[00:00:02] >> IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, [Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting] THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, ON JANUARY 12TH 2023, ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY [NOISE]. ADDITIONALLY, THIS MEETING IS BEING DIGITALLY RECORDED AND LIVE-STREAMED DURING THE SOMERSET COUNTY WEBSITE. FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO COUNTYBOARDMEETING@CO.SOMERSET.NJ.US. THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING BY CALLING 908-231-7075. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. >> THANK YOU. MAY WE ALL PLEASE RISE AND RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TOGETHER. REMAIN STANDING FOR REFLECTION. >> MAY WE CONTINUE TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF THIS GREAT COUNTY AND SERVING ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE DECEMBER 12TH, 2023RD MEETING OF OUR WORK SESSION, SOMERSET COUNTY, FLORIDA, COMMISSIONERS. THESE AGENDA AND THE ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION AND WE'LL BE CONSIDERED AT THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 19TH, 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, PLEASE? >> COMMISSIONER DRAKE. >> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER MARANO. >> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER SOOY. >> HERE. >> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY. >> HERE. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON. >> HERE. >> FIRST, I'D LIKE TO START OFF BY THANKING THE DIRECTOR FOR CARRYING ON IN MY ABSENCE AS I DEALT WITH A HEALTH ISSUE. I'M GLAD TO BE BACK, I'M GLAD THAT THE WORK IS STILL CONTINUING TO CARRIED ON THIS GREAT TEAM OF OUR COMMISSIONERS HERE. BUT I ALSO LIKE TO PUBLICLY THANK DR. SPECTOR AND DR. CAMACHO AT INTEGRITY HEALTH BECAUSE OF THEIR SKILL SETS OF BEING DOCTORS AND THEIR QUICK ACTION, MY LIFE WAS SPARED AND SAVED. FOR THEM, I'M GRATEFUL. EVEN THOUGH I ENDED UP WITH THE EXTENDED STAY IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 19 DAYS, I AM ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY, DOING GREAT, AND I'M JUST GLAD TO BE BACK AND GLAD TO BE HERE. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS, YOUR FLOWERS, YOUR TEXTS, AND YOUR CALLS. THEY WERE VERY ENCOURAGING AND I'M JUST GLAD TO BE HERE, SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. [APPLAUSE] JUST A LITTLE EMOTIONAL, GLAD TO BE HERE. AS WE MOVE ON AND SOME OF THE REPORTS, AS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS CEASED THEIR COVID RELIEF PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDES SNAP BENEFITS AND CHILD TAX CREDITS. ALSO, THOSE OF US WHO HAVE STUDENT LOANS, STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS ARE DUE ONCE AGAIN. SO IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOUR PERSON WHO HOLDS LOANS OR FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, YOU WILL SOON, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, AND PLEASE REACH OUT TO THEM FOR PAYMENTS ARE DUE ONCE AGAIN. WE ARE NOW IN THE MIDST OF OUR HOLIDAYS AND THIS IS A TIME AND A JOYOUS OCCASION TO BE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MANY OF US ALSO HAVE CHALLENGES AND SOME ARE LESS FORTUNATE. THIS YEAR, THE FOOD BANKS AND PANTRIES ARE FACING A RECORD DEMAND IN WHICH THEY ARE FACING 50 - 100% MORE DEMAND FOR SUPPORT THAN THIS TIME, LAST YEAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND IT ALSO HOLDS TRUE HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. WE ARE THRILLED TO PARTNER WITH THE SOMERSET PATRIOTS AND THE KALAFER FAMILY WHO HAVE STEPPED UP TO HELP US RAISE FUNDS FOR THE FOUR LARGEST FOOD BANKS AND PANTRIES IN THE COUNTY BY MATCHING ALL DOLLAR DONATIONS UP TO $25,000. THIS WILL HAPPEN BEGINNING, I THINK WE WERE WITH THEM ON SATURDAY. DONATIONS WILL BE COLLECTED THROUGH DECEMBER 20TH. AGAIN, THEY ARE MATCHING ALL DOLLAR DONATIONS THROUGH DECEMBER 20TH, UP TO $25,000. SO I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO ON TO SOMERSET COUNTY WEBSITE AND TAKE THE SOMERSET CHALLENGE AND HELP UNLOCK THE MATCHING GIFT FROM SOMERSET PATRIOTS. THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE. >> THANK YOU, AND IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK. WELCOME BACK. LAST WEEK, I SPOKE AT THE SOMERSET LEADERSHIP GRADUATION. [00:05:04] I BELIEVE THERE ARE 25 GRADUATES. IT'S A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE. I ENJOYED HEARING THEM TALK ABOUT THEIR PROJECTS, THEIR PROJECTS INCLUDE BUILDING A COMMUNITY GARDEN AT, I BELIEVE IT'S VALLEY BROOK VILLAGE, WHICH IS A HOME FOR VETERANS, AND BASKING RIDGE. THEY ALSO PUT TOGETHER A PAMPHLET THAT LISTS ALL THE VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES THAT THE COUNTY OFFERS THAT I BELIEVE IS IN THE PROCESS OF GOING ON OUR WEBSITE. THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD MET LAST WEEK AND WE HAD A PRESENTATION FROM RICHARD HALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER, AND THEY WENT THROUGH JUST ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS THEY'VE HAD THIS PAST YEAR. THERE IS REALLY A LOT OF GOOD STUFF GOING ON THERE INCLUDING A PARTNERSHIP WITH ZUFALL OPENING UP DENTAL, NOW PROVIDING DENTAL CARE AND PRIMARY CARE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. ON SATURDAY I ATTENDED THE KICK-OFF OF THE FOOD DRIVE THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY PATRIOTS ARE DOING, AS THE DIRECTOR MENTIONED. THEY WILL MATCH ALL DONATIONS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THAT ARE MADE THROUGH DECEMBER 20TH. IF YOU DO A DONATION BY CHECK, MAKE SURE TO WRITE SOMERSET CHALLENGE ON THE CHECK. THAT'S MY REPORT. THANKS. >> WELCOME BACK, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, AND WE DID MISS YOU, BUT THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO KICK OFF OR END UP THE YEAR. [NOISE] JUST CHECKING IF EVERYONE'S AWAKE. [LAUGHTER] WAS IT SOMETHING I SAID? TESTING, TESTING. IS THAT BETTER? >> CAN YOU GUYS HEAR IN THE BACK? >> YEP. >> IF NOT, I COULD SPEAK UP, TOO. [LAUGHTER] SO GIVEN THE HOLIDAY SEASON, WE HAD MANY MENORAH LIGHTINGS AND TREE LIGHTINGS. I CELEBRATED THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING OVER IN BERNARDSVILLE WHERE WE HAD A HUGE TURNOUT. IT HAS BEEN A WARMER WINTER, WHICH I APPRECIATE. THE DOWNTOWN OF BERNARDSVILLE WAS FLOODED. WE HAD FROSTY THAT WAS DANCING IN THE CLOSE DOWN STREET, AND SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WERE ENJOYING EVERYONE GATHERING AND SUPPORTING DOWNTOWN BERNARDSVILLE. WE HAD QUITE A FEW PEOPLE INCLUDING THE HEAD OF DOWNTOWN BERNARDSVILLE, OLIVIA MANNING, AND TWO OF OUR VERY OWN, JESSICA PALIDY AND [OVERLAPPING] LISA FEDERICO, ON HER 40 UNDER 40. PARDON MY LAPS IN HER NAME THERE, BUT SHE HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB AND ACTUALLY HAS HELPED ME MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE RESOURCES TO VARIOUS PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN A TIME OF NEED, LISA IS THE PERSON THAT PICKS UP THE PHONE AND COORDINATES WHO TO ACTUALLY SPEAK TO, WHETHER IT'S AN ADDICTION OR ANYTHING ELSE. IN THOSE TIMES OF CRISIS, IT'S HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO LOOK, AND WE HAVE SO MANY, WHETHER IT'S STATE OR COUNTY RESOURCES, LISA DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB. SO THEY WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL MEETING, WE HAD A 40 UNDER 40 LIST. WE ALSO RECEIVED THIS WONDERFUL LITTLE PAMPHLET. IT'S THE SOMERSET COUNTY DESTINATION GUIDE WHERE WE CAN DISCOVER, EXPLORE, AND ENJOY. IF YOU DO PICK UP A COPY OF THIS, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE WHERE THERE ARE KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES. WE HAVE THE PLANETARIUM AT RBCC, THE GREAT SWAMP, THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER, LORD STIRLING STABLE WITH MORE NEWS COMING SOON, BRANCHBURG SPORTS COMPLEX AND SO MANY MORE. OUR PATRIOTS STADIUM, REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. IN A CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD, WHICH I'M SURE YOU HAVE, THIS SIP AND SEE TOUR. SO GET YOUR PASSPORTS, SCAN THEM BECAUSE WE HAVE PLENTY OF PLACES WITH OUTDOOR SEAT DINING AND IT IS ACCESSIBLE WHETHER IT'S IN-PERSON OR IF YOU SCAN THE QR CODE, YOU CAN HAVE IT ONLINE. SO MADE VERY CONVENIENT. WE DO THANK CHRISTO REILLY, [00:10:01] FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, AS HE PASSES THE BATON TO MONICA MARTINEZ MILAN. SHE IS THE OWNER OF STUMPY'S OVER IN GREEN BROOK, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T THROWN A HATCHET, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO. IT IS THERAPEUTIC AND ENJOYABLE. BUT SHE HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE ADVOCATE FOR LATINOS IN THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO SERVES ON THE STATE HISPANIC CHAMBER BOARD. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ACTUALLY ATTENDING THE HISPANIC CHAMBER GALA ON DECEMBER 7TH, WHERE WE ALSO HONORED VARIOUS LATINOS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE RISEN THROUGH THE RANKS AND SHARED THEIR STORIES. WHAT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT MESSAGES THROUGHOUT, EVERYONE SAYS THAT THEY THANKED THE PERSON THAT HELPED THEM GET THEM THERE AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN NOT NECESSARILY A FELLOW LATINO, BUT SOMEONE THAT GAVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY, THEIR PARENTS THAT DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN THE LAST GENERATION, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK WE CAN ALL SAY AS AMERICANS HERE. YOU TRY TO DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, AND WE TRY TO CONTINUE THAT ESSENCE RIGHT HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. SO SHE WILL DO AN INCREDIBLE JOB AND HAS ALREADY DEDICATED SO MUCH TIME, SO I WELCOME HER AND THANK HER FOR HER SERVICE. OTHER THAN THAT, THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE RIBBON-CUTTING OF THE NEW COMMUNITIES IN CONNECTION, FORMERLY KNOWN AS COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS, UP IN BERNARDSVILLE. I WROTE DOWN BEDMINSTER AND I KNOW IT'S BERNARDSVILLE, I WROTE THE WRONG THING DOWN. BUT THIS IS A FABULOUS FACILITY. THEY JUST OPENED A BRAND NEW BUILDING WHICH AN ANONYMOUS DONOR WAS SO GRACIOUS TO PROVIDE MOST OF THE MECHANISM FOR FUNDING THERE, BUT THEY'VE DONE SUCH A GORGEOUS JOB WITH THIS BUILDING. IT'S HELPING PEER TO PEER YOUTH TO GO THROUGH THINGS AND GET THEM TO COUNSELING AND HELP THAT THEY NEED. THERE'S ALSO RECOVERY SERVICES THAT ARE THERE. THEY HAVE RECOVERY SERVICES FOR ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THEY ARE THE ONE AND ONLY LGBT-CENTRIC RECOVERY CENTER TOO IN SOMERSET COUNTY. THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY AND I WISH THEM WELL. THEY DID GORGEOUS JOB UP THERE AND THEY CONTINUE TO DO WONDERFUL GOOD WORKS FOR OUR PEOPLE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. THEN I ALSO HAD THE ENJOYMENT OF OUR WELLNESS FESTIVAL TO BE ONE OF THE JUDGES WITH OUR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS PAUL MCCALL, AND WE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME SELECTING ALL THE ENTRIES. IT WAS VERY YUMMY. I COULDN'T SAY NO TO ANY OF THEM, AND DIDN'T EAT DINNER THAT NIGHT, BUT I DID ENJOY LIKE 10 SELECTIONS, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE ENTRANTS. THEY WERE REALLY WONDERFUL. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY ON THE TEAM HERE AT SOMERSET COUNTY FOR PUTTING THAT TOGETHER. IT WAS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL EVENT, I REALLY ENJOYED MYSELF, AND ESPECIALLY EATING THE TREATS IS MAKING IT MORE ENJOYABLE. TODAY I HAD THE PLEASURE OF TOURING THE SOMERSET COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION BUILDING. IT'S AN ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL LOCATED IN BRIDGEWATER, RIGHT BY THE MANDEVILLE BORDER. VERY INSIGHTFUL. THEY DO A LOT OF WONDERFUL WORKS FOR DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF OUR YOUTH COMMUNITY THAT WILL ATTEND THIS SCHOOL. HOPEFULLY, COMMISSIONER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, YOU CAN GET OVER THERE TOO. IT'S A GREAT SPOT. THEY WERE VERY WELCOMING. DO GREAT WORKS THERE. OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM, CHANGING GEARS HERE. WE JUST HAD OUR SHREDDING EVENT, THE LAST SHREDDING FOR YEAR. THE BIGGEST SHREDDING EVENT THAT WE'VE EVER HAD, 1,600 CARS AND WE LOADED UP 30 TONS OF SHREDDED MATERIALS. GREAT SUCCESS ON THAT, AND WE WILL HAVE OUR NEXT SHREDDING AGAIN, BUT IT WON'T BE TILL THE SPRING. WHEN YOU'RE GETTING ALL YOUR TAX INFO READY AND CLEANING OUT YOUR FILES, JUST PUT IT IN THE BAGS AND KEEP IT UNTIL WE HAVE OUR NEXT ANNOUNCEMENT OF A SHRED EVENT IN THE SPRING. OUR GREEN BROOK FLOOD CONTROL COMMISSION, THEY ARE DOING SOME WORK NOW WITH THE UPPER BASIN PROJECT. THERE ARE SOME PRELIMINARY PLANS THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED. THERE'S FIVE PUBLIC MEETINGS. THERE'S ACTUALLY ONE TONIGHT. THERE'S ANOTHER ONE ON THURSDAY NIGHT VIRTUALLY. BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO IN-PERSON, ACTUALLY, IT CONFLICTS WITH OUR JANUARY COMMISSIONER MEETING, BUT I'M HOPING I CAN GET OVER THERE AFTER OUR MEANING HERE. JANUARY 9TH, THERE'LL BE IN-PERSON AT THE VERMEULE MEETING CENTER IN NORTH PLAINFIELD. THE UPPER BASIN PROJECT ONLY AFFECTS WATCHUNG AND NORTH PLAINFIELD IN SOMERSET COUNTY. LOWER BASIN IS GREEN BROOK AND THAT PROJECT'S ONGOING NOW. [00:15:03] OUR IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY MET TODAY, APPROVED THEIR BUDGET AND PROFESSIONALS FOR NEXT YEAR, SO THEY'RE MOVING RIGHT ALONG. OUR LIBRARY COMMISSION MET AND APPROVED THEIR THINGS THERE. CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN, TO THE GRADUATES OF THE LEADERSHIP SOMERSET PROGRAM. THEY DID GREAT PROJECTS AS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR HAS TALKED ABOUT. WE HAVE, I BELIEVE, 25 NEW RECRUITS, RIGHT, LISA? FOR THE NEW YEAR, [OVERLAPPING] THAT'LL START UP IN JANUARY AGAIN. TERRIFIC PROGRAM, AND THANK YOU LISA FOR ALL YOU DO ALONG WITH CAROLINE. SHE'S A DYNAMO TO HELP YOU, BUT SHE'S LEANING ON YOU, AS SHE TELLS ME AT THE LIBRARY, I MENTIONED. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, GREAT NEWS. AS I'M ALWAYS ADVOCATING FOR A ONE-SEAT RIDE ON THE RARITAN VALLEY TRAIN LINE, I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE CONGRESSMAN KEAN AND CONGRESSWOMAN WATSON COLEMAN COSPONSORED A BILL THAT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY CONGRESS TO DO A STUDY FOR A ONE-SEAT RIDE ON THE RARITAN VALLEY LINE. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW AS WE CONTINUE WITH THE MONEYS COMING IN FOR THE GATEWAY PROJECT THAT'S HAPPENING. WE DON'T WANT THE RARITAN VALLEY LINE TO BE FORGOTTEN. WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN HERE AT SOMERSET TO BANG THE POTS AND PANS TO MAKE SURE THAT LEADERSHIP ON ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT DON'T FORGET ABOUT US AND WE GET THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE ASKING THAT ARE ONLY FAIR. THAT WILL CONCLUDE MY REPORT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. JUST WANT TO SAY GO GIANTS. CERTAINLY [LAUGHTER] GREAT TO SEE NEW JERSEY'S OWN TOMMY DEVITO, WHO HAD A GREAT GAME LAST NIGHT. IF YOU CARE, I CAN'T SPEAK THAT WELL, IT'S BECAUSE I WAS SCREAMING VERY LOUDLY AT THE GAME. HOWEVER, LET'S GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, OUR LAST MEETING ABOUT THE ONGOING FESTIVAL OF TREES AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER. WE HAD OUR PARK COMMISSION MEETING AT LORD STIRLING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER AND GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE FESTIVAL OF TREES. REALLY GREAT DISPLAY OF TREES. YOU GO OUT THERE, YOU CAN JUDGE THEM. ON THE WEEKENDS THEY'RE HAVING MUSIC PERFORMERS. IT'S OPEN NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 28TH, BUT IT WILL BE CLOSED ON DECEMBER 22ND AND THE 24TH AND THE 25TH. CERTAINLY GO OUT AND CHECK OUT THE FESTIVAL OF TREES AT LORD STIRLING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER ON LORD STIRLING ROAD. ALSO MET LAST WEEK AT THE PARK COMMISSION FOUNDATION MEETING. I WAS ASKED TO REMIND FOLKS THAT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PLANTING MEMORIAL TREES OR PURCHASING MEMORIAL BENCHES FOR FOLKS THAT THEY'LL INSTALL THEM WITHIN THE PARK'S END OF OUR GOLF COURSES IN MEMORY OF FALLEN FOLKS OR PEOPLE WHO INTEREST IN. THE PARK COMMISSION ESTABLISHES A PROGRAM FOR THAT AND THEY PUT A NICE MEMORIAL