[00:00:05]
TRY AGAIN.OKAY, MADAM CLERK, LET'S MOVE TO ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR LISTING PURPOSES ONLY.
DO WE HAVE ANY ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTIONS FOR LISTING PURPOSES? MADAM CLERK, UH, MR. PRESIDENT? WE HAVE NONE.
MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY, UH, ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING I AND PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT? UH, YES.
UH, MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR GRANT APPLICATION FOR URBAN PARKS AND GREEN ACRES THAT WE WILL ENTERTAIN AFTER 6:00 PM ALONG WITH RESOLUTIONS 24 AND 25.
MR. PAR LEBECK, CAN YOU JUST FOR THE RECORD, EXPLAIN WHY THIS TAKES PLACE AT 6:00 PM IS THIS A REQUIREMENT OF THE STATE? IS THAT HOW THAT WORKS? IT IS, THAT'S RIGHT.
SO LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT THIS WILL BE HELD AT 6:00 PM AS PER STATE LAW.
MADAM CLERK, AT THIS TIME, LET'S, UH, MOVE OUT OF TURN.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION NUMBER 46, WHICH IS FROM THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
AND WE'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
AND AT THIS POINT I'LL ASK, UH, COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON TO SPEAK, UH, TO THIS RESOLUTION.
SO I JUST WANNA READ A BRIEF STATEMENT.
MUSLIM HERITAGE MONTH IS NOW DECLARED IN JANUARY LAST SPRING, GOVERNOR MURPHY IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE DESIGNATED THE MONTH OF JANUARY IN NEW JERSEY AS MUSLIM HERITAGE MONTH.
TODAY, THE ESSEX COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IS PROUD TO CONCUR AND COMMEMORATE THE MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND TO RECOGNIZE THE MONTH OF JANUARY OF EACH YEAR AS MUSLIM HERITAGE MONTH.
MUSLIM CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE ARE VAST AND HAVE A LONG HISTORY DATING BACK TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES AS INDENTURED WORKERS, MUSLIM SOLDIERS HAVE COURAGEOUSLY SERVED IN EVERY ARMED CONFLICT FROM THE RESOLUTIONARY WAR TO TODAY.
HERE AT HOME, MUSLIM RESIDENTS HAVE DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED POSITIVE GROWTH AND DIVERSITY IN VESTEX COUNTY IN ALL ASPECTS.
EDUCATION, MUSIC, GOVERNMENT, MEDICINE, PHILOSOPHY, MATHEMATICS, LITERATURE, CUISINE, ARCHITECTURE IN THE ARTS, JUST TO NAME A FEW.
THERE ARE ALSO OFTEN ON THE FRONT LINES FOR FOSTERING PROSPERITY, KINDNESS, AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE MANY MUSLIM MEMBERS OF ESSEX COUNTY, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, COMBATING RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION AND BIGOTRY ARE ALWAYS AMONGST OUR TOP PRIORITIES.
I'M HONORED TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE MUSLIM LEAGUE OF VOTERS FOR CLAIMING JANUARY AS MUSLIM HERITAGE MONTH IN ESSEX COUNTY.
AND I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
AND WE DO HAVE A MEMBER OF THE, UH, MUSLIM LEAGUE OF VOTERS AND WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THAT, UH, A RESOLUTION FROM THE BOARD TO COMMISSIONER.
WHAT, WHAT WE'LL DO IS LET'S VOTE ON IT FIRST AND THEN WE'LL BRING OH, YEAH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER RICHARDS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO, UH, UH, BRING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION ALONG WITH VICE PRESIDENT AND, UH, FOR BRINGING THIS TODAY.
UH, MR. PARLOVE, ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
IT HAS TO BE MOVED AND SECONDED.
YEAH, IT WOULD HAVE TO, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
I JUST ASSUMED, I'M ASSUMING IT WOULD LIKE TO BE MOVED BY COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON, AND I'M ASSUMING IT WOULD BE SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT.
SORRY I WAS A LITTLE TOO FAST FOR THE ALL GOOD.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
AND THIS BOARD IS, UH, PROUD TO PRESENT, UH, THIS AWARD.
WE'D LIKE TO, UH, CALL UP MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES NOW, UH, MR. UH, COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON, IF YOU CAN CALL, UH, MEMBERS UP FROM THE MUSLIM LEAGUE OF VOTERS TO THE FRONT, WE CAN TAKE A PHOTO.
THAT WAY WE DON'T HAVE TO, WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE YOU HERE ALL MEETING LONG, SO WHY DON'T YOU COME ON UP AND WILL IT BE TIME FOR COMMENT AFTERWARDS? YEAH.
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WHY DON'T WE JUST JOIN HERE, UH, SO WE CAN TAKE A PHOTO TOGETHER.IS THAT ALL RIGHT? WHAT'S THAT? NOT ANYMORE.
I JUST WANNA, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, BRING TO THE ATTENTION THAT ON JANUARY 24TH, WHICH IS NEXT WEDNESDAY, UH, WE'LL HAVE OUR FIRST EVER MUSLIM HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION, AND WE HOPE THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ATTEND.
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT ON THE, UH, ESSEX COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSION'S WEBSITE, BUT IT'LL BE HERE THE 24TH, 6:00 PM IT IS A LITTLE BIT LATER THAN THE START OF OUR MEETING.
SO I THINK THAT RESERVES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THANK YOU.
UH, RESOLUTIONS ONE THROUGH SIX.
THESE ARE ALL BUDGET INSERTIONS.
TEMPORARY EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS NUMBER ONE FOR 11,000,009, 790,000, $11 FOR, UH, WORKFORCE, UH, 10 IF PROGRAM.
THESE ARE FUNDS ARE USED TO, TO ASSIST WELFARE RECIPIENTS IN FINDING AND RETAINING FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND THERE'S NO, UH, COUNTY MATCH.
OKAY, NUMBER TWO, UM, IS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOR SSH CODE BLUE, AN INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $3,000,212, $212,400 BUSINESS FUNDING FOR THE 2024 YEAR SERVICE YEAR, UH, APPROXIMATELY $2.8 MILLION TO, UH, TO VENDORS, 300,000 FOR ADMIN AND 110,000 FOR INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND 45,000 FOR CLO CODE BLUE ACTIVITIES.
THIS FUNDING HELPS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE THROUGH, UH, FAMILY ASSISTANCE BENEFITS OR SSI AND THERE IS NO, NO COUNTY MATCH.
NUMBER THREE, UH, DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES FOR THE 2024 YEAR, UH, COMPREHENSIVE ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE SERVICES.
THIS IS FOR OUR DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,760,578.
THESE FUNDS GO TO ORGANIZE, IMPLEMENT, AND MONITOR PROGRAMS FOR SERVICES FOR ESSEX COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUG RELATED, UH, UH, PROGRAMS. UM, THERE IS AN IN, IN-KIND MATCH THAT WE MEET THROUGH SALARY AND WAGES IN THE AMOUNT OF $280,680.
UH, ITEM FOUR, UH, FROM, UH, AN EMERGING APPROPRIATION, UH, TEMPORARY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE.
THIS IS A GRANT WE RECEIVED FOR COMBATING OVERDOSE THROUGH COMMUNITY LEVEL INTERVENTION GRANT.
AGAIN, THIS IS GOING TO OUR DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IN THE AMOUNT OF $135,000.
THIS FUNDING IS FOR A POST OVERDOSE RESPONSE TEAM PILOT PROGRAM HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY, UM, TO PROVIDE OUTREACH TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SUFFERED NON-FATAL DRUG RELATED OVERDOSES, UH, WITHIN 24 TO 72 HOURS OF THE INCIDENT.
UM, MS. GRANT IS FOR FROM DECEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH, 2024.
UH, AND THERE IS NO, NO COUNTY MATCH.
ITEM FIVE FOR OUR DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
THIS IS FOR THE COUNTY REENTRY COORDINATORS PROGRAM.
UM, AN AMOUNT OF A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
THIS IS FUNDING TO EVALUATE AND ASSIST EACH INCARCERATED PERSON AND TO CONNECT WITH AN APPROPRIATE POST-RELEASE TREATMENT AND REENTRY SERVICES.
UH, NO COUNTY MATCH FOR THIS PROGRAM, UH, AS WELL.
UH, ITEM SIX IS, UH, FOR TEMPORARY EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION.
SAME NEW JERSEY, UH, FOR OUR PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, THE AMOUNT OF $300,000.
AND THIS IS FOR THE, UH, THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE OF INSURANCE.
UH, FRAUD, UH, FUNDS ARE USED TO AUGMENT, ENHANCE THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF PERSONS COMMITTING, UM, INSURANCE FRAUD, COMMERCIAL MEDICAL, AND AUTO RC RELATED FRAUD.
[00:10:01]
PROVIDES FOR, UM, THE SALARY INFRINGE FOR ONE ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR AND ONE INVESTIGATOR.MR. PARLOVE, ANY QUESTIONS ON ONE THROUGH SIX? NO QUESTIONS.
SOMEONE TO MOVE? I'LL MOVE IT.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MERCADO.
MADAM CLERK COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POMAR? YES.
OKAY, MADAM CLERK, LET'S MOVE TO RESOLUTION NUMBER SEVEN AND EIGHT AND THE ADDED STARTER NUMBER 48, WHICH ARE FROM THE OFFICE OF PURCHASING.
AND THEY'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
UH, ITEM SEVEN IS, UH, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF OUR OMNIBUS, UM, RESOLUTION FROM, UH, BY $5 MILLION GOING FROM 25 MILLION TO 30 MILLION.
THIS, THESE, THESE, UH, OMNIBUS COVERAGE STATES, CONTRACTS, CO-OPS, MANDATED COURT ORDERED, UH, PAYMENTS.
UM, AND WE ARE, WE USE THESE, UH, THE OMNIBUS MORE, BUT WE'VE ALSO HAD PRICE INCREASES IN, IN, IN THE SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE OMNIBUS.
SO WE NEED TO, UM, INCREASE FOR 2023.
SIMILARLY, UM, WE'RE INCREASING, TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THIS, UM, INCREASING OUR, THE AMOUNT THAT WE HAD IN FOR, UH, THE, THE LAST ONE THAT THE BOARD DID FOR 26 MILLION, WE'RE INCREASING IT TO, UH, REQUESTING TO INCREASE IT TO 40 MILLION AND NUMBER 48.
