11/9/22 Caucus & Council Meeting

By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – During the Caucus portion of the meeting, CFO/Comptroller Jill Goldy informed the council that the city scored well on the Best Practice Questionnaire. “Out of 36 questions, we had 28 positive results and there were 11 new questions that were added this year.”

The council had no questions regarding Best Practices.

The next person who came up to speak was BID Executive Director Noelia Colon who spoke on R-532-11/22 – Approving an introduction of the 2023 Perth Amboy Business Improvement District (BID) Budget.

Colon provided a booklet on the Annual Report. She stated, “Our operating budget was $247,500 which is almost the same as last year. We also had the budget audited. We handed out Outreach brochures in English and Spanish which talked about grants and loans available to the businesses. Some of the events that the BID participated in included Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day Fireworks, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the upcoming Small Business Week and the upcoming Hometown Heroes Banners. We have new parking signage which we are working on with the Police Department. We have a Holiday Shopping E-Cards coming up where you can buy a $25 gift card and get $25 on top of that. This year, we’ve added ten additional businesses. We also put out a dining guide and small business resources are on the city website. It shows how to start a business and what you need. We’ve contributed $18,000 for a partial investment for ride/share racks for bikes and to stroll which we hope to launch in spring. The new downtown flowers were part of our beautification problem which also included murals. $30,000 went towards the new flowerpot improvements and signage. We’ve had grand openings of new businesses.”

The council then made remarks. Councilman B.J. Torres was first. He had concerns about the bike sharing program, “I have two sons who live parttime in Jersey City where it is very bike friendly. There are no bike lanes here, and it is an unfriendly community to ride bikes. This might lead to a liability.”

Colon replied, “We are trying to do this in the waterfront area.”
Councilman Joel Pabon spoke up, “The new planters downtown are a homerun.” He then questioned, “Did you let the public know about the disruption of the businesses with the roadwork being done.”

Colon responded, “I know it was difficult.”

Pabon continued, “When I see a project as big as this. Businesses affected should have been notified.”

Colon assured the council that the BID followed up with those businesses.

Business Administrator Michael Greene commented, “This is an upgrading of service lines and flyers about this work were handed out beforehand to the businesses. We called Elizabethtown Gas about the uneven paving that took place, and they will be repairing those streets.”

Pabon then stated, “Market Street looks like the uneven paving was done on purpose.”

City Engineer Ernest Feist spoke on Zoom, “We called Elizabethtown Gas to do trench repairs and all roads are to be completed by April. They are not regulated by us.”

Council President Petrick remarked, “New Brunswick Avenue is another bad road.”

Pabon continued, “I would like to see the work that they have done in other towns (to compare it).”

Feist continued, “We are at the mercy of Elizabethtown Gas and their contractors. “

Petrick then asked, “Were there any discussion about doing this work at night?”

Feist responded, “They are using high pressure gasoline and safety is important. They also need to access the inside of businesses to reconnect the gas lines.”

Petrick continued, “The laying of the mains and the disconnect of the laterals can be done at night. During the day, everything is being shut down. If this was Westfield, it would have been done at night. Be stronger, and don’t accept them working during the day when it hurts businesses.”

There was a discussion on Ordinance No. 5 (First Reading) – Appropriating $465,000 from ARPA Funds for the restoration and paving of Sunshine Alley.
Councilman B.J. Torres made a move to table it. “This money should not be used for this, and I am surprised that there is no ordinance in place to pay the city employees who worked during Covid.”

Pabon then commented, “We were told at a previous meeting that we would have something in place to pay our essential workers.”

Greene reminded the Council, “It is in the budget for a resolution to do so (pay city employees who worked during Covid).”

Council President Petrick spoke up, “I will write up a resolution myself to put it on the agenda (to pay the employees who worked during Covid).”

When it came time to vote whether or not to table this resolution, it was moved by Torres, seconded by Petrick. Joel Pabon abstained because part of Sunshine Alley is in the back of his house. Morales and Tejeda voted “No” to table. Motion does not pass. The item was kept on the agenda to be voted upon.

