HOBOKEN -- The City Council moved forward Wednesday with plans to seize through eminent domain a waterfront property occupied by Hoboken's last working shipyard, Union Dry Dock.
But the council decided not to take a final vote on the matter until after the Nov. 7 election for mayor.
"This is very important to all of us," said Council President Jennifer Giattino, who cast one of the eight votes in favor of invoking eminent domain on first reading. "To make sure this is policy not politics, the second reading will be after the election."
Giattino is one of three council members, along with Councilmen Michael DeFusco and Ravi Bhalla, running for mayor in next month's municipal election. The final vote is scheduled for Nov. 11.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who is not seeking re-election, has tried unsuccessfully to negotiate the purchase of the Union Dry Dock property on Sinatra Drive for use as a park and the final stretch of the city's Hudson River waterfront walkway.
Last month, Zimmer urged the council to use eminent domain to seize the dry dock property from its private owners. The process compensates owners for independently assessed value of the property.
In the past, Zimmer has convinced the council to use eminent domain to force property owners to the negotiating table.
Union Dry Dock's owners have notified the city they are not in a position to negotiate.
Administration officials say they suspect the company would rather work out a lucrative residential development deal for the property, despite its current zoning for industrial uses only.
DeFusco asserted last month that Union Dry Dock does not want to deal with Zimmer, and he has campaigned on a pledge to strike an amicable deal with the company that would result in a waterfront recreation complex with a beach, a marina and a floating pool.
Union Dry Dock and its lawyers have not responded to repeated requests for comment on what they want to do with the property.
Councilman Michael Russo voted against using eminent domain Wednesday arguing it is an infringement on basic property rights.
Russo, who is not up for re-election or running for mayor, also joined Councilmen James Doyle and Bhalla in voting against delaying the resolution's final vote until after the election. Russo said the final vote should come before the election so that Hoboken voters will know where the candidates stand on such critical issue.
Bhalla, who is backed by Zimmer in the mayoral race, had introduced the eminent domain resolution.
Another mayoral candidate, local restaurateur Karen Nason, also addressed the issue during the public portion of the meeting, siding with Russo against using the city's official power to seize private land in the public's name.
Addressing the council, Nason said, "Do not use eminent domain to steal somebody's property."
Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.