Outgoing Councilman Fernando Gonzalez (C) poses with the Council and Acting B.A. Greg Ferhenbach (L to R) Councilman Joel Pabon, Council President Bill Petrick, Outgoing Councilman Fernando Gonzalez, Councilman Fernando Irizarry, Acting B.A. Greg Ferhenbach, Councilman Helmin Caba.
*Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – During the Caucus portion of the Meeting, there were a couple of questions regarding Ordinance No.2 – To amend Fire Prevention Ordinance No. 391-85 Adopted November 6, 1985.

Acting Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach asked Law Director Peter King if there could be a change of wording in the ordinance to make it an official tax search on property.

King responded, “This can be a minor change, and the Tax Assessor has a program to make this change.”

Fehrenbach then continued, “An official search requires that the person who requests the search pay a fee.”

King replied, “We can do a verbal amendment on this ordinance.”

Fehrenbach then stated, “I want a more extensive explanation in the ordinance.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry had a problem with Ordinance No. 3 – Adopting a Relocation Assistance Plan to be provided to displaced Perth Amboy Citizens. He stated, “It’s too wordy.”

Council President Bill Petrick stated, “Maybe we should table this.”

Fehrenbach reminded the Council, “If you do table it, then you’ll have to wait until the first meeting in January 2019 to put it on the agenda.”

Irizarry then started to dissect some of the passages in the ordinance that had incomplete sentences.

When King went through the information, he concluded that some things were missing. 

Petrick said, “We need to table this ordinance to clean up the misinformation and the incomplete sentences.”

Social Services and Housing Director Tashi Vasquez came up to give more details regarding this ordinance. “Landlords and owners of properties that were under bank foreclosures were not collecting money from displaced people.”

Law Director King then added, “Banks that own these properties (foreclosed) will not rent them out.” Vasquez then told the Council, “Any people living in these buildings are considered squatters.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez suggested, “We should start doing municipal liens.”

Vasquez then stated, “The last list that I presented to the Council regarding abandoned properties only one on the list was bank owned.”

Fernando Gonzalez concluded, the discussion, “Woodbridge has taken over some of their abandoned properties as eminent domain.”

Council President Bill Petrick had a question on Ordinance No. 4 – regarding background checks. He wanted to know, “Will fingerprinting cause a delay in this process?”

King replied that it would be the contrary, “Names may change, but fingerprinting is more effective and quicker.”

During the Public Portion, Resident Ken Balut had an issue, “When does Code Blue go into effect?” Then he read off reports from weather forecasts for the last couple of days where the temperatures were 25oF but it dipped to 18oF at night. Why weren’t the shelters open?”

Fehrenbach responded, “Kenny Oritz (from the Department of Recreation) said the shelters were open and they had at least 20 people in the shelter during those times.”

Balut then read a letter from former Law Director Alene Quinones-Perez dated 2016. In this letter, she informed the police department that two predatory tickets should be dismissed. 

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez spoke up, “Predatory tickets have been an ongoing problem in the City.”

Deputy Police Chief came up to discuss this issue, “Some tickets were issued in error and those summonses were dismissed. That procedure (letters asking for dismissal of tickets from the Law Director) is no longer being practiced.”

Balut then continued, “You just got rid of the Parking Utility guy. You keep doing studies. Code Enforcement is doing nothing. Someone that posted a dog lottery on Facebook is now helping in Housing. Now every day after school, students are fighting. The YMCA gets grants, but what are we getting? The Y still doesn’t have a contract. It’s all incompetency. Now, we have the Mayor’s Aide in charge of Code Enforcement. You are correcting situations only after they are caught.”

A woman who is a resident at 51 Madison Avenue came up to speak and asked for an update regarding the new bathroom facilities on the Waterfront. 

Fehrenbach explained, “The original project regarding these bathrooms were rejected because they had to be outside of the flood plains. The facility is on hold until the criteria of the grant is met. The facility will be placed, winterized, then after inspection, if it’s passed, it can be opened.”

After she sat down, another resident from 51 Madison Avenue came up to speak, “This is really bad, and my wife was crying. He strongly emphasized that the bathrooms will pose unsanitary conditions. 

This will not be a toilet – it will be stinky and smelly. People will be coming out of that toilet half naked. I came home, my wife was crying about this situation. She wants to move out of town. People have no respect. It’s disgusting. They’ll leave liquor bottles and trash all around. The Mayor and you (the Council) won’t have to come there and clean this mess up.”

