2. The Amboy Guardian *August 17, 2022By: Carolyn MaxwellPERTH AMBOY – There wasa lengthy conversation on OrdinanceNo. 1 – (No public discussion)– Adoption of an Ordinancecreating a InclusionaryZoning of the Municipal Coderequiring all applicable developmentsto include a MandatoryOn-Site Affordable Housing SetAside. A public hearing washeld on June 8, 2022.Council President Petrickquestioned if the administrationwent to court to say they wantedto do this deal.Law Director William Opelresponded, “The city initiatedthis, and they need the guidance,so they didn’t lose controlof this deal.”Petrick continued, “Whywould we have a need for affordablehousing. Former MayorVas had taken a lot of moneyfrom other cities and gave it toPerth Amboy which would havesatisfied our obligation for affordablehousing for the next 20years.”Opel said, “We have a numberof benefits that will come withthis ordinance.”Petrick wasn’t satisfied, “Itlooks like developers are steeringthe ship when it comes to affordablehousing.”Opel then stated, “This willsatisfy our affordable housingobligation.”Petrick then said, “I heardother towns are fighting againstthis.”Opel then explained, “I wasnot involved with other citiesfiling lawsuits (involving buildingmore affordable housing).”Petrick then asked, “Are wepaying for professional adviceregarding affordable housing?”Business Administrator MichaelGreene responded, “Thisordinance will set aside moneyfor rehabilitation of certainproperties.”Opel then further commented,“It will not be used for ETC upcomingprojects.”Petrick then asked, “Whatabout the new properties thatKushner wants to put up?”Opel responded, “They will beincluded.”Petrick continued, “I knowthere is a need for apartmentswhich developers are pushingfor. There was a developer whoconstructed 16 single familyhomes which sold very quickly.Multi-family buildings will affectour water resources negatively.”Greene spoke up again, “Themoney collected from this ordinancecan be used for rehabilitatingof some of the HUDbuildings.”Leslie London from the LawFirm of McManimon, Scotland& Baumann spoke up viaZoom. “Part of this ordinancewill include a spending plan anda rehabilitation plan. You controlhow the money is spent thatyou collect.”A woman who works in thesame law firm also spoke viaZoom gave more input, “Thisordinance also includes administrationfees and rehabilitationfor low and moderate incomehouseholds. Some people willbe eligible for rental assistance,Unresolved Issues Addressed8/8/22 Caucusespecially with hardship cases.Some of the units will have improvedenergy efficient units(HVAC).”Petrick then asked, “Will thedeveloper recoup any money formaking those improvements?”The woman was unsure aboutthat.London spoke up and stated,“The money will go to the ownersof those units and not to thedevelopers.”Petrick asked, “Will GCP&Hbe the agent to help the citywith this?”Councilman Joel Pabon (whoparticipated via Zoom) said,“Opel was hard to hear, butthe other people who spoke onZoom were crystal clear.”Council President Petrickthen asked about OrdinanceNo. 2- (No public discussion)– Amending Section 430, Zoningand Land Development tocreate affordable housing. PublicHearing was held on June 8,2022. “Is it a sister ordinance tothe one we just spoke about?”Opel replied, “Yes.”Petrick had a problem with OrdinanceNo. 2 (Public Hearing)– Regarding NEWSRACKS(Regulating the placement inpublic streets, sidewalks, andoutdoor spaces).“Is this a violation of FirstAmendment Rights? One ofthese newspaper owners said itwould be a financial hardshipfor them. The mayor told thatowner that would be taken careof. If this ordinance is not goingto be taken seriously, whyput it on the agenda?” Petrickthen talked about the bid for theJefferson Street Parking Garage2022 repairs. “I hope someonewatches over this to make surethe work is done correctly.” Hethen asked Business AdministratorGreene about a problemat Harborside Marina, “Theslips are too small for some ofthe boats.”Greene explained, “Due to anew Marine Director, we’ve hada company look at the currentmooring, and many were unsafe.We had to refund money tosome of those boat owners whoused to be put in those mooringsin the past. They decided to takea marina slip instead.”Petrick continued, “Some ofthe boats are hanging over partof the walkway.”Greene said he would lookinto that.Councilman B.J. Torresasked for a breakdown of the$3,860,000 in Ordinance No. 2(first reading) – from the AmericanRescue Plan Act Funds.This money will be used for theacquisition of various equipmentin and by the city of PerthAmboy.Greene gave a brief breakdown,“$828,000 of it will beused for a cost of license platereaders.”Torres then asked, “Will thecity have their own lot whencars are towed instead of peoplehaving to go out of town to gettheir cars back?”Greene responded, “We arelooking at land for our ownlots.”B.J. Torres responded, “Weshould remove that amount untilwe find land. A lot shouldcome before license plate readers.”Police Chief Larry Cattanocame up to speak, “One hasnothing to do with the other.The license plate reader will beused in case of stolen vehicles,car crashes. Right now, we canget 45 additional readers withpart of this money which willcover our 4-square miles ofland.”Greene spoke up again, “Thecity would like to purchase ourown lots.”Petrick suggested, “We own alot of land at the end of FayetteStreet. Just get the equipmentand level it out. We can use avacant lot where the AcademyBus Company used to be. Thatlot can also be used to park policecars.”Greene responded, “Thatwould be a short-term solutionfor a long-term plan.”Petrick then questioned OrdinanceNo. 3 (first reading) -$650,000 of American RescuePlan Funds for the replacementof all existing single-head metersthroughout the city withcompatible pay stations for theParking Utility by and in thecity of Perth Amboy.Petrick stated, “I am againstthis. Woodbridge is putting infree parking. We are getting allthis revenue – but at what cost?”Greene said, “People pay forparking in Woodbridge.”Petrick corrected Greene andsaid, “People pay for parkingfor the train station lot. Are welosing the ability to track morepeople to shop here if payingfor parking is an issue?”Greene explained, “These meterswill be put in place wheremeters already exist.”There was a discussion on OrdinanceNo. 6 (first reading) –Entitled, “Smoking and LightedObjects.”Greene explained, “These willbe for cigarettes and cigars.”Petrick spoke up, “I rememberwhen Philip-Morris and othertobacco companies would testifyin front of congress whilethey smoked to say there are noharmful effects from cigarettes.We should not be promotingsmoking areas – especially withchildren playing in the parks.We have high asthma rates. Weshouldn’t promote unhealthyhabits as responsible adults.”Councilman Pabon spoke viaZoom, “Why was this ordinanceeven brought up?”Greene responded, “Thereare some parks where there isno smoking at all. Now, we aregiving smokers access to smokein some of the specific areas ofparks and other areas.”Pabon continued, “I neverheard of this ever happeninghere before, or in any other cities.This is very surprising tome.”B.J. Torres spoke up, “I pilotedthis ordinance. I saw peopleconstantly smoking all kindsof paraphernalia. Not everyonecan smoke in their homes or intheir rental communities. Thiswill give everyone a chance tosmoke, but only in designated*Continued on Page 7
August 17, 2022 * The Amboy Guardian .3