Special Public Meeting 5/23/22
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – At the beginning of the meeting, Council President William Petrick asked for a motion to go into closed session which started at 4:37 p.m. in order to review videos of incidents at bar. The council came back at 6:10 p.m. to resume the meeting. All council members were present in person. When they resumed the meeting, Council President William Petrick explained that they had to review these videos in private because of ongoing criminal investigations. He stated that the council also had the option to suspend the license or do a revocation which would remove the license.
Councilman B.J. Torres said, “After reviewing the video and hearing witness testimony, he decided to move for revocation. When it came time to vote to remove the license, the only ones to vote “No,” were Councilwoman Milady Tejeda and Councilwoman Rose Morales. 3-2 votes. Motion passes for revocation.
Attorney Peter King who spoke via Zoom said based upon the evidence and testimony, the revocation of the license is carried.
Councilman B.J. Torres again explained why he voted for removal. “It was based upon the testimony.”
King continued, “The cleaning of the scene and the shooting plus other infractions can also be the basis of revocation.’
Council President Bill Petrick asked if would have to be based on each individual charge (lodged against this establishment).
King explained there were noises and fighting, which had several charges on those items alone. “Besides the shooting, there is a 6-page document on what this bar did wrong, which happened on single or several days.”
Petrick then began reading several of the charges which included acts of violence, etc.
King spoke again, “There are additional notes on each specific charge that you will have to vote on each individually.”
Petrick continued, “Some of the multiple charges included the use of weapons, loud music, fights, and any violations imposed on El Patio, which also included fire violations. Employee lists were not available. They also supplied false information. The trade name they used was incorrect and they did not obtain the current license for 2021 thru 2022 which they must get through the city.”
King said, “When the El Patio case was in court, they pled not guilty.”
Petrick asked if the council can act on Resolution R-238-5/22 Authorizing the suspension/revocation of Plenary Retail Consumption License No. 1216-33-068-009 held in the name of Royal N Inc., t/a The Court House Inn, d/b/a El Patio Bar at 417 Fayette Street effective TBD.
King responded, “Yes. Each charge has separate evidence and these charges have been sustained.”
Councilman B.J. Torres moved the resolution and seconded by Pabon. All council members voted, “Yes.” But, when it came to revocation of the license, it was moved by Torres, seconded by Pabon. Of the five council members, only two voted, “No,” for revocation: Tejeda and Morales. 3-2 Motion passes.
Public Portion:
Resident Ken Balut came up first, but Petrick started to speak before Balut. Petrick told Balut, “Please use the microphone, because people said there is a conspiracy that we are cutting you off on purpose.”
Balut said (closer the mike), “That bar has been a terror to that neighborhood, and it has been protected, and why so long? The same thing happened to a bar on Keene Street (where there was also a lot of problems), and that bar was protected.” Balut then stated that is why the State Police had separate charges on this bar (El Patio). “It’s about time.”
Petrick then asked, “Is revocation immediate?”
King responded, “ Only immediately after it has been published in an approved newspaper.”
The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
