Bayonne council schedules multiple hearings, approves emergency appropriation and advances redevelopment deals; 25‑year financial agreement draws a 'No' vote

The Bayonne municipal council on Oct. 15 took a package of routine and redevelopment actions: it moved to order final passage or to set public hearings for multiple ordinances amending traffic rules and for redevelopment plans, approved a $3,000,000 special emergency appropriation for severance liabilities, and advanced a 25‑year financial agreement for property at 562–568 Broadway.

Ordinances read for second hearing included:

- O1: Special emergency appropriation of $3,000,000 to pay contractually required severance liabilities. The council closed the public hearing and ordered final passage; the roll call recorded unanimous 'Aye' votes from council members present.

- O2–O4: Amendments to the Revised General Ordinances (Chapter 7 — Traffic). Each ordinance was read by title, the council recognized no filed protests, and motions to close hearings and order final passage were carried by recorded 'Aye' votes.

- O5 and others: Several redevelopment‑related ordinances (for example, a redevelopment plan for 626–628 Avenue E, Block 405) were scheduled for public hearing and final passage on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. in Dorothy Harrington Council Chambers.

Financial agreement debated (O10): Ordinance O10 authorizes a financial agreement between the city and Chauncey 5 Urban Renewal LLC (for property at 562–568 Broadway) and fixes Nov. 12 as the public‑hearing date. Administration described the agreement as a 25‑year pilot‑style schedule with years 1–15 at approximately 10% of taxes otherwise due, years 16–25 stepping up in percentage and with a tax phase‑in schedule (year‑by‑year percentages were described by staff). The developer will contribute about $110,000 toward a pocket park and the project is proposed as a nine‑story market‑rate residential building with on‑site parking and commercial space.

Affordability debate and vote: Councilman Carroll objected that O10 "includes no element of affordability," saying the agreement does not guarantee workforce or low‑income units. Carroll stated he would vote no. The director and administration responded that the pilot terms were negotiated to make the project financeable and that the project targets area median income levels; the director noted the city would receive escalating payments as rents rise. When the roll call was taken on the introduction, the transcript records Mister Booker voting 'Aye,' Mister Carroll stating "I voted no," and the remaining named members—Mister Perez, Miss Weimer and Mister LaPalouse—voting 'Aye.'

Consent and other resolutions: The council approved numerous officers' reports, consent communications, and resolutions authorizing planning‑board investigations, cost‑sharing preparations for a proposed traffic light (a cost‑sharing preparation with several developers was described with a total around $1,300,000), and contract adjustments (for example a contract reduction with one engineering firm and a replacement agreement for $300,000 of professional engineering services for the remainder of 2025). An additive change order (Air 3) increased an East 25th Street bridge/replacement contract by about $138,052 after the original contractor filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; the council approved the increase to allow project completion.

What this means: The emergency appropriation addresses immediate severance obligations; multiple redevelopment matters were advanced to Nov. 12 hearings, giving the public another chance to comment. The financial agreement for 562–568 Broadway passed introduction despite one member's 'No' vote over affordability concerns; the full public hearing and final passage vote are scheduled for Nov. 12.