WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=lXQrFqzi2n4

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: lXQrFqzi2n4):
- 00:00:10: Meeting Call to Order, Flag Salute, and Roll Call
- 00:01:32: Proclamation Recognizing Julie Harrari's Community Contributions
- 00:06:09: Julie Harrari's Acceptance and Community Building Remarks
- 00:08:58: Council Reconvenes, Resolution for Municipal Budget Read
- 00:12:31: Public Comment: Rose Markle on Bloated Budget
- 00:15:11: Public Comment: Nate Hutchinson on Short-Term Rental Ban
- 00:19:15: Public Comment: Emily Ward on Rent Control Enforcement
- 00:22:52: Public Comment: Zack King on Budget Ideology and Warehousing
- 00:28:37: Public Comment: Ernest Boyd on Warehousing Enforcement
- 00:32:56: Public Comment: Matt Velasquez on Developer Responsibility
- 00:34:17: Public Comment: Rob Green on Budget Issues and Credibility
- 00:40:56: Public Comment: Rebecca Cohen on Affordability for Retirees
- 00:43:30: Public Comment: Katherine Kingsbury on Budget and Transformation
- 00:46:04: Public Comment: Carrie on Budget Increase and Prioritization
- 00:49:27: Public Comment: Melissa on Medical Expenses and Accountability
- 00:53:40: Public Comment: Pat Waiters on Political Budget and Issues
- 00:58:26: Public Hearing Stays Open, Ordinance on Tunnel Staging
- 01:00:27: Ordinance for Disability Parking on Garden and Bloomfield
- 01:05:09: Ordinance Amending Loading Zones, Public Portion on Resolutions
- 01:06:15: Public Comment: Lydia on Short-Term Rental Concerns
- 01:09:52: Public Comment: Michael Shriber on Bar Hour Resolution
- 01:14:09: Public Comment: Rose Markle on Claims and Expenditures
- 01:19:19: Council Discussion, Vote on the Consent Agenda
- 01:21:29: Councilman Russo's Remarks on Business Alliance Funding
- 01:24:12: Temporary Appropriation Vote, Councilman Russo's Remarks
- 01:26:18: Council Clarifies Budget Process, Discusses Tax Rate Reduction
- 01:33:58: Councilmembers Propose Carrying Budget For Further Discussion
- 01:36:57: Council Agrees to Carry Budget; Sets Deadline
- 01:38:51: Council Discusses Structural Cuts, Revenue Generation Options
- 01:50:02: Council Skeptical of Targets, Wants Essential Services Prioritized
- 01:54:06: Discussion on Late Amendments, Political Press Releases
- 02:01:19: Council Members Advocate Specific Amendments with Clear Numbers
- 02:12:35: Budget Vote, Additional Ordinance Votes, Agenda Suspended
- 02:17:08: Public Comment: Grand Street Pilot Program Inquiry
- 02:18:23: Public Comment: Foundation For Sustainable Veteran Housing
- 02:23:38: Public Comment: Hoboken Budget and Health Benefits
- 02:29:32: Public Comment: Dissatisfaction with Budget, Bench Removal
- 02:36:30: Public Comment: Negative Feedback on Grand Street Program
- 02:41:30: Public Comment: Cuts Should Not Be Personal, Review Records
- 02:47:46: Public Comment: Accusations of Incompetence, Patronage, Fraud
- 02:50:50: Meeting Adjourned


Part: 1

1
00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:27.519
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. Notice published in the city website cops provided bergen record also placed on a bolton board in the lobby of city hall. Written objections,

2
00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:46.559
if any, shall be made to the city clerk. All rise to the flagges of America stands one indivisibley andice for all.

3
00:00:46.559 --> 00:01:06.440
>> Start call >> here. >> Fisher. >> Mrs. >> here. >> Mrs. ation >> here. >> President Zano >> Mr. Cano >> present >> Mr. Russo >> President President Ramos

4
00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:32.079
>> public hearing. >> There should be a separate sheet for that, right? >> I can print it out. >> Jerry's going to put a separate sheet. >> Separate sheet. >> The clerk's going to put a separate sheet for budget. >> Okay. out anyway.

5
00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:57.360
Okay. Uh we we're going to suspend the agenda for a proclamation. Uh Councilman Cohen's going to present a proclamation for us this evening. So members of the council, please come up to the deis. So I have to say the clerk was a little nervous when he saw the people come and wondered if everyone wants to be here

6
00:01:57.360 --> 00:02:28.080
tonight to speak and they realized that no a lot of people are here tonight for Julie Harrari. So So, in 1999, I had the good fortune to move to 11th Street where I raised my family. And a few houses down from us

7
00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:44.560
were the Harraris. And I learned and saw and witnessed the dedication, the care, the thoughtfulness that she gave to the islands that make 11 Street such a beautiful place to visit, to live for families. And we have this proclamation.

8
00:02:44.560 --> 00:03:00.800
It was supposed to be a surprise, but Julie's very smart and she figured it out. Usually when we have proclamations, we put them on the council agenda. We put them out there for the world to see. This is the only one we've ever had where it was a secret, but she figured it out. So, I'd

9
00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:25.280
like to present uh Julie, why don't you come on up? Rob, come on up. So, I'd like to read this proclamation. Whereas Julie Harrari has been an active and dedicated member of the 11th Street Island Association since its inception in 1999.

10
00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:40.480
And whereas she has faithfully served as president of the association since 2016, demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment to the community. And whereas she has organized neighbors to clean, plant, and maintain three

11
00:03:40.480 --> 00:03:57.599
islands, not one, not two, three islands along 11 Street from Washington Street to Park Avenue through annual fall planting days and spring cleanup events, fostering a stronger sense of community. And whereas she introduced a children's garden on the island between Garden Street and Park Avenue, creating

12
00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:14.159
opportunities for neighborhood children to engage in planting and cultivating in green spaces. Some of those children are adults now. One of them's in the room here. Whereas she has collected donations to purchase bulbs, plants, hoses, and sprinklers, all provided free of charge to the city of Hoboken and

13
00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:28.800
coordinated with the Department of Public Works to support community cleanup efforts. And whereas she has maintained detailed records, photography, and artwork of plantings and bold placements over decades of service. And whereas in collab

14
00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:44.479
collaboration with Judy Anderson and Elica Podak Miller, she secured a grant from the Native Plant Society of New Jersey to establish a native plant garden while also supporting additional Hudson County Community Gardens. And whereas she has enhanced community

15
00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:59.600
engagement by partnering with local organizations such as providing support to the Hobok and garden club and promoting the association through events such as the Hoboken Historic Museum Secret Garden Tour, often a stop on the tour. Now therefore, be it resolved that

16
00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:15.840
this proclamation honors Julie Harrari for her outstanding service, leadership, and enduring contributions to the beautifification, environmental stewardship, and community spirit of Hoboken and serves as an inspiration to all residents and exemplifies the power

17
00:05:15.840 --> 00:06:09.039
of volunteerism in strengthening our neighborhoods. Congratulations to One, two, None of us knew. It's a secret. It's a secret. >> Oh, thank you. >> Speaking into the mic, Julie. >> Yes.

18
00:06:09.039 --> 00:06:24.240
>> Do I need to do a on the record? I am Julie Harrari, president of the 11 Street Islands Association, recent recipient of this recognition. >> Um, I think the word community came up here a lot and when I look out here, I

19
00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:41.600
do see a lot of community. And >> when Rob and I moved here as newlyweds, we knew we wanted to find a place to live and to make a home and hopefully raise a family and be part of a neighborhood. And we knew we also wanted

20
00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:57.360
to help build a community. And thankfully, Alice Brockquist, who I don't see out here tonight, but she's a neighbor on the block, and she was the one who came up with this awesome name, the 11th Street Islands Association, which

21
00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:13.280
brings a smile to my face. Uh, you know, gardening is not easy. It's kind of hard work. It's kind of sloppy. Um, it's tiring. It takes patience. It doesn't do what you want it to do all the time. So, it

22
00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:28.560
requires a great sense of humor. So, I do find that I still get a smile on my face when I can go out and say, "It's not really great day. I'm going out to the islands for a while and I'm going to get my rake and my bag and maybe some orphan plants somebody dropped off to

23
00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:44.479
find a new home for and I'll go out for a couple hours and come back tired, a little sweaty, but maybe I ran through a sprinkler." um uh certainly feeling rejuvenated

24
00:07:44.479 --> 00:07:59.520
and that I had gotten away and all I had to do was cross the street. And I encourage everybody to try to find their own niche that helps them build community. And I thank all the hands. Thank you children

25
00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:16.560
for bringing me the idea of the hands that have contributed to not only keeping this a green open public space for everybody to enjoy um um but also for giving me a home to go to

26
00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:58.959
every day. So thank you And now for everybody else. >> What' he say? Everyone was getting nervous. He thought he had to go through the ball. Yeah. >> Thank you everyone. We'll give you an

27
00:08:58.959 --> 00:09:27.680
opportunity to exit. Thank you. separated. Well, you know, >> I told you what to do. >> Sharing babysitters is definitely, >> you know, >> there was a kid who got he made it to the University of Florida and his parents put a Facebook post about it and

28
00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:45.760
I sent it to my daughter to his babysitter like look what happened to this little boy that you babys for, you know, just just general, >> you know, the parents just put like a logo of the school, you know, incoming freshman

29
00:09:45.760 --> 00:10:05.040
got another >> last summer. He was staying with us. He was doing an internship with HSN like they are doing is successful, you know. All right. I really hope this doesn't go by.

30
00:10:05.040 --> 00:10:22.680
>> Uh I don't think so. >> You never know. Maybe I'll say >> a 4 a.m. flight in Oregon and uh

31
00:10:22.880 --> 00:10:50.640
this is going to be brutal. >> This is going to be a brutal one. I can tell >> we're going to be some angry people. >> I think that's a safe bet. You didn't do it. >> But the issue I plan was >> maybe we should just get out ahead of

32
00:10:50.640 --> 00:11:06.480
it. >> Okay. Thank you everyone. >> We're going to begin once again >> and it should be >> so to start with >> I agree. >> Uh F1, >> Mr. Clark. F1

33
00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:24.000
>> resolution authorizing the CY 20226 municipal budget to be read by title only. >> Okay. So we do have beginning our public hearing. Can we vote on the this resolution? >> Voting on the resolution just to authorize. It's read. This is not final

34
00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:39.680
adoption. This is just authorizing the budget has been read into the record to begin our public hearing. >> Mr. Con? >> Yes. >> By Stone. >> Yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes. >> Yes. >> President Jano. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi.

35
00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:55.440
>> Mr. Russo. >> President. >> Did we make you read the whole thing into the record, Jimmy? >> No. Yes. >> Did that one time took me two days to hear? >> Okay. So, we have uh public hearing. Mr. Clark. We have >> imagine should be one that says budget

36
00:11:55.440 --> 00:12:12.000
up there. Curry. >> Say budget. We have the speakers for public hearing on the 2026 budget. >> Okay.

37
00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:31.760
So, we are going to start with uh Rose Markle F1. >> Yes, this is >> just F1. Okay. Right now, the only the only speakers we're calling up right now is the >> you'll call me back >> budget hearing. >> You'll call me back later for the rest. Okay.

38
00:12:31.760 --> 00:12:47.120
>> So, everyone have everyone have five minutes for the public hearing uh comments. >> Okay. >> So, I'm here to speak on the budget. Um I believe you're at 18.9 or 19% tax increase. That's a really absurd amount

39
00:12:47.120 --> 00:13:03.519
for many of us in this community. Um, yet you have the mom and pop landlords can only raise rent but by the CPI which is capped at 5%. Why aren't you capped at 5%. Oh, that's right. Do as I say, not as I do. Might actually have to make cuts to the employment agency that we

40
00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:18.000
are running. There is some great maneuvering of numbers so that the public thinks you're making cuts. But dig deeper. Salaries decrease but big increases in expenses. So everything remains the same. City clerk expenses seem to have gone down, but that's really because there is no major

41
00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:34.000
election. or a runoff. Corporation council decreased salaries but increased other expenses by $400,000. Division of public engagement salary increased by $245,000 not including health benefits. Guess this was all done before the so-called

42
00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:50.880
hiring freeze. What's the difference between this and constituent services? Why does the Historic Preservation Board that are volunteers get $32,000 in expense money? Are we paying for dinner and drinks just like the business alliance does? I could go on, but this really falls on deaf ears sometimes. I

43
00:13:50.880 --> 00:14:05.680
hope everyone gets the picture here. Budget is bloated in some areas to make others look like there's cuts. There's one major cut I did see, and that was to senior services. The adult daycare was completely cut and removed from the budget. The most vulnerable in our community, those with dementia and

44
00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:23.279
Alzheimer's. Really, I hope no one needs that service anytime soon. I find that as no surprise. Yet, we still barn for art because art is a necessity. Did you really tighten your belts? $13,000 for new desks that the last administration was able to use, $8,600 for new floors,

45
00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:39.279
laptop bags for certain employees or directors, and my favorite all time is that we pay for in uniforms for LAZ, which is a private vendor. Can someone please tell me why? I guess the negotiation bottom line doesn't really affect them

46
00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:55.760
if you don't live here. I've listened to council members go on about cutting a director doesn't save money. But with salaries over $140,000 plus benefits, that's a lot of money considering those same council people brag about a great income of $75,000 by raising fees to the

47
00:14:55.760 --> 00:15:11.920
residents. Shake my h my head. I really don't understand any of this. I guess when you're a wealthy, it doesn't you don't care about increases. Many of us cannot afford this. I'm asking you all to do better for those you are supposed to represent in the city of Hoboken. Thank you.

48
00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:30.079
>> Thank you, Rose. Nate Hutchinson. Nate, you'll have five minutes for Nate. Mr. Hutchinson. >> Hi. Uh my name is Nate Hutchinson. I'm a member of Hoboka United Tenants. Um I'm here tonight to ask the council to implement a ban on all full home

49
00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:46.639
short-term rentals. There's a revenue component to this, so it's budget re relevant, I think. >> Um, HUT recently surveyed tenants on their experiences with short-term rentals in their buildings, and some of the responses were horrifying, though not. >> Is this on a budget? >> There's a revenue component to it. >> Okay.

50
00:15:46.639 --> 00:16:01.279
>> I'm sorry. >> Um, there are rent control buildings, some of which are owned by friends and donors of the city council, slowly being turned into illegal hotels. As each time a tenant vacates a unit, it is replaced with a permanent Airbnb. Needless to say, we cannot afford to take these

51
00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:17.440
units off the market in the middle of an affordability crisis. Based on the public statements of some of our council members, it seems you agree on this point. However, the rest of what you are proposing, at least what has been discussed publicly, is totally inadequate. Short-term rentals are not only a problem in rent control buildings. HUD has also heard from many

52
00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:33.199
tenants in newer buildings who have complained about noise, abuse of building amenities, and unsafe conditions brought about by short-term renters. Some of these complaints came from a building that is under a pilot agreement. It is absurd that the city would grant a tax abatement to a developer only for the units to be reserved for tourists.

53
00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:48.800
We also heard a number of complaints from tenants who rent condo units. While condos are in fact subject to rent control, from what has been discussed publicly, it sounds as if the plan is to allow short-term rentals by condo owners. Needless to say, short-term rentals are a nuisance regardless of the ownership structure of your building. And while some HOAs ban short-term

54
00:16:48.800 --> 00:17:03.920
rentals, there are many condo buildings in town where a majority of the actual residents are renters who have no say in the governance of the building. The absentee landlords of these buildings are unlikely to ban a profitable practice just because it annoys their tenants. So, the city needs to step in to protect them.

55
00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:20.480
You may argue that a blanket ban is a blunt tool and that there may be situations where it makes sense to allow full home rentals for at least a limited period of time. This may be reasonable in theory, but in practice, our housing department consistently fails to enforce even the most straightforward sections of our rent control ordinance. It is my view that any exceptions made in

56
00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:36.559
short-term rental regulations, however limited, will open the door to widespread non-compliance. I know the big topic of tonight's meeting is the municipal budget deficit, and I know many of you see short-term rental legalization as a potentially valuable revenue source, but I don't think the numbers are on your side.

57
00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:52.559
Using data from AirDNA and applying some reasonable assumptions, HUT estimates that your partial short-term rental legalization would yield about $650,000 annually. This is roughly equal to what the city would generate in fee revenue if we had 100% compliance with our rental registration requirements. Though

58
00:17:52.559 --> 00:18:08.480
the city seems totally uninterested in achieving that level of compliance or even approaching it despite the fact that it is a very simple and reasonable requirement and is crucial to the enforcement of the rest of our rent control ordinance. So I'm not sure why you would then pitch short-term rentals as a budget solution. There is however a big revenue

59
00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:24.320
opportunity within our existing housing law if the city could bring itself to enforce it and that is the warehousing ordinance. Hut estimates that there are around 200 warehouse departments in Hoboken and I'd be happy to send you the math on that if you're interested. If we assume that the average length of time a unit is warehoused is 6 months and we

60
00:18:24.320 --> 00:18:39.360
enforce a maximum allowable penalty of $500 per vacancy per day, that adds up to a total potential revenue of over $17 million, effectively erasing the city's deficit. If we take a more conservative approach and assume an average fine of $100 per vacancy per day, that still

61
00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:56.000
gives us $3.5 million, which is more than five times what we can hope to raise from a short-term rental tax. If the city actually got serious about warehousing and invested in enforcement, it would pay for itself many times over while also bringing more rental units onto the market. Legalizing short-term rentals would have the opposite effect

62
00:18:56.000 --> 00:19:15.200
while generating a fraction of the revenue. I urge you to side with the tenants who make the city what it is rather than the landlords who only seek to profit from it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Frank Lydia, did I say the last name right? Excuse

63
00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:35.440
me. Public. >> Oh, this not an F1. Thank you. >> Emily Wart. >> Hi, Council President. I'm just practicing for when I have to acknowledge you and only you. Um, I want

64
00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:50.960
to reiterate I my name is Emily Ward. I am a Hoboken resident and small business owner. um and also a member of Hoboken United Tenants. Reiterating what my comrade Nate just said, I am also advocating for a full ban of short-term rentals. I know everybody is itching

65
00:19:50.960 --> 00:20:07.360
with the World Cup in the Fourth of July coming up, but um you guys are working for the residents of this city and sitting with this budget shortfall that you'll be covering tonight. As Nate covered, there is much more money to be found in enforcing the rent control ordinance that is on the books rather

66
00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:22.880
than allowing a few folks in this town to make a quick buck off of a sporting event. That will unequivocally make the quality of life for your residents who do pay taxes here worse. I also want to reiterate as Nate said that if the

67
00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:38.880
rental office were doing its job that we would be generating revenue by targeting the landlords who choose not to as per the law register their rent controlled units and uh register the rents that are paid to them year after year. I also want to reiterate that uh if the city is

68
00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:54.559
able to pay I don't know upwards of almost half a mill $500,000 to a social media team. Imagine what could happen if we gave one person a part-time job in the rental office to do what you guys say that the rental office is overburdened to do. Meanwhile, I know

69
00:20:54.559 --> 00:21:09.919
this isn't budget related, but we get horror story after horror story about the tenant advocate in this town who is taking private retainers on the books to help tenants even though he's supposed to be doing that for free. So, I wonder why we're paying his salary, too. So, I'm just giving you guys some ideas. Um,

70
00:21:09.919 --> 00:21:25.200
in a city where we have, I don't know, private residents who sue small business owners to make sure that they can't open in this town. I have so many so many qualms. Um, the last thing I will say, as a member of Hoboken United Tenants, I am working on a deep dive into all of the brand new construction that is

71
00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:40.320
happening in this town. Just a really short estimate. I'd say in the next 5 to 10 years, not even counting the housing authority, which this city can't even provide parking for, but in the next 5 to 10 years, we'll have thousands and thousands of new units dropping into this town. Hobok and connect, the

72
00:21:40.320 --> 00:21:56.000
building in the back on Madison Street. So, what I'll be doing is a deep dive into how many pilot programs have been giving to these new developments, and how much tax revenue the city is missing out on on these thousands and thousands of new units, most of which aren't even condos, most of which are just rentals. So again, people cannot move to the city

73
00:21:56.000 --> 00:22:11.520
and buy. These units are all dropping in here at market rate, making it nearly impossible for the average person because most of you are homeowners, you don't know what it's like to be a person working a job as a 20, 30-year-old in this town in the year 2026. We can't all just buy a home on 11th Street in the year 2026.

