Cannabis regulations became a topic of conversation Monday night as the City Council revisited an application for another shop.

Council members sparred over the retail license application of Kine Buds Jersey City, after previously denying it in March.

The council also discussed two contracts related to public safety communications and municipal building security. Meanwhile, a newly proposed union contract elicited no objections.

Revisiting Cannabis

The Kine Buds Jersey City cannabis license application is up for approval again after councilmembers took issue with what reportedly was a failure to communicate with the Hilltop Neighborhood Association and Councilman Rich Boggiano.

Another concern was the proximity of the proposed establishment to another one looking to open.

The license application marked the second time this month that the administration had asked the council to reconsider one of its proposals. The first, regarding contracts for a future playground on Barrow Street, ultimately did not pass.

Michael Daniel, owner of Kine Buds, is trying to open his 1300-foot establishment 545 Newark Ave by the end of the year.

“I was actually the only person that did meet with the community when I went in front of the Cannabis Control Board,” Daniel told the council.

He previously told the Jersey City Times he felt “inaccuracies” had been spread. And during an interview Monday, he confirmed legal action was on the table if he’s denied again.

Councilmembers also are weighing the 600-foot distance requirement that has been superseded in cases because of what Corporation Counsel Brittany Murray previously described as “time of application rules.” 

The other business, Neon Heights, had been looking to open less than a few hundred feet away at 535 Newark Ave.

Kine Buds’ only supporter in March, Councilwoman Denise Ridley, cautioned Councilman Yousef Saleh, the lead objector, to consider the precedent.

“I think we’re getting on a slippery slope when we allow certain things for other businesses and don’t allow it for somebody else,” she said.

Added Councilman Daniel Rivera: “He did what he was told to do.”

Daniel contends that Alexandra Alcala, the owner of Neon Heights, has faced space limitations and is now looking to sell her license. Alcala obtained all the necessary approvals before Daniel, according to Commerce Director Maynard Woodson.

Public Safety Transition

A proposed $124,843 emergency contract for HVAC repairs at the 911 call center, 75 Bishop St., got councilmembers talking about the relocation of the communications system to the new Public Safety Headquarters on Martin Luther King Drive.

“Until the new communications center is built out, we’re totally reliant on this location for the servers. If we lose the servers, we lose everything. We lose communications. We lose the network and telephones,” said Emergency Management Director Greg Kierce.

Kierce admitted to “delays,” and explained how the Bishop Street servers were essential because “no redundant plan” was in place. The director projected the transition would take at least a year.

According to Business Administrator John Metro, the Bishop Street building will be retained for public use after the servers are moved.

The council took up changes to a three-year, $11.81 million contract for municipal security guard services.

Kierce confirmed the city “had been using the company (Gateway Group One) for a good number of years.”

The council took up changes to a three-year, $11.81 million contract for municipal security guard services.

Gilmore said he was concerned about scheduling and a perceived drop in staffing levels.

Metro said the “hours could be expanded or decreased.”

John Lynch, director of administrative services, described the changes as a “shifting” of personnel, “to address the needs.” He denied that the number of security guards had decreased as a result.

Union Matters

The Council appeared to be on board with a proposed four-year collective bargaining agreement with the Union of Operating Engineers, Local 68. The contract includes raises from 3.5% to 4.3% across four years.

In comparison, the contract with Local 245, representing recreation and public works workers, remains unresolved. The two sides continue to negotiate.

The cannabis license, public safety contracts and union labor agreement could see votes during the 6 p.m. meeting Wednesday inside City Hall, 280 Grove St.