6/11/18 Caucus
PERTH AMBOY – One of the topics for discussion at the 6/11/18 Caucus was considering a fee waiver for a handicap parking application. Councilman Fernando Gonzalez was against this because he didn’t want to set a precedent. “If someone can afford car insurance and other expenses involving car ownership, then you can afford the handicap fee.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry, who is also on the Handicapped Parking Committee added his comments, “I saw the additional finances of the person who is sking for the fee waiver because they said they couldn’t afford it. If we give this person a waiver (of the fee) then we have to look at the financial records of all the other applicants.”
The second topic of discussion was runoff elections which was asked to be put on the agenda by Councilman Fernando Gonzalez. He stated that the cost is not worth the sacrifice of the citizens to have a choice of the majority vote. “Trenton is having another runoff election. Candidates who get into office should have a majority of the vote. This will be a more democracy.”
Councilman Joel Pabon added to the discussion, “Let the citizens decide. I received a letter that showed in 1981 why it was cost-saving not to have a runoff election.”
Councilman Helmin Caba agreed to let the people decide.
Councilman Gonzalez agreed, and questioned Law Director King if the runoff elections can be form Mayor r Council.”
King replied, “Runoffs can be for Mayor and Council. You (the Council) can decide this or it can be done by a petition by the citizens.”
Councilman Helmin Caba wanted to know, “How many signatures on the petition would be needed if the Council says “no” to having runoffs?” He then asked King to do the research.
During the Public Portion, Resident Alan Silber made remarks about runoff elections. “You need to do research. Newark has a Ward System and we don’t. A lot of times there is a lot less people voting in runoff elections. Sometimes, the person who came in first in the regular election loses in the runoff elections.”
There was a lengthy discussion involving Ordinance No. 2 – An Ordinance to amend an ordinance entitled Wreckers No. 621-92.
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said he met with people affected by this ordinance and the City Attorney. “I’d like to hear our towers comments. I looked at the Old Bridge Towing Ordinance. They separate the size and weight of the vehicles towed. We need to address that here.”
Council President Bill Petrick spoke up, “This ordinance was for personal cars.”
Law Director Peter King then added, “The Old Bridge Ordinance was for heavy duty towing and we don’t have towers to handle larger vehicles.”
Petrick then stated, “We can have the towers that are here speak about this ordinance during the public portion.”
Several towers came up to speak during the public portion. The first one was Adel from A&T Towing, “We have a high-density population. Some cars take forever to tow. The last time this ordinance was amended was in the early 2000’s. We need special fees to be set up. There was a 7-car pileup on Smith & Convery recently and it took me a long time to clean up the glass. There should be a formula put into this ordinance. The language needs to be rewritten. Set up a meeting with the towers and there’s too much favoritism. I encourage you to table this. We have to deal with having to tow cars that are parked bumper to bumper. We are 20 years behind with this ordinance. Our insurance and other needs that we have to operate have increased. My property taxes have increased.”
The next tower to speak was James Gougeons from King High Garage. “I am also asking for this ordinance to be tabled. It needs to be rewritten and brought up to speed. It needs to be updated to state codes. The business owners are being robbed.”
The last tower to speak was from a business on Grant Street. She also asked that this ordinance be tabled. “I can get someone from the GSTA (Garden State Towing Association) to show you how you should set up your towing ordinance (fees, equipment, etc.) We have more cars, buses, and vans than in any other towns. If the fees were higher, maybe you wouldn’t have repeat offenders. Mr. Glass from the GSTA is the one who can help you with the ordinance.”
Piggybacking off the Wreckers Ordinance, a member of the Council asked, “What happened to the bus company that a resident had complaints about who was using the parking lot on Sayre Avenue illegally?
B.A. Adam Cruz responded and said, “The judge denied the last extension, but the prosecutor gave the owner of the bus company more time.”
Law Director King then said, “I can send a notice from the Council to deny any further extensions to the bus company using the lot.”
There was a lengthy discussion on the first reading for Ordinance No. 2. An ordinance to amend an ordinance entitled Zoning and Land Development 1993 Land Development Ordinance of the City of Perth Amboy, NJ regarding downtown area.
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said, “We need to table this so the public can have an opportunity for further discussion. We haven’t dealt with the Master Plan and will create density.”
Council President Petrick then said, “Front Street is out, and Second Street was modified.”
