Hoboken City Council Meeting Preview- January 17, 2018 7pm

Tonight's Hoboken City Council meeting starts off with two closed session items:

1) Hoboken City Hall Security Measures:

Hoboken’s Chief of Police Kenneth F. Ferrante wishes to brief the City Council and Administration on safety and security matters, specifically new security measures at City Hall. One of the reasons to go into closed session is to discuss tactics and techniques utilized in protecting the safety and property of the public, disclosure of which could impair that protection. The City Council wishes to receive the safety and security briefing from Chief Ferrante, which will include discussion of tactics and techniques utilized in protecting the citizens of Hoboken, disclosure of which could impair said protection.

It is unknown whether these measures are related to any specific security threats made towards the Mayor or City Hall generally but some level of security strengthening in these times is likely warranted.

2) Personnel Matters:

This is likely a discussion of the new Deputy Chief of Staff created by new Mayor Ravi Bhalla. Under Mayor Zimmer there was a singular Chief of Staff position in her efforts to reduce the overhead for the Mayor's office and save the taxpayers money as part of her campaign promises. By creating this new position Ravi is asking for an additional slot on the table of organization that requires City Council approval. the discussion will likely revolve around the justification for this new position when in the past just one position seemed to foot the bill.

The two major ordinances for final vote are:

1) Schedule of Classifications for City employees (Table of Organization)

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SCHEDULE OF CLASSIFICATIONS AND ALLOCATIONS OF TITLE FOR THE HERIN MENTIONED POSITIONS IN THE CITY OF HOBOKEN (sponsored by Councilman Cunningham and Councilwoman Giattino) (Z-539)

2) Authorization Ballot for reinstating run off elections. Mayor Zimmer vetoed this in one of her final acts as Mayor. The question is WWBD (What will Bhalla do)? It is likely the City Council will have enough votes to override anyway and let the people decide this November at the ballot box.

AN ORDINANCE TO SUBMIT THE PROPOSITION TO THE VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 6, 2018 GENERAL ELECTION THAT THE CITY OF HOBOKEN ADOPT THE HOLDING OF RUN-OFF ELECTIONS AS PERMITTED BY THE UNIFORM NON-PARTISAN ELECTIONS LAW (sponsored by Councilman DeFusco and Councilman Ramos) (Z-541)

Two Council resolutions have some significance: 

1) Make Warrington Plaza an open market. This was a Mike Defusco campaign promise. It is unclear to me what jurisdiction Hoboken has and that this could just be a wish list request to NJ Transit.

CL3.* RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE BHALLA ADMINISTRATION TO PURSUE THE PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED “OUTDOOR MARKET PROPOSAL” WHICH WOULD ACTIVATE WARRINGTON PLAZA AND CREATE AN INTERCONNECTED WATERFRONT IN 2018 (sponsored by Councilman DeFusco and Councilman Ramos, Jr.)

2) Instant runoff option for elections. NJ has to pass legislation to allow municipal elections to have this option but it has merits vs. winner take all or a separate runoff election.

CL4.* RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE TO PERMIT INSTANT RUN-OFFS IN HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY (sponsored by Councilwoman Jabbour

And this ordinance on first reading: 

Bar Crowd Control Ordinance - requiring minimum security personnel based on capacity for special events like Santa-con. 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 68 ENTITLED “ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES” AT § 68-14 “RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING LICENSES” TO REQUIRE PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSE HOLDERS TO EMPLOY CROWD CONTROL AND SECURITY MEASURES

Here is an example of one aspect of this legislation. I spoke to several bar restaurant owners and they claim they were not consulted on this before this was put up for first reading. There is the potential I see that these regulations may be onerous for restaurants and bars that do not participate in events like Santa-Con.

A. Security regulations and Crowd Control.
1. Each licensee shall be responsible for operating the licensed premises in a safe and orderly manner. The minimum number and type of security personnel on duty shall be determined by the occupant load of the licensed premises pursuant to the Certificate of Occupancy, Uniform Construction Code, and/or International Fire Code, subject to the following:
a. 100 occupants or less: At a minimum, one door person and one security person. The security person may also serve as the manager to the licensed premises.
b. 101 to 200 occupants: At a minimum, one door person and two security persons. One of the security persons may be a manager.
c. 201 to 300 occupants: At a minimum, one door person and three security persons. One of the security persons may be a manager.
d. 301 to 400 occupants: At a minimum, one door person and four security persons including a security supervisor who may be one of the four security persons. One of the security persons may be a manager.
e. 401 to 500 occupants: At a minimum, one door person and five security persons including a security supervisor who may be one of the five security persons. One of the security persons may be a manager.
f. 501 to 600 occupants: At a minimum, one door person and six security persons including a security supervisor who may be one of the six security persons. One of the security persons may be a manager.
g. 601 to 700 occupants: At a minimum, one door person and seven security persons including a security supervisor who may be one of the seven security persons. One of the security persons may be a manager.
h. 701 to 800 occupants: At a minimum, one door person and eight security persons including a security supervisor who may be one of the eight security persons. One of the security persons may be a manager.
i. 801 occupants and above: At a minimum, one door person and one security person for every one hundred persons as allowed by the occupant load for the licensed premises and one security supervisor for every four security persons. Security supervisors may also be security persons required under this subsection. One of the security persons may be a manager.

Agenda: http://www.hobokennj.org/docs/council/agenda18/1-17-18-revised-ccm.pdf
Resolutions: http://www.hobokennj.org/docs/council/respack18/1.17.18.revised.respac.pdf

Mayor Ravi Bhalla Announces Formation of Public Safety Task Force

From the City of Hoboken's Mayor Office...

Mayor Ravi Bhalla Announces Formation of Public Safety Task Force

Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla is announcing the formation of the Mayor's Task Force on Public Safety to address violence and quality of life issues resulting from intoxicated bar patrons. The task force includes Police Chief Ferrante, Provisional Fire Chief Crimmins, Police Capt. Pasculli, Police Sgt. Kucz, Police Sgt. Montanez, Health Officer Frank Sasso, Battalion Fire Chief Buoncuore, Fire Captain DiVincent, Business Administrator Marks, Corporation Counsel Aloia, and Environmental Services Director Pellegrini.

"We can no longer ignore the fact that a small number of establishments are creating a big problem for everyone else in the form of violence, property damage, and financial cost,” said Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla. “When a person comes from out of town and spits in the face of our officers, as has happened numerous times, that is unacceptable. When an officer is assaulted by an inebriated patron and receives a concussion, as happened to Officer Lombardi on Christmas Eve, I will not allow the status quo to continue.”

• In 2017, there were 277 ABC violations by liquor license holders.
• Of 133 liquor license holders, more than half received zero Tavern sheets in 2017 and more than ¾ received two or fewer Tavern sheets.
• Half of all violations in 2017 were issued to just 11 establishments (8% of license holders).
• Since August 2017, 15 police officers have been attacked, the majority occurring late at night by intoxicated patrons.
• On SantaCon, 17 bars received Tavern sheets, while the remaining 87% of establishments were not issued violations.

"The Mayor’s creation of this task force is not about hurting the bar and restaurant industry in town," said Police Chief Ken Ferrante. "This task force is going to take a deep look into incidents, events, and problem bars that are contributing to a decay of our city's quality of life, causing injuries to our residents, visitors, and police officers, and hurting most of the businesses in town, including a majority of our bars and restaurants. The disruption that SantaCon brought to this great city, its residents, and business owners the week before Christmas and during Hanukkah, just so 10 to 15 percent of our bars can profit, is unacceptable!"

"I fully support this task force as a means to develop policies that protect public safety," said Provisional Fire Chief Brian Crimmins. "I look forward to working with Mayor Bhalla, Chief Ferrante, and community leaders to achieve this goal."

Police Officer and past president of the Hoboken PBA Vincent Lombardi, who suffered a concussion from an assault by an inebriated patron on Christmas Eve, supported the Task Force’s efforts, stating, "The escalation of disorderly and violent behavior by inebriated bar patrons against police officers, of which I am a recent victim, has spawned into a quality of life crisis. I welcome and fully support Mayor Bhalla’s decision in addressing this ugly trend for the sake of officer safety and serenity within our city."

The first step in the Task Force's efforts, based on the recommendation of the Hoboken Fire Department, is to increase the fines levied for overcrowding and other imminent hazards during all high-volume events to the maximum amount permitted by the Uniform Fire Code Statutes and Regulations. Fines for non-compliance will increase to $2,500 for a first offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses. Additional steps will be taken by the Task Force in the coming weeks.

“At Little City Books we are grateful to Mayor Bhalla for addressing this issue,” said co-owner Kate Jacobs. “On the corner of 1st and Bloomfield, we are surrounded by bars that are generally very good neighbors, keeping our surrounding blocks lively. The ‘Cons,’ however, are severely damaging to the success of our business --  especially SantaCon which occurs on a Saturday before Christmas, a critical day for a low-profit margin business like a bookstore, which should be our most profitable day of the year. On the ‘Con’ days, our staff is harassed and intimidated by drunk people and we have always had to close early, with business down by about 40 percent. Our store is a destination for families with children, and no one brings children into that neighborhood when it is so out of control and vile from morning until night. Curbing the excesses of the ‘Cons’ would be a great thing for our business, for the residents of Hoboken, and for the reputation of the town.”

My comment: This task force should reach out to all restaurants and bars to ensure solutions make sense especially for the bras and restaurants that do not participate in Santa-con or Lepre-con events.

Message From 2nd Ward Council Woman Fisher - We need a crowd to Stop NJ Transit Purchase of Hoboken Union Dry Dock Tomorrow 9AM

Here is a special note from 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher regarding a crucial NJ Transit meeting at 9 am tomorrow on Martin Luther King Day during Chris Christie's last day in office before new Governor Elect Phil Murphy is sworn in on Tuesday....

Update:

A small bus with limited seating for 20 will be available and leaving from 1025 Maxwell Lane at 8:00am.  If you are interested please RSVP to me at hoboken2nd@gmail.com, it will be on a first come first serve basis. Please arrive at the bus at 7:45 am.  We expect the meeting to go until about 11:00am and the bus will bring people back to Hoboken.  Mayor Bhalla is expected to join residents on the bus.

Original Post:

We need a crowd at the NJ Transit Ad Hoc Board meeting tomorrow (Monday January 15) at 9am! Mayor Ravi Bhalla has informed us that he believes a large crowd of Hoboken stakeholders will make the difference in the outcome of the meeting.

Hoboken Union Dry Dock - Stop the sale to NJ Transit say Hoboken residents and politicians.

Please join us and let me/us know that you are going by emailing me and or by RSVP'ing "Going" to the Hoboken Residents for a Public Waterfront FB Event (for those on Facebook). At this time I am aware that I will at least be joined by Mayor Bhalla, Council President Ramos, Council Vice President Giattino, leaders of Fund for a Better Waterfront​, members of Hoboken Residents for a Public Waterfront​ and several other neighbors and community leaders.

I have not yet confirmed with other council members but am hopeful more will attend. Mayor Bhalla sent an "all hands on deck" request to all of us on the City Council. There are politics behind this meeting and this vote with pressure from our outgoing Governor to pass. But that by no means guarantees that it will. Opposing politics from our incoming Governor contributed to twice rescheduling the meeting due to sudden lack of quorum.

Here are a couple of articles on this -  NJ.COM and APNEWS. What a further delay or a “No” vote gets us is more time. More time to respond. More time to get in a room with all stakeholders. More time to defend our waterfront. And more time to try to work out a solution that allows us to complete our waterfront park plan that has been underway for three decades and at the same time supports further expansion of critical ferry service.

It is reprehensible that we have to consider attending on a day we should be celebrating MLK especially in the current political environment. Thank you Governor Chris Christie! ​NJT headquarters are located in downtown Newark's One Penn Plaza and is easy to get to. If you are driving - I would plan up to 30 minutes but it will probably will take 20 tomorrow. There are two parking lots across and next to the building. If you are taking the PATH, Newark Penn Station is across the street. Please call me (201-208-1674) or email me at hoboken2nd@gmail.com  if you have any questions or to let us know you will be attending.

Thank you, Tiffanie Fisher Hoboken City Council, 2nd Ward

Engage. Inform. Advocate. “More Voices are Better”

Ravi Bhalla Monthly Political Message Email

Here is an email from the political arm of the Ravi Bhalla Administration. It is a recap of Ravi's first two weeks in office and is republished here. It went out to a number of Hoboken residents on the Mayor's email list but not everyone. Regardless of your support level for this Mayor there are some articles here worth reading. The content is also telling of a current local politician who is definitely trying to increase his statewide political profile in his first month of office.

In fact Ravi is a lot like Jefferson, no not Thomas but more like the Jeffersons, like the TV show theme song, "Movin' on up". Ambition and increasing one's political profile are clearly an objective here, whether it is primarily or secondarily, it does not matter.

Is Ravi like the Jefferson's? - not exactly but he is certainly trying to move on up.
But is it a deluxe apartment in the sky built by Stronger Foundations Union
members at the NJ Transit Site selling out Hoboken for the sake of upwardly
mobile political ambition? For that we will have to wait and see. 

From Mayor Ravi Bhalla: 

Hello Hoboken Citizen,

Hi, and Happy New Year! My name is Theo Siggelakis, Mayor Ravi Bhalla's Finance Director. As 2018 gets underway, I wanted to introduce myself to you and announce a newsletter we hope you will find informative throughout Ravi’s administration as Mayor of the great city of Hoboken, NJ.    

Once a month, I will be sending out a news summary of Ravi’s work in the office, media statements and appearances, commentary, and other interesting items to keep you up to date on how your support for Ravi also supports tangible action in Hoboken and beyond during his service as Mayor. This is meant to be a convenient, short news roundup - just one small way to thank you for your incredible support for Ravi.

As always, feel free to reach out to me or my colleague, Sara Tofighbakhsh, with any questions or feedback. Here’s to four years of strong leadership in Hoboken with Mayor Ravi Bhalla!

