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Last night the City Council made their annual selections for the all important Hoboken Zoning Board.

Since 2009, after former mayor and convicted felon Peter Cammarano was convicted for taking $25,000 in bribes for zoning considerations by FBI informant Solomon Dwek posing as a Hoboken developer, these appointments are highly visible with strong public sentiments voiced.

As a subset to Cammrano’s conviction for trading on the mayor’s appointment powers to the Hoboken Zoning Board, then Acting Mayor and City Council President Dawn Zimmer followed through with an earlier campaign pledge to see those appointment powers moved to the nine member City Council in the summer of 2009. Read More...

Last night Jen Giattino was unanimously vote the City Council President. She takes the role for the second consecutive year and for the third time overall. Peter Cunningham was voted Council Vice President in a similar unanimous vote.

Most of the open Hoboken Zoning Board positions were filled. The entire meeting is below beginning with the council president vote.

Employee Alignment

Zoning Board appointment debate:

Secure Video Sharing

More of the meeting:

Employee Alignment

Last night, three members of the BoE were sworn in with incumbents Irene Sobolov and Jennifer Evans being joined by Sheillah Dallara to their new terms.

Running together under the Forward Together banner, the three swept their opponents in Parents United. Tom Kluepfel will remain BoE President and Sharyn Angley moves to Vice President as both were elected by their colleagues to those annual roles. The Hudson County View published this live report of the candidates swearing in and posted its story.

City of Hoboken announces:

=&0=& Revenue to be Used for Transportation Infrastructure Funding The City of Hoboken has begun the city-wide rollout to replace “Permit Only/4 hour” (visitor side, white sign with green text) zones with hybrid Permit/Meter (4 hour) zones. Residents and all others with parking permits (including visitor tags) will be able to continue to park for free in the new zones. Vehicles without permits will still be permitted to park for 4 hours (as before) but will now be required to pay a fee at the meter or by phone using the Parkmobile application. The 4-hour time limit will remain in effect at all times for non-permit holders, however meters only need to be paid between 9am and 9pm. Enforcement of the new meters will begin on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. The first phase includes the current “Permit Only” sides of upper Washington Street (8^th Street to 14^th Street), Hudson Street (1^st St to 11^thSt), and Castle Point Terrace.    Regulations are not changing on any existing 2-hour meter zones (including Washington Street from Observer Highway to 8^th Street and 14^th Street to 15^th Street) where all drivers, including permit holders, must still pay the meter. =&1=& =&2=& No Change. You do not need to pay the meter in Permit Only (4 hour) zones. You must still pay the meter at 2 hour meter parking zones. =&3=& No Change. You do not need to pay the meter in Permit Only (4 hour) zones. You must still pay the meter at 2 hour meter parking zones. =&4=& No Change. You do not need to pay the meter in Permit Only (4 hour) zones. You must still pay the meter at 2 hour meter parking zones. =&5=& You may still park for up to 4 hours at all times but now must pay the meter between 9am and 9pm. You must still pay the meter at 2 hour meter parking zones. All drivers are reminded to move their vehicles for street cleaning. Additional phases will be installed on the remainder of Permit Only sides of streets throughout Hoboken, from east to west, as additional meter shipments are received in the months ahead.  =&6=&

	Existing Regulations	New Regulations
Observer Hwy to 8th St & 14th St to 15th St	2 hour meter parking. All must pay the meter or by phone.	2 hour meter parking. All must pay the meter or by phone. (no change)
8th St to 14th St	Permit Only. Non-permit holders may park up to four hours per day for free at all times.	Permit Only. Non-permit holders may park up to four hours per day at all times butmust pay the meter or by phone between 9am and 9pm.

