Official release:
A comprehensive ethics reform proposal sponsored by Councilman Mike DeFusco was adopted by the City Council this week, ensuring that taxpayer money and resources will not be misused for personal or political gain. The ordinance, co-sponsored by Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, bars any public official from using the city’s Nixle alert system to promote a political agenda and creates additional oversight to prevent city employees from performing political campaigning activities during working hours.
Official release:
Following weeks of advocating by Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher for better contracts to improve the safety of Hoboken’s nascent e-Scooter pilot program, the City Council voted on amended contracts that will allow Hoboken to collect additional revenue to help address growing public safety concerns. While the terms of the new agreements are a step in the right direction, they fall short in addressing the immediate and tangible safety initiatives that Hoboken needs to properly ensure responsible ridership and safety for its residents.
Last night’s City Council meeting repeated the beginning of the 2017 process for eminent domain proceedings at Union Dry Dock.
Another unanimous vote recorded allows negotiations to continue with Shipyard Associates, re: the Barry family for developing at the site of the City of Hoboken Municipal Garage.
The following video report comes courtesy of the Hudson County View. Please note there is no settlement with Shipyard for the municipal garage site downtown. Its approval for the negotiation process and will require major redevelopment approval from the City Council at a later date.
Official release:
Councilman DeFusco Pleased Mayor Bhalla Follows Advice to Renegotiate eScooter ContractAfter urging the Mayor to negotiate a better eScooter deal for Hoboken, the City Council approved amendments to the current eScooter contracts on Wednesday that will generate more revenue and begin to make much-needed investments in rider safety and enforcement. As part of the agreement, Hoboken will collect an additional $.35 per ride specifically for enforcement, rider education and transportation infrastructure investments.
Official release:
Dear friends and neighbors –This is what community looks like:
In front of a packed house at City Hall last night, the City Council not only voted unanimously in favor of both measures to complete our waterfront (Monarch and UDD), but also to invest in much needed affordable housing for Hoboken residents who are being displaced. As Councilwoman Falco so eloquently pointed out last night… we did this in the same night.
Thank you to everyone who worked together to make this happen. I could not be more proud to be your neighbor and be part of our special community. More voices matter. #ourhoboken
Official release:
Dear friends and neighbors – Reminder that tonight the City Council will be voting on important legislation relating to the last two sites on our waterfront that if passed, would pave the way towards completing Hoboken’s waterfront.- Monarch – Resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a proposed settlement agreement between the City of Hoboken and the owners of the Monarch site (Applied / Shipyard / Ironstate). Public comments will be heard on this resolution.
Tonight the only City Council meeting in August is the backdrop for two aligned issues seeing easy passage this evening.
First is a repeat of eminent domain proceedings on the Union Dry Dock now NY Waterway property. Looming over the matter as in late 2017 is the massive presence and superior eminent domain powers of NJ Transit.
In early 2018, the City Council reversed its earlier passage of emiment domain requested by Mayor Ravi Bhalla after fulfilling his desire and former mayor Dawn Zimmer’s earlier request to approve in 2017.
Official release:
Dear friends and neighbors – For those of you who, like me, are passionate about Hoboken’s waterfront, protecting it, defending it, and wanting to see it be complete from end to end, then this is the week you should pay attention. The last two sites that are at risk of being commercially developed – Monarch and the former Union Dry Dock – are closer than ever to being permanently returned to public ownership. The City Council will be voting on Wednesday night at the August council meeting on the following (more detail at the end of this newsletter):- Monarch – Proposed settlement agreement between the City of Hoboken and the owners of the Monarch site (Applied / Shipyard / Ironstate).
- NYWW/UDD – First reading of an ordinance to acquire the site for an amount up to $13,500,000 (appraised value) through negotiation or eminent domain/condemnation.
Official release:
Dear friends and neighbors,
There are a few important meetings coming up this week that may affect you:
PUBLIC HEARING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO PUBLIC PARKS
When: Thursday, August 8th at 7PM Where: City Hall, 94 Washington St. Basement conference room This hearing will be to collect public input on improvements planned for the following parks city wide: