Yesterday, the explosively charming weather took many out of their global cooling wet funk timed with the launch of Lime e-Scooters.

First encounter, two people, a man and a woman midday on Washington St. uptown. He was trying to get the device going south – with the woman on board!

Illegal.

A 15 minute Horsey ride on Sinatra Drive saw a lot of people zipping around. It was like an infestation of locusts. Rather harmless all in all with many grins coasting by.

Later in the day, however, more and more people took to the street or rather, the sidewalks. That’s illegal! None seen wearing a helmet other than the sighting of one Horse on Sinatra Drive gloved over front hooves. Read More...

Official release:

I’m sure many of you are aware of the release below about the “scooter” madness that hit our streets today.  I was in favor of bringing the scooters to Hoboken on the condition that we could ensure they were operated safely on our street.  In fact, I negotiated with members of the council more closely aligned with the mayor to reduce the number of scooters to rent to make it more manageable for Hoboken Police to enforce the rules, as well to ensure we collected data on their “illegal” use.  I support more than 90% of the Mayor’s agenda.  To gain my support, the scooter rental resolution had to be negotiated to get it passed. There will be an important meeting tomorrow morning (so I am told) to discuss ways to ensure that there is no day two of reckless riding of scooters the wrong way, on sidewalks, through the parks, and on the grass – all without a helmet.  Representatives from the scooter companies will be present along with the Admin and HPD.  It is unclear if any City Council members will be present.  It is astonishing that nobody was hurt today, but the potential as many of you know was extremely high.  These scooter companies have the ability to provide important data on illegal use to support HPD. I look forward to reporting the results of this meeting, among other issues of interest.   Thanks,  Peter

           

Official release:

  Dear friends and neighbors: With a new Suez water contract now in place and the redesign of Washington St. just about completed, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY sits alone atop the list of the issues that I hear the most from you – mainly relating to our intersections.  I can tell you the entire City Council and the administration are focused on this.  And although we have seen many improvements citywide, there is still a lot to do.  Like many of you, I am eager to see the Vision Zero plan the city will be rolling out shortly.     But for today, I want to update you on some intersections in the 2^nd ward that have been my main focus.  For those who receive this who do not live in the 2^nd ward, I am 100% certain that you will still walk, ride or drive through these intersections at some point so these will also impact you.   14^th / Shipyard   This is an intersection that has pretended to not be an intersection.  With only two cross walks, no clear direction for pedestrians, being in the path towards a main transportation hub, and located in a neighborhood that has had the highest growth in density in the city… it is an understatement to say this intersection needed an upgrade.     At the 5/1 Council meeting, a resolution was introduced to re-do this intersection, but I asked to carry the proposal one meeting because I was concerned the plan was incomplete as it was from 2014, before many of the large buildings in the area were built.  I was particularly concerned the plan called for only three crosswalks instead of four which turned out to be the case:       Parking and Transportation Director Ryan Sharp and City Engineer Kimbrly Craft agreed with me that it needed a refreshed view so we met me last week to review the intersection and working together, we revised the plan that has now since been approved at the 5/15 City Council meeting.  This new plan now completes the intersection, adds a few street parking spaces on the north side of 14^th between Hudson and Shipyard (replacing a travel lane) which also provides the added benefit of narrowing the street.  Additionally, Director Sharp and Ms. Craft recommended adding a striped median (not raised) in the middle of the street to further give the impression of a narrow travel lane that helps to slow traffic in the area.  Oh, and this, along with others intersection improvements across town are funded by a grant from the state!  A win-win-win outcome!     15^th / Garden   All I can say here is finally.   After advocating for safety improvements at this intersection till I was blue in the face, I was told that a solution is imminent.  Director Sharp and Ms. Craft informed two weeks ago that they have ordered RRFB’s – Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Crosswalk System – for the cross walks at this intersection.  This would be a solar powered rapid flashing light combined with school crossing signage – something like the picture below.  The lights would be triggered as pedestrians approach the intersection.  I don’t yet have an ETA for these, just that they are ordered and on their way.     This intersection is where a main thoroughfare (15^th Street) meets a main pedestrian route (Elysian Charter, Harborside Park and the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway) without any signal devices or effective signage.  And is the intersection that I get the single most calls about.  Why not speed bumps you ask?  Not supported for high traffic volumes and are noisy.  Why not a stop sign?  Too close to the traffic light/left arrows at 15^th and Park.  Why not a traffic table (elevated intersection)?  This is actually coming in the future as part of Rebuild By Design.   14^th / Garden   A traffic signal is underway, with the hopes of it being installed before the end of summer / beginning of new school year.       This has been slow moving since it was approved in 2015. It is a County intersection and project and the bidding for the project is currently underway.  Director Sharp and Ms. Craft estimated timing to be approximately 5 months from right now, highly depending on PSEG when they ultimate activate the light.  We agreed that we will all be asking the various parties (County and PSEG) to target having this light installed and up and running before Labor Day and the start of the new school year.  I would encourage you to email Freeholder Anthony Romano at aromano@hcnj.us and tell him how badly we want this done before school starts (cc: me).   14^th / Willow   Hoboken Police Chief Ferrante stated at the Council meeting on April 17^th, that this intersection is by far the most dangerous in the City.       After speaking with Freeholder Romano earlier that week who indicated the County (it is their intersection) was prepared to review the intersection once they received direction from the City, I co-sponsored with Councilman Cunningham a resolution formally recommending that the County make the following changes and do further review of the intersection.  

