UH, WE'LL HAVE OTHER COMMISSIONERS
[00:00:01]
COMING IN, IN JUST A MOMENT.AND, UH, SO LET'S GET THINGS MOVING.
AND AT THIS POINT I WANT TO CALL UP OUR FRIEND, UH, AND, UH, KNOWN TO EVERYONE HERE, UH, T UH, COMMISSIONER TMI COOPER, WHO IS ALSO ON THE BOARD'S TNR COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT PALM.
UM, I'M DISTRICT THREE COMMISSIONER TMI COOPER, AND I AM SO EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE OCTOBER 16TH AS GLOBAL CAT DAY IN ESS COUNTY.
AND AT THIS TIME I WANT TO INVITE UP OUR GOOD FRIENDS AND KA CAT CHAMPION MAMA MEOW.
OR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE CALL HER MISS CHARLOTTE, BUT WE CALL HER MAMA MEOW 'CAUSE WE LOVE HER SO MUCH.
MAMA MEOW IS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE WELLBEING OF CATS ALL OVER NEW JERSEY, NOT JUST HERE IN ESS COUNTY.
AND IT WAS THANKS TO HER HARD WORK AND DEDICATION THAT WE HAVE A TRAP, NEUTER AND RETURN PROGRAM IN ESS COUNTY, BUT THAT DIDN'T SLOW HER DOWN.
THERE ARE MANY STRAIGHT ANIMALS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THAT SHE RUNS AROUND THE COUNTY CHAMPION AND SPEAKING UP FOR.
AND TODAY ON GLOBAL CAT DAY FOR US HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY, WE WANNA RECOGNIZE HER FOR ALL HER HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
UM, JUST A LITTLE QUICK TIDBITS THAT MAMA MEMON HAS TAUGHT ME, THAT ON AVERAGE FERAL CATS CAN HAVE 1.4 LITTERS EACH YEAR.
THAT ADDS UP TO 420,000 STRAY CATS IN THE SEVEN YEAR TIME PERIOD.
SO THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE YOUR LITTLE, THOSE LITTLE CATS RUNNING AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, TAKE A MINUTE TO PAUSE.
'CAUSE I THINK THEY COULD GET PREGNANT TWICE A YEAR.
AND SOMETIMES THREE TIMES A YEAR CAN HAVE FIVE OR SIX CATS PER CAT.
NOW THANK GOD THOSE CATS COULD DO IT THIS WAY.
'CAUSE IF I, IF I HAD TO DO IT THAT WAY, MY GOODNESS, I COULDN'T BE HERE SERVING AS A COMMISSIONER.
BUT EVERY YEAR WE WORK SO DILIGENTLY WITH MAMA MEOW AND ALL HER FRIENDS TO WORK TO SAVE AND SUPPORT ALL OUR FERAL CATS THROUGHOUT ESSEX COUNTY.
SO WE HAVE A WONDERFUL PROCLAMATION FOR YOU, MAMA MEOW TO COMMEMORATE THIS DAY FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, HARD ON THE OTHER SIDE.
ALRIGHT MAMA MIA, YOU WANNA SAY SOME WORDS? I'M GONNA MAKE THIS VERY BRIEF HERE.
WANNA SAY THAT SHE HAS BEEN A, A CHAMPION TO HELP US ATTRACT NEUTER, RETURN AND MANAGE THE CATS.
AS SHE SAID, YOU WOULD HAVE MILLIONS OF CATS WITHOUT HER AND CARLOS AND THIS WHOLE TEAM, I'M SO GLAD THEY LISTENED TO ME.
THIS IS NATIONAL GLOBAL CAT MONTH, BUT TODAY, OCTOBER THE 16TH, I APPRECIATE THIS MORE THAN YOU EVER KNOW.
AND THESE ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE.
OCTOBERS ALSO MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY, MONTH.
THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
LET'S GIVE THEM A BIG HAND OF COMMISSIONERS.
AND THEY DO LISTEN, ESPECIALLY MRS. COOPER AND CARLOS.
HE'S ONE OF THE DYNAMIC DUOS OVER HERE AND GET TO KNOW HIM A WELL BECAUSE HE DOES GREAT WORK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS, PLEASE.
EVERY TOWN, EVERY CITY IN NEW JERSEY HAS CAT PROFITS.
DON'T SAY SHE'S THE CRAZY CAT WITH ME 'CAUSE I'M NOT.
I WANNA LET JENNY KNOW BECAUSE SHE'S OUR SENIOR MEMBER.
SHE FEEDS THE CATS AND SHE'S AT THE NI AVENUE GROUP AND SHE TAKES CARE OF THE CATS HERE.
AND SHE'S A VERY DEVOTED, IN FACT, SHE TOOK A PREGNANT CAT, WALKED THE STREET AND GOT THE KITTENS.
SHE TOOK MY BEDROOM AND SHE TOOK OVER HER BEDROOM, BUT, AND I HAD TO WAIT ON HER.
SO WE, WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM, BUT WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED BECAUSE WE GOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
THERE'S TOO MANY CATS STRUGGLING AND DYING ON THE STREETS.
AND THANKS TO MRS. COOPER AND CARLOS AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT HAS LISTENED, WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AGAIN.
'CAUSE I HAVE TO SHARPEN THIS UP BECAUSE I JUST WANNA SAY, UH, MAMA.
APPRECIATE EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM TO, IF I EDUCATED YOU TODAY, THAT'D BE THE GREATEST THING BECAUSE THE CATS ON THE STREET, THE TOP CATS ARE SAYING MEOW, MEOW TO YOU ALL.
[00:05:03]
GOOD JOB MR. PRESIDENT.HEY, WHAT'S UP MAN? HOW YOU? GOOD EVENING MR. JACKSON.
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN TODAY, SIR.
HOW ARE YOU? IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY, HUH? MR. MCINERNEY? GOOD EVENING.
HOW YOU DOING HERE? HES CALLED.
HOW YOU, WHAT'S HAPPENING? I GOTTA GET IN.
WHAT'S YOU GOT A DOG? I GOT A DOG.
HOW ARE YOU COMMISSIONER, SIR? ALRIGHT.
RIGHT HOME AFTER THE, AND I WAS WONDERING, YOU SAID SOMETHING TODAY I WAS WONDERING ABOUT IT'S LIKE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I ASKED TO DO IT THERE AND THEY WERE, WE HAVE A VERY GOOD FRIENDSHIP THERE.
THEY WANTED TO BRING ATTENTION TO IT, YOU KNOW.
YOU, BECAUSE
WELL, I MEAN, WHEN I WAS A COUNCILMAN WERE COMING IN.
OH, SO, SO YOU KNEW YOU TO KEEP THIS SLIGHTLY.
GIVE US THE HIGH SIGN WHEN YOU READY.
THIS MEETING OF THE ES COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEREBY CALL THE ORDER.
THIS MEETING IS BEING LIVE STREAMED IN ADDITION TO TAKING PLACE IN PERSON ROLL CALL.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT OMA.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT RICHARDSON.
[00:10:02]
HERE PLEASE STAND.AND THE FLAG MAY STAND FOR SILENCE AS ASK COMMISSIONER COOPER TO LEAD US IN THE UTE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR ALL THE SENSELESS KILLING GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD.
I HAVE BEFORE ME CERTIFICATION FROM THE CLERK THAT THIS MEETING IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT.
MADAM CLERK, ARE THERE ANY TRANSCRIPTS OF VEHICLE APPROVED? UH, MR. PRESIDENT, THERE ARE NONE.
WHAT IS THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT.
UM, THERE IS A TRANSCRIPT TO BE APPROVED, UH, DECEMBER THE FIRST, 2022.
IT'S A CONFERENCE, BOARD MEETING.
COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? DO I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE THE TRANSCRIPT? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COOPER.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MECADO.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT OMA? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT RICHARD? YES.
MADAM, MADAM CLERK, ARE THERE ANY TOPICS OF DISCUSSION? UH, MR. RESIDENT
IN THAT CASE, LET'S MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION TONIGHT.
NIGHT'S MEETING IS A COMBINED CONFERENCE BOARD MEETING AND WE WILL VOTE ON EVERY ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
SO IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE.
STATE YOUR NAME, AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD, AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THERE'LL BE TIME LATER IN THE EVENING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY OF THE ITEMS. SO I ASK YOU TO PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
UM, MY NAME IS WINIFRED VICTOR HINES AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WEAKER PARK ASSOCIATION.
AND, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON, UM, THE BUDGET FOR THE WICK PARK TRACK IMPROVEMENTS, UM, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
I ONLY WANTED TO SAY THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR THERE TO BE TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE, UM, AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, THE WIG PARK ASSOCIATION WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORIGINALLY PUTTING DOWN THE 2.2 MILE RUBBERIZED TRACK, WHICH IS THE LONGEST, UM, RUBBERIZED TRACK IN THE NATION.
AND SO WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE COMMUNITY INPUT AND, AND TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND, WE PARK IN, IN TERMS OF ANY IMPROVEMENTS, PRESERVATION, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.
AND FOR THERE TO BE A LOT MORE TRANSPARENCY.
SO IF YOU WOULD TAKE US INTO CONSIDERATION IN, IN TERMS OF THE DRAWINGS, UM, YOU KNOW, THE STUDIES, SURVEYS, WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE, WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
ALL SAID WELL SAID MADAM CLERK, LET THE RECORD REFLECT.
THERE'S NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK AT YOU GOTTA MOVE A LITTLE FASTER.
I CHECK THE MONEY
THANK Y'ALL FOR THE AWARD FOR THE PAIN IN THE BUTT.
UM, THE COMPREHENSIVE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE SERVICE GRANT, ARE WE USING ANY OF THOSE DOLLARS INSIDE THE JAIL FOR THE PRISONERS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
UM, OFF OF THE OFFICE OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING, THAT'S NUMBER 16, THE OFFICE OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING GRANT FUND OF $2.5 MILLION.
AGAIN, CAN WE CHECK WITH THOSE VENDORS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CRITERIA IS BEING MET NOT ONLY FOR THE TRAINING, BUT THEY'RE ALSO SUPPOSED TO, UH, PLACE FOLKS AFTER THE TRAINING.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S HAPPENING.
AND ARE THEY ALSO CHECKING? 'CAUSE I KNOW WE HAD THIS ISSUE SOME 10 YEARS AGO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE TRAINING PROGRAM HAVE
[00:15:01]
A DIPLOMA BECAUSE I KNOW SOME TIME AGO WE WERE HAVING AN ISSUE THAT THEY WERE TRAINING FOLKS, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE DIPLOMA, AND THEN WHEN THEY WENT TO APPLY FOR THE JOB, THAT KEPT THEM FROM GETTING A JOB.SO CAN WE JUST MAKE SURE AGAIN, UM, THAT, THAT IS HAPPENING, UM, IN REFERENCE TO THE WEAK PARK.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT NUMBER THAT IS, BUT, UM, AS ONE WHO DOES NOT USE THE TRACK, BUT MY FAMILY MEMBERS DO AND MY COMMUNITY DOES, THE TRACK IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT IS FALLING APART.
AND I KNOW THAT'S WHY WE'RE PUTTING THE MONEY THERE.
BUT CAN WE ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THE CONTRACTOR THAT IS COMING, IF SOMETHING COMES AWRY IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, THAT THEY COME BACK AND REPAIR IT AND WE DON'T PAY FOR IT.
I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO VERY WELL HERE IS WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO DO WORK AND THEN WHEN IT MESSES UP, WE PAY A ADDED ON ADDED STARTER OR ADDED AMOUNT ONTO THE CONTRACT.
IF I PAID YOU $5 MILLION TO FIX THE TRACK OR WHATEVER IT IS, YOU NEED TO COME BACK WHEN IT DOES NOT WORK.
IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST A FIVE 10 YEAR.
WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON THE TRACK ONCE WE PUT IT DOWN? UH, AND BECAUSE I WAS, YOU KNOW, BRUSHING TO GET HERE, SIR, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER ONES, BUT PLEASE LET'S MONITOR ALL THE MONEY, UM, IN THE AGENDA.
I'M IN EAST ORANGE, AND I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR RESOLUTION NUMBER 50, UH, COMMEMORATING, UH, UH, OCTOBER 16TH AS GLOBAL CAT DAY.
AND I JUST WANTED TO ALSO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION SAYING THAT KA ARE A PEOPLE PROBLEM.
I HAVE BEEN STAYING IN TOUCH WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING AND APPRECIATE IT ALL.
I APPRECIATE THE FUNDS THAT YOU'RE PUTTING TOWARDS TNR AND I JUST WANT TO COMMENT THAT THERE IS A NEW WRINKLE BECAUSE DURING COVID, A LOT OF CATS WERE ADOPTED AND ALL THE SHELTERS EMPTIED OUT.
AND THEN AT THE END OF COVID, EVERYBODY WENT BACK TO THEIR LIVES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL ADOPTED CATS TURNED UP ON THE STREET.
AND SO NOW WE HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM, A LOT OF FRIENDLY CATS ON THE STREET, AND WE HAVE FUNDING FOR TNR, BUT THERE'S NO FUNDING FOR THESE FRIENDLY CATS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED IN PLACED.
AND SO I WANTED TO MAKE A REQUEST THAT MAYBE WE COULD WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A SOLUTION TO WORK WITH THESE CATS FOR LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER FOR THE FRIENDLY CATS.
AND, UM, ALSO TO HAVE OPTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC WHO CAN'T AFFORD SPAY AND NEUTER SO THAT WE CAN GET THESE NUMBERS BACK DOWN AGAIN.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
THEY THINK, OH, THERE'S A FRIENDLY CAT, I TAKE IT IN, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY HAVE 17 CATS IN THEIR APARTMENT, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, AND THEN THEY GET THROWN OUT AND THE CATS GET THROWN OUT.
SO IF WE COULD, IF WE COULD DEVELOP SOME OPTIONS, ONE SUGGESTION IS MOBILE VANS IN DIFFERENT PARKS.
UH, I, I I THANKED, UH, NAIMA FROM, UH, ASSEMBLYWOMAN TIMBERLAKE'S OFFICE BECAUSE SHE ARRANGED ST.
HUBERT'S TO BE IN EMERSON PARK IN EAST ORANGE.
200 PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO HAVE THEIR CATS, UH, VACCINATED AND THEY GOT SPAY NEUTER, UM, SPAY NEUTER VA UH, VOUCHERS.
AND SO IF WE COULD CONTINUE THIS AND RAMP IT UP, I THINK WE COULD BRING THOSE NUMBERS BACK DOWN.
WE COULD HAVE THE COMMUNITY BE HAPPY.
PEOPLE AND CATS CAN LIVE SAFELY TOGETHER.
AND I'M HAPPY TO WORK ON WITH THAT.
I HAVE A LOT OF IDEAS FOR GRANT POSSIBILITIES.
AND WE DO HAVE, UH, A CAT TEAM, WHICH IS COMMISSIONER COOPER AND VICE PRESIDENT OMAS.
SO WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE GET, I GET YOUR INFORMATION TO, TO THEM BOTH SO THAT WHATEVER IDEAS YOU HAVE, YOU CAN WORK THROUGH THEM.
I'M SURE THEY'LL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU.
