PERTH AMBOY – There were 5 topics of discussion on the agenda for the 10/10/17 Caucus Meeting. Because of the absence of Councilmen Fernando Irizarry and Helmin Caba, the topics involving the investigation of Peter Pelissier, discussion of Seagate Housing Complex, and the Rider for the Bridge PILOT would be held over until the Caucus Meeting scheduled for 10/23/17.
At a past meeting, Councilman Fernando Irizarry had asked for the Homeless Warming Center to be discussed. Since Jamie Rios, Director of Code Enforcement Jamie Rios was present at this Caucus Meeting, he was asked to come forward to answer questions about this center.
Councilman
Joel Pabon
Councilman Joel Pabon wanted a clarification, “I was told the warming center will be run by volunteers, but who will watch over the operation?”
Rios answered, “That is a question for the Y to answer.” He then continued, “There was a transfer deed. The building in question has 20 units and there is also a community room and a business on the ground floor. Our Department did an inspection. Nothing came across my desk to change the usage for the building. The 20 units consisted of one bedroom boarding rooms. The building passed all inspections. I’ll bring further information at the next meeting. The first level of the building is for commercial space only, as it was previously.”
Law Director Peter King then spoke up, “The State had to approve the building because of the number of units.”
There was a question regarding R-399-10/17. A payment of the amount of $298.68 (interest) be waived and credited towards future tax payments for a Conrail Billboard from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the present.
Business Administrator Adam Cruz explained, “This billboard is on Conrail Property and they would like the City to credit them in lieu of them making a payment to the City.”
On R-400-10/17 dealing with the replacement of the City Phone System in the amount not to exceed $135,000, Perth Amboy IT Tech John Alleman came forward to answer questions. He explained this contract with office solutions would not include the Police and Fire Departments. “With this contract, it would make it possible for the other departments who have plain old telephone systems not to lose power if there are any outages. The system we have now is not adequate. There are no parts available if we lose power in other City Departments. Verizon will come in to review the POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) lines.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez had a question, “Did we have a contract with a company called Breaker that took care of the City’s phone system?”
Alleman replied, “Breaker was a third party vendor and had end-of-the-line support. We could put the old equipment that we no longer have uses for up for auction.”
The next person who came up to speak was Acting Police Chief Roman McKeon who fielded questions related to R-398-10/17 regarding the purchase of 44 Second Chance Summit Shooter Vests from Atlantic Tactical, the amount not to exceed $38,940.00.
McKeon explained, “This takes care of everyone, plus there will be three extra sets. They’re bulletproof vests which will be in use 24 hours.”
R-401-10/17 accepting a FEMA Grant in the amount of $232,500 for the 2017 Port Security Grant Program regarding maintenance and sustainment of Fireboat Marine V and Dive & Rescue and Recovery Equipment and Training.
Acting Fire Chief Mullen came forward, “This is part of the Capital Improvement Project. The total cost will amount to $310,000. There will be an allotment of $40,000 a year until the year 2020. 18 people will have personal dive suits plus additional hardware. We’re looking at GSA pricing. We also looked at what the top dive teams use. The certification process should be complete by the spring of 2018. There is little or no money left from the County for funding.”
On Resolution R-406-10/17 re: Authorizing the City of Perth Amboy to make Application to the Local Finance Board, B.A. Adam Cruz gave an explanation about his resolution. “This is regarding the Water/Utility Loans. This would be a request by the Council for a resolution so we (the City) can be put on the schedule to meet with the Local Finance Board. There’s a need to replace the pipe and sewer lines.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez spoke up, “It’s Capital improvement for the water & sewer system. I will like the people from the Water Department here to explain what the $11,000,000 will be spent on regarding the water and sewer system. Next year, the agreement with Middlesex will be up.”
Council President
Bill Petrick
Council President Bill Petrick corrected the amount, “It’s actually $12,600,000.”
B.A. Cruz concluded the discussion by telling the Council, “The application is due 10/18/2017.”
Council President Bill Petrick said, “Residents complained about two buses parked on Dorsey Street near the American Legion that are being used as mobile homes.”
Acting Police Chief McKeon came up to address this, “There is actually a man and a woman in their 20’s living in these buses. At night, they park on private property. They had received summonses and they were very nice people, but they have found an apartment in Hillside. By the end of the week, the problem will be resolved.”
During the Public Portion Resident Stanley Sierakowski asked the Council to table R-405-10/17 re: a person to person transfer of a Plenary Retail Consumption License from Bruce and Donna Mohr t/a the Flat Iron Tavern to Tawfik Enterprises t/a The Flat Iron Tavern.
Sierakowski was concerned because the person that the license was being transferred to had drug convictions in the past. He wanted to have the Council do a more thorough investigation. Sierakowski even gave the council a ruling referencing Tawfik.
Petrick read the paperwork that Sierakowski handed to the Council.
