Hackensack introduces new administrative position for economic developmentFriday, August 9, 2013
BY JENNIFER VAZQUEZ
NEWS EDITOR
Hackensack Chronicle
HACKENSACK — To concentrate on the economic possibilities throughout the city and those that will come from Main Street’s rehabilitation, the Hackensack Mayor and Council have announced their intention to hire a director of economic development — a position that could be filled by the council’s transition team head.
During the July 22 council meeting, a ordinance that aims to establish this new administrative position was introduced.
While the city has received applications from various individuals regarding the position, Thom Ammirato, public relations consultant for the governing body, pointed out that the mayor and council are leaning toward Anthony Rottino — the head of the Citizens for Change transition team. All the council members ran as part of this slate.
According to both officials and the introduced ordinance, the position calls for an individual to perform a wide-range of duties centered on the economic development of the entire city.
The individual appointed to the position will, among other things, "research, study and evaluate the economic development of the City of Hackensack on an ongoing basis, with particular attention to the development and redevelopment of areas within the city….[and] make recommendations to the Mayor and Council for development of such areas and the zoning of such areas," according to the ordinance.
"It will be a multi-faceted job," Ammirato, said. "Primarily, the person will be working with current and future developments."
The director will also be in charge of preparing reports on the feasibility of certain projects, make recommendations to the Planning Board or the Board of Adjustment concerning applications for development, keep city’s economic statistics and data, administer aid programs to the city, and assist prospective developers in securing financing for development projects, the resolution listed.
Rottino’s experience as a licensed builder, real estate broker and his overall hands-on experience and understanding of the housing market, both residential and commercial, have led him to be a front-runner, according to Ammirato.
Though there are certain job responsibilities associated with the director of economic development that overlap with the city’s current Upper Main Street Alliance organization and Albert Dib, its executive director, Hackensack City Manager Stephen Lo Iacono, Ammirato, as well as Mayor John Labrosse contend the positions are different. For example, according to the resolution introduced, the director will coordinate "city services necessary for specific economic development projects," and "design and implement campaigns to attract" development to the city, both similar goals to those of the Alliance.
"I’m sure that indeed there will be some similarities in duties and will work alongside Upper Main [Alliance]," Lo Iacono said. "But they are two completely different things. Though the director of economic development will dedicate attention to many duties, the primary concentration will be the Main Street rehabilitation."
Ammirato expressed the same.
"The Alliance has a narrow focus and narrow concern but [the director of economic development] is city-wide," he said. "I’m sure there will be issues that will be similar to those of the Alliance. But this will make for a better dialogue [between the two]."
Labrosse expressed similar sentiments.
"This new position that we are looking to create won’t definitely have a direct tie, except working, when necessary, with the Main Street Alliance," he said. "But it won’t be part of the Main Street Alliance."
According to the Main Street Business Alliance website, the corporation "is a public private partnership formed as an alliance between the business community and the City of Hackensack. The mission of the MSBA is to address the issues facing the business community with the goal of improving the local economy and the overall business climate in Hackensack."
The Hackensack Main Street Business Alliance, which was created in January 2004, focuses on issues including: green programs, marketing, visual improvements and signage grant programs, public relations and recruitment, according to its website.
During the meeting, Labrosse said that the Mayor and Council have not decided an exact salary amount for the position.
Ammirato reassured that though a new position will be created, no the city will not be spending money foolishly. At the date of publication salary for the position was not determined.
"The money for whatever the salary will be will come from the general budget," he said. "[The salary] will be offset by cuts the new administration is making."
A public meeting and final adoption of the ordinance will be held on Aug. 20.
Email: vazquez@northjersey.com
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