ED ESPOSITO, PBA 180 3 ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO REPRESENT THE, UH, SUPERVISORS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I JUST WANNA POINT OUT, UM, I'VE BEEN BEFORE THIS BOARD ON THIS ISSUE ALREADY A, THE WELLNESS CENTER AT THE TURTLEBACK ZOO.
AGAIN, WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THE COUNTY SPENDING MONEY ON OTHER PROJECTS, BUT WHEN THIS ADMINISTRATION IS BUILDING THE SECOND, THIS ONE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, THE SECOND WELLNESS CENTER AT THE TURTLEBACK ZOO AND HAS NOT BUILT A SINGLE WELLNESS CENTER, LET A WELLNESS ROOM, A GYM, CANCER SCREENING, ANYTHING FOR EMPLOYEES, BUT WE'RE GONNA VOTE TONIGHT FOR AN ADDITIONAL DISSERTATION OF MONEY FROM THE STATE.
IT WAS ONE OF THESE CHRISTMAS TREE ITEMS FROM THE STATE BUDGET, BUT IT WAS ALSO MATCHED WITH NOT ONLY COUNTY DOLLARS, BUT WE, WE CAME HERE AND I PERSONALLY SPOKE ON THE BOND
[00:20:01]
RESOLUTION AND THAT THAT VOTED AND, AND EVERYBODY HERE VOTED FOR IT.SO WHAT I WANNA BE HEARD, AND MY COMMENT IS, I APPRECIATE THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE BOARD AND MYSELF AND THE OTHER UNION LEADERS TO TRY AND RECTIFY SOME OF THEM OF THESE THINGS.
BUT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TO DO SOMETHING, ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION AND DO SOMETHING TO PUT MONEY IN AS IN THE FORM OF WELLNESS AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES IN ADDITION TO THE CONTRACTING OTHER ITEMS. THIS IS A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
SHOW ME WHERE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
YOU DID PROVIDE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
SIR, THERE WAS NO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
I WROTE BACK TO CONFIRM, IS THIS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN? I GOT AN ANSWER IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
IT WAS A SPREADSHEET OF MONEY THAT WAS SPENT LARGELY NOT IN PART OR TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
THESE WERE LIKE THINGS LIKE PUTTING ROOFS ON BUILDINGS AND PAVING PARKING LOTS IN OR AROUND THE FACILITIES.
THAT'S NOT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I'M TALKING ABOUT BUYING PEOPLE EQUIPMENT, CONDUCTED ENERGY DEVICES.
AND I GOT ANOTHER ONE FOR YOU.
THIS COUNTY, THIS SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DOES NOT HAVE A 9 1 1 SYSTEM.
SO WHEN PEOPLE CALL 9 1 1, WHETHER IT'S IN THIS BUILDING OR ANY OTHER BUILDING, THIS OFFICE DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF RECEIVING THAT INFORMATION.
THE TEXT TO 9 1 1 AND ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S OUT THERE, THAT'S PENNIES COMPARED TO THE MONEY THAT YOU'RE GONNA SPEND ON YOUR SECOND WELLNESS CENTER UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION.
TO ME, QUITE FRANKLY, SIR, THAT SHOULD BE A NO VOTE ON THIS TONIGHT AND SEE IF WE CAN USE THIS $7.5 MILLION FROM THE STATE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY CAMERAS.
9 1 1 THINGS THAT'LL NOT ONLY IMPROVE OUR JOB AND HELP US DO OUR JOB, BUT MAKE THIS PLACE SAFER AND GREATER TO LIVE AND WORK IN.
ARE ARE YOU AWARE OF THAT STATEMENT? IS THAT AN ACCURATE STATEMENT THAT THE COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE A 9 1 1 SYSTEM? UM, WE DO NOT.
MOST, SOME OTHER COUNTIES HAVE A COUNTYWIDE 9 1 1 SYSTEM.
WE AT ESSEX COUNTY, WE DO NOT HAVE THAT.
YOU WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO KNOW THE REASON WHY NOT? UM, I COULD FIND OUT.
I KNOW HISTORICALLY, MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE.
WE JUST HAVE NOT, BUT I COULD FIND OUT.
WHY WE HAVE NOT JUST LOOK INTO IT FOR ME, SIR.
MR. PRESIDENT, LET THE RECORD REFER.
I, I WOULD LIKE, DID WE EVER HAVE A I DON'T THINK SO.
I THOUGHT WE DID AT ONE POINT.
I'M NOT SURE, BUT I'LL, I'LL LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT THERE'S NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME.
SO, MADAM CLERK, LET'S MOVE TO ORDINANCES ON INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST READING.
DO WE HAVE ANY, UM, MR. PRESIDENT? WE HAVE NONE.
HOW ABOUT ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING? LISTENING PER LISTENING ONLY MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE NONE.
HOW ABOUT ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING? MR. PRESIDENT? WE HAVE NONE.
MADAM CLERK, LET'S MOVE TO RESOLUTIONS ONE THROUGH NINE, WHICH ARE FROM THE COUNTY BUDGET OR INSERTION OF ITEMS AND REVENUE.
AND WE'LL BE READ IN THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON? UH, GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, UH, RESOLUTION ONE, UH, AS A ONE THROUGH NINE OR AS A BUDGET INSERTION IN THE AMOUNT OF, UH, 9,000,900 798,000 OF THE $598.
THIS IS FOR OUR 2024 TRANSPORTATION ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
AND WE, IT'LL WE'LL ADDRESS ABOUT EIGHT MILES OF, OF, UH, ROAD AND THERE'S NO COUNTY MATCH.
ITEM TWO, UH, IS FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, UH, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, $5 MILLION FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER, UH, IN THE MONTE URBAN, UH, ORANGE PARK.
UH, THIS IS, UH, PARTIAL FUNDING FOR THAT AND THERE IS NO, UH, COUNTY MATCH.
ITEM THREE, UM, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
IT'S A GRANT, THE AMOUNT OF $1 MILLION FOR, UH, THE WEEK WAKE PARK TRACK IMPROVEMENT.
UH, THIS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE APPROXIMATELY 2.2 MILES OF, OF RUBBERIZED TRACK.
UH, REMOVE AND REPLACE 13 PIECES OF EXERCISE EQUIPMENT ALONG THE TRACK, NEW SIGNAGE AND BENCHES.
AND THERE IS NO, UH, COUNTY MATCH.
ITEM FOUR, UM, A NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH, UH, ADDICTION SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $719,729.
UH, THIS IS FOR THEIR ESSEX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
OUR JAIL, UH, MAT INITIATIVE, UH, AND PROVIDES FOR, UM, UH, TO REDUCE THE RISK OF OVERDOSE AND INCREASED TREATMENT, UH, OPPORTUNITIES, UH, FOR APPROXIMATELY 1500, UM, UP TO 1500 INMATES.
[00:25:02]
AND AGAIN, THERE'S NO, NO COUNTY MATCH.UH, ITEM FIVE, UH, IS A REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO OUR DIVISION OF, UH, OF, FOR THE, UH, UH, OF DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS, UH, THE, THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, I SHOULD SAY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $402,732 AND 51 CENTS.
UH, THIS IS REIMBURSEMENT FOR STAFF HOURS AND OT FOR THE 2023, UH, EARLY VOTING PRIMARY.
ITEM SIX, UH, IN THE AMOUNT OF, UH, $306,700.
THIS IS FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR.
THIS GRANT, UM, UH, JUSTICE, UH, PROGRAM FOR 2023 INTE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.
THIS PROVIDES FUNDING TO MAINTAIN EFFORTS TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CRIMES.
UH, THAT'S HEAD BY OUR PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE FINANCIAL CRIMES UNIT.
UM, AND THERE'S A, A, UH, THIS PROVIDES FOR A SALARY AND FRINGE FOR ONE ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR AND ONE DETECTIVE.
ITEM SEVEN, UM, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
THIS IS FUNDING FOR OUR, UM, OUR, UH, THE EDWARD BURR MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANT GRANT PROGRAM.
THIS FUNDS OUR NARCOTICS TASK FORCE, A SALARY INFRINGE FOR DETECTIVES ASSIGNED TO THE UNIT.
UH, THREE DETECTIVES, UH, 56% OF TIME AND INFRINGED BENEFITS, AND THERE'S NO COUNTY MATCH.
UH, ITEM EIGHT, UH, GOING TO, UH, DEPARTMENT OF, UM, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS TRAFFIC SAFETY TO OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,650.
THIS IS TO REDUCE PEDESTRIAN INDUSTRY, UH, INJURY CRASHES, UH, UH, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND PROVIDE FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. UH, ITEM NINE IS SIMILAR TO ITEM EIGHT, UH, IN THE AMOUNT OF, UH, FIVE $5,600, UH, FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
AND FOR BOTH OF THESE, THERE IS NO, UH, COUNTY MATCH.
MR. VECCHI, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
MR. PER COMMISSIONER, QUESTIONS OF COMMENTS? ONE THROUGH NINE.
HEARING NONE NEED A MOTION? I'LL MOVE.
MOVE BY COMMISSIONER, SAY BOTH COOPER, NO.
COMMISSIONER SIBO AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COOPER.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT TOMORROW? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT RICHARDSON? YES.
SO WHO, LET'S MOVE TO RESOLUTION 10.
SHOULD BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIMES FROM COUNTY COUNCIL.
MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
UH, THIS IS, UH, AN AGREEMENT THE BOARD WOULD AGREE TO, UH, BE INVERSE REIMBURSED FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR ITS EXPENSES REGARDING PATERNITY PROCEEDINGS AND OBTAINING, COLLECTING AND ENFORCING CHILD SUPPORT.
UH, THAT AGREEMENT WILL COVER AN AMOUNT OF $262,318 AND 74 CENTS.
AND IT'S ABOUT A TWO THIRDS, UH, UH, REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUR COST FOR THE, FOR PURSUING, UH, THOSE INITIATIVES.
COMMISSIONERS QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? HEARING NONE.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GRANT ROLL CALL MATTER.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT PROMAR? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT RICHARDSON.
MOVE THE RESOLUTION 11, WHICH IS FROM THE DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
AND BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
MR. LOMBARDI WILL HANDLE THIS ITEM.
CRAIG LOMBARDI, HOUSING COORDINATOR FOR, UH, DIVISION OF HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
TONIGHT, WE ARE HERE TO REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO ALLOCATE $300,000 OF HOME LOAN FUNDS FOR A PROJECT FOR SOUTH SOUTH SIDE VIEW LLC.
UH, THIS PROJECT WILL, UH, SUPPORT THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF 40 AFFORDABLE UNITS, UH, AT A PRESENTLY VACANT LOT, LOCATED AT 6 54 TO 6 68 SOUTH 11TH STREET IN NEWARK.
OF THESE 40 UNITS, FOUR WILL BE DESIGNATED AS, UH, COUNTY HOME ASSISTED UNITS, AND THERE'S ALSO GOING TO BE EIGHT OF
[00:30:01]
THESE UNITS WILL BE SET ASIDE FOR HOMELESS PERSONS.UH, OUR FUNDING OF 300,000 WILL BE LEVERAGED WITH TAX CREDIT FUNDING OF APPROXIMATELY $12 MILLION, STATE FUNDING OF APPROXIMATELY $4 MILLION, NEWARK HOME FUNDS OF $550,000.
AND, UH, VARIOUS OTHER FUNDS FROM OWNERS EQUITY AND DEFERRED DEVELOPER FEES.
UH, THERE IS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DEVELOPER.
SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO WANT TO ASK THE DEVELOPER FOR THIS PROJECT? WELL, THEY MAY THEIR WAY ALL THE WAY HERE.
COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD? MY NAME IS MIKE MCCOY.
I'M WITH FOUR YEAR DEVELOPMENT.
UM, JUST WANT TO THANK THE, UH, THE COUNTY AND THE BOARD FOR THIS, UH, FOR THIS GRANT.
THE, THE PROJECT IS, UH, FOR THE UNIT A HUNDRED PERCENT AFFORDABLE PROJECT IN, IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.
TH THIS PROJECT IS, IS HISTORIC BECAUSE, UM, OUR FIRM, WHICH IS A MINORITY WOMAN LED FIRM, IS THE FIRST TO RECEIVE A 9% TAX CREDIT IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
UH, WE'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO, TO DO THIS.
AND PART OF THAT WORK WAS WITH THE COUNTY, WITH CRAIG AND HIS TEAM.
IT, IT'S BECAUSE OF THE, UH, COST IN CONSTRUCTION INCREASES INSURANCE INTEREST.
IT, IT MADE THIS PROJECT VERY DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING.
BUT WITH THE HELP OF, OF EVERYONE, INCLUDING CRAIG AND HIS TEAM, WE'RE ABLE TO PULL IT THROUGH.
WE, WE ARE LOOKING TO CLOSE IN JANUARY AND WITHIN 16 MONTHS WE'LL HAVE A PROJECT THAT'LL BE A HUNDRED PERCENT AFFORDABLE AGAIN.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S MUCH NEEDED FOR THE FOLKS OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, SS COUNTY AS A WHOLE.
SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT, FOR THAT AWARD.
UM, I THINK THIS WAS FOR MY QUESTIONS FOR MR. LOMBARDI.
YOU MENTIONED FOUR COUNTY, SOME DESIGNATION, UH, FOR UNITS.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? OKAY, SO WITH WITH HOME PROJECTS, YOU HAVE THE OVERALL PROJECT, WHICH, YOU KNOW, IN THIS CASE, ALL THE UNITS ARE AFFORDABLE.
BUT WHEN WE LOAN HOME DOLLARS, THERE'LL BE A NUMBER OF UNITS THAT ARE DESIGNATED AS OUR HOME UNITS.
SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS THERE ARE CERTAIN REGULATIONS AS TO HOW, HOW MUCH RENT CAN BE CHARGED, ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO OCCUPY THOSE SITES.
OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MONITOR THAT EVERY YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LANDLORD IS, IS, IS CHARGING THE CORRECT RATES, ET CETERA.
ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SPACES ARE SAFE AND SUITABLE FOR OCCUPANCY.
SO THOSE, THOSE ARE FIXED UNITS.
SO THOSE UNITS WAS FOR, UH, THE AFFORDABILITY PERIOD FOR THIS PROJECT IS 20 YEARS.
SO FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS, THE COUNTY WILL BE WATCHING OVER THESE FOUR UNITS.
AND IN THIS CASE, THERE'S ALSO HOME DOLLARS COMING FROM NEWARK.
AND THEY HAVE SEVEN UNITS THAT WILL BE DESIGNATED AS THEIR HOME UNITS.
AND SO THEREFORE THERE'S A TOTAL OF 11 HOME ASSISTED UNITS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MCINERNEY.
UM, WHAT'S IN THE SCHEDULES, IN THE DECISION MEMORANDUM THERE, THERE'S A SCHEDULE WHERE IT MENTIONS VERONA, UH, URBAN RENEWAL.
ARE YOU AWARE OF THAT? THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A, THAT WOULD'VE BEEN AN ERROR.
THAT VERONA OWNER RENEWAL IS ANOTHER, A DIFFERENT PROJECT.
I APOLOGIZE IF THERE WAS A STATE NO, THAT'S OKAY.