74
00:22:11.520 --> 00:22:28.159
um that by continuing to build these market rate developments and giving those very oh think of the poor developers but those poor developers are getting pilot programs and not having to pay a scent over the next 30 plus years of tax revenue. I wonder what that could do for our budget. So keep an eye out

75
00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:52.320
for the hut report on all of the choices that this city has made by selling us up the increasingly uh high river um to the developers. Thanks guys. Zack King. >> All right, my friends. Council

76
00:22:52.320 --> 00:23:08.080
President, addressing you directly, of course. Um, so I'm here to talk about the budget, and you can't talk about the budget without talking about ideology, right? So when you talk about the budget, you're already preloading that with a bunch of assumptions about what counts as the budget and what doesn't

77
00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:25.039
and what's realistic and what's not. Uh I don't really believe in the charade that most of you take part in. Just just to be clear, you know that. I know that. Um I think that you all work for the owning class. So when we have an election here in Hoboken, right, most people in this town struggle to gather

78
00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:41.200
the information necessary to make an informed decision. They don't know who's giving you money. They don't know what investments you have. They don't know how you're making money off of short-term rentals, for example. They don't know about the deals you have with developers in the back rooms. They don't

79
00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:55.679
know that stuff unless we do the work for free to go out and gather that information and share it. So instead, what really swings elections in this town is who has the money to donate to you to get you elected, which is mostly

80
00:23:55.679 --> 00:24:11.360
developers and landlords. So, it's no exaggeration to say that by and large, despite the fact that we all have a vote, because of the asymmetry of power, you work for the people that own property and that make their money off

81
00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:29.760
of passive income rather than labor. 65% of the people in this community are renters who make their money off of labor. They have to work and get a wage to make a living. You all work for the people that make a living off of owning.

82
00:24:29.760 --> 00:24:46.960
Doing nothing but owning. All right. So, let's get that out of the way first. So, now that we understand that, when you all talk about the budget, you talk about, "Oh, this is ridiculous. If a family were facing a finance shortage, this is something I've heard Paul say a couple times. I agree with this. If a

83
00:24:46.960 --> 00:25:02.559
family were facing a budget shortage, they would tighten their belt. They would cut, right? They would. Sure. Sure. But what else would they do? What would a family do in Hoboken to make money if they had the means? Well, some of you are doing it. You're investing, right? You own rental

84
00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:18.080
property. Why is our city not investing in things that would generate revenue for the public? Why is our city not investing in things, services the community needs, housing the community needs, things that could generate revenue and also provide

85
00:25:18.080 --> 00:25:34.559
services to the working class of this community at below market rate, allowing people in this community that are working for their living to take home a little more money. Why are we not providing public housing? Why are we not doing that? Why are we not using our budget in creative ways to support our

86
00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:51.039
small businesses? Why are we not providing space for small businesses to get below market rate? Instead, we've got empty storefront after empty storefront running down Washington Street because there's a tax loophole where the landlords that own most of the land in this community can write off

87
00:25:51.039 --> 00:26:08.640
their tax losses as a business loss by holding properties empty, by holding them vacant, by warehousing them. And so, we're losing opportunities for small businesses. We're losing tax revenue. And for what? So the tiny class of people that makes their living off of

88
00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:24.480
passive income, off of ownership on paper can make more money. And you're not doing anything about that. Instead, you have these honestly like these circus conversations about the budget, these completely fictional conversations about the budget where you don't address power. You don't address money. You

89
00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:42.640
don't address what's actually going on. So let's talk about how you could actually make some money. I mean, for one thing, enforce the warehousing laws. There's a source of revenue. If you actually enforced the laws that are on the books already, so that these companies, these corporations could not

90
00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:59.440
just be holding space empty in our city while small business owners struggle, while residents struggle, enforce it. Make sure that they're paying fines if they hold properties empty. That's one thing you could do. you could

91
00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:16.000
stop paying shelling out money to this so so-called tenant advocate, right? Who we hear again horror story after horror story about people being fleeced by without getting any kind of real representation. And in the meantime, you talk about, oh, we're going to give another handout to corporations. We're

92
00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:32.000
going to let them name our parks. We're going to let them do short-term rentals in our community. We're already having entire buildings in Hoboken turned into illegal hotels, turned into a building full of Airbnbs, screwing over our working-class residents.

93
00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:47.840
Right. And finally, I just have to say this. There was an item put on the agenda that was withdrawn which was intended to remind us not to criticize individual members of our city council by name.

94
00:27:47.840 --> 00:28:03.679
>> Yeah. Yeah. Believe it. You see that flag there with the 250 on it? That really gets me fired up because some of my relatives fought in the American Revolution. And the reason we fought in the American Revolution was so that we wouldn't have to bow down to kings. And we did that so we would have the

95
00:28:03.679 --> 00:28:20.320
right to criticize our elected officials. If any of you dares to say that we don't have the right to criticize our elected officials, to call out your corruption, Dianamis, the fact that you own a rental property that is an illegal Airbnb in

96
00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:36.600
Hoboken, a rent controlled property that is an illegal Airbnb, and you want to restrict my right to call that out and put it on the public record. Absolutely not. My relatives fought that revolution for a reason, and I will keep up that fight. Thank you, Hoboken. >> Thank you, Mr.

97
00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:55.200
Ernest Void, >> Council President, um, what I would say is false allegations aren't helpful at all. There's nothing illegal about Dian's. It is not. >> Okay. >> Look it up.

98
00:28:55.200 --> 00:29:11.360
>> Oh, I have. Trust me. >> My name is Ernest Boyd. I've got some I've got some hard acts to follow. I do want to I do want to I do want to thank you all for reneging on that autocratic fascistic

99
00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:27.120
um like like fascistic wording that would have stopped us from like criticizing you. So whoever put that to an end, thank you especially in this time. I'm going to get to the budget. I live in Marine View Plaza as you all know. I'm going to make the same point I

100
00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:42.159
made la I made last time and the time before that. Before we forced you before we forced you to go after warehousing, none of you none of you were going after warehousing. As my man Nate said, that's one to $500 a night that you could have

101
00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:58.000
all had. Not you as the city, us as the city over the past 5, 10, 15, 20 years. I know you're bored over there. I know you're bored. I know you don't want to hear this. >> Okay? >> I know it's very boring for you. We're listening. >> But what I say is objective fact. Some

102
00:29:58.000 --> 00:30:13.760
of you are absolved because you have not been on city council for that long. You're absolved for now. The the others who have been here for some time. Some of you since Jesus was a baby. Since Jesus was a baby,

103
00:30:13.760 --> 00:30:30.159
>> that's my middle name. >> A long time have never enforced the law. If you have, send me send me the receipts. I will I will reig on what I've said.

104
00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:44.159
But from what I understand, there could have been millions of millions of dollars in this city's coffers had you not backed, had you not been part of Landed Gentry. Again, if your people, if

105
00:30:44.159 --> 00:31:01.120
your friends had not been Landed Gentry, we would never have a budget issue. That's objective fact. I am not absolving the current administration whatsoever. What I'm saying is that if

106
00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:16.000
you had political foresight, this could have been dealt with prior to the 11th hour. So now what I'm am going to say is that there are some solutions and we don't think solutions are making an Elon

107
00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:33.520
Musk park a a Peter Teal cab station. That's not what we want here. What we would like you to do is have creative solutions to put on your thinking caps so that we don't have to do it. We go to work. Some of us work 9,

108
00:31:33.520 --> 00:31:48.640
10, 12 hours a day and we still put in the time to make this community better. So, we're asking you if you can do the same. I'm going to say this last thing. I know there's a lot a lot of bickering going on about who's to blame and that

109
00:31:48.640 --> 00:32:06.880
these expenses might come out. They might be they might be forced on the working class and middle class residents. Especially when I speak of those see how much time I have two minutes. It will be the tenants because of the particular ordinance in town.

110
00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:22.640
I get that that's an ordinance in town. We'll deal with that later. For now, for now, there's a way there's a way to stop that. There's there's somebody across the river. He's speaking about freezing rent. I won't mention his name because

111
00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:39.039
some of you might not like him, but he is threatened to freeze the rent. That can be done here. There are other there are other things y'all can do. We we we have notes. We will get them to you. That's just one. I'm not going to give you the second. I'm not going to give

112
00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:56.000
you the third. We will wait until later. I'm going to end it here cuz I don't like to speak too long. I usually don't. And and my people have been so much more eloquent than I have tonight. So, thank you for your time. Thank you for your energy. And I'll see you in another

113
00:32:56.000 --> 00:33:21.919
couple weeks. Matt Velasquez. All right. Good evening, council members. Actually, council president, my bad. Um, so, uh, just real quick, I'm just going to echo exactly what everybody else said in Humbok United attendance. We already have rules on the books that can go ahead and fill this

114
00:33:21.919 --> 00:33:38.240
budget issue just if we go ahead and enforce them. as we're saying right now, why does the workingclass people have to be responsible for what the developers are not willing to pay and what we're not willing to enforce? Why do why does it need to come to taxes and parking on working-class people, but meanwhile, we

115
00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:54.080
see all these new buildings coming up and somehow those are not generating any revenue for the city whatsoever. It just does not make sense. And what we're seeing and what everybody else is seeing is that clearly that the people that have the money to finance campaigns

116
00:33:54.080 --> 00:34:17.520
to do that or prioritize in Hoboken and the working class people are going to start coming together and realizing what we need to do to change that. Thank you very much. >> Rob Green, you for F1, Mr. screen. >> Good evening everybody. Thank you for

117
00:34:17.520 --> 00:34:32.800
having me. I'm Rob Green. I'm a fairly new Hoboken resident. Uh I've been here eight years. That's a drop in the bucket compared to most of you. So I appreciate this opportunity to speak. Uh it's a little bit more fun for me. Normally when I'm in this room, there's a guy in

118
00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:49.440
a robe and a gabble and I have to pay money at the end. So this is um a little more pleasant for me at least. I know you guys are getting a little bit of a brunt of it. >> Listen, this this budget issue has been percolating and the numbers are are fairly eyepopping, right? It's been

119
00:34:49.440 --> 00:35:05.520
building for, you know, I don't know how many years, three, four, five. Um and just so you know, I I've gone through the data like I've got your presentations, your budget, I've done the work, I've spoken with some of the council members, and if I'm going to complain about this stuff, I at least owe to you all to do the work. and you

120
00:35:05.520 --> 00:35:21.440
know go through the analysis. So I got four things that I want to talk about. One is my reaction to what's happening right now. Two is just once again to clarify what an astronomical amount of money that the city is demanding right

121
00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:37.040
now for this this budget hole. Right. Third is the perception of the credibility of of city hall at large. I don't know if that's just the mayor's office or city council, but but really the administrative apparatus in Hobok and and then lastly kind of tying it all

122
00:35:37.040 --> 00:35:53.280
together, you know, what this means and and really how we perceive this whole situation. So, when I when I think about the the budget, um this obviously didn't happen overnight and I I went through all the votes and back, you know, going back like eight years ago when I was you

123
00:35:53.280 --> 00:36:10.079
first moved here, the votes were fairly non-controversial. a lot of 90 votes, 81 votes. Um, the last few years, the budget has gotten a little bit more contentious, a lot of split votes, uh, 54, 63, etc. But there have been a number of city councilors who have voted

124
00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:25.760
yes for every single budget for the past six years. So, what that leads me to believe is one, we didn't know it was happening, okay? And they're very obvious mechanical things that were happening, like we were drawing down the reserve. We knew that was a no-fly zone.

125
00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:42.960
The rating agency said it was, right? We knew we were uh rewriting some of the uh civil service contracts. We knew that the budget was going up. When I first moved here, the budget was $113 million. We're proposing what $163 million now. Does anyone feel like we're getting $40

126
00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:59.599
million more value in Hoboken versus 8 years ago? I don't. Okay. And so you're asking us to entrust you with figuring this out. It's like the arsonist trying to put the fire out. And I'm sorry, I I I'm not calling out

127
00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:15.680
anyone individually, but either you had no idea what was going on with the budget or you did know and you're just trying to jam through a tax increase. And frankly, I don't know which scenario is worse.

128
00:37:15.680 --> 00:37:31.119
And when you think about the money, just bear with me on some uh cocktail napkin math. If you own like a million-doll house, you're probably paying about $10,000 a year in property taxes, right? You know, 2, 20, 3, 30. It It's close.

129
00:37:31.119 --> 00:37:47.119
I'm being generous, conservative here, right? So, if you're buying a million- dollar house, it's a,000 square feet. You really can't raise a family there. You need a bigger house, you're paying more, right? So, when you think about the actual numbers, you're looking at anywhere from like a $200 to $600

130
00:37:47.119 --> 00:38:04.480
monthly increase in what you're paying to live in Hoboken over time. If you're raising a family, if you have an 8-year-old in second grade right now and we're going to bear the full cost of this budget, that's a

131
00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:20.880
semester of college, 10 years at I think $300. There's some assumptions there. $45,000 after 10 years. That's enormous. If you told anyone on the street today that they had to pay a balloon payment of

132
00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:38.800
$45,000 in 10 years, they'd rightly be very, very upset about it, which, you know, judging by the speaker so far, I'm kind of getting a sense that they are. So what this does, I touched a little bit on on credibility and you know we

133
00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:54.880
hear these terms like accountability, transparency, uh essential. I've been I' I've watched all the meetings, the caucuses, the um you know the budget teachings, etc. And like you guys have seen the princess bride, right? Like where they're fighting in

134
00:38:54.880 --> 00:39:13.200
the he says you keep using this term essential. Well, he didn't say essential in the movie, but you keep using this term. I don't think it means what you think it means. Right? And all these terms, accountability, transparency, in my view, all of these

135
00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:30.079
terms have been stretched beyond recognition. >> 15 seconds. >> [ __ ] Five minutes. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Exactly. So, okay. We live through the dry dock fiasco, live the public school fiasco. We live through clear roll out. We live through

136
00:39:30.079 --> 00:39:44.240
all these different things which shows that I don't know that there's really a control at the switch right now. And the worst part about all this is is you're asking us to pay 20% more. At least that's the opening bit. 20% more for the

137
00:39:44.240 --> 00:40:00.160
exact same thing that we have right now. And I don't think that there's a soul in this room or on camera right now that thinks what we're getting right now is adequate. There's a difference between cost and value. Okay. I think we can all

138
00:40:00.160 --> 00:40:16.720
okay, we'd be okay with the money. We'd be okay with the taxes. Taxes are already high, but we would feel a lot better if there was some value proposition associated with it. If you said, "Hey, listen. Taxes are going up, but you know what? We're really going to focus on cleaning the streets. We're really going to focus on homeless

139
00:40:16.720 --> 00:40:32.880
issues. We're really going to focus over here to make the quality of life in Hoboken better." It that's the spoonful of sugar. But we don't see that. We don't hear that. We hear, "Oh, we're making tough decisions. You know, we're lean, etc." I'm sorry, but a hiring

140
00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:56.240
freeze on a 20% tax increase is not a difficult decision. Okay, my time is well over. >> Thank you, Rob. Appreciate it. >> Thank you very much, Phil. Go Jumbos. >> Rebecca Cohen, >> appreciate it. >> You're in luck. I have laryngitis so I'm

141
00:40:56.240 --> 00:41:12.240
not going to yell. >> Um uh my name is Rebecca Cohen. I've been in Hoboken for over 30 years. Like Councilman Ramos, I am a teacher. >> So um I think I just want to say in terms of the budget, we've we've heard a

142
00:41:12.240 --> 00:41:30.000
lot about hard choices and cuts and things like that. But I feel like there's a demographic like my demographic that is often overlooked. I do own, but I own because I've been here for 30 years. Um, so I was able to buy a

143
00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:46.720
place, but I want to retire in a few years because I'm getting to that point where I'm, you know, I need to get out of the classroom. And my hard choice is going to be, can I stay in Hoboken? I want to because

144
00:41:46.720 --> 00:42:03.680
um I I spent my adult life here. I spent more than half of my life here. But when I look at what my tax bill might be and what my salary is going to be and my small pension, I don't know if I'm going to be able to stay here. So that is a

145
00:42:03.680 --> 00:42:20.319
really hard choice. Do I give up a home that I love because I can't afford it. I know it's happening all over New Jersey. I understand it's not just Hoboken, but I just kind of want you to think about those things. Like a teacher that I admire so much, she tells her students to listen with their heart. So, you got

146
00:42:20.319 --> 00:42:36.319
to listen with your brains. And I'm not going to get into the line items of the budget, but just think about the real implications that all this has for if we can really stay here. You know, that's my main point. And um you know, like we

147
00:42:36.319 --> 00:42:52.400
take pride in being a sanctuary city and I know um Councilman Cohen fought hard to help people that were facing big rent increases, but I feel like nobody fights for the homeowners like myself who do

148
00:42:52.400 --> 00:43:10.079
work for a living. Even though I do own, but I don't make 300 or $400,000. I don't begrudge people who do. That's great. we all aspire to that but I don't. So I don't really think at this point given everything that's happening I will be able to stay here. So just

149
00:43:10.079 --> 00:43:30.000
think about those things when you make your decisions about budget. Thank you and thank you for your service. >> You uh Michael Shriber. Michael Schwber. >> Which one?

