12/16/19 Special Council Meeting

By: Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – Resolution R-584-12/19 – A public hearing and adoption of the 2020 Perth Amboy Business Improvement District budget for January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. 

BID/UEZ Coordinator Noelia Colon came forward to make a presentation and field any questions. 

Councilman Joel Pabon questioned if the BID had outside help to promote the city, or to help with graffiti cleanup.

She answered, “There wasn’t anything in the budget that was set aside specifically for outside help. The owners of the Celotex property have brought in outside people to help us promote businesses.”

Pabon then mentioned a business owner who wanted to open up a delicatessen, but Code Enforcement prohibited the parking that this business owner needed. Pabon insisted, “It’s the businesses that are taking a risk. We have to look into this. We need to reach out to outside consultants.”

Councilman Helmin Caba spoke up next and questioned too many of similar businesses often in the same block (such as barber shops and beauty salons). 

Colon continued, “250 people responded to a survey about what type of businesses are needed in the city. We also discussed the saturation of certain types of businesses. We are looking into the type of business permits that should be given out. Maybe the council needs to be present at our business meetings.”

Council President Bill Petrick addressed the need of benches that should be placed in the business district, but where people can sit down – not lay down on.

Colon explained that, “It was looked into during some of our meetings.”

Petrick also suggested that a new landscaper may be needed in the downtown district to maintain the planters.

Colon said, “We are reevaluating the current landscaper.”

Petrick then asked about the status of the electronic billboard on the corner of Convery Boulevard and Smith Street.

Colon replied, “We are currently looking into possibly acquiring that property.”

Petrick answered, “The council will be happy to help you with this.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry then asked if the display banners on the lampposts were discussed.

Colon explained, “They (the banners) were budgeted at $15,000 last year. We are looking to replace them.”

Irizarry then questioned the façade program. 

Colon explained that they want to change the criteria for the façade grant. “The businesses that applied and were approved will be reimbursed 50% of the cost for the lowest bid (up to a certain limit) for signage. The window treatments and façade upgrades have not been finalized yet (the criteria). We have banners and printouts to market seasonal programs. We pay for the DPW workers who drive the mini-vacs throughout the BID District. We’re trying to tackle cleaning up the areas after 12 p.m. and we may have to hire seasonal workers to do that.”

Irizarry then questioned the line-item in the BID budget pertaining to contract and service agreements. “Is that for landscapers, also.”

Colon answered, “Yes.”

Irizarry then asked about any outreach goals.

Colon explained, “$50,000 was put aside for marketing. Bids for marketing agencies were put out. We can dip into funds that were approved, but not used.”

Irizarry then voiced concerns about the $50,000 in funds that were not used for marketing for a whole year. “What happened? The 2019 budget was late. There were too many lost opportunities. I hope we don’t hear about this at the end of next year.”

Council President Petrick then spoke up. “There were a lot of transfers of personnel (in the BID) which may have led to unexpended funds.”

Irizarry then questioned businesses who placed large flags on the sidewalks (outside their establishments). 

Colon explained that should be under Code Enforcement.

Irizarry continued, “I saw a very old flag that was displayed outside of a business that was bending over and blocking the sidewalk.”

At this point, BID Board Member, Jeffery Steuber came up to speak. He stated, “I own property in Perth Amboy, but we can’t control what businesses come in. Sometimes a property is vacant sue to economics. We need to work with Code Enforcement. It’s been a terrible transitional period with people leaving and a lot of members changing. We had 3-4 vendors that came in to speak about marketing the city. We are looking to use 2 vendors. We need to slow the process down (until to get more settled).”

The next resolution to be discussed was R-585-12/19 – Rescinding R-535-12/19 – and reauthorizing the temporary budget for municipal debt service for CY 2020 in the amount of $22,842,796.16.

CFO Comptroller Jill Goldy came up to discus this. She told the council, “Because of a combined caucus/council meeting (12/9/19) that was held, we had a bond sale that was scheduled for Wednesday. Due to that change, we had to do an estimated bond sale and we decided to do it online. There were 8 bidders who bid below 2% and there 32 different bids from them which was excellent. The bidding was very competitive. 3 firms bid below 2%. The bonds were 11-years to pay down the debt faster. The estimated interest was 2%-4% per year. We got the interest down to 1.973830% per year. We were very pleased.”

Resolution R-584 and R-585 was moved by Councilman Irizarry and seconded by Councilman Pabon.

No one spoke during the public portion.   

Council Comments:

Councilman Helmin Caba wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. 

Councilman Fernando Irizarry thanked the BID and Ms. Goldy for their presentations. “I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.”

Councilman Joel Pabon talked about the corner of Amboy Avenue and Washington Street which is a very dark area. “The lighting is not very good, and we should bring in PSEG to question them about this. Look how well Main Street in Woodbridge is lit up. Everybody should eat and be Merry this Christmas Season and have a Prosperous New Year.”

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda thanked all who came to the meeting. She thanked Noelia Colon, her whole team (the BID) and CFO Jill Goldy and the whole Finance Office for what they do. “This city deserves to be beautiful. Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.”

Council President Bill Petrick wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza and a Happy New Year. The police should also report if they see if any lights that are out.”