Hoboken City Council Meeting Recap

Many other municipalities in New Jersey may consider 11 p.m. late to finish a city council meeting. For Hoboken, though, it's early. Wednesday night's city council meeting was the last one before Tuesday's city-wide elections, when all six ward seats are up.

Below is a recap of some of the major issues discussed during meeing.

• City Council approved a resolution to reject the down town municipal garage, located on Observer between Willow and Park, as a place for a 24/7 impound yard. The resolution states that the garage's block is highly residential (150 residents in 73 condominium units) and shouldn't be used as a place in the city where towed vehicles are brought, because towing and impounding often takes place at all hours of the night. The resolution passed unanimously. Meanwhile, the city is still involved in litigation about the municipal garage site.

• The council voted to approve a request the Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority for more information about the Hoboken University Medical Center after a lengthy—and often heated—discussion. The initial resolution, which Corporation Counsel Mark Tabakin described as "ill-advised and unenforceable," was amended before it was approved unanimously.

• A resolution to start procedures to remove Councilman Michael Russo as Hoboken Housing Authority Commissioner in of a of his meeting with FBI informant Solomon Dwek, failed in a 4-4 vote. Russo said corporation counsel had advised him not to speak on the matter, because of a potential conflict of interest. Former corporation counsel David Corrigan spoke on behalf of Russo. The resolution—sponsored by Council members Carol Marsh and David Mello—called for filing charges against Russo, appointing a hearing officer and a hearing in order to remove him from his post. Corrigan will be paid by the city for his services.

• The mayor told the council in a communication that she reappointed Jeanne Rodriguez as the mayoral appointee to the HHA. will be the governor's appointee. The HHA reorganization will take place on May 12.

• City council pulled the resolution to adopt the miunutes of previous meetings and closed sessoins from the agenda.

• City council approved a resolution asking that 1600 Park will be open for public use by the Fall of 2011.

• A resolution to approve budget amendments in the 2011 budget was tabled at the beginning of the meeting.
• A settlement between the city and five hispanic police officers who sued the city in 2007, .

• Nino Giacchi asked about , urging Director of Community Development Brandy Forbes to make sure the memorial will have a "grand opening" before September. Forbes said the design is being finalized and that the city is ready to go out to bid to construct the memorial.