[Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting]
[00:00:06]
>> IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON JANUARY 12, 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.MG.US THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING BY CALLING 908-231-7075. DIRECTOR ROBINSON?
>> THANK YOU. MAY WE ALL RISE 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.
>> [LAUGHTER] I DIDN'T FOLLOW MY OWN RULES.
MAY WE CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE ALL OF SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS FOR ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES.
IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR MISSION STATEMENT, THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE, PROMOTING THE WELL BEING OF ALL RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT AND RESPONSIVE LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU. WELCOME, EVERYONE TO THE JUNE 25 WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
THIS AGENDA AND THE ITEMS ON IT ARE FOR DISCUSSION, AND WILL BE CONSIDERED AT OUR NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 9.
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.
MR. MORANO. DEPUTY DIRECTOR SUE. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
>> WE'LL MOVE RIGHT ALONG TO OUR REPORTS.
WE HAD A WONDERFUL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION ON LAST WEDNESDAY, ANNUAL CEREMONY DUE TO THE HEAT WAVE WAS MOVED TO INDOORS, AND IT WAS A WONDERFUL ATTENDANCE AND PROGRAM.
WE HAD ABOUT 250 PEOPLE IN THE JURY ROOM, AND I AM PROUD OF THE GUEST SPEAKER, MAKINO SPEAKER, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE MY POP, THE REVEREND DR. W GOLDEN CARMEN SENIOR SOME INSPIRATIONAL WORDS AND CALL TO LEADERSHIP IN DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO NOT ONLY FOR SOMERSET COUNTY, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, BUT FOR OUR COUNTRY.
ALSO, WE HAD ELECTION CERTIFICATION.
ON A HAPPY NOTE, THE SOMERSET COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER CERTIFIED THE PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS A LITTLE BIT OVER A WEEK AGO AND AFTER A VERY SMOOTH ELECTION OVERSEEN BY HIS OFFICE AND THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, I SEE JERRY MAGETT HERE THANK YOU AND CLERK STEVE PETER AND YOUR STAFF.
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL THOSE WHO WON THEIR PRIMARIES AND THANK YOU FOR THE ELECTION PROFESSIONALS IN OUR TOWNS IN OUR COUNTY AND IN THE STATE WHO ALL DID AN AMAZING JOB.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE THE CELEBRATION OF THE 248TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WITH MUSIC FROM GARDEN STATE GROVE AND FIREWORKS AT NORTH BRANCH PARK AND BRIDGEWATER.
WE ARE EXPECTING IN UPWARDS OF 10,000 PEOPLE TO ATTEND SO COME ON OUT.
NOT ONLY EVENTS CELEBRATING OUR NATION'S FOUNDING.
WE ALSO HAVE MONTGOMERY FIREWORKS ON THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 27, HILLSBOROUGH FIREWORKS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 29, SOMERSET PATRIOTS FIREWORKS ON TUESDAY, JULY 2, FRANKLIN FIREWORKS ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 3.
DON'T FORGET ON THURSDAY EVENING, DOWNTOWN SOMERVILLE, PRIDE NIGHT.
ON SATURDAY, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF DOING THE WELCOME ADDRESS FOR THE CANNABIS TOWN HALL AND JOB FAIR.
THEY OFFERED EXPUNGEMENT, JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
THEY HAD GREAT PANELISTS, WHICH PAUL GRISELO, WAS ONE OF OUR ONE OF THE PRESENTERS OR PANELISTS AT ONE OF THE SESSIONS.
THERE WERE 300 PEOPLE THAT WERE REGISTERED IN ATTENDANCE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
I MUST SAY THE FIRST SESSION THAT I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND OF PANEL DISCUSSION, I REALLY WISH I COULD HAVE STAYED FOR THE ENTIRE DAY.
THEY DID A PHENOMENAL JOB IN IDENTIFYING AND EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY, WHETHER IT'S FOR MEDICINAL, RECREATIONAL, THE DIFFERENT TYPE OF LICENSES, THE ECOSYSTEM, AND THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES IT WAS, WELL WORTH IT.
[00:05:01]
IT WAS HELD AT RVCC.JUST TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF THE NUMBERS, IN NEW JERSEY, IT WAS OVER $800 MILLION EARNED IN 2023.
THAT IS FOR BOTH MEDICINAL AND RECREATIONAL USE IN SALES, I'M SORRY.
IN 2022, THE SALES FIGURES WERE OVER $555 MILLION.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS SALES IN APRIL 2022, $1.3 BILLION IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
HOPEFULLY, THOSE THAT WERE IN ATTENDANCE WERE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE NEW CONNECTIONS AND NETWORK, THE EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC.
HOPEFULLY, IT WAS A SUCCESS AND THAT PEOPLE GOT WHAT THEY CAME FOR.
WE HAD A BOOTH OR A TABLE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SERVICES SO THANK YOU, ZACH SO THERE'S JUST SO MUCH MORE.
WE ONLY, AT THIS POINT, HAVE SIX OUT OF 21 MUNICIPALITIES WHO HAVE OPTED IN, AND IT WOULD BEHOOVE THEM TO ACTUALLY THOSE WHO OPTED OUT TO LOOK AT THE BENEFITS FROM A TAX BASE OR TAX RATES, THE MONIES THAT COME BACK IN.
IT IS NOT AS DAUNTING OR AS DARK AS PEOPLE PAINT THE PICTURE TO BE WHEN THERE'S CANNABIS IN YOUR TOWN, AND IT DEFINITELY WILL BENEFIT FINANCIALLY AND FROM A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TOWNS WHO OPTED IN.
THEY COULD DEFINITELY ATTEST TO THE BENEFITS, AND THERE IS NO NEGATIVE IMPACT RESULTING IN THEM HAVING CANNABIS IN THEIR TOWN.
THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE, HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO EVERYONE I WAS REMISSED IN THANKING, OR CONGRATULATING AND WISHING THE FATHERS HAPPY FATHER'S DAY THAT WAS HELD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO SO I HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR DAY.
A LITTLE TRIVIA. FATHER'S DAY DIDN'T COME TO THE US UNTIL 1972, AND MOTHER'S DAY CAME TO THE US IN 1918 OR 1914, SO, BUT AGAIN, [LAUGHTER].
THEN CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GRADUATES. THAT ENDS MY REPORT.
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
SPEAKING OF GRADUATIONS, WE HAD OUR VOTER GRADUATION, AND IT WAS OUR LARGEST CLASS SIZE YET.
THIS ALSO JUST SHOWS THAT THE $27 MILLION EXPANSION PREDOMINANTLY FROM STATE FUNDING THAT WE BROUGHT BACK TO SOMERSET COUNTY IS OF GREAT NEED, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A 50% EXPANSION FOR THAT FOR FUTURE GRADUATING CLASSES AS WELL.
WE CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH RIGHT HERE IN SOMERVILLE.
IT WAS A HOT ONE, SO WE ENDED UP MOVING IT INDOORS, WHICH I THINK EVERYONE WAS VERY APPRECIATIVE OF.
WE HAVE OUR SURROGATE HERE, TINA JALA.
SHE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY CRUCIAL IN TERMS OF THE HISTORY AND THE PLANNING AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON AS WELL TO BEING ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A TEAM THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY THAT DEDICATED THEIR TIME BECAUSE THERE IS A RICH PART OF HISTORY THAT HAS NOT BEEN SPOKEN ABOUT, AND WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT THAT IS PART OF OUR HISTORY AND IT IS NOT FORGOTTEN WE ALSO HONORED OUR VERY OWN [INAUDIBLE] OVER IN SOMERVILLE.
I LEARNED QUITE A BIT FROM HIS PRESENTATION OVER RIGHT DOWN THE STREET HERE, AND HE BRINGS THAT TO LIFE.
IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO SEE PEOPLE THAT ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AND SHARE IT WITH THE COMMUNITY.
OVER AT THE SOMERVILLE YMCA, WE WERE PROUD TO GO THERE FOR THE PRESENTATION OF OVER A $3 MILLION CHECK OF FEDERAL FUNDING.
SOMERSET COUNTY'S YMCAS ARE VITAL PARTNERS FOR US.
WE'VE BEEN GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT DURING EMERGENCIES SUCH AS HURRICANE IDA, WHICH DEVASTATED THIS BRANCH, PROVIDING FREE AFTER SCHOOL CARE DURING COVID AND EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE HEALTHY AND ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE WERE HONORED TO FUND AND HELP CREATE CAMP SR, ENTERING INTO ITS THIRD SUMMER WITH THE SOMERSET COUNTY WIDE TO GIVE YOUNG FOLKS IN FRANKLIN, MANVILLE BOUND BROOK, AND SOUTHBOUND BROOK A GREAT SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE OTHERWISE HAD.
THE EXPANSION AT THE SOMERVILLE Y IS GOING TO BE A GREAT BENEFIT TO NOT JUST SOMERVILLE, BUT THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR CONGRESS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE VITAL FUNDING TO MAKE IT A REALITY.
THIS IS GOING TO INCREASE THEIR CLASSROOM SIZE SIGNIFICANTLY, AND IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN WHEN YOU SEE A PACK PARKING LOT AND ALL THE KIDS REALLY BRINGING THAT TO LIFE, BUT THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE MAKE IT A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.
IT'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO GROW UPON.
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LASTLY, OVER AT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP HUB, THIS DAY IS NOW HERE.WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A VIP SOFT OPENING TODAY AND OUR GRAND OPENING TOMORROW.
IT'S GOING TO BE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY SO IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE IT ALREADY, PLEASE GO ON TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP WEBSITE.
THERE ARE TIME SLOTS TO BE ABLE TO CHECK OUT THE NEW SPACE.
EVERYTHING IS GLASS, OPEN LAYOUTS, BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENT SPACES.
IF YOU WANT TO DO A PODCAST, IF YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT OFFICE SPACE, YOU CAN DO SO WITHOUT EVEN BEING A MEMBER TO GET A BIT OF A TASTE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE THERE.
PLEASE CHECK IT OUT IT'S ON DIVISION STREET, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.
I HAD THE PLEASURE, AS MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES DID OF GOING TO THE COUNTY GOVERNING OFFICIALS MEETING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND HEARING OUR OWN ADMINISTRATOR COLLEEN MARR, GIVE AN UPDATE TO THE MUNICIPALITIES ABOUT THE STATE OF THE COUNTY SO CONGRATULATIONS, COLLEEN.
JOB WELL DONE, GIVING A NICE RECAP ABOUT ALL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE'VE HAD HERE AT SOMERSET COUNTY.
AGAIN, COMPLIMENTS TO THE JUNETEENTH COMMITTEE, TO CULTURAL AND HERITAGE, TO OUR OWN SHELLY BILL FOR BEING ONE OF THE MCS ON THAT SO AGAIN, JOB WELL DONE BY EVERYBODY ON THE TEAM.
I GOT THE CHANCE TO GO TO THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA THIS PAST SUNDAY.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE EVENTS BECAUSE I GET TO WEAR YOGA PANTS AND A LOOSE FITTING SHIRT, SO IT WAS VERY COMFORTABLE.
BUT, YEAH, VERY, VERY WELL DONE OVER THERE WITH MEDITATION, YOGA AVAILABLE.
THE TEMPLE, THE SRI VENKATESWARA TEMPLE IN BRIDGEWATER, I HAVE TO COMPLIMENT THEM ON THEIR COMMUNITY MINDEDNESS.
THEY HAVE WELCOMED THE COMMUNITY WITH THEIR HEALTH CAMPS, THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA.
IT'S A VOTING CENTER SO THIS PARTICULAR TEMPLE, REALLY, THIS HINDU TEMPLE REALLY DOES A GREAT DEAL OF OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY SO I APPLAUD THEM AND THANK THEM FOR THAT.
UPCOMING, LOOKING AHEAD, I'M NOT SURE IF COMMISSIONER DRAKE WILL HAVE IN HIS REPORT ABOUT THE PARK CONCERT SERIES, BUT I KNOW THE DIRECTOR MENTIONED ABOUT 4TH OF JULY IN ADDITION TO OUR COUNTY PARKS, MANY MUNICIPALITIES ARE HAVING CONCERTS IN THE PARK.
THEY'RE STARTING AGAIN, I BELIEVE, THE FIRST ONE THAT I KNOW OF IS IN GREENBOOK ON THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDARS AND ATTEND SOME OF OUR OUTDOOR MUSIC EVENTS THAT WE'RE HAVING.
IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE THEM AGAIN AFTER THE COVID BREAK.
OUR RECYCLING, OUR SHREDDED EVENT THAT WE HAD LAST WEEKEND, 626 CARS, SO WELL DONE BY OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM AND OUR LGBT BOARD MEANT WE WERE DISCUSSING THE 627, THE THURSDAY NIGHT PRIDE EVENT THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE HERE IN SOMERVILLE.
IT IS A FAMILY EVENT SO THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT.
IF YOU GET SOME TIME SIX TO NINE DOWNTOWN SOMERVILLE, FOR THE PRIDE EVENT, YOU CAN CELEBRATE PRIDE WITH OTHERS LIKE MINDED FOLKS.
THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. COMISSIONER DRAKE.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I ATTENDED THE AG BOARD MEETING ACTUALLY WAS YESTERDAY, AND WAS PLEASED TO REPORT THAT FARMING IS UNDERWAY HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
BE CAREFUL OF SLOW MOVING FARM EQUIPMENT, CERTAINLY THEY'RE OUT THERE.
PEOPLE, NOT ONLY COMBINES, BUT BIG TRACTORS OUT ON THE ROADS, BUT ALSO SUPPORT THE COUNTY FARM MARKETS, WHICH ARE IMPORTANT PART OF THE INCOME THAT'S PROVIDED TO OUR FARMERS.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE TO OBTAIN A FARMERS MARKET VOUCHER, I MENTIONED THIS THE LAST MEETING, FARM MARKET VOUCHERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SOMERSET COUNTY OFFICE OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS WHO ARE 60 YEARS OF AGE OR ABOVE AND HAVE LIMITED INCOMES.
THROUGH THE NEW JERSEY SENIORS FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM, RESIDENTS WHO QUALIFY CAN RECEIVE UP TO $50 IN ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TO PURCHASE LOCALLY GROWN FRESH FRUIT VEGETABLES AND HERBS FROM LOCAL FARMERS.
ON THE PARK FRONT, I MENTIONED BEFORE, I ATTENDED THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING LAST THURSDAY. THE MINI GOLF.
THE PADDLE BOATS AND THE SPRAY PARK ARE ALL OPEN AT COLONIAL PARK SO WE'RE OUT AND ENJOY THOSE NICE OPPORTUNITIES.
THE POOL AT WARMBROOK POOL IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, STILL, MAJOR RENOVATIONS, BUT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OPENING OF THAT POOL IN MID JULY.
I KNOW WE HAD A HOT WEEK LAST WEEK.
I WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE A POOL, BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WORKING HARD ON IT.
ALSO, PICKLEBALL COURTS AT NORTH BRANCH PARK ARE ALSO TO BE OPENING BY MID JULY AS WELL.
THEY'RE STILL DETERMINING HOW THOSE COURTS WILL BE SCHEDULED.
BUT ULTIMATELY, WHEN THEY'RE OPEN, I'M SURE THEY'LL BE FULLY UTILIZED ALSO THE NEW LORD STERLING STABLE IS PROGRESSING ON SCHEDULE, AS I WAS TOLD.
>> BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT GOLF ROUNDS AND GOLF IN GENERAL,
[00:15:04]
SOMERSET COUNTY IN THE FIVE COUNTY COURSES THAT WE HAVE DO VERY WELL, AND THEY REMAIN ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE AFFORDABLE GOLF PROGRAMS AROUND.SO MUCH SO THAT WE'RE FINDING THAT MANY PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE, NOT ONLY OUT OF COUNTY, TRAVELING GREAT DISTANCES TO COME PLAY AT OUR COUNTY COURSES, SO WE'RE CONTEMPLATING WHAT THAT MEANS.
BUT WE KNOW THERE'S QUITE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE COMING TO SOMERSET COUNTY TO PLAY GOLF SO THAT'S A GOOD THING.
MENTIONED ALSO BEFORE THE 4TH JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY WILL BE THURSDAY, JULY 4TH, STARTING AT 9:30 PM.
JUST SOME OF THE LOGISTICS, THE PARK WILL ACTUALLY OPEN AT 6:00 PM TO ALLOW VEHICLES TO NORTH BRANCH PARK TO ENTER THE PARK AND FAMILIES TO PICNIC ON THE PARK GROUNDS.
BUT PRIOR TO THAT, THE GROUP GARDEN STATE GROVE, AS WAS MENTIONED BEFORE, WILL PLAY STARTING AT 8:30-9:30.
WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT BECAUSE TRAFFIC IS THEN AFTER THE EVENT, PRETTY TOUGH TO GET OUT OF NORTH BRANCH PARK, THEY'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY HOST THE BAND BACK FROM 10:00 PM TO 11:00 PM SO YOU CAN HANG OUT FOR AN HOUR, LET THE TRAFFIC GO BY, LISTEN TO A GREAT BAND, AND ENJOY THE FOOD TRUCKS, AND PICNIC BASKETS ARE ALLOWED.
ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED. THEN FINALLY, THE PLANNING BOARD LAST WEEK, WE HAD A PRESENTATION, THE SOMERSET COUNTY PLANNING BOARD OF THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN WHICH PRESENTED, IS CALLED KEEPING SOMERSET MOVING.
AM I CORRECT, WALTER? 2045. THOSE PLAN WILL BE SENT OUT TO MUNICIPALITIES, AND THE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THAT PLAN WILL BE HELD IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, AND ALL ACCOUNTS, THE PLAN WILL BE ADOPTED BY THE PLANNING BOARD IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT PART OF THAT WHOLE PLAN ALSO INCORPORATES THE WALK BIKE HIKE PLAN, SO REALLY LOOKING AT HOW THE COUNTY'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS BENEFITED BY WALKING, BIKING, AND ACCESS TO TRANSIT, AND THAT PLAN INCORPORATES THOSE INITIATIVES SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
THAT'S THE END OF MY REPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK.
LAST WEEK, THE HEALTHIER SOMERSET COALITION MET AND THEY GAVE OUT THEIR ANNUAL WORKPLACE WELLNESS AWARDS OF WHICH THE COUNTY WAS ONCE AGAIN A RECIPIENT SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COUNTY.
THERE WAS A PRESENTATION GIVEN ON THE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS, AS WELL AS A PANEL DISCUSSION ON HOUSING INSECURITY, WHICH OUR OWNED WALTER LANE WAS A MEMBER OF THE PANEL AND GAVE A VERY INFORMATIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT SOME OF THE COUNTY RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.
COMMISSIONER SUE AND I ATTENDED THE SOMERSET COUNTY VOTECH GRADUATION LAST WEEK.
AS SHE MENTIONED, IT WAS, I THINK THE LARGEST GRADUATION CLASS THEY HAD IN QUITE SOME TIME.
THE DEMAND FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IS DEFINITELY STRONG IN THIS COUNTY, SO IT IS GOOD AS SHE MENTIONED THAT WE'RE EXPANDING IT, BUT I DO WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE COUNTY'S FIRE ACADEMY GRADUATION.
THIS IS THE SOMERSET COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES TRAINING ACADEMY WHERE PEOPLE UNDERGO TRAINING TO BECOME FIREFIGHTERS.
THEY HAVE TO UNDERGO 200 HOURS WORTH OF TRAINING, AND SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AND THANK ALL OF OUR MOST RECENT FIREFIGHTERS.
>> THANK YOU. AS WE MOVE ON TO RECOGNITIONS AND COMMITTEE AWARDS, WE HAVE THE CONFINED SPACE RESCUE TEAM, AND I TAKE IT AS THOSE GENTLEMEN AND LADIES WHO ARE IN THE BACK TO SAY THAT YOU WORK WITH CONFINED SPACE.
YOU ALL ARE ALL CRAMPED UP IN THE BACK TOGETHER, SO PLEASE COME ON DOWN.
>> IT WAS LIKE GOING TO CHURCH AND BACK.
>> I'M GOING TO NEED SOME HELP BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW ALL THE NAMES, BUT I'M GOING TO GRAB THESE AND LET ME FIGURE THIS OUT.
OH, THESE AREN'T INDIVIDUALIZED. PERFECT.
[00:20:02]
>> I HAVE MY GLASSES ON THERE.
>> NO, I DIDN'T. [LAUGHTER] I'LL TAKE THOSE FOR THE GUYS THAT DIDN'T.
>> THIS IS OUR EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD FOR THIS CREW, GOING THROUGH A CONFINED SPACES TRAINING PROGRAM.
OBVIOUSLY, NOT FOR EVERYBODY, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THAT PHOBIA SO WHAT YOU'VE DONE IS REALLY SIGNIFICANT AND VERY SPECIAL.
THIS IS SPECIALIZED TRAINING, AND I WAS HOPING THAT ONE OF YOU IN THIS TEAM MIGHT BE THE ONE THAT WOULD BE THE SPOKESPERSON TO TELL FOLKS ABOUT IT.
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE TOOLS WE USE IN OUR BRIDGE DEPARTMENT FOR GOING IN CONFINED SPACES OF THE FLOOD PROJECT IN BOUND BROOK.
WE GO IN AND DO INSPECTIONS, CLEANINGS, AND IT'S TO HELP OUR OWN PEOPLE IF THERE'S AN EMERGENCY TO GET OUT OF IT, IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE HAZARDOUS AIR OR ANY OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN THE SPACES.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE USE IN-HOUSE, AND IT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING QUITE A BIT.
>> THANK YOU. DOES ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?
>> I'LL JUST ADD IN A COUPLE OF THINGS ON THIS LIST.
JUST REAL QUICK, I'M NOT STANDING HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THERE IS NO OTHER DPW THAT HAS AN INTERNAL TEAM.
NO. WE'RE PROBABLY THE FIRST IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
NOT HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE'RE PROBABLY THE FIRST IN THE STATE TO HAVE AN INTERNAL TEAM.
BUT BEING A TRANS CENTER IS NOT REALLY WHY WE'RE HERE, BECAUSE THIS WOULDN'T BE HERE IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD DEDICATE THEMSELVES OUTSIDE THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION TO VOLUNTEER TO BE THE PERSON THAT GOES IN THERE AND HELPS THEIR CO-WORKER OUT TO MAKE SURE THEY RETURN HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES.
CAUSE THAT'S REALLY THE IMPORTANT THING THAT'S HERE.
I'D LIKE TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR VOLUNTEERING BECAUSE YOU COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE COMING HOME TO THEIR FAMILY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
> LET ME SAY THE NAME OF THESE 15 INDIVIDUALS.
WE'VE GOT JUSTICE BATISTA, JOSEPH LISEK, DALE ARTFICH, SEAN YOUNG, ANTHONY HARTMAN, JOHN DIETRICH, WILLIAM POWELL, BRIAN DE GROSS, NICK BLANKY, ANTHONY HARTMAN JUNIOR, SCOTT HEYWARD, CHRISTOPHER GARNEKI, CODY TYNDALL, GIZEPI GUNGETINO, BONIFACIO CHELONE.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AGAIN.
VERY WELL, JOHN AND THANK YOU.
I HOPE WE NEVER NEED YOUR SERVICES, BUT I KNOW THAT WE'RE SAFE IF WE DO. AGAIN, KUDOS.
>> EVERYBODY SQUEEZE. [BACKGROUND]
>> THANK YOU. WE MOVE ON TO OUR COMMUNICATIONS.
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY SHALL HOLD A HEARING ON JULY 9TH, 2024, FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING THE ACCURACY OF THE RATIOS AND TRUE VALUATIONS OF PROPERTY AS SHOWN IN THE STATE EQUALIZATION TABLE.
ATLANTIC COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ADOPT A RESOLUTION NUMBER 322-2024, URGING STATE LEADERS TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WILL AUTHORIZE COUNTIES, MUNICIPALITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ELECTRONICALLY PUBLISH LEGAL NOTICES IN NEWSPAPERS WEBSITE OR DIGITAL PUBLICATION.
BURLINGTON COUNTY, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED RESOLUTION 2024-000328, IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE SAME.
CAMDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED RESOLUTION NUMBER I89 IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE SAME.
[00:25:03]
KATE MAY, BOARDER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED RESOLUTION NUMBER 33-24 ON JUNE 11TH ADOPTING OR URGING THE SAME.HUDSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, ADOPTED RESOLUTION NUMBER 367-6-2024, SUPPORTING THE NJAC MODEL RESOLUTION, SUPPORTING THE SAME.
MAMA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, ADOPTED RESOLUTION 2024-0460, URGING THE SAME.
OCEAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED A RESOLUTION ON JUNE 5TH, OPPOSING THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFSHORE WIND FARMS. WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED RESOLUTION NUMBER 384-24, URGING STATE LEADERS TO PASS LEGISLATION WITH THE PUBLICATIONS AND PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES AS THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE BEEN READ.
>> GOOD EVENING. RESOLUTION 24-1300, IS AUTHORIZING SOMERSET COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE DEVELOPMENT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN CROSS ACCEPTANCE PROCESS.
THIS IS THE UPDATE OF THE STATE DEVELOPMENT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN.
THIS AUTHORIZES THE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD TO BE THE NEGOTIATING ENTITY FOR THE COUNTY AND WORK OUT ANY DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN OUR TOWNS AND THE STATE PLAN.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1301, AUTHORIZING SOMERSET COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APPLY AND ACCEPT FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL HSAC CONTRACT FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST 2024 THROUGH JUNE 20TH 2025, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $69,949.
RESOLUTION 24-1302, AUTHORIZING THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO APPLY FOR THE VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT GRANT PROGRAM FOR AN AMOUNT OF UP TO 144,000 WITH A COUNTY MATCH OF 36,000 FOR A TOTAL PROJECT AMOUNT OF UP TO 180,000 EXCEPT FUNDING FOR AWARDED INSERTION OF FUNDS INTO THE BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1303, AUTHORIZING THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT THE 2024 NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER GRANT PROGRAM FOR UP TO $2,500.
FUNDING WILL BE USED FOR HAZMAT SIMULTEST KITS. NO MATCHING.
>> 24-1304 IS AUTHORIZING TO FILE A SPENDING PLAN FOR THE 2023 RECYCLING ENHANCEMENT ACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $332,100.
24-1305 IS AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE AND INSERTION OF CLEAN COMMUNITIES GRANT ENTITLEMENT FOR 2024, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $111,475.14.
24-1306 IS AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET TO APPLY FOR SCDRTAP FUNDING.
THIS IS FOR 2025 GRANT, AND TO ACCEPT $1,166,603, WOULD BE ABOUT $200,000 MORE THAN LAST YEAR.
>> QUESTION ON THE CLEAN COMMUNITIES.
>> WHAT IS THE PLAN OR WHAT HAVE WE USED THE CLEAN COMMUNITIES GRANT FOR?
>> WE USE THAT FOR PART TIME EMPLOYEES, FOR CLEANING UP LITTER, AND WE ALSO USE IT FOR STREET SWEEPING DISPOSAL.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1307, AMENDING R24-1111, WHICH AUTHORIZE THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR JCC 0019-24.
THIS AMENDMENT IS TO INCLUDE THE VENDOR PLASTIC EXPRESS, IT WAS OMITTED DURING THE INITIAL WARDING OF THE CONTRACT, IT MEETS THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE BID.
>> RESOLUTION 24-108, AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 1 FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF RIVER ROAD, COUNTY ROUTE 567 FROM ELM STREET TO 1,000 FEET NORTH, TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH.
CONTRACT NUMBER 20022, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $196,583.14.
RESOLUTION 24-1309, IT'S AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER 2 AND FINAL PAYING FOR GRADE CONSTRUCTION OUT OF PATTERSON, NEW JERSEY FOR REPLACEMENT OF COUNTY BRIDGE H0918 BROOKSIDE DRIVE, TOWNSHIP OF WARREN.
CONTRACT NUMBER 22021, THE AS BIT CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $574,682.30.
THE FINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $566,010.66.
[00:30:04]
>> THAT INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY APPROVED CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 1 IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,465.48.
AND THIS CHANGE ORDER IS A DECREASE OF $38,137.12, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED NEGATIVE $38,137.12.
RESOLUTION 24-1310, AUTHORIZING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO VERDANTAS LLC OUT OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE FOR AS NEEDED ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 2024, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000.
RESOLUTION 24-1311 IS AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT TO DEWBERRY ENGINEERS OUT OF FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA FOR PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING FOR THE PICKET PLACE CR 567 BRIDGE OVER THE SOUTH BRANCH OF THE RIRATAN RIVER.
IT'S COUNTY BRIDGE CO609, BRANCHBURG AND HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIPS, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $830,978.34.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1312 IS AUTHORIZING ORDER CONTRACT TO SHI NATIONAL FOR ION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT PLATFORM, UTILIZING THE BERGEN COUNTY COOPERATIVE PURCHASING ALLIANCE, CK04, CONTRACT 2438.
THIS IS IN CUSTOMIZATION SETUP PLATFORM FEE FOR 12 MONTHS, '25 12 MONTH LICENSES FOR 33 USERS, TRAINING AND TECH SUPPORT FOR ONE YEAR, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 66,900 OR $691.48.
THIS IS SETTING UP A ONLINE PORTAL FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE COMMISSION AND ONLINE PORTAL FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS TO BE ABLE FOR EVERYONE TO SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY.
SO WE'LL BE ROLLING IT OUT WITH ONE OF OUR TEST TOWNS IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.
AND RESOLUTION 24-1313, IT IS AUTHORIZING BORDER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INTO A CONTRACT FOR SERVICES FOR 2024 WITH THE REGIONAL CENTER PARTNERSHIP OF SOMERSET COUNTY, NOT TO EXCEED $65,792.25.
THIS IS THE ANNUAL CONTRACT WITH THE REGIONAL CENTER PARTNERSHIP THAT COORDINATES PLANNING WITHIN THE THREE REGIONAL CENTER COMMUNITIES OF SOMERVILLE, BRIDGEWATER, AND RARITAN.
AND THIS IS THE SAME AS THE AMOUNT OF LAST YEAR, THE CONTRIBUTION.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1314, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF ACTION PLAN AMENDMENTS FOR YEARS 2018, '19, AND '21 TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, NOT TO EXCEED $52,817 TO RARITAN VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND NOT TO EXCEED $30,774 TO YOUTH CONSULTATION SERVICE.
RESOLUTION 24-135, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF THE 2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,067,192 IN CDBG FUNDS AND $592,575.79 IN HOME FUNDS.
RESOLUTION 24-1316, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF THE 2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND [OVERLAPPING] SORRY, A LITTLE BIT OF DEJAVU.
24-1316, AUTHORIZING AWARD TO MIDDLE EARTH, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $429,766 FOR SERVICES FROM APRIL 1, 2024 TO DECEMBER 31, 2024.
>> ZACH. SO WHAT KIND OF YOUTH CONSULTATION SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED?
>> THIS IS GOING UP TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT.
THAT'S THE NAME OF THE COMPANY THAT WE CONTRACTED WITH, BUT I CANNOT SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO WHAT THAT WAS FOR, BUT I'LL GET BACK TO YOU.
>> YEAH. IF IT'S THE NAME OF THE COMPANY, IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE, YOU CONSULTATION SERVICE, AND THEN THE WHOLE THING WITH HUD.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO SEE WHAT DID THAT MAKE SENSE? THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, THANKS. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> 24-1317 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO TRUE GREEN AND ALSO INTEGRATED TURF MANAGEMENT.
[00:35:04]
IT'S FOR LANDSCAPE CHEMICAL APPLICATION AND FERTILIZATION.THIS IS AN OPEN ENDED CONTRACT, SECOND YEAR OF A THREE YEAR CONTRACT, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $750.
24-1318 IS AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT.
THIS IS TO MULTIPLE VENDORS FOR ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT.
SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $15,000.
>> AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUS WORDED CONTRACTS TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION AND THE SOMERSET COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR TOURISM AND SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS, AUTHORIZING THE SECOND HALF OF A PAYMENT FOR THE REMAINING SIX MONTHS OF WHAT IS A 12 MONTH CONTRACT, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $137,500.
APPROVAL TO PAY RESOLUTION 24-1320 FROM THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE TO PAY WILENTZ, GOLDMAN, AND SPITZER OUT OF WOODBRIDGE FOR ELECTION LEGAL SERVICES NOT TO EXCEED $22,932.18.
UNDER THE COUNTY CLERK, RESOLUTION 24-1321, APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO ROYAL PRINTING AT OF WEST NEW YORK FOR THE 2024 PRIMARY SAMPLE BALLOTS NOT TO EXCEED $72,152.64.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1322, AUTHORIZING CLOSING AND RETURNING REMAINING FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO TR1 OF YOUR INC OUT OF PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY, FOR MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR REPAIRS OF VARIOUS PARK COMMISSION STRUCTURES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED NEGATIVE $32,702.42.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1323, APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER FOR RADIANT COMMUNITY ATHLETIC PRODUCTIONS OF FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE LECTURE FOR WARREN BROOK SENIOR CENTER MARSHAL YOUR STRENGTH DEFENSE TRAINING FOR SENIORS.
RESOLUTION 24-1324, AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOR JUVENILE DETENTION HOUSING AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $282,901.80 AND JUVENILE DETENTION EDUCATION IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $20,000, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $302,901.80.
>> SO ON 13-24, WITH REGARDS TO JUVENILE DETENTION, THERE IS SOME ADVOCACY HAPPENING WITH NJAC, WHICH IS THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.
THEY ASKED FOR COUNTIES INPUT.
I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO REPORT ON A YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING, BUT I PUT IT IN A CHAT.
WE DID GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS.
I MET WITH ANTOINETTE FEEHLING.
I ALSO MET WITH A SOCIAL WORKER, AND THEN I GOT FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS.
SO WE SUBMITTED THREE PAGES OF RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO PROBABLY MORE TO COME, MORE DISCUSSIONS ON JUVENILE DETENTION AS NJAC MEETS WITH AOC AND JUVENILE JUSTICE.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1325 IS AUTHORIZING A REFUND FOR A PURCHASE OF RECYCLING TOTES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $100.90.
24-1326 IS AN INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE INTO THE COUNTY BUDGET FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT AND THE AMOUNT OF $60,000.
THIS IS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PARK COMMISSION.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY RUNNING THIS PROJECT.
IT'S FOR THE DESIGN OF A INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND IN BRIDGEWATER.
RESOLUTION 24-1327 IS AN INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, EDWARD BURN MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $58,230.
THERE'S AN IN KIND MATCH APPROPRIATED WITHIN THE PROSECUTOR'S SALARY AND WAGE BUDGET.
AND 24-1328 IS INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE INTO THE BUDGET FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, 2024 ARRIVE TOGETHER GRANT PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $150,000.
[00:40:04]
AND 24-1329 IS A PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFICATION OF THE SAME.>> RESOLUTION 24-1330 AND 24-1331 HAVE BEEN VOIDED OUT AS THEY'VE BEEN MOVED TO THE INTRO AND ADOPTION SECTION FOR THIS EVENING.
>> 24-1332, APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL FOR PASS TO INVOICE FOR SALES ORDER 955190 INSPECTION FEES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,500.
24-1333, APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO RUCKER'S OCPE FOR VISIBLE EMISSIONS RECERTIFICATION COURSE, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $75.
>> 24-1334 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO BOB'S UNIFORM.
THIS IS FOUR UNIFORMS, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,500.
24-1335 HAS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO COLGATE PAPER STOCK FOR COMMODITIES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,914.27.
24-1336 HAS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO MAZZA RECYCLING FOR COMMODITIES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $14,002.08.
24-1337 IS AMENDING R24-963 AND THIS IS THE CANCEL A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS TO MULTIPLE FUEL VENDORS, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $300.
24-1338 IS AMENDING R24-751, THIS IS FOR CME ASSOCIATES.
THIS IS DUE TO A CLERICAL ERROR, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $11,490.
THAT'S FOR OUR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS OF OUR FUEL TANKS.
24-1339 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $38,503.60.
24-1340 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO NATIONAL FUEL OIL THAT'S FOR GASOLINE, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $52,705.28.
24-1341 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $70,000.
24-1342 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO NATIONAL FUEL OIL FOR GASOLINE AND DIESEL, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $600,000.
>> THESE ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO ABOVE RESOLUTIONS 24-300 THROUGH 23-1342.
HOW DO YOU GO BACKWARDS? CORRECTION FOR THE RECORD, 24-1300 THROUGH 24-1342 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR JULY 9. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> MR. DRAKE, MR. SINGLETARY, MR. MORANO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR SUE, DIRECTOR ROBINSON?
>> 24-1343 IS AMENDING RESOLUTION R2316O1 TO INCREASE THE GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,434.
THE TOTAL AMOUNTS NOT TO EXCEED $305,434.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1344 IS AN INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE INTO THE BUDGET FOR THE NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, NATIONAL OPIOID SETTLEMENT AMOUNT IN THE AMOUNT OF $159,270.10.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1345, AUTHORIZING THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO ID CARE FOR TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL SERVICES, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $157,885.02.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTION 24-1343, 24-1345 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR JULY 9TH?
>> COMMISSIONER DRAKE. COMMISSIONER SINGLETARY.
COMMISSIONER MORANO. DEPUTY DIRECTOR SUE. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
>> 24-1245 IS AMENDED RESOLUTION 24222,
[00:45:04]
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SOMERSET COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY, SOMERSET COUNTY AND TD BANK.>> 24-1246, IT'S AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE GREATER RARITAN AND WDB, TO ACCEPT $1,754,178 IN WIOA ADULT, DISLOCATED WORKER AND YOUTH FUNDS FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR JULY 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025.
24-1247 IS AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE GREATER RARITAN WDB, TO ACCEPT $730,797 IN WORKFORCE NEW JERSEY GRANT FUNDS FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR JULY 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025.
FINALLY, 1248 IS AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE GREATER RARITAN WDB, TO ACCEPT $12,971 IN WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT DATA REPORTING AND ANALYSIS FUNDS FROM THE NJ DOL FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025.
I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT BETWEEN OUR PROGRAM YEAR THAT'S ENDED AND THIS PROGRAM YEAR, OUR GRANT FUNDS HAVE BEEN CUT BY 9.9% OR $274,000.
>> WAS THE GRANT FUNDING CUT OVERALL STATE WIDE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE?
>> YES, THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE ALL EXPERIENCING FOR VARIOUS REASONS.
SOME OF IT IS THE LEVEL OF SERVICE.
SOME OF IT IS THAT THE STATE FEELS THAT WORKFORCE BOARDS ON THE WHOLE AREN'T EXPENDING THE FUNDS FAST ENOUGH.
SOME OF IT I THINK IS JUST A CHANGE IN HOW THEY'RE DOING BUSINESS.
ONE OF THE FUNDS WE'RE NOT GETTING THIS YEAR IS THE WORKFORCE LEARNING LINK.
LAST YEAR, WE GOT $72,000 FOR GED TRAINING.
WE FOUND OUT AT 5:30 ON THURSDAY BEFORE THE HOLIDAY THAT THEY'RE NOT AWARDING THOSE.
THEY'RE NOT GIVING THIS AS A NOTICE OF AWARD, BUT AT SOME POINT IN THE SUMMER, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO A COMPETITIVE CREATE AN RFP AND RESPOND.
I THINK THE ISSUE WITH THAT IS THAT, THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THEIR GEDS FOR MONTHS BECAUSE OF THIS.
>> QUICK QUESTION, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'D KNOW THE ANSWER OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD.
BUT WHAT WE JUST LOOKED AT, THESE THREE DIFFERENT RESOLUTIONS, IS THERE A SET FUNDING FORMULA FOR THESE?
>> ALL OF THE DOL USES OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AS WELL AS OUR POPULATION TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUNDING WE GET.
BECAUSE OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ISN'T AS HIGH AS YOU WOULD HAVE IN MERCED, OR CAMDEN, OR NEWARK, THEY'RE GOING, OF COURSE, TO GET MORE FUNDS THAN WE WILL, BUT THIS STILL WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR SERVICE.
>> OKAY THANK YOU. LET ME TAKE A COUPLE OF [BACKGROUND]
>> I KNOW THIS BY HEART. IT'S $274,000 AND SOME CHANGE, 9.9%.
OUR BIGGEST CUT WAS IN OUR YOUTH FUNDING, WHICH WAS A 14.5% CUT.
OUR ADULT FUNDING WAS CUT BY 13%.
OUR DISLOCATED WORKER BY 5.3%, AND OUR WORKFORCE NEW JERSEY TANAF AND SNAP ARE EACH CUT BY 9.9%.
>> 24-1249, AWARD OF SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACT, CY-COM-0090-23S TO GRANICUS LLC FOR COMMUNICATIONS CLOUD SERVICES, JULY 25 OF 2024 TO JULY 24, 2025.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $13,374.99.
24-1250, APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO GRANICUS LLC, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, FOR COMMUNICATIONS CLOUD, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 THROUGH JULY 24 OF 2024, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $5,996.
>> 24-1251 IS AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT FUNDING FOR THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATE CRIMINAL ALIEN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.
TOTAL AMOUNT IS NOT TO EXCEED $500,000.
24-1252 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO
[00:50:03]
THE COUNTY OF MORRIS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT TO HOUSE SOMERSET COUNTY ADULT INMATES IN THE MORRIS COUNTY ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.TOTAL IS NOT TO EXCEED $2,220,000.
24-1253 IS APPROVAL OF PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TREASURER FOR HOUSING OF SOMERSET COUNTY INMATES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL, MAY AND JUNE OF 2024.
TOTAL AMOUNT IS NOT TO EXCEED $772,990.
>> 24-1254 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT TO TTL SERVICES OUT OF RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY FOR THE DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES AND SITE CLEANUP OF SEVEN PARK PROPERTIES.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $254,470.30.
THERE WERE NINE BIDDERS ON THIS PROJECT, AND WHAT CAME IN WAY BELOW THIS ESTIMATE WAS $1,000,000.
>> GOOD EVENING. RESOLUTION 24-1255 IS ALLOCATING $850,000 FROM THE OPEN SPACE UNALLOCATED RESERVES FOR FUTURE USE FUNDS TO THE OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN.
24-1256 IS AUTHORIZING A CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO SHAIN SHAFFER FOR THE PURCHASE OF BLOCK 355, LOTS 1 AND 2, IN THE BOROUGH OF MIDDLESEX AND BLOCK 2, LOTS 5 AND 5.01 IN THE BOROUGH OF BOUND BROOK THAT ARE OWNED BY GARY GOVERNALE, AND G&P PROPERTIES, PLUS 5% ASSOCIATED COSTS.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,150,000.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1257, APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO VITAL RECORDS HOLDING FOR RECORDS, MANAGEMENT, PHYSICAL STORAGE AND SERVICES, INVOICES FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $8,713.53.
RESOLUTION 24-1258, APPROVAL TO PAY A CONFIRMING ORDER TO VITAL RECORDS HOLDING FOR PHYSICAL STORAGE AND SERVICES, INVOICE FOR DECEMBER 2023, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,038.42.
>> PURCHASE ORDER 24-1259, AUTHORIZING A PURCHASE OF SOFTWARE LICENSES FROM CELLEBRITE INCORPORATED OUT OF VIENNA, VIRGINIA, USING NEW JERSEY STATE CONTRACT.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 19,600. THANK YOU.
>> RESOLUTION 24-1260, AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SHI INTERNATIONAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE ANNUAL SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT FOR CHECK POINT FIREWALL, UTILIZING THE BERGEN COUNTY COOPERATIVE PURCHASING ALLIANCE CONTRACT.
TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $107,315.34.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTIONS 24-1245 THROUGH 24-1260 TO THE AGENDA FOR OUR SUBSEQUENT MEETING.
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> THIS IS THE PORTION OF OUR MEETING WHERE WE OPEN UP TO THE PUBLIC.
FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK.
PLEASE GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
AGAIN, FIVE MINUTES, NO YIELDING OF TIME.
IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO PUBLIC?
>> AYE. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? MAYOR ONDERKO.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS, ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY COUNCIL AND CLERK.
I'M HERE WITH JUST A FEW TOPICS THIS EVENING.
I'M SORRY, MAYOR ONDERKO, 325 NORTH MAIN STREET, MANVILLE, NEW JERSEY.
I RECENTLY WAS CONTACTED BY A MEDIA OUTLET CONCERNING MANVILLE'S NEED FOR A STORMWATER UTILITY.
THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF MANVILLE WAS GOING TO GO IT ALONE OR LOOK INTO THIS WITH THE COUNTY.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO BRING THAT ISSUE BACK UP.
I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED A COUNTYWIDE STORMWATER UTILITY.
WITH YOU GUYS SEE HOW MUCH DEVELOPMENT HAS GONE ON AROUND US, AND MANVILLE WOULD PROBABLY BENEFIT THE MOST BY THIS UTILITY GOING INTO RETROFIT AND TRY TO REDUCE STORMWATER LEVELS,
[00:55:05]
AS OPPOSED TO JUST LETTING THEM GO HIGHER, AND HIGHER, AND HIGHER, BECAUSE I TRULY FEEL THAT ONE DAY IT'S GOING TO BE AT MY HOUSE, AND THAT'S SAD.HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO A STORMWATER UTILITY? WHERE ARE WE AT? IS IT GOING TO MOVE FORWARD? I BELIEVE WE NEED IT BECAUSE MY RESIDENTS ARE SAYING, "RICH, WHY ISN'T ANYTHING BEING DONE TO LOWER FLOODWATER LEVELS? IT'S OFF THE RADAR." RECENTLY, I WENT TO THE COUNTY OEM MEETING FOR THE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE.
EVERY FIVE YEARS, WE GIVE INPUT.
BUT THAT PLAN DOESN'T ADDRESS STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.
THE ONLY THING THAT WE HAVE ON THE RADAR IS THE NEW STORMWATER MS4 RULES THAT FOCUS ON IMPROVING WATERSHED ISSUES FOR THE QUALITY OF THE WATERSHED TO TRY TO REDUCE FLOODWATERS THERE.
WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT PLANS SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON, AND THEY CROSS TOWNS.
LIKE THE ROYCE BROOK, IT ORIGINATES IN HILLSBOROUGH, IT ENDS UP IN MANVILLE.
TO TRY TO GET THE DEP INVOLVED, MAYBE THERE'S A DREDGING OPTION, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.
I JUST WANT TO BRING THAT TO YOU GUYS' ATTENTION BECAUSE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.
JUST RECENTLY, WE HAD A COUPLE OF INCHES AND 206 GOES UNDERWATER.
ONE OTHER THING, I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ADDRESSING THE MAIN STREET IN MANVILLE.
I'M TOLD NOW IT'S MID OCTOBER FINAL DATE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND FUNDING AND ALL THAT. THAT'S GOOD.
HOWEVER, I STILL HAVE CONCERNS OVER TRAFFIC CALMING.
THAT I MEAN IS, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT.
BUT GOING 35 TO 25 IS AN ISSUE, AND IT'S GOING TO REMAIN AN ISSUE UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING WITH ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE OR SOMETHING IN THE ROADWAY TO MAKE PEOPLE SLOW DOWN.
WE RECENTLY HAD TWO ACCIDENTS AT DUKES PARKWAY AND MAIN STREET.
I'M LIKE, ARE YOU SERIOUS? I THOUGHT THIS ROADWAY IS SUPPOSED TO BE SAFER.
I THINK THE ACCIDENTS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE IF SPEED IS AN ISSUE.
SO WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A MEETING BEFORE THIS PROJECT IS ALL COMPLETED TO GO OVER EVERYTHING THAT I SEE.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MISMANAGED THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN.
THEY PUT SIGNS UP. THEY HAVE A SIGN HERE.
THEY PUT ANOTHER SIGN RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT TO BLOCK THE SPEED LIMIT SIGN.
I'M LIKE, REALLY? I BRING THAT TO THE PEOPLE'S ATTENTION SO THAT THE SIGNS GET MOVED.
LASTLY, THE COUNTY TAXES ARE GOING UP AGAIN.
IT HIT MANVILLE HARD LAST YEAR.
I'M HOPING THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AS BAD THIS YEAR.
I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN THE ANNUAL REASSESSMENT PROGRAM.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THE COUNTY CAN PUT SOME PRESSURE ON.
THERE'S FIVE TOWNS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THAT PROGRAM.
IT'S THE BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE OR IMPLEMENTED FOR MANVILLE.
LUCKILY, SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY GO DOWN BECAUSE AS THE VALUE OF THE TOWN GOES UP, THE RATE COMES DOWN.
IT'S THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO MANVILLE.
ADDITIONALLY, WHEN YOU FLOOD AND THE HOUSE VALUES GO DOWN, YOU COULD ADJUST THOSE ASSESSMENTS ANNUALLY.
I JUST WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY. BE SAFE.
I WAS TOLD I WAS MISSED, SO I'M BACK.
I'LL BE HERE AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT, REALLY QUICK.
ROBERT VANCE WAS A BIG FAN OF MINE.
HE WAS THE FORMER TAX BOARD GUY.
I MISS HIM. HAVE A GOOD EVENING.
>> MAYOR, IS THERE ANY QUICK QUESTION ON THE STORMWATER TAX FOR THE MAYOR?
>> IS THE DEP STILL OFFERING BRAND SUPPORT STUDYING? I KNOW THAT THERE WAS ONE TIME A DISCUSSION IN THE GRANT PROGRAM, IS THAT STILL AVAILABLE?
>> I'M NOT SURE. I WOULD HAVE A SUGGESTION TO SAY, TAKE SOME OF THE OPEN SPACE TAX MONEY AND REALLOCATE THAT TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A PROGRAM AND AT LEAST ALLOWED ME TO STUDY IT.
TO SAY YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT TO STUDY OR EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF IT ACROSS THE COUNTY OR IN ANY COUNTY.
>> I'LL REACH OUT AGAIN, PAUL.
>> ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? DO WE HAVE ANY TELEPHONE CALLS OR EMAILS?
>> ALL RIGHT. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING?
[01:00:01]
>> AYES HAVE IT. RIGHT ON TIME.
WE WILL MOVE INTO OUR 6:00 MEETING.
ANY ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER REPORTS OR COMMENTS? OKAY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.