Emotions Flare High as Council Approves Shared Services with Weehawken

City Council voted unanimously to enter a shared services agreement with the township of Weehawken to store municipal vehicles at 1714 Willow Ave., but not before a member of the public notified the council of the fact that there is another lessee interested in the property, causing outrage and confusion from council members as well as some members of the public. 

This decision comes one day after the city decided to terminate the contract with development firm S. Hekemian Group to sell the garage for $25.5 million. The city will not be able to receive the "no further action letter" from the state's Department of Environmental Protection, which the city says is caused by a breach of contract by the developer. 

Perry Belfiore, a loyal frequenter of meetings told the council that he had heard rumors of somebody who wants to start a business at that same location and already has a lease agreement. "I'm here to ask if indeed that rumor is true," Belfiore said to the eight present members of the council. (First Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano was absent.)

The reply to that question came from Corporation Counsel Michael Kates. 

"There is a lease outstanding," he said. But, "it's not firm, because it's dependent on a variance."

There is currently no application for a variance in the zoning office for 1714 Willow Ave. 

Kates acknowledged that the administration was aware of the other interested party and reached out to the business owner in question. Kates said that the city's current move to that site does not interfere with the other party's interest, because it's for 60 days only.

But, Kates also said that this location could potentially be a permanent solution, but that needs to be decided by the council after this first 60-day test run. 

The other interested party has a future right to be on that property, according to Kates. The business owner in question—whose name was not mentioned in the meeting—could not be reached before press time. 

The city is in the process of moving to 1714 Willow, and is renting the site for $15,000 a month. Because the total cost for the two months is under the $36,000 threshold needed for council approval, city council did not have to vote on the move. After 60 days, the administration will have to go back to the council if it wants to extend the lease. 

"You're really going to vote on this?" asked Belfiore about the resolution to approve shared services. "Frankly it's disgusting."

Because of Tuesday night's decision to terminate the contract with Hekemian, the city will go out to bond for $16 million to buy back the municipal garage on Observer Highway. Still, it will have to move out of that location before Friday Aug. 13. 

Director of Environmental Services Jennifer Maier said that the city is on track to vacate the garage by Thursday night, and be out of there on Friday. 

"I'd just like to know now, why are we moving?" said Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo. "We have no reason to move. It makes zero sense to me."

Russo and Fourth Ward Councilman Michael Lenz then proceeded to get into a bit of a shouting match. "You refuse to let your colleagues speak," Russo told Lenz, after he interrupted the third ward councilman several times. 

Kates explained that, due to anticipated litigation with Hekemian, the city needs to be in the strongest possible position, and that includes moving out of the garage. 

It seemed that all city council members agreed on the shared services idea, but the lack of information about another lease is what upset some. 

"What bothers me is the issue of transparency," said Second Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason, "finding this information at this late date is surprising and shocking."