Hoboken is set to receive 1,100 first dose Pfizer vaccines to administer to residents the week of March 22, roughly double the amount received in previous weeks.

According to Councilman Phil Cohen, Hoboken received 500 first-dose vaccines per week from the state at the beginning of the vaccination process, but that decreased to about 300 first-dose Moderna vaccines per week more recently, with 500 second doses allocated to seniors.

“This new 1,100 first-dose supply will make a big impact,” he said, thanking Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, and Hudson County Commissioner Anthony Romano.

According to Bhalla, Hoboken’s supply will continue to expand in April as the states receives more shipments of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Two CVS pharmacies at the midtown and uptown locations received an initial set of Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

To check appointment availability, go to https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine.
To preregister for an appointment with the city, go to http://www.hobokennj.gov/vaccinesignup.

According to the state, those eligible include public and local transportation workers, public safety workers, migrant farm workers, members of tribal communities, individuals experiencing homelessness or who live in shelters, seniors over the age of 65, medical professionals, law enforcement, teachers and day care staff, and those with chronic high-risk medical conditions.

Starting March 29, those who work in food production, agriculture and food distribution; eldercare and support; warehousing and logistics; social services support staff; election personnel; hospitality; medical supply chain; postal and shipping services; clergy; and the judicial system will be eligible.

The health department has administered more than 4,135 doses to residents, which includes 2,784 first doses and 1,351 second doses.

Riverside Medical Group is providing appointments and has administered more than 3,800 doses, which includes 3,000 first doses and 800 second doses at their Hoboken location, the majority to Hoboken residents.

Appointments can be made at the Hudson County Vaccine Distribution Center at 110 Hackensack Ave. in Kearny at https://hudsoncovidvax.org/

“The best way we can all get back to normal is to get vaccinated when it’s your turn with the first vaccine available to you,” Bhalla said.  “All three vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are safe, effective and are proven to protect us. And until you’re vaccinated, the next couple months are critical in preventing variants from becoming the dominant strain and causing another surge, until vaccines are anticipated to be more widely available to the general public.”

He urged residents to continue to follow CDC guidelines: wear masks, socially distance, and avoid travel.

According to the CDC, those who have received their second doses must wait a full two weeks before they can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks.

They can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from another household without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Those who have been vaccinated and are around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless they have symptoms.

If those who are fully vaccinated live in a group setting and are around someone who has COVID-19, then they are instructed to stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if they don’t have symptoms.

Testing still available

According to the latest publicly released figures from the Hoboken Health Department, 3,894 residents have been infected with COVID-19 since the pandemic’s start roughly one year ago. 46 residents have died including a woman in her early 90s, a man in his early 70s, and a woman in her early 50s, which occurred in December and February but were only recently reported to the health department.

To make an appointment for a test with one of the city’s partners, go to https://www.hobokennj.gov/testing.

Restrictions updated

Gov. Phil Murphy has updated indoor capacity restrictions, increasing occupancy to 50 percent for restaurants, cafeterias, and food courts, with or without a liquor license; bars; indoor recreation, amusement, and entertainment businesses, including casinos and gyms; and personal care services like barber shops and nail salons.

These businesses must continue to abide by current health and safety protocols, including face covering and physical distancing requirements.

The governor increased indoor gathering limits from 10 to 25 people and outdoor gathering limits from 25 to 50 people.

Outdoor interstate youth competitions are allowed, but attendees at outdoor sports competitions will be limited to players, coaches, and officials, and up to two parents or guardians per participating athlete. No additional spectators or attendees will be allowed.

“We believe we can confidently take these steps today as our COVID-19 metrics continue to trend in the right direction,” Murphy said. “However, our mask mandate and COVID-19 health and safety protocols remain in effect. I am hopeful that we’ll be able to take further steps in expanding capacity responsibly and incrementally guided by public health data.”

For updates on this and other stories check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Marilyn Baer can be reached at Marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