Sincerely,

Theo

Inauguration Day! Ravi was sworn in as Mayor of Hoboken on January 1st, 2018. You can read the Mayor’s Inauguration remarks here. Some of the coverage and commentary on this historic achievement:

Ravi Bhalla makes history as first Sikh mayor in New Jersey – NJTV News, by Briana Vannozzi [VIDEO]

“It’s not just a new year, it’s the start of new leadership and a historic moment in the city of Hoboken.” NOTE: Contains news video segment of the inauguration ceremony, including comments by NJ Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, Attorney General Nominee Gurbir Grewal, and Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Bhalla becomes first Sikh mayor in Hoboken and N.J. – The Jersey Journal, by Terrence T. McDonald [PHOTO GALLERY]

"In a time of darkness, in a time of distress, in a time when there are headlines about the divisions and the divisiveness and the hatred and the bigotry and the ignorance, Hoboken looked around and said, you know what, we're going to find a qualified and competent, compassionate man of integrity," Booker said. "We're going to find someone who leads with love."

Hoboken’s first Sikh mayor sworn in – NY PIX 11, by Aliza Chasan [VIDEO]

“I am proud, humbled and honored to be your mayor,” Bhalla said. “I look forward to getting to work on behalf of our residents.” NOTE: Scroll down for a video interview with Ravi about his plans to improve Hoboken as Mayor.

Victories to savor for Sikhs & us all – NY Daily News, Opinion by Simran Jeet Singh

“When my parents first moved here, they could not have imagined that one day a major city in New Jersey would elect a Sikh with a turban and beard. And knowing now that my daughter will grow up with civic heroes who share her background and look like her father gives me hope that she will view her Sikh identity as an asset rather than as a liability.”

Fighting to Save Hoboken’s Waterfront for Hoboken's Residents:

Park or Shipyard? Hoboken Waterfront Dispute Simmers – Associated Press, by David Porter

Less than two weeks into his first term, the new mayor of Hoboken is locked in a tug of war with the nation's third-largest transit system over a parcel of land on the city's picturesque waterfront.

David and Goliath fight brewing over ferry deal with NJ Transit – NJ Advance Media, by Steve Strunsky

"The Hoboken waterfront is the crown jewel of the State of New Jersey," said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. "People from all over the world come to our city to enjoy the waterfront and the breathtaking views that it offers." Referring to Gov. Christie Christie's departure from office on Jan. 20, Bhalla criticized the plan by the transit agency he controls as being "rushed at the 11th hour of an outgoing administration."

In Christie’s Last Days, Hoboken Waterfront Tussle Drags On – The New York Times, by Patrick McGeehan

Alluding to the possibility of a final-days decision by New Jersey Transit to buy the Union Dry Dock site, [Mayor Bhalla] said, “Any further attempts to subvert this process will be met with fierce resistance from me, and I pledge to use every resource at my disposal to protect Hoboken’s interests.”

NJ Transit's MLK Day Meeting Is Disgraceful: Hoboken Mayor – Hoboken Patch, by Eric Kiefer

When Hoboken Mayor Ravinder Bhalla learned that NJ Transit rescheduled a much-anticipated board meeting from Friday to Monday – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – he had one word for the decision: "disgraceful."

Hoboken: Officially a Fair and Welcoming City:

In 1st executive order, Bhalla declares Hoboken ‘a fair and welcoming city’ – Hudson County View, by John Heinis [VIDEO]

In his first executive order, new Mayor Ravi Bhalla declared Hoboken “a fair and welcoming city” as many city officials and advocates applauded the action earlier this afternoon. “The Hoboken we know and love was built by immigrants and today is sustained by immigrants. Many of the immigrants who found a home in Hoboken sailed past Lady Liberty and her poem welcoming ‘your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,’” Bhalla said at the presser held inside the mayor’s office.

Hoboken sends 'welcoming' sign to immigrants in first act of new mayor – The Jersey Journal, by Terrence T. McDonald

Bhalla signed the order today surrounded by local officials, including Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante, who will issue a police directive to implement the policies set forth in the order. Amol Sinha, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, told The Jersey Journal it is "extremely significant" that Bhalla's executive order is his first action as mayor. "It allows Hoboken to live up to its potential of being a truly welcoming city," Sinha said.

Supporting the LGBTQ Community:

Fulop, Bhalla stress that LGBTQ community should be proud of who they are – Hudson County View, by Marc Bussanich

“I went to public schools in New Jersey, and as a Sikh American, I looked different growing up and wasn’t like other school children in my class and I was a victim of school bullying just as many LGBTQ students have been,” said Bhalla. “It’s not an easy experience to be different, to be isolated, to feel like there’s no one there. But what I learned is that when you look different or love different, the reaction if you’re under attack is not to hide who you are, but to be proud of who you are, and that’s what gave me strength.”

Improving Public Safety - End SantaCon in Hoboken:

Rich in 'blood money,' SantaCon faces review for possible ban – The Jersey Journal, by Terrence T. McDonald

"This is not what Hoboken's about," Bhalla told NJ Advance Media in an interview Monday. "This is not consistent with our reputation as a growing, family-friendly city." Bhalla added that it was unfair to Hoboken taxpayers and police officers to be burdened and physically assaulted by a largely out-of-town crowd encouraged to drink heavily.

Former Zimmer Chief of Staff Daniel Bryan becomes Gov. Phil Murphy's Deputy Communications Director

Daniel Bryan, who formally served as Chief of Staff to former Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer has become Press Secretary and Deputy Communications Director for Governor Phil Murphy. Bryan was a senior adviser on the Murphy campaign early on so this should come as no surprise. Congratulations Dan! Well done and you put in a lot of hard work in to deserve this position.

Still no announcement has been made regarding former Mayor Dawn Zimmer who was an early Phil Murphy ally. It has been speculated by some that there was the potential for her to be given a position on the Phil Murphy team as well but so far no dice.

Former Hooboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer not part of Murphy Senior Leadership Team:

https://www.insidernj.com/murphy-rolls-senior-leadership-team/

Moving on up- Daniel Bryan now part of Gov. Phil Murphy's Communications Team

Link to Dan Bryan Appointment Announcement: https://www.insidernj.com/murphy-names-communications-team/

Hoboken Seeks Applicants for Rebuild by Design Citizens Advisory Group

This announcement is from the City of Hoboken. This is a positive step continuing on the good practice of Mayor Dawn Zimmer trying to include citizens in the loop for key initiatives like park design. People interested should apply by the end of January.

Hoboken Seeks Applicants For Rebuild By design Citizens Advisory Group

As the Rebuild by Design-Hudson River project enters the design phase, the City of Hoboken is seeking applications from members of the Hoboken community interested in participating in Hoboken’s Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) for the project.

Apply online at: https://hoboken.seamlessdocs.com/f/rbdcag

Hoboken NW Park Conceptual Layout

Applications should be submitted by January 31st, 2018. The volunteer term will be approximately 2 years, less if the design advances expediently. CAG members are expected to be full participants in the process, including attendance at a minimum number of meetings. A wait list will be created for interested citizens to replace any CAG members who are unable to fully participate in the process.

