[ Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting] [00:00:06] >> [NOISE] IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON OCTOBER 4TH, 2023, ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY LAW. ADDITIONALLY, THIS MEETING IS BEING DIGITALLY RECORDED AND LIVE-STREAMED ON THE SOMERSET COUNTY WEBSITE. FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COUNTY BOARD MEETING AT CO.SOMERSET.NJ.US. THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING BY CALLING 908-231-7075. DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY. >> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE NOVEMBER 9TH, 2023 WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. THIS AGENDA AND THE ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL BE CONSIDERED AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING OF NOVEMBER 28TH, 2023. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING UNLESS THE MEASURE AND ITS ADOPTION ARE NEEDED IN A MANNER NECESSARY TO CONTINUE COUNTY BUSINESS. ROLL-CALL. >> COMMISSIONER DRAKE? >> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER MARANO? >> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER SOOY? >> HERE. >> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY. >> HERE. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON? >> PLEASE RISE FOR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. DIRECTOR SHANEL ROBINSON IS ATTENDING TO A PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUE, BUT WE EXPECT HER TO BE BACK SOON. WE ALL WISH HER A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND RETURN. THIS WEEK, NEW JERSEYANS WENT TO THE POLLS TO CHOOSE THEIR LEADERS AS THEY DO EVERY YEAR. FOR MOST RESIDENTS, ELECTION DAY COMES AND GOES VERY QUICKLY. BUT THE WORK OF PLANNING, MANAGING, AND REPORTING THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION IS VERY DEMANDING. IT IS THE ESSENTIAL WORK OF A DEMOCRACY AND SOMETHING WE CAN NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED. ON BEHALF OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES INVOLVED WITH OUR ELECTIONS. THEY WORKED LONG HOURS AND PAID CAREFUL ATTENTION TO DETAILS THAT ENABLED US TO HAVE ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ELECTION. EMPLOYEES IN THE OFFICES OF OUR COUNTY CLERK, OUR BOARD OF ELECTIONS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ESPECIALLY DESERVE OUR THANKS. ONE OF THE THINGS I MOST ENJOY ABOUT SERVING SOMERSET COUNTY IS MY ROLE AS LIAISON TO THE RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THE BEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN NEW JERSEY AND AMONG THE TOP COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE NATION AND TONIGHT WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE PRESIDENT MICHAEL MCDONOUGH, WHO IS GOING TO SHARE WITH US SOME IMPORTANT NEW ACHIEVEMENTS. HE WILL FIRST BE UP AFTER MY COLLEAGUES GIVE THEIR REMARKS, AND NOW WE HAVE REPORTS. >> WE'RE GOING OUT OF ORDER. I'M NOT USED TO THIS. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE COMMISSIONER DRAKE AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY ON THEIR SUCCESSFUL ELECTION. I'M VERY EXCITED TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THEM ON THIS BOARD AND CONTINUING TO WORK FOR SOMERSET COUNTY. CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT. I ALSO WANT TO EXTEND MY BEST WISHES TO ALL THE VETERANS THAT MAY BE IN THE AUDIENCE OR LISTENING TO THIS MEETING AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE AND WISH THEM THE BEST FOR A VERY HAPPY VETERANS DAY CELEBRATED TOMORROW AND ACTUALLY OBSERVED ON SATURDAY. THERE WILL BE A CEREMONY AT ELEVEN O'CLOCK RIGHT HERE IN THE OUTDOOR VETERANS PLAZA IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND. SPEAKING ABOUT ATTENDANCE, I HAD A GREAT BREAKFAST WITH COLLEEN MAHR OUR ADMINISTRATOR, AND OUR DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR BREAKFAST AT THE TRADE WINS AT THE SOMERSET COUNTY VOTEC. THEY DO A FABULOUS JOB OVER THERE. GREAT WORK BY THE VOTEC TEAM AND THEIR CULINARY TEAM. I ALSO ATTENDED THE CULTURAL AND HERITAGES EXCELLENCE AND THE AWARDS EVENT, WHICH WAS AT THE SIEMINSKI THEATER IN BASKING RIDGE. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET BEEN THERE, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND AN EVENT THERE. THE THEATER IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. IN FACT, THE THEATER ITSELF WAS ONE OF THE AWARD WINNERS AT THE EVENT. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR CULTURAL AND HERITAGE. THAT WAS A CRAZY OCTOBER YOU HAD BUT WITH SEEMINGLY ENDLESS EVENTS ALL MONTH. SPEAKING OF EVENTS IN OCTOBER, WE ALSO HAD THE MIDDLEBROOK ENCAMPMENT SYMPOSIUM. AGAIN, CULTURAL AND HERITAGE DID A FABULOUS JOB. AT THAT EVENT, WE ANNOUNCED OUR FIVE-POINT PLAN AS WE PLAN FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY, WHICH INCLUDES DOCENT TRAINING, INCLUDES AN INTERPRETIVE PLAN. IT INCLUDES REPAIRS AT THE LORD STIRLING PARK AND THERE ARE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THERE. IT INCLUDES THE BATTLE OF BOUND BROOK AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY SAW THE PRESS RELEASE TODAY. THE COUNTY'S PURCHASE ALONGSIDE OUR PARTNER, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, [00:05:02] FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY WHICH IS NOW THE HANDLE WITH CARE MOVING AND STORAGE COMPANY. WE ARE BUYING THAT PROPERTY BECAUSE IT HOUSES ONE OF THE OLDEST STONE ARCH BRIDGES IN THE UNITED STATES. WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. HANDLE WITH CARE WILL BE RELOCATING THEIR BUSINESS. THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THAT AS GREEN SPACE AND A HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE YEARS TO COME. VERY, VERY EXCITING NEWS ON THAT ONE. IN OUR PUBLIC WORKS ARENA, WE HAD OUR