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[00:00:02]

IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 12TH, 2024, ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

[ Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting]

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.

PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR REFLECTIONS.

. LET'S TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED IT ALL, BUT ALSO FOR THE YOUNG LADY WHO LOST HER LIFE TRAGICALLY.

END OF JANUARY, RIGHT HERE IN [INAUDIBLE].

THANK YOU. WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE FEBRUARY 13TH, 2024 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, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 27TH.

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.

I WILL RESERVE MY REMARKS AND FOR REPORTS FOR OUR NEXT MEETING.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR. HERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT, SO ON SATURDAY, WE HAD A LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT THE BRIDGEWATER COMMONS.

FOR ALL THOSE WHO CELEBRATE HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR.

WE HAD SUPER BOWL SUNDAY.

SO ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE PROPOSING THAT TO BE AN ACTUAL HOLIDAY ON MONDAY, I FELT YOUR PAIN.

BUT THE BUSINESS WEEK BEFOREHAND, I ATTENDED THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ANNUAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF OF THE YMCA.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TUNED IN OR HAVE SEEN OUR CAMP SOAR PROGRAM.

IT IS ONE OF OUR HIGHLIGHTS HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

MANY KIDS THAT WOULDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO SUMMER CAMP OR WOULD HAVE JUST BEEN STUCK AT HOME.

AND NOT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN PRODUCTIVE AND, YOU KNOW, MOTIVATING ACTIVITIES HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY RIGHT HERE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT.

HOWEVER, TO SEE ALL OF THE MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE, YOU KNOW, SOMERSET COUNTY, MERCER COUNTY, AND, YOU KNOW, THE CENTRAL JERSEY AREA.

ARE HEAVILY INVOLVED.

AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE A LOT OF OUR PARTNERS ON THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SIDE.

AND IF YOU WILL BEAR WITH ME, THE IF YOU DO HAVE THE MEANS TO DO SO, YOU KNOW, I DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO ON TO THEIR WEBSITE.

THEY HAVE A QR CODE TOO IF YOU WANT TO COME UP AFTER THAT.

AND I HAVE THIS HANDY TODAY, BUT FROM $150 IT PROVIDES ONE WEEK, OR ONE CHILD WITH A SIX WEEK SAFETY PROGRAM TO MITIGATE THE RISK OF DROWNING.

ALL THE WAY UP TO $5,000 TO PROVIDE PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH ONE MONTH OF PRESCHOOL AND CHILD CARE TUITION.

THIS NOT ONLY HELPS THE CHILD, BUT IT HELPS THE PARENTS.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT TESTIMONIALS OF SINGLE MOTHERS OR SINGLE PARENTS THAT ARE ABLE TO GO BACK TO WORK AND BE ABLE TO PROSPER AND GIVE A BETTER LIFE TO THEIR FAMILIES.

SO PLEASE CONSIDER THAT.

AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE A GREAT NONPROFIT PARTNER.

WE HAVE THE STATE OF THE COUNTY TOMORROW WITH THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, SO WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT FRONT COMING SOON.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

SO, IT'S NICE TO SEE EVERYBODY HERE AFTER A BUSY SNOW DAY.

AND THANKS TO OUR CREW AND PUBLIC WORKS FOR A GREAT JOB ON THE ROADS AND THE SIDEWALKS HERE AT THE COUNTY COMPLEX.

SO PLEASE SEND OUR APPRECIATION.

I HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE.

COMMISSIONER DRAKE AND I WERE BOTH AT THE SOLARIS RIBBON CUTTING.

THAT HAPPENED RECENTLY.

I HOPE I'M NOT STEALING YOUR THUNDER, COMMISSIONER DRAKE.

BUT SOLARIS IS A NEW LIFE SCIENCES COMPANY THAT HAS CHOSEN SOMERSET COUNTY, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP AS THEIR NEW HOME, BRINGING 350 NEW JOBS TO THE COUNTY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, LIFE SAVING TECHNOLOGY IN THE CELL AND GENE THERAPY,

[00:05:07]

TERRITORY. SO THIS IS SUPER GOOD NEWS THANKS TO OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM THAT I SEE HERE TODAY, JESSICA AND BEN, GREAT JOB WORKING WITH THEM AND ATTRACTING THEM HERE TO OUR COUNTY.

THIS IS JUST A REALLY BIG DEAL.

REALLY BIG DEAL FOR THAT, BLACK HISTORY IS THIS MONTH, AND I WENT TO THE EVENT IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP HONORING OUR OWN SHANEL ROBINSON.

SO CONGRATULATIONS, SHANEL.

IT WAS A REALLY NICE EVENT THERE AT FRANKLIN.

AND THANKS TO MAYOR BARAKA FOR BEING THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER THERE.

ALSO WENT TO NORTH PLAINFIELD.

THEY HAD A WONDERFUL MUSICAL PERFORMANCE YESTERDAY.

WELL, ACTUALLY ON SUNDAY AT THEIR VERMEULE MANSION.

SO NICE EVENTS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

LOOKING AHEAD, AS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR HAD MENTIONED, THERE'S ANOTHER LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, THIS TIME AT RVCC.

IT'S GOING TO BE TAKING PLACE ON SATURDAY, AND ALSO ON SATURDAY AT RVCC WILL BE THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD PRESENTATION AT THE PLANETARIUM, USING THE STARS WITH THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TO SHOW FOLKS HOW TO ESCAPE TO FREEDOM.

SO REALLY COOL WAY TO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT AND GO TO THE PLANETARIUM.

WE ALSO HAVE THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION INTO THE UKRAINE.

THE UKRAINIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY WILL BE PUTTING ON AN EVENT ON FEBRUARY 26TH.

I WENT LAST YEAR.

EXTREMELY POWERFUL EVENT.

I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO EVERYBODY TO GO.

YES. 7 P.M.

VERY, WELL DONE.

AND I WOULD IMAGINE THIS ONE WILL BE GOOD, TOO.

RECYCLING. THERE MAY BE SOME DELAYS ON THE HORIZON BECAUSE OF THE STORM, SO PLEASE BEAR WITH US AS WE CATCH UP OUR TRANSPORTATION NUMBERS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 8143 PARATRANSIT TRIPS, 4302 PUBLIC TRANSIT TRIPS, AND 7533 MEALS WERE DELIVERED TO PEOPLE'S HOMES AT OUR CULTURAL AND HERITAGE MEETING.

WE ARE GRANT HAS BEEN AWARDED FOR THE DOCENT TRAINING PROGRAM AND THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEER SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITHIN HUMAN SERVICES, WE'LL BE WORKING WITH, RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS TO BE DOCENTS AT OUR FIVE KEY HISTORIC SITES WITHIN THE COUNTY ARE FIVE GENERALS HOUSES.

SO MORE TO COME ON THAT, BUT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THAT DONE.

GEARING UP FOR THE TWO 50TH.

OUR LET'S SEE OUR.

YES, WE GOT THAT DONE.

THE 24 COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY MARCH 15TH, SO PLEASE LET THE NONPROFITS KNOW ABOUT THAT.

THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT HAS STARTED.

WE'VE GOT LOTS OF EVENTS GOING ON, SO PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE AND CHECK OUT WHAT'S GOING ON OUR PRESS RELEASES.

AND THIS SUNDAY IS HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND.

OUR FIVE GENERALS TOUR IS TAKING PLACE THROUGH MIDDLEBROOK.

SO THAT'S GOING TO BE, I'M SORRY, DID I SAY MIDDLEBROOK? I MEANT TO SAY IT GOES THROUGH, JUST HAD A MENTAL LAP THERE.

YEAH, IT IS MIDDLEBROOK, RIGHT.

OKAY, I THOUGHT I'M LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE, IT IS MIDDLEBROOK.

AND I'M LIKE, DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT.

OKAY, SORRY.

IT IS. OKAY, LET'S SWITCH GEARS TO THE LIBRARY.

THE LIBRARY'S PREPPING THEIR BUDGET.

AND WE HAVE GREAT NEWS.

WE JUST ADOPTED A RECIPROCAL BORROWING PROGRAM WITH THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD.

SO THIS IS REALLY EXCITING, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE IN THE BOROUGH OF NORTH PLAINFIELD, BECAUSE THE LIBRARY IN PLAINFIELD IS JUST A MILE DOWN THE ROAD.

AND IT IS A SPECTACULAR FACILITY.

SO GOOD NEWS.

THEY'RE JUST GETTING PEOPLE OUT TO SHARE RESOURCES.

OUR LGBT ADVISORY BOARD IS ON THE ROAD.

WE MET AT COMMUNITIES IN CONNECTION IN BERNARDSVILLE THIS PAST WEEK.