The Rebuild by Design Citizen Outreach Plan provides additional information on the purpose of the CAG:

The purpose of the CAG is to provide a forum for exchange of information between the Outreach Subcommittee and key citizens and citizen groups representative of that community. CAG members will be responsible for bringing issues and concerns to the table as well as sharing information from the Executive Steering Committee and NJDEP with their constituents, including members of vulnerable populations. The CAGs will be composed of representatives from a variety of communities within each town. The mayors and/or their representatives will be responsible for working with the NJDEP Constituent Services Manager to identify members of their communities who will populate the CAG in each of the three cities. Each CAG will communicate with the Outreach Subcommittee representative(s) of t heir town, who will bring issues and information to the larger Executive Steering Committee. CAG members will supplement the knowledge of local government officials or their delegates about the project areas and provide input on ideas, problems, observations and solutions. Specifically, CAG members will be expected to:

•        Share information about Resist, Delay, Store, Discharge project goals and objectives with their constituents;
•        Share the processes and procedures that will be followed in implementing the project;
•        Determine what community priorities or concerns exist about the project as it develops;
•        Bring the priorities, issues and concerns of the larger community to the attention of the Outreach Subcommittee, and
•        Share with the Outreach Subcommittee and project team what local networks DEP should use to establish and maintain a dialogue.

The role of the NJDEP will be to provide project updates, explain processes and procedures on the various phases of the project, solicit input from stakeholders and the public, and answer questions during CAG meetings. The role of the mayors will be to host the CAG meetings and general public meetings, and work with the NJDEP Constituent Services Manager and RBD Project Team on the logistics and scheduling of meetings. At major milestones, the three municipal-level CAGs may convene to meet together as one large group, identified as the Regional CAG. The NJDEP will notice all Regional CAG meetings on the NJDEP’s OFHRRM website and inform the public signed up for the NJDEP email listserv. All the NJDEP’s Regional CAG meetings are by invitation only to Regional CAG members; however they are open to the public to observe.

WTF? - Former Vitriolic Hoboken City Councilwoman Beth Mason Appointed to HHA via Chris Christie

Breaking news like this usually elicits abbreviations like SMH, OMG and my all time favorite WTF. Hold on to your horses Hobokenites, this news is like a bad nightmare but real. This is potentially bad news for Dawn Zimmer, Stan Grossbard, Mayor Ravi Bhalla, the Hoboken taxpayer, but more importantly the HHA residents themselves.

Hoboken's Very Own Beth "Cruella Deville" Mason is back on the HHA Board
thanks to departing Republican Governor Chris Christie

Beth Mason Appointed to Hoboken HHA via Chris Christie

Former two term City Councilwoman Beth Mason is back in the game in Hoboken politics with an Appointment to the Hoboken Housing Authority or HHA. This appointment was made by the Governor of NJ Chris Christie and had been vacant for a while but was finally filled by him in his final rounds of appointments before Phil Murphy takes over next week.

Beth Mason had served on the Hoboken City Council for two terms from 2007 to 2015 and then stepped down. She was briefly City Council President and ran for Mayor in 2009 twice unsuccessfully. During her tenure she was known for her obstructionism where she nearly sabotaged to HUMC privatization deal, blocked Washington Street revamping in 2013, was involved in a BOE campaign that featured a Nazi truck, was fined by ELEC for numerous reporting violations, threatened to sue private citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights on the dais at City Hall, and helped fund former HHA Executive Director Carmelo Garcia's vitriolic campaign against Jen Giattino in 2015. This is just a sampling of some of her less than stellar work on behalf of Hoboken, err, I mean her attempt at political advancement.

Why Did Chris Christie Make the Appointment?

We can speculate but we don't know. What I do know is it was not because Beth Mason personally gave to Republicans in NJ. Her entire contribution records from the NJ ELEC site show no actual contributions to Republicans. She confined her contributions to Non-partisan races in Hoboken and elsewhere and contributed only to Democratic candidates in the state.

Did Christie want to stick it to Dawn Zimmer who he had a falling out with? Perhaps, but this appointment was part of a large batch of appointments by Chris Christie as shown in the link below. I am not sure if Hoboken is high enough on the departing Governor's radar. Most likely, Beth Mason lobbied for this position and used her connections to get the appointment irrespective of her Democratic affiliations.

Chris Christie Press Release - Final Apointments

More important is how this will effect HHA residents? To be determined.

Beth Mason's Political Contribution History NJ (No Republican Donations):

Beth Mason NJ political contribution history from Hoboken Resistance

What Will Impact to HHA be with Beth Mason on the Board?

Beth Mason has a history of spending a lot of money. It is likely that HHA residents will get free food and other services such as free burials (she actually offered this service years ago) from Beth Mason and that is not necessarily a bad thing. It is possible Beth processed the results of the last fractious Hoboken election and wants to build up a political base to possibly take another shot at elected Hoboken office. If you only need 33% to get elected anyone with a big war chest has a shot. Correct?

Based on my experience Beth Mason is not solely doing this for altruistic reasons but is most likely committing her time to get back in the political game in Hoboken. With Beth Mason, any act of charity always has strings attached.

Beth Mason with political ally Carmelo Garcia who had his contract terminated for cause
as Executive Director and sued potentially getting $700K if HUD approves settlement.

The Board on the HHA consists of seven members and two are historically allies of departed HHA Director Carmelo Garcia. With Beth on the Board that makes three and only one more vote would be needed to flip control to a Beth Mason majority. If Beth Mason had such a majority the true nightmare scenario would be Carmelo Garcia not only gets his $700k settlement but is able to get back as Executive Director.

We will have to see what happens but the nightmare scenario is a real possibility. Let us hope it does not come to fruition.

Link to original Hudson Reporter article: 

Hudson Reporter - Beth Mason Appointed to HHA via Chris Christie

Open NHSA Seat Now a Possible 4 Way Race in Hoboken

Not just Tony Soares vs. Brian Assadourian any more

Previously, this blog had broke the story last week that Tony Soares, a key Mike Defusco supporter had put in his application for the the North Hudson Sewerage Authority NHSA seat currently up for renewal and currently occupied by Ravi Bhalla ally Brian Assadourian and close personal friend of Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her husband Stan Grossbard. NHSA board positions are 5 year appointments and pay a small stipend of $5,000 per year and are the only appointed local board positions that are not strictly volunteer. That seat is set to expire by February 1, 2018 and would be up for vote at the first or second City Council meeting of January 2018.

Tony Soares left and Brian Assadourian right

Hoboken Old Guard Candidates Frank "Pupie" Raia and Patty Spaccavento said to be interested as well


Now it appears based on my sources that the position may have up to four candidates vying for the coveted board seat being one of three people to represent Hoboken. The next candidate should be familiar to those who know Hoboken politics in that it is Frank Raia, former NHSA Commissioner, former Hoboken School Board member, former Hoboken City Council and Mayoral Candidate and perennial self anointed "king maker" in Hoboken old school politics. Frank is a former chairman of the board and had served for over 25 years until 2016 when Kurt Gardiner (yep that's me) secured 8 of 9 votes on the City Council to be appointed replacing him on the board.