I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, UNDERSTAND THE RELEVANCE OF THAT.
DO THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO PAY THESE FUNDS BACK OR ARE THESE FUNDS JUST WITH THE PROJECT AND AS LONG AS THE PROJECT CONTINUE AS, UM, THE AFFORDABILITY LIMITS THAT YOU GUYS TAKE, THEY DON'T PAY IT BACK.
HOW DOES THE $300 WORK? IN THIS CASE? THIS IS A LOAN TO A FOR-PROFIT DEVELOPER.
SO THERE IS AN INTEREST CHARGE ON THE LOAN AND WE COLLECT INTEREST.
THERE'S ALSO, WE WILL COLLECT THE PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS AS WELL.
NOW, WITH THESE KIND OF PROJECTS, IT USUALLY TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO RAMP UP 'CAUSE THEY NEED TO GET THE, THE SPACE FILLED TO START GENERATING CASH FLOW.
SO BASICALLY WE SET THE PARAMETERS AS TO WHAT THEY NEED TO PAY BACK, BUT THEY CAN START PAYING BACK.
ONCE THE CASH FLOW IS THE AVAILABLE CASH FLOW IS AVAILABLE.
SO THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS WILL BE ACCRUING INTEREST AND WHATNOT.
BUT THEN AFTER THAT, ONCE THE CASH FLOW IS POSITIVE, WE DO COLLECT INTEREST.
AND, AND LIKE IN THIS CASE, WE'LL ALSO COLLECT THE PRINCIPLE AT THE END OF THE, UH, 20 YEARS.
COMMISSIONER BOCCATO QUESTION, WHAT'S THE, WHAT'S THE CRITERIA FOR, UH, FOR THOSE FOUR, UH, HOMES? UH, WELL CRITERIA.
SO THERE'S CERTAIN, UH, INCOME LEVELS YOU CAN ONLY CHARGE, FOR EXAMPLE, DEPENDING, DEPENDING ON THE FINAL UNITS THAT, THAT, WE'LL, THAT WE ASSUME IT COULD BE 30% OF INCOME OR MAYBE 50% OF INCOME, NO MATTER WHAT OUR REQUIREMENTS ARE AT THE MAXIMUM RENT THAT COULD BE CHARGED WOULD BE 60% OF A MI.
[00:35:01]
I'M SORRY.THE INCOME LEVEL FOR THE, THE PERSON WOULD'VE TO BE THE MAXIMUM WOULD BE 60% A MI.
UH, WHAT I, SO AGAIN, IT'S ALL TIED TOGETHER.
THERE'S MAXIMUM RENT LIMITS THAT CAN BE CHARGED AND THAT, THAT CHANGES EVERY YEAR BASED ON AVERAGE RENTS IN THE AREA.
SO THERE'S, THE TWO CRITERIA WOULD BE THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY OF THE PERSON APPLYING FOR THE UNIT, AND ALSO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF RENT THAT COULD BE CHARGED.
AND WHO MAKES THOSE DECISIONS TO YOUR OFFICE? OR IS THAT THE PRIVATE, THOSE LIMITS ARE DEFINED BY HUD, THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
UH, AS FAR AS THE NUMBER UNITS, UH, THE, THE SPECIFIC UNITS, WE WORKED THAT OUT WITH THE DEVELOPER.
BUT THERE ARE ALSO REQUIREMENTS WITH THAT.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE DID FOUR SINGLE BEDROOM UNITS, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OWN AS MUCH MONEY BECAUSE THERE'S CERTAIN, THERE'S A MAXIMUM OF THAT NUMBER OF DOLLARS PER NUMBER OF BEDROOMS PER UNIT.
SO ALL THOSE THINGS, WE WORK TOGETHER WITH EVERYONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A PROJECT THAT IS ELIGIBLE BASED ON ALL THE HUD REQUIREMENTS.
UM, AND IN THIS CASE, WE'RE ACTUALLY, WE'RE AN AVERAGE OF $75,000 A UNIT, WHICH IS ON THE LOW END OF WHAT OUR AVERAGE IS PER PROJECT.
SO WE WE'RE, FOR THIS PROJECT, WE'RE GETTING A GOOD RETURN COMPARED TO HISTORICAL PROJECTS.
COMMISSIONER MCCARDLE, ASK THE SAME QUESTION I WAS GONNA ASK.
ALRIGHT, MR. ER, THE ONLY THING I, UM, JUST MY UNDERSTANDING TOO, AND I I, I'VE SEEN THESE PROJECTS, UM, TYPICALLY THESE RENTS ARE EXTREMELY LOW.
UH, AND, AND THERE'S, AND THEY'RE SET BY FORMULA.
THEY'RE EXTREMELY LOW, UH, FROM THAT OF FAIR MARKET VALUE.
AND, AND THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO NOT GENERATE A LOT OF CASH FLOW.
SO I HAVE SEEN SITUATIONS WHERE THE INTEREST ON THESE LOANS HAVE ACCRUED OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, UM, AND AS WELL AS THE PRINCIPAL, UM, NOT BEING PAID, UH, UN UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE RESTRICTIONS COME OFF.
NOW, I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S HAPPENING HERE, BUT, UM, I GUESS MY ONLY QUESTION IS THE INTEREST THAT ACCRUES STILL HAS TO BE PAID EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT PAID, WHEN ULTIMATELY, UM, IT DOES COME OFF THE RESTRICTION, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S 20 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, THE INTEREST WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO BE PAID.
AND ALSO WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO THAT A LITTLE BIT.
SO THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, MOST OF THE FUNDING IS COMING FROM TAX CREDIT INVESTMENT DOLLARS.
SO THOSE DOLLARS, THAT'S SUBSIDIZING THE COST OF THIS PROJECT.
SO BECAUSE OF A PROJECT, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CHARGE MARKET RATE RENTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THIS OTHER MONEY COMING IN THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY BACK OR WHATNOT.
THEY'RE ABLE TO SUBSIDIZE THE COST AND THEREFORE ABLE TO AFFORD TO COLLECT A LOWER RENT FOR THESE PROJECTS.
SO OUR, WE, WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT WILL BE FINE, UH, AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO GENERATE THE CASH FLOW TO PAY BACK THE INTEREST AND THE PRINCIPAL DOWN THE ROAD.
HOWEVER YOU ARE CORRECT, THERE ARE CERTAIN SCENARIOS WHERE PERHAPS SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT, UH, CASH FLOW IS NOT AS AS HIGH AS WE ANTICIPATED.
UH, BUT YEAH, THAT THESE INTERESTS OBLIGATIONS DO NOT GO AWAY.
THE PRINCIPAL OBLIGATIONS DO NOT GO AWAY.
AND THAT, AND THAT'S, I GUESS THAT'S WHAT I FUNDAMENTALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
UM, BUT THE ONES I WERE TALKING ABOUT WERE ALSO LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT DEALS.
AND IT'S NOT SO MUCH THE COST, IT'S, IT'S THE EXPENSES OF A REGULAR BASIS BETWEEN UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WHERE I'VE SEEN IT, AND AGAIN, IT'S EACH ONE STANDS ON ITS OWN.
AND I, I GUESS MY CONCERN WAS JUST THAT AS THIS INTEREST ACCRUES, EVEN IF IT'S NOT BEING PAID BACK AT SOME POINT IN TIME UPON THE DISPOSITION OF THE PROPERTY, THAT THOSE DOLLARS WILL HAVE TO BE PAID BACK.
SO THESE ARE ALL FEDERAL DOLLARS.
THESE ARE NOT, THESE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE COUNTY.
SO, UM, MR. PRESIDENT, MR. MCINERNEY IS ASKING THE QUESTION THAT REALLY WAS AT THE HEART OF MY QUESTION.
IF THIS IS A 100% AFFORDABLE PROJECT, AND I KNOW YOU'RE DOING PROJECTIONS, WHAT HAPPENED IF THIS PROJECT DON'T PRODUCE THE INCOME TO SERVICE THE DEBT? IS THERE A DEFAULT? LIKE WHAT, WHAT ARE THOSE IMPLICATIONS? IF, IF THERE'S A SCENARIO WHERE THEY, YOU KNOW, THE BUILDING'S FALLING APART, IT CAN'T BE DONE.
WE WORK TOGETHER WITH EVERYBODY.
EITHER WE TRY TO FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO COME IN AND, AND TAKE OVER THE PROJECT, OR IF THE PROPERTY NEEDS TO BE SOLD, WE'LL WORK THAT OUT.
I WILL SAY MY EXPERIENCE, AND I'VE BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR 10 YEARS AND SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE, NOT THAT IT'S BECAUSE OF ME, BUT WE'VE HAD NO PROJECTS DEFAULT ON US.
NOW, BEFORE I WAS THERE, THERE WERE A COUPLE PROJECTS THAT DID DEFAULT, HOWEVER, THAT THEY DEFAULTED DURING CONSTRUCTION, SOMETHING DURING DESTRUCTION.
IF WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PROBLEM, THAT'S WHEN IT'S GONNA HAPPEN.
THEY, THEY, MAYBE IT WAS, UH, FUNDS EXTENDED TO A DEVELOPER THAT GOT IN OVER HIS OR HER HEAD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
[00:40:02]
YOU KNOW, OUR JOB HERE IS TO ASSESS THESE PROJECTS.IF WE DON'T BELIEVE A PROJECT IS GOING TO BE VIABLE OVER THE LONG TERM, WE'RE NOT GONNA COME HERE AND RECOMMEND IT TO YOU.
IS THAT A HUNDRED PERCENT FOOLPROOF? NO, BUT, UH, ALL I CAN SAY IS OVER THE, THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE PROJECTS WE'VE DONE SO FAR, UH, WE'VE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES.
BUT, WELL, I I JUST WANNA BE CLEAR THAT WE'RE, THAT WE HAVE MECHANISMS IN PLACE BECAUSE AS YOU JUST SAID, NOTHING'S GUARANTEED.
WE DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL THAT KNOWING THAT THIS IS A 100% AFFORDABLE PROJECT, THAT MEANS THESE ARE LOW INCOME OR VERY LOW INCOME PEOPLE THAT'S GONNA BE RESIDING IN THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS A HIGH NEED HOUSING DEMAND FOR THAT POPULATION.
THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF SUBSIDIES.
SO AS LONG AS YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT YOU GUYS EVALUATE, YOU MONITOR LONG BEFORE WE GET TO THAT POINT THAT YOU'LL GO IN AND TRY TO WORK OUT ALTERNATIVES THAT, UM, I'M SORRY, I INTRODUCE MY CRAIG LOMBARDI, UH, THE HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
THE OTHER THING IS, AGAIN, IF IT'S SUCH A SCENARIO, LET'S SAY 10 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, IT'S SUCH A SCENARIO OCCURRED WHERE THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH, WITH THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.
WELL, IF, LET'S SAY THE PROPERTY IS SOLD, THE DEEDED RESTRICTION IS CARRIED WITH THE SALE.
SO IT WILL ALWAYS BE DEDICATED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO, UH, YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT PROTECTS THE FOLKS THAT ARE LIVING THERE.
IT AND, UH, AND THE, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY, WELL, WHAT'S THE VALUE OF PROPERTY AT THOSE RENTS? BUT THERE IS STILL A VALUE BECAUSE YOU STILL HAVE ALL THESE OTHER SUBSIDIES AND WHATNOT.
AGAIN, UH, I I'M NOT GONNA SIT HERE AND SAY EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE A HUNDRED PERCENT FOOLPROOF, BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, OUR EXPECTATION, THIS IS ALSO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THIS IS ALSO A DEVELOPER THAT HAS EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER PROPERTIES.
UM, BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S OUR JOB.
IF, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, YOU, YOU CAN CALL ME UP.
I MEAN, MY, OUR JOB IS TO MONITOR, MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS, LIKE I SAY, THE PROPERTY'S SAFE AND SUITABLE FOR OCCUPANCY AND THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, ALL THE, THE REGULATIONS BEING FOLLOWED.
AND AGAIN, NOT THAT THIS IS A HUNDRED PERCENT FOOLPROOF, BUT IT'S $12 MILLION COMING IN FROM THESE TAX INVESTORS.
THEY HAVE A LOT AT STAKE AND THEY'RE GONNA MAKE SURE THIS THING IS NOT GOING TO, UH, GO AWAY EITHER.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS NOT ONLY WITH A SOCIAL INTEREST IN THIS, BUT ALSO WITH A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THIS.
SO, SO WHAT'S THE, UH, WHAT'S THE INTEREST, WHAT'S THE PERCENTAGE, PERCENTAGE OF INTEREST BEING CHARGED IT? 10%, 15%? NO, NO.
WE'RE BELOW MARKET RATE INTEREST, AGAIN, TO TRY TO HELP SUBSIDIZE CLOSE TO THE PROJECT.
WE ARE CHARGING 1% INTEREST, UH, ON, ON THE PROJECT.
IF, IF THEY DEFAULT ON THAT, THEN THEY NEED TO BE OUT OF BUSINESS, YOU KNOW, HAVE 1%.
WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT'S, THAT'S RECYCLED MONEY.
SO DOWN THE ROAD WE CAN USE THAT FOR OTHER HOME PROJECTS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? HEARING NOW I NEED A MOTION.
SECOND MOVE BY COMMISSIONER COOPER.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GRANT ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK RESOLUTION.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT EZ? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT RICHARDSON.
OKAY, MADAM CLERK, LET'S MOVE THROUGH RESOLUTIONS 12 THROUGH 14, WHICH ARE FROM THE DIVISION OF TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT.
AND WE'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON? THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
MS. VANDYKE WILL HANDLE THESE ITEMS. GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS.
JOSETTE VANDYKE, CONTRACT MANAGER FOR DIVISION OF TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT.
UH, NUMBER 12 IS FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT FOR TRAINING.
THIS IS OPEN TO WELFARE TO WORK, WHICH IS TANF, GA AND SNAP.
AND ALSO FOR WE OA, WHICH IS ADULT AND DISLOCATED WORKER AND YOUTH THERE ASKING FOR 2.5 MILLION.
THERE WOULD BE NOTHING ON THE COUNTY.
AND I KNOW THERE WAS SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING COMPLETION EARLIER.
AND YES, WE DO MAKE SURE THEY GET THEIR CERTIFICATES.
WE MAKE SURE THEY DO GET THEIR CERTIFICATES.
SO FAR FOR OUR CURRENT CONTRACTS THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY GRANTED, WE HAVE 39 VENDORS.
WE HAVE 45 CLIENTS THAT HAVE ENROLLED IN TRAINING.
[00:45:01]
UH, AVERAGE IS MINIMUM WAGE.WE'VE ALSO HAD ONE CLIENT THAT WAS PLACED AT JP MORGAN RECEIVING $160,000 ANNUAL AS A VICE PRESIDENT IN THE COMPANY.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON NUMBER? GO TO THE NEXT.
NUMBER 13 IS FOR OUR OJT CONTRACTS.
ONCE AGAIN, THAT'S FOR OUR CLIENTS THAT ARE UNDER WE OA AND WELFARE TO WORK AND YOUTH.