HAD A REALLY GREAT PRESENTATION THANKS TO KEN MUSGROVE AND HIS TEAM THERE.

THERE WERE SO MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SUBSTANCE RECOVERY, A LOT OF PROGRAMS AT THAT FACILITY FOR HELPING OUR YOUTH AS WELL.

SO REALLY GOT A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION.

AND KUDOS TO THE COUNTY, WHO I UNDERSTAND NOW, IS A MANDATORY NARCAN TRAINING FOR ALL OUR NEW HIRES.

SO THIS IS A GREAT POLICY.

I COMPLETELY SUPPORT IT, AND I THANK COMMUNITIES AND CONNECTIONS FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

SO GREAT NEWS THAT CAME OUT OF THERE.

OUR LOSS FROM HEROIN OVERDOSES HAVE BEEN CUT BY ALMOST HALF THIS YEAR.

SO THIS IS BEAUTIFUL NEWS TO HEAR.

SO THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CAN GET NARCAN, KEEP IT IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET, YOU NEVER KNOW.

YOU JUST NEVER, EVER KNOW.

AND IT'S SO EASY TO ADMINISTER.

[00:10:02]

SO LET'S HELP SAVE LIVES.

IF ANYBODY NEEDS NARCAN, YOU CAN EASILY PICK IT UP AT COMMUNITIES IN CONNECTION.

OR A PHARMACY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE THAT TO YOU FOR FREE.

SO LET'S KEEP THIS GOODNESS GOING, AND LET'S CUT THIS HALF DOWN IN HALF AGAIN NEXT YEAR AND KEEP IT UP.

OPEN SPACE. WE'VE GOT SOME REALLY EXCITING NEWS ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT, SO I'LL SAVE THAT.

AND THE LAST THING I'VE GOT IS THE COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY IS REFINANCING ONE OF OUR BONDS.

IT'S GOING TO BE SAVING $80,000 A YEAR IN FINANCING.

SO THIS IS ALL POSITIVE NEWS HELPING OUR BUDGET OUT.

AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

JUST A FEW THINGS.

LAST WEEK I ATTENDED THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE IN ATLANTIC CITY.

IT WAS A GREAT CONFERENCE.

SOMERSET COUNTY AG COMMUNITY WAS WELL REPRESENTED.

IT WAS CERTAINLY SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY AG BOARD.

WERE THERE ALSO? OUR OWN KATE CATS ARE PROVIDED A GREAT PRESENTATION, TO ALL THOSE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE GREAT WORK REALLY DEMONSTRATING THE SUCCESS OF AGRICULTURE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

SO THAT WAS A GOOD THING.

ALSO ATTENDED THE PARK FOUNDATION MEETING, JUST LAST NIGHT.

AND THE PARK FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION.

AND THEY'RE PLANNING TO HOST ITS ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT IN MAY.

THEY ALSO RAISED MONEY THROUGH THE SALE AND INSTALLATION OF MEMORIAL TREES AND BENCHES THAT CAN BE PUT IN MANY OF OUR COUNTY PARKS.

ALL THE MONEY PROCEEDS RAISED BY THE COUNTY PARK FOUNDATION GOES DIRECTLY TO THE PARK COMMISSION FOR ALL THEIR SUPPORT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED IN OUR PARKS.

SO THAT'S A GREAT THING. AND ALSO, THE PARK COMMISSION ITSELF WILL BE SPONSORING THEIR PRESIDENT'S DAY SALE OF GIFT CERTIFICATES.

PRICES ARE REDUCED FOR GIFT CERTIFICATES BY 20%.

SO FOR EVERY $100 IN GIFT CERTIFICATES YOU PURCHASE, YOU'LL RECEIVE A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $120.

AND SO THAT COULD BE USED FOR ANY PURCHASES WITHIN THE GOLF AND THE PARKS.

YOU KNOW, THE PARK COMMISSION'S JURISDICTION, PRIMARILY FOR GOLF, SUPPLIES AND GREENS FEES AND LIKES ON OUR COURSES.

SO THAT'S A GOOD EVENT.

RAISES A LOT OF MONEY UP FRONT.

AND OBVIOUSLY IT IS OFFSET THROUGH THE YEAR.

ALSO JUST TWO, SEMINARS COMING UP, FOR THE CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER.

FOR THOSE OF YOU LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND REALLY FOR WORKING ON THERE'S A VIRTUAL FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM SPONSORED THROUGH THE CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER ON FEBRUARY 28TH FROM 5:30 TO 8 P.M..

ALSO, THERE'S ANOTHER, SEMINAR BEING SPONSORED ON MARCH 6TH, PURCHASING AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.

AND THAT WILL BE FROM 6:00 TO 7:00.

BOTH ARE VIRTUAL.

YOU CAN REGISTER FOR BOTH, SEMINARS ON THE COUNTY CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER'S WEBSITE.

AND BOTH SEMINARS ARE FREE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND IF YOU'RE CERTAINLY LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.

SO I'LL HAVE A REPORT AND SEND MY REPORT.

THANK YOU.

I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYED THEIR SNOW DAY.

I KNOW OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES ALL GOT HERE NICE AND EARLY, SO I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I.

WE ALL APPRECIATE THAT.

I RECENTLY, SPOKE AT OUR FIRE ACADEMY GRADUATION.

WE TRAINED PEOPLE TO BE FIREFIGHTERS AS WELL AS EMTS.

THIS WAS THE THIRD IN-PERSON GRADUATION WE'VE HAD SINCE COVID.

ONE OF THE MANY GOOD THINGS THAT OUR, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DOES TO HELP TRAIN FIREFIGHTERS AND EMTS FOR MANY MUNICIPALITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

LAST WEEK, THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD MET.

WE RECEIVED A PRESENTATION FROM COREY STRAUCH, WHO'S THE CEO OF BRIDGEWAY.

BRIDGEWAY PROVIDES PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SCREENING SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY.

HE DISCUSSED A PROPOSED AFFILIATION WITH THE WOODS SYSTEM OF CARE.

THIS IS A PENNSYLVANIA BASED, COMPANY THAT PROVIDES VARIOUS SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, AUTISM, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

AND THIS PROPOSED AFFILIATION IS SOMETHING THAT HE SAID IS GOING TO REALLY HELP THEM WITH ACHIEVING ECONOMIES OF SCALE.

PROVIDING ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.

SO THE BOARD DECIDED TO ENDORSE THE PROPOSED AFFILIATION, WHICH HAS TO BE APPROVED BY VARIOUS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN NEW JERSEY. THE GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD MET RECENTLY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THEY DO IS THEY PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TAKE THEIR GEDS.

YOU CAN GO TO THE OFFICE ON 27 WARREN STREET IN SOMERVILLE.

THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD PROVIDES A SPACE AND DEVICE FOR THEIR TESTS.

[00:15:02]

AND ALL THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT THAT PEOPLE NEED WHO WANT TO TAKE THEIR GED.

SO I ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO'S INTERESTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

AND AS COMMISSIONER SOOY MENTIONED, I ALSO ATTENDED THE GREATER SOMERSET YMCA CAMPAIGN KICKOFF.

AND IT WAS A GOOD EVENT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING, THE YMCA AND ALL THE WORK THEY DID.

SHE MENTIONED THE CAMP SOAR, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE'RE REALLY HAPPY WITH.

AND I KNOW THAT THE Y IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO CONTINUE, TO CONTINUE CAMP SOAR, EVEN EVEN WITHOUT SOME OF THE ARP FUNDING THAT HELPED TO GET IT OFF THE GROUND.

AND SO I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM.

AND THAT'S MY MY REPORT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

I DO HAVE TWO QUICK ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE MENTIONED BY OTHER COMMISSIONERS, BUT WE HAVE BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT THAT'S COMING UP REAL SOON ACTUALLY.

PRICE OF SILENCE. THE SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 27TH.

IT IS A LOCALLY PRODUCED DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY IN NEW JERSEY, AND WE HAVE OUR OWN CENTRAL JERSEY AND RESIDENTS OF ELAINE BUCK AND BEVERLY MILLS WHO WILL BE TELLING THE STORY.

THIS WILL BE AT 5:30 TO 7:30 AT THE PEOPLE CARE CENTER FOR NONPROFITS, 120 FINDERNE AVENUE IN BRIDGEWATER.

IT IS FREE, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, AND THAT IS FEBRUARY 27TH, 5:30 TO 7:30, AT 120 FINDERNE AVENUE IN BRIDGEWATER. AS COMMISSIONER MARANO MENTIONED, ALL OF OUR EVENTS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE, SO PLEASE CHECK IT OUT.

AND I JUST WANT TO UPLIFT THE SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH FOR THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER THE LEADERSHIP PREVIOUSLY OF COMMISSIONER SOOY.