Remove all parking spaces in front of Trader Joe’s up through the traffic light at 13th / Rite Aid and convert to a second travel lane; 

Insert bollards / delineator posts along the center double line directly in front of the entrance into the Harlow / Trader Joe’s parking garage – approximately 200 feet from the intersection of Willow Avenue and 14th Street to create a physical barrier to prohibit left turns into and out of the Harlow / Trader Joe’s parking garag; and 

Review with Hoboken Police Department the accidents at and near the intersection of Willow Avenue and 14th Street and the configuration of the eastbound turning lanes on the Viaduct / 14th Street to recommend further changes to improve safety.

Read More...

Official release:

Hello Friends and Neighbors,
I am looking for your input to continue to make our neighborhood more safe for everyone, especially pedestrians. 
Last year, after a warrant study, I had a stop sign installed on 6th and Clinton Sts. This intersection has a bus stop and school which lends itself to vehicle/pedestrian conflict.
A warrant study is underway on 2^nd and Bloomfield Sts. I am waiting for the results.

After advocating for pedestrian safety improvements on  Read More...

Official release:

Councilman DeFusco’s Small Business Expansion District Plan Approved by City Council

Plan is First Major Change to City’s Zoning Since 1980s, Will Attract Innovative New Businesses to Hoboken HOBOKEN, N.J. — Small businesses in Hoboken struggle with cripplingly high costs and bureaucratic barriers to entry, causing far too many vacancies on Washington Street and missed opportunities in other prime locations in the city. City officials have pledged to solve the problem for years, but now a new plan spearheaded by Councilman Mike DeFusco and passed by the City Council will finally make the revolutionary policy changes needed to support small businesses in Hoboken, the first major changes to the city’s zoning laws since the Reagan administration. The City Council gave final approval to Councilman DeFusco’s Small Business Expansion District Plan on Wednesday night. The plan will re-establish Washington Street as the city’s primary commercial hub, lowering barriers to entry for small businesses like restaurants and shops to open on the main street by opening new sections to business uses previously prohibited. Secondly, the plan creates three new neighborhood business districts and defines and expands permitted uses in these areas, which will encourage innovative new businesses like restaurants, cafes, co-working spaces, tech incubators and more to open. It also encourages more neighborhood retail and corner stores, bringing vibrancy to neighborhoods in need. Taken together, these long overdue policy changes will remove many of the barriers to entry that have been stopping businesses from investing in the city while activating parts of the community where residents have long desired more local shopping, dining and entertainment options.      “Small businesses play a vital role in our community, making it critical that we find ways to help mom and pop shops succeed in Hoboken,” said Councilman DeFusco. “The Small Business Expansion District Plan does exactly this by enacting a proactive policy that will encourage makers, creators and innovators to invest in our city. When small businesses thrive, our neighborhoods are more vibrant, new jobs are created and we lower the burden on residential taxpayers. I am proud to have worked with the City Council and Mayor to expand neighborhood business districts and look forward to bringing new and exciting business concepts into our community.” The Small Business Expansion District Plan includes:

Expanding neighborhood retail the entire length of First Street, which will create a new business corridor between the Waterfront and Southwest Park

Expanding neighborhood retail along 14th Street from the Waterfront to Willow Avenue

Expanding the Central Business District from Fourth Street to Seventh Street along Washington Street

Expanding retail on Washington from Seventh Street to 14th Street, with the exception of certain blocks on the eastern side

Creating a neighborhood retail district on Jackson Street between First and Fourth Streets to serve the west side of Hoboken

Read More...

Yesterday’s prediction of an impending Team Bhalla council slate announcement came within an eyelash of dead on accuracy.