On Wednesday, Oct. 18 the City Council and public discussed the Washington Street Redesign Project and the possibility of extending construction hours. The council approved the installation of a temporary boathouse despite questions from the public about its cost, and also approved a professional service contract for a microgrid feasibility study.
Construction on Washington Street is scheduled to restart work Monday, according to Business Administrator Stephen Marks. The project was temporarily put on hold at the end of September when a woman was hit by a fallen pole in a construction zone. She reportedly suffered no major injuries.
As a result the city and the project manager requested information on the contractor’s safety protocols and an updated health and safety plan. He added that the city received the updates, including updated traffic and pedestrian safety plans, and the contractor was installing signage and temporary striping to direct vehicles and pedestrians.
Patrick Wherry, assistant business administrator, said construction will resume on already open sections, including the intersections of Second, Third, and Fourth Streets.
Council President Jen Giattino asked if the council should consider allowing extended working hours in the evenings to ensure paving can occur before mid December. Marks said that any paving needs to occur before mid December due to the temperature drop.
Police Chief Ken Ferrante said he is in favor of expanded hours as long as it wasn’t after 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights due to the city’s bar scene.
Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said she has heard business is down “dramatically” and she feels the city needs to be thinking of ways to expedite the construction.
“What can we do for completion?” she said. “If it needs extra hours or expanding construction to three blocks at a time why isn’t that a solution put in front of us? I know it will probably cost extra, but I think we need to know what those costs are and make a decision as to if we need to incur it. We are going into the holiday season. We need to do more.”
Councilman Michael Russo said that he heard the contractor offered to pave the street up to Third Street to make the road smoother. Marks said that before construction ceased the contractor verbally indicated they would pave the road from Observer to Third Street before the end of October but due to the shut down there is a delay in schedule.
Councilman Peter Cunningham wanted to know when paving from Observer Highway to Seventh Street would be completed.
Marks said he believes Observer to Third Street could be “doable” by the end of November.
Cunningham wanted to know if the council was able to modify the plan from Seventh Street north to perhaps reduce the number of bumpouts.
Corporation counsel Brian Aloia said it could be possible but first the council would need to determine what they want changed and get a new estimate from the engineer.
Councilman Ruben Ramos asked why work wasn’t being done two blocks at a time as originally designed by the plan.
Marks said every time the ground was opened there were unforeseen circumstances such as unmapped utilities and unknown oil tanks that need to be removed. The contractor was permitted to move to the next site while the utility conflict was being addressed.
“This led to the proliferation of a lot of work sites,” said Marks.
A resolution drafted by corporation counsel at the meeting was unanimously approved by the council which would allow for the city to explore extended construction hours.

_____________
“This whole [boathouse] thing is an exercise in ridiculousness.” – Elizabeth Adams
____________

Financial concerns over temporary boathouse

The council approved of a $46,040 contract with T.R. Weniger Inc, for the installation of a temporary boathouse in the Hoboken/Weehawken cove in uptown Hoboken with a 7-2 vote after members of the public spoke out against its cost.
The temporary boathouse is a shipping container fitted with racks to hold 12 kayaks, paddles and life vests. A tilted metal roof will harvest rainwater from into a 500 gallon cistern used to rinse the kayaks. The facade of the boathouse will be fitted with a board to detail the planned permanent boathouse that was approved unanimously in Sept. 2015 by the council for $4.4 million.
Resident Cheryl Fallick said, “I’m not sure we need a permanent new boathouse so I ask you to vote no. It’s a waste of money.” Resident Mary Ondrejka said, “I feel the city isn’t prioritizing things very well. We have a serious situation with Washington Street. If anything that $46,000 could help fill up some of those dangerous potholes.”
Resident Elizabeth Adams said, “In early August,(2015) that time of the year when a lot of folks are away on vacation, you very sleekly decided, without batting an eyelash, to award a contract for $4 million boathouse. Now you’re voting on $46,000 for a temporary boathouse? This whole thing is an exercise in ridiculousness.”
She added that she believes the boathouse will serve a small portion of the population and only be usable a few months out of the year.
“It just amazing to me that this kind of stuff goes on and is just swept under the rug and you people hope no one will notice,” she added.
Resident Hany Ahmed said that the “agendas are very light to say the least,” in respect to this being the biggest issue on the agenda and noted that it is because the municipal election is only a few weeks away in which several members of the council are running.
Councilmen Ruben Ramos and Michael Russo voted against the contract approval.

Microgrid study

The city council unanimously approved a resolution for $157,000 for a microgrid feasibility study.
The funding is provided by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
The study will determine the feasibility of a town center-distributed, energy resource microgird, powered by onsite distributed generation that will provide electric, heat, and cooling to critical facilities.
These smaller grids, operating on their own from the main power grid, can separate and protect themselves from any problems with the main grid and keep vital services in place.
The microgrid would connect multiple critical facilities to power in case of emergencies or disasters.
These critical facilities would include Hoboken Fire Company 3, Police Headquarters, City Hall, the Hoboken Homeless Shelter, St. Matthews Church, as well as St. Peter and Paul Church, Kings Grocery, municipal garages B, D & G, multiple senior housing facilities, the YMCA, two local pharmacies, three Hoboken Housing Authority Properties, Andrew Jackson Gardens, Harrison Gardens, Adams and Monroe Gardens), and pump stations.
Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher wanted to ensure that the project wouldn’t require the city to have to dig up Washington street, currently under construction, if the microgrid is possible.
Business Administrator Stephen Marks said that Washington Street will not need to be dug up as the redesign plan has already included an underground conduit which will run the length of Washington Street from Observer Highway to Fifteenth Street with branches at cross streets to the city’s critical facilities.
He added that the project is complimentary and the Washington Street redesign project was already designed with the conduit below ground.

