Waterfront Walkway at Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor, not to exceed $22,400,000 (motion moved and seconded; roll call: ayes recorded). - R14: Awarded construction contract for Phase 1 of the lead service-line replacement project to Sugar Property Services Inc. for $8,628,080 (adopted on consent). - R15: Awarded 2025 summer camp bus services contract to Beloved Community Charter School, total $127,600 (consent item).

- Development easements and related items: - R5: Endorsed a conservation (conservative) easement between Bayonne Luxury Water Walk LLC and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the property at 219 West Fifth Street (Block 301.01, Lot 1.01); council recorded ayes. - R6: Authorized temporary construction easement, sewer easement and license agreement with Bayonne Luxury Water Walk for 219 West Fifth Street (consent vote: ayes recorded). - R7: Authorized a license agreement with 111 Avenue F Partners Urban Renewal LLC for street furniture and bike racks to be installed in the right-of-way in connection with the 107–111 Avenue F development (consent; ayes recorded).

- Public safety and equipment purchases: - R8: Authorized purchase of mobile surveillance trailer cameras for the Police Department from SHI under NJCPA contract in the amount of $229,401.69 (consent; ayes recorded). - R9 & R11: Authorized purchase of 2025 Ford Interceptor Utility vehicles and patrol vehicles through cooperative contracts (consent; ayes recorded).

- Finance and bonds: - R10: Authorized issuance and sale of bond anticipation notes and special emergency notes to the Hudson County Improvement Authority in sums consistent with the adopted resolution (ayes recorded on roll call).

- Other items: - CR8: The council adopted a resolution opposing proposed state legislation to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as-of-right; council members debated impacts on local zoning and fire safety before voting to adopt the resolution in opposition. - A mayoral appointment and salary range adjustment for a public-health title were approved on consent; a brownfield development area steering committee was authorized as an addendum to the agenda and approved by the council.

Several items were approved on the consent calendar without extended debate; other items — notably the redevelopment designations for two Broadway corridors — prompted extended discussion and a recorded dissenting vote. Members of the public made several remarks during the public-comment portion, including concerns about contaminated properties, short-term rental violations and local wildlife (bird nesting) matters; those comments did not alter the voting outcomes reported above.