CITY OF UNION CITY HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY UNION CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
: : TRANSCRIPT OF RECORDED REGULAR MEETING : : PROCEEDINGS :
Via Zoom Video Conference Union City, New Jersey
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Commencing at 4:38 p.m.
M E M B E R S P R E S E N T:
VINCENT BONITO, COMMISSIONER, (Remotely) EVA FESTA, COMMISSIONER, (Remotely) WILMER IZQUIERDO, COMMISSIONER, (Remotely) CARLOS VALLEJO, COMMISSIONER, (Remotely) PAUL CASPER, VICE CHAIRMAN, (Remotely) LUCIO FERNANDEZ, CHAIRMAN, (Remotely)
M E M B E R S A B S E N T:
A L S O P R E S E N T:
LADY JIMENEZ-TORRES, Assistant Secretary to the Board, (Remotely)
KENNEDY NG, Executive Director, (Arrived at 4:47 p.m., Remotely)
FLORIO, KENNY, RAVAL, LLP BY: ALEXANDER J. CORRADO, ESQ., (Remotely) Board Attorney
2 I N D E X
PAGE
CALL TO ORDER 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4
ROLL CALL 5
AGENDA
1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF JANUARY 19, 2021 5
2. APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF PRIOR PAYMENT OF CLAIMS 7
3. APPROVAL FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS AND PREPARATION OF CHECKS 8
4. REPORT ON STATUS OF PROJECTS 9
5. PUBLIC COMMENT 14
6. OTHER BUSINESS 16
ADJOURNMENT 16
3 1 MS. DILLON: Okay.
2 On the record.
3 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Lady or Alex?
4 THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Okay.
5 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: You going to run the
6 -- the meeting?
7 THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY: I’m going to run.
8 I’m going to start it.
9 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Okay.
10 THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Please take
11 notice that on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at
12 4:30 p.m., a Regular Meeting is scheduled for the
13 Union City Redevelopment Agency.
14 In accordance with the Open Public Meetings
15 Act, P.L. 1975 c 231 and the Governor of New
16 Jersey’s Executive Order 102 and 104 regarding
17 COVID-19 Emergency Actions, this is to advise
18 that the Union City Redevelopment Agency will
19 hold this regularly scheduled meeting, virtually,
20 via videoconferencing software. Formal action
21 may be taken.
22 It gives the information for the following
23 link to join the meeting at I.D. number 919 5015
24 7327 pass code 717512 or you can join by
25 telephone, dial 646-876-9923 and the following 4 1 meeting I.D. 919 5015 7327, the pass code 717512.
2 Public comment can only be made if you
3 attend the meeting via the Zoom app. For
4 individuals who cannot join using the Zoom app,
5 you may submit written comments/questions by
6 contacting the Board Secretary via email at
7 [email protected] prior to the meeting. The
8 comments/questions must include the individual’s
9 name and address, which will be read into the
10 record.
11 Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
12
13 (Whereupon, the Pledge of Allegiance was
14 said by all.)
15
16 THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Adequate notice
17 of this meeting has been provided as follows:
18 Notice of this meeting, setting forth the
19 time, date, location, and the agenda, to the
20 extent known, was forwarded to The Jersey
21 Journal, The Record, and The Hudson Reporter, has
22 been posted on the bulletin board in City Hall
23 and has been made available to the public in the
24 Office of the Municipal Clerk.
25 I’ll pass it on to Alex, now. 5 1 MR. CORRADO: Hello, everyone.
2 I hope everyone is doing well.
3
4 ROLL CALL:
5
6 MR. CORRADO: Let’s do roll call.
7 Fernandez?
8 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Here.
9 MR. CORRADO: Casper?
10 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Here.
11 MR. CORRADO: Izquierdo?
12 COMMISSIONER IZQUIERDO: Here.
13 MR. CORRADO: Festa?
14 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Here.
15 MR. CORRADO: Bonito?
16 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Here.
17 MR. CORRADO: Vallejo?
18 COMMISSIONER VALLEJO: Here.
19 MR. CORRADO: All right.
20 Great.
21 Everyone’s here.
22
23 1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF
24 JANUARY 19, 2021:
25 6 1 MR. CORRADO: All right.
2 The first item on the agenda is the
3 approval of the minutes from the meeting of
4 January 19, 2021.
5 Do we have a motion?
6 COMMISSIONER FESTA: I make a motion.
7 MR. CORRADO: Do we have a second?
8 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Motion.
9 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
10 MS. DILLON: I’m sorry.
11 Who is the second?
12 Was that Commissioner Casper?
13 COMMISSIONER BONITO: No, me. Bonito.
14 MS. DILLON: I’m sorry.
15 Who?
16 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Bonito.
17 MS. DILLON: Okay.
18 Thank you.
19 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
20 Fernandez?
21 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Yes.