150
00:43:30.000 --> 00:43:54.240
that are the World Cup. >> Okay, thank you. Uh, we have Katherine Kingsbury. Uh, good evening and thank you for all your hard work on behalf of of our town.

151
00:43:54.240 --> 00:44:09.200
Um, I'm here actually to offer perspective. I have lived here for over 35 years. Um I too have been a teacher in this town and um and I am an owner of a home that I own because I bought it

152
00:44:09.200 --> 00:44:25.920
30ome years ago before Hoboken was quite as popular as it is now. Um and I've seen a lot of transformation in this town. The last time there was a bump in the budget of this extent, it was between 2008 2009

153
00:44:25.920 --> 00:44:42.800
and that was 23%. And if my memory serves me correctly, the state of New Jersey actually came in to audit >> the city of Hoboken. And it changed the city dramatically. There were a lot of people who lived

154
00:44:42.800 --> 00:44:58.800
here, who were older, who were my neighbors, who I loved, that could no longer stay here. And there were a lot of small businesses that I supported and that I cared about that left. Um, the final nail on the

155
00:44:58.800 --> 00:45:15.760
coffin being CO, of course, because that was a tough time for everything. But there are people in my neighborhood who will not be able to afford this. I frankly don't know how I'm going to afford it. Um, but that's my problem. That's not anybody else's problem. But I

156
00:45:15.760 --> 00:45:33.040
worry and I am concerned and it breaks my heart at the thought that there will be people who cannot stay here, who were born and raised here because of this increase. For some people, it will be an easy fix. Um, but for a lot of people,

157
00:45:33.040 --> 00:45:49.200
it will not be. And I don't want to see any more businesses leave that I have grown to love um be replaced by Abocrombi or Maidwell or you know companies like that. Um so I hope that you will consider this

158
00:45:49.200 --> 00:46:04.640
carefully because I don't want to see the makeup of Hoboken and the specialness that is Hoboken and the old guard. I I've learned more from the older people in this town than I have from anyone else. So, thank you so much

159
00:46:04.640 --> 00:46:25.119
for your time. >> Thank you, Carrie. >> Hi. Um what I wrote because I actually hate speaking up here, but say your name. Um, okay. So, um, as everyone's

160
00:46:25.119 --> 00:46:42.400
saying, 20% is not a normal or an acceptable increase. It's a massive financial burden on families, seniors, renters, and small businesses already struggling with rising costs. And I'm going to echo what he said before. What

161
00:46:42.400 --> 00:46:58.640
are residents actually getting for it? Nothing. It doesn't address the need for new schools or the overcrowded classrooms. We're not getting a pool. We're not doing anything to address the parking garage. Absolutely nothing that's going to

162
00:46:58.640 --> 00:47:15.520
generate more revenue for the city or solve the parking crisis. Speaking of the parking crisis, I actually want to mention the parking garage that sat empty at park and garden or uh at 9inth and park for two years now. That could be generating at least a million dollars

163
00:47:15.520 --> 00:47:32.240
revenue for the city. Where's the priority on that? We're up here talking about budget and we just have missed opportunities sitting right in front of us that could not only generate revenue, but they could also solve a park a parking crisis. The hop reportedly costs about $1

164
00:47:32.240 --> 00:47:48.720
million to operate. So why aren't we charging something for it? I know you guys don't want to make difficult decisions or give up services, but you have to make difficult decisions. You got us into this position. Everybody loves to blame the previous administration for getting us here, but

165
00:47:48.720 --> 00:48:04.880
many of you were part of that. You are all up here. You have to take some accountability. You can't keep blaming everything on them. I've heard hiring freeze mentioned, but I also heard that a social media manager was hired since that hiring freeze.

166
00:48:04.880 --> 00:48:21.200
To hear someone else talking about new desks that were purchased is actually disgusting. Before penalizing the residents with a 20% increase, you need to show this community that you guys are capable of managing a budget responsibly. That

167
00:48:21.200 --> 00:48:36.079
means making structural changes, evaluating spending every single line item, cutting costs, possibly cutting services, and yes, even cutting positions if necessary. It's time to make difficult decisions and not just

168
00:48:36.079 --> 00:48:52.720
pass the burden on to us. A 20% tax increase is not a plan. It's a bailout for your mismanagement. Okay, I'll just end it there. I do want to say I do I actually do want to say

169
00:48:52.720 --> 00:49:09.520
anything I do want to say that I think anything above a doubledigit increase is unacceptable. So you guys should find a way to keep it at that because we know there's going to be another one coming next year and we know when we have the schools issues addressed there'll be a

170
00:49:09.520 --> 00:49:26.760
bond coming for that too. So that's what I ask of you. >> Thank you. Uh anyone else signed up to that would like to speak on F1 the budget. Mary,

171
00:49:27.760 --> 00:49:49.160
>> this is this is F1. >> I only have what I have here. That's all I'm asking. >> Mary Andrea, 159th Street, >> you know, I I hear this ex >> Melissa,

172
00:49:49.520 --> 00:50:06.319
>> Melissa, sit down. I I'm not a nice person. Listen. >> Yes, you are. >> Um, every single time with a budget in every a lot of towns, and this is no exception,

173
00:50:06.319 --> 00:50:22.640
they always say medical expenses. They have they're rising everywhere and this city keeps paying them. I worked for a

174
00:50:22.640 --> 00:50:38.880
company for many years that in the beginning they paid all the medical, but as time went on, they had to start letting us pay a little bit. Nobody's asking any of the city workers to pay

175
00:50:38.880 --> 00:50:55.280
100%. But they need to be paying some of it. I cannot afford to support them. Neither can you. You, these people. Medical costs go up and the city can't

176
00:50:55.280 --> 00:51:12.960
just swallow it and expect us to pay it. Personally, I'm really peeved at people that are sick because unless you were born bad or something or or some genetic problem, it's a responsibility of people to take care of themselves and if they

177
00:51:12.960 --> 00:51:28.319
can't, you know, I don't want to pick up where they have failed. That's not my responsibility. I take care of my health and I don't expect anybody to pay for it. The city should not expect us to pay for it. Now, I'm not telling you to

178
00:51:28.319 --> 00:51:45.599
throw it totally on it, but it's adding hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you know it, you know it, you all know it. And that's not fair. Why should I pay for somebody's diabetes? Why should I pay for somebody's heart problem?

179
00:51:45.599 --> 00:52:01.920
That's not my problem, and it shouldn't be thrown on us. and they have to pay their fair share because a lot of that budget is going to that too now. Quit kissing people's asses here.

180
00:52:01.920 --> 00:52:18.480
Everybody's got to chip in. You think that some of these people come up here, you think that they're all going to stay here and take it and pay the double digits and then the damn school, which by the way, I don't have any children and I kind of resent the fact that I have to cover that, too. But that's the

181
00:52:18.480 --> 00:52:34.880
way it is. But you can't expect everybody to pay everybody's way. That's not right. It's not fair. I actually have a migraine right now. And I'm really bringing that up because

182
00:52:34.880 --> 00:52:51.040
I have a medicine that is not covered. I pay $840 for it. Am I asking anybody for that? No. I pay for it. I cover it. I take responsibility for my own health

183
00:52:51.040 --> 00:53:08.559
and you people as a council stop kissing the people's asses at this c at this city and paying everything for them because you will lose people even welltodo people that are tired of paying high taxes.

184
00:53:08.559 --> 00:53:25.280
They'll leave. There's so many problems in this town. They'll leave. It's not worth it. And then who are you going to do? You're going to charge the renters extra. I pay taxes as a renter with a search charge. Thank God I already got it so it won't

185
00:53:25.280 --> 00:53:40.960
be out the roof. But you guys have got to stop this. You've got to make cuts. You've you can't expect the public to keep shoving over money. I'm not getting out of anything out of it. And a lot of

186
00:53:40.960 --> 00:54:01.200
these people aren't either. You know that. Enough is enough. >> Pat Waiters. Pat waiters, can I say this, please? And I'm going to say it real nice and low

187
00:54:01.200 --> 00:54:18.800
and calm. I told you so. I'm here on behalf of every last one of those last speakers because you know what I said? It's political. Stop bamboozling these people, saying, "Oh, we so sorry. We got to do this." When you still voting on a

188
00:54:18.800 --> 00:54:33.599
$300,000 contract for your superintendent, what you mean layoffs? Since this administration back with Ravi Bala, look at the administrator's pay.

189
00:54:33.599 --> 00:54:50.240
Look at it. It's not going in the classroom. You guys are getting nothing. And I feel so sorry for the taxpayers. I want to apologize. But you know what they say to me to keep me quiet? Oh well, Patricia, you give free a reduced lunch. Oh, Patricia, your struggle is

190
00:54:50.240 --> 00:55:05.520
real. I work in the burning heat, whatever, to scrape them pennies up as a part-time worker two days a week and proud of it. But I'm ashamed of each and every one of you to let these homeowners, condo owners, pay taxes like

191
00:55:05.520 --> 00:55:21.119
they do and they getting nothing. The quality of life is going down. Y'all go take those same free and reduced lunch vulnerable people and y'all let them mess up the election. And guess who suffer? These taxpayers. They don't pay taxes in the housing

192
00:55:21.119 --> 00:55:38.480
authority. Do you think they care when y'all go down there to millionaires and offer them $100 for a vote? Do y'all ever think of none of that? Stop where it start with your unethical behavior. And I'm waiting for the new three council at large people to vote yes just because the young man that spoke had it

193
00:55:38.480 --> 00:55:55.359
right. Look at the numbers. It's who had the majority VERSUS EVERYBODY WALKING AROUND town saying it. Well, Emily got the vote. So what do we said when Dorne said the same thing is they way or the highway. So we could scream, we could get emotional, we could st. And the poor lady that said she might have to move.

194
00:55:55.359 --> 00:56:12.000
She might as well call her U-Haul truck cuz it's not going to get no better. I don't mean to stand here and sound pessimistic. It is not. Anytime somebody think they could be unethical, well, we're not breaking the law. We're a little unethical. We're going to give ourselves a raise. A raise. A raise? Are

195
00:56:12.000 --> 00:56:31.040
you kidding me? It ain't got nothing to do with medical. It ain't got nothing to do with who says who. It's pay to play. They got a lot of big d-doo guys that pump money in these campaigns that they got to pay off and they go straight to the budget. It's the

196
00:56:31.040 --> 00:56:47.280
budget of the people. IT'S NOT YOUR PERSONAL BUDGET FOR Y'ALL TO SPEND MONEY AND ACT LIKE Y'ALL DON'T CARE. AND IT'S EMBARRASSING TO HAVE THE DIRECTORS live out of town and they not going to be in factored with a house increase or a rent increase or property taxes or a good

197
00:56:47.280 --> 00:57:04.720
quality of life OR PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT. THEY DON'T LIVE HERE. DO Y'ALL EVER THINK ABOUT THAT when y'all call a vote? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Down the aisle cuz you fear you going to lose your seat in the upcoming election. Pat way to stand at this microphone and tell y'all this all the

198
00:57:04.720 --> 00:57:21.599
time AND Y'ALL STILL BE bamboozled and put these people in this chair and then expect change. Band-aids ain't going to cover up this blood. It's horrible. I tell the same thing to the board of ed trustees they're seeking to see you sit here five

199
00:57:21.599 --> 00:57:37.520
stipens six stipens they find a way to hide the money do stipens they find a way to hide it it's no longer under the tree in the tree trunks and in the back pockets wake up and thank God I see people out

200
00:57:37.520 --> 00:57:52.720
here behind me I don't care I'm tired of seeing two people in the audience and that's why you keep doing what you do CUZ YOU GET AWAY WITH CUZ NOBODY DON'T COME OUT AND MAKE NOISE. I got a little increase in church towers that I'm upset about. $57, but

201
00:57:52.720 --> 00:58:09.119
$57 is a week that me and my kids could eat off of. Think about it. Stop running for office if you not doing the right thing for the people. And you got to impress or put your influences toward the vote for the big cushiony boss politician that you

202
00:58:09.119 --> 00:58:26.319
got to look up to. Look up to these people that went out there and voted for y'all. Shame on all of y'all. >> Anyone else for F1? Okay, I'm going to keep the public hearing open, Mr. Clerk, for the next meeting.

203
00:58:26.319 --> 00:58:45.799
And we are going to go to on F1 on the budget. >> Okay. Meliss Melissa Blanco, >> this is >> this is the budget. No, this that's not this.

204
00:58:46.160 --> 00:59:05.119
>> Okay, that's all right. That's not that. Okay. >> No, no, not right now. >> That's that's that's different that's different time. >> Okay. Thank you, Melissa. Okay. Second reading. U Mr. Clerk, ordinance of second reading, please.

205
00:59:05.119 --> 00:59:20.079
>> You move to close the hearing on >> leaving the hearing open till the next meeting, not finish the hearing. All right. Hearing remains open till the budget's adopted. >> Uh hearing on an ordinance of the city of Hoboken and the county of Hudson state of New Jersey authorizing a license agreement between the city of

206
00:59:20.079 --> 00:59:36.480
Hobok and Gateway Development Commission for temporary staging of construction equipment on a portion of 17th Street necessary for the Hudson River Tunnel project and for completion of the restoration activities on Clinton Street

207
00:59:36.480 --> 00:59:52.960
between 16th Street and 17th Street. 17th Street between Clinton Street, Willow Avenue, and authorizing a limited project specific ex exemption of certain chapter 133 noise control construction

208
00:59:52.960 --> 01:00:11.839
hours restrictions. We have no members of the public sign to speak. Motion portion >> second. All in favor? >> I >> call the vote, Mr. Clerk. on the ordinance. Mr. Con. >> Hi. >> Fisher.

209
01:00:11.839 --> 01:00:27.680
>> Yes. >> I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> M. Mr. F. >> What? >> Sorry. Mr. >> Yes. Mr. >> Fischer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Zimus. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le. >> Yes. >> Mr. Presidento. >> Hi. >> Mr. Canero. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo.

210
01:00:27.680 --> 01:00:41.119
>> No. >> President Ramos. >> Hi. Hearing on an ordinance for parking parking for persons with disabilities to add reserve parking spaces on Garden Street and Bloomfield Street. Uh

211
01:00:41.119 --> 01:01:01.920
Pascalina, this is uh handicap parking. Pascalina 119 will I'm tired to wait 10 years. Two weeks ago I got the plate whatever they call. So how many more years I got to wait?

212
01:01:01.920 --> 01:01:19.200
Somebody give ordin to give ordinafia give ordin over here. What the hell going to run? I want to know. I call you and the machine a few text was a lady with me. Okay. I text a few

213
01:01:19.200 --> 01:01:34.559
but you not respond anyway. >> I I've been sick. I miss a lot of calls. >> That's all right. Respond and respond was the same thing. So how many more years I got to win? What's going on? I want to know now. Who give ordinary? The lady over there

214
01:01:34.559 --> 01:01:51.200
said, "Okay, she come outside and talk to me. Get the plate." I said to myself, "Okay, I get the plate. Let me see what else you want. What's going on? I want to know the truth. You give so many people when they pay money thing. You

215
01:01:51.200 --> 01:02:07.720
give us so many illegal activity illegally played for handicap for loaded zone. When I see illegal you want to do everybody lost the tongue. I want to know when I receive a mashino

216
01:02:10.240 --> 01:02:28.079
between a zip car so many handicap what people don't need so many or disclos them about you understand. So I want to know what day I want to get I

217
01:02:28.079 --> 01:02:45.200
don't find a park no way because when somebody argue no give too many handicap follow the zone what are the proof you want >> whatever

218
01:02:45.200 --> 01:03:01.680
>> what are the proof you want I not beg nobody just a god I beg >> whatever the process is right director >> what What else you want me to do? >> So my understanding is that you have received your your um >> your plates and that we can process your

219
01:03:01.680 --> 01:03:17.599
application as soon as the application fees have been paid. >> What kind of application? 10 years. >> 10 years. >> Yes. But there is an application process with a medical review period etc. >> Medical get sick. The people who jealous of me that got very sick. I bring the

220
01:03:17.599 --> 01:03:32.960
paper. I bring everything. They do business with the dot. They pay the dot >> and the dots spread the money with the people. You understand? That's the story. That's the story. People have a business with the dot. That money should

221
01:03:32.960 --> 01:03:49.359
be investigated and they got that at also but they do business illegal. That's illegal activ. >> So we have an application process and we'd be happy to guide you through it. But I believe you've overcome >> application set. >> She's going to walk you through

222
01:03:49.359 --> 01:04:04.000
>> overcome the one big piece that we needed going into this >> application got sent. >> Well, let's >> I have the plate. >> They're going to help you with the rest of the application. You have the handicap plates is the first step. They're going to help you out with the rest of the process. >> I have the plate. You send me. I say

223
01:04:04.000 --> 01:04:21.119
okay. She's very nice. I go get we we are one major step forward. >> What else you want? >> The application and the associated fees. So, we'll go through that with you. We will go through that with you. $30 10 years ago and then repay make me renew. We'll we'll go through it all

224
01:04:21.119 --> 01:04:34.799
seven years. >> We'll go through it all with you. But after renew how many time I got renewed telling the truth here the people cannot give ordin. >> Okay. >> The mafia give ordin here and I'm not too scary the mafia. >> Thank you Pascalina.

225
01:04:34.799 --> 01:04:53.280
>> No no no not thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay I going to see. I'm not tired to wait. >> No other public speakers. Motion to close public hearing. >> Motion to close. Second. >> All in favor? >> I.