SO FAR FOR OJT, WE HAVE TWO VENDORS ALREADY AND WE HAVE THREE THAT ARE BEING PROCESSED.
HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH AND WITH THOSE TWO VENDORS, THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED.
WE HAVE ACTUAL TWO CLIENTS ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF LEARNING THE JOB.
THAT WILL THEN TURN OVER TO A PERMANENT POSITION WITH THE COMPANIES QUESTION.
SO THESE PARTICULAR VENDORS? MM-HMM.
SO THESE ARE ALSO, UM, LOW WAGE JOBS, MINIMUM WAGE JOBS, MINIMUM WAGE FOR THE TWO RIGHT NOW? YES.
AND SO THE WAY OJT WORKS, THE VENDOR ACTUALLY GETS REIMBURSED AFTER SIX MONTHS IF THEY KEEP 'EM EMPLOYED FOR SIX MONTHS AND THEY GET HALF OF WHAT THEY PAY, RIGHT? CORRECT.
SEEMS LIKE THEY COULD PAY A LITTLE MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE.
SO USUALLY THE AMOUNT IS BASED ON WHAT THEY PAY THEIR OTHER SALARY.
SO, SO IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER AND YOU GO, YOU WORK WITH THIS TRAINING PROGRAM, THEY, WELL, IT COULD BE PRETTY MUCH ANY, UH, EMPLOYER THAT'S REGISTERED WITH THE PROGRAM THROUGH THE STATE.
IF YOU KEEP AN EMPLOYEE FOR SIX MONTHS, THE STATE WILL REIMBURSE YOU HALF OF THE WAGE FOR THE SIX MONTHS.
BUT THE IDEA IS FOR YOU TO BE, FOR THEM TO BECOME PERMANENT IN YOUR COMFORT.
LASTLY, NUMBER 14, WE WOULD LIKE TO RENEW OUR LEASE WITH A PROGRAM FOR PARENTS.
THEY PAY A SQUARE FOOTAGE TO HOUSE THEIR STAFF IN OUR FACILITY AT 50 SOUTH CLINTON STREET AND SEE THEIR RENT TO US WOULD BE $714 AND 92 CENTS PER MONTH.
THEY TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING ELSE.
THEIR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO OUR CLIENTS FOR CHILDCARE.
SO IT'S SO THE CLIENTS DON'T HAVE TO GO ALL OVER THE PLACE.
ALL THEY DO IS ONCE THEY'RE FINISHED WITH THE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST, THEY'RE REFERRED RIGHT TO THEM, WHICH IS AN AISLE OVER OR THE FLOOR DOWN.
SO, UM, PLEASE GO BACK TO ITEM NUMBER 13.
YOU SAID THERE'S ONLY TWO VENDORS NOW CURRENTLY.
TWO VENDORS THAT YOUR CLIENTS CAN PARTICIPATE WITH.
WHY AREN'T THERE MORE VENDORS THAN TWO? HOW DO YOU BECOME A VENDOR? WE HAVE A PERSON WHO IS CURRENTLY OUT RECRUITING, SO IT'S BASICALLY WE ADVERTISE AND THEN WE ALSO WORK WITH THE STATE.
SO ONCE THEY'RE OUTTA MONEY, USUALLY THAT'S WHEN THE VENDORS COME TO US.
I WOULD THINK THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN TWO VENDORS.
IF I'M COMPREHENDING WHAT MR. PRESIDENT SAID THAT THIS PROGRAM PAYS FOR SIX MONTHS OF A SALARY.
DID I GET THAT RIGHT? CORRECT.
I WOULD THINK MORE PEOPLE WOULD AT LEAST GIVE A, A TRY TO SIGN UP.
CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH THIS INFORMATION? I DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S ADVERTISED.
I'VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE, BUT CAN YOU SHARE IT WITH ME? UM, I HAVE SOME COMMUNITY BASED AGENCIES IN MIND WHO CERTAINLY WILL PROBABLY GIVE SOME OF THIS A TRY.
UM, I ALSO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ITEM NUMBER, UM, 12, MR. PRESIDENT? YES.
THE, THE RESOLUTION TALKS ABOUT, UM, LOOKING FOR THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO INDIVIDUAL TRAINING AGREEMENTS WITH VENDORS.
IS THERE A LIST OF VENDORS ATTACHED FOR ITEM 12? IF SO, I DIDN'T SEE IT.
EVERY YEAR THEY HAVE TO RENEW THEIR CONTRACTS WITH US, SO NOT ALL VENDORS.
IT, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE LISTED ON THE STATE WEBSITE, WHICH
[00:50:01]
IS CALLED IGX.AND THEN THE CLIENTS WILL BASICALLY GO ON THAT WEBSITE.
THEY DO A CHOICE OF THREE SCHOOLS THAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN, WHATEVER THE TRAINING IS, THEY COME BACK, THEY SAY, THIS IS WHAT I WANNA DO, THESE ARE THE SCHOOLS THAT I'M INTERESTED IN.
THEIR TYPE TOP CHOICE IS THEN SENT TO MY UNIT AND WE REACH OUT TO THE SCHOOL, INITIATE A CONTRACT, AND THEN THAT'S WHEN THEY ARE LIST FOR THE COUNTY.
BUT OTHERWISE IT'S EVERY SCHOOL THAT'S IN THE STATE WEBSITE'S IGX.
SO MR. MC, MR. PAULO, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
ITEM 13, ITEM 12, IT'S SEEKING APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH VENDORS, BUT THERE ARE NO LIST OF VENDORS ATTACHED TO THE RESOLUTION.
I DO SEE, IF YOU READ FURTHER DOWN, IT'S LIKE ONE TO TWO VENDORS LISTED AND THEN THERE'S A REFERENCE WITHIN THE BODY OF THIS.
IS THERE A MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT EACH CLIENT IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE? SIX.
THEY RECEIVE 6,000 FOR TUITION, 500 FOR TOOLS AND MATERIALS.
SO I SAW THAT REFERENCE ABOUT $6,700.
BUT THEN WHEN YOU READ FURTHER DOWN IN THE BODY, THERE'S A GROUP IN HERE THAT THEIR TUITION APPEARS TO BE $7,000 IN CHANGE.
WHO PAYS THE DIFFERENCE? OR IS IT A RE IS OR THEY JUST AUTOMATICALLY JUST ACCEPT WHATEVER YOU GIVE TO THEM.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ONE FOR ITEM NUMBER 12.
PLEASE REDIRECT ME IF I'M, IF I'M CONFUSING THE TWO RESOLUTIONS.
NO, THE COUNTY, WE PAID THAT PORTION, THE 6,500, SOME SCHOOLS WILL WAIVE THE ADDITIONAL FEES, OTHERS WILL NOT.
UH, CLIENTS THAT ARE ON UNEMPLOYMENT, THEY'RE USUALLY WILLING TO PAY THE ADDITIONAL COSTS.
THE ONES FOR WHO ARE ON WELFARE TO WORK, THEY USUALLY STICK WITH THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE 6,500 COMMISSIONER TO ANSWER.
I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A LIST OF ALL OUR CURRENT VENDORS RIGHT NOW, IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THERE'S NO LIST OF VENDORS THERE.
IT'S ALMOST A MASTER AGREEMENT TO ENTER IN, TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH ALL OF THOSE, UH, VENDORS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE STATE AND APPEAR ON THE LIST THAT, UH, MS. VAN DYKER IS TALKING ABOUT.
AND, AND IF I MAY, IT'S, IT IS UP TO HER CLIENT TO PICK WHICH SCHOOL OR WHICH VENDOR THAT THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN.
AND IT'S JUST, IT CREATES THE POOL BASICALLY.
BUT MY CONCERN IS IF IT'S THE, YOU ARE ASKING US TO GIVE YOU THE APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH THAT PREDETERMINED LIST, I GUESS FROM THE STATE, THAT LIST SHOULD AT LEAST BE ATTACHED SO THAT YOU SEE WHAT THOSE LIST OF VENDORS ARE.
RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOU LOOK THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION, THERE'S TWO VENDORS AT THE VERY BOTTOM AND ONE OF THE NUMBERS ON THOSE VENDORS EXCEED THE $6,700 NUMBER THAT SHE JUST REFERENCED.
AGAIN, MAYBE I'M SLOW, IT HAPPENS.
I'VE HAD A LONG DAY AND I HAVE FIVE KIDS, SO MAYBE I'M MISREADING IT.
SO IF, IF YOU WANT TO ADJOURN UNTIL YOU GET THE REP, SO YOU GET THE INFORMATION TO THE NEXT MEETING, FEEL FREE.
ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT, UM, HER REPRESENTATIONS IS THAT SOME VENDORS DO CHARGE MORE THAN THE $6,700 AND IT'S UP TO THE CLIENT TO AGREE TO THAT.
BUT READING THIS, IT GIVES YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY'RE LIMITED TO THE 65 OR $6,700.
JUST, JUST, JUST READING THIS, I'M NOT A LAWYER.
I'M JUST BASING MY COMMENTS OFF WHAT I'VE READ HERE.
COMMISSIONER MECADO, I HAVE A QUESTION.
SO, SO THE VENDOR'S LIST IS ANYONE THAT'S IN THE, UH, THE INTELLIGENT GRANT, THE IG I GX THE IGX.
SO ANY ONE OF THOSE VENDORS THAT'S IN THAT DATABASE IS WHAT THEY, WHOM THEY CAN APPLY TO? EXACTLY.
WHICH WOULD BE THAT STATEWIDE LIST? YES.
SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT ALL COUNTIES.
WE HAVE CLIENTS THAT ARE ATTENDING SCHOOL IN HUDSON COUNTY, BERGEN COUNTY.
SO, SO THE LIST THAT MY COLLEAGUE IS REFERRING TO IS A LIST THAT WOULD BE THOSE THAT ARE IN THE DATABASE, CORRECT? CORRECT, CORRECT.
IS IT, ARE YOU ABLE TO PROVIDE THE LIST OF THOSE THAT ARE IN THE DATABASE? IS THAT ACCESSIBLE? GET THAT TOGETHER? IT'S PROBABLY ACCESSIBLE.
IT, IT WOULD BE VERY EXCESSIVE.
[00:55:01]
LIST OF ALL THE ONES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE MASTER CONTRACTS WITH.WHICH WOULD BE THE 39 VENDORS THAT I SAY ALL.
ALRIGHT, SO JUST TO NARROW THE SCOPE, RIGHT, BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS STATEWIDE.
LET'S, LET'S NARROW THE SCOPE AND THEN LOOK AT, UH, OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, WHO WERE THE VENDORS THAT WERE MOST, UH, UH, UH, ATTRACTED TO BY YOUR CLIENTS? AND THEN THAT WOULD GIVE YOU A BALLPARK LOOK AT WHO THOSE VENDORS ARE AND THAT'S WHAT MY COLLEAGUES I THINK IS, IS LOOKING AT IT.
AND THEN WE WANT TO SEE WHAT THEY CHARGE.
AND THEN, AND, AND ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT THAT IT WOULD BE NOT TO EXCEED 6,500, RIGHT? RIGHT.
SO FOR YOUR CLIENTS IT WOULD BE NOT TO EXCEED 6,500.
SO MR. PRESIDENT, I'M WILLING TO SUPPORT THIS AND MOVE THIS FORWARD GIVEN THE PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WHAT THIS RESOLUTION IS ABOUT.
I JUST ASK RESPECTFULLY, IN THE FUTURE GOING FORWARD, IF WE ARE BOUND BY WHATEVER LIST THE STATE APPROVE, CAN WE ATTACH THAT? CAN WE ALSO CLARIFY THAT, YOU KNOW, IN WRITING IF $6,500 AND IF SOMEBODY GOES OVER THAT, THAT PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, FOR, FOR PAYING THAT, I'M JUST SAYING JUST READING THIS AND THEN WHEN YOU SEE THAT FURTHER DOWN, OTHER VENDORS ARE CHARGING MORE THAN $6,500.
I WAS LIKE, WHAT, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? SO THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, SO IF, IF, IF SOMEONE, UH, WERE TO PICK A VENDOR THAT EXCEEDS THE 6,500, THEY, ANYTHING ABOVE 6,500 WOULD BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
IF YOU DON'T MIND PROVIDING THE LIST OF 39 VENDORS THAT YOU HAVE THE MASTER CONTRACT WITH SURE.
I'LL SEND IT TO MATT TOMORROW MORNING.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? HEARING? I NEED A MOTION.
I SECOND MOVED BY COMMISSIONER COOPER SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MERCADO.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT PO.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT CRUZ? YES.
LET'S MOVE TO RECOGNIZE THE COMMISSIONER GILL.
LET'S MOVE TO RESOLUTIONS 15 AND 16, WHICH ARE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION, AND THEY WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
ITEM 15 IS A TWO YEAR RENEWAL AGREEMENT, UM, WITH, UH, CALDWELL UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE, UM, A NURSING STUDENTS FOR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AT OUR FACILITY.
THIS IS A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL EXPERIENCE, UH, UH, MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL ENDEAVOR, AND THERE'S NO COST TO THE COUNTY.
ITEM 16, UH, AS AN ACCEPTANCE LETTER OF OUR INTENT TO, UM, UH, PARTICIPATE IN THE, UH, COMMUNITY, UH, COMPREHENSIVE ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE SERVICES GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,760,578.
UM, THIS IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE STATE IN ORDER FOR US TO RECEIVE THIS FUNDING FOR 2024.
COMMISSIONER, QUESTIONS OF COMMENTS? 1560 HEARING.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT RAMEZ.
MME. CLARK, I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN ON 15 AND I WILL VOTE AFFIRMATIVE.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT RICHARDSON.
LET'S MOVE TO RESOLUTION 17 THROUGH 22, UH, WHICH ARE FROM PARKS, MR. JACKSON, MR. ZAS, JOSHUA ZAS.
S COUNTY PARKS NUMBER 17 IS A CONTRACT AWARD TO NORTHEAST ROOF MAINTENANCE, THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER FOR ROOFING SERVICES, VARIOUS COUNTY, VARIOUS PARKS FACILITIES, 20 MORE FOUR MONTH CONTRACT NOT TO EXCEED 435,000.
UH, AS STATED, THIS IS FOR, UH, ROOF MAINTENANCE, UH, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY PARK SYSTEM AND THIS WAS THE LOWEST OF THREE BIDDERS.
NUMBER 18 IS THE ACCEPTANCE AND, UH, ACCEPTANCE AND EXECUTION
[01:00:01]
OF A $7.5 MILLION GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR THE NEW ANIMAL HOSPITAL OVER AT THE ZOO.UH, THESE FUNDS WERE INSERTED BACK AT THE SEPTEMBER 6TH COMMISSIONER MEETING, AND THIS IS A RESOLUTION THAT'S NEEDED IN ORDER TO ACTUALLY FILE THE, UM, APPLICATION TO EVENTUALLY GET, UH, UH, FUNDED FOR THE PROJECT.
NUMBER 19 IS THE ACCEPTANCE AND EXECUTION OF A $5 MILLION GRANT WITH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DCA FOR THE MONTE IRVIN ORANGE PARK.
UH, THIS WAS INSERTED PREVIOUSLY TONIGHT.
