July 6, 2015 Caucus & July 8, 2015 Council Meetings

Frank Dann (2nd From Left) poses with the City Council and Business Administrator after the 7/8/15 City Council Meeting. Dann is leaving his position as Director of Public Works. This was his last Meeting.

PERTH AMBOY – Ordinance No. 3 – An Ordinance to amend an Ordinance entitled  “Police Department” (Ordinance No. C-74) Adopted on October 17, 1928) Also known as Chapter 95 Et Seq of the Code of the City of Perth Amboy. Re: Rules and Regulations.

City Attorney Mark Blunda answered some questions posed by Councilman Fernando Irizarry in reference to this ordinance. Blunda stated, “The Police are represented by one or two Unions who negotiate the terms. As far as insubordination, there are limitations on free speech and that applies to all Officers. The language in the Ordinance will cover what is going on currently and into the future. The consequences of anyone violating the rules and regulations set forth will depend on what kind of violation was committed.”

Acting Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano also made a comment, “1993 was the last time that the governing body adapted an ordinance governing the rules and regulations.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez asked Cattano, “Did your Department prepare the last rules and regulations?”
Cattano stated, “The new Best Practices have been reviewed by us and we can ask the Rodgers Group to come to a future Caucus or Council Meeting for further questioning.”

Former Council President Ken Balut came forward as he  has done in the past and criticized the Rodgers Group. He had in hand a communication from an Officer to someone who works in the Police Department. This communication contained what Balut deemed inappropriate wording. Balut also wanted to know about the status of an OPRA Request that he had never received an answer. He also said “During negotiations the PBA President is equal to the Mayor. She (the Mayor) can’t bring insubordination charges against the PBA President because he disagreed with something she said.”

Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano replied to one of BAlut’s concerns, “The Attorney General made recommendations and some Best Practices have been refined by the Rodgers Group. One example would be updating some of our electronic (technology) equipment.”

At the 7/8/15 Council Meeting, Balut wanted to know if this ordinance would cover the Police Director (the Mayor).City Attorney Blunda replied, “This title is not subject to the Rules and Regulations.”

Balut retorted, “The Police Director can only make budget recommendations to this Department. They cannot direct police to do assignments. The Attorney General’s Office says that all complaints made about the department must be investigated.”

Balut also complained, “There should be more detailed information about ordinances appearing on the Agenda.”

Blunda responded back, “The Council has a right not to read the documents in public pertaining to this ordinance.”

Balut made referenced to the  Police and Fire Departments promotions on 7/7/15. “A person was promoted who worked on Accreditation, even after we had lost it.”

Cattano assured Balut, “I take what you said very seriously. I will investigate what information you requested through OPRA. It was submitted before I was appointed to this position. The Council has no input into what the rules and regulations are.”