Thanks to everyone who participates and continues to support the RaviLeaks Good Government Transparency Program.

The ticket Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced is less than inspiring in many respects but closes the books on any lingering questions about the often reported Ravi-Russo Alliance here.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla and his special guest Councilman Michael Russo speaking at a Hoboken Democratic Committee meeting. The Ravi-Russo Alliance is very much alive with Russo set to face no opposition from Team Bhalla.

Ron Bautista an imperfect but suitable cannon fodder candidate in the third ward would complete a citywide ticket for Team Bhalla. Read More...

Official release:

  Dear friends and neighbors: The City Council held its Public Hearing for the Budget Amendment that was proposed by the Council at the last meeting on May 1^st where it was approved 8-1 (“Council Amended Budget”).  In this amendment to one originally introduced by the mayor, the Council found ways to reduce the tax rate from the 2.8% that had been proposed to 1.3%.  In this rising cost environment, we felt it important for the City of Hoboken’s administration to show to the taxpayers of Hoboken that it can and will “do more with less” while sustaining municipal services, supporting wage increases for our lowest-paid employees, cutting administrative costs and above average salary increases and supporting our seniors and public safety teams.  The amendments we passed include: 

$315,000 reduction in overhead, excess budgeted amounts and unfilled positions

$295,000 reduction in environmental services driven mainly by lower contract costs for trash removal and use of trust accounts to offset snowplowing.

$125,000 reduction in budgeted legal costs

$75,000 reduction by delaying new police motorcycles 

$28,000 reductions in other areas

$98,000 increase for fire salary and wages and supporting our seniors 

Read More...

Official release:

