3/27/19 Council Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Acting Police Chief Roman McKeon presented his budget to the Council. “There has been a 39% overall reduction in the Department. Some of these costs include printing. The vehicles trust fund is exhausted. Last year, $200,000 was spent on vehicles. This year it’s down to zero. We’ve allocated $94,000 to maintain the current fleet which is 18% down from last year. We recently had one vehicle that blew an engine. I understand the City’s dilemma and appreciate your support. The Police are not just numbers. We are available 24/7. Three Officers were assaulted and punched in the face. There was no backup. Training has been cut down by 61%. For 2019, we’re going to have half the amount of people that we had hired in 2018. We’ll be down 18 Officers this year. This is due to retirement and police leaving to work in other towns. 9 officially retired, and 3 pending retirements. 2 are planning to on retiring by the end of the year. 3 officers will be promoted to Sergeant. We currently have 14 Sergeants now. There will be $50,000 cut for overtime. Our ordinance called for 17 Sergeants. We try to stay around 16. There is 1 Sergeant who will be retiring this year. We had 111 Police on the Force in 2014. We will have the same amount this year. We’ll be cutting $1,000 out of National Night Out budget. The Opioid Outreach Program will be cut in half from $30,000 to $15,000. The Traffic Division budget has been reduced from $19,000 to $13,000. Regarding the Junior Police Academy, we rely on business donations. We also have “Bring a Child to Work Day.” Some of the other savings will include maintenance of software which is done inhouse, wireless systems, fingerprinting, and the security system. Every year, we have a National Telecommunications Day which honors those employees. We buy them gift bags and trophies which came out of my own pocket. We had a recognition awards that cost $700 which is now being cancelled. We had $160,000 contractional service. $50,000 was used for bodycams. We cut back on those. Some of the money that we collect from drug seizures are given to informants, and we can’t touch that money. Some of our other expenses are jackets and signs for our school crossing guards, and supplies for our Police Department including radar guns, etc. Our officers feel undervalued. Look at our police as people – and not just numbers. Two officers a month have been assaulted.”
Council President Bill Petrick spoke up and told the Chief, “You deal with the worst people at the worst of times.”
McKeon responded, “This is a very busy community, especially when we have City events. Right now, we are down 7 Specialized Officers. With our current staff, we are one above the minimum required for staffing, especially during the summer time. There are currently 20 Auxiliary Officers. We lost 5 Auxiliary Officers who just finished class. Crime is down 25% since we opened up the substation on Madison Avenue. We have 123 Active Officers, not counting the 12 on the injured list. By the end of 2019, we’ll have 112 Officers. The Academy money will all be gone. We’ll probably lose a $60,000 grant because you must have a minimum number of Officers in the Department to be eligible. We take pride in our Community policing. It’s disturbing that we don’t have the tools to provide proper backup (for our Officers).”
Department of Human Resources and Recreation Head Ken Ortiz came up next. He stated, “The budget will be cut from $26,000 in 2018 to $13,500 in 2019 which will be the same budget we had in 2009. Our Deputy Registrar still needs to go to mandated training. We have records from the mid-1800’s that we have to keep. Some of the cabinets they were stored in are over 30 years old and we need new cabinets to secure those records. One of our databases crashed and we had to purchase new software and need to do a conversion which will cost $2,000. The fees we charge such as for certificates (such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, etc.) are lower than surrounding towns. The Human Services Department generated $160,000 which went into the General Fund. One person is planning on retiring and we are pursuing a grant to hire a clerical worker. That worker will not have access to any private information. The housing and social services was reduced from $29,000 to $15,000. We plan to do more in-house work. The biggest drop will be for the Code Blue, which is quite a burden on the City. People who live in cars from out-of-town come to use Perth Amboy facilities. Legislation is coming down the pike for funding for Code Blue towns. Fehrenbach (the Former B.A.) brought this up at the League of Municipalities.”
Council President Bill Petrick spoke up and suggested that they should approach Assemblyman Craig Coughlin, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, and Senator Joe Vitale about this.”
