News

Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher: NJ Transit 4/4 Vote Delayed

by SmartyJones3 Min Reading

Official release:

  Dear friends and neighbors: The City announced this morning that given the offer to suspend Eminent Domain proceedings on Union Dry Dock, Governor Murphy and NJ Transit have responded saying they will delay the NJ Transit Board meeting that was to be held tomorrow at 2pm.   Currently the delay is just one day, but the City Council will be voting at our council meeting tomorrow night on the suspension of ED and if successful, the NJ Transit special meeting will be canceled altogether. What does this mean? Effectively this now allows all parties to work together to find an acceptable solution that supports ferry operations and respects the long term interests of our community.  In a nutshell, unless other alternatives are considered than just Bayonne vs. UDD, this pits the profitability of NYWW vs. Hoboken’s community interests because if NYWW doesn’t want to go to Bayonne, that may drive the outcome.  But, there are other alternatives that should and hopefully will be considered like our own Lackawana terminal (which is owned by NJ Transit), various New York locations, and / or splitting NYWW operations across multiple sites. What this doesn’t mean… It doesn’t mean that our fight is over.  NYWW has to be out of their existing location by June 1st.  The only current location that is secure for them to relocate their operations is Union Dry Dock.  I am certain they will be moving forward to prepare the site for their occupation.  In parallel, we rely heavily upon the Governor’s office, NJ Transit, the City of Bayonne, Port Authority and our own elected officials to work towards finding another location/solution. There is not a lot of time and maintaining service for 30,000 commuters will be at the forefront of the discussions. What’s next? First, City Council has to approve suspending Eminent Domain.  I have been speaking with Mayor Bhalla, his staff and several of my council colleagues about suspending eminent domain since last Thursday.  Although it would never have been my first choice, I felt it was a necessary step in these discussions given the alternative was that NJ Transit would acquire the site and we would lose control forever.  I cannot speak for my council colleagues specifically, but I am optimistic we will see consensus support for this. What can you do? I have received emails from many of you with different views on this topic.  And it is really important that you continue to express your views – whatever they may be.  What is critical is that we advocate for what is important to Hoboken so it has a place in the discussion.  If we don’t advocate for ourselves, we can’t expect that others will either.  So stay engaged and informed.  Like and share content from various social media sites that will be actively working on and following this: 
News

Mayor Ravi Bhalla on UDD: ‘Sound the retreat!’

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

Official release:

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New Jersey Transit will potentially acquire the Union Dry Dock property on Hoboken’s waterfront at an “emergency” meeting of its Board of Directors this Wednesday, April 4 at 2 p.m. in Newark, New Jersey.

Since learning about New Jersey Transit’s intention to acquire this property in Hoboken late last week, I have been in regular communication with the Governor’s office and other stakeholders.

The so-called “emergency” requiring a special meeting is an offer to purchase the Union Dry Dock property made by Hoboken for $11.63 million, which requested a response within 14 days. It was from this offer that New Jersey Transit manufactured a legal fiction and “emergency” rush to buy the property before the expiration of the 14-day period, based on the false claim that Hoboken would be able to lawfully exercise eminent domain immediately thereafter.
Read More...

News

In a fit of conscience, Ravi Bhalla resigns as Hoboken mayor

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading
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Ravi Bhalla stuns Hoboken saying costly errors and broken promises will see him resign as mayor.

In a stunning decision reevaluating politics locally and nationally, new Hoboken mayor Ravi Bhalla declared he’s resigning as mayor, effective the close of business.

“I don’t like what I’m seeing in Hoboken, the county (HudCo) and around the country. I don’t like what I’ve become, another cog in a wheel of destructive scorched-earth politics after some unfortunate mistakes made,” said the soon to be departing mayor. Read More...

News

Mayor Bhalla Update to Residents of Hoboken Regarding Union Dry Dock Property

by SmartyJones3 Min Reading
Agency Logo

Official release:

City of Hoboken, NJ
   

Community: Letter from Mayor Bhalla to Residents of Hoboken Regarding Union Dry Dock Property

Dear Residents,

I am forwarding to you the attached letter from New Jersey Transit (NJT) Executive Director Kevin Corbett, which I received last night at 6:30 p.m., informing me of New Jersey Transit’s intention to acquire the Union Dry Dock site in Hoboken from New York Waterway this Wednesday at 2 p.m. at an emergency meeting of its Board of Trustees.

