4/23/18 Caucus & 4/25/18 Council Meeting

PERTH AMBOY – Council President Bill Petrick made a remark concerning Communication No. 9 – A petition containing 25 signatures opposing the redevelopment of 41-47 Wisteria St. 

Petrick said, “I along with Councilman Fernando Gonzalez and Obi Gonzalez went to a Meeting that St. Demetrios had in their Church basement regarding their plans for the Church property.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez spoke up next and asked City Attorney Peter King, “Can we give the names of the people who signed the petition (opposing St. Demetrios’s plans) to the church, so they can invite those people to attend the next meeting?”

King responded, “The names are public record and we can inform the public about any more  meetings to discuss this property plans.”

Gonzalez continued, “The units will be prefab.”

Petrick then added, “In the plan presented, the first floor will consist of common areas, a chapel, and an office for the priest. The units above will be prefabrication.”

Gonzalez then said, “They’re looking to put in 27 units.”

There was another discussion regarding R-174-4/18 – Extending the completion time of the contract with Helios Construction for professional construction management services for the Waterfront Improvement Project for 150 days to August 31, 2018.

Business Administrator Adam Cruz said, “The extension was due to weather related issues and change orders. These changes involved the bathroom (trailer) and the tennis courts. The location of the bathrooms  was changed to be closer to the Brighton Ave./Sadowski Pkwy. location because it is closer to the water and sewer lines.”

At the 4/25/18 Council Meeting, Fernando Gonzalez asked, “What work is still outstanding regarding R-174?”

B.A. Cruz mentioned the Tennis Courts and the bathroom installation took longer. “I can get you the specifications for the proposed bathrooms.”

Director the Department of Recreation Kenny Ortiz came up to give more details, “The bathroom is temporary and not year-round. The trailer is 32ft. x 11ft. There are three stalls for the females and two stalls for the males and one urinal. This is all funded by grant money. The trailer is movable.” He mentioned some of the events that this can be used for such as for Family Day. “Last year (2017), we had over 3000 people who attended. For a Halloween event (Trunk or Treat), we registered over 2000 children and that does not include the adults that came with them.”