Perth Amboy Caucus
9/21/20 Caucus
By: Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Before the start of the Caucus Meeting, Council President Bill Petrick announced that Councilwoman Milady Tejeda would not be able to attend. Because of her work schedule, she requested if the starting time for the Caucus could be changed to begin at either 5:30 p.m. or 6 p.m.
Councilman Joel Pabon started off the meeting with a question on road improvements taking place. “Will we be doing Kushner’s property this year or next year?”
DPW Director Frank Hoffman came forward, “We hope that road improvements (which will include milling) will be this year.” Hoffman warned that if the temperature falls below 40o, the materials used cannot be put in place.
Council President Bill Petrick asked if the city put a lien on Kushner’s tax bills.
Law Director Peter King responded, “We are going after the bonds on the Kushner properties.”
Pabon then talked about pavers missing and the lights are still not working on the large buildings that we knocked down that the contained the models for the Landings condos.
Petrick then said, “The administration is responsible for this matter.”
Pabon continued, “It’s also pitch dark in that area.”
Interim Business Administrator Patricia Perkins stated, “We can see if bond money can be used to get the lights fixed.”
Frank Hoffman came up to answer Councilman Fernando Irizarry’s question regarding work to be done on Hall Avenue. “There will be no paving or milling. We will be working on sidewalk improvements.”
Council President Bill Petrick explained why 2 contractors were awarded bids for lumber and supplies. Continental Hardware Inc. was the main contractor, and the backup supplier was Henning Building Supply (in case Continental Hardware Inc. ran out of needed supplies). An example he gave was when a main supplier ran out of materials after Superstorm Sandy aftermath. “We need a backup supplier just in case we have an emergency such as this.”
Interim Business Administrator Patricia Perkins answered a question pertaining to bids for a stair tower reconstruction at the Perth Amboy Public Library with alternates. “This will include an elevator and a lift.”
Bill Petrick then questioned if the company who won the bid (H&S Construction and Mechanical) can do this job. The backup material that we received on this company looks good.”
A representative for H&S construction came forward to speak who is an architect in Trenton. “H&S has done a lot of construction work with community colleges, municipalities, and mechanical work. They will not have to hire subcontractors and they are qualified by the state to do masonry and steelwork which was a challenge for the old contractors. The first masons who started the job were replaced by a second contractor. That second contractor could not match the materials used by the first contractor. When we looked at what was being done to the building, there was no need to tear it down. There were no existing drawings from the original building.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry then spoke up and stated, “We (the city) have a liability and a fire hazard, and I’m concerned about the quality of work and safety issues. Are we working under the current subcode and in a 6-month timeframe?”
DPW Director Frank Hoffman fielded that question, “There had been some leaking affecting the children’s department which was fixed.”
The representative from HSM also spoke up, “The boilers were fixed in the children’s room.”
The next item discussed was Ordinance No. 1 – Renovations so to the Parking Deck on Jefferson Street.
Irizarry questioned, “What improvements are to be made?”
Petrick responded, “There were spots in the ceiling that were falling and holes in the ramps.”
Interim B.A. Perkins said, “These cracks need to be repaired before the winter comes in.”
CFO Jill Goldy came in to respond to Irizarry’s question regarding long term improvements and repairs for the parking deck. “$115,000 would be used.”
Irizarry continued, “The cleaning of the decks and staircases are needed because they are very dirty, and urine infested. The trash has been accumulating and money is needed for cleaning on a regular basis.”
Goldy then mentioned that there are cameras that are placed in the parking deck.
Councilman Pabon spoke up and stated, “There is an office right there (under the parking deck) and people can see the stairwell from the street. Someone should be checking those stairwells everyday (to make sure they are clean).”
Petrick then added, “We need cameras to monitor all parts of the deck, including parking spaces, the cashier’s office. The ticket agents should check the stairwells.”
There was a question regarding Ordinance No. 3 – A bond for various water/wastewater utility improvements appropriating $3,790,000 and issuing $2,930,000 bonds or notes of the city to finance part of the cost.
CFO Jill Goldy explained, “There are minor operating costs and major costs that are in the ordinance.”
Director of Operations at the USA-PA (Utility Service Associates Perth Amboy) Middlesex Water Company) Luis Perez Jimenez added some comments regarding this bond, “We have to do a Treatability Study to see a different treatment is needed for the Runyon System. The last Treatability Study was done in 1995. We have to make sure that the chlorine is sufficient and that our hydraulic system is working correctly. We need to improve our GIS (Geographic Information System). Water can ferment if left alone too long. There are 2 buildings on Smith Street that will be demolished and replaced by a new building.”
Ordinance No. 4 – Providing for various capital improvements. Appropriating $5,110,355 and authorizing an issuance of $4,200,000 in bonds.
Goldy explained that this was upgrades for the Department of Public Works.
DPW Director Hoffman explained that this was needed for old, beat-up trailers.
Godly continued, “The BID uses the city’s mini-sweepers, and they also provide the money for the salaries of the mini-sweeper operators. Part of this money will also be used for the new firehouse.”
Fire Chief Ed Mullen came up and spoke regarding this matter, “There is a feasibility study being done to determine where the new firehouse should be located, and we worked with Councilman Joel Pabon. We are looking at property located on the corner of Amboy Avenue and Inslee Street. A quarter of a million dollars is needed to buy these properties and we have been pursuing building an additional firehouse for 6 years.”
Council President Bill Petrick then remembered that there was a gas station located at a property where there were 5 to 6 old oil tanks discovered.
Councilman Irizarry lives in that area and said that he has neighbors who are concerned about speeding, especially near schools and houses that are shaking due to truck traffic.