AND NOW I'M THE LIAISON.

WE WILL CARRY FORWARD THE THE BRUNCH THAT WAS, POSTPONED.

SO THE SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH, 10 A.M.

AT THE ELKS LODGE IN BRIDGEWATER.

THE DONATION IS $65 AND YOU CAN REGISTER AT RVCC, FOUNDATION.ORG OR PAY BY CHECK PAYABLE TO RVCC FOUNDATION.

AND THIS IS FOR WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

AGAIN THIS IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 16TH, 10 A.M.

IT'S CALLED THE SOMERVILLE ELKS BUT IT'S IN BRIDGEWATER.

375 UNION AVENUE, ROUTE 28, BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY.

AND THIS WILL BENEFIT WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT RVCC.

AND IT IS A TAXABLE DONATION.

SO PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND SUPPORTING US IN THAT EFFORT.

MS. MAHR ANYTHING.

ALL RIGHT, WE WILL MOVE.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING NEW JERSEY TRANSIT'S PROPOSED FARE INCREASES.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING JERSEY CENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT COMPANIES, ALSO KNOWN AS JCPL FOR THE TWO RIDER [INAUDIBLE] FILING, NOTICE OF FILING AND A PUBLIC HEARING OF PETITION REGARDING NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER COMPANY SEEKING TO CHANGE THE LEVELS OF ITS PURCHASE WATER ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE AND PURCHASE WASTEWATER TREATMENT CLAUSE, THAT IS BPU DOCKET NUMBER WR23110791.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING APPLICATION FILED WITH THE SOMERVILLE BOROUGH PLANNING BOARD.

COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER NOTICE OF FEES COLLECTED FOR JANUARY 2024.

LETTER FROM DAN HAYES RESIGNING AS SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSIONER AND AN EMAIL FROM ELIZABETH MATFIELD RESIGNING FROM THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN NEW BUSINESS. GOOD EVENING.

RESOLUTION 24 400 IS AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE BOND TO RARITAN REDEVELOPERS URBAN RENEWAL, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $104,769, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED THE SAME AMOUNT.

A SEPARATE MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE OF $5,238.45 HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THE PRINCIPAL, AND IS TO REMAIN IN FULL FORCE FOR TWO YEARS, AS POSTED AS A GUARANTEE FOR THE WORK PERFORMED WITHIN THE COUNTY.

RIGHT OF WAY OF FIRST AVENUE.

401 IS AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE A CASH PERFORMANCE SURETY TO 3G DEVELOPERS, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,174.48, LESS 5% OF THE TOTAL IMPROVEMENT COST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,208.72, WHICH WILL BE HELD AS A MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE FOR TWO YEARS AND DEPOSITED IN THE ACCOUNT #22-228-55-390-171-003 FOR A TOTAL DISBURSEMENT NOT TO EXCEED $22,965.76. THIS IS POSTED FOR GUARANTEEING THE ROAD WORK IN THE COUNTY RIGHT OF WAY ON MOUNTAIN BOULEVARD.

RESOLUTION 24-402 AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION 23 1103, AUTHORIZING THE SOMERSET COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF

[00:20:04]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR THE COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ACT, WHICH IS GRANT UP TO 500,000 FOR THE GRANT PERIOD JULY 1ST, 2023 TO JUNE 30TH, 2024.

THE COUNTY WILL ADMINISTER ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL IN AREAS OF AIR, WATER, NOISE AND SOLID WASTE, AND THE COUNTY WILL AGREE TO MATCH UP TO 50% OF THE TOTAL PROJECT AMOUNT.

JUST TO CLARIFY, THE REASON FOR THE AMENDMENT WAS DUE TO INCREASE IN SALARIES AND OFFSET OVERTIME FOR THIS YEAR.

LAST YEAR, THE BUDGET WAS $340,330, AND THERE'S AN ESTIMATED BUDGET ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW FOR 479,000, HENCE ASKING FOR UP TO 500,000.

EVENING 403 IS AUTHORIZING SUPPORT FOR THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FOR THE COMMUNITY AVE BRIDGE OVER THE TRENTON RAILROAD LINE CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT STUDY, MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP.

THIS IS A PROJECT THAT IS ADMINISTERED BY THE NJ DOT.

THIS IS A COUNTY ROAD WHICH IS CAMP MEETING ROAD OVER THE CSX RAILROAD LINE.

IT'S A REPLACEMENT OF THIS BRIDGE.

IT'S A LOW, RESTRICTED BRIDGE THAT IS FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE AND STRUCTURE DEFICIENT.

AND THEY'RE REPLACING IT WITH A STEEL TRUSS.

SO THIS IS OUR ENDORSEMENT OF THAT DESIGN.

24-404 IS AUTHORIZING SUPPORT FOR PREFERRED PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE FOR THE ROUTE.

202/206 BRIDGE OVER THE BRANCH OF THE PETERS BROOK.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT STUDY THIS IS A BRIDGE LOCATED IN BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP ON 202/206 BETWEEN ROUTE 22 AND 78.

IT'S A 13 FOOT SPAN ARCH BRIDGE.

THEY'RE DOING A FULL REPLACEMENT, SAME WIDTH OF THE ROAD, AND THIS BRIDGE IS IN POOR CONDITION.

AND JUST FOR CONTEXT, EVERY TIME THE DOT DOES A PROJECT IN SOMERSET COUNTY, THEY'RE ASKING FOR A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THAT PROJECT, WHETHER OR NOT IT INVOLVES A COUNTY ROAD OR NOT.

IS IT? 4405 IS AUTHORIZED AN AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO CHASE AND LAMPARELLO FOR LEGAL SERVICES ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $75,000.

406 IS AUTHORIZED IN A CONTRACT TO CLEARY GIACOBBE FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $260,000. 407 IS TO FLANAGAN, BARONE, AND O'BRIEN AGAIN FOR LEGAL SERVICES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000.

408 IS TO SHANE SHAFER OF BERNARDSVILLE FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $90,000.

AND 409 IS AUTHORIZED AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO QAI INTERNATIONAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF GRANICUS ANNUAL SUPPORT CONTRACT, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $18,074.22. 24410, IS AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A 12 MONTH CONTRACT FROM JANUARY 1ST 24TH THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST 24.

FOR SERVICES WITH THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR TOURISM AND SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS NOT TO EXCEED 275,000 PENDING ADOPTION OF THE 2024 BUDGET AND AUTHORIZING THE FIRST HALF OF PAYMENT FOR 137,500 AND 24-411 IS AUTHORIZED AN AWARD OF CONTRACT AGAIN FOR LEGAL SERVICES TO WILENTZ, GOLDMAN, AND SPITZER AND THE LAW FIRM OF SHAIN SCHAFFER, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000, AND THAT'S FOR TITLE AND ELECTION RELATED SERVICES.

24-412, IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR COMMISSARY SERVICES FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL.

THE KEEFE COMMISSARY NETWORK IS THE SECOND OF TWO OPTIONAL ONE YEAR EXTENSIONS.

THIS WILL RUN FROM MARCH 1ST, 2024 TO FEBRUARY 28TH, 2025.

23 24-413 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION 23-2415, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT JCC-0018-23 TO VARIOUS VENDORS AFTER REVIEW OF THE AWARD.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM NUMBERS ARE NOW AWARD TO BOB BARKER COMPANY.

ITEM NUMBER 9, 12, 21 AND 37.

24-414 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION 23-2414, WHICH AUTHORIZED THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR MOBILE X-RAY SERVICES TO SYMPHONY DIAGNOSTICS, DOING BUSINESS AS TRIDENT CARE.

THIS WILL AMEND THE PRICES OF THE MOBILE X-RAYS AND EKG TO $75 PER EXAM, PLUS $100 TRANSPORTATION FEE, TRANSPORTATION FEE PER VISIT, AND AMEND THE PRICES OF MOBILE ULTRASOUNDS TO $200 PER EXAM, PLUS $100 TRANSPORTATION FEE.

NEW PRICING WILL GO INTO EFFECT MARCH 1ST, 2024, AND THE TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $3,000.

24-415 IS AUTHORIZING THE UTILIZATION OF STATE CONTRACT TO PURCHASE 12 BALLISTIC AND STAB RESISTANT VESTS AND RELATED SUPPLIES FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL FROM

[00:25:07]

ATLANTIC UNIFORM.

TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $22,341.02.

24-416. AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SOE SOFTWARE, TAMPA, FLORIDA FOR THE SECOND YEAR OF A THREE YEAR CONTRACT FOR ONLINE POLL WORKER TRAINING UNDER LOCAL PUBLIC CONTRACTS LAW 40A:11-5(1) THOSE GOODS AND SERVICES NECESSARY OR REQUIRED TO PREPARE AND CONDUCT AN ELECTION.