PLAQUE. YOU CAN SELECT THE LOCATION FOR THE BENCH, [NOISE] YOU CAN JUST SELECT CERTAIN TREES. I MEAN, NATIVE TREES PLANTED. BUT IT'S A REALLY GREAT PROGRAM TO MEMORIALIZE FOLKS WHO HAVE PASSED. ALSO ATTENDED THE NEW JERSEY'S STATE OF THE FOOD SYSTEM SUMMIT LAST WEEK AT COOK COLLEGE. IT'S REALLY GREAT EVENT AND BROUGHT MANY PEOPLE TOGETHER, PRIMARILY INVOLVED IN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, FOOD BANK OPERATORS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR FARMERS. THEY DISCUSSED MANY ISSUES. KATE KATZER FROM OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT WAS THERE AND SHE DID A GREAT JOB OF PRESENTING SOMERSET COUNTY'S FARMLAND PRESERVATION PLAN. JESSICA PAOLINI AND OUR OWN BEN WAS THERE AS WELL. REALLY, SHOUT OUT TO BEN, HE WAS PROBABLY THE HIT OF THE WATCHUNG, I'LL SAY. BUT NEVERTHELESS, KATE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. I THINK, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FURTHERED THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WAYS TO ENTICE AND TRAIN YOUNG FARMERS TO ENTER THE FARMING PROFESSION. BECAUSE THE AVERAGE AGE OF FARMERS IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN WELL-DOCUMENTED, AS IN THE '60S. PEOPLE ARE NOT COMING AND ENTERING THE FARMING PROFESSION. AS THE SYSTEM OF OUR FOOD SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BE DISCUSSED, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT HOW OUR AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND OUR AGRICULTURAL PROPERTIES ARE USED, AND SOMERSET COUNTY IS CERTAINLY LEADING THE WAY IN THAT DISCUSSION AND WE HAD A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE DISCUSSION WITH NOT ONLY FOLKS FROM THE STATE, BUT ALSO RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, AND THEY'RE REALLY INTERESTED IN HAVING THE SOMERSET COUNTY BE A PARTNER IN ENTICING YOUNG FARMERS TO USE COUNTY FARMLAND PROPERTIES. THAT'S REALLY EXCITING. THAT WILL END MY REPORT. THANKS. >> THANK YOU. I FAILED TO MENTION TWO THINGS. ONE IS IF ANYONE OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC IS INTERESTED IN SERVING ON A COMMISSION, COMMITTEE, OR BOARD, ON A SOMERSET COUNTY WEBSITE WE DO HAVE [00:20:03] A PORTAL IN WHICH YOU CAN APPLY AND ALSO SUBMIT YOUR RESUME. AGAIN, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON A COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, OR BOARD, WE ARE ALWAYS FILLING VACANCIES, BUT NOW IS THE TIME SO WE CAN BE PREPARED FOR OUR REORG MEETING IN JANUARY AND ANYONE THAT'S BEING REINSTATED OR ANYBODY NEWLY INSTALLED, WE WANT YOU TO BE A PART OF OUR REORG MEETING, AND SO THAT YOU CAN BE INSTALLED PROPERLY. THEN WE CAN ALL CELEBRATE TOGETHER. THEN I FAILED TO MENTION THAT YOUTH COMMISSION MET ON TODAY AND THEY PRESENTED AND VOTED ON THE 2024/2026 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH IS TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE CONCERNS WITHIN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. BUT IN HOPES OF LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR MORE COMPASSIONATE, EFFECTIVE, EQUITABLE APPROACH TO JUVENILE JUSTICE RIGHT HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB, SO KUDOS TO THEM. MS. MAHR, YOU HAVE ANYTHING? MOVING RIGHT ALONG. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION, SO I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES. [BACKGROUND] >> GOOD TO SEE YOU, GREG. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GREAT WORK. THIS IS REALLY ABOUT RECOGNITION OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND THE GREAT WORK THEY DO. GREG HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. GREG'S WORKS IN RECOGNITION WITH THE SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS IN FURTHERING THE CAUSE OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. CERTAINLY, IT'S BEEN SAID THAT GREG HAS BEEN SEEN THROUGHOUT COUNTLESS PROJECTS FOR THE K9 UNIT OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, WHICH HAVE SURPASSED ALL EXPECTATIONS. ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE AND RECOGNIZABLE PROJECTS IS A NEW FLAG DESIGN FOR THE SHERIFF'S VEHICLES, WHICH BEGAN IN 2021, WITH THE ADDITION OF A DONATED K9 VEHICLE. HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO MAKE ENDLESS MODIFICATIONS IN WORKS BEYOND HIS SCHEDULED HOURS TO ASSIST WITH URGENT REQUEST. HIS EXPERTISE, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, AND FINAL PRODUCTS ARE A GREAT REPRESENTATION OF OUTSTANDING WORK PROVIDED BY SOMERSET COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AND IT SHOULD BE COMMENDED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] WITH THAT, YOU GET A PARKING SPACE IN THE PARKING GARAGE. [LAUGHTER] >> NEXT ONE. ONE MORE. THANK YOU. >> MORRIE BALSAMO. [BACKGROUND] GOOD. >> I AGREE, THIS IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE. LET ME MAKE SURE YOU CAN HEAR US. THE SOMERSET COUNTY EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION COMMITTEE PRESENTS THIS HUMANITARIAN AWARD CERTIFICATE, TO TOMMY BALSAMO, COMMUNICATIONS 911, IN RECOGNITION AND SINCERE APPRECIATION OF YOUR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS IN FURTHERING THE CAUSE OF GOOD GOVERNMENT. ON SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2022, DISPATCHER TOMMY BALSAMO RECEIVED A 911 CALL FOR A YOUNG MALE WHO ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. DISPATCHER BALSAMOS' QUICK ACTIONS, ALONG WITH HIS ABILITY TO PROVIDE CRITICAL LIFE-SAVING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CALLER SAVED THIS YOUNG MAN'S LIFE. HIS EFFORTS DIRECTLY IMPACTED THE SUCCESS OF A CRITICAL CALL, AND NOW THE YOUNG MAN HAS ANOTHER CHANCE OF LIFE. ON NOVEMBER 3RD, 2023, DISPATCHER BALSAMO WAS AWARDED THE DISPATCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM DANA JOHNSON, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE NATIONAL EMS CONFERENCE IN ATLANTIC CITY. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] >> THANK YOU. WE NOW HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD. >> WE JUST WANTED TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT [00:25:03] THE ARP FUNDING GIVEN TO THE BOARD HAS HELPED RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTIES. AMY LAMB, FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LITERACY VOLUNTEERS, WILL BE TALKING ABOUT OUR FIRST STEPS BASIC ENGLISH PROGRAM, BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE ABOUT THE RBCC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THAT YOU GOT A BUNCH OF EMAILS RECENTLY. WE GAVE THE LATEST GROUP OF SCHOLARSHIPS OUT TO ANOTHER 14 YOUNG PEOPLE. ALL TOGETHER SINCE THE PROGRAM BEGAN, WE'VE GIVEN OUT 38 SCHOLARSHIPS, 31 FROM SOMERSET COUNTY, AND SEVEN FROM HUNTERDON COUNTY, IN SEPARATE FUNDING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH. THAT HUNTERDON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR HUNTERDON COUNTY RESIDENTS. STUDENTS HAVE BEEN DOING [INAUDIBLE] AND EKG LAB ASSISTANT PROGRAMS, WELDING PROGRAMS AND INTRODUCTION TO ADVANCED MANUFACTURING. ALL TOGETHER, WE'VE USED 55,000 OF THE 88,000 THAT YOU'VE GRACIOUSLY GIVEN US. I JUST WANTED TO READ TWO OF THE EMAILS TO GET INTO THE RECORD SO PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THAT THIS IS HAVING. >> ONE IS FROM AARON DOMINGO FROM RARITAN BOROUGH. ''AS A STUDENT AND AS SOMEONE THAT IS WORKING TO PROVE ONESELF, IT'S VERY MOTIVATING THAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE SUPPORTING US AND PAVING THE WAY TO REACH OUR GOALS. IT TRULY GIVES US HOPE, ESPECIALLY IN THESE TIMES, THAT SOMEONE IS WILLING TO INVEST THEIR TIME AND EFFORTS TO HELP STUDENTS ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS, AND IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY I WILL BE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR.'' THE FOLLOWING COMES FROM EMILY DIAZ OF HILLSBOROUGH. ''AS A STUDENT, BEING GIVEN THE SCHOLARSHIP HAS HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY BY PROVIDING THE FUNDS NEEDED TO EXPAND AND LEARN AS A STUDENT, AND AS A PERSON OVERALL. THE OPPORTUNITY HAS HELPED NOT ONLY ME, BUT EVERYONE IN MY CLASS, LEARN HOW TO GROW IN OUR CAREERS.'' SEVERAL OF THESE STUDENTS ARE, BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITY BEING ABLE TO HAVE THIS CLASS PAID FOR, HAVE CONTINUED THEIR EDUCATION AT