FIRST SATURDAY WITH 519 CARS. WE HAD OUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PICKUP WITH 1,173 CARS, REMOVING 77,000 POUNDS OF WASTE FROM OUR LANDFILLS AND DISPOSED OF PROPERLY. IN OUR LIBRARY COMMISSION MEETING, WE ENTERED INTO A RECIPROCAL BORROWING AGREEMENT WITH FIVE OTHER COUNTIES, INCLUDING HUNTERDON. IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT THE PRESIDENT IS HERE FROM RVCC. BECAUSE ONE OF THE LONG-RANGE PLANS THAT ARE JUST IN THE IDEA PHASE RIGHT NOW IS TO POSSIBLY MAKE A JOINT LIBRARY SITE AT RV SINCE WE'LL HAVE THIS RECIPROCAL BORROWING ARRANGEMENT NOW WITH HUNTERDON COUNTY AS WELL, OUR PARTNER AT THE COUNTY COLLEGE. MORE TO COME ON THAT. THE FIRST STEP WAS ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT WITH THE OTHER COUNTIES, WHICH ALSO INCLUDE CAMDEN, GLOUCESTER, SUSSEX, AND WARREN COUNTIES. WE ALSO HAD A GREAT PRESENTATION IN BOUND BROOK FOR OUR OPEN SPACE WRECK GRANTS, THE BOUND BROOK POOL, WE HAD THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE BOUND BROOK POOL. THE COUNTY PROVIDED OVER $400,000 IN FUNDING TOWARDS THIS PROJECT. IT WAS NICE TO BE THERE TO DO THE GROUNDBREAKING. COMMISSIONER SOOY WAS THERE WITH ME. WE ALSO HAD THE GRAND OPENING OF THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PRESERVE. THIS IS A PRESERVE THAT'S OVER 600 ACRES OF LAND IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND OVER 500 ACRES OF LAND IN HUNTERDON COUNTY. AGAIN, THIS LAND IS PURCHASED IN PART BY SEPARATE SOMERSET COUNTY AND THE STEWARDSHIP OF THAT LAND IS BY THE NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION. THIS WAS A WONDERFUL EVENT AND ANYTIME AN EVENT INCLUDES A HIKE, SIGN ME UP. I WAS VERY HAPPY TO TAKE THE HIKE THROUGH THE WOODS AND SEE THIS GORGEOUS LAKE THAT'S ON THAT PROPERTY THERE. OPEN NOW AND ANYBODY WHO'D LIKE TO GO CHECK IT OUT. I THINK THAT OUR CULTURAL AND HERITAGE WE'RE GONNA BE HEARING MORE FROM THEM TONIGHT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO I'LL HOLD UP ON THAT UNTIL NEXT WEEK. WELL, NEXT TIME WE HAVE A MEETING. THANK YOU, DEPUTY DIRECTOR. I AM DONE. >> I'D LIKE TO START OFF BY CONGRATULATING OUR COLLEAGUES HERE ON A VERY NICE RE-ELECTION AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING WITH YOU FOR SOME MORE TIME. IT'S ALWAYS APPRECIATED AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THOSE WHO GOT RE-ELECTED OR ARE ELECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME. FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT, WHO WE'RE SERVING IN THE PAST THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. IT IS NOT THE EASIEST JOB, BUT WE DO APPRECIATE IT. OVER IN BERNARDSVILLE, WE HAD THE RIBBON-CUTTING FOR RED HORSE. IT IS A DAVID BURKE RESTAURANT. IT IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A NEW YORK-LEVEL MEAL, RIGHT IN DOWNTOWN BERNARDSVILLE IN THE WHAT USED TO BE KNOWN AS THE BERNARD'S INN. THE HANSON FAMILY WAS THERE AND THEY HAVE BEEN INVESTORS AND THE REGION FOR MANY YEARS. IT'S NICE TO SEE A COMBINATION OF THE NEW VERSION OF THE RESTAURANT COMING IN WITH THE OLD HISTORIC BONES. IT WAS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THAT WILL BRING TO DOWNTOWN BERNARDSVILLE. AS COMMISSIONER MARANO MENTIONED, OVER IN BOUND BROOK, WE HAD THE POOL GROUNDBREAKING, WHICH IS IN PART FUNDED BY OUR OPEN SPACE MONEY. THAT WAS FANTASTIC TO SEE. IT'S GOING TO BE A NIGHT AND DAY COMPARISON WHEN YOU SEE EVEN JUST THE PICTURES UP FOR WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND GOING TO THE SITE TODAY. I KNOW GROWING UP ONE OF MY FONDEST MEMORIES WAS RIDING MY BIKE WITH MY FRIENDS TO THE POOL AND TO HAVE SOMETHING IN A WALKABLE AREA FOR OUR COMMUNITY LIKE BOUND BROOK THAT'S GOING TO MAKE SUCH A GREAT IMPACT FOR THE SUMMERS AND MANY CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. NEXT WEEK WE HAVE THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES. WE WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE THERE LEARNING NEW THINGS TO HOPEFULLY APPLY BACK TO SOMERSET COUNTY. I ALSO ATTENDED THE SOMERSET COUNTY ELC LUNCHEON WITH COLLEEN MAHR AS OUR GUEST SPEAKER. SHE IS NOT ONLY OUR BA, BUT SHE IS THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES AND THAT ENCOMPASSES ALL 565 MUNICIPALITIES. [00:10:05] SHE HAS HAD AN ACCOMPLISHED CAREER AND SERVING FOR TWO DECADES AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AS WELL. AS THE MAYOR OF FANWOOD AND NOT ONLY JUST THE MAYOR BUT A FEMALE MAYOR. TO BE COMMITTED TO THAT FOR SO LONG, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO OUTSIDE OF HERE AND FOR SOMERSET COUNTY. IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HEAR ALL OF HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WHAT SHE'S DONE AND WHAT SHE'S CONTINUING TO DO WITH SOMERSET COUNTY AND MANY OF OUR STATE PARTNERS. IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> THANK YOU. FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY WIFE OF 32 YEARS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS I HAVE SPENT MY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY HERE ON THE DESK BUT IT'S OKAY, SHE UNDERSTANDS. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND I SAID, 'THEY MOVED THE MEETING TO THURSDAY,' [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE OF TUESDAY, IT WAS THE ELECTION, BUT IN ANY CASE, I THINK SHE UNDERSTANDS. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED TO BRING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS TO SOMERSET COUNTY; IT CERTAINLY ONCE AGAIN DEMONSTRATES THAT DEMOCRACY WORKS. I AM EXCITED TO CONTINUE THIS ROLE AND TO CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK OF SOMERSET COUNTY AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE STAFF OF SOMERSET COUNTY. I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR OPPONENTS, DR. DONALD LEMMA AND DAN GALLIC, WHO RAN THEIR CAMPAIGN, OBVIOUSLY SPENT THEIR TIME AND EFFORT AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES TO RUN A CAMPAIGN FOR THIS OFFICE AS WELL, SO I WANT TO THANK THEM. I JUST HAVE ONE NOTE, THE OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH SENIOR LEAF RAKING OR LEAF RAKING THE FOLKS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH LEAF RAKING THEIR ORGANIZING THE EVENT NEXT SATURDAY. SO YOU CAN REACH OUT TO THE OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES, VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME, BRING A RAKE, AND ULTIMATELY HELP OUT THE COMMUNITY, FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO RAKE THEIR OWN LEAVES; IT IS A FUN EVENT, SO LOOK FORWARD TO THAT. THAT IS REALLY ALL I HAVE RIGHT NOW IN MY REPORT. I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BUSY ON A FEW OTHER THINGS, BUT CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS POSITION AND ALL THE GREAT TIMES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM MY FAVORITE COLLEGE PRESIDENT [OVERLAPPING]. >> AS THE PRESIDENT MAKES HIS WAY OVER HERE IT IS NOT SO MUCH AS A PRESENTATION [BACKGROUND], AS IT IS JUST A LITTLE BRAGGING RIGHTS OF WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE COLLEGE. WE BOTH THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC AND BY EXTENSION, THE COMMISSIONERS. [BACKGROUND] YES, PLEASE. [LAUGHTER] TO UNDERSTAND THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WAS MADE OVER BY THE COUNCIL OF COUNTY COLLEGES. >>SURE. >> RECENTLY IN SUIT OF THE ROLE. >>SURE. >>THAT YOU'RE PLAYING AND HOW THAT FITS INTO THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> THANK YOU. >> SO LET ME BEGIN BY NOTING THAT IN WILLIAM BRADFORD'S 1645 EDITION OF PLYMOUTH PLANTATION, TODAY IN HISTORY, ON THIS DATE IN 1620, THE MAYFLOWER FIRST SPIED CAPE COD AND WE HAVE NEVER RECOVERED SINCE. [LAUGHTER] I WOULD START BY CONGRATULATING OUR TWO COMMISSIONERS ON THEIR RE-ELECTION AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT AGAIN, EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR GENEROUS AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE. NOT SIMPLY, YOU ARE MORE THAN GENEROUS AND YOUR OPERATING CONTRIBUTION, YOUR SUPPORT OF CHAPTER 12, AND MOST RECENTLY AND THE REASON THAT I AM HERE, YOUR VERY GENEROUS $3 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO OUR WORKFORCE ADDITION. I ALSO WANT TO SAY, SEE YOU SHOULD NOT PUT A MICROPHONE IN FRONT OF ME. I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THAT OUR ENROLLMENT THIS FALL INCREASED BY 6.2 PERCENT, OUR ENROLLMENT IN THE SUMMER INCREASED BY 29%, OUR ENROLLMENT IN THE SPRING INCREASED BY 8.9%. SO CLEARLY THE STUDENTS ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM AND WE WILL DO OUR VERY BEST TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY. I AM REALLY HERE TO TALK ABOUT THREE VERY QUICK THINGS AND THEY ARE ALL THE RESULT OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN OUR WORKFORCE TRAINING CENTER. I THINK YOU KNOW THAT ONE OF THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION NOW IS TO DEVELOP ALTERNATIVES TO THE TWO AND FOUR-YEAR DEGREE. THAT STUDENTS ARE INCREASINGLY ASKING FOR MICRO-CREDENTIALS. [00:15:02] MICRO-CREDENTIALS THAT LEAD TO IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT IN HIGH-GROWTH, HIGH-PAY, SUSTAINABLE AREAS. CREDENTIALS THAT ARE ACCELERATED, COMPETENCY-BASED, INDUSTRY-VALUED, AND STACKABLE. I SUSPECT THAT PERHAPS AS EARLY AS NEXT YEAR, WE WILL SEE CONGRESS FINALLY APPROVE PELL FUNDING FOR SHORT-TERM NON-CREDIT PROGRAMS. I HAVE JUST JINXED THAT NOW, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN BUT I THINK IT WILL HAPPEN, THEY SEEM TO HAVE GIVEN EVERY INDICATION THAT IT WILL HAPPEN. SO THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, THE FIRST IS, AS THE ADMINISTRATOR POINTS OUT, A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE HAD A KICKOFF TO A BRAND NEW CENTER FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION THAT WILL BE HOUSED AT RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE. IT IS THE CENTER FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION IN ASEPTIC MANUFACTURING AND BIO-MANUFACTURING. ESSENTIALLY, IT IS THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE IN SOMERSET COUNTY WITH T-CELL AND GENE THERAPY, PRIMARILY THROUGH JANSSEN, PRIMARILY THROUGH THEIR AMAZING TREATMENT OF CANCER USING T-CELLS. ALL OF THAT IS DONE IN A CLEAN-ROOM ENVIRONMENT AND THEY ARE HIRING SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF TECHNICIANS. THAT SCIENCE, THAT TECHNOLOGY, WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE TREATMENT OF A WHOLE CLASS OF DISEASES. SOMERSET COUNTY IS HOME TO SOME OF THE MAJOR PLAYERS IN THAT SECTOR. WE RECEIVED $788,000 IN FUNDING FROM THE NEW JERSEY COUNCIL'S WORKFORCE CONSORTIUM. THE DIRECTOR, THE CHAIR OF THAT CONSORTIUM, WHO ALSO REMARKABLY IS THE PRESIDENT OF RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THOUGHT THOSE FUNDS WOULD REALLY SUPPORT THE CLEAN-ROOM TECHNOLOGY. WHAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING WAS THE MORNING OF THE EVENT, EVERY MAJOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND BEYOND WAS ON OUR CAMPUS, ABSOLUTELY THRILLED THAT WE WERE GOING TO SET IN MOTION, A CLEAN-ROOM TECH PROGRAM. SO MUCH SO THAT BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY, CAME UP TO US AND GAVE US A CHECK FOR $100,000. WE ARE ALSO NOW GOING TO MEET WITH J&J, WHO SEEM TO WANT TO MAKE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT TO THAT CLEAN-ROOM. THE GROUND HAS BEEN PREPARED THAT FACILITIES EXPANSION WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH, AND BECAUSE OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION, NOT ONLY WILL WE BE THE FIRST COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO BUILD A CLASS C CLEAN-ROOM, WE WILL BUILD TWO. WE WILL ALSO BUILD AN ADJACENT LIFE SCIENCES LAB THAT WILL ALLOW US TO DO SOME REALLY INTERESTING CURRICULAR INNOVATION AROUND THAT SPACE. I CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU THE EXCITEMENT IN THAT ROOM AND THE COMMITMENT IN THAT ROOM TO SUPPORTING THAT TRAINING PROGRAM. IT HAS ENORMOUS POTENTIAL. THE SECOND CLEAN ROOM WILL LIKELY BE USED BY SENATOR ZWICKER, WHO HAS ONE OF THE FIRST REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS IN CHIP MANUFACTURING, WHICH IS ALSO CONDUCTED IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT. SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT PARTNERSHIP, AND THEN VERY QUICKLY JUST TWO OTHER THINGS. WE HAD A LAUNCH OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LABCORP. SOMERSET COUNTY IS HOST TO ONE OF THE LARGEST DIAGNOSTIC TESTING CENTERS IN NORTH AMERICA. THEY WERE EXPERIENCING TREMENDOUS DIFFICULTY RECRUITING MEDICAL LAB TECHNICIANS. THEY CAME TO US AND ASKED IF WE WOULD BEGIN AN MLT PROGRAM. WE JOKINGLY SAID, "SURE, IF YOU PAY FOR IT." AND THEY DID, THAT PROGRAM IS NOW LAUNCHED THAT IS FULLY ENROLLED. LABCORP IS ALSO PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STUDENT POPULATION REPRESENTS THE GROWING INCLUSIVENESS OF THIS COUNTY. THOSE STUDENTS WILL DO ALL OF THEIR CLINICAL WORK AT LABCORP. THEN LABCORP WILL HAVE THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE ALL OF THOSE GRADUATES. [00:20:03] AGAIN, HOUSED IN OUR WORKFORCE TRAINING CENTER. THE THIRD THING THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS A NEW PARTNERSHIP, A BRAND NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH L'OREAL. I HEARD IT AND I THOUGHT IT WAS MAKEUP, IT'S NOT. IT'S A PRODUCTION LINE REPAIR. THEY'VE DONATED ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF EQUIPMENT. THEY HAVE SENT TWO COHORTS OF THEIR OWN INCUMBENT MAINTENANCE WORKERS 2 RV, WE'VE TRAINED THEM. THE ROOM IS INCREDIBLE, IT HAS ROBOTIC AND AI TECHNOLOGY. IT HAS A COMPLETE PRODUCTION LINE. THE PROGRAM IS THEY DELIBERATELY BREAK THE PRODUCTION LINE AND THEN THE TRACKS AND TRAINING GETS TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN. L'OREAL HAS EXPRESSED THE IDEA THAT THIS WILL BECOME THE CENTER FOR ALL OF THEIR PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS. YOU HAVE MADE THE WORKFORCE TRAINING CENTER IN SOMERSET COUNTY ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE HUBS OF HIGH-TECH TRAINING THAT EXISTS IN NEW JERSEY. WE ARE HOME TO TWO WORKFORCE INNOVATION CENTERS NOW. I'M HERE TO THANK YOU FOR THAT INVESTMENT AND TO THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE INCUMBENT, THE OUT-OF-WORK, AND THOSE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THESE NEW AND EMERGING CAREERS. YOU'VE DONE A REMARKABLE THING. ON THEIR BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF THE COLLEGE, I WANT TO THANK YOU. I THINK WE'RE IN A VERY STRONG POSITION. I THINK WE ARE LEADING IN MANY WAYS THESE NEW MODELS FOR THE WORKFORCE. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY MORE OF YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? >> AMAZING. >> YEAH. >> THERE'S AN AMAZING TEAM THAT HAS DONE ALL OF THIS. IF THERE ARE ANY TRUSTEES HERE, IT'S BECAUSE OF MY GENIUS. IF THERE ARE NO TRUSTEES, IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE PUT THAT TOGETHER. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MIKE. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR MAIN FOCUSES AND HAVING A PARTNER LIKE YOU TO HELP MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT. >> NOT AT ALL. AS REMARKABLE AS IS, THERE ARE 7,100 STUDENTS AT THAT INSTITUTION NOW. >> WOW. >> YOU'RE SPONSORING A SIZABLE INSTITUTION. >> THANKS, MIKE. >> WELCOME. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> NEXT WE HAVE COMMUNICATIONS. JCP&L NOW NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON NOVEMBER 14TH, 2023, FOR 2023 BASE RATE FILING. JCP&L NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON NOVEMBER 30TH, 2023 FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF NET DEFERRED COSTS. NJ TRANSIT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON DECEMBER 6, 2023, FOR SCDRTAP PROGRAM. COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER, NOTICE OF FEES COLLECTED FOR OCTOBER 2023 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,415,385.82, OF WHICH $567,535.99 WAS RETAINED BY THE COUNTY FOR ITS OWN USE. NEXT, WE HAVE NEW BUSINESS. >> 21-2200, AUTHORIZING WAIVER OF HEALTH COVERAGE IN THE SOMERSET COUNTY HEALTH PLAN FOR BENEFIT-ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. 23-2201, AUTHORIZING RETIREE MEDICARE PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT, PROVIDES $50 PER MONTH MEDICARE PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT TO QUALIFIED RETIREES. >> RESOLUTION 23-2202, AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS BLOCK 275, LOT 20.02 IN THE BOROUGH OF MANVILLE OWNED BY THE ESTATE OF MARY CAROL IN NIEZGODA. ACQUISITION COST $800 AND ASSOCIATED CLOSING COST NOT TO EXCEED $5,000. >> HEY, TOM. WOULD YOU JUST EXPLAIN TO MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND THE PUBLIC HOW THIS PARCEL FITS INTO THE BIGGER PICTURE HERE? >> SURE. IT'S A PROPERTY IN THE LOST VALLEY SECTION OF MANVILLE. IT'S ACTUALLY SURROUNDED ENTIRELY BY LAND THAT'S ALREADY BEEN PRESERVED BY MANVILLE AS PART OF THE FLOOD BUYOUT PROGRAMS. SO THIS WOULD JUST FILL A HOLE IN THE DOUGHNUT AND IT'S A VACANT WOODED LOT. IT'S SMALL, BUT IT'S CRITICAL TO JUST CLOSING IN THE GAPS AND CONTINUING TO EXPAND ON THE PRESERVATION IN LOST VALLEY. [00:25:01] >> I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE ESTATE OF NIEZGODA. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS WITH US ABOUT KEEPING THE PRICE VERY LOW AND AFFORDABLE. SO, THANKFUL TO THEM AND I'M SURE YOU'LL SEND THEM A NICE LETTER WHEN WE'RE ALL COMPLETED WITH THIS. >> ABSOLUTELY. YES. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING. RESOLUTION 23-2203, IS AUTHORIZING SOMERSET COUNTY JOIN INSURANCE FUND RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS, FOR JANUARY 1, 2024, THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2026, AND 23-2204 IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO UTILIZE THE PROVISION IN THE LOCAL PUBLIC CONTRACTS LAW AND RULES TO PREPARE SCOPE OF WORK TO BID FOR PROPRIETARY GOODS AND SERVICES, FOR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT FOR ECOLANE SOFTWARE. THE COUNTY HAS A SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT OF OVER $500,000 IN THAT SOFTWARE. THIS IS FOR A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, INCLUDING SOFTWARE AND SERVICE THAT WARRANTS RELIANCE ON A SPECIFIC MANUFACTURER OR VENDOR TO PROVIDE THE SOFTWARE AND SERVICES TO MAINTAIN THE VALUE OF THE INVESTMENT. >> 2205 IS AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO THE BOROUGH OF NORTH PLAINFIELD'S SUBMISSION FOR THE APPLICATION TO THE NJDOT SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM. NEXT IS APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 ANNUAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM, THE ATP FOR THE COUNTY, SOMERSET. THIS LISTS ALL THE PROJECTS THAT WILL GET ELIGIBLE FOR OUR COUNTY AID THAT WE RECEIVE FROM THE STATE, WHICH HAS BEEN $5.9 MILLION AND WE WILL USE IT FOR OUR PAVING NEXT YEAR. SO IT LISTS THAT PROJECT. NEXT IS AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION. EXECUTE A GRANT CONTRACT TO THE NJDOT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 FUNDS FOR THE PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE ATP. THEN 2208 IS APPROVING THE PROPERTY PARCEL MAP AND DESIGNING ROAD AREAS TO BE ACQUIRED FOR HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE PURPOSES AND AUTHORIZING THE EARLY APPRAISAL OF LANDS AND TITLE SEARCHES FOR THE GENERAL PROPERTY PARCEL MAPS FOR THE 2023 ROAD RESURFACING AND ADA PROGRAM. 19 PARCELS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT. NEXT IS APPROVING PLANS AND RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR OUR 2023 ROAD RESURFACING AND ADA COMPLIANCE PROGRAM. 12.65 MILES OF ROADS WILL BE UTILIZING OUR COUNTY AID AND OUR ESTIMATE FOR THIS PROJECT IS $7 MILLION. >> 23-2210 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY AND CHESTER TOWNSHIP. IT'S FOR SHARING DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL. IT'S FOR CDL TRAINING. >> 23-2211 IS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION. IT'S AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO QUADIENT INCORPORATED FOR THE PURCHASE, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, AND TRAINING OF A FOLDER/INSERTING EQUIPMENT WITH SOFTWARE, LICENSES, METER RENTAL, AND MAINTENANCE UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT NUMBER 41267, THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $179,477. >> 23-2212 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ATLANTIC TACTICAL FOR UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF FIREARMS EQUIPMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE NOT TO EXCEED $26,884.80. 23-2213 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO VISUAL COMPUTER SOLUTIONS FOR THE CONTINUED MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF THE VCS SCHEDULING SYSTEM FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR OF A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT NOT TO EXCEED $26,290. >> 23-2214 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SHI FOR THE ANNUAL RENEWAL OF MAINTENANCE AND LICENSE FOR THE SYS AID SOFTWARE UTILIZING THE NEW JERSEY CO-OP PURCHASING ALLIANCE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $27,142.42 AND 23-2215 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SHI FOR THE PURCHASE OF HPE ALLETRA NETWORK STORAGE ARRAY UTILIZING THE NEW JERSEY CO-OP PURCHASING ALLIANCE. [00:30:07] TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $134,448. >> RESOLUTION 23-2216 AUTHORIZES THE AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR A WEB-BASED LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO RELIAS, LLC OF MORRISVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, FOR THE RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER. YEAR FOUR OF A CONTRACT, THE SECOND OF A THREE-YEAR, ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS OF THIS CONTRACT. NOT TO EXCEED $15,000. 23-2217 ALSO FOR RICHARD HALL AUTHORIZES THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO QUALIFACTS SYSTEMS, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE FOR THE UPGRADES, MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT FOR THE QUALIFACTS ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD SYSTEM FOR RICHARD HALL. FOURTH YEAR OF A SEVEN-YEAR CONTRACT FOR A PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2024, TO DECEMBER 31, 2024. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $140,000. >> 23-2218, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO TELE-MEASUREMENTS FOR CLASSROOM PROJECTOR REPLACEMENT AT EMERGENCY SERVICES TRAINING ACADEMY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $19,855.09. 2219, AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT AND GSA CONTRACT TO TETRA TECH FOR THE CONSULTANT FOR THE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE FOR 2025. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $199,925. >> 2220 IS RESCINDING CHANGE NUMBER 1 TO GREEN CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN MAIN STREET, MANVILLE. IT WILL BE CORRECTED FOR RESOLUTIONS AFTER THIS ONE. AGENDA. NEXT IS 2221, WHICH IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT 23007 TO MCCLOSKEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS FOR CHILLER REPLACEMENT AT THE 40 NORTH BRIDGE STREET BUILDING, $1,211,619.00. THERE WERE SIX BIDDERS ON THE PROJECT. 