It is disappointing that NJT deems it appropriate to send me a letter on a Saturday night before Easter about taking such an action while the district schools are closed for Spring Break and many families – mine included – are away for the holiday break. Last year, Governor Murphy called New Jersey Transit a “national disgrace.” Unfortunately, in terms of transparency, actions like these demonstrate that the agency has yet to make the changes it needs in how operates. It’s an insult to the public for NJT to be making such important decisions under the cover of darkness and with no meaningful opportunity for public input.

While Director Corbett’s letter blames bad weather for our failure to meet regarding a Bayonne option in the month of March, the record reflects that my persistent attempts to have the meeting he refers to were hijacked by the Governor’s office.

The remainder of Director Corbett’s letter is a rational policy argument on the need to consider regional transit interests and NJT’s responsibility to sustain the transit system, including ferry operation, in the larger public interest. This is an interest everyone understands and appreciates, especially the residents of Hoboken, as we rely on dependable ferry service every working day.

The elephant in the room that Director Corbett avoids is the fact that NJT’s acquisition of the UDD property will shield New York Waterway from the City of Hoboken’s ability to exercise eminent domain for the purpose of, in the long run, preserving this waterfront land as open space for the public benefit. In other words, this acquisition by NJT will deprive Hoboken and its residents from having its rightful seat at the table, and a legitimate local voice, in the larger regional planning process.

I will speak more on this specific topic (eminent domain) tomorrow morning, stay tuned. The City of Hoboken will also provide details on Monday for buses it will be providing free of charge to Hoboken residents who seek to attend NJT’s Board Meeting this coming Wednesday. I urge you all to attend the Board Meeting and make your voices heard. I hope to see you there.

Very Truly Yours,

Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor, City of Hoboken
News

RESURRECTION SUNDAY

by SmartyJones1 Min Reading
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Revelation 1:17-18 

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
News

Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher: Update on Union Dry Dock

by SmartyJones5 Min Reading

Official release:

  Dear friends and neighbors: Mark Your Calendars!  Earlier this week it was announced that the NJ Transit Board will convene for a special meeting this Wednesday, April 4th at 2:00 p.m. specifically to consider and vote on NJ Transit acquiring the Union Dry Dock site from NY Waterway and leasing it back to them.   I spoke with Mayor Bhalla on Thursday and continue to stay in contact with he and both his COS’s while he is away and the key takeaway is they continue to negotiate with the Governor’s office to cancel the meeting.  We should know more Monday morning.  But in the event the meeting is not cancelled, we need to bring an army, again, to Newark that day.  Like last time, the City will be providing buses for people to join that day.  Details to follow. What happened that triggered this? Last week the City Council approved the Mayor’s submission of the offer letter to NYWW which starts the Eminent Domain process.  Embedded in the letter is the statutory requirement that NYWW respond to the offer within 14 days.  Apparently, this was misinterpreted to mean that somehow Hoboken could take ownership of the property in 14 days which isn’t the case.  Eminent Domain is a lengthier process which involves a court decision, among other actions.  As a result, NJ Transit, with Governor Murphy’s support, responded with what they felt was a similarly aggressive action.  As mentioned, Mayor Bhalla is actively engaged with the Governor’s office to educate them on the process and also to work towards a potential solution.  Possibly expanding the response date from 14 days to 45 or longer – to keep everyone at the proverbial table working on a solution. Why are NJ Transit doing this at all?   It gives NYWW protection because NJ Transit has political jurisdiction that is higher than Hoboken – meaning they are immune to Eminent Domain by Hoboken.   Didn’t NJ Transit and Governor Murphy already say they weren’t going to do this? Yes, and no.  In 2012 NJ Transit issued a letter to then Hoboken mayor saying they would not pursue this site.  On Martin Luther King Day this past January, NJ Transit decided not to vote on acquiring the site.  This was in direct response to public outcry, and then Governor-Elect Murphy chastising NJ Transit for this last minute, Governor Christie led effort.  But note that the recent actions were not a commitment to not act, just not yet. This is bad for Hoboken.  No question mark. Irrespective of your view on whether New York Waterway should run its operations from the UDD site, this is bad for Hoboken because, as I said at the City Council meeting and to Mayor Bhalla on Thursday, it means we permanently lose the ability to influence what can be done on that site.  This is the worst outcome.  Any other outcome is better. What is at risk to Hoboken? Although NY Waterway are currently planning for it to be used as its operation hub for refueling, repairs, storage and pumping sanitary waste its ferries, and a parking lot for 150 employees, they can build as-of-right what it is currently zoned (see below for the actual zoning).  Effectively an up to 35’ high ferry terminal, with a large parking lot for commuters and room for maintenance.  Think Port Imperial Terminal in Weehawken, only shorter.  But once NJ Transit owns the site, because they are a quasi-government agency, it could be even more expansive given they are better positioned than private property owners to be granted variances from our local zoning rules.  Think about what that could mean in terms of pollution and erosion to our entire waterfront and congestion on our streets. What about Bayonne? Bayonne is in the process of seeking ferry service for their city.  And like with all municipalities, there has to be a public, RFP process which has begun.  NYWW are responding to the RFP, but their conversations are limited to date.  This is happening in parallel, which is why we need more time to solve this. What can you do? Engage. Inform. Advocate. Those are my campaign slogan words from my election in 2015, they will probably be again for my campaign in 2019, and they continue to guide all of my actions on the council.  And for any of you who wants to be a voice on this, or anything else, they can be your words too.  How to do this? 