22 MR. CORRADO: Casper?
23 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Yes.
24 MR. CORRADO: Izquierdo?
25 COMMISSIONER IZQUIERDO: Yes. 7 1 MR. CORRADO: Festa?
2 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Yes.
3 MR. CORRADO: Bonito?
4 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Yes.
5 MR. CORRADO: Vallejo?
6 COMMISSIONER VALLEJO: Yes.
7 MR. CORRADO: All right.
8 Item number 1 passes.
9
10 2. APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF PRIOR PAYMENT
11 OF CLAIMS:
12
13 MR. CORRADO: All right.
14 Item number 2 is the Approval and
15 Ratification of Prior Payment of Claims.
16 Do we have a motion?
17 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Motion.
18 COMMISSIONER FESTA: I make a motion.
19 MR. CORRADO: Was that Festa for the
20 second?
21 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Yes.
22 MR. CORRADO: Okay. Great.
23 All right.
24 Fernandez?
25 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Yes. 8 1 MR. CORRADO: Casper?
2 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Yes.
3 MR. CORRADO: Izquierdo?
4 COMMISSIONER IZQUIERDO: Yes.
5 MR. CORRADO: Festa?
6 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Yes.
7 MR. CORRADO: Bonito?
8 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Yes.
9 MR. CORRADO: Vallejo?
10 COMMISSIONER VALLEJO: Yes.
11 MR. CORRADO: All right.
12 Item number 2 passes.
13
14 3. APPROVAL FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS AND
15 PREPARATION OF CHECKS:
16
17 MR. CORRADO: The next item is item number
18 3.
19 It’s the Approval of the Payment of Bills
20 and Preparation of Checks.
21 Do we have a motion?
22 COMMISSIONER FESTA: I make a motion.
23 MR. CORRADO: Do we have a second?
24 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Second.
25 MR. CORRADO: Okay. 9 1 Fernandez?
2 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Yes.
3 MR. CORRADO: Casper?
4 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Yes.
5 MR. CORRADO: Izquierdo?
6 COMMISSIONER IZQUIERDO: Yes.
7 MR. CORRADO: Festa?
8 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Yes.
9 MR. CORRADO: Bonito?
10 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Yes.
11 MR. CORRADO: Vallejo?
12 COMMISSIONER VALLEJO: Yes.
13 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
14 Item number 3 passes.
15
16 4. REPORT ON STATUS OF PROJECTS:
17
18 MR. CORRADO: Item number 4 is the Status
19 of Projects.
20 So, I have some news to share.
21 With respect to 2704 Kennedy Boulevard, I
22 reached out to the attorney on that project, and
23 the attorney advised that they have submitted an
24 application to the Union City Planning Board to
25 construct three family dwellings on each 25 by a 10 1 hundred lot.
2 Her understanding is that the City planners
3 are working with the Union City Board of
4 Commissioners and the Roosevelt Redevelopment
5 Board to revise the plan accordingly. So that is
6 good news.
7 Does anybody have any comments on that
8 particular project, or questions?
9 Okay.
10 All right.
11 The next item that I have is -- or the
12 project that I have –-
13 Sorry.
14 -- is PBG Realty.
15 As I mentioned in our January meeting, the
16 contract has been extended into February 2021.
17 Obviously, due to the COVID-19 crisis. However,
18 it’s still in effect.
19 While they were expected to move forward in
20 February, I was advised by their attorney, Elaine
21 Berkenwald, that the tolling had been extended to
22 March 15, 2021. Obviously, with COVID,
23 everything’s been knocked out of whack.
24 So, I will continue to reach out and see if
25 there’s any other movement or any other delays 11 1 with respect to that project. So, I’ll reach out
2 early next month with their attorney.
3 And then, lastly, with respect to the
4 Yardley project, there has been nothing new to
5 report here. There’s been no further movement on
6 Yardley. And this is -- this can be attributed
7 to, again, the COVID-19 situation.
8 Other than those updates, I have nothing
9 else to report on.
10 Unless anyone has any questions or
11 concerns?
12 COMMISSIONER FESTA: I have -- I have a
13 question regarding 2704 Kennedy Boulevard.
14 MR. CORRADO: Sure.
15 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Is that the only move
16 from the redevelopment? I know there was a
17 section that was part of the Roosevelt Stadium
18 for redevelopment.
19 Is it being removed?
20 MR. CORRADO: Is that being removed from
21 our agency, you’re saying?
22 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Yeah.
23 MR. CORRADO: That I’ll take a look at and
24 hopefully, I’ll get an answer shortly.
25 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Okay. 12 1 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
2 Anyone else have any other questions?
3 Okay.
4 If no other questions, do we have a motion
5 to accept the Status of the Projects?
6 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Make a motion.
7 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Motion.
