I would like to advise all those present that notice of this meeting has been provided to the public in accordance with the provisions of the open public meeting act and that notice was published city website copies provided in the Bergen record placed on the bulen
board in the lobby of city hall. Objections if any shall be made to the city clerk. Please rise algiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation
indivisible andice for all. >> Yes. Mr. Con >> here. >> Mr. Firestone >> here. >> Miss Fiser in >> Mrs. here. >> Mrs. Leon
>> here. >> Preventano >> present. >> Mr. Cano >> present. >> Mr. Russo >> present. >> President Ramos >> present. >> Mr. Clerk, before we begin, uh I just want to thank uh the administration uh
DPW, HPD, HFD, the ambulance corps, department of OEM for their the yman job they did the last 72 plus hours. I really appreciate their efforts. uh no loss of life, no car accidents. It's all we could expect out of a storm like this. As a professional shoveler myself,
uh it was extremely difficult uh snow to shovel. So, I appreciate their efforts. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. First item, >> a hearing on an ordinance of the city of Hoboken and the county of Hudson, New Jersey, approving the contribution of a portion of the annual service charge provided to the city of Hobok and
pursuant to the financial agreement by and between the city of Hoboken and HWE urban renewal LLC into the city pilot education trust accounts. >> Any speakers, Mr. >> This item Tiffany Tiffany's here.
Tiffany. Tiffany. >> All right. >> No public speaker to speak on this item. Mr. Clerk. >> Motion to close public portion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I this one >> with for this item. It I got you here,
Pat. Which item? >> All of them. >> Okay. Miss Waiters. Go ahead. >> Hi, Pat. Waiters. I know I'm a little cold. Let me defrost. Um, these are second and final readings. So, no matter what we stand at this microphone to say, it's up to you all
nine council members, please look me in my face, have a conscience. That's all I'm saying. With everything I will be questioning tonight on agenda. Thank you. Pat Waiters. >> Thank you. Motion to close. >> Motion. >> All in favor? >> Any members of the council?
>> Mr. Clerk, call vote. >> Mr. Con? >> I. >> Stone. >> I. >> M. Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes, >> Mrs. Le. >> Yes, >> Mr. President. >> Hi, >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi, >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi, >> President Ramos.
>> Hi. Hearing on an ordinance of the city of Hoboken and the county of Hudson, New Jersey, approving the contribution of a portion of the annual service charge provided to the city of Hoboken pursuant to the financial agreement by and between the city of Hoboken and JB112
North Urban Renewal LLC into the city pilot education trust account. Pat Waiters number. >> Good evening, Manny. >> Good evening, Council President. Good evening, council, members of the public.
Cuz president, I jotted down J2. >> Yep. which by the way um just for members of the public to understand Jay is because of our new mayor uh and it starts fresh. So just for those who were like me saying what the heck is that Jay
for cuz we were of course accustomed to the B. Anyway, I'll get to the subject. Uh council uh president and council can members of the public understand the reimbur the embard me the reimbursement to the schools when it says here
the interest um by 2% on January 1st is that the January 1st 2026 is that this money that's going in to the school fund now or is January 1st is for 2027
and once again I will leave more of the questions for the school board but is that amount that is um being presented here is that the amount again including those 2% for January or again if you follow the question is
it this January paying for 2027 do you follow the question okay thank you and are you back >> yep it's for it the the funding will be building is not built at. So when the building's uh built, that's when it'll be paid the following year.
Any members of the council? Call a vote. Close the hearing. >> Oh, motion to close the public hearing. >> Motion. All in favor? >> I call vote. >> Mr. Con? >> I stone. >> I, >> Miss Fischer, >> Jimmy, present.
>> Present. >> Present. Okay. Mrs. Imus >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leon. >> Yes. >> President. >> Hi. >> Mr. >> Cano. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi.
>> President Ramos. >> Hi. Hearing on an ordinance of the city of Hoboken and the county of Hudson, New Jersey, amending chapter 193-12 water consumption charges to incorporate JCMUA
bulk water rate increase. Motion to close public hearing. >> Second. All in favor? I >> I >> uh M Director Gonzalez, do we have questions about this uh item last council meeting? you want to elaborate or >> um I can point you to the memo that was
included in the agenda packet if you'd like. >> You can just give us a brief summary on that for members of the council. >> Uh sure. So the water rate >> apologies. Can you hear me now? >> Okay. Um so just a a summary of the um
water rates. Uh we purchase bulk water from JCMUA. Um in accordance with the agreement, our increased bulk water rate increased by 8% um effective January 1st, 2026 and another 8% is um proposed for January 1st, 2027. Um so this
ordinance incorporates the JCMU bulk water rate increases. Um looking at the memo in your packet, you can see that there are two different types of increases that have been ordained by the council previously. There's the CPI adjustment um which occurs automatically on an annual basis and then there's a
nonCPI adjustment um which was previously authorized for 23 24 and 25 and you can see there's a table in the memo that goes yearbyear exactly what the CPI adjustment was exactly what the um additional increase was as approved by the city council um this would be
considered a nonCPI adjustment which is for the purposes of um new or added expenses of water delivery So typically includes the increases of increased cost for wholesale or bulk water purchase um on&m capital improvements etc. In this
particular case we are solely proposing an increase of 8% due to the increase passed through by JCMUI. Um so if you look at the um attached table in the memo um you can see that the proposed
increase um which is only 8% oh of course is is um cut off here but in uh 2020 um 2026 would be um inclusive of the CPI and the JCMUA uh increase um that's a total of
11.37% um or for a an average resident about $8.2 per 100 ccf of water. >> And resident council have a follow-up questions. >> Yeah. What um
so I think the I guess one question is what what percentage of the total cost um to operate the water utility is the cost of water itself? Um, I can get back to you with the total
percent, but I believe that I had the number in here. Um, what we purchased for bulk water. I guess Go ahead. Sorry. >> Yeah, sorry. I can get you that exact number. I guess I guess where I'm going is we're we're passing through we're
doing a direct pass through the cost of water which is not all of the expenses but we're taking and so it's 8% but we're taking the 8% not just on the water we're doing 8% on all the other expenses and we already have the direct pass through of the 8% on the water but
we're applying CPI to all the other expenses and the water which it seems like it that's not the right way to do it. It feels like the 8% should be calculated on the water and the CPI should effectively be calculated on
everything else if we're really thinking about how we're going to cover our costs and keep the um and keep the rates as low as possible for our residents. Otherwise, we're more than we're double counting. Um, so if we were to do if we assumed
I'm totally guessing, but let's say that let's say that the water was 80% of the total costs. So 80% * 8% is 6.4% increase annual and the
remaining 20% is at CPI at let's say 4%. You're at 6.4 plus.8. You'd have a total annual increase of 7.2%. instead of a close to 12% increase. I mean, I know the dollar amounts are low.
Um, but at a time overall, but at a time when we're really trying to focus on affordability in the city, this feels like it's double counting and we should rethink um these increases and get more of a a kind of direct cost type
increases instead. >> Any other members of the council? >> Yes. Um, President Zano. >> So, and some of this this is just for water. This is not for any type of fixing lines or >> correct >> just water. >> Just the purchase of bulk water. >> So from 2020, just make sure I'm reading
this chart right from 2022 cuz you do you get a flat charge no matter just for having the water meter. >> Mhm. >> So in 2022 that was 51 bucks. Uh and then to use one gallon of water or however you say the CF I think it's $59
back in 22. In 2016 it'll be8227 and8 23 cents. So we've gone from 2022 $55 that you would just get a bill for if you use one gallon of water to 2026 we're going to have it's going to be
$100.50 and that's not including what'll happen in 2027. So, I kind of a while I didn't go in in depth as Councilwoman Fischer did on this, I do when I look at these rates and I see here I know we're passing on, but we're adding the CPI as well. And I mean it
the the rates are 2023 was 15.8, 2024 is 11.9, 2025 is 12.25, and 2026 is 11.37. Uh, I just watched an election happen and
everybody talked about affordability. So I don't know how we can uh everything we touch somehow the house the Hoboken is going to become more affordable but at the rate of this we can't we have to I'm struggling a bit here. I know it's a
pass on but do the negotiation to get that water was that just they told us that's the price for the water and that's it or >> yeah unfortunately we do not have a say on the price of the water and I do have an answer to Councilwoman Fischer's question when you're done. Anyone
else? Counc. >> Yep. Council Russo >> director in in the chart that you referenced earlier in 23, 24, and 25, what were the percentages for the each of those years? >> Percentage for CPI or percentage for
nonCPI or total? >> Total. >> Uh 2023 was 15.48, 2024 was 11.91, 2025 was 12.25. >> 12.25. And then in 23, 24, and 25, what was the surplus in each of those years?
Uh, when it came to our water utility, >> I can get that for you. I don't have those numbers in front of me. >> Do you have a roundabout or >> I don't I would have to look. >> I I Councilman Russo, I can tell you real quick. We took 2.3 last year. 2.3 million from I believe maybe if I read
correctly, I thought I saw 2.3 million. We went up from 800 of surplus we took out. Let's let's just use let's call it 2.3 to for last year. Um that 12.2% increase in 25 what does that equate to
in dollar amount? >> 12% of 2.3 million is >> no no the 12% increase from 24 to 25 what did that equate to in the dollar amount received the city of Hoboken? Uh again, I can look I can look back if I receive these
questions in advance. I can absolutely provide you the information. >> If you could get that for me, um I'd appreciate it. The only thing I'd say is I' I'd like to hold this until I got those questions. Um I think there's a lot of questions surrounding how we're
negotiating this, how we're how we're dealing with the dollar amounts being spent in that specific uh area in the city and how we're passing that on to our residents. My goal here is to try to make things more affordable. And if we have a surplus year-over-year in that
utility and we're increasing our rates year-over-year, that just doesn't jive with me, right? Like where to me that looks like we're overcharging our residents just to create a surplus. So I'd like to see what that looks like
from 23, 24, and 25. the dollar amounts increase per year and then what the surplus is per year and then what our anticipated surplus is going to be in 26. >> Sure. >> In the utility so that we could look at that for the 11% increase that we're looking at for 26.