B.A. Michael Greene spoke about R-537-11/22 – Authorizing a contract with Copy Center Inc., d/b/a Shore Business Solutions for office technology equipment in the amount not to exceed $27,000.

“This is a projector with a screen that could be hooked up to the Department of Recreation, the Police Department, and Tax Department.”

There was a discussion involving R-538-11/22 – An Application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Open Space 2023 Grant in the amount of $1 million.

Petrick said, “First, they were supposed to build a dog park. Now it is supposed to be a Fishing Pier. There is nothing happening. Has that original project been scrapped?”

Department of Recreation Director Kenny Ortiz spoke via Zoom, “We have an Access Agreement to go on that property. We are waiting for the Department of Transportation to submit our application to Green Acres. We imagined that to be a picnic area.”

Petrick said, “That phrase sounds familiar.”

Ortiz added, “We already have rentals lined up for the Summer Season. The DOT needed to know the identification of the person who owns that property.”

Petrick spoke up and said, “I remember that there were discussions when the owner of that piece of property said they would sell it to the city for a dollar. We have electric signs at the foot of the bridge.”

Ortiz responded, “The owner of that property told us they would offer us a price to purchase it.”

Councilman B.J. Torres then spoke up. He had a question about the Veteran’s Memorial Field, “How much is the school’s responsibility to pay for this project since they will more than likely use that field?”

Petrick then commented, “The new High School has no outside recreational fields and that is why they will be using the Veteran’s Field. The school should be pitching in money to help maintain those fields.”

Ortiz responded, “There is an agreement between the city and the Board of Education, and we have to use the school’s indoor facilities. Waters Stadium belongs to the city.”

Petrick then said, “The city council has asked the school to restore the Water’s Stadium Gate. The outside facilities need more maintenance than the indoor gyms.”

Torres spoke again, “We should have a hearing on how the money is spent and we should table any resolutions where the money use is not spelled out entirely.”

Ortiz then stated, “We pay less than a third for this project and this field has not been improved for many years. We are following through on the plan, especially regarding the turf.”

Petrick then said that Tashi Vazquez should work with the city to make sure that the Board of Education pays for maintenance of the fields and is there a conflict because she is Vice President of the Board of Education and is Director of the Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD).”

Law Director William Opel said, “This Resolution has to go out for bids for contractors.”

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda said, “When there is a conflict of interest, a Board Member will automatically recuse themselves.”

Tashi Vazquez spoke up via Zoom, “I do recuse myself if there is a conflict and the Board of Education will not receive any funds from this project. We can’t make any capital improvements to property we don’t own, and I will no longer be on the Board of Education.”

Petrick continued and questioned, “Has there been any movement by the Board of Education about getting the Water Stadium Gate Improvements for restoration?”

Vazquez answered, “I will have someone from the Board of Education reach out to you.”

Torres then said, “We need to see how the money is allocated and we don’t have a say on this.”

Petrick agreed, “It is the job of the council to control the money.”

B.A. Greene spoke about R-539-11/22 – Submission of an application to the State of New Jersey DOT for the Local Freight Impact Fund in the amount of $1,020,475.73.

“This is a for a footbridge over Convery Boulevard near the high school and it is ADA compliant.”

Pabon spoke up, “This is the best thing I’ve heard about for awhile, but what would be the cost of the bridge? The Board of Education should invest in this. Many people have been hit or killed near there.”

Petrick then asked if they could have a design of the bridge. “Can rumble strips be installed?”

B.J. Torres had a question on R-543-10/22 – The purchase of 2 three Post Cantilevered Dugouts to RCP Shelters, Inc. in accordance with the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey in an amount not to exceed the sum of $37,430.00.

“Are there any plans to fix the Arts Gallery?”

Greene responded, “We have one bidder. I will get back to you with a timeframe for a start time.”
Public Portion (In-Person First):

Resident Ken Balut spoke first, “Before you go into closed session, you should have more details on what you will be talking about.” He then talked about the Best Practices Form, “It changes every year. How many of the mayor’s relatives are working, but they are not on a timeclock. There are two PILOTS that have no money for the schools, and you gave away a quarter of a million dollars. We are getting less money for our schools. Have the Board of Education come here for discussions. In 2012, there was an arbitration lawsuit filed against the Y and they owe us at least $2-$3 million. Did we get the last Y audit?”