ITEM NUMBER TWO, AND THIS IS FOR THE, UH, THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW COMMUNITY CENTER OVER AT MONTE URBAN ORANGE PARK.
UH, THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 12,000 SQUARE FEET.
IT'LL INCLUDE A MULTIPURPOSE ROOM, UH, BATHROOM STORAGE, LANDSCAPING, ET CETERA.
NUMBER 20 IS THE ACCEPTANCE INSERTION OF A $1 MILLION GRANT FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR THE WEAK QUAKE PARK TRACK IMPROVEMENTS.
UH, THIS WAS AGAIN, UH, INSERTED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
UH, THIS IS JUST ONE FUNDING SOURCE FOR THIS, FOR THIS PROJECT.
UH, OTHER FUNDS, UH, INCLUDE, UH, GREEN ACRES AS WELL AS THE, UH, URBAN PARK, UH, INITIATIVE.
NUMBER 21 IS THE AUTHORIZATION TO USE THE ESSEX COUNTY RECREATION OPEN TRACE SPACE TRUST FUND FOR ROOF MAINTENANCE AT THE FRA FRANCIS BURN GOLF CORDS MAINTENANCE BUILDING AND KIPPS CASTLE CARRIAGE HOUSE, A MOUNTAIN NOT TO EXCEED 385,000.
UM, THE, THE KIPPS CASTLE ROOF FOR THE ACTUAL CASTLE WAS ADDRESSED OVER YEARS AGO.
THIS IS THE CARRIAGE HOUSE, UM, WHICH IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF A NEW ROOF.
THIS WILL ADDRESS THAT AS WELL AS THE, UM, MAINTENANCE BUILDING OVER AT BY.
AND NUMBER 22 IS THE AUTHORIZATION ESSA COUNTY RECREATION OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND TO FUND ELECTRICAL UPGRADES AT THE EAGLE ROCK RESERVATION AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 50,000.
THIS IS, UH, FOR, UH, IT'S FOR AN EXISTING CONTRACT WITH BRI.
IT'S TO REPAIR AND UPGRADE, UH, OUTDOOR PARKING LOT LIGHTS THAT, UH, SPILLOVER PARKING LOT.
WHAT WE'RE DISCOVERING IS, UH, A LOT MORE PATRONS ARE COMING UP THERE.
THEY'RE USING THE SLOTS, SO WE WANT TO BASICALLY JUST INSTALL LIGHTS, UH, NEW ELECTRICAL PANEL AND, UH, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE BOARD MAY HAVE.
MACULAR ON THE CONTRACT FOR, FOR THE ROOFING, WHAT WERE THE SPECIFICATIONS? WERE THEY BASED ON HOW MANY HOURS SOMEBODY WAS GONNA PUT IN? DID YOU, DID YOU DESIGNATE THE NUMBER OF HOURS AS PART OF IT THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED? SURE.
SO YOU'RE MR. PRESIDENT? UH, YES.
IT WAS BASED ON A QUANTITY OF, UH, 3000 HOURS FOR, UH, INSTALLATION TIME AND THEN ANOTHER 600 HOURS FOR OVERTIME.
UH, THERE WAS ALSO A MATERIALS PORTION OF THAT CONTRACT AS WELL.
WAS WAS THE MATERIAL PORTION SET OR, OR THE MATERIAL PORTION IS SET AT 225,000.
SO IT WAS, IT WAS A QUESTION OF WHO HAD THE LOWEST HOURLY RATE? CORRECT.
OH, AND KEEP IN MIND THERE WAS ALSO, UM, A LINE ITEM FOR A DISCOUNT OR A MARKUP ON THE, UH, MATERIALS.
SO THE HOURLY RATE COMES INTO FACTOR AS WELL AS IF THEY BID A, A DISCOUNT OR A MARKUP FOR THAT PARTICULAR ITEM.
UM, RESOLUTION NUMBER 24 AND, AND I'M SORRY.
UH, RESOLUTION 21 AND 22 WERE DISCUSSED AT THE ESSEX COUNTY RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND ADVISORY BOARD MEETING ON OCTOBER 12TH, AND IT WAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO, UH, HAVE THESE IMPROVEMENTS.
SO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU JOSH FOR TAKING CARE OF THIS PERMISSION.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE WEEK PARK TRACK, YOU MENTIONED OTHER FUNDING.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIRS AND TO THE TRACK AND MOVING? SO, UH, JOSHUA ZAS COUNTY PARK.
SO, UH, I BELIEVE WE, WE RECEIVED, UH, PROPOSALS, I BELIEVE IT WAS YESTERDAY, FOR, UH, THE DESIGN OF IT.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE STILL EVALUATING THOSE AND THEN OBVIOUSLY IT'LL BE DESIGNED AND THEN PUT OUT TO BID THEREAFTER.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MECADO.
ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK TO TAKE 17 THROUGH 22 AS ONE.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT ARI? YES.
LET'S MOVE TO RESOLUTIONS 23 AND 24, WHICH ARE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, AND THEY'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON, MR. PRESIDENT, UH, ITEM 23 RELATES TO, UH, ITEM NUMBER ONE EARLIER THIS EVENING, THE BUDGET INSERTION, UM, UH, THE $9.8 MILLION BUDGET INSERTION.
THIS IS FOR OUR, UH, TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.
UH, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS ABOUT EIGHT MILES.
IT'S ACTUALLY GONNA BE BLOOMFIELD AVENUE FROM NEWARK
[01:05:01]
ALL THE WAY UP FROM NEWARK THROUGH, UH, FAIRFIELD.UH, ITEM 24, UH, IS, IS, UH, A SUPPORTING, UH, RESOLUTION, UH, FOR THE APPLICATION TO INSTALL A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT LAKESIDE AVENUE AND PEACE AVENUE AND VERONA.
UM, THIS IS REQUIRED, UH, SUPPORT RESOLUTION TO, UM, TO THE, UH, TO IN ORDER TO SEE IF WE'RE ABLE TO GET APPROVAL TO INSTALL THIS LIGHT SIGNAL.
UH, ITEM 25, UH, FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.
THIS IS, UH, RELATING BACK TO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, THE BUDGET INSERTION.
UH, THIS IS JUST SIMPLY A, UM, RESOLUTION SUPPORTING, UH, PARTICIPATION AND, AND RECEIVING THAT SUB-AWARD.
UH, MR. JACKSON ON 23, THAT'S THE APPROVAL JUST OF THE PROGRAM, NOT OF THE, UH, THE PAVING VENDOR YET, CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
AND THAT, THAT WILL BE SENT OUT FOR BID AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE? THAT IS CORRECT.
HASN'T BEEN SELECTED YET, THOUGH.
COMMISSION QUESTIONS OF COMMENTS.
COMMISSIONER COOPER, THANK YOU FOR ITEM NUMBER 23 WHEN I READ THROUGH DOWN THERE.
THOSE ARE THE LOCATIONS THAT YOU'RE PLANNING ON, UM, SEEKING FUNDING FOR? UH, I'M NOT, I DON'T THINK I HAVE, BUT THE, THE, THE PROGRAM FOR 2024 IS, UH, IS THE, IS THE LENGTH OF WOODFIELD AVENUE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? HEARING NOW I NEED A MOTION.
MR. RESIDENT MOVED BY COMMISSIONER COOPER SECOND BY VICE PRESIDENT PO ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK.
THIS IS TWENTY THREE, TWENTY FOUR AND 25? NO, JUST 24.
I THINK MR. JACKSON DID READ 25.
WE WANT TAKE ALL THREE TOGETHER.
HE PUT ON HIS TED STEVENS HAT.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT OMARE.
LET'S MOVE THE RESOLUTIONS 26 THROUGH 50, UH, WHICH ARE ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEMORIALS PROCLAMATION RESOLUTIONS.
WE'LL BE READ IN THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS? A COMMENTS? HEARING NOW? I'LL NEED A MOTION.
COMMISSIONER JOHNSON ASKED COMMISSIONER
UH, SUPERINTENDENT SPANO WILL ADDRESS THIS ITEM.
GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
I AM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTIONS AND COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION FOR ESSEX COUNTY.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A SYNOPSIS OF WHAT'S BEFORE YOU TONIGHT TO VOTE ON.
THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF ELECTIONS MANDATED THAT ALL COUNTIES PROCURE A NEW ASSET TRACKING SYSTEM TO TRACK THE TRAVEL AND USE OF VOTING MACHINES, VOTING MACHINE SEALS, AND ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS IN THE ELECTION INDUSTRY.
THIS IS TYPICALLY CALLED TRACKING THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY OF ELECTION EQUIPMENT.
THIS NEW SYSTEM WOULD REPLACE THE OLD SYSTEM PROVIDED BY THE STATE AROUND 2010 TO COINCIDE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY AND SEAL THE OLD VOTING MACHINES, WHICH CAME INTO USE AROUND 2007.
THE STATE WILL REIMBURSE THE COUNTIES THROUGH A GRANT PROGRAM FOR EXPENSES INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT THIS NEW ASSET TRACKING SYSTEM.
WE SUBMITTED AN RFP AND REVIEWED TWO VENDORS, EASY VOTE AND ADVANT TECH.
WE CHOSE EASY VOTE FOR THREE PRIMARY REASONS.
THEY ARE EXCLUSIVELY AN ELECTION TECHNOLOGY COMPANY.
[01:10:01]
THEIR ASSET TRACKING SYSTEM IS MULTIFACETED, BUT STRAIGHTFORWARD AND CAN EASILY ADOPT AND EVOLVE TO GROW WITH OUR NEEDS.AND THREE, THEIR PRICES WERE VERY COMPETITIVE IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE ROLLOUT, WE WILL USE SPECIALIZED HARDWARE, WHICH IS A HANDHELD COMPUTER TO INTERACT VIA BARCODE WITH EASY VOTES WEBSITE, EASY TRACK SOFTWARE TO TRACK THE STORAGE AND MOVEMENT OF CRI CRITICAL ELECTION ITEMS. ANY COUNTY OR VEN VENDOR PERSONNEL MOVING VOTING MACHINES AND ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS TO AND FROM OUR WAREHOUSE WILL TRACK THAT MOVEMENT WITH EASY VOTE.
IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE ROLLOUT, WE WILL USE EASY VOTES, EASY INVENTORY, WEB SOFTWARE TO PROVIDE ELECTION INVENTORY MANAGEMENT FOR OUR CRITICAL HARDWARE AND SUPPLIES.
UH, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
COMMISSIONERS QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON 51 HERE.
SO, MOVE BY COMMISSIONER SIBO.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT EZ.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT RICHARDSON.
SO, BEFORE WE GET TO, UH, RESOLUTION 52, UH, I WANT TO READ A BRIEF STATEMENT, UH, IF YOU DON'T MIND, COMMISSIONER SEBO.
THE RECENT BRUTAL ATTACK IN ISRAEL HAS BROUGHT WORLDWIDE ATTENTION TO THE ONGOING HISTORIC CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND GAZA.
I BELIEVE THAT THE MAJORITY OF ISRAELIS PALESTINIANS ARE SIMPLY ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO WISH TO LIVE WITH PEACE AND DIGNITY IN SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT WORDS TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN FOR THESE ORDINARY PEOPLE, AS WELL AS FOR THE OVER 200 HOSTAGES WHO WERE KIDNAPPED BY HAMAS.
I AM DRAWN TO THE RECENT STATEMENT BY NEWARK MAYOR RAS BARAKA, WHICH I AM NOW GOING TO READ.
I I HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY OF ADDING THE COUNTY OF ESSEX WHERE APPROPRIATE.
THE ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE AND INHUMANITY IN GAZA AND ISRAEL IS SOMETHING THE WORLD HAS NOT WITNESSED IN A LONG TIME.
HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY, WE ARE WORKING HARD TO DEVELOP SYSTEMS THAT ERADICATE VIOLENCE, DIMINISH RETALIATION, AND TREAT TRAUMA AS A PUBLIC HEALTH.
OUR COUNTRY PRIDES ITSELF ON ITS DIVERSITY.
WE HAVE MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS ALIKE JEWISH COMMUNITIES, PALESTINIANS TOGETHER, WE WORSHIP HERE, WE DO BUSINESS HERE.
ESSEX COUNTY, STA STANDS WITH THE PRAYERS FOR FAMILIES ON EVERY SIDE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES AND ARE BEING TRAUMATIZED DAILY BY THE HORRIFIC THINGS THE WORLD IS WATCHING.
AND WHILE PEOPLE ARE BEING PULLED APART AROUND THE GLOBE, WE WANT THOSE WHO CHOOSE ESSEX COUNTY AS THEIR HOME TO CONTINUE TO FEEL SAFE HERE, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY.
WE WANT THEM TO FEEL FREE TO WORSHIP AS THEY CHOOSE AND BE COMFORTABLE IN WHO THEY ARE.
WE URGE ALL THOSE WHO LOVE, PEACE AND JUSTICE TO OPPOSE ATTACKS ON INNOCENT CIVILIANS AS A WAY TO SOLVE CONFLICT.
WE STAND AGAINST THE KIDNAPPING AND THE MURDER OF UNARMED CIVILIANS IN ISRAEL BY HAMAS.
AND WE REJECT THE INDISCRIMINATE BOMBING OF DENSELY POPULATED AREAS AND DELIBERATE CUTTING OFF OF FOOD, WATER, ELECTRICITY, TO MILLIONS OF RESIDENTS WHO HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT, RESULTING IN THE DEATHS OF INNOCENT MEN, WOMEN,
[01:15:01]
AND CHILDREN.FURTHERMORE, WE CONDEMN THE USE OF THIS CONFLICT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TARGET THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND FURTHER ESCALATE ANTISEMITISM OR TO FAN THE FLAMES OF RISING ISLAMOPHOBIA AND BLAME PALESTINIANS AND MUSLIMS FOR THE ACTS OF A JEWISH EXTREMISTS.
SO WE WHO BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY AND LOVE, HUMANITY AND FREEDOM, KNOW THAT WHAT WE ARE WI WITNESSING UNDERMINES ANY EFFORT TOWARDS SUPPORTING.
SO SUPPORTING THOSE VALUES, YOU KNOW, WE DO A GREAT JOB IN THIS COUNTRY OF COMING TOGETHER, DOING CONFLICT, RIGHT? WE'LL RALLY TOGETHER.
WE'LL STAND TOGETHER, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
AND THEN WE GO TO OUR REQUISITE CORNERS.
MM-HMM,
WE HAVE TO CONVERSE WITH ONE ANOTHER.
WE HAVE TO BE WHO WE SAY WE ARE.
WE'RE MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RACE.
WE HAVE TO EMBRACE OUR DIFFERENCES.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
AND THEY'RE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.
THEY'RE NOT EASY CONVERSATIONS TO HAVE, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THEM.
AND SO I, I STAND IN FULL SUPPORT OF ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF, BUT ALL THE OTHER STUFF HAS TO STOP.
AND WE AS A PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY, IN THIS COUNTRY, HAVE TO STOP FIGHTING ONE ANOTHER AND COME TOGETHER.
I, I, I, I JUST NEEDED TO SAY THAT.
AND AGAIN, THAT THIS STATEMENT WAS THE STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BARACK.
I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS FITTING AND IT KIND OF CAPTURED EVERYTHING THAT I WANTED TO SAY.
UH, SO I'M, UH, COMMISSIONER CBO.
UH, AND PLEASE, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PRESIDENT.
WHAT MORE CAN I SAY? THE PRESIDENT HAS EXPRESSED EVERYTHING I WAS THINKING AND FEELING, SO I WON'T REPEAT WHAT HE SAID, BECAUSE I FEEL THE EXACT SAME WAY.
AND I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU DO.
ALSO, WITH THE CHAOS THAT IS GOING ON IN THIS WORLD, ALL OVER IS SO VERY UPSETTING TO ALL OF US.
AND THIS HAS ALL GOT TO STOP IMMEDIATELY.
AND I REALLY, REALLY WANTED TO SPONSOR THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE SO MANY TOWNS ARE DOING SO, SO MANY GOVERNMENTS ARE DOING SO, AND I'M HAPPY THAT YOU READ WHAT THE MAYOR HAD TO SAY.
AND I WANNA THANK, UH, UM, I WANT TO THANK ADAM TUCKER FOR WORKING SO HARD ON PUTTING THIS RESOLUTION TOGETHER AND ALL THOSE WHO COOPERATED WITH HIM TO MAKE THIS RESOLUTION A POSSIBILITY.
AND I HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WILL JOIN ME IN SPONSORING THIS RESOLUTION TONIGHT, BECAUSE IT IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT THAT RIGHT HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY, WE STAND TOGETHER.
THAT ALL OF US, ALL OF US JOIN TOGETHER, AND THAT WE HAVE PEACE IN THIS WORLD.
UH, I WANNA PUT MY NAME ON IT AS WELL, AFFIRMATION.
AND IF MY COLLEAGUES AGREE, WE COULD DO IT.
I'M HAPPY TO HAVE YOU ALL JOIN ME.
AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT THE MOTION? YES.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MECADO.
I I WANT TO ADD SOMETHING ELSE, BUT I PLEASE WAIT TO THE VOTE.
I, IT SAYS THAT IT WILL BE SENT TO ESSEX COUNTY MUNICIPAL CLERKS.
I'D LIKE TO SEE IT SENT TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT AMARA.
[01:20:09]
REPORT OF BOARD COMMITTEES, ANY LEGISLATIVE REPORTS, ANY WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS, ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS, ANY NEW BUSINESS.IN THAT CASE, LET'S MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION.
IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, UH, ON ANY MATTER, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
I'M GONNA MAKE THIS QUICK AND SHORT.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY CATS.
THESE OTHERS ARE FEEDERS, RESCUERS, RESIDENTS OF ESSEX COUNTY THAT REALLY FEEL THE CONCERN TO NOT HAVE MILLIONS OF CATS.
AND THANKS TO YOU WITH THE EDUCATION AND THE FORWARD TO SEE, TO STRETCH OUT THE FUTURE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
ESPECIALLY MRS. GRAHAM IN MY TOWN, IRVINGTON.
HER SISTER DIRECTOR HELP SUPPORTS US.
WE NEED MORE GRAHAMS OR COMMISSIONERS LIKE THAT.
AND ALSO, MRS. COOPER, WHO IS A GREAT PERSON THAT I, I CONSTANTLY REACH OUT TO HER AND SHE COMES AND REACHES OUT AND ANSWERS ME AGAIN.
I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY HEARD IT, BUT EACH ONE OF YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
WE DON'T NEED THE ONE DAY, WE DON'T NEED THE MONTH.
'CAUSE AS JOE SAYS, WE PUT ESSEX COUNTY FIRST.
66TH DAYTON STREET IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.
UM, I'M FROM THE DAYTON STREET COMMUNITY.
UM, I SEEN THE, THE COUNTY OFFICERS CORRECTION OFFICERS BACK HERE.
I JUST WANNA SAY I, I SUPPORT THEM 100%.
AND THE REASON I SUPPORT THEM IS WE NEED THEM.
THIS IS ONE OF OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO, UH, CIVILIAN POPULATION.
AND TO HAVE THEM WAIT SEVEN YEARS FOR A RAISE TO RECEIVE BENEFITS AND EVERYTHING AROUND THEM IS ESCALATING IN PRICE.
YOU KNOW, I SERVED CORRECTIONS FOR 23 YEARS FOR THE SUPPLY THAT I GO GET TO DO A JOB.
IT'S THREE TO FOUR TIMES THE VALUE NOW.
AND TO HAVE THESE GUYS WAIT SEVEN YEARS TO TRY TO CATCH UP TO, UH, UH, UH, THE COST OF LIVING.
WE CAN DO BETTER, RIGHT? I, I, I, I, I LIVE AND DIE BY, UH, EXUS COUNTY.
YOU, YOU KNOW, THE EXCELLENCE.
BUT DON'T, DON'T, LET'S NOT BE SUBPAR.
YOU KNOW, I I I, I HEARD ABOUT, UH, WHAT'S GOING ON AS AN ISRAELI, BUT WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HOME HERE FIRST AS WELL, RIGHT? SO LOOK, LET'S, LET'S TAKE CARE OF OUR HOME FIRST, AND THEN IF WE HAVE A LITTLE BREADCRUMBS LEFT, WE, WE COULD TAKE CARE OF OTHERS, BUT TAKE CARE OF HOME FIRST.
I'M THE RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD IN IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY.
UH, WE HAD, UH, THE COMPLEX IN IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, THE FAMILY UNIT, A LOT OF 'EM LEFT OUT THAT THEY MOVED, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THROW THEIR CATS OUT IN THE STREET.
WE ALSO HAD A RESIDENT THAT WAS FEEDING THE CATS, AND SHE WAS FOUND PASSED AWAY.
SO I KIND OF TOOK THE LEAD ON HER.
'CAUSE I KNOW IT WAS A COMPASSION WITH HER.
NOW THAT WE ARE TRYING TO RESCUE THE CATS, SOMEHOW ANOTHER, THE CATS ARE STARTING TO GET MISSING.
PEOPLE ARE THROWING HOT WATER, BOIL WATER ON 'EM.
THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY WHERE WE CAN FIND A SHELTER TO PUT IN A LOCATION WHERE WE CAN KEEP THEM.
AND ALSO THE PEOPLE HAVE TO KNOW THAT THOSE ANIMALS ARE THERE TO GET ES AND RATS.
AND NOW THE MICE ARE RUNNING INTO THE BUILDING.
SO IN THE SUMMERTIME, THEY'RE OUT THERE GETTING THEM.
BUT WHEN IT'S COLD, THE MICE JUST GO UP INTO PEOPLE'S CARS.
[01:25:01]
UP INTO THEIR HOUSES.SO THE MICE, THE RATS ARE A SERVICE TO ALL OF US.
THEY, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE SPAYING THEM AND, UM, N NEU TO THEM AND, AND THEY GIVING THEM SHOTS.
SO THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF LAW THAT CAN POST IT IN AREAS WHERE HOUSING IS TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THOSE ANIMALS ARE NOT HARMFUL TO ANY, THEY'RE MORE HELPFUL THAN ANYBODY.
I THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO TALK TO COMMISSIONER COOPER AND VICE PRESIDENT OMAS.
SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONNECT WITH THEM THAT COULD PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, HELP YOU OUT WITH THAT.
I'M A OFFICER AT THE ACCESS COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE.
UH, SO WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE WHOLE CONFLICT WITH THE WAR AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, HOW EVERYTHING'S GOING ON.
I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE MILITARY FOR 14 YEARS.
UH, JUST GOT NOTIFIED LAST NIGHT THAT I MAY BE SHIPPING OUT TO GO TO ISRAEL.
RIGHT? SO THIS WILL BE MY FOURTH COMBAT DEPLOYMENT.
ALRIGHT? THE PREVIOUS ONE I WENT TO WHEN I WENT TO IRAQ, WE WERE STILL UNDER NEGOTIATING THIS CONTRACT THING.
I CAN HONESTLY SAY I THOUGHT MORE ABOUT THIS CONTRACT THAN I DID ABOUT STAYING ALIVE AND FREAKING IRAQ.
I SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IF I'M GONNA COME HOME AND HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY, THEN TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE DEPLOY AGAIN.
AND WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT HELPING EVERYBODY.
I'M A SERVICE MEMBER FOR A REASON.
I LIKE TO HELP OTHERS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I NEED TO BE HELPED TOO.
AT THE SAME TIME, I'M PROTECTING EACH ONE OF YOUS.
SO YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS DON'T HAVE TO DEPLOY.
SO YOUR SON DON'T HAVE TO DEPLOY.
SO YOUR DAUGHTER DON'T HAVE TO DEPLOY.
I DO IT, BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IF I'M GONNA HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY AFTER I COME BACK FROM A FREAKING DEPLOYMENT.
I'VE NEVER LOOKED INTO HOW EVERYBODY GETS A RAISE.
YOU HAVE SOME PEOPLE, THEY VOTE ON THEIR OWN RAISES.
YOU HAVE THAT POWER, YOU HAVE THAT AUTHORITY.
I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT SEVEN YEARS I'VE BEEN WITH TO EXODUS COUNTY NINE YEARS NOW.
I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT SEVEN YEARS.
I'VE NEVER HAD TO WAIT FOR A RAISE.
I RISK MY LIFE EVERY TIME I DEPLOY.
I NEVER HAD THE ACT FOR A RAISE.
WE TALK ABOUT THE OFFICERS BEING PUBLIC SAFETY, RIGHT? WE TALK ABOUT THEM WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.
IF YOU ELIMINATED PUBLIC SAFETY, IE THE OFFICERS, DO YOU THINK THE COUNTY WOULD BE SAFE AS A WHOLE? THE ANSWER IS NO.
YOU RELY ON US JUST AS MUCH AS WE RELY ON YOU GUYS.
WE SHOULD HAVE TO BEG FOR ANYTHING THAT WE, WE ACTUALLY DESERVE.
YOU GOT OFFICERS NOW THAT MISS THEIR EVENTS FOR THEIR CHILD TO WORK OVERTIME SO THEY COULD HAVE EXTRA MONEY IN THEIR POCKET.
NO PARENT SHOULD EVER HAVE TO MISS AN EVENT FOR THEIR CHILD TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY WHEN THEIR EMPLOYER CHOOSES NOT TO GET THEM A RAISE SO THEY COULD SUPPORT THAT FAMILY MEMBER.
THAT'S ALL I I WANT TO, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
AND NOTHING YOU SAID WAS OUTTA LINE.
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT SEVEN YEARS.
PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL, UNITED STATES AND EXTRA PRAYERS FOR ESSEX COUNTY.
THERE'S NOTHING FOR TRAUMA IN THIS COUNTY OR THIS CITY.
SO THOSE WORDS FALL ON DEAF EARS.
THESE OFFICERS SEE DEAD BODIES, MAIN BODIES, AND THERE'S NO TRAUMA RECOVERY FOR ANY OF THEM.
THERE'S NO TRAUMA RECOVERY FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS.
THERE'S NO TRAUMA RECOVERY FOR NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THERE'S NO TRAUMA RECOVERY FOR THE SHERIFFS.
THERE'S NO TRAUMA RECOVERY FOR THE CORRECTIONS.
'CAUSE IF THERE WAS, WHEN THE OFFICER GOT STABBED, THEY'D PROBABLY STILL BE OUT IN TRAUMA.
WHEN THEY PULL UP ON A DEAD BODY IN WEAK WAY.
PARK, BRANCHWOOD PARK, THAT'S HAPPENING NOW EVERY OTHER WEEK.
THEY STILL BE IN TRAUMA RECOVERY.
WE DON'T HAVE IT BECAUSE WE DON'T CARE.
AND I'M NOT BEING DISRESPECTFUL, BUT I GOTTA BE TRUTHFUL, WE'RE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT OUR OWN ISRAEL.
AND GUESS WHAT? IT'S GONNA, WE CAN'T GET 10 MILLION FOR THE OFFICERS.
WHAT, WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? WE CAN SEND MONEY OUTTA THIS COUNTRY
[01:30:02]
AND ALL OF Y'ALL.BUT WE CAN'T GET A YES FOR THE PEOPLE THAT'S HERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE GOT A THREE YEAR CONTRACT OR A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT.
BUT IF IT'S FOUR YEARS, THAT'S 6% EACH YEAR.
AND IF IT'S THREE YEARS, IT'S EIGHT.
AND YOU OFFERING THESE MEN AND WOMEN 2% SHAMBLES, DISGRACE, DISGRACE TO ALL OF THEM, THE CLERKS, EVERYBODY.
HOW DO YOU MAKE PEOPLE WAIT THIS TIME AND NOW YOU WANNA OFFER THEM 2%? THAT'S CRIMINAL MILK IS $7.
EGGS ONLY COMING DOWN BECAUSE WE STOPPED BUYING THEM.
BUT AS SOON AS WE START BUYING 'EM, GETTING RIGHT BACK UP, GAS IS UP TO $3 AND 60 CENTS.
I, I CAN'T OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND MONEY.
A POINT OF CLARITY, SINCE YOU'RE GOING TO ANSWER ME, THAT MONEY USED TO BE USED FOR SUMMER CAMPS FOR THE CHILDREN.
WE DON'T EVEN DO THAT ANYMORE.
I WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE E CCP C MONEY.
SO, SO IS THAT A QUESTION? YES.
BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT, YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GREEN ACRES YES.
BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WAS OPEN SPACE MONEY.
THAT'S WHY I WANNA BE CORRECTED.
JUST ASK A QUESTION AND THEN YOU'LL GET IT.
WHERE'S THE E CCP C 30 SECONDS SUMMER CAMP MONEY THAT I USED TO GO TO AT QUA PARK FOR FREE AND EVERY OTHER FAMILY IN EVERY PARK IN THE COUNTY THAT WE NO LONGER HAVE.
AND YOU WANNA KNOW WHY THE YOUTH ARE OUTTA CONTROL, AFFORDABLE UNITS.
YOUR SHERIFF OFFICERS AND CORRECTION OFFICERS CAN'T GO ON THAT WITH YOU BUILDING UP.
AND YOU GOTTA HAVE A CREDIT SCORE OF 700.
SO LET'S STOP BUILDING STUFF THAT AGAIN, THE EMPLOYEES CAN'T CO IN AND YOU AIN'T GONNA GIVE ONE RAISE SO THEY CAN MAKE IT EITHER.
HOW YOU DOING? MY NAME'S, UH, IBON HOLMAN.
I WORK FOR THE ES COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT.
I'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT SEVEN YEARS OR SO.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO COME UP AND SAY, BECAUSE THIS HAS KIND OF BEEN IN MY MIND SINCE THE LAST MEETING I ATTENDED.
UH, I WAS HERE AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE NEW BUILDING, THE PROJECT.
IT'S GONNA COST $75 MILLION TO BUILD.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STUCK OUT TO ME WAS THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THAT 75 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED TO COMPANIES WITHIN THE COUNTY OR COMPANIES THAT ARE MINORITY OWNED, WOMEN OWNED, ET CETERA.
HERE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE CROWD OF PEOPLE HERE, WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER ETHNIC, ETHNICALLY AND CULTURALLY IN THE ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT.