UH, AND ITEM NUMBER 48, UM, WE HAVE A, UM, A LEASE AGREEMENT.
AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE MOVING FROM, UM, OUR, OUR STORAGE AREA, NON NON-ELECTION STORAGE FROM BELLEVILLE TO A FACILITY IN NEWARK.
UH, IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THAT, WE NEEDED, UM, AN EXTRA THREE MONTHS, UH, THERE TO TO, TO MAKE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS IN OUR NEW FACILITY.
AND THIS ARRANGEMENT IS JUST A THREE MONTH EXTENSION OF OUR CURRENT RENT, AND WE WILL BE, UH, IN THE NEW SPACE, UM, PRIOR TO THE END OF THIS, UH, RUNNING OUT.
AND THAT IS IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,710 AND 4 CENTS.
MR. PARLOVE, YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON SEVEN, EIGHT OR 48? JUST A BRIEF QUESTION, JU TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BOARD'S AWARE OF THE DISTINCTION HERE BETWEEN SEVEN AND EIGHT.
SEVEN IS, I WOULD CALL IT MR. JACKSON, MAYBE A CLEANUP JUST TO FINISH OUT THE 2023 BILLS, THAT'S THE ADDITIONAL 5 MILLION THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND NUMBER EIGHT IS, AS MR. JACKSON SAID, FOR 2024 AND TO GET AHEAD OF WHAT THE ANTICIPATED INCREASES AND, UH, COST INCREASES WILL BE FOR THE YEAR.
IN BOTH THESE CASES, UM, IT'S STILL, UH, THE RULE THAT IF IT'S OVER 1 75, ANY ONE OF THESE ITEMS, IT STILL HAS TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD, CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
SO ANYTHING OVER 175,000, EVEN IF IT QUALIFIES TO BE UNDER THE ONLY BUSH RESOLUTION, HAS TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD.
HAS TO COME TO THE BOARD, NOT BACK.
HAS TO COME TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL.
THANK YOU, MR. AND I GUESS THAT LIMIT WAS SET BY ORDINANCE AT SOME POINT IN TIME? UH, YEAH, I THINK, UH, IT, NOT A POLICY.
THREE, THREE YEARS AGO, THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO, THE BOARD SET THAT THRESHOLD, THAT NUMBER CAN BE INCREASED OR DECREASED AT THE BOARD.
ANY COMMISSIONERS ANY QUESTIONS ON SEVEN, EIGHT AND 48? DO I HAVE A MOVER? I'LL MOVE IT.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MARY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY THOMAS? YES.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT TOMORROW? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION NUMBER NINE, MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
THIS IS, UM, A RESOLUTION, UH, FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ASSOCIATED HUMANE SOCIETIES AND CO NEW JERSEY TO PERFORM TRAP NEUTER, VACCINATE AND RELEASE SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF ESSEX FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2024 THROUGH, UH, DECEMBER 31ST, 2024, AND AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF, UH, $100,000.
MR. UH, PARLOVE, ANY QUESTIONS ON NUMBER NINE? NO QUESTIONS.
[00:15:01]
I WAS SENT SOMETHING, I GUESS IT WAS LAST WEEK AT SOME POINT IN TIME THAT ADDRESSED THE COST BENEFIT OF THIS AMOUNT, BUT I THINK THE CLERK SENT IT TO ME WITH REGARD TO HOW MANY, UH, CATS THERE WERE THAT AND THEN THE OFFSPRING TO THOSE CATS.IT WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE THE, THE AMOUNT THAT, UH, UH, CATS JUST REALLY PROHIBITED FROM BEING BORN.
MR. DOOLEY HAD SENT THAT INFORMATION TO US AT OUR REQUEST IN A LEADERSHIP MEETING.
I THINK WE SPA A NEUTERED SOMEWHERE IN THE VICINITY OF ABOUT 310 CATS, GIVE OR TAKE.
IS THAT RIGHT? OR APPROXIMATELY? YES.
MR. DOLE, CAN YOU WELL, THE IN IN 23 WAS 6 0 6.
6 0 6 AND THE PREVENTED, UH, LITTERS OF KITTENS OR SOMETHING LIKE SEVERAL THOUSAND, UH, WHICH IS QUITE A RIGHT.
SO EACH, EACH ONE IS ABOUT 16 PER YEAR.
UM, SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT 10 YEARS LIFE, YEAH, THAT'S A HECK OF A LOT OF CATS.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S REALLY, UH, ADDRESSING A REAL SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM.
I'M SURE MAMAMIA WOULD BE HAPPY TO HEAR THE ACTION THAT WE TOOK HERE TODAY.
AND I'M SURE SHE'LL BE HERE SOON ENOUGH.
ALRIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER COOPER? THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION, BUT A COMMENT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION FOR SUPPORTING THE TN UM, VR PROGRAMMING THAT WE DID IN PRIOR YEARS.
IT HAS BEEN REALLY IMPACTFUL AND REALLY TREMENDOUS FOR OUR COUNTY, AND I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO US DOING THIS IN 2024.
AND I WILL CERTAINLY RELATE TO MAMON THAT WE PUT THIS UP FOR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT.
DO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND, UH, OUR VICE PRESIDENT COOPER AND HER DILIGENT AND OUR WORK ON, UH, THE SPADE AND TRAPPING NEUTERED OUR PROGRAM ALONG WITH
I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN A REALLY GOOD PARTNER FOR HER AND A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE IT? MEOW,
WE SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MURUM, WHO DID NOT MEOW FOR THE RECORD.
ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK ON NUMBER NINE.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT OMA? YES.
LET'S, UH, MOVE ON TO NUMBER 10 AND 11, WHICH FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CITIZEN SERVICES, MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
UH, MS. RAMOS WILL HANDLE THESE ITEMS. GOOD EVENING, MS. RAMOS.
MARIA RAMOS, DIVISION OF COMMUNITY ACTION ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE HERE, UH, TO REQUEST THE APPROVAL OF OUR, UH, PROGRAM.
THE SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM TO THIS PROGRAM OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BACK RENT, SECURITY DEPOSITS, UH, SHELTER PLACEMENT FOR SES COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH A HARDSHIP SITUATION.
YOU WANNA GO OVER NUMBER 11 AS WELL? IS THAT MM-HMM,
TERRANCE MCCOY, DIVISION OF COMMUNITY ACTION.
UH, WE ARE HERE FOR AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVAL SEEKING, UH, CONTRACTING SERVICES FOR OUR FOUR SHELTERS THAT ARE PROVIDING HOMELESS SERVICES FOR OUR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE OUT IN THE STREET DURING THE COLD BLUE DECLARATION.
THESE FOUR AGENCIES THAT APPLY THROUGH, UH, COMPETITIVE CONTRACTING PROCESS.
WERE THE FOUR ONLY AGENCIES THAT APPLY.
SO WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THE CONTRACTS FOR ALL FOUR AGENCIES BECAUSE OF THE NEED WITH THE COLDNESS, AS YOU CAN SEE, TONIGHT IS FREEZING AND WE ARE GONNA NEED THEM TO HELP OUT WITH THIS PROBLEM.
THERE'S, UH, THIS FUNDS IS FROM OUR NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF, UH, FAMILY DEVELOPMENT.
AND THERE'S NO MATCH, NO, NO MATCH FOR THIS SERVICES.
I BELIEVE IT'S THE SECOND TIME WE'RE IN CODE BLUE, OR AT LEAST NOW, CERTAINLY THROUGH, AT LEAST SATURDAY AT THE MOMENT, YES.
AND I WILL BE EXTENDING IT INTO NEXT WEEK.
AND THANK YOU FOR THIS, UH, VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE.
MR. PARLOVE, YOU, ANY QUESTIONS ON NUMBER 10 OR 11? NO, NO QUESTIONS.
DO YOU, UH, MR. PRESIDENT? SO THE CONTRACT AMOUNT IS FOR $45,500 AND IT'S BROKEN UP BETWEEN THE FOUR AND 11,350.
AND HOW MANY RESIDENTS DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD, UH, DO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT THAT SERVES? SO FAR, WE'VE SEEN ON APPROXIMATE OF 57 RESIDENTS THAT, WELL, NOT RESIDENT, 57 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS
[00:20:01]
AND FAMILIES THAT WERE IN THE STREET DURING THIS COLD SPELL THAT THE AGENCIES WERE ABLE TO, UM, SHELTER TO, TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE COLD ELEMENTS.SO HOW MANY MORE DO YOU THINK THAT MEAGER AMOUNT COULD COVER? WELL, THAT A GUESSTIMATE BECAUSE WE GO BY A SHELTER RATE THAT THE, THE STATE PROVIDES TO EACH SHELTER.
SO WE COULD APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN NOW AND MARCH 31ST SHELTER APPROXIMATELY A HUNDRED AND MAYBE 25 MORE.
SEEMS LIKE YOU NEED MORE MONEY.
THAT'S MONEY WELL SPENT FOR SURE.
UH, COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT.
DID YOU SAY YOU SERVICED A HUNDRED PEOPLE? NO, WE SERVICED SO FAR, 51, BUT WE CAN DO 125 MORE.
BUT WE ALSO, NOT TO MENTION, UH, RECENTLY YOU APPROVED OUR WARMING CENTER.
WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES, MONTCLAIR IRVINGTON AND EAST ORANGE, WHO ARE ALLOWING US TO USE THEIR WARMING CENTERS.
SO THAT'S HELPING OUT WITH THE ADDITIONAL, UM, HOUSING OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO TRY AND KEEP THEM OUTTA THE COLD ELEMENTS.
SO WE HOUSE THEM EVERY DAY THAT IT'S COLD EVERY DAY THAT THERE'S A DECLARATION.
IT'S COLD EVERY, IS THERE A NUMBER THAT PEOPLE CAN CALL IF YOU SEE HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREET THAT MAY NEED THIS? WELL, WE HAVE NJ 2 1 1 THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, THAT WE HAVE PUBLISHED ON THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE, AND I PUBLISH AND SENDS OUT A LIST OF ALL OF OUR SHELTERS AND WARMING CENTERS TO EVERYONE WHEN THERE'S A DECLARATION.
AND TO YOU, DO YOU AGREE WITH, UM, COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON? THAT'S A SMALL AMOUNT AND, UM, MAYBE MR. RICHARDSON AND COMMISSIONER IF WE CAN EVALUATE THAT BECAUSE THAT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY.
AND COMMISSIONER VICE, TO YOUR POINT, UH, I THINK WE HAVE SHARED THAT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA.
I KNOW THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE HAS, AND I KNOW THAT AS INDIVIDUALS WE HAVE AND, UH, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA, UH, WE'LL ASK PERHAPS ADAM, IF HE'S IN A ROOM OR MADAM CLERK, IF WE CAN GET A STAFF MEMBER TO MAKE SURE WE POST THAT EVERY DAY FROM HERE TO SATURDAY.
BECAUSE CERTAINLY THE WEATHER WILL BE, UH, YOU KNOW, DEPLORABLE FOR ANYONE TO BE OUTSIDE IN THESE CONDITIONS.
AND THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
YEAH, WE ARE HAVE A UPCOMING SNOWSTORM COMING ON FRIDAY, SO THAT'S GONNA BE SIGNIFICANT.
SO I THINK IT WOULD BE PRUDENT FOR ALL OF US IN THIS ROOM, IN OUR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
AND IF YOU FEEL UPON IT PERSONALLY, IF YOU LIKE TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION BECAUSE, UH, ONE PERSON ON NICOLE IS TOO MANY AGREE.
DO I HAVE A MOVER AND A SECOND? PLEASE MOVE IT.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON, SECOND BY VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK FOR NUMBER 10 AND 11.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
COMMISSIONER MARY THOMAS? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT OMA? YES.
OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION NUMBER 12, WHICH IS FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
UM, CAN I, MR. PRESIDENT, CAN I, UH, THROUGH YOU, CAN I BE RECORDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE ON, UM, ORDINANCES, UH, ONE, TWO, AND THREE IN RESOLUTIONS ONE, TWO, AND THREE.
CAN YOU ALSO, UM, CONFIRM, UH, A FORMATIVE YES.
FOR THE ONES THAT I MISSED WHEN I STEPPED OUT? THANK YOU.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION NUMBER 12.
DEPARTMENT OF CITIZEN SERVICES, THE DIVISION OF YOUTH.
UH, THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT, UH, WARDEN BIFF AND THE, UH, REPS FROM THE SCHOOL ARE HERE TO ADDRESS THIS ITEM.
UH, WARDEN BIFF, ESSEX COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER BEHALF OF LINE ITEM NUMBER 12, WHICH IS, UH, THE CONTRACT TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AT THE DETENTION CENTER WITH, UH, ESSEX REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION.
I HAVE THE COMMISSIONER HERE, UH, FROM THE COMMISSION, EXCUSE ME, THE SUPERINTENDENT HERE FROM THE COMMISSION, AS WELL AS THE PRINCIPAL AND THE VICE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL TO ANSWER ANY POTENTIAL QUESTIONS.
WHY DON'T WE HAVE THEM INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND THEN TELL US BASICALLY WHAT, UH, THEIR ROLE IS AT THE, UH, FACILITY AND WHAT, HOW THEY DO THEIR JOB.
ON A HIGH LEVEL, WE DON'T NEED THE TODAY.
I AM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ESSEX REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES COMMISSION.
I'M THE PRINCIPAL OF SOJOURN HIGH SCHOOL.
I'M THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF SOLDIER HIGH SCHOOL.
[00:25:01]
AND WARDEN, DO YOU WANNA GIVE A, JUST AN OVERVIEW OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR BIFF ESSEX COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER? UH, CURRENTLY, UH, THE STAFF PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, HIGH SCHOOL SERVICES TO ALL OF THE RESIDENTS, UH, WHO ARE, UH, CONFINED AT THE ESSEX COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.THEY CURRENTLY ATTEND A FULL SCHOOL DAY, UM, AND UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR COURSES, THEY DO RECEIVE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS FROM THEIR DISTRICTS.
APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY STUDENTS WOODEN IN A GIVEN YEAR? CURRENTLY, WE, I KNOW IT FLUCTUATES, BUT IT FLUCTUATES.
BUT CURRENTLY WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 140 STUDENTS WHO ARE, UM, IN THE DETENTION CENTER.
ANY QUESTIONS ON NUMBER 12? NO QUESTIONS.
MR. PRESIDENT? COMMISSIONER MARY THOMAS.
YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL QUESTION, JUST SO YOU KNOW,
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AS A FORMER EDUCATOR AND FORMER MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF ESSEX REGIONAL.
UH, JUST REALLY APPRECIATED READING THROUGH THE PLAN FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION, QUESTION AROUND CLARITY FOR THE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE SERVICES BECAUSE ON THE TITLE OF THE RESOLUTION, IT SAID THAT IT WAS FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS OR RATHER YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE DETAINED.
UH, WHEREAS IN THE CONTRACT ITSELF IT SAID THAT ALL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE DETAINED WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.
SO JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHICH APPLIES IN THIS CASE.
THESE ARE THE STUDENTS WHO ARE UNDER THE, PLEASE, I'M SORRY.
WHEN YOU RESPOND, JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
EDGEHILL, THE EL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ENROLLED IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
IF THEY HAVE A IEP, WHICH IS SPECIAL EDUCATION, THEY HAVE UP UNTIL 21.
SO ANY STUDENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL UNDER THE AGE OF 21 OR 21.
SO IF IT'S A STUDENT WHO IS SO, SO IN, IN ELIGIBILITY WOULD LOOK LIKE JUST IF YOU COULD PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE WITH SOMEONE OVER 21.
MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE A QUESTION.
IS THERE ANY, UM, REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM WHICH THE, UH, THE JUVENILE CAME FROM, UH, BACK TO THE SCHOOL OR TO THE COUNTY? 15 MINUTES.
LATI WALTER MCLEOD, SUPERINTENDENT? NO, SIR.
YOUR QUESTION, WHAT WAS THE ANSWER TO THAT? NO.
IS THERE ANY REASON WHY THAT DOESN'T QUAL WHY, WHY IT DOESN'T QUALIFY? I MEAN, IS THERE A SPECIFIC LAW? BECAUSE, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WHEN A, A STUDENT GETS QUALIFIED, AND AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT QUALIFIED, HOW QUALIFIED IS BEING, UH, YOU KNOW, DEFINED THAT THERE, UH, HAS BEEN POSSIBILITIES WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ITSELF IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST.
SO THAT HAS NEVER, THAT HAS NEVER COME UP AS A, AS AN OPTION.
'CAUSE THEY'RE NOW IN THE, IN CUSTODY OF THE COUNTY.
UM, MR. WARDEN, I HAVE TO CONTACT YOU TO COME DO A WALKTHROUGH OF YOUR FACILITIES.
WE, WE HAVE TO, UM, GET THAT DONE.
WE DISCUSSED IT LAST YEAR BEFORE THE END, SO WE NEED TO SCHEDULE SOMETHING FOR THIS YEAR.
UM, JUST GIVE ME A QUICK OVERVIEW.
WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN YOUR CUSTODY? LIKE, IS IT A FULL DAY'S CLASS? LIKE HOW DOES THIS WORK? THE KIDS PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.
THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED ON THE LO, DR.
THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE DETENTION CENTER, AND WE HAVE CLASSROOMS AND THEN DETENTION CENTER.
OUR STUDENTS TRAVEL FROM CLASS TO CLASS TO EACH SUBJECT.
IT LOOKS LIKE, IT LOOKS LIKE A REGULAR SCHOOL, BUT IT'S JUST IN A SMALL, A REGULAR SCHOOL DAY.
YEAH, IT'S A REGULAR SCHOOL DAY.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER MARY THOMAS.
JUST ONE OTHER QUESTION AS FAR AS THE AGE DEMOGRAPHIC, SO WHAT'S THE ROUGH RATIOS AS FAR AS THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE TRADITIONAL SERVICES VERSUS THOSE WHO ARE OVER 21 AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL PLAN MIGHT LOOK DIFFERENT? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION BECAUSE, UM, THE STUDENTS WE HAVE NOW ARE FROM GRADES.
WE MIGHT HAVE A SEVENTH GRADER THROUGH 12TH GRADE.
SO IT WILL LOOK LIKE A REGULAR SCHOOL SETTING.
AND THE STUDENTS ARE COMING INTO OUR PROGRAM FROM THEIR SCHOOLS.
WE THEN ALIGN THEIR TRANSCRIPT WITH THE CLASSES THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE WITHIN THAT CLASS OR THAT GRADE LEVEL.
SO, I'M UNSURE OF THE QUESTION.
NO, I WAS JUST GETTING AT THE RATIO BECAUSE YOU SAID THERE ARE CERTAIN STUDENTS WHO ARE INELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, CORRECT? MEANING THAT THOSE ARE STUDENTS WHO, WELL, THEY'RE OVER THE AGE OF 21 BYS, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY'S LAW.
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ENTITLED TO AN EDUCATION.WE DON'T WORK FOR ANY GRADUATE CREDITS SO FAR.
WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH ANOTHER, UM, ESSEX COUNTY, BUT THEN ESSEX REGIONAL WOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE STUDENTS.
ONLY THE STUDENTS WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 WITHOUT AN IEP, WITH AN IEP.
SO THE QUESTION, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE QUESTION WAS THEN ROUGHLY HOW MANY STUDENTS, SO MAYBE THIS ISN'T FOR YOU, THIS MAY BE FOR THE WARDEN, BUT HOW MANY STUDENTS OR RATHER YOUNG PEOPLE WITHIN THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY ARE OVER THE AGE OR AT 21 OR OLDER WHO THUS WOULD BE INELIGIBLE FOR THE SERVICES? I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT'S THE ROUGH AGE BREAKDOWN? WARREN BARCLAY SES, COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.
I WOULD HAVE TO GATHER THOSE STATISTICS AND ACTUALLY PRESENT THEM TO YOU, BUT RIGHT NOW I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION IN FRONT.
IF WE COULD JUST, IF WE COULD JUST GET THAT IN RESPONSE IN WRITING FROM, UH, MR. WARDEN THROUGH YOU.
THE COURT ABSOLUTELY RESPECT FOR, UH, FOR NOT ONLY FOR COMMISSIONER MARY THOMAS, BUT FOR THE BOARD.
WE COULD SHARE THAT WITH THE BOARD.
THE, THE, UH, AGAIN, JUST A QUESTION.
