Full Notification

Mayor Bill Ziegler’s Leonia Status Report for December, 2024
 
Let’s start with a Redevelopment and Revitalization update since, after all, no less than the very future of our borough is at stake if we don’t get this right.  That is no exaggeration.  But, I’m confident we have pulled the right friends and neighbors together on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Redevelopment and Revitalization (MACORR)  to help us tackle this problem together.  With your continued input, we will get this correct. 
 
I’m sure you’re familiar with the expression “the devil is in the details”.  This is certainly true when we begin to discuss some of the intricacies associated with changing our zoning.  As part of the redevelopment discussion, we are looking at changes along the Willow Tree Road corridor, the section of Grand Avenue below Fort Lee Road and the west side of Grand Avenue between Maple and Fort Lee Road.  These changes are based on the input we’ve received so far from you and the recommendations of MACORR to address height, setbacks, and density. 
 
Here is a link for you to review the details which are easily discernible because we’ve included on this chart what the current height, setbacks, and density are to facilitate your making an easy comparison between today and what is proposed. NOVEMBER 18 PRESENTATION. 
 
All of these proposed zoning changes were recently presented and discussed at the November 18th work session of the governing body.  I was proud (again) of the public participation and of the work the MACORR committee has done and the time and attention members of the Council have given this important topic.  A link to this most recent governing body discussion is HERE.  We expect to see a few tweaks based on the input from the Mayor & Council before the zoning changes are finalized.  I’m also attaching the recordings, in case you haven’t already had the opportunity to review either or both, of the Town Halls we held in May and October:

May Town Hall Recording.

October Town Hall Recording. 
 
Our next Town Hall on Redevelopment will be in February after we have formally adopted the affordable housing numbers we are committing to with the State of NJ.  As you know, affordable housing is a very important consideration in our redevelopment planning.   Both previous Town Halls were incredibly well attended, and I urge people to come out for this one too.  Details on date/time will be announced as the date draws closer. 
 
Fort Lee Road Grant
 
You may recall, we asked and County officials agreed to hold off on milling and paving Fort Lee Road above Broad Avenue until Leonia knew whether we received a grant we applied for to also do all the curbs and sidewalks.  There’s good news and bad news.  The good news is we received a grant.  The bad news is it is for half the amount we requested.  So, we discussed this at the 11/18 meeting of the Mayor and Council and have decided to proceed with the replacement of all the curbs, but not the sidewalks. LINK TO DISCUSSION HERE.   Sidewalks will remain the responsibility of the homeowner.  Once the curbs are replaced, the County will proceed with milling and repaving Fort Lee Road next year.  
 
If you’re asking yourself why Leonia doesn’t just foot the bill for the sidewalks too… the answer is we can’t afford it.  We already know we can expect 2025 to be an especially difficult budget year based on mandated state increases we have to absorb as a borough in pension and insurance costs (these alone are up 16% which translates to a six figure cost right there).  And I can’t in good conscience recommend we capitalize the expense either when we are already at record high debt service levels.  In Leonia, homeowners are responsible for the maintenance/replacement of their own sidewalks. 
 
Speed Humps
 
Based on the incredibly positive feedback from residents and the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Transportation and Pedestrian Safety, we are looking to add more speed humps next year.  Locations for new speed humps are being discussed by the Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Committee who will, in turn, make their recommendations to the Mayor and Council who will see if we have enough $ we can squeeze out of the budget for a few more.
 
Enforcement
 
To help protect our Leonia quality of life, it is important we spend more time and attention on enforcement of our property maintenance laws.  Ensuring walkability throughout town with well maintained sidewalks and protecting our enviable tree canopy are among the things that deserve special attention. I don’t know about you but I don’t think sidewalk maintenance is quite where it needs to be and if we’re not constantly vigilant in protecting our trees we may lose the fight against urban sprawl.   For this reason, Borough Administrator, Marisa Mesropian, will be leading an effort as the Chair of a newly formed Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Enforcement. This Mayor’s Advisory Committee will define the process and approaches we need to make our enforcement effort as effective as possible.   
 
I invite you to volunteer for the committee. Just to manage your expectations, you’re not volunteering to write summonses (as satisfying as that might be) but to help us get the enforcement process defined so our property maintenance professionals can act consistent with the approach and priorities you help define which are then considered by the Mayor and Council for what is in Leonia’s best interests.   If you want to volunteer, please contact Marisa and myself by dropping a line to the [email protected] mailbox.  This will be a small, select committee so if you’re interested, I suggest you submit your name and some background information soon. 
  
Municipal Audit
 
I’ll be the first to admit our municipal audit is hardly a glamorous topic but it is important nonetheless.  For the first time in 8 years, our municipal auditors have said Leonia’s books and finances are in good shape.  I was on the Council beginning in 2016 and, believe me, this was a long time coming and we didn’t get here overnight.  It was very much a team effort.  Now that we are in much better shape, I can say unequivocally everyone in the borough family is committed to staying on this track. I thank our Borough Administrator Marisa Mesropian, CFO Issa Abassi, the Finance Committee and Council President Hesterbrink for their leadership and former Mayor Judah Zeigler who helped get the ball rolling eight years ago. 
 
Liquor License
 
Leonia has been a ‘dry’ borough since our founding in 1898.  This means we do not have any bars or restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages within our town boundaries nor have we had any for over 100 years.  Yes, we are still considered a ‘dry’ town despite the fact we have always had liquor stores. 
 
