2/23/22 Caucus & Council Meeting

By: Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – Ordinances were discussed first and Executive Director Office of Economic and Community Development Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency Annie Hindenlang spoke via Zoom in reference to Ordinance No.1 (First Reading) – Adopting amendment to the Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment Area #1. 

She explained that this is close to the intersection of Convery Boulevard and Smith Street Regarding the vacant Dunkin Donuts location (the small strip mall by the Animal Shelter). “They want to place an Urgent Care Center there. This will have to go to the Planning Board first, and then to you (the council).”

The next item for discussion was Ordinance No.2 (First Reading) – Vehicle and Traffic. Regarding parking restrictions at the Public Safety Complex Parking Lot. 

Business Administrator Michael Green stated, “This is to enforce the signage.”

Acting Police Chief Larry Cattano came forward to give more details. “The teachers have been parking there and visitors have no place to park. We need to put a time limit. What we are talking about is where the Fire Department and Code Enforcement are. These are additional line items and are not touching the existing permit parking spaces.”

Council President Bill Petrick spoke up, “At one time during a previous administration, they wanted permit parking at the Y for the Triangle Restaurant.”

Councilman B.J. Torres suggested that the city put more permit parking in case of future developments which could take up spaces.

Business Administrator Michael Green discussed R-111/2-22 – Appointing Maria J. Rivera as a Qualified Purchasing Agent. 

“We are lucky to have her, and she is an exceedingly qualified individual.” 

Green then jumped ahead to R-114-2/22 – Increasing the bid threshold to $44,000. 

He explained that this is going from the amount of $17,500 to $44,000. He also said about Ms. Rivera, that we are lucky to have an in-house individual who took the required test and passed for this position. 

Maria Rivera then came up to speak to clarify what is meant by the bid threshold. “Any purchases that are made in our department, the council has to approve if the amount is $17,501 of purchases. The bid threshold is different and if you want to change that amount from $44,000, you can, but I don’t think you would want to do that.”

Green then spoke about R-112-2/22 – Authorizing emergency temporary appropriations to extend the calendar year 2022 Temporary Budget in the amount of $657,577.43.

“There are three portions to the budget: the introduction will be March 31st and the adoption will be April 29th or the next scheduled council meeting which will be May 9th. Due to Covid, the state gave the city additional time to do their budget. I will discuss the parameters of the budget when we go into closed session.”

Council President Petrick spoke up, “The state only gives more time if it is needed. Our local ordinance calls that it be done in a more timely basis and the CFO says that it can be done.”

Green said, “The budget is not ready for tonight’s meeting.”

Petrick then asked, “Can you have it ready by February 25th?”

City Clerk Victoria Kupsch replied, “No, that is two days from tonight’s meeting.”

CFO/Comptroller Jill Goldy came up to the mike. She stated that when former Law Director Peter King was here, he stated that our city ordinance cannot supersede the state ordinance. “We have financial reports that have to be extended. Certain forms have to be filed first. The ordinance that is in place now doesn’t give you what you want. Everything has to be filed with the state first.”

Petrick then stated, “We (the council) want enough time to look at the budget. The administration holds it too long and when it is given to us, we only have a short period of time to look through it.”

Goldy responded, “Different municipalities have different procedures for doing their budgets. Mr. Green and I have discussed giving you the budget as soon as possible. Remember, this is his first time doing this.”

Councilman Joel Pabon had a question regarding R-116-2/22 – Exercising option two for a third year of a three-year contract with Custom Care Services Inc. for maintenance of city parks and properties commencing April 1, 2022, and terminating on November 5, 2022, in an amount not to exceed $77,850.

“What exactly do they do? We go through this every single year. I don’t remember this company.”

Acting Director of Public Works Matthew Nieves answered via Zoom. “They take care of 9.3 acres of lawn maintenance which includes our baseball fields, the entire waterfront, and do maintenance on our grass from mid-April to mid-November. They help with leaf cleanup and tree trimming at about twelve locations throughout the city. Just before Memorial Day and just after Labor Day, they also do mulching.”

There was a discussion regarding R-119-2/22 – A contract with the IPS Group for the purchase of 4 pay stations to be used at various locations in the city in an amount not to exceed $25,383.17.

B.A. Green explained, “These will be located on New Brunswick Avenue, Smith Street, and Fayette Street. People can use ApplePay to pay for their parking fee and newer technology.”

Councilman B.J. Torres had a question regarding R-121-2/22 – Accepting a grant from Middlesex County thru the Office of Art and History for the 2022 General Operating and Support Grant Program in the amount of $8,500.

“According to what it says, it would be for the Waterfront Festival.”

Dianne Roman from the Department of Human Services responded via Zoom. “It is an annual grant for the Waterfront Arts Festival. If that festival does not take place, we can use that money for programming. We are looking to have the festival at the end of May, but the date has not been finalized.”

The next item for discussion was R-122-/22 – Authorizing initiation of competitive contracts for professional marketing services for the creation of a comprehensive digital media plan and marketing program. Green explained that the sales tax for those who qualify for the UEZ Program will be 3.325%.

Council President Petrick asked, “Are we going to expand our UEZ Program?”

Green explained, “The UEZ Program had lapsed under Governor Christie and now it has been reinstated.”

Before the meeting was opened to the public, there was an interview of Green Team Applicant Vikiana Urena.

Urena was interviewed via Zoom. She stated that she only had a brief time to speak because she was at work at Wegmans. “I am currently a college student, a sophomore at Middlesex College studying education. I will be transferring to Rutgers University. I’ve been to some of the Green Team Meetings and participated at some of their projects.”

There was a brief discussion on Communication No. 4 – New Jersey Division of ABC submitted a notice of final determination (Offer in Lieu of Suspension). The Director having accepted payment of $2,832 on February 2, 2022, in lieu of suspension of license for twelve days, and Notice of Disposition of Prima, Fache Contraband in the matter of the Division of ABC versus Royal N. Inc. for violation of executive orders.

City Clerk Victoria Kupsch explained, “This is the El Patio Bar and it separate from the other issue that the city has been having with them. This an executive order from the Governor.”

Council President Petrick instructed Kupsch to please let the ABC know this is the El Patio Bar. “It seems that they may be using a corporate name.”

Public Comments:

Resident Ken Balut spoke first. “I know that there is something important going on when you go into closed session because Northgrave (former Law Director) is sitting here in the audience tonight. When you talk about giving out PILOTS, it’s the taxpayers money. What about money for our schools and the library? There is no more money for anyone. You should have someone from the Board of Education here. There are a lot of people who are employed by the city who will not be affected by these PILOTS because they do not live in the city. There are new projects for housing, and they want a PILOT. We always go behind closed doors to discuss PILOTS, but you never give us the details or the cost to the taxpayers. We have a developer in town who got $13.5 million from Atlantic City. We have so far received $6.4 million from the America Recovery Act, but where is it? Why were one of our Animal Control Officers let go?”

Resident Junior Iglesia came up next. He read a report. “The city has $1.6 million in surplus money and the property taxes pay 74% of the city’s revenue and the city has collected 100% of the taxes from the residents for the last 5 years. We have also received $1.1 million of Covid aid for the years of 2020 and 2021. We have received over $8 million of the $50 million that we are due from the America Rescue Act. As a taxpayer, I would like the council and the administration to use 5%-10% of the American Rescue Act to lower our taxes. We deserve a tiny bit of a break. We are paying more taxes than other towns.”

Council President Petrick responded, “We always fought for lower taxes when Diaz was here.”

Resident Vince Mackiel came up next. He referenced Communication 5,6,7 all having to do with Buckeye. “They are looking to expand by adding a building of 1,000 feet and will go down to the Waterfront which would encompass 6-7 blocks. Right now, they are in tax court. We need to be concerned about the future safety of our community. Notify any resident that will be affected by Buckeye’s expansion. We are trying to build a new future beyond fossil fuels. It is going into another direction in the future. In certain areas, it is a big mess. The Second Street Park is moving in the best direction. Will they (Buckeye) be using State Street? The county already approved the road that Buckeye wants to go to expand on. We need infrastructure for our future.”

Resident Virginia Morales came up to speak about her Uncle Manny Pacheco who recently passed away. Other family members joined her at the mike. Virginia said, “We are here to celebrate Manny Pacheco who dedicated 40 years of his life to Perth Amboy. I think it would be great to have murals of ordinary citizens (who have made contributions to the community) who were not politicians. We’re asking to see if the Art Gallery on Fayette Street can be known as the Pacheco Gallery of the Arts, and we are asking for your guidance to help with this.”

Elizabeth Pacheco, who is the sister of Manny Pacheco said, “At the viewing for my brother, Wilda (Former Mayor Diaz) made kind comments about my brother. My brother also taught a lot of poor children. Helmin (Mayor Caba) said he would make this happen.”

City Clerk Victoria Kupsch spoke up, “I’m not sure if this would be under the ordinance such as honoring of people by naming a street after them.”

Petrick spoke, “I guess the building could be the Pacheco Center.”

Kupsch then reminded Petrick, “Right now, it is known as the Patten Center (The Building on the corner of Fayette and Reade Street).”

Councilman Joel Pabon said, “There are not many people who don’t know him (Manny Pacheco). I always saw him as a happy going fellow. He is leaving a legacy behind, and he gave a lot to the children.” Pabon then stated that Pacheco would teach people to play an instrument even if they didn’t have any money to pay him, as long as you were willing to learn.

The meeting was opened up to those on Zoom:

Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke first: She referenced the communications referring to Buckeye and their plans for expansion. “The Buckeye application was supposed to be in 30 days to talk about what they plan to do. They seem to be very active. Is the air ––quality being evaluated? There are a lot of pollutants and sometimes it is hard to breathe at certain times of the day. We should have an environmental commission.”

Resident Dave Szilagyi was recognized at the meeting for his service to the community (as a Councilman and a member of the Planning Board). Szilagyi thanked the council for recognizing him, especially Council President Bill Petrick, Councilman Joel Pabon and also City Clerk Victoria Kupsch. “Who were all there back in the day.” He stated that the council was different back then because they would engage the audience (when they spoke) in long discussions back and forth often leading to meetings that lasted to 1 a.m. He thanked former Mayors Joe Vas and Wilda Diaz, former City Engineer Mike Carr, and former City Employee George Szetela, who were never recognized for their service. He stated of Mayor Vas, “Who I was in a 16-year journey with. In the beginning, we did many good things for the city. But unfortunately, it did not end in a very a good manner.” He thanked Mayor Diaz for appointing him to the Planning Board for 13 years. He thanked  Residents Ken Balut, Alan Silber, David Caba, and Reinaldo Aviles who always came to the meetings out of concern for the city and its residents. “Even if sometimes they were a pain in the butt.”

After Szilagyi spoke, the council went into closed session at 7:14 p.m. The council returned at 8:50 p.m. to adjourn the caucus meeting. The regular council meeting started at 8:51 p.m.

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only:

Resident Ken Balut came up first. He referenced R-111-2/22 – Appointing Maria J. Rivera as a qualified purchasing agent. “She deserves a raise.” Balut then addressed Communications regarding Buckeye. “Is there enough water pressure in the areas that they are located in?”

Council President William Petrick answered, “No. There will be an installation of water tanks, but this is not addressing what they want to put in place which has to put to the Planning Board first.”

Balut then asked, “Are you adding any late-starters on tonight’s agenda such as adding PILOTS? And if you will be doing this, I would like to know the detailed facts, what money is coming in, and to whom. We will need to have studies to show how the PILOTS will affect our schools and traffic. It’s taxpayers’ money. I was born and raised in this town. You (the council) are looking out for yourselves and not the taxpayers. How much money will the taxpayers get? The children and elderly deserve the money. Towns that are much nicer than us are paying lower taxes.”

The next person to come up to speak was resident Vince Mackiel. “With Buckeye, they store high amounts of natural gas and crude oil. You have to assure that this is safe. Now, this company wants to expand their tracks and facilities. Buckeye has to help this community to be safe.”

Mackiel also read a letter to the council (page 4). He also read an article (“The Smoke Column: By Ex-Chief Richard Kosmoski, B.A., M.S. in the South Amboy Sayreville Times) detailing an accident that happened in another state that during the transportation of crude oil.

No one spoke on Zoom.

The council voted on the ordinances. Ordinance No. 1 – Entitled Designating Restricted Parking Spaces for use by Handicapped Persons regarding deletions. Moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 1 (First Reading) – Adopting amendments to the Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for Redevelopment Area No. 1. Moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. When polled individually, Pabon was the only one who voted, “No.”

Ordinance No. 2 (First Reading) – Entitled Vehicles and Traffic. Regarding parking restrictions at the Public Safety Complex Parking Lot. Moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda.

For the consent agenda, R-109 thru R-117; R-119 thru R-125 was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. R-118 was removed.

Public Portion:

Resident Ken Balut spoke first. He asked, “Did the FBI come to the city to speak to CFO Jill Goldy about city business?”

Business Administrator Michael Green said, “The FBI was here about you.”

Balut responded, “I called the FBI. I have a lot of information and have other investigations that will be coming up. PILOTS should be addressed. Where else is the money going to from the American Recovery Act?” Balut stated that if he were still on the council, former Business Administrator Fehrenbach would have put in a ten-year plan for this money. If I had $16 million (for the city), I would have had a plan. In 1978, when I was on the force, we  hired 21 police officers. Out of 21, only 19 graduated form the academy, and after that, we hired an additional 13 officers. We started to make the city safe. Now, we have a homeless and drug problem.” He then stated that people have illegal housing and are adding additions to their houses without permits, so you are not taxing them correctly. “You are responsible if there are fires in these illegal housing units.”

No one spoke on Zoom.

Council Comments:

Councilwoman Rose Morales had no comments.

Councilman Joel Pabon said, “I want to thank the city and also Jeanette Rios from the Parking Utility. The lights were finally fixed at the parking lot by the post office. One of the supervisors who works at the post office was thankful, especially when she has to go to work at 1 a.m. I was surprised when I read about the talks going on regarding the Outerbridge. We should have been involved, especially if they want to expand that bridge. They were pointing the fingers at us for not moving on this bridge and we were blaming the other side.” Pabon then talked about the city’s parks, “Some of them still have broken equipment. I hope they are fixed before they open up and the parks should be open now. Our Fire Chief has been doing inspections on Buckeye properties. I’ll let him know to be here at the next meeting to answer questions regarding Buckeye’s plans.” Pabon then asked for the status on the proposed Thomas Mundy Peterson site.

Business Administrator Green said he would take care of that.

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda said, “I thank all who attended the meeting tonight and those who spoke on Zoom.” She was concerned also about some of the lights that were out and if PSEG could be informed.

B.A. Green said he would speak to PSEG.

Tejeda then talked about an article that was in the paper where she was misquoted, “That caused a division in our community. I encourage you to listen to the recording at the 2/7/22 caucus meeting to hear exactly what I said.”

Councilman B.J. Torres asked if there was a plan on what to do with the money from the American Rescue Fund.

B.A. Green responded, “Part of it will be used to update the city’s technology and to use toward public safety.”

Torres suggested to use it to alleviate the hardships for the residents who are out of work, or whose wages are low, and the water rates are high. “Have the public put in their input on how the funds should be used. The first portion of these funds should be to help our residents.”

B.A. Green responded, “There is $168 million in grants for the infrastructure. We applied for $800 million for infrastructure.”

Torres continued, “The council and the public should participate in what the money should be used for.”

Green then added, “Part of the money can be used in the police department to update their technology when it comes to crime investigations. There are things that people can do from their homes instead of going to the police department.”

Torres ended his comments with, “This money coming in (from the American Rescue Plan) should be separate from the budget.

Council President William Petrick thanked all for being there tonight. “Maybe we can do Channel 34 live.”

B.A. Green responded, “We hope to install a video camera system throughout the city.”

Petrick concluded the meeting “Cameras should be placed all around the city hall building. Have a safe, healthy and happy 2022!”

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.