BUT YET WE'RE NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF.
THE SAME WAY THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING TAKING CARE OF OTHER COMPANIES THAT ARE COMING TO TAKE PART OF THAT $75 MILLION, UH, BID.
IT'S KIND OF CRAZY TO ME THAT I GREW UP IN THIS COUNTY.
I LIVED IN NEWARK ALL OF MY LIFE.
BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN AN AFFORDABLE, IN A NICE TOWN HERE IN THIS COUNTY.
MY FAMILY CANNOT BUY A HOME IN MONTCLAIR OR ANY OF THESE GOOD AREAS BECAUSE WE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT.
I THINK THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO HOLD OTHER PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DO WITH THE MONEY THAT'S GIVEN TO THEM OR THE MONEY THAT'S SPENT, THEN WE SHOULD HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL.
AND THAT IT SHOULD BE A THING THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD BE LOOKING TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN AS WELL AS YOU'RE LOOKING TO TAKE CARE OF OTHERS.
JAMES TROI, VICE PRESIDENT, FLP LODGE 1 0 6, REPRESENTING THE SUPERVISORS WITHIN THE ESSEX COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
QUESTION GOING BACK TO RESOLUTIONS 12, 13 AND 14, AND THERE MAY BE A VERY GOOD ANSWER FOR THIS, BUT WHY ISN'T THE COUNTY ONE OF THE VENDORS FOR THE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM? WITH THAT SAID, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I STOOD AT THIS MIC AND I DISCUSSED ESSEX COUNTY OPRAH REQUEST 1 0 7 9 4, WHERE WE HAD REQUESTED SOME STATISTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT LINE OF DUTY INJURIES FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR.
AND THE OPRAH RESPONSE WAS, AS ALL RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE RESPONSIVE RECORDS, THIS REQUEST IS CLOSED.
PLEASE CONTACT THE MUNICIPALITY DIRECTLY AS THEY ARE MORE LIKELY THE CUSTODIAN OF THE REQUESTED RECORDS.
WHY WOULD I CONTACT MUNICIPALITIES ABOUT A COUNTY EMPLOYEE THAT WAS INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY? BUT WITH THAT SAID, UM, WHEN I ASKED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I WASN'T CERTAIN.
NOW, BEFORE I RETIRED, I WAS THE COMMANDER OF THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BUREAU, A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUREAU WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
AND WE MAINTAINED A FORM THAT I KNOW EXISTED.
I THOUGHT MAYBE THEY STOPPED IT.
I NOW COME TO FIND OUT THAT NO, IT STILL EXISTS.
AND THE OFFICER THAT MAINTAINS IT WAS TOLD NOT TO PROVIDE IT.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THAT
[01:35:01]
DOCUMENT IS, AND I WOULD LIKE A COPY OF IT.UNDER THE OPRAH LAW CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTIONAL EXAMS FOR A CAPTAIN, LIEUTENANT, OR I'M SORRY, FOR LIEUTENANT AND SERGEANT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
THOSE ARE TWO, UH, A YEAR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
THE CAPTAIN'S EXAM WAS TWO YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
NOW LABOR, WE CERTAINLY LOVE AND APPRECIATE PROMOTIONS, SO WE'RE NOT COMPLAINING THAT THE EXAMS WERE ANNOUNCED THOROUGHLY.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS AND KEEP EVERYBODY AWARE OF IS THAT THE REASON THEY WERE ANNOUNCED EARLY IS BECAUSE THE LISTS ARE EXHAUSTED.
WE CAN'T PROMOTE AS FAST AS PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.
THE EXODUS FOR YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS COUNTY HAS BEGUN.
WE'VE BEEN SAYING IT FOR MONTHS.
I SAT IN, UH, AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE POLICE TRAINING COMMISSION ABOUT THE NEW LICENSING LAW THAT TAKES EFFECTS JANUARY 1ST.
THE BACKGROUND CHECKS THAT WE HAVE SAID SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR AT THESE MEETINGS THAT WE'RE BEING RUSHED AND HURRIED AND PERHAPS PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN HIRED GOT HIRED.
THOSE ARE NOW GONNA BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE POLICE TRAINING COMMISSION BEGINNING JANUARY ONE, WHICH WE SEE IS A POSITIVE THING, BUT THAT TOO IS GOING TO DRAMATICALLY SLOW DOWN YOUR HIRING PROCESS.
I'M OUT OF TIME, BUT JUST IN CLOSING, THANK YOU AGAIN.
WE DID HAVE ANOTHER CONTRACT MEETING.
UH, AS YOU HEARD EARLIER, UM, THE COUNTY'S PROPOSAL WAS RATHER DISAPPOINTING, BUT DIALOGUE CONTINUES AND THAT CAN'T BE A BAD THING.
I WORK FOR THIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND I USED TO WORK FOR CORRECTIONS.
UM, WE TALK ABOUT LIKE THE STRUGGLES WE GO THROUGH.
SHE WAS TOLD THAT ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO.
SHE HAS ABOUT SIX MONTHS IN TOTAL TO LIVE.
AND, BUT SHE STILL HAS HER OWN APARTMENT AND A PLACE THAT NEEDS TO BE PAID FOR, BUT SHE CAN NO LONGER WORK.
AND I'M HAVING TO SPEND MORE TIME WORKING OVERTIME TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE THAN BEING ABLE TO SPEND THE TIME THAT I HAVE LEFT WITH MY MOM.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, IF WE HAD LIKE A FAIR CONTRACT, THIS IS NOT GONNA HELP ME, BUT I JUST WOULD LIKE, UM, AND NOT TO FOR SOME, FOR ONE OF MY BROTHERS OR SISTERS IN THE THE FUTURE, TO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS STRUGGLE AND HAVE TO DEBATE WHETHER THEY GET TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR DYING PARENT OR WORK TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THAT PARENT'S HEAD.
GOOD EVENING AGAIN AT ESPOSITO PBA 180 3 A.
UM, I'M GONNA START OFF WITH MY QUESTION BEFORE I MOVE INTO MY COMMENTS.
MY QUESTION, WHICH I ASKED PREVIOUSLY, BUT I'LL, I'LL BE MORE SPECIFIC THIS TIME ABOUT THE, UH, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN OR CAPITAL CAPITAL BUDGET PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTY OF ESSEX.
I'M REFERRING SPECIFICALLY TO WHAT'S REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED ANNUALLY BY ORDINANCE TWO DASH 58.
CAPITAL BUDGET PROGRAM SHALL BE SUCH FORM AND CONTENTS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO LAW CAPITAL PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE A CLEAR SUMMARY OF ITS CONTENTS LIST OF ALL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH ARE BE, ARE TO BE PROPOSED AND UNDERTAKEN DURING THE SIX PHYSICAL YEARS.
NEXT, ENSUING WITH APPROPRIATE SUPPORTING INFORMATION AS TO THE NECESSITY FOR SUCH IMPROVEMENT, COST ESTIMATES, METHOD OF FINANCING AND RECOMMENDATION PRIORITIES AND TIME SCHEDULES FOR EACH SUCH IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST OF OPERATING AND MAINTAINING THE FACILITIES TO BE CONSTRUCTED OR ACQUIRED.
SO I THINK THAT SHOULD CLARIFY EXACTLY WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.
NOT A SPREADSHEET WITH ITEMS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE QUESTION I ASKED.
I DO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS WHO, UH, PARTICIPATE IN THE DIALOGUE WITH US TO, UM, TO AT LEAST TAKE THE TIME TO RESPECTFULLY LISTEN TO OUR POSITION.
AND, UM, WE ARE, OR I SHOULD SAY WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF CONTRACT MEETINGS, ALTHOUGH NOTHING'S, UM, WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFER TO, TO PRESENT TO OUR MEMBERS JUST YET, BUT HOPEFULLY WE GET TO THAT POINT.
I DO WANNA POINT OUT THAT, THAT IN MY COMMENTS, THAT, UH, ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS HERE HAD TOLD ME, WELL, THE SHERIFF, UH, YOU KNOW, HAS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD AND ASK FOR, FOR SOMETHING OR ASK FOR MONEY.
THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY $8.4 MILLION THAT WAS APPROPRIATED IN CAPITAL FUNDS IN 2020, UM,
[01:40:01]
FOR SECURITY SCANNERS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.THOSE FUNDS WERE REAPPROPRIATED BY THIS BOARD ON MAY 26TH, 2021.
7.8 MILLION OF THE 8.4 THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SLATED WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM US.
OKAY? SO I'M PRETTY AWARE THAT THE INFORMATION THAT I'M LOOKING FOR, AND I THINK I HAVE THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS, BUT I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM BEFORE I MAKE ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS.
BUT I WILL, I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS.
UH, ANOTHER, ANOTHER COMMISSIONER HAD TOLD, UH, ANOTHER UNION PRESIDENT, MYSELF AND ALSO MY VICE PRESIDENT THAT WE SHOULDN'T PLAY HARDBALL, MEANING US THE UNION.
AND ANOTHER COMMENT THAT WE SHOULD TAKE A HALF A LOAF OF BREAD AND BE HAPPY.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN THIS COUNTY MAKE $44,578 THIS YEAR AND A $4,800 A YEAR AUTOMOBILE ALLOWANCE, 400 A MONTH.
JUST THE AUTO ALLOWANCE ALONE IS DOUBLE WHAT, WHAT OURS IS.
WELL, OURS IS 200 A MONTH, YOURS IS 400 A MONTH.
THE RATE AND THE PERCENTAGES THAT YOU GAVE YOURSELF WHILE WE HAD NO RAISES, I THINK THE PERSON PLAYING HARDBALL OR THE PEOPLE PLAYING HARDBALL ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND ME WHO YOU HEAR FROM EVERY SINGLE MEETING THAT ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE THEY HAD NO RAISE.
THE COUNTY, APPARENTLY BACK IN 2016 WHEN THIS VOTE WAS MADE, MADE $10 MILLION SAVINGS.
THE COUNTY TOOK IN CARES, FEMA AND AMERICAN RESCUE MONEY.
THE COUNTY TOOK IN INSURANCE PROCEEDS DURING COVID FROM OUR INSURANCE FOR THEIR VACCINE AND TESTING MANDATED PROGRAM.
WE GAVE OUR INSURANCE CARDS AND THE MONEY CAME BACK TO THE COUNTY IN THE FORM OF REVENUE.
THERE'S PLENTY OF MONEY TO SETTLE THIS THING AND TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY FOR SOMEONE TO TELL US ON THIS BOARD AND THIS COMMISSION WITH ALL THE RESPECT AND TRUST THAT WE HAVE, AND YOU SEE HOW WE'RE RESPECTFUL BRINGING OUR CONCERNS TO YOU FOR SOMEONE TO TELL US WE'RE PLAYING HARDBALL.
I THINK LEAD BY EXAMPLE DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO.
YOU USED TO HAVE 35 MEETINGS A YEAR.
THERE'S NOW 18 TO 20 MEETINGS A YEAR, BUT YET YOUR SALARIES ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE STATE.
I THINK SECOND HIGHEST PAID COMMISSIONERS IN THE STATE AND THE WORKLOAD HAS GONE DOWN THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS.
I'M NOT SAYING YOU'RE NOT PAID FOR WHAT YOU DO, BUT WE SHOULD BE PAID FOR WHAT WE DO.
COMMISSIONER COOPER, MR. PRESIDENT, IF YOU CAN, MR. ESPOSITO, UH, YOU JUST PULLED IT OUT, SOME CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ITEMS THAT STARTED WITH $8.4 MILLION AND THEN THIS ALLEGED CHANGE.
CAN YOU WRITE THAT DOWN AND GIVE THAT TO ADAM PLEASE? MR. PRESIDENT, CAN WE RESEARCH AND FIGURE OUT IF THIS TRANSACTION AF ACTUALLY HAPPENED AND WHAT, WHAT HAPPENED WITH THOSE FUNDS? YEAH, I THINK HE DID ASK A QUESTION ABOUT IT.
ABOUT WHERE I DID ASK A QUESTION ALSO, BUT I CAN YEAH, JUST CONFER WITH ADAM.
I'M THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY FOR FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE FOR THE SUPERIORS AT THE JAIL.
I'VE BEEN HERE TWICE BEFORE I GAVE A PREDICTION, BUT I WANT TO STRAIGHTEN SOMETHING OUT.
HE SAID THE COUNTY'S OFFER WAS DISAPPOINTING.
BUT I'M GONNA TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA WANT TO HEAR.
TWO TIMES I CAME BEFORE THIS BOARD AND I PREDICTED THAT BY NEXT EASTER YOU WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM STAFFING THE JAIL BASED ON UPDATED INFORMATION.
IT CAN COME AS EARLY AS JANUARY COMING, COMING UP IN 2024.
AND THAT'S ALL I WANNA SAY AT THIS TIME.
BUT I MAY GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION IN THE FUTURE THAT WOULD SURPRISE YOU AND LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE GONNA LOSE A LOT OF OFFICERS IF THIS NONSENSE ISN'T STOPPED AND THEY GIVE US A REASONABLE CONTRACT COMPARABLE TO SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
I'M BEING VERY HONEST, I'M NOT LYING.
I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN BECAUSE I'VE BEEN RETIRED 13 YEARS, BUT THEY ELECTED ME TO BE ON THEIR EXECUTIVE BOARD 'CAUSE THEY TRUST ME.
OKAY? AND THAT'S, HONESTLY, I'M BEING VERY HONEST WITH YOU.
I HAVE A QUESTION OF THE BOARD.
UH, IN THE COUNTY CODE IT SAYS THAT THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE AND THAT'S NEGOTIATE TO INVESTIGATE.
I'M SORRY, THE QUESTION IS, WE COME HERE WEEK AFTER WEEK, MONTH AFTER MONTH
[01:45:01]
WITH CONCERNS.HAS THE BOARD EVER CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION AND TO ANY OF THE ALLEGATIONS ABOUT WELFARE, ABOUT THE JAIL, ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, ANYTHING? I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT, IF ANY INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN DONE IN THE LAST 10 YEARS BY ANY MEMBER OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE BOARD.
UH, ALSO TO, I'D LIKE TO FOLLOW UP, UH, ASKING THE QUESTION, HAS A DATE BEEN SET FOR, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING WITH THE SHERIFF? IT IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR COMMISSIONER COOPER OCTOBER 26TH, I BELIEVE, WITH THE SHERIFF'S OR WITH CORRECTION.
IT IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 26TH.
UH, I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW A LIST OF ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THEIR DATE OF HIRE, THEIR TITLE AND THEIR SALARIES.
THAT'S A, JUST A SIMPLE OPRAH REQUEST.
YEAH, I ASKED A QUESTION A WHILE AGO WAS, I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY SIMPLE TOO, BUT I HAVEN'T GOT, I GOT A RESPONSE BACK, BUT NOT A RESPONSE TO MY QUESTION.
OH, MADAM CLERK, LET THE RECORD REFLECT.
THERE'S NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME.
COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER COOPER.
UM, FOR MR. JACKSON, I'VE GOTTEN SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DOG PARK IN SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION.
UM, YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE WATER ISN'T WORKING AND THERE'S SOME REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE MADE.