226
01:04:53.280 --> 01:05:09.359
>> Members of the council. >> Call the vote. Miss Clark. >> I. >> Stone. >> Yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Imus. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le. >> Yes. How you doing? >> President Zano. >> Hi. >> Mr. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi.

227
01:05:09.359 --> 01:05:24.960
>> President Ramos. >> Hi. A hearing on an ordinance amending chapter 190-11 title loading zones to add loading zone to Monroe Street between First Street and Second Street. >> We have no members of the public sign to

228
01:05:24.960 --> 01:05:41.599
speak to close public hearing. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Members of the council loading zone. >> Call a vote. >> Mr. Con? >> I fer. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes. Mr. Lation,

229
01:05:41.599 --> 01:05:58.240
>> yes, >> President. >> Hi, >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi, >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi, >> President Ramos. >> I uh item number four is being carried until it's heard before the planning board. So, now we'll go to uh public portion

230
01:05:58.240 --> 01:06:15.920
and agenda items. I believe we have uh Lydia, you want public portion and agenda, correct? On the resolutions or just public comments in general? This is on resolutions. >> You could go. Come on.

231
01:06:15.920 --> 01:06:32.160
>> Sorry. I was here to talk about We'll move it. We'll move it up. >> Oh, >> commit a crime. It's okay. >> Not yet. >> Sorry. This is my >> feel like you did. >> We're going to first reading. >> Um, so I'm here to talk about short-term rentals. >> Everyone, >> you guys, can you hear now?

232
01:06:32.160 --> 01:06:47.520
>> Please, guys, we can't hear. >> It's not you. >> Oh, okay. >> It's everyone else. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. This is my first time speaking at a city council meeting, so apologies in advance for my nerves. Um, but hi, my name is Lydia and I'm a five-year resident of Hoboken. I live with my

233
01:06:47.520 --> 01:07:03.520
parents here in the city, um, a block away from my sister, her husband, my niece, who's the cutest one-year-old ever, and their two demonic mini schnowzers. Despite moving here only 5 years ago, we have embedded ourselves in the fabric of the city. My mother is a

234
01:07:03.520 --> 01:07:20.079
nanny for local families, a feeder of a stray cat colony a few blocks away from our house. And I foster and neuter local feral cats, and decorate trees on my block. And my sister is a regular storytime attendee at the local library with my niece, who's already become a

235
01:07:20.079 --> 01:07:36.000
hoboka knight. Um, but recently, the cost of living has made it us consider moving and specifically an event rooted in short-term rentals. Our second floor neighbor listed their unit for sale, a brownstone unit, which caught the eye of

236
01:07:36.000 --> 01:07:52.960
a short-term rental investor. Upon learning about our HOA regulations banning short-term rentals, the investor offered to buy all four units of the building for significantly over market price, up to 200 to 300,000 more than the units would have gone for if they

237
01:07:52.960 --> 01:08:07.760
were on the market at the moment. This highlights one of many myths which underpins our consideration for short-term rentals. These short-term rental owners are investors with millions of dollars in capital, not

238
01:08:07.760 --> 01:08:23.759
regular members, community members who have capital or have picked up a unit during the natural course of their life and are looking to put it on the market. These are business savvy businessmen who see an opportunity given the ban in New York City.

239
01:08:23.759 --> 01:08:39.359
Research supports this reality. A New York City conducted a study and attributed Airbnb for rent raises of between 86 to $123 per month. Harvard Business School fund found that Airbnb causes long-term

240
01:08:39.359 --> 01:08:54.480
rental landlords to transform their units to shortterm rentals. These are not abstracted stats, but experiences I've directly lived through. Anything less than a full ban is uh overly idealistic and factually wrong

241
01:08:54.480 --> 01:09:10.159
understanding of who short-term rentals benefit and the impact is driving away those who have embedded themselves in the community of our city. Given these circumstances, my whole family is considered leaving for Jersey City as Hoboken has become unaffordable. We feel

242
01:09:10.159 --> 01:09:27.679
the squeeze by these short-term rentals. I have family members who have to sleep on the couch despite having full-time professional jobs. The people who pay the price for short-term members are us. Those who work, volunteer, and live here, who want to continue calling the city home. I ask you today to prioritize

243
01:09:27.679 --> 01:09:52.640
long-term residents, those who create our community. Thanks. You Michael Shriber. is on resolutions. >> This is first reading of an ordinance. >> This is first reading. You'll see

244
01:09:52.640 --> 01:10:09.199
>> World World Cup bar hours resolution. >> The bar hours. >> Yeah, bar hours. You're good. >> Okay. All right. Thanks. Uh and uh I know it's not easy being an elected official and tonight illustrates that in a few ways. Um, I've had the opportunity to talk to enough of

245
01:10:09.199 --> 01:10:26.640
you to recognize you have different motivations for why you do what you do and how you represent uh the the city. Uh, some blend of concern about the quality of life for the people who live in the city, some blend around public safety, uh, some concern or interest in

246
01:10:26.640 --> 01:10:41.920
the reputation and general draw of Hoboken itself. So, I'm asking why we would extend 55 additional nights of extra hours for bar owners in the city.

247
01:10:41.920 --> 01:10:58.480
Um 5 to 10% of the city shares a wall or a floor with a bar. Extending hours beyond the 2 a.m. or the hours that are already available clearly impact the quality of life for that 5 to 10% in a very direct way. the people who live

248
01:10:58.480 --> 01:11:14.400
across or near are are impacted whether it's noise or trash. So for quality of life, I think it's easy to say that 2 a.m. onward is not a high quality of life for people to visit and be in the

249
01:11:14.400 --> 01:11:30.400
neighborhood right next to you. Um, in my experience, very few highquality community decisions are made between 2 am and 4 am. Um, and then as public safety goes, you know, the cost for the city is real. There's a material expense

250
01:11:30.400 --> 01:11:45.120
associated with the extra policing enforcement or response. You can check your own city logs to see how many of the police calls happen as the bars are closing or between 2 and 4:00 a.m. already as is. uh extending will either

251
01:11:45.120 --> 01:12:01.040
drive those costs higher or they won't drive those costs higher and they'll drive the problems higher. Um in my neighborhood, I live uh you know stones throw from here but nestled snugly around uh McWiggins and the Shannon Lounge and others uh and I can say that

252
01:12:01.040 --> 01:12:15.920
almost all of the incidents of cars being sideswiped uh of uh street fights of other kind of incidents have happened around the bar closing times. Um, similarly the ambulance and if you look at the volunteer ambulance log, you'll

253
01:12:15.920 --> 01:12:32.960
see that that's also a a prime hour to drive extra activity. >> And then reputation, you know, for the city to be known for things is is great, but to be known as the place that you can go to drink uh between 2 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. is maybe not the most aspirational thing for its citizens, uh,

254
01:12:32.960 --> 01:12:48.239
for its residents, for its taxpayers. Uh, so I just I just urge you, you know, prevention is a lot easier than remediation. you know, this is an opportunity to adjust and think about it. Do we need to extend the hours for a 55 night consecutive period when there's

255
01:12:48.239 --> 01:13:04.239
only 11 games during that time? Um, or could there be a more limited ordinance? Um, so in closing, just expect or hope that you will avoid an own goal on this one and really limit the uh the consideration of extended hours as much as possible.

256
01:13:04.239 --> 01:13:19.679
>> Thank you. Thank you, Mike. Appreciate it. I believe we do have an amendment, Michael, for only uh uh three nights for games starting at midnight. >> And I don't think that those those three games I'm listen I'm I'm wearing a

257
01:13:19.679 --> 01:13:35.760
jersey here tonight. My team won a championship. So, let's get out of the way. So, I'm a huge soccer fan, but the only the only games starting at midnight are Australia versus Turkey, Austria versus Jordan, and Tunisia versus Japan. I don't think those are barn burner games that people are going to be knocking on doors to go watch. So, you're okay. might actually be six.

258
01:13:35.760 --> 01:13:53.199
There might be three at 11, but it's lower. >> So, effective speech. >> Uh, next one we have public portion. Sorry, Pat. Get

259
01:13:53.199 --> 01:14:09.199
>> Wait. CL3. CL3 is removed. Pat. CL3 is on the agenda. >> CL3 has been removed. >> I would. Okay. CL3 is removed >> to change the election level. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then just NB NB1 on the back

260
01:14:09.199 --> 01:14:26.080
of resolutions. This emergency item added by you council president >> for which one? There's a >> NB1. >> This the same. >> I think that's what we just spoke about the World Cup powers. >> Okay. Then NB >> the grant. >> Yeah. But NB2 and three is all

261
01:14:26.080 --> 01:14:42.400
affiliated. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Any other members of the public for resolutions? Roses, there's like uh >> Roses, there's like 11 for her. >> You'd be surprised if I wasn't at a meeting to speak, right? >> They took the other sheet away, Rose.

262
01:14:42.400 --> 01:14:59.120
There's people like all over the place. >> Right. You brought me up. It's good. >> So, I'm just calling it out. >> I'm speaking about the resolutions. Correct. Resolution. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, I'm going to start with my usual the claims. Um there's a claim for flood insurance on certain properties that the city owns for $106,000. Has

263
01:14:59.120 --> 01:15:15.199
this uh cost gone down since the astronomical amounts were being paid spent on build by design and resiliency parks? I'm curious as to if it has. Then the very interesting item that I see is that you had uh specified a hiring freeze in April yet we paid for

264
01:15:15.199 --> 01:15:31.920
background checks during the month of April. Things that make me go hm a1 very grateful that there is a decrease in the second employment agency that I have to support. I'm talking about the business alliance and get absolutely no benefit. Some would call that stealing

265
01:15:31.920 --> 01:15:46.800
money. Still no benefit for the majority of landlords that money is stolen from and put towards this whatever we want to call it. Can someone please tell me where I can find a list of their meetings? I haven't been able to attend one meeting. No one answers an email,

266
01:15:46.800 --> 01:16:03.440
but yet they take tax money and it's like a private entity with tax with public money. Um, a great job is being done by them. at least 15 empty storefronts on Washington Street. Washington Street is filthy and disgusting, but we are keeping Huff Nagel in business. Maybe

267
01:16:03.440 --> 01:16:19.760
this tax is part of the problem. Landlords with businesses are allowed to pass this tax along, which raises the the rents of those businesses. Who cares, right? We landlords that don't have businesses where apartment buildings registered as 4C's have to eat

268
01:16:19.760 --> 01:16:36.719
this tax. And if the council member is going to say that 4C buildings are businesses, but we're not entitled to any benefits, then one, why are we why are only some of us paying this money? And two, why are we under rent control? Businesses are not subject to rent control. This is the biggest scam on

269
01:16:36.719 --> 01:16:52.560
taxpayers to date. I will be back at the hearing for this. Also, CD4, six, and seven. All of these increases are for the budget of 2025. When is that budget closed? I mean, this is almost $25,000 that we're taking from last year's

270
01:16:52.560 --> 01:17:07.120
budget. CO4 and six. Um, thank you to those who have worked hard to try and reduce this tax increase. We aren't all wealthy and we cannot absorb these increases. I just hope that all council members can see

271
01:17:07.120 --> 01:17:23.840
the need for huge changes. I understand no one wants anyone to lose their job, but some of us may lose our homes. In the grand scheme of things, I have an apartment building and I should be a wealthy woman. Believe it or not, I'm not. You collect more in your salary as a councilman than I make on my property

272
01:17:23.840 --> 01:17:40.320
in a year. It always seems that the majority is more concerned with the employees than those trying to keep their homes. I really truly wish I'm grateful that people came here today to speak up, but you understand why they don't. It's very disheartening to sit here and when the uh subject comes up

273
01:17:40.320 --> 01:17:56.800
and you discuss it's always going to be, oh, it's not this, we can't do that, blah, blah, blah. My two cents. I too, another resiliency park. These parks are costing the taxpayers a fortune. Why can't we just build a regular park with dirt and grass? These are nothing but

274
01:17:56.800 --> 01:18:12.640
money pits. Dirt absorbs water. Hence the reason that the city put in bio swells with dirt and plants, but they aren't big enough to accept uh to hold all the water. Maybe when we approve a building, it should be built with grass and dirt and not concrete yards. Simple

275
01:18:12.640 --> 01:18:29.440
concept, but I guess all those engineers didn't think of it. TX1, $11,000 in tax overpayments. I'm still amazed by this. I wonder if we're up to $100,000 a year that we give back on tax overpayments. for is it because people are having their houses re re-evalued.

276
01:18:29.440 --> 01:18:45.600
Um the gentleman spoke before about the hours for the FIFA. I didn't read where what they would change to the bars being open. Can somebody clarify that for me? >> Till 3:00 a.m. >> Oh, so it's just you Well, now it's during the week till 3:00 a.m. >> It was going to be 3:00 a.m. for the

277
01:18:45.600 --> 01:19:02.480
entire duration of the tournament. >> But it's not now. We're ending it. >> Now it's only three nights. >> Just for just for the late just for the late >> I will be out with the pot of water. Every night at 3:00 a.m. I'm going to have to deal with it. Thank you. >> Hot or cold water?

278
01:19:02.480 --> 01:19:19.080
>> I can stand outside with the hose if you like. That would be cold water. >> Uh any other members of the public for resolutions? Okay. Members of the council, any items to pull for discussion?

279
01:19:19.360 --> 01:19:35.199
>> Do we want to pull C4? >> A1. Councilwoman, which one >> do we want to pull? CL4 >> CL6 >> Hold on one second, Michael. Sorry. CL4 Yes. CL4 >> CL5

280
01:19:35.199 --> 01:19:49.920
>> CL6 Michael. >> Yep. >> CL here. CL5. >> No. No. CL6. >> Anything else? Members of the council? >> F2 I1. >> F2

281
01:19:49.920 --> 01:20:09.520
I1. And then we discussed it in the uh caucus CD1. Were we separating that out? Was it was >> they're both carry They're carrying >> CD1. >> We're carrying it. >> Yeah. >> Wait, >> what is C1,

282
01:20:09.520 --> 01:20:25.040
>> right? >> Ordinance three. >> No. >> Uh >> you mean the ordinance? >> CD1 and CD1 is not the one we're discussing. Uh that one's being carried al together, Michael. Uh >> yeah, >> sorry. It's it's an ordinance. That's the ordinance. You're right. >> Yeah. All those scratches. >> Ordinance number three. >> All those removed.

283
01:20:25.040 --> 01:20:41.280
>> That's all. >> Gotcha. >> Yeah. Cuz that had a lot of stuff going on. So, >> do we have >> So, we have A1, CL4, CL6, F2, and I1. >> Y. >> Anything else?

284
01:20:41.280 --> 01:20:56.080
>> All right. Call the vote on the consent agenda, please. >> Mr. Con? >> I. Stone. >> Yes. >> M. Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le. >> Yes. President Zano Cano. >> I, >> Mr. Russo.

285
01:20:56.080 --> 01:21:13.280
>> No. On overtime pay and other pay and yes on the rest. >> President Ramos. >> I. >> Jimmy. >> Jimmy. I'm I'm an I. >> He's a yes. >> Provenano. No. President Zano. I >> Prevenano. >> President.

286
01:21:13.280 --> 01:21:29.440
>> You went right over me. >> A. >> I know. I was over there, but I didn't say A1. Thank you, Council M. >> Yeah, thank you, Council President. Look, I I I bring this up every year. Um, and so does Row. Um,

287
01:21:29.440 --> 01:21:44.080
>> you know, we have a lot of properties in the third ward that are not real businesses, right? They're they're property owners just like Row is, and we still don't understand what the benefit of the business alliance is to those

288
01:21:44.080 --> 01:22:01.040
property owners. We we we can't pinpoint it. I hear every year, well, all you know, all ships rise with the tide. And I hear all these great little sayings, but we can't ever put our finger on one specific thing that helps the homeowners in the third ward that have to pay the

289
01:22:01.040 --> 01:22:16.960
business alliance tax. That becomes problematic for me every year. I vote no on it every single year. In addition, this year, you know, we have a budget issue. We have a massive budget issue. And in our budget, there's one line item and and I

290
01:22:16.960 --> 01:22:33.840
submitted this with u potential um changes to the budget, but we're looking at a quarter of a million dollars for the World Cup and for Fourth of July. I don't think the city of Hoboken should be paying that. I

291
01:22:33.840 --> 01:22:51.440
think the bar owners who are going to get the benefit of those block parties across the city of Hoboken should be picking up that cost. And if they are not picking up all of the cost, then the business alliance should be picking up the additional cost. That's a quarter of

292
01:22:51.440 --> 01:23:08.000
a million dollars that we could save right there, right now. Quick and easy. We don't have that commitment right now from the business alliance. I think we need that commitment from the business alliance. I would ask my council colleagues to vote no on this. Make sure we have that commitment to make sure that we're doing everything in our power

293
01:23:08.000 --> 01:23:25.120
across the board from all of our partners in the city of Hoboken. Whether it's the business alliance, whether it's the the Hoboken Public Library, whether it's a school board, whether it's anyone else, we need help this year. We're asking for that help across the board.

294
01:23:25.120 --> 01:23:40.800
So, I would ask all my colleagues to vote no on this. come back with a an amendment so that we know that they are picking up that tab and then we can vote on this at a later date. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Any other members of the council? A1. >> Call vote. Mr. Clerk.

295
01:23:40.800 --> 01:23:55.679
>> Mr. Con. >> I. >> Mr. Feststone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fiser. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. Le. >> Yes. >> Mr. Presidento. >> Hi. >> Mr. Canero. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo.

296
01:23:55.679 --> 01:24:12.159
>> No. President Ramos. >> I uh F2 Councilman Russ. Oh, no. >> You F2, Councilwoman. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. No, he's gonna F2. I'm sorry. >> I thought you or No, appropriations probably him. It's you. >> What is

297
01:24:12.159 --> 01:24:26.639
>> F2 the >> temporary appropriation? >> Oh, no. Sorry. No, no, >> it's Michael. That's you. >> Say not. >> Just briefly, I talk about this year over year as well. uh as we're in the budget process, every time we vote on these uh emergency temporary

298
01:24:26.639 --> 01:24:43.520
appropriations, we are spending more money in the city of Hobok and we're allocating that money. We cannot reverse that money in our budget. If we're voting on this tonight, we are locking in at the rates in each of those line items that we

299
01:24:43.520 --> 01:25:00.239
approve. We cannot reduce those lines. We're allowing that spending. Again, I ask all my colleagues to vote no on this so that we make sure that we have a a budget amendment that makes sense and that reduces the tax burden on our residents. Thank you, Council President. >> Council President, Council

300
01:25:00.239 --> 01:25:14.320
>> Fisher, >> um I I definitely, you know, I I think there's a general hope that we get the budget done sooner in the year um and as soon as possible. And we have to approve

301
01:25:14.320 --> 01:25:31.280
temporary appropriations to fund the city. You know, when we hear about at a federal level when they shut the government down, employees don't get paid, etc. These basically allow us to pay our employees. But these these aren't set at the proposed budget. These levels are set at last year's budget.