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

The afternoon of Monday, Jan. 1 will bring the swearing in of new Mayor Ravi Bhalla, followed by a City Council reorganization meeting on Jan. 3. Political observers have been wondering who will be the next council president, and whether Bhalla will have to contend with a divided council during his first year, since some of the nine members were his opponents in last month’s election.
In the past, Mayor Dawn Zimmer was often able to push her agenda through, since most of the council members were her supporters. After a heated election during which three council members ran against each other for mayor on Nov. 7, some residents think Bhalla may have a tougher time.
Bhalla ran against current Council President Jen Giattino, who was backed by Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher and Councilman Peter Cunningham. Giattino has declined to join Bhalla’s transition team, and Fisher and Cunningham have expressed dismay, in separate letters after the election, about the “ugliness” during the campaigns.
The other former mayoral candidates have joined Bhalla on his transition team – business owner Karen Nason, activist Ronald Bautista, Freeholder Anthony Romano, and Councilman Michael DeFusco. But DeFusco has already criticized some of Bhalla’s moves, and issued a press release criticizing Bhalla’s choosing of lawyer John Allen as his chief of staff. Allen ran as a councilman on Bhalla’s ticket, but lost.
“The council dynamic isn’t very good for the mayor-elect,” said former Councilman Tony Soares, who supported DeFusco in the election. “He is going to have to work with them to cooperate on their agenda over the next two to four years. He wasn’t given a majority.”
Bhalla won 32.7 percent of the votes on Nov. 7, with 41.2 percent of registered voters turning out for the mayoral election.
Soares said he thinks the council will have to try to cooperate, and not work against the new mayor, in order to move Hoboken forward.
“I think Ruben [Ramos] and Michael DeFusco work well [with each other] and Jen [Giattino] and Fisher are together,” he said. “Bhalla has allies on the council with [Councilman Jim] Doyle and [Councilwoman-Elect] Emily Jabbour [who will be sworn in on Jan. 3]. But honestly, now the council is divided and they will all have to try and work together.”
One political insider who wished to remain anonymous said he believed either Councilman Ruben Ramos or Councilman Peter Cunningham will be the next council president, depending on who holds a majority on the council. Rumors have swirled that Councilman Ramos may want the position, but some say Cunningham can draw Fisher, Giattino, and others.

Councilmembers weigh in

In separate interviews, Councilmen Ruben Ramos, Jim Doyle, Michael Russo, and Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher commented on the council dynamic in the new year.
DeFusco, Cunningham, and Giattino did not answer two phone calls for comment by press time.
“Everyone tries to do what’s best for Hoboken at the end of the day,” said Fisher, speaking about the council dynamic come January. “People on the council work well together. In the past we have had 7-2 or 9-0 on most votes, and my guess is that will continue.”
When it came to who might be president Fisher said that it’s a bit early to tell.
“It’s definitely a topic on people’s minds right now,” said Fisher. “But my understanding is it is a bit early.”
Doyle said, “Typically there is a majority and a minority. It is not typically divided into three poles.”
However, he noted, reformers on the council might be fractured after the election.
“While I see disagreements going forward as to approaches, as long as everyone genuinely has Hoboken’s best interests as the overall objective, I am confident we will all work together and be fine,” said Doyle. “I know we are genuinely people who put Hoboken above personal aspirations.”
Councilman Michael Russo said no discussions have started amongst himself and other council members as to who might fill the position of council president during the Jan. 3 reorganization meeting
“There is no real faction in the city that has a majority of the council,” said Russo. “I think Mayor-Elect Bhalla will have to work with individual council members to move the city forward. “
“It’s an interesting time,” said Russo. “I think the truest leaders will emerge among the members of the council by being able to put differences aside and work for the betterment of the city…Right now people are a little upset about the heated election on all sides, but I think eventually when we get down to brass tacks, we will see who gets it done.”
He said he would like to see a president who is fair, rational, and understands that there will be difficult decisions. He added that he would like a president “who won’t bow to political pressure.”
Who fits the bill? He believes all of his council colleagues share those qualities. “I think one more than others, but until I find out if that person it interested, I won’t comment,” he said.
Russo said he believes Bhalla will have some difficulty, “but every mayor does, even when they have a base of support in the majority.”
He said, “Dawn got a lot of things passed, but there were a lot of backroom conversations or off-record conversations with council members [about agenda items] that were just as difficult, whether those people supported her or not.”
Ramos said, “We need to look at every agenda item as 0-0 and work on building a consensus if it’s a good idea. We need to move away from the idea of a council majority or minority.”
“If Mayor-Elect Bhalla has a good idea that I agree with, I’ll try and make it happen. If Councilwoman Fisher has a good idea or I have a good idea, I’ll try and make it happen,” said Ramos. “I work with everyone on issues and that’s what the public expects from us. None of this is personal. There was a lot of negativity during the campaign from different directions, but I don’t anticipate anyone putting hurt feelings or anything else before moving a good idea for Hoboken forward.”
He said he wants the next council president to be an individual who brings people together, who hears ideas, and acts as a conduit between the mayor and the council.
When asked if he wants to be the next council president, he said, “I never count my chickens before they hatch.”
One future agenda item that may prove divisive is the city’s negotiations and proposed agreement with Suez over managing the city’s water and aging infrastructure. The agreement proposed by Zimmer’s administration and backed by Bhalla, caused a lot of debate during the mayoral election, as some council members wanted to try and pursue other providers and questioned an unpaid debt.

