3/18/2010 Update:
Seven hour marathon once again
The recipe we presented for tonight’s meeting was spot on. But to sum up a couple points briefly:
- The council approved a $100 million dollar budget with practically no tax break for you angry residents – which will certainly go up and up and and…
- The council decided NOT to pass the Police Union agreement for two reasons: One, so that they could “show” a negative number (albeit pennies), and two, so that they could “kick the can down the road” with the Police – which most people agree, will cost much more in the end.
More on all of this and more later…
Archived video and chat is available after the jump!
3/17/2010 PREVIEW:
Budget! Contracts! New and Higher Fees! Cake Boss!
Adoption of the budget, consideration of two Police union contracts, a massive hidden tax increase in the form of new and increased fees, a contract for an HCDO-connected attorney, and an appearance by the Cake Boss top the many items on tonight’s City Council agenda. Tonight’s cake recipe includes: five tablespoons of acrimony, four cups of posturing, ten pounds of hypocrisy, and a just a pinch of transparency. Mix well before placing in City Hall oven for at least six hours. You won’t see a preview this comprehensive anywhere else!
Read AGENDA and RESOLUTION PACK
Buddy Valastro commended by the Council
The Cake Boss will make a pilgrimage across the street from Carlo’s Bakery to accept a commendation from Councilwoman Theresa Castellano “for serving as a good will ambassador promoting his First Ward bakery and the City of Hoboken to the world.
Buddy and his team made a record two Hoboken inauguration cakes last year.
Budget public hearing and final vote
With less than three and a half months left in fiscal year 2010, the budget up for approval tonight is more spending history than spending plan. City Hall is selling it as a package that offers an overall tax cut of 0.5%, even though Mayor Dawn Zimmer promised a 25% tax cut. Members of the public will be allowed to express their feelings about the budget for five minutes each at the beginning of the meeting. If you don’t like your tax bill, this is your opportunity to speak up.
Zimmer raises fees on businesses and homeowners
Revenue is down. Raising tax rates is unpopular, so what’s a Mayor who needs more money to do?
Raise fees on a myriad of licenses from restaurants to filmmakers, dog owners and anyone trying to do a little home improvement! 82 different fees will either be raised or introduced in Ordinance Z-31 tonight.
Here’s a sample:
- Plenary Retail License: Rises from $2,000 to $2,400
- Mercantile License: Doubles from $50 to $100
- Minimum Plumbing subcode fee: Doubles from $20 to $40
- Filmaking Permits: Double from $350 to $700
If your building has an elevator, the inspection fees will be going up sharply. Certificates of occupancy will also rise, along with fees for new construction and renovation. Take a look at the ordinance in the meeting package and see how much money you stand to lose.
A public hearing will be held on the Hoboken tax in sheep’s clothing ordinance tonight before the council takes a final vote.
Police contract agreements up for a vote
As you read here first on Monday morning, the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the PBA and PSOA bargaining units are on tonight’s agenda. The deals negotiated by Fiscal Monitor Judy Tripodi include givebacks in the areas of health care benefits, prescription drug co-pays, vacation time off, and limits to amount of days off that can be “banked” for payout later. In exchange, the unions negotiated raises in each of the years of the contract.
The vote tonight is pure political theater; Zimmer’s majority is already set to reject the MOA’s. First they’ll give their allies in the Hoboken REVOLT group the opportunity to scream and shout a bit. Watch for Revolters to play their part, but never bring up the fact that Mayor Zimmer and her Council-at-Large slate promised a 25% tax cut that will never happen.
The Hoboken411 Council Preview continues with Applications for Open Space Trust Fund money, a contract for an HCDO-connected law firm, and the latest on the Council Conflict/Pay-to-Pay controversy, AFTER THE JUMP!
[Click to continue reading the rest....]
Technorati Tags: 2010, agenda, Buddy Valastro, budget, Cake Boss, Chat, city council, Contract, Contracts, Hidden Fees, Hoboken, Live Blog, Live Video, March 17, Meeting, New Jersey, NJ, police, Resolutions, taxes, union
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