  • Attend the NJ Transit special meeting Wednesday at 2pm.  We had almost 100 people attend the last one! 
  • Write your representatives – Governor Murphy, Senator Stack and Mayor Bhalla encouraging them to find a solution that benefits everyone.  Tell them why the waterfront in Hoboken is important to you. 
    • News

    MAYOR BHALLA PROPOSED ZERO MUNICIPAL TAX INCREASE IN 2018 BUDGET

    by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

    Official release:

    Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla has introduced a municipal budget that keeps municipal taxes stable for the 8th straight year, with a zero percent increase in the municipal tax rate. In the proposed budget, the City will invest $5 million in water main improvements and $2.2 million in road resurfacing projects. Additionally, the city is planning to acquire the Union Dry Dock property, valued at $11.63 million, to advance the City’s plan of a contiguous waterfront.

    “As your mayor, I’m committed to making fiscally sound decisions on behalf of our taxpayers,” said Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla. “This budget’s stable tax rate fulfills a promise I made to residents last year on the campaign trail while allowing us to make new investments in quality of life projects, including infrastructure upgrades and additional open space.” Read More...

    News

    Councilman Mike DeFusco: ‘What’s happening in Hoboken’

    by SmartyJones8 Min Reading

    Official release:
    With spring here and temperatures on the rise, hopefully you have some great holiday plans set for this weekend. I just wanted to quickly update you with what’s been going on in City Hall and across Hoboken.  
    Connecting Our Waterfront at Union Dry Dock
    Union Dry Dock is the last remaining industrial maritime use in Hoboken and the final piece to the puzzle of connecting our entire riverfront.  Unfortunately, due to years of inaction to acquire the land at fair market value, the land was sold to ferry operator New York Waterway in November for $11.5 million.  The intended use is as a repair and refueling facility for their ferry fleet, which in my opinion, and in the opinion of the entire City Council, is incongruent with the nearby neighborhood and antithetical to connecting our waterfront.  
    In response, the City Council authorized the purchase of the land for $11.63 million — a fair market price which is over $100k more than what NY Waterway paid for the property less than five months ago.  I have personally urged the administration to work with New York Waterway to ensure they find an adequate home and avoid the use of eminent domain unless absolutely necessary.  After all, a protracted legal fight like the one we had to acquire the southwest plaza could adversely impact ferry schedules and fares while obligating our City to pay millions more in legal fees. I am hopeful that the administration will use the tools granted to it by the Council wisely.

    To relieve any fears, this isn’t a question of if we’ll own the land, it’s a question of when and how much we’ll pay for it.  Once acquired, we will then need to have the tough conversation on how to finance the actual construction of a waterfront asset.

    To read more, visit the Fund for a Better Waterfront
    A Hilton Hotel Near Hoboken Terminal
    On the other end of the waterfront, directly behind the U.S. Post Office (89 River Street), is a surface parking lot, which I’ve long advocated to become a world-class Hilton Hotel.  Such a project would not only activate an underutilized portion of the southern waterfront, steps from mass transportation but also generate $1.7 million in yearly revenue for the City and create over 120 permanent jobs.  With new costs like Union Dry Dock and the Northwest Resiliency Park on the horizon, we need smart revenue generators like this for the City.  
    With the proposed hotel site sitting squarely in the First Ward, my home district, I’ve worked for the past two years with the neighborhood and all stakeholders to design a plan that activates the waterfront with ground floor retail, meeting and event space, as well as a one of a kind rooftop restaurant.  Additionally, working with my Council colleagues Jen Giattino and Peter Cunningham, we addressed core issues like parking, traffic congestion and pedestrian safety. Further, to protect neighborhood quality of life, I specifically required the plan to be set back along Newark Street to allow more light and air at street level while protecting views towards the Hudson River.  