Green responded, “The Y has not turned over the property they owe us.”

Balut then asked if there is a list how any of the American Rescue Funds will be used for.

Greene responded that he would give Balut a list.

The next person who came up to speak was Mel Ramos. “We can’t say we are a history of people, but we can’t do anything if that history is erased.”

No one spoke on Zoom.

The council went into closed session at 6:46 p.m. and returned at 7:04 p.m. to adjourn the Caucus Meeting, then started the Regular Council Meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Public Comments on Agenda Items Only (In-Person First):

Resident Ken Balut spoke first. He questioned why there was no bid on R-542 -11/22 – A contract with Sports Field Solutions for work associated with the reconstruction of the Stanley P. Rudyk Park Infield in the amount not to exceed the sum of $39,445.

He then asked the council if they have gotten reports from the CFO on money for the essential employees who worked in person during Covid. “How come there is no report from the Best Practices for the public to look at? Transparency is not being done. The GIF (General Insurance Fund) raised their legal bills. They are incompetent. One of your lawyers filed paperwork that I think is illegal. One of the councilmembers should be on the GIF (General Insurance Fund) Board. Do you know that there is another overpass in this town? And do you know where it is? The traffic light should have been up before the school was built. One of our insurance brokers stole millions of dollars.”

Resident Mel Ramos spoke next, “I am a member of the 1683 society. In one of the past meetings, it was said that we were very close to fixing Sunshine Alley. Please preserve the history of Sunshine Alley We are a small organization, but we don’t do grants.”

Councilman Torres responded, “You can apply for grant money each year.”

Greene spoke up, “There are no grants available for this kind of project.”

Torres continued, “This is a large dollar amount ($465,000 for the restoration and paving of Sunshine Alley). The money will be gone, and it will have to be in the budget every year.”

Ramos then said, “The residents are the ones who approached the mayor about restoring Sunshine Alley, and there is another Victorian roadway being preserved.”

Torres responded, “We should put our essential workers needs first and I am not against restoring Sunshine Alley, but it is benefiting the mayor’s allies.”

Pabon spoke up next, “We need to get an update on the other alley repairs.”

Council President Bill Petrick then asked if Hunter Avenue will be repaved, “There are cracks all over the place. If it is dangerous, city engineers should look at it.”
The meeting was opened up to Zoom Participants:

Resident Sharon Hubberman spoke first. She was concerned about the water/wastewater appropriations and the salary and wages and other operating expenses. “There are no details on how the $12 million was used. We need a desk audit and I hope there is a follow-through. You also need funds to restore Sunshine Alley and you need to know about the history of this alley. When preserving history, it is more than just restoring it. It is very historical. Would you have to rezone that area if it is preserved and is it already classified as a historic site?”

Petrick responded, “The HPC did some historic work that the administration hasn’t acted upon.”

Ordinances No. 1,2,3,4 (First Reading) was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda.

Ordinance No. 5 (First Reading) – Using ARPA Funds to restore and repave Sunshine Alley was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda. Pabon abstained. Torres was the only one to vote “No.” He made a statement that this is being used as a political tool and we are here to represent the residents and employees.

Petrick wanted to piggyback in regards to city employees being paid during Covid, “I would like to do a resolution to pay them.”

Law Director Opel responded, “I haven’t seen a resolution as to who is getting this money.”
Petrick responded, “Money should be given to people who came in person to work during Covid before the vaccine came out. It shouldn’t matter if they are retired, now working elsewhere, or the money should be given to their survivors. I will put together the resolution or ordinance in detail. We are the only ones who can do the payments.”

B.A. Greene spoke up, “During that time, hand scanners were not being utilized.”

Petrick spoke up and said, “Just look at who received a paycheck during that period. All we need is the number of employees who worked during that time, and we should have that information by Friday.”