Resident and Businessman David Caba came up to speak, “See what’s happening in our City. I think we have close to 80,000 residents.” He then asked the Council, “How many Police Chaplains do we have. I believe we started with around 90. I think now it’s around 30. The Chaplains were campaigning for the Mayor a few years ago. You can’t have double standards. Sometimes people and the Council don’t know what’s going on. It’s hard to be in the minority (referring to himself and some of the residents who come up to speak at meetings) and we have no benefits.”

Resident Alan Silber came up, “When they have a closed session, you have to be more specific when it comes to dealing with litigations.” Silber also had a problem with the Public Information Officer’s press releases. “She should never write political press releases unless she takes a leave of absence.”

Law Director King responded regarding the Public Information Officer, “The releases did not have the names of candidates or political parties listed. They (City Employees) can do politics on their own time and not using City equipment.”

Mayor Wilda Diaz came up to speak. She wanted to thank Freeholder Director Ron Rios for the planning and remediation of the County Park. “The Freeholders are funding the park.” She was also happy to announce that Domino’s Pizza opened a larger facility and are giving residents jobs. “Vacant land is being utilized. 50% of the City is designated as Opportunity Zones. This was one of Senator Cory Booker’s bills. Burger King is also looking to locate downtown.”

Resident Gregory Pabon who is also a Police Chaplain came up to speak, “I want to congratulate the winners of the recent municipal elections.” He also explained that the chaplains who campaigned in the City while in their uniforms were not from Perth Amboy. “We can campaign as private citizens, but we cannot do so while in uniform. We are unpaid volunteers.”

Some of the other agenda items that were discussed dealt with R-535-12/18 – Authorizing a memorandum of understanding between the City of Perth Amboy and the Raritan Bay YMCA.

Tashi Vasquez came up to explain, “This is a grant through Robert Wood Johnson which starts December 1, 2018 but we have not received the funds, yet. The YMCA is getting $100,000 and training their staff right now. We are getting $25,000 from that $100,000 grant. This is to offset the cost of a housing study which is part of our Master Plan. We have also partnered with Rutgers University. $25,000 will be used to hire a firm to help in the study. RFP’s were sent out. The study will help to identify unhealthy living conditions. Committees involving several different City Departments and the Council will be included and will be involved in this which will be a part of the Master Plan.”

Greg Fehrenbach spoke next, “The City’s Master Plan is outdated, and this will be an element in the updated plan. This analysis of the study will be to determine unsafe housing.”

There was also a resolution R-537 dealing with a grant from Middlesex County to provide services and innovative approaches for At-Risk Youth in Middlesex County in the amount of $56,480.00.

Sergeant Cruz from the Police Department came up to speak. He is helping young people that have committed minor offenses. “We assess why they made poor choices and we want to include their families. We are looking for a part-time Counselor who will work Monday through Friday and we would prefer that it be a City Resident.”

CFO Jill Goldy spoke up and said, “The person who will be hired for that position will be a consultant and not a City Employee.”

Sgt. Cruz then continued, “Sometimes parents also need counseling. We will be using the Civil Service Criteria when looking at applicants. We already have 9 kids waiting to get into this program.”

Tashi Vasquez then came up and let the Council know she wrote the grant (to the County).

After the Council came back from the Closed Session, they started the Council Meeting.

Resident Ken Balut came up to speak regarding Ordinance No. 2 (Fire Prevention). He stated, “I hope this ordinance takes care of loopholes. Fire hazards are noticeable. You should get reports about this. Who is enforcing the laws? And who is in charge after fires? There should be a report on how many occupants there were. You should also be getting information (about items on the agenda) weeks before it’s presented.”

Ordinance No. 3 that was discussed at the Caucus regarding the Relocation Assistance Plan for displaced persons was removed. So, Ordinance No. 3 was now the old Ordinance No. 4 (Background Checks).

Balut said, “Background checks are important. We hired someone with a record which was expunged. Someone who did not pass a psychological test shouldn’t be hired. There was a lawsuit filed, but the Prosecutor doesn’t want to be involved. People who hire someone that didn’t pass a psychological test should be held libel.”

Acting B.A. Fehrnbach responded, “In Civil Service, a judge can force a town to hire someone, even if that person did not pass a psychological test.”

Balut also had a question regarding R-535 and R-536 regarding the YMCA. “You have to do something about the Y. It’s our building and we’re not having a say when they are buying buildings.”

When it came to the Consent Agenda (R-506-12/18 thru R-540-12/18), it was moved by Councilman Helmin Caba and seconded by Councilman Fernando Irizarry. Councilman Irizarry abstained on R-516, R-535 and R-536.

