Perth Amboy council advances multiple ordinances, approves consent agenda and adds redevelopment appointment

The Perth Amboy City Council moved forward with a slate of first-reading ordinances and approved a consent agenda at its Jan. 14 meeting, taking procedural votes on ordinances that range from handicapped parking changes to a bond amendment and an appropriation for library renovations.

The council read each ordinance for first reading — including the ordinance designating restricted parking spaces for persons with disabilities (ordinance no. 380-85), amendments to streets and sidewalks rules (ordinance no. 121-76 as previously amended), and a bond amendment related to an existing 2024 bond ordinance — and the council members moved and seconded the items with no public discussion. Jill A. Goldie, the city’s CFO/controller, presented routine finance reports in the meeting’s opening minutes.

Why it matters: The ordinances advance policy and capital spending that will return for subsequent readings or implementation steps; the appropriation discussed includes funding to supplement prior library renovation appropriations. The votes on first reading preserve council discretion for later action and allow staff to continue permitting and procurement work tied to the measures.

On routine business, the council approved a set of resolutions and contracts on the consent agenda, authorizing temporary budget appropriations for the municipal budget, contract change orders for facility renovations and roadwork, service contracts (including maintenance and a Rapid Pump and Meter service agreement), and several routine refunds and license agreements. The agenda also included authorizations to accept property transfers and to enter one-year lease agreements with nonprofit partners for office space at the Alexander F. Janowski Community Center.

The council agreed to add R31 to the consent agenda to consent to the appointment of Rose Morales to the redevelopment board, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026. Council members moved and seconded the consent agenda items and recorded affirmative votes on the items as read during the meeting.

What’s next: Items read for first hearing will return in subsequent meetings as required by local rules for second reading or final adoption. Appointed members to boards who are serving under retroactive terms will be recorded in the city clerk’s files and the redevelopment board’s roster.

Source: Council meeting transcript, Jan. 14, 2026. Speakers quoted or paraphrased include the Council President and Jill A. Goldie, CFO/controller.