[ Board of County Commissioners Agenda/Work Meeting on July 28, 2026.] [00:00:02] IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. 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 DIRECTOR ROBINSON. GOOD AFTERNOON. PLEASE 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. MAY WE CONTINUE TO BE LEADERS FOR ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES. UPLIFTING AND LIVING THE MISSION AND VISION OF SOMERSET COUNTY. WE PRAY FOR THOSE IN EMERGENCY SERVICES AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES. THANK YOU. WELCOME, EVERYONE TO JULY 28TH, 2026 WORK SESSION OF THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. THIS AGENDA AND ITEMS ON IT FOR DISCUSSION WILL BE CONSIDERED AT THE NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 11TH. 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. COMMISSIONER GRANER. HERE. COMMISSIONER MARANO. HERE. COMMISSIONER SOOY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. HERE. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. HERE. WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR COMMISSIONER REPORTS. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR PITCHING AGAIN AS I RECOVERED FROM SOME HEALTH ISSUES. SO AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE. COMES WITH THE JOB. BUT NONETHELESS, I APPRECIATE YOU. ON MONDAY, JULY 13TH I WAS HONORED TO SPEAK AT THE NEW JERSEY ALLIANCE FOR ACTION MEETING. AND IN REGARDS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOMERSET COUNTY'S EFFORTS AND PUTTING AND MAINTAINING A STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE. AND THANK YOU TO MATT LOPER FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. THIS IS A SOMERSET COUNTY AND CENTRAL OR REGIONALIZED MEETING. AND WE WERE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE IN 2025, THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IN 2026 AND WHAT'S ON DECK FOR 2027 SUCH AS INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU KNOW, ALL OF US DRIVE OVER THE HIGHWAYS, BYWAYS, ROADS AND BRIDGES THAT ARE MAINTAINED BY THE COUNTY. AND EVEN THOSE TIMES WHEN YOU MAY BE DELAYED BECAUSE OF DETOURS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND TAKING CARE OF OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES, OUR PARKS THOSE UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE IS VITAL TO WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY. AND YOU MAY NOT THINK ABOUT IT WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL. YOU MAY GET FRUSTRATED, BUT IT'S ALL PART OF THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE THROUGH THAT DEPARTMENT. WE ALSO HAVE THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMISSION CURRENTLY PLANNING IS TRIENNIAL YOUTH JUSTICE STRATEGIC PLAN. AND THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMISSION IS WORKING HARD TO INCORPORATE THE YOUTH VOICES IN PLANNING AS PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS. AND TO THAT END, THERE WILL BE SEVERAL FOCUS GROUPS HELD IN BOUNDBROOK AND FRANKLIN THROUGH THE JOURNEYS PROGRAM AND THROUGH OUR YOUTH GROUPS ESTABLISHED THROUGH OUR MUNICIPAL YOUTH SERVICES COMMISSION. IN ADDITION TO THE YOUTH FOCUS GROUPS, THE SURVEY FOR YOUTH WAS DEVELOPED AND ASSIGNED A QR CODE. SO HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT THE FOUR H FAIR AND VENUE AROUND THE COUNTY WHERE YOU GATHER THAT INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE. ALSO, OUR FILM COMMISSION HAS BEEN QUITE ACTIVE. THE TRAILER FOR THE JESSE EISENBERG FILM THE DEBUT RECENTLY DROPPED, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE FILMING WAS DONE RIGHT HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY AT THE BROOK THEATER. AND SO YOU WILL SEE IT PROMINENTLY VISIBLE IN THE MOVIE. SO GO SEE IT. AND THEN WE HAVE NETFLIX WAS IN THE COUNTY THIS MONTH FILMING A FEATURE FILM ON A FARM IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. AND THAT INFORMATION CANNOT BE DISCLOSED BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT PAPARAZZI AROUND DISRUPTING THE PRODUCTION. IN THIS PAST WEEK, COMMISSIONER SOOY AND I ATTENDED NACO, WHICH IS A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. IT IS A PROMINENT BIPARTISAN ORGANIZATION WHERE WE OVER 3000 COUNTIES. I APOLOGIZE. OVER THREE COUNTY, 3000 COUNTIES, PARISHES AND BOROUGHS GATHER EVERY YEAR TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES AND TOPICS ABOUT [00:05:05] GOVERNANCE POLICIES. AND SOME OF THE HOT TOPICS THAT I ATTENDED THE SESSIONS FOR WERE AI AND USED IN GOVERNMENT. ANOTHER HOT TOPIC IS THE HR1 AND TANF AND SNAP BENEFITS. AND THEN HIGHLIGHT FOR ME AND THAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE CONCERNED WITH ARE THE OMB UNIFORM GUIDANCE RULES. AND HOW THAT IMPACTS US IS HOW THIS ADMINISTRATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, REWARDS AWARDS AND OR APPROVES GRANTS THAT COULD BE BLOCK GRANTS. IT IMPACTS SOME RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS. SO HOW WE DO BUSINESS WILL GREATLY IMPACT OUR BUDGET AND BUDGETS MOVING FORWARD. SO MORE TO COME ON THAT. BUT CERTAINLY IT DOESN'T GO UNNOTICED THAT THERE IS MUCH WORK TO DO. WE ARE DILIGENTLY LOOKING AT NOT JUST THE NOW, BUT THE FORWARD AND HOW THAT WOULD IMPACT OUR RESIDENTS. AND WE'RE STAYING FOCUSED. SO AGAIN, MORE TO COME ON THAT. PLEASE BE PATIENT BECAUSE 2027 WILL BE A ROUGH RIDE FOR EVERYONE. SO THAT'S MY REPORT. THANK YOU DIRECTOR. JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE PARK COMMISSION, DPW, PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRE, EMS, SHERIFF, BRIDGEWATER POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MANY OTHERS WHO HELPED COORDINATE THE RESCHEDULED 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS, WHICH I WAS JUST SPEAKING WITH VINNIE. I DON'T THINK WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE WE LAST HAD THE FIREWORKS. SO I WANT TO REALLY COMMEND THEM FOR A TERRIFIC JOB. YOU KNOW, IT WAS A REALLY COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG ALL THE PROFESSIONALS AND STAFF AND FOLKS REALLY COORDINATING THIS EVENT. WE HAD NOT ONLY THE FIREWORKS SHOW, WE HAD A GREAT BAND. WE HAD FOOD TRUCKS. WE HAD REENACTORS FROM WORLD WAR TWO OR REVOLUTIONARY WAR REENACTORS, NOT WORLD WAR TWO. AND MANY OTHERS. AND SO I THINK COLLECTIVELY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PLANNING THAT KIND OF EVENT, IT TAKES A LOT TO PULL THAT TOGETHER AND MAKE IT WORK. THERE WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT DEAL OF SUPPORT RESIDENTS SAYING WHAT A GREAT SHOW, WHAT A GREAT DAY. BUT ALSO THEY, THEY TRIED SOME NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNS WITH GETTING PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF NORTH BRANCH PARK BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, IT'S, IT'S A LITTLE CONSTRAINED WITH THE RAILROAD BRIDGE AND SO FORTH. SO THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS, I THINK, WERE ACTUALLY VERY SUCCESSFUL. PEOPLE WERE WERE ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT WITHOUT, YOU KNOW, A GREAT DEAL OF DELAY IN THE PAST. SO I WANT TO COMMEND THEM FOR THAT. SO IT WAS IT WAS A GREAT EVENT. SO THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THAT. ALSO, KATE KATZ ORGANIZED WE WERE AT LIZ GRANER AND I COMMISSIONER GRANER AND I WERE ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN LAST WEEK OR SO FOR THE DAIRY FESTIVAL, IF THAT'S WHAT IT WAS REFERRED TO AS, WHICH WAS REALLY CELEBRATING THE DAIRY INDUSTRY HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. NOT PEOPLE NOT NOT SURE. MANY PEOPLE ARE AWARE WE HAVE ONE REMAINING DAIRY FARM IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND WE TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY. WE OBVIOUSLY WANT TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN DAIRY AS AN INDUSTRY HERE IN SOMERSET COUNTY. AND WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO IS GIVE EVERYONE WHO WAS THERE FREE ICE CREAM. SO, YOU KNOW, ANYTIME YOU CAN GET FREE ICE CREAM IS A GOOD DAY. SO, YOU KNOW, THANKS KATE FOR THAT, FOR THAT. IT WAS A NICE, IT WAS A NICE EVENT GETTING PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT YOU KNOW, THE DAIRY INDUSTRY AND WE HAD THE DAIRY PRINCESSES THERE. AND THEY WERE ABLE TO SORT OF EXPLAIN WHAT THEIR ROLE IS IN SUPPORTING DAIRY ACROSS NEW JERSEY. AND AS FAR AS FARMING ACTIVITIES THE BIGGEST MESSAGE I CAN SHOUT OUT TO SUPPORT OUR FARMERS IS THE FARM MARKETS THAT ARE NOW ACTIVE. A LOT OF THE PRODUCE IS NOW COME IN FROM THE FIELDS IS NOW BEING SOLD AT OUR FARM MARKETS. SO PLEASE PATRONIZE AND PLEASE PARTICIPATE AND GO TO THE FARM MARKETS AND BUY LOCALLY GROWN SOMERSET COUNTY FRESH PRODUCE. YOU CAN BUY JERSEY PRODUCE TOO. BUT I THINK IT'S, IT'S CLEAR THAT WHEN WE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY IT MAINTAINS THE INDUSTRY IN SOMERSET COUNTY AND HAVING THEM, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE THE KIND OF DAYS THAT THEY REALLY DEPEND ON FOLKS TO SHOW UP AND, AND HELP PARTICIPATE. AND BY, YOU KNOW, MY GARDEN RIGHT NOW, MY TOMATOES ARE SLOWLY STARTING TO RIPEN. I'M WAITING FOR THEM. EXCEPT FOR THE BIRDS THAT ALWAYS SEEM TO FIND THE THE REDDEST ONE THAT'S NOW READY TO BE PICKED. BUT AND THEN AS FAR AS OUR PARKS THEMSELVES, OUR PARKS ARE OPEN AND, AND MANY SUMMER ACTIVITIES ARE UNDERWAY. [00:10:03] THE THING THAT'S OCCURRING RIGHT NOW IS THE CONCERTS IN DUKE ISLAND PARK. THEY'VE BEEN WELL ATTENDED. I DIDN'T GO ON SUNDAY, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE, THE WESTERN BAND OR THE COUNTRY BAND WAS, WAS JAM PACKED OVER 2000 PEOPLE ATTENDING NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 2ND, THERE'S A TRIBUTE BAND TO DAVID BOWIE. AND THEN THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH, WHICH IS THE LAST CONCERT OF THE SEASON, IS GOING TO BE HIGH IN THE MID 80S. SO I IMAGINE THAT WOULD BE AN 80S BAND IF I'M GOING TO GUESS. AND THEN WHAT THEY'VE ALSO HAD AT THE PARK COMMISSION IS A SURVEY. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE PARKS? SO THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET INFORMATION FROM, FROM FOLKS ATTENDING THESE CONCERT EVENTS. SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED MAYBE THEY'D LIKE TO HAVE A CONCERT NOT ONLY AT DUKE ISLAND, BUT MAYBE AT COLONIAL PARK. SO MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN LOOK AND STRATEGIZE FOR NEXT YEAR. SO THAT'S THE KIND OF INFORMATION WE'D LIKE TO GET. AND THEN LASTLY, THE SOMERSET COUNTY PARK FOUNDATION IS A 501 C(3) ORGANIZATION CREATED TO PRESERVE AND SUPPORT AND PROMOTE SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION PROGRAMS, FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE THROUGH ADVOCACY AND FUNDRAISING. THEY, THEY RUN THE HONORARY PARK BENCH AND SHADE TREE PROGRAM. SO IF YOU WANT TO BUY A SHADE TREE OR, OR PARK BENCH OR NAME OF SOMEBODY, YOU CAN DO THAT. AND THERE'S ALSO OTHER WAYS THAT YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PARK FOUNDATION, WITH MOST COMMON BEING A SPECIFIC BEQUEST WITH A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT OR ASSISTED GIFT TO THE FOUNDATION FROM YOUR ESTATE. NOW, ONE THING UNIQUE ABOUT THE PARK FOUNDATION IS THAT 100% OF THE DOLLARS GO TOWARDS THE PARK COMMISSION'S ACTIVITIES. IT DOESN'T GO ELSEWHERE. SO WHEN YOU'RE SUPPORTING THE PARK FOUNDATION, YOU'RE ALSO SUPPORTING THE PARK COMMISSION ACTIVITIES IN OUR PARKS. AND CERTAINLY WE HAVE GREAT PARKS. SO THAT'S END OF MY REPORT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS HELPING TO SUPPORT AND WELCOME NEW INVESTMENTS INTO SOMERSET COUNTY, INCLUDING STORM AND NEW PHOTONICS, A MANUFACTURER OF HIGH SPEED OPTICAL USE AND AI APPLICATIONS. THE COMPANY WILL RENOVATE THE FORMER COHERENT FACILITY IN WARREN, CREATING AN ESTIMATED 250 NEW JOBS. AND THEN WE HAVE A PART OF KARUNA HEALTH GROUP. THEY ARE BUILDING AN INJECTABLES FACILITY OVER IN BRANCHBURG WHERE IT WILL BE MANUFACTURING IV BAGS. AND THEN WE HAVE ADVANCED ROYALTY WHO IS BUILDING A 60 ACRE FACILITY, LIFE SCIENCE CAMPUS OVER IN BRIDGEWATER. ONE BUILDING IS ALREADY FULLY LEASED AND THE TENANT WILL BE ANNOUNCED THIS FALL. SO ADDING TO DIRECTOR ROBINSON'S COMMENTS ON NACO OR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CONFERENCE, THAT WE JUST RETURNED FROM, A FEW OF THE SEMINARS THAT I ATTENDED INCLUDED DATA INFRASTRUCTURE. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THROWING AROUND DATA CENTERS AND FOCUSING ON THAT, BUT IT IS TRULY A FORM OF INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE OUR, YOU KNOW, ROADS AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE HAVE AS PART OF OUR DAILY LIVES BECAUSE ALL OF US USE OUR CELL PHONES. AND, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY DO DEPEND ON THAT INTEGRATION. SO HOW WE DO IT IS THE QUESTION AND HOW WE STRUCTURE THIS AND HAVE PROPER PLANNING. SO THEY HAD LOTS OF ANALOGIES GOING FROM, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST PRIVATE EXPANSION, WHETHER IT BE OUR RAIL SYSTEM TO OUR FIRST PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, WHICH WAS OUR U.S. HIGHWAY SYSTEM. THEN A FEW OTHERS WITH GRANTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND ESPECIALLY RESILIENCY. THESE STORMS ARE HAPPENING MORE AND MORE, MORE OFTEN. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S EXCLUSIVE TO US IN SOMERSET COUNTY, BUT IT IS HAPPENING, HAPPENING NATIONWIDE. SO LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER FOR HOW WE'RE COMBATING THIS AND TAKING DIFFERENT CASE STUDIES FOR WHAT HAS WORKED AND WHAT HAS NOT. SO THAT'S ONE GOOD THING ABOUT THESE NATIONAL CONFERENCES, IS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO SPEAK TO OUR COLLEAGUES FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE NATION THAT MAY BE COMBATING SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES. BUT HOW WE DO IT IN OTHER AREAS THAT ARE GOOD COMPARABLES, WE'RE IN ATTENDANCE. SO IT'S ALWAYS VALUABLE TO BRING THAT BACK HOME. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. I'VE GOT A VERY SHORT REPORT TODAY. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE FOUR H FAIR. IT'S MY FAVORITE WEEK OF THE YEAR IN SOMERSET COUNTY. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO AND HEAR ALL ABOUT WHAT SOMERSET COUNTY HAS TO OFFER. AND OF COURSE, YOU CAN'T RESIST PETTING THOSE SHEEP. THEY'RE THE CUTEST THINGS THERE, BUT I'M KIND OF BIASED. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I WAS ON VACATION FOR TWO WEEKS. SO THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MARANO. RICHARD HALL HAD A SUCCESSFUL JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY, WHICH MEANS IT UPHELD ITS STANDING FOR THE LAST 24 YEARS. THEY'VE HAD EXCELLENT RATINGS SINCE THEY STARTED IN 2002. THE JOINT COMMISSION ACCREDITATION IS VITAL BECAUSE IT ENSURES RIGOROUS CLIENT SAFETY. [00:15:01] IT GRANTS MEDICARE AND MEDICAID BILLING COMPLIANCE AND BUILDS PUBLIC TRUST. THE BRIDGEWATER SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER IS HOSTING THE SENIOR OLYMPICS FROM AUGUST 25TH THROUGH 27TH. THERE WILL BE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP EVENTS. ALL SIX SENIOR CENTERS ARE HOSTING A VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT ON AUGUST 19TH TO THANK THE MANY VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE ASSISTED IN PACKING HOME DELIVERED MEALS OVER THE LAST YEAR. ONE OF THEIR FULL TIME STAFF CELEBRATED HER 95TH BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK. FULL TIME STAFF. FULL TIME STAFF. SO THE RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, OF COURSE, THEY ASKED ME TO SHOUT OUT THE FOUR H FAIR. SO THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MARANO FOR THAT. AGAIN, IT IS AUGUST 5TH, 6TH AND 7TH FROM 10 A.M. TO 10 P.M. AT NORTH BRANCH PARK IN BRIDGEWATER. I HAD, I GOT A SPECIAL PREVIEW OF SOME OF THIS, SOME OF THE REALLY IMPRESSIVE FOUR-H-ERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE SHOWING OFF THEIR SKILLS AND ANIMALS AND EVERYTHING ELSE OVER AT THE FAIR AT THEIR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER RECEPTION LAST TWO WEEKS AGO ON THE 15TH. 14 EMPLOYERS MET WITH 128 JOB SEEKERS DURING THE IN-PERSON MULTI-EMPLOYER ENTRY LEVEL RECRUITMENT EVENT PRESENTED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND THE GREATER RARITAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD ON THURSDAY. THIS EVENT WAS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON CANDIDATES WHO HAVE BARRIERS TO REGULAR TO FINDING EMPLOYMENT. LATER THAT DAY, THE BOARD PROPOSAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MET TO REVIEW RESPONSES RECEIVED FOR THEIR YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM. THEY EXPECT TO HAVE A DECISION NEXT WEEK. THE BOARD WILL RESPOND TO AN RFP FOR THE UPCOMING NEW JERSEY AI EMPLOYER SIGNAL PILOT PROJECT, WHICH AWARDS $10,000 TO GATHER LOCAL EMPLOYER INFORMATION ABOUT HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTELLIGENCE IS CHANGING OCCUPATIONS, SKILL NEEDS, HIRING PRACTICES AND TRAINING PRIORITIES ACROSS NEW JERSEY'S REGIONAL LABOR MARKETS. AND MADAM DIRECTOR, THAT IS MY REPORT. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A FEW COMMUNICATIONS, ONE FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, APPROVING THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT WAS AMENDED AND ADOPTED BY SOMERSET COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON APRIL 14TH. OCEAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OPPOSING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET. MONMOUTH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2026 AS A COUNTY HOLIDAY. HUDSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND ADOPTING RECOMMENDATIONS OF NACO AND NJAC REGARDING SWEEPING RULE PROPOSAL TO GRANT ADMINISTRATION. THAT, THAT IS THE OMB GUIDANCE RULES THAT I WAS REFERRING TO. ALSO MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION URGING CONSIDERATION OF REVISIONS TO THE UNIFORM GUIDANCE FOR FEDERAL GRANT ADMINISTRATION. AS YOU SEE, THAT