>> AYES HAVE IT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR REGULAR MEETING AS WE HAVE SOME GUESTS ENTERING.
[00:00:07]
[BACKGROUND] ARE WE ALL SETTLED IN?[PROCLAMATIONS ]
SO WE HAVE SEVERAL PROCLAMATIONS TO GIVE OUT AT THIS PORTION OF OUR MEETING.SO WE WILL START WITH HEALTHIER SOMERSET, EXCUSE ME, HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH, COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH, FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, AND KNOCKOUT OPIOID ABUSE DAY.
>> HEALTHIER SOMERSET. [LAUGHTER]
>> GOOD. THANK YOU. SO PROCLAMATION, RECOGNIZING HEALTHIER SOMERSET MONTH.
WHEREAS THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TODAY SHAPES THEIR HEALTH IN THE FUTURE AND WHEREAS HEALTHIER SOMERSET IS A COALITION CREATED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF EVERYONE WHO LIVES AND WORKS IN SOMERSET COUNTY, AND WHEREAS THE MISSION OF THE COALITION IS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY BY SHARING INFORMATION AND CREATING ALLIANCE AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE WORKING TOWARD MUTUAL GOALS TO INCREASE EFFORTS TO CREATE A HEALTHIER SOMERSET.
WHEREAS HEALTHIER SOMERSET STRIVES TO ENGAGE ALL RESIDENTS OF AND THOSE WHO WORK IN SOMERSET COUNTY SO THEY MAY ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN GOOD HEALTH HABITS, INCREASE ACCESS TO CHOICES THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGES THAT IMPROVE HEALTH AND WHEREAS HEALTHIER SOMERSET WILL EDUCATE DIVERSE AUDIENCES THROUGH VARIOUS MARKETING CAMPAIGNS ABOUT SOMERSET COUNTY'S FOCUS ON HEALTH AND DELIVER INFORMATION AND ACTIVITY, SUGGESTIONS FOR HEALTHY BEHAVIORS AND WHEREAS HEALTHIER SOMERSET IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS THOUSANDS OF SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS, INCLUDING BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND WHEREAS COUNTY OFFICIALS AND HEALTHIER SOMERSET ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HEALTH IS A PRIORITY AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE HEALTH OF SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS HAS A DIRECT BEARING UPON PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZES OCTOBER 2023 AS HEALTHIER SOMERSET MONTH AND ENCOURAGES COUNTY RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT HEALTHIER SOMERSET OFFERS TO THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
>> WHY DON'T YOU TELL US ABOUT THE HEALTHIER SOMERSET COALITION?
>> WELL, MANY OF YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY I'VE JUST FIGURED AND PUT A NEW SPIN ON IT.
SO HEALTHIER SOMERSET WAS FOUNDED BACK IN 2010 BY ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON SOMERSET AS A WAY TO COLLABORATE WITH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO MAKE SOMERSET COUNTY A HEALTHY PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.
SO THROUGH THIS COALITION, WE HAVE GROWN TO OVER 75 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING DIFFERENT SECTORS.
WE WELCOME EVEN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO JOIN, AND THROUGH THAT WE ACTUALLY WILL ASSESS THE HEALTH NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY AND PUT TOGETHER A PLAN TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS AND WE WORK ON A LOT OF INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND IN OUR UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK SPECIFICALLY IN SOUTH BOUND BROOK WITH COMMUNITY GARDENS, SCHOOL-BASED GARDENS.
WE JUST INSTALLED A SOCCER FIELD THERE, A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
THESE ARE ALL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES WHICH GO TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF THE COMMUNITY.
SO I DON'T KNOW. DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING BECAUSE I KNOW I DO MUCH MY SPIEL EVERY YEAR.
>> I JUST THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING FOR PEOPLE TO BE PART OF IT.
IT INVOLVES SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
BUSINESSES ARE INVOLVED, GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED, SOME PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS ARE INVOLVED, BUT ALL WITH A SHARED PURPOSE AND GOAL AND I THINK IT'S A POSITIVE THING THAT I'VE
[00:05:01]
HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING A PART OF FOR OVER A DECADE AND I'M REALLY GLAD THAT I CAN STILL SUPPORT IT.>> THE COALITION MEETS AS AT THE SECOND OR THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH?
>> THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH.
>> SO PEOPLE LISTENING ONLINE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IN THIS AUDIENCE HAVE ANY PROBLEM HEARING.
SO YES, WE MEET THE THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH.
WE HAVE BEEN MEETING VIRTUALLY, BUT WE NOW ARE GOING TO ONE IN-PERSON ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
AGAIN, EACH MEETING WE TRY TO RAISE A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND LOOK AT A DIFFERENT CONCERN AND NEED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND TALK ABOUT THAT AND WORK THROUGH THOSE ISSUES AND MEET THOSE NEEDS BY COLLABORATING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
AGAIN, WE MARK HEALTHIER SOMERSET MONTH AS A WAY TO PROMOTE AND BRING AWARENESS TO THE NEED OF RAISING HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE OFFERING DIFFERENT SERVICES.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE THE COUNTY IS DOING THE DIVERSITY FESTIVAL.
WE HAVE THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP THAT'S DOING A DIVERSITY SUMMIT.
WE HAVE RIDEWISE THAT IS WORKING ON A STREET SMARTS CAMPAIGN THROUGH THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.
WE HAVE COMMUNITY IN CRISIS DOING POP-UP COMMUNITY EVENTS AT DIFFERENT UNDER-SERVED MUNICIPALITIES.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES GOING ON TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, YOU CAN LOG ONTO HEALTHIERSOMERSET.ORG.
FEEL FREE TO COME TO A MEETING.
IT IS OPEN TO ANYBODY AND WE ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION BECAUSE OUR GOAL IS EVENTUALLY TO BE THE HEALTHIEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE NUMBER 3, SO WE COULD USE ALL THE HELP THAT WE CAN GET.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
ONE, MORSE TOWN, TWO, HUNTERDON AND THEN SOMERSET, SO WE HAVE SOME MORE WORK TO DO.
>> ALL CENTRAL JERSEY. YES, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE HEALTH OF A COUNTY, YOU ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT THERE IS A SOCIAL ECONOMIC CORRELATION.
WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND THAT'S THE WHOLE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, AND WAYS TO INCREASE THAT SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES, SO THERE ARE INITIATIVES.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WAS ONE THAT THE COALITION JUST WORKED ON.
WE LOOK AT FOOD INSECURITY, THAT'S ANOTHER ONE WE WORKED ON AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON.
WE LOOK AT HOUSING AND EDUCATION BECAUSE BY AGAIN, EDUCATING PEOPLE AND GETTING THEM INTO PROFESSIONS THAT FOR BETTER LACK OF WORD HAVE, I'M SORRY?
>> ADVOCACY, BUT PAUL SHOULD KNOW THIS, YOU SHOULD BE TELLING THEM THIS.
[LAUGHTER] BY GETTING THEM INTO PROFESSIONS THEY THEN HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD PREVIOUSLY, AND EVEN ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE AND THINGS THAT THEIR FAMILY PREVIOUSLY DIDN'T HAVE.
SO THIS IS THE WORK THAT THE COLLECTIVE BODY OF HEALTHIER SOMERSET DOES ON A REGULAR DAILY BASIS AND WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF OUR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND SOMERSET COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED COLLABORATION. [APPLAUSE]
>> SERENA, I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY ASK YOU TO STAY UP FOR THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH [LAUGHTER] AND TO INVITE OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICERS HERE TODAY TOO.
THE REASON WHY I ASKED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICERS TO COME OUT TONIGHT,
[00:10:02]
WE ACTUALLY HAVE A HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11TH AT 03:30 AT VETERANS PLAZA.WE HONOR YOU GUYS THEN AS WE'LL HONOR, YOU GET THAT IN AS WELL, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
FOR A LITTLE BACKGROUND, SERENA, SHE ACTUALLY HAS STARTED AND LEAD THE LATINO ADVISORY COUNCIL WITH ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON AND DURING THE HEIGHT OF COVID AND SO MANY OTHER STRUGGLES THAT WE STILL FACE TO GET FROM NUMBER 3 TO NUMBER 1 [LAUGHTER] AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE THOSE EFFORTS VERY STRONG COLLABORATIVELY SO THANK YOU.