Torres had one more comment regarding those funds for Sunshine Alley. “Less than 1% of our residents are being put in front of the rest of the residents.”

When it came to vote on the consent agenda, R-538 (An open space 2023 grant in the amount of $1 million) was pulled out to vote on separately by Councilman Torres.

For the consent agenda, R-530 thru R-537; R-539 thru R-543 was moved by Pabon, seconded by Tejeda.

Torres commented on R-538, “It will be a bad practice for us to vote on this before it is shown how this money will be spent.”
When it came to vote, the only person to vote “No” was Torres.
Public Portion (In-Person first):

Resident Ken Balut came up to speak. Law Director William Opel told Balut that the reason there was no bid on R-542 was because it was below the low bid threshold of $44,000.
Balut then talked about the Best Practices Forms again, “Did you answer any questions about security reports? Do we have any lead paint in the building, and have you applied for grants which you don’t do? Can Code Enforcement say that they inspected our buildings and illegal housing? I am still waiting to see the qualifications of our Code Enforcement Director. We still have a lot of illegal driveways and illegal parking going on. If you try to speak up, Code Enforcement will come after you. I reported illegal housing a few years ago, and nothing happened.”

Opel responded, “Single 1-3 family rental units can be inspected for lead.”

Council President Bill Petrick spoke up to agree, “This was done to one of my rental units. You need a special tool to detect lead.”

Balut spoke up again, “They dropped ordinances on you without you knowing anything about them. You will have a lawsuit if a fire breaks out (in an illegal housing unit).”

Resident Mel Ramos came up who is a part of the Borinqueneer Committee. He said Boriqueneer Ervin Machado is our Sadowski and he is a Hometown Hero.”

Councilman Bill Petrick disagreed with that statement. While acknowledging Ervin Machado’s service to the country, it should be noted that Sadowski lost his life in battle during World War II and is a Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.

Ramos said, “We need to put Machado’s name on the banners all over, recognizing him as a Hometown Hero.”

Resident Jeremy Baratta spoke up next and spoke about the BID Annual Report, “There is nothing in here about a balance sheet or the money which would include liability, finances, or any pending lawsuits. All I see are misspellings and grammatical errors. I see no assets listed. Is this their final report? You need at least a balance sheet.”

Council President Petrick agreed, “A balance sheet should have been listed.”
Law Director Opel told the council that they have the information in their packet.

Baratta concluded, “A balance sheet is needed.”
The meeting was opened up to Zoom Participants:

Resident Caroline Pozycki-Torres spoke first about Atlantic City having money for scholarships for their students and a new stadium. “We need to have more discussions. I have never been to Sunshine Alley or heard of it. I am disappointed that the council voted to use those funds for the restoration and paving of the alley.”
Council Comments:

Councilwoman Rose Morales thanked all who spoke in person and on Zoom. She thanked all of our veterans for their service and sacrifices. She also wanted to congratulate Police Officer Bobby Minaya who completed the New York Marathon in just over 4 hours. She reminded everyone that the League of Municipalities is coming up this month.

Councilman Joel Pabon asked if he could get any information when the Paterson Alley Street will be fixed. He also stated that Hector Cruz from Perth Amboy spoke at a Veteran’s event that was held in Newark.

Councilwoman Milady Tejeda thanked all who participated tonight and because of her work schedule, she will not be able to attend the Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Friday, November 11th. She thanked all the veterans who are serving here and abroad.

Councilman B.J. Torres said that a previous meeting someone shouted out from the audience telling him to go back to where he belongs, but the local newspaper did not report who that person was. “It was John Dyke, who is a member of the 1683 Society who told me to go back to Jersey City. Every single resident in this town is probably first generation. I addressed John Dyke’s statement, and everyone here have probably heard this said to you or your relatives (go back to where you belong).”

Council President Petrick said, “It is a shame (the low turnout we get at meetings). It is very important, and we are lucky we get thirty people to come here. There are only twenty concerned people. I want to thank those who participated in the election. Please be safe.”

The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. All councilmembers were present at both meetings.