Perth Amboy Caucus
8/6/18 Caucus
PERTH AMBOY – Interim B.A. Greg Fehrenbach told the Council that there will be a Resolution on the Agenda regarding bids for NJDOT Road Rehabilitation and Improvements (High and Fayette Streets Intersection) and Zambory Street. “We’re asking you to reject this in order for us to rebid on this contract.”
CFO/Comptroller/Interim Acting Business Administrator Jill Goldy answered a question posed by Council President William Petrick. He had asked if the reports for the month of June 2018 will reflect employee salaries. Goldy asked Petrick for more clarification. “Would you like a salary report?” She indicated that it would give more details.
Petrick then asked if the City had paid for some of the classes that would be required for certain positions in the City Clerk’s office?”
Recently appointed City Clerk Vicky Kupsch answered, “The City paid for my RMC classes (one of the classes to become a municipal clerk), but not Raquel’s (Roche).”
Fehrenbach then added the following remarks, “We had asked Ms. Rivera to postpone taking her classes until September.”
Petrick then stated, “I just don’t want to see people selectively chosen to take classes.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up and stated, “If a class is needed for someone to take for their position, then I don’t have an objection.”
Fehrenbach had the last word on this and said that Former B.A. Adam Cruz had projected vacancies and wanted someone ready in this case.
Councilman Joel Pabon had question regarding R-343-8/18 – A New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, Pedestrian Safety and Enforcement Fund Grant 2019 through 2020 in the amount of $16,500 with no matching fund requirements. “Have we already been working on this grant? People cross the street wherever they want and it’s out of hand.”
Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano responded, “This is an enforcement grant that is new, and I will do more research regarding the specifics.”
Interim B.A. Greg Fehrenbach gave a more detailed explanation of R-344-8/18 – Extending the contract with the Firm of McManimon, Scotland, and Baumann to seek proposals for the management and operations of the Water and Wastewater Utility following the expiration of the public private partnership in an amount not to exceed $31,000.
Fehrenbach explained that this will bring the cost to $71,000. “The actual bill was $82,000. I talked to the attorney about cost control. Some of the questions were cut down and some of the answers had to be double-checked. They in turn charged us for half of the time after we had these discussions.”
Fehrenbach went on to give more details regarding R-345-8/18 – Authorizing a contract with Partner Engineering and Science Inc. for the right to know law compliance services in the amount not to exceed $10,000.
“The City has to list all chemicals used and the locations of those chemicals in the City. This company will assist us with this.”
On Resolution R-347-8/18 – Involved the total of $32,000 for the UEZ for a Comcast Spotlight for television production and advertising.
UEZ Manager Junel Hutchinson came forward to explain that this would be for television commercials to highlight our businesses. “It will start from August until after the holidays. They will have at least 3-4 new productions.”
DPW Director Frank Hoffman came forward to talk about R-356-8/18 – Authorizing Change Order No. 2 to the contract with E.O. Habheger Company Inc. for the supply and installation of a new fuel management system in the amount of $17,000.
Hoffman explained, “When the installation was started, the line was blocked and so was the conduit. If this doesn’t work, we may have to do an excavation.”