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IS CELEBRATED NATIONWIDE FROM SEPTEMBER 15TH THROUGH OCTOBER 15TH EACH YEAR, AND HAS BEEN CELEBRATED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1968.
WHERE A SOMERSET COUNTY CURRENTLY COUNTS MORE THAN 55,000 RESIDENTS OF BEING SPANISH-SPEAKING DESCENT.
WHEREAS THE HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOMERSET COUNTY DATES TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES AND HELPS CREATE A VIBRANT, DIVERSE AND HEALTHY SOMERSET COUNTY.
WHEREAS HISPANIC RESIDENTS ARE ACTIVE IN ALL ASPECTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY LIFE, INCLUDING AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, GOVERNMENT LEADERS, TEACHERS, POLICE, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, VOLUNTEERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, FAITH LEADERS, ATHLETIC COACHES, AND SUPPORTERS AND WHEREAS SOMERSET COUNTY IS PROUD TO HONOR THE HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISPANIC CULTURE AND LEADERSHIP ON OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER 15TH THROUGH OCTOBER 5TH, AS THE NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AND THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO LEARN ABOUT AND RECOGNIZE THE NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY HISPANIC RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT HISTORY SO THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] THERE'S A FAMILY RESEMBLANCE [LAUGHTER], BUT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE LATINO ADVISORY COUNCIL?
>> AS COMMISSIONER SUI EXPLAINED, IN THE HEIGHT OF COVID, ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON SOMERSET HAD ABOUT 40% OF OUR INPATIENTS COMING IN THAT WERE HISPANIC WERE BEING COVID POSITIVE.
CONSIDERING WE HAVE ABOUT 12% OF OUR COMMUNITY OVERALL WITHIN THE COUNTY IS HISPANIC, THAT WAS A HUGE DISPARITY.
SO IMMEDIATELY, WE LAUNCHED AN OUTREACH AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN WHICH WE STARTED EDUCATING VIA PHONE, VIA MAIL, ALL OF OUR HISPANIC RESIDENTS ABOUT COVID AND HOW TO PREVENT IT, BUT IN DOING SO, WE SAW THAT THEY ACTUALLY NEEDED RESOURCES AND BY GOING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND MEETING WITH DIFFERENT HISPANIC LEADERS, WE SAW THAT THERE WAS MUCH MORE BEYOND COVID OF NEED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
WE FORMED A COUNCIL OF ALL DIFFERENT HISPANIC LEADERS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK WITH THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN SOMERSET COUNTY TO START LOOKING AT THE NEEDS AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY.
OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE DONE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, WE'VE DONE DISTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS RESOURCES FROM COVID KITS TO FOOD CARTS, TO CLOTHES, ON AND ON.
JUST TO NAME A FEW, I DON'T WANT TO BORE YOU.
BUT AGAIN, THAT COALITION THREE YEARS LATER IT'S STILL GOING OR COUNCIL RATHER IS STILL GOING STRONG.
WE DO MEET I THINK IT'S THE FOURTH MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH.
AGAIN, WE DO DISCUSS WHAT ARE THE NEEDS AND THEN WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS AND TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO HELP OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY BE WELL WITHIN SOMERSET COUNTY.
AGAIN, ADDRESSING THOSE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS NEEDS.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT EVERY SINGLE TOPIC.
[00:15:25]
>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND I'LL JUST ADD THAT COMMISSIONER SUI FROM A COMMISSIONER'S PERSPECTIVE, WAS ON THE FRONT LINES MAKING SURE THAT THE LATINO COMMUNITY RECEIVED THE SERVICES JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE COUNTY.
WE SERVE ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES AND IT WAS JUST A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT WE DO, SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SUI FOR ACKNOWLEDGING AND LEADING THE EFFORTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS.