302
01:25:31.280 --> 01:25:47.280
So, yes, we are, you know, pregnant with costs um as time passes. But if you think about it, the mayor proposed a 19% tax increase. So, we're we're not we're barely covering the costs that she thinks that, you know, she wanted to be

303
01:25:47.280 --> 01:26:02.239
able to spend this year. So, I'm okay with it because I want to make sure that the government's functioning, especially as we're going through the next couple weeks, like trying to navigate a a final approved budget, etc. We need all the support we can. >> Thank you. Members of the council,

304
01:26:02.239 --> 01:26:18.960
>> no. Call vote. >> Mr. Con, I fly. >> Yes. >> Fisher, >> yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Yes. President, >> no. >> Mr. Canero, >> hi. >> Mr. Russo, >> no. >> President Ramos,

305
01:26:18.960 --> 01:26:36.480
>> I CL4, Councilman Fischer. >> Um, so I'm just going to I think there's two things. One, um, I think it would be great to have some clarity as to what the process is if we approve this

306
01:26:36.480 --> 01:26:50.960
tonight, if we move forward. Um, but just for everyone's benefit because I think we're going to spend a second talking about it and possibly I think some people want to see this carried and I'm I'm not opposed to it but I think we should all level set >> have the conversation. >> The

307
01:26:50.960 --> 01:27:08.080
what what I can tell you is we are we are really working hard to bring the tax rate down. You heard Councilwoman Immus at the last meeting say it's incumbent on all of us to have that be the top priority and we're

308
01:27:08.080 --> 01:27:24.400
trying to get there. We are um notwithstanding what a member of the public I don't think she's here um anymore said um you know we set the budget but we don't spend the money right we it's it's a we don't direct the resources of the city um but we do need

309
01:27:24.400 --> 01:27:39.920
to come up with an approved budget that allows us to deliver um services to the city keep the tax rate as low as possible deliver value for the increase that we're delivering. I heard that a couple times tonight. Um, and we have a

310
01:27:39.920 --> 01:27:56.400
sensitivity right now. We have a um because of the last couple years, we um we have a ratings concern and a ratings downgrade just but puts pressure on costs for your taxes and your rents, you know, for the coming year. So, there is

311
01:27:56.400 --> 01:28:11.040
a focus on trying to maintain that rating. So, we're we're working hard. what this this budget proposal did and it came in this morning and I've spoken with almost every council member up here either directly or indirectly over the

312
01:28:11.040 --> 01:28:27.440
last couple weeks. Diane um Ruben and I focus or put this together. Um this starts with what would ultimately be a 10 12% tax rate increase. So significant reduction and we have more to talk about. It may

313
01:28:27.440 --> 01:28:44.560
go up a little. Uh maybe it'll go down a little. We have a couple weeks to try and figure out um what the any changes um that collectively as a group we want to see made. But we are all focused on bringing um the rate down as much as

314
01:28:44.560 --> 01:29:01.840
possible. Um so with that, maybe we can level set and understand if we were to approve tonight if just if we were to approve because um four council members up here have already asked to carry it. um and unclear if we have the votes even

315
01:29:01.840 --> 01:29:18.080
for this. So, can we at least talk about what we think the process is if it were to be approved tonight? This is like a reintroduction, correct? It's not approving it. It's just a reintroduction. >> Dr. Gonzalez, >> um so the general process would go that

316
01:29:18.080 --> 01:29:35.440
um an amendment would need to be adopted after approval by the state. Um, so it could be approved tonight. Um, subject to state review and potential changes, potential not changes. Um, it is it is likely that that the state might require some changes. Um once uh an amendment is

317
01:29:35.440 --> 01:29:51.199
adopted, if there are certain changes um to the the budget, so say uh adding a new item of appropriation uh in excess of 1% the total amount of appropriations or more likely in our case increasing or decreasing any item of appropriation by

318
01:29:51.199 --> 01:30:08.000
more than 10%, an additional public hearing will be required. If that hearing is required, we have to provide uh at least 3 days notice to the public um which has actually been been changed. Now we can do that entirely online which expedites that process. Um we can host

319
01:30:08.000 --> 01:30:25.120
the hearing and then uh adopt the adopt the budget. Um that said that adoption would need to occur again after state approval. So any amendment or any adoption could only um be effective after state approval and after a public hearing. >> And if we so all of this would require a

320
01:30:25.120 --> 01:30:41.679
new hearing because the line items are fairly significant. So, if it were to be approved tonight, can we make further changes between now and when it goes to the state for approval and a public hearing? Or is this kind of resets this and nothing can be changed until the

321
01:30:41.679 --> 01:30:58.400
next meeting? >> It be a reset. >> So, you would have to vote on it again, but I think you're going to have to vote on it again anyway when the state approves it. So, >> I I would suggest that there is room to change, but you will need to vote on it again regardless. >> Okay. Council President.

322
01:30:58.400 --> 01:31:14.400
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Whenever you we uh vote on any amendments essentially resets the clock. >> Yep. >> So whenever amendments we make here next meeting it it it is a reset >> as far as the the state approval goes. That I that I do know clearly.

323
01:31:14.400 --> 01:31:31.840
>> So matter reset it tonight or we know we have additional amendments coming in >> right for multiple members. So keep discussing this with addition and again you know this may go up a little bit may go down a little bit but I want the public to understand and I think

324
01:31:31.840 --> 01:31:47.440
every council member could speak freely on this is that the work is getting put in >> to lower it as much as we can. Right. The >> the excuse me so so the the amendments are there. The amendments are there.

325
01:31:47.440 --> 01:32:04.080
Councilman Cohen did you have a >> Yeah. Uh just to echo Council President and Councilwoman Fischer's uh remarks, there's a lot of work going on behind the scenes and uh we received what I would describe as a serious effort from

326
01:32:04.080 --> 01:32:20.639
Councilwoman Fischer, Councilwoman Imus, and Council President today. Uh that we really couldn't get into the details of it until late this afternoon, just a few hours before the meeting. Uh there are I have some concerns about some of the assumptions. I want to make sure that

327
01:32:20.639 --> 01:32:37.679
we're not being overly rosy in our forecasts. Uh things like uh surplus regeneration. There's you know I think it's potentially very optimistic numbers in there and we're not doing anybody any favors if we're if we're setting numbers

328
01:32:37.679 --> 01:32:54.560
based on assumptions that are overly optimistic. uh and because of that I would like to have discussions with the administration which councilman Fischer is totally supportive of and having those discussions to that rather we have

329
01:32:54.560 --> 01:33:11.600
already adopted an a we've already approved an amendment uh which is similar to this uh in our last council meeting uh >> oh it wasn't it was not >> the introduction >> no we >> it was just uh >> it was a spirited resolution >> it was a spirit resolution saying we're working to make changes and that's what

330
01:33:11.600 --> 01:33:27.440
we adopted that's what we're adopting again tonight. >> Well, in that framework, we have that working framework that exists. >> Correct. >> Uh and what I would say is before we take a vote on this that we carry this to have additional discussion to sort of pressure test the assumptions, make sure that what we're voting on here is

331
01:33:27.440 --> 01:33:42.639
something that holds up and if it needs to be adjusted in order to be and again maybe it's maybe maybe it's not aggressive enough in some ways. I don't know. Uh but I do think that given the fact and listen we have all sat around

332
01:33:42.639 --> 01:33:58.960
this day and said you know things less important than our municipal budget that if we learn about it for the first time >> the night of the meeting that we should have more discussions and opportunity to understand it better before we commit to it. And I think that to be consistent we

333
01:33:58.960 --> 01:34:16.000
should carry this to do the same on this. >> That's a fair statement. Uh Councilman Conero. Uh, thank you, champ. >> Oh, thank you. >> Um, look, I believe a lot of work has gone into this and I and and I didn't have a

334
01:34:16.000 --> 01:34:31.040
chance to really digest it until after uh I got out of the office today. So, I would like to see this carried. I do believe that there's some serious work happening. I think all this is happening, especially uh from Councilwoman uh Fischer and Imus uh in good faith and reaching out and getting

335
01:34:31.040 --> 01:34:47.120
as many uh inputs as possible. Um, so I would like to see this carried so we can continue the conversation. Um, I, you know, and look, we're not talking on the next one yet, but um, with respect to the next resolution, there's some cuts. I'd like to look at cuts, too. And from

336
01:34:47.120 --> 01:35:03.360
my perspective, I want to put it through, you know, an analysis, right? If it's a legitimate cut, i.e. one that we can legally do, right? because there's some that we can't without opening contracts and a bunch of those things. Then I wanted us to have a conversation to say is this a service

337
01:35:03.360 --> 01:35:20.560
people are willing to live without in Hoboken either for a year or multiple years or not and if they are then that should be on the table for us reducing um you know so uh I think right I think we assume that everybody um wants or needs everything that we do

338
01:35:20.560 --> 01:35:36.080
and we do a lot right resiliency parks why do we build them so that it the flood waters don't overcome us every every And it doesn't that much anymore. It's true. It's true. Right. So, these things cost money, right? We had the bulkhead

339
01:35:36.080 --> 01:35:52.080
in uh along Sonata Drive that almost fell into the sea and we had to bond $30 million for. We have police that patrol our streets. We have firefighters who put out our fires. Um we have uh uh roads that get paved. Believe it or not, we do have people who clean up some of

340
01:35:52.080 --> 01:36:09.520
the stuff on on the ground, right? So, um, so there are services, but there are services we could probably trim back if we really, really, really, really had to. So, we need to have that conversation. So, I'd like to take the next couple weeks and continue that conversation. Let's look at, you know, the assumptions that we're making and

341
01:36:09.520 --> 01:36:24.719
see if they're reasonable or not. See where we have wiggle room cuz some of that is subjective, but let's look at those cuts and say, "Okay, what is legit? What can we do?" And then let's make some hard decisions. I I've said it from the beginning, right? Um, I'm ready to make the hard decisions. Let's just

342
01:36:24.719 --> 01:36:39.760
be serious about it. So, I asked for an extra couple of weeks so we can have that conversation. Please, uh, keep me involved and hopefully we can carry this and vote on it in two weeks. >> God, you just said cut things. It's okay. All right. Anyone else?

343
01:36:39.760 --> 01:36:57.119
You okay carrying it? Okay. I I just want to >> You think you think you want to carry? I mean, I guess I'm just sitting here saying like everyone's here saying >> I'll make a motion to carry. Well, we'll we we're going to we'll carry it. No need for a vote. >> Okay. >> Uh I want to say

344
01:36:57.119 --> 01:37:14.639
two things. One to the public and one to us. I think the to the public I think we heard you loud and clear from the beginning when the first iterations of this started happening in January was at 24%. Then it's at 19%

345
01:37:14.639 --> 01:37:30.719
now 18 14 12. We want to do better and and this before us tonight is an effort of us doing much better from where we were to where we are. And that's that's the message of the public. We are we're

346
01:37:30.719 --> 01:37:46.960
working diligently to try and get us to a much better place. We know 24% was unacceptable. 20% is unacceptable. 16 we we want want to get to a place that's fair for everyone. And that that place requires tough decisions. We've been working to get us there the past couple

347
01:37:46.960 --> 01:38:02.719
of weeks. is going to continue to work us to get us over the past next couple of weeks. And so to my comments and account my council members are this is a homework assignment, right? And you know we we did good work the last couple of weeks and we got to produce this good

348
01:38:02.719 --> 01:38:19.040
work over the next couple of weeks. So next meeting you know we got to button up communicate with each other have serious conversations. Everyone's been calling each other up on the side. Those are those those are all wonderful things, but but this has to be done by the second meeting of June. This is not

349
01:38:19.040 --> 01:38:35.119
lingering into July and August. We're getting it done second meeting of June. That's the date we're working towards. Like my students have an assignment. That's it. We're working towards that. That's the public wants us to do and that's what we're going to do. Okay. So,

350
01:38:35.119 --> 01:38:51.440
I appreciate it. Thank you everyone. I appreciate the work that the council members are putting in. That's for sure. Uh CL6, >> Council President, I'll I'll close the uh discussion on this if you don't mind on CL6. >> Okay.

351
01:38:51.440 --> 01:39:06.880
>> CL6. I'll I'll close it. So >> we're not voting on CL4. So >> Yep. Not a problem. So any of my colleagues want to >> I'm I'm happy to start with C6 if you want. Do you want to start? Go ahead. >> It's yours. >> Go ahead. >> No, he just wants to close. So someone

352
01:39:06.880 --> 01:39:23.679
has to start. >> Okay. Council. Yeah, I'll start. >> Okay. >> So, Councilman Russo and I have been fortunately our families have gotten in the way part of the weekend is his family, my family, the uh other part. So, having discussions at night because

353
01:39:23.679 --> 01:39:39.199
our kids don't want to sleep basically has been a little difficult. Um, so we've been going back and forth and the one key thing that I have been saying over and over is structural cuts. And if you don't do structural cuts,

354
01:39:39.199 --> 01:39:54.639
we're going to be back at the table next year saying the same thing and we're going to be fighting again, discussing again, uh the same things that we are this year. It's pretty simple. Across the state since the co money, when you give politicians a pot of gold, they

355
01:39:54.639 --> 01:40:09.600
waste it. All right? Simply said, 50% went to revenue regeneration in the city, 18% went to CO itself and supplying some of the things behind it, and the rest creative ways. That said, uh, everybody's facing this. Everybody's

356
01:40:09.600 --> 01:40:26.719
talking healthcare, but you guys come to us and elect us to make difficult decisions and not tell you it's out of our control. If I say that, don't elect me. Don't elect me again. If I tell you it's out of my control, it's under my control right now. And I have to make a

357
01:40:26.719 --> 01:40:43.199
decision and be a leader. And sometimes it's not going to be something everybody's going to like. And it may impact me maybe not getting elected again. I'm not up here for a popularity contest. I'm up here to do the right thing with numbers where I believe that there are cuts available that we could

358
01:40:43.199 --> 01:40:59.760
make. I believe there's a better way we can look at government with how we spend our money. And while many of my colleagues have asked for like detailed pieces of what we have, once we sit down with the administration, which has been also challenging due to other

359
01:40:59.760 --> 01:41:17.440
circumstances as well of just timing, um we feel that once we know where the administration is on certain points that we have, we've given a framework, we've talked about a couple line items, we haven't named them specifically, but what we want to know from the administration is where they could work

360
01:41:17.440 --> 01:41:34.800
with us, where there's like a hard stop. No way we're not doing that. And then Council Roose and I will come back and put an amendment just as as Diane R uh Council President and and Councilwoman Imus has uh have put up. So from that

361
01:41:34.800 --> 01:41:52.320
perspective, ours looks draconian as some would say. However, in times of like this, there needs to be draconian measures sometimes and we're not going to like some of the things. However, we offer solutions in there and

362
01:41:52.320 --> 01:42:08.719
while many may not agree with them, they are suggestions to ra raise revenue because we do some of it already. So, we don't just cut, we look for ways to raise revenue, too. I fundamentally do not believe in raising your fees because that's a regressive tax. doesn't tax

363
01:42:08.719 --> 01:42:25.840
everybody equally. It taxes my businesses. It taxes you. It taxes somebody who lives in uh in a different socioeconomic class versus somebody that's in higher socioeconomic class. It doesn't keep the same thing. So when we looked at this,

364
01:42:25.840 --> 01:42:41.360
we were very careful to dig deep. And again, I'll repeat this. For the past five years, I've dug deep and I've put line items and everybody told me just to go, "Yeah, whatever. Who cares, Paul?" So, I took a more general approach and I

365
01:42:41.360 --> 01:42:57.920
think Councilman uh Russo and I when we did this was we took generalities and we put the cuts where we want it in in overtime and salaries 1.5 and healthcare and insurance 2.5 operating expenses. And again, here's a perfect example.

366
01:42:57.920 --> 01:43:14.159
Council Roose and I are we're in a little range there. So he's a little more he's a little higher in cuts and I'm a little bit lower in cuts but anywhere between 3 to 3 to 4.5 million and then revenue regeneration we think there's potential opportunity for 2.5

367
01:43:14.159 --> 01:43:29.440
and that includes also getting the garage and uh on park in 9inth right our park and garden sorry garden uh back online which could put revenue back into our coffers and that should be number one what we should do little simple things

368
01:43:29.440 --> 01:43:46.480
>> stop non uh essential projects right now. What that'll do, it'll free up staff to focus on other things. >> That might be something where potential revenue comes or something that's more urgent in the community that's not. >> So, there's little things that can be done, but I I think the biggest thing to

369
01:43:46.480 --> 01:44:02.480
remember is I've heard tonight uh from many members of the public, I don't know if everybody um can appreciate that this council holds the purse strings. We make the laws.

370
01:44:02.480 --> 01:44:19.440
The administration and the executive branch spends the money and enforces the laws. We cannot dictate what they do on where they spend it unless they come with us and we have to approve something. And then also we can't demand them to enforce laws. They have to

371
01:44:19.440 --> 01:44:34.639
enforce the laws. And that's the separation of the three branches of government. So, a lot of the stuff that the frustration that residents have come up tonight, I hear you and we will relay that and I'm more than sure the mayor is watching these meetings and understands

372
01:44:34.639 --> 01:44:50.239
those issues that you're talking about enforcing things and collecting revenue. Um, I believe in forcing enforcing laws. There's no question about it. There has been a lot of things that I think people said tonight that I'm not so sure that's

373
01:44:50.239 --> 01:45:07.119
100% correct because I do believe uh the past administration and this administration is working through some things. Remember, mayor's brand new here, right? This is she's drinking from seven fire hoses at once. So, it's very different from sitting up here. So, you

374
01:45:07.119 --> 01:45:24.239
know, I want her to be successful in what she does, what Mayor Jabor does. But you also have to remember this is there's a little bit of time here that she needs to get acclimated to things. The last administration they had eight years, right? I weren't sure when Mayor Balika came here was the

375
01:45:24.239 --> 01:45:40.159
same thing. But right now there's a lot of stuff going on in the city that Mayor Jabor got hit with right away. So some of that is here. The budget's one of them. Right. Well, that said, I'm looking to see I'm looking to see that

376
01:45:40.159 --> 01:45:56.639
when we meet with the administration that hopefully the administration will tell us what they were willing to work with and what they're not willing to work with. I think Councilman Russo, and I'll let him say when he closes, I'm not in favor of anything near 10 and 10%.

