Dear Neighbors,
Happy Black History Month. Here’s the latest on what’s going on in our community.
COVID-19 Updates
The transmission rate for NJ had been below 1.0 for several months, reflecting that for each person who gets COVID, it is spread to less than one other person. Then, with the spike of the Delta variant, New Jersey’s transmission rate had been at or above 1.0 for some time before dipping back below 1.0 once more. After jumping above 1.0 due to the Omicron variant, New Jersey’s transmission rate now has fallen back below 1.0 and presently is at .51.
Over 6.6 million New Jerseyans have been fully vaccinated with over 14 million doses administered in New Jersey, as of February 10th. As of February 6th, Hoboken’s positive test results total 9,512 cases confirmed since the start of the pandemic. Two weeks ago, there were 9,318 positive cases. Please stay vigilant, practice social distancing when necessary, wash your hands, and stay safe.
Last July, we celebrated an extended stretch of 60 days of having no COVID patients at Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC). However, HUMC is now hospitalizing 11 people with COVID. Three are Hoboken Residents with one being unvaccinated. The 2 vaccinated Hoboken patients had not received a booster shot. If you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID, please quarantine and then schedule an appointment for a COVID test 5-7 days for those fully vaccinated and immediately for those unvaccinated after potential exposure. To find out when you should get tested, click here.
Sadly, in the past two weeks, two more COVID-19 related deaths were announced in our community, a man in his late 30s and a man in his early 80s, increasing Hoboken’s COVID death toll to 31 since the start of the pandemic. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to each Hoboken family that has endured this terrible pain and loss.
Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings reaffirms City of Hoboken’s AA+ credit rating
Standard & Poor's Global Ratings (S&P), one of the nation's premier credit rating companies, reaffirmed Hoboken's AA+ credit rating, the second-highest rating a municipality can receive.
Hoboken taxpayers will continue to benefit from the City's high credit rating as the City will have access to low-interest rates for debt service payments when issuing bonds for capital improvements and acquisitions. Our AA+ rating previously qualified the City for low-interest loans with principal forgiveness through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank which helped fund the Northwest Resiliency Park with no impact on the 2022 municipal budget.
The report outlined several of the City’s strengths including:
- An extremely strong local economy
- Financial management policies and practices with a strong institutional framework
- Strong budgetary performance
- A financial profile that will improve in the near term
- The City’s strong cash position
Additionally, when issuing its AA+ credit rating, S&P cited the City's $230 million Rebuild by Design project as an effort to combat climate change and storm surge events, as well as additional resiliency measures that "will improve Hoboken's economic and financial resilience."
The Office of Constituent Affairs is Back!
The Constituent Affairs Office has reopened! Our Constituent Services Manager, Nora Martinez DeBenedetto, has begun her work to assist Hoboken residents.
In the coming weeks, Nora and our Directors will be establishing a new system of accepting constituent requests, which will replace the outdated 311 system. If you would like to contact the Office of Constituent Services, email ndebenedetto@hobokennj.gov
Union Agreements for our Police and Firefighters
Fire Fighters Local 1078 and Hoboken Patrolmen's Benevolent Association PBA Local 2 have signed contracts with the City that were approved by their memberships and then unanimously approved by the City Council at our meeting on February 2nd.
These union contracts will save the City’s resources by waiving the City’s back pay obligations for current employees for three years, and by modifying Union members’ health benefit plans in a way to benefit our public safety employees and reduce our City budget. Importantly, the PBA and Firefighters agreed to change the City's health benefit plan to match the benefit plan offered by the State of New Jersey. In this way, the City will be able to save millions on health insurance costs while still providing our public safety workers high-quality health insurance. Our public safety officers also received a modest raise, appropriate for their dedicated service to our City.
Monarch Site improvements Meeting
On Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom, the City of Hoboken will hold a public meeting to discuss short-term improvements to the former Monarch site, acquired for the purpose of a public park in 2021.
Short-term improvements will enhance pedestrian and bicyclist access, safety and security of the property, and allow community members immediate access to the site as the City begins the public planning process for the park's final design later this year. These short-term improvements include installing a pedestrian walkway on the west side of the site between Sinatra Drive and 15th Street to connect the existing waterfront walkway, removing the fenced-in trash storage area, upgrading site fencing, removing debris and cleaning up the existing gravel surface.
Acquiring the Monarch site and finally stopping two large-scale residential buildings from being built over our 15th Street piers has been a major accomplishment of Mayor Bhalla’s Administration. After years of fighting to keep our waterfront public, I am gratified to see plans forming to make our northern waterfront the peoples’ park. Years from now, when we have a waterfront open to the public from the North to the South — from the Monarch Site, through Union Dry Dock — with spectacular, uninterrupted vistas and parklands, we will remember Mayor Zimmer and Mayor Bhalla and tireless advocates like the Fund for a Better Waterfront — who took on the difficult fights against well-funded corporate adversaries — and won — making the vision of our connected waterfront park, for the people, a reality.