>> OCTOBER IS A REALLY BUSY MONTH.
IT'S ALSO ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH SO WE HAVE CAITLIN BUNDY FOR OUR CULTURAL AND HERITAGE AND ARTS.
THERE'S A LOT OF WHERE AS'S HERE AND I NEED MY GLASSES FOR THEM.
BUT WHEREAS THE MONTH OF OCTOBER HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH.
ARTS AND HUMANITIES ENRICH ALL AMERICANS, AFFECTING EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE, FROM ECONOMIC VITALITY TO CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING, JOB CREATION, TOURISM, EDUCATION, AND CREATING HEALTHY AND DYNAMIC COMMUNITIES.
NEW JERSEY RANKS AMONG THE TOP FIVE IN THE NATION FOR SEDATE SUPPORT OF THE ARTS, WHERE ALL STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE ACCESS TO ARTS EDUCATION AND EVERY NICKEL OF TOURISTS TAXES SUPPORTS MORE THAN $1 OF DIRECT SPENDING IN NEW JERSEY IS PRIVATE ECONOMY BY LOCAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR PATRONS.
THE SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN 1983 WITH A MISSION TO EDUCATE AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF COUNTY RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT PRESERVE, PROMOTE, AND PROTECT THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF SOMERSET COUNTY.
SOMERSET COUNTY SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE REVITALIZATION OF MUNICIPALITIES WITH OUR ARTS AND CULTURE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND STRENGTHENS OUR ECONOMY ANNUALLY FROM NON-PROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND PATRON RELATED SPENDING.
THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES PLAY A UNIQUE ROLE IN THE LIVES OF SOMERSET COUNTY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES BY MAKING VIBRANT CONNECTIONS TO THEIR HISTORY AND CULTURE.
BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF SOMERSET DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE OCTOBER AS ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH AND THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, AND CALLS UPON OUR CITIZENS TO CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE THE ARTS AND CULTURE IN OUR COUNTY AND TO SPECIFICALLY ENCOURAGE THE GREATER PARTICIPATION BY THOSE CITIZENS AND TAKING ACTION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES IN THEIR MUNICIPALITIES.
CAITLIN, DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?
>> SURE. WHILE I STAND HER ALONE, WE DO HAVE A VERY DEDICATED BOARD OF CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSIONERS AND AN ADVISORY BOARD.
THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY MAKE WEEKENDS LIKE WE CAN JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST POSSIBLE BECAUSE I HAD TO GIVE HIM A BREAK TODAY BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT ALL WEEK AND THEY'RE THE ONES MAKING SURE THE SITES ARE OPEN.
THEY'RE THE ONES DOING THE DOCENT TOURS AND IF THEY'RE NOT INVOLVED WITH THOSE HISTORIC SITES, THEY WERE OUT TOURING THEM AS WELL.
I SAW MANY OF THEM OUT AND ABOUT WHILE I WAS RUNNING AROUND TO THE SITES AS WELL, SO I HAD TO GIVE HIM A DAY BECAUSE OCTOBER WE DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FROM TABLING AT 1770S JOURNEY, WE'RE PARTICIPATING IN THE DIVERSITY FESTIVAL.
WE ARE HELPING SPONSOR THE SYMPOSIUM COMING UP AND THEN AT THE VERY END OF THE MONTH, WE WILL HAVE HER OWN EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARDS WHERE WE WILL CELEBRATE MANY OF THE AMAZING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN SOMERSET COUNTY THAT DO A LOT FOR ARTS AND HUMANITIES IN THE COUNTIES.
IT'S A BIG ACTION PACKED MONTH FOR US [LAUGHTER] BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO BE HERE AND WE HAVE A GREAT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, BOTH COUNTY AND CULTURE AND HERITAGE, WHO HELP MAKE ALL THIS HAPPEN.
>> THANK YOU FOR OUR DISPLAY IN THE GALLERY IN THIS BUILDING EVERY MONTH, WHICH CONTINUALLY ROTATES SO EXCELLENT JOB.