The rain finally seems to have let up, and it’s a busy time here in Hoboken so I wanted to update you on several important issues being discussed by the City Council.   A NEW WATER DEAL  Last summer, our city was on the verge of making a historic mistake by attempting to jump into a protracted lawsuit with Suez Water, the private water company that services Hoboken. At the time, I cautioned the mayor against jumping into a pointless lawsuit, which would only delay solutions and benefit lawyers, not residents. I thank my Council colleagues for stepping in to keep us out of court and working collaboratively towards a better contract for Hoboken. At the last City Council meeting, we voted on an updated water contract that was markedly better than the one I voted against in 2017. The new contract contract includes $33 million in water infrastructure upgrades over 15 years as well as an additional $2 million investment in smart technology to monitor water consumption. Although this is a great first step to making much needed investments in our water system, it is not a silver bullet, it will not entirely fix the century-old problem. We can and need to do more by negotiating more responsible agreements with development projects, like the upcoming Hilton Hotel and I look forward to working with everyone to improve infrastructure across Hoboken. FIGHTING FOR TAXPAYERS Earlier this month, the City Council passed a budget amendment to size back the mayor’s 3% tax hike which would impact businesses and residents alike. In doing so, we were able to cut nearly $1 million in excess spending from the budget, while simultaneously increasing funding for our short-staffed Fire Department. Despite having a larger tax base than ever before, the mayor’s budget proposed raising taxes to compensate for his administration’s unprecedented spending over the past year. During his first two years in office, Mayor Bhalla has increased his office’s spending by an alarming 40% to fund jobs for political supporters, politically convenient contracts and unnecessary lawsuits. While no tax increase is acceptable, the City Council has worked productively with the Administration; and though the mayor doesn’t like hearing that he needs to “do more with less,” this needs to be a belt tightening year.  I’ve long said that we need a private sector approach to government in Hoboken and holding the line on taxes starts with evaluating where cuts can be made without impacting critical city services. The City Council is in active discussions with relevant state authorities to maintain Hoboken’s track record of responsible spending. BRINGING ART BACK TO HOBOKEN Public murals foster artistic expression and enhance community character, which is why at tonight’s City Council meeting I’m excited to introduce an ordinance that will increase public access to and community participation in the creation of original works of art and set important standards that must be followed to ensure our neighborhood’s stay charming and unique.  I am also proud to have sponsored a resolution, unanimously approved by the City Council, urging PSE&G and Verizon to allow local artists to beautify our streets by adding art to their dull and dirty mechanical boxes. Not only does this liven up our neighborhoods, but it shows our support for local artists by giving them a public canvass visible to thousands of people each day.  LETTING DOGS INTO OUR PARKS Did you know it was illegal to bring your dog into City-operated parks, including our waterfront walkways, unless you’re walking them to or from a dog run?  Neither did I until the mayor began enforcing it after years of allowing responsible dog owners to use our parks, causing residents to speak out.   Working together with my colleague, Council President Jen Giattino, we are modernizing this dated law with legislation that makes our City more pet-friendly. Instead of attacking responsible dog owners who are simply trying to allow their furry friends to stretch their legs, we should be targeting those who leave our parks dirty.  To that end, if anybody doesn’t clean up after their dog in a public park, the proposed legislation holds those responsible for the maximum penalty — $2,000.   ADVOCATING FOR MORE BUSES  I know what it’s like commuting into New York City from Hoboken every day and truthfully, it’s not always easy. With the growth on Hoboken’s West side, buses that run along Washington Street and Willow Avenue are overcrowded and the lines at bus stops sometimes stretch for more than a block.  That’s why I along with Councilman Ruben Ramos, sponsored a resolution, unanimously passed by the Council, urging NJ TRANSIT to conduct a feasibility study to create new bus routes and increase service during the peak travel hours. Our resolution specifically recommends adding new stops on Madison Street and Monroe Street to bring residents to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.  Additional bus service will not only alleviate crowding on existing routes, but also make the ride to and from work easier and more comfortable for all of us. eSCOOTER UPDATE On Monday Governor Murphy signed S-731 into law, which approves the use of low-speed eScooters and eBikes on streets, highways and bicycle paths in NJ. I have long been a proponent of adding eScooters to our bikeshare arsenal and last summer had a blast hosting a pop up event with Lime Scooters on Pier 13.  Back in April I voted in favor of a 6-month trial run with Lime Scooters because I believe this service, used in over 100-cities worldwide, will reduce dependency on cars and help residents get around town faster. Though I am excited to bring eScooters to our City, I recently voted against the mayor’s rushed recommendation to add a second eScooter provider to the test program. Residents, The Port Authority and Hoboken Police Department have all expressed concerns regarding  enforcement and I don’t believe the administration has adequately addressed these issues before expanding the program.  Despite the additional scooter operator being added on, I am hopeful the mayor will roll out the approved programs safely and effectively.  eScooters and other emerging transportation technologies have the potential to revolutionize how we all get around Hoboken and I personally look forward to hopping onto a scooter soon on my morning commute to NYC.  I hope you’ll take the opportunity to try out this exciting new mode of transportation and let me know your thoughts. STANDING UP FOR EQUALITY In late April, Little City Books held a family-oriented “Drag Queen Story Hour” during which children and parents encountered a pair of representatives of the Pennsylvania-based American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property protesting outside the event. Though free speech is protected, I am incredibly proud of the Hoboken families who took a stand against this intolerance and did not allow this distraction from ruining a great day. As the Chairman of the Hudson County Democratic Organization’s LGBTQ Caucus, one of my priorities is to make sure we are teaching younger generations to embrace diversity and acceptance. To that end, please join me and the LGBTQ Caucus on June 1 for brunch and an open and inclusive conversation at Antique Bar & Bakery in Hoboken. We’ll kick off the event at 10:00a with Drag Queen Story Hour for the kids, hosted by the fantastic Harmonica Sunbeam, followed by mimosas at 11:00a ???? for the adults.  