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS HAVE THE REQUIREMENT TO PURCHASE VARIOUS GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY SOE SOFTWARE.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 11,000 FOR THE SECOND YEAR.

RESOLUTION 24-417, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SHI SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE ANNUAL SUPPORT AGREEMENT FOR ZIX EMAIL SECURITY SOFTWARE SECURITY SUITE UTILIZING NEW JERSEY COOPERATIVE PURCHASING ALLIANCE CONTRACT.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $40,616.15.

RESOLUTION 24-418 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF CISCO SWITCHES FOR THE LIFE CYCLE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FROM EPLUS TECHNOLOGIES, UTILIZING THE HUNTERDON COUNTY CONTRACT.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $72,919.49.

24-419 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR GOLF COURSE AND PARK MAINTENANCE MATERIALS REBID CONTRACT CC-0022-24R TO VARIOUS VENDORS. RESOLUTION 24-420 FOR THE OFFICE OF OPERATIONS AND PLANNING.

AUTHORIZES AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SOMERSET TREATMENT SERVICES FOR COUNTY INNOVATION GRANT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1ST 24 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $94,967.

24-421. ALSO FOR OPERATIONS AND PLANNING.

AUTHORIZES SUBCONTRACT AGREEMENTS WITH NEW HOPE, INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND THE AMOUNT OF $45,000 FOR WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT, $65,000 FOR SHORT TERM RESIDENTIAL, $20,000 FOR MEN AND WOMEN'S HALFWAY HOUSE, AND $10,000 FOR OUTPATIENT INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT SOMERSET TREATMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 59,000 FOR OUTPATIENT, INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,222, AGAIN FOR OUTPATIENT, INTENSIVE, OUTPATIENT AND POWER SOMERSET IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 FOR SBIRT IMPLEMENTATION AND 75,000 FOR THE $75,000 FOR THE OVERDOSE FATALITY REVIEW PROGRAM FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1ST THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2024 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $339,222.

RESOLUTION 24-422, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ELECTRONIC SERVICES SOLUTIONS, INC.

FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT AND LICENSES FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY NORTH LOOP MICROWAVE NETWORK UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT 83905.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $499,638.80.

423, IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO KEEP TECH OUT OF KEYPORT, NEW JERSEY, FOR TESTING AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR THE YEAR OF 2024, NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $50,000.

424 IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO VERDANTAS, LLC FOR POTABLE WELL MONITORING FOR THE PARK COMMISSION FACILITIES NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $43,887. 425, IS A WORD OF CONTRACT TO VERDANTAS LLC FOR WATER DIVERSION PERMIT MONITORING AND REPORTING FOR = OUR GOLF COURSES? NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $23,500.

426, IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO VAN CLEEF ENGINEERING FOR THE NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR OF 2024, NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $21,521.

427, IS AUTHORIZING A WORK CONTRACT TO CME ASSOCIATES FOR THE DESIGN OF THE WARRENSBURG GOLF COURSE WASHDOWN FACILITY, NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $86,000. 428, IS AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO FRENCH & PARRELLO ASSOCIATES FOR A STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING SERVICES

[00:30:05]

FOR THE COUNTY ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $50,000.

429, IS AUTHORIZING WORD OF CONTRACT TO KONKUS CORP.

AND SPARWICK CONTRACTING FOR A SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR STRUCTURAL REPAIRS.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT IS $1 MILLION.

THEY NORMALLY DO. SO THESE TWO CONTRACTS, WE USE THEM FOR ALL OF OUR BRIDGE REPAIRS.

IF WE HAVE A PRIORITY REPAIR THAT COMES IN FROM AN INSPECTION OR FROM A REVIEW OF A BRIDGE, FOR MAJOR REPAIRS THAT WE HAVE, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

CORRECT? YEP.

CORRECT. 430, IS A CONSULTANT MODIFICATION, NUMBER ONE TO VAN CLEEF ENGINEERING FOR THE NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATIONS FOR LAST YEAR, NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $3,191.

431 IS AUTHORIZED AND CHANGE NUMBER ONE TO TR FOR THE IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENTS AT THE WARREN BROOK GOLF COURSE IN WARREN TOWNSHIP, AN INCREASE OF $248,219.85. FOR THE CONTRACT.

AND 432 IS AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER TWO TO GREEN CONSTRUCTION INCORPORATED FOR THE CFD IMPROVEMENTS OF MAIN STREET, MANVILLE.

THIS IS A CHANGE ORDER ONLY FOR A TIME, NOT COST.

IN TIME. WE'RE JUST INCREASING THE CONTRACT TIME.

WHICH THE COMPLETION DATE WAS MAY 5TH.

SORRY, MARCH 5TH.

AND IT'S BEING INCREASED TO JULY 4TH.

WE HAVE HAD SOME DELAYS WITH SOME OF OUR MATERIAL DELIVERIES AND SUPPLY CHAIN.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE ROAD IS OPEN, BUT THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS ARE THE ONES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW.

AND IT'S REALLY ACCOUNTING FOR THAT DELAY OF GETTING ALL OF THAT EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS ON SITE.

24-433, IS AUTHORIZING AWARD A CONTRACT TO HAIG SERVICE CORP.

THIS IS FOR OUR INSPECTION, TESTING, MONITORING OF OUR ALARM SYSTEMS FOR MULTIPLE LOCATIONS.

WE'RE EXTENDING THE CONTRACT FOR A YEAR.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 30,000.

24-434, IS AUTHORIZING A WORD OF CONTRACT TO JOHNSON CONTROLS.

THIS IS FOR OUR QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSPECTIONS.

WE ALSO HAVE TO DO TESTING, REPAIRS OF OUR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, STANDPIPES, HYDRANTS, FIRE PUMPS AND BACKFLOW PREVENTERS.

AND THIS IS A VARIOUS SOMERSET COUNTY LOCATIONS.

IT'S THE FIRST YEAR OF A THREE YEAR CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 75,000.

24-435, IS AUTHORIZING COOPERATIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE USDA, AND THIS TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $5,000.

RESOLUTION 24-436 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO MILLENNIUM STRATEGIES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 8000.

RESOLUTION 24-437 IS THE APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFORMING ORDER TO MILLENNIUM, NOT TO EXCEED 4000.

438 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER FOR THE GREATER RARITAN AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD LOCAL GOVERNANCE TRAINING THAT WAS FOR THE BOARD, OFFERED THROUGH THE GARDEN STATE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATION, NOT TO EXCEED $3,308.439 IS APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER FOR THE BOARD AND PARTNER TRAINING FOR ALL OF OUR VARIOUS PARTNERS OFFERED THROUGH THE GARDEN STATE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PARTNERSHIP ALLOCATION, WHICH IS A NEW ALLOCATION FOR US.

THE TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $17,666.81.

440, AUTHORIZING TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO DSI MEDICAL SERVICES FOR DECEMBER 2023 INVOICE.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,739.

24-441, AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUS AWARDED CONTRACTS WITH SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURE AND HERITAGE COMMISSION, 2024 COUNTY HISTORY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GRANT AWARDS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $63,750.

24-442 AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION 2024 LOCAL ARTS PROGRAM GRANT AWARDS NOT TO EXCEED $189,700.

24-443 APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDER TO NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR BEN NANNA'S ATTENDANCE AT THE OCTOBER 6TH, 2023

[00:35:06]

MANUFACTURING DAY EVENT.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 75.

24-444 IS AUTHORIZING PAYING CONFORMING ORDERS TO RICOH USA FOR JANUARY 24TH.

INVOICES FOR THE FRONT COPIER AND THE BACK COPIER OF $185.81 AND $306, AND COSTAR REALTY INFORMATION, INC.

FOR THE 2024 JANUARY 2024 INVOICE OF $903.

THE PURCHASE ORDER WAS EXCEEDED, SO THAT'S WHY WE NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD.

AND THE NEXT ONE, 24-445 IS APPROVED AND CONFIRMING ORDER.

COSTAR REALTY FOR FINAL INVOICE OF 2023.

THERE IS INSUFFICIENT FUNDS AVAILABLE ON THE 2023 BLANKET ORDER NOT TO EXCEED $903.

24 FOR 46 IS AMENDED.

CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO W.B.

MASON, WILENTZ, GOLDMAN, SPITZER, RELIANCE GRAPHICS, AND SHARP ELECTRONICS.

IT IS TO CANCEL 2023 BLANKETS FOR A REDUCTION OF $10,921.27.

447 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRM AN ORDER TO RELIANCE GRAPHICS FOR PRINTING SERVICES FOR THE 2024 FIRE ELECTIONS.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $8,710, AND 448, IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRM AN ORDER TO THOMSON REUTERS FOR ONLINE SOFTWARE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $606.28.