Ortiz continued, “We contacted the Department of Community Affairs for funding for shelters, but the funding is only for shelters that are open year-round. We also talked to faith-based groups for help. The Salvation Army does not house people overnight. We also try to assist those with mental and health problems. Some of our programs include issuing Municipal ID’s, housing seminars, and foodbanks. 20 businesses participate in the ID Program. 2,000 Municipal ID’s were issued in 2018. The Office of Aging has 70 Seniors signed up. Their Budget will be cut from $63,000 in 2018 to $44,000 in 2019. Some of the kitchen appliances at Olive Street were replaced. We have the highest number of nutritional meals served, which includes Meals on Wheels. We have transportation for medical appointments (within a certain distance). Some of the activities include arts, wellness programs, trips to PAC (Prudential Arts Center in Newark), and other leisure time activities. Some of our salaries are offset by CDBG grants. Safe Housing Grants in the amount of $1,500 each are given to residents 55+. The money we have received for those grants is $9,000. For the Department of Recreation, the budget in 2018 was $232,000. This year it will be $143,000. This is 60% less than what the funding levels were in 2009 and they had less activities in 2009. Our facility on Brighton Avenue has increased their teen activities with one paid staff member. Some of the classes include dance and art. We received some money from the County for mentors for the at-risk kids. These kids are referred from us to the Police Department. Some of the youth resisted this at first, but now they are very responsive. It’s important to make sure they have early intervention, and we are making a positive impact on them. People aren’t aware of all that we offer. We served 90,000 meals in 2018. We are using our school system this year instead of using an outside vendor. We had a bad experience with the one had in 2018. We served 150 meals a day (during the summer) at Caledonia Park. We’re hiring 20 people through the school system to distribute the meals. We have a program called “Success Bound” for juniors who get work experience. We have a partnership with Middlesex County College. These juniors will have internships which will help them feel confident when they go to college. They will get credits that can be transferred to 4-year schools. We’re asking the Board of Education to provide transportation for these students. Those students will work at City offices, social services, or local businesses. The tennis courts will be open this year and we’ll be asking for nominal membership fees to offset the costs. Kayak rentals will be available and we’re looking at alternate funding for the Waterfront Arts Festival. We’re seeking for funds between $32,000 to $35,000 to offset administrative costs.”
Councilwoman Milady Tejeda asked, “Are you cutting some of the school activities?”
Ortiz responded, “Funding cuts are being made for the ESL and Citizen Classes. We have ESL, math, zumba, and fitness classes. We fund some of the PRAHD programs, but it’s reduced by 80% this year. Our budget is very lean.”
Councilman Helmin Caba then spoke up, “People are told that the Council is responsible for these cuts. The Mayor’s budget is what made it difficult for us.”
Council President Petrick spoke up and said, “The tax increase of $223 will be for an average home that is valued at $239,000.”
Caba then continued, “We have to take into consideration the County and School Board Taxes. We don’t do the hiring.”
Business Administrator Carr then commented, “I talked to the Union that represents the Public Works Employees. Their workweek consists of 30-33 hours.”
Council President Petrick mentioned the Faulkner Plan B which is a strong Mayor-weak Council. “We hire the City Clerk and that’s it.”
During the first public portion to speak about agenda items only, the first speaker was Officer Hani Tawfik. “Why didn’t our Chief look at other town’s budgets?”
Petrick responded, “The items that they were talking about included rate schedules.”
Tawfik continued, “The active shooter training funds were cut. The quality of life for our officers and residents are at stake. We need a police-blotter.”
Petrick replied, “It’s up to the Administration (to send the information).”
Tawfik then mentioned, “There has been unnecessary hiring. The Council should have stepped in regarding the 4 shootings and seizure of guns. There was hiring of people who just wanted a paycheck. The police provide social services. You could have waited for the State to fund the body cameras. The public should see the budget items. The Auxiliary Police have no power.”
Petrick responded, “The grant money for funding ran out, and the Council worried about it. It’s always positive to fund needed employee salaries. Individual salaries were not provided to us.”
Tawfik then stated, “We are basically paying 2 B.A.’s”
Petrick corrected him stating, “We are paying Fehrenbach’s consulting firm.”
B.A. Frederick Carr spoke up, “Mr. Fehrenbach works for me because we have a lot going on (in the City).”
Law Director King added his comments, “Fehrenbach resolved a number of past issues.”
Resident Sierakowski came up to speak, referencing R-170 (the Mayor’s veto vote about runoff elections). “The resolution doesn’t say 50%+1 vote. Is the Resolution correct?”
City Clerk Victoria Kupsch answered, “R-170 is a veto.”
Sierakowski then asked, “Is it for the top 2 vote-getters – the runoffs?”