    Interestingly, after voting against the redevelopment plan and publicly campaigning against the project last year, Mayor Bhalla has suddenly switched stances and has joined the City Council in supporting the balanced project that we always knew it would be. The new plan advocated by the mayor reduces the height of the building by roughly 50 feet, but eliminates the setback — creating a wider building with nearly identical square footage and bulk as the original plan. Though the mayor’s flip-flop on this will certainly be noteworthy to his supporters, I want to assure everyone that this is the right direction for Hoboken. I look forward to continued work with the administration, stakeholders and neighborhood to see the project forward.  

    For more information, click here — please let me know your thoughts.
    Mayor Bhalla Accepts Job at Another Politically Connected Law Firm

    While on the topic of broken campaign promises, you may recall when former Councilman Bhalla’s employment with one of the state’s most politically-connected law firms was a major topic of discussion during the mayoral campaign.  As public concern mounted, he announced that if elected he would leave his firm to be a full-time mayor. But now, Mayor Bhalla has changed course and accepted a job as an attorney at the law firm Lavery, Selvaggi, Abromitis & Cohen — a real estate, land use and zoning law firm that’s just as much a part of the establishment political patronage network as his former firm.  
    Despite paying our mayor $116,100 — the highest in Hudson County and one of the top mayoral salaries in the entire state — our mayor’s second job will compensate him $60k base salary from his side job but more alarmingly, unlimited commissions on all new business he brings to the law firm.  
    Front page of the February 21st Jersey Journal featuring the story, which can be read here
    In Jersey politics, this sadly only means one thing — peddling and trading professional contracts for personal and political gain. In his own words, Mayor Bhalla “has no specific responsibilities” at the law firm and “is not expected to spend any time” at his second job.  Why would any employer want a no-show employee without any specific responsibilities?  The truth is that Ravi Bhalla has been hired to use his notoriety as our Mayor to benefit his new firm. If he secures a new client for his firm, maybe another entity that does business with Hoboken for example, he’ll be compensated for it.  And if a client needs a favor in Hudson County, they’ve got a Mayor on the payroll. It’s the oldest play in the book for the political establishment, and the losers are taxpayers like us who get hit with the bill.
    That’s why it’s so important for the City Council to act as a watchdog on this issue and ensure that Hoboken isn’t for sale. I am currently in the process of drafting a comprehensive ethics ordinance to ensure that our mayor’s second job is transparent to all citizens and that he is held to the same standard as any other City employee.

    Read more as to why this is a startling conflict of interest, by clicking here.
    Making our Elections Democratic Again
    As you may recall, on Election Day 2017, Hoboken saw 6 candidates running for mayor and 14 running for City Council to fill 3 seats — a political circus that confused and frustrated many voters, resulting in a mayor who won with only 32% of the electorate.  In response to residents’ concerns, an overwhelming majority (7-2) of the City Council approved a ballot referendum which would allow our community to collectively decide whether or not to re-institute runoff elections. Mayor Bhalla vetoed the ordinance, spreading half-truths and politicizing the issue, but the Council responded by overriding him (7-2) to let the people decide.

    The question as to how our elections are run is now with you!  

    In opposing runoffs, Mayor Bhalla is essentially limiting the viability for independents to run for political office. Without runoff elections, upstart candidates for City Council and mayor face a nearly impossible task to run for elected office without institutional support as crowded races favor the person who can raise the most money — the incumbent. Read more on my website about why runoff elections are important and be sure to mark your calendars to vote in the referendum on Tuesday, November 6. 

    Together, I know we can continue to bring new energy and new ideas to Hoboken by encouraging the next generation of policy makers to get involved.  
    Washington Street and Infrastructure Upgrades
    I know the question on everyone’s minds — what’s going on with Washington Street?   Many have expressed concern at the rate which businesses have been closing and I agree that it’s troubling.  With the introduction of the city’s Master Plan Reexamination this spring, and as chairman of the zoning subcommittee, I intend to begin working with my colleagues to update our city’s 1980’s era zoning to help small businesses and mom and pops.  In terms of the ongoing and frustrating resurfacing initiative, City Council recently hosted an open meeting with the contractor as the City is behind schedule and over $1 million over budget.   The Council took that opportunity to remind the contractor and administration that the deadline for finishing work on the street is August 21.  Further, paving along Washington from 1st through 5th Street will commence in early April once the threat of frost has passed.
    Last but certainly not least, working with Councilwoman Fisher, I was proud to have supported the administration and sponsored a $5.2 million bond ordinance to aid in city-wide infrastructure repairs.   Though I believe bonding should be used sparingly, I do believe that using long term bonds for long term improvements, like infrastructure, is necessary especially given no other funding mechanisms are readily available.