449 IS AUTHORIZING THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO FLATBUSH MOVING VAN COMPANY FOR THE MOVING OF VOTING MACHINES FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION COMING UP IN 2024.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $31,990.

24-450 OPERATIONS AND PLANNING AUTHORIZES CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER, AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $11,136.

AND HOME OF SOMERSET COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,864 FOR NONPROFIT SERVICES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $14,000.

24-451 FOR RICHARD HALL.

APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO DELL COMPUTER OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, FOR RENEWAL OF YEARLY DOCUSIGN DIGITAL ENVELOPES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,759.20, AND 24-452, ALSO FOR RICHARD HALL APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO INOVALON PROVIDER, INC.

OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, FOR INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY AND CLAIM MANAGEMENT.

WEB BASED APPLICATION TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,940.

GOOD EVENING. 24-453 IS AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY EMERGENCY BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2024 BUDGET YEAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH NJS 40A, 4-20.

24-454 IS AUTHORIZING A REFUND OF AN OVERPAYMENT FOR THE OFFICE ON AGING ZUMBA CLASS AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10, AND 24-455 IS THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFYING OF THE SAME.

AFTERNOON RESOLUTION 24-456 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO MIKE'S TOWING RECOVERY.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 2000.

24-457. AMENDING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT FOR SERVICES TO SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE BY COMMUNITY IN CRISIS.

TOTAL REDUCTION NOT TO EXCEED $38,893.42.

24-458, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO GALLS FOR UNIFORM PATCHES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $820.

24-459, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO THOMSON REUTERS FOR ONLINE LEGAL RESEARCH FOR DECEMBER 2023.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,765.65.

24-460 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO T-MOBILE USA FOR SERVICES RENDERED DURING A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $25.

24-461, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO PENLINK FOR SOFTWARE LICENSES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $4,516.40.

24-462, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO SUPER CAR WASH FOR CAR WASH IS DURING DECEMBER 2023.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $208.25.

[00:40:05]

24-463, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO T-MOBILE USA FOR SERVICES RENDERED DURING A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION TOTALING NOT TO EXCEED $440. 24-464.

APPROVAL OF THE CONFIRMING ORDER TO DOCTOR HOWARD GILMAN FOR EXPERT FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY.

TESTIMONY TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,275.

24-465, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF A CONFIRMING ORDER TO MIKE'S TOWING AND RECOVERY FOR TOWING SERVICES UNDER COUNTY CONTRACT.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $261.

24-466, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF AFFIRMING ORDER TO W.B.

MASON FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES UNDER COUNTY CONTRACT TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,056.61.

24-467, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF CONFIRMING ORDER TO WB MASON FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES UNDER COUNTY CONTRACT.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $919.67.

24-468 APPROVAL OF PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO UPS GROUND FREIGHT FOR OUTSTANDING INVOICES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,808.17.

LIKE PAUL MCCALL. THANK YOU.

RESOLUTION 24-469 FOR COMMUNICATIONS APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES FOR OVER THE PHONE INTERPRETATION SERVICES.

OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2023, INVOICES TOTALS NOT TO EXCEED $3,265.70.

RESOLUTION 470 APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDER TO CABLEVISION FOR CABLE SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE 911 CENTER OEM AND ESTA FOR 2023 INVOICES TOTALS NOT TO EXCEED $504.57.

471 APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDER TO ELECTRONIC SERVICES SERVICE SOLUTIONS FOR THE YEAR 4 OF MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESS TOWER SITES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $68,412.72.

FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESOLUTION 472, AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR A PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO KFT FIRE TRAINERS, LLC.

CONTRACT NUMBER CC-905623 FOR KIDDIE FIRE TRAINER KFT T-2000 AND 0100 BURN TRAINING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE CONTRACT SECOND YEAR OF A 5 YEAR CONTRACT.

TOTAL WILL NOT EXCEED $26,990.04.

473, IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO ARC DOCUMENT SOLUTION FOR CONSTRUCTION PLAN REPRODUCTION AND PLOTTING SUPPLIES.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT IS $4,000.

474 IS AUTHORIZING, CLOSING AND RETURNING REMAINING FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO STRUNK ALBERT ENGINEERING FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY RECYCLING CENTER.

HVAC UPGRADES NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $16,500.

475 IS AUTHORIZING, CLOSING AND RETURNING REMAINING FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO ARC DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $11,285.36, AND 476 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO SPARKWICK CONTRACTING FOR STRUCTURAL REPAIRS OF BRIDGES AND STRUCTURES.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $51,371.68.

I THINK TOM WHITE WAS TRYING TO OUTDO ME IN RESOLUTIONS, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO 24-477 IS AMENDING AND CANCELING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO MULTIPLE VENDORS.

SO THIS IS A REDUCTION OF $87,823.51.

24-478 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION ORDER 24-137.

WE HAD TO CORRECT SOME ACCOUNT CODES.

THE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED IS $5,908.21.

24-479 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS.

THIS IS FOR OUR TRAFFIC SIGNAL ELECTRONICS AND ALSO FOR PAINTING.

THIS IS I'M SORRY [INAUDIBLE] WORK.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $87,419.15.

24-480 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS TO PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR PAINTING AND WALLPAPERING.

ALSO, AUTOMATIC DOORS AT MULTIPLE COUNTY FACILITIES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $41,892.

24-481 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO MULTIPLE VENDORS IN OUR FNS DIVISION, AND THIS TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $13,952.84. 24-482 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO BAYSHORE RECYCLING AND COLGATE PAPER

[00:45:06]

STOCK. THIS IS FOR OUR COMMODITIES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $42,908.03.

24-483 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUS AWARDED CONTRACTS TO MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR UNIFORMS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,550. 24-484 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION R 23- 433 IS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF OUR AWARDED CONTRACT TO ATLANTIC SALT AND MORTON SALT.

SO THIS IS A REDUCTION OF $271,618.

24-485 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO ATLANTIC SALT, AND THIS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $131,376.87. 24-486 IS AN APPROVAL TO PAY ANOTHER CONFIRMING ORDER TO ATLANTIC SALT, AND THIS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED IS $122,717.44.

24-487 IS APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO ATLANTIC SALT AND SOUTH STATE, AND THIS WAS FOR SALT AND THE REPAIR OF A ROAD CLOSURE GATE.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 30,000, $31.38.

24-488 IS APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDERS TO RICOH AMERICAS CORPORATION FOR COPIER LEASE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $275.46. 24-489, IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO NATIONAL FUEL OIL FOR GASOLINE AND DIESEL TOTALED NOT TO EXCEED $200,000.

24-490 IS APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDERS TO MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,073.57. 24-491 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO NATIONAL FUEL OIL FOR GASOLINE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $12,692.50.

24-492 IS APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDERS TO INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AT A BRIDGEWATER NATIONAL FUEL OIL FOR GASOLINE.

NATIONAL FUEL OIL FOR DIESEL TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $123,854.72.

24-493 IS APPROVAL TO PAY, CONFIRMING ORDERS TO A TOW VENDOR, AND MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $19,205.29. THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT, TOM.

SO 24-493 FOR APPROVING, APPROVAL TO PAY.

CONFIRMING ORDER TO CANON BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY.

EMERGENCY REPAIR OF CANON COPIER TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,353.95.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD ABOVE RESOLUTIONS 24-400 THROUGH 20 4-494 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 27TH MEETING.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION SECOND.

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? I HAVE A QUESTION BEFORE WE GO TO ROLL CALL ON 436 AND 437? 436 IS A PREVIOUS AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MILLENNIUM STRATEGIES LLC.

AND THEN APPROVAL FOR CERTIFICATION FUNDS FOR, I GUESS CURRENT DO WE HAVE A REPORT OUT STATUS OR OF WHAT THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING? OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT.

ALL RIGHT. IF NO FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS.

ROLL CALL PLEASE.

WE HAVE SEVERAL TO BE ADDED TO OUR REGULAR MEETING.

COUNTY COUNCIL, 24 352 IS AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BEHIND THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE BOROUGH OF BOUND BROOK FOR RADIO DISPATCH AND SERVICES.

353 IS THE EXECUTION OF AN EXTENSION OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND CROWN CASTLE.

354 IS AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SOMERSET HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR QPR, AND PURCHASE AND SERVICES.

355 IS REAPPOINTING MELISSA KOSINSKI, QPA AS THE SOMERSET COUNTY PUBLIC AGENCY COMPLIANCE OFFICER.

YES, THAT'S WHAT WE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY.

BOUNDBROOK DID PASS THEIRS LAST MONTH.

