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[Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting]

[00:00:04]

IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 9TH, 2024 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 COUNTYBOARDMEETING@CO.SOMERSET.NJ.US.

THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING BY CALLING (908) 231-7075 DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

THANK YOU.

WELCOME EVERYONE TO JANUARY 11TH, 2024 WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

THIS AGENDA AND THE ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL BE CONSIDERED SINCE THIS IS A SPECIAL MEETING, AND WILL BE CONSIDERED ALSO, WE HAVE OUR NEXT MEETING ON JANUARY 23RD, 2024.

ROLL CALL PLEASE.

I FORGOT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

LET'S STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR REFLECTIONS.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

MAY WE SERVE FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE VISITORS AND THE BUSINESSES OF SOMERSET COUNTY, SO THAT OUR WORK MAY LEAD TO A GREATER GOOD. SO WE WILL MOVE RIGHT ALONG TO OUR COMMISSIONER REPORTS, AND , WE'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR, COMMISSION, CONFERENCE ROOM FOR 2024 SEASON, AND WE'VE GOTTEN THROUGH REORG, WHICH WAS HELD AT THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE ON LAST FRIDAY.

SO THANK YOU ALL WHO WERE IN ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATED, ESPECIALLY TO THE STAFF WHO ARE THE BRAIN TRUST BEHIND MAKING IT HAPPEN AND MAKING US LOOK GOOD. I ALSO LIKE TO, AGAIN, THANK THE GOVERNOR FOR SWEARING IN, THE REELECTION OF COMMISSIONER DRAKE AND COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY, DURING THIS FOR THEIR SECOND TERMS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER AND WORK WITH YOU ALL AND FOR YOU ALL TO MAKE SOME CONTINUE TO MAKE SOMERSET COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO WORK, LIVE, PLAY AND VISIT, AND TONIGHT'S MEETING, DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE LARGE STORM THAT WE SWEPT THROUGH THE COUNTY ON TUESDAY NIGHT. SO THIS IS, A RESCHEDULING, A SPECIAL MEETING TO ACCOMMODATE US BEING ON SCHEDULE FROM THIS PAST TUESDAY AND WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STAFF AND TEAM FOR A JOB WELL DONE FOR THE STAGING, THE PREPARATION, THE COMMUNICATIONS AND THE PROTOCOLS.

HAD NO DOUBT THAT THAT YOU ALL WILL BE AT THE READY, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU ALL, AND THIS INCLUDES THE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. AGAIN, EVERYONE DID A FANTABULOUS JOB.

ALSO, I JUST WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE TO BE ON THE READY.

THIS IS FOR THE RESIDENTS AS WE COME INTO ANOTHER STORM EXPECTED TO COME IN ON TOMORROW AND RAIN THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

SO WE WILL BE UPDATING, RESIDENTS AND IN THE STAFF AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

SO NOT AS MUCH HIGH WIND GUSTS, NOT AS MUCH RAIN, BUT BECAUSE OF THE WATERWAYS BEING AS HIGH AS THEY ARE.

THE WATER HAS SOMEWHERE TO GO.

SO WITH MORE RAIN OR MORE WATER COMING, WE CAN'T STOP IT.

WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING SAFE AND TO FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL AND SIGNS OF OF THE ROAD CREW AND FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, IF THERE IS A ROAD THAT'S BLOCKED, IF THERE ARE BARRICADES, CONES THAT ARE UP WARNING YOU OF HIGH WATERS, DO NOT TRY AND DRIVE THROUGH THEM.

IT IS A SAFETY.

IT IS AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT, NOT ONLY FOR YOU, BUT FOR OUR RESPONDERS WHO HAVE TO ACTUALLY DO THE RESCUE.

SO, WHILE THEY ARE TRAINED AND SKILLED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO IF WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT THEM IN THAT SITUATION, LET'S ALL BE SAFE AND DO OUR PART.