8 MR. CORRADO: Okay. We have a motion and a
9 second.
10 Who’s the second by?
11 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Fernandez.
12 MR. CORRADO: Okay. All right.
13 All right.
14 Fernandez?
15 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Yes.
16 MR. CORRADO: Casper?
17 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Yes.
18 MR. CORRADO: Izquierdo?
19 COMMISSIONER IZQUIERDO: Yes.
20 MR. CORRADO: Festa?
21 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Yes.
22 MR. CORRADO: Bonito?
23 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Yes.
24 And I sent a comment.
25 MR. CORRADO: I’m sorry. 13 1 I couldn’t hear that last part.
2 MS. DILLON: He sent a comment in the chat.
3 MR. CORRADO: Okay. Audio issues.
4 Can you hear, Mr. Bonito?
5 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Yes, I can hear.
6 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
7 Did you hear everything or do you need
8 something repeated?
9 COMMISSIONER BONITO: No. It’s that I –-
10 keep on Yardley --
11 MS. DILLON: He’s -- he’s not -- he’s not
12 clear.
13 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
14 Okay.
15 I think I heard to keep on top of Yardley.
16 Is that correct, Mr. Bonito?
17 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Correct.
18 Correct.
19 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
20 Yup. Yup.
21 Like all the other projects, keeping close
22 tabs on them.
23 So, I believe the Status of the Projects
24 has been closed and accepted.
25 14 1 5. PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION:
2
3 MR. CORRADO: The next item is the Public
4 Comment Portion.
5 I don't believe we have any -- any of that.
6 So, we do have a motion to close that
7 section?
8 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Motion.
9 MR. CORRADO: Do we have a second?
10 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Second.
11 MR. CORRADO: Okay. Great.
12 Fernandez?
13 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Yes.
14 MR. CORRADO: Casper?
15 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Yes.
16 MR. CORRADO: Izquierdo?
17 COMMISSIONER IZQUIERDO: Yes.
18 MR. CORRADO: Festa?
19 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Yes.
20 MR. CORRADO: Bonito?
21 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Yes.
22 MR. CORRADO: Vallejo?
23 COMMISSIONER VALLEJO: Yes.
24 MR. CORRADO: Okay. Great.
25 The Public Comment Portion has been closed. 15 1
2 (Whereupon, Kennedy Ng arrived, remotely,
3 at 4:47 p.m.)
4
5 THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Hey, Alex?
6 Just --
7 MR. CORRADO: Yes.
8 THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Just to report,
9 Mr. Ng was able to join in now. He had a little
10 bit of technical issues, but he’s able to join
11 in.
12 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
13 Great. Great.
14 THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Thank you.
15 MR. CORRADO: How are you, Kennedy?
16 MR. NG: Thank you.
17 I’m very good.
18 I apologize, but some -- I don't know.
19 Some difficulties going through, you know I’m
20 here.
21 MR. CORRADO: Well, if you need me to fill
22 you in on anything, I’m happy to speak with you
23 after -- after the meeting or --
24 MR. NG: I will give you a call tomorrow
25 morning, because I have another meeting with law 16 1 firm after this.
2 Okay.
3 MR. CORRADO: Okay. Excellent.
4 Thank you.
5
6 6. AND SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE
7 THE BOARD AND
8 ADJOURNMENT:
9
10 MR. CORRADO: If there’s no other business,
11 or anyone doesn’t have any other questions or
12 concerns, do we have a motion to adjourn the
13 meeting?
14 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Motion.
15 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Motion.
16 Second.
17 MR. CORRADO: Okay.
18 We have a motion and a second.
19 Fernandez?
20 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Yes.
21 MR. CORRADO: Casper?
22 VICE CHAIRMAN CASPER: Yes.
23 MR. CORRADO: Izquierdo?
24 COMMISSIONER IZQUIERDO: Yes.
25 MR. CORRADO: Festa? 17 1 COMMISSIONER FESTA: Yes.
2 MR. CORRADO: Bonito?
3 COMMISSIONER BONITO: Yes.
4 MR. CORRADO: Vallejo?
5 COMMISSIONER VALLEJO: Yes.
6 MR. CORRADO: All right.
7 This meeting’s adjourned.
8 Take care everyone and stay safe.
9 CHAIRMAN FERNANDEZ: Thank you everybody.
10 Stay safe, please.
11
12 (Whereupon, the proceedings were concluded
13 at 4:48 p.m.)
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25 18 1 STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
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3 COUNTY OF ESSEX :
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6 I, DEBRA A. KASZNIAK, assigned transcriber,
7 do hereby affirm that the foregoing is a true and
8 accurate transcript in the matter of the REGULAR
9 MEETING of the UNION CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
10 heard on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 and digitally
11 recorded.
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25 Monitored and proofread by: Deborah Dillon