IS A REOCCURRING THEME. IT IMPACTS EVERY TYPE OF GRANT. SO I CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH, WHILE WE GET A LOT OF GRANTS THAT OFFSETS OUR BUDGET, THAT HELPS US TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, HAVING THIS TYPE OF RULE CHANGE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR SOCIOECONOMIC SITUATION, WHETHER YOU'RE ONE OF THE RICHEST COUNTIES RICH, IS WHERE YOUR RURAL, URBAN, SUBURBAN, EVERYBODY WILL BE IMPACTED. AND WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND MAKING SURE THAT THIS DOES NOT GO INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1ST OF 2026. IT IS FAST APPROACHING. WE MUST. WE MUST. WE MUST STOP IT FROM HAPPENING. UP NEXT, NEW BUSINESS. ON THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY AND TEAMSTERS LOCAL 469, REPRESENTING TRAFFIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES. RATIFICATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FROM JANUARY 1ST, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2028 BETWEEN SOMERSET COUNTY AND TEAMSTERS LOCAL 469 REPRESENTING TRAFFIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES. RESOLUTION 1501 AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF BERNARDSVILLE. BLOCK 126, LOT ONE AND OWNED BY POMODORO PROPERTIES, LLC AS PART OF THE 2025 ROAD RESURFACING AND ADA COMPLIANCE PROGRAM. VARIOUS LOCATIONS TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,000. RESOLUTION 26-1502. AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE THE RENEWAL OF A MANAGEMENT AND USE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE BOROUGH OF MANVILLE, NEW JERSEY, FOR LOST VALLEY NATURE PARK. THIS AGREEMENT WAS LAST EXECUTED IN 2018. [00:20:03] THIS ALLOWS THE BOROUGH OF MANVILLE TO USE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY, WHICH IS 36 ACRES OF VACANT LAND, AND I HAVE ANOTHER ONE. RESOLUTION 26-1503 AUTHORIZING SOMERSET COUNTY TO APPLY FOR A NORTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AUTHORITY FISCAL YEAR 2028 2029 SUBREGIONAL STUDY GRANT, JULY 1ST, 2027 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2029 AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING, IF AWARDED TOTAL, NOT TO EXCEED $300,000. RESOLUTION 26-1504 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A UNIFORMED SERVICE SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE SOMERVILLE BOROUGH FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND 1505 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE UNIFORM SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SOMERVILLE BOROUGH RESCUE SQUAD. RESOLUTION 26-1506, IS RENEWING AN AFFILIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND THE COLLEGE OF, COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BACCALAUREATE AND MASTER'S PROGRAM STUDENTS FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1ST, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2027. GOOD AFTERNOON. RESOLUTION 26-1507 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE 2027 OPERATION HELPING HAND GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, TO ACCEPT FUNDING WHEN AWARDED IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO 115,000. 26-1508, AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE 2026 ARRIVED TO GATHER CRITICAL INCIDENT MODEL GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION, AND TO ACCEPT FUNDING, IF AWARDED IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO 99,500. THANK YOU. RESOLUTION 26-1509 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES FOR REPLACEMENT OF COUNTY BRIDGE NUMBER D0202 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD OVER GREEN BROOK, MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP TO BOSWELL INC., SOUTH HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $148,920. 26-1510 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR POST CLOSURE ENGINEERING AND MONITORING SERVICES. YEAR 30 DUKES PARKWAY LANDFILL, MANVILLE BOROUGH TO MOTT MACDONALD LLC. ISELIN NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $109,357. YES. AND THIS IS THIS IS YEAR 30 OF OUR 30 YEARS OF MONITORING. 26-1511 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE EMERGENCY SERVICES TRAINING ACADEMY BURN BUILDING. 402 ROYCEFIELD ROAD, HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP TO FRENCH PARRELLO AND ASSOCIATES, WALL NEW JERSEY TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 17,300. 26-1512 AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE AND FINAL PAYMENT TO SAFEWAY CONTRACTING, INC., UNION, NEW JERSEY, FOR ROOF REPLACEMENT AT THE BASKING RIDGE SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER FOR SOMERSET COUNTY. 202 MOUNT AIRY ROAD, BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY. CONTRACT 24019. THE AS BID CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $616,000. FINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $579,220.33. THIS CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE IS A DECREASE OF $36,779.67. MAYBE FOR YOU OR FOR MOLLY. BUT WHEN WE REPLACE THAT ROOF, WILL WE NEED TO CLOSE THE SENIOR CENTER? IT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE. OH, THIS IS DONE ALREADY. OKAY. I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT THIS. OH, BECAUSE. FINAL PAYMENT. NEVER MIND. SORRY. 