Perth Amboy council approves consent agenda of grants, contracts and home‑improvement awards

At its May 27 meeting, Perth Amboy’s City Council approved a consent agenda that included an emergency temporary appropriation to extend the 2026 temporary budget, multiple small grants and professional‑services contracts for engineering and playground projects.

Council recorded R207‑526, an emergency temporary appropriation to extend the CY 2026 temporary budget in the amount of $6,251,875; members voted in favor during the consent‑agenda roll call. Other items approved included a change order not to exceed $28,740 for Suburban Consulting Engineers related to roadway safety work, acceptance of a $3,000 Growing Tennis Together grant, and a microgrant of $7,000 to support youth fitness programming.

Council also approved awarding a contract under the home‑improvement program (R285‑526). City staff explained that the program — administered by CGP&H through the affordable‑housing trust — offers up to $25,000 per eligible rehabilitated home. Eligibility is determined via a pre‑application and full‑application process, inspections and bidding; the city places a 10–15 year lien on completed units. Staff said developer fees fund the trust (noting 2.5% for industrial and 1.5% for residential assessed‑value increases) and estimated about $7 million had been collected to date, allocated roughly 50% to rehab, 30% to affordability assistance and 20% to administration.

Council members asked process questions and were told that applications are available on the city website and the clerk’s office can help applicants navigate the process.