SPEAKING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, I WANT TO GIVE A PLUG TO THE THIRD ROUND OF POLICE ACADEMY, SCHOLARSHIPS WE ARE OFFERING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE, PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU TO JOHN, PROSECUTOR JOHN MCDONNELL AND HIS STAFF, AND TO DATE, WE HAVE TRAINED IN PLACE SEVEN OFFICERS IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY, AND THIS IS TO HELP

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DIVERSIFY OUR POLICE FORCES AND BETTER REFLECT THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH WE SERVE AND LIVE.

ANYONE INTERESTED SHOULD APPLY BY JANUARY 19TH, WHICH IS NEXT FRIDAY, VIA THE COUNTY WEBSITE.

LOOK FOR THE PHOTO OF ONE OF OUR NEWEST RECRUITS ON OUR HOME PAGE.

SHE IS NOW SERVING IN RARITAN BOROUGH, AND YOU CAN CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION, AND FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO, ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE WILL BE OBSERVING MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY ON MONDAY, JANUARY 15TH.

THIS WILL BE THE 95TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, OR REMEMBRANCE OF REVEREND DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR, AND ALSO THE STATE AND FEDERAL MLK HOLIDAY, WHICH IS A DAY OF SERVICE, ALSO KNOWN AS A DAY OF SERVICE, AND SOMERSET COUNTY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED, BUT MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN SERVICE PROJECTS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, MLK FOUNDATION BREAKFAST, THIS YEAR, AGAIN THIS YEAR.

SO, TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

I BELIEVE THEIR WEBSITE IS FTMLK.ORG, BUT IF YOU GO TO FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP WEBSITE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO CLICK ON MORE INFORMATION FOR THE MLK FOUNDATION BREAKFAST TICKETS, AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR MY REPORT.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR.

NOTHING TO REPORT AT THIS TIME.

THANK YOU. I HAVE A PRETTY SHORT REPORT TODAY.

WE'VE GOT OUR YEAR END SUMMARY FROM OUR TRANSPORTATION DIVISION FOR 2023.

WE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED 94,732 PARATRANSIT TRIPS, 49,150 PUBLIC TRANSIT TRIPS, AND WE DELIVERED CLOSE TO 100,000 MEALS TO PEOPLE THIS YEAR, 94,388 MEALS, WHICH IS A 5% INCREASE FROM 2022.

SO HATS OFF TO OUR TEAM OVER AT TRANSPORTATION.

THEY CONTINUE TO DO GREAT WORK.

ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE FNS DIVISION.

THEY DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB FOR THE REORG.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE PREP WORK AND THE CLEANUP AND CLOSEOUT.

APPRECIATE ALL YOU GUYS DO, AND RECYCLING.

EVEN WITH THE STORM, YOU GUYS MANAGED TO CLEAN UP EVERYTHING AND GET EVERYTHING PICKED UP TIMELY.

SO GREAT JOB BY YOUR TEAM IN THOSE PARTICULAR TOWNS.

SO PLEASE SEND OUR THANKS TO THEM, AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

JUST A FEW THINGS.

I ATTENDED A FEW OF THE REORGANIZATION MEETINGS THROUGHOUT SOMERSET COUNTY, INCLUDING SOMERVILLE, BURNSVILLE, BOUND BROOK AND HILLSBOROUGH.

WE WELCOME A NUMBER OF NEW MAYORS, TO THE FOLD OF MAYORS, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM, INCLUDING MAYOR GALLAGHER AND, MAYORS OF HILLSBOROUGH, BERNARDSVILLE AND BOUND BROOK. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

I WAS SWORN IN LAST FRIDAY.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THAT, NOT ONLY PUTTING TOGETHER THE ORGANIZATION OF THE WHOLE EVENT, WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE.

I WANT TO THANK GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR COMING ONCE AGAIN TO SOMERSET COUNTY TO SWEAR ME IN.

THAT WAS QUITE AN HONOR.