23-2222 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT, 23006 TO MCCLOSKEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS FOR THE BOILER REPLACEMENT AT 40 NORTH BRIDGE STREET BUILDING. NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $484,200. 2223 IS A CONSULTANT AGREED MODIFICATION NUMBER 1 TO COLLIERS ENGINEERING FOR THE HYDRO-RAKING OF VARIOUS COUNTY GOLF COURSE PONDS. NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $4,900. 2224 IS AUTHORIZING CHANGE NUMBER 1 TO GREEN CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN MANVILLE ON MAIN STREET. AN INCREASE OF $200,439.60. >> [BACKGROUND]. >> IT'S GOING WELL, WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE FINAL PAVING NEXT WEEK. WE JUST MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE ARE PAVING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NEXT WEEK. >> [BACKGROUND]. >> YES, WE WILL HAVE DAYTIME LANE CLOSURES. ONE LANE WILL BE OPEN. FOR INSTANCE, MONDAY, NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE OPEN WHILE SOUTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED AND IT WILL BE DETOURED, POSTED THROUGHOUT THE TOWN, AND THEN THAT WILL FLIP THE NEXT DAY, AND THEN SO ON AND SO FORTH UNTIL WE ARE DONE MILLING AND THEN PAVING. >> ARE THERE ANY SIGNAGE? >> PLENTY. WE HAVE OUR MESSAGE BOARDS ARE GOING TO BE CHANGING THIS AFTERNOON TO ALERT TRAFFIC. WE JUST DID A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT AN HOUR AGO TO ALERT THEM; IN MANVILLE, WE'LL BE DOING THE SAME THING. >> THAT PROCESS AFTER THE PAVING? >> PAVING THEN STRIPING AND THEN FOR ALL HEADS OF PURPOSES, THE PUBLIC WILL ASSUME THAT THE PROJECT IS DONE, BUT ALL THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS ARE GOING TO BE REPLACED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CORRIDOR, THAT WILL HAPPEN OVER THE WINTER, AND THEN ANY KIND OF FINAL PUNCH LIST. THE COMPLETION DATE IS ACTUALLY MARCH OF NEXT YEAR BUT THE FINAL LOOK OF THE PROJECT, THE PAVEMENT, AND THE STRIPING WILL BE DONE. BUT ONCE THE SIGNALS ARE UP AND RUNNING, THAT IS REALLY WHEN IT WILL BE COMPLETE. THERE ARE SOME CHANGES TO SOME OF THE LINK CONFIGURATIONS THAT THOSE LIGHTS WERE ADDING LEFT TURN SIGNALS, A LOT OF THEM. SO ONCE THAT IS ALL DONE, WHICH WILL BE PROBABLY OVER THE WINTER, BUT OUR MAIN FOCUS IS TRYING TO GET THIS PAVEMENT DONE BEFORE THE WINTER. >> GOT IT. THANK YOU. >> GOOD. 2225 IS CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 1 AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF COUNTY BRIDGE, K1104 AND K1105, [00:35:01] WHICH IS MOUNTAIN AVENUE, TOWNSHIP OF WARREN. NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $78,620.15. 2226 IS CHANGE NUMBER 2 AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR H0910, WHICH IS FERGUSON ROAD IN WARREN, FOR A DEDUCTION OF $39,789.37. THAT IS IT, THANK YOU. >> MATT, WHILE YOU ARE HERE. >> YEAH. >> I JUST WANT TO PASS SOME COMPLIMENTS. I WAS IN WARREN THIS PAST WEEK AND THIS PAST WEEKEND AND I HAD MANY, MANY COMPLIMENTS ABOUT HOW GOOD THE MOUNTAIN BOULEVARD PAVING PROJECT WENT; MOUNTAIN AVENUE, MOUNTAIN BOULEVARD? >> MOUNTAIN BOULEVARD, YEAH. >> THAT PAVING PROJECT WENT, THERE WAS VERY, VERY HAPPY RESIDENTS THERE. >> OH, GREAT. >> SO THANK YOU. YOU GUYS ALL DID A GREAT JOB. >> OH, GOOD. GOOD TO HEAR. THANK YOU. >> 23-2227 IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A F250 PICKUP TRUCK AND A SNOW PLOW. THIS IS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $56,596.64 TO REPLACING A VEHICLE THAT WENT TO THE AUCTION. >> 2228 AUTHORIZING TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO PRINCETON HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS PREVIOUS HEPATITIS B VACCINATION SERVICES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $106. 23-2229 IS FOR THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. IT'S AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO WB MASON INCORPORATED. SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY CONTRACTS CC-0124-23 FOR WATER AND RENTAL UNIT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $100. TWENTY THREE 2230 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY WORK CONTRACT TO AXON ENTERPRISES FOR THE THIRD YEAR MAINTENANCE RENEWAL UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT 17-FLEET-00738, NOT TO EXCEED $27,716. OKAY, 23-2231 IS AN INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE INTO THE BUDGET FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, 2022 LOCAL BRIDGES FUND PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,768,098. TWENTY THREE 32 IS AN INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 2023, LOCAL BRIDGES FUND PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,776,092. TWENTY TWO 33 IS THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMPREHENSIVE TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF 278,741. TWENTY TWO 34 IS AN INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY, IMPAIRED DRIVING SOMERSET AND HUNTERDON COUNTIES PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $312,240. TWENTY TWO 35 IS AN INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY, OCCUPANT PROTECTION SOMERSET AND HUNTERDON COUNTY PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $61,530. TWENTY TWO 36 IS AN INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT CORPORATION SENIOR CITIZEN AND DISABLED RESIDENTS TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH IS KNOWN AS SCDRTAP GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500. TWENTY TWO 37 IS AN INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NORTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AUTHORITY, SUB-REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROGRAM, SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000. TWENTY TWO 38 IS AN INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NORTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AUTHORITY SUB-REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $102,946. TWENTY TWO 39 IS AN INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT/FORENSIC NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAM, SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM/FORENSIC NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF 144,000. TWENTY TWO 40 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION 23-1921, [00:40:08] FOR THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE, THE IN-KIND MATCH FROM SOMERSET COUNTY WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RESOLUTION. THIS WILL BE APPROPRIATED IN THE SOMERSET COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DIVISIONS BUDGET. TWENTY TWO 41 IS AUTHORIZING A REFUND OF FEES FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY TO RAMIRO QUINTANS FOR $264. THIS WAS AN OVERPAYMENT TO THE IDRC. TWENTY TWO 42 IS APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO SUPLEE, CLOONEY TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,300 AND 2243 IS A PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFICATION OF THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS. >> AFTERNOON. RESOLUTION 23-2244, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO CROWN TROPHY OF GREEN BROOK, GREEN BROOK, NEW JERSEY FOR TWO PLAQUES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $222. TWENTY THREE 2245, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO QUADIENT INCORPORATED OUT OF DALLAS, TEXAS FOR A 12 MONTH MAINTENANCE CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $716.95. RESOLUTION 23-2246, AMENDING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT FOR SERVICES TO SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE BY COMMUNITY IN CRISIS INCORPORATED. TOTAL REDUCTION NOT TO EXCEED $41,995.43. THANK YOU. >> TWENTY TWO 47 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO ZUFALL HEALTH CENTER FOR MEDICAL SERVICES 2021 INVOICES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 20,000. TWENTY TWO 48 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO ZUFALL HEALTH CENTER FOR MEDICAL SERVICES 2022 INVOICES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 20,000. >> TERRY? >> YEAH. >> JUST A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, IS THE COUNTY GOING TO BE DOING ANY COVID VACCINES THIS YEAR? >> YEAH. WE'VE BEEN DOING THEM. YEAH. THEY'RE ON OUR WEBSITE. >> OKAY. >> WE'VE BEEN TO FRANKLIN, BOUND BROOK AND I BELIEVE WE WERE JUST IN MANDEVILLE TODAY. >> OKAY, SO YOU'RE TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD. YOU'RE NOT HAVING ONE CONSISTENT PLACE LIKE IN THE PAST, LIKE THE SENIOR CENTER? >> NO. >> OKAY. >> WE'RE DOING FLU AND COVID. EVENTUALLY WE'LL GET TO THE SENIOR CENTER, BUT WE'RE DOING COVID AND FLU AND OUR NON CONTRACTED MUNICIPALITIES BASED ON THE FUNDING THAT WAS GIVEN TO US FOUR COVID DOLLARS AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF BIDDING FOR THE COVID VACCINE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FIRST TIME AROUND NOBODY BID, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BID A SECOND TIME. WE'RE NOT THE ONLY COUNTY THAT'S HAVING THE SAME ISSUE NOBODY'S BIDDING ON IT. WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH DIFFERENT CONTRACTORS. BUT YEAH, SO WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT. BUT I BELIEVE ALMOST, IF NOT ALL, THE COVID VACCINE THAT WE'VE ORIGINALLY PROCURED IS GONE AND WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN A STATE COVID PROGRAM. THEY HAVEN'T RELEASED ALL OF THE PARTICULARS ABOUT IT. BUT SUPPOSEDLY WE'RE GOING TO GET FREE COVID VACCINE WE JUST DON'T KNOW THE AMOUNT. >> OKAY AND WE DON'T KNOW WHEN. >> WE DON'T KNOW WHEN. >> OKAY. >> YES. >> [BACKGROUND]. >> YEP. WE DON'T. ANYBODY WHO SHOWS UP AT THE CLINIC REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY ARE IN SOMERSET COUNTY, WE OFFER THE COVID VACCINE REGARDLESS OF THE ABILITY TO PAY. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. SORRY TO CUT YOU. >> NO, IT'S FINE. >> FLOW HERE. >> IT'S ALL GOOD. [LAUGHTER] TWENTY TWO 49 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO PRINCETON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, PLAINSBORO NEW JERSEY FOR HEPATITIS B VACCINATIONS FOR TWO EMPLOYEES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $106 AND 2250 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO V-COMM FOR ENGINEERING AND PROJECT SERVICES INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE, FCC ISSUES, AND PROJECT DOCUMENTATION. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,050. >> TWENTY TWO 51 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR FOUR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO THE IH ENGINEERS TO T&M ASSOCIATES, TO CME ASSOCIATES, AND IH ENGINEERS. >> 23-2252 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT, A SHAEFER PLASTICS. IT IS FOR OUR TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 100,000. 23-2253 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER FOR OUR COMMODITIES TO BAYSHORE AND TO COLGATE PAPER STOCK; TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $82,020.95. [00:45:05] 23-2254 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS A CONTINENTAL HARDWARE FOR LUMBERS AND SUPPLIES; TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $8,260.00. 23- 2255 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO CONCENTRA. IT IS FOR FIT TESTING FOR RESPIRATORS, AND THAT TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED 10,000. JUST SO YOU KNOW, ALL OF OUR ROAD, AND BRIDGE EMPLOYEES GET FIT TESTED FOR RESPIRATORS. 