YOUR, THE HIGH SCHOOL HAS, DOES THAT HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO DIVISION, UH, THE STATE DIVISION OF EDUCATION IN TERMS OF REPORTING? PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME WHEN YOU COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
WALTER MCLEOD, SUPERINTENDENT, UM, WE ARE MANDATED BY THE STATE TO REPORT OUR STUDENTS DO RECEIVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.
SO WE REPORT ALL OF THEIR ACADEMICS TESTING, UM, JUST AS IF THEY WERE IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL, WITHIN THEIR DISTRICT.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENT AT ALL.
BUT THE CURRICULUM IS, IS, IS LEFT UP TO YOU YOURSELF.
SO WE FOLLOW THE NEW JERSEY STANDARDS FOR EDUCATION, UM, AND WHEN A STUDENT HAS AN IEP, WE ALSO FOLLOW THE, THE NEW JERSEY STANDARDS FOR EDUCATION.
HOWEVER, WE DO INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PLANS BASED ON THEIR STUDENT'S, IEP AND THEIR, UM, ACADEMIC LEVELS.
THOSE STUDENTS ARE, UM, EVALUATED ON A YEARLY BASIS AND THEIR PLANS CHANGE ON A YEARLY BASIS, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
UM, THANK YOU FOR EDUCATING US ON THIS PROCESS.
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT THEY WOULD NORMALLY GET AT A REGULAR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IT'S JUST UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE HOUSED WITH, WITH ESSEX COUNTY, IT SOUNDS LIKE.
HOW MANY KIDS IS TOTAL IN THE WHOLE FACILITY? MR. WARTON? THAT FACILITY.
IFF, ESSEX COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.
TODAY, I BELIEVE OUR FACILITY COUNT IS 1 46.
EARLIER, SOMEBODY REFERENCED MAYBE I, UM, DIDN'T HEAR WELL, A HUNDRED AND SOMETHING KIDS.
WHAT, WHAT WAS THAT NUMBER FOR SOMEONE SAY 160 OR SOMETHING KIDS.
WAS THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER? SO, WARDEN BIFF ES COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.
I'M GONNA GET YOU THE ACTUAL COUNT OF THIS ONE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YES, MR. PRESIDENT? I HAVE A QUESTION.
MY APOLOGIES FOR NOT BEING THERE PHYSICALLY, BUT, UM, UH, YES, IT'S REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE COMMISSION HAVE BEEN PROVIDING, UH, OPERATING THE GER HIGH SCHOOL FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
I HAVE A QUESTION WITH REGARD TO THE, UH, THE NUMBER OF KIDS THAT I'VE WROTE.
ARE YOU SUBJECT TO THE OCTOBER COUNT? YES.
AND, AND WHO IS REIMBURSED FOR THOSE NUMBERS? IS IT THE COUNTY OR IS IT THE S COUNTY EDUCATION COMMISSION? CAN YOU REPEAT THAT? I BELIEVE THE QUESTION IS, UH, THE QUESTION COMMISSIONER MERCADO IS ASKING IS WHO WAS REIMBURSED? IS IT THE COUNTY WHO WAS REIMBURSED? UH, COMMISSIONER MERCADO.
CAN YOU REPL, UH, REPEAT YOUR QUESTION AGAIN? YES.
WHEN, WHEN THE OCTOBER COUNT IS SUBMITTED TO THE STATE SCHOOL, ENTITIES ARE REIMBURSED PER PER PUPIL, WHOM IS REIMBURSED WHEN YOU SUBMIT YOUR ACCOUNT FOR, TO THE STATE QUESTION.
LATI WATSON CLOUD SUPERINTENDENT, WE RECEIVED TITLE 1D MONEY.
SO THERE IS NO RE REIMBURSEMENT, SIR.
AND THAT JUST, I JUST WANNA NOTE THAT, SO DURING HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN PROVIDING SERVICES AT THE YOUTH, AT THE DETENTION CENTER FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
AND, UM, THEY PROVIDING AN ARRAY OF, UH, VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL COURSES AS WELL.
BUT I, I WANNA CONCUR WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT THAT, UM, I'D
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LIKE TO DO A WALKTHROUGH, UM, IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WARDEN? UH, WARDEN BIFF, ESSEX COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.
OUR FACILITY COUNT OF THIS MORNING WAS 145.
DO I HAVE A MOVER MOTION MOVE BY COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON ON SECOND ROLL CALL ITEM CLERK FOR NUMBER 12.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT AMARA? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO NUMBER 13 AND 14, WHICH IS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION.
DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES.
MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR FISHMAN WILL HANDLE THESE ITEMS. GOOD EVENING, MS. FISHMAN.
GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT AND COMMISSIONERS EILEEN FISHMAN.
UM, ESSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES.
UM, THE, UH, 13 AND 14 ARE 13.
IT'S FOR, UM, CONTRACTS APPROVAL OF, UM, GRANT PROVIDERS AND CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE.
WE'RE IN THE SECOND YEAR OF A TWO YEAR CONTRACT WITH THESE PROVIDERS.
AND, UH, 14 IS, UH, LETTER OF INTENT FOR MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE.
UM, OUR MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE IS THE PROGRAM THAT, UM, WE MAINTAIN WITHIN THE COUNTY WITHIN, UM, 2019 OF THE 22 MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY FOR EDUCATION AND PREVENTION OF, UM, SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.
ANY QUESTIONS? NO, NO QUESTIONS.
MR. MACKIN, ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS ON 13 AND 14? DO I HAVE A MOVER MOVE? COMMISSIONER SEBEL MOVING.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MARY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO NUMBER 15, WHICH IS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE HOSPITAL CENTER.
MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK MR. PRESIDENT PUBLIC LAW 1990.
CHAPTER 73 REQUIRES THE, UH, DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH NEW JERSEY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY, UH, FOR PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS.
THIS RESOLUTION IS PRETTY MUCH MINISTERIAL, WHICH WE DO EVERY YEAR.
UH, AND IT, UH, SIMPLY SAYS THAT THE COUNTY WILL PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN ANY OTHER DATA THAT THE STATE REQUIRES.
AND AS A RESULT OF THIS, WE RECEIVE 85%, UH, FUNDING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT EZ? YES.
SO MOVE, LET'S MOVE ON TO NUMBER 16 THROUGH 18, WHICH FAR IN THE, UH, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS? MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
WE'LL HANDLE THESE ITEMS. GOOD EVENING, MR. ANTONIO.
DAVID ANTONIO, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
ITEM NUMBER, UH, 16 AWARDS, A TWO YEAR OPEN-ENDED CONTRACT TO TWO VENDORS TO PERFORM CAR AND TRUCK COLLISION REPAIRS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $360,000.
IN THE AGGREGATE, THE TWO VENDORS ARE A LAMBO CAR AND TRUCK COLLISION AND THE FALCO INSTANT TOWING SUBMITTED THIS TWO VENDORS SUBMITTED THE LOWEST BITS PER CATEGORY OF THE FOUR BITS RECEIVED.
AND ITEM NUMBER 17, AWARDS AS SUPPLEMENTAL OPEN-ENDED CONTRACT TO PERFORM CAR AND TRUCK COLLISION REPAIRS OF COUNTY FLEET VEHICLES TO TWO VENDORS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $360,000 IN THE AGGREGATE.
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SO BIDDERS ARE ASSURANCE AUTO BODY AND A LAMBO HEAVY TRUCK COLLISION.THIS IS ALSO AN OPEN-ENDED CONTRACT, WHICH WILL LAST FOR TWO YEARS.
AND ITEM NUMBER 18, AWARDS FOIA TRINITY ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, A CONTRACT TO PERFORM TRAFFIC SIGNAL AS INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS ON A AS NEEDED BASIS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $205,000 FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR.
FORIA TRINITY SUBMITTED THE SOLE BID TO THIS ADVERTISED BIDDING OPPORTUNITY.
THIS CONTRACT WILL ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO RESPOND TO TRAFFIC SIGNALING IMPROVEMENT REQUEST IN A TIMELY MANNER, UH, FOR YOUR TRINITY EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYEES, VARIOUS COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
THEY ARE A UNION SHOP AND THEY HAVE BEST EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ON TRAFFIC SIGNAL PROJECTS.
I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS MOMENT.
MR. PARLOVE? I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
COMMISSIONERS ON 16 THROUGH 18.
DO I HAVE A MOVER MOTION? I HAVE A, UH, MOTION FROM VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.
ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK ON NUMBER 16, 17 AND 18.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT TAMARA? YES.
MR. ANTONIO, IF YOU HAVE A MOMENT, COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT HAS A QUESTION.
HOW DO, UM, THE COUNTY EVALUATE, UM, THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNALS AND ADDING TERMS? I'M THINKING ABOUT, UM, SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE, RIGHT WHERE THE FUNERAL HOME IS.
TRYING TO MAKE THAT LEFT TURN IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.
I, I DRIVE THAT WAY FIVE DAYS A WEEK AND IS ALMOST HAVING AN ACCIDENT EVERY DAY THAT I'M THERE.
SO WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR GETTING THAT EVALUATED? UM, I THINK THAT'S PROSPECT STREET.
UH, WELL THE PROCESS WOULD START WITH US HAVING ONE OF OUR, I'M SORRY DAVID, AND TELLING YOU THE PROBLEM OF PUBLIC WORKS THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
UH, THE PROCESS WILL BEGIN WITH US ASSIGNING ONE OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERS, UH, TO GO OUT THERE, DO SOME TRAFFIC COUNTS, UH, EYEBALL THE TRAP THAT THE MOVEMENTS ARE, THAT ARE OCCURRING, LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL FACING IS OPTIMAL OR NOT, AND THEN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO MOVE TRAFFIC OR THE FLOW TRAFFIC IN A MATTER THAT'S BOTH EFFICIENT BUT ALSO SAFE FOR EVERYBODY IN THE, IN, IN THE INTERSECTION.
SO THAT IT BEGINS WITH THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING.
YEAH, IT'S A LITTLE, YOU KNOW, IT'S TWO LANES.
IT WAS A LITTLE TURNING THING THERE AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
I'LL SEND YOU AN EMAIL TO KNOW.
UH, WE'LL STOP AT 18 FOR A MOMENT.
UH, I WANNA COME BACK TO JAY, AN ORDINANCE ON, UH, SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS.
