Mayor Declines To Reappoint 2 Tenant Advocates To Hoboken Rent Board; Council Disagrees

HOBOKEN, NJ — After Mayor Ravi Bhalla declined last month to reappoint two sitting members to the city's Rent Leveling Board — both of whom have fought for tenants' rights — there were protests from residents and ultimately a vote by the council to recommend that the mayor appoint both women.

However, the city still has not reappointed either woman to the rent board, although three seats on that board remain vacant.

Some say the mayor declined to appoint the two members to the city's Rent Leveling and Stabilization Board last month because they had run for City Council in November against the mayor's slate of candidates.

Cheryl Fallick is among the residents of the city who have fought for many years to maintain tenant protections in the face of attempts by taxpayers to change the city's 1973 Rent Control Ordinance. The ordinance limits rent increases in buildings older than 1992 to the cost of living index, but also provides methods for landlords to pass to tenants a portion of tax, water, and certain other increases.

The ordinance is meant to keep low- and moderate-income residents of the city from being priced out. (Landlords can also seek relief under the ordinance, and would come before the Rent Leveling and Stabilization Board to apply for an increases.)

At the Jan. 19 council meeting, both Fallick and Sheila Brennan were not reappointed to their unpaid spots on the board.

Several residents attending the meeting asked why.

Resident Michael Evers said to the council, “[Fallick] at one point single-handedly saved rent control in Hoboken by winning that important legal case. Why would you not want to have somebody like that on the rent control board, somebody who’s shown the ability to push back and is probably as knowledgeable as anybody else.”

Council members objected to the suggestion that the lack of reappointment was retribution, according to an account in the Hudson Reporter — but then, one council member appeared to acknowledge the possibility of retribution, warning that Brennan's objections might result in her not getting reappointed.

“Calling the person who’s appointing you as vindictive, selfish, ruthless and cruel is not a formula for having that person decide to appoint you,” warned Councilman Phil Cohen, an ally of Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Brennan hadn't aimed such comments at a person, but said at the meeting that the city had the chance "to do the right thing and take a stand for doing what’s right over doing what’s selfish, ruthless and cruel."

Brennan later reminded Cohen he was an official and she was just a member of the public.

At the next council meeting on Feb. 2, eight of the nine council members supported a resolution 8-0-1 to recommend that the mayor reappoint the two former members. The procedure is that the mayor would introduce the appointments, and the council would vote to consent.

"I am hopeful that Mayor Bhalla will take the opportunity to leave politics aside, prioritize the interests of Hoboken residents, and reappoint two people who are most knowledgeable of Hoboken's complex Rent Stabilization laws, and have the most experience in advocating for tenants," said 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher last month.

"Cheryl was originally appointed by Mayor Zimmer to the board and reappointed by Mayor Bhalla. And Sheila has been appointed twice by Mayor Bhalla," she noted.

She added, "They both ran for City Council against Team Bhalla, so lets hope he takes the opportunity to come together and do the right thing at a time when affordability has never been a bigger concern."

What's Next?

Brennan said Tuesday that there is nothing on the agenda for the next council meeting — this coming Wednesday (see links below to watch) — about reappointing the pair thusfar.

"Despite the majority of the City Council voting for a resolution to encourage the mayor to reappoint Cheryl and me," Brennan said, "there is is nothing on this week's council agenda ... In fact, we have heard that the administration is actively recruiting other candidates. Cheryl and I both wish to continue serving on the Rent Board, and the fact that the mayor has refused to reappoint us shows, to my mind at least, that he is not serious about tenant protections in Hoboken."

The mayor's spokesperson said in a statement, "New voices and fresh perspectives are paramount to moving our city forward. The blend of new Rent Control Board members and incumbent members will supply a variety of perspectives to work with the city's new Division of Housing."

She added, "The mayor is appreciative and thankful for Cheryl and Sheila's service, and he hopes that they stay involved and committed to making Hoboken a better and more affordable place to live."

The City Council meets again virtually on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The meeting can be viewed on Facebook with this link.

The meeting agendas on the city website also list other directions to watch and participate via Zoom. Here are the agendas.

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