[00:50:02]

THEY SIGNED IT. SO THIS IS OUR COMPANION TO IT.

I THINK THE ANTICIPATED GOAL FOR THE START DATE IS PROBABLY THIS SUMMER.

THAT MAY MOVE OR FLUCTUATE DEPENDING UPON COMPATIBILITY AND STAFFING.

I KNEW SOMEONE WAS GOING TO ASK ME THAT.

IT IS A.

YEAH. RESOLUTION 24-356.

AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS BLOCK 165 LOTS 1, 2, 3 AND 13 AND BLOCK 169, LOT THREE, IN THE TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH, OWNED BY THE ESTATE OF BRICE W THOMPSON AND THE FOURTH ACQUISITION COSTS $6,750,000 AND ASSOCIATED CLOSING COSTS $337,500, TOTAL FUNDING NOT TO EXCEED $7,087,500.

HUGE, EXCITING THING I NEED YOU, I NEED IT WITH ENTHUSIASM.

THIS IS LIKE, OKAY, THIS IS A HUGE DEAL.

I'LL GET EXCITED. NOW BOUNCE OUT OF MY CHAIR LIKE TIGGER AND STOP WITH THE EULOGY I NEED.

LIKE, GOOD NEWS.

WELL, THAT WAS JUST THE DRY STUFF.

NOW I'M GETTING TO THE GOOD STUFF.

I'M EXCITED. LIKE, OKAY, SO YES, I CAN ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT MORE WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE ENTHUSIASM HERE.

I DON'T KNOW.

SO I CAN GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT AND THE BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT.

WE HAVE A BRIEF, DRONE VIDEO THAT WE HAD DONE.

I'LL SHOW THAT AFTER I KIND OF GET THROUGH THE DESCRIPTION AND WANT TO JUST THANK BRAD FAY FOR PULLING THE DRONE FOOTAGE TOGETHER ON VERY SHORT NOTICE.

SO, I THINK IT'LL GIVE YOU A REALLY GOOD PERSPECTIVE OF KIND OF WHAT THIS PROJECT IS ALL ABOUT.

SO I'LL JUST KIND OF GO THROUGH SOME OF THE SOME OF THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND THE PURPOSE OF THE PURCHASE.

AND THEN WE CAN LOOK AT THE DRONE VIDEO AND I'LL KIND OF TALK YOU THROUGH IT.

SO THE PROPERTIES TO BE ACQUIRED BY THE COUNTY FROM THE ESTATE OF BRYCE THOMPSON CONSISTS OF FIVE TAX PARCELS THAT YOU SEE OUTLINED THERE IN YELLOW, ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH SIDES OF WERTSVILLE ROAD IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

AND IT'S RIGHT AT THE HUNTERDON COUNTY BORDER.

THE PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY, SOURLAND MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, AND WILL ADD 402 ACRES TO THE EXISTING 6000 ACRE PRESERVE, WHICH IS EVERYTHING THAT'S SHOWN IN THE DARK GREEN. THIS IS THE COUNTY'S LARGEST SINGLE OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, SO THAT'S VERY GOOD.

THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PROPERTY, TOWARDS THE TOP, IS CONSISTS OF ABOUT 327 ACRES.

IT PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE OF FRONTAGE ON THE NESHANIC RIVER, DEVELOPED WITH A GOLF COURSE AND A POLO FIELD.

THERE ARE SEVERAL STRUCTURES ON THE SITE THAT INCLUDE, THREE STORAGE BARNS, THREE RESIDENCES, A MOTEL, AND A CLUBHOUSE.

SOUTHERN PARCEL CONSISTS OF ABOUT 75 ACRES.

IT'S VACANT WITH AREAS OF MATURE WOODLAND AND OPEN FARM FIELDS.

SLOPES UP FROM WERTSVILLE ROAD TO THE SOUTH, WHICH IS THE NORTH FACING SLOPE OF THE SOURLAND MOUNTAIN.

THE ACQUISITION OF THESE PROPERTIES PROVIDES MANY ENVIRONMENTAL AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, ADVANCED SEVERAL GOALS OF THE COUNTY'S OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE CONTINUATION OF THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE NESHANIC RIVER CORRIDOR AND THE SOURLAND MOUNTAIN.

IT EXPANDS ON THE EXISTING SOURLAND PRESERVE, PROVIDES ADDITIONAL ROAD FRONTAGE FOR ACCESS TO THE PRESERVE.

MAINTAINS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIGGER BEAUTIES OF THIS PROPERTY, IS MAINTAINS THE SCENIC VIEWS OF THE NESHANIC RIVER AND THE MILL OF THE AND THE AMWELL VALLEY, WHICH YOU'LL SEE IN THE DRONE VIDEO, PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE GOLF COURSE TO ITS NATURAL STATE, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROJECTS CONTINUES TO EXPAND ON THE EXISTING PASSIVE USES OF THE SOURLAND PRESERVE, SUCH AS HIKING, BIRDWATCHING, AND EQUESTRIAN USES, AND ALSO HELPS PROVIDE A TRAIL HEAD CONNECTION LINKAGE TO THE RECENTLY DEDICATED RAINBOW HILL SOURLAND PRESERVE.

SO JUST THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE POSSIBILITIES, BUT THERE'S SO MANY MORE POSSIBILITIES FOR THE PROPERTY, FOR THE RESTORATION AND THE USE OF THE PROPERTY AND THE BUILDINGS.

ONCE THE COUNTY TAKES OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY, WE WILL BEGIN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING A MASTER PLAN FOR THE PROPERTY THAT WILL HELP US, THAT WILL HELP GUIDE US THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT, RESTORATION AND USE OF THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING ANY POTENTIAL USES FOR THE EXISTING BUILDINGS.

THE MASTER PLAN PROCESS WILL INCLUDE, WHICH WE FIND TO BE VERY IMPORTANT, A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, COMPONENT THAT WILL SOLICIT THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FROM THE RESIDENTS AND OUR PARTNER, NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS.

JUST A QUICK BREAKDOWN.

THE NEGOTIATED PRICE WAS 7 MILLION, $6,750,000, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY SIX, $16,700 AN ACRE, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE'VE BEEN PAYING IN THE SOURLANDS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

[00:55:04]

FUNDING BREAKS DOWN, BREAKDOWN INCLUDES, POTENTIAL FUNDING THROUGH THE THE GREEN ACRES ACQUISITION PROGRAM, OF APPROXIMATELY 2.3 MILLION, ANYWHERE APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3.4 MILLION FROM THE COUNTY TRUST FUND AND THE BALANCE TO BE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE PURCHASE FROM HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP.

SO HILLSBOROUGH HAS AGREED TO BE A FUNDING PARTNER IN THIS PROJECT.

AND WE ALSO HAVE COMMITMENTS FROM OUR LOCAL NONPROFITS TO HELP WITH THE DEVELOPMENT, THE STEWARDSHIP AND THE RESTORATION OF THE PROPERTY.

SO IF WE CAN BRING THE FOOTAGE UP, PLEASE.

OKAY. WAS NOT THE BEST DAY TO BE OUT THERE.

WE SHOT THIS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, JUST CAUGHT THE SUN BEFORE IT WENT DOWN.

SO AS THE DRONE TAKES OFF, WHAT IT IS DOING IS IT'S LOOKING NORTH.

DOWN TO THE [INAUDIBLE] RIVER, WHICH IS KIND OF THAT TREED AREA, THE THERE'S PRESERVED FARMLAND ACROSS THE RIVER WHERE YOU SEE THOSE BARNS, AND THAT'S JUST THE ENTIRE AMWELL VALLEY. YOU CAN SEE MAKE THE CHURCH OUT KIND OF TO THE RIGHT.

THAT'S THE CLOVER HILL CHURCH AT AMWELL ROAD.

AND YOU'LL SEE THE GOLF COURSE IN THE FOREGROUND.

READY MADE WALKING PATHS WITH THE CART PATHS.

BUT YOU'LL KIND OF GET A FULL 360 OF THIS PORTION OF THE PROPERTY.

JUST HOPEFULLY NOBODY GETS AIRSICK.

IT GOES A LITTLE FAST.

THAT'S THE EXISTING POLO FIELD, ONE OF THE STORAGE BARNS.

AND THEN IT'S GOES AROUND AND NOW WE'RE LOOKING TOWARDS WERTZVILLE ROAD AND THEN UP TO THE SOURLAND MOUNTAIN.

YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE BUILDINGS.

THE BUILDING IN THE FOREGROUND IS JUST A STORAGE SHED.

THIS IS ANOTHER SHOT OF THE GOLF COURSE LOOKING TOWARDS THE MILLSTONE RIVER.

PROBABLY WILL BE SWINGING BACK AROUND THE OTHER WAY TO GIVE YOU A VIEW OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE DISTANCE, AND A FEW OF US HIDING UNDER ONE OF THE PINE TREES.

SO POLO FIELD HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND BEAUTIFUL OPEN LAWN AREA AND THEN ALL THE WOODS BEHIND THERE.

THAT'S ALL PART OF THIS ACQUISITION.

THAT STORAGE BARN IS PRETTY AMAZING.

IT'S JUST THIS HUGE, CAVERNOUS SPACE.

NO. SO THIS IS ACTUALLY YOU'LL SEE WERTZVILLE ROAD AND ACROSS WERTZVILLE ROAD VERY QUICKLY.

YOU PROBABLY MISSED. IT WAS THE 75 ACRES WERE PURCHASING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WERTZVILLE.

AND AS THEY'RE SCANNING BACK, THIS IS BASICALLY WELL, THEY'VE GONE A FULL CIRCLE NOW, BUT THAT'S THE PROPERTY ACROSS THE ROAD GOES UP THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. WE'RE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE COUNTRY CLUB RIGHT NOW.

SO EVERYTHING YOU SEE THAT'S WOODED BEHIND THERE IS ALL LAND THAT WE ALREADY OWN AS PART OF THE PRESERVE.

SO THAT GIVES YOU A VERY QUICK AND VERY QUICK LOOK AT THE PROPERTY.

YEAH. SO WHAT WE HAD HOPED TO DO WITH THIS WAS AT LEAST EXPRESS AND SHOW THE VASTNESS OF THIS PROPERTY.

I DON'T THINK THAT MAP TRULY SHOWS THE EXTENT OF THIS PROPERTY.

YOU KNOW, JUST THE GOLF COURSE ALONE WAS BIG ENOUGH.

BUT NOW WE'VE GOT THE POLO FIELD AND ALL THE LAND TO THE EAST AND THEN THE LAND TO THE SOUTH.

YOU CAN SEE IN THE AERIAL THERE'S SOME FARMLAND, THERE'S SOME WOODED AREA, BUT EVERYTHING ON THE HUNTERDON COUNTY SIDE.

MOST OF THAT IS PART OF THE NJCF RAINBOW HILL PRESERVE.

NJCF IS ALSO WORKING WITH THE THOMPSON ESTATE ON LAND DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE GOLF COURSE AND IN HUNTERDON COUNTY, SO WE HAVE MULTIPLE PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN WHAT THEY OWN AND THEY OWN THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN HUNTERDON COUNTY.

SO WE'RE ACTUALLY BY PRESERVING THIS, WE'RE ACTUALLY CROSSING OVER THE BOUNDARY AND JUST CONNECTING UP ALL OF THE OPEN SPACE THAT'S BEEN PRESERVED ON THE HUNTERDON SIDE AND BETWEEN DNR, GREENWAY LAND TRUST, NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, HUNTERDON COUNTY.

I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT ACREAGE, BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF ACRES PRESERVED ON THE HUNTERDON SIDE AS WELL.

SO IT JUST CONTINUES THE SOURLAND PRESERVE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE DELAWARE RIVER.

SO THAT IS OUR PURCHASE IN A NUTSHELL.

AND IT'S VERY EXCITING.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

WE'VE BEEN NEGOTIATING ON AND OFF WITH MR. THOMPSON AND THEN HIS ESTATE.

IT'S PROBABLY BEEN ON MY RADAR SINCE WE GOT SINCE I STARTED HERE, WHICH WAS 25 YEARS AGO.

SO IT'S A HAPPY DAY FOR US AND FOR THE OPEN SPACE PROGRAM BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE A REALLY AMAZING PROJECT WHAT SORT OF RESTORATION? SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, TAKING THE GOLF COURSE AND CONVERTING IT BACK TO ITS NATURAL STATE, IT KIND OF ALREADY HAS ALREADY GONE FALLOW. THE COURSE HAS BEEN CLOSED, I THINK, SINCE 21.

[01:00:03]

SO THERE'S A LOT OF VEGETATION THAT'S GROWN BACK IN ON THE COURSE.

IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING TO SEE ALL OF THESE NATURAL GRASSES, THESE NATIVE GRASSES, AND THEN YOU SEE A PIN STICKING UP OUT OF THE GRASSES.

BUT THE IDEA WOULD BE TO KIND OF CREATE BIRD HABITAT, TO HAVE THE GOLF COURSE ALL RESTORED IN THAT WAY AND HAVE THE CART PATHS THAT WIND THROUGH THAT.

IT WOULD BE AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO WATCH, DO BIRD WATCHING, JUST WALK.

THERE'S. I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY MEASURED OUT THE LENGTH OF CART PATHS, BUT FOR COURSE LIKE THAT IT'S GOT TO BE SEVERAL MILES OF CART PATHS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.

WE JUST HAVE TO CLEAN THEM UP A LITTLE BIT.

AND WE SEE THIS AS MORE OF A PASSIVE RECREATION, ENVIRONMENTAL TYPE DEVELOPMENT FOR THIS SITE.

THE BUILDINGS OBVIOUSLY WOULD WE WOULD LOOK AT FOR ANY POTENTIAL USES, WHETHER IT BE SOME NONPROFIT OFFICE SPACE, WHETHER IT BE SOME, BRINGING GROUPS IN TO WORK ON THE SITE TO KIND OF ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ON THE SITE.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT MAYBE LIKE AMERICORPS TYPE PROJECTS WHERE WE BRING PEOPLE IN, THEY STUDY THE SITE, THEY MAYBE DO SOME WORK ON THE SITE.

A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT COMES IN, IS THERE'S JUST THERE'S SO MANY IDEAS OUT THERE ALREADY.

I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE CALLING ME CONSTANTLY AND EVERYBODY'S GOT A NEW IDEA.

SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO KIND OF PUT IT TOGETHER IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER AND IDEAS ALSO.

WELL WITH THE PROTECTION OF THE BUFFER ALONG THE [INAUDIBLE].

DEFINITELY. THAT'S GOING TO HELP A LOT BECAUSE THERE'S NO CHANCE NOW THAT ANY OF THAT CAN EVER BE DEVELOPED WITH ANYTHING.

SO IT'LL REMAIN AS FLOOD STORAGE.

DEFINITELY. COLONIAL PARK IS.

7 OR 800 ACRES, INCLUDING INCLUDING THE GOLF COURSE.

SO THAT INCLUDES SPOOKY BROOK.

YEAH. YES, IT IS 100 ACRES SMALLER THAN NATIRAR BECAUSE THE ENTIRE NATIRAR PROPERTY WHEN WE BOUGHT IT WAS 500 ACRES.

AND NOW WE HAVE 411.

IT'S PART OF THE PARK, SO ROUGHLY THE SAME PARK SIZE.

NATIRAR COMPARED TO THIS.

SO THAT KIND OF ANYBODY WHO'S BEEN TO NATIRAR, THAT KIND OF GIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT AS TO HOW BIG THIS SITE IS.

IT DOESN'T LOOK BIG THERE WHEN YOU'RE ON IT JUST LOOKS ENDLESS.

IT REALLY DOES. SO IT'S A PRETTY AMAZING SITE.

INCREDIBLE. AND THE PICTURES DON'T DO IT JUSTICE.

THEY REALLY DON'T. YOU HAVE TO BE OUT THERE TO SEE IT.

SO. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[INAUDIBLE].

WE'LL WORK ON THAT. WE'LL ADD THAT TO THE PUBLIC INPUT SECTION.

SPEAKING OF OTHER USES, TOO, YOU MENTIONED THE POLO FIELD THERE.

YES. WOULD WE CONSIDER HAVING POLO TOURNAMENTS? I THINK WE COULD CONSIDER ANYTHING.

I THINK WHAT WE WANT TO TRY AND ACHIEVE IS NOTHING KIND OF PERMANENTLY ACTIVE OUT THERE.

BUT THE SOURLAND CONSERVANCY DOES DID THEIR FESTIVAL OUT THERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT WAS A 1 OR 2 DAY EVENT.

SO I COULD SEE THAT BEING SOMETHING WHERE THERE MAY BE A POLO MATCH AT SOME POINT.

I MEAN, IT'S KIND OF POPULAR HORSE COUNTRY OUT THERE.

AND I KNOW BRYCE HAD TOURNAMENTS OUT THERE WHEN HE WAS ALIVE OFTEN, AND HE BROUGHT PEOPLE IN FROM ALL OVER TO COMPETE OUT THERE.

SO IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR LIKE SCHEDULE LARGER EVENTS LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP AND GREATER COMMUNITIES, ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HAVE MORE TOURISM.

AND WE HAVE IT IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY, BUT IT'S SUCH AN OCCASION WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN.

YEAH, OVER IN FAR HILLS.

SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE IT OVER IN HILLSBOROUGH AS WELL.

I THINK THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BRING A LOT OF USES AND IDEAS THAT WE HAVE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY DOWN.

SO TOURISM ALSO TALKING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

I MEAN, WE HAVE AN AMAZING ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER IN BASKING RIDGE, BUT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAYBE BRING THEM DOWN.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING A LOT OF STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS ALREADY IN THE SOURLANDS WITH THE NONPROFITS, WHICH IS GREAT, BUT THIS COULD KIND OF BE A HUB FOR US TO USE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.

AS WELL AS JUST, YOU KNOW, TOURISM AND JUST RECREATION IN GENERAL.

SO JUST LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES OUT HERE, WHICH IS WHY WE FEEL THE NEED FOR A MASTER PLAN.

THERE'S JUST THERE'S TOO MANY IDEAS.

WE HAVE TO KIND OF PULL IT ALL TOGETHER.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE AN EXCITING PROCESS.

REALLY GREAT FOR FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, TOO.

IT'S RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

AND YEAH, I THINK IT WE ALWAYS SAY THE NORTHERN AND THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY.

SO WE'RE SHARING THE WEALTH FOR WHAT WE OFFER NOW.

YEP. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

THANKS. 24-357.

SURE. SO THEY'RE NOWHERE NEAR AS EXCITING, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

[01:05:01]

IT IS MUCH CHEAPER, THOUGH.

YEAH, IT'S A DOLLAR.

THIS IS NOT TO EXCEED A DOLLAR OF AN ASSET COMING OUT OF THE PRESS SHOP GOING OVER TO MONTGOMERY.

AND THE SECOND ONE, 24-358 IS TO PAY A CONFORMING ORDER TO GOURMET EVENTS FOR CATERING FOR OUR LEADERSHIP SOMERSET NOT TO EXCEED $493.55. [INAUDIBLE].

24, 359 IS APPROVAL OF PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS FOR VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH THE SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL.

TO THE BELOW VENDORS, THE TOTALS NOT TO EXCEED $414,595.04.

24- 360 IS AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $307,020.33.

ALL RIGHT.

RESOLUTION 24-361 APPROVAL TO PAY.

CONFIRMING ORDER TO WINDSTREAM FOR INTERNET AND VOICE OVER IP SERVICES FOR BOTH NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 106,000 AT 106,000 ZERO $10.10.

SORRY. STILL GETTING USED TO GLASSES.

MONTH TWO AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO NAVIENT FOR ON BASE SOFTWARE AND MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THE SECOND YEAR OF A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT.

TOTAL TO NOT TO EXCEED $72,424.80.

AND FINALLY RESOLUTION 24 363 AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO VERIZON BUSINESS NETWORK SERVICES FOR THE PURCHASE OF DATA COMMUNICATION NETWORK SERVICES UNDER THE NEW JERSEY STATE CONTRACT.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 300,000.

24-364. AUTHORIZING AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO COLLABORATIVE SAFETY, LLC FOR TRAINING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF NJSA. TO CONDUCT FOUR DAYS OF TRAINING FOR ASSISTANT PROSECUTORS AND DETECTIVES FROM VARIOUS SOMERSET COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

TRAINING WILL BE AN ADVANCED FORENSIC INTERVIEW FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 29,000.

24-365 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR THE ARRIVE TOGETHER GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING AWARDED. INSERT FUNDING INTO THE SOMERSET COUNTY 2024 BUDGET.

WHEN APPROVED, THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $150,000.

THANK YOU. 24-366 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION R23-2264 DUE TO CLERICAL ERRORS FOR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, MANUFACTURED PARTS AND REPAIRS.

HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES OVER 14,500.

OPEN ENDED CONTRACT FOR OPEN ENDED COOPERATIVE PRICING SYSTEM.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT, AND 24-367 IS APPROPRIATING UNALLOCATED OPEN SPACE RESERVE FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF BLOCK 357 LOTS ONE AND TWO IN THE BOROUGH OF MIDDLESEX, AND BLOCK TWO LOTS FIVE AND 5.01, IN THE BOROUGH OF BOUND BROOK, OWNED BY GARY GOVERNALE AND GMP PROPERTIES LLC.

SO 24-368 IS AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF A REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BRAND NEW DEPARTMENT KNOWN AS THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND PLANNING.

AND THE COMPANION TO THAT IS 24-369, APPOINTING MATTHEW LOPER AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND PLANNING.

IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTION 24-352 THROUGH 24-369 TO THE AGENDA FOR OUR REGULAR MEETING.

SO MOVE. SECOND.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.

. BUT ABSTAINING FROM 353.

ABSTENTION FROM 24-353.

NOTED. YES.

ALL RIGHT. OH, DID WE GO TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? THIS IS WHERE WE OPEN UP TO THE PUBLIC.

FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING, NO TIME, NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME.

WE DO ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME IN THROUGH EMAIL AND TELEPHONE.

[01:10:06]

SO IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? MOTION SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.

ANYBODY FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? MAYOR ONDERKO.

GOOD EVENING. COMMISSIONERS.

MAYOR RICHARD ONDERKO, 325 NORTH MAIN STREET, BOROUGH MANVILLE.

I'M HERE TONIGHT.

I BET YOU'RE ALL WONDERING, RIGHT? THE OTHER DAY, I WAS LEAVING MY HOMETOWN, GOING OVER TO VAN VECHTEN BRIDGE, AND I NOTICED SOME BIG POTHOLES.

SO WHEN I GOT HOME, I SAID, I BETTER CALL THE COUNTY.

SO I CALLED THE BRIDGE DEPARTMENT, LEFT A VOICEMAIL.

SOMEBODY DID CALL ME BACK.

AND THAT PERSON WAS YOUR DPW DIRECTOR, PAUL MCCALL.

HE TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM.

THE NEXT DAY I WENT ON THE BRIDGE.

HE FILLED IN THOSE POTHOLES BECAUSE I WAS WORRIED ABOUT SOMEBODY'S GOING TO LOSE THEIR WINDSHIELD.

THERE WAS LIKE BIG CHUNKS OF CEMENT THAT CAME OUT OF THE DECK OF THE BRIDGE.

I GUESS THEY DON'T MAKE CEMENT LIKE THEY USED TO, BUT, I THANK PAUL, OKAY? BECAUSE I DID MY I TRY TO DO ONE THING A DAY, A GOOD DEED, AND THAT WAS MY GOOD DEED FOR THE DAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE ANYBODY'S WINDSHIELD GET BROKE.

SO, PAUL, THANK YOU FOR BEING SO RESPONSIVE.

YOU'RE WELCOME. YOU SURPRISED ME WITH THE CALLBACK TOO.

BUT I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

AND RECENTLY I JUST WANT TO SAY I'VE BEEN IN THE PRESS A LITTLE BIT.

I'VE BEEN ON NJ SPOTLIGHT, I HAVE ANOTHER INTERVIEW TOMORROW.

WE'RE COMING OUT WITH A DOCUMENTARY ON MANVILLE THAT'S GOING TO BE RELEASED AT THE HOPEWELL FILM FESTIVAL.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE FOCUS ON MANVILLE BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF, CONCERNS AND ISSUES.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE GOING TO ALSO KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET ROUTE 206 FIXED SO THAT IT DOESN'T GO UNDERWATER ANYMORE.

OKAY. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT REALLY DOES MAKE A MESS OF MY TOWN.

SO I'LL BE WORKING WITH NJDEP ON THAT.

AND SOMEBODY'S GOING TO RESPOND TO ME SOONER OR LATER ABOUT THAT ISSUE, BECAUSE IT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

SO WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER SOOY, WE NEED A MEETING.

FOR THE UNDERPASS AND THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN MANVILLE AND ALSO THE MAIN STREET.

SO IF WE COULD SET SOMETHING UP NEXT WEEK, I'D REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

WELL, I KNOW I SPOKE WITH, OUR WONDERFUL ADMINISTRATOR, COLLEEN MAHR HERE TO MY RIGHT.

LATE LAST WEEK, WE HAD THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES THERE OVER IN DC.

BUT, SEND US OVER A FEW DATES.

I'M SURE THAT MATT LOPER AND A FEW OTHERS WILL BE WILLING TO HAVE A MEETING.

AND OF COURSE, ANYTIME THERE'S A PROBLEM IN SOMERSET COUNTY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS IT.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING.

THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, GUYS.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC? NO OTHER. ALL RIGHT.

SEEING NONE. NO OTHERS.

IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? MOTION SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.

WE WILL MOVE RIGHT INTO OUR REGULAR MEETING.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.