A resident shared their disbelief about the practice, which had reportedly been ongoing for five years without much public awareness, and implored the council to reconsider its stance. In response, a council member explained that while the city does not directly engage in animal gassing, it has authorized the USDA to carry out these actions. The member emphasized that the city is committed to exploring alternative methods and mentioned Geese Chasers, a company that employs non-lethal means to deter geese, as a potential option.

The council also discussed a proposal to recognize the yellow-crowned night heron as the official bird of Bayonne. A letter read by a member of the public highlighted the heron’s resurgence as a symbol of ecological restoration and community pride. This proposal aimed to celebrate the city’s efforts in ecological revitalization, drawing parallels between the heron’s return and Bayonne’s own transformation.

Development and redevelopment issues were another focal point of the meeting. A lifelong resident, Melissa Gdeski Rodriguez, shared her concerns about the impact of ongoing construction on Avenue F. While she appreciated new residents and supported development, she emphasized the need for “smart development” to maintain Bayonne’s unique identity. Rodriguez urged for demographic studies to assess the impacts of these projects and called for improvements in areas like Broadway to attract and integrate new residents into the local culture.

Another resident raised questions about the council’s decision-making regarding development and land use plans. Concerns were specifically directed at the designation of certain properties for condemnation, which was characterized as “eminent domain.” The resident argued against the practice of taking land from one private owner to give to a developer. A council member clarified that the properties in question were designated as non-condemnation areas, emphasizing the importance of the wording in resolutions.

The council navigated through several ordinances related to financial agreements for urban renewal projects. These included properties on East 25th Street and Broadway, with discussions about incorporating workforce housing requirements into the agreements. A council member clarified that these financial agreements would involve a payment in lieu of taxes, known as PILOT, rather than full tax exemptions.

Additional discussions addressed the designation of 18th Street Partners MW Urban Renewal LLC as the redeveloper for a property on East 18th Street, as well as the reopening of the Bayonne Harbor redevelopment plan for blocks 660 and 815. The council authorized the planning board to conduct a preliminary investigation of properties on East 33rd Street to determine their redevelopment status.

The meeting also involved discussions around the ferry service at Bayonne Harbor, with New York Waterway identified as the preferred partner for negotiations. The council authorized negotiations for a long-term agreement, seeing this as a step towards establishing ferry services in Bayonne.

As the meeting progressed, the council addressed a resolution related to compliance with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s guidelines. Concerns were raised about the council’s understanding of these compliance measures, leading to a suggestion to table the resolution for further clarification.