Council applies for pension deferralSpinello steps down from council to head Parking Authority

The Jersey City City Council at its Wednesday meeting voted 8-1 to apply to the New Jersey Local Finance Board to defer $14.8 million in payments to two state retirement systems. The deferral would help bridge a $15-million plus gap in the city’s budget, and keep a tax increase at bay in an election year.
Legislation passed in both the state Senate and Assembly earlier this month allows cities to defer some of their pension payments to the state, in order to save money in this year’s budgets. Towns normally would have to pay their respective pension contributions by April 1 for the fiscal year ending this June 30.
The deferred portion will have to be paid back over a 15-year period, starting next year, at 8.25 percent interest. Also, towns that choose to defer will have to resume making their pension payments in full.
The lone dissenter was City Councilman Steven Fulop, who called the deferral the “height of irresponsibility” because it adds debt that the city will have to pay in the future.
The application must be reviewed by the Local Finance Board before they give approval.
Mayor Jerramiah Healy defended the deferral saying, “This is something that mayors and county leaders across the state have asked for and feel is critical due to the current economic situation our state and our nation face.”

Spinello new executive director of Parking Authority

Jersey City Councilwoman Mary Spinello sat in on her last council meeting Wednesday night, when she announced she was stepping down effective this Tuesday, March 31 to become the new executive director of the Jersey City Parking Authority starting the following day.
Spinello, 41, was named the new executive director by a vote of the Parking Authority Board of Commissioners last Tuesday.
Since July 2005, Spinello has served Jersey City’s Ward B, covering the western part of the city.
Spinello was feted with warm testimonials by her fellow council members and received a bouquet of flowers before the council meeting ended.

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“I thought it would be a great opportunity and a great challenge.” – Mary Spinello
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After the meeting, Spinello said she first heard she was being considered as the new executive director about six weeks ago when Mayor Jerramiah Healy called her into his office to discuss her replacing outgoing director Mark Russ. His contract was not renewed in November, and he has been working in a holdover capacity.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity and a great challenge,” Spinello said. “I am looking to hit the ground running and move the [Parking] Authority forward.”
Spinello, like Russ and other previous Parking Authority directors, does not have experience working in the Parking Authority. But she cites her experience working on parking issues as a city councilwoman and as a deputy executive director at the Jersey City Incinerator Authority for the past six years. Spinello will be making $98,000 in her new post, a $14,000 increase from her previous position.
Spinello said one of her priorities will be to create more parking, specifically more public parking decks.
No announcement was made on who will replace Spinello on the council, or if her seat will be vacant until July 1, when the new City Council is sworn in.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonrreporter.com.