Will work with everyone

Bhalla said he will work with everyone on the council for the betterment of Hoboken.
When asked who he thought might be the next council president, he said, “Your guess is as good as mine at this point. “
He said he believes a council president needs to “be diligent with respect to his or her duties and cooperative with the administration to identify opportunities for legislation to move Hoboken forward.”
He said he envisions the role of the council president with not only “running a tight ship” but working with the business administrator, council colleagues, the mayor, and department directors to “identify legislation that’s ripe or ready to be brought before the council as a whole.”
When asked if he believes if the council is divided more than before, he said, “I know the council members are first and foremost committed to advancing the interests of the city of Hoboken. As far as majorities on the council, it’s my hope we can move past divisiveness to see where we can work together on a governmental level. I know each councilmember has their own issues that are important to them so I would like to identify what those priorities are and be helpful in advancing their priorities. I don’t see it as having a majority or control of the council. My concern is about understanding priorities and having a constructive working relationship with the council.”
He said that if a time comes in which one of his priorities is not supported by an individual on the council or a majority, “Then it’s incumbent on me to generate support on the council for that priority to be successful.”
Bhalla said that he thinks that he and the council are united in that they all share a common love for Hoboken.
“In regard to repairing relationships or getting over raw feelings, I think its important to realize it’s in the best interest of the community at large for us to turn the page and look toward the future,” said Bhalla.
Bhalla’s swearing in ceremony will be held on Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. The location has yet to be announced. The council reorganization meeting will take place Jan. 3 at City Hall at 7 p.m., according to Deputy City Clerk Jerry Lore.
Officials would not confirm which high-level politicians may be attending the swearing ins, although rumors have swirled about Gov. Elect Phil Murphy attending the Jan. 1 event. Murphy is set to be sworn in on Jan. 16.

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

The afternoon of Monday, Jan. 1 will bring the swearing in of new Mayor Ravi Bhalla, followed by a City Council reorganization meeting on Jan. 3. Political observers have been wondering who will be the next council president, and whether Bhalla will have to contend with a divided council during his first year, since some of the nine members were his opponents in last month’s election.
In the past, Mayor Dawn Zimmer was often able to push her agenda through, since most of the council members were her supporters. After a heated election during which three council members ran against each other for mayor on Nov. 7, some residents think Bhalla may have a tougher time.
Bhalla ran against current Council President Jen Giattino, who was backed by Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher and Councilman Peter Cunningham. Giattino has declined to join Bhalla’s transition team, and Fisher and Cunningham have expressed dismay, in separate letters after the election, about the “ugliness” during the campaigns.
The other former mayoral candidates have joined Bhalla on his transition team – business owner Karen Nason, activist Ronald Bautista, Freeholder Anthony Romano, and Councilman Michael DeFusco. But DeFusco has already criticized some of Bhalla’s moves, and issued a press release criticizing Bhalla’s choosing of lawyer John Allen as his chief of staff. Allen ran as a councilman on Bhalla’s ticket, but lost.
“The council dynamic isn’t very good for the mayor-elect,” said former Councilman Tony Soares, who supported DeFusco in the election. “He is going to have to work with them to cooperate on their agenda over the next two to four years. He wasn’t given a majority.”
Bhalla won 32.7 percent of the votes on Nov. 7, with 41.2 percent of registered voters turning out for the mayoral election.
Soares said he thinks the council will have to try to cooperate, and not work against the new mayor, in order to move Hoboken forward.
“I think Ruben [Ramos] and Michael DeFusco work well [with each other] and Jen [Giattino] and Fisher are together,” he said. “Bhalla has allies on the council with [Councilman Jim] Doyle and [Councilwoman-Elect] Emily Jabbour [who will be sworn in on Jan. 3]. But honestly, now the council is divided and they will all have to try and work together.”
One political insider who wished to remain anonymous said he believed either Councilman Ruben Ramos or Councilman Peter Cunningham will be the next council president, depending on who holds a majority on the council. Rumors have swirled that Councilman Ramos may want the position, but some say Cunningham can draw Fisher, Giattino, and others.

