Jersey City Councilmembers James Solomon and Frank “Educational” Gilmore notched a legislative win Wednesday as the City Council approved an ordinance assuring that residents are first in line for certain affordable housing.The ordinance passed by a vote of 9-0 after legal questions had halted previous efforts. What also received attention was the police department’s annual tactical training contract, awarded in a 7-0 vote with abstentions from Council President Joyce Watterman and Councilman Frank Gilmore, as well as a request for the use of the right of way from the user of an illegal driveway, eventually denied in an 8-1 vote. Councilman Yousef Saleh was the lone supporter.  The City Council met Wednesday night for its regular meeting. (Credit: Andy Milone)Similar affordable housing laws were adopted in places like Hoboken, leaving some Jersey City officials to revitalize talks out of belief that “then we should be able to do it too,” according to Councilman James Solomon. There are some clear-cut examples of when preference would be given to residents. They involve any affordable housing created with local subsidies.“We’d been trying to do this for awhile,” said Solomon, who revitalized talks with help from Gilmore and Watterman. “It’s really important because we obviously need to make sure that if Jersey City is spending its money … to create affordable units that Jersey City residents get preference.”“It’s worth fighting for it, and it’s in our power to keep folks here,” he added. The ordinance, approved on second reading, clearly outlined in what situations local preference would not be given, and that in part gave the law department confidence in the measure’s legality. The police department’s tactical training, awarded for $45,000 to Tomahawk Strategic Solutions, attracted questions from Watterman about whether adequate attention was given to handling one’s mental health during calls, now that “time’s have changed.”“That should just be a part of it,” she said. “We shouldn’t really have to keep writing for grants because the needs have changed.”During Monday’s caucus meeting, Public Safety Director James Shea said, “the JC emergency service unit was one of two in Hudson County approved to continue acting as a tactical unit.”Peter Horton, deputy city manager, responded to Watterman’s concerns by explaining how there is a “mental component” during the de-escalation training, for example.Councilman Rich Boggiano, a veteran of the police department, noted Tomahawk is a “good organization,” and how its “training is excellent.” When talks touched briefly on possibly “pushing off” the training until questions are answered, Gilmore noted how he’s “so sick of them,” seemingly in reference to public safety leadership. He’s had his beef with the head and has abstained on all public safety measures since mid-June.Training is scheduled for Nov. 4-8. Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey also made a request for public participation in aspects like role playing.“Opening that up to the public would be a positive thing here as well,” she said.A parking space in front of a home in the 300 block of Chapel Ave. became the focus of an extended discussion.An attorney for resident Emanuel Goodrum had asked the Council to allow him to use part of the roadway for parking during a lengthy caucus back-and-forth Monday. She said her client’s worsening disability hindered his mobility and made him eligible under the Fair Housing Accommodation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.Use of the roadway would require a franchise agreement or, essentially, a lease of the right of way for $1. That was denied during the first reading of the ordinance. The property is in an area with many driveways out in front of residences.“We are now trying to go back and then give permissions to something that’s already done,” said Ridley, “but I believe that we should do things the right way.”Several councilmembers had concerns, too, after verifying that Goodrum had sold the property earlier this fall, even though he would still apparently be living there.Despite voting against the request, Gilmore asked for more conversation to be entertained on accommodating those with physical challenges.“I think we need to have a real conversation about allowing individuals, who have handicap access, to park closer to their home,” he said.In other business, the council voted unanimously in favor of measures:Extending the moratorium on Class 5 cannabis retail license applications through Jan. 31. It’s been in effect since April 12, 2023, and would have expired Thursday if no extension was adopted. Watterman abstained. Supporting the Public Library in its position that its job is not to police and ban books deemed objectionable or inappropriate by certain groups of people. Awarding $136,000 in previously unallocated Community Development Block Grant federal funding, from the Program Year 2020, to the Margaret Anna Cusack Care Center to offset the cost of remediating lead and making exterior repairs at its nursing home facilities. The undertaking comes with a $209,500 project budget and an estimated start date of next month. Accepting a $1 million grant from the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency through the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Program for youth education, requested by Team Wilderness, and new trees in the Jackson Hill Main Street Special Improvement District neighborhoods, including along Martin Luther King Boulevard. Renewing a $50,000 contract with the Bratti Greenan law firm to represent former Police Chief Philip Zache in the ongoing case of Deputy Police Chief Kelly Chesler v. City of Jersey City. Adding a new category of liquor license for nonprofit theaters. Appointing Mekhail Sarofiem as a part-time judge to the municipal court.The post Affordable Housing Plan Sponsored by Solomon and Gilmore Passes, Council Addresses Police Training and Illegal Driveway appeared first on Jersey City Times.