Frank Raia of Hoboken- Still trying to find parking and a way back on the NHSA

The other and 4th candidate that is said to be interested is Patty Spaccavento who is currently the proprietor of the iconic establishment Piccolos which had been in business in Hoboken for over 60 years and formerly run by his father Joseph "Sparky" Spaccavento who passed away in 2016. Patty is also a former NHSA Board member and born and raised in Hoboken according to his bio. Patty Boy is also no fan of folks who just eat salad for dinner...

Patty Boy Spaccavento of Hoboken Piccolos - Photo by H-Mag

Back in the day Patty Spaccavento was no fan of the Hoboken Yuppie invasion:

This Chicago Tribune article in highlights the cultural divide in Hoboken back in the late 1980's

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1988-04-17/news/8803090380_1_pat-spaccavento-hoboken-rouse

Excerpt:

Marty Rouse and Pat Spaccavento are typical representatives of the warring factions.

Rouse, 26, is a Yorkie. Yorkie, a subset of Yuppie, is the natives` term for a New Yorker, and is pronounced with a sneer. Rouse left Manhattan in search of cheap Hoboken rents, only to grow frustrated by the city`s refusal to accommodate the tastes of the new inhabitants.

One of many Yorkies who have conceded defeat, he is about to double his $486-a-month rent by moving back to Manhattan.

``Let`s say I want to buy a pair of shoes,`` he says. ``I would never buy a pair of shoes in Hoboken. They don`t sell leather shoes in Hoboken. All you can find is $9.99 plastic specials. There`s one movie theater, and it always seems to be playing `Haunted House III.`

``The schools are terrible. The streets are dirty. There are no parks. There`s no parking. If you do park, the cops come around and put their speakers on and say, `Get out of the bahs and move your cahs.` ``

Rouse continues, good-natured if slightly hyperbolic: ``And you can`t do food shopping. There is no fresh food in Hoboken. There`s one good bakery. The others sell those disgusting green St. Patty`s Day cakes. And croissants haven`t even made it here.``

Spaccavento, a 27-year-old B-and-B, applauds the city`s reluctance to cater to the likes of Rouse.

``The old-timers aren`t willing to change because the newcomers aren`t willing to change,`` he says while cooking cheese steaks at the grill behind the counter at Piccolo`s-where, at noon, old-timers gather under dozens of photos of native son Frank Sinatra and shout conversation to each other across the room.

``These Yuppies go out on a date, and what do they wear?`` says Spaccavento, wiping a hand on his stained white apron. ``Dungarees, sneakers, a polo shirt. I go on a date, it`s sports jacket and tie. And food. When I go out to eat, I don`t want to eat just salad.``

He turns back to the grill and flips a burger. ``The thing that really ticks me off,`` he shouts over his shoulder, waving the spatula, ``is they think they`re better than you.``

That should give you a bit more color on the background of the latest candidate. I for one don't think I am any better or less than Patty, I just generally support better political candidates for office that's all. It is a matter of opinion of course. I also do pay taxes.

Earth to Nancy Pincus - Quit your bellyaching and accept that this is a City Council appointment

The proprietor of Grafix Avenger blog has been bemoaning the fact Ravi Bhalla no longer has a locked down City Council majority and has been fuming on her website about how certain City Council members need to kiss the ring and vote back in her political ally Brian Assadourian onto the NHSA Board for another 5 year term. Nancy was exposed by this website as being not just an advocate but actually being paid out by Ravi Bhalla campaign for graphical services rendered during the campaign making her a paid political operative for Ravi Bhalla.

The bottom line is this: it is up to the City Council to pick the next appointment and not Ravi Bhalla. Right now Brian Assadourian only has two solid votes in theory and it is a race to get 5 of 9 votes for up to 4 candidates and possibly even more. It will remain to be seen who actually files and keeps their application active up until the vote on the City Council.

Should Brian Assadourian wish to continue to serve Hoboken should he not get reappointed to the NHSA, he could always serve on the Hoboken Planning Board whose appointments would be made by the Mayor Elect Ravi Bhalla. For all the backslapping about how Ravi Bhalla has assembled a team of rivals, it makes no sense for Ravi having his paid for spokesperson Nancy "Angry Pants" Pincus going nuclear on City Council members he needs to repair relationships with. He will need 5 votes to pass and 6 votes to bond.

The core commentators of the Grafix Avengers site seem to be the angriest bunch of winners ever. Granted, my candidate (Jen Giattion) lost but I am over it. The reason why is I accept our system of check and balances and the City Council will play a vital role in curbing the ultra development aggressiveness of outside influences like Stronger Foundations PAC and even Governor Phil Murphy. I put my faith in that more than any low information Hoboken voter could ever do.

Prior Story: http://hobokenresistance.blogspot.com/2017/12/breaking-tony-soares-to-seek-nhsa.html

Former Hoboken City Councilman Chris Campos Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for $7 Million Car Loan Scheme

In April of last year former Hoboken City Councilman Chris Campos along with Julio Alvarez were charged with participation in a loan fraud scheme to fraudulently obtain new automobiles that they intended to lease to livery cab drivers. The scheme totaled $7 million dollars and involved 20 straw buyers and over 200 vehicles. Chris Campos was just sentenced this Friday December 8th, 2017 to 30 months in prison based on his conviction in a trial joining many others in the history of the Hudson County Democratic Party to do time for financial crimes. 

Here is the release from the FBI...

Former Hoboken City Council President Sentenced To 30 Months
In Prison For His Participation In A $7 Million Car Loan Scheme

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that former Hoboken, New Jersey, City Council president and attorney CHRISTOPHER CAMPOS was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 30 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in car loans.  CAMPOS used approximately 20 straw buyers to purchase more than 200 new automobiles based on false representations that, among other things, the straw buyers would use the cars for their personal use when, in fact, CAMPOS and his co-conspirators obtained the vehicles in order to lease them as livery cabs.  After a week-long trial, CAMPOS was found guilty on June 22, 2017, of bank and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.  U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni presided over that trial and imposed today’s sentence.

Former Hoboken City Councilman Chris Campos in happier times 

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Christopher Campos, an attorney and former Hoboken City Council president, defrauded lenders out of millions of dollars.  He put up straw buyers to obtain loans for ‘personal use’ cars that in fact comprised a fleet of over 200 vehicles leased to livery drivers. Campos has now received the significant sentence his crimes merit.”           

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint, Indictment, and the evidence presented in Court during the trial: 

Between approximately October 2012 and September 2013, CAMPOS and his co-conspirator Julio Alvarez, among others, orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently obtain new automobiles that they intended to lease to livery cab drivers.  In order to secure financing in connection with the purchase of these new cars, CAMPOS and other co-conspirators enlisted and aided individuals with good credit histories (“straw buyers”) to submit fraudulent car loan applications to numerous lenders.  In order to obtain the new vehicles, CAMPOS and other co-conspirators sent straw buyers to several car dealerships located throughout the New York City area, where dealership employees helped straw buyers submit fraudulent loan applications. 