Councilmembers weigh in

In separate interviews, Councilmen Ruben Ramos, Jim Doyle, Michael Russo, and Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher commented on the council dynamic in the new year.
DeFusco, Cunningham, and Giattino did not answer two phone calls for comment by press time.
“Everyone tries to do what’s best for Hoboken at the end of the day,” said Fisher, speaking about the council dynamic come January. “People on the council work well together. In the past we have had 7-2 or 9-0 on most votes, and my guess is that will continue.”
When it came to who might be president Fisher said that it’s a bit early to tell.
“It’s definitely a topic on people’s minds right now,” said Fisher. “But my understanding is it is a bit early.”
Doyle said, “Typically there is a majority and a minority. It is not typically divided into three poles.”
However, he noted, reformers on the council might be fractured after the election.
“While I see disagreements going forward as to approaches, as long as everyone genuinely has Hoboken’s best interests as the overall objective, I am confident we will all work together and be fine,” said Doyle. “I know we are genuinely people who put Hoboken above personal aspirations.”
Councilman Michael Russo said no discussions have started amongst himself and other council members as to who might fill the position of council president during the Jan. 3 reorganization meeting
“There is no real faction in the city that has a majority of the council,” said Russo. “I think Mayor-Elect Bhalla will have to work with individual council members to move the city forward. “
“It’s an interesting time,” said Russo. “I think the truest leaders will emerge among the members of the council by being able to put differences aside and work for the betterment of the city…Right now people are a little upset about the heated election on all sides, but I think eventually when we get down to brass tacks, we will see who gets it done.”
He said he would like to see a president who is fair, rational, and understands that there will be difficult decisions. He added that he would like a president “who won’t bow to political pressure.”
Who fits the bill? He believes all of his council colleagues share those qualities. “I think one more than others, but until I find out if that person it interested, I won’t comment,” he said.
Russo said he believes Bhalla will have some difficulty, “but every mayor does, even when they have a base of support in the majority.”
He said, “Dawn got a lot of things passed, but there were a lot of backroom conversations or off-record conversations with council members [about agenda items] that were just as difficult, whether those people supported her or not.”
Ramos said, “We need to look at every agenda item as 0-0 and work on building a consensus if it’s a good idea. We need to move away from the idea of a council majority or minority.”
“If Mayor-Elect Bhalla has a good idea that I agree with, I’ll try and make it happen. If Councilwoman Fisher has a good idea or I have a good idea, I’ll try and make it happen,” said Ramos. “I work with everyone on issues and that’s what the public expects from us. None of this is personal. There was a lot of negativity during the campaign from different directions, but I don’t anticipate anyone putting hurt feelings or anything else before moving a good idea for Hoboken forward.”
He said he wants the next council president to be an individual who brings people together, who hears ideas, and acts as a conduit between the mayor and the council.
When asked if he wants to be the next council president, he said, “I never count my chickens before they hatch.”
One future agenda item that may prove divisive is the city’s negotiations and proposed agreement with Suez over managing the city’s water and aging infrastructure. The agreement proposed by Zimmer’s administration and backed by Bhalla, caused a lot of debate during the mayoral election, as some council members wanted to try and pursue other providers and questioned an unpaid debt.

Will work with everyone

Bhalla said he will work with everyone on the council for the betterment of Hoboken.
When asked who he thought might be the next council president, he said, “Your guess is as good as mine at this point. “
He said he believes a council president needs to “be diligent with respect to his or her duties and cooperative with the administration to identify opportunities for legislation to move Hoboken forward.”
He said he envisions the role of the council president with not only “running a tight ship” but working with the business administrator, council colleagues, the mayor, and department directors to “identify legislation that’s ripe or ready to be brought before the council as a whole.”
When asked if he believes if the council is divided more than before, he said, “I know the council members are first and foremost committed to advancing the interests of the city of Hoboken. As far as majorities on the council, it’s my hope we can move past divisiveness to see where we can work together on a governmental level. I know each councilmember has their own issues that are important to them so I would like to identify what those priorities are and be helpful in advancing their priorities. I don’t see it as having a majority or control of the council. My concern is about understanding priorities and having a constructive working relationship with the council.”
He said that if a time comes in which one of his priorities is not supported by an individual on the council or a majority, “Then it’s incumbent on me to generate support on the council for that priority to be successful.”
Bhalla said that he thinks that he and the council are united in that they all share a common love for Hoboken.
“In regard to repairing relationships or getting over raw feelings, I think its important to realize it’s in the best interest of the community at large for us to turn the page and look toward the future,” said Bhalla.
Bhalla’s swearing in ceremony will be held on Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. The location has yet to be announced. The council reorganization meeting will take place Jan. 3 at City Hall at 7 p.m., according to Deputy City Clerk Jerry Lore.
Officials would not confirm which high-level politicians may be attending the swearing ins, although rumors have swirled about Gov. Elect Phil Murphy attending the Jan. 1 event. Murphy is set to be sworn in on Jan. 16.

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

In a unanimous vote on Wednesday night, the Hoboken City Council authorized the use of eminent domain as a tool “if necessary” to turn a proposed 1-acre Southwest Park into 2 acres. The city would have to get the second acre from the Academy Bus Company.
Under state law, municipalities can exercise eminent domain to seize private property for public purposes in exchange for paying fair market value. A court decides the price of the land if the two sides cannot agree on a price.
Academy’s land, bounded by Paterson Avenue, Harrison Street, Observer Highway, and the light trail tracks, is currently an empty lot. Academy has fought the potential eminent domain threat with an ad campaign touting its status as a good neighbor. They have also said the property is worth $13 million (the city thinks it should cost $4.7 million) and have offered a settlement if they can develop part of the property into high density mixed use buildings

