HOBOKEN – The city of Hoboken is “working closely with the state on a remediation plan” to make sure that the contracts process is fair and open in Hoboken, according to city spokesperson Juan Melli.
A Feb. 1 letter to Business Administrator Arch Liston from the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) questioned the city’s awarding of contracts for professionals in 2008 and 2009 for Labor Counsel, Auditor, Risk Manager, and Planner.
According to the letter, which can be viewed HERE, the city must prepare a detailed Action Plan” that addresses issues identified in the letter and provide it to the OSC no later than March 1. The city must also provide notice to OSC at least 30 days prior to the advertisement of any of the city’s professional service contracts, according to the letter.
On Sunday, Melli said in an e-mail: “The contracts in question were awarded while Hoboken was under state oversight by fiscal monitor Judy Tripodi in 2008 and 2009.” Melli added that the city is working “to make certain that there are no similar issues going forward.”
The issue came to light yesterday, when the letter was e-mailed to The Reporter and also covered by a local website. Melli was asked if the city planned to make the information public at some point, since it is dated more than two weeks ago.
“We received the letter less than two weeks ago and our first priority was to immediately address the issues that were raised,” Melli said in an e-mail. “There was no intention whatsoever to withhold any information from the public or the City Council.” – Ray Smith