B.A. Adam Cruz then reminded the Council, “The Waterfront portion was removed, and the density was reduced (regarding how many stories can be added to an existing structure). We keep kicking this down the road.”
Councilman Helmin Caba then spoke and told Cruz, “I disagree that only a handful of owners will be affected. A lot of business owners are not for this. We have 50,000 people on the books and there are others not counted. You can’t answer how many more kids will be added with these changes. We are running out of space in schools now. Let’s update what we have now.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez then spoke up. He said the changes that some businesses want to do can be done now, but they will need to go before the Zoning and Planning Boards. “There are positive and negative things in this plan. Let’s discuss this. We haven’t worked on our Master Plan for 20 years.”
Cruz spoke up again, “You keep getting piecemeal discussions. You go home, then nothing happens. You need to meet with other parties.”
Law Director Peter King then told the Council, “This is the ordinance. You can pass it, then amend it.”
Councilman Pabon spoke up and remembered when the Waterfront residents came out in full force, “I don’t see any businesses here to speak about these proposed changes.”
Gonzalez then suggested we set up one or two meetings dealing with the downtown.
King then told the Council, “You can have additional meetings that can be packed with people that have two different views. Eventually you’ll have to decide.”
Helmin Caba then spoke up again stating the he met with Annie Hindenlang (from the Redevelopment Agency). “Density and Parking are the main issues.”
Gonzalez then suggested that the parking deck should be by the Cathedral, “And maybe there should be two parking decks.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry then spoke up and stated, “I read this plan every time it’s submitted. I ask about density and parking and there is no change. The concerns have not been addressed.”
Council President Bill Petrick spoke up and said, “There are already ordinances on the books for any business who may want to make changes. I would like to see Woodbridge’s plans for their downtown.”
Helmin Caba spoke up again, “These changes will affect the residents from New Brunswick Avenue to Market Street. We have a lot of mixed use properties. Paramount owns half of the downtown district.” Caba then spoke about the proposed units that may be added, “800 – Harbortown; 600 – Kushner; 400 – Trujillo. Some of these projects are already approved. I don’t want my child in a class that has 50 students. Every time we see light at the end of the tunnel, we do something silly. We need to be careful. This will affect people 50 years from now. Density will make problems worse.”
Councilman Joel Pabon talked about the transit village. “It will mean more density and more residents. Where can they build?”
Caba then stated, “I second to table this ordinance.”
The Council voted to leave it on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting.
Additional subjects that were touched on by the public included illegal housing, the roads, and quality of life.
Resident Ken Balut said, “The Home Depot is doing free water testing.” He also questioned how City Hall got involved in getting tickets dismissed. He had a question about R-243 which involved an agreement between the City and the Perth Amboy Board of Education to provide additional facilities to be used for recreational programing. “How much does the Y get from the schools? It’s a taxpayer funded building. They are doing something about illegal housing in Woodbridge. Code Enforcement harasses me, but do nothing about illegal housing. There are so many school buses going up and down my street now. We have all these people in City Hall that give PILOTS. I’m going to have a complaint against Helmin Caba and the Mayor (serving them subpoenas). If I don’t get answers on how much money you are getting for PILOTS.”
Resident Alan Silber commented about an accident on Goodwin and Smith Streets. “There’s too much traffic. People can’t take it and are impatient and get into traffic accidents.”
Resident Vince Mackeil came up to speak about Communication 9 regarding the closing of the sidewalk on the Market Street Bridge. “Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano has submitted a response from New Jersey Transit.” Mackeil commented, “Crosswalks need to be marked. The Council said this (Market Street Bridge) should be the chief priority. Railroad ties are being redone on Sunday. Almost 6 years after (Superstorm) Sandy, tennis courts are still not done. Some of the money for that project were redirected to other projects (due to damage caused by Sandy).”
Resident, developer and Chair of the Celebrate Stars & Stripes Committee Barry Rosengarten came up to speak. He invited everyone to the July 3rd Fireworks and Boat Parade, “Be proud of our City. We have a lot to be proud of.”
Deputy Chief Cattano answered the question about the Market Street Bridge, whom he stated, “…is really broken up.”
Pabon stated we need to communicate with the community that we are doing something about that bridge.”
Fire Chief Mullen came forward to inform the public about a Memorial Service for the line-of-duty death of Douglas C. Ambrozewycz which will be held at the end of July. More details on the PAFD Facebook page.
