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| Mayor Dawn Zimmer in her office |
1) Accomplishments
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: Dawn stated she was very proud of the fact she has put together a strong team of Directors. She first mentioned Ian Sacs Director of Parking and Transportation who has been working on reducing congestion, alleviating parking, and pedestrian safety.
She touched on Hertz Connect with 230 registrations, and that it is 4 months ahead of schedule according to Hertz. She mentioned there are many pedestrian safety initiatives, 3 new bus routes, bike lanes and texting for GPS locations of buses as initiatives that are underway or in the works.
She said that her Administration is trying make Hoboken a place where people can get around and not necessarily have to drive their car all the time.
Dawn next mentioned Director Forbes and her work alongside the planning board and that they were working to change the process on how projects are done. Past Administrations just told the Director who to work with but Brandy was able to put together RFPs to select the consultants she will be working with going forward. She stated that they are moving ahead with Western Edge, Hoboken Cove, 1600 Park, 14th Street Viaduct, Southwest Park and NJ Transit projects .
She stressed that community input is a key to these projects. Zimmer added that in the fall, a review of the redevelopment process is planned to walk citizens through how that process works.
Dawn then mentioned Director Leo Pellegrini who has reduced costs while retaining services in both cultural affairs and recreation activities. Some new initiatives for the Administration will include online registration for recreational affairs and paying taxes online.
Dawn also said she is very pleased with the hire of the Business Administrator Arch Liston. Now that the B.A. is on board she feels that the Administration is well on their way towards reducing the costs for the City to operate. She stated the Administration will be making the tough choices. When the Administration was under the State Fiscal monitor she said that in many cases that their "hands were tied" when it came to cost cutting measures. Now that Hoboken is out from under the State Fiscal Monitor she said that Arch Liston is working on a plan to reduce expenses.
2) Police Audit:
Hoboken Journal: The police audit was released by the State a while ago. What is the schedule for action on the recommendations in that audit? Do you the BA, the Public Safety Director feel that the audit is accurate in its assessment? Are you aware that the head of the police union for patrolmen Vince Lombardi has told me that he has a copy of an audit that the Police Union had done at their own expense to the tune of $18k? Have you read it?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: The Mayor acknowledged that she has received the report from the PBA and said that the Administration will be reviewing it. She declined further public comment because she feels it is a policy of hers not to communicate to the unions through the press or blogs and that they will be getting back to the PBA on their findings.
3) Police Layoffs:
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: She stated that the layoffs will be happening. She added there are difficult choices to be made but she feels the tax burden of the City is too high. She mentioned that Arch Liston as a former police chief will be bringing about significant savings for Hoboken taxpayers and that there will be an announcement soon.
4) Transparency:
Hoboken Journal: I recall that your campaign ran on a platform of transparency. How do you feel that your administration has done on that premise to date and what do you have to say to your detractors who felt that the Municipal garage was less than transparent?
Mayor Zimmer: She stated she felt that the Administration is doing pretty well and that they are working to get as much information out there as possible with limited resources. She wants to eventually revamp the website and continue to improve getting information out to the community.
She mentioned that the Administration is looking to hire someone to handle all the compliance that is necessary and that would be possibly happening in the near future with the funding of that position a concern.
5) Municipal Garage and the process:
Dawn continued from the previous topic and covered this area I had a question for:
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: She stated she believes that her Administration has been as open as possible. Mayor Zimmer stressed that the public will always have input and did in this case. She feels that there has been a lot of misunderstanding from the Public on the process and cited an example of one resident thinking the spending limits abeing $29K per month for no bid contacts instead of annually to illustrate her point.
The Mayor said felt that the administration presented the best option to the City Council, public comment was allowed, and that the City Council then voted on it. She stated that the solution of 15th and Clinton for the Municipal Garage is a short term solution but it is the most flexible and cost effective for the taxpayer. Her goal was to have a backup plan in place for August 13th when the agreement to sell deadline comes up in case that transaction goes through.
6) Pilots:
Hoboken Journal: Just so you know I have developed an acronym for PILOTS, Persistent Injustice Levied On Taxpayers. One of your campaign issues that I remember well was your stance on PILOTS: You supported ending the use of abusive PILOT tax abatements. You sponsored Legislation as a City Council person and also stated that you would do an inventory of existing agreements and where the City is with respect to with those payments. What is the status of our existing PILOT payments and are all locations up to date with their payments?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: She remarked that redevelopment counsel has addressed some payment issues . The review is in progress by redevelopment counsel and that action has been taken where appropriate. The Mayor stated that she had to check with legal before she could release specific names of entities.
Hoboken Journal: Have any new PILOTS been issued since you have taken office?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: Her answer was no. She did mention the developer Hekemian with respect to the Municipal garage and their PILOT modification proposal. Mayor Zimmer said she rejected that offer since it would in her opinion be detrimental to residents by modifying the PILOT schedule in terms not favorable to taxpayers.
Hoboken Journal: Church Towers Pilot: When will the CT PILOT be reviewed regarding their compliance with the obligation to join a proper government program and will the PILOT be canceled if they fail to comply?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: The Mayor stated this is under review with all the other PILOT agreements.