UH, MR. ZAS, IS HE PREPARED WITH A, UH, HEARING STATEMENT THAT HAS TO BE READ THROUGH DP? IS THAT HOW THAT WORKS? UH, YES, HE IS MR. PRESIDENT.
ALL RIGHT, MR. ZAS, YOU'RE SOON TO BE FAVORITE PRESIDENT, BRINGING YOU UP.
THE CURRENT PRESIDENT IS ALWAYS MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT.
SOUNDS LIKE MR. ZAS HAS A FUTURE IN POLITICS.
SIR, WE ARE IN JAY SECOND, UH, READING AND, UH, PUBLIC HEARING STATE FOR THE RECORD WHAT YOU NEED TO FOR DEP.
UH, JOSHUA ZAS HAS COUNTY PARKS.
I DO HAVE, UM, SOME HANDOUTS FOR THE BOARD, UM, JUST WITH THE KIND OF A SITE PLAN.
UM, THAT'S PART OF THE PRESENTATION.
SO JUST FOR THE, JUST FOR THE RECORD, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE'S UNDERSTANDING WE'RE IN A PUBLIC HEARING.
WE'RE ABOUT TO ENTER THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR URBAN PARKS AND GREEN ACRES.
SO THAT'S WHAT MR. ZA WILL BE PRESENTING.
AND, AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT AN ORDINANCE OR A RESOLUTION, IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A VOTE, IT'S JUST THE STATE OR JUST INFORMATION.
UH, INFORMATIONAL FOR THE RECORD.
JOSHUA ZAS ESA COUNTY PARKS, UH, GOOD EVENING PRESIDENT PALM VICE PRESIDENT COOPER,
[00:45:01]
AND THE ENTIRE ESA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.MY NAME IS JOSHUA ZAS AND I'M THE BUSINESS MANAGER FOR THE ES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING IS TO OBTAIN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TWO GRANT APPLICATIONS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
ONE APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM THE GREEN ACRES PARK DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND THE OTHER FOR FUNDING FROM THE URBAN PARKS INITIATIVE.
THE GREEN ACRES PARK DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION IS SEEKING FUNDS FOR WAT SUSSING PARK LOCATED AT DODGE STREET AND GLENWOOD AVENUE IN BLOOMFIELD IN EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WILL PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND ON THE EAST ORANGE SIDE OF THE PARK.
THE IRVING PARK INITIATIVE APPLICATION IS SEEKING FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO IRVINGTON PARK LOCATED AT GROVE STREET AND LYONS AVENUE IN IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, WHICH INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING BALL FIELDS.
I WANNA DIRECT EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TO THE CONCEPT PLAN FOR BOTH APPLICATIONS, WHICH WERE PREPARED BY, UH, THE COUNTY ENGINEERS, UH, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE IRVINGTON PARK CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSES BALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY.
INSTALLING SYNTHETIC TURF ON THE BALL FIELDS WILL COST $620,000 AND NECESSARY SITE DEMOLITION AND PREPARATION WILL COST A TOTAL OF 600,000.
INSTALLATION OF NEW DUGOUTS BLEACHERS, BASES, AND BACKSTOPS WILL TOTAL 450,000.
THE SCOPE OF WORK ALSO INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF A CONCRETE AND HMA WALKWAY FOR 180,000, UH, PARK S FOR 150,000 AND CHAIN LAKE FENCES AND GATES FOR AN ADDITIONAL A HUNDRED THOUSAND.
THE LAST ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE LANDSCAPING, IRRIGATION, TRIMMING, AND DRAINAGE, WHICH TOTAL 600,000, INCLUDING DESIGN AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AS WELL AS CONTINGENCIES.
THE TOTAL PROJECT COST IS ESTIMATED AT 3,591,000 AS PER AN ESTIMATE PREPARED BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER.
THE PROJECT IS LOCATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF IRVINGTON AND URBAN AID MUNICIPALITY AND WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF AN ADVERSELY STRESSED OVERBURDENED COMMUNITY.
AS DETERMINED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MAPPING TOOL.
THE URBAN PARKS FUNDING REQUEST IS 500,000, WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM REQUEST FOR THIS PROGRAM.
NO MATCHING FUNDS ARE REQUIRED.
THE WAZO PARK CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSES IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND IN THE EAST EASTERN SIDE OF THE PARK SITE.
DEMOTE, UH, DEMOLITION AND PREPARATION WILL COST 185,000.
PLAYGROUND SAFETY SURFACING WILL COST 175,000.
AN INSTALLATION OF PAVER WALKWAYS, SEATING AREAS, CONCRETE AND HMA WALKWAYS AND FLUSH CONCRETE CURBS WILL TOTAL 112,000.
THE INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT FOR AGES TWO TO 12 WILL TOTAL 450,000 CHAIN LINK FENCES AND GATES WILL COST 75,000 PARK AND PURCHASES WERE TOTAL A HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NECESSARY.
LANDSCAPING, IRRIGATION, TRIMMING AND DRAINAGE WILL COST 110,000, INCLUDING DESIGN AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AS WELL AS CONTINGENCIES.
THE TOTAL PROJECT COST IS ESTIMATED AT $1,605,310 AS PER AN ESTIMATE PREPARED BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER.
THE PROJECT IS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF EAST ORANGE IN URBAN AID MUNICIPALITY AND WITH THE, WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ADVERSELY STRESSED OVERBURDENED COMMUNITY, AS DETERMINED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MAPPING TOOL.
AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT'S LOCATION, THE COUNTY OF EXIS, COUNTY OF ESSEX IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE PROJECT AND NO MATCHING FUNDS ARE REQUIRED.
THE COUNTY HAS ALSO PREPARED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR BOTH PROJECTS AS REQUIRED BY THE N-J-D-E-P APPLICATION GUIDANCE.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS FOR BOTH PARKS WILL GREATLY INCREASE THE OVERALL UTILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE FACILITIES.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS, ENHANCEMENTS TO BOTH WAT SUSSING PARK AND IRVINGTON PARK ARE NOT ANTICIPATED TO HAVE ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENTS.
AT WAT SUSSING PARK, THE SCOPE OF WORK PROPOSES ONE-TO-ONE REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING RECREATION AMENITIES ADDED AROUND THE PLAYGROUND.
THE COUNTY RECOGNIZES THIS PARK IS IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY AND SELECTED THESE IMPROVEMENTS SO THAT THEY WILL MINIMIZE VEGETATION, VEGETATIVE CLEARING, GRADING, AND SOIL EROSION FOR THE GREATEST POSSIBLE EXTENT FOR IRVINGTON PARK.
IN THE SHORT TERM, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING BALL FIELDS WILL SUSTAIN ACTIVE RECREATION AS IT'LL PROVIDE VISITORS WITH AN UPGRADED FACILITY FOR SPORTS.
OVER THE LONG TERM, THE NEW BALL FIELDS AND RELATED FACILITIES WILL ALLOW FOR MORE SUSTAINED ACTIVE RECREATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND REQUIRE SIGNIFICANTLY MUCH LESS EFFORT AND MAINTENANCE FOR WATT SUSSING PARK.
IN THE SHORT TERM, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND WILL CREATE A SAFE, SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR PLAY.
WHILE IN THE LONG TERM, THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WILL ENCOURAGE ADDITIONAL FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE PLAYGROUND FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, BOTH PROJECTS WILL DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF THE RESIDENTS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
AS THE POPULATIONS ARE DIS DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE SOCIAL DETRIMENTS OF HEALTH, THE PROPOSED RENOVATIONS WILL IMPROVE
[00:50:01]
THE OVERALL QUALITY OF VISITOR EXPERIENCE.IN BOTH THE LONG AND SHORT TERM AT BIR IRVINGTON AND WATTS PARKS, THE IMPROVEMENTS OF BOTH PARKS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE ACTIVE RECREATION ONSITE AND CREATE A MORE ENJOYABLE AND AESTHETICALLY PLEASING ENVIRONMENTAL OVERALL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INCREASED ATTENDANCE BY VISITORS LOOKING FOR BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.
THERE ARE NO ANTICIPATED IMPACTS TO THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT OF SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND ANY PERMITS WILL BE ACQUIRED THAT ARE REQUIRED ARE REQUIRED, THAT ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECTS, MEASURES AND PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN TO MITIGATE ADVERSE IMPACTS OF BOTH PRO PROJECT SITES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE ERECTION OF SILT FENCING DURING AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION.
THE PROLIFERATION OF SOIL AND SEDIMENT CONTROLS, SCHEDULING AND STAGING EFFORTS TO MINIMIZE OVERALL DISTURBANCE AND SIGNIFICANT LANDSCAPING ACTIVITIES THAT INCLUDE REPLACING ANY FLORA WHOSE REMOVAL WAS REQUIRED FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE WORK.
ADDITIONALLY, THE PROJECT WILL COMPLY WITH ANY AND ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS PERCOLATED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND OR OTHER REGULATORY AGENCIES REGARDING BUILDING REMEDIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND TO THE ATTAINMENT OF ALL NECESSARY PERMITS FOR BUILDING REMEDIATION AND SOIL CONVERSATION AS NEEDED.
IF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OR THE PUBLIC HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
SEE NO QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT.
WITH RESPECT TO THE GREEN ACRES APPLICATION THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO MOVE, I THINK WE'RE COULD ASK IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
OKAY, WE'LL, WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC IF ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHES TO MAKE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT AS IT RELATES TO THESE, UH, PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS.
TO RESPECT TO THE GREEN ACRES GRANT, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
DONNA JACKSON, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE.
UM, WE'RE ONLY GONNA ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS BECAUSE OF WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING.
SO AT THIS POINT, GREAT NEW TO DO THE RENOVATIONS, BUT YOU GUYS NEED TO CONSIDER HIRING SOME BATHROOM AT ATTENDANTS SLASH PLAYGROUND AT ATTENDANTS.
YOU KEEP THE BATHROOMS CLOSED BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ANYBODY THERE TO WATCH 'EM.
SO YOU KEEP PUTTING UP THESE PORTA POTTIES, WHICH ARE NASTY.
SO WE NEED TO HAVE BATHROOM SLASH PLAYGROUND ATTENDANCE.
YOU NEED TO CREATE THAT TITLE.
YOU GOT PLENTY OF MONEY IN THE BUDGET AND NEED TO HAVE SAFETY IN THESE PARKS.