26-1513 AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER TWO AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR PAVE RITE, INC., BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY, FOR WASHINGTON VALLEY PARK, ACCESS ROAD, BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, CONTRACT 25001. THE CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $946,496.30. THE FINAL CONTRACT AMOUNT IS $904,983.62 AND INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY APPROVED CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,151. THIS CHANGE ORDER NUMBER TWO IS A DECREASE OF $109,663.68. [00:25:06] RESOLUTION 26-1514 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR REAL PROPERTY APPRAISAL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN SPACE AND FARMLAND ACQUISITION IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR 2026 TO STERLING DISANTO AND ASSOCIATES, SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 60,000. RESOLUTION 26-1515 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR REAL PROPERTY APPRAISAL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN SPACE AND FARMLAND ACQUISITION IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR 2026 TO BETTINA SCHOLK REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL, EAST BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $60,000. AND RESOLUTION 26-1516 AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR REAL PROPERTY APPRAISAL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN SPACE AND FARMLAND ACQUISITIONS IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS FOR 2026 TO MARK TINDER APPRAISALS, LLC, SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $60,000. ALL RIGHT. RESOLUTION 1517. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE ANNUAL RENEWAL OF HP'S SERVER WARRANTY AND SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT UTILIZING THE HUNTERDON COUNTY EDUCATION SERVICES COMMISSION CONTRACT FOR THE PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026 TO AUGUST 31ST, 2027 TO EPLUS TECHNOLOGY TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $48,632.40. RESOLUTION 26-1518 IS THE AWARD OF CONTRACT SCH27108-SC1 FOR SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS AND CODE BLUE SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2027 TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $432,712. RESOLUTION 26-1519 IS THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TS27108-SC1 FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2027 TO THE SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $42,271. RESOLUTION 26-1520. I CAN READ IT ALL FOR YOU. YEAH, WE'RE SENDING A WORD OF CONTRACT CC 91-01-26 FOR THE PURCHASE AND TRAINING OF AN UNDERWATER REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE TO DEEP TRACKER INCORPORATED OUT OF ONTARIO, CANADA. AWARDED THROUGH RESOLUTION R26-1311. AND TO REJECT ALL OTHER BIDS IS OVER THE BUDGET AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED -$136,327.10. THANK YOU. 26-1521. AWARD OF CONTRACT. 17-FLEET-00784 FOR SCBA UNITS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO GEN-EL SAFETY AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $59,542.20. 26-1522. AWARD OF CONTRACT. THE RFQ-0101-26 TO FURNISH AND DELIVER A MINICRD AND STARLINK INTERNET FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO AT&T MOBILITY CAROL STEAM INDIANA, ILLINOIS, SORRY, THROUGH AWARD OF SHSP FISCAL YEAR 24 GRANT FUNDING EMW-2024-SS-05034 TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $40,993. OKAY. RESOLUTION 26-1523. AWARD OF CONTRACT CC-0132-26 FOR PURCHASE OF ROLL OFF CONTAINERS, FLATBED DUMPSTERS AND CHIPPER DUMPSTERS TO WASTEQUIP LLC, STATESVILLE NC AND TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, INC.. LAKE MARY, FLORIDA. FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS WOULD BE COMPLETED AT TIME OF THE ORDERS PLACED. RESOLUTION 26-1524. AWARD OF CONTRACT RFQ-0099-26R2. TO FURNISH AND DELIVER ADVERTISING TO RECYCLING AND LITTER ABATEMENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO SOMERSET COUNTY TO DEEN SOLUTIONS, LLC. SOMERSET NEW JERSEY NOT TO EXCEED 28,000. [00:30:01] OK. 26-1525 AWARD OF CONTRACT CC-0069-26 FOR TOWING SERVICES TO MIKE'S TOWING AND RECOVERY, INC.. BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY. ONE YEAR OF A ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH OPTION ONE YEAR EXTENSION NOT TO EXCEED 5000. 26-1526 AWARD OF CONTRACT CC-0113-26 FOR AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR LIGHT DUTY AFTERMARKET PARTS. MULTIPLE VENDORS. ONE CONTRACT WITH OPTIONAL ONE YEAR EXTENSION NOT TO EXCEED 63,000. RESOLUTION 26-1527 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO MURPHY ORLANDO FOR LEGAL SERVICES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,687.50. RESOLUTION 26-1528. AMENDING AND CANCELING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO R.S KNAPP CO, INC., LYNDHURST, NEW JERSEY, FOR REPROGRAPHICS CONSTRUCTION PLAN REPRODUCTIONS AND PLOTTING SUPPLIES FOR ENGINEERING DIVISION. OPEN ENDED CONTRACT CC-0108-24R TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED -$2,376.20. GOOD EVENING. RESOLUTION 26-1529 IS AN APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO HUDSON COUNTY MEADOWVIEW PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL OUT OF SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE COUNTY SHARE, COST OF PATIENT CARE AND MAINTENANCE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $34,132.80. I APOLOGIZE ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE A LOT OF GRANTS TO INSERT TONIGHT. THIS IS JUST A COMMON TIME OF YEAR. YEAH, JULY. A LOT OF GRANTS START JULY 1ST. SO 26-1530 IS INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY. VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM. FORENSIC NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $144,000. THERE'S AN IN-KIND MATCH APPROPRIATED IN THE PROSECUTOR'S SALARY AND WAGE BUDGET. 1531 IS INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE RUTGERS STATE OF NEW JERSEY TRAUMATIC LOSS COALITION FOR YOUTH PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,500. 1532 IS THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,422. 1533 IS THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,000. 1534 IS THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OVERDOSE FATALITY REVIEW TEAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000, 1535 IS THE INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. LOCAL CORE CAPACITY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $290,065. 1536 IS AN ASSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY. INSURANCE FRAUD REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $248,276.02. 