Kupsch answered, “For the Mayor, it’s the top 2, and it’s the same for the Council.”
He then had a question regarding R-169 – A five-year contract to Hackensack Meridian to lease a garage space rental for $23,776.06 and office space rental for $1,681.60.
He asked if this was yearly or monthly. “And what if you are using the transport service and you have no insurance. They can setup a payment plan. This will burden the citizens. They don’t have to pay the bill.”
Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano came forward to respond, “The rental fees are for the year. It’s 6 ft x 8 ft. windowless space to fit 2.5 x 3 ambulances.”
Carr responded, “We are not paying for any of these services.”
Council President Petrick then commented, “We don’t pay for those who don’t have the money (the City is not responsible).”
Resident Sharon Hubberman came up next, and told the Council, “You are culpable for the City’s problems. 7 of the 8 bargaining agreements expired before they were addressed. What about the $3 million+ surplus now? Insurance rates are negotiated in other towns. We don’t realize our pension obligations for our hardworking workers. These are just band-aid solutions. We had a $200 million debt in our water/wastewater utility. It’s a smoke and mirror budget. We need creative thinking and you need to have officials who understand how the budget works. Most of our money is coming from our taxes. In 2006, our property evaluation was 3.582. In 2019, it’s lower – 3.291. The Council bears the responsibility and holds the strings of the purse.”
Resident Ken Balut came up and questioned a new hiree in the Parking Utility, “We supplement the Y at $22,000 a month. We should have Ken Ortiz run the Y. Councilwoman and former Board of Education Member Tejeda should know how much the schools pay the Y. The Business Administrator said that the Mayor has been working on the State of the City Address for 3 days. There were shots fired at Police Officers. We don’t need police to attend the State of the City for 3 hours. They should be out on the street protecting our City, especially with our budget problems. The PILOTs cost us money, plus all those lawsuits. The Mayor’s Office sent out an inaccurate press release on crime. There’s no need to cut back on grant money for the police. How much are we losing on PILOTs to Target and Bridgeport when the buildings were already up? The Parking Utility hired a part-time employee with full-time pay.”
For the Consent Agenda R-158-3/19 – R-171-3/19 was moved by Councilman Fernando Irizarry and seconded by Councilwoman Milady Tejeda. For Ordinance No. 2 – Wreckers, was moved by Councilman Irizarry and seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon.
During the public portion, Resident Stanley Sierakowski came up and asked, “How much was the insurance going up? Fehrenbach said it had gone up $2 million. What was the amount before and after? The Mayor is not here to discuss important issues. It was the Mayor’s budget, and she should have known about the deficit since June. You are subsidizing the Y. I said this 5 years ago. The contract was illegal. The Anchor Marine property did not pay taxes for over 20 years. The tax assessor didn’t know the party (who the owners are). This deal was probably struck by the previous Administration (Vas). The City agreed to keep 4 of the 6 acres. There was a lien put on the property which was withdrawn later.”
Resident Ken Balut came up to speak, “Mr. Ortiz had talked about contacting the County regarding Code Blue. The Mayor asked the County for money for the park, but not about Code Blue. What about the Parking Utility’s new employee? The Y’s contract should have been bid on. Our employees are taking a hit because of the Y and Kushner. The Mayor will talk about the crime being lowered at the State of the City. The job rolls are not going down. There’s a new Recreation Employee with a salary of $40,000. The Police are getting abused and assaulted. There are a lot of lawsuits, even some involving sex assaults. Where is the Mayor? I hope she says the Police are doing a great job so they can take that to the negotiations table. The Department of Public Works is doing a great job, but the Mayor’s staff are getting raises. Have the Mayor come here to explain the Y and Kushner.”
Resident Alan Silber came up next and praised Kenny Ortiz’s presentation. “He has a full grasp of what he’s talking about.” He then turned his attention to the Mayor. “When she attended a Seniors Picnic last year, she brought along some of the candidates she was endorsing in the last election. Bryan Walensky (who had worked on some of her campaigns) was hired and fired (as Parking Utility Manager).”
Petrick then added, “He pulled in over $100,000 (when he was hired as Parking Utility Manager).”
Silber continued, “That was enough for two Police Officer salaries. We have to treat the disease.” Silber then questioned, “Where is the Public Information Officer?”
B.A. Carr responded, “She’s with the Mayor.”
Silber went on, “Police Officers are getting assaulted and shot at.”
Council President Petrick responded, “But, we have a low crime rate.”
Silber then complimented the Department of Public Works, “At 9:30 a.m. they were out on the street picking up recyclables. They work hard.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman came up to speak and only gave the street she lived on and not the number. “I had talked to Deputy Chief Cattano and told him I have been a target of criminal mischief. Therefore I don’t have to give out my street number.” She then asked about the appointments of members to the Redevelopment Agency.
Petrick responded, “They were illegal appointments.”
Hubberman continued, “I submitted an application. The governing body makes the appointments. Are these violations acceptable? Who is holding this accountable? The Department of Public Works does an amazing job and are dependable. I looked at the Shared Services Agreement that the City has with the Township of Woodbridge for garbage pickups. Woodbridge has to finish their town first before helping Perth Amboy. Will Woodbridge get time-and-a-half for this?”
Petrick then explained, “It’s for Emergency Contingency Plans in case our trucks fail.”
Resident Vince Mackiel came up next and spoke about the $15 minimum wage, “It’s tough to wait 5 years to get to that. Did you approve this legislation? They’re looking to increase the fees for the marriage, death, and birth certificates. You should draft a resolution to support the $15 minimum wage. What are the issues with PARA? No matter what, you have to deal with this. You need to respect the walking population. You need to move the City forward whether it’s on E-Port, etc. Buckeye says their assessment should be $20 million. The City says it should be $60 million. Look into other industries and the Mayor should do this tomorrow.”
Council Comments:
Councilman Caba asked for an update on how many street lights are out.
B.A. Carr responded, “We’re getting a list together and the sensors need to be fixed.”
Caba then asked for a list of the roads to be repaired.
Carr responded that a list will be sent out and he had walked through town with Elizabethtown Gas.
Petrick then spoke up, “Some of the streets will be repaired from curb to curb and some will have half of the streets repaired. It depends on how the roads are cut.”
Irizarry was next and was surprised that 22 Officers were assaulted so far this year and there were 4 shootings.
Petrick then added, “We all missed this.”
Irizarry continued, “We were not informed what happened. We don’t have enough officers for backup, and we have a high number of police, but not enough backup. I’d like information on all of those incidents, and I need qualifications of all the Directors in all the departments.”
Carr responded, “I have all the information on all of them, except for one where I’m gathering information.”
Irizarry then went on to explain why he changed his mind on PARA. “4 to 6 months ago I didn’t have the information that I have today, but our town’s in a poor financial situation. It’s going to cost money to go before the Department of Community Affairs. I decided not to dissolve PARA and have the attorney go before the DCA.”
Joel Pabon spoke next, “I want to thank Kenny Ortiz. He was the only Director who was positive. Budgets are not based on 6-7 days. People get sick every day and I include that when I make my budget. It doesn’t make sense. Ortiz came up here and gave a step-by-step rundown. His department works many unpaid hours. They are steps ahead. He looks into the future when pursuing grant money. Where are these rumors coming from? People shouldn’t come down here after rumors start circulating. They should ask us about this first. We’re going to take the hit no matter what. All the directors and the Council have to man up. $40,000 a year is good money, but you still struggle. Any house valued over $238,000 will have to pay more than $223 in taxes. We have been looking at this for years. We can’t afford to continue paying higher taxes. We will continue to stack people because of high mortgages. We have to learn to deal with what we have. Sometimes we can’t get raises.”
Milady Tejeda spoke next, “I’m committed to the community and have been struggling (with this decision). We want to do a minimum raise of taxes. I think Carr is helping to reduce the amount. I understand about the past hiring practices and about those making sacrifices. I also want to thank Luis Perez Jimenez for the tour of the Water Facilities.”
Council President Bill Petrick thanked everyone for attending the Meeting. “It was a difficult decision. 5% increase in taxes, $223.06 on a house valued at $239,000. We sent it back to the Administration to see if they could decrease that to 2.5%. The Mayor has not watched the dollars and has given significant increases to her staff. When Fehrenbach left the City the first time, we were in pretty good financial shape. Now with the hirees in his absence, this has put us back. We all live here and pay taxes, and we are all just like you. Can the Mayor cut back on some of her expenditures such as feeding the Seniors at the State of the City? The Mayor’s entourage and staffing at her office – one person is making almost $90,000. Thank you all and good night.