SO WHEN JOSH AND OTHERS DO THE GREAT WORK, AND WE DO HAVE THESE NICE BUILDINGS, IT'S UNFORTUNATE THEY STILL CLOSE.
WE CAN'T KEEP, I DON'T KNOW, UH, I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO GO TO GLEN RIDGE, GLEN ROCK AND VERONA PARK, BUT I KNOW THAT WHEN THE BOATS AND THINGS ARE OPEN, WE USE THEM.
BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THAT POSITION IN EVERY COUNTY PARK.
AND I THINK A THIRD EYE IN THE PARK WATCHING IS NEEDED.
WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE THOSE FACILITIES.
UH, SECOND, A FAIR PROCESS IN TERMS OF OUR FIELDS BEING USED.
CLEARLY UNDERSTAND, EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY LOVES WHEN ESSEX COUNTY DOES THEIR PARTS AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO COME HERE AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO RENT AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO USE.
'CAUSE JOSH, HE DOES A GOOD JOB.
BUT IT NEEDS TO BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ESSEX COUNTY, NOT NEW YORK, NOT THE OTHER PLACES.
IT SHOULD BE ESSEX COUNTY FIRST, AND WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT IT'S FAIR.
WE ALSO HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THE FOOTBALL, SOCCER, AND OTHER EVENTS THAT ARE BEING HAPPENING ON THE FIELD AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT PROCESS, I MEAN, WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TO PUT A PARK IN EVERY 10 BLOCKS WITH ALL THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE DO HAVE GOING ON, BUT WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S FAIR AND EQUITABLE, PARTICULARLY IF IT'S NON ESSEX COUNTY, UH, RESIDENTS USING OUR FACILITIES.
UM, I JUST WANT US TO BE CAREFUL AS WE ARE DOING THIS.
IRVINGTON PARK LOOKS GREAT, WE STILL HAVING SOME FLOODING ISSUES IN BURG AND I ONLY BRING THAT UP TO SAY LET'S WATCH THE DRAINAGE, PARTICULARLY NOW THAT WE'VE HAD ALL THIS EXTRA WATER, I MEAN MORE WATER THAN WE'VE HAD IN SEVERAL YEARS, BUT LET'S MAKE SURE THAT AS THEY'RE LAYING THE NEW FIELDS, PUTTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN, MAKING SURE THE WATER GOES, THAT WE ARE DOING A GOOD ENOUGH JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT OVERFLOW AND RUNOFF IS THERE.
SO WE ARE NOT DAMAGING THE NEW SYNTHETIC TURF AND ALL OF THAT OTHER STUFF THAT'S GOING ON TO KEEP THE FOLIAGE AND VEGETATION ABLE TO SPROUT AND GROW.
BECAUSE IF IT'S TOO MUCH WATER, WE'LL 30 SECONDS AS WELL.
BUT LET'S PLEASE CONSIDER SERIOUSLY, PARTICULARLY BEFORE THE SUMMER GETS HERE, HIRING WHAT WE CALL BATHROOM OR PLAYGROUND SLASH BATHROOM ATTENDANCE.
I THINK IT, WE NEED NOT TO WAIT TILL SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE PARK IN ONE OF THE BATHROOMS WITH ALL OF THIS STUFF WE GOT GOING ON IN THE WORLD BEFORE WE, UM, CONSIDER THAT POSITION.
ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS? OKAY.
MADAM CLERK, LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT THERE'S NO OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISH TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME WITH RESPECT TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE GRAND APPLICATION FOR URBAN PARKS AND GREEN ACRES.
[00:55:01]
SEE HOW NICE I AM.WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROCEED? OH, I'M SORRY, MR. UH, COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON, WHO? YOU MR. PRESIDENT.
I JUST WANT TO, UM, PIGGYBACK ON SOMETHING, UH, THAT WAS JUST SAID BY MS. JACKSON IN TERMS OF THE BATHROOM SLASH PLAYGROUND ATTENDANCE.
IS THERE MONEY IN THE BUDGET OR IS THAT POSITION, CAN THAT POSITION BE FILLED WITH THE GRANT MONEY THAT YOU'RE GOING AFTER? BECAUSE IT IS SEVERAL PARKS AND AND I AGREE WITH RICK JACKSON ON THAT, ON THAT PARK THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL PARKS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY, BUT I KNOW BRANCH BOOK PARK HAS, UH, SOMEONE'S ALWAYS THERE BY THE TWO LIONS, UH, TO OPEN THAT BATHROOM OR MONITOR THAT BATHROOM.
BUT IS THERE SOMEONE ALLOCATED FOR EACH OF THE PARK FACILITIES LIKE THEY HAVE IN BRADBROOK PARK? UH, JOSHUA'S HS.
COUNTY PARK STUDIO, MR. PRESIDENT? SO, UH, TYPICALLY OUR BATHROOM AT ATTENDANTS FALL UNDER OUR SEASONAL HIRES.
UM, WE DO HAVE SEVERAL THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM.
UH, TYPICALLY THE HOURS THAT THE BATHROOM FACILITIES ARE OPEN ARE BETWEEN 11 AND SEVEN, WHICH IS THE MOST POPULOUS TIME THAT THE PARKS ARE, ARE IN USE CERTAINLY DURING THE SUMMER HOURS.
UM, I DO NOT HAVE A LIST OF EVERY PARK THAT HAS A BATHROOM ATTENDANT, BUT WE COULD CERTAINLY GET THAT INFORMATION TO YOU PLEASE.
SO MR. JACKSON, IF YOU COULD PLEASE WE'LL, UH, THROUGH MR. ZAS, UH, MAKE SURE THAT COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON'S QUESTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE BATHROOMS AND THE, UH, ISSUES HEES WILL BE RESPONDED TO IN WRITING IN A TIMELY MANNER.
COMMISSIONER COOPER, MR. PRESIDENT ADAM, UH, COMMISSIONER MARVA, GO AHEAD.
UM, AND I'M GONNA PIGGYBACK ON THIS ISSUE OF BATHROOM ATTENDANCE.
AND I GUESS MY COMMENTS ARE DIRECTED TO, UH, MR. JACKSON AND I GUESS THE DIRECTOR SANTE, WHEN, WHEN AN ORGANIZATION PURCHASES A PERMIT FOR THE PARKS THAT PERMIT THAT THEY PAID FOR, O BATHROOMS ARE ONLY OPEN DURING THE TIMES THAT MR. UH, UH, GATES HAS SAID, WHICH IS 11 TO SEVEN.
NOW THERE ARE, THERE ARE T-BALL GAMES IN BRADBROOK PARK THAT START AT NINE AND THERE ARE GAMES THAT GO ON AT NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS TO 10 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT.
UM, MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF REC BUDGET, A ADDITIONAL BATHROOM ATTENDANCE THAT'LL, THAT WILL BE PRESENT DURING THE TIME THAT THAT PERMIT IS VALID FOR.
SO IF THE ORGANIZATION PAYS FOR A PERMIT THAT THEIR PROGRAM STARTS AT EIGHT TO EIGHT AT NIGHT, THERE SHOULD BE A A A BATHROOM
WE'VE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF HARDSHIP WITH BATHROOMS BEING CLOSED EARLY AT SEVEN.
AND YOU HAVE GAMES, YOU HAVE CHILDREN, YOU HAVE FAMILIES THAT HAVE NOWHERE TO GO TO USE THE BATHROOM.
SO MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION, UH, PUT IN THEIR BUDGET FOR ADDITIONAL BATHROOM ATTENDANCE THAT WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PURCHASES THE PERMITS.
I WANNA PIGGYBACK OFF JACKSON'S COMMENTS.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING AT EARLIER WHEN I ASKED YOU ABOUT THE FEE SCHEDULE RELATED TO RENTING OUT THE FIELD.
THE FIELD AT ORANGE PARK IS ALWAYS USED, WHICH IS GREAT.
WE WANT TO SEE THEM USED, BUT, UM, SOMETIMES IT'S LEFT WITH A LOT OF TRASH THROWN ON IT AND I DON'T KNOW, UM, ACCORDING TO THE RESIDENTS, THE THE TEAMS THAT ARE COMING IN IT'S USING THE FIELD AREN'T NECESSARILY ESSEX COUNTY RESIDENTS.
THEY'RE FROM OUT, FROM, FROM ALLEGEDLY FROM NEW YORK THAT'S COMING UP WITH TO USE OUR FIELD.
FRANKLY, I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A A COUNTY RESIDENT OR NOT.
IF WHEN YOU'RE DONE, YOU LEAVE TRASH BEHIND.
I WANT TO KNOW THAT WE'VE TAKEN OUT SIGNIFICANT MONEY IN OUR PERMIT FEES TO COVER THE COST OF OUR STAFF TO COME AND CLEAN UP AND PICK UP THAT TRASH.
YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT'S BEER BOTTLES AND YOU KNOW, ALCOHOL THAT'S ON EMPTY CONTAINERS THAT'S LEFT ON ON THE FIELD, UM, WAS ONE OF MY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW MUCH DO WE CHARGE THAT FIELD GETS A LOT OF USE.
THE OTHER CONCERN THAT I HAVE IS WE DO GREAT, GREAT BEAUTIFUL WORK WITH IMPROVING OUR PARKS AND WE HAVE TO FIND OUT A WAY HOW WE GO BACK AND DO THE LOOKSIE AFTER THE FACT.
WHAT DO I MEAN? WE PUT A LOT OF MONEY IN BROOK PARK, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, BUT RIGHT NOW WITH THE SNOW AND HEAVY RAIN, A CERTAIN AREA OF THAT PARK FLOOD AND YOU CAN'T USE IT.
[01:00:01]
THERE AT THAT PARK A LOT TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.AND, UM, I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEBODY TO GO THERE AND SEE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
I JUST KNOW ONE PART IS BEAUTIFUL.
WE'VE WALKED THROUGH WITH ONE WITH NO PROBLEM.
BUT THE OTHER PART YOU NEED RAIN BOOTS AND IN A BOAT TO GET THROUGH.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT WHEN WE'VE INVESTED HOW MUCH MONEY THAT WE DID IN THIS PARK TO MAKE IT A GREAT PLACE FOR RESIDENTS AND FOR OUR SCHOOL KIDS TO GO THERE AND USE IT AS THEIR, UM, SCHOOL PARK THAT THEY GO THROUGH.
