Caucus Meeting 1/6/14
Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz
PERTH AMBOY – During the 1/6/14 Caucus Meeting, Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach gave an overview of some of the presentations that would be made from the Police, IT (Information Technology), Fire and Recreation Departments. This would include what is needed for the respective departments to function properly. These items had previously been discussed during the preliminary Budget Hearings on 11/26 & 11/27/13.
Before the Department Heads made their presentations Fehrenbach said, “The items being heard tonight by the specific department heads can be funded by borrowing from the Capital Improvement Program.”
Fehrenbach continued by saying that he and CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Jill Goldy will be going to Trenton to appear before the Finance Board. “The steps taken for the borrowing process for Capitol Improvement will go before the Council, then the Planning Board and then it will be presented to the Finance Board in Trenton. There is $4.3 million to borrow from the current fund and $6.3 million in grants.”
The first representative to speak was John Alleman from the Information Technology Department in the City. Alleman spoke about equipment that needed to be replaced. “40 computers currently have Windows 7 on them and we need server replacements. Most software utilizes Windows. We need to replace 5 to 6 servers because there is too much information to backup. The website needs to be redone. We are trying to use wireless connections. Our Computer switches either need to be updated or replaced. Some are worn down due to age and wear and tear. The telephone system for the City’s buildings need updating. Software is needed to coordinate the database so that each department can view the same work orders and citizen complaints. They also will be able to view the Code Enforcement and DPW records and vice-versa.”
Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach said, “Each department would then be able to use the same database where you can record, track and follow up and the resolution of each problem.”
Fire Chief Abraham Pitre
Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz spoke next, giving a brief overview of some of the deficiencies in the department. Ruiz emphasized the need to overhaul the 911 system as soon as possible.
“The system is in critical condition after it crashed. It is currently patched together.”
Fehrenbach also said that there is no timeline as to how long the patch will last.
Chief Ruiz said, “The company that put the 911 system in place was bought out by another company and that’s why we can’t get replacement parts.”
Ruiz continued, “We also need some of our vehicles replaced. We try to do this each year with replacing 3 to 4 vehicles.”
After Ruiz spoke, Fire Chief Abraham Pitre talked about a 3 year plan to replace outdated and worn vehicles. “The condition of these vehicles that need to be replaced are so worn out that it would cost more money to repair them than to replace them. We have one fire truck that cost over $25,000 to repair and it’s still not working properly. That truck is 9 years old and there is another truck that is 14 years old that is in better condition than the younger one. We are looking at different manufacturers to get the best bang for the buck. Manufacturers can come to us, but if firemen chooses to travel in person to look at newer models, it is at their own cost – not the City’s. We are looking at basic models of vehicles that can get the job done without unnecessary bells and whistles. We also need to replace firefighters’ equipment. Some are currently without gear. We need $70,000 that will cover the cost of about 15 individual gears.”
There was an item under the Recreation Department which B.A. Greg Fehrenbach said he would explain. This had to do with the emergency generator to be installed in the Jankowski Center at Olive Street. Because the Olive Street Center is a designated shelter, FEMA requires that a generator be in place. “The cost of the generator is $200,000. The City will pay the cost up front and later be reimbursed 90% of this cost by FEMA. The generator will be diesel, which is an other requirement of FEMA.”
Dir. Dept. of Recreation Kenny Ortiz
Kenny Ortiz from the Department of Recreation began his presentation. Ortiz said, “In 2012, the Division of Local Planning Services had a Master Plan. It was their intention to strengthen the recreational facilities in the City. The northern portion of the town has more facilities, although the population is much smaller and the residents are older. In 1998, the City and the Board of Education agreed to enter into an agreement involving the Wilentz Track property. At that time, they were looking to add more recreational facilities there, but not too close to the residential area. “We are renegotiating the lease with the Board of Education, but we have not gotten a response as of yet.”
B.A. Fehrenbach said that the tennis and basketball court repairs were supposed to have been a part of the cost footed by the Board of Education. “But there has been no response from the Board of Ed, yet.”
Ortiz continued, “According to the Master Plan, we have a deficit of 12 baseball/softball fields. We need more multi- use fields where you can play baseball, softball, football and soccer. These fields should be able to be used 9 months out of the year. We are looking to make these fields synthetic to do so. We have contacted Buckeye Industries to help us with the cleanup of the field by Willow Pond. We are also looking at other entities to help with money for this.”