>> Sure. >> So my contention is if we're raising X amount of dollars and we have X amount of dollars in surplus, I'd like to see our our overall raise reduced. So that kind of washes a little bit. I don't want to continue to make a
surplus in this department or in this utility and then just move it into a general fund. I just don't think that's fair to our residents. I think we need to kind of cut costs along the way and figure out how we're going to do that. So, I would just hope that we could kind of hold on this um and then we'll kind
of bring it back at the next meeting. So, as the sponsor, I'm just going to remove it from the agenda and we'll uh we'll vote on it at the next meeting. >> Councilman Cohen, before you move? >> Yeah, sure. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh my understanding uh director Gonzalez is that
we have according to the memo per our ordinance >> per our ordinance we're supposed to be increasing uh by CPI every year with respect to this and that's that is not optional that is what our law says
>> and if I further understand it that it for 2023 2024 and 2025 we did not do Yeah. Uh is that correct? >> No, we did that. Yes, we increased by CPI and we increased by um the authorized increase that was authorized
in 2022 for 23, 24, and 25. Those increases were made. >> Okay. >> Um the discrepancy in the code is simply that the 2022 amendment to the code authorized those increases. They happen every year as a percentage basis. So when you have to look back on the code,
you're actually amending a code from 2022, not amending a code based on the 2025 rate. >> That's what the the memo um was meant to explain. >> So maybe you can explain this to me then. It says section 19312 water
consumption charges currently published in the city code are those from calendar year 2023 and don't reflect subsequent increases that were adopted by ordinance. >> Correct. nor the annual CPI adjusted rates. >> Correct. >> So, is this addressing that in congruity? Just
>> the the memo explains that in congruity, but yes, the the the increase would be off of the 2025 percentage or 2025 rate, not from the 2023 rate, which is the rate that's included in the in the code. >> Okay. >> Good. Thank you. All right. The sponsor
removed the sponsorship. >> Actually, I I misspoke. Councilman Cohen's the spons Council Cohen's a sponsor on that. But just on that point, if I may, >> would it be better for us to do this year-over-year so we kind of don't we're not backpedaling and trying to figure things out uh using these multiple year
charts and then having to change it, you know, two years down the road or three years down the road. Should we just do it year-over-year rather than doing it multiple years at a time? Would that make it easier for the administration and the council to kind of understand it? I think that would actually make it
more complicated because we calculate the CPI at the end of every calendar year. Um, I mean, I think providing you a memo at the end of every calendar year that says based upon the approved the percentage as approved by council, here are the rate increases would be,
you know, easier and clearer and provide the same data that I think you're requesting. >> So, I'm I'm comfortable and as a sponsor, I'm fine with voting on this. >> What? >> Yeah, I'm still asking my colleagues to remove it. He's he's he's a sponsor. >> No, no, I misspoke. I'm sorry.
>> Consper. >> Mr. Con. >> Hi. >> Miss Fone. >> Hi. >> Miss Fischer. >> No. >> Mrs. >> No. >> Mrs. L.
>> Yes. >> President. >> Council President. This is to >> votes being called. >> Yeah, I know. I'm asking. Is this to vote for this or to to take >> point of order? There's no discussion. >> Phil, I'm asking a question. You don't make a vote if you don't know.
>> Stop, Cohen. Really? >> He's just asking. >> I'm asking what I'm voting on. You are You are ridiculous, Phil. >> You are ridiculous, Phil. >> Stop. >> You're absolutely ridiculous. >> Voting on the item at hand. >> Thank you. No, >> Mr. Cano. Hi.
>> Mr. Russo. >> No. Oh jeez. President Ramos. Hi. Three, four, five. Uh, the ordinance is adopted. Yep. >> We're on to J4. Okay. >> Excuse me. An ordinance hearing on an
ordinance to amend and supplement an ordinance establishing a schedule of classification and allocations of titles for the hearing mentioned, excuse me, positions in the city of Hoboken. >> Yes. Number four. And
>> J4, we have Manny Rivera. She's back. >> Pat waiters down J4. >> Yeah. >> Positions, right? >> Yes. >> And title. All right. The positions and titles. I have one,
two, three, four, six. Six documents with figures and salaries. The only one I'm in support on this. I want to know why my police director make less than a captain and I'm wait let me finish so don't interrupt me please the police
captain and this ain't nothing personal and no personal attacks this is clearly cuz I'm calling it out cuz members of the public is watching this and I feel dis this is a disgrace especially right after an election these amounts these prices this is a smack in the face to
everybody that's watching this but I'm here to speak on it to tell you guys This like I told you earlier, Mike, stop acting like we got to accept this another four years. Right now, we all acting on emotions. This is pure ridiculous. We in a mix of a recession.
Look around the and in an increase with all of us with housing. How could you even discuss salaries like this and just double it on members of the public? And you know what you're saying? If we got the majority of the vote, we going to vote on it anyway. Could y'all show us some kind of respect? I agree with Paul.
show us some kind of respect. And when we want answers, it's not funny, Phil. This is serious. Please, y'all, stop it. I'm trying to be nice and give honorable uh Emily B. Jabbor the benefit of the doubt. Have some community meetings,
have something going on, but it's a shame cuz all of these directors DON'T LIVE HERE WITH the exception of Mr. Fani. And I will have his back 100%. This is a disgrace. THIS IS WHY THEY COME IN OUR VULNERABLE TOWN AND serve and you got
them making two 300 grand and they don't live here. We got to suffer this. Y'all got to do better. I am so disappointed with this whole agenda and you got the nerve to put upon the mayor becoming a
mayor. WE COULD IT'S ON HERE. I WANT TO Y'ALL KNOCK ON ALL DOORS AND GIVE EVERYBODY THIS PAPER AND see how they feel. The ones that voted for her and THE ONES THAT DID. DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW DIRTY THIS LOOK? AND THEY WANTED to call YOU A GANGSTER. THEY OUT YOU. DID YOU ON this one, Mike? Again, movement. Keep
that in YOUR MIND. EVERYBODY THAT'S WATCHING, YOU DON'T HAVE TO STOP ME ON THE STREET. WE WILL HAVE A MOVEMENT RIGHT here in Hoboken for stuff like this. This is disgusting. And this is definitely for the newcomers. When you just throw your name on somebody back that you don't know, you got to deal
with this. you >> man. >> Thank you, Council President. Man, uh, Council President, I would like to um ask on behalf of members of the public um the ordinance J4 on the second
reading. While the ordinance addresses titles and classifications, I'd like to focus specifically on adjustments to the minimum and maximum salary range, particularly the department heads and directors level position. In several instances, the gap
between the ma minimum and maximum represent a substantial increase. Given the likelihood of a challenging fiscal year ahead, can the administration explain council explain
the expansion of these salary ranges? I'm sorry, council president. I'm trying to keep it concise. Uh, so the budget is not even being thought of, but we are increasing salaries. Again, they must be
perhaps meritorious due to the fact of the range. Uh, council president, but again, the the message here is where is the responsible and fiscal responsibility for the budget? I know that these are
ranges. I know that these are not necessarily the salary that the person is going to be receiving, but uh it is important that members of the public as a member of the public expressed earlier um the frustration to see um certain
salaries higher way higher than others again is no reflection on the employees and the positions or the persons who are in these position is just a fiscal matter council president and I would appreciate council president or members mbers of the council or anyone uh that
could give a little more um attention or explanation for members of the public. Council president and with that I see I have three minutes or so I will yield back in case anyone could answer any of those questions. Thank you council president. Thank you members of
the council. Any questions? >> Uh close. >> No me sorry. Motion to close. >> Motion >> second. >> All in favor? I >> thank you council >> president. Council Russo, >> uh, director, uh, two questions. One, do we have a current organizational chart
throughout the city? >> Uh, we have the organizational chart by city code. Um, and I can provide you the, um, organizational chart. Actually, I believe I provided it to Councilwoman when she started, so I can provide that to you as well. >> Could you do that, please? And the other thing is, do we have a job description
for all of the positions in the city of Hoboken? Not the civil service description, a job description for the city of Hoboken. >> No. Um largely we rely on the civil service descriptions. Um sometimes when we go out to advertise for new positions, we will update those descriptions. But in general, um if we
have not gone out to advertise for those positions, we would be using the civil service descriptions. >> Yeah. Two two things. Could you provide me with what we do have? Uh and then the other is I think it would probably be a good practice to start creating those
job descriptions. Uh my concern is that every time we have a new contract or a CPI increase, all we're doing is we're creating a higher maximum in each of those positions. Whereas I think we should probably create a secondary
position. So um so we have room for those increases. So you go from a clerk to a clerk one or clerk two or clerk three and I know some of them have it >> but I think it's something where >> you know I mean like a recreation leader goes from you know 20,000 to 60,000
right like and at some point 60,000 becomes 70,000 yeah I think there's probably some hierarchy that we should start to really look at so that when our employees are reaching that max in their current position we then can change them over into a position that would warrant
an increase for a CPI high increase or a raise. Uh I think it's just something that we probably should do because these ranges are going to start to get out of control, right? >> I mean, >> correct. >> An assistant assessor goes from 41,000 to 112,000. It's a massive range, right?
>> Yeah. And those minimums, that is correct, have really never been updated to my knowledge in my time here. >> I think we should probably look into that. Not to not to add more work to you, but >> but it might be it might be something that allows us at least an easier way to explain how these raises are happening,
why they're happening, and what the position is actually entailing. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome, Councilman Contra. Um, Director Gonzalez, just hoping you can provide some clarification for me based on some of the questions we got in in uh in the room today. Uh with respect to
kind of fiscal conservatism, this is just uh reflecting the negotiations between the Hoboka Municipal Supervisors Association and the city of Hobok and then just codifying the results of that agreement. Correct. >> Yep. >> Yes. And the agreement was already authorized by council, >> right? Um so that was all baked and
we're just updating our books to reflect the actual amounts. >> Correct. Uh second, um in the memo, you know, there's reference made to, you know, police chief and the police director. Their numbers are not being updated at all, uh in this in in this
action today. Those were, you know, put in a long time ago, year plus. So, so that is there's no impact there. This is nothing to do with the police police director >> that no this and and so that that's just
the clarification there. >> Thanks. >> Anyone else? Mr. Clark, call the vote. >> Mr. Con? >> Hi. >> Mr. Firestone. >> Hi. >> Miss Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Imus. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lac.
>> Yes. Mr. >> Presidento. Hi. >> Cano. Hi. >> Mr. Russo. Hi. President Ramos. >> I uh >> consent agenda, >> public portions, we have >> public portion. >> Members of the public, we have uh Rose
Markle. >> She has seven minutes. >> You have seven minutes. >> It won't be that long. >> Okay. >> I promise. >> It's okay. >> Good evening. I was hoping for a better year, but boy, we're starting out really strong, aren't we? >> Okay. My first item is the claim. Bless
you. >> Thank you. My first item is the claims. It's always a favorite of mine. You have to really read into these things. Uh the cultural affairs office is ordering insulated cups, Dixie silverware, both white and clear. I clearly remember that, you know, we wanted to go green
and you've asked restaurants not to hand out plastic utensils. A resolution I believe was set for that. Yet the city offices are here sitting here ordering that stuff. I think it's a little hypocritical. We should lead by example. They also ordered a laptop laptop
backpack. Seriously, is this the best use of my tax dollars? Do we supply all personnel with bags or backpacks to carry their computer? Should be cut from a budget in my opinion. I know these are small items, but these small items kind of add up to some big numbers if we go
every every meeting. Laz Parking was given a check to power wash stairwell number two for over $2,300. Wouldn't it be more fiscally responsible to buy a power wash and have washing done within? Or better yet, use your library card and get the free one that the library offers?
And the one I really don't understand is a check to Laz for 20 for $83,000 for December 25th off- streetet parking. If somebody could really explain that, I think I'm I'm pretty sure someone else might want to know that answer. Uh A5,
$42,000 to write up reports for grants. How much grant money does the city get from this reporting? Does it outweigh the cost? Especially since most of this is for COVID related related expenses, which is now four years out. CA5, hiring a water engineer.
Um, why is this needed when we have a water engineer on staff? I believe there's three at least three engineers on staff in the city of Hoboken. And maybe someone can explain to me actually what their job is. We're always hiring engineers to do all every project in the city. CA6,
how many times will they be back for more money? This raise is only for admin and inspection services, which means there's more work being done. So, there are no additional costs for the actual work they are inspecting. I can't wait to see what that increases. C8, are
there any blueprints for the city that's before work begins, anyone can see what's going on around the city under the ground and everything so that cost could be upfront? CA9 looking for a $75,000 grant to improve the Sinatra Park restroom
improvements, not renovations. I don't understand that. But anyway, after these improvements, what is the plan for maintenance? We spend a lot of grant money and tax money and bonds, but we never do maintenance and everything falls apart
within three, four years. T1, $100,000 contract to do traffic study. This isn't the first traffic study that the city has done. yet traffic never seems to get any better and now I'm sure we're going to blame it on all the projects that are being done in Jersey City. So what is the actual goal of this contract study?
Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Marle. Uh Pat Waiters, >> I want to get organized. So this is to be continue the salaries. All right, cuz this is on agenda. I want this to be to be continued for tonight because I don't need my pressure growing up and y'all
calling the ambulance but I'mma trust you on this one Joe and meet with you please if I could get a meeting okay and I want it placed on the record everybody in TV land stay with wait please this is going to be too continue the appointments every one of them every one of them from the zoning board the
planning board and wait let me make sure I get it right Mr. Firestone I got it right >> yes >> okay you know what I feel already I already feel robbed. I just feel so horrible tonight. My thing is I held on
to my resumes, okay? I held on to everything, my experience, everything it is, and I applied. Jerry, you know, for the last couple of years, the only reason this year I did not submit it, cuz I was given this board, this government body the opportunity to put
me on a board. I'm not going to keep begging y'all. Yes, I know, Reuben, I need to vote. That's your favorite thing. Well, you don't have the vote. Mysteriously, all the other municipalities since y'all doing like they do, I noticed that too, asking for these grants cuz Jersey City and the C
the free just got a grant for a statue. Y'all do the same thing. So, I know y'all go around and do the old copycat syndrome. Why don't y'all take heed tonight? I see about the caucus on here. I worked in Jersey City. I was the aid to Willie L. Flood, the late Willie Flood. I worked in Jersey City. We had a
caucus on Monday and a meeting on Wednesday. So when y'all bicker back and forth, and I want you to be respected cuz we need you, Paul. Paul, you definitely need a caucus. Y'all have your caucus and do all of the city business at the caucus. Go read your open sunshine meeting laws. The meeting
is for the public. The public's meeting. So you handle all of your stuff at your caucus. You call your votes. You know, whatever. And the same as the freeholders, right, Mike? And then we have a meeting. And that's how we can have a good meeting and a good understanding and start involving
the public more RIGHT NOW. THAT SCREWED up election, that toxic election, that illegal election, poor people feel even worse. Y'all just put the topping on the cake. Just as people thought it was safe to come outside again after that crazy illegal election, look what y'all do.
That's to be continu. I don't want to lose focus. Anyway, the other municipalities when the opponent run and I had this conversation with you, Emily, honorable Emily, why do you overlook the people that ran instead to give them an opportunity? So,
tonight, I don't want to sound contradicted. The same lady, Ruben, that I see on here, y'all appointed her to the board, but I don't know her name, but she was on Reubin's ticket. It seemed more like a deal. But this is the same female when I ask you three times
to be on your ticket that you picked her over me. And it's weird because I never see her at meetings. Never. Yes, I go to meetings and I stay involved. Okay? I've been to every business everywhere today to let y'all know. And yes, this is on agenda cuz all of these
appointments, I don't see not one appointment for Pat Waiters. You know why? None of y'all don't like me. And guess what's funny? I love all of y'all. And I accept it because I got to live in the same community. And I live here with pride, dignity, and respect. Every block I walk down, you're going to
see path waiters. I'm going to greet you with the utmost respect. But I need tonight for the residents to know everything on this agenda, and this go for the seniors that was crying in the snow when I was at their house. It's unfortunate that I'm going to do what I have to do anyway for the residents that
live here because y'all know y'all not going to be sincere enough to give me y'all vote. Okay? And guys, I told y'all before, it's up to the city council and they votes to put me on the board, but you already shown me. So, I was hoping on the newcomers, the council at large
with you over the whole entire city. Think about it. Be strong enough and have the courage to look in your opponent AND YOUR COLLEAGUES FACE AND SAY, "HEY, she is a good candidate. WHY Y'ALL DON'T HAVE PAT WAITERS?" Cuz guess who's hurting the residents? When you don't put me on the board to serve this
city, you hurting the residents. You're not hurting me. I don't have thousands of dollars to be on your ticket. So, in closing, everybody that's watching this, I'm still here for you guys. Like I told y'all, win or lose the election, I don't have to shine my shoes and look at my
reflection. I can look in all of y'all faces cuz I have dignity and respect. And I don't take deals. I'm interested in every board. I'mma say it again. And you get in my resumes in the morning even though you already had who you was going to pick anyway. Thank you.
Thank you. Next speaker is Manny Solair. And just to clarify, uh the planning board appointments tonight are appointments by the mayor, not the city council. >> Mr. >> Thank you again, Council President. Thank you for the clarification in
regards to the appointments to the um boards, especially this evening, the planning board. Uh I would like to take a moment to uh reflect on the appointments. Um again, there is nothing that I've ever said that's personal against any member who decides to volunteer and give up the their time to
serve uh the city. So I I would like to congratulate the people who are uh nominated tonight. And once again, even though you're voting for them, but they are mayors. Again, I'm always confused if you can clarify that too. You're voting, it's on this agenda. voting for them, but they
are directly assigned by the mayor's office. So again, to certain people here, um I want to just appreciate again first and foremost um former council president um
and former mayor, temporary mayor Jim Doyle for again giving of service to the planning board. Admirable after he was out, you pulled him back in. Uh yes, I would like to thank also uh the people who are
reappointed Joanne Alman Alman Alman I always say her name wrong. Uh Naen Anderson and as well Laura Mani again for the planning board as well as I want to say um again getting back to the the
agenda here. This one you are voting for um it's in administrations again to Mr. Bond, who's going to be reappointed for the um alcoholic and beverage. A very good choice. Uh I'm I'm at those meetings and they run uh very smoothly
as well as um forgot to mention um business administrator Jennifer Gonzalez, which also conducted a meeting tonight in uh self- insurance. Um but council president if you could explain for members of the public very briefly
what is the difference between the um self insurance which I forgot to ask at the meeting tonight but the meeting was brief um and this new appointment in A4 um again to these individuals congratulations on their appointments
Diana Ales and Daisy Amado again I'm just mentioning their names because they are they volunteered so can you explain What is this um Garden State Municipal Joint Insurance Fund and where can members of the public um see anything in
regards to this if this is separate from the self- insurance fund which it seems like it is because one says Garden State uh council president and and I don't want to lose you but I do have time but it's very important a member of the
public mentioned uh CA1 can you explain um to members of the public or give some type of clarification regards um this notification in lie of deed uh is CA1 and council president I have many
questions but I'm going to make it concise here I would just like to also ask you have on the agenda tonight in the clerks you have a a resolution uh to amend the uh procedures of the meetings to include a caucus can members of the
public understand uh a little bit more on the procedure of a caucus for those members of the public who are not aware of what it's going to be. Um obviously um it seems that um members of the public won't be able to speak because it is a caucus, but it behooves the council
to explain the new rules of the council if they're being changed in any given way. Uh and uh yeah, that is very important. Council President, if you can give any examples of why that caucus is going to take effect and when is it going to take effect and the rest of the
questions I hope that you all uh are able to to uh answer as many as you can. Yep. >> Uh thank you council president and I yield back. >> Thank you Manny. Uh just for for CI example earlier why caucus is necessary with the questions regarding the water
sewage rate. Uh so members of the council will have be able to answer those questions on Monday and have the answers be on Wednesday prior to a vote. Uh I'll let the director Gonzalez answer the questions regarding the GIF appointments. Uh those two NCA1. >> Uh sure. So the question was the
difference between the Garden State Municipal Joint Insurance Fund and the self- insurance fund. So the city is self-insured for medical. Um we do participate in a joint insurance fund which is a collection of all municipalities um collectively insured for things like property, auto, general
liability um workers compensation etc. So they are um two different entities. Um so the appointments are serving on um as the city's representatives to the Garden State Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. Um and then I'm sorry the question
on CA1 is the rock. Uh with regard to the remediation agreement, >> um we're not giving up anything. It's just a we're allowing them to remediate land on those at those intersection those >> and it's already been remediated. This
is this is memorializing the the remediation on public property. We're not giving anything up. Thank you, director. Any members of the council? Sorry. Motion to close the public hearings. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Any members of the council pull off any items uh for consent agenda discussion?
>> Council Russo. >> Um I just have a question on petitions and communications when it comes to it. >> Uh A3. Give me a second, Mike. A3 >> A7 >> A7. Uh, CA5, >> CA5,
>> CA7, >> CA7, >> CC1, >> CC1, >> uh, CL2, >> and T1, >> T1, >> T1. >> Okay.
Okay. Uh, any other members of the council? T2 >> T2 >> president. Anything else? Okay. Uh, Council Muso, uh, petitions first. >> Yeah. First, first off, congratulations to everybody being appointed. Uh but
specifically about the um self- insurance fund uh director, what are the goals and the strategies uh going forward to reduce the costs of health care for the employees and for the city of Hoboken in general? >> Reuben,
>> so we we are >> sorry call a vote on the consent agenda first. I apologize guys. Mr. Clerk, I'm sorry. >> No problem. >> Other than >> on the consent agenda, Mr. Con? I >> hi >> Miss Fischer. >> Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yes,
>> Mrs. Len. >> Yes, >> President Zano. >> I can >> I >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi, >> President Ramos. >> Hi. Then we have the items that Councilman Russo and Council President Zano pulled. We'll have individual votes for those items. I I apologize council. >> Oh, no problem. Council President
Director, if you don't mind. >> Yeah, sure. So, we are currently working with our um auditor. We had a first discussion with them today. our actuary will be looking at it as well as all of our financial adviserss to determine how we might be able to reduce our um health insurance costs as well as the costs to
our employees. So, I can't give you a specific answer now because those actions are underway and under development. We obviously understand it's a huge issue and we're working to um to get those answers and then to be able to bring them back to the administration and finance subcommittee for discussion. >> What do you have a timeline as to when
that would happen so that >> I I would probably say midFebruary. midFebruary. >> Yeah. >> Um the only thing I would say is, you know, I know you got a thousand things on your plate. Um one of those things is getting
the budget to the council as soon as possible. >> Uh and that's going to affect it. So >> um >> I'm sure there's a lot of priorities, but >> it was the exact timeline we were discussing with our uh with our team today as to how we can expedite that
process. and we will be back to you uh with those plans and we will run all of those through the the admin and finance subcommittees. >> Yeah, please let let us know as soon as you can. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> A vote on petitions. Council Mr. Clark, >> vote on petitions. >> Uh communications. >> Mr. Con.
>> Hi. >> We stone. >> I miss Fischer. >> Yes. >> Excuse me. Mrs. >> Yes. Mr. >> Le. Yes. President. Hiro. Hi. Mr. Russo. I >> President Ramos
>> I Councilman Russo A3 resolution to increase retention with the GSMJIF for6. >> Thank you council president. Uh a lot lot of insurance questions here tonight director. Um >> as far as our uh participation with the GIF again this year any significant
changes to the city of Hoboken as far as our deductible as far as um what the costs are going to be associated with our expenditures? Uh yes. So that is actually why we are increasing our retentions um also known as deductibles um in two specific areas as recommended
by our broker and risk management risk manager. Um we are increasing our retentions from for automotive liability and general liability from 50,000 up to 200,000. Um the result will be a $321,000 savings on our annual premium for the
GIF. Any other questions on A3? >> Yes. Um, council brother, >> I have Hang on one sec. I just had it right here. Hold on. Um, sorry.
So, in general, just the 25 to 26, it would have been 44, but because we moved it up from 50 to 200, now that that insurance premium bump of 26%. That was something we anticipated in G last year or kind of over the timeline or no?
>> We certainly anticipated it going up. We did not anticipate it going up by 44% which is why we immediately went back to um our team and asked them to evaluate all options to reduce that premium. Uh and that resulted in the recommendation to you today to increase the retentions and reduce the premium um which will
result in about a 26% increase. Um this is exactly why we need to uh you know we need a little bit of time to get you the budget because we want to get you as complete and accurate of a budget picture as possible. Um and this is one of the numbers that goes into that
>> increase but >> so just real rough it looks like with that improvement of dropping to 300 off it looks to me that we're we're in the hole for another 500k probably when we only thought it may have been like 10%. That is what you're telling me. Okay.
>> So, another 500k. Okay. >> Fisher. Council Fish. >> Yeah. Follow up on that. >> Is um is the 26% increase like is there a driver to that? Is it something to do with our own history or is it just broadly across all insurance?
>> It's largely across all insurance. I mean, certainly it relates to our claim history as well, but it costs are going up for every municipality. >> Council Bruss. >> Yeah. Just a followup. Do we look at other GIFs or was it just strictly within this GIF? >> We are currently in a three-year um
agreement with the GIF. It expires in 2027 with the Garden State Municipal GIF. >> So, so in that agreement, the rates not locked? >> No. >> Our premium is not is not set on a
three-year basis. No. >> My follow then would be to corporation council. Do we have a do we have a a clause in that that we could get out of that contract? >> Uh I can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> Uh I have not seen it, but I can certainly take a look at it. If there is
an option to deal with that issue, we'll certainly make an attempt to certainly do that. >> I I appreciate that. And and I've made this suggestion probably to every corporation council in the last 20 years uh to make sure that in all of our contracts with all of our vendors, with all of our uh organizations that we
include that language so that we can in fact get out of any specific contract. Uh if something like this happens, that's a massive increase. And if we're kind of stuck because we didn't have that language in our original contract, then we kind of just have to eat that. And that's it's not the best thing for
our residents in the city. So, if we could start to incorporate that language into all of our contracts, I would really appreciate that. >> Yeah. Well, >> whether it's a 30-day or 60-day clause where we could rem we could remove ourselves if needed. >> At least with this particular one, we'll schedule a call and talk to them. I will
tell you that the issue with this type of because it's a GIF, they cover a lot of different municipalities and the likelihood is they're not going to allow you to negotiate your own deal. However, I'll make the call. Let's see what we can do and it's certainly um worth the ask and see how much we can force the issue.
>> Yeah, even if it's a clause that we get to move to a different GIF, what whatever it is gives us gives us the ability, you know. >> So that's all I had on that. Thanks. >> Thank call vote. >> Mr. Con. >> Hi. >> Mr. Feststone. >> Hi. >> Miss Fischer.
>> Yes. >> Excuse me. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Le. >> Yes. >> President. Hi. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. No. >> President Ramos. >> Hi. A7. Council Russo. >> Thank you, Council President. Another
one. Insurance one. Insurance Brokers. Um, we just talked a little bit about uh utilizing their expertise to make decisions. Uh, did our current insurance broker not submit an RFP? >> So, we actually went out to RFP um
exclusively for Property and Casualty Broker. Um this was before my time and I don't know why they were set separate. Um but we did have a a conversation as to grouping all of it together. Property casualty um consultancy for medical
prescription um we know we need to to look at our prescription benefits plan dental vision and stop loss. So, our recommendation to you is that we do not award um the RFP as it was for just one section, not a comprehensive picture, and that we bring in a a
broker/conultant who can actually provide us more comprehensive and costefficient um financial advice given our financial situation. being involved in this world for a really long time, that can pose a
lot of problems. When those brokers are concentrating on health insurance, for example, they're going to put property casualty on the back burner or stop loss on the back burner because they want to get that first piece of the puzzle done. Um, again, new administration, they're they're going to make whatever choices
they make. Uh I just warn everybody that that can become problematic unless the firm is massive that they could cover all of this. Um and in those situations that might actually cost the city a lot more money. So um my concern is that we
fall into a category where we find a broker that is doing multiple things and they just don't have the bandwidth to get it all done in a timely manner. So major concern for me there. >> I hear you. Other members of the council call a vote. >> Mr. Con?
>> Hi. >> Mr. Feststone. >> Hi. >> Miss Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Imus. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Leon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Presidento. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> No. >> President Ramos. >> Hi.
>> CA5. Right. >> We just said CA5. >> CA5. Y. >> Y. CA5. Michael. >> Council president. Thanks. Um, >> a member of the public talked about this uh briefly. We do have our engineering department. Uh, why are we outsourcing
$40,000 for our water? So, in short, um, these are inspection services. These, uh, CA5 is is um providing construction inspection services for new water service permits. Um,
and we selected this firm in particular, um, because they've historically performed inspections for the city. They can do it efficiently. Um, if we were to do this in house, that would be not doing other work. Um, we don't have the capacity to be able to do all of these on call inspections. Um, even with the
current staff that we have, um, we therefore we bring in uh, the most affordable inspectors that we can from outside firms. It's a staff capacity issue. Thank you, >> Council President. Council, >> how many um how many calls a year would
you re say? >> I can get you that answer. I don't have it in front of me right now, but I can get you that answer. >> Vote. >> Mr. Con? >> I. >> Mr. Firestone, >> hi. >> Mr. Fischer, >> yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. L.
>> Yes. >> Mr. President, >> no. >> Cano, >> hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> No. >> President Ramos. >> Hi. >> CA7. Councilman Russo. >> Yes. Thank you, Council President. Uh Decker, why are we bringing on a
stormwater engineer? >> Uh so this was actually approved at the last city council meeting, this is just certifying funds. Um unfortunately in our agenda management software, one button wasn't clicked, which led to uh skipping the certification of funds in the workflow. Um to answer your direct
question um we are bringing on uh an engineer for um engineering and MS4 permit compliance. Um these engineers are supervised by our in-house engineering team um which is absolutely the most competent in around right but
again capacity we need the additional capacity to be able to um do all of the work of the city. There are certain areas that we need additional support and this is one of them. Um, specifically related to additional permit compliance requirements that were levied on us by the D about two years
ago. We're continuing to comply. >> Why is this not being performed by the North Hudson Sewage Authority? >> Uh, because this is for our MS4 system. The North Hudson Sewage Authority only has uh purview over combined sewer system. Um, MS4 stands for municipally separate storm sewer system, which is the portion of the storm system that is
not combined with our sewer system. It's not NHSA's infrastructure. It's the city's infrastructure or private infrastructure that connects um the outfalls to the Hudson River. >> So, >> the permit is the cities, not North Hudson's. >> So, North Hudson cannot do the work or
North Hudson just doesn't have the authority over that right now. >> They don't own the infrastructure. So, they cannot >> We own the infrastructure. >> We own the infrastructure. So, we >> we are the permit. >> I'm sorry. >> We are the permit, >> right? that has to comply with the regulations. >> So, we can't outsource the work to North
Hudson Sewage Authority. No. >> Why not? >> Because they don't own the infrastructure. >> There's a lot of things that people don't own that we do inter agreements with. >> Sure. I mean, if you're asking if NHSA would like to purchase our MS4 system and under and assume all all permitting
requirements, that would be great. >> We can ask. >> We have three commissioners on North Hudson Sewage Authority. You need you need seven votes to complete anything at the North Hudson Sewage Authority. If our three commissioners start putting pressure on the North Hudson Sewage Authority, we would have a lot more
leverage to make sure we could at least have conversations about things like this to reduce the cost to our residents. So my suggestion would be let's have those conversations. Let's get our three commissioners in a room so that they're all on the same page so
that they're carrying forward the uh the administration's wants and needs in the North Hudson sewage authority. I think that would really help because we could start to reduce some of these costs for the city. >> Thank you, >> Council President. Just a quick question just because you raised it. How often do you meet with the the Hoboken
commissioners on the NHSA board? >> I have not personally met with them. I've also been in this role two weeks. >> But in your prior in your prior role though, >> we meet with uh with the North Hudson Jewish Authority very regularly with the
commissioners less regularly. We meet with the staff as we to our staff. I >> I think um Councilman Russo I mean it's a new era, new mayor. Um, I think Councilman Russo makes a really good point that, you know, we appoint these
commissioners for a reason to go and reflect and push for the agenda that's important to the city and if they're not meeting with the city, they don't necessarily know what the agenda is. So it feels like that's an important connectivity that we should put in
place, you know, sooner than later going forward. So we have more kind of push on that board cuz right now I know uh I know that uh Mayor Stack has a lot of weight on that board and it would be great to have a little bit more balance
in Hoboken's favor. >> Okay. Call of M cl >> Mr. Con I >> I >> Mr. Firestone. >> Hi, >> Miss Fischer. >> Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Le.
>> Yes, >> Mrs. Zo. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Cano. >> Hi, >> Mr. Russo. I >> President Ramos >> I Councilman Russo CC1 >> CC1 uh >> qualifying attorneys
>> the attorneys um corporation council >> it looks like and I may be off by one or two but it looks like there's 23 law firms that were pre-qualifying. Does that sound right? >> I'll trust your approximate of it. >> Yeah, I think it's about that. Uh my
concern here is that and we did this I I brought this up at the last meeting about pre-qualifying firms. My concern is that we're pre-qualifying in all these different categories so that we're not asking for um for
qualifications for firms as they come about. Um >> can I just stop you there because I'm not sure what you mean. In order to pre-qualify, they actually do put in their qualifications. >> Yeah. and and and maybe I misspoke in a way where
every time we vote on a new contract, right? That'll come before the council and the question inevitably will be, was this put out to bid or was this put out for pre-qualifications? And yes, they were a year ago at the beginning of the year, right? Assuming this is late in the year. So we always
get the questions is is this and I know this is a practice in multiple municipalities across the state and we've done it here and and we've done it the other way where we went out for specific uh qualifications for those firms at the time we needed them. Uh, is
this the administration's policy now that we're going to pre-qualify now as much as we can and then pick up those contracts later and just vote on them as a council? Or is this just for the law firms? Or is it a hybrid of both?
>> I I would say this is really a best practice and a a case of efficiency because if you get a complaint in and then you put out an RFP, it's going to take you 30 days to get that back, which means you're already behind on answering a complaint. And as you can tell with any governmental agency, answering a
complaint is going to require a lot of moving parts. Just to get the information to answer the complaint itself is going to take you probably 30 days. So this allows you to have a selection of firms that are pre-qualified, meaning they're qualified to do the work. Um, it's almost irrelevant what the specific case is. If
they are qualified to, let's say, do redevelopment or specific litigation or environmental I'm so sorry. I'm really trying to see you. Um, environmental >> happens all the time. get used to >> or or anything like that. It means that they are qualified to do any of those things. So, it really kind of takes that
waste of and I'll use easy words, a waste of time away from that part of it to allow us to move forward as quickly as possible. Please remember though, you do approve each contract itself because it comes before you as you've seen tonight. It's why you have so many right now. So, you'll still see every single
one. um you know, you'll see their hourly rates and you can certainly ask me at the time why I think that particular one is the most qualified to do it if that's helpful to each of you. >> Yeah, I I appreciate that. But it does bring up an interesting point that uh when the mayor sent the memo to all of
us uh for your appointment. Um, in that memo, she talked about how we're going to do things a little bit different. Uh, and one of the reasons why she selected you as our new corporation council was because of the firm and the ability to kind of do some of this stuff quote
unquote in-house. Um, so I I think if we're pre-qualifying them, I don't think the time frame is as much of a concern because we do have that ability through you and your firm to at least manage that until we get somebody on board. It's actually a little different. I'll
just because I want to make sure it's clear for the council and the members of the public. When you qualified, let's say you qualified me um through the firm itself, you qualified me for very specific things. And what we wanted to make sure is that we had you covered in terms of what corporation council currently did. Your current corporation
council did not go to court for litigation matters other than what I can tell municipal court. Um but they did not go for environmental litigation. They didn't do any of those things. That was all outside counsel. And so when you approved the resolution for me, you outlined very specific things that were
covered within that retainer itself, which really already gave you a savings of $150,000. It's one of the reasons that um the firm and I recommended to do it that way. Uh it's again why you have Hannah and I, you know, dealing with kind of the same meat and potatoes of
your legal department. Um and then that's kind of why it works, I think, pretty well. Um and hopefully you guys so far have have think that as well for the last two weeks. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Of course. Thank you. Council Council President Council. >> Yeah. Um
corporation council, we had a conversation in committee about um pre-approving a list, but making sure like one of the things that's never been transparent to the council is rates or you know making sure that we're getting the best possible financial outcome. And
I think you are going to review the list and make sure everyone on the list um the rates that they have put forward are consistent with whatever our requirements are in the RFP is. And I just want to confirm that that happened.
>> I'm sorry, Councilwoman, that what happened? that you refer that you said you were going to review the list and review the um >> the hourly rate >> the hourly rate and make sure that everyone there the rates that are put
forward are are ones that are consistent with RFP. So there we don't have any law firm or lawyer at a law firm on the list that is um potentially going to charge rates higher than are acceptable for the city.
>> Yeah. So, in the request for proposals, you actually do have an hourly rate in there. So, I have reviewed them all and because I knew that question would come up from previous conversations, they range anywhere from 150 on your low and 375 on your high. Now, please remember that when you pass a resolution itself
for the contract, it does have the hourly rate there. So, you will see them every single time. Um, and the one thing, and I've said this to the council woman, too, so I'll share it with everyone. You know, sometimes it feels good to pass something for $150 an hour. sometimes that is the not the most qualified person for the complex cases
that could result in millions dollar judgments. Right? So I try to balance that in terms of what is the cost efficiency for you guys. Um more in a long-term view because if I have someone charging 150 and it's going to take them two years to deal with a matter or three that may not be in the best interest of
the municipality. Whereas if perhaps there's someone that's a little more able to deal with a complex matter then perhaps that is the right person to have that particular matter. But again, you will see the hourly rate because you do, you know, see the resolution itself when we go to approve that particular law firm. >> Thank you.
>> Call vote. >> I have um sorry question. Um >> we have 23 on the list for this year, but how many were there last year? >> I can look up that number for you. >> I'm just curious if the hope is to >> probably No, it's definitely it
definitely is less. I mean there like every Tom, Dick, and Jerry whatever in New Jersey was on the list last year. >> The idea that we're gonna be able to do more. >> I think it was like close to 40 last. >> Yeah, it was ridiculous. >> Mr. Cler, call the vote. >> Okay. >> Mr. Conus, >> I counciloman.
>> Mr. Firestone. >> I miss Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. Mrs. L. >> Yes. President. Hi. Gero. Hi. Mr. Russo. Hi. President Ramos. Hi.
Council Russo CL2. >> Yeah, thank you, Council President, and we spoke about this briefly on the phone. Um, corporation council, uh, I spoke to the mayor as well, uh, specifically about the caucus. >> Uh, just some some history here in the city of Hoboken. Um, we kind of changed
from a caucus meeting um, uh, strategy because at the time there were questions about a caucus being a public meeting, therefore requiring a public portion.
Uh, and I asked the mayor to relay the the ask to you, uh, if you could please research to make sure that without having I'm sorry, having a caucus without a public portion, we are fine. We're in compliance. That's not a
problem. Um, I love the caucus idea, so I'm fully supportive of it. I just don't want to find ourselves in a situation where we're having a caucus, we're having a public portion at that caucus, then we're having a meeting, and that same public portion kind of happens all over again with the same questions, with
the same concerns, right? So, um I don't know if you've done that research yet or if if if you >> I did look, so I can answer it now. Um I'm trying to get better at anticipating your questions. So what I would tell you that um the way the language is written in there allows for the caucus to happen
and allows the public to watch the caucus. So they can listen and hear everything that you are doing and seeing it's extremely transparent. Um but it does allow you the efficiency of getting through that meeting with your questions alone and then you come to the public and the p you come to a council meeting
and the public can still ask their questions or address their concerns. So it really kind of helps you divide and conquer if you want to say so that you get your things done in caucus but the public still has every opportunity to watch that process and allow for the transparency of it.
>> So So we're fine. Yes. >> Yes. >> Mhm. >> That's what I wanted. That's what I want to hear out of your mouth. >> Absolutely. Council President. >> Council Fischer. >> Yeah. I think the the resolution says four, but your press statement said five. >> It's five. It's >> Oh, it's five. Yeah.
>> The resolution says five. I'm sorry. The resolution has been updated. I apologize. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Council President, Council Coin, >> just a just a quick comment in response to what Council Russo was saying. Uh it does clearly appear to be being done our work in the sunshine as a council with
the community being able to watch it and also the fact that Jersey City does it this way is >> in the county >> and they own in the county >> is comforting. Uh you know, it's not like we're going out on a limb here. We have neighboring communities in the county that are doing it. Yeah, >> I think tonight'sam council is a prime
example of why a caucus is necessary. Right. So, Mr. Cler, call the vote. >> Mr. Con, >> I stone. >> Hi, >> M. Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. L. >> Yes. >> President. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo.
>> Hi. >> President Ramos. >> I. Uh, T1. Councilman Russo. >> T1. Yes. Thank you, Council President. Um, this is Oh, traffic engineering.
I think a member of the public also brought this up. $100,000 on traffic engineering. Is there specific work that we're anticipating for such a large contract or is this >> So, um, this is similar and and I can, um, call director up for more specifics,
but this is, um, similar to the other engineering contracts that we've discussed earlier this evening in terms of a capacity issue, but in this one, it's also more particular to specific modeling um, uh, capacity and and software that we're not able to run
internally as a as a government operation. the director, if you don't mind. Um, >> yeah, if you >> How much modeling have they done for the city already? >> I guess I'm not sure how to quantify how much. They've modeled the entire
northwest corner of the city. Um, they've modeled the entire southwest part of the city. And um through Rebuild by Design, they've also modeled uh uh I guess 15th Street, parts of Washington Street. Um so they're using some of that data when they when they're doing some
of the the traffic control work that's I guess the question I have is when they model, do we own that? >> Yeah, we have the >> if we turned around tomorrow and said, you know, thanks but no thanks, we're going to go with somebody else. We don't have to then remodel it again for a new
from a new firm to kind of keep that data. we would want to use the most current data. So if we're taking if we're taking data that was model that was used to model from you know this year and we want to use it next year to make assumptions especially you know the purpose of their modeling is in major
construction areas where there there might be significant change every year you know traffic patterns and and volumes of pedestrians. Yeah, I'm I'm looking at it more from a holistic perspective, right? Like my goal was always to pretty much model the whole city, right?
And look at our traffic patterns and and how we may alleviate some of that throughout the city um from a holistic perspective, right? And and I don't know that we necessarily need to model every year to do that. I think having the data
allows us to make some general assumptions so that we can make some significant changes. Uh that's why I asked the question. So if in fact we changed out a firm, do we still have enough data that's ours that we could always kind of look at the city in its totality and then when it comes to a
specific new development or whatever it is, we remodel that area into that. >> Yeah, I would expect we could. Okay. >> Thank you, >> Council President. Fisher. >> Yep. Do you think um I'm a big fan that we have modeled the Northwest because
Ruben council president has really monopolized our engineering services in the past for the Southwest I would say. Um so happy to see the North End. Is it um I'm only kidding. I'm not really kidding, but I am kidding. Um, but do you think that I mean I think all of us
especially with the increase in our population and the increase coming forward we'd love some sort of like presentation just something saying this is what they've seen um both for the south end and the north end like I think everyone we're all feeling we have been
all feeling from residents for the last even before rebuild by design but rebuild by design is like you know heightening it um the feeling of just so much traffic in town And I think having kind of a a level set opportunity with the council, especially with the new
council to maybe hear some of what they're observing um would be great, especially as we're thinking about, you know, the future growth and public transportation, you know, and kind of replacing those cars if possible. Is that something we might be able to do over, you know, at some point in the
next month or so? >> Yeah, maybe next two months. But I I would have to just see how much work it would be to put it together and and find the best time to present it. >> Okay. E, but even like even just I don't know just some basic conclusions without going into this is what we did and this
is what we did. I think we don't care what they did. I think we really just care about the conclusions. >> Yeah, we can do that. >> Awesome. Thanks. >> Anyone else? >> Call a vote. >> Mr. Con? >> I stone. >> Hi. >> Mr. Fiser. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Ly.
>> Yes. >> President. >> Hi. >> Seco. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> No. President Ramos >> I uh T2 Council President Zano switch it up. >> I'm gonna Sorry about this sitting on the
committee and I it I went through my head a little bit especially when I saw some things being taken away during the snowstorm. Uh so here's a question for you on this system. I was just talking with council Fischer. She was uh educating me that this is a necessity by the state. We have to have this program.
So they they do all this. So essentially every time we tow a car, bike, car, whatever we tow, >> they know >> and remove, we essentially are losing money. Is that correct? >> Well, we pay >> we pay a certain fee per month and then
a certain and then we pay a per tow fee >> and that's not recovered by like we don't go after the person and we tow their car or their bike or whatever, >> right? And we try we try to base these fees based on, you know, the actual cost of things. But I don't know. I can't
stand here and tell you with, you know, certainty that we're not make we're making money or losing money. I'd have to look into that. >> I I Council President, I can in the past the comment was always we lose money every year on this. This is it's required. We don't sell enough things at
the right price. We incur so many costs of towing that this is just one of those unfortunate necessities that we have to have in order to be able to tow cars. >> Yeah. Yeah, we don't have any physical way as a city to tow vehicles. So, we have to contract a lot of these these towers out.
>> So, quick question for you. I know it's not yours cuz I believe this probably >> this incorporates police as well with this. It comes through you, right? >> Okay. >> So, I've noticed that I don't know whether it's good or bad, but I've noticed that there since the new administration come on, I've seen some
bikes disappear. Uh probably class 3s off of the in front of McDonald's. I've seen the flatbed come. So every time they take away and this is this is what I'd like to know and sorry I didn't ask this because I didn't even think about it in that is a bike treated the same as a car. So in other words is it just one
item one item? One item one or is a car bike and a truck or something like that? I'd be cur Can you >> It's not >> grab me some of that. >> Sure. I can look into it. I don't know off top of my head though. >> Okay. No, that's fine. >> I think the answer is no. I think part of the costs are all the title stuff that you have to do and all the
registration and >> it's just like equal for each one. >> I just don't think you have to do that with bikes. >> Well, this system that is under contract here tracks the looks up the title and tracks where the vehicle is, tracks where it gets stored, how long it's
stored. So I the reason why I ask this because of the new bike ebike laws that require licensing, registration, and uh insurance. So therefore, when you take a bike, you're taking a car essentially. So now the costs are going to go up if
that is enforced if a bike is removed like a car. So that's my question because under the new law in the state of New Jersey, there's registration. So therefore, based on what I was understanding what this does, it's all these other little things you have to check. So my question would be is the
57,000 if we have to now look at bikes because they're now considered motorized bikes or mopeds. Uh does this increase or is it like a that's why I'm asking the per thing? That's that was my question afterwards because I thought of the to
the new law passed in this down in Trenton. So if we we can get back to it offline, but I appreciate that. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Call a vote. >> Mr. Con? >> Hi. >> Stone. >> Hi. >> M. Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Lac.
>> Yes. >> President Jano. >> Hi. >> Cano. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi. >> President Ramos. >> I. Ordinances for introduction. Laws amending chapter 192 parking for
persons with disabilities to reassign a reserve parking space on Boomfield Street. Establish a new space on Castle Point Terrace and relocate a space on Willow Avenue. >> Call vote. >> Mr. Con. >> I stone. >> Hi. >> Fisher.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. SL. >> Yes. >> President. >> Hi. >> Mr. Gero. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi, >> President President Ramos. >> Hi. >> An ordinance for introduction to amend and supplement an ordinance establishing
schedule of classifications and allocations of all titles of hearing mentioned position in the city of Hoboken. >> Mr. Con. >> Hi. >> Firestone. >> Hi. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mr. Syrus. >> Yes. >> Mrs. L. >> Yes.
>> President. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi. Ramos >> I. >> Ordinance for introduction amending chapter 184 towing of the city of Hoboken code to amend permitted number of contracted tow companies.
>> Call vote. >> Mr. Con. >> Hi. >> Firestone. >> Hi. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Imus. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le. >> Yes. >> Pres. Mr. Presidento. >> I. >> Mr. Canero. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi. >> President Ramos.
>> Hi. Ordinance for introduction amending chapter 190-13 entitled bus stops designating to modify the permitted hours of operation for the hop bus stop on multi-ervice center on Saturdays.
>> Call vote >> Mr. Con. >> I Fisher >> yes >> Mrs. Zus presidento hi Mr. Cano. Hi >> Mr. Russo. Hi President Ramos. I
>> ordinance for introduction amending chapter 190-11 entitled loading zones to add a loading zone on various location. Call vote >> Mr. Con. >> I >> Mr. Feststone >> I >> Fiser. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Zus. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le.
>> Hi. >> President. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Changed his name. I An ordinance for introduction amending chapter 168 entitled streets and sidewalks to add hobo open housing
authority waste containerization location. >> Call vote. >> Mr. Con. >> I th >> I >> miss Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zimus. >> Yes. >> Mr. SL. >> Yes. >> President. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo.
>> Hi. >> President Ramos. >> Hi. >> Public portion. Elizabeth Adams. Five minutes for five minutes for each public speaker. >> Good evening. Tonight, as I promised at the most recent city council meeting of
January 5th, 2026, I would like to take a deeper dive into the matter of the shelter, which has become over the years much more of a liability rather than an asset to Hoboken. At the city council meeting of
January 5th, 2026, the young woman who was brutally assaulted by a guest of the shelter urged the implementation of a fingerprinting protocol as well as the installation and utilization of a metal
detector and ultimately moving the shelter altogether to another location because of its current proximity to schools in the immediate area. There really is no question as to whether or not these measures should be taken. That
there exists an absolute need is indisputable. What in all likelihood will be questioned is how these resources are going to be paid for, which is certainly a reasonable inquiry to make. I don't
believe that it is very well known for example that every time someone comes to the shelter only to eat that is to say non-residents they are required to sign in and that the shelter receives money from the
state for every sing signature that is that is obtained the people who work at the shelter or are connected to the shelter on a regular basis are employees not volunteers.
Consequently, they draw their salaries from the state, not Hoboken. It is important to note that even though the shelter began with good intentions by various churches and the synagogue over the years, administrative
control was yielded to the state. Over time, however, the attitude seems to have shifted on the part of certain key employees that the shelter should provide them with additional opportunities to enrich
themselves. It is interesting to note that unlike other organizations such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill, the shelter does not issue receipts for donations.
It is also interesting to contemplate the reason why people were busted to the shelter from not just out of state but from out of the country that is to say Canada as Ms. Waiters referenced at the
January 5th, 2026 meeting. It also seems that every time one turns around, there is some kind of benefit that is being held for this establishment. All of the preceding information begs an interesting and important
question, which is quite simply, where is all of this money going? And perhaps not so much where, but to whom.
The state needs to step in and conduct a thorough investigation, including a complete audit and accounting of all donations that are accepted as well as all donations that are dispersed
and to exactly whom. the years of lies, abuses, cheating, thefts, corruption, and fraud perpetrated upon the people of Hoboken and choosing to look the other
way and sweep things under the rug finally need to come to a dead screeching halt. It is way past time to wake up, wise up, and finally get real.
Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Miss Adams. Rosemary Markle, >> I just have two things. First one is, um, I'm sure you're all aware that there's no heat in the multi-ervice center. Um, and it's been closed. So, bless you. What is it? Every time I get
up, I sneeze. It is >> really um and my question about that is does anyone have any kind of timeline as to when that be repaired? I mean a lot of those seniors depend on going there especially in the colder months you know for socialization and classes and stuff
you know and during the summer we also had a problem there was no AC so it was closed. >> So if somebody could give me a little timeline on that I'd appreciate it. >> You have a timeline. >> I'm sorry. finish. She'll she'll contemplate it >> because I only got 39 seconds left. Snow
removal. >> Got time. >> It's my understanding that instead of street cleaning, snow will be removed. Abs. No sarcasm. That's wonderful. Can't wait. The only problem is I live on Grand Street and all corners have
delineators aka ballards as we like to call them. How is the snow going to be removed? Grand Street where there are ballads every 18 to 36 feet. How will the snow be removed? Let's face it, since October when this pilot was complete, half of Sixth and Grand hasn't
had street cleaning, even though they have the nerve to ticket the cars that are parked there. While the sweeper just rides by because they cannot get into the spaces. I know this because my property falls within these ballards. I have to clean my own street. I'm so glad I pay taxes. This is the west side, not
the side with the bike lanes. I understand the ballards need to be there to protect the bike riders. So my solution and I hope that it can be done is that they remove these ballots on the west side or any ballots that are there for whatever reason. I was given a reason by the director, but nobody
encroaches on anyone's driveway. I think we deserve to have our streets clean as well as everyone else in this town. All you have to do is remove the ones that don't affect the bike lane. Thank you. >> Thank you, M. Marco.
Pat Waiters. >> Hi, Pat Waiters. Um, this is no disrespect to 1,277 pictures. I'm here strolling through pictures because I went outside, but I'mma read these three comments. Jeanie, I love you, Jeanie, daily, and
you know I got on you about letting Emily in your building. Jeanie said, "Pat, wow, keep up the good work." These are people eat texting me now watching the meeting live. Okay? And I promise them, your girl Barbara, I promise them that I'm going to mention it because see
like they say, y'all sitting in those chairs claiming victory as winners, but we still have to live here and we in pain, okay? And y'all ignoring it. So even as a human being, I would feel so disingenuous. I'm teaching my kids at a real young age. I wanted to share some of these pictures because I noticed none
of y'all mentioned nothing about Black History Month. I was receiving email, textes, everything, and this is Emily at 11:38. She answered me back and was like, "Oh, Pat, I'm sorry." I said, "Respectfully, I'm sorry. I didn't know you was at the governor's event." However, no one did nothing for uh
Martin Luther King I mean, yeah, Martin Luther King Day. So, I sent the picture, me, Ravi, Leo Pedigrini, here go my I don't lie to y'all, and other seniors and stuff that was calling me. I sent it and I shared it. I also sent the inauguration program with Dawn Zimmer
that Dan Bryan sent to me. Okay? And you know what's disturbing why I'm saying this? I went all the way back 15 years. I got pictures. My phone steady vibrating. See, I don't lie to y'all. I got pictures. I got everything to show the love and passion I have for Hoboken.
I do. >> And I come at y'all just like I told the chief to say, "Hey, I want to see us work together." Now all of us see all around the world what's happening. And my family was a victim cuz my great niece live in Minneapolis, Minnesota and
they still have her 11-year-old daughter. They still have her because they want the dad. He's illegal. But my niece is legal. Born and raised there everything. So I'm looking at people all around the world coming to help them and rescue them. I'm simply asking just in
this square mile. I need help and I want everybody to want this. I I mean to watch this. I hope this go viral cuz it's a shame the input and thank God I don't do it for money. Thank God I don't do it for attention. Thank God I wasn't a wimp in high school and now I got a
chair and want to act important. I do it cuz I got a passion for this. When my uncle moved here in 1962, his father was shot and killed in Hoboken. And I later just learned it cuz he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. These stories I
want to share with David Little. Y'all keep overlooking it. David Little was a powerful man drafted in the in Am I lying, Jerry? City clerk know that you the only one shared his pictures and his stories. None of y'all don't do that. None of y'all don't take into
consideration that my black family that live here, live here and wonder why I got a passion and we being overlooked. It hurts. So when I get emails like this and all of y'all, all of us ran, you went to Genie, you went to the senior buildings, you went to these very same
people, don't sit here cocky and say, "Well, we won cuz y'all let Ravi get away with it and I told you it was going to be that, right? I know he did, but what am I?" You ask the lawyer a simple question. She can't SPEAK FOR BRIANOLA TO TALK ABOUT WHAT BRIAN didn't do. I
know Brian did a phenomenal job. YOU KNOW WHY? I SAT HERE 17 years at every meeting and I know every agenda. I know we need another Judy Tripoli. That's what we need. We need AN AUDIT CUZ Y'ALL STOLE SO MUCH MONEY. And when I say y'all, they know who I'm talking about,
Mr. Baller. We need a We need a a a controller. And I'm telling y'all, she said three times our attorney, honorable attorney, whoever she may be, she said, "Well, I don't know that happened before my time. I'm not sitting in this audience the next four years letting them say it wasn't us. It happened
before our time. They got a raise so could we. Y'all please, one of y'all have enough guts like Beth Mason. Bring in a audit, a independent audit and comb through everything. This is too much money and somebody got to be the fall guy and this going to fall on their
back. This is too much money. I'm closing saying this. This is just the start. Believe me, I'm not causing no riot. I'm coming in peace, but we going to have a movement. If you think it ain't even four weeks yet into the election, we going to take this for four
years. This is horrible. Everybody watching again, Ruben, they telling me over and over, you are the council person in the fourth ward. >> You know what's going on. AND WHAT BREAK MY HEART IS THEY WAS banking on Michael
winning. They blamed Michael for voting on director's contract. THEY BLAMED YOU. AND GUESS WHAT? THEY ALL SUFFERING AGAIN. And who did they call? Pat waiters. So we got a seat up. I was in court all last week trying to save their
apartments. But y'all went down there, manipulated them, and they brought the vi the $35 votes. They need Pat waiters. The election was manipulated. It was coerced. Everybody cut deals. And my people in the HHA still suffer. Feces in
the water. They cars getting toll. MY SON GOT OUT THE car to take his furniture and food upstairs and they was towing this car with the truck. We need you in the fourth ward. Ruben, we need you to talk UP AND HELP THEM people in the housing authority. Stop letting these people come in town and run and
act like they care about them black people down there. And they don't. They actions show it. Get down there. I'M SORRY Y'ALL GOT LEVERAGE on each other so you can't speak up, BUT GET DOWN THERE AND BE a voice for those people, Reuben. I don't care what deals they cut
with you. >> Manuel revers. >> Thank you once again, Council President, and good evening. Uh, Council President, first I would like to thank uh, Council Member Russo for um, this evening taking up the um, consent
agenda. Bingo and great questions um, in regards to the insurance. Uh, I was at the um, self-insurance meeting and uh, there are many things happening there that um, need attention and and I'm sure that the um, business administrator and
the chairwoman will will look into it. um nothing major but there are certain um situations where rates um sometimes go a little higher go a little lower but again I I asked those questions and I I guess I will continue going to the meeting because it is very important not
because I'm an employee but because I am a member of the public and I'm interested in um the citizens um um I would I don't want to say money but the citizens uh taxes. Uh so council president would that have been said I also would like to say uh I don't know
if um you remember but a couple of meetings ago I did mention about a specific company blocking um loading zones and I see that I I I even lost track of which meeting it was but I also lost track of which meeting it was that you authorized um a loading zone
specifically for a company uh called Amazon which now they have a on Hudson Street a um delivery hub that they have in front of garage B. Of course, it's a pilot, but I also again would like to appreciate council member President Zano
for his bullet point email where this shows up. But more information needs to be given to members of the public in regards to why specifically is a company, a millionaire company or perhaps more getting a specific loading zone and will we be doing this for other
companies such as other uh uh companies as >> UPS or any other or any other specific company and are we going into the renting of our um sidewalks or not sidewalks but our asphalt? So, Council
President, these would be questions. Of course, I don't need you. I wouldn't believe that you would answer them now, but if you could let members of the public or let the administration know that people are asking these questions, I'm sure that now they heard them. Um, also now I just would like to take a moment, Council President, as I always
say, Council President, and I'm trying to do both read and just speak out of my heart, but um, as a a member of the public that comes up a lot to to speak and have designated myself Of course, I've begged you, but uh uh just kidding,
to to uh make it official, but as a unofficial uh consoler of the council, I wrote conscience, but I didn't mean to say conscience of the council, but I would like to say and express to all
citizens and of course citizens of Hoboken residents um and express together our collective sadness for the tragic events that are occurring in Minneapolis. I know that it is hard because it
doesn't it doesn't feel like it could affect us because it's in another um state, but we are all Americans. And that means when one American is hurt and one family is feeling pain, we should all feel their pain and come to their
aid. As this happened this weekend and two weeks before, a United States citizen was killed unfortunately
by the hands of government agents. Council President, this touches us all because this could happen in our municipality. Thus, we have to maintain ourselves with the utmost urgency to be alert and aware where us,
your constituents as well as you and your family are safe and protected and don't feel that they will become victims of a government agency who has disregarded the Constitution.
We are all Americans, Council President. So I ask you if you could join me and council, members of the public in sending our condolences to the residents of Minneapolis and all the residents of Minnesota. as well as we remember and we
say his name and we remember again I say the name of the victim Alex Jeffrey Prey a American citizen of Italian heritage a Catholic
a VA intensive care nurse one of the hardest jobs in the world so let's say their name let's remember them let's honor them as well as we also Remember the name of Renee Nicole Good also an
American citizen, mother, poet, writer. Their families deserve resolutions to their concerns in regards to the matter of their deaths. So we should join with them and demand that our government
gives them resolution. Council President, it's it's so hard to say this, but it it it is it is important. I know that my time is running out, but I want to ask you and I want to ask you all, everyone in this room, are you okay?
Are you okay? These are the last words of Mr. Pretty. He was helping another American citizen. >> Again, I make this example to you. I know it's hard. I know that you want to go home, but this is important because
it could be one of us. Could be one of you. And I hope it's not. I hope this does not come to Hoboken's doorstep. I hope that it will never happen to any one of our residents because I know that we would all be destroyed in our hearts. So, that's what I wanted to say. I know
that I I brought it very down, >> but it's important to know that we are sending our condolences as a city to the municipality of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Council President, uh I may
have lost my my uh position here, but anyway, with that, I want to say council president Slava Ukrainian, glory to Ukraine. Here I am Slava. Glory to the heroes. This is never more important than now. Council President and with that I want to say
God bless you. God bless you all. God bless Hoboken. Let's keep each other safe. Thank you. >> I back. >> Thank you Manny. I'll consolid uh uh new business just uh briefly on my
part for next council meeting. Uh c as council requested many times in the council president requested many times in the past. uh reports from committees. So each chair, we have seven committees. So each chair of a committee have uh 30 to one minute summary of what items
you're discussing in committee. If you're talking more than a minute, you fail the test. So that's that's the expectation for next council meeting. And also our next caucus will be the Monday before the next meeting as well. All right. So >> 30 minutes to one minute. 30 seconds. >> 30 seconds to one minute. Yes. Council
President, >> if you if Yes. >> And Okay. Five seconds. You're up. >> Go ahead. Council President, >> I can talk. All right. I wanted to bring up some new business just because uh with everything in light of the beginning of the year and some issues that we have in the first ward that I wanted to bring some attention. >> Sure.
>> Um evidently at 115 grand there's a bit more complaints that their garage is being parked for whatever uh parked in front of um I don't know maybe I didn't see the uh I didn't see Greg Director Franches there but um parking in front of the garage 115 right in front of the
multi-ervice center. They've had a lot more difficulty as of recent. Um there's been some bigger issues on the corner of Newark and Willow, the construction site. Trucks and buses trying to navigate the corners have been getting stuck due to construction
vehicles parked on the corner. Yesterday there was a 2-hour and I think uh if Director Franty was here, maybe officer Lup maybe was even involved. Uh it was 2 hours the police were called. There was a truck there and a bus was stuck and the traffic was just ridiculous. So that
corner either we need to fix that. But that also brings up another point with all that construction in there and all the construction uh companies renting spaces. My residents are getting screwed. They lost everything on observer for parking. They lost everything around Willow. They lost
a lot of things around park. So, there's been a big complaint in that area that they've lost a lot of stuff and especially the one parking lot that they did use that was subleasased to um Herby uh to Iron State. That's where some of them parked. So, there becomes a big
issue for the community in there at the expense of construction workers parking their cars. So, that's a big complaint. I did bring it up to director uh Frances uh Frances um and he I I know we're changing the guard here so I just wanted
to bring that up. And then the last thing that I wanted to bring up and I did speak with the mayor but being I wanted to re-emphasize this loading zones in front of senior buildings on emergency snow routes. They need to be treated as an emergency space as well.
daily an ambulance shows up or somebody that needs to get to a doctor's appointment. And with this recent snow, the loading zones weren't cleared. They should have been a top priority because of our seniors in those buildings. If an ambulance comes and they have to go to where a driveway shovel, that 20 seconds
to get that gurnie to the house could mean the difference between life or death. So, I'd like to add that being that my ward has a lot of senior buildings in and a lot of older uh uh residents that the loading zones in front of these buildings are addressed
on uh an emergency like we had just recently just as we do with the water that the water goes there. I would like to see that the snow is removed. >> I'll relay those concerns. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Business Council. >> Thank you, Council President. A few things. Um, first and foremost, Grand
Street has been probably the topic that I've been getting the most. Uh, I had a nice conversation with the mayor about uh potential solves for uh the issue of snow removal on Grand Street. So, I'm very hopeful that uh our conversation
comes to fruition and I'm sure at the point that that decisions made uh the administration will make that public. Uh but I'm I'm very hopeful that we'll have some relief there uh for the snow removal specifically. Um but it brings up the question about some of the other
concerns prior to the snow removal. Uh and I think just re-evaluating it in its totality um allows us to see what works, what doesn't work, and how we kind of shift that a little bit. So I'm hopeful there. Um that brings me to my next
question. with the potential of another snowfall this weekend. Um what's the plan for snow removal, not snow moving, right? You know, when we plow, we move snow. When you know, after the the snowfall,
we need to figure out how we're removing the snow. And with another snowstorm coming or potential snowstorm coming, what is the plan to start to do that knowing that we're going to have icy conditions until then? >> Yeah. No, completely understood. Um we are having an internal meeting tomorrow
to follow up on the the plan. Um we do reevaluate it in real time. Um you know how snow removal has been done in the past concurrent with street cleaning. Um we are looking at that and looking at all potential options. Um street cleaning has been suspended again for tomorrow. Um and we will announce as
soon as possible tomorrow um plans for Friday. Um we are hearing concerns about removal of of snow on streets. However, um you know, over the past two days, we've we've prioritized snow emergency routes, um uh ADA ramps, um crosswalks, school zones, you know, so we've we've
gotten through the the bulk of that thanks to frankly just a a yman's job by our our DPW crews and our um HPU crews. So, um we will then transition into discussions about snow removal. Um, we've already had several internally, but we're not ready to to share exactly
what that plan looks like once it is once it is finalized. We will be sharing it with the council and with of course the public. Um, as we've shared all our snow operations with you though, thus far. >> Yeah. And I greatly appreciate that up to this point. So, and then finally, uh, last thing is budget.
>> Yep. >> Uh, you made a comment earlier about having or wanting to get as much information to the council. Mhm. >> However, I think when we try to do that, we delay that process, right? I mean, we all know a budget is a projection,
right? >> Uh I personally would love to see that to the council as soon as possible. Yep. >> And then the administration could offer up amendments just like the council could offer up amendments at that point. So, I I would like to see that as soon as possible. So, where where are we on
that and what's your plan to get that to the council? um we can firm up a you know a clearer schedule with the subcommittee but I think we're looking at um an internal draft in in midFebruary like I explained to you there are some really key items that we still need um actuarial analysis
things like that um we are working on that we think we'll have an internal draft in in February and I think we'll be ready to start communicating with you um towards the end of the month early early March with more concrete information um I will return to our team
and see if there are pieces of it that we can provide to you in advance. Um, knowing that we don't have a 100% of the numbers yet because we're still waiting on outside inputs. >> Yeah. Again, right, >> I hear you. >> When when March hits, we spent a quarter of our budget already, right?
>> So, as as soon as possible. Yep. Makes the best sense. >> Understood. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Members, new business. Just just to add to the um discussion, I I know um I think most of the people I speak to are just waiting to know what the plan is for the snow removal.
>> Um one a couple people have highlighted that I think Union City is doing overnight snow removal. Is that something that we're considering as well? >> They did it last night here. >> It is not something that we have traditionally done due to the noise associated with it. If it is something
that the council would like us to look at, we can we can consider all recommendations. >> I I guess the I I guess the I guess we're just, you know, we're day four, tomorrow is day five, and we don't have a snow recovery
plan yet. And and I think it's a huge quality of life issue because people haven't been able to move their cars. They're afraid to move their cars. They can't find parking. We have angled parking on streets that we don't really have angled parking. We have narrow travel lanes. Um, and
just some sort of, you know, resident first quality of life focus to get that addressed as quickly as possible. I think should just be part of the what you guys are considering. >> Thank you, >> Councilman Cohen. No,
>> I had one other item to add to that. if we are going to have another uh hopefully not a big snowstorm. Um but I think it's great that we have the reduced parking in the uh garage, the municipal garages, but somehow we have to find a way to prioritize senior
citizens and our you know disabled people >> um who may have a handicap spot and and come up with a better plan that doesn't entail a mad rush at 4:00. maybe they get to come in earlier. We have to do something, I think, a little bit more um
strategic and uh to to just do a better job by these people. So, thank you, >> Councilman Cohen. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh a quick note on the on the snow removal situation. I've seen with this 11 plus in uh storm event that we had
that the city has established uh an email at sanitation inspectors in nspb rs inspectors at hobokenj.gov and I've been seeing same day responses for people who were concerned about sidewalk conditions. People were
concerned I I got a note today about Castle Point. The end of the street wasn't wasn't plowed. uh and uh the mayor actually was involved with that response. Uh director uh Villis is was directly response responding to these
issues. Uh this is not like uh a you know some black hole where requests go to die there it may be other situations like that in the past but I can tell you that the city's been actively dealing with this. So for members of the public, if there's something that you see that
you're concerned about, you see a dangerous condition, a slippery condition, a place where you think that a street should have been taken care of and hasn't been, email sanitation inspectors at hobokenj.gov. Uh the the other thing I just wanted to say briefly is that, you know, one of
the speakers tonight said that the council isn't really focusing on the housing authority as much as it should. Uh uh I had a community event on Monday. I I call it coffee with Cohen. My direct my guest was the housing authority director Mark Reco. Uh he was on for half an hour. Members of the housing
authority asked questions live. It's taped. It's on my Facebook page. You can watch it. It includes renderings of the new campus that's going to be built on the location opposite Mama Johnson Field by Fourth and Jackson. Uh and it has
renderings of what those buildings look like. You can look at them. You can check them out. uh it includes the director's commitment to not displace anyone and the importance that is uh for how that is going to be taken seriously which is something I know that is important to all of us up here on the
deis and it's also important to director Reco so folks want to check that out you want to see what's going on in the housing authority you want to hear about director Reco's plans and the uh commissioners of the housing authorities's plans for the future campus uh you can check it out at uh Bill Cohen Hoboken city councilman uh on
But thanks. And one one last point just talking about the snow removal. Uh parklets on emergency snow routes. Either it's an emergency or it's not. And so parklets have we really seriously have to consider moving parklets off emergency snow routes throughout the city. Motion to close. >> Motion second.
>> All in favor? >> I thank you. >> Hey everybody. >> I look as you speak somebody said telephone. See that? All the cars buried not with >> that's the time.
>> Stay with this broken housing. See how they being treated? I don't understand what you keep talking about that assignment is coming. Could you help me stay apartments now? 29 evictions. Bill, I got 29. You going to come to court with me, please? >> Yeah. >> Please. I'm seriously sad and
>> Did you hear what I said, Pat? >> There's an email. Do you know about the email that I was saying out loud? might give you rest. Sanitate, >> guys.