SO IF WE COULD, COULD DO A BETTER JOB AT FIGURING OUT SOME OF THAT, I THINK, UM, IT WILL, IT WILL REALLY SUBMIT HOW, HOW BEAUTIFUL THAT PARK IS AND REALLY MAKE PEOPLE WANNA USE IT ALL THE TIME.
MUCH MORE THAN WHAT WE DO NOW.
JOSHUA ZAS COUNTY PARKS, UH, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
I'LL CERTAINLY BRING THEM BACK TO THE DIRECTOR AND WE, WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU.
FIRST, HOW DOES THE DEPARTMENT GO ABOUT SELECTING WHICH RENOVATIONS HAPPEN WHEN, AS FAR AS PRIORITY? I CAN IMAGINE THERE'S A TON OF DIFFERENT NEEDS THAT ARE ALWAYS KIND OF TOP OF MIND.
SO JUST CURIOUS ABOUT PROCESS WISE, HOW WE PRIORITIZE THAT AS A DEPARTMENT.
AND THEN SECONDLY TO THE QUESTION THAT WAS RAISED AROUND EQUITY AND KIND OF PRIORITIZING LOCAL ESSEX COUNTY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
MAS I'M ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT LIKE YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUNG PEOPLE SERVING ORGANIZATIONS.
DO WE CURRENTLY HAVE A PROCESS BY WHICH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO MAKE RESERVATIONS THAT ARE ESSEX COUNTY BASED YOUTH-BASED, ET CETERA, EITHER ARE PRIORITIZED IN THE RESERVATION PROCESS OR MAYBE ARE OFFERED SOME KIND OF DISCOUNTED FEE.
JUST CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT THAT PROCESS LOOKS LIKE AS WELL.
UH, JOSHUA ZASS COUNTY PARKS, UH, COMMISSIONER TO ANSWER YOUR LAST QUESTION FIRST REGARDING, UH, PERMITS.
SO THE ORDER OF, UH, IMPORTANCE FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE IS ALWAYS, UH, SCHOOL-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ALWAYS GET PRIORITY.
UM, THEY ALSO GET PRIORITY IF THE THE FIELD IS LOCATED IN THEIR HOMETOWN.
UH, AFTER THAT IT WOULD GO TO YOUTH BASED NONPROFITS.
UM, AFTER THAT IT WOULD GO TO YOUTH BASED FOR-PROFITS.
AND THEN AFTER THAT IT'S PRETTY MUCH WHATEVER'S AVAILABLE WOULD GO TO ADULT LEAGUES OR, OR WHAT HAVE YOU, UH, REGARDING, UH, GREEN ACRES APPLICATIONS AND THE PROCESS.
UM, AS YOU KNOW, OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE, UM, IS IS VERY, VERY GOOD WITH, UM, NOT ONLY SECURING FUNDING BUT USING THE FUNDING APPROPRIATE THROUGHOUT SPECIFICALLY THE PARK SYSTEM.
UM, SO WE TEND TO GO, UH, WHEN WE, WE START A PROJECT, LET'S SAY IN BURG PARK, WHICH I BELIEVE WE COMPLETED ROUGHLY TWO YEARS AGO.
SO NOW THE TIMEFRAME'S KIND OF ABOUT 10 YEARS BEFORE WE THEN REVISIT ANY OF THE FIELDS OF BURG.
TYPICALLY A TURF FIELD LIFESPAN IS APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 YEARS, DEPENDING ON USAGE, SOMETIMES SHORTER, UH, IF IT'S LESS, IF IT'S MORE USAGE, IF IT'S OVERUTILIZED, SOMETIMES YOU ONLY GET SEVEN YEARS OUT OF IT.
SO NOW THAT WE'RE BACK IN IRVINGTON AND WATT SASSING, IT'S BEEN APPROXIMATELY 10, 12 YEARS SINCE WE'VE DONE FIELD AND PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS OVER THERE.
AND I WASN'T ON THE BOARD WHEN THAT HAPPENED, BUT I GREW UP, I GREW UP A LOT OF PLACES IN NEWARK, BUT LIKE FORMATIVE YEARS, A LOT OF THEM WERE IN THE VALES BURG SECTION.
AND I REMEMBER PLAYING T-BALL OVER THERE IN THAT PARK AND SO JUST TO BE DRIVING UP AND DOWN SOUTH RIDGE AVENUE AS A RESIDENT IN THAT AREA FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND SEEING THE RENOVATIONS WAS JUST SO COMFORTING.
SO JUST HATS OFF TO YOU TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK HAPPENING ACROSS ALL OF OUR COUNTY PARKS.
UM, COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT.
I, I, I DID HAVE, UM, ANOTHER QUESTION.
WHEN YOU SAY SEASONAL, DOES THE SEASONAL EMPLOYEE JUST REFER TO SUMMER, UH, THROUGH YOU? UH, MR. PRESIDENT CHESTER SEASONAL IS, UH, BASICALLY OUR TERM OF, UH, PART-TIME EMPLOYEE.
IT, IT WOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE RESTRICTED TO THE SUMMER, JUST SEASONAL JUST MEANS PART-TIME ALL YEAR LONG.
AND THEN, UM, MY OTHER QUESTION WOULD BE WITH THE OPEN SPACE FUNDS THAT WE GET, ARE WE RESTRICTED TO JUST ONLY DOING PARKING IMPROVEMENTS OR COULD SOME OF THOSE FUNDS BE USED TO, UH, FUND THE BATHROOM ATTENDANT POSITION, YOU KNOW, ALL YEAR LONG, UH, THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT JOSHUA? SO OPEN SPACE, UH, THE OPEN SPACE TRUST, THE RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND, UH, YOU CAN ONLY, UH, USE IT TO FUND FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES WHO SUPPORT THE PARK SYSTEM.
UH, THAT'S THE ONLY EMPLOYEES.
OTHERWISE, IT, IT WOULD STRICTLY BE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM AND SPECIFIC TO THE PARK SYSTEM, WE COULDN'T, WE COULDN'T USE IT AT THE HOSPITAL CENTER SAY, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
CAN ONLY BE FOR THE PARK SYSTEM.
SO ONLY FOR FULL-TIME PEOPLE AT THE PARKS.
I WANNA, UM, THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING THIS WORK AT WESTCHESTER AND IRVINGTON PARK.
THEY NEEDED THESE INVESTMENTS AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT THERE'S NO MATCH REQUIRED FOR THIS FUNDING.
WE WON'T NEED ANY DOLLARS FROM THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND.
UH, IF WE GET ENOUGH, UH, FROM THE STATE, THEN OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD USE ALL THOSE FUNDS.
UM, HISTORICALLY, AT LEAST WITH THE URBAN PARK APPLICATION, THEY WOULD'VE THE MAXIMUM 500.
SO WE'LL CERTAINLY HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME ADDITIONAL DOLLARS.
OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON TO, UH, MRS. ZA, THE OTHER ITEMS IN THE AGENDA.
I THINK WE ARE STARTING WITH YOU WITH RESPECT TO, UH, WHAT DO WE HAVE? NUMBER 21, 21 TO 25.
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YES.UH, JOSHUA ZA COUNTY PARKS? THAT SOUNDS CORRECT.
UH, SO NUMBER 21 IS A CONTRACT AWARD TO SCH PROPERTY SERVICES TO PROVIDE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AT THE TURTLEBACK ZOO.
IT'S EXERCISING THE 24 MONTH CONTRACT EXTENSION AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $317,300.
UH, AS NOTED, THIS IS FOR THE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OVER AT THE ZOO.
UH, THE MONTHLY COST IS $14,850.
UH, I MULTIPLY THAT BY THE 24 MONTHS, GIVES YOU $317,300, AND THERE'S ALSO A $50,000 ALLOWANCE, UH, GIVING YOU THE TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED.
NUMBER 22, THE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER WITH GSP PROPERTY SERVICES TO PROVIDE MASONRY WORK, ADDING THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $134,523.
UH, ORIGINALLY THIS CONTRACT WAS $672,615.
THE ADDITIONAL REQUEST OF 20% OF 1 34 523 GIVES YOU A NEW TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED OF $807,138.
UH, WE ANTICIPATE USING THIS 20% CHANGE ORDER FOR STORM DRAIN REPAIRS THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM AS WELL AS REPAIRS AT THE SEPTEMBER 11TH.
MEMORIAL NUMBER 23 IS A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT MADE, UH, APPLICATION THAT ARE GONNA MAKE APPLICATION FUNDS, UH, TO GREEN ACRES ON BEHALF OF THE ESSEX COUNTY PARK SYSTEM.
UH, SPECIFICALLY THIS IS FOR SPARK.
UH, THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, UH, IS GONNA BE APPLYING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO RIVERFRONT PARK, UH, BASKETBALL, TENNIS, AND BASEBALL IMPROVEMENTS.
AND THE ES COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION WILL BE APPLYING TO MONTE OVER ORANGE PARK FOR BALLFIELD IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS IS A SUPPORT RESOLUTION JUST STATING THAT THE, UH, THE BOARD SUPPORTS THOSE TWO NONPROFITS APPLICATIONS.
AND FINALLY, NUMBERS 24 AND 25 ARE THE TWO SEPARATE RESOLUTIONS THAT, UH, WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE BOARD TO SUPPORT, UH, BASED ON THE PUBLIC HEARING.
NUMBER 24 IS THE RESOLUTION FOR THE GREEN ACRES PROGRAM.
AND NUMBER 25 IS THE RESOLUTION FOR THE URBAN PARKS PROGRAM.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE BOARD MAY HAVE.
DO I HAVE A MOVER? COMMISSIONER SIEBEL? DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
BY COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK FOR NUMBER TWENTY ONE, TWENTY TWO, TWENTY THREE, TWENTY FOUR, AND 25 MERCADO.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
LET'S COME BACK TO, UH, NUMBER 19 IS WHERE WE LEFT OFF BEFORE WE STOP FOR THE HEARING, UH, THE PUBLIC HEARING.
UH, NUMBER 19, OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF.
UH, AS YOU SAID, OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF.
THIS IS A 24 MONTH CONTRACT EXTENSION, UH, WITH CLEARVIEW DATA SYSTEMS, UH, TO PROVIDE LIVE SCAN AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE AND, AND, UH, MAINTENANCE SUPPORT.
THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO COMMUNICATE AND STREAMLINE THE DATA FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, UH, ENTITIES, FINGERPRINTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ET CETERA, UH, IN THE AMOUNT OF $126,936 AND 10 CENTS.