377
01:45:56.639 --> 01:46:11.600
I'm just not. I think there are things we can cut and we should have been cutting for the past years. So, it's a struggle for me to even do that. We raise your water fees 11 and a quarter%. We raise your parking fees x%. We raise

378
01:46:11.600 --> 01:46:28.800
this x%. We raise this fee x%. I I just don't like it done that way. So, my view of the world might be totally different than nine nine of my colleagues up here on how to balance a budget, how to run a budget. And that's awesome. That's why there's nine of us up here, so we each can have an input and we can get to

379
01:46:28.800 --> 01:46:44.480
something better. I just want to reiterate is that we've put forth these amendments and some of it it points to certain things but it's not distinctive once we sit down with the administration be happy to do that and I'll be happy at

380
01:46:44.480 --> 01:47:00.320
that point to literally if somebody wants to talk to me I'll tell you what I want to cut but I I need it'd be blowing smoke if I don't have the administration at least saying hey I'd look at that. So, we're waiting to have that meeting. And again, it's just been timing of different family issues that have

381
01:47:00.320 --> 01:47:18.560
happened. But again, I we spoke with uh Councilwoman uh Fischer and and Imus uh the other day and they saw some of the things that we talked about and we came to some agreements on things. Why we're not there yet to the numbers that we want. Uh we started with who's put forth

382
01:47:18.560 --> 01:47:35.760
an amendment first, but again we still have to sit down with the administration which we look forward to doing to and have a constructive conversation on getting that budget number well not the budget number the tax number in single digits.

383
01:47:35.760 --> 01:47:53.280
>> Thank you Councilman. I'm just going to quickly add that we did have a long and very productive meeting myself and uh Councilwoman Fischer President Russo um and it is very you know to go back to you Tiffany

384
01:47:53.280 --> 01:48:09.119
more voices are better right so you know more ideas are better right so we actually did pull a few we walked away from that meeting and said you know I think we can do this and we can cut here and we can look at healthcare uh and

385
01:48:09.119 --> 01:48:23.679
talking to residents around the neighborhood who are saying you know if you are in this type of plan there's many adjustments that could be be made to a health insurance plan uh where you're giving a higher deductible but

386
01:48:23.679 --> 01:48:39.360
then the um the employees are given a health care reimbursement account to pay towards that deductible and it brings down the overall over overall rate and and people walk away with virtually the same benefits and I think there are a

387
01:48:39.360 --> 01:48:55.840
lot of opportunities to sit down and really think about that. They may not be immediate but I am really hopeful that as we continue to uncover more ideas and more areas that you know as you're cutting one area and moving into

388
01:48:55.840 --> 01:49:13.360
another, you're discovering things that may not be 100% accurate or they haven't found them yet. They haven't found the savings that should have been there. So, um I think we're we're we're moving we're moving along. Um I would like to see this done sooner rather than later

389
01:49:13.360 --> 01:49:30.239
because you know I'm new up here. I've been a longtime taxpayer in Hoboken and I always blew my mind that things weren't done till August and then all of a sudden you were paying catchup on your taxes and and and you know getting surprised when all of a sudden your

390
01:49:30.239 --> 01:49:47.280
escrow is depleted because nothing really happened with your mortgage and then 6 months later you owe double the tax plus your escrow. So, you know, we're really hoping that we can build a more forwardlooking process um and really start this planning earlier so

391
01:49:47.280 --> 01:50:02.480
the so the administration can be more reactive uh and and we can really uh look at the expenses in a way that makes sense. So, um you know, I appreciate all the input from everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you. That's it. Anyone else? Councilman Canaro.

392
01:50:02.480 --> 01:50:17.520
>> Um thank you, Council President. Uh Champ, >> thank you. Um, so I I'll start with a conclusion. I'm going to vote no on this. I'll explain why. Um, and

393
01:50:17.520 --> 01:50:35.199
uh, uh, Councilman Russo, I'll I'll posit some questions. Some will be rhetorical, some will be actual. You can respond to them. They'd be helpful for the conversation. I do recognize that this is in service of furthering the uh the the overall conversation that that

394
01:50:35.199 --> 01:50:52.480
we have. Um but first I'll start with we we do a lot of talk about oh I don't want to see a number over x percentage or under or or overx amount and that's part of the reason why I'm vote no is I don't not comfortable with the targets and establishing targets for me the right percentage of tax increase

395
01:50:52.480 --> 01:51:08.960
obviously I wish it was zero or negative because I pay taxes uh but the right number for me is that which combines the amount we would be willing to pay for all the services that are truly essential and those that we want to pay for. Uh and so that's the analysis for

396
01:51:08.960 --> 01:51:24.560
me. So when we put all those services together in the in the bucket and look at those things and we see the price tags, we get rid of all the fat or the waste or whatever to the extent that it's there. The remainder will be a number and it'll be associated with the percentage increase and for me that's

397
01:51:24.560 --> 01:51:40.960
the number right. So, I don't want to set targets and say, "Hey, find $ 1.5 million from here or $2.5 million from there." Because I think it's kind of uh setting the conclusion and then kind of backing into it. I think we need to look at what do we really need? What do we really want? What are we willing to pay

398
01:51:40.960 --> 01:51:58.159
for? There's our number. So, that's one of the reasons why uh I'll be similar to a couple weeks ago and I didn't want to vote on that one until we got rid of and genericized it. That's kind of the main reason uh I don't want to uh support this one today. Um some of the things

399
01:51:58.159 --> 01:52:15.280
that you know I want to think about is you know is this some of these things are like this year uh perspective but just urging uh some are I don't think could even happen this year are they in general u overtime salary review like I get it um but is that something that

400
01:52:15.280 --> 01:52:30.639
we're you know I'd like to see a little bit more specifics I guess that'll come from a conversation with the administration and if and if that comes then yeah let's sit down and see if if that's what we want to like the healthcare and insurance restructuring. I for me again maybe I just don't know but it seems like this

401
01:52:30.639 --> 01:52:46.880
is something that would involve like reopening contracts and you have to compel somebody to reopen a contract that you can't just do it on your own. So I don't really see that one as is kind of viable and could be wrong. Um uh operating expenses

402
01:52:46.880 --> 01:53:02.880
um I'll let you guys have that conversation. The one point the the 3%age stuff always kind of baffles me. uh new revenue opportunities. Um I don't really see those as a a this year thing, right? So if uh if we wanted

403
01:53:02.880 --> 01:53:20.239
to include this in the budget, um it would have to be something that we already ordained, which is why we went through with the parking fees and all that stuff a couple weeks ago. So this to me seems like it's a prospective thing. I'm not against I'm against some of these things, but I'm not against all of them. Um but I don't see how this

404
01:53:20.239 --> 01:53:35.119
would have a budget impact this year. Um, and then the structural form and and space optimization. I think sounds good in general, but do we really have that much by way of kind of empty uh uh uh buildings that the city owns? And are

405
01:53:35.119 --> 01:53:51.199
you envisioning us just like, you know, renting out office space and in city hall? Or I guess maybe I just don't understand the uh the population of spaces that we have. So, I think this is uh I I did expect to see a lot more by way of specifics based on what you guys

406
01:53:51.199 --> 01:54:06.719
were talking about over the past couple weeks understanding that, you know, things happen and so this is what we're doing now. Let's use this as a conversation, but those are the serious questions I have and and um and I'll leave it to that. Uh let's continue chatting and and we'll see where we land.

407
01:54:06.719 --> 01:54:23.840
>> Thank you, Council Person. Yeah, I'm just wondering if there would be any appetite to um carry this to a later meeting. Um, understanding that a lot's happened in the last few weeks and I know there's been some difficulty with

408
01:54:23.840 --> 01:54:39.599
reaching other people. Um, as Councilman Cano was saying, I don't think there are, you know, there's some things in here that I could live with and some things that I probably couldn't. So, I would like a little bit more time to work with it and to be able to work with both of you on what some of those

409
01:54:39.599 --> 01:54:57.360
details are. So, if you would be open to carrying it, I would certainly be in support of that motion. >> Any anyone else? Yeah, I I was just going to say that um it's a

410
01:54:57.360 --> 01:55:15.840
th this is just another example of how there are people that we're we're trying to find creative ways to reduce costs. And basically that's really all this is is a framework of ideas. And similarly,

411
01:55:15.840 --> 01:55:32.000
like I'm not sure I agree with all of them, but overall I agree with the concept of sitting down with the administration and maybe going through some of these ideas. I mean, we had um as Diane mentioned, we had a pretty lengthy hour and a half conversation um

412
01:55:32.000 --> 01:55:49.760
the other day uh Diane, myself, Mike, and Paul, and you know, there were some really compelling arguments. um they raised, you know, they they talked about things that I wasn't as maybe fully aware of or didn't necessarily think through. Um and

413
01:55:49.760 --> 01:56:05.679
it was a really helpful conversation. So, what what I'm hopeful if this goes I mean it doesn't it doesn't matter if it passes or not tonight, like we're having a conversation. They're going to sit with the city and uh and review this and try and see if there are ways that we

414
01:56:05.679 --> 01:56:22.880
can pull some additional costs out. And then I hope we all, you know, get to a point where we, to my colleagues, where we set politics aside and we try to get to the best possible outcome that not to make headlines, but to actually get the

415
01:56:22.880 --> 01:56:40.480
most reasonable um budget possible once we get through all these conversations next week. So, it doesn't bother me that it's on there. If you want to carry it, great. If not, I'm happy to support it. You know, it's not um I I'm just supportive. I hope the administration uh will take time to sit down and and go

416
01:56:40.480 --> 01:56:55.920
through everything that you guys want to go through with them. >> I appreciate that. >> Thank you, council president. >> Um I said earlier with respect to the uh amendment that came from Councilwoman Fischer, Councilman Ninus, and the council president that, you know, I had

417
01:56:55.920 --> 01:57:12.320
some questions and concerns. We got information on it uh today, but it was also sort of an amendment of what we had discussed two weeks ago, which came in in a timely way, in a line item way, in a specific way that allowed us to kind

418
01:57:12.320 --> 01:57:28.880
of dig in and see where where's the money going and where's it coming from and what are the changes going to be, which I think is serious and important. I I learned about this resolution on Friday afternoon uh essentially in a

419
01:57:28.880 --> 01:57:44.400
press release that came out where it was announced in the press release we are the plan like we are the world we are the plan and if we're talking about if we're talking about working together in an a-olitical way to solve the city's

420
01:57:44.400 --> 01:58:00.560
problems about serious issues then you know the first time I shouldn't be asked for comment about this is from a reporter It should be from the people who are presenting this and having a meaningful discussion. >> Oh my goodness. >> You know, Councilman President Zano thanked me, I think, when we first

421
01:58:00.560 --> 01:58:16.480
introduced the budget for me saying before I introduced it that I thought it was important for the unions to come to the table and to talk about renegotiating the agreements. And he thanked me at the council for for doing that. You know, phones work both ways. I

422
01:58:16.480 --> 01:58:32.080
if you've got an idea that you want to share with us and you're looking for council support, issuing a press release saying we are the plan from two council members to say we are the solution. It it it does not seem like it seems like excuse me

423
01:58:32.080 --> 01:58:49.360
>> Melissa, please. >> Phil, >> seems more like politics than budget budget work. Okay. And listen, that's fine. Listen, you know, you ran for mayor, you know, and and and issued statements and and that's fine, but I

424
01:58:49.360 --> 01:59:06.639
think that we're talking here about trying to figure out to echo what Councilman Cano said, what are the numbers that we need to do to to pay our police, to pay our firefighters, to pay our overtime. when we see a budget proposal that cuts overtime for cops by,

425
01:59:06.639 --> 01:59:23.679
you know,500 $600,000 when we have a World Cup coming to town, >> it's not true. >> We should be having a discussion about whether we want to have an overtime cut of $500 $600,000 for our cops. I think that is that is a line item discussion. Some people may say we can't afford all

426
01:59:23.679 --> 01:59:40.480
that overtime. Okay, that's fine. But we can have that discussion. But to say we're going to cut millions of dollars from health care as if we can flip a switch and and instantly we're going to be okay when we have different providers with different

427
01:59:40.480 --> 01:59:56.400
negotiations and different contracts and we have to negotiate each one of those agreements with each of those providers. Municipal health care is not that simple. It just isn't. It'd be great if it were. But again, it's one thing to be aspirational and to put out numbers and

428
01:59:56.400 --> 02:00:12.320
say we want to cut 2 million here and 1 million there. Put it put it put it in writing. Okay. The mayor and the administration, we had budget hearings. We said May 11th was the deadline to submit your amendments. Everybody knew that was the deadline.

429
02:00:12.320 --> 02:00:28.560
We didn't get anything by May 11th. We, you know, blew the deadline. Okay. And then we have this question, well, why are we waiting so long? Why haven't we passed the budget? So, you know, if you had an amendment, it shouldn't have come in on the Friday. I don't whatever

430
02:00:28.560 --> 02:00:44.800
Friday was, you know, but it was certainly I think it was a week close to a week after the deadline of the 11th and it wasn't even something that was fleshed out. So, you know, I'm, you know, color me doubtful with respect to this resolution. Uh, it's it's a day

431
02:00:44.800 --> 02:01:02.400
late, a dollar short and colored by political press release. So that's how I feel about it. Unlike Councilwoman Fiser, Imus and and Council Presidents which has line items, clear numbers, clear choices, clear decisions that we

432
02:01:02.400 --> 02:01:19.520
can discuss with real numbers and real percentages associated with it and not some aspirational thing said, "Well, if only I had a chance to sit down with the administration, we could figure it out." No, this is our budget. How many times have I heard my colleagues say, "It's our budget now. It's the council's budget now. What teacher? Why did I not

433
02:01:19.520 --> 02:01:34.800
get my homework in on time? It's the administration's fault. >> It's their fault. Cuz I Cuz what do we know, you know? No, it's ours. It's ours. So, we have experienced council members. Someone said we've had council members who've been here since, I don't know, the dawn of time. Something like that.

434
02:01:34.800 --> 02:01:49.520
>> Since Jesus was born. >> Since Jesus was born. >> My middle name is Jesus. So, >> so I think that we should have council members who are educated enough to be able to present an actual budget amendment and not a press release, which was what we got on Friday. So, so that's

435
02:01:49.520 --> 02:02:06.560
so you know. >> So, those are my views on that. >> I appreciate it, Council President. And I'm going to take my time to address >> uh some of the questions and but I'm going to start >> with the I'm going to start with the concept of a press release. And I'm just

436
02:02:06.560 --> 02:02:21.840
going to I said it at the caucus and I'll say it again here tonight. So, I'm going to stay well above the political fray, but I do have to mention it because it was brought up. So when the mayor or other council people communicate with the public, it's

437
02:02:21.840 --> 02:02:35.840
transparency. When your political rival communicates with the public, it's political. I call BS on that. Number one, >> I agree. >> Number two. Number two. Mhm. >> to say it's political

438
02:02:35.840 --> 02:02:52.719
with your own public statement, calling it Trumpy because that's your fall back. Every time you dis excuse me, every time you disagree with somebody, >> I call BS on that, too. So, let's get

439
02:02:52.719 --> 02:03:09.599
that out of the way. As far as tough decisions, as far as what was presented to this council in the form of a resolution, I followed the framework that was presented. I spoke to council president. I spoke to the business administrator. I found out very early in

440
02:03:09.599 --> 02:03:27.119
the process what exactly is required of the council to get an amendment on. This resolution is in the same vein as Councilwoman Imamus' and Councilwoman Fischers and Council President Ramos's just to say this is our framework. This

441
02:03:27.119 --> 02:03:44.719
is what we believe. So Joe, I appreciate that you don't agree with that range. Absolutely. We could all disagree. I have no problem with that. But to say we're not doing the work is an absolute lie. especially when you don't know any

442
02:03:44.719 --> 02:03:59.520
better. I submitted today a very specific line item by line item amendment to the business administrator. Specific just one of the many that I could present to her. reducing budget,

443
02:03:59.520 --> 02:04:16.159
reducing uh salaries, reducing overtime because although we like to say, as one of the members of the public articulated earlier, that these are beyond our control, that's another one I call BS on. We

444
02:04:16.159 --> 02:04:32.080
could change each and every line in the city budget at any point. It's do we have the will to do that? pension costs, reduce headcount, you reduce pension costs, you reduce health care costs. We

445
02:04:32.080 --> 02:04:48.719
have the ability to do that every single step of the way. There's a process to do that. Now, I didn't present a budget amendment that calls for any layoffs. I called for slight changes in certain salaries and unfortunately that falls on

446
02:04:48.719 --> 02:05:05.199
the directors because there is no opening a contract to do that. I changed salaries that the city of Hoboken is paying above and beyond the salary ordinance which by the way is

447
02:05:05.199 --> 02:05:20.639
now the fourth time I've said it and constitutes the city's willingness of continuing to do that which is by the way a crime. That's two when it comes to spending

448
02:05:20.639 --> 02:05:42.080
outside of what last year was. I raised our spending amount by 3%. I mimic the CPI and the range is anywhere from 3 to 5%. Specific line by line by line.

449
02:05:42.080 --> 02:05:57.599
I went back and I talked about and I said it earlier. I took out $250,000 in this year's budget because I think the bars should be paying for that when it comes to the World Cup and the those that can't afford it, the business alliance should pick up. I made it real

450
02:05:57.599 --> 02:06:14.159
clear. So, I talk about the things that I want to see happen and it's I'm okay with anybody disagreeing with them. That's what the conversation is. Councilwoman Fischer, Councilwoman Imus, we had a great conversation when it came to to healthcare in the city of Hoboken.

451
02:06:14.159 --> 02:06:30.079
a great conversation. My contention is that most people don't understand it. Let's talk about it real quick and I'll leave it at that. When it comes to healthcare in the city of Hoboken, we are not a traditional insurance.

