[00:00:01]
WE WILL MOVE INTO OUR REGULAR MEETING.AS PEOPLE ARE LEAVING AND PEOPLE ARE ENTERING, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER REPORTS? ALL RIGHT.
COUNTY COUNCIL, DO I HAVE PERMISSION TO CHANGE THE ORDER? WE'LL DO EVERYTHING ON PAGE TWO AND DO THE PRESENTATION AFTER THE APPOINTMENTS.
YES, YOU CAN DO THE APPOINTMENTS AND DO THE PRESENTATION IN WHATEVER ORDER YOU WANT.
OKAY. THANK YOU. DO I NEED A MOTION OR JUST MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT? CHAIR'S PRIVILEGE. OKAY.
THANK YOU. SO WE'RE MOVING RIGHT ALONG.
[PROCLAMATION]
WE HAVE TWO PROCLAMATIONS.ONE FOR HORTICULTURAL THERAPY WEEK AND NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DAY.
WE'LL COME UP TO SUPPORT. LET'S SUPPORT.
SHE WANTS TO SUPPORT. RIGHT SUPPORT.
THANK YOU FOR HORTICULTURAL THERAPY WEEK WITH OUR TEAM HERE.
WELL LET LAURA SPEAK OKAY OKAY I'LL SPEAK FOR 30 SECONDS AND I'M GOING TO GIVE THE FLOOR TO.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT, LET'S READ THIS PROCLAMATION.
HORTICULTURAL THERAPY WEEK TAKES PLACE FROM MARCH 17TH TO THE 24TH.
WHEREAS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY IS THE TIME PROVEN PRACTICE OF UTILIZING THE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF WORKING IN A PEACEFUL AND NON-THREATENING GARDEN ENVIRONMENT, INDOORS OR OUTDOORS.
AND WHEREAS DOCTOR BENJAMIN RUSH, A SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, UTILIZED HORTICULTURE AS A MODALITY TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND WHEREAS THE PRACTICE WAS APPLIED IN THE UNITED STATES TO REHABILITATE WOUNDED VETERANS OF WORLD WAR TWO AND CONTINUES TODAY IN VETERANS HOSPITALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND WHEREAS, HORTICULTURAL THERAPY IS PRACTICED THROUGHOUT VOCATIONAL, THERAPEUTIC AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND SUCCESSFULLY ENABLES AND EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS TO ACHIEVE THEIR MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE IN SETTINGS SUCH AS HOSPITALS, CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SENIOR CENTERS, AND COMMUNITY GARDENS.
AND WHEREAS, HORTICULTURAL THERAPY PROVIDES DIGNITY AND ENHANCES SKILLS BY ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO GROW AND FUNCTION TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES AND HELPS THOSE RECOVERING FROM ILLNESS OR INJURY, THE ELDERLY, THE SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
AND WHEREAS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY IS BENEFICIAL FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN A WIDE VARIETY OF REHABILITATIVE HEALTH CARE AND RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS, PROVIDING BENEFITS DIRECTLY THROUGH FORMAL PROGRAMS WITH TRAINED HORTICULTURAL THERAPY PROFESSIONALS, AND INDIRECTLY THROUGH THE CREATION OF PUBLIC GARDENS AND COMMUNITY GARDENS.
AND WHEREAS, IN 2014, THE MAN TO MY LEFT, SENATOR CHRISTOPHER KIP BATEMAN, INTRODUCED SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 12, DESIGNATING THE THIRD FULL WEEK IN MARCH, HORTICULTURAL THERAPY WEEK.
WHY DO I HAVE A FEELING THE PERSON TO MY RIGHT WAS THE CATALYST FOR THAT? SO NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY DESIGNATE MARCH 17TH TO 24TH, 2020 FOR HORTICULTURAL THERAPY WEEK IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HORTICULTURAL THERAPY AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR
[00:05:06]
ALL THE DEEP ROOTED TIES IT HAS TO AGRICULTURE AND THE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL TO EXPERIENCE THE ENDLESS BENEFITS OF THE PEOPLE.PLANT CONNECTION SIGNED BY YOUR TEAM OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
THAT'S THAT'S HOW EASY HORTICULTURAL IS A WORD.
SO READING IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT.
OH, GREAT. OKAY. THERE YOU GO.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US AND EVERYONE THAT YOU KNOW, AND EVERYONE THAT I KNOW WILL BE IMPACTED BY SOMETHING IN THEIR LIFETIME, AND PROBABLY MORE THAN ONCE IN MY LIFETIME AND IN THE SENATOR'S LIFETIME.
AND THE REASON FOR THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT FOR HORTICULTURAL THERAPY WEEK, THE THIRD WEEK OF MARCH EVERY YEAR, TO COINCIDE WITH SPRING, IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US, NOW AND AFTER US.
AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO IN THIS LIFETIME.
YOU ALL HAVE NO CHOICE IF YOU KNOW ME.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE PHONE.
SO HORTICULTURE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NEW JERSEY.
AND THOSE THAT KNOW ME KNOW THAT I SAY THIS A LITTLE BIT TOO OFTEN.
MAYBE. BUT DID YOU KNOW WHERE THE NUMBER ONE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY IN THE STATE.
MORE SO THAN CORN, MORE SO THAN CRANBERRIES, EVEN MORE SO THAN YOUR JERSEY TOMATOES.
SO HORTICULTURAL THERAPY IS ACTUALLY A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THAT.
LIKE LAURA WAS JUST SAYING, IT'S THE HEALING POWER.
EVERYTHING THAT PLANTS DO FOR US IS WHY WE'RE THE NUMBER ONE AG COMMODITY.
ARE YOU GOING? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SAY ANY WORDS OR.
NO, NO, I THINK YOU'VE HEARD FROM ME FOR MANY YEARS.
WELL, I COULD TALK ABOUT FROM THE BUSINESS SIDE.
BETTER BUSINESS, BETTER HEALTH EQUALS BETTER BUSINESS.
NOT ONLY FOR THIS, BUT FOR LAURA.
BETTER PEOPLE MAKE BETTER BUSINESS.
AND LAURA IS ONE OF THE NICEST, MOST GENUINE PEOPLE YOU COULD MEET.
AND SHE'S OPENED MY EYES TO ANOTHER SIDE OF JUST LIFE THAT I NEVER EXPERIENCED AND THE POWER OF HORTICULTURAL THERAPY.
I WILL SAY A FEW WORDS, JUST A FEW.
LET ME COMMEND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR PASSING THIS PROCLAMATION, BECAUSE IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT.
AND I'VE SEEN LAURA FIRSTHAND, ESPECIALLY THE DAY CARE CENTER WORKING WITH SENIORS.
AND IT'S SO EXCITING TO SEE THEM.
AND IT REALLY IS A TRUE THERAPY.
AND IT DOES SO MUCH FOR NOT ONLY THE SENIORS BUT FOR OUR VETS.
ONCE AGAIN, YOU PASS A GOOD PROCLAMATION.
MARCH. THANK YOU FOR THAT LITTLE CHANGE IN THE PROGRAM.
SO. OH, NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY, I FORGOT.
TO FOLLOW UP HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE.
HOW ARE YOU, MARK? GOOD TO SEE YOU, MARK. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
SO WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY, WHICH IS MARCH 22ND, 2024.
AND CERTAINLY OUR THEME IS SOMERSET COUNTY AGRICULTURE, THE JOURNEY FROM FARM TO TABLE.
[00:10:04]
THEREBY REPRESENTING THE DETERMINED AND SELF-RELIANT CHARACTER OF SOMERSET COUNTY AND OUR NATION.AND WHEREAS, IN 1983, THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS ESTABLISHED THE SOMERSET COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND CHARGED IT WITH PRESERVING FARMLAND, MEDIATING RIGHT TO FARM MATTERS, RETAINING, SUSTAINING AND ADVANCING THE INDUSTRY OF AGRICULTURE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
AND WHEREAS, THE SOMERSET, SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE SOMERSET COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD CELEBRATES 41 YEARS OF PRESERVED FARMS IN THE COUNTY, AND WHEREAS, THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE SOMERSET COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS BUSINESS CONTRIBUTES SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE COUNTY'S ECONOMY, HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES THROUGH LOCALLY GROWN FOODS, AND PROVIDE SOCIETAL BENEFITS THROUGH AGRITOURISM, LAND PRESERVATION, AND WHEREAS, THROUGH ITS EFFORTS IN PLANNING, PRESERVATION, EDUCATION AND MARKETING, THE SOMERSET COUNTY AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAS ADVANCED THESE IDEAS AND FEELS THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SOMERSET COUNTY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AGRICULTURE, FOOD PRODUCTION AND AVAILABILITY, AND AGRICULTURAL CAREER OPTIONS.
AND WHEREAS 2024 MARKS THE 13TH RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND MARKS FOUR YEARS OF SUCCESS WITH THE COUNTY'S VIRTUAL APPROACH TO NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY, GIVING A GIVING ACCESS TO ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS AND BEYOND THROUGH THE SCROLLING THROUGH AGRICULTURAL STORY MAPS.
AND WHEREAS 2024 MARKS THE RETURN OF IN PERSON NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DAY CELEBRATIONS IN SOMERSET COUNTY SINCE THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE MARCH 22ND, 2024, AS NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DAY IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE THE ROLE AGRICULTURE PLAYS IN OUR DAILY LIVES, ACKNOWLEDGING AGRICULTURE'S CONTINUOUS IMPORTANCE TO OUR ECONOMY, AND WE EXPRESS OUR DEEP APPRECIATION OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND ACROSS THE NATION.
AND IT'S SIGNED BY THE FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND MISTER CHAIRMAN, WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
COME ON, MARK. I DON'T I DON'T NEED THE MICROPHONE.
OH, WELL, IF I KNEW THAT THAT CROWD OUT THERE.
OKAY. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS.
COMMISSIONER DRAKE, I KNOW YOU'RE OUR LIAISON.
THANK YOU. THE CADB, 41 YEARS AGO.
YES, WAS FORMED BY CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN.
SHE WAS THE FREEHOLDER AT THAT TIME.
OKAY. AND OUR FOUNDING CHAIRMAN, TOM EVERETT, PERSONAL FRIEND, WAS THE CHAIRMAN.
AND MANY, MANY, MANY LATE NIGHTS AT THE FORD CENTER.
THEY WORKED ON PUTTING TOGETHER THE CAB FOR SOMERSET COUNTY.
NOW, IF YOU LOOK UP AT OUR COUNTY SEAL, YOU'LL SEE ON THE BOTTOM IT HAS A PLOW.
AGRICULTURE IS A VERY DEEP ISSUE HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
FERTILE GROUNDS, ABUNDANT WATER.
AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT PLACE TO FARM.
AND I WAS HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING BORN HERE, RAISED HERE AND STILL HERE AND STILL FARMING, EVEN THOUGH MY PARENTS NEVER FARMED, I GREW UP IN A FARM AREA AND IT'S ALL I EVER WANTED TO DO WAS TO FARM, AND I HAD A CHANCE TO DO THIS.
SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU A LITTLE QUOTE, A LITTLE ANECDOTE THAT I'VE USED ONCE IN A WHILE.
OKAY, THAT MOVIE WITH ROBERT REDFORD.
THERE'S A SCENE IN IT WHERE THEY'RE TOWARDS THE END OF THE MOVIE.
THEY'RE VERY HIGH UP IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN COLORADO.
HIS MENTOR, WILL GREER CAME, FOUND HIM, AND HE WAS UP THERE COOKING A RABBIT, DOING SOMETHING.
AND THEY GOT TALKING BACK AND FORTH, AND THE CONVERSATION WENT TO WINTER STAYS A LONG TIME UP HERE.
YEP. DO YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW WHAT MONTH IT IS? NOT SURE.
WILL GREER ANSWERS, NOT APRIL, DEFINITELY MARCH.
AND HE TURNS AROUND TO WALK AWAY AND HE SAYS, MARCH THE FOLKS DOWN BELOW.
SOME PEOPLE LIKE IT, MOSTLY FARMERS.
AND HERE WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF MARCH, WITH A LOT OF RAIN AND A LOT OF WATER AND A LOT OF MUD.
JUST A LITTLE QUOTE FOR EVERYBODY OUT THERE.
I HAVEN'T USED IT IN A LONG TIME, BUT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF WATER.
SO AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR, YOU KNOW, YOUR SUPPORT.
WITHOUT YOU, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THIS.
THANK YOU TO MY THE STAFF IN THE OFFICE.
WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THIS.
[00:15:01]
AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY AG DEVELOPMENT BOARD COMMITTEE.WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITHOUT THEIR THEIR WORK.
CADEN, WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT? THERE YOU GO. SO FOR AG DAY THIS YEAR, LIKE COMMISSIONER DRAKE MENTIONED, IT'S OUR FIRST YEAR BACK IN PUBLIC BRINGING A PUBLIC EVENT TO ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS.
SO WE ARE GOING TO BE PARTNERING WITH BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, AND WE WILL BE BRINGING SOME OF OUR FARMERS AND A COW TO ONE OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, WHERE THE STUDENTS, FIFTH GRADERS, WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE LIFE CYCLE OF A COW AND HOW COWS ARE TRULY GREAT RECYCLERS.
SO WE HOPE TO SHARE MORE AS THE DATE APPROACHES, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU ALL BE ABLE TO JOIN US ONLINE FOR VIRTUAL AG DAY AND BE ABLE TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE AIR AND CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS.
DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING, LAURA? YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? AS OUR BOARD MEMBER FROM THE AG BOARD.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SUSSEX COUNTY.
MY BACKYARD, MY PLAYGROUND WAS ALL OF SUSSEX COUNTY FARMS, HORSES, COWS, EVERYTHING.
AND THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY WHERE I'M NOT GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW AS A CHILD WOULD BECOME SO CRITICALLY VITAL TO TO THE LIFE OF OUR FARMERS AND THE PEOPLE WHO USE THE FARMS AND THE PRODUCTS THAT COME OUT OF THEM, INCLUDING MYSELF.
IT IS NOTHING SHORT OF A BLESSING TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
DO THESE DO? NO, I DO NOT KNOW.
I'LL PLAY THE STORY OF ONE OF THESE DAYS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANKS, MARK.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE APPOINTMENTS, AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE PRESENTATION FOR BY CPAC.
[APPOINTMENTS]
WE HAVE CULTURE AND HERITAGE ADVISORY BOARD R-24-545 APPOINTMENT TO GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD R 24-546. AND APPOINTMENTS TO SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ARE 24-547.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE RESOLUTIONS? SO MOVED. SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.
WE WILL NOW HAVE MIKE FROST COME UP AND MAKE INTRODUCTIONS AND COMMENTS FOR THE PRESENTATION.
[PRESENTATION]
LOAD IT UP.SO AS YOU RECALL, IN 2020, FOUR YEARS AGO ALMOST, CONCEPTUAL DISCUSSION AND PLANNING BEGAN FOR WHAT ULTIMATELY BECAME OUR COMMUNITY POLICE ALLIANCE PROGRAM.
THE PROGRAM OFFICIALLY STARTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021, WITH DAMEON STACKHOUSE SERVING AS OUR FIRST COMMUNITY ALLIANCE POLICE POLICE ALLIANCE COORDINATOR BASED IN BRIDGEWATER. AND IN 2023, THE PROGRAM WAS EXPANDED TO A SECOND MUNICIPALITY, WITH DAMEON BECOMING THE SUPERVISOR OF THE GROWING PROGRAM AND VICTOR FLORES LOPEZ, STARTING IN THE FALL OF 2023 AS THE COORDINATOR IN BOUND BROOK.
I PERSONALLY WANT TO THANK CHIEF JOHN MITZAK OF BRIDGEWATER AND CAPTAIN JASON GENATO OF BOUND BROOK, WHO WERE KIND ENOUGH TO JOIN US THIS EVENING IN A SHOW OF SOLIDARITY AND IN SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY POLICE ALLIANCE PROGRAM.
APPRECIATE IT GUYS. THANK YOU.
SO, MR. STACKHOUSE, YOU'RE UP.
[00:20:03]
THANK YOU MIKE.JUST FOR GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST SHARE WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
IT'S GOING TO GO REAL FAST BECAUSE I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.
AND MIKE ALREADY INTRODUCED SOME PEOPLE THAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, WHICH I STILL WILL, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT OUR MISSION HAS NOT CHANGED MUCH.
THE GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO JUST BRIDGE THE GAP.
YES, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH OUT TO INDIVIDUALS AND WE'RE GOING OUT ON CALLS.
DOING ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.
BUT BRIDGING THAT GAP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.
SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NEXT SLIDE, IT TELLS YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE DO.
THIS WILL NOT TELL YOU EVERYTHING.
YOU HAVE TO GO ON THE WEBSITE.
YOU HAVE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.
WE HAVE TWO WAY, ONE WAY RADIOS WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO RESPOND IN REAL TIME.
WE WORK WITH OUR QED SYSTEM AND OUR CAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET THE REPORTS AND DO THE THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO FOLLOW UP WITH OUR RESIDENTS, TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT THE COUNTY HAS AVAILABLE THAT A LOT OF THEM DON'T KNOW IS THERE, THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THAT AVAILABLE.
SO I'M STOPPING REAL FAST, ANYWAY, EVEN THOUGH MIKE EXPLAINED THAT CHIEF IS HERE AND CAPTAIN ARE HERE, WE'RE GOING TO ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR CHIEF, KELLY BRONNY, BOUND BROOK, BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
OFFICERS ON THE LINE AND IN THE COMMAND STAFF THAT MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONNECTED AT ALL TIMES.
THE NEXT SLIDE GO INTO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT BRIDGEWATER HAS BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST YEAR.
THEY STARTED THE CITIZENS ACADEMY, WHICH YOU SEE AT THE BOTTOM.
BUT THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT TEACHING THEM ABOUT THE WHAT POLICE OFFICERS DO AND HOW TO THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES. THEY'RE BUILDING AMBASSADORS THAT ARE ABLE TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TELL RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHEN WE NEED ASSISTANCE, WE HAVE RESIDENTS THAT ARE WILLING TO REACH OUT AND HELP.
THAT'S WHAT THE ALLIANCE IS BUILDING.
NOW EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW THE NEXT STEPS THAT WE'RE STARTING.
SO THE COMMUNITY POLICE ALLIANCE.
WITH OUR COUNTY IT, HAS STARTED A DATABASE SO THAT WE CAN COLLECT THE DATA TO LET YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY RESIDENTS, YOU CAN KEEP GOING, JUST SLOWLY THE NEXT 2 OR 3.
SO WE'RE ABLE TO DO THE INTAKES.
WE CAN'T TELL YOU THAT WE WANT TO DO MORE IF WE CAN'T SHOW YOU WHAT WE'VE DONE.
SO, WE HAVE THE NUMBERS THAT SHOW WE HAVE OVER 300, JUST REFERRALS WITH VICTOR, AND HE'S GOING TO SHOW YOU WHAT'S GOING ON IN BOUND BROOK.
I'VE GOTTEN OVER 220 REFERRALS.
AND UNDERSTANDING THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.
DATA, WE HAVE THE MOST COMPOUND HOLISTIC PROGRAM IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE STATE. WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNITY RESPONSE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, HOMELESSNESS, EVERYTHING THAT A SOCIAL WORKER IS ABLE TO DO ASIDE FROM WHAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN.
THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TRAINED TO DO IT.
THEY HAVE SPECIFIC TRAININGS, BUT WE'RE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER.
[00:25:05]
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND WE HAVE THE BEST PROGRAM HOLISTICALLY, IN MY OPINION.YES, I'M THE SUPERVISOR, BUT I GET A CHANCE TO WORK WITH A COLLEAGUE THAT I MET IN GRAD SCHOOL.
AND WE KNOW THAT BOUND BROOK IS PRIMARILY HISPANIC.
SO WE NEEDED SOMEONE THAT WAS BILINGUAL.
VICTOR TOLD ME NO, AND I REACHED BACK OUT TO VICTOR, AND VICTOR TOLD ME NO AGAIN.
AND THEN I REACHED OUT TO HIM AND WE SPOKE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER HALF AN HOUR AND I SAID, JUST APPLY.
THINK ABOUT IT, SO HE THOUGHT ABOUT IT.
SO MY NAME IS VICTOR FLORES LOPEZ.
I'M ALSO PART OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY AND I'M ALSO A PERSON IN LONG TERM RECOVERY.
AND THAT WHO VICTOR FLORES LOPEZ IS RIGHT.
AND I'M A SOCIAL WORKER RIGHT, AND PART OF THE REASON WHY I HAD TO THINK ABOUT WHY I WANTED TO GO INTO THIS PROFESSION, BUT ALSO WHY I WANTED TO DO THIS IS BECAUSE IT IS IN MY NATURE TO HELP PEOPLE AND LIKE, AND I WISH THAT WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND I WAS GROWING UP, THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE LIKE DAMEON AND CHIEF MITZAK AND CAPTAIN GIANATTI WHO WERE WILLING TO HAVE THIS PROGRAM COME ABOARD RIGHT. BECAUSE I WASN'T THE BEST ADOLESCENT RIGHT.
AND A LOT OF THE TIMES THE OFFICERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH ME.
HE HAD TO CALL ME A COUPLE OF TIMES TO CONSIDER THIS JOB.
AND AFTER I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, IT IS THIS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO, AND THAT IS HELP OTHER PEOPLE IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY RIGHT.
THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 63 REFERRALS.
I WILL SAY, WITH THE WAY THAT THIS WORKS IS I WAS ABLE TO READ THE CAD REPORTS FROM THE BOUND BROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS GETTING REFERRALS BY PHONE OR EMAIL FROM THE OFFICERS. I WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH THE INDIVIDUALS AT LEAST TWICE.
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE REFERRALS REMAIN HIGH, RIGHT.
FOR JANUARY, WE HAVE 31 REFERRALS.
AND FOR FEBRUARY WE HAVE 36 REFERRALS.
SO THE STATISTICS SHOW THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF, A SOCIAL WORKER, AND DAMEON TO BE IN THIS COMMUNITIES, TO CONTINUE TO REACH THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AS WELL AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS AND THE LIST GOES ON RIGHT.
I'M GOING TO SHARE ONE OF THE CASE STUDIES THAT I THINK IT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL RIGHT.
[00:30:06]
DIFFERENT CAPACITIES.SHE IS INTOXICATED RIGHT? AND I ASK IF I CAN COME IN.
OBVIOUSLY, SAFETY IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT I'M VERY BIG ON.
SO I INFORM MY OFFICERS THAT I WAS GOING TO THE HOUSE.
WE SAT DOWN. WE STARTED CALLING PLACES FOR HER TO GET INTO TREATMENT CENTER.
WE WERE ABLE TO GET HER INTO CARRIER CLINIC.
HOWEVER, WHEN SHE STARTED DOING THE PHONE INTAKE, THERE WAS SOME VAGUE SUICIDAL IDEATION.
SO AT THAT POINT, THE OFFICERS AND I AGREED, DECIDED THAT THE BEST THING TO DO AT THAT TIME WAS TO TAKE HER TO THE E.R., AND SHE VOLUNTARILY WENT. THERE WAS NO USE OF FORCE BY THE POLICE.
THEY WERE VERY CARING IN THE WAY THAT THEY THIS WHOLE SITUATION HAPPENED.
AND MIKE AND DAMEON SAID, LIKE, THIS IS A TEAM, RIGHT? I CAN'T DO THIS ON MY OWN.
AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE BOUND BROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT WORKED OUT TO BE SMOOTHLY RIGHT.
SO THEY DISCHARGED AROUND 2:00 IN THE MORNING.
THEY DIDN'T WANT TO CALL ME FOR WHATEVER REASON, WHICH WAS FINE.
BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THAT TRANSPORT AND GET TREATMENT FOR HER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
SUBSTANCE USE AND RECOVERY IS NOT EASY.
AND I'M HOPING THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE CAN EXPAND BECAUSE IT'S DEFINITELY NEEDED.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO EXPRESS AND AS WE START TO MOVE FORWARD WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO START BRINGING INTERNS INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
THIS IS A WAY FOR US TO START NURTURING THE YOUNG SOCIAL WORK MINDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, WORKING WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY, AND ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS IN ALL CAPACITIES, IS THE WAY THAT WE NEED TO GO TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.
MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES HEALTHIER.
SO WE WILL START TO DO AND GET MORE INTERNS AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO HELP WITH ALL OF THE REFERRALS AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO BY OURSELVES.
SO FOR THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE IN, I GUESS, WHAT PAUL WAS CALLING TV LAND IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THIS OR YOU HEARD ABOUT IT AND YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING SUCH A PROGRAM IN YOUR OWN MUNICIPALITY, TALK TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.
AND THEY, IN TURN, WILL TALK TO THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS.
IN CLOSING, I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING PART OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S STATEWIDE COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SPECIAL NEEDS. THERE ARE A LOT OF RESPONSE MODELS IN THE STATE.
ARRIVE IS THE LATEST AND NEWEST OF THOSE.
I WILL TELL YOU FROM DISCUSSION WITH THOSE PROSECUTORS AND THE FOLKS IN THE OAG, THEY RECOGNIZE WHAT IS SPECIAL AND ORGANIC ABOUT THIS MODEL.
IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF BETTER.
IT'S MORE THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE AND AS DAMEON SAID, HOLISTIC.
IT'S SOMETHING YOU ALL SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF.
[00:35:05]
THESE ARE TWO EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG MEN.WONDERFUL SOCIAL WORKERS WHO MAKE ME VERY PROUD TO BE AN OLD SOCIAL WORKER.
I ORIGINALLY WHEN WE GOT LUCKY WITH DAMEON, I THOUGHT, MAN, THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN FIND SOMEBODY WHO CAN BRING THIS KIND OF GRAVITAS TO THE JOB.
AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT OUR POLICE PARTNERS.
BECAUSE THIS IS NOT EASY FOR THEM EITHER.
THIS IS A CULTURE SHIFT FOR THEM HAVE BEEN GRACIOUS AND ACCEPTING.
AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK WE COULD HAVE BETTER PARTNERS IN SOME WAY THAN WE'VE HAD.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AND THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND MOST ESPECIALLY TO THESE GUYS WHO GET OUT THERE EVERY DAY WITH IRREGULAR HOURS AT ANY TIME AND DO THEIR THING.
SO THAT'S THE COMMUNITY POLICE ALLIANCE PROGRAM TO DATE.
DAMEON, CAN YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE.
THERE YOU GO. AND SO WE'RE GOOD.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.
VERY PROUD OF THE PROGRAM AND HOW SUCCESSFUL.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT PRESENTATION.
IN THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS BENEFITING FROM OR BECOMING A DIRECT BENEFICIARY OF THE HARD WORK THAT YOU ALL PUT INTO IT.
SO AND THANK YOU FOR THAT PLUG FOR POSSIBLE EXPANSION.
SO ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED, WE WILL MOVE RIGHT ALONG WITH OUR WITH OUR MEETING.
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
THE APPROVAL OF, THANK YOU.WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR OUR FEBRUARY 27TH, 2024 MEETING.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES? SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ANY CHANGES? ALL RIGHT. ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
CAN'T REMEMBER. I THINK I WAS ABSENT, BECAUSE YOU DID THE MEETING.
I KNOW IT WAS ON THE 27TH FEBRUARY 27TH MINUTES.
[ORDINANCE]
FOR AND BY THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $36,422,430 IN BONDS OR NOTES FOR FINANCING, PART OF THE COST THEREOF. WE HAVE PUBLIC HEARING 24-597 SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE 24-597 FOR MARCH 26TH, 2024 AT 6 P.M..[00:40:03]
MOTION SECOND.GO AHEAD, I APOLOGIZE. THANK YOU.
ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WANT TO ANNOUNCE BEFORE OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BOND ORDINANCE IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN REAFFIRMED BY S&P FOR OUR TRIPLE-A RATING.
WE'RE WORKING ON A REFUNDING PROJECT UNDER THE IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY.
SO WE HAD TO SUBMIT QUESTIONNAIRE TO THEM.
AND THEY LOOK AT ALL OF OUR FINANCIALS AND THEY REAFFIRMED OUR TRIPLE-A RATING.
SO I HAVE THE REPORT HERE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.
KELLY. AND THEN FOR THE BOND ORDINANCE THAT WE ARE, THAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR THE 38 MILLION.
SO THIS IS THE LIST THAT WE'VE CULLED DOWN FROM ORIGINALLY IT WAS $76 MILLION ASKED FROM ALL THE DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENTS. WE MET WITH THEM, WE KIND OF WENT OVER SOME OLD CAPITAL, SOME OLD OPERATING FUNDING, AND WE WERE ABLE TO REALLOCATE THAT TO SOME OF THE DIVISIONS TO SATISFY THEIR 2024 NEEDS FOR CAPITAL.
AND THEN WE CULLED DOWN THE LIST EVEN FURTHER, BECAUSE ONE OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE ON THE HORIZON FOR THIS YEAR IS OUR MULTI-USE FACILITY THAT WE ARE CONSTRUCTING, THE HILLSBORO, AND THAT IS IN HERE UNDER THAT BUILDINGS LINE, UNDER ENGINEERING IN THE AMOUNT OF $26 MILLION.
SO YOU SEE BUILDINGS FOR 32.6, 26 MILLION OF THAT IS FOR THE MULTI-USE FACILITY.
ALSO IN THAT BECAUSE THAT IS THE BIGGEST LINE.
ALSO IN THAT LINE IS FOR $3.6 MILLION, WE HAVE HVAC UPGRADES FOR THE OLD WING AT THE RICHARD HALL MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY CENTER.
AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER $3 MILLION IN THAT LINE FOR UNDERGROUND FUEL STORAGE TANKS AND NEW TANKS THAT WE NEED TO CONSTRUCT PER DEP REQUIREMENTS.
SO OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
THOSE WERE LIKE THE MAJOR ITEMS THAT MAKE UP THAT 38 MILLION.
I HAVE RVCC NEXT, SO I'LL HANG OUT.
WE HAVE ORDINANCE 24-598 PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION FOR $4,148,407 FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF RVCC, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THE $4,148,407 COUNTY COLLEGE BONDS, OR NOTES OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET FOR FINANCING SUCH APPROPRIATION.
THEN WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING 24-598.
SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE 24-598 FOR MARCH 26TH, 2024 AT 6 P.M..
IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE 24-598 ON THE FIRST READING AND SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 26TH P.M.? MOTION. SECOND.
ALL RIGHT, WHERE THE STAPLE IS, I APOLOGIZE.
WE HAVE ORDINANCE 24-599, ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMITS ALONG SOUTH MAIN STREET, NORTH MAIN STREET, FENTON AVENUE, COUNTY ROADS FIVE, THREE, THREE AND SIX, THREE, THREE, MILLSTONE BOROUGH, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 26TH, 2024 AT 6 P.M..
IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE 2499 ON THE FIRST READING AND SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 26TH AT 6 P.M.? MOTION SECOND.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
[00:45:03]
TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 24-500 THROUGH 24-510? MOTION. SECOND.ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.
[AWARD OF CONTRACTS]
24-511 THROUGH 24- 524. MOTION.IS THERE A SECOND? ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.
[FINANCE]
24-544. MOTION.SECOND. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.
[ITEMS ADDED FROM THE MARCH 12, 2024 WORK SESSION TO BE ADOPTED TONIGHT]
RESOLUTIONS 24-548 THROUGH 24- 555.MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL PLEASE.
24-551 NOTED DEPUTY DIRECTOR SOOY.
WE'RE NOW THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
[PUBLIC]
FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME.PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
AND WE WILL ALSO ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS FROM TELEPHONE AND FROM EMAIL IF THERE ARE ANY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO GO OPEN UP TO THE PUBLIC MOTION SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYES HAVE IT. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? ANYONE ON THE PHONE? 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.
COUNTY COUNCIL, WE'RE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND NO DECISION BEING MADE COMING OUT OF THAT EXECUTION.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT.GOOD NIGHT. BE WELL.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.