PART OF MY COMMENTS AT THE AT THE EVENT INCLUDED CONCERNS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE, AND I SPOKE ABOUT PROTECTION OF OUR NATURAL LANDS AS WELL AS OUR FARMS AND OUR FORESTS.

I ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MIKE FROST, WHO'S HERE IN THE ROOM, BUT REALLY, THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

WE CAN'T UNDERSCORE THE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT, PROTECTING OUR POPULATIONS OF FOLKS, NOT ONLY OUR SENIORS, BUT OUR VETERANS, OUR DISABLED AND AND THE YOUTH OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

SO, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU DO, MIKE, AND THEN, JUST PROBABLY ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AGO OR JUST BEFORE THIS MEETING STARTED, I ATTENDED THE REORGANIZATION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION, AND THAT'S ANOTHER GREAT ORGANIZATION I ENJOY WORKING WITH.

NANCY D'ANDREA WAS SELECTED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE PARK COMMISSION.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER.

OF INTEREST, I THINK YOU'LL ALL BE INTERESTED IN IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS AT NORTH BRANCH PARK.

I CHALLENGE THEM TO TRY TO GET THEM IN SERVICE BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY, BUT I KNOW THAT THE CONTRACTS ARE JUST GOING OUT FOR BIDS, BUT WE'LL SEE IF THAT'S A POSSIBILITY, BUT, PICKLEBALL IS A BIG THING IN SOMERSET COUNTY, AND CERTAINLY THERE'LL BE SEVERAL NEW COURTS IN NORTH BRANCH PARK, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

THAT'S THE END OF MY REPORT. THANK YOU.

WELL THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE A PART OF A LETTER I RECEIVED FROM A RESIDENT FROM NORTH PLAINFIELD EXPRESSING HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE COUNTY'S

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OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES.

HE UNFORTUNATELY HAD TWO FAMILY MEMBERS WHO BECAME DISABLED.

HE CONTACTED THE OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES.

HE SAID A TEAM LED BY WILLIAM CROSBY VISITED HIS HOME, BEGAN TAKING MEASUREMENTS.

ABOUT A WEEK LATER, MATERIALS WERE DELIVERED.

A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS BEGAN ASSEMBLING A RAMP FOR HIS HOME.

HE WAS NOT ONLY VERY IMPRESSED WITH THEIR WORK, BUT IMMENSELY GRATEFUL THAT THE RAMP WAS FINISHED IN TIME FOR ONE OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS RETURNED HOME FROM KESSLER INSTITUTE LATER THAT MONTH, AND HE ENDED THE LETTER BY SAYING BY FUNDING AND SUPPORTING THE OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES, YOU AND THE OTHER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT THERE ARE MANY SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS LIKE ME, WHO NEED ASSISTANCE LIKE THIS AT A TIME WHEN THEIR HOME BUDGETS ARE PUSHED TO THE LIMIT BY MEDICAL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH CARING FOR A LOVED ONE.

WITH THAT SAID, YOU ARE MAKING SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS AND I AM PRIVILEGED TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY KNOWING OUR GOVERNMENT LEADERS HAVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS IN MIND.

PLEASE CONVEY MY SENTIMENTS TO LORI ROME AND HER TEAM.

HAPPY NEW YEAR. SO THANK YOU, MIKE FROST.

I HOPE YOU CAN CONVEY THAT.

THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? OKAY. WE HAVE, A FEW COMMUNICATIONS, PSE&G, PETITION FILED FOR AN APPROVAL OF INCREASES IN ELECTRIC AND GAS SERVICES.

COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER.

NOTICE OF FEES COLLECTED FOR DECEMBER 2023.

COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER, 2023 REVENUE REPORT.

AN EMAIL FROM LINDSEY SHIRVANIAN RESIGNING FROM THE SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY COMMISSION.

RIDGE OAK SENIOR HOUSING NOTIFICATION OF AVAILABILITY FOR A SENIOR HOUSING APPLICATION WAIT LIST AND MOVE ON TO NEW BUSINESS.

