Perth Amboy council adopts several ordinances, approves land sale and routine grants; split recorded on an equipment purchase

Perth Amboy City Council adopted a package of ordinances and routine resolutions on March 10, 2025, including updates to local fees and regulations for criminal-history background checks, deletions to handicapped-parking designations, salary adjustments for the Fire Officers Association, and authorization of a land sale and several grant applications.

The council approved an ordinance authorizing sale of property commonly described as 599 FET Street to Claremont Property Acquisitions LLC for a purchase price read into the record. Council members also adopted an amendment to a contract of sale for surplus property at 400 Lori Street to the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Team for $40,000 and moved forward a refunding-bond ordinance authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $18 million to refund certain prior general-improvement refunding bonds.

The meeting’s consent agenda cleared multiple routine resolutions, including awarding the purchase of a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe SSV for the Fire Department (Kinley Chevrolet, $54,763) and submitting grant applications for youth services and library digitalization and renovation projects. Council also approved R126325 to award a contract not to exceed $82,500 to Dennis Cowell Architects for schematic design and consultation tied to a New Jersey historic-fund grant application for library renovations.

A separate procurement item for the purchase of a 2025 Ford F550 Super Duty (co-op purchase through Bergen County) drew recorded dissent: during roll call on that item at least two members — Councilwoman Cruz and Councilwoman Morales — registered “no.” Council members asked staff questions about the vehicle’s capital-plan history and replacement timing; staff said the vehicle was included in the capital plan and intended to replace a 2006 traffic-maintenance truck. The record does not change the fact the item was considered as part of the meeting’s consent agenda.

In public comment, Rent Board member Vince Mciel urged tenants to use the Rent Board’s complaint processes and noted outreach and assistance options under local board rules. A separate resident raised concerns about broader economic volatility and urged the council to monitor budgetary pressures.

The council moved to closed session for potential litigation and to discuss board vacancies, later reconvened and adjourned after brief council remarks.

The council meeting record shows roll-call votes on the ordinances and consent items; where the transcript recorded individual yes/no votes those are reflected above. The council did not receive public opposition during the ordinance public-hearing segments and proceeded to adopt the listed ordinances and resolutions.