In addition to the basic services all municipalities should provide, Jersey City government will focus on the following initiatives.
Ethics Reform
· A new ethical standards code for city officials and employees
· Campaign finance “pay to play” reform laws
· Greater independent public participation on municipal boards and authorities
· An end to pension-padding practices
Governance
· Report card evaluation system for city services and responsibilities
· Operational performance audits of city operations and services
· Quality-of-life policies to be included in all development agreements and construction permits
· Enforcement of affordable housing requirements
Planning Improvements
· A municipal strategic plan
· A new master plan that includes infrastructure planning
· Benchmarking of traffic studies and master plan components with those of other cities
· Inclusion of public amenities and infrastructure in all redevelopment plans
· A comprehensive bus service plan
· A small business and light industry development plan
· Examination of historic resources throughout the City
Education
· A Board of Education appointed by the mayor, for maximum accountability
· Outside audits of educational system
· Incubation of different teaching models and philosophies
Transportation Enhancements
· World-class streets and sidewalks that give equal consideration to pedestrians and bicyclists
· Extension of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County as initially planned
Fiscal Responsibility
· Reliable funding sources for infrastructure improvements: sewers, roads, parks, schools
· Tax abatements capped at ten years
· A stop to extensions or renewal of tax abatements
· Completion of municipal budget process no later than one quarter into the financial year
· Full and complete outside audits of revenue source agencies and authorities
Business Assistance
· A small-business facilitator to streamline permitting and building and provide other assistance
· Concerted effort to bring more federal and state services to Jersey City residents
· Fair and equitable code enforcement
Environment and Historic Preservation
· Encouragement of green practices in City buildings and in new development
· Implementation of a working Shade Tree Commission
· Tree-planting initiatives throughout the City
· Support for urban farming
· Strengthening of our historic preservation ordinance and Historic Preservation Commission
· Incentives for reuse of existing buildings and disincentives for “teardowns” of historic assets
· Proactive approach to reuse of church facilities that are closing or neglected
Medical Services
· Pediatric medical facilities
Policing
· Improvement of fugitive recovery efforts
· Community-based policing
