6/22/16 Council Meeting
PERTH AMBOY – Public Hearing held on June 8, 2016 – No. 1. An Ordinance adopting an amendment of Article II of Chapter 98 of the Code of the City of Perth Amboy. Re: Public Contracting.
Despite what Executive Director Office of Economic and Community Development Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency Annie Hindenlang and Joseph Maraziti of the Maraziti LLP Law Firm said they were no violations by developers of the existing ordinance.
Some residents still were not satisfied.
Former Councilman Ken Balut wanted to know, “Were there any violations of the ordinance right now? There was a big hoopla from a citizen’s committee about this. Where are they now? Are they informed? The lawyer did not do due diligence. Before voting on this, you should know who the contractors are and if they are in violation. Why did this just pop up now just before the elections? The public should know it’s a bunch of bull.”
Council President Lisa Nanton had a problem with Paragraph B (see www.amboyguardian.com for a copy of the ordinance) “We should look at that section and remove it. That’s what the citizen’s committee suggested.”
Balut then asked, “How can you vote on this if you don’t know if anyone is in violation?”
Law Director Arlene Quinones-Perez said, “Annie Hindenlang said there were no violations at the time she looked at it. I don’t know if there are any violations now.”
Joseph Maraziti of the Marazitei LLP Law Firm spoke. “There were no violations of the $300 ceiling. The ordinance that’s in the books makes it a violation if there are contributions in any amounts. This (amendment) will not address prior contributions. The timing of this problem was identified prior to the election. There’s always elections going on.” He proceeded to say, “Annie Hindenlang said it’s because that there’s more developing that will be coming up. I’ll be clear about this. We saw no violations when my associate did an analysis. This does not forgive prior violations. This change in the ordinance is for the future and not retroactive.”
Balut was still not satisfied and said, “You did not do your due diligence.”
Council President Lisa Nanton responded, “You can OPRA information and contributions of past developers.”
Resident Alan Silber spoke about Ali Rada who had made contributions to political contributions in the past. He asked Maraziti if Rada is a developer.
Maraziti answered, “The name does not ring a bell.”
Silber came back and mentioned about a project that will be taking place on Washington Street.
Maraziti answered back, “I know about that site, but Rada is not a redeveloper. I don’t’ know the facts if he violated the pay to play in the past. PARA did not pass this project.”
Silber proceeded to talk about an executive order from the Mayor in 2009 to combat political corruption. Mr. Rada gives to everyone. If you pass this, then you are for political corruption.”
Resident David Caba came up to speak and said, “The Mayor should distribute the wealth – part of the donation that she received. She has already spent $200,000.”
Resident Stanley Sierakowski also was concerned about political contributions. He urged the council to table this in order to see what developers contributed. The Mayor is the Chair of PARA. You (the Council) can designate people from the audience to help you out (looking at previous political contributions). The Mayor should be at the mic to answer questions about her executive order from 2009. She can go to superior court and testify there.”
Resident Gregory Pabon came up to voice his opinion about this ordinance. He urged the Council to limit the amount of money for political contributions. “There have been Board of Education Candidates who received contributions from people from out of state who knew nothing about the City. The media makes money when these large contributions are made. We should set a limit of up to $300.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez was uneasy about voting for this amendment of this ordinance. “We just got this 5 minutes ago (the requested change). I didn’t get a chance to read it and it’s rather lengthy.”
Business Administrator Adam Cruz answered Councilman Fernando Gonzalez’ concerns. “We are just changing the $3000 contribution limit to $300.”
Gonzalez still had a concern and wanted to know, “What constitutes a major change in an ordinance? Does it have to be re-advertised?”
Councilman Bill Petrick spoke up and said, “Should we postpone? Law Director Perez said, “Your deleting one line and the amount changes.”
Gonzalez still had his concerns. “This is a major change. It may have not been properly advertised.”
During the second public portion, resident Alan Silber remarked, “That was some show that Maraziti had. The Executive Director (of PARA) said there were no violations. Are you saying that developers won’t come here because they can’t make campaign contributions? We’re giving some people projects and their using subcontractors. People were coming here that can’t build. Developers come here because they think we’re stupid. Now we have to pay Maraziti to come here again because we tabled this resolution. Why didn’t other people take those 12 parking spots if they were open to anyone?”