The auto loan applications submitted by the straw buyers falsely represented that the vehicles would be used for the buyers’ personal use, rather than as part of the defendants’ leasing business.  In addition, in many cases, the car loan applications misrepresented personal information about the straw buyers, including their incomes and assets.  CAMPOS also caused financing applications to be sent to multiple financial institutions at the same time so that the lenders would not know that the straw buyers were incurring obligations to other lenders in connection with the purchase of multiple new automobiles. 

In total, the scheme carried out by CAMPOS, Alvarez, and others involved approximately 20 straw buyers, the purchase of approximately 200 new vehicles, and ultimately resulted in lenders disbursing over $7,000,000 in fraudulently obtained car loans.  Most of those loans ultimately went into default.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Mr. Kim also thanked the National Insurance Crime Bureau (“NICB”), the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (“NYAIP”), and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for their substantial assistance in the investigation and trial. 

The prosecution of this case was handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Dina McLeod, Sagar K. Ravi, and Niketh Velamoor are were charge of the prosecution.

Breaking: Tony Soares to Seek NHSA appointment coming up February 2018

Former North Hudson Sewerage Authority Commissioner Tony Soares has filed an application for consideration on the NHSA for a 5 year term starting February 1, 2018 today at the Hoboken City Clerk's Office. The seat is currently held by Commissioner Brian Assadourian whose term is up early next year. Brian Assadourian is a political ally of Mayor Zimmer and Mayor Elect Ravi Bhalla as well as a close personal friend of the Mayor and her husband Stan Grossbard.

Tony Soares has previously served Hoboken as Hoboken City Council at Large, The Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment and two terms as NHSA Commissioner before stepping down last year. Hoboken resident and community infrastructure advocate Ed Friedrich was appointed last year to fill Tony's vacant seat. Tony was also a key backer of the Michael Defusco for Mayor campaign. Last year Tony had stepped down from his position due to a vehicular accident where he was struck as a pedestrian and needed time to focus on his recovery. When asked by the Hoboken Resistance the reason is applying again, Tony Soares responded "I think I offer the City of Hoboken a lot based on my past experience as City Councilman, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and NHSA commissioner. I am applying because I want to participate in the process of governing and believe the best candidate should get to serve on this important board."

Tony Soares left and Brian Assadourian right
Let the battle of the two term NHSA commissioners begin!

In Hoboken there are 3 commissioners that represent Hoboken on the NHSA. The board totals 9 members and comprise of two from Weehawken, 2 from Union City and 2 from West New York in addition to the 3 Hoboken Commissioners. Seven votes out of 9 are required to pass any resolution so the fact remains that Hoboken has veto power but it that power has not been utilized recently.

Appointments to the NHSA are made by the City Council and 5 votes are needed to get the position. Thus it appears to be a race between Brian Assadourian and Ravi Bhalla ally should he seek a third term and Tony Soares a key Michael Defusco ally. Key insiders will see this appointment as a litmus test of Mayor Elect Ravi Bhalla's support level on the City Council very early in his first term. No reports of Frank Raia putting his hat in the ring again but that is certainly a possibility as there is still time before the last January 2018 City Council meeting when these appointments are typically made.

Editor's Comment: I currently serve on The NHSA and Tony Soares served with me for one year in 2016 on the board and I thought Tony was engaged and a very good advocate for Hoboken and the Authority as whole. He has the respect of the leadership at the NHSA and its consultants. He asked great questions and his conduct throughout meetings was energetic and professional. Putting political affiliations aside he would make a very good commissioner should he get the votes necessary to be reappointed. This position is first off political, and secondly up to the City Council to decide for themselves who best to serve Hoboken and the NHSA. I worked well with Brian Assadourian too but it is not my opinion that counts here. I know I can work with either candidate selected. Whoever gets the five votes from the City Council is all that matters in the end.

Update: Washington Street Paving Progress for Hoboken Residents and Visitors

The City of Hoboken on Monday updated the scope of Washington Street to only include from Observer Highway to 1st Street due to changes in the forecast calling for potentially cold weather later this week.

From Observer Highway to 1st Street Washington Street has been milled and is ready
for paving and striping weather permitting as of 12-5-2017.

Update From the City of Hoboken 12-4-2017: Due to the forecast for cold weather later in the week which reduces the amount of time during which paving and striping can take place, the extent of the work has been reduced from 4 blocks to 2 blocks (from Observer Highway to 1st Street).

Original Message:

Milling and paving of four blocks of Washington Street between Observer Highway and 3rd Street is scheduled to take place the week of December 4th, weather permitting. Expected hours of operation are 8:00am to 7:30pm. Efforts will be made to maintain vehicular traffic where possible, however road closures will be required at times.

During construction, NJ Transit buses will operate on a detour. Buses heading toward Hoboken Terminal will travel south along Washington Street, detour east on 5th Street, and south on Hudson Street. Buses heading towards New York will leave the bus terminal from Observer Highway, turn north on Bloomfield Street, turn east on 5th Street, and continue north on Washington Street along the regular route.

To facilitate bus detours, parking will be prohibited on both sides of 5th Street between Bloomfield Street and Hudson Street as well as on both sides of Bloomfield Street near Observer Highway and Hudson Street near 5th Street. Police will be on hand to help direct traffic.

My Update and Commentary:

The third baseline for this project (communicated at a 2016 City Council meeting) had the full completion of this project finished up to 8th and Washington Street by Election Day 2017. Needless to say this project has been severely delayed and appears to be at least 6 months behind schedule given lack of progress to date. Most portions of this project are absolutely necessary and the infrastructure improvements below ground as well as at the street level are worth the inconvenience in the long run. The only debate that I consistently hear on the street is over the bump outs from the residents I have spoken to. Most I have spoken to feel they are unnecessary even if it is shown that they improve pedestrian safety. They are concerned about effect on traffic and many feel the cross walk lights planned to be sufficient.The perception is that the bump outs are the main cause for the additional delays in project completion. Whether or not that is true or not, the perception is there.

The limitations on the window for paving asphalt are very real. The City of Hoboken is trying to take advantage of unseasonably warm weather to try and at least play a little catch up. After all, Mayor Zimmer and her Administration has been criticized and rightly so for the mismanagement of this project from controlling the vendor to proper project communication. Here is a chart from a private sector site showing the minimum temperatures for asphalt paving...

Temperature Limitations for Asphalt Paving

There are also temperature minimums for road striping and concrete as well that have to be taken into consideration.

Below are some photos that show uncompleted bump outs. The questions remain whether we will get 4 streets or just 2 done before the winter temperatures finally hit. The other concern is whether bump outs already in progress will be addressed before the winter shutdown.

Not everyone is a fan of the "Bhalla bumpouts" - Zimmer's big idea
(Ravi is Zimmer's anointed replacement and elected with less than a third of the popular vote)

Will this be done before winter break?

I am hopeful, for the sake of Washington Street business owners, residents and visitors that the weather cooperates and they are able to finish all four planned blocks up to 3rd Street. It would really help the downtown area.