Says the council’s being lied to

Hoboken resident and Academy Bus’s Vice President of Real Estate David Lehmkuhl spoke out against eminent domain and the negotiations thus far.
He said the council is being lied to as the city has claimed they have been negotiating with the company.
“The administration states that it is engaged in confidential negotiations with Academy concerning the Southwest Park and or Southwest Redevelopment and I am sorry to advise you that the statement is false,” said Lehmkuhl.
Lehmkuhl said that the last meeting between the two parties took place on April 28, with only a few exchanges of letters and emails since.
He said he had asked for more meetings, and the city did not respond.
The mayor wrote to Academy on Aug. 29, “I appreciate your interest in negotiating a mutually amicable price for the property… unfortunately, there is clearly a substantial disagreement as to the FMV [fair market value] of the property…. While you state in your letter that you believe the FMV is $13 million, you do not provide any basis for that price which is almost 300 percent more per acre than the acquisition price set by the court for the similar property across the street.”
She then asks the company for their appraisal and the economic analysis that the price is based on so that it may help the city “better understand your position, and will facilitate the good faith negotiations that both you and we have committed to undertake.”
He said “to set the record straight, there has been no meetings, contacts, or discussions between Academy and the administration since April 29, 2016 good faith or otherwise.”
Lehmkuhl, said the administration never made a formal offer nor did an appraisal.
Lehmkuhl said Academy was contacted on January 12 by the city to schedule the appraisal and that he and the appraiser were scheduled to walk the property together next week.
“You’ve never made an offer because you don’t have a number,” Lehmkuhl told the council. “You don’t have an appraisal.”
Councilman Ravi Bhalla said the city had made Academy two offers but that the company would not accept them.
According to city spokesman Juan Melli, the city cannot disclose what those offers were as it is part of the ongoing confidential negotiations.
Hoboken resident Deno Bogdanos said he believes the residents of the 4th Ward were being lied to.
“I am angered to see the residents of the 4th Ward being sold a bill of goods and lied to for the political agenda of a mayor facing re-election in November,” said Bogdanos.
“Everyone including the property owners say that there will be a new southwest park, but that doesn’t get the mayor a campaign poster or slogan.”
He said the park could be tied up in a costly legal battle now.

The public speaks

Over 25 residents spoke in favor of the use of eminent domain.
Emily Jabbour, an eight-year resident of Hoboken’s southwest, said “as a mom in the city the last thing we need is high density in that area… but if eminent domain ensures a fair price for both parties, then why is Academy upset of its potential use?”
Resident Mike Small, who lives in southwest Hoboken, said it’s clear the area needs a park.
John Gregorio, a southwest resident on Jackson Street, said he has advocated for more parks for the last 10 years.
He said, “In the middle of Manhattan there’s a little park known as Central Park that was acquired using eminent domain.”
He noted that Academy had called the city “thugs” in phone calls and mailers.
He said “If those are the people coming to the table then you need to have the proper legal ways to say we do this nicely or we do it legally… and get it one way or the other. Once you put it on the table they will have to act nice and be fair not only to themselves but the people of Hoboken.”

The council votes

Members of the council supported the use of eminent domain as a tool the city could use if necessary.
Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said even if negotiations fail and the city chooses to use eminent domain, the process will still rely on “expert appraisals” from both sides.
Councilman David Mello didn’t think the offer of free land in exchange for dense development was a good plan.
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“Eminent domain is a bit of a lightning rod issue.” – Jim Doyle
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Councilman Ruben Ramos said he has lived in southwest Hoboken for the past 43 years and the issue of eminent domain for a park first arose in 2007 “when my daughter was 4 years old. She’s 13 today and unless that park has a soccer field, she won’t play in it, but I want other in the neighborhood to be able to enjoy the park.”
Ramos said he hopes the negotiations move in a timely manner from this point forward.
“Eminent domain is a bit of a lightning rod issue,” said Councilman Jim Doyle. “It’s misunderstood. It’s in the U.S. constitution and the notion that eminent domain is stealing is preposterous. The notion it doesn’t include parks is preposterous. Clearly if you are going to use it, this is what it’s for.”
Councilman Michael DeFusco said, “Academy said only one meeting occurred last spring and this ‘he said/she said’ is spinning my head. It hasn’t been a good faith negotiation on either side.”
He said he hopes the mayor will actually negotiate before invoking eminent domain.
Councilman Ravi Bhalla said, “When talking about good faith negotiations, I read the back page of The Hoboken Reporter every day and I see personal attacks and disparagement” by Academy.
He said the park land should not be tied to more development as it will cause more traffic and congestion.
Before casting his yes vote, Councilman Michael Russo urged the mayor to “take that tool and use it wisely.”
Mayor Zimmer released a statement the following day thanking the council for authorizing eminent domain and the residents who spoke “passionately about the critical need for more park space without linking to increased development.”
“This authorization provides the city with a valuable negotiating tool and will ensure that the property can be acquired for a price fair for both Academy Bus and the city of Hoboken,” wrote Zimmer. She also called the company “a valued member of our community.”
Of the council vote, Francis Tedesco provided a statement by email to the Reporter: “Academy stands ready to engage the city in good faith negotiations for the sale of the one acre the city identified for a park, and Academy awaits the city’s invitation to engage in those negotiations.”

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.

