By Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – The meeting started with the reading of the ordinances first. Law Director William Opel told the council in reference to Ordinance No. 1 (No Public Hearing) which dealt with the Focus 2020 Redevelopment Plan for Area No. 2. The Amendment had to make sure that the bulkhead met the current standards.

The next ordinance was Ordinance No. 2 open for public hearing entitled: Parking Meter Zones. Council President Bill Petrick remarked, “Some on Front Street are not metered and should we remove those (parking) lots (10,11,12) in the ordinance?”

Councilman Joel Pabon then remarked, “It is to put an exact address on the lots.”

Petrick then made a brief comment in regards to Ordinance No. 3 – Providing various water/wastewater utility improvements appropriating $1,500,000 of bonds. Petrick was happy that this may be granted to us.

Next, there was a discussion on the Resolutions. R-505 – Release of two paper performance bonds in the total amount of $4,344,852.30 to Harbortown Terrace LLC. for certain blocks and lots.

Councilman B.J. Torres questioned if Harbortown was in compliance with the original deal they made with the city.

Petrick answered, “I am not an expert. Maria Garcia used to be on the Planning Board and might know.”

City Engineer Ernest Feist spoke up via Zoom. He said, “The site improvements are not a Planning Board issue. It is governed by the Municipal Land Use and Laws, and they are in compliance. I can give you a copy of the site plan.”

Torres continued, “Can we get an update on the original deal and if they are following the original PILOT obligations, especially when it comes to security?”

Business Administrator Michael Greene spoke briefly about R-508-10/22 – A contract with Stage Drop, LLC. for the purchase of an all-terrain outdoor stage system in an amount not to exceed $28,519.36.

Greene said, “This was requested by Danny Cleaver to replace the wood with steel. CDBG funds were used.”

Petrick said, “Was the school by Patten Park door fixed after it was run into by a car?”

Torres also remarked, “The Patten Park is heavily used for afterschool activities.”

Petrick said, “Yes, the door that the car slammed into needs to be repaired.”

There was a discussion regarding R-510 – 10/22 – A contract to Z Brothers Concrete Contractors for 2022 UEZ Road Rehabilitation and Improvement Hall Avenue, Jefferson Street, and Maple Street in an amount not to exceed $409,244.89.

Pabon said, “This always come up and when will they start?” He also questioned when will they start to work on Sunshine Alley?”

Feist remarked via Zoom, “They should start working on Sunshine Alley in about a week or so. They should be done by the end of the year.”

Pabon said, “There is a lot of digging going on Market Street. There are a lot of bumps. It’s horrible. They should be doing a better job. How long does it take for the soil to settle?”

Greene remarked, “When PSEG came at the meeting, they said it may take up to 90 days for the soil to settle.”

Pabon disagreed and said, “I think the work will be completed in 90 days. The soil should already be settled.”

Feist spoke up again, “We can sit down with Elizabethtown Gas and also it is a county road.”

Council President Bill Petrick asked if there will be stormwater issues regarding Sunshine Alley.

Feist remarked, “That will not be a problem.”

There was an actual discussion on R-522 – 10/22 – A contract with Center State Engineering to provide professional engineering services for the reconstruction and paving of Sunshine Alley in an amount not to exceed $460,000 which is being funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Council President Bill Petrick spoke up first, “Will this be the actual completion of repairs?”

Feist responded, “It will be for the total construction, design, and inspection, and we will reuse the pavers already there.”

Greene spoke up and said he made a mistake, “This has to be an Ordinance. It says Resolution. So, strike R-522.”

B.J. Torres broke up and said, “I move to table R-522 and all of the American Rescue Plan Money should be put on hold for public input and all the Department Heads should be here.”

Pabon spoke up and said he agreed with Torres. “We have to take control of this. Money should have been allocated for this project even before American Rescue Funds were available.”

Greene responded, “That is why it was changed to an Ordinance. It was in the Capital Improvement Plan as an option. We can use bond money or American Rescue Plan Money for the project.”

Petrick said, “I prefer to use the ARF funds to save on bonding, but I do agree with Torres. Plus, we didn’t see anything about paying city employees with the ARF money.”

Greene said, “Payment to employees who worked during Covid will be paid by the end of November.”

Petrick continued, “Sunshine Alley has been talked about for years. It is a mess, and it needs to be done. During the Vas Administration, it got close to being fixed, then it was botched.”

Torres spoke up, “The only people that will benefit are the Sunshine Alley residents. And will their home values go up because of this?”

Pabon said, “Garbage trucks destroyed the alley.”

Torres continued, “A lot of historic grants could be applied for the alley. This only benefits the mayor’s allies and it’s political.”

Feist spoke up, “There may be additional maintenance cost because its cobblestone compared to regular blacktop.”

Pabon said, “I would have to abstain. I remember when HPC President Renee Skelton said she applied for grants to restore Sunshine Alley, but they were denied. A lot of drug activity took place on the alleys and there used to be regular drug raids. They left behind a lot of paraphernalia, but the alleys are historical.”

Torres spoke up again, “When I came to Perth Amboy, I moved near the Historic Ferry Slip, and my wife and I brought the Ferry Slip back to life with concerts.”

City Historian John Dyke was sitting in the audience and was asked to come up and speak, “We put a stop to getting the Ferry Slip torn down. It is used as a symbol of our Waterfront. Other cities are restoring their historic streets. We have ignored these historic allies which are unique. We need to preserve them for future generations.”

Torres countered, “We apply for grants for our music series.”

Dyke then questioned, “Why are you against historic preservation?”

Torres countered, “This is a working poor community, and it is time to represent the majority of the residents. This (ordinance) is to benefit the mayor’s friends.”

Councilwoman Rose Morales spoke up, “I am for restoring the alley using the ARF money.”

Torres continued, “It is irresponsible to spend money on Sunshine Alley.”

Pabon then spoke up, “I’m not against the police, but we need to pay our employees first who worked during Covid. Just like the PBA Contract, the money was already there.”

Council President Petrick spoke up, “I had to remind Caba that essential workers also includes city workers from all departments – not just the police and fire departments. DPW worked. Caba was home working when the schools were shut down because of Covid. Caba doesn’t think anything through.” Petrick also asked for a list of who worked during Covid.

B.A. Greene also said, “The essential workers pay will also have to be in a form of a resolution. I ask that R-522 be tabled.”

Torres spoke up again, “I had a member of the audience tell me to go back home.” Torres stated that his parents have been here for many years. He then said, “I was elected 3 times to be a Democratic Committeeman.”

For R-524-10/22 – Approving the Affordability Assistance Policy & Procedures for the City of Perth Amboy and R-525-10/22 – Authorizing approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Perth Amboy Housing Authority was talked about with Leslie London (Law Firm of McManimon, Scotland & Baumann) via Zoom.

London said, “It was part of the resolution that you just formalized. It is an Obligation of Affordable Housing and how to spend the trust fund money. There is a Rent Assistance Program and updating of utility and appliances. No taxpayer money will be used. It is for improvements of Affordable Housing Units.”

Council President Bill Petrick commented, “This is a public/private entity, and the Housing Authority is doing this project together such as the one that was done on Chamberlain Avenue and the building on New Brunswick Avenue.”

London continued, “The contractors have to be authorized to do the work.”

Petrick was annoyed, “We have more rentals than property owners. Harbortown is all rentals and they don’t fall under our Rent Leveling Board guidance.”

London answered, “You are mixing apples with oranges. This money helps qualified tenants and affordable housing units, and the funds are limited.”

Mr. Levin who is the Administrative Agent for the money spoke up via Zoom, “There is a Rental Assistance Program which will help qualified tenants and low and moderate income households who are employed and it’s only for two months of rent.”

Director of the Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD) Tashi Vazquez spoke via Zoom, “This gentleman (Levin) was approved by the council. The Housing Authority can work with us on some projects.”

Petrick then responded, “It seems that there are a lot of outside corporations involved.”

Vazquez said, “20% of the money goes towards administrative purpose and salaries.”

Pabon then asked, “How can people apply for two months of rental money?”

Levin spoke up, “It is only for those who met the criteria for these funds.”

Tashi Vazquez finished the conversation, “$300,000 for Tenant Based Rental Assistance is funded through a PRAHD program.”

There were two late-starter resolutions. R-526-10/22 – To buy equipment for the Fire Department and R-527-10/22 – Which referenced the Town Tavern Marker. Both resolutions will be on the agenda on Wednesday (10/26/22).
Public Portion (in-person first):

The first speaker came up to the mike only spoke Spanish. Before any member of the Council could start translating, City Clerk Victoria Kupsch said the council had a resolution saying they could not translate for someone, and only a certified interpreter could do that. Since the meeting was being recorded, an interpreter could do the translation from Spanish to English.

The next person to speak was Resident Maria Rivera. She asked why the Rent Control is not being enforced.

Petrick explained to her that under the Vas Administration, Rent Leveling Board Meetings stopped, and the Board was disbanded, then continued under the Diaz Administration since no one ever complained. Someone then saw a political opportunity to revive it. “We don’t have rent control. We have a Rent Leveling Board where a landlord can ask for permission to go above a 2.5% rate increase.”

Rivera told the council that she lives on New Brunswick Avenue and her landlord is a slumlord.

Petrick suggested that she complain to Code Enforcement and to the State.

Resident Vince Mackiel came up next, “I am a member of the Rent Leveling Board, and our next meeting is November 7th, but we are presently only meeting via Zoom. I am very conscientious. Around October 13th, there was a cleanup on Convery Boulevard near ShopRite and people got sick. Are there any Emergency Response Drills? I take pride in having that hospital facility nearby. Chemical fumes happened in that area that day. I walked along Rte. 35 where they used to have chemical markers. I am part of the C (Community Team).”

Fire Chief Ed Mullen came up to respond, “There is an industrial cleaning going up at the facility in Keasbey and there was a foul odor in the air. We had to ventilate ShopRite and Walgreens and protected the hospital. Six people were hospitalized. We had to call in Edison for assistance with helping out with the ventilation. We have a drill coming up with Kindermorgan and we already did an emergency drill with Buckeye.”

Pabon spoke up. “I remember Vince Mackiel coming up before and asking if there were any drills before in response to emergency situations.”

Mullen replied, “The police can do it ASAP through Nixle.”

Police Chief Larry Cattano came up to speak, “We have an emergency plan that is updated every year.”

Mackiel said, “I was concerned because there were no reports on what happened that day.”
Zoom Participants:

Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke first, “The air quality has been impacting me. People have chemical sensitivity which can be severe. We need an alert system such as text messages. Keasbey has been a culprit. When they have fumigation in Keasbey, they should have alerts out. I want to see a plan of action.”

Petrick responded, “It seems like there are a lot of things coming from neighboring industrial communities which we can’t control. Unless it is very toxic, it won’t be detected.”
Council Comments:

Councilwoman Rose Morales had no comments.

Councilman Joel Pabon said, “We can’t have any disrespectful remarks made toward us. It is not acceptable. We want things done in a positive way and so should anyone who is representing you.”

Councilman B.J. Torres said, “It doesn’t matter how long you have been here – you don’t have ownership of Perth Amboy.” He then quoted author Maya Angelou, “When someone shows you who they are – believe them.” Torres continued, “At the last PARA Board Meeting here, they would not take public comments from anyone on Zoom. One Board Member was 2000 miles away. There was one item on the agenda listing Perth Amboy as being in Union County. We need to get updates as to what is happening on that board.”

Petrick spoke up and directed his question to Law Director Opel, “Did you advise them about not letting Zoom people speak?”

Opel responded, “That is in their (PARA’s) policy. During Covid, their meeting became hybrid. At some meetings, they let Zoom participants speak.”

Petrick spoke up and said, “One of the PARA Members lives on in Washington State.”

Opel said, “When it went to virtual meetings, the public was allowed to speak via Zoom.”

Petrick ended the meeting and said, “Have there been any talks about getting a local Executive Director for PARA? She lives and works on another coast and also works for the City of Perth Amboy. Put out an RFP for an Executive Director for PARA.”

The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. There were no items for discussion in closed session.