Presentation on Redevelopment Projects
Illegal Parking of Commercial
Vehicles Among Topics Discussed
3/7/22 Caucus Meeting
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Developer Eduardo Trujillo appeared along with his architect, Mark Donavan to talk about his two redevelopment projects. The first one to be located at 585 Sayre Avenue, Urban Renewal, LLC. The second project is Victory Center, Urban Renewal, LLC.
Donavan spoke first, “The property at 585 Sayre Avenue is in poor condition and an eyesore. We followed PARA guidelines and there is residential housing across the street from this property. We are looking to erect a 4-storie building with 117 units with parking underneath the building. There will also be townhomes that will be fronting that site if plans are approved.
Trujillo then said, “Donavan helped me with the project that I built on 475 Smith Street. With our new buildings, we are trying to attract a younger crowd who earn at least $100,000+ a year.”
Donavan added, “The new materials used for the units to be constructed are more durable than vinyl.”
Council President Bill Petrick suggested that Trujillo and Donavan pressure the county to make a Rails-to-the-Trail to go through the development.
Eddie Trujillo answered, “The new buildings, we are going to have bike racks inside and electric charging stations outside.”
Donavan said, “Eddie always has quality properties.”
Trujillo continued, “Each apartment will have central air and a washer and dryer. They are very upscale apartments. I’ve been here for 50 years. My kids are going to take over, and they already own property here. We will always be here. All of my buildings are rented immediately. I maintain my apartments as if they are my own house. Even my rents that are $2000/month can go higher (if they were in other towns). We do our own garbage removal and have security all around our buildings (inside and outside). We already did a traffic study, and an additional traffic light is not needed.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up, “Remember, there is a school close by.”
Trujillo responded, “Because of the way Sayre Avenue is split up, the traffic flow will not be affected.”
With Project #2 (Riverview Drive), Donavan spoke first, “This is close to the river part of the redevelopment plan, and we will be opening up two side streets where the old Cheeseborough Ponds was located.”
Trujillo added, “This will be a 3-story building. The site has been dormant for 25 years and people used to dump garbage there, but when I acquired that property, that dumping stopped. We also did a traffic study. Most people use Riverview Drive, and these streets were opened up at my cost.”
Donavan spoke briefly, “That site had to be cleaned up and capped so that we could have parking on the first floor.”
Trujillo spoke again, “Parking will be underneath the building and people will access that using swipe cards and we will also have electric charging stations. We remove our own garbage, and we will have bike racks. We hope that the street that we open up will connect to a bike path if the city decides to build one. We want to build over the roads.”
Donavan then took over, “We have a mixture of materials that are contemporary and state of the art facilities.”
Trujillo added, “We will have a gym and lounge area and water views.”
Donavan stated, “We will be building a park with a basketball court.”
Trujillo then added, “The park will look like our artist’s renderings, but we won’t have enough space for a full (basketball) court. Before we built 475 Smith Street, we went to other cities to see what they built to attract younger people and I wanted to do better than that. It’s not just to bring younger people, but to bring anyone making $100,000+ a year. I looked at Red Bank and similar towns. People have to bring in proof of income. Affordable units will be available along with the market rate units.”
Donavan then said, “This follows the redevelopment plan.”
Councilman Joel Pabon then questioned, “How will the water pressure be for these new buildings?”
Trujillo mentioned that there will be an 8-inch waterline connected to the Sayre Avenue property. “And we will be putting in a pump. They will be sharing the 24-inch line with sprinklers that attaches into the hospital (on the same line). There is a 36-inch line where there is no easement that will cost us a half million dollars. Woodbridge Township has 14 projects that have built or are building in the last 4 years and South Amboy has also been building projects. This project is $30 million and that is why a PILOT is needed. We do our own cleanups, garbage removal, and snow removal.”
Donavan then spoke up, “Eddie is here for the long haul.”
Trujillo said, “We take care of any problems with our buildings immediately. I have invested 90% of my money in the city. People don’t realize what it takes to build properties. I always pay my taxes on time, and I have never sold any of my properties. The building on the Five-Corners (State Street, New Brunswick Avenue, and Smith Street) is 100% occupied. There is not much land left (in Perth Amboy), but you need to fix the train station and we need to move forward together.”
Councilman B.J. Torres asked, “What is the percentage of union workers that will be hired to work on this project?”
Trujillo responded, “Some of my buildings use union and non-union laborers. Using union workers can increase the cost of a project by 30%. Sometimes state funding can be available to offset the cost. I currently have between 300-400 units that are affordable.”
Donavan said, “The cost of construction materials has risen.”
Trujillo then mentioned, “In Jersey City, a 20-story building was built that were bonded. This particular project will not be using union workers.”
The meeting was opened to the public to speak about these projects.
Sharon Hubberman spoke via Zoom, “I thought that the presentation was very thorough. I thought the 2008 project was to help the businesses and help in the stabilization of rent. We need to have ownership instead of building high-rises. I live in the hospital section, and I don’t think they should be using the hospital lines to help with their water pressure. It is going to cost the hardworking taxpayer, and we are going to discriminate based on a person’s income.”
The next person to speak was Bill Schultz via Zoom, “I applaud the developer. How many apartments are at the 475 Smith Street Building?”
Trujillo responded, “26.”
Schultz also asked, “Will the apartments you intend to build be close to the sidewalk?”
Trujillo assured him that the apartments will be set back from the sidewalk.
Schultz then asked if there is any way the public can view the plans.
Trujillo said, “We can download them so the city can put them on their website.”
Fire Chief Ed Mullen came up to explain that the 24-inch main that Trujillo’s project will share with the hospital will not be a problem and hydrants will also be placed there.”
Resident Ken Balut spoke in person, “Who negotiated the contracts?”
Petrick responded, “The Redevelopment Agency and Northgrave (former Law Director) did so for the PILOT.”
William Northgrave who was there in place of Law Director Opel spoke up to make a correction on Petrick’s statement. “This development was predicated before I was employed by the city. However, I did represent developers who did PILOTS in Woodbridge.”
Balut continued, “We need to give money to our schools. I know Eddie for a while, and I like him. The problem is that we have had some developers who don’t deliver on their promises. These pictures (showing the plans) should be uploaded so people can look back (after these projects are completed) and say, “Yes he delivered as promised.” I don’t think that the Woodbridge projects look so good. What about those solar panel farms (that went bust)? Good luck, Eddie!”
Trujillo responded, “I don’t want to comment on other city’s projects. There was a Sayreville project where there was a $2.5 million investment. Right now, you have a good team of people working in Code Enforcement and King Plaza got a PILOT. Woodbridge Township had 14 projects that received PILOTS and South Amboy had several projects that received PILOTS. I disagree with the caller who said we are taxing the people. It helps people pay their taxes.”
On the agenda was a topic for discussion regarding oversized vehicle parking on streets and lots initiated by Councilman Joel Pabon.
The council then spoke about several problems in the city. Pabon mentioned, “I roam the streets of Perth Amboy and we have school buses, tractors, and all kinds of vehicles parking illegally. We have ordinances that we are not enforcing. They also park illegally on Second Street. They are ticketed, then after a while they start to come back and park illegally again. The ZPA, La Asuncion Church, and other businesses that have private parking are allowing all these vehicles to park there illegally. People call to complain about this all the time, especially about the trucks parking there illegally. We need answers to why this is continually happening.”
Council President Bill Petrick agreed with Pabon.
Pabon said, “When Eddie does his projects, I go to see all of them. And then I go to the ZPA and see all those commercial vehicles parked illegally.”
Petrick said, “We need to take action, especially to those parked on Second Street, and we need a place to take these illegally parked vehicles (when they are towed).”
Pabon then mentioned, “Someone sent me a video of views while traveling by train from town to town. You can’t tell how beautiful Perth Amboy’s is when you view the scenery traveling by train.”
Acting Police Chief Larry Cattano came up to address these issues. “I know with all of these vehicles parked on these private lots; it is a Code Enforcement issue. I drive by Second Street every day – day and night and I only saw one school bus that was parked illegally. The railroad tracks had a recent cleanup, and we are trying to get assistance for the homeless. New Jersey Transit does not do much cleaning up. There were over 50 summonses issued by the Parking Enforcement on overweight vehicles parking illegally. Some truckers risk getting tickets because it is cheaper for them in the long run.”
Councilman B.J. Torres suggested that for repeat offenders, maybe the fines should be increased for each subsequent ticket being issued.
Pabon stated that the vehicles should be issued multiple tickets at once if they abuse the parking. “There are a lot of illegal things going on Second Street. Graffiti is also a problem. There are a lot of tires back there. And whose fault is it that NJ Transit is not cleaning? The bottom line is that we have to hold people accountable. I volunteer to look at these businesses to see if they hold illegal activity.”
Petrick agreed that Second Street is a problem, “There are a lot of homeless people living there.”
Cattano then mentioned that the homeless population living there has gone down.
Petrick asked, “Didn’t we have kids that used to do graffiti cleanups?”
Cattano responded, “They can’t touch private properties and we ticket oversized vehicles in residential properties.”
Petrick suggested that tickets should go higher for repeat offenders.
Pabon then spoke about the trucks that park on a particular business on High Street. “I don’t know why they have to double park when they can use the loading bays.”
Cattano then mentioned they also towed vehicles that were parked illegally on Elm Street.
Pabon then told Cattano, “Whatever you need, just ask us. Whenever Department heads come here, they never tell us what they need to make their jobs easier.”
Business Administrator Michael Green spoke up, “Under Joel Rosa, we have cleaned graffiti around the town. We can give you the number of tickets that have been handed out on illegally parked vehicles.”
Pabon then stated graffiti should be taken care of year-round. Home Depot has a lot of graffiti drawn on their property.
Cattano said, “We will keep you up on the fines that have been issued.”
Petrick then stated that the double parking in town is out of control.
Director of Code Enforcement Irving Lozada then spoke up via Zoom, “I’ll provide B.A. Mike Green all the violations that were issued for illegal parking by La Asuncion Church. I will also check with our Assistant Zoning Officers about the documentation they have about oversized vehicles parking illegally.”
Pabon also mentioned, “People that have yards also have illegal vehicles parking as well as the Cornucopia. People blame the pandemic when it is to their advantage. Those private property owners are probably getting money to have people parking in their lots.”
Lozada stated, “I will give you information on all those private lots that you talked about.”
Pabon then said, “One of those lots had no lights on, and I wondered what is going on. I want solutions.
Petrick said, “Some of these businesses have no indoor plumbing. This is a health problem. School buses are parking on residential streets.”
Lozada responded, “Our office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and school buses can park until 6 p.m.”
Petrick suggested that maybe he could rotate the schedule of the people who work in Code Enforcement.
Lozada responded, “We’ll make it happen.”
City Clerk Victoria Kupsch spoke up regarding Ordinance No. 1 – Adopting amendments to the Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for Area #1.
“We don’t have a Planning Board report, yet.”
Petrick suggested that the council table this ordinance.
Kupsch continued, “Jamie Rios said we can’t act on this ordinance until April.”
Northgrave said, “Their scope right now is very limited.”
Councilman B.J. Torres spoke up, “We’ve had amendments since 1997. We shouldn’t be doing any developments until we have an updated plan. We’ve had the same developers for years. There are no comprehensive plans on how it would affect our CFO’s. You need to stall some developments.”
B.A. Green responded, “PARA and the Planning Board are looking out for us. It takes 5-6 months to revamp the Master Plan.”
Petrick said, “It’s longer than that. When I was in the Planning Board, it took us years to revamp some of the plans.”
Northgrave said, “You want to make redevelopments to be updated via this ordinance. The Master Plan was supposed to be amended as you go along.”
Torres continued, “I was looking at how additional exhaust would affect us, especially on our youth.”
Petrick said, “Remember, the last Master Plan was under Vas and some of those components were passed. The Redevelopment Plan must be close to what was proposed.”
Northgrave said that the PARA Executive Director would be the best one to answer these questions.
Ordinances and Resolutions that were discussed included:
Report from Michael E. Green B.A. – Fayette Street Bridge Update: “The initial cost was $6.5 million and that was 4 years ago. We are trying to get additional grants. The initial grant we received has no expiration date.”
City Engineer Jeff Rauch spoke via Zoom, “The grant guidelines were followed. We are looking at a possible prefab bridge which is still in our design. New Jersey Transit is building a temporary utility bridge. Council President Petrick then recommended that we need to meet with all parties.”
Pabon then added, “We need to get all our local and state level politicians involved.”
Green said he would reach out to them.
Pabon had a brief comment regarding R-135 – Increasing the contract with Core Mechanical, Inc. Regarding replacement parts at the Public Safety Complex for an additional $120,000 to an amount not to exceed $195,000.
Pabon remarked, “None of these things are cheap and are being used daily.”
Green then added, “The mayor asked for this in the capital improvement plan.”
Dianne Roman from the Department of Human Services spoke via Zoom on R-136 – An agreement with the Jewish Renaissance Foundation Americorps Program in an amount not to exceed $4,419.54 per year. “This is for Perth Amboy Residents and a city resident will be working there.”
B.A. Green made a remark about R-137 – Contracts for towing services for the year 2022. “There is a list of 10 towing companies which will be on a rotating list, and this was advertised.
Councilman B.J. Torres asked Green what specific services will they be doing?
Green answered it was in the backup material.
Acting Police Chief Larry Cattano spoke in-person and gave specifics on R-139 – A grant from the State of New Jersey Attorney General’s Office bolstering Police Youth Trust Program in an amount of $16,500. “This is for 4 different bicycle events.” He also talked about R-140 – A grant from the Highway Traffic Safety Division for the Distracted Driving Statewide Crackdown Grant in amount of $12,500. “This is a part of You Text – You Pay Program”.
Tashi Vazquez from the Office of Economic and Community Development spoke via Zoom, “The officers involved get $70 per hour.”
The next resolution discussed was R-141 – A grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the open space 2022 Grant in the amount of $1 million.
Vazquez said, “This will be for the youth complex and combined with another grant it will be just under $2 million.
Vazquez then spoke about R-142 – Authorizing a grant application for the New Jersey Historic Trust Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Funding. “The cost is $529.”
Green spoke about R-143 – Authorizing the Youth of Second Generation UEZ Funds in the amount of $183,660 to fund the 2022-2023 UEZ Administration Budget.” Green explained that this would be to register businesses in the cost of office supplies and for one clerk in-house and 3 field clerks.
Councilman B.J. Torres said that he wanted to make a comment regarding R-141. “Schools should contribute to this.”
Kenny Ortiz from the Department of Recreation spoke via Zoom, “The schools don’t always have use of the city’s property. We sometimes use their facilities and vice versa.”
Public Portion (in-person first):
Resident Ken Balut said, “You are supposed to say what you will discuss in closed session. Go after the Y for money and not the schools. Why are we not negotiating with the Y? We have a recreation department and not everyone uses the Y. They probably still have leaks. I forwarded the Attorney General pictures I took at the Y. There are illegal commercial vehicles parked all over town and it is up to Code Enforcement to handle illegal parking on private property. UEZ funds were misused in the past and we gave money to people who never lived in this town.”
B.A. Green spoke up to apologize for a statement that he made to Balut at the last council meeting, “An agency did come into town to investigate a group that may have done something wrong. I apologize for a statement I made to you.”
Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke via Zoom, “When developers are given a PILOT, they do not pay the same tax rate as residents.” She also said that there is an ordinance (No. 4-22) stating that the mayor has to appoint someone as an acting mayor in their absence. She addressed this comment to Mike Green who earlier said that it is not a requirement that the mayor appoint someone in their absence. She also mentioned that in the past, there was a talk about having a municipal towing lot in town.”
Petrick said, “We need to explore having a municipal towing lot with propre security in place.”
Resident Lisa Nanton spoke next on Zoom. She asked if she could get the total of what is the city’s current debt and if she could get that answer by Wednesday’s meeting. “I want to thank the council for asking all of those questions. I agree with Councilman Torres that we need an updated Master Plan. The last one I have is from 2003. Hubberman is right on target with her statements. Taxpayers should not shoulder the burden of development projects. I gave Elizabethtown Gas the addresses of homeowners that are having problems, and I have not received any communications back from them. I’m glad to see Mr. Northgrave. I almost forgot what he looked like.”
Northgrave replied, “I am no longer the Law Director. I am sitting in for William Opel tonight.”
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m. Councilwoman Milady Tejeda was absent because of work.