SIDEBAR

After teen dies, residents speak out

During Wednesday’s council meeting, a few residents spoke about facilities and safety at the Hoboken Housing Authority in the wake of the murder of Adrian Rivera. Rivera, a teen who lived at 300 Marshall Dr. was shot and killed in his apartment last week. Police have not released a motive, but a neighbor said the matter was a robbery. Two suspects from Jersey City were arrested.
Nick Lenzi, who has lived in the 4th Ward for six years, said, “I am here today to address the growing divide between the city and the Hoboken Housing Authority,”
He said he has long wanted to speak out and regrets not doing so as the area “has seen its fourth shooting” recently.
He said he was dismayed when the city didn’t use its communication network to send out an alert to residents of a possible active shooter in the area.
“The communication capability used when it may flood, or snow, why could we not have received an alert about an active shooter in the area? I could maybe understand it could be challenging in the moment, but it’s sad that still there is nothing about the shooting on any of the city’s media platforms.”
He said he understood that the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office was in charge of the investigation and it wasn’t Hoboken’s jurisdiction but still the city “should acknowledge the loss of a life.”
“I’ve watched the Hoboken Housing Authority deteriorate” said Lenzi. “At night there are dark patches from burnt out floodlights that have been ignored for months, the community garden has been taken over by abandoned bikes… the city can’t continue to ignore and neglect areas of our town.”
Councilman Ruben Ramos said he has worked with officials to schedule a community meeting Monday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. to help address and listen to concerns at 221 Jackson St.
He said he will moderate a panel consisting of the mayor, a representative from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Superintendent Christine Johnson, Director Mark Recko, Chief Ken Ferrante, Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro, and members of the council and Board of Commissioners “to get a dialogue going.”
He stressed that this meeting was not just for residents of the Hoboken Housing Authority but for all Hoboken’s residents who wish to participate.
He said he hopes they will be able to devise and present “an action plan to alleviate concerns and keep progress going in the right direction not just for the housing authority but for the community as a whole.”

Council urges state attorney general to oppose Trump’s executive order

The Hoboken City Council unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday night during its nearly five-hour meeting urging state Attorney General Christopher Porrino to take a stand against Donald Trump’s controversial executive order on immigration.
Trump’s order bars Syrian refugees from entering the United States indefinitely, bars any refugees from entering the United States for a period of 120 days, and prevents individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries, refugees or otherwise, from entering the United States for a period of 90 days. The seven countries are Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
The resolution calls for Porrino to join the state attorney generals in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Washington, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Virginia, Vermont, Illinois, New Mexico, Iowa, Maine, and Maryland in openly opposing Trump’s order.
Councilman Ravi Bhalla said he believes security decisions should be based upon intelligence and not generalizations. He said, “It is our hope that Attorney General Porrino will give serious consideration and exercise independent judgment as our attorney general, in deciding to join other states opposing this executive order.”
Trump drew mass protests last weekend when the ban suddenly went into effect, stranding legal immigrants with green cards and others out of the country.
Bhalla who sponsored the resolution with Councilman Ruben Ramos, said Porrino “has an admirable track record in the area of civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, consistent with the values of our state and country.”

Hoboken received long-awaited aid to help the area protect itself from hurricanes and flooding in the form of $230 million in “Rebuild by Design” funds from the federal government, released last week.
The funds will spur barriers and structures in Hoboken and parts of Weehawken and Jersey City.
This is just one way the city has been trying to protect itself after Hurricane Sandy caused over $1 billion in damage flooding residents’ homes five years ago, an event that trapped many in their homes and caused more than a week of power outages.
Rebuild By Design
The cost of Rebuild by Design is estimated between $230 million to $274 million and has an estimated annual maintenance cost of $1.4 million to $2.4 million. The four-pronged plan is set to begin construction in 2019 and be completed by 2022. The state Department of Environmental Protection will choose the builders and other developers.
The program was started in 2013 by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to protect coastal cities from storms, the effects of global warming, and rising sea levels.
Builders will erect a flood-resistance structure stretching from 19th Street in Weehawken into northern Hoboken, slightly inland from the river. An additional flood resistance structure will be constructed along the south end of town into Jersey City.
Zimmer said in an interview last week that she has already began asking the state to find funding to pay for maintenance costs.
The project will protect 85 percent of Hoboken’s residents in the floodplain. The city has hosted a workshop for residents who won’t be protected by the plan to discuss other ways to protect themselves, including deployable systems such as temporary barricades and moving utilities to higher ground.
“The threat is real,” said Zimmer. “We could be hit by another superstorm like Sandy and it could be in two weeks, it could be in a year, or it could be in six months. It’s important we continue to move forward and get this project done.”
Hoboken is also alleviating flooding through new resiliency parks, which will retain over a million gallons of water.
This includes the newly opened Southwest Park, and the yet to be constructed Northwest Park and Seventh and Jackson Street Park.
The city also has two flood pumps, H-1 and H-5, that discharge water into the Hudson River to help keep city streets dry and basements from flooding.
The city has also established more green space through rain gardens, and encourages green roofs on new developments.

