9/10/18 Caucus & 9/12/18 Council Meeting
PERTH AMBOY – At the 9/10/18 Caucus, there was a discussion regarding R-390-9/18 Proposal awarding a contract to Topology New Jersey for General Planning Services between the City of Perth Amboy for the period covering January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 in an amount not to exceed $17,499.00.
Acting Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach stated, “This was not brought up to you by the previous administration. The purchasing agent and I agree that it’s for professional services for you to vote on.”
Resident Ken Balut came up to speak, and said that he believed that the Council was not given any answers regarding this resolution and it was a sidetracked deal.
Fehrenbach stated, “Since it was a proposal that was received, there were no requirements needed.”
Another discussion was on R-396-9/18 – Authorizing a change order No. 1 to the contract with Honeywell International Inc. reducing the agreement for the Energy Saving Improvement Program in the amount of $51,721.00.
Fehrenbach said he reviewed this with Danny Cleaver from DPW and DPW Director Frank Hoffman. “It’s supposed to be doing what it’s purpose is for. There is no guarantee that you will get a refund if you don’t get the agreed upon savings. All I can tell you, is that the guarantee doesn’t exist. The administrator and attorney should have been responsible to put that guarantee in. The Purchasing Agent and CFO had no input on it. I don’t know if there was an analysis if having a guarantee would be worth it.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez then made a comment, “We (the Council) may have voted a guarantee down because we felt it was not cost effective.”
Ken Balut talked about this contract during the public portion. “I said it was a bad deal. Who negotiated this? Mr. Fehrenbach has to come back to fix bad deals made by others who were running the ship. All of this needs to be investigated. I bet money (contracts) were given to PAC money contributors.”
Fehrenbach stated that he agreed with Mr. Balut regarding R-396.
During the 9/12/18 Council Meeting, Resident Stanley Sierakowski had a comment to make regarding Communication No. 1. Jeffrey Rauch, Engineer advising Council President William Petrick that the approximate cost of the demolition of Knights of Columbus Building (High Street) is between $40,000 to $60,000. This amount does not take into account if there are any asbestos or any USTS.
Sierakowski said, “The cost will probably be between $80,000 to $100,000 if asbestos has to be removed.”
Petrick responded, “The City has not signed a contract (to purchase the property) yet.”
Sierakowski then suggested, “It would be better to make this into an office building to attract professionals instead of a parking lot.”
Petrick then stated, “Before the City can consider purchasing the building, the Council wanted the cost of demolition in case the City did purchase the property. In regards to making it a parking lot, you have to consider the neighborhood, which has a lack of parking now.”
Resident Vince Mackiel asked about any progress that was being made on the Market Street bridge. “People that use the train are of lower income bracket. The County said that the bridge can’t be repaired. Couldn’t you have a temporary bridge? Is there an ordinance to put crosswalks in place? Transit should be able to do something temporary. The County should sent a letter, or maybe the City should. The City should also send an apology to the (Perth Amboy) Republican Party for being prevented from having a table at family day. You should also talk to Buckeye regarding the pipeline.”
Fehrenbach responded to Mackiel, “The Police and Public Works looked at installing crosswalks. Because of the rise on the bridge, it was not safe to do so and barriers were put in instead. Transit did not respond immediately to us. The structural texture of the bridge is in question. When transit finally did respond, they recognized their responsibility. They will be sending out engineers.”
Resident Linda Ferreira, who lives in the Budapest Section said, “There’s no communication when it comes to having street cleaning. Signs were installed, but people have no idea when they are supposed to be getting the cars off the street for cleaning.”
Councilman Joel Pabon responded. “Public Works said that once they finish the Budapest Section, they will have a regular cleaning schedule.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman, who is also the Perth Amboy Republican Chair came to speak about Family Day. “The person who made the decision for us (PA Reps) not to be allowed to participate that day was the Mayor. She likes to talk about women’s rights. The Mayor picks what she wants to support. We’re not going to hear about the important issues. Her team is in place for distractions only. Why do I have go to Federal Court to fight?” Hubberman continued, “What is the requirements to run for election in this town? I have their (Working For You) voting records. One candidate has been voting in Carteret. Political Parties are a protected class. We have more in common than differences with the Democratic Party.”
Council President Bill Petrick then asked if there was a way to have the Council make decisions for people who want to have walks or any similar activities when it comes to using the City’s facilities.
Law Director King responded, “If a group is using the City’s facilities, then the administration has to decide.”
Resident Maria Garcia said, “I’m happy to see Fehrenbach. For 29 years, Sunshine Alley (Kearny Avenue area) has not been fixed as promised.”
Fehrenbach responded, “I have a vague memory of that. I would rather look at the record than speculate.”
The Council voted as follows: for the consent agenda, R-375-9/18 thru R-384-9/18 and R-386-9/18 thru R-400-9/18 was moved by Councilman Fernando Irizarry and seconded by Councilman Helmin Caba. R-385-9/18 was voided.
Late Starter R-401-9/18 Authorizing the renewal of a certain 2018-2019 plenary retail consumption license. The necessary fees have been paid, therefore be it and it is hereby resolved that the following plenary retail consumption licenses are hereby granted and effective September 13, 2018: Royal N Inc., T/a The Courthouse Inn, 417 Fayette St.; T&A Discount Liquors, Inc. T&A Discount Liquors & Wines, 439 Convery Blvd.
During the Council Comments, President William Petrick went first and read a statement (See the 9/19/18 Issue of the Amboy Guardian p.7.). In his statement, he addressed disparaging remarks made against him by someone on Facebook.
Helmin Caba spoke next. “I have never seen or witnessed what you’ve (Petrick) been accused of.” Caba then asked about a religious organization who requested to use Rudyk Park for an event in 2019. They haven’t gotten an answer yet. “What is the process for using the City’s property?”
Law Director King said, “There’s an ordinance: 343-3 which addresses that situation and I will make a copy for you which was amended.”
Fehrenbach also responded,”I will check this for Caba. I’ll look at the whole process and I’ve been talking to Mr. Ortiz (Director of Recreation).”
Councilman Caba said, “I would like to thank the Perth Amboy and Sayreville Police for an incident that occurred on the Victory Bridge.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry spoke next and thanked Petrick for the statements that he made. “We have disagreed, but he (Petrick) has never made any bad comments. He has integrity and is important to this community. I hope he continues on.”
Irizarry also wanted to know what happened about informing the Council about any City events such as flag raisings. He also questioned the cost of putting up flagpoles (at the International Park).
Fehrenbach responded, “All flagpoles (for the International Park) are paid for by the City and the organization raising their flag sends out the invites.”
Irizarry asked about the $26,000 that was in the budget for flagpoles.
Fehrenbach responded, “The CFO Goldy set aside $26,000 for this purpose. I will find out where the money came from for the Peruvian Flag Raising.”
Irizarry then asked, “Who made a decision to give the money from the Taste of Perth Amboy to the Homeless Initiative instead of the Library? Apparently, someone thinks the Library has enough money. What is the Homeless Initiative?”
Irizarry then asked, “What’s going on with the bus parking on Sayre Avenue? This company keeps getting extensions (to park on that property). What is that property zoned for? An ordinary person would not be given this courtesy. I think the court is violating the law. If we look at an ordinance involving festivals, the administration is supposed to respond (to the applicant’s request) in 45 days.”
Council President Bill Petrick requested that the Law Director look to see if the Council can take action regarding the Sayre Avenue Property.
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke next. He addressed Council President Bill Petrick stating, “I reached out to you first when I read about the derogatory comments made about you. It’s a shame when someone accuses another person of untruths, which says a lot about you. The Petrick family has been in business for at least 100 years serving the people of Perth Amboy.”
Pabon then wanted an update on what’s happening with the tennis courts. He also mentioned 89 Lewis Street which has a lot of cracks in their foundation.
Fehrenbach responded, “I talked to the contractors and engineers. There was a change order of $122,000 for additional stones. A resident’s property infringed on the City’s property. Certain DEA issues have to be resolved, and they have not yet released the funds. The engineer for the contractor and our City Engineer said that the Change Order amount would be $32,000 instead. There has been a revised work schedule for the tennis courts. They’re still working on the rest room facilities, grading, paving, and the color coat (weather permitting). The weather can’t be less than 50o F. The color coat has to wait until next spring, but other work can proceed.”
Councilman Joel Pabon then made comments regarding a problem by the train station. “There’s a big tree on the southbound side where people do their business at night. I’d like to see that tree taken down. School busses are now parking by the Cornucopia.”
He also asked for an update on Water Stadium.
Fehrenbach responded, “An architect had been hired to do report that was delivered to you.”
Petrick then said, “It was delivered and stopped there. It may have been through email. It’s City property.”
Fehrenbach then requested that all the reports be sent to him so that he and Kenny Ortiz can talk to the Board of Education to resolve this issue.” Fehrenbach also addressed the Victory Bridge Pier and the Dog Park which needs funding. “The original funding did not come through. The NJDEP Green Acres Grant is expiring soon. We need to complete other projects first.”
Councilman Pabon said, “I don’t remember that the City had to do a match for the funding.”
Council President Bill Petrick then said people had complained to him because they were told by the police they could no longer fish under the Victory Bridge which they had done so for years.
Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano responded, “There is an ordinance that fishing is not permitted in that area.”
Councilman Fernando Gonzalez was not present at the meeting.
