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The Do-Overs: Residents Question Reappearance of Same Resolution

11/23/15 Caucus/Council Meeting

Ken Balut

Ken Balut

PERTH AMBOY – R-530 – Authorizing a professional service contract with DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick & Cole to provide legal services for labor & employment, real estate, ABC matters, additional litigation and extraordinary services.

Former Councilman Kenneth Balut said, “I am concerned that this resolution popped back up on the agenda. The Council had voted for her (Law Director Arlene Quinones Perez) but not for her firm at the last Council Meeting (11/9/15). We are building a powerbase for northern New Jersey. Perez is listed as a Power Boss in PolitickerNJ.com. RFP’s (Requests for Proposal) – were they changed? Things disappear on the agenda. Lawsuits were missing. Ethically it should be voted down again (R-530). Were deals made at the League of Municipalities Conference?”

Resident Stanley Sierakowski said, “There are a lot of political races coming up and the Mayor had a fallout with Vitale. The Law Director can be removed from making rulings involving her law firm. They (DeCotiis) cannot be on the list for extraordinary services.”

After Sierakowski spoke, Caba came up to bat. He also commented on R-530 being back on the agenda. “Maybe Fernando Gonzalez made a mistake. He said he wasn’t voting for the firm. He said this at the 8/9/15 Meeting. Now Fernando (Gonzalez) I hear is running for mayor. He voted the resolution down at the last meeting. Now it’s back on the agenda. Mr. Gonzalez – maybe you didn’t’ realize how you voted.”

Business owner Susan Batista came up to speak and said, “R-530 – this did not go out to contract.”

When it came time to vote on R-530, Councilman William Petrick made a motion for an amendment to remove the item of extraordinary services from R-530. The dates of the service would be from November 2015 through March 2016. Cap would be $100,000 with an hourly rate of $150/hour. The amendment was moved by Petrick and seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon. Petrick made the motion to move the amended version which was seconded by Pabon. Councilman Fernando Irizarry and Council President Lisa Nanton voted, “No.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez

During the second public portion of the Regular Meeting, Kenneth Balut came up to speak again. He reiterated, “That law firm is telling us (the City) what to do. They were involved in deals involving projects in Atlantic City, Trenton and East Rutherford (Xanadu Sports and Entertainment Complex). I was born and raised here and pay a lot of taxes and I can’t even park on my street. I’m paying for illegal housing.”

Stanely Sierakowski spoke next mentioning R-530 again. He addressed Councilman William Petrick and Fernando Gonzalez. “Is the $100,000 cap per case or for the year? On the additional litigation, what would that be? Why are other firms not named on this resolution?”

David Caba came back up to speak in reference to R-530. He spoke to each Council Member: “Councilman Fernando Irizarry, you stuck with your conscience. Council President Lisa Nanton You stuck to your principles. Councilman William Petrick, You shocked me. Maybe there’s something down the line for you. Councilman Fernando Gonzalez, I don’t know where you stand. You should not be happy that your son was not on the list for lawyers for the City.  You ran twice as the voice of the people. Are you the voice of the people or for yourself?”

Resident Susan Batista came forward next. “I wonder who is paying for all of these law firms the City has hired for my lawsuit against the City. Also, how does the law director get paid?”

Law Director Arlene Quinones Perez told Batista, “I am an employee of the City.”

Batista answered back, “Who authorized a lawyer from the DeCotiis firm to handle the City’s case on the lawsuit filed by me? The City spent money on three law firms for one case.”

David Caba

David Caba

Alan Silber came up and said, “We are the do-over City. If you don’t like the results – let’s have a do-over! Also, when you add a late-starter resolution, it should be discussed.” He then asked the Council, “Have we advertised for a permanent Business Administrator besides on the City’s website? When you go into closed sessions, you should be more specific as to what will be discussed. We should have a resolution to have no more double meetings.” Alan Silber closed with the following remarks which made those present chuckle, “Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving, except for Fernando Gonzalez.”

Fernando Gonzalez had a broad smile on his face when Silber made that remark.

After the public portion was closed, Interim Business Administrator Peter Pelissier congratulated those from the Police Department who will receive valor awards. He suggested other outlets to advertise for a permanent business administrator. He recommended the City hires someone with at least 7-10 years municipal experience and that individual should expect to be employed for 3-5 years. “Perth Amboy is a special City, but it will be a challenge to them.” He recognized the Veterans for their service.

Mayor Diaz came up to speak next. She was happy to report that the City made the Wall Street Journal. Diaz was recently spotlighted on a segment on NBC News talking about her challenges she has faced as Mayor and positive aspects of the City. She mentioned that the CFO (Chief Financial Officer), Tax Assessor and the Tax Collector work hard to keep the taxes down. She mentioned the Valor Award Recipients. “We need to all work together. We collected toys for the Christmas Day Parade to hand out to the children.”

During the Council Comments Portion, Councilman Fernando Gonzalez addressed some of the concerns raised by residents. “For resolution R-530, the $100,000 mentioned would be the total for all the cases. As far as my son not being on the list of law firms, he only does criminal law. We should discuss some things in public that we are only discussing in private sessions.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry spoke next. He thanked Businessman Eddie Trujillo and Pastor Bernie Falcon-Lopez who provided Thanksgiving meals for the needy. In conclusion, he wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Councilman Joel Pabon wanted to know, “Where do we stand on vacant properties?” He thanked Interim B.A. Peter Pelissier for the Veteran’s Day speech he gave. “I want to recognize our youth for all their volunteerism. Happy Thanksgiving and remember the people who are less fortunate. This is a time for sharing. It brings out the best in people. There are a lot of positives in town. Take a look around, especially in the parks. I want to thank Kenny Ortiz (Director of Recreation) and all the young volunteers that work with him. I also want to congratulate all the departments and their employees.”

Councilman Bill Petrick thanked the Department Heads and their employees. “I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.”

Council President Lisa Nanton was proud of the Perth Amboy Green Team becoming certified by the Sustainable New Jersey. “The celebration of the first immigrants that came to our shores -the Pilgrims were escaping religious persecution and that’s what the United States is all about. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.”

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