24-200 IS A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BYLAWS REGARDING TERMS OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION OF THE STATUS OF WOMEN.

AFTERNOON RESOLUTION 24-201, AUTHORIZING NANCY DEVITO ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT THE 2024 FEDERAL EQUITABLE SHARING AGREEMENT AND THE 2023 CERTIFICATION FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

OKAY. 202 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF HIGH DEFINITION LICENSE PLATE READERS, WHICH WILL BE INSTALLED ON COUNTY ROUTE 518, ABOUT 170FT FROM SPRING HILL ROAD. GOOD AFTERNOON.

24-203 IS AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE TOWNSHIP OF BEDMINSTER FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

24-204 IS AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE BOROUGH OF NORTH PLAINFIELD FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AT 24-205 IS AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE TOWNSHIP OF WARREN FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

24-206 AMENDING THE RESOLUTION 21-233 TO INCREASE SECTION 5311 FUNDING BY $1,000 FROM $141,212 TO $142,212.

24-207 AUTHORIZE THE AMENDMENT OF R 22-1104, WHICH IS FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY WORKING GROUP FOR A THREE YEAR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2025.

208 IS AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER THREE AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION FOR THE 2021 ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT FOR AN INCREASE OF $154,461.56.

209 IS CONSULTANT AGREEMENT MODIFICATION NUMBER ONE TO VAN CLEEF ENGINEERING FOR THE NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATIONS FOR 2023, A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT INCREASE OF $3,191.

210 IS A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT MODIFICATION TO VERDANTAS LLC FOR THEIR POTABLE WATER MONITORING FOR THE PARK COMMISSION FACILITIES? TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $23,000.

211 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT TO GREEMAN-PEDERSON, INC.

FOR PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF VALLEY ROAD BRIDGE OVER THE PASSAIC RIVER BETWEEN BERNARDS TOWNSHIP AND LONG HILL TOWNSHIP, NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF

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$999,985.88. THIS IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECT THROUGH THE NJTPA.

IS THAT JUST IT'S DUE FOR A CHANGEOVER OR WAS THERE ANY DAMAGE TO THE BRIDGE FROM A STORM OR.

IT'S JUST DUE THIS, THIS PROJECT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WE JUST FINISHED CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT.

IT WAS IDENTIFIED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, NEEDED REPAIR DUE TO STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT WE SAW DURING INSPECTIONS.

SO THIS IS JUST THE NEXT PHASE OF THAT OKAY.

THANK YOU. PROBLEM 212 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO TRAFFIC PLANNING AND DESIGN, INC.

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTION OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF RIVER ROAD, HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $225,047.02.

24-213 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO IMWOTH LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS ID AUTO SHRED.

FOR MOBILE PAPER SHREDDING SERVICES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR OF A THREE YEAR CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $12,800.

24-214 IS THE APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO PKF O'CONNOR DAVIES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 17,500.

24-215 IS THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFICATION OF THE SAME.

24-216 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO HAIG SERVICE CORPORATION FOR THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS FOR SOMERSET COUNTY RADIO TOWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING EXTERIOR HORN STROBE ADD ON TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $80,149.78.

GOOD EVENING. 24-217 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR RECYCLING OPERATIONS SUCH AS UNIFORMS, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER SERVICES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $15,400.

THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTIONS 24-200 THROUGH 24-217 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR OUR JANUARY 23RD MEETING? MOTION.

SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.

WE NOW MOVE ON TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF OUR MEETING.

FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME.

NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME.

YOU CAN SPEAK ON ANY TOPIC.

IS THERE ANY IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? ANY EMAILS OR TELEPHONE CALLS.

THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS.

ALL RIGHT. HEARING NONE.

SEEING NONE. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? MOTION. SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.

ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE RIGHT INTO THE NEXT PORTION OF OUR MEETING.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.