23-2256 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO NATIONAL HIGHWAY PRODUCTS. THIS IS FOR OUR TRAFFIC SIGNS, SUPPORTS, AND HARDWARE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $12,423.93. 23-2257 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION R23-522, AND IT IS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO RADIAC RESEARCH GROUP AND THIS TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $16,506.22, AND THAT IS OUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE VENDOR. >> MOTION TO ADD ABOVE RESOLUTIONS 23-2200 THROUGH 23-2257 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE NOVEMBER 28, 2023 MEETING? >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> ROLL-CALL? >> COMMISSIONER DRAKE? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MORANO? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SIWI. >> YES. >> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETARY? >> YES. NEXT, OUR ITEMS TO BE ADDED FOR ADOPTION AT THE NOVEMBER 9TH, 2023 REGULAR MEETING. >> THE FIRST ONE IS 232152, IT IS RESCINDED R231618 AND AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR THE 2023 SHARED SERVICES, RESURFACING PROGRAM, VARIOUS ROUTES, VARIOUS LOCATIONS UNDER CONTRACT NUMBER 23012. >> 2153 IS AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE GREATER RARITAN WDB TO APPLY FOR, AND ACCEPT UP TO $241,500 IN COMMUNITY-BASED RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 4TH, 2024, TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2025. >> RESOLUTION 23-2154 WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA AFTER PRINTING, SO THAT RESOLUTION WILL BE VOIDED OUT. >> 23-2155 IS AUTHORIZING A NO-COST EXTENSION FOR THE GRANT AND ENTITLED, THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE FY19, IMPLEMENTING THE PREA STANDARDS, PROTECTING INMATES AND SAFE GUARDING COMMUNITIES. THIS WILL EXTEND THE PROJECT PERIOD END DATE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024, AND IN-KIND MATCHES APPROPRIATED IN 2023 AND 2024 SOMERSET COUNTY BUDGET CAPTIONED JAIL SALARY AND WAGE BUDGET. 23-2156 IS AUTHORIZING A NO-COST EXTENSION FOR THE GRANT FROM IMPACT JUSTICE FOR THE PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT TARGETED IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING AND SUPPORT PROGRAM. THIS WILL EXTEND THE PROJECT PERIOD END DATE UNTIL JULY 30TH, 2024, AND IN-KIND MATCHES ALSO APPROPRIATED IN 2023 AND 2024 SOMERSET COUNTY BUDGET UNDER THE CAPTION OF SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL SALARY AND WAGE. >> 2157, APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO METRO IMAGING SERVICES FOR PURCHASE REFURBISHED MINNESOTA MS 6000 MK; TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 2,850. >> 23-2158 IS AUTHORIZING AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO SHI FOR THE PURCHASE OF CHECK POINT FIREWALL MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT UTILIZING IN NEW JERSEY CO-OP; TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $95,512.44. >> 2159 IS AUTHORIZED BY THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO APPLY TO THE FY2013 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ASSISTANCE, SUB-GRANT FOR THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT FOR A PERIOD BETWEEN JULY 1ST, 2023, TO JUNE 30TH, 2024. SOMERSET COUNTY WILL MATCH A TOTAL OF $55,000 TO THIS GRANT AND WILL ACCEPT FUNDING IF AWARDED. >> 23-2160 IS AUTHORIZED IN THE EXECUTION OF [00:50:01] A TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE TOWNSHIP OF WARREN. THIS IS ON HILLCREST ROAD IN EMERSON LANE, IT IS DUE TO A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS OFF OF HILLCREST. 23-2161 IS AMENDING THE AWARD A CONTRACT RESOLUTION TO TWO VENDORS. THIS IS FOR OUR PAINTING CONTRACT SERVICE. WE AWARD THEM BY GROUPS. WE MADE AN ERROR WHEN WE AWARDED IT AT THE LAST MEETING AND WE AWARDED EVERYTHING TO ONE VENDOR WHEN WE HAD TO AWARD IT TO MULTIPLE VENDORS. THIS RESOLUTION IS CHANGING THAT, AWARDING GROUP A TO GRAFAS AND AWARDING GROUP B AND GROUP C TO K&B. 23-2162 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD A CONTRACT A T. M. FITZGERALD & ASSOCIATES, AND THIS IS FOR MANUFACTURING DELIVER OR 20-GALLON RECYCLING CONTAINERS. FIRST YEAR OF A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT; TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000.00 AND AS YOU ALL KNOW, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SWITCHING OVER TO TOTES, THERE ARE GONNA BE SOME HOUSEHOLDS THAT CANNOT GET TOTES AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE 20-GALLON BLUE BUCKETS. >> MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTIONS 23-2152 THROUGH 23-2162 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE NOVEMBER 9TH, 2023, REGULAR MEETING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE REMOVING 2154. MOTION? >> MOTION. >> SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ROLL-CALL? >> COMMISSIONER DRAKE? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MORANO? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SIWI? >> YES. >> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETARY? >> YES, AND NEXT, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. ALL COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO 5 MINUTES. MOTION TO OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. PUBLIC COMMENT. ANYTHING? >> WE HAD ONE PERSON TRY TO CALL WHO SAID THEY WERE GOING TO CALL BACK. WE CAN ALWAYS GET THEM ON THE SECOND GO-ROUND. >> OKAY. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS. >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> WE ARE GOING INTO THE MEETING AGENDA. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.