During the public portion, Ken Balut came up to speak. “The Mayor put people in positions and the Council should get those resumes. Civil Service wouldn’t give Irving (Lozada) the needed qualifications, and now he’s in charge of Code Enforcement. The County paid more for a small piece of land in the City than the 75 acres they paid for space in East Brunswick. Open Space money comes from our tax money. What happened to the Road and Firehouse for the Budapest Section? I’ve seen accidents with vehicles coming off of 440.”

Resident Alan Silber came up and talked about predatory tickets. “A former Law Director and former B.A. were telling police to dismiss some tickets. The Friends of Wilda Diaz gave $1,000 to her people running on her tickets that she supported. Press Releases (Political) were given to some newspapers such as Americano. I don’t want my taxes going against my wishes. We have the same people, and they are working on campaigns.”

Resident David Caba came up to speak and questioned if the Chaplains were used for political purposes. “They still had on Perth Amboy badges. They were working on campaigns even if they don’t’ live here. The Chaplain who spoke (during the Caucus Section) said he was acting in the capacity of a private citizen and he was not in uniform and he was an unpaid volunteer.” Caba then stated, “But, he was the treasurer and was paid (in that capacity).”

Madison Avenue Resident Maria Vera came up to speak about a menorah that is located on Market and Second Street. She felt it was disrespectful because it was never lit during Hanukah. It was explained that there was a new owner of that property and they gave permission for that menorah to be placed there. Vera then talked about the bathroom at the Waterfront. “Madison Avenue is so congested, now and that bathroom should be on Brighton Avenue. Code Enforcement doesn’t respond when we call, and the police don’t want to get involved. There is also a problem at 183 Lewis St. People have to walk on the street because the person who lives there parks on the sidewalk and the garbage keeps piling up.”

Resident Lisa Nanton came up to speak, “Why are there showers in the middle of the pier?”

Fehrenbach responded, “The Department of Justice has charged the City with violations. We’re trying to see if they can be removed.”

Nanton recognized Councilman Fernando Gonzalez on his retirement as a Council Member, “It was an honor to know and work with you.”

Council Comments:

Councilman Helmin Caba wanted to thank longtime City Clerk Elaine Jasko who was mentioned on R-506-12/18 – Expressing appreciation, compliments, and gratitude to Elaine M. Jasko for her dedicated service as City Clerk. 

Caba told Fernando Gonzalez, “It’s been an honor working with you. Good luck on your retirement. I want to thank everyone for speaking your mind and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez then spoke. He wanted to make sure that the volunteers at the Fire and Police Departments get their stipend checks before Christmas. 

Fehrenbach stated, “Those checks will be cut on the 12/15/18 payroll.”

Gonzalez then thanked all the citizens of Perth Amboy for their support.

When Councilman Irizarry spoke, he thanked the Council for getting the Budapest Street Cleaning Resolution passed, “We now have the one-armed garbage truck and the residents and business owners have their cans. I also want to thank the DPW and those who worked on the parade. The Prop House had a nice program. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.” He then became emotional when he talked about Fernando Gonzalez. “I’ve known him for a long time and I am grateful for him and his wife. She is the one who encouraged me to go to college and get my degree. I also want to thank my family. We have the blessings we enjoy today because of Fernando Gonzalez and his blessings to the residents and the City. Thank you very much.”

Irizarry and Gonzalez then got up and embraced each other. 

Councilman Joel Pabon spoke next, “One of my goals in areas of concern is Elizabeth, Cortlandt, Second and First Streets. We take care of those streets; the residents and schools will benefit. I just have to agree to disagree with one thing regarding the Budapest section when it comes to the garbage pickup. They stopped at Leon Street. There’re no cans for the residents or businesses or one-armed pickup of garbage after that street. I want to thank the volunteers throughout the City. They work 24/7. The young folks from the Department of Recreation are always there and they never complain. I want to thank all these kids and Kenny Ortiz. We have awesome crossing guards. I can remember when I was a kid and your name (Fernando Gonzalez) was mentioned. I finally get to sit with you. In the past few years, I have met the real you. You always had good intentions. I thank you for your service to the City. There are amazing people at the Prop House. It’s a gold mine. They have a $3 million grant and you’ll see a lot of progress.” Pabon then mentioned Lisa Nanton who was instrumental to the Prop House and he also mentioned Renee Skelton who was also sitting in the audience. Pabon then addressed the residents who complained about the bathroom facility. “We are going to stay on course. I wish everyone Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.”

When Council President Bill Petrick spoke, he thanked the Prop House for the Wassail Night that they had recently. He thanked Fernando Gonzalez for his time and effort and his behind-the-scenes work. “Your opinions are valued and help the City move forward.”