1537 IS THE INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FROM NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, GREEN COMMUNITIES INVENTORY AND CM, CFMP DEVELOPMENT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000. THIS ALSO HAS A CASH MATCH WHICH WILL BE FUNDED FROM THE PARK COMMISSION. THIS IS ACTUALLY A PARK COMMISSION GRANT. THEY WILL BE USING THESE FUNDS TO GET A START ON A TREE INVENTORY PLAN. AND THEN 1538 IS AN INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FROM NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CONTROL GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,700. 1539 IS AN INSERTION OF SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH, HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC IMPROVEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $959,838. 1540 IS INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CHILD ADVOCACY DEVELOPMENT GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $169,170 AND 1541 IS THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE FROM NEW JERSEY [00:35:01] TRANSIT CORPORATION, SENIOR CITIZEN AND DISABLED RESIDENT TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $0.01. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY GAVE US A REVISED AGREEMENT MONTHS AFTER WE HAD THE ORIGINAL GRANT, AND THEY WANTED TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL CENT. SO FOR ACCOUNTING PURPOSES, WE HAVE TO PUSH IT THROUGH THE BUDGET. 26-1542 IS AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO PKF O'CONNOR DAVIES CRANFORD, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000. 1543 IS AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT TO JERRY CONOVER EXCAVATING IN GLADSTONE, NEW JERSEY, FOR ROAD OPENING AND BOND FEES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,200. 26-1544 IS AUTHORIZING REFUNDS FOR THE INTOXICATED DRIVER'S RESOURCE CENTER. LAND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW FEES, CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF APPEALS FEES, RECYCLING AND COMPOST BIN FEES, ALL OF WHICH WERE COLLECTED AND DEEMED NOT NECESSARY TO BE COLLECTED. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,512.90. AND 26-1545 IS A PAYMENT OF CLAIMS AND RATIFICATION OF THE SAME. THANK YOU. RESOLUTION 26-1546 IS AN APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO THOMAS MACKIE, TOTOWA, NEW JERSEY, FOR THE CREATIVE MOVEMENT PROGRAM TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $50. 26-1547 IS AN APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO LAURA FECHTER, HIGHLAND PARK, NEW JERSEY, FOR ZUMBA GOLD TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $70. 26-1548 IS AUTHORIZING THE CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO ACME/LINGO FLAGPOLES, LLC. CONTRACT CC-0049-26 TO PURCHASE AMERICAN FLAGS FOR VETERANS GRAVESITES. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $13,388.80. 26-1549 AUTHORIZING THE REFUND AND OVERPAYMENT OF $0.22 TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY FOR THE FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARD AWARDED WITH RESOLUTION R22-2108. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $0.22. THANK YOU. SAM. GOT ME. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. RESOLUTION 26-1550. AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS TO PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO DIRECT FLOORING, INC. FROM FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY, FOR CARPET AND FLOOR COVERINGS NOT TO EXCEED 50,000. 26-1551, AMENDING AND CANCELING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO VARIOUS VENDORS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $81,966.51. 26-1552 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO GENSERVE LLC. PLAINVIEW AND FAIRFIELD, NEW JERSEY, FOR SERVICES RENDERED NOT TO EXCEED 2800. 26-1553 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO RAPID FIRE AND SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC., HIGHLANDS, NEW JERSEY, AND SCHINDLER ELEVATOR CORPORATION FOR MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY, FOR SERVICES RENDERED NOT TO EXCEED $12,620.04. 26-1554 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT TO RICHIES TIRE SERVICE, INC., MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY FOR DISPOSAL OF TIRE TRAILER NOT TO EXCEED 9350 26-1555. APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO R.W. J. BARNABAS HEALTH, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, FOR CDL PHYSICALS NOT TO EXCEED $1,785. 26-1556 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR PARTS AND REPAIRS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED 117,000. 15. 26-1557 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS BERNARDSVILLE, NEW JERSEY, FOR FUEL PUMP INSPECTIONS, TESTING AND REPAIRS NOT TO EXCEED $3,095. 26-1558 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDERS TO SANITATION TRUCK REPAIR. SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY $1,891.61. HOFFMAN SERVICES, INC. OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, $213.80 FOR PARTS AND REPAIRS NOT TO EXCEED $2,105.41. 26-1559 APPROVAL TO PAY CONFIRMING ORDER TO BRT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC FOR MOD FIVE, EXCUSE ME, MOD FOUR AND CAMA DATA FOR SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD OF TAXATION AND THE 21 MUNICIPAL TAX ASSESSOR OFFICES FOR APRIL, MAY AND JUNE OF 2026. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $48,435. [00:40:04] IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD THESE ABOVE RESOLUTIONS? 26-1500 THROUGH 26-1559 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR AUGUST 11TH MEETING? SO MOVED. SECOND. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. YOU READY? ROCK AND ROLL. 26-1475 IS AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY RIGHT OF ENTRY AGREEMENT WITH CLEARWATER FOREST ANALYTICS FOR COUNTY OWNED PROPERTY AND TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER, SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, 1476 IS AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR MEAD AND HUNT, INC., FORMERLY HUNTER RESEARCH INC. 1477 IS AUTHORIZED AND APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AND AFSCME LOCAL 3487 SOMERSET COUNTY ROADS AND BRIDGES. 1478 IS AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES UNDER NJSA 1944H2024 TO SCIARRA, CATAMBRONE, CURRAN AND GRAY CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $20,000. 1479 IS AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF HILLSBOROUGH, BLOCK 149.08, LOT 90, OWNED BY MARGARET A REED REVOCABLE TRUST TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $800,000. THE ACTUAL PRICE IS 7.65, BUT THE GOAL IS TO DEMOLISH THAT, AND I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER GRANER WANTS TO COMMENT ON THAT ONE. MAY I PLEASE? THANK YOU. SO THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS BECAUSE I'VE RECEIVED YET ANOTHER CONCERN FROM A CONSTITUENT ABOUT WAITING LIST TIMES AT THE HILLSBORO LOCATION OF OUR SENIOR CENTER. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY GOOD THING FOR US. THIS PROPERTY IS THE ONE THAT WE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED. IT IS ADJACENT TO THE HILLSBORO SENIOR CENTER. WE'VE BEEN TIGHT LAND CONSTRAINT THERE. THE ONLY THING WE WERE ABLE TO DO IN THE PAST WAS A GAZEBO. THIS OPENS UP MANY MORE POSSIBILITIES TO EXPAND, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES. SO IT'S, IT PUTS US ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. SO AND THEN 1480 IS AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT TO WAIVE AND RELEASE LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH A CONTRACT WITH A LOT OF NUMBERS. ESSENTIALLY WHAT THAT IS, IS THERE'S A CONTRACTOR WHO HAS TO DO WORK ON CLEANUP BY THE GSA. THEY HAVE TO GET IT ONTO OUR SHOOTING RANGE OR IT'S IN THE VICINITY OF A SHOOTING RANGE. SO BEFORE WE LET THEM ON, THEY HAVE TO SAY THEY UNDERSTAND THEY'RE WORKING NEAR A SHOOTING RANGE. SO THEY WAIVE ALL LIABILITY THAT WE WOULD HAVE OR ANY PROBLEMS THAT WE WOULD HAVE. THERE ARE NO ISSUES. WE USUALLY COORDINATE WHEN THEY'RE THERE AND WHEN WE ARE ACTUALLY USING THE SHOOTING RANGE, BUT IT'S JUST A BELT AND SUSPENDERS. AND THEN 1481 IS AUTHORIZE IN THE SETTLEMENT IN THE MATTER OF CHRISTINE DE LA CRUZ VERSUS SOMERSET COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ET AL. 1482 AWARD OF CONTRACT. CY-COM-0066-26 AND CY-COM-0066-26 FOR THE GRWDB SUMMER YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM OPTION A, APPLICATION TO REQUEST SUMMER YOUTH PARTICIPANTS FOR PREVIOUSLY QUALIFIED AGENCIES IN HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $139,400 AND 1483 IS AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET AS FISCAL AGENT FOR THE GRWDB TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT UP TO $10,000 IN GRANT FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT THAT LIZ MENTIONED. COMMISSIONER GRANER MENTIONED IN HER PRESENTATION. 26-1484 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACTS TO MORRIS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO COVER MEDICATION COSTS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $60,000. THESE NEXT TWO ARE RELATED. 26-1485 IS RESCINDING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT RESOLUTION R26-1307 ADOPTED JULY 14TH, 2026. CONTRACT CY-XS-0001-26 TO CENTER STATE ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, INC., MONROE TOWNSHIP DUE TO CLERICAL ERROR. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,200 AND 26-1486 IS THE AWARD OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION, INSPECTION AND ADMINISTRATION FOR INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS. GREEN BROOK ROAD WEST. CR 634 RIDGEFIELD ROAD, ROCK AVENUE. CR 645 AND GREEN BROOK ROAD EAST. CR 636 AND ROCK AVENUE, CR 645, GREEN BROOK TOWNSHIP AND NORTH PLAINFIELD BOROUGH TWO. [00:45:06] CENTER STATE ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, INC., MONROE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $154,720. IT WILL START VERY SHORTLY. RESOLUTION 26-1487. AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED COUNTY CONTRACT TO HOWARD GILMAN OUT OF HOMDEL, NEW JERSEY, FOR A REVIEW OF REPORTS AND WRITING OF AN EXPERT REPORT. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $9,600. THANK YOU. 26-1488. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR COMMSCOACH. FULL PLATFORM BUNDLE UTILIZING BERGEN COUNTY COOPERATIVE CONTRACT. CK04-24-38 TO SHI INTERNATIONAL CORP. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $88,106.38. 26-1489. AWARD A CONTRACT FOR MOTOROLA RADIO INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS. THE 700MHZ MIGRATION UTILIZING STATE CONTRACT 25-TELE-132995. TO MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $870,307.25. RESOLUTION 26-1490 WATER CONTRACT JCC-0011-26 FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICE FOR SECURITY DOORS, FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FOR THE SOMERSET COUNTY JAIL TO B SAFE LLC. PHILADELPHIA, PA ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH TWO YEAR OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS NOT TO EXCEED $112,215.45. 26-1491 AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF FUNDS FOR PREVIOUSLY AWARDED CONTRACT FOR ADDITIONAL JANITORIAL CLEANING SERVICES NEEDED TO ACB SERVICES FROM EWING, NEW JERSEY. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $3,520.80. 26-1492 AWARD OF OPEN ENDED CONTRACT CC-0131-26R FOR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURED BUS PARTS TO WOLFINGTON BODY COMPANY, INC., MOUNT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY. FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT NOT TO EXCEED 5000. THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADD RESOLUTION 26-1475 THROUGH 26-1492 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR OUR REGULAR MEETING THIS AFTERNOON? MOTION. ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER GRANER. YES. COMMISSIONER MARANO. YES. COMMISSIONER SOOY. YES. DEPUTY DIRECTOR DRAKE. YES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON. YES. NOW, WE COME TO THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING WHERE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK, PLEASE COME UP. TELL US YOUR NAME, YOUR ADDRESS? NO YIELDING OF TIME. NO. COMING UP A SECOND TIME. AND YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES. IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? SO MOVED. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYES HAVE IT. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK? HI. GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MALLORY CRAIG. I LIVE AT 41 ROSS STREET IN SOMERVILLE, AND I'M HERE TONIGHT AS A RESIDENT AND MOTHER. I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT A LIBRARY. BUT REALLY, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHO GETS TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS TO THE THINGS WE ALL RELY ON. THIS FRIDAY, JULY 31ST, THE SOMERVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY CLOSES. NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT'S BEEN IN AND OUT OF COMMISSION FOR A YEAR NOW, BUT THIS TIME THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM CLOSED SOMERVILLE LIBRARY WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH SOMERVILLE BOROUGH, AND THERE IS NO PLAN FOR WHAT COMES NEXT. NO DATE, NO LOCATION AND NO COMMITMENT. I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT SOMETHING. THE MOLD ISSUE IS A REAL CONCERN, AND PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF STAFF AND RESIDENTS MUST BE THE PRIORITY. FULL STOP. NOBODY HERE IS QUESTIONING THAT. BUT PROTECTING PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE TOWN ARE NOT IN CONFLICT. THEY SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED TOGETHER AND THEY DIDN'T. HERE IS WHAT I KNOW. OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM SAYS THE COUNTY CANNOT CLOSE THE BRANCH WITHOUT OUR BOROUGH COUNCIL'S APPROVAL. I CHECKED WITH OUR BOROUGH CLERK AND IN SECTION TWO OF OUR LIBRARY CONTRACT, THAT APPROVAL WAS NEVER SOUGHT. OUR AGREEMENT ALSO SAYS THE COUNTY CANNOT WALK AWAY. THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM CANNOT WALK AWAY FROM ITS AGREEMENT WITH SOMERVILLE WITHOUT FORMAL WRITTEN NOTICE. AND AFTER THAT NOTICE IS PROVIDED, THERE'S A TWO YEAR RUNWAY FOR IT TO TAKE EFFECT. NO SUCH NOTICE WAS EVER FILED, AND THAT REQUIREMENT IS OUTLINED IN SECTION ONE OF OUR LIBRARY CONTRACT. [00:50:05] SO BY THE TERMS THAT BOTH SIDES AGREED TO, THIS CLOSURE SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THE WAY THAT IT IS HAPPENING. AND HERE'S SOMETHING ELSE I LEARNED NOT FROM A PRESS RELEASE, BUT FROM NEIGHBORS AT OUR SOMERVILLE FARMERS MARKET. A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BROKER WAS THERE SPEAKING OPENLY ABOUT WORK HE'S ALREADY DOING FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM, SCOUTING LOCATIONS FOR A NEW SOMERVILLE LIBRARY, ONE THAT WOULD SIT OUTSIDE THE TERMS OF THE CURRENT AGREEMENT THAT SOMERVILLE HAS WITH THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS WAS HAPPENING BEFORE ANYONE FROM SOMERVILLE TOWN WAS PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SOMERVILLE RESIDENTS LEARNED ABOUT DECISIONS REGARDING OUR OWN LIBRARY SECOND HAND AT A FARMERS MARKET WITHOUT OUR TOWN'S PARTNERSHIP OR INPUT. THIS BOARD APPOINTS THE LIBRARY COMMISSION THAT OVERSEES THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM AND CORRESPONDS REGULARLY WITH THE LIBRARY COMMISSION LIAISON. THAT MEANS WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS, WHEN A CONTRACT IS NOT FOLLOWED AND A TOWN GETS LEFT OUT OF DECISIONS ABOUT THE CLOSURE AND FUTURE OF ITS OWN LIBRARY, THIS IS THE ROOM WHERE I HOPE HELP CAN BE FOUND. BY NO MEANS AM I ASKING OR EXPECTING THIS TO BE SOLVED TONIGHT. RATHER, I'M ASKING YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM TREATS SUMMERVILLE LIKE A PARTNER RATHER THAN AN AFTERTHOUGHT. AND THAT STARTS WITH HONORING THE AGREEMENT THAT IS ALREADY ON PAPER. AND IT STARTS WITH INCLUDING OUR TOWN BEFORE THE DECISIONS GET MADE, NOT AFTER A LIBRARY. YES, IT IS A LINE ITEM, BUT TO MANY OF US IT IS SO MUCH MORE. IT IS WHERE A MOTHER LIKE ME READS TO HER NEWBORN BABY, BECAUSE THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR KID IN JANUARY WHEN IT'S SNOWING OUTSIDE. IT'S WHERE OUR CHILDREN DO HOMEWORK AFTER SCHOOL. IT IS WHERE ANYBODY, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS IN THEIR POCKET, GETS TO WALK IN AND BELONG. SUMMERVILLE RESIDENTS HAVE SHOWN UP FOR OUR LIBRARY. WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF SIGNATURES, DOZENS OF BUSINESS OWNERS AND MANY RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR LIBRARY. THEY DESERVE A COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT SHOWS UP FOR THEM, TOO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE TOO, AS A SOMERSET COUNTY BOARD FOUND OUT AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE PUBLIC DID. THE LIBRARY COMMISSION SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY COMMISSION HAS ITS OWN BOARD. YES, WE DO HAVE A LIAISON, BUT WE'RE NOT PART OF THE DECISION MAKING. SO WE UNDERSTAND AND WE FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT THE NEEDS AND THE CONCERNS OF WHAT A LIBRARY MEANS AND, AND DOES FOR A COMMUNITY. AND SO WE TAKE THAT UNDER CONSIDERATION. BUT NO, WE FOUND OUT THE SAME WAY AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE PUBLIC DID. SO THANK YOU. NO ONE ELSE AT THIS TIME. ALL RIGHT. SEEING NOTHING ELSE. FROM THE PUBLIC. IS THERE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THIS MEETING? MOTION SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY ADDITIONAL REPORTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? ALL RIGHT, WE'LL MOVE. RIGHT. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.