7) Reval: Where are we with the Reval process?
Hoboken Journal: Where Hoboken is with the Revaluation process?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: She remarked that the City Council has just passed the resolution to proceed with the tax maps so the next step is to get the contract signed and get the process started. The tax maps must be completed before the revaluation process can commence.
8) Pier C Park:
Hoboken Journal: There had been a communication on Hoboken Patch that the Pier C Park would be open by July 1st. That day has come and past and it is understood that there have been supply chain issues as well as potential safety issues as well.
What does your Administration plan to do to ensure that when dates are communicated out that they are dates that can be met? Can I also get a status on where we are with construction at a high level?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: Zimmer acknowledged that the process has been frustrating and that the project manager had assured them they could meet that schedule of July 1st. She said there were issues between the contractor and sub-contractor and that has been resolved with a dual payment approach. The handrails not being delivered on time in her opinion were the main reason for missing the deadline.
She went on to add that the remaining issues are the hot dome and the end of the slide potentially being too hot. She stated she thought that the shade structure would have worked. The City Council members were given another alternative based on their concerns and passed it recently . The new equipment is the same as what is being used at New York City's Chelsea Waterside Park.
9) Flooding:
Hoboken Journal: I know that one flooding pump is underway down by the NJ Transit Yard. Why only one pump has moved forward when an study commissioned by the Sewerage Authority indicated that up to 4 pumps might be needed to completely resolve the flooding? What other initiatives are underway to alleviate flooding ?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: Dawn stated she was very pleased that the Southeast pump which is the most critical is now underway. The predictions are that it could eliminate 80% of the flooding. She stated that the EMNET sensor technology could be used to establish a baseline of data before the pump goes online.
Dawn mentioned that there was a community process on the exterior look of the pump which has been put forward based on input from the public. The other opportunities would be explored after these two initiatives have been completed to see what else needs to be done.
10) Bad Roads:
Hoboken Journal: Citizens have remarked about potholes on Bloomfield, and that Washington Street needs to be repaved. Many are happy with the recent repaving of certain County roads but tell me that more needs to be done to other roads as well. What does the Administration have planned to improve the state of our City maintained roads?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: Mayor Zimmer stated that additional funds are available to repave roads. She said that the sense from the Administration is that the Northwest is the worst of the areas in need. She recommended that citizens contact Jennifer Maier of Environmental services if there are any road conditions of concern. Eventually, the Mayor said she would like to allow citizens to report bad road conditions online.
11) HUMC:
Hoboken Journal: I feel that you have selected a very strong group to sit on the HUMC board. Is it still the basic goal for you to ultimately privatize the Hospital and get the City out from its bond obligations?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer: Zimmer stated that is still the objective of her Administration and that it is best for the future of the hospital in the long run. She believes that she is on the same page with Spiros Hatiris and that she can't speak for the board. Legal representation has been procured for strategic opportunities and there has been interest from outside parties. She stated that the Board will ultimately make the decision and she just made the appointments.
What would a Hoboken Journal interview be without a few funny questions? ....
12) Hoboken 411 Monkey Business:
Hoboken Journal: When Hoboken 411 did the satire on you with monkey pictures, what was your reaction? Did you go ape? Would you like a banana? I ask this question as political satire has come under fire in this town from some very thin skinned individuals.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer (laughing): Zimmer stated after laughing during my entire reading of the question: "I though it was pretty funny."
13) Christie Gaffe:
Hoboken Journal: Do you care to tell us what words that you and Governor Christie might have shared when you accidentally and comically introduced him as Governor Corzine at the Hoboken town hall meeting regarding the municipal toolkit?
Mayor Dawn Zimmer (laughing): She didn't remember exactly what was said but she remembers looking over and that the Governor was pleased with her talk and she was happy that "he took it in stride".
My comment: It is good to see that Hoboken's Mayor has a sense of humor.
14) Dual Board Positions and Mike Lenz:
Near the end of the interview Dawn Zimmer reiterated that she feels that only one person should only sit on one board and that is her policy. With that said, Dawn Zimmer emphasized that Mike Lenz is a key City Council member and that without his work on the budget, she believes that Hoboken could still be under the supervision of the State Fiscal monitor. She stated that the whole budget process was very thorough and transparent and that as the Finance Chair Mike Lenz deserves credit for helping get the budget passed this past fiscal year. It was this crucial step that has allowed her Administration to get from under State control and move forward with the agenda of reducing costs and becoming more efficient.
15) Ending Statement:
In wrapping up the interview Dawn Zimmer stated "I am proud of the fact I have set up a new Administration, dealt with a lot of crises, and that we are now in a position to reduce costs, be fiscally responsible and we have really worked hard to improve quality of life issues as well".
Final note: I am sure if I had more time I would have been able to cover a few more issues. Please note that this is my first interview of the Mayor. I really appreciate Mayor Zimmer taking the time to answer these questions and her Administration for reaching out to me and my humble blog. I am impressed by the number of things that are coming up and the dedication her and that many of her staff have towards making Hoboken better step by step. Whether or not you share in the goals of the Zimmer Administration, I leave it to you to comment your thoughts below. ◦