Building guidelines

The city also implemented “resilient building design guidelines” in Oct. 2015, in a 53-page document that outlines the city and state laws governing construction in Hoboken’s flood prone areas. It also details the approval process for repairs, improvements, and new construction.
Under the resilient building design guidelines, there are three categories of construction, two of which require a floodplain permits from the city.
Major repairs and renovations to a building – those costing more than 50 percent of assessed value — are considered substantial improvements and will need a floodplain permit. Many of the requirements that make a building flood resistant occur below a building’s Design Flood Elevation (DFE), usually found by adding the first one to three feet above the base flood elevation (BFE). BFE is determined by which flood zone the building is in, according to 2013 Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps.
As of 2013, no new residential units are allowed below whatever the DFE is in their zone, with some exceptions. Existing units can remain, but if substantial improvements are made, the property owner must adhere to the Resilient Building Design Guidelines.
So for example, if someone substantially rehabilitates a building with a basement level apartment, they can add an additional floor to their home to compensate for that no longer viable apartment.
Residences on lower floors such as garden or basement apartments may be insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with some exceptions.
New commercial spaces below DFE must be dry flood proofed, and obtain a flood proofing certificate.
There are various zone restrictions on what kinds of construction and flood proofing methods people can use. For instance, water resistant and mold resistant materials are recommended.

Backup power

The city will also undertake a microgrid feasibility study, which was approved by the Hoboken City Council this month. The study will determine if a micro grid in the center of town, which will distribute power and heat to critical facilities, is a feasible option. These smaller grids operate on their own from the main power grid and will provide power to these facilities in case of power outages during emergencies or disasters.
The microgrid would service “critical facilities” such as Hoboken Fire Company 3, Police Headquarters, City Hall, the Hoboken Homeless Shelter, St. Matthews Church, as well as St. Peter and Paul Church, Kings Grocery, municipal garages B, D & G, multiple senior housing facilities, the YMCA, two local pharmacies, three Hoboken Housing Authority Properties, Andrew Jackson Gardens, Harrison Gardens, Adams and Monroe Gardens, and pump stations.
The city has also worked with PSE&G on a new substation that will help keep power on during severe storms.
The power outages in 2012 were largely caused by power that got flooded and soaked.

Insurance

Zimmer said she believes the Rebuild by Design project will help reduce the costs of flood insurance in the city. Flood insurance rates are based upon how well a structure complies with the regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
In 2012, Congress passed the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform act, which required the NFIP to raise its rates to more accurately reflect flood risks. According to NFIP statistics, as of June 30, 2015, the city of Hoboken had 9,269 NFIP policies in place with premiums of $6,734,044, the fifth highest in all of New Jersey.
The overall liability to the NFIP from property owners in Hoboken was over $2 billion (third highest in New Jersey) with an average claim amount of $26,243.”
“The National Flood Insurance Program is beyond broke,” said Zimmer. “ Billions in the hole. There was a big study done over the last decade which shows there has been almost 300 billion dollars spent in dealing with disaster relief, and there is the potential that the federal government may make the decision to take on more of that cost, which means flood insurance premiums could go through the roof.”

Reflection

The city of Hoboken and the Hoboken Historical Museum invite residents and visitors to an open house event to in connection with the fifth anniversary of Sandy. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 29 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Museum, 1301 Hudson St.
Residents and visitors are invited to view Sandy-related materials, sign the museum’s five-year anniversary reflection book, and enjoy hot beverages and desserts.
Coincidentally, Accuweather predicts heavy rains and potential flooding that afternoon.
For more information on Sandy and personal accounts from Hoboken residents, also see our story at: https://tinyurl.com/ycxkgaz3.

Life during the storm

The category 1 hurricane made a direct hit on the Jersey Shore, landing two days before Halloween on Oct. 29, 2012 and trapping people in their homes with high floodwaters south of Sixth Street.
Some neighbors kayaked down city streets while others wore trash bags on their feet as protection from sewage infested water.
Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency and the National Guard was in town to assist residents.
Much of the town was without heat or electricity. Those with power on certain blocks threaded extension cords through their windows to outside, so neighbors could charge their phones and laptops.
Some local restaurants without power gave away food to those who needed it and others worked on the honor system, as no power meant no ATM for cash or working credit card machines.
The Hoboken University Medical Center was evacuated and patients were sent to other facilities for care.
The Hudson Reporter, whose offices lost power for a week, published that weekend after the staff worked in a conference room in the maternity ward of Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen.
“My most vivid memory of Sandy is walking down Hudson Street and seeing so many extension cords trailing out the front doors and windows of residents who were lucky enough to keep power,” said Alison Singer in a past article. “Some provided WiFi passwords, others provided coffee and snacks, still others just provided encouraging words and a place to sit. It was the most amazing show of community I have ever seen. It made me proud to live in Hoboken.”
After the storm departed, an army of volunteers including students and residents came to City Hall to assist officials and the CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) in finding needy seniors and others who were trapped. The mayor called in the National Guard and began having daily briefings outside City Hall.
The city wrote information in a few locations around town, including on the window of Starbucks on 12th Street, about where to get water and other necessities.

Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.