Jersey City Council Preview: Cannabis Policy, Building Safety

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City's next City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14 at 6 p.m. and the agenda is full of ordinances, resolutions and letter readings.

There are three ordinances on the agenda for a first reading, four for a second reading and 31 resolutions that will be voted on.

The Council meeting can be viewed online and is open to the public. Residents can speak during the public speak portion of the meeting, but must sign up before the meeting. A form can be submitted online to sign-up for public speak.

On the agenda for a first reading is an ordinance that would establish regulations for cannabis businesses in the city. The planning board approved the regulations to be passed onto the City Council. Under the regulations, cannabis consumption areas would be allowed in the city and exist within a cannabis retail facility — somewhere selling recreational or medical marijuana.

While the vote to recommend the regulations to the City Council was unanimous, the board echoed a sentiment that several questions remain unanswered outside the realm of zoning, including how police will handle driving while under the influence of cannabis, public health concerns, etc.

Read the full ordinance online.

Another ordinance up for a first reading is Mayor Steven Fulop's proposed legislation to strengthen building safety and inspection protocol. The legislation comes in response to the Florida condo collapse that gripped headlines and captured the nation's attention for weeks.

The enhanced mandates will require ongoing inspections at a minimum of every five years for façade inspections and every ten years for structural inspections.

Read the full ordinance online.

The first resolution on the agenda for Wednesday night is a resolution asking the City Council to condemn and combat Islamophobia. Under the resolution, once it is signed a copy will be sent to Mayor Steven Fulop and Governor Phil Murphy.

Read the full resolution online.

View the entire meeting agenda online.