To register for this kickoff meeting for planning our Monarch site waterfront park, click here. Those who register will receive a confirmation email containing information to join the webinar. The proposed concept plans and meeting recordings will be available after the meeting at www.hobokennj.gov/parks.
Financial support available for homeowners and small businesses
Eligible homeowners can apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA), administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA).
Under the program, eligible homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can receive up to $35,000 in assistance for mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes, and other housing costs.
To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:
- New Jersey homeowner with a demonstrated COVID-19 related financial hardship occurring after January 20, 2020;
- Own and occupy an eligible primary residence;
- Income at or below 150% of their county’s Area Median Income (AMI).
To access the application portal, click here.
Housing counselors are available to assist with applications at no charge to you. You can find a participating housing counselor here. Contact (855) 647-7700 or HAFservicing@njhmfa.gov for additional support between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Starting Thursday, Feb. 10, at 10 am, small businesses can apply for grant funding through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's Small Business Improvement Grant program.
The program offers reimbursement for the costs associated with making improvements to buildings or purchasing new furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
A total of $15 million of Main Street Recovery Finance Program funding has been allocated to the program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted. To learn more, click here.
Helping Businesses Affected by the Chambord Place Fire
I am proud to co-chair the Hoboken Relief Fund. Last week, the Hoboken Relief Fund received a generous $10,000 donation from the owners of the 38 Jackson Street Property, the Taurasi Group. This donation kickstarted a major round of fundraising with friends and neighbors coming together to help the businesses and families who are struggling in the wake of this tragic fire.
The Taurasi Group generously offered to double the gift to $20,000 if the Hoboken Relief Fund raises another $10,000 from our community by February 15, 2022. This match gift challenge offers us a great opportunity to make an even bigger impact to help our neighbors.
As business owners from Chambord Place continue submitting applications for assistance to the Hoboken Relief Fund, the Fund is asking for folks to make their tax-deductible contributions so we can fully help these Hoboken business owners now and in the future. Help Hoboken continue to thrive by donating securely here: https://hobokenrelieffund.com/donate-now/.
Captain Steven Aguiar Will be Hoboken’s New Acting Police Chief
Hoboken Police Captain Steven Aguiar has been appointed Acting Police Chief, effective March 1, 2022, the day our current Acting Police Chief, Daniel LoBue, retires.
Hoboken native Captain Aguiar joined the Hoboken Police Department in 2002. During his 20 years with the department, Captain Aguiar worked as a Uniform Patrol Officer and Detective with the Vice Unit. As a member of the Chief's command staff, he has also commanded the Bureau of Internal Affairs, the Technical Service Bureau, and the Emergency Response Unit. Additionally, he is a member of the City's Policing Policy Task Force.
Throughout his tenure with the department, he has received numerous awards for his service, including the Gallantry Star, Meritorious Service Award, Exceptional Service Award, Honorable Service Award, and Life Saving Award, among others.
Captain Aguiar will become the second Hispanic Acting Police Chief in Hoboken’s history, following Edelmiro “Eddie” Garcia’s service as Acting Police Chief in 2014. Best wishes to Acting Chief LoBue on his coming retirement and best of luck to Captain Aguiar as he takes on this new leadership role.
$200,000 in grant funding to local nonprofits
As part of the City's Nonprofit Support Program, Mayor Bhalla and the City of Hoboken have awarded grant funding to local nonprofit organizations.
The City distributed $214,695 in funding allocated through the American Rescue Plan to nonprofits that provided services to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All 10 nonprofits that applied for funding through the City's Nonprofit Support Program received grants, including the Hoboken Shelter, the Hoboken Public Education Foundation, HoLa Dual Language Charter School, the Hoboken Community Center, Accessible Festivals, Amazing Truth Society Inc., Community Lifestyle Corporation, Computers 4 People Inc., Hoboken Family Alliance, Inc., and TRUE Mentors, Inc.
The grant funds cover previously unbudgeted expenses incurred from March 1, 2020, through October 1, 2021, as well as programmatic needs related to COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery programs and services.
The Municipal Mask Mandate for Local Businesses Has Been Repealed
This past Wednesday, Mayor Bhalla, the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the Hoboken Health Department repealed OEM's Executive Order requiring indoor masking. Local Hoboken businesses still have the option to require customers to wear face masks.
A big factor in this decision was data reflecting that Hudson County's COVID positivity rate had dropped below 5%. When the City reintroduced the mask mandate on December 27th, the City made clear that this data point would be a key indicator to end the mandate. Schools’ mask requirements for schools in the Mile Square continue to be determined by the authority of each individual school or district.
COVID and Travel
The CDC has issued travel recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. All travelers leaving the State should check with the travel destination and transportation carrier (i.e., airline, cruise ship) to see if there are additional health and safety protocols or requirements, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test within days of departure. Travelers should also check with their employers, schools, and other entities that may have quarantine policies.
The CDC recommends delaying your travel until you are fully vaccinated.
Domestic Travel
The CDC advises that unvaccinated individuals should get tested 1-3 days before their trip, 3-5 days after travel, and stay home and self-quarantine for 5 days after domestic travel. Vaccinated New Jersey residents are no longer required to quarantine when traveling domestically outside the state. For more information, click here for the CDC’s guidance for domestic travel.
International Travel
The CDC requires all air passengers arriving in the US from a foreign country to get tested for COVID-19 no more than 1 day before their flight departs and present their negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 before boarding the flight. For more details on international travel from the CDC click here.
COVID Testing Updates
To get the current Hoboken COVID testing and hours click here.
Free Testing for Hoboken Residents and Business Employees:
601/605 Jackson Street (Administered by Medicine Man)
Date: Monday to Friday
Time: 9am - 2pm Monday & Tuesday, 4 - 7pm Wed, 9am - 1pm Thurs, 9am - 3pm Friday
Location: 601/605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
605 Jackson Street (Administered by PromptMD)
Date: Wednesday
Time: 8 am - 1 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
601 Jackson Street (Administered by Riverside)
Date: Tuesday, Saturday
Time: 9 am - 2 pm
Location: 605 Jackson Street
Type of testing: Rapid (15 Minute), PCR
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees
City MD
City MD at 231 Washington Street also offers COVID-19 tests. You can walk in without an appointment and get tested during regular hours.
At-home testing
The NJ Department of Health and Vault Medical Services is offering free, at-home COVID-19 saliva test kits. To order your kit go to learn.vaulthealth.com/nj. I ordered four free test kits from the federal government for my family, and you can order yours at https://www.covidtests.gov/.
COVID Vaccination News
As of February 10th, nearly 100% of our seniors (65 and older) have received their first dose, and nearly 100% of our seniors are fully vaccinated. Thanks to our seniors for stepping up and protecting themselves and our community!
98% of Hoboken residents 12 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 83% are fully vaccinated.
94% of Hoboken residents 18 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 80% are fully vaccinated.
Nearly 100% of Hoboken residents 30 and older have been provided with at least one dose, and 89% are fully vaccinated.
85% of all Hoboken residents have been provided with at least one dose, and 73% are fully vaccinated.
Mayor Bhalla and the Hoboken Health Department continue collaborating with local providers to offer a free COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic this week for Hoboken residents and employees of Hoboken businesses at the following location and times:
Walk-in Vaccination Clinics
Where: 601 Jackson Street
Who: Hoboken residents, Hoboken business employees, Hoboken students
Day: Tuesday
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm (Tuesday)
Vaccine Offered: Pediatric Pfizer, and Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J boosters
Ages: 5-11 (Pfizer Pediatric), 18+ (booster)
Administered By: Medicine Man Pharmacy and Compounding
To get current Hoboken information on the City’s vaccination and clinic schedules click here as new information is posted daily.
If you are a Hoboken resident and would like a copy of your vaccination record, please contact LMedeiros@hobokennj.gov. Vaccination records are also accessible for all New Jersey residents through the Docket app.
CVS pharmacies in Hoboken Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown locations also supply the COVID-19 vaccine. Walgreens pharmacies in Hoboken Downtown and its two Uptown locations are also supplying the COVID-19 vaccine. You can also receive the vaccine at the County’s vaccination center in Kearny. Click here to make an appointment.
Coffee with Cohen . . . the home edition
Last year, to practice social distancing, rather than eliminate my monthly Coffee with Cohen events, I turned to the internet. At my last event on February 8th, Director of Transportation and Parking Ryan Sharp, we discussed Hoboken’s Vision Zero efforts being recognized as a national model by US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Hoboken’s Complete Streets Plan, plans for future bike infrastructure, and much, much more. Over 250 people have watched this event and you can check it out here.
My next Coffee with Cohen event will be in two weeks. I hope to see you there. Do you have any questions? Send them to HobokenPhil@gmail.com as I try to address each one. These events are hosted on my Facebook page Philcohenforcouncil and you can watch them here.
You can always follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. If you have any questions or concerns, or if I can be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com.
Phil Cohen
Hoboken City Councilman
Hoboken, New Jersey
HobokenPhil@gmail.com
(862) 234-9053
P.S. You can learn more about me and my ideas for Hoboken (as well as read this newsletter and my prior newsletters) on my website philcohen.org.
