[00:00:02] IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY . [Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting on January 14, 2025.] ON DECEMBER 22ND, 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 COUNTY BOARD MEETING AT CO SOMERSET . NJ. US. THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING BY CALLING (908) 231-7075. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. GOOD EVENING. MAY WE ALL RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO ALL FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. I LIKE HEARING THE YOUNG VOICES. OH, THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE JANUARY 14TH, 2025 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 OF JANUARY 28TH, 2025. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING UNLESS THE MEASURE AND ITS ADOPTION ARE NEEDED IN A MANNER NECESSARY TO CONTINUE COUNTY BUSINESS. CLERK MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL? COMMISSIONER DRAKE. YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. HERE. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. HERE. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. DIRECTOR ROBINSON IS OUT TODAY FOR STATE BUSINESS, SO I'M FILLING IN FOR HER HIGH HEELS. WE'D LIKE TO START WITH THE REPORTS. I'LL START WITH AN EVENT THAT'S TAKING PLACE THIS WEEK. ACTUALLY, JANUARY 15TH, WEDNESDAY TOMORROW. YOU CAN SIGN UP ON OUR WEBSITE. THERE'LL BE A LINK. IT'S FOR NEW MOMS. NEW MOMS CAN BE HIRED. IT'S SPONSORED BY THE COMMISSION FOR THE STATUS OF WOMEN. IT'S TIPS FOR PRIORITIZING YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH. SO ANY NEW MOMS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT WANT SOME TIPS, JOIN IN. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S ALL FREE, STARTS AT 7:15. IT'S A WEBINAR VIRTUAL SO EVERYBODY CAN JOIN IN. MY DAUGHTER JUST HAD A BABY IN THE SUMMER, AND I GOT ANOTHER ONE THAT IF I TAKE A PHONE CALL TONIGHT, IT MEANS THAT SHE HAD HER BABY TONIGHT. WE'RE WAITING ON PINS AND NEEDLES FOR THAT. SO HOPEFULLY THEY'LL BE ON BOARD. JUST TO GIVE YOU A REPORT WHAT'S GOING ON. THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO MADE OUR RE-ORG SO SUCCESSFUL AND RUN SO SMOOTHLY. EVERYTHING WAS WELL. I ALSO ATTENDED REORGS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BERNARDS, MANVILLE, GREENBROOK, ROCKY HILL, AND SOUTH BOUND BROOK. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS IN SOMERSET COUNTY. I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTH BRANCH REFORMED CHURCH, WHICH WAS A BEAUTIFUL CEREMONY THAT THEY HAD AND HAD A CHANCE TO ATTEND THE CABARET NIGHT AT THE BROOK THEATER, WHICH WAS A BENEFIT FOR UNITY HOUSE. WHICH IS A HOUSE THAT'S THERE, BUT THEY NEED TO GET THE FUNDING IN PLACE. IT'S FOR LGBT YOUTH THAT HAVE BEEN DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES. UPCOMING, WE'VE GOT THE WEBINAR ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22ND AT THE FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP SENIOR CENTER. ASSEMBLYMAN DANIELSON WILL BE HOLDING A VETERANS TOWN HALL THAT'S FROM 5:30 TO 7:30. AND WANT TO WISH CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COMMISSIONER, DIRECTOR, CHANEL ROBINSON. SHE IS GOING TO BE SWORN IN AS THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES PRESIDENT. AND THAT'S COMING UP LATER THIS MONTH. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO HER. OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAMS HAD 713 CARS AT THE FIRST SATURDAY THIS MONTH. I HAD A CHANCE TO STOP IN AND VISIT WITH OUR YOUTH LEADERSHIP THIS PAST SATURDAY. THEY WERE WORKING ON DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL AWARENESS. THANK YOU TO ALL THE TEAMS THAT MAKE THAT HAPPEN. LISA, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP THERE. THE TEAMS WERE VERY IMPRESSIVE, SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. OUR LIBRARY MET, OUR LIBRARY COMMISSION MET. JUST BE ADVISED THAT OUR HILLSBOROUGH BRANCH WILL BE CLOSED FROM FEBRUARY 10TH TO FEBRUARY 16TH FOR SOME RENOVATIONS THERE FOR SOME NEWLY IMAGINED SPACE. THE LIBRARY IS ALSO DESIGNING A NEW WEBSITE, WHICH SHOULD BE RELEASED SOMETIME EARLY THIS YEAR. AND IN BOUND BROOK WE STILL REMAIN WITHOUT A PHYSICAL STRUCTURE THERE. SO THERE'S BEEN SOME CHANGES IN BOUND BROOK ABOUT DELIVERING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. BUT ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOUND BROOK COMMUNITY ARE STILL ENTITLED TO GO TO ANY SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY BRANCH AND USE THEIR SERVICES. OUR LGBTQ ADVISORY BOARD MET THIS PAST WEEK. THEY HELD A WEBINAR ON SPECIFICS FOR COMPLETING NAME CHANGE FORMS, [00:05:01] WHICH WAS A VERY GENEROUS OFFER BY ONE OF OUR MEMBERS WHO'S AN ATTORNEY THAT HELPED WITH THAT. OUR CULTURAL AND HERITAGE TEAM MET, THE DOCENT PROGRAM, HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS, 25 SLOTS AND WE'VE GOT 75 PEOPLE, MAYBE MORE, 80 NOW WE'RE UP TO. THEY KEEP COMING IN. THE HITS JUST KEEP ROLLING. SO OBVIOUSLY A HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS. HOPING WE CAN CONTINUE THIS MAYBE TAKE SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE ON WAITLIST AND DO ANOTHER SESSION IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER OR FALL OR SOMETHING. SO HOPEFULLY WE GET LOTS MORE VOLUNTEERS TO OUR HISTORIC HOMES. SO THIS IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT. AND OUR TEEN ARTS FESTIVAL IS LOOKING GREAT SO FAR TOO. MAY 21ST AT RVC. WE'VE GOT 15 SCHOOLS ALREADY SIGNED UP. THAT'S AN INCREASE FROM 12 LAST YEAR. SO ANOTHER AWESOME EVENT GOING ON FOR US. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OUR SENIOR AND DISABLED TRANSPORTATION CREW MET. WE HAD OUR QUARTERLY MEETING DISCUSSING THE NEW APPS THAT WERE PUT INTO PLACE FOR TRANSIT IN THE PAST YEAR. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT OUR STAFFING NOW IS ALL FULL. WE HAD A PEAK THERE WHERE DURING COVID WE HAD A STRUGGLE WITH GETTING EMPLOYEES FOR OUR DRIVERS, BUT WE'RE FULLY STAFFED NOW, SO THAT'S AWESOME. AND WE'RE AWAITING DELIVERY OF TWO NEW LIGHT DUTY BUSSES FROM FUNDING FROM NEW JERSEY TRANSIT. SO WAITING ON THAT TO COME. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. I WILL PASS IT OVER TO COMMISSIONER SOOY. THANK YOU. SO, YES, THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY IS VERY BUSY WITH ALL THE REORGANIZATION MEETINGS. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THOSE NEWLY ELECTED AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RETURNING. FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T RETURN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. IT IS A THANKLESS JOB AT TIMES, BUT WE DO IT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S YOU KNOW, THEY SAY HOME IS WHERE YOUR HEART IS. SO THIS IS WHAT WE WILL SERVE FOR. I ATTENDED THE REORGANIZATION MEETINGS OVER IN SOMERVILLE, MONTGOMERY, MANVILLE AND SOUTH BOUND BROOK. EARLIER THIS WEEK, WE HAD THE NJTPA MEETING, AND WE HAD A STATE PLANNING UPDATE. SO THE STATE PLAN HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED IN OVER TWO DECADES. SO WE HAVE OUR FORMER HEAD OF PLANNING, WALTER LANE, WHO RECEIVED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TO SERVE ON THE STATE SIDE. AND HE ACTUALLY DID THE PRESENTATION AT OUR LAST BOARD MEETING. AND EVERYTHING FROM FLOODING, SUSTAINABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCY AND MUCH, MUCH MORE WILL BE ADDRESSED. IN ORDER FOR THIS PLAN TO BE UPDATED WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO HAVE ALL 21 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAVE IN-PERSON MEETINGS AND OR ZOOM MEETINGS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE CONTRIBUTIONS BECAUSE, AS WE KNOW YOU CAN GO FROM ONE COUNTY TO THE NEXT, AND IT FEELS LIKE AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT AREA WITH DIFFERENT CONCERNS, BUT SOME OF THEM ARE OVERLAPPING. JUST BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A COUNTY LINE DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PROBLEMS STOP THERE. SO WITH THIS PLAN YOU KNOW, SEEKING TO BE UPDATED, WE ARE EXCITED, ESPECIALLY WITH A LOT OF OUR CLIMATE RESILIENCY TASK THAT WE HAVE AHEAD OF US. SO AND COMMISSIONER MARANO AND I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SAFE AND SOUND TODAY, AND THEY ARE LIKE, VERY LIKE MANY OF OUR OTHER NONPROFITS, WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING A LOT OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING START TO BE CUT. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S A VERY REAL ISSUE AS IT'S HARD TO FIND BEDS AND LOCATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH SOME OF THE MOST, YOU KNOW, HORRIFIC SITUATIONS. SO WE ARE ALL COMING TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT SOMERSET COUNTY CAN DO TO, YOU KNOW, PUT OUR RESIDENTS SAFETY FIRST AND FOREMOST. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. JUST A FEW THINGS. ALSO ATTENDED A FEW REORGANIZATION MEETINGS THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. BOTH IN HILLSBOROUGH AND IN MANVILLE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE FOLKS ELECTED. AFTER TWO YEARS OF ADVOCACY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED THE TARGET ZERO COMMISSION BILL WHICH WENT INTO RECENTLY LAW JUST RECENTLY. IT WAS A CRITICAL STEP TOWARDS MAKING NEW JERSEY 'S STREETS SAFER FOR ALL USERS. WITH THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE YESTERDAY, IT BECAME NEW JERSEY , BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION DEDICATED TO REACHING ZERO TRAFFIC DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES BY 2040. THE COMMISSION WILL BE MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES OF 13 STATE AGENCIES THAT WILL CREATE A SAFETY ACTION PLAN. IT WILL ANALYZE STREET DESIGNS THAT ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS LOCATIONS, WITH A FOCUS ON PRIORITIZING SAFETY FOR ALL ROAD USERS, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE THAT ARE WALKING, CYCLING, AND ROLLING AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED MOST BY TRAFFIC VIOLENCE. 2024 WAS NEW JERSEY 'S DEADLIEST YEAR FOR PEDESTRIANS SINCE 1988. [00:10:06] 692 PEOPLE DIED IN 655 CRASHES, AND AT LEAST 223 OF THEM WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE WALKING ALONG THE STREET. THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 32% IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHS OVER LAST YEAR, AND A 14% INCREASE IN OVERALL FATALITIES. SO THE INTENT OF THIS PLAN IS OBVIOUSLY TO REDUCE THOSE FATALITIES TO ZERO. CERTAINLY WE'RE HOPEFUL IT'LL BE LONG BEFORE 2040. AND THEN WITH THE ONGOING FIRES IN LOS ANGELES, CERTAINLY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION REGARDING CLIMATE CHANGE. FORTUNATELY, IN NEW JERSEY , WE ARE HOME TO THE STATE CLIMATOLOGIST OUT OF RUTGERS, AND NEW JERSEY ALSO CONTAINS THE NEW JERSEY CLIMATE CHANGE RESOURCE CENTER AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY. SO A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMATION AND MAPPING CAN BE FOUND ON THAT WEBSITE AT RUTGERS TO REALLY DISCUSS MANY OF THE ISSUES ON CLIMATE CHANGE, SPECIFICALLY NEW JERSEY . AND THEN ALSO ON MARCH 21ST, 2025, RUTGERS WILL BE HOSTING A DAY LONG CONFERENCE AT THE LIVINGSTON STUDENT STUDENT CENTER TO DISCUSS SUSTAINING INNOVATION IN NEW JERSEY CLIMATE POLICY. SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT, THAT CONFERENCE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, A COUPLE OF MONTHS. AND IN THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF AG WILL REORGANIZE NEXT WEEK AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTY. THANKS TO OUR GIS STAFF WITHIN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE MAPPED THE AGRICULTURAL LANDS OWNED BY THE COUNTY. AND WITH THE HELP, WITH THEIR HELP, TO REALLY HELP FACILITATE LONGER TERM GOALS TO MAINTAINING A VIABLE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY IN SOMERSET COUNTY. I ALSO WANT TO REPORT THAT THE PARKS AND GOLF COURSES REMAIN OPEN, MANY OF THEM. MANY OF THE GOLF COURSES. AND I'M TOLD THERE ARE FAVORABLE TEE TIMES AVAILABLE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS FUNNY. BUT AND THEN ALSO NEXT WEEK JANUARY 20TH, WE'LL BE CELEBRATING MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY. AND THE OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES ENCOURAGES ALL OF YOU TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND GIVE KINDNESS, LOVE, AND PEACE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MORE THAN 20 PARTNERS AND THE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY VOLUNTEER SERVICES OFFICE AT (908) 704-6358. AND WITH A SIMPLE APPLICATION FORM, THEY CAN TEAM YOU UP WITH ORGANIZATIONS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS, EITHER FOR ONE TIME EVENTS OR FOR LONGER COMMITMENTS. AND I'LL END WITH AN EXAMPLE BY OUR VOLUNTEER OFFICE THAT SOMERSET COUNTY IS OFFERING FREE TAX AID PROGRAMS TO RESIDENTS. APPOINTMENTS CAN BE SCHEDULED BEGINNING ON FEBRUARY 1ST. AND SOMERSET COUNTY VOLUNTEER SERVICES AND AARP HAVE ONCE AGAIN TEAMED UP TO PROVIDE A TAX AID PROGRAM TO HELP RESIDENTS PREPARE THEIR TAXES. THIS FREE TAX COUNSELING SERVICE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS, BUT SPECIFICALLY FOR OLDER ADULTS, RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, AND LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS WHO NEED HELP PREPARING BOTH FEDERAL AND NEW JERSEY INCOME TAX RETURNS. YOU CAN START BEGIN TO SIGN UP FOR THAT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT STARTING ON FEBRUARY 1ST. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT, YOU CAN REGISTER FOR FREE EMAILS ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE. AND AGAIN, JUST A REPRESENTATION OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES BEING PROVIDED TO OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS. SO THAT'S THE END OF MY REPORT. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. SO THE COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS GOING TO BE HOSTING A WORKSHOP ON HOW TO MANAGE TYPE TWO DIABETES. THIS IS GOING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAYS FROM 8:30 TO 8 P.M. STARTING ON JANUARY 29TH THROUGH MARCH 5TH. AND IT'S GOING TO BE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LOCATED HERE IN SOMERVILLE, 27 WARREN STREET. ALSO OUR DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WE'VE BEEN HAVING RUNNING CLINICS TO HELP GET SCHOOL KIDS VACCINATED, FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY. THAT INCLUDES CHILDREN WHO ARE UNINSURED, OF AMERICAN INDIAN OR ALASKAN NATIVES, OR WHO ARE ENROLLED IN NJ FAMILY CARE PLAN. AND THE NEXT CLINICS ARE GOING TO BE TOMORROW FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M.. ON FEBRUARY 19TH FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M., AND ON MARCH 19TH FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. AT 500 NORTH BRIDGE STREET, BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY . AND THE C CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER IS GOING TO BE HAVING A HOMEBUYER WORKSHOP ON JANUARY. LET'S SEE, ON JANUARY 27TH AND JANUARY 29TH WHERE PEOPLE CAN WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BUYING HOMES CAN LEARN ABOUT MONEY MANAGEMENT, [00:15:05] WORKING WITH A REALTOR, CREDIT, FAIR HOUSING, HOW TO GET A MORTGAGE. IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, IT'S GOING TO BE DONE VIRTUALLY. SO IT'S GOING TO BE IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO'S INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, YOU CAN CALL (908) 446-0036. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. WE GOT SOME EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS. I WANT TO START WITH BRIAN RICKS. [APPLAUSE] HELLO, YOUNG LADY. AND WHAT IS YOUR NAME? AMANDA. AMELIA. I LIKE BOTH OF THEM. THEY'RE AWESOME. YEAH. YOU KNOW, IT'LL BE HIS HIS DADDY'S AWARD. DO YOU WANT TO HOLD IT FOR HIM? SO BRIAN RICKS AND FEDERICO RAMIREZ COMPLETED OUR PUBLIC. IT'S A PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR'S CLASS, MANAGER'S CLASS. NINE CLASSES THEY ATTENDED IN VARIOUS TOPICS GOVERNMENT, MANAGEMENT, FINANCE, ET CETERA. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE THAT ARE NEEDED FOR THIS COMPLETION. IT'S A VERY, VERY BIG DEAL. AND IT'S A IT'S SOMETHING THAT THANK YOU TO PAUL MCCALL AND YOUR TEAM THAT ARE RECOGNIZING YOU FOR THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT BECAUSE IT'S IT'S A GREAT DEAL OF WORK THAT YOU PUT IN. DO YOU WANT TO TELL US ABOUT IT? IT WAS IT WAS DEFINITELY A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT. IT TOOK ME, YOU KNOW, AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY FAMILY SET IN. BUT I GOT IT. I SAT FOR THE TEST ONCE, DIDN'T WORK TOO WELL, AND I SAT FOR A SECOND TIME AND LUCKILY GOT IT [APPLAUSE]. MAKES YOU A BETTER EMPLOYEE OF SOMERSET COUNTY. WHICH MEANS WE SERVE OUR RESIDENTS BETTER. DO YOU WANT TO SAY HELLO? SAY HELLO. OH, WHAT DO I JUST SAY? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. FEDERICO. I DON'T HAVE ANY JUNIOR MEMBERS HOLDING ON TO THIS. FEDERICO ALSO COMPLETED THE SAME MANAGEMENT LEVEL CLASSES. SAME COMMITMENT, SAME LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE HERE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TELL US ABOUT THIS? NO, I JUST WANT TO I JUST WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY, THE RECYCLING TEAM THAT WERE ABLE TO HELP ME GET HERE TO WORK AND GET THE CERTIFICATION AND STUFF LIKE THAT [APPLAUSE]. BEAUTIFUL. WELL, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ON BEHALF OF ALL THE CITIZENS OF SOMERSET COUNTY [APPLAUSE]. MIC] [00:21:11] CAROL ANNE, YOU'VE BROUGHT SUNSHINE INTO OUR DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU, THE EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION COMMITTEE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS AWARD. I BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE DO AND SAY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF OTHERS, AND THAT EVEN A SMILE CAN CHANGE THE COURSE OF SOMEONE'S DAY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN HONORING ME FOR IT [APPLAUSE]. OKAY, WHILE COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY IS COMING BACK TO THE DAIS LET'S READ SOME COMMUNICATIONS THAT CAME IN. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INVITING ENTITIES TO APPLY FOR ITS 2025 TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES SET ASIDE GRANT PROGRAM. THE MONMOUTH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION, SUPPORTING THE IMMEDIATE ADOPTION OF NEW JERSEY STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY BILLS S-3187 AND A -4967. OCEAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION URGING STATE LEADERS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO AUTHORIZE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ELECTRONICALLY PUBLISH NOTICES VIA A NEWSPAPER'S WEBSITE OR DIGITAL PUBLICATION. FROM FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP, SUSSEX COUNTY RESOLUTION DEMANDING IMMEDIATE TRANSPARENCY BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES REGARDING DRONE ACTIVITIES. MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP IN SUSSEX COUNTY RESOLUTION DEMANDING IMMEDIATE TRANSPARENCY, THE SAME THING ABOUT DRONE ACTIVITY. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP IN WARREN COUNTY SAME THING ABOUT THE DRONE ACTIVITY. COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER NOTICE OF REVENUE REPORT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2024 TOTAL COLLECTED IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,002. I'M SORRY. $44,243,147.69 OF WHICH $6,876,302.92 WAS RETAINED BY THE COUNTY FOR ITS OWN USE. COUNTY CLERK STEVE PETER NOTICE OF FEES COLLECTED FOR DECEMBER 2024, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,489,368, OF WHICH $644,575.58 WAS RETAINED BY THE COUNTY FOR ITS OWN USE. MARTINSVILLE RESCUE SQUAD BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP LETTER REQUESTING FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY. MOVING ON TO NEW BUSINESS. WHAT DO WE HAVE THERE, MISS BUNDY? ALRIGHT. 25-2 00 AUTHORIZING THE SOMERSET COUNTY CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION TO APPLY FOR THE NEW JERSEY STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS LOCAL ARTS PROGRAM GRANT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 THROUGH 2028. GRANT AMOUNT CONTINGENT UPON AWARD GRANT REQUIRES A 1 TO 1 IN-KIND MATCH FOR ALL FUNDS USED FOR OPERATING TO BE APPROPRIATED IN THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE COMMISSION'S 2026 THROUGH 2028 SALARY AND WAGE BUDGETS. RESOLUTION 25-201 APPROVING PLANS AND AUTHORIZING RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR THE 2024 ROAD RESURFACING AND ADA COMPLIANCE PROGRAM, VARIOUS ROUTES, VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THIS IS A OUR ANNUAL PAVING PROJECT. INCLUDES EIGHT POINT. EXCUSE ME. IT INCLUDES 12.6 MILES OF CENTERLINE ROAD MILES, ABOUT 132 CURB RAMPS, AND UPGRADES TO 8 TRAFFIC SIGNALS. IT'S GOING TO BE LARGELY STATE FUNDED AND WILL GO TO BID NEXT MONTH AND START IN THE SPRING. [00:25:09] RESOLUTION 25-202, AUTHORIZING MODIFICATION TO R24-2036, AND ALLOWS FOR THE ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION OF NEW FUNDS OF $5,434 TO BE ADDED TO THE 2024 AREA PLAN CONTRACT, WHICH WILL RESULT IN A NEW CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $2,213,186 FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2024. 25 -203 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SOMERSET COUNTY AND READINGTON TOWNSHIP. THIS IS FOR CDL TRAINING. 25-204 IS AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION. THIS IS FOR CAPITAL AND OPERATING ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FTA SECTION 5310 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024. WE NORMALLY RECEIVE ABOUT $150,000 IN OPERATING FOR OUR TRANSPORTATION DIVISION. THANKS. RESOLUTION 25-205, THIS IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A 12 MONTH CONTRACT FROM JANUARY 1ST, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 FOR SERVICES WITH THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP FOUNDATION, AS WELL AS THE SOMERSET COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, LOCATED IN SOMERVILLE, FOR TOURISM AND SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS NOT TO EXCEED $275,000 PENDING ADOPTION OF THE 2025 BUDGET AND AUTHORIZING THE FIRST HALF OF THE PAYMENT OF $137,500. RESOLUTION 25-206, THIS IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CLEARY, GIACOBBE, ALFIERI, AND JACOBS OUT OF MATAWAN FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR YEAR 2025 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $225,000. THIS IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SHAIN SCHAFFER OF BERNARDSVILLE. FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES TO THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR THE YEAR 2025, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $100,000. RESOLUTION 25-208 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CHASAN LAMPARELLO MALLON AND CAPUZZO AT SECAUCUS FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $75,000. RESOLUTION 25-209, THIS IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SCHOLL AND WHITTLESEY OF FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR YEAR 2025, NOT TO EXCEED $50,000. COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. THIS IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO GOLDMAN AND SPITZER IN WOODBRIDGE AND SHAIN SCHAFFER OF BERNARDSVILLE, FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICES FOR ELECTION AND LAND TITLE MATTERS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000. 25-211 IS AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO KONKUS CORPORATION OUT OF HILLSBOROUGH, NEW JERSEY FOR REPLACEMENT OF COUNTY BRIDGE G0801 MORTON STREET OVER CUCKELS BROOK IN BRIDGEWATER. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $810,537.73. THERE WERE 14 BIDDERS ON THIS PROJECT. THE BID WAS 9% BELOW ESTIMATE, AND THIS PROJECT WILL BEGIN APRIL 1ST AND GO THROUGH THE THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. RESOLUTION 25-212 IS AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO SHORE TOP CONSTRUCTION CORP. OUT OF FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY , FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE GREEN KNOLL TENNIS COURTS IN BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $723,700. THERE WERE TWO BIDDERS ON THIS PROJECT. THE BID CAME IN 21% BELOW THE ESTIMATE. AND THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE. RESOLUTION 25 -213 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT TO CMS CONSTRUCTION OUT OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY FOR REPLACEMENT OF COUNTY BRIDGE G0907 TULLO ROAD OVER THE WEST BRANCH OF THE MIDDLEBROOK IN BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $597,218. THERE WERE TEN BIDDERS ON THIS PROJECT AND THE BID CAME IN 13% BELOW ESTIMATE. AND THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO BEGIN IN THE SPRING AND GO THROUGH NEXT YEAR. GOOD EVENING. 25-214 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO GIBBONS PC FOR BOND COUNCIL SERVICES FOR THE YEAR 2025. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $55,000. GOOD AFTERNOON. RESOLUTION [00:30:08] 25 -2 15 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS FROM GOLD TYPE BUSINESS MACHINES OUT OF EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY , UTILIZING A NEW JERSEY STATE CONTRACT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $100,748.70. THANK YOU. RESOLUTION 25 -216, THIS IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR A PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT FOR THE FIRST HALF OF CONTRACT, FIRST YEAR CONTRACT WITH MILLENNIUM STRATEGIES AT MORRISTOWN FOR GRANT WRITING SERVICES PROVIDED TO SOMERSET COUNTY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $24,000. HEAD OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION IN MONTVALE. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,596.88. RESOLUTION 25-218 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUS AWARD OF CONTRACT TO W.B. MASON IN SECAUCUS FOR WATER AND RENTAL UNIT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $400. RESOLUTION 25 -219 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO GSP PROPERTIES OUT OF MENDHAM, NEW JERSEY FOR THE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR REPAIRS OF VARIOUS BUILDING STRUCTURES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $270,318. RESOLUTION 25-220 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO PACE ANALYTICAL SERVICES, LLC OUT OF ROSEVILLE, MINNESOTA, FOR LABORATORY TESTING FOR GSA SITE, HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,476. 25-221 IS THE PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFYING OF THE SAME. RESOLUTION 25-222 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO COMCAST FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2023 INTERNET SERVICE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $222.89. RESOLUTION 25-223 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO MULTIPLE PARTS AND REPAIR VENDORS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $24,500. 25-224 IS APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO RICOH AMERICAS CORPORATION FOR COPIER RENTAL. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $550.92. I HAD TO LOOK UP. IT WAS TOO SMALL. OKAY. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTIONS 25-203 THROUGH 25-224 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE JANUARY 28TH, 2025 MEETING? SECOND. MOVED AND SECONDED. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE. YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. YES. NEW ITEMS. 25-225 IS APPROVAL SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION AND EXECUTE A GRANT CONTRACT WITH THE NJDOT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025. LOCAL BRIDGES FUND PROGRAM IS THEIR ANNUAL LOCAL BRIDGES GRANT. WE'LL GET APPROXIMATELY $2.5 MILLION. THE GRANT IS DUE FEBRUARY 4TH. 25 -226 IS AUTHORIZING COOPERATIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE USDA. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADD THE ABOVE RESOLUTIONS 25- 225 THROUGH 25-226 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE JANUARY 28TH, 2025 MEETING? SO MOVED. MOVED AND SECONDED. MAY I HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE? COMMISSIONER DRAKE? YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. YES. COME TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF OUR MEETING, IS THERE. OKAY. SO DO I HAVE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? SO MOVED. SECOND MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? OKAY. ANYBODY FROM THE AUDIENCE WISHING TO SPEAK? OKAY. SEEING NONE. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC SESSION? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? THIS MEETING WILL ADJOURN UNTIL 6:00 SO THAT WE MAY GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. [00:35:09] CORRECT. SO I NEED A MOTION THAT THE BOARD WILL TAKE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION OUT OF ORDER, AND WE'LL DO IT IN BETWEEN THE TWO MEETINGS. IT IS TO DISCUSS LAND ACQUISITION AND THE VAN [INAUDIBLE] PARK AGREEMENTS OR CONTRACTS RELATED THERETO. WE'RE NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TONIGHT ON EITHER OF THOSE, BUT WE WILL COME BACK TO DO OUR REGULAR SESSION. SO IF I CAN HAVE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THOSE PURPOSES, THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC. OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.