RBCC AND THEY'RE DEVELOPING CAREERS IN OUR COUNTIES. SO THAT'S WHAT THIS SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT. TO CONTINUE ON HOW WE'RE HELPING PEOPLE, I WANTED TO BRING AMY HERE TO DO A SHORT POWERPOINT ON THE DEEP IMPACT. THAT FIRST STEPS BASIC ENGLISH HAS BEEN PROVIDING TO OUR RESIDENTS. AS A REMINDER, THE FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM GOES THROUGH DECEMBER OF NEXT YEAR. >> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS PROGRAM. IT'S BEEN REALLY AMAZING. IT'S 18 MONTH PROGRAM, AND WE'RE SIX MONTHS INTO THE PROGRAM. AS A REMINDER, THIS IS FREE ENGLISH INSTRUCTION FOR ADULTS IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES. WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD. OF COURSE, THE LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY, HUNTERDON COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION, RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND OUR COMMUNITY LIBRARIES. THAT'S JUST THE OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE GOT THE FUNDING IN JULY AND WE HIRED A NAVIGATOR WHO WORKS AT THE LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY. STARTING IN SEPTEMBER, WE WERE ABLE TO START FIVE CLASSES IN DIFFERENT LIBRARIES. THESE ARE FREE CLASSES IN BERNARDSVILLE, BOUND BROOK, FRANKLIN, NORTHERN PLAINFIELD, AND RARITAN. THIS IS THE NORTH FRANKLIN CLASS THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN. A HUNDRED STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AND 70 STUDENTS ARE ATTENDING REGULARLY, WHICH IS OUR TARGET. WE OVER-ENROLLED SO THAT WE WOULD END WHERE WE WANTED TO, AND 61 STUDENTS COMPLETED A PRE-SURVEY. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE IDEA ABOUT WHO THE STUDENTS ARE, WHO ARE IN THIS PROGRAM. A LITTLE BACKGROUND IS, THE STUDENTS GET FOUR HOURS OF FREE INSTRUCTION TAUGHT BY A PROFESSIONAL TEACHER AND THE CLASSES ARE HELD IN THE LIBRARY. THE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING VERY BASIC ENGLISH; THE ALPHABET, CAN YOU WRITE YOUR NAME? HELLO, MY NAME IS. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? THEY DID THE COLORS. THEY'RE DOING THE ROOMS IN A HOUSE. IT'S VERY BASIC ENGLISH. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HERE ARE THE STUDENTS. ONE-THIRD OF THEM COME FROM PERU, BUT THEY'RE ALL FROM MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, AND A FEW FROM THE CARIBBEAN. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. MOST OF THE STUDENTS, 88% SPEAK SPANISH; THAT'S THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE. NEXT SLIDE. MOST STUDENTS ARE 25-50, BUT WE HAVE SOME VERY YOUNG STUDENTS AND SOME SENIORS AS WELL SO THAT'S PRETTY INTERESTING. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES? MOST STUDENTS HAVE BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES LESS THAN TWO YEARS, BUT YOU'LL SEE A GOOD NUMBER OF STUDENTS HAVE BEEN HERE FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS. [00:30:06] WE FIND THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE ASK, ''WHY HAVE YOU WAITED SO LONG TO LEARN ENGLISH?'' BUT STUDENTS ARE VERY BUSY WITH THEIR DAILY LIVES TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS, RAISING FAMILIES AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE KIDS START TO GET OLDER OR THINGS SETTLE DOWN, THEN THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ON THEMSELVES. WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE PEOPLE ON BOTH ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM. NEXT, PLEASE. WORK HISTORY. MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THESE CLASSES ARE WORKING. THEY EITHER HAVE A JOB, THEY HAVE A JOB OR WANT A BETTER JOB. THEY DON'T HAVE A JOB, BUT WANT A JOB, AND VERY FEW ARE NOT IN THE WORKFORCE. NEXT, PLEASE. TWO-THIRDS OF PARENTS, SORRY, AND A THIRD ARE NOT. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE MAIN REASON MOST PEOPLE WANT IS THEY WANT TO LEARN ENGLISH SO THEY CAN DO BETTER AT WORK. THEY CAN BE MORE INDEPENDENT AND NOT RELY ON OTHER PEOPLE TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES AND TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THEIR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SLIDE, IT'S SOME OF THE STUDENTS COMMENTS. NOW THESE HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED BUT I'M JUST GOING TO READ THEM FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T SEE THEM. THANK YOU FOR THE ENGLISH CLASSES THAT WE RECEIVE HERE. IT'S VERY GOOD BECAUSE WE LEARN THE BASICS OF ENGLISH AND I LEARNED A LOT. THIS CLASS IS THE BEST AND VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THIS COUNTRY. THEY'RE HELPING ME UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE, SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND BEFORE. IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE. THEY ARE HELPING ME COMPREHEND ENGLISH, BUT I STILL CAN'T EXPRESS MYSELF WELL, I UNDERSTAND BUT DO NOT SPEAK. THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE HELPING ME. I FEEL REALLY HUMILIATED IN MY WORK. YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S A VERY IMPACTFUL PROGRAM AND WE'RE JUST SO PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER IT. WHAT'S NEXT IS, RIGHT NOW IT'S RIGHT BEFORE WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE WINTER BREAK AND WE'RE CELEBRATING WITH THE STUDENTS WITH A PIZZA PARTY AND A VERY BASIC ENGLISH BOOK FOR THEM TO TAKE HOME. WE HAD THE FIRST PARTY LAST NIGHT AND PEOPLE WERE REALLY EXCITED, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE HOW MUCH SACRIFICE IT IS FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND CLASS. MANY OF THEM ARE COMING STRAIGHT FROM WORK. THEY DON'T EVEN GO HOME. THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO PREPARE DINNER FOR THEIR KIDS, AND THEY'RE REALLY DEDICATED TO LEARNING ENGLISH. THAT'S VERY EXCITING. IN JANUARY, WE'LL HAVE A NEW ENROLLMENT PERIOD, SO WE HOPE TO BRING IT ABOUT ANOTHER 60 STUDENTS, A COUPLE OF MORE CLASSES. WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME SMALL GROUP TUTORING. WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BRING IN SOME GUEST PRESENTATIONS, PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT TAX PREP AND JOB SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD INSECURITY, TRANSPORTATION, ALL THOSE. WE'LL BE WORKING WITH RIDEWISE AND PAUL'S TEAM AND THE UNITED WAY. BRINGING IN DIFFERENT PEOPLE TO HELP MAKE THE STUDENTS AWARE OF SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THE LAST, I JUST WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH, IS THIS GREAT SUCCESS STORY THAT I HEARD LAST NIGHT. ONE OF THE STUDENTS THAT WAS AT LAST NIGHT'S PIZZA PARTY SAID THAT SHE'S BEEN WORKING IN A HOTEL AND ALL THIS TIME SHE HEARS THE ENGLISH BUT SHE WASN'T PICKING UP ANY OF THE WORDS. IT WAS JUST NOISE. NOW AFTER FOUR MONTHS OF THE CLASS, SHE'S ACTUALLY HEARING THE WORDS AND SHE STARTING TO UNDERSTAND, AND HER MANAGER NOTICED, AND HE SAID THAT SHE'S DOING A FANTASTIC JOB AND IF SHE KEEPS AT IT, SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A PROMOTION. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR LETTING ME TELL YOU ABOUT HOW IT'S GOING. THANK YOU. GOODNIGHT. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT GREAT STORY TESTIMONIAL ABOUT ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS. MOVING ON TO COMMUNICATIONS, WE HAVE ELECTION STATEMENTS FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2023 GENERAL ELECTION. COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER GAVE US A NOTICE ON THE FEES COLLECTED. THEN AYANA TAYLOR EMAILED HER LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM THE SOMERSET COUNTY VOTEC. [NOISE] NEW BUSINESS? >> 23-2400 IS AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH GENESIS FOR THE BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES LEASE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $110,000. >> GOOD EVENING. RESOLUTION 23-2401 IS AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN K. HOVNANIAN AT WARREN TOWNSHIP, LLC AND THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET. THIS IS FOR A PROJECT LOCATED IN ONE TOWNSHIP, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COUNTY ROAD. THIS RESOLUTION ALTHOUGH, THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WAS CONCEPTUALLY APPROVED BY THE PLANNING BOARD AT ITS LAST MEETING. RESOLUTION 23-2402 IS AUTHORIZING SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL & HERITAGE COMMISSION LOCAL ARTS PROGRAM GRANT AWARDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $191,700 FROM [00:35:02] THE 2024 NEW JERSEY STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS LOCAL ARTS GRANT PROGRAM. THIS IS FUNDING 16 PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. WE'LL COME BACK EARLY NEXT YEAR TO CERTIFY THE FUNDS. >> GOOD EVENING. 