Delayed until 7:25 p.m.

3/28/18 Council Meeting

PERTH AMBOY – Because of the elevator not working at City Hall for the last couple of meetings, the Fire Department was supposed to be there to assist those who needed help climbing the stairs. A member of the Fire Department did not show up until 7:25 p.m.

During the public portion, Nilda Rivera, who is the mother of Stephanie Márquez-Villafañe came up to the podium with her cell phone held up to the microphone. This was to enable her daughter, Stephanie to speak a the Meeting. Stephanie who is handicapped, emotionally explained there was supposed to be a location change or viewing rooms for those who could not make it into the Council Chambers. “We have places that meetings have been used in the past that were handicapped accessible. This is a private meeting because of people who cannot get here (handicapped or otherwise). It’s unacceptable and humiliating for people to have to be carried by the Fire Department. They should be on regular duty. This is violating an ordinance. It’s frustrating and your excuses are unacceptable.”

Council President Bill Petrick then announced the next Council Meeting will take place at Flynn School.

Earlier during the Meeting, Residents Ken Balut and Sharon Hubberman had spoken about the elevator issues in City Hall.

Ken Balut had stated, “This comes up every year – R-127 (A contract to Jersey Elevator Company for preventive maintenance and minor repairs) What preventative measures were taken?”

Sharon Hubberman also had addressed this problem, stating, “I’ve been here a couple of times when the elevator was not working. I appreciate you asking the Fire Department to assist. I asked that the meeting be moved. Handicapped Assistance is not available at the Train Station, the Library, and some street curbs. Does the Fire Department lift the person up here, if they cannot use the stairs, etc.?”

The Council remained quiet.

A Resident who resides at 313 State Street (Five Corners Building), which was recently was remodeled into Senior Apartments and Commercial Use came up to speak. She had moved into Perth Amboy from New York and had questions about parking. “I was parking in front of where I live, and I was told to get a parking permit, but I am paying $55 a month for it.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez then asked, “Does your lease indicate that you get a parking permit? You were misled.”

Council President Petrick then stated, “I thought the owner has to purchase one parking space for each bedroom.”

The resident then stated, “For me and my husband, that’s $110 a month.”

B.A. Adam Cruz came forward to get the address and phone number from the Resident to get back to her.

Resident Linda Ferreira was concerned about people getting jobs who worked on political campaigns. “She wants control of the Boards and gives out favors like they grow on trees. They are not working for you (the Council). They are working for her (the Mayor). Only people who help you get jobs. Some of these people have changed views after they see they were being used. She’s given them promises. The people (businesses) that are coming in are hiring their own kind.”

During the time to vote on the Resolutions, Councilman Fernando Irizarry was the sole “No” vote for R-134 & R-135 which were awarding contracts for equipment for the scuba team for previous reasons stated in the Caucus Meeting. (see pp.1-2) Those two resolutions were moved by Councilman Joel Pabon, seconded by Councilman Helmin Caba.

Councilman Fernando Irizarry moved the Consent Agenda R-119-3/18 through R-133-3/18 and R-136-3/18 through R-142-3/18. It was seconded by Helmin Caba.

During the Council Comments, Helmin Caba stated that we should look into an assistant to look through the backup information that we get on agenda items. “We get the agenda late and it’s important we have time to analyze the information. Sometimes we have to meet with residents in public places. On September 11, 2017, we voted to remove two paragraphs dealing with nepotism. We didn’t have time to go through all of the changes. We should have been presented with the parts that were changed.”

B.A. Cruz responded, “We are  transparent. In the past, we have been asked to table items or asked for a presentation on an agenda item. I can put together a presentation if you like. We assume everything is okay if there is no questions asked. You voted on this 7 months ago. If you want these paragraphs put back in, we can do that.”

Fernando Gonzalez spoke next. “The removal of these paragraphs was done intentionally. When I was elected in 2008 with the Mayor we wanted to do away with nepotism. She is not the same person. The damage was done and we have to have self-respect. We control the purse strings of the City. We need to have a place to meet the people we represent. Our forefathers wanted to have 3 branches of government for checks and balances.”

Irizarry had no comments.

Joel Pabon requested that we get a log on the elevator repairs.

Council President Bill Petrick requested that signage be put up when the new school opens up by the Public Safety Complex building.

Deputy Police Chief Cattano came up to respond, “Lights and signage will be put up for that area. We’re working with the Board of Education on this. We also will be doing this on existing schools. We will also be increasing crossing guards for that area.”

Cattano also answered questions regarding lights that are out throughout the City. “Our Auxiliary Police check on any lights that are out and report them to DPW.” He then made comments in regards to streets where people have a hard time crossing. “Some of the busy streets have intersections where there are buttons on the light poles that can be pushed to change the lights. They are usually County Roads.”