452
02:06:30.079 --> 02:06:47.599
We don't pay a premium. We pay each and every claim. So when someone gets up and says it cost $50,000 for ex employee to be covered by healthcare, that's not true. Because if that employee doesn't go to the doctor at all, you know what it cost the city?

453
02:06:47.599 --> 02:07:03.440
>> Nothing. >> Zero. >> Excuse me. >> When it comes to health care, the trends in health care across every single insurer is that reimbursement rates are going down for providers. Doctors are

454
02:07:03.440 --> 02:07:22.960
being paid less. That means we pay less when it comes to those individual contracts from the provider to Sigma, which is the healthcare um that we use. The normal escalation year-over-year is less than 2%. Why are we increasing it

455
02:07:22.960 --> 02:07:38.880
14% in this budget? So, please, please don't talk to me about municipal insurance and that it's flipping a switch. I know it in and out. I've spent my entire career understanding insurance.

456
02:07:38.880 --> 02:07:56.000
>> Every single thing that I proposed in an amendment can be done. Every single one of them. I went through over 2,000 lines of CPT codes. And for those that don't understand what a CPT code is, that's the reimbursement

457
02:07:56.000 --> 02:08:12.840
to the provider. >> So if you're going to if you're going to make suggestions, I have no problem with it. But if you want to come at me and call it political, again, I call BS on it.

458
02:08:14.320 --> 02:08:29.119
>> You may not agree with what I'm proposing, and I'm fine with that. Just say it. But to call it political, >> but to call it political is being disingenuous. It's not political. I killed myself

459
02:08:29.119 --> 02:08:44.480
night after night after night. I don't get paid $199,000 as the business administrator in the city of Hoboken. It's not my job to go line by line. It's my job to say I am setting a a a range of what I think we

460
02:08:44.480 --> 02:09:02.040
should be spending. That's my job. But I'm willing I'm willing and the business administrator has been awesome in getting me as much information as she can. and I emailed her earlier today along with council president that specific amendment.

461
02:09:02.880 --> 02:09:18.320
So please don't accuse me of things you have absolutely no idea of. That's that's one. Now when it comes to some of the questions that you had Joe 3% increase for spending is as I said

462
02:09:18.320 --> 02:09:35.280
earlier is mimicking >> CPI >> the CPI if there are certain lines where we need to increase that that's the conversation that I'm willing to have with the business administrator so we understand if that 55 5.1 million in savings

463
02:09:35.280 --> 02:09:52.639
from what was introduced is not doable able, by all means, we'll figure it out. But there are certain things I backed out of, like our garbage contract. We know it went up. I didn't touch that. So, that's not a 3% increase from last year.

464
02:09:52.639 --> 02:10:08.320
It's exactly what was budgeted. I talked about in our revenue streams, talked about re-evaluating the city's ratables. I think there's more money there.

465
02:10:08.320 --> 02:10:24.079
I talked about having increases in our court fees and fines because we achieved a little bit more last year and with the World Cup and Fourth of July and other events that are happening in

466
02:10:24.079 --> 02:10:41.199
the city of Hoboken, my assumption is that we're going to be at least on par with what we did last year. So these aren't madeup numbers. There's been a lot of work put into this. A lot of late nights. A lot of

467
02:10:41.199 --> 02:10:59.760
time I didn't get to spend with my kids. A lot of time I didn't get to spend with my wife. And I'm doing that work. And I have no problem discussing it with the administration and with every council colleague up here. But to say that that's not happening

468
02:10:59.760 --> 02:11:16.560
is is wrong. It's absolutely false because it didn't happen on your timeline. You think it's no good. That's your prerogative. But the reality is we're on a different timeline. The goal here is to get to a viable

469
02:11:16.560 --> 02:11:31.599
budget that makes sense for our residents. And personally, and that's why I put it in the resolution, I think it's anywhere between 3 and 5%. You disagree with that? I have no problem with that. And Joe, by all means, I absolutely respect that you're not going to support the resolution because you

470
02:11:31.599 --> 02:11:47.119
don't agree with it. But I think it's a good goal. And if we fall short OF THAT GOAL, I'M OKAY WITH THAT. But 19% is unacceptable. 15% is unacceptable. 10% for me is

471
02:11:47.119 --> 02:12:04.400
unacceptable. So let's have the conversation. I hope that my colleagues would support this resolution tonight because it is just a framework of what we would like to do. It is just a a feel-good resolution to say that's what we're working toward.

472
02:12:04.400 --> 02:12:20.079
That's all it is. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councilman. Again, the resolution binds us to nothing. It just it just binds us to working towards a goal. Uh no one has a monopoly on good ideas. I think we

473
02:12:20.079 --> 02:12:35.440
have to I think it's incumbent upon all of us to listen to everything and there some council and I had a conversation some of the things I said probably aren't doable for this year and and he's okay with that. I think we expressed that freely and I'm okay with anyone disagreeing with anyone freely but

474
02:12:35.440 --> 02:12:50.960
moving forward the process and making sure we have uh good responsible budget for everyone I I think is the is the main goal for all of us to lose for uh call vote. Mr. Clerk Mr. Con >> no >> Mr. Firestone. >> No. >> Fisher.

475
02:12:50.960 --> 02:13:06.719
>> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. L. >> No. >> President Xano. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cano. >> No. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi. >> President Ramos. >> Hi. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Council President.

476
02:13:06.719 --> 02:13:21.360
>> You're welcome. >> I won. >> I won. That was Council Muso. >> Uh, I Where are we? infrastructure, >> fleet management, >> fleet. >> Yes. Yes. Again, this is just um related

477
02:13:21.360 --> 02:13:37.679
back to the budget, right? So, in some of those uh amendments that I sent over to the business administrator, uh we talk about the fleet and potentially saving some money there. um might be one of those things that we have no other choice, but I want to put

478
02:13:37.679 --> 02:13:53.840
it on everybody's radar that those are the things that I'm talking about when it comes to making some adjustments and how we're spending our money. So, that's all I need to say about it. Call >> vote. >> Mr. Con, >> I Mr. Feststone,

479
02:13:53.840 --> 02:14:08.079
>> yes. >> Miss Fischer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Zyus, >> yes. >> Mrs. Le, >> yes. >> Mr. President Tano, >> no. >> Mr. Cano, >> I >> Mr. Russo, >> no. >> President Ramos,

480
02:14:08.079 --> 02:14:26.480
>> I ordinance. >> Ordinance is the first reading. >> Introduction an ordinance amending chapter 190-6 entitled no stopping or standing to prohibit parking parking, stopping and standing on Sixth Street between

481
02:14:26.480 --> 02:14:42.480
Marshall Drive and Harrison Street. >> Call vote. >> Mr. Con. I >> stone. >> Yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Len. >> Yes. >> Mr. Presidento. >> Hi. >> Mr. Cano. >> Hi.

482
02:14:42.480 --> 02:14:57.520
>> Mr. Russo. >> Hi. >> President Ramos. >> Hi. >> Ordinance for introduction or amending chapter 179 special improvement districts of the city of Hoboken. >> Col. >> Mr. Con. Hi. >> Mr. Firestone.

483
02:14:57.520 --> 02:15:11.280
>> Yes. >> M. Fischer. >> Yes. Mrs. Simus, >> yes. >> Mr. L, >> Mrs. Lyson, >> yes. >> President, >> hi. >> Mr. Cano, >> I >> Mr. Russo, >> hi. >> President Ramos,

484
02:15:11.280 --> 02:15:27.760
>> I uh number three and four are removed. >> Further discussion, >> ordinance for introduction, an ordinance amending the redevelopment plan for the southwest rehabilitation area. >> Mr. Cole, >> I bone >> yes.

485
02:15:27.760 --> 02:15:43.199
>> Fisher, >> yes. >> Mrs. Zyus. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le. >> Yes. >> Mr. Presidento. >> Hi. >> Mr. Canero. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi. >> President Ramos. >> Hi. >> Uh, three development resolution CD6 removed.

486
02:15:43.199 --> 02:15:59.280
CD10 is removed. CD11. >> Uh, CD11. >> This is the >> Yeah, we vote on that already, right? >> No, we're good. CD1.

487
02:15:59.280 --> 02:16:14.880
CD1. >> I CD11. >> Mr. Mr. Con. >> Hi. >> Stone. >> Yes. >> Fisher. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes. >> Mr. Le. >> Yes. >> Mr. Presidento. >> Hi. >> Mr. Canero. >> Hi. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi.

488
02:16:14.880 --> 02:16:31.280
>> President Ramos. >> I. >> Uh, all together. >> We're going to we're going to suspend the agenda for the resolutions for on new business if we may. We have NB1, NB2, NB3, NB4. All the items are uh

489
02:16:31.280 --> 02:16:47.280
related to the World Cup items. So we'll vote on them all together if we may. >> Call vote on all four items. Please >> Mr. Con. >> I. >> Mr. Feststone, >> yes. >> Mr. Fischer, >> yes. >> Mrs. Zyish, >> yes. >> Mrs. Lac, >> yes.

490
02:16:47.280 --> 02:17:08.000
>> Mr. Presidento, >> I. >> Mr. Caterero, >> I. >> Mr. Russo. >> Hi, >> President Ramos. >> Hi. >> Uh, public portion. >> Folks, if you're if you're leaving, please exit quietly. If you're exiting,

491
02:17:08.000 --> 02:17:33.359
exit quietly. Yeah. Uh, public portion. Rose Markle. You're going to miss me the week of June, first week of June. I won't be here. Um, I'm curious as to know, has any study being done on the Grand Street

492
02:17:33.359 --> 02:17:50.240
pilot? It's eight months in now and I'd like to see where it's at. It's one of the scariest places to cross the street. I know it's I'm surrounded by it and um it isn't used very much. So, I was just wondering how that's going and how the study is being done. Appreciate any

493
02:17:50.240 --> 02:18:05.760
info. Thank you. >> Good question. I think we need to schedule that Adam Street pilot, that Adam Street meeting as well. >> I know, but Adam Street is potentially similar. Not similar. So,

494
02:18:05.760 --> 02:18:22.920
uh Antonio Grana. >> Oh, there he is. >> Thank you, Council President. I was going to speak on uh >> you got to come up to the mic, Antonio. >> You're good, Anton. Thank you. You You're best speaker of the night. >> Elizabeth Adams

495
02:18:23.280 --> 02:18:50.399
moves up the mic. Good evening. Tonight, in honor and anticipation of Memorial Day, I would like to raise awareness of a wonderful program that has been ongoing not only in Hoboken, but also in other

496
02:18:50.399 --> 02:19:07.120
communities in New Jersey as well as across this country. This is a program that benefits our veterans and specifically those who are homeless. In New Jersey alone, over 575

497
02:19:07.120 --> 02:19:23.359
veterans are currently experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. These men and women once served and protected our country today. Today, too many of them face the

498
02:19:23.359 --> 02:19:39.200
unimaginable, not knowing where they'll sleep tonight. at the Foundation for Sustainable Veteran Housing. That's FSVH. They believe that's unacceptable.

499
02:19:39.200 --> 02:19:54.399
They exist to change this reality by building and restoring safe, sustainable housing paired with wraparound service services that empower veterans to rebuild their

500
02:19:54.399 --> 02:20:10.080
lives with dignity. Their plans offer more than shelter. They offer opportunity for employment, mental health care, community connection, and long-term stability.

501
02:20:10.080 --> 02:20:25.920
As New Jersey works toward toward its goal of reaching functional zero for veteran homelessness by 2026. FSBH stands at the forefront of that effort.

502
02:20:25.920 --> 02:20:41.359
collaborating with public and private partners to ensure that no veteran is left behind. Every veteran deserves more than a thank you. They deserve a place to call home.

503
02:20:41.359 --> 02:20:58.960
In New Jersey, FSVH is currently working on facilities in four counties that will provide housing for 70 at risk veterans with an average of 20 units per facility. They are working towards

504
02:20:58.960 --> 02:21:15.439
providing enough housing for all 575 at risk veterans in New Jersey. Their goal is to eventually scale this model across communities nationwide,

505
02:21:15.439 --> 02:21:33.840
rebuilding one hall and one life at a time by revitalizing veteran halls into spaces of support, purpose, and belonging. FSVH envisions a nation where every veteran

506
02:21:33.840 --> 02:21:50.160
has access to safe, affordable housing and the support they need to thrive. Their work in New Jersey is the blueprint. They de they develop and restore spaces familiar to veterans into safe,

507
02:21:50.160 --> 02:22:05.359
sustainable, and supportive housing, reducing the number of homeless or at risk veterans. The goal of SS FSBH is to end veteran homelessness by

508
02:22:05.359 --> 02:22:22.160
creating access to safe, stable, and sustainable housing for those who have served our nation. They are dedicated to restoring dignity, building opportunity,

509
02:22:22.160 --> 02:22:39.040
and fostering community for veterans at risk. Because no one who fought for our freedom should have to fight for a place to live. Through innov innovative housing solutions, wraparound support services,

510
02:22:39.040 --> 02:22:55.200
and strategic partnerships, FSVH empowers veterans to reclaim their independence and thrive in civilian life. Every home that is built is a promise kept to honor, uplift, and never forget

511
02:22:55.200 --> 02:23:11.760
those who have sacrificed so much. There is a great deal more to say on this topic. But in the meantime, to learn more and donate, please first and foremost visit fsv.org

512
02:23:11.760 --> 02:23:34.840
and also hobokenleion.org/veteranscenter. And please remember that the words homeless and veteran should never have to be used in the same breath. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Elizabeth. >> Tony Sorz.

513
02:23:38.240 --> 02:23:53.840
>> Oh, so many things to talk about. >> Five minutes. Hey, when I was on the city council, the salary was 16,000 a year and taxes the budget was like 75,000 75 million. So, just uh note proportionally salaries are double and

514
02:23:53.840 --> 02:24:10.399
the budget's double the council salaries. Anyway, and one of the things we keep talking about is health benefits. I read that James Solomon, the new mayor in Jersey City, has gone and he's just getting a whole new health plan and apparently that's going to save money. new new new employ you know I

515
02:24:10.399 --> 02:24:26.560
don't know what the differences are but I think that people start breaking out in cold sweats when they talk about health insurance so let's be careful but as council members who are full part it's technically part-time I know you guys work 24 hours a day all of you um I

516
02:24:26.560 --> 02:24:42.319
was there I know what it's like but you know it's a it's a big nut you know you you guys are part you have crossing guards that aren't getting healthcare and those are part-time jobs and they're standing in the middle of the street and they could get hit by a car and they have no health insurance. So they get

517
02:24:42.319 --> 02:24:59.280
hit by a car, they either unless they have Medicaid, which is probably not going to give them a great opportunity. They'll go to maybe an unairconditioned hospital in an emergency. Um we have to think about that like you know there's you know let's we have all these like sacred line items but then and we spend

518
02:24:59.280 --> 02:25:16.160
and we spend and we spend and then when it comes time to the budget we're like we're shocked that all this there's no money. It's like I said in Kazabl like they say in Kazablanca you know I'm shocked there's gambling in the casino. Well there's overspending in city hall but it's also happening here because you

519
02:25:16.160 --> 02:25:31.680
guys vote for everything when it comes through but you know you vote for the budget but then you have to like say like why are we voting on this this week and this that week and there's always seems to be all these new consultant things like I'm just going to say one example. I watched 900 Monroe and other

520
02:25:31.680 --> 02:25:47.359
projects or 800 700 Monroe whatever that is 800 go from >> not close >> it was it was going to be a pool then it was going to be a pickle ball thing then it was going to be a tennis court then it was going to be back to a pool then it was the it was like I mean that cost money every one of those plans then the

521
02:25:47.359 --> 02:26:03.520
municipal garage in the back it was going to have a tennis court on top it was going to have a pool on the top it was going to have I mean it was like a it was like a triple it was like a you know one of those Dagwood sandwiches like everything was stacked on top and it was like but then now there's nothing there's a one-story building and we

522
02:26:03.520 --> 02:26:19.840
spend like4 $60 million for that property but then we we come to our parks yeah they're great but if you go and I've mentioned this before the DC waterfront it follows the exact model of the Hoboken fund for a better waterfront plan but they commercialize the right

523
02:26:19.840 --> 02:26:36.800
things they have restaurants and shops in their parks but they're not offensive it's like a it's like a tavern on the green or something we're doing Union dry dock. Do you know that the lights in Union dry dock because I have a family member that's working on some of the projects on our waterfront? And he

524
02:26:36.800 --> 02:26:53.200
doesn't lie to me cuz I'm his uncle and his godfather. $250,000 per light pole. I heard because they look like former the cranes. They're beautiful designs. They're it's a beautiful design park. It's going to provide a lot of places for birds and

525
02:26:53.200 --> 02:27:09.359
nests and an estuary. There's not a restaurant. There's not a catering place. There's nothing. So, you're going to go there with binoculars. Hopefully, you won't walk through. Hopefully, you won't walk through, you know, birdorn viruses like those people on the boat did. And I'm not trying to be serious,

526
02:27:09.359 --> 02:27:26.319
but like all of these things are really expensive. We're inviting birds to Hoboken, but then we don't want them flying into the buildings we approve. So, we have to kind of decide what we want. And I'm going to get to something else. I think we have to stop doing redevelopment zones. I think we should

527
02:27:26.319 --> 02:27:42.640
just zone the city and come up with a master plan and zone it and understand that when you do a variance it's it's got to be justified because we have a master plan that we use when we want to kill something. Oh, it's a master plan but then we ignore it when we want to

528
02:27:42.640 --> 02:27:58.160
approve like when we want something we want. The city keeps like you know they there people have to go for a variance. There's a building that some people might be offended by if I bring it up, but that's the side the side street retail

529
02:27:58.160 --> 02:28:16.080
on 12th Street. What used to be a tiny flower shop, then it was a architect's office. Every use that goes into that space needs a variance. Not just the matcha shop. Anything that opens there because it's a non-conform, it's a non-conforming building in an R1 zone.

530
02:28:16.080 --> 02:28:32.240
for some reason in Hobok and R1 means you never have to suffer from a business near your house. I mean that was a storefront in 1910 when it was built. When people bought their homes in that neighborhood anywhere from 1910 till now

531
02:28:32.240 --> 02:28:49.359
they saw a store there. If it becomes an architect's office, a landscaping store, a a a salon that it used to be, a cafe, a gub deli, or a matcha shop that was a store. And it's not going to destroy

532
02:28:49.359 --> 02:29:04.479
Hobok in these side businesses. It brings the business. God, this goes fast. Um, what the budget hearing? People were talking for like 20 minutes. Um, anyway, I just want to say like we need to really do a master plan and and codify it. and stop dealing with

533
02:29:04.479 --> 02:29:23.640
redevelopment that we never actually ever develop with. So that's just what I want to say tonight. Thank you. >> Marty Anderson. Martin Anderson. >> Mary Andrea. >> Mary. Where is she?