Around the time of our founding, Leonia’s Mayor and Council (and townspeople) were so adamantly opposed to bars that Leonia ceded the property on which the one tavern sat at the top of Fort Lee Road to the Borough of Fort Lee.  At the time that seemed a logical decision to make in the face of Leonian's opposition to public drinking, but it backfired when you consider how Fort Lee developed that land into the large multi story building that now dwarfs the single family homes on Irving Street. 
 
Today we are less concerned about offering liquor licenses to bars/restaurants and more intrigued by the revenue possibilities the sale of liquor licenses in Leonia would represent to Leonia taxpayers.  The Mayor and Council are currently grappling with when is the best time to offer the first of the three liquor licenses which were allocated to Leonia by the State of NJ. 
 
Do we offer one of our three liquor licenses for restaurants/bars for auction in the near term?  If so, what is the best minimum price to ask for this license?  Rather than review all the details of the governing body’s discussion on this topic, please click this link HERE to view the 12 minute recording of this part of our last meeting. 
 
With redevelopment on the horizon, I’m confident we can get our current minimum fee (pegged at or over $315,000) without any difficulty once we are further down the road with redevelopment plans for Willow Tree Road and Grand Avenue below Fort Lee Road.
 
To see the same information which was prepared by our Borough Clerk to help the governing body assess the current value of bar/restaurant liquor licenses in surrounding communities, click HERE to view all the data that was gathered.   
 
In the interim, considering our desire to minimize any potential 2025 tax increases, any additional revenue injection at this time will certainly ease the burden on each of us as taxpayers.  We do have a long established and highly regarded Broad Avenue restaurant that has expressed interest in one of our liquor licenses right now but is requesting an auction beginning at a lower price point than the current minimum mentioned above.  Whether you watch the recording or not, please feel free to tune in to the continuing discussion on this topic at the second meeting in December.  In the interim, we welcome your comments.  Feel free to write and share your opinion at [email protected].
 
Short-term Rentals
 
Interesting and longish discussion about short term rentals (allowing Airbnb and the like in Leonia) at our last Mayor and Council meeting can be found HERE.  This is a continuing dialogue and will be considered again at future governing body meetings. 
 
The video recording is a good example of how ‘the sausage is made’ – the detailed consideration that goes into a potential new ordinance by the full governing body during a work session.  I’m proud of how our council members come prepared with their point of view, add to the commentary with valuable perspective and work together to create the best ordinance for Leonia.   We will take this up again at future work sessions and, as always, welcome your input particularly if you’ve taken the time to watch what has already been discussed. 
 
2025 Re-organization
 
As we approach the end of the year, I am turning my attention to next year’s re-organization effort.  Now is as good a time as any to submit your name and interest in any of the volunteer opportunities that are available to help your community.  Please use this link HERE to express your interest and provide some background information on yourself.  During the second week of December, I will be considering the various appointments we make to the boards, commissions and committees that make Leonia what it is.  A number of people have already indicated their interest by completing the form on the website.   I will be using this information as we approach the 2025 reorganization. 
 
The backbone of Leonia has always been its volunteers.  Please remember the Winston Churchill quote that says, “You make a living by what you get and you make a life by what you give.”   I’m doing my best to give back to our community and do what I can to make Leonia even better.  I hope you will consider donating some of your time for Leonia too.  
 
NYC Congestion Pricing
 
Transit officials in New York approved a rejigged congestion charging scheme, which could come into force in Manhattan’s central business district on January 5th.  The daily charge has been reduced to $9.  I am wary how this could impact George Washington Bridge traffic and Leonia, traffic in particular.  
 
Christmas Tree Lighting Changed to Saturday, December 7th
 
Please note we have changed the date for this year’s tree lighting from what is in the borough calendar. 
 
This year’s event will be behind the Rec Center in Wood Park (not on Broad Avenue in the street by the triangle) and will take place on Saturday, December 7th at 7:00 pm. 
 
We moved the lighting ceremony off of Broad Avenue this year at the recommendation of our Police Department and the Recreation Commission to increase overall safety for Leonians, especially the children, who regularly turn out to see Santa ride in on a fire truck and watch the tree be lit.  This is a great family event. 
 
Our traditional tree on Broad Avenue in the Triangle across from the firehouse and Rec Center in the center of town will continue to be festooned with the same holiday lights as we have every previous year.  No change there.  
 
It’s just that we’ve added a new tree in Wood Park that will keep everyone safer, particularly our children, during a formal lighting ceremony.
 
We hope to see everyone on Saturday, December 7th at 7:00 pm.  . 
 
Philip and Jacqueline Choi Day in Leonia
 
Tuesday, November 19th 2024 was “Philip and Jacqueline Choi Day” in Leonia in recognition of their tireless service on behalf of our community.  Over 100 friends, family, neighbors and current and former governing body members gathered at the American Legion Hall on Sunday, November 17th to pay them tribute.   Former Mayor Robert Pacicco served as the emcee for the event and did a great job.  I was privileged as Mayor to say a few words about their life stories, present the Key to the Borough to the happy couple and name November 19th “Philip and Jacqueline Choi Day” in Leonia. 
 
Thank you Philip and Jackie for everything you have done and are continuing to do on our behalf to make Leonia even better. 
 
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season,
 
Kind regards,
 
Bill Ziegler 
Leonia Mayor