23-2403 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES TO PKF O'CONNOR DAVIES FOR THE 2023 STATUTORY AUDIT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND TO SUPLEE CLOONEY & CO. FOR THE 2023 STATUTORY AUDIT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE SOMERSET PARK COMMISSION, THE LIBRARY, THE COUNTY CLERK, THE SHERIFF'S TRUST, THE SURROGATE'S TRUST, DEFERRED COMP, AND THE PROSECUTOR'S TRUST. 23-2404 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION R22-1554, ACCEPTING THE LOCAL EFFICIENCY ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM. THIS IS THE LEAP FELLOWSHIP GRANT, WHICH FUNDED A SHARED SERVICE COORDINATOR. THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT WERE MODIFIED FROM JULY 1ST, 2022, TO DECEMBER 31ST, 23, TO JANUARY 3RD, 22, TO JUNE 30TH OF 22, AND THIS ENDED UP REDUCING THE TOTAL AWARD TO $19,178.08, AND WE SUBSEQUENTLY HAVE TO RETURN $30,821.92 TO THE STATE. >> 23-2405, FOR YOUTH RECEIVING JUVENILE INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES, AUTHORIZES RENEWAL OF A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX FOR DETENTION HOUSING AND THE AMOUNT OF $377,322.40, AND EDUCATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 FOR SOMERSET COUNTY JUVENILES FOR THE PERIOD 1/1/24 THROUGH 12/31/24, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $402,322.40. >> 2406 IS APPROVAL TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION AND EXECUTE A GRANT CONTRACT WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR OF 2024 FUNDS UNDER THE LOCAL BRIDGES FUND PROGRAM. THIS IS FOR FIVE PROJECTS TOTALING $2,690,666. >> 23-2407 IS AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE 21 MUNICIPALITIES FOR RECYCLING SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2024. >> 23-2408, APPROVING QUALIFIED VENDORS FOR VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL LEGAL AND TITLE INSURANCE AGENCIES' SERVICE CONTRACT FOR 2024. >> RESOLUTION 23-2409 IS AUTHORIZING THE FUNDING PARTICIPATION BY THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE CONNECTION OF THE COST-SHARE PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS EASEMENT UNDER THE COUNTY PLANNING INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE DRENCHKO FARM IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. THIS WILL ADD ANOTHER ALMOST 23 ACRES TO THE FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM. TOTAL COST IS $1,089,990, OF THAT OUR COST SHARE IS GOING TO BE $198,080, 60% IS COMING FROM THE STATE, AND ANOTHER 25% IS COMING FROM HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. 23-2410 IS THE SAME; IS AUTHORIZING FUNDING PARTICIPATION FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE CONNECTION OF THE COST SHARE PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS EASEMENT UNDER THE COUNTY PLANNING INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE SMITH FARM, AND IT'S ON BRANCHBURG ROAD IN PEAPACK AND GLADSTONE. THIS WILL ADD ANOTHER 43 ACRES TO THE PROGRAM. TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $1.630,005.70 OF OUR SHARE WE ARE GOING TO BE PURCHASE FUNDING $592,754.80. THE REST IS MY PEAPACK GLADSTONE AND THE STATE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD. [APPLAUSE] WE'LL BE COMING BACK WITH MORE, THESE ARE JUST TWO OF THE 36 PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE PIPELINE. WE HAVE CLOSE TO 2,000 ACRES IN THE PIPELINE. KATE KEEPS BRINGING MORE FARMS IN, SO SHE'S DOING A GREAT JOB. THERE'S A LOT MORE COMING IN THE PROGRAM. I HAVE JOKED WITH HER, SHE DOESN'T NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM IN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ADOPTION, BUT WE'RE DING AND MAKING GREAT PROGRESS. [00:40:03] I'M SORRY, ONE MORE. I FORGOT. 23-2411 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES TO AHALI CONSULTING, LLC. THIS IS WHERE THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY CULTURAL & HERITAGE COMMISSION'S DOCENT TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS IS FUNDED BY A GRANT AND SOME COUNTY DOLLARS TO DO TRAINING FOR THE FIVE GENERALS HOUSES FOR DOCENTS TO DO ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNTRY. >> I HAVE SO MANY EXCITED PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING FOR THE DOCENT TRAINING TO BE DONE SO THAT THEY CAN JUMP ON BOARD. >> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY POPULAR PROGRAM AND ADD A LOT OF RESOURCES NEEDED TO THE NON-PROFIT GROUPS THAT ARE STRUGGLING FOR RESOURCES AND FOR MEMBERS. >> ABSOLUTELY. BRILLIANT IDEA. >> WHAT IS THE AGE REQUIREMENT FOR THIS PROGRAM OR BE A DOCENT? >> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN SIMILAR TO WHAT WARREN TOWNSHIP HAS DONE AND THEN FOR ADULTS AS WELL. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE. >> 23-2412 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, PLANO, TEXAS, FOR LAND RECORDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, FIRST-YEAR IN FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT, TOTAL FOR $197,725. >> 23-2413 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF THE SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT TO POLARIS PHARMACY SERVICES OF WARRINGTON TO FURNISH AND DELIVER GENERIC AND BRAND NAME DRUGS FOR INCARCERATED PERSONS IN SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL. SECOND YEAR OF THE CONTRACT WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 1ST, 2024. 23-2414 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF THE THIRD YEAR OF A THREE YEAR CONTRACT TO PROVIDE MOBILE X-RAY SERVICES TO INCARCERATED PERSONS IS SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL. THE AWARD IS TO SYMPHONY DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, ALSO, DOING BUSINESS AS TRIDENTCARE, AND THE THIRD YEAR OF THIS CONTRACT WILL START ON JANUARY 1ST, 2024. 23-2415 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL CONTRACT JCC 0018-23 FOR OPEN-END CO-OPERATIVE PRICING BID FOR WOMEN'S PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS AND MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES. THERE ARE FIVE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS FOR THIS CONTRACT. THE ONE ITEM THAT WASN'T BID WILL NOT BE SENDING OUT FOR RE-BID. 23-2416 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF ONE-YEAR CONTRACT FOR THE PERISHABLE AND NON-PERISHABLE FOODS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL. THERE WERE THREE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS FOR THIS CONTRACT. FOR THE ITEMS THAT WE HAD NO BIDS ON, WE WILL NOT BE SENDING OUT FOR RE-BID. >> RESOLUTION 23-2417 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO GIBBONS FOR BOND COUNSEL SERVICES. 23-2418 IS APPROVING A QUALIFIED LIST RESPONDENTS FOR UNDERWRITING SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 2024. 23-2419 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO NW FINANCIAL GROUP FOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR SERVICES. 23-2420 IS AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF PAYROLL CHECKS FOR THE LAST HALF OF DECEMBER ON DECEMBER 22ND, 2023, TO ALLOW THE FINANCE OFFICE TO COMPLETE THE YEAR-END CLOSE IN A TIMELY MANNER. 23-2421 IS RESCINDING RESOLUTION R23-705 FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE KUBOTA UTILITY VEHICLE WITH CONTRACTED AND NON-CONTRACTED OPTIONS FOR THE PARK COMMISSION TO CHERRY VALLEY TRACTOR SALES UTILIZED IN THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION CONTRACT, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED A DECREASE OF $24,866.67. >> RESOLUTION 2422, AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO NAVIANT INCORPORATED, VERONA, WISCONSIN, FOR ONBASE ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT FOR THE SECOND YEAR OF A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $72,424.80. >> RESOLUTION 23-2423 FOR THE OFFICE ON AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES AUTHORIZES THE AWARD OF CONTRACTS FOR SENIOR SERVICES UNDER THE SOMERSET COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES AREA PLAN CONTRACT 2022 THROUGH 24. THIRD YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $906,040. 