11/6/17 Caucus Meeting
PERTH AMBOY – There were 3 ordinances involving bonding that had to be carried to the 11/20/17 agenda. These included: 1. Capital Improvement; 2. & 3. Water/Wastewater Utility. The reason they had to be carried over to the 11/20/17 Meeting is because they required approval from the LFB (Local Finance Board) before they could be adopted.
Councilman Irizarry had a question about the Bond Ordinance No. 1. He said, “I thought at a previous Meeting the insertion of $26,000 that was to be used for flag poles had to be deleted. I see that’s still in the Ordinance.”
Business Administrator Adam Cruz responded, “The $26,000 will not be used for flag poles as per the request from the Council.”
The next item in question dealt were the bids for the fire apparatus repair and maintenance contracts for 2018 – 2020. Acting Fire Chief Mullen came up to explain, “There are 3 different vendors who will take care of their own apparatus. They pretty much have sole proprietary on their own equipment. We are trying to standardize the equipment. The aerial and pumps failed their tests, which we will have to fix. We get discounted rates with all of these vendors.”
DPW Director Frank Hoffman came forward to respond to questions about resolutions R-418-11/17 – A contract with Pride Landscape Supply for calcium chloride ice melt.
Hoffman explained, “The Purchasing Department asked us to get a price for the pallets. “We’re not getting the same amount of pallets for the same price.”
On R-438 – Recognizing the excitement or transfer of the responsibility to comply with the terms and conditions of the financial agreement regarding the BRIDGE 1 Project & Approving the sale of the BRIDGE Project and approving the sale of the BRIDGE 1 Property to Duke Realty that ePort Urban Renewal LLC to continue the operation of the project and to allow the investment in the BRIDGE 2 Project to proceed.” Robert Benecke – Bridge Consultant on PILOT Programs (Benecke Economics) came up to speak. “This transfer to Duke Realty will allow BRIDGE 2 to proceed. This is a $125 million project. There is an investment of $40 million going into this. I’m working for the City. The profit cannot exceed 12%.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said, “This guarantee that BRIDGE 2 will be done. There should be a warranty that BRIDGE 2 will go through.”
Benecke continued, “Leases have to be cemented on the first building. The cost for square footage is $9.92. per sqft. Duke Realty (a company from South Carolina) will have to put together a financing package. The agreement with the City still stands.”
DPW Director Frank Hoffman came back to answer questions regarding Resolutions R-419- – R-421. “This will be for a custom built truck. The total price is a little over $300,000.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez asked, “Have there been repair problems with the present trucks?”
R-419 – 11/17 is contract for Cliffside Body Corp. for the purchase of a Monroe 10 ft. Plow & Hitch. R-420-11/17 – Authorizing a contract for the purchase of an Autocar ACX 42 Class 8 Engine, frame & cab through Hudson County Motors.
Hofffman explained, “The present trucks last 6 to 8 years. There’s wear and tear on the parts. There is a safety factor cost because it will cut down on injuries and the amount of workers needed. There is going to be more pollution controls, which is mandated. The arm and body is the same on the new garbage truck as on the present garbage truck.”
Hoffman also answered questions concerning R-423-11/17 – Approving a contract with Murray Paving and Concrete for reconstruction work of areas on the lower level of the Public Safety complex. “This work will include sheetrock and flooring installation. The cost went through co-op pricing. They do itemized listings of all types of services.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry then asked a question, “Did anyone go to a local contractor for a price?”
Law Director Peter King responded, “They have to qualify to the state, and the union would have to be involved.”
Council President William Petrick asked, “Is the insurance going to cover most of the work?”
“Most of it.,” Hoffman answered. “This company (Murray Contracting) has done work for us before, but I’m not sure they did this kind of work. I can have our Buildings and Grounds put together a package to present to bidders to see if local contractors will apply to do this sort of work.”
Councilman Irizarry spoke up, “I know a local contractor who can do this.”
Council President Petrick said, “We will pull R-423.”