I KNOW I SENT SOME A WHILE BACK AND, UM, I DON'T KNOW THE STATUS OF THEM.
I'VE ALSO GOTTEN SOME EMAILS ABOUT, UM, A CAMPSITE.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S AN OLD BOY SCOUT CAMPSITE IN SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION.
THE QUESTION IS THAT WE'RE PUTTING ALL THIS MONEY INTO FIXING UP OTHER PARKS THROUGHOUT ESS COUNTY.
CAN COUNTY PUT SOME MONEY INTO FIXING UP THAT CAMPSITE OR IS THAT SITE, OR IS IT BOY SCOUTS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT UP? UM, THEY SENT ME PICTURES THAT SAYS LIKE THE OLD BOY SCOUT NAME ON IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE GAVE IT TO THEM.
CAN YOU GIVE ME A STATUS OF, OF WHAT THAT IS? I I PLAN ON GOING THERE TO SEE IT MYSELF.
BUT I I CAN SHARE PICTURES WITH YOU.
I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE COMMISSIONER, BUT I, YEAH, AND IT SAID, IT'S AT THE EMAIL SAYS IT'S AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATIONS.
UM, LAST, WELL, QUESTION AND COMMENT.
I HAD A CONVERSATION JUST TODAY WITH A POLICE CHIEF WHO WENT TO A NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OUT IN CALIFORNIA, AND SHE SAID ONE WHOLE DAY WAS DEDICATED TO THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
SO I WAS WONDERING, SO SHE POSED THE QUESTION TO ME, DO WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS SET UP FOR OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICERS AND OUR CORRECTION, UM, PERSONNEL? AND I DIDN'T HAVE A RESPONSE FOR HER.
DO WE HAVE ANY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS? AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT LIKE IN RESPONSE TO A TRAGEDY THAT TOOK PLACE JUST ONGOING IN GENERAL.
DO WE HAVE THOSE KINDS OF PROGRAMS SET UP? IF NOT, CAN WE ESTABLISH SOME KIND OF PROGRAMS LIKE THAT AND MAYBE WORK WITH OUR WONDERFUL HOSPITAL CENTER IN, IN CREATING SOMETHING, UM, LIKE THAT? ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF, SHE SAID THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE IN UNFORTUNATE SUICIDES AMONG, UM, LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL NATIONALLY.
AND THEY DEDICATED A LOT OF TIME TO THIS FOUR DAY CONFERENCE TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, UM, HEALTH WELLBEING IN GENERAL, AND TRAUMA AND, AND MAKING SURE THAT THE STAFF WAS ARMED WITH THE TOOLS AND OTHER THINGS TO RESPOND.
COMMISSIONER COOPER APPROPRIATELY, PLEASE SI SILENCE YOUR PHONE PLEASE.
WHEN, UM, TRAUMA EVENTS TAKE PLACE.
YOU WANNA START ALL OVER? I MEAN, I DIDN'T HIT NO, I'M JUST KIDDING.
I WAS ABOUT TO SAY WE COULD RUN BACK THE TAPE.
NO, BUT, SO THAT WAS THE QUESTION.
I I THINK JUST TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT, WE HAVE A LOT OF OFFICERS IN THIS COUNTY, PROBABLY SOME RIGHT IN THIS ROOM WHO HAVE CERTAIN EXPERTISE.
I THINK WE SHOULD BE TAPPING INTO THEIR EXPERTISE AS WELL IN TERMS OF WHO WILL KNOW BETTER IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY NEED THAN THEM.
RIGHT? I SAID, SO I I THINK WE SHOULD BE OPENING THAT DIALOGUE AS WELL TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND WHERE, UH, THERE'S SOME SHORTCOMINGS IN TERMS OF WHAT THE OFFICERS NEED.
WE SHOULD HAVE A MORE ROBUST, UH, CONVERSATION.
SO MAYBE THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE'LL BRING UP WHEN WE BRING THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT IN FOR THAT MEETING.
I THINK WE, WE NEED TO TAP INTO THE
[01:50:01]
EXPERTISE.COMMISSIONERS, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER GIL? UH, THANK YOU, UH, PRESIDENT RICHARDSON.
UH, FIRST AND FOREMOST, JUST PROCESS.
CAN I BE, UM, RECORDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE THROUGH MR. PRESIDENT ON, UH, RESOLUTIONS ONE THROUGH 14? YES.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, SECONDLY, AGAIN, UM, UM, THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, UH, UH, NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE MAY BE SOME SENSITIVITIES TO WHAT CAN BE SHARED AT THIS PO AT THIS TIME, UH, FOR, UH, VIA THIS PROCESS OF NEGOTIATION.
BUT, UM, WOULD ASK THAT WE COULD BE UPDATED, UM, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, ON WHERE WE ARE AND THE STATUS OF THIS, UM, YOU KNOW, NEGOTIATION, MR. JACKSON.
SO I WELL WOULD DEFER TO COUNTY COUNSEL IN TERMS OF, OTHER THAN THEIR ONGOING, UH, THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, WE ARE HAVING INFORMATION BEING SHARED DURING THE PUBLIC PORTION OF THE MEETING ABOUT WHAT I, I HAVE AS A COMMISSIONER RIGHT NOW.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S BEEN OFFERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE STICKING, WHAT THE STICKING POINTS ARE.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE ITEMIZATION POINTS ARE THAT WE'RE NEGOTIATING.
I'M, I'M SICK AND TIRED OF HAVING TO SEE PEOPLE TAKE THEIR OWN TIME EACH AND EVERY WEEK, WHICH THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO.
AS WE, AS WE HAVE MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GO OUT THE DOOR ON VERY THINGS THAT ARE WORTH IT.
AND I, AS ONE OF THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS COUNTY, CANNOT WITH ANY GOOD FAITH IN CONSCIOUS, UM, RESPOND TO WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED TO US HERE TONIGHT.
SO WHAT I'M ASKING, I GUESS MAYBE THROUGH OUR COUNCIL AND ALSO THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION, IS FOR SOME TYPE OF UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF THIS BARGAINING PROCESS.
AND IF THERE'S A LEGAL REASON THAT THINGS, THINGS, THAT'S FINE.
BUT I LIKE, AND I, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW HOW MY COLLEAGUES FEEL, BUT I DON'T FEEL I HAVE ANY SENSE RIGHT NOW OF, OF WHERE WE ARE OTHER THAN TO KNOW.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN'T GIVE PEOPLE THE BENEFIT OF DOUBT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SEVEN YEARS.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO, SO, SO JUST, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, UH, A UM, AND I, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
I DON'T, I DON'T, I I APPRECIATE THAT.
BUT THIS IS, THIS IS A, UM, FOR ME AT A POINT WHERE, UM, UH, I, I FEEL WE, WE NEED TO KNOW AS MUCH, UH, AS WE CAN, UH, FOR US TO BE SHARED WITH, UM, WHAT THOSE POINTS ARE.
AND FOR US TO HAVE A FIRM UNDERSTANDING AS TO, UH, WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION'S POSITION IS ON THE POINTS THAT ARE YET TO BE SETTLED.
SO THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, COMMISSIONER COOPER.
AND IF I MADE A PIGGYBACK OFF OF WHAT COMMISSIONER GILL JUST SAID, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GILL FOR, FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
I WAS TOYING WITH TO SAY SOMETHING OR NOT TO SAY SOMETHING.
I AGREE, BUT I DON'T WANT A THIRD HAND REPRESENTATION.
I WANT A DIRECT ANSWER FROM MR. ST.
AND IF WE NEED TO GO INTO A CLOSED SESSION TO GET THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT.
I DON'T WANNA WAIT FOR A MEMO.
YOU WANT TO ANSWER TONIGHT? YES.
MOTION TO GO ON CLOSED SESSION IF WE HAVE TO, IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR FOR CLOSED SESSION TO TALK ABOUT WHATEVER.
WE'RE NOT, WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO DISCUSS THAT TONIGHT ARE NOT NO, NO, NO.
YOU WANT, YOU WANT A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS TO EXACTLY WHERE THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE, AND YOU ARE ENTITLED TO IT.
I'D BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU TOMORROW, ANYTIME YOU WANT.
BUT LET'S NOT SUGGEST THAT AT THE LAST MINUTE YOU, I'M ABLE TO GIVE YOU A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ENTITLED TO.
I DON'T THINK WE WANT A DEFINITIVE ANSWER.
I THINK I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE.
WELL, I CAN TELL YOU WHERE WE TELL YOU, TELL YOU WHERE WE'RE IN OPEN SESSION.
UH, OFFERS WERE MADE TO 26 UNIONS SEVEN YEARS AGO.
22 OF 26 OF THEM ACCEPTED THEM.
THERE ARE FOUR UNIONS THAT DID NOT ACCEPT THEM, AND OFFERS WERE MADE TO THEM DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.
THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THOSE OFFERS AS IS THEIR RIGHT.
AND NOW, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, NEGOTIATIONS HAVE RESUMED ON THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
UH, WE'RE, WE'RE GOING THROUGH A, A, A OPEN PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING, NEGOTIATING WITH THOSE UNIONS.
WHETHER WE HAVE A RESOLUTION OR NOT IS WAIT, WE, WE HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE.
I'M NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT RESPONSE.
COMMISSIONER GILL, YOU OFFERED A MEETING AND TAKE THE MEETING IF THAT'S THE BETTER WAY TO DO IT, BUT MR. GO.
UM, SO I APPRECIATE THAT, UM, COMMISSIONER COOPER, AND THAT, THAT WAS
[01:55:01]
NOT SOMETHING THAT, UM, THANK YOU.THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT EVEN, UM, UH, UH, CAME TO MIND.
BUT IT'S A VERY FAIR POINT AND ONE THAT I WOULD SUPPORT.
UM, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I THINK, UM, UH, THAT, UM, THE, THE OFFER AND WHAT, AND WHAT, WHAT'S CONTAINED IN THAT OFFER, UM, UH, AND WHAT CAN BE SHARED IN THAT OFFER IS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO BE, YOU KNOW, INFORMED OF, UM, IF, IF, UH, IF IN BOTH THE APPROPRIATE SETTING, WHETHER THAT'S IN A MEETING, WHETHER THAT'S IN A MEETING THAT WE NEED TO SCHEDULE, WHETHER OR WE NEED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION OR WHAT, WHAT FORM THAT TAKES.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THE BROAD POINT OF AN OFFER HAS BEEN MADE, UM, AND IT'S ALREADY BEEN ALLUDED TO BY, UM, THE OFFICERS WHO HERE TONIGHT THAT, UM, WHAT A SIGNIFICANT, UM, PORTION OF PROBABLY THE DISAGREEMENT IS OVER.
BUT I WOULD LEAST AS A INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER, LIKE TO BE ABLE TO, UM, MAKE AN EVALUATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT, UM, UH, I BELIEVE, YOU KNOW, AS ONE OF THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS BODY, THAT THAT OFFER, UM, IS, UM, CONSISTENT, UH, WITH FAIRNESS.
UH, AND, UM, WHAT I THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I UNDERSTAND THE ADMINISTRATION IS GONNA FOLLOW WHAT ONE INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER OR EVEN WHAT THIS BOARD SAYS.
I UNDERSTAND THE SEPARATION, BUT, UM, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, UH, BOTH FOR YOU, UH, FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, FOR THE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE COUNTY AND THE REST OF THE TEAM TO AT LEAST UNDERSTAND, UM, WHERE WE ARE ON WHAT'S BEING OFFERED.
AND RIGHT NOW, I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE A FIRM HANDLE ON, AND, AND THAT MAYBE THAT'S MY OWN FAULT.
SO THIS IS NOT, THIS IS NOT TO CAST BLAME ON ANYONE, BUT I DON'T FEEL I HAVE A FIRM HANDLE RIGHT NOW ON WHAT THAT OFFER ENTAILS.
UM, AND AGAIN, WHERE WE'RE WHY WE CAN'T BRING THIS TO, TO RESOLUTION OR CLOSURE.
UM, AND, AND AGAIN, IT DOES, IT DOES.
AND, AND I, I APPRECIATE THAT THIS IS NOT, UM, UH, IN ANY WAY TO SAY OTHER THAN THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON.
FOLKS ARE GIVING UP THEIR OWN TIME TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
AND WHICH, UM, ON ONE HAND, THIS IS WHAT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IS ALL ABOUT
SO, UM, YES, BUT AT A CERTAIN POINT, LIKE, YOU KNOW, PULLING THESE PEOPLE AWAY WITH THE JOBS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO FOR US EACH AND EVERY DAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES TO, YOU KNOW, TO BEG, LIKE LITERALLY BEGGING US TO BRING, BEGGING US TO BRING THIS TO CLOSURE.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO HEAR THAT.
AND, UH, AND AGAIN, WE HAVE TO ENCOURAGE AND DO EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR POWER TO PLEASE, UH, ACCELERATE BRINGING THIS TO RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GIL, IF I COULD CONCUR WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER GILL SAID, I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO RECEIVE A MEMO EXPLAINING EXACTLY WHAT THE SITUATION IS, WHAT HAS HAPPENED, AND WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND MORE CLEARLY WHAT IS GOING ON.
BECAUSE I'M SITTING HERE AND I'M LISTENING, BUT I DON'T KNOW SO MANY OF THE FACTS, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY GOOD FOR ALL OF US TO RECEIVE SOME KIND OF EXPLANATION OF EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
SO WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE SITUATION.
AND, AND I WANT TO CONCUR WITH MY COLLEAGUES, UH, BUT I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT DIFFERENT POINTS, SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID BY THE OFFICERS HERE TONIGHT ABOUT THE OFFER THAT WAS MADE.
AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO ASK, THAT BEING INCLUDED IN THAT MEMO, RIGHT, IS IF THE LATEST OFFER IS A BETTER OFFER THAN HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY OFFERED, OR IS IT A, A MORE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS OFFER? AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, WHY? GREAT QUESTION.
I, I, I, I, I WANT TO GET IT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.
COMMISSIONER COOPER, WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED IS, IS THE MAIN REASON WHY I BELIEVE A MEETING IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WHAT YOU JUST ASKED CAN'T BE EXPLAINED IN A MEETING.
YOU WANNA ASK A REAL QUESTION WHEN YOU'RE, WHEN YOU'RE LISTENING TO WHAT HAPPENED, IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE WHY I WE'RE, I THINK WE WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE A MEETING.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE A MEETING WITH YOU AT YOUR CONVENIENCE WITH OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL, UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WANT THIS TO BE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED MEETING, SO THAT NOTHING'S GOING TO BE SHARED OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THAT DISCUSSION.
I KNOW I CAN COUNT ON THE COMMISSIONERS ABSOLUTELY TO, TO, TO, TO, UH, OBVIOUSLY HONOR THAT
[02:00:01]
'CAUSE, UH, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND HAPPY TO DO IT AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.I THINK YOU, YOU WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWERS IN YOUR TITLE TO THE ANSWERS.
SO, SO, MADAM CLERK, COULD YOU SET UP A, A MEETING WITH US AND YES, COUNSEL AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL SO WE CAN, UH, UH, MR. JACKSON TO MR. JACKSON THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION.