7/13/22 Council Meeting

By Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – The meeting was opened up to those who wanted to speak on ordinances that have their own public hearing.

Resident Ken Balut came up to speak about Ordinance No. 2 – Dissolving the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency and designating the City Council as a Redevelopment Entity.

Balut said, “The people that are controlling PARA are county leaders and people who don’t live in the town. The council gets things dropped in their lap at the last minute and you should be controlling this. There is still no money for schools with these PILOTS and they are only making money for the developers. I get a lot of calls from people who talk about all the overdoses happening in the schools. You should have your own lawyer when dealing with issues that were handles by PARA. Do you know of any pending PILOTS that PARA has right now?”

Councilwoman Rose Morales, who is also on PARA, spoke up and said, “No.”

Balut continued, “You can’t keep giving money to the rich while the poor get nothing. Sometimes these developers will grab you aside and say: “Let’s make a deal.” We only have 29% of homeownership in this town. A lot of people who own these homes rent them out and live out of town. This has got to stop.”

After Balut finished speaking, Council President Petrick stated that the council will not be voting on this ordinance tonight because it requires approval from the Local Finance Board prior to adoption.

The next ordinance that the public spoke about was No. 5 – A $2,400,000 bonds or notes to provide for the construction of the Smith Street Shop Distribution Building for the Water Utility.

Balut stated, “You waited 14 months to spend the first allotment of money (from the American Rescue Act). Legal fees were already used, and we are flushed with money. The money will probably be used for the reelection of county officials. Inflation is too high now and landlords will suffer. It will cause rents to go up and people will use unsafe methods to warm up. Stop pushing things down the line. The banks and lawyers are making out and there should be no more gimmicks, or you would have used the money if it was needed. I am asking you to table this ordinance.”

The meeting was then opened up to Zoom participants.

Resident Sharon Hubberman also talked about Ordinance No. 5, “Who are the underwriters? This is not the time to do any type of construction because consumer goods and materials are going up in cost. Are the water meter replacements compatible with our housing? We need more details on these bonds such as the maturity, rates, etc. Compound interest goes up. We need to have a Water Utility Commission. We have more urgent matters such as what is going on with the water (quality).”

For Ordinance No. 6 – The honorary naming of Linden Street as Peru Boulevard, a woman who resides on that street came up to the podium to thank the council for this ordinance and she hoped to see them all when they are there to unveil the name on July 30th.

Ken Balut came up for the public hearing on Ordinance No. 7 – A tax exemption and a financial agreement with E-Port Phase II Urban Renewal at Block 430 Lot 1.02.

Balut said, “What are the terms and what are you giving away? The county gets their money, but nothing for the students. We get a bandstand with no toilets. You are making billionaires rich, and they are getting lower taxes. I see Woodbridge has the same law firm that we do working on PILOTS. We need to see the full amount of taxes we will be getting with and without a PILOT.”

Business Administrator Michael Greene responded, “In this instance, the city would get a lot more. Based on 20 years, with a 20-year PILOT, we would get a total of $7.7 million without the PILOT. With the PILOT, we would have accumulated $54 million, and the city would also get a lot more. If we have our own health department, we could use $500,000 (of that money).”

Balut added, “You also have to factor in what the cost would be if taxes go up. When I come up here and ask questions, that’s when the residents get answers.”

Resident Dave Szilagyi came up to the mike and asked how a PILOT works.

B.A. Greene explained giving the numbers with and without a PILOT, “Year#1, the city would get $2 million with the PILOT. Without the PILOT, the city would receive $350,000. Year #20, the city would get $3.5 million with the PILOT. Without the PILOT, the city would get $426,000.”

Public Comments on Agenda Items Only:
Resident Ken Balut came up first. He asked why there were no bids in Resolutions R-358 – 7/22 – Regarding an amount of $304,150 for construction services related to the Youth League Complex. And on R-371-7/22 – Solar Parking Pay stations for $90,978.50. “There is only group qualified to do these parking meters. When I went to the League of Municipalities Meeting, I found out there were several people who can do this work. The bid amounts would always be on the agenda in the past. People call me to ask questions at the meeting for them because they are afraid to come here in person.”

Police Chief Cattano answered, “The people who were contracted who put in these meters (IPS Group) – all the machines were shipped from California, and we have been using the same company. They supply all of our needs, and all of the machines are purchased directly from the manufacturer.”
Balut continued, “Is there an original bid on the contract for the parking meters? And was the original contract a no bid contract? The solar meters were placed in town around four years ago for $113,000. I know because I put in an OPRA about it.”

The next person to come up to speak was Ariel, a 26-year-old resident who lives on Brighton Avenue. “I submitted an application for a new APP called Timestamp which was developed to help residents and business owners so they can advertise what services they have to offer.”

Council President Bill Petrick replied, “We really can’t help you because it would be an unfair advantage to market your business when there are so many other businesses in town. You can talk the BID.” Petrick pointed to BID Chair Barry Rosengarten who happened to be sitting in the audience. “The administration handles the city website, and you are also getting publicity because the meetings are televised on our Public Access TV.”

Before sitting down, Ariel said, “You will not be favoring me, because my APP will help the residents and the businesses, and it will favor many people in the city (to give them more exposure).”

The meeting was then opened up to Zoom Participants.

Resident Sharon Hubberman referenced R-376-7/22 – A grant to Celebrate Perth Amboy for the Fourth of July Fireworks to be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Hubberman stated, “You need to look into nonprofits and make sure they have certificates in good standing and are in compliance with New Jersey Law. Financials have to be public. They need to comply with the intent of the funds.”
The next person to speak came up in person was a resident from Kirkland Place, He complained about a business located at 442 Smith Street. “There’s a container that they have on the sidewalk that has liquid that smells awful. I and some of the neighbors have to pick up the garbage on this property. I went to Code Enforcement to complain, but nothing has been done.”

Council President Bill Petrick told the resident to talk to B.A. Michael Greene about this problem.

No one else spoke via Zoom.

The council voted on the consent ordinances and consent agenda.

Ordinance No. 1 – Public Entertainment was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. When it came to vote individually, Tejeda and Morales voted “No.”

Ordinance No. 2 – Dissolving PARA was not voted upon.

Ordinance No. 3 – Flood Damage Prevention was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 4 – Handicapped Parking Spaces – regarding additions was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 5 – Regarding the Smith Street Distribution Building for the Water Utility was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. Before voting, Council President Bill Petrick asked if they could use the American Rescue Plan money for this project instead of bonding the finance cost.

B.A. Greene said, “Money is not coming in until the next two months.”

When it came to voting, the only two council members who voted, “No” were Torres and Petrick. Ordinance did no carry because you needed 4 “Yes” votes. They council only had 3.

Ordinance No. 6 – Renaming Linden Street as Peru Boulevard – was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 7 – Tax exempt in a financial agreement with E-Port Phase II – was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. Petrick and Pabon voted, “No.”

For the consent agenda, R-334 thru R-356; R-358 thru R-373; R-375; R-378 thru R-380 was moved by Pabon and seconded by Tejeda. R-357 was removed at the Caucus.

R-374 – Dissolving PARA was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. The only council members to vote “No” were Morales and Tejeda.

R-376 – A Grant to Celebrate Perth Amboy for $50,000 for the Fourth of July Fireworks thru the American Rescue Plan Act. – was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. Pabon and Torres voted “No.”

R-377 – A Grant to the Borinqueneers Park Education Alliance in the amount of 75,000 to be funded thru the American Rescue Plan Act. – was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. Pabon abstained since he is a part of that committee.

Public Portion:
Resident Ken Balut came up and asked the council if they knew about a marine car stolen on Smith Street.
B.A. Greene stated that the car that was stolen has been recovered.

Balut also handed out photos to the council. These photos showed cats that have been abandoned on Wagner Street. “Someone contacted the police, and because the animal control office was closed at the time, the police just left the cats there. There is several cats that had conditions that could have been cleared up if treated on time. Animal Control needs to be on duty 24/7. The EPA has imposed penalties on the city from 2014. We can’t keep kicking this down the line. You need to take over PARA and negotiate the contracts with the developers. Our lawyers are getting rich.”

The woman who lives on Linden Street came up again and thanked the council again for voting to make Linden Street Peru Boulevard. “Also on July 30th, we will be honoring Mr. Rosengarten.”

Mrs. Silva, who is on the Peruvian Committee came up next. She also invited the council to attend the event. “There will also be other Peruvians honored who have made contributions to the city.”

Barry Rosengarten came up to speak, “I’m humbled at those who want to honor me, and this is about honoring all those who have made contributions to the city. I want to thank the council for voting to pass this resolution to give money for the Celebrate Perth Amboy Fireworks.”

A resident spoke via Zoom who had several questions regarding a city employee.

Council President Bill Petrick responded, “We cannot answer any questions you present to us because it is a private matter that can only be discussed in closed session.”

The meeting was opened up to Zoom Participants.

Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke first. She referenced a man that spoke at the Caucus that was having low water pressure at his mother’s house on New Brunswick Avenue, “During Covid, a lot of people were dealing with hardships. With the water meter replacements, the connection may not be compatible with the older homes, and they may need to upgrade their water heaters. The American Rescue Act Funds should not be used to upgrade water heaters. Some of the older homes may not be compatible with the new infrastructure with the new meters. It should not be the homeowner’s burden. Who is responsible to update the service lines? And which homes need to be done?”

Council President Bill Petrick responded, “Some of the steel piping in the homes could have lead bins coming from the walls. Some supply lines are coming from the streets, and then the lines are separate in their homes. The Runyan Facility has a low-pressure lines and the homeowners are responsible if the lines need to be replaced.”

Council Comments:
Councilwoman Rose Morales said, “Thanks to all who participated and enjoy your summer.”

Councilman Joel Pabon asked if there is an office of ethical matters.

Business Administrator Michael Greene answered, “No.”

Pabon continued, “We need an ordinance to limit the types of businesses in town. Current businessowners are complaining. I’m looking for suggestions to see if we should do this. When I was growing up, we only had 3 barbershops and 3 beauty salons in the whole town. I want to thank Eddie and the Brenda Trujillo Foundation and the PAL (Police Athletic League) for teaming up to open up this new center (On High Street at the old Knights of Columbus Building). When the young man who was speaking earlier about his new Timestamp APP at the meeting, he looked familiar. I remember when he and his sister used to attend Safe Haven. His parents are also active in the community. It’s important to have young people who want to help their community. Civilians and the Police Department work well together. The PCPP Program was successful, and I hope the new PAL is at least half as successful. People are still concerned about Covid, and I have 7 test kits in my home. We no longer get the numbers from the county, and I was hoping that Chief Cattano can come up and fill us in.”

Police Chief Cattano came up and said, “People are hesitant on getting additional vaccines. Our hospital numbers are very low. The EMS are not getting calls from people having problems associated with Covid and people are getting less sick.”

Pabon continued, “I want to thank the DPW for working on the park repairs, but some of that work should have been ready in early May.” He then asked how much mulch is put in the parks. “Rudyk Park has slides, but there is not enough mulch or padding at the end of the slide. There can be an injury which may result in a lawsuit. I hope everyone continues to enjoy their summer.”

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda said, “I thank all who participated tonight and to let us know about your problems. I wish the young man who is starting a business the best of luck. I want to thank the Peruvians for their contributions to the city.”

Councilman B.J. Torres reminded everyone about the Live at the Ferry Slip Concert Series.

Council President Bill Petrick reminded everyone that the Covid numbers are going up, “Covid is alive and well. Take precautions, and we will see you all in August unless we have to call a special meeting.”

The council went into closed session at 8:36 p.m. with not further action to be taken. All council members were present in person.