There was a question in regards to R-437 authorizing the City to enter into a 5 year lease purchase agreement with Fulton Bank in the amount of $250,540.00 for body worn and vehicle mounted cameras.” Police Chief Roman McKeon said, “Fulton Bank is just picking up the $250,000.00 cost. The amount of money doesn’t change – just who it’s being sent to.”
There was also a question on R-439 – Waving the residency requirement for Nichole Horvhth for the Department of Finance. CFO Jill Goldy came up. “The original applicant withdrew and none of the other applicants we received were City Residents.”
There was a long discussion on R-442. Regarding a Change Order with Helios Construction increasing the contract for Waterfront Park Improvements in an amount not to exceed $52,813.96. Business Administrator Adam Cruz explained, “This will enable us to proceed with work that was put on hold at the tennis courts.”
Council President Bill Petrick explained his frustration about this resolution. “I can’t in good conscience put my name to this resolution. This will enable a thirty-foot trailer that houses toilets to be placed across from the beautiful St. Demetrios Church located at our beautiful Waterfront.”
Cruz interrupted Petrick and stated, “If we don’t get the funding, we can’t proceed with the work.”
Petrick continued, “Can we get that company here (that will to supply the trailer)?”
Cruz then reminded the Council, “What was approved is what is being built and it met the specific requirements for the funding.”
Petrick continued, stating, “I know some of the work will involve improving the tennis courts, but I can’t approve of a 30 ft. trailer on that site. I understand a lot of hard work went into putting that proposal together.”
At this point, Director of Recreation Kenny Ortiz came up to speak, “This project is over $900,000. I was involved in this project in the beginning and the Council approved the bid. The contractor worked based on the specifications. The trailer is temporary and funds from the Economic Development and FEMA have to be used for the Waterfront. There were additional charges for changes. The whole unit (trailer) can be moved in 25 minutes. I wasn’t involved in the design phase.”
Petrick had further comments, “Nothing has been done, yet (sewer lines or electrical work) pertaining to the trailer. It can be moved to another location.”
Law Director Peter King said, “I don’t see a problem with that.”
Petrick then continued, “St. Demetrios Church wants to build housing and a community center. This trailer will obstruct the view.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up, “There used to be a structure that is now an empty field. To move is one thing and to build a structure is another thing.”
Irizarry had several observations, “Wherever the trailer is placed will be a problem. This is tied to a $975,000 project with other work that is being done. If this is stopped, those other projects will be stopped. If the trailer can be moved in 25 minutes, I’m okay.”
Petrick then reminded the other Council Members, “We asked them to reduce the size of the trailer. It can be moved in an emergency.”
Pabon then suggested, “We do need bathroom facilities in that area, but it needs to be a permanent, decent bathroom facilities.”
Irizarry commented, “At this point, it’s not possible to do that.”
Petrick suggested, “Let’s talk to these guys. We need a facility near the Waterfront.”
Pabon cautioned, “The tennis court work needs to go on.”
Ortiz then told the Council, “I can look to do a revised change order. I will ask the engineer and tell you more at the next meeting.”
Petrick then concluded, “We will make a decision on R-442 after getting more information.”
Oritz finished the discussion, by telling the Council, “My focus is getting the tennis courts done this year.”
During the Public Portion, Resident David Caba came up to speak about the July and August crime stats which came from the State Police and FBI. He said, “These stats came from the City. You could look them up yourselves. I’m going to call those two departments themselves to see where they got their crime stats. Call the person who wrote the article. People make smart comments, but not qualified answers.”
Caba then quoted J.D. Watts, “Common sense and knowledge will get you further.” Caba then suggested that the Council walk Smith Street at night from Convery Boulevard to the Waterfront. The article says we are the fifth most violent town in Middlesex County.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry responded, “Based on what I read, Perth Amboy is not number 5.”
Caba countered, “This sheet I have is coming from Perth Amboy.”
Irizarry then stated, “Some towns don’t report their statistics.”
Caba concluded, “I gave you the phone numbers for the FBI and State Police and I didn’t see you (the Council write them down.) You have a lot more clout than I do.”