    I look forward to sharing more on infrastructure projects once the Council passes our final 2018 budget in late April, so stay tuned.  Until then, wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter and Passover!

    Best, 
    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

    Gristy chewables: Hoboken to get another hotel; Menendez escapes prison on corruption; will run to be Soprano State Senator again

    by SmartyJones1 Min Reading

    A second hotel will join the W after the details of a planned approval were announced yesterday on the Hudson County View.

    From the story:

    Hoboken officials announced that a 17-story, 270-room Hilton Hotel is coming to the waterfront during a brief press conference at Pier A Park this morning. KMS Development Partners said the endeavor will create $1.7 million in tax revenue for the city, as well as 120 full-time jobs during construction of the project. The project will also renovate the Mile Square City’s post office, located at 89 River St., which was constructed back in 1931. For more on the story: please see the Hudson County View.
    Bob Menendez pal Salmon Melgen is not expected to make the kickoff today
    in Union City launching another Senate bid of his close friend due to
    a conviction for defrauding Medicare to the tune of $105 million.
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    News

    Advisory: Statement from Mayor Bhalla on the Acquisition of the Union Dry Dock Property

    by SmartyJones3 Min Reading

    Official release:

    Statement on Union Dry Dock Property

    Dear Residents,

    As your Mayor, I promise to be open and transparent with you about how best we can continue to move our City forward. To this end, on Friday, March 23, I made an offer to New York Waterway Chairman Armand Pohan to purchase the Union Dry Dock property for $11.63 million.  This purchase by the City of Hoboken would advance our collective vision to transform this property to an open public park for everyone to enjoy.

    Allow me to provide you with some background – on March 15th, the Hoboken City Council authorized me, in my capacity as Mayor, to acquire the Union Dry Dock Property by friendly acquisition or by eminent domain, as a last resort.  At that time, the City also conducted a thorough evaluation of the property and received an appraisal valuing it at $11.63 million. With this information in hand, I felt that it was in the best interest of the City to make a fair and friendly offer to NY Waterway.  I now await their response.

    In my letter to NY Waterway, I stated that condemnation or the use of eminent domain would only be implemented if all parties are not able to engage in voluntary negotiations. The City’s goal in these negotiations are two-fold: to (1) secure the Union Dock Property and advance our long-envisioned plan of a contiguous waterfront; and (2) work cooperatively with regional public and private stakeholders to assist NY Waterway in securing an appropriate location for their refueling, repair and maintenance operations.  To be clear, NYWaterway’s intentions for this property is not to add another ferry stop in Hoboken, but rather to use the facility solely as a refueling, repair and maintenance location.

    As both your Mayor, and a fellow resident of Hoboken, I see firsthand how beneficial NY Waterway is to our City and the region’s mass transit infrastructure.  However, I also firmly believe that the Union Dry Dock property is not an appropriate location for the use intended by NY Waterway, nor does it serve the greater public, regional interest in expanding mass transit options for New Jersey residents.  I have made it clear that I will do everything within my lawful authority as Mayor to ensure this land is secured as open space for the public benefit, and my offer to purchase this property is a means towards this end.

    As always, if you ever have any questions or thoughts regarding our City, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office as my staff welcome and appreciate your support and involvement in this critical issue for our City’s future.

    Very truly yours,

    Ravi S. Bhalla
    Mayor, City of Hoboken

    Talking Ed Note: This is not an end but a stop on the road to an uncertain outcome in what will be a lengthy process. There’s no doubt an effort to refund the purchase price to NY Waterway will fail. There’s no proposed solution and “the offer” ends there.

    There’s a larger road paved with bigger players at the state level: Governor Phil Murphy, 30,000 commuters and of course NJ Transit. If there’s an opportunity to create a solution near the downtown Hoboken PATH, a compromise may lead to a wider pathway for residents at the Union Dry Dock and perhaps valuable condos at the location.

    Time will tell but this process is likely not near the halfway point. Let’s hope the mayor will be able to influence all involved to a positive outcome.