[00:20:19]
>> ANOTHER PROCLAMATION IS ROCKLIN COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH. THAT'S AWESOME.
COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH, OCTOBER OF 2023, WHEREAS CHANGED HIS CONSTANT AND AFFECTS ALL CITIES, TOWNS AND SUBURBS, COUNTIES, BURROWS, TOWNSHIPS, RURAL AREAS AND OTHER PLACES.
WHEREAS COMMUNITY PLANNING IMPLANTS CAN HELP MANAGE THIS CHANGE IN A WAY THAT PROVIDES BETTER CHOICES FOR HOW PEOPLE WORK AND LIVE AND WHEREAS COMMUNITY PLANNING PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS TO BE MEANINGFULLY INVOLVED IN MAKING CHOICES THAT DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS THE FULL BENEFITS OF PLANNING REQUIRE PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS WHO SUPPORT, UNDERSTAND AND DEMAND EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING AND PLANNING IMPLEMENTATION.
WHEREAS, THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES AND WHEREAS THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION ENDORSES NATIONAL COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT HOW PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL TO RECOVERY AND HOW PLANNERS CAN LEAD COMMUNITIES TO EQUITABLE, RESILIENT AND LONG-LASTING RECOVERY.
WHEREAS THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE THE PARTICIPATION AND DEDICATION OF THE MEMBERS OF PLANNING COMMISSIONS AND OTHER CITIZEN PLANNERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET IN THE GREAT STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
WHEREAS SOMERSET COUNTY RECOGNIZES THAT SOUND REGIONAL PLANNING CAN ADDRESS MANY OF OUR CITIZENS CONCERNS, SUCH AS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE PRESERVATION OF OUR NATURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES AND CAN ENSURE A ROBUST AND THRIVING ECONOMY IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
NOW, THEREFORE BE PROCLAIMED THAT SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZES THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023 AS COMMUNITY PLANNING MONTH.
WE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MANY VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY IN NEW JERSEY AND EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT THANKS FOR THE CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE BY THESE PROFESSIONALS, SO THANK YOU. SAY SOMETHING.
WE'RE ABLE TO DO THIS ALL THE WORK THAT WE DO AT THE COUNTY OFFICE OF PLANNING POLICIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FROM THE STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE COMMISSIONERS, FROM ADMINISTRATOR LEMAR AND THE GREAT TEAM THAT I ABLE TO WORK WITH EVERY DAY.
WE HAVE REALLY GREAT CITIZEN MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD SO, THEY DON'T MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND GLAD THAT WE'RE IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS THROUGH GOOD SOUND PLANNING.
>> WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY AS A DEMONSTRATION OF EXCELLENT PLANNING.
>> IS ANYONE HERE FROM FIRE PREVENTION? [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]
>> FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, OCTOBER 8TH TO 14TH, 2023, WHEREAS THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL LIVING IN AND VISITING SOMERSET COUNTY AND FIRE AS A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY AND HOMES OR THE LOCATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE AT GREATEST RISK FROM FIRE.
WHEREAS COOKING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF HOME FIRES IN THE UNITED STATES AND TWO OF EVERY FIVE HOME FIRE START IN THE KITCHEN WITH 31% OF THESE FIRES RESULTING FROM UNATTENDED COOKING.
WHEREAS MORE THAN HALF OF REPORTED NON-FATAL HOME COOKING FIRE INJURIES OCCURRED WHEN THE VICTIMS TRIED TO FIGHT THE FIRE THEMSELVES AND CHILDREN UNDER FIVE FACE A HIGHER RISK OF NON FIRE BURNS ASSOCIATED WITH COOKING THAN BEING BURNED IN A COOKING FIRE.
WHEREAS RESIDENTS SHOULD TURN POT HANDLES TOWARD THE BACK OF THE STOVE,
[00:25:03]
ALWAYS KEEP A LID NEARBY WHEN COOKING, KEEP A THREE-FOOT KID FREE ZONE AROUND THE STOVE OVEN.OTHER THINGS THAT COULD GET HOT, WATCH WHAT THE HEAT AND SET A TIMER TO REMIND THEMSELVES THAT THEY ARE COOKING.