In my opinion Mayor Elect Bhalla should fire whoever is managing this project now, establish a new realistic baseline and then hold that project manager accountable for the new deadlines. Hoboken needs this project to get back on track and managed of whole lot better than what has been so far.

Public Hearing to be Held for Sustainability Element of Hoboken Master Plan Tuesday December 5th 7PM

From the City of Hoboken about an important Hoboken Planning Board meeting upcoming:

Public Hearing to be Held for Sustainability Element 

of Hoboken Master Plan

The Hoboken Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the adoption of the Green Building and Environmental Sustainability Element of the Hoboken Master Plan at its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 7:00pm in the ground floor conference room of Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

The City of Hoboken has been actively involved in sustainability efforts for nearly a decade, achieving Bronze certification from Sustainable Jersey, in 2011 and Silver certification in 2017. Sustainability has been promoted through several recent and current efforts that address climate adaptation, flood mitigation, public and environmental health, Green Building, and non-vehicular transportation. The draft Green Building & Environmental Sustainability Element (“Sustainability Element”) discusses these efforts and outlines goals, strategies, and actions to make Hoboken a more sustainable and resilient City.

View a draft of the Green Building and Environmental Sustainability Element: www.hobokennj.gov/docs/GreenBuildingEnvironmentalSustainabilityElement.pdf.

The purpose of the public hearing is to take public comments on the proposed Green Building & Environmental Sustainability Element of the Hoboken Master Plan. Depending on those public comments, the Board may adopt the proposed Green Building & Environmental Sustainability Element at that time.

Hard copies are available for public inspection at the Hoboken Planning Board Office during regular business hours of 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, with the exception of holidays.

Hoboken New Holiday Street Decorations Adding Festive Feel to Beleaguered Washington Street

At the behest of the The Hoboken Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, the City of Hoboken set aside $50,000 for new holiday decorations for this year. The new lights can be seen on Washington Street as of early this week. I spoke with a member of the Chamber and they were disappointed that the holiday decorations were not up in time for Small Business Saturday but they were happy to see them at least up now.

Joyce Flinn, VP on The Hoboken Chamber of Commerce is said to have been a leading advocate for these new decorations in addition to the group as a whole. She is the wife of Eugene Flinn who runs the Elysian Cafe and Schnackenburgs restaurants in Hoboken. The Elysian Cafe has a history of doing nice holiday decorations of their own.

Several people I spoke to like the new lights and consider them an improvement over prior years. The next logical question for this watchdog is did these lights cost the whole $50,000? I doubt it so hopefully we will either see more decorations or someone patting themselves on the back for saving money for the City of Hoboken.

New Holiday lights on Washington Street

Milling and Paving Scheduled for Week of December 4th on Portion of Washington Street

Here is an update from the City of Hoboken on Washington Street. This project was originally supposed to be completed up to 8th Street by election day of this year (after several adjustments of the project baseline prior). It looks like Hoboken is taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to get some paving in before the winter shuts down major work on this project. Someone must have also done a decent job of accumulating asphalt because usually by this time of year the manufacturers of the material stopping making it until the spring.

This project has had its detractors (including me) in the way it has been handled but at least if they can get a few blocks done before the holidays that would finally be some tangible progress. Earlier this year when I was contemplating a run for City Council this year I remarked how Washington Street was worse than the streets of Bosnia during its civil war. The person who was signing my petition drove a Humvee as part of his military service and agreed with me since he actually driven on the roads of Bosnia during the conflict. True story.

Milling and Paving Scheduled for Week of December 4th on 

Portion of Washington Street

From City of Hoboken Showing Bus Detours and Scope of Paving on Washington Street

Milling and paving of four blocks of Washington Street between Observer Highway and 3rd Street is scheduled to take place the week of December 4th, weather permitting. Expected hours of operation are 8:00am to 7:30pm. Efforts will be made to maintain vehicular traffic where possible, however road closures will be required at times.

During construction, NJ Transit buses will operate on a detour. Buses heading toward Hoboken Terminal will travel south along Washington Street, detour east on 5th Street, and south on Hudson Street. Buses heading towards New York will leave the bus terminal from Observer Highway, turn north on Bloomfield Street, turn east on 5th Street, and continue north on Washington Street along the regular route.

To facilitate bus detours, parking will be prohibited on both sides of 5th Street between Bloomfield Street and Hudson Street as well as on both sides of Bloomfield Street near Observer Highway and Hudson Street near 5th Street. Police will be on hand to help direct traffic.

To Pool or Not to Pool - Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher advocates for your input on NW Resiliency Park

Here is a note that went out to Hoboken residents regarding whether or not we should have a pool at the NW Resiliency Park or not from Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher. The City of Hoboken has a website where residents can provide input as to the features they want at the new park.

Dear friends and neighbors -

Do you want a pool in Hoboken (or not)?

If the your answer is Yes, then please fill out the survey in the link below by 11/30 for the NW Resiliency park and select "swimming pool" as your answer to the question about which features you want to see (answers are listed alphabetically so you will find it towards the bottom of the list).

If your answer is No or you don't care about a pool, please fill out the survey anyway and tell us what you would like to see in the park.

Click on the link: http://nwpark-cityofhoboken.opendata.arcgis.com/ to learn about the park, and then click the red "Take Survey Now" button. Also, please plan to come to the public meeting on 11/30 at Wallace from 7-9pm to learn more and share your thoughts.

When I campaigned in 2015, I added "advocating for a pool" to my platform not because it was important to me (I am not really a swimmer), but because so many people I met said it was important to them.

Since then I have raised this issue at just about every conversation we have had concerning the new NW Park on the 6 acre former BASF site (4 of which are now the pop-up park). There are also many other features to consider as well for this park. I am currently on the subcommittee for the park and helped interview and select the planning and engineering group that will design the new park.

I have to say, what we saw in their presentations was pretty amazing with ideas for undulating terrain, trees, hills, and plenty of active space. All on a few city blocks in our urban village. So please be part of the process. And part of the vision. The survey takes less than a minute to fill out. Let me know if you have any questions.

TiffanieFisher
2nd Ward Councilwoman

City of Hoboken Responds to NJ DEP Permit Application for Former Union Dry Dock Site

Just two days after both Councilwomen Jen Giattino and Tiffanie Fisher sent out a communication urging residents to oppose the Union Dry Dock application to the NJ DEP application, the Zimmer Administration has followed suit and released this update:

City of Hoboken Responds to NJ DEP Permit Application for Former Union Dry Dock Site

After an evaluation by legal counsel, the City of Hoboken has provided formal written feedback to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding NY Waterway’s application for a provisional permit at the former Union Dry Dock site.

In a joint letter, Mayor Zimmer and Mayor-Elect Bhalla urge the DEP Commissioner to deny the application and ensure that the “entire transaction be fully evaluated in the light of day with full transparency for all interested parties. Unfortunately it appears as though the transaction has so far been conducted in a manner that appears intended to hide information from the public and from the City of Hoboken.”