Since the City has implemented a pay-by-phone payment option, the meters in residential areas will generally be located only one per block, typically at an intersection, and placed near commercial locations as much as possible. The new regulations and meters, which were approved by the City Council, are being installed to increase parking turnover, creating more parking availability for residents, other permit holders, and visitors. Mayor Dawn Zimmer has committed to apply the additional revenue towards transportation and other infrastructure improvements (such as the $17 million Washington Street project, paving roads, and the new parking garage planned for northwest Hoboken). The City will also continue to use some parking revenue to keep municipal taxes stable. =&7=& =&8=& Yes. Regulations are only changing on existing “Permit Only” sides of streets where non-permit holders must pay the meter to park for up to 4 hours. Regulations are not changing at existing regular metered zones, most of which have a 2 hour limit and where all drivers are still required to pay. Regular meter zones include Washington Street from Observer Highway to 8^th Street and 14^th Street to 15^th Street, among other streets (For a full list of metered parking areas and time limits see www.ecode360.com/15236967). Posted signage will indicate either standard metered parking or “Permit Only” parking where non-permit holders must pay the meter. =&9=&

Tomorrow, the Hoboken City Council will hold its first meeting of 2017.

Out of the starting gate will be the first election race or dance of the flowers for the Mile Square City. (Dance of the Flowers was a tune learned in an early piano lesson as a young colt when the hooves were a bit more dainty and could hit C sharp smoothly, but I digress.)

So, let’s examine the first dance as it’s an important pre-show to the 2017 mayoral election this November.

Hoboken’s legislative agenda is critically led by its chair or Council President. Jen Giattino holds the baton currently, the second time she’s been handed the duties by her council colleagues. Read More...

Officially the New Year’s Day holiday falls on the second so without further ado.

What happens if the Russians hack the Hoboken mayoral election? Say a Lie-balor has emails on Masonista political operations leaked and a third-time Beth Mason bid for mayor against Dawn Zimmer is subsumed by disgusted Hoboken voters sending Zimmer to a third consecutive term.

Who gets the blame for “hacking the election” and how quickly after election day would we see a Mason Civic League – Newton Lao report blaming the Russians? It may be about as effective as the federal version featuring a disclaimer, as in, don’t blame us we’re full time civil servants trying to keep our jobs into the next presidential term. Read More...

From the desk of Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro:

MSV Readers: — As my first year in office comes to a close and we enter 2017, I wanted to provide you with a brief update on what I’ve been advocating for on behalf of the residents of the 33rd District! Insurance Gap Bill Passed by the Assembly
I’m happy to report that the General Assembly recently passed my bill, A-3721, to prohibit the use of a gap in automobile insurance coverage as a rating factor. In short, if signed into law, you wouldn’t be hit with higher insurance rates for going without a car and then returning to driving. Many motorists in Hudson County voluntarily give up their cars to take advantage of our robust transit system. Drivers who give up their vehicles can be charged higher insurance premiums when they eventually get behind the wheel again – this bill would undue this unnecessary financial hardship. Bike Safety, Hit and Run Prevention, And More My bill to add information and questions about sharing the road to driver’s education classes and tests advanced earlier this month, and will hopefully be called for a vote in the General Assembly soon! This bill was inspired in part by the cyclists here in Hudson County. I’ve also introduced bills to help police catch hit and run drivers (Zackhary’s Law, which is named after 21-year-old Zackhary Simmons, who tragically died after a hit-and-run in June near 6th and Willow) and amend the law to allow small performance theaters to sell liquor as a way to raise money in our arts community (inspired in part by the Mile Square Theater). Happy Holidays! Throughout the holiday season I’ve been blessed to see so many examples of people performing great acts of kindness for the communities in which they live! I’ve been fortunate enough to help and donate to the toy drive organized by Senator Stack throughout the district, witness Christmas tree lightings and Hanukkah celebrations that bring the community together, and I’ve been inspired by the small acts of kindness  I’ve seen here in my hometown to help people in need. My position in the General Assembly has opened my eyes to the good being done here in Hudson County. Thank you for this opportunity to represent such a tremendous district – when I’m in Trenton, I’m truly proud to be there representing the people of Hoboken, Jersey City, Union City, and Weehawken. If I can ever be of assistance, please e-mail me at chaparrofornj33@gmail.com. I look forward to helping this community as much as I can in the upcoming year and wish you nothing but the best for a healthy and happy 2017! Annette Chaparro Assemblywoman, D-33 Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro http://www.annettechaparro.com/