WHEREAS RESIDENTS WHO HAVE PLANNED AND PRACTICE THE HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN ARE MORE PREPARED AND WILL THEREFORE BE MORE LIKELY TO SURVIVE A FIRE IN WORKING, SMOKE ALARMS CUT THE RISK OF DYING IN A HOME FIRE BY ALMOST HALF.
WHEREAS THE 2023 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK THEME, COOKING SAFETY STARTS WITH YOU, PAY ATTENTION TO FIRE PREVENTION.
EFFECTIVELY SERVES TO REMIND US TO STAY ALERT AND USE CAUTION WHEN COOKING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF KITCHEN FIRES AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS ARE DEDICATED TO REDUCING THE OCCURRENCE OF HOME FIRES AND HOME FIRE INJURIES THROUGH PREVENTION, AND PROTECTION EDUCATION AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE OCTOBER 8TH THROUGH 14TH, 2023 AS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND URGES ALL RESIDENTS TO CHECK THEIR KITCHENS FOR FIRE HAZARDS AND USE SAFE COOKING PRACTICES AND SUPPORT THE MANY PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITIES AND EFFORTS OF OUR COUNTY'S FIRE SERVICES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE DURING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK AND ALL YEAR LONG.
NOW, I HOPE ONE OF YOU BE WILLING TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ON BEHALF OF SIR.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. ON BEHALF OF ALL THE FIRE COMPANIES THAT SOMERSET COUNTY WHO WERE ALL VOLUNTEER, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NORTH PLAINFIELD.
WE CERTAINLY THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR EXTENDING THE WEEK LONG, FIRE PREVENTION PROCLAMATION OUT.
ON BEHALF OF THE DIRECTOR WERNER AND THE EVERYONE TO WORK THAT THE TRAINING ACADEMY, COMMISSIONERS SINGLETARY HAS BEEN AT A COUPLE OF OUR GRADUATIONS AND HE SEES FIRST-HAND ALL THE STUDENTS THAT SHOW UP AND ALL THE FAMILIES THAN IT IT WOULD MORE THAN FILL THIS ROOM FOR GRADUATION.
WE'D LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH ONE OF OUR JOBS SHIRTS TO MAKE YOU AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION [APPLAUSE].
DIRECTOR WERNER WILL GIVE YOU A CALL TO PUT YOU ON WHEN TO WORK [LAUGHTER] SO THAT YOU CAN CERTAINLY ASSIST US.
BUT ON BEHALF OF ALL THE FIRE COMPANIES AND ALL PEOPLE THAT WORK 24 HOURS A DAY FOR ALL THE RED IS SOMERSET COUNTY.
WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE ACCOLADES OF FIRE PREVENTION WEEK FOR ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS IN SOMERSET COUNTY. THANK YOU.
THEY UNDERGO 200 HOURS WORTH OF TRAINING, IS IT? IT'S AMAZING IT AND THEY'RE DOING THIS FOR, WHAT ARE THE MOST CASES VOLUNTEER JOBS, SO THAT'S AMAZING.
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND] WELL, THANK YOU.
LET'S PICTURE. [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]
>> NOW WE HAVE KNOCKOUT OPIOID ABUSE DAY, SO COME ON DOWN.
AS I'M COMING DOWN, WE DID NOT FORGET BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS OCTOBER.
WE WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION TO ORGANIZATION WITHIN THE COUNTY AT OUR NEXT MEETING.
AS A COMMISSIONER, DRAKE IS WEARING HIS PINK RIBBON.
THANK YOU. THIS PROCLAMATION READS, WHEREAS NEW JERSEY IS IN THE MIDST OF A LIFE-THREATENING OPIOID ABUSE EPIDEMIC AND WHEREAS THE PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG-FREE NEW JERSEY HAS DESIGNATED OCTOBER 6, 2023 AS KNOCKOUT OPIOID ABUSE DAY AND INITIATIVE WITH MULTIPLE PURPOSES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF POTENTIAL FOR DEPENDENCY ON PRESCRIBED PAIN MEDICINE AND IT'S LINKED TO HEROIN AND FENTANYL USE IN OUR STATE.
