PERTH AMBOY – A Resolution of Gratitude was given to Rosemary Oarsley (center) for her commitment of over 20 years to the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse in the city of Perth Amboy. She was also recognized by the Department of Human Resources (L to R) Councilwoman Milady Tejeda, Councilman Joel Pabon, Council President Bill Petrick, Rosemary Oarsley, Councilman Helmin Caba, Municipal Alliance Coordinator Isamar Payano, Department Director of Human Services Ken Ortiz. *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

10/14/20 Caucus

By: Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – Amit Vedawala, owner of the Tu Drink Liquor Store, located on New Brunswick Avenue came before the council to plead his case for a 60-foot Loading Zone for his store. He stated that parking on Oak Street for delivery trucks was not possible because of too many residents parking on that street.

Council President Petrick asked if the delivery trucks can come in earlier.

Vedawala explained, “I open my store at 11 a.m. and deliveries are made (at the driver’s discretion).”

Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up, “There is a lot of businesses on the same block as the liquor store. There’s hardly any parking there anyway. The loading zone would be taking up a lot of parking from corner to corner.”

Vedawala explained, “I am asking for a 60-foot space because there was a 60-foot loading zone space before I opened up my store, but it was blocked off. Two of the businesses on that block have either their own parking lot or a garage to put their vehicles in.”

Petrick then asked, “What about any customers coming into your store? Is the loading zone only for deliveries?”

Vedawala answered, “We are going to need at least one spot for our customers.”

Petrick was then concerned, “If you have a customer coming in, and they park in that loading zone, they might get ticketed.”

Vedawala explained, “My store is 60 feet long, and I’m only looking for a 60-foot loading zone. Our customers come in and come out quickly.”

Councilman Helmin Caba questioned, “Will there be space behind and in front of the 60-foot space requested for public parking?”

Vedawala answered, “Yes.”

Council President William Petrick concluded, “We will look at your request.”

The next discussion was regarding the Bond Ordinance providing for renovations for the Jefferson Street Parking Deck – Authorizing the issuance of $115,000 bonds or notes of the city to finance the cost thereof. 

Celestina Ramos, Director of the Parking Utility came forward to shed some light on the details regarding this ordinance. “The deck was renovated after Superstorm Sandy, but we have to do some reparations also to the garage.” She then introduced one of the consultants that will be working on these projects. Consultant Jim Zullo from the firm of Timothy Haahs and Associates stated that the deck was built in 1974. “Weather conditions will cause wear and tear over the years. There has been leaks that have been going into the parking utility office. Work needs to be done in the stairwell. 

Celestina Ramos said, “The lighting work was completed, and we are aware of the urine in the stairwell. The stairwell is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Give us a chance to power wash them. There are cameras installed throughout the parking deck, but there are only cameras installed at the top and the bottom of the stairwell. We are waiting for a quote to install the security cameras at the deck.”

Luis Perez-Jimenez Director of Operations USAPA came up to speak about Ordinance No. 2 & 3. – Providing for various water/wastewater utility improvements. He explained “For Ordinance No. 2 – The issuance of $1,970 in bonds or notes for the City to finance part of the cost thereof.

“For Ordinance No. 2, it is under the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank State Loans.” Perez-Jimenez continued, “For Ordinance No. 3 (Appropriating $3,790,000 and authorizing the issuance of $2,930,000 bonds or notes of the city to finance part of the cost thereof.) This is part of a city bond for the construction of a new water company building, a feasibility study, and an improvement to the Runyan System.” 

Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up, “I want people to know that this a yearly upkeep of our water. I know our water is not the best in the world, but it is not as bad as people make it out to be. Our water is always being monitored.”

Perez-Jimenez continued, “We have to make sure that we meet the EPA and the DPA requirements. My license is on the line. We take water samples every 15 minutes and keep improving our water treatment. There are always new MCL (Maximum Contaminant Levels) regulations ongoing. We have to meet the requirements of the EPA and DPA. It can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year after we get approval for a process. I have been working at the USA-PA for the last 22 years and before that, I worked for the city in the same capacity. Our system is over 100 years old and we have to be careful what we do not to damage it because of its age.”

The next items to be discussed had to do with tax overpayments at various Landings at Harborside Properties (Resolutions R-372-10/20 thru R-374-10/20). Councilman Joel Pabon was concerned because the Landings have not done any repairs (to their properties which in turn is doing nothing for the city). 

Council President Petrick then wondered, “What are these properties worth?” He asked Interim Business Administrator Patricia Perkins to get the information for him.

Petrick then questioned R-376-10/20 – Refund of tax overpayment on various properties owned by ZHARBOR, LLC. 

Petrick wanted to know, “Who are they?”

No one answered.

R-383-10/20 was questioned next. – Authorizing the insertion of revenue into the CY2020 Budget for the Buckeye Partners Rudyk Park Easement in the amount of $855,000.

Pabon questioned, “What are they doing?”

Petrick answered, “Installing a pickline”.

Kenny Ortiz, Director of Human Services/Recreation came up to give a more detailed explanation. “This is compensation from Green Acres for easement of properties. I talked to the owners of some of the smaller parcels. They are willing to give their properties over to the city for a $1.00. Conrail is the holdup. They are not willing partners and believe that the track on their property are on an active line, but there are trees growing on the middle of those tracks. Rutgers University did a study, and they thought the area we were talking about would be great for recreation.”

Petrick spoke up, “We (the council) would be glad to help you with any projects we have for that area.”

Ortiz also wanted to explain that sometimes the city can do a land swap (in the case of Lucey Center which is owned by the Board of Education). The Board of Education doesn’t have much land left. We have talked to the Board of Education to try to purchase property to be used for parks.”

Pabon then spoke up and stated, “At one time, no one wanted to touch the Flynn School Park. Even when I was on the Board of Education, then the city decided to do something (at the Flynn School Park).”

Petrick reminisced, “I played at Flynn School Park when I was a kid.”

The next topic to be discussed was R-392-10/20 – Extending the agreement between the City of Perth Amboy and the Board of Education for the State of New Jersey 2020 summer food service program (breakfast and lunch) to December 31, 2020.

Ortiz explained that the city already had a contract with the Board of Education. “This resolution is in case we have to open additional sites. The Board of Ed is distributing meals at the school and the Board of Ed will supply the meals. We will be reimbursed by the state. 160,000 meals were distributed this summer, and anyone could have gotten one. We would do breakfast and lunch meals only at our sites and anyone can get one.”

R-394-10/20 was next to be discussed. Increase the contract with Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus to provide legal services in connection with the renovation of the Perth Amboy Public Library in an amount not to exceed $9,000.

B.A. Perkins explained, “They are trying to finish up the work in a timely manner.”

Maria Rivera from the Purchasing Department came up to speak next, “We are reviewing all the contracts moving forward making sure that the language has not changed.”

R-403-10/20 – Authorizing the 2020-2021 renewal of a certain plenary retail consumption licensed to the Heat Sports Bar & Lounge at 1096 Convery Blvd. effective October 15, 2020.

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda asked, “What is going on with this bar (referring to complaints lodged by residents close to that area)?”

When no one responded, Resident Ken Balut shouted out, “That business is for sale!”

City Clerk Victoria Kupsch spoke up, “If the council wants to place conditions on this business, now is the time to do it.”

Law Director Peter King then remarked, “You can put an off-duty officer there or patrol car. You can also put down the operating town of the location of the business.”

Pabon spoke up and said, “I haven’t heard anything (complaints) about this place for a while.”

City Clerk Kupsch then said, “The bar has been closed to the public because of the pandemic.” 

Petrick then added, “That’s why I asked if anyone wanted restrictions.”

Pabon finished up his remark, “There is no noise, so why even bother?”

Police Chief Roman McKeon came up to speak, “That bar has been quiet as a mouse and there has been no recent activity. They may have had one or two small gatherings, but that is about it. They wanted to have a nightclub, but we said no. The business is for sale.”

Petrick then closed the discussion by saying, “There is no reason to put restrictions on the property.”

Petrick then asked if anyone had any questions on any other communications. 

Pabon said Communication No.7 – Residents from Washington Street between Amboy Avenue and Cornell Street submitted a letter of complaint regarding the lack of parking in that area.

Pabon stated, “There’s a business in that area and they park a lot of cars even though that business has a parking lot. The residents have signed a large petition.”

Petrick said, “We can create an ordinance for permit parking. Have people come to the meeting to talk about this.”

Police Chief McKeon came up and stated, “We have received no complaints. I’ll send a traffic officer to talk to the business owner about being a good neighbor.”

Pabon added, “Some cars are parked there for a week and sometimes up to a month.” Pabon then handed the police chief a copy of the petition of complaints from the residents in that area.

Public Comments:

Resident Ken Balut asked if the council had gotten the forensic report on the YMCA. “The pool is hosting events.” He then questioned if the city has gotten its $34,000 that the Landings owes the city.

Law Director Peter King responded, “Not yet.”

Balut continued, “We are giving out settlements of $900,000 to Landings Properties even though Kushner owes us money. What’s going on? This has to stop! The taxpayers are subsidizing the Y.”

Pabon then questioned, “Is the city taking back some of the money that is owed us?”

Law Director King then explained, “We can’t just move money around. I had meetings on Friday with the PARA attorney. There will be litigation regarding the $34,000. You can file complaints in the court.”

Pabon concluded his statement, “I heard there are pending violations (for the Landings).”

Resident and Businessman Jeremy Baratta came up next. “I own several businesses as a veteran, and I applied for Covid Grants. I submitted (law) suites against the BID. It’s almost 6 weeks to the day that I turned in the paperwork and still no response (regarding the grants I applied for). If I am being discriminated against, there will be another lawsuit filed. If my paperwork has been sat on due to my political affiliation, it will be dealt with. I am putting the council on notice. The last email I sent to Tashi Vazquez. I did not include the BID. I have sent more paperwork than was needed. There has been no response, and nothing is being processed. I am the only veteran owned business (in Perth Amboy) and I should be on top of the list (for grants).”

Resident Alan Silber came up next and reminded the council that in 2018, they discussed when the Resolution for a close session, when it comes to certain litigation, you have to put more information regarding the case. “I see that a lot of businesses have reopened, but why are the exercise stations on Sadowski Parkway fenced off?”

Department of Public Works Director Frank Hoffman came forward. “the OEM said they are highly infectious areas that should be closed off.”

Tashi Vazquez came up to comment about this item also, “The state has approved for installation of sanitary stations for the downtown areas only.”

Petrick concluded the Caucus by stating, “It’s up to the administration to decide what is to b be opened.

The Council went into closed session at 6:11 p.m.