After reading it, Petrick replied, “The F.B.I., New Jersey State Police, and the Perth Amboy Police Department all cleared the petitioner.”
Sierakowski continued, “This will affect the residents of Perth Amboy. You (the Council) just got this information today.”
Later in the evening Tawfik came forward, “There was an order from the Attorney General’s Office. The Council can look it over very carefully and I ask that you just work with me.”
Sierakowski then talked about R-403-10/17 re: A Professional Service Contract with Eugene J. Codey to service as a mediator in the matter of Woodbridge vs. the Borough of Carteret and City of Perth Amboy in amount not to exceed $50,000. “With Codey’s Firm, most of their cases deal with arbitration and remediation. Go to a binding arbitration and the cost should be shared.”
Council President Bill Petrick responded, “We don’t have a choice since there are other towns involved.”
Resident Ken Balut came up next, “I want an investigation on Code Enforcement. The C/O’s I asked for were lost.”
Petrick replied, “The house in question was cleared and Code Enforcement had no outstanding violations on it.”
Balut in his frustration said, “No one seems to care about Code Enforcement losing files.” He then complained about the starting salaries of Police Officers and the fact that they are getting paid less now than they were a few years ago.
This prompted Council President Bill Petrick to ask Balut, “Why all of a sudden are you concerned about the Police Officers’ salaries and you never questioned it when you were a Councilman for four years?”
Balut explained, “I was not allowed to sit on contract negotiation resolutions because of conflict of interest when I was on the Council. New Officers cannot live in this town on this salary.”
Law Director Peter King addressed the missing documents in the Code Enforcement Department. “That Department has a running list of file numbers. There is an intern going through all the files to see if some items may have been misplaced. There is a master list.”
Balut continued, “How can a C/O be issued with illegal items in it? I was told certain houses were issued C/O’s without being inspected.”
King replied, “One of the missing files that you requested was found and it had the last selling of the house (on your OPRA request). I will go with you to Code Enforcement.”
Resident Alan Silber came up to speak next, “A newspaper said that a City Official said, “The house (on Brighton Avenue where the two boys fell from the second level balcony) was over 100 years old and had normal wear and tear.”
Council President Bill Petrick then spoke up stating, “The State of New Jersey does multi-unit inspections and they found no outstanding violations.”
Silber then asked, “Does City Hall have a water meter?”
Petrick answered, “The Middlesex Water Company put meters on all units, including churches.”
Silber explained, “The plants on Smith Street were being watered using City water. The BID Members should take water from their own homes to water these plants. The BID should be water for the plants put in their budget.
Resident and Businessman David Caba came up to speak. He complained about the muggings and other violent crimes being committed in Perth Amboy. “Meetings are still not shown on the internet right away. I like the Jeep Shows that are shown. It’s also important that Council Members be here (in reference to two missing Council Members). I like this Council because you care for the City. You run for office to look out for the taxpayers. People come up and talk because they are concerned. Kushner is not paying for the Rector Street repairs. It was grant money.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez requested that Law Director King ask Code Enforcement to provide the Council with any complaints or actions in regards to the Brighton Avenue house.
Council President Bill Petrick added, “I would like a report from the State, too.”
Councilman Joel Pabon said residents called him from the neighborhood close to 708 Carson Ave. “People start lining up between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. to go to this business. Neighbors want to know why is this happening since the attorney doesn’t open until 10 a.m. People park in handicapped spots and are discourteous.”
Pabon next talked about senior citizens complaining about their water bills. “They tell me that their bills are doubling or tripling, then they drop down. There seems to be a lot of fluctuations. I know Eddie Trujillo is paying some of those bills from his senior buildings. The water company is checking some of those units and are finding nothing wrong.”
Business Administrator Cruz spoke up, “If someone is complaining about a water bill, then we send the water company to the residence to check their meters. Most of the time, it’s the flap on the toilet.”
Pabon then had a question about the parking lines on High Street.
Acting Chief McKeon said, “I’m working on the situation.”
Cruz answered, “We are looking to open up more spaces on High Street, especially by Caledonia Park. We area also looking at the section on High Street from Smith Street up to Torres Market (on Washington Street).”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez had concerns about the parking lines on Amboy Avenue. “Certain sizes limit parking.”
Pabon concluded the discussion stating, “Pretty soon winter will be here and the lines can’t be put down.”
Councilman Gonzalez then talked about the Jones Act and how it pertains to the political status of Puerto Rico. “Puerto Rico has to use American Ships and they have to import everything. Puerto Rico cannot vote for President and has no representation. They have a tremendous amount of debt and cannot use cheaper foreign ships. The Jones Act should be repealed.” He then mentioned that Dot Daniel wants to get a petition to get this done and send it to representatives to all levels of government.
Council President Bill Petrick then addressed the abandoned and vacant properties. “Annie Hindenlang (Executive Director of PARA) was supposed to supply a list to the Council.”
B.A. Cruz responded, “I will get that list to you.”