534
02:29:32.160 --> 02:29:50.520
Mary on Drake and 159 Street. Um, first of all, I think that everyone should be honest and you're really not going to get the budget down below two uh digits. It's impossible and everyone should accept that. Um,

535
02:29:50.640 --> 02:30:07.760
I wanted to, you know, everyone can be honest with me. I I I I can take it. Um, but, um, I've been steered wrong and I wanted answers and I never got them. But

536
02:30:07.760 --> 02:30:23.200
now I realize now that you don't have the money for the benches. Um that may seem insignificant but I'm a citizen. I have been here for 30ome years and

537
02:30:23.200 --> 02:30:37.840
uh I walk those streets as many people do and I rest because of my head because I get dizzy but it's not just for me it's for many people. And um they removed them in

538
02:30:37.840 --> 02:30:55.520
August. And yet I went to the director's assistant who gives me the same song and dance that um they're they're replaced. Well, that director doesn't live here and has a car, so I know she's not walking the

539
02:30:55.520 --> 02:31:12.000
streets as much as I do. I don't have a car and I have a post office box downtown. So, and I go 14th to first a lot. Now, you can hand I can handle it. If you can't replace them,

540
02:31:12.000 --> 02:31:28.080
then tell me. Um, I was told long time ago and that they're all replaced. Well, that's amazing because they're not replaced and the buses only have this the benches because the Hobokum Business

541
02:31:28.080 --> 02:31:43.760
Alliance voted on it and many businesses in this town don't live here. And as a citizen, I thought I counted and and the benches were promised to us in 2014 to however many years it took for the

542
02:31:43.760 --> 02:32:01.280
redoing of Washington Street that cost 23 million plus dollars. That's no reason to remove what that was promised to us. They are used. Uh there's many people that are feeble that are looking for benches and they can't sit down. And

543
02:32:01.280 --> 02:32:17.439
the buses stop alternately. So there used to be a bench at 9inth on the west side. There's one on the uh east side where the bus stop is. So I am accepting the fact that you are not

544
02:32:17.439 --> 02:32:33.200
replacing it. Now you do spend a lot not you the city one of the departments spends a lot of money on those ballards which get knocked down and then you buy them again. Um that's that's crazy.

545
02:32:33.200 --> 02:32:49.840
You need to This is a town and I would think you would want it to be a community where people could sit down and talk and uh please don't please please don't remove the bench at 7th because that's not a bus stop and Kurt Gardner and the rest of the vets got it

546
02:32:49.840 --> 02:33:06.720
put back there in August and I don't want to be responsible for having them remove it because it's not an official bus stop. Please, I'm begging you. Please don't do it. Um there's many people that use it and um I know it's not an official bus stop, but please um

547
02:33:06.720 --> 02:33:26.160
because it'll be my fault. Um uh I can't see. Um I I agree with a lot of what Miss Russo says and everyone seems to be so

548
02:33:26.160 --> 02:33:46.640
skittish. You can cut and you refuse. A job with less money is better than no jobs. The directors should all take a salary cut. They make way too much money for this town. The the I'm perplexed at the um

549
02:33:46.640 --> 02:34:03.040
overpayment. I mean the overtime. Overtime for what? I mean, every time I need something from the city, I have to come personally because none of you are here. Um, I'm tired of playing phone tag and so

550
02:34:03.040 --> 02:34:17.120
the only way I can do it is come here. And when I do come here, sometimes the people are here, but a lot of times they're not. Um, I have to make appointments. I will try to talk to the mayor about something and I was given

551
02:34:17.120 --> 02:34:34.240
two names to do so. So, um, I I don't know what to do. We I I make an effort. I mean, I feel like [ __ ] right now, and I I'm here. I wouldn't be here. Excuse my language. I wouldn't be here if I didn't care. Stop looking at your phone,

552
02:34:34.240 --> 02:34:51.680
Tiffany. >> Please. I know it's addictive. >> I'm not picking on you, but that the point is people come here. And and another thing I want to say, Lassie, is that I in all the years I've been here,

553
02:34:51.680 --> 02:35:08.960
I've never heard so many people say they may have to leave. >> That really threw me. I mean, these people are doing a hell of a lot better than I am. And uh you know, um that should be a wakeup

554
02:35:08.960 --> 02:35:26.720
call. I I don't expect, you know, even with I don't even know when the budget has to be done, but it's not going to be 10. I mean, it's going to have to be about 13 14 and you're still underwater. So, but there are cuts that can be made

555
02:35:26.720 --> 02:35:44.800
and people have got to put up pull up their big pants and and do it. Otherwise, everybody suffers. We all suffer. and and and and forget about this stupid World Cup. You know, we live here. We

556
02:35:44.800 --> 02:36:00.560
live here. I I appreciate that. I'm sorry I'm kind of slow because of my head, but I thank you for your time, but please be be be strong about this. >> President Ramos, can I give her some

557
02:36:00.560 --> 02:36:17.399
make her feel a little better? All right, Mary. When the HBA budget, if it passes, there is money allotted in there for park benches. Okay. >> Mark the master. >> Mark.

558
02:36:30.960 --> 02:36:47.439
I can I can adjust this. I didn't do it last time. Um, I am here for the Grand Street pilot fiasco. I'm against it. I'm here I'm here to keep this on the front burner. I mean, there's a lot of issues competing with this. New Jersey does not have a

559
02:36:47.439 --> 02:37:04.160
mass transit system like New York City MTA with extens extensive subways and bus system. We narrow cars to commute to shop to enjoy the shore to travel. New Jersey is pretty is a pretty rural state. We rely on the New Jersey Transit. We rely on the New Jersey

560
02:37:04.160 --> 02:37:20.319
Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway 78, 2808 80. I need my car to commute, cover my territory, and earn a living and pay taxes. Bicycles are for recreation. We have a great waterfront park. If uh you want you want to ride a bike, um if

561
02:37:20.319 --> 02:37:36.960
you're an electric bike or a gas scooter, uh you're not a bike and you should be able to keep up with the traffic. So, you don't I don't believe you deserve a bike lane. The purpose of a bike late is to encourage physical fitness and lower the carbon footprint. Ebikes and

562
02:37:36.960 --> 02:37:53.120
scooters do not do that. You have to juice up that uh battery at a power plant. This program is a nightmare for car owners and car commuters. This program cuts parking by 20% in our informal study. We have a shortage of

563
02:37:53.120 --> 02:38:08.160
parking. Why do you want to make it worse? Why do we want to make it more difficult for car owners and car commuters? This program allows no space for any type of delivery, packages, furniture, appliances, food without blocking the street. This program allows

564
02:38:08.160 --> 02:38:27.040
no space to drop off or pickup of ride share patrons. This program allows no space for loading or unloading disabled persons. This program allows no space for local residents to load or unload their cars. This program causes danger for um

565
02:38:27.040 --> 02:38:42.960
this cause this program causes danger for both bike lanes and passing auto traffic if as people open their car doors. This program presents poor visibility for motorists exiting from Acme or any driveway for both cyclists

566
02:38:42.960 --> 02:38:59.439
and passing motorists. There are blind spots when you want to pull out of a driveway or acme. This program presents a danger to pedestrians as now pedestrians have to cross two lanes of traffic. The protected bike lane presents a danger to ped to pedestrians as cyclists

567
02:38:59.439 --> 02:39:16.000
and ebikes often ride the wrong way in the protected bike lane. This program presents prevents emergency vehicles from passing if they are blocked by deliveries or ride share pickups and drop offs. This pro risk program makes it difficult to parallel park. The

568
02:39:16.000 --> 02:39:33.600
narrow lanes and inclement weather um i.e. slippery weather make it uh dangerous. I'm afraid of always sideswiping someone in a slippery situation with snow and slush. And these ballad these ballards. Can we get rid of these ballards?

569
02:39:33.600 --> 02:39:49.680
>> Can we paint off the coordinated areas? The coordinate areas you want to reserve. Can we put cross lines on them and allow them to be used as an off offramp to to to pull over to drop off

570
02:39:49.680 --> 02:40:07.520
for deliveries? You get a few minutes. If you abuse it, you get a ticket. If you abuse it, you get towed. Um, all these ballards do is create uh a hardship for motorists and they cost money because they're constantly being run over. Um, and why do we have an Adam

571
02:40:07.520 --> 02:40:23.520
ste pilot program? Residents are unhappy with the Grand Street pilot program. Why do we need two failed programs? The program is so unpopular the day they kicked off the program, the ceremony, they cancel it. >> Um, so if we are getting a DOT grant for

572
02:40:23.520 --> 02:40:40.560
Adam Street, I say we repave it and paint the road the way as it sits and reverse the Grand Street pilot program to as it was. I have one minute. First Street is very is a speedway. I think there should be a stop light on Grant

573
02:40:40.560 --> 02:40:54.319
and First uh Grant and First Street should there should be a traffic light. Adams and First Street, there should be a stop sign or a traffic light. Adams and Newark, I think they they should reduce that bump out when you take a left and I think there should be a stop

574
02:40:54.319 --> 02:41:11.120
sign going west. And as for the budget, an increase is 20%. That's every year. Why can't you do a condo assessment of pick a value for how we're short? do a condo assessment like a condo association would do. Cut it up into 12

575
02:41:11.120 --> 02:41:30.560
pieces and leave the tax base alone. >> That's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mark. >> Pat Waiters. >> Pat Waiters. >> Do you have my friend Melissa on there? She signed up over

576
02:41:30.560 --> 02:41:46.880
>> Patricia Waiters. I just want to say a few things and I agree with some of the things that Mr. already said because living in this town as long as we did, I can't say that for all the other new uh people that came and ran for office or whatever here. I'm going give you a

577
02:41:46.880 --> 02:42:01.359
little scenario that and I'm talking over 30 40 years. Every time it's a ugly election and the budget due and the budget approaching, Mike, you just remind me of the debate for real and this going for you is the way you explained yourself. You brought back

578
02:42:01.359 --> 02:42:19.280
memories years ago. As serious as the police department is, I was in the front of the line with my family. My kids were small with big signs saying, "Save the police. Save the police." Okay. That police was the first one on the chopping block. Am I lying, Mike? The first one

579
02:42:19.280 --> 02:42:36.080
on the chopping block to get rid of those jobs. We out there picketing and protesting, telling y'all how hard they work. And at the time, I was a correction officer. I know there's days we don't get sleep, we don't get to see our kids, but we got to be alert and our first defense is to protect the public

580
02:42:36.080 --> 02:42:52.080
safety. And they was on the chopping block to get rid of them. So, I don't have to be nobody's friend. And I put on here, cuts should not be based on being personal. Cuz later on it came out, well, you know why they did that to the

581
02:42:52.080 --> 02:43:07.600
cop? Mayor Zimmer don't like the cops. I SAID, WHO GIVES UP? Y'all got elected for the people. Our safety, our safety was in danger. So your little personal feelings, how you feel about people, you you know what you

582
02:43:07.600 --> 02:43:24.880
could do with it because all eight of y'all, and I put your name um in Ravi's eight years, y'all knew what Ravi was doing when y'all WAS VOTING. MIKE, YOU didn't have to sit here tonight and said it, BUT YOU SAID IT RIGHT. THIS AIN'T NO SURPRISE. All of y'all knew. And y'all was

583
02:43:24.880 --> 02:43:40.240
standing on pins and needles hoping my dear friend Michael Russo didn't get the mayorship because we wouldn't even be in here tonight. It wouldn't be two numbers. He was gonna be a man of his word. What do you think was going to happen if Ravi's reene one? WHAT DO YOU

584
02:43:40.240 --> 02:43:56.479
THINK? SO WHY Y'ALL IN HERE emotional tonight? I'm emotional cuz I got to raise again $37. But I'm being honest. What do you think was going to happen? So the question is tonight, and this for everybody that got up here tonight, what we going to do

585
02:43:56.479 --> 02:44:12.160
about it? Do y'all really realize we can ask for a recall? Do y'all really realize that people could be impeached or asked to be removed if we come out in numbers? Cuz we the one being impacted. I tell y'all for year, I don't care who

586
02:44:12.160 --> 02:44:28.240
don't like me. Get in line and join the crowd cuz I'm for the people. always have been and always will be. I'm asking you again. The resolution passed and you both said it, Michael. And I watched you Monday, Ruben. You was the one council

587
02:44:28.240 --> 02:44:43.600
president. I council president Monday at the caucus. I watched the caucus too when you said you said with Diane and y'all talked or whatever else. My thing is please y'all when y'all do the cutting, I know y'all probably hurt some of y'all friends that retired or left

588
02:44:43.600 --> 02:44:59.600
and came back. Look, look in those areas. Don't look at the community cops or the police or my director that live here, pay taxes here, vote here, and walk in the stores and in the streets. And I always see them and those the ones

589
02:44:59.600 --> 02:45:14.560
please y'all don't even have it nowhere in your mind and touching their salary. They should be getting more cuz the budget screwed up. It shouldn't fall in their lap. So when I stood up here and said, "Directors, my phone got 18 calls. I don't want to say what they about cuz

590
02:45:14.560 --> 02:45:31.120
I'll get arrested if I tell you again and I'm keeping it clear. Yes, I have nothing personal. I'm not a criminal. So, cuz I said don't touch my director's salary for all the smart a-holes. I DON'T CARE. GIVE CREDIT WHEN credit is

591
02:45:31.120 --> 02:45:48.720
due. When the crime start coming in the summer, you gonna wish you had the police department. All right, that's done. my CPT codes. I want you to educate me on that. I wrote it down and I'm serious. >> I need to be educated on that. And also

592
02:45:48.720 --> 02:46:04.880
the last business administrator, if my dear friend is getting 199, I put a little check by Jason Freeman with a sad face when the computers glitched and nobody knew what happened. You know how much money that caused the city of Hoboken? Did anybody do the investigation? You don't remember that,

593
02:46:04.880 --> 02:46:20.560
Miss Fcher? The computers, they they glitched. >> That's huge. HUGE. SOME OF YOUR BUDGET NUMBERS MIGHT BE WRONG cuz coins is being missing. Remember the computer glitch? None of y'all don't know. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Firestone looking at me like uh

594
02:46:20.560 --> 02:46:36.319
>> here's time. >> All right. >> So, understand those things like that need to be addressed. If you working hard and deserve your 1,00 199,000, kudos to you. But just earn it. Okay? Seriously, I don't like nepatism and you

595
02:46:36.319 --> 02:46:51.359
being appointed in a position just because. And thank you. They should pay you that. You do the work. Thank you. >> All right. Parking and towing in the housing and I'm finished after this. The HHA. I went down there to see the new guy. And when I stand up here and get emotional when I say y'all not old

596
02:46:51.359 --> 02:47:07.840
Hoboken, that broke my heart. I want to give new people a chance to come in our city. But come in our city and don't try to take over. We made Hoboken what it is. And we seen it destroy and we still willing to fix it back the old way.

597
02:47:07.840 --> 02:47:23.040
This was a smack in the face to everybody that lived down there. But I told him too, I don't know you, you don't know me, but you'll see a lot of me cuz I will never stop serving the HHA with that. And oh, I said the community pleasing. All right, after that, good night and thanks for being courtesy,

598
02:47:23.040 --> 02:47:43.319
giving me two extra minutes. Council President, >> 55 seconds. Thank you, Melissa Blanco. I'm going to do something a little bit unusual to just ask you to have your undivided attention.

599
02:47:46.720 --> 02:48:04.720
>> Oh yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Um, I'm not going to talk about um things like vote buying, incompetence of staff, uh, patronage, fraud, and racketeering.

600
02:48:04.720 --> 02:48:23.680
I can do that with an investigator or judge. There's no point in discussing it here. But I do want the people to be heard. You did not have 200 people in this room

601
02:48:23.680 --> 02:48:40.160
tonight because they will not come and suffer the indignities that you put the speakers to. And I won't name names, but certain of

602
02:48:40.160 --> 02:49:01.200
you are sitting there smirking, playing on your phones, packing your bags while there are speakers, talking with each other, giving all the body language that says,

603
02:49:01.200 --> 02:49:16.399
"F you, and I don't agree." It's different back here, but above the line, a judge will tell you, uh, someone behind here, take your hands out of your

604
02:49:16.399 --> 02:49:35.600
pockets. We've got some of you leaning back on your chairs as staring into space, not listening. If you're not also scrolling, have you can't possibly be listening.

605
02:49:35.600 --> 02:49:52.720
Maybe you don't care about homeless veterans, but please listen. And I have to say I I hope I can say a name, but I watch the videos. Mike is attentive to every speaker.

606
02:49:52.720 --> 02:50:09.600
Why is that? The body language is just hard for some speakers. I don't have to describe what body language means to you when you're telling that speaker to not only that you're listening and you

607
02:50:09.600 --> 02:50:23.680
despise them. I won't have to describe those. Just wa watch your own videos at some point in time. Ask your families to watch you.

608
02:50:23.680 --> 02:50:50.399
Ask your churches to watch you get some feedback. Understand what hypocrisy is. Thank you. >> Have no more public speakers signed up. >> Motion to close public portion. >> Second. All in favor?

609
02:50:50.399 --> 02:51:04.479
>> I motion close. >> N Oh. One reminder, Memorial Day parade will be on a Saturday, uh, May 30th at 11:00 a.m., right? May 30th, followed by the Champions League game of Arsenal at

610
02:51:04.479 --> 02:51:23.080
12:00 p.m. against Paris St. Jim. So, >> that'll be a fast parade, my friend. Thank you, veterans. Appreciate it. Motion to all in favor? I >> everybody. >> Good night, everyone. Appreciate it.

611
02:51:23.760 --> 02:51:48.000
My god, I'm gonna die. >> Not too bad. >> I thought it was going to be a 10:30. >> I just need >> So, we will need >> Jimmy. All right, my buddy. >> No, I can. Okay,

612
02:51:48.000 --> 02:52:01.920
>> where are they? Those are all part of the application. She just continues to not put in a complete application. >> Find it. Right. I hear your point. Fight.