Together, let’s show these protesters they will not set us back on the strides we have made to get closer to full equality! REPAVING FIRST STREET   I’m thankful to Hudson County and Freeholder Romano for answering our call to repave First Street — a County road and an important transportation artery for my downtown district.   Many residents have been frustrated by the delays with the project, which stem in part from the weather, but also because the City didn’t  inform NJ Transit of the proposed street closures, which would have impacted bus operations.  Repaving should be completed by week’s end if the weather cooperates.    Speaking of County-funded projects, I am particularly excited about the upcoming Newark Avenue “Complete Street” initiative which will include long overdue pedestrian safety improvements as well as new bike lanes, paving and striping.   I have long advocated for Newark Street and though delayed two years on account of a change in administrations, I’m excited that this project is slated to break ground on August 5th! As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions on these issues, or if you need help on any city matters. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to bring new energy and new ideas to Hoboken. Your Councilman, Mike DeFusco Hoboken City Councilman P.S. Should you ever need anything, please email me at Mike4Hoboken@yahoo.com or call me at 646.372.4341. News Ravi Bhalla announces council slate ignoring Ron Bautista leaving Michael Russo ‘safe & sound’ 05/16/201901/22/2021 by SmartyJones5 Min Reading Official release: =&0=& =&1=& =&2=& Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken today unveiled his slate of Council candidates for the Fall Ward elections.  The Team Bhalla slate of candidates are: ·         First Ward:   =&3=&.  Migdalia is a lifelong resident who began working with the community as an assistant in the Cultural Affairs Department for the City for Hoboken. She was instrumental in organizing Hoboken’s first Pride week. Currently, Migdalia works in the newly reconstituted Department of Constituent Affairs where she effectively finds solutions to residents’ day to day issues.  ·         Second Ward: Nora Martínez DeBenedetto.   Nora is a teacher at Kaplan Cooperative Preschool.  She coordinates Art in the Park for the City of Hoboken and was a founding member and volunteer organizer of the Hoboken Uptown Farmers Market for ten years.  She is also a lifelong resident of Hoboken. ·         Fourth Ward: =&5=&.  An attorney, accountant and a mom, Lisa currently works as the Controller for a large New York based company, actively involved in all aspects of the business large and small, including legal, finance, accounting, human resources and even store construction. ·         Fifth Ward:  =&6=&A long-time community activist who has served on number of City and community boards, including the Zoning Board, Phil currently serves on the Rebuild by Design Citizens Advisory Group and as the Hoboken Democratic Party Chair. He is an attorney.=&7=& ·         Sixth Ward:  =&8=&A noted producer and director of television shows and documentaries, Cristin is an active supporter of the Hoboken Public Education Foundation and of reform candidates for Hoboken School Board. Cristin’s great-grandparents Robert and Raffaela Cricco helped build St. Ann’s Church.=&9=& =&9=& “Taken together, this slate of candidates represent the new energy, new ideas and public spiritedness we need to keep moving Hoboken in the right direction,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. “As Council members, I know Migdalia, Nora, Lisa, Phil and Cristin will put Hoboken first, working cooperatively to move our City forward, forgoing the political attacks and grandstanding that have too often sidetracked the current City Council.” A kick-off event will be held at 10th & Willow on Tuesday evening. May 21 at 7:00 PM. =&11=& =&12=& works for the City’s newly resurrected Constituent Affairs department, where on a daily basis she works to assist residents with problems, such as noise pollution from the rail-yard, unaffordable rents and unsafe living conditions in the senior buildings.  She recently assisted residents of Marineview in the refurbishing of their apartments in the wake of two recent fires. Migdalia previously worked at the City’s Cultural Affairs Department where she helped organize city events such as the Arts and Music Festival and interacted regularly with business owners.  She was one of the organizers of the first ever Hoboken Pride Week, collaborating with Hudson Pride Center and working to include all LGBTQ residents.  Migdalia, a lifelong resident of Hoboken, resides in the First Ward with her wife, Lisa.  Ward 2: Nora Martínez DeBenedetto is a teacher at Kaplan Cooperative Preschool and the coordinator of the popular Art in the Park program for the City of Hoboken, which is now greatly expanded and running at capacity each summer with almost six hundred children enrolled.  Nora has served as a volunteer organizer of the Hoboken Uptown Farmers Market for ten years, where she was one of the founding members. In this capacity, she worked to bring Jersey Fresh produce to a neighborhood that was in need of more health food options and community events. A graduate of Syracuse University, Nora later received her Master’s Degree from New Jersey City University. She is a lifelong resident of Hoboken and the Second Ward, where she lives with her husband and young son.  Ward 4:  Lisa Sprengle is an attorney, accountant and a mom. She is a business professional and a CPA, with a JD from Chicago Kent. Lisa currently works as the Controller for a large New York based company, actively involved in all aspects of the business large and small, including legal, finance, accounting, human resources and even store construction. Her active involvement in her community began, as with many Hoboken moms, with her work for the HSA of her daughter’s school. She is committed to using her private sector legal and business experience to help Mayor Bhalla continue moving Hoboken forward, while ensuring that the 4th Ward is not left behind.  Ward 5: Phil Cohen has been an engaged volunteer in Hoboken’s civic life for nearly two decades. Phil is a member of the Citizens Advisory Group for the transformative $230 million Rebuild by Design project, working on the plan to implement protections for our City from rising tides and strengthening storms like Superstorm Sandy.  He is a member of the Hoboken Library’s Space Search Committee working on identifying an uptown branch location to better serve our community.  Phil is a 5th Ward Democratic Committeeperson who has been elected to serve the 5th Ward for more than a decade.   Last year, he was elected by the Committee’s members to serve as Chair of the Hoboken Democratic Party. A graduate of Rutgers Law School, Phil is a practicing attorney in the New York office of an international law firm where he is a shareholder in the firm’s litigation practice.  Phil and his wife Rebecca are proud to have raised their daughters, Madeline 23, and Anna 19, here in Hoboken. =&16=&In=&17=&