TO REDUCE THE STIGMA OF ADDICTION AND SHINE A LIGHT ON THE NEED OF RECOVERY SUPPORT AND TO COMMUNICATE TO PHYSICIANS INFORMATION ON SAFER PRESCRIBING MESSAGES FOUND IN THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION GUIDELINES FOR PRESCRIBING OPIOIDS,
[00:30:02]
WHICH INCLUDE CONSIDERING OTHER THERAPIES, SETTING REALISTIC TREATMENT GOALS WITH PATIENTS AND DISCUSSING WITH PATIENTS THE POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES OF OPIOIDS.WHEREAS THE STATE, SENATE, AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY JOINTLY RESOLVE THAT OCTOBER 6 SHALL BE PERMANENTLY DESIGNATED AS KNOCKOUT OPIOID ABUSE DAY IN NEW JERSEY IN ORDER TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF AND THE LINK BETWEEN PRESCRIPTION OPIOID ABUSE, INHERITED HEROIN ADDICTION, AND TO EDUCATE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, STATE LAWMAKERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE OPIOID ABUSE EPIDEMIC AND ITS EFFECTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WHEREAS THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTS INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT OPIOID ABUSE IN NEW JERSEY AND TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT ADDICTION.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZES OCTOBER 6, 2023 AS KNOCKOUT OPIOID ABUSE DAY, AND IT IS SIGNED BY YOUR FIVE COMMISSIONERS ON THIS DAY OF OCTOBER 10, 2023.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT?
>> THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS NATHRA AND I AM PART OF THE COMMUNITY IN CRISIS YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OR YLC AND OUR MISSION IS TO PREVENT YOUTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OR YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS AND WE'RE JUST SO EXCITED AND SO GRATEFUL TO BE HERE.
>> MY NAME IS DANIEL, COMMUNITY IN CRISIS RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOCKOUT OPIOID ABUSE DAY AND CONTINUES TO WORK TO PREVENT OVERDOSE DEATHS FROM OPIOIDS INCLUDING FENTANYL.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
>> ANYONE ELSE? I THINK THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED WORK AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE YOUNG PEOPLE LEADING THE EFFORT AND MAKING SURE THAT YOUR PEERS ARE NOT FALLING TO THE ADDICTION OF SOME OF THESE.
WE APPLAUD YOU AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS DAY IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THIS EFFORT AND AWARENESS, SO THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE REST OF OUR MEETING, WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 26, 2023.
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ABOVE LISTED MINUTES?>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL-CALL, PLEASE.
>> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETARY.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 23-1900 THROUGH 23-1904?
[CONSENT AGENDA ]
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL-CALL, PLEASE.
>> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETARY.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 23-1905 THROUGH 23-1916?
[AWARD OF CONTRACTS]
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL-CALL, PLEASE.
>> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETARY.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 23-1917 THROUGH 23-1937?
[FINANCE ]
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL-CALL, PLEASE.
>> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETARY.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 23-1938 THROUGH 23-1950?
[ITEMS ADDED FROM THE OCTOBER 10, 2023 WORK SESSION TO BE ADOPTED TONIGHT ]
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL-CALL, PLEASE.
>> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETARY.
>> WE NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK FIVE-MINUTES.
NO YIELDING OF TIME, NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS AND WE ALSO ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM EMAIL AND FROM TELEPHONE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
[00:35:02]
>> ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? NO PHONE CALLS, NO EMAILS.
HEARING NONE, SEEING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING?
>> HAVE IT. WE WILL NOW ADJOURN THIS MEETING INTO POKE,
[Executive Session ]
GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, TURN IT OVER TO COUNTY COUNCIL.>> THIS MEETING WILL BE ADJOURNED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PURCHASE, LEASE, AND ACQUISITION OF LAND AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT RETURNED TO PUBLIC SESSION AND NO FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.
>> MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND TO PUBLIC SESSION?
>> HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND BE WELL.
[NOISE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.