Friday, September 18, 2026 · Serving all of Hudson County since March 2011Hoboken · Hoboken
Hoboken Council Splits 7-2 on $11.2M Bond, Kills Bar-Hours Bill 4-5
$11.2M bond passes 7-2; sports bar hours fail 4-5; $2.2M parking bond tabled 8-1The Hoboken City Council met on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Council members present: Phil Cohen, Steve Firestone,…
$11.2M bond passes 7-2; sports bar hours fail 4-5; $2.2M parking bond tabled 8-1
The Hoboken City Council met on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Council members present: Phil Cohen, Steve Firestone, Tiffanie Fisher, Diane Imus, Caitlin Layson, Paul Presinzano, Joe Quintero, Michael Russo, Ruben Ramos Jr. (Council President). Here is every vote taken.
Bond Ordinances — Second Reading
| Resolution | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| $11.195M Capital Bond (J-77) — Roads (Castle Point Terrace, 13th & 3rd, Adams St), garbage trucks, snow equipment, HVAC Multi-Service Center ($870K), fire apparatus, IT | ✅ 7-2 | Yes: Cohen, Firestone, Fisher, Imus, Layson, Quintero, Ramos No: Presinzano, Russo |
| $2.2M Parking Utility Bond (J-78) | 📋 TABLED (8-1) | No: Quintero only. Tabled until $500K study is formally presented. |
Ordinances — Second Reading
| Resolution | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 68 — Bar Hours for Major Sporting Events (J-79) — Would let administration extend hours for NFL games, international matches without council vote | ❌ FAILED 4-5 | Yes: Cohen, Firestone, Layson, Quintero No: Fisher, Imus, Presinzano, Russo, Ramos |
| Chapter 190 — School Streets Parking Zones (J-80) — Remove expired restrictions | ✅ 9-0 | Unanimous |
| Chapter 141 — 1500 Park Ave Temporary Lot (J-81) — 20 reserved spots at $200/mo, 50% discount for nearby businesses | ✅ 9-0 | Unanimous |
Carried / Postponed to Future Meeting
| Item | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| J-72 Chapter 86 — Construction Codes, tenant notification | CARRIED | Postponed to future meeting |
| J-75 Chapter 196 — Zoning, tenant notification | CARRIED | Postponed to future meeting |
| J-76 Chapter 190-11 — Loading zones Jefferson/Clinton | ↩️ BACK TO 1ST READING | Sent back to first reading, not adopted |
| J-82 — Northwest Industrial Redevelopment Plan | CARRIED | Postponed to future meeting |
First Readings (Introduction Only)
| Resolution | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chapters 79A & 196 — Rooftop Appurtenances — Exclude certain rooftop structures from max coverage in central business district | ✅ 9-0 | Introduced (first reading only, not adopted) |
| Chapter 190 — Curbside changes 13th St (Washington to Willow) and 3rd St (Hudson to River) | ✅ 9-0 | Introduced |
| Chapter 190-11 — Loading zones Jefferson/Clinton (returned from J-76) | ✅ 9-0 | Introduced on first reading |
Emergency Action
| Resolution | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Repeal Ordinance J-70 — Outdoor amplified sound permitting. Emergency repeal amid potential litigation. | ✅ 9-0 | Unanimous. First reading. |
Consent Agenda
| Resolution | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Consent Agenda — Tax collector reports, abatement transfers, right-of-way grants, infrastructure contracts, salary obligations | ✅ 9-0 | Voice vote, unanimous |
Key Takeaways
- Most contentious vote: $11.195M bond passed 7-2 amid budget crisis concerns
- Biggest surprise: NFL bar hours extension killed 4-5 — council retained power
- Russo led opposition on bar hours: “NFL is not special”
- $2.2M Parking Utility bond tabled 8-1 after council learned a $500K study was never presented
Related Coverage from This Meeting
- Hoboken Council Passes $11.2M Capital Bond 7-2 After Fisher Questions Debt and Outsourcing
- Hoboken Tables $2.2M Parking Utility Bond 8-1 After Voting Blind Fight
- Hoboken Kills NFL Bar Hours Extension in Tight 4-5 Vote
- Hoboken Council Votes 9-0 to Repeal Sound Permit Rule
- Hoboken Resident Demands Bond Clarity
Full meeting: Watch on YouTube
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