23-2424. [00:45:01] AUTHORIZES THE AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR SENIOR NUTRITION MEALS. THIRD YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,601,950. >> RESOLUTION 23-2425. AUTHORIZING AWARD OF FIRST-YEAR ONE-YEAR EXTENSION WITH THREE OPTIONAL ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS REMAINING ON A CONTRACT TO COMMUNITY IN CRISIS, BERNARDSVILLE, NEW JERSEY FOR A PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT PROGRAM. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $18,216. RESOLUTION 23-2426. AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASES OF BODY ARMOR AND BODY ARMOR ACCESSORIES FROM MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVICES OUT OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK, UTILIZING NEW JERSEY STATE CONTRACT NUMBERS 17-FLEET-00754. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $35,200.04. THANK YOU. >> RESOLUTION 23-2427. AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT QED FOR THE SECOND YEAR OF A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT FOR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT. APPLICATION SOFTWARE SYSTEM CONTRACT TO PROVIDE ANNUAL SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT FOR THE PRODUCTS AND MODULES LICENSED TO SOMERSET COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS QED APPLICATION SOFTWARE, JANUARY 1ST, 2024 TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2024. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $92,275. 2428. AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF STATE CONTRACT 83916 TO INTRADO LIFE AND SAFETY SOLUTIONS FOR THE THIRD-YEAR MAINTENANCE RENEWAL. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $107,600. 2429. AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO 579 SOLUTIONS LLC, FOR THE EMT PROGRAM, PHASE TWO OF IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR SOMERSET COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES TRAINING ACADEMY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $25,000. 2430. AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF FIXED AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS EQUIPMENT FROM GOLD TYPE BUSINESS MACHINES, EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $34,077. 2431. AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF MESSAGE BOARDS FROM ALL TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS, STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $60,672.90. 2432. AUTHORIZING THE AWARD A CONTRACT TO ZUFALL HEALTH CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO FURNISH SERVICES FOR CHILD HEALTH CLINIC, PHYSICIAN, AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING. SECOND YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $26,824. 2433. AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ZUFALL HEALTH CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, CANCER SCREENING, AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FOR UNDER-INSURED AND MEDICALLY UNDER SERVED POPULATION OF SOMERSET COUNTY. SECOND YEAR OF A THIRD-YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $28,146. 2434. AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ID CARE FOR TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL PHYSICIAN AND NURSING SERVICES. THIRD YEAR OF A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $315,768. OF NOTE FOR THIS ONE. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT WE DID RECEIVE A GRANT TO TOTALLY SUBSIDIZE THIS FOR THIS YEAR AND THIS YEAR ONLY BETWEEN TWO SEPARATE GRANTS, SO THIS WILL SAVE THE COUNTY SOME MONEY DUE TO THE HARD WORK OF THE TEAM PUTTING TOGETHER THAT GRANT. >> 2435 IS APPROVING QUALIFIED VENDORS FOR VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 2024. 2436 IS AWARDING A CONTRACT TO RICOH OUT OF PARSIPPANY FOR OUR WIDE-FORMAT ENGINEERING COPIER/SCANNER. SECOND YEAR OF A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT. 2437 IS AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER ONE AND FINAL PAYMENTS OF BLACK ROCK ENTERPRISES FOR OUR AMWELL ROAD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, AN INCREASE OF $24,402.34. 2438 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT AT MARK TINDER APPRAISALS FOR OUR 2023 ROAD RESURFACING AND ADA COMPLIANCE PROJECTS. NOT TO EXCEED $21,375. 2439 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO BECHT ENGINEERING FOR OUR SITE LIGHTING DESIGN AT THE SOMERSET COUNTY ESTA IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $22,300. 2440 IS AWARDING A CONTRACT TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LLC, [00:50:01] FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE GREEN BROOK FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT. NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $30,000. 2441 IS AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT, IH ENGINEERS FOR DESIGN OF COUNTY BRIDGE D1008, WHICH IS AIRPORT ROAD OVER THE RIVER IN BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $336,447.04. NEXT IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SHOLK REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL FOR REAL PROPERTY APPRAISAL SERVICES ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS. NOT TO EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF $20,000. >> 23-2443 IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A VENTRAC TRACTOR WITH ACCESSORIES. THIS IS A DRIVING SNOWBLOWER AND PLOW THAT WE CAN USE ON OUR SIDEWALKS. WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN MILES OF SIDEWALK THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE WALKED BEHIND SNOW BLOWERS, WHICH IS NOT EFFICIENT. THIS IS A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $27,063. 23-2444 IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE SINGLE-AXLE FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS DUMP TRUCK WITH OPTIONS AND ALSO A SPREADER AND PLOW WITH OPTIONS. THIS IS OFF THE ESCNJ. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $251,361.28. THIS IS A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. 23-2445 IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE ONE SINGLE-AXLE FREIGHTLINER HOOK LIFT WITH SPREADER AND PLOW AND OPTIONS, AND A 2024 SINGLE-AXLE HOOK LOADER CONTAINER BODY. THIS IS BOTH OFF ESCNJ. THIS IS A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $258,434.70. 23-2446 IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF TWO SINGLE-AXLE FREIGHTLINER DUMP TRUCKS WITH OPTIONS AND ALSO TWO BODY AND PLOW PACKAGES. THESE ARE BOTH OFF THE ESCNJ. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $438,034.32. JUST FOR THOSE VEHICLES, SO YO KNOW, IT TAKES OVER A YEAR-AND-A-HALF TO GET THESE VEHICLES IN. WE'RE ORDERING THEM NOW AND WE WON'T SEE THEM FOR A YEAR-AND-A-HALF, MOST LIKELY. SOLID WASTE. WE HAVE 23-2447, IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACTS TO ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURERS RECYCLING MANAGEMENT, WHICH IS KNOWN AS MRM. THIS IS FOR OUR E-WASTE DROP-OFF. IT'S THE THIRD YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT. THERE WAS NO COST TO THE COUNTY, AND FOR SOME ELECTRONICS, WE DO GET A MINIMAL PAY. >> I JUST GOT TO SAY, I WENT THERE FIRST SATURDAY. THEY DO A MAGNIFICENT JOB. IT'S SO EFFICIENT OVER THERE, YOU JUST DRIVE IN. I WAS IN AND OUT THERE, TWO MINUTES. I NEVER EVEN GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE GUYS UNLOADED EVERYTHING FOR ME AND I HAD A COUPLE OF HEAVY ITEMS. THEY DO A REALLY FANTASTIC JOB. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'LL LET THEM KNOW. 23-2448 IS AUTHORIZING UTILIZATION TO ESCNJ TO PURCHASE TWO 2024 MODEL. THESE ARE FOUR PERSON CREW CAB FROM AIR BRAKE AND EQUIPMENT. THESE ARE RECYCLING VEHICLES WITH LOADMASTER 33YD DEMOLITION PACKAGE, THEY ARE BASICALLY GARBAGE TRUCKS, I'M GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE THING. NOBODY'S GOING TO UNDERSTAND. THEY ARE GARBAGE TRUCKS. TOTAL, NOT TO EXCEED $721,352.46. THESE USUALLY TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO GET. 23-2449 IS AUTHORIZING, THIS IS THE PURCHASE OF EIGHT, AND THESE ARE THE AUTOMATED SIDE LOADERS FOR OUR RECYCLING PROGRAM. THIS TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $3,286,239.20, AND THIS IS COMBINING CAPITAL FROM 22 AND 23. AGAIN, THIS WILL ALLOW US TO EXPAND THE DUAL STREAM TOTE SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. WE'RE OVER 50% NOW AND THIS WILL HELP US EXPAND QUITE A BIT, HOPEFULLY ANOTHER 20% TO 25%. THE ONLY THING AGAIN, THESE VEHICLES TAKE A YEAR TO GET. >> I'M JUST CURIOUS, HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO GETS WHAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING? >> WHEN WE'RE DOING THE RUNS, WE DO WHAT'S EASIEST FOR THE OPERATION ITSELF FIRST. SO WHICHEVER STREETS ARE EASIEST FOR US, SO WE CAN GET THE MOST HOUSEHOLDS DONE. IF WE PICK STREETS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DOWN AND IT TAKES US LONGER TO GET DOWN THEM, THAT'S LESS HOUSEHOLDS THAT WE CAN DO. WE TRY TO GET EVERYTHING THAT'S EASY FOR US TO DO. IT MAKES IT MORE EFFICIENT, AND WE CAN GIVE MORE HOUSEHOLD TOTES. THE ONE THING WE DO DEAL WITH IS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS. THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DOES HAVE TO APPROVE IT. WE HAVE HAD AREAS WHERE THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION SAID, [00:55:01] ''NO, WE DON'T WANT THE TOTES.'' BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HAVE ANY GARBAGE CANS OR BUCKETS OUTSIDE. THEY ALL HAVE TO GO IN THE GARAGE AND SOME OF THEM ARE SINGLE-CAR GARAGES, SO THERE'S NO ROOM FOR THE TOTES. THAT'S BASICALLY HOW WE DECIDE. NOW OBVIOUSLY, AT SOME POINT, A MAJORITY OF THE COUNTY WILL HAVE TOTES EXCEPT WHERE THEY'RE NOT APPROVED BY EITHER A HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION OR APARTMENT COMPLEXES ALSO. >> I'VE GOT EMAILS ASKING, "WHY HAVEN'T I GOTTEN MY TOTE, AND PEOPLE GOT THEIRS?" >> YES, WE GET THE SAME QUESTIONS ALL THE TIME. WHAT IT IS, IS IT'S BASED IN AREAS. THE AREAS ARE USUALLY BROKEN UP IN MAIN ROADS, EITHER IN A MUNICIPALITY OR ALONG A COUNTY ROAD. SO YOU COULD HAVE THE SAME TOWN, AND YOU'RE ON ONE SIDE OF THE COUNTY ROAD, AND YOU DON'T HAVE IT, AND THE OTHER SIDE YOU DO HAVE IT. BUT WE TRY TO PIECE THEM TOGETHER LIKE A PUZZLE. NORMALLY, IF YOU'RE PUTTING A PUZZLE TOGETHER ON DIFFERENT AREAS ON THE BOARD, YOU DON'T PUT ONE PIECE HERE, ONE PIECE. YOU PUT FOUR PIECES HERE, WELL, I'VE FOUND THREE PIECES HERE. THAT'S HOW WE TRIED TO PUT IT TOGETHER. IT IS LIKE A PUZZLE, AND THE RECYCLING DIVISION ARE VERY GOOD AT PIECING THAT PUZZLE TOGETHER BECAUSE OVER YEARS, WITH THE MAPS THAT WE'VE UTILIZED, WE FEEL, AND IT SEEMS THAT WAY, IT'S BEEN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO PICK IT UP, SO THAT'S HOW. BASICALLY, EVERY TIME SOMEONE CALLS ME, I ALSO LET THEM KNOW THE SAME THING. IT'S BASED ON WHAT'S EASY FOR US TO DO AND PICK UP. >> [BACKGROUND]. >> PROBABLY AT LEAST A YEAR. WE HAVE DUMP TRUCKS. WHICH, DUMP TRUCKS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT, THEY DO TAKE LONGER. WE HAVE ROAD DUMP TRUCKS WE ORDERED A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO, WE STILL DON'T HAVE THEM. THERE ARE SOME COMPANIES THAT AREN'T EVEN TAKING ORDERS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH FROM DIFFERENT TYPES OF BRANDS AND MANUFACTURERS. I FORGOT WHERE I WAS, KELLY. OKAY. HERE WE GO. 23-2450. THIS IS THE PURCHASE OF (3) 2024. THESE ARE ALSO AUTOMATED SIDE LOADERS, JUST A DIFFERENT TYPE OF AUTOMATED SIDE LOADERS. THESE DON'T HAVE THE CREW CAB PORTION OF THEM. THIS IS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,270,506.99. [NOISE] >> 23-2451 IS AMENDING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO UPDATE ACCOUNT STRINGS ON PO, AND WAS APPROVED THROUGH R23-1052, THE PO WAS FOR $30,000. 2452 IS AMENDING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO FOUR AGENCIES TO UPDATE THE ACCOUNT STRINGS ON THE PO. [NOISE] >> HELLO. 23-2453, AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR THE PURCHASE OF FILM EQUIPMENT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $8,299.63. >> 2454, APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO COUNTY BUSINESS SYSTEMS, NEWTON, PA FOR 2023 VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,827.44. >> 23-2455 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO ACE ENDICO, VICTORY SUPPLY, COOPER ELECTRIC, AND SPRUCE INDUSTRIES. TOTALS NOT TO EXCEED $15,000. 23-2456 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL BY SHI INTERNATIONAL AND ACE ENDICO. THE TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $38,413.69. >> 23-2457 IS AUTHORIZING A TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS IN THE 2023 COUNTY OPERATING BUDGET. 23-2458 IS AUTHORIZING THE CANCELLATION OF OPEN PURCHASE ORDERS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED A DECREASE OF $5,079,310.65. THIS IS US CLOSING OUT PURCHASE ORDERS THAT ARE NO LONGER NEEDED FOR [INAUDIBLE]. 23-2459 IS THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFYING OF THE SAME. >> 23-2460, FOR THE OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES, AUTHORIZE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO CONTINENTAL TRADING & HARDWARE, INC. OF NEWARK, FOR A HANDYMAN WHEELCHAIR RAMP PROGRAM LUMBER. [01:00:03] TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $4,039. [NOISE] >> RESOLUTION 23-2461, APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO SUPER CAR WASH OF BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY FOR CAR WASHES DURING A PERIOD OF OCTOBER 27 2022 TO DECEMBER 31ST,2022. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $493.85. 23-2462, ANOTHER APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO SUPER CAR WASH OF BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY, FOR CAR WASHES DURING THE PERIOD OF 9/1/23 TO 10/31/23. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $606.90. RESOLUTION 23-2463, AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT FOR DR. HOWARD GILMAN, HOMDEL, NEW JERSEY, FORENSIC PSYCHIATRISTS SERVICES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $7,000. THANK YOU. >> 23-2464, AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS. UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT #83909 FOR THE COUNTY RADIO TRUNKING SYSTEM EQUIPMENT FROM JANUARY 1ST 2023 TO DECEMBER 31ST 2023. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $154,492.86. [NOISE] >> 2465 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO ARC DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION PLAN, REPRODUCTIONS, AND PLOTTING SUPPLIES FOR ENGINEERING DIVISION. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $3,750. >> BEFORE I DO THIS ONE, I JUST HAVE TO MAKE A CORRECTION. ON WHERE WE HAD THE EIGHT VEHICLES ORDERED, THOSE WERE REAR-LOAD SPLIT BODIES. THEY HAVE TIPPERS FOR TOTES, BUT THOSE THAT WILL REPLACE OUR TOP LOADERS, WHICH WE USE TO PICK UP THE BLUE BUCKETS RIGHT NOW, SO ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES WILL REPLACED THREE TOP LOADERS. BUT THEY CAN ALSO PICK UP TOTES. 23-2466 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO LOUMARC SIGNS IN HILLSBOROUGH. THIS IS FOR VINYL LETTERING AND ALSO FOR PVC COLD WEATHER CEMENT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $400.40. 23-2467 IS AMENDING AND CANCELING OF CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS TO HAIG SERVICE. WE'RE CANCELING A PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $42,216.74. 23-2468 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO D AND B AUTO SUPPLY. THIS WAS FOR RECYCLING SUPPLIES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $494.80. 23-2469 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS TO CHEMUNG SUPPLY AND ROAD SAFETY SYSTEMS. THIS IS FOR GUIDE RAIL AND GUIDE RAIL PARTS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $115,000. 23-2470 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $5,526.70. >> IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD UP RESOLUTIONS 23-2400 THROUGH 23-2470 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DECEMBER 19? >>MOTION MOVED. >> SECOND. >> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER DRAKE? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MARANO? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SOOY? >> YES. >> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY? >> YES. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON? YES. ITEMS TO BE ADDED FOR THE ADOPTION FOR OUR MEETING FOLLOWING THIS ONE? >> 23-2375 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LEASE BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND SOMERSET COUNTY FOR EACH ASSOCIATION. >> RESOLUTION 23-2376 WE'RE AMENDING RESOLUTION 23-1707 TO REFLECT A CHANGE IN THE STATE OFFICE ADMINISTERING THE FFY21 VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT GRANT PROGRAM. THANK YOU. >> 23-2377 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MULTIPLE VENDORS. THIS IS FOR OILS AND LUBRICANTS, IT'S THE FIRST YEAR OF A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,000. 23-2378 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION R23-2264. THERE WAS A CLERICAL ERROR IN THE AWARD FOR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS PARTS AND REPAIRS, AND IT'S THE FIRST YEAR OF A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT. [01:05:01] >> 2379 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION 23-2224, WHICH IS CORRECTING A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR FOR CHANGE ORDER 1 FOR GREEN CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN MANVILLE BOROUGH. >> [BACKGROUND]. >> MOST OF THE PAINTING WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER. THERE IS SOME INTERSECTION WORK THAT STILL HAS TO BE COMPLETED, SOME MINOR WORK THAT WILL NOT AFFECT TRAFFIC, AND THEN ALL THE NEW SIGNALS WILL BE PUT IN PLACE. WE'RE GETTING A SCHEDULE RIGHT NOW, IT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN IN JANUARY WITH ALL THE NEW SIGNALS GETTING PUT IN PLACE. >> SO RIGHT ON SCHEDULE. >> WE'RE A LITTLE BIT BEHIND. THEY HAD A SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION DATE OF EARLY JANUARY, SO IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO LAG A LITTLE BIT BEHIND THAT FOR THAT WORK. >> ALL THE STRIPING IS DONE FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE DESK? >> ALL THE STRIPING FOR THE PAVEMENT THAT'S HAPPENED, LIKE FOR INSTANCE, WE'RE WORKING ON DUKES PARKWAY RIGHT NOW. THAT STRIPING IS NOT DONE, BUT THE MAJORITY OF IT IS DONE. BASICALLY THE MAIN LINE IS ALL STRIPED AND ALL THE PARKING AND ALL THE CROSSWALKS ARE ALL DONE. >> IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTIONS 23-2375 THROUGH 23-2379 TO THE AGENDA FOR DECEMBER 12, 2023? >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER DRAKE? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MARANO? >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SOOY? >> YES. >> DEPUTY DIRECTOR SINGLETERRY? >> YES. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON? >> YES. WE COME TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING. WE'RE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FIVE MINUTES, NO USING OF TIME, NO COMING UP THE SECOND TIME. WE ALSO ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS FROM THE EMAIL. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. COME UP, STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. >> SURE. JILIAN SHILA, [INAUDIBLE] WARREN. I HAVE TO SAY 15 YEARS AGO WHEN I USED TO COME TO MEETINGS, WE WOULD HAVE THE PUBLIC COMMENTARY BEFORE THE VOTE JUST IN CASE THE PUBLIC SAID SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO RECONSIDER IN THE WORK SESSION. I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION, AND I'M HOPING MAYBE YOU'LL RECONSIDER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT 23-2454, WHY WE ARE PAYING COUNTY BUSINESS SYSTEMS IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR OUR VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS? IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT OUR COUNTY CLERK AND OUR STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS WOULD HAVE THAT INFORMATION. >> JUST FOR THE RECORD. ON THE WORK SESSION, THIS IS JUST TO VOTE ON THE AGENDA SO WE CAN VOTE NEXT WEEK. >> BUT I WON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THE REGULAR. THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT. >> WE HEAR YOU NOW AND WE DON'T ACTUALLY VOTE, WE JUST MOVE IN THIS SO WE CAN ACTUALLY TAKE THE ACTUAL VOTE NEXT WEEK. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THAT. >> THANK YOU. >> CLERK IS NOT HERE, BUT I KNOW THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN CONTRACTS THAT PEOPLE ARE CERTIFIED, VENDORS THAT WE GO TO, AND SO IT IS WHAT IT IS. I WOULD DARE SAY, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE. >> YOU TRADITIONALLY ASKED THIS QUESTION AS TO WHY DO WE USE PEOPLE OUT OF THE SIDE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND THE ANSWER TO THAT IS, THERE IS A PROCESS THAT WE BY STATE STATUTE, WE EITHER UTILIZE PEOPLE THAT ARE APPROVED ON A STATE VENDOR LIST, CONTRACT LIST, OR THROUGH AN RFP PROCESS. WE CANNOT DISCRIMINATE ANYONE JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OR THEIR BUSINESS MAY BE IN ANOTHER STATE. I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE THAT ANSWER. >> NO, THAT'S FINE. WITH THIS PARTICULAR THING, I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE VOTER LISTS, AND I WILL TELL YOU WHY. FOR OVER 10 YEARS, SO BEFORE MANY OF YOU I THINK WE'RE HERE, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET PEOPLE OFF. I STILL GET SAMPLE BALLOTS FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T BEEN IN MY HOUSE FOR OVER 10 YEARS. I HAVE MULTIPLE TIMES SENT LETTERS TO THE COUNTY CLERK, RETURNED THE BALLOTS TO THE POST OFFICE, CALL, I STILL GET SAMPLE BALLOTS. SO I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS. >> BUT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS VENDOR. >> I'M ASKING WHY. WHEN DOES STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS HAVE A MORE ACCURATE LIST? >> THE CONCEPT OF PURGING VOTERS FROM A BALLOT OCCURS BY STATUTE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE STATE FOR BOARD OF ELECTIONS. PEOPLE ARE REMOVED FROM BALLOTS AFTER THEY'RE INACTIVE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THERE IS A PROCESS. THIS VENDOR FOR THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. [01:10:02] >> BUT NOBODY CAN TELL ME RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE COUNTY CLERK IS NOT HERE. >> TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW WHY WE SELECT THIS VENDOR? >> NO, NOT WHY YOU SELECT, BUT WHAT THEY DO. WHAT THE VENDOR DOES, WHY HIS LIST WOULD BE DIFFERENT THEN MAYBE THE COUNTY CLERK. >> THERE ARE NO DIFFERENT LISTS, SO LET'S JUST STOP THAT RIGHT THERE. >> THEN WHY DO WE PAY THEM? >> THERE ARE LISTS THAT NEED TO BE MAINTAINED. THERE IS ONE MASTER VOTER LIST, THAT'S IT. >> WHO HAS THAT LIST? >> WE DON'T HAVE MULTIPLE LISTS, THERE IS NO CONSPIRACY. >> I DIDN'T SAY THERE IS, PLEASE DON'T PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH. >> WHEN PEOPLE ASK [OVERLAPPING] >> WHO HAS THAT LIST? IS IT THIS VENDOR, IS IT THE COUNTY CLERK, OR IS IT THE STATE? >> IT'S ONE DATABASE. >> I WOULD THINK THE COUNTY CLERK. >> THERE'S ONE DATABASE THAT YOU CAN ALSO ACCESS IT THROUGH THE STATE, THERE'S THE STATE VOTER FILE. >> WHY ARE WE PAYING THESE PEOPLE? >> TO MAINTAIN THE LIST. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT VENDOR DOES, YOU ARE CORRECT, I CAN'T ANSWER YOU HOW THE COUNTY CLERK UTILIZES THAT PERSON, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THERE'S ONLY ONE VOTER LIST. >> I BELIEVE YOU. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE PAYING THIS PERSON. I WOULD THINK THAT'S DONE IN-HOUSE, I WOULD HOPE IT'S DONE IN-HOUSE. >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS ALWAYS DONE IN-HOUSE. >> AS I SAID, I CAME TO COUNTY MEETINGS MANY YEARS AGO AND I NEVER REMEMBER PAYING OUT ANYONE FOR A VOTER LISTS. >> WE DO HAVE YOUR INFORMATION AND WE'LL HAVE THE COUNTY CLERK LOOK INTO THAT. >> I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. PLEASE VERIFY WITH HER. >> SURE. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? >> NO ONE ELSE BY EMAIL OR ANY OTHER MEANS. >> THANK YOU. HEARING NONE, SEEING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? >> IN FAVOR. >> SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.