Mullen stated, “There will be yellow flashing lights if the firehouse is built there and we will have utmost caution when dealing with the schools.”
Pabon then stated that his sister and others who live in that neighborhood are happy that the firehouse is coming there. “The building that the firehouse wants to purchase is falling apart and should be taken down. That road should be a priority. We need to get this done and we also need another access road in that area. The members of the fire department gave their input into a new firehouse and its location.”
Mullen then continued, “Since 2014, we have been looking for property for a new firehouse and we have money set aside for an architect. We need money to go out for bid and need to lock in low rates. A building is needed to house an engine, a ladder, and space for extra equipment.”
Irizarry then asked, “What items are needed for the Office of Emergency Management?”
Goldy came up to answer, “It’s to enhance the existing systems. The audio-visual equipment which is located in the basement is 13 years old.”
Irizarry continued, “We need improvements for audio and visual in the council chambers so we can do a better job during the meetings.”
Councilman Helmin Caba stated, “If we had that in place, we could have Zoom Meetings right now.”
Petrick chimed in and emphasized, “We want equipment that can be used in the future. It’s over-do.”
Irizarry also stated, “It’s embarrassing.”
Pabon asked, “How many meetings have we had at the Y so far?”
Petrick suggested that the IT guy come to the meetings (so he can answer some of these questions).
Pabon then said, “It would be nice if the administration was here.”
Interim B.A. Perkins said, “The IT guy (John) said we need to do the best job and not just rush it and it’s a great undertaking. Covid tariffs need to be considered. Right now, Zoom can only have 100 participants.”
Pabon suggested, “If we can’t do this (with city personnel), maybe we need to hire outside contractors.
Perkins then stated, “When the IT Department put in for additional funding, it was looked at as being assessed as too much.”
Petrick spoke up, “We have been talking about updating technology in the council chambers for a long time.”
Goldy made one additional comment about Ordinance No. 4 regarding money for Code Enforcement. “There was $800,000 in capital improvement money for the land purchased for the firehouse.” She also stated that the $5 million debt – $4.2 million will be issued thru bonds.”
Petrick had a question in regard to some of the vehicles that Code Enforcement were looking to purchase, “Are they looking at fuel-efficiency vehicles?”
Code Enforcement Director Irving Lozada came up to answer, “We are looking at 4×4 vehicles that will be used at construction sites so they don’t get stuck (sometimes in muddy conditions).”
There was then a question regarding R-349 thru R-352 – all regarding settlements resolving complaints filed by Landings and Harborside LLC for various properties. Tax Assessor William FitzPatrick came forward, “These cases are from June. The property owners agreed on a settlement and one person withdrew. These cases go back to 2014. The judge involved in these cases required appraisals. If we went to court, we would probably have had to pay out more money.”
Councilman Pabon asked, “Is there anyone paying taxes?”
FitzPatrick explained, “Kushner is paying the taxes on the properties.”
There was a rather lengthy discussion regarding R-359. Council President Bill Petrick asked, “What is the deadline for Best Practices (one of the questions on Best Practices dealt with personal policy manuals for the city)?”
CFO Jill Goldy stated that the last time the personnel manual was revised was September 2017.
Law Director Peter King then added, “It’s based on a 3-year cycle.”
Councilman Pabon spoke up, “We received the personnel manual at the last minute.”
Interim B.A. Perkins said, “We’ll miss the Best Practices Deadline if we don’t complete the form in October or November.”
Petrick then responded, “We are already out of compliance if we already missed the deadline. Do you want to table R-359? (adopting the personnel policy manual for the City of Perth Amboy revised as of September 18, 2020). We can table it until Wednesday’s meeting.”
The council decided to table the resolution until Wednesday (9/23/20).
Some of the council members then decided to make remarks on Communication No. 1 – The Perth Amboy Municipal Alliance thanking Rosemary Oarsley for her long-term commitment for over 20 years to the prevention of drug & alcohol abuse in the city of Perth Amboy.
Pabon thanked Oarsley for her commitment for 20 years. Petrick suggested a resolution be drawn up and a certificate made up to present to her. Councilman Caba said Oarsley has been dedicated to the city for 20 years. “I’ve worked with her and this is a well-deserved recognition.”
Public Portion:
Resident David Caba spoke first. “It’s been a while – maybe a year since I’ve been here, and I’ve been in real estate for over 20 years. Some of Rector Street is not paved and whoever is doing that project is insulting our residents. We have several candidates running for office who mention nothing about our beautiful waterfront. Other communities have improved their waterfronts and the real estate, but not here. Can we at least bring someone to make a difference in our waterfront? I only criticize to make things better, but we need to hold people accountable. We have a poor community and need to have a better quality of life. A billionaire has abandoned his property for 14 years, but residents get a letter if they neglected their property.”
Resident Alan Silber spoke next. He mentioned the Landings settlement on the agenda. “This guy (Kushner) leaves a property from 14 years ago. Condos selling originally for $450,000 now sell for half the price. Commerce Street is not safe to walk at night. My neighbor gets cited if they have a half-inch of grass that is overgrown, but nothing is done about Kushner’s neglected properties. This is pathetic. We need prices on the agendas for property settlements. The mayor has been in office for 12 years and the new ballpark looks very nice.”
Department of Recreation and Human Affairs Director Kenny Ortiz came up to speak, “The county will maintain the park. The Vocational School will have first use of the facility, and then the city.”
Silber then said he needed an explanation of the personnel policy manual.
Petrick explained the council needs to wait for the Governor to send out the Best Practices checklist which involves the city’s personnel manual.
Silber concluded his remarks, “It makes no sense to vote on something (until you have a chance to review it).