The full letter from Mayor Zimmer and Mayor-Elect Bhalla along with a review of legal issues can be viewed at: www.hobokennj.gov/docs/mayor/Letter-Zimmer-Bhalla-DEP-NY-Waterway-Permit-11-28-17.pdf.

NY Waterway’s DEP permit application can be viewed at: www.hobokennj.gov/docs/NJDEP-Waterfront-Development-Permit-Application-NY-Waterway.pdf.

Editor's Note: The Zimmer Administration calls for transparency on the Union Dry Dock but did they know about this transaction before the election? It's a fair question to ask. Keep in mind for years Dawn Zimmer had the opportunity to negotiate for the purchase of the property but did not make it a priority. Now it appears to be a priority but it seems more like a face saving operation at this point for the lame duck Mayor. Share your thoughts below.

Jen Giattino and Tiffanie Fischer Advocate for Union Drock Dock Site- Urge Citizens to reach out to NJDEP

This is from 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino who teamed up with Tiffanie Fisher to send out this message to Hoboken residents. Both Tiffanie and Jen voted for the right for Mayor Zimmer to use emminient domain as a tool to potentially acquire Union Dry Dock while Mayor elect Ravi Bhalla voted present in the same vote. If you should ever question advocacy look to this vote to see who supported this vote and who was potentially conflicted out.

From 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino:

Since 2011, I have been advocating to complete waterfront public park in Hoboken with the acquisition of the Union Dry Dock property. Most recently, I co-sponsored the resolution to add UDD to Hoboken's Open Space Plan, and then supported giving the administration the ability to use eminent domain as a tool to help facilitate the acquisition of the site.

Like many of you, I was surprised and dismayed to see that NY Waterway have been negotiating for months with UDD culminating in their indication of having recently acquired the site with the intent to move their fleet operations to the site. These operations will include storage of 20 ferries, refueling and maintenance for their entire fleet of 34 ferries, and potential for maintenance for their bus fleet which will bring increased traffic and environmental risks to an area that is surrounded by residential and recreational use.

I wholly support an expansion of ferry service for Hoboken and other NJ residents. But I feel that NY Waterways operations should be located elsewhere and that there should be a public process involving stakeholders to determine this. If you agree, then please help me advocate for this by sending a letter today (via mail) to the Department of Environmental Protection and tell them this. NY Waterway (along with UDD and NJ Transit) submitted an application on 11/14 for a provisional waterfront permit that will allow them to quickly set up operations as they exit their facilities in Weehawken.

To make it easier, below is a template you can use and edit before sending. Letters should be sent no later than today (11/28) if possible. I have also attached shown below a letter that 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher and I will be jointly submitting to the DEP urging them to deny the application. The UDD site sits in the 6th ward and the residents of the 2nd ward include many that are most directly effected every day. Tiffanie has been advocating for our public waterfront for several years and when she was elected in 2015 joined me in meeting with local residents and Fund for Better waterfront to continue advocacy for UDD.

Please consider sending a letter. If you would like to send, but do not have a printer, envelope or stamp, please let me know. We will offer to bring a letter to you tonight or pick one up from you with a plan to put a bundle together and send out tomorrow. Thank you for your advocacy on this important issue. Please let me know if you have questions or would like to see the entire DEP application - it is large so will need to be sent separately.

Sample Letter to NJDEP regarding Union Dry Dock: 

November 26, 2017
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Land Use Regulation
P.O. Box 420, Mail Code 501-02A
501 East State Street
Trenton, N.J. 08625
Attn: Hudson County Section Chief

RE: NJDEP Waterfront Development Permit Application by Port Imperial Ferry Corp. d/b/a NY Waterway for Block 259, Lot 1; 901 Sinatra Drive, City of Hoboken, Hudson County

Dear Hudson County Section Chief:

As a resident of Hoboken and someone who enjoys Maxwell Park, the Castle Point Skate Park, the Hoboken Cove Boathouse and uses the public access adjacent to Union Dry Dock, I urge NJDEP to reject the above referenced waterfront development permit application. This request from NY Waterway in partnership with NJ Transit is disingenuous, intentionally disregarding a 2012 agreement made by NJ Transit to not pursue the Union Dry Dock property for this use case. In 2012 NJ Transit clearly stated they “look forward to continuing to work with you [Hoboken Mayor Zimmer] as we continue to advance efficient, environmentally sound transit options for your residents and all the citizens of NJ.”

This proposal is anything but environmentally sound creating new environmental risks and quality of life issues for Hoboken. For more than 25 years residents, public officials and nonprofit organizations have invested tens of millions in public and private funds to redevelop the Hoboken waterfront. The city is extremely close to completing the vision of a contiguous public park along the Hudson River’s edge. This application jeopardizes all the progress the city has made to date and is grossly incompatible with the new development taking place along Hoboken’s waterfront. The proposed use is prohibited by local zoning laws and is in violation of the State’s Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Regulations.

In consideration of this, I ask that you please:

1. Deny this irresponsible application and hold an open public process to collect information from all stakeholders and discuss additional locations for NY Waterway to house their ferry maintenance, storage and refueling facility. The ferry system is an integral part of our mass transit system. We request a thorough examination of alternate sites and transparency in the process. It is our understanding Bayonne’s industrial waterfront has actively sought NY Waterway for years and in addition there are other locations owned by NJ Transit that are more appropriate and affordable.

2. Respect the current uses of the Hoboken Waterfront in vicinity of the Union Dry Dock site. Enjoyed by both residents and visitors there is currently a popular fishing pier, a skateboard park actively used by children of all ages, kids playground and swings, large grass lawn and a boat house including a natural sand beach to allow for free activities including kayaking. It’s an understatement to say a ferry refueling, repair and storage operation for 20 -34 ferries would be environmentally unsound and could destroy the opportunity for visitors and residents to fish, kayak or enjoy the public waterfront. In addition 20-34 ferries coming and going (using tier 1 diesel engines) and storage of large amounts of fuel would be a vastly different use case than Union Dry Dock currently operates creating new environmental hazards.

3. Uphold the state’s commitment to the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. CZM regulations (N.J.A.C 7:7 last amended Sept. 2017 – sections 9.46 Hudson River Waterfront Area and 16.9 Public Access) require public access be provided to the waterfront and the construction of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway for the 18 mile stretch between the Bayonne and George Washington Bridges. In Hoboken, this state-mandated public walkway has been nearly completed for the entire 1.5 mile length of its waterfront. The only piece missing is the 8 acre Union Dry Dock site. Approval of this permit destroys the opportunity to complete the vision.

4. Honor the 2012 NJ Transit decision to not pursue this proposal. New Jersey Transit Executive Director James Weinstein soundly rejected NY Waterway’s 2012 proposal in writing to Hoboken Mayor Zimmer “this is to confirm that New Jersey Transit is no longer exploring the acquisition of the Union Dry Dock property nor does the agency anticipate doing so in the future.” Thank you so much for your consideration,

Name:
Address:

Jen Giattino anfd Tiffanie Fisher letter to NJDEP re: Union Dry Dock from Hoboken Resistance