B.A. Fehrenbach said, “We are anticipating $200,000 in grants to help with this project.”
Ortiz then added, “We are also looking at a key card system for access to the tennis courts.”
During the public portion, resident Stanley Sierakowski again brought up the subject about the Housing Authority expenditures. At previous meetings, Sierakowski asked the B.A. if he could contact a representative from the Housing Authority about some of the items in question. Items Sierakowski requested included: compensation of personnel and credit card information. On the credit cards, he wanted to know the following: what items were charged; and if any personal items were charged, any travel expenses, and what Housing Authority personnel went to training sessions.
B.A. Fehrenbach told Sierakowski that he received a report from the Housing Authority Chair Dot Daniel on the total compensation for the Housing Authority and Partner. “Here is the response to the request that you (Sierakowski) made. The Council has it. The report is open to the public by OPRA request.”
After Sierakowski made his speech, former Councilman and Housing Authority Commissioner Fernando Gonzalez came up to the mic. Gonzalez started out by saying, “I didn’t have any intentions of coming up to speak, but Mr. Sierakowski’s remarks made me do so. If Stanley or anyone wants to come to our (Housing Authority) meetings, they are welcome. We would gladly supply any info to him (Stanley). The Housing Authority is doing an outstanding job, especially with the building across from McDonald’s (Parkview). When people from other towns come and see it, they are envious of this building.”
Housing Authority Chair Dot Daniel addressed Sierakowski’s remarks, “As far as the Housing Authority and credit cards – we’ve never had them. It’s a lie that travel expenses have been used by anyone other than the Commissioners. The B.A. asked me at a pervious meeting if I had received a letter from his office requesting information about the Housing Authority’s activities. I told him I had no knowledge of any letter. The letter was not delivered to my house nor to the Executive Director. Something that important would not have gone ignored. When I finally received the letter, it listed items that Sierakowski wanted, including an explanation from about the expenses, etc. by the Housing Authority and Partner.”
Daniel continued, “He (Sierakowski) is a wealth of misinformation. I’d like to see some of these people use their energy to help and feed the homeless. The letter with the requests that I finally received was written specifically to me. I had to go into the archives to get this info.”
Another Housing Authority Commissioner, Pedro Perez wanted to know how many pages of the report was submitted to the Council, and he would like to see that submitted report.
The next person to speak during the public portion was former Council President Ken Balut. Balut said, “The YMCA gets money from the Board of Education, but the City gets nothing.” Balut also told some of the present Council Members, that most of them were on the Board of Education when these bad deals were made (Seamon Street Property).
Balut then added, “The building at 378 Hobart St. which was also Joe’s (Vas) old campaign office and is one of the worst projects that was approved (by the present Council). It’s the same people doing the same thing that Joe was doing. You’re just continuing the same thing.”
At the meeting, the B.A. and Frank Dann addressed comments made at the December 30, 2013 Special Council Meeting.
Richard Freedman who owns the Raritan Valley Truck Sales from South Brunswick had made remarks before the Council in regards to how the City put out bids for contracts. He specifically was there in regards to the Sanitation truck bids.
Fehrenbach said, “Mr. Freedman had stated that Hunter Jersey Peterbuilt which was recommended for the contract did not meet the specifications for an 18 inch access bay. This was not true.”
Frank Dann said, “We looked at 3 different towns (at the equipment they were using) and they decided to use the specifications that Woodbridge uses. As far as steel vs. aluminum. Aluminium is better because steel tends to rust and in some of the trucks it is not unusual for rust to deteriorate the base of the cab.”
Councilman Bill Petrick addressed the dredging issue that was brought up at the 12/30/13 Special Meeting. Petrick said that he and Councilwoman Lisa Nanton happened to come across Congressman Frank Pallone and told him about the need for dredging in the Raritan Bay. Pallone stated that he would look into the issue.
There was also a resolution about awarding a contract for a beach promenade reconstruction project. B.A. Fehrenbach said, “This would entail stabilizing the Waterfront embankment, reconstruction of the marina, the river wall, sea walls, and sand dunes.
