The Jersey City Council appointed former Assemblyman John Allen, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Keshav Poddar, and former Ward B Councilman Chris Gadsden to the municipal utilities authority (MUA) at last night’s meeting.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
During the public comment, Charlene Burke backed the selection of Poddar, but expressed trepidation about Allen and Gadsden, since they live in Hoboken and Newark, respectively.
“I have a problem with the other two who don’t live in this city. When we have an agency that imposes fees and increases on our residents, and I understand we’re going to have another rate increase … I want the people to be the ones that get the bills every month,” she declared.
Others expressed similar concerns during public comment before the governing body weighed in.
“I spoke with John Allen. I have no doubt that he would perform his duties with integrity. But, I understand that Mr. Allen attended the holiday party of HRH [Hudson Regional Health] after the closure of many services in the fall/winter,” Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros said.
“Again, no ill will toward Mr. Allen … I have to vote no due to the sensitivity to the egregious actions of HRH.”
Ward E Councilwoman Eleana Little said she would not be voting on the appointments of Allen and Poddar, since they donated to her campaign.
“They are both highly qualified and intelligent individuals that would do a great job. I think I need to recuse myself for those two,” she explained.
“So you’re recusing yourself or abstaining?” City Clerk Sean Gallagher asked.
Little said she would do whatever Corporation Counsel Sarah Levine thinks is appropriate, and she said a recusal usually means not being present for deliberations, therefore she recommended abstaining.
“I have full confidence they would do a good job. I want to avoid any potential conflicts or suggestions of pay-to-play,” Little noted while voting to abstain.
From there, Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore asked Acting Business Administrator Peter Horton if there were any residency requirements for the MUA board.
“They’re independent boards so they don’t have the same residency requirements like planning or zoning would typically have. Historically … people who have not been residents of the city have been on these boards,” Horton replied.
“It has been the practice of previous administrations … These are generally considered very professional boards. They generally require an individual who understands those concepts and has a background in those concepts. The administration is committed to putting the best individuals on these boards.”
Gilmore continued by asking if the current board members are city residents, to which Horton said he couldn’t say. The councilman said he remembered a non-resident being appointed to the MUA.
“They are autonomous, independent agencies. The city and the mayor do have appointment authority over the boards, but they do not have direct operational control,” Horton added.
Gilmore ultimately voted yes on all three appointments.
Council President Denise Ridley requested that the resolutions for Allen and Gadsden to note their residency.
“Right now, in the resolution, it says they are from Jersey City. We got some phone calls about that. We don’t want to appear that we are attempting to cover something up,” she explained.
“I’m going to take responsibility for that council president. I did those resolutions for the mayor’s office. It’s a lot of cut and paste. It’s my apologies. I’ll make sure I update it tonight,” Gallagher interjected.
“Takes a true gentleman to jump on that hand grenade for me. Thank you Sean,” Horton said to laughter.
Allen was appointed to the MUA by a vote of 5-2(2) with Ward C Councilman Tom Zuppa and Ephros voting no, while Little and Councilman at-Large Mamta Singh abstained.
Further, Gadsden was approved unanimously (9-0), and Poddar was approved 8-0(1) with Little abstaining.
Allen replaces Commissioner Maureen Nally, Gadsden succeeds Commissioner Jeannine Zampella, and Poddar takes over for Commissioner David More.