AND THIS ALSO INCLUDES A $15,000, UH, ALLOWANCE WOULD LET ME DO I ITEM 20 AS WELL.
UM, ITEM 20 FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR.
THIS IS A, UH, RESOLUTION THAT RELATES TO THE BUDGET INSERTION WE DID EARLIER FOR NUMBER SIX.
THIS IS PARTICIPATION, UM, FOR THE INSURANCE FRAUD PROSECUTORS, UH, FOR THE OFFICE OF THE INSURANCE FRAUD, UH, WITHIN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.
AND THIS IS A, JUST A PARTICIPATION, UH, RESOLUTION.
AND IT COVERS SALARY INFRINGE, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER.
ANY QUESTIONS ON 19 AND 20? NO QUESTIONS.
JUST ON 19, THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH, UH, ALL THE OTHER SOFTWARE IN, IN, IN AS MUCH AS IT AS IT CAN BE.
DO I HAVE A MOVER? MOTION MOVE BY VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
CAN I COMMISSIONER RICARDO? I SAY ABSENT, UH, COMMISSIONER MARY THOMAS.
[01:10:01]
UM, COMMISSIONER SIEBEL? YES.COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT PALMARA? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO, UH, 26 TO 45 AND NUMBER 47.
SO WE, WE, UH, DID 46 EARLIER.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THESE? DO YOU HAVE A MOVER? MOTION MOVED BY VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.
ROLL CALL MADAM CLERK ON 26 THROUGH 30 THROUGH 45 AND 47.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT COOPER? YES.
REPORT ON BOARD COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONERS.
DO WE HAVE ANY REPORTS ON BOARD COMMITTEES? NONE.
ANY, ANY WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS? OKAY.
LET'S MOVE ON TO UNFINISHED BUSINESS COMMISSIONERS.
DO WE HAVE ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS? ANY NEW BUSINESS? OKAY.
LET'S MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT THEN.
UH, IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD WISH TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE THAT DIALOGUE.
UM, I ALSO JUST SPOKE TO JOSH.
YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MIND US ALL.
I'LL CALLING HIM THAT ABOUT HOW THEY USED TO SPEAK STILL THE SPRINKLER TOPS IN THE PARKS ONCE WE PUT THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN.
WE TALKED ABOUT MAKING THOSE PLASTIC.
BUT IN ADDITION TO US TALKING ABOUT THE BATHROOM SLASH PLAYGROUND ATTENDANT, I WAS WONDERING WHAT WE COULD DO WITH THAT.
HOW WE COULD PUT, MAKE POSSIBLE CAMERAS IN.
BECAUSE SEE, WHEN THEY COME TO STEAL THE SPRINKLE TOP, WE SLEEP AND WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE BECAUSE I KNOW WE REPLACED THEM IN WHEAT WAY PARK AND WEST SIDE PARK SEVERAL TIMES.
AND I DON'T WANT US TO KEEP WASTING THAT KIND OF MONEY TO KEEP THINGS LOOKING THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE.
UM, I KNOW WE ARE OUR CAMP PROGRAMS OR KNOW WHERE THEY USED TO BE.
I KNOW I CAME TO THIS MIC ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO AND TALKED ABOUT ECPC, ESSEX COUNTY PARK COMMISSION WHERE WE HAD CAMP ALL DAY.
WE DOING TENNIS AT 10 O'CLOCK, 11 O'CLOCK.
THEN WE WENT FROM THERE TO THE GOLF COURSE.
WE WERE IN THAT PARK ALL DAY LONG.
DO WE NEED THE BABY CHARGE $20 TO GO IN WITH THE OPEN SPACE? WHATEVER IT IS, IT SHOULDN'T BE TOO STRENUOUS FOR FAMILY, BUT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
WE NEED TO TAKE THAT OLD PARK CAMP MONEY AND PUT IT BACK WHERE IT BELONGS.
AND WE NEED TO HAVE THINGS FOR THESE FAMILIES.
UM, I KNOW WE ARE IN BETWEEN WITH THE WEEK PARK SITUATION.
ARE YOU ASKING A QUESTION? YES, SIR.
MS. JACKSON, IF YOU'RE ASKING A QUESTION, IF, UH, RATHER THAN MAKE A STATEMENT, ASK A QUESTION THAT I WAS DOING BOTH.
WHAT THAT'LL DO DO IS THAT'LL TRIGGER US TO RESPOND IN WRITING.
SO MAY WE, UH, PURCHASE PLASTIC SPRINKLER CAPS FOR THE PARKS? UM, CAN WE DIVERT SOME MONEY TO HIGHER, UH, BATHROOM SLASH PARK ATTENDANTS? IS IT FEASIBLE FOR US TO PUT UP CAMERAS AROUND THE SPRINKLING AREAS TO KEEP VANDALISM FROM OCCURRING? AND I THINK THAT ALSO COVERS ITSELF IN THE BATHROOM SLASH PLAYGROUND ATTENDANT BECAUSE WE, LIKE I WAS JUST SAYING TO JOSH AS WELL, WE WANNA KEEP THE BATHROOMS LOOKING, UM, WHERE THEY ARE.
THIS IS A LONG TIME SUPPORT TO HAPPEN.
WE NEED TO GET ON THESE CONTRACTS.
ASK THE QUESTION ABOUT THE CAMP.
CAN WE, LET'S PUT THE MONEY BACK INTO THE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM.
YOU WANNA KNOW IF WE CAN, THAT WE USED TO HAVE, CAN WE DO IT? AND WHERE'S THAT MONEY GOING NOW? LASTLY, LET'S GET THE CONTRACT DONE FOR THE SHERIFF OFFICERS.
LET'S GET THE, UM, I KNOW WE MADE SOME CHANGES AT FAMILY SERVICES.
HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE US TO CATCH UP ON THE MORE THAN A YEAR BACKLOG THAT WE HAVE? ARE WE PROCESSING TRA IN A TIMELY FASHION? FAMILIES ARE BEING EVICTED AND WE NEED TO GIVE FAMILIES HELP.
DO WE NEED TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE? WHAT THAT PROCESS LOOKS LIKE AND HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN BE HIRED NOT NECESSARILY BEING ON THE CIVIL SERVICE LIST? THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? OKAY.
THERE'S NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME.
COMMISSIONER, COMMON SESSION COMMISSIONERS.
[01:15:03]
YES.DO YOU, UH, MR. PRESIDENT, MR. MR. JACKSON? UH, WHERE ARE WE WITH THE DISPARITY STUDY? UH, WE HAVE AN INITIAL DRAFT, UH, COMMISSIONER, UH, WHICH I, I'M, I'M REVIEWING AND, UM, OUR, OUR COUNTY COUNCIL REVIEW AS, AS WELL AS, UH, OTHERS IN EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
I WOULD, I I, I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE WE WERE CLOSE, SO THERE WAS SOME SICKNESS ON THE VENDOR SIDE AND ALSO SOME HAVE STUFF WITH US.
I WOULD SAY BY, UH, NEXT, NEXT MONTH WE SHOULD BE THERE.
WE MAKE SURE THAT MR. PAULO GETS A, UH, A COPY ASAP.
CAN HE BE ALSO BE REVIEWED IT? UM, IT'S JUST THE ADMINISTRATION.
YEAH, WE'RE UNTIL WE'RE, YEAH, WE'RE, WE'RE THERE'S SOME, UM, DRAFTING, EDITING WE WANT TO DO ON IT, UH, AS WELL, JUST TO MAKE SURE IT'S QUICK CLARIFICATIONS MORE SO ANYTHING ELSE? UM, SO, SO WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE THE DRAFT.
AND WHAT CHANGES IS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS GONNA MAKE BEFORE THEY MAKE WELL, IT'S REALLY NOT, I WOULD SAY OUR DRAFT IS, IS THEY SUBMITTED SOMETHING AND WE'RE COMMENTING ON IT, UM, AS YOU KNOW.
SO WHEN WE, WHEN WE MAKE OUR COMMENTS AND THEY'LL GO BACK AND MAKE SOME CHANGE, BUT THEY'RE NOT, THEY'RE NOT, IT'S NOT ANYTHING, YOU KNOW, TREMENDOUS.
AND THEN WE'LL HAVE THE FULL COPY.
BUT I, I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.
I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT WOULD, I'M, I DON'T HAVE ANY PERSONAL OBJECTION.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, BUT I, I'M NOT SURE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DO, I WAS SURPRISED BY HOW ALMOST, I CALL IT LEGALISTIC.
SOME OF THEIR PROCESS HAS TO BE, I'LL HAVE TO CHECK WITH, UH, BURNETT TO SEE IF THAT'S KOSHER.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM IF IT'S KOSHER.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
UH, BUT I'LL CHECK WITH HER BECAUSE SHE, SHE'S, SHE'S SENSITIVE ABOUT SOMETIMES ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE PROCESS SHE GOES THROUGH STANDS UP IN CASE SOMEBODY WOULD LEGALLY CHALLENGE IT OR SOMETHING.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT GOES SOMEPLACE FIRST AND IF IT COMES BACK.
BUT I'LL FIND A LAB OUT AND, AND IF IT'S, IF IT'S FINE WITH ME, MS. PRESIDENT, I HAVE NO PROBLEM AT ALL.
YOU PRESIDENT SITS UP THERE? YES, SIR.
COMMISSIONER SEABOLD, I HAVE A COMMENT.
COMMISSIONER SEABOLD TONIGHT IS PRESIDENT CARLOS PALM'S FIRST MEETING AS PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE HIM FOR DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB ON HIS VERY FIRST MEETING.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SIEBEL.
AND YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE GOOD PEOPLE YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND, UH, I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY, UH, I WAS WAITING, UH, BUT, UH, I'LL SAY SOMETHING IN A MOMENT, BUT I DO WANT TO, UH, I SEE COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT HAS HER HAND UP.
I WOULD LIKE TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON'S QUESTION.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE DIRECTOR FOR THAT SMALL BUSINESS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OFFICE? UM, YOU KNOW, THAT POSITION IS KEY IN HELPING US BRING IN MORE DIVERSITY RELATED TO THE CONTRACTORS AND THE VENDORS THAT WE HAVE.
AND YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR, YOU ALL WILL START TO SEND OUT ALL OF THESE RFPS AND RF QS FOