[PROCLAMATIONS]
[00:00:52]
SO LET ME JUST READ A BUNCH OF OUR WHEREASES.
OKAY. SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH WAS OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 2001 BY THE NATIONAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTER. AND WHEREAS THIS MONTH CALLS ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS WIDESPREAD AMONG ALL GENDERS, SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS, ABILITIES, CULTURES, AND BACKGROUNDS IMPACTING EVERY PERSON IN EVERY COMMUNITY.
AND WHEREAS SEXUAL VIOLENCE CAN LEAD TO DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, UNWANTED PREGNANCY, STDS, THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, AND MORE. AND THE VIOLENCE OFTEN HAS A LASTING IMPACT ON SURVIVORS LIVES AND IS NEVER THE SURVIVOR'S FAULT. AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S THEME IS TOGETHER WE ACT, ALL AMERICANS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN ENDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE, SUPPORTING SURVIVORS, AND ENDING VICTIM BLAMING.
WE MUST COLLECTIVELY STRIVE TO BUILD MORE CONNECTED, RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES TO PROTECT ALL AGAINST THE RISK OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND WHEREAS S AFE AND SOUND SOMERSET HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY RESOURCE SINCE 1978, PROVIDING FREE, CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS AND FAMILIES WHO EXPERIENCE OR WITNESS DATING, DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE. ALSO HOSTING A BILINGUAL 24 HOUR HELPLINE FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS AT 866-685-1122. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZE APRIL AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN IN THE HOPE OF REACHING A TIME WHEN NO PERSON KNOWS THE PAIN CAUSED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE. SO THANK YOU. GIVE US SOME WORDS, PLEASE.
SURE. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. AND JUST A QUICK STATISTICS.
ALL THOSE SERVICES AND ALL THOSE CLIENTS WERE HELPED. AND ADDITIONALLY, 10,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS. SO OUR PROGRAMS ARE VERY VITAL AND WE APPRECIATE BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND YOU HAVING US TODAY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.
YOU GUYS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY, AND WE ARE WE WISH WE COULD PUT YOU OUT OF BUSINESS.
WE THAT'S OUR GOAL IN LIFE. BUT WHILE WE STILL NEED IT WE'RE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE HERE.
THANK YOU. LET'S GET A PHOTO PICTURE [APPLAUSE].
WE'RE GOING TO DO THE RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
GROUP. SO IT'S A GOOD DAY. HERE WE ARE, A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY RIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE 4H. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE AND ITS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK APRIL 20TH THROUGH THE 26TH. SO OUR RESOLUTION GOES ON TO SAY, WHEREAS RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF SOMERSET COUNTY IS A UNIT OF THE NEW JERSEY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION AT RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY AND A DIVISION WITHIN THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, PROVIDES RESEARCH BASED GRANTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON ISSUES AFFECTING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN AGRICULTURE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
[00:05:01]
AND WHEREAS VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF RUTGERS SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMING, EMBRACING NEW OUTREACH TECHNOLOGIES AND UTILIZING THEIR TIME, TALENTS AND EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF TO MENTOR YOUTH ADDRESS HOME HORTICULTURE CONCERNS AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SOMERSET COUNTY RESIDENTS.AND WHEREAS 414 VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING FULL AND PART TIME VOLUNTEER WORKERS, RETIREES AND YOUNG ADULTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS CONTRIBUTED 7,657 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME IN 2024 AND IS VALUED AT AN ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS OF $2,385,750.20 [APPLAUSE].
WHEREAS 240 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS MET THE NEEDS OF OVER 3,000 YOUTH THROUGH IN-PERSON PROGRAM, HYBRID AND VIRTUAL CLUB MEETINGS, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, SHORT TERM PROGRAMS, CAMPS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ENGAGEMENT.
THESE VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS CLUB LEADERS 4H ASSOCIATION MEMBERS, FAIR MANAGERS, JUDGES, MENTORS, TRAINERS, EDUCATORS, AND MORE. AND WHEREAS 118 RUTGERS MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS ASSIST RESIDENTS WITH HOME, LAWN, GARDEN, INSECT AND LANDSCAPE CONCERNS THROUGH THE GARDEN HELP LINE, WORKSHOPS, ONLINE ARTICLES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND ATTENDANCE AT COMMUNITY EVENTS.
AND WHEREAS MORE THAN 40 RUTGERS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS VOLUNTEERS ACTIVELY WORK TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY NOW ON EARTH DAY TODAY. AND WHEREAS 16 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 305 HOURS BY ASSISTING AT COMMUNITY CLASSES AND EVENTS, WRITING NEWSLETTER ARTICLES, PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING AND FOOD PREPARATION.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 20TH THROUGH THE 26TH, 2025 AS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND EXPRESSES SINCERE GRATITUDE TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING THE MISSION OF RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE [APPLAUSE]. UNLESS YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.
SO I'M JIM GAUDET, I'M THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE 4H ASSOCIATION IN SOMERSET COUNTY.
I'M SO GLAD THE FACTS ARE THERE BECAUSE LISA WASN'T HERE TO STATE THEM FOR US, AND I DON'T I DON'T KNOW THEM LATER. BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS, IS WHEN YOU HAVE A KID COME IN, WHO WHO WON'T EVEN LOOK UP IN THE EYE HE JUST OR SHE JUST LOOKS AT THE GROUND AND INVOLVED. IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, THEY'RE STANDING UP THEY'RE DOING A PRESENTATION IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, LOOKING PEOPLE IN THE EYE AND BEING AN EXPERT ON WHATEVER THEIR PROJECT IS. THAT'S WHY I DO THIS AND THAT'S AND THAT'S EFFECTIVE.
THAT IS ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS. SO I KNOW WE ONLY HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT HERE, BUT I SEND MY THANKS OUT TO THEM, BUT ALSO TO THE COMMISSION AND THE COUNTY AS WELL, BECAUSE WITHOUT YOUR HELP, WE COULDN'T DO WHAT WE DO.
THANKS FOR HAVING US. MY NAME IS KATE BROWN. I'M THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENT.
THEY MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO CONNECT WITH COUNTY RESIDENTS IN EVERY MUNICIPALITY.
AND IT'S JUST SUCH A PRIVILEGE TO WORK IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING US ALONG AS WELL.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I LEARNED AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT ABOUT BUTTERFLIES.
IF YOU WATCHED 60 MINUTES LAST NIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT.
SORRY. SUNDAY NIGHT, YOU LEARNED A LITTLE BIT.
SO OUTSIDE ANYMORE. GIVE HIM THE MIC. I'M SURE THERE'S A STORY TO THAT.
[00:10:10]
OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A PHOTO NOW.SO WE'LL MOVE RIGHT ALONG WITH OUR OUR MEETING.
WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO THE LGBTQ PLUS ADVISORY BOARD R25-848 APPOINTING MICHELLE KIDD.
[APPOINTMENT]
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION? MOTION. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE.YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. WE HAVE CAPITAL BOND ORDINANCES. ORDINANCE 25-797 ORDINANCE PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION OF
[CAPITAL BOND ORDINANCES]
$33,654,438 FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS AND PURPOSES FOR AND BY THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $31,971,716 IN BONDS OR NOTES FOR FINANCING, PART OF THE COST THEREOF.IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ORDINANCE? IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE.
YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME. NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME.
HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE. ANY EMAILS, ANY PHONE CALLS? NO COMMUNICATIONS WHATSOEVER. ALL RIGHT. MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ORDINANCE.
MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. IS THERE A MOTION NOW TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 25 -97.
MOTION. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE.
YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. WE HAVE ORDINANCE 25-798 ORDINANCE PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION OF 3 MILLION $3,004,932 FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF RVCC, WHICH IS RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $3,004,932 COUNTY COLLEGE BONDS, OR NOTES, OF THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET, FOR FINANCING SUCH APPROPRIATION.
IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ORDINANCE? YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE AND THIS ORDINANCE ONLY? HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE. NO COMMUNICATION. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ORDINANCE? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. NOW, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 25-798.
MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE.
COMMISSIONER DRAKE. YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES.
COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO.
[CAPITAL ORDINANCE]
BY THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ORDINANCE? MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE.YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ORDINANCE AND THIS ORDINANCE ONLY? HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE. NO. COMMUNICATION.
MOTION TO CLOSE THE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ORDINANCE.
IS THERE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 25-799? ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE. YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY.
YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO.
[OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION]
[00:15:01]
STOUTSBURG SOURLAND AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM FOR THE GROVER PROPERTY IN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTGOMERY, TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $180,000. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION? ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE. YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY.YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. YES, YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-801 THROUGH 25-813.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
IS THERE A SECOND? ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE.YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES.
MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-814 THROUGH 25-826.
SECOND. SECOND. ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE.
YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS 25-827 THROUGH 25- 847.
SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE.
YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-849 THROUGH 25- 857.
ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER DRAKE. YES. COMMISSIONER SINGLETERRY.
YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARANO.
YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? IS THERE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? FIVE MINUTES. NO YIELDING OF TIME. NO COMING UP A SECOND TIME.
HEARING NONE. SEEING NONE. ALL RIGHT. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. WE WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[EXECUTIVE]
THAT IS CORRECT. WE DO NEED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO HAVE A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY, I.E. THE ALTERNATIVES HOUSE. WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION REGARDING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND PENDING LITIGATION WITH A LITIGATION UP TO DATE BY MYSELF AND TO DISCUSS HEALTH BENEFITS CONTRACTS.WE WILL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION AND ADJOURN DIRECTLY THEREFROM.
SO UNDER THE RULES OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT, I WOULD NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING THE ABOVE, THE MATTERS PREVIOUSLY REFERENCED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 10 4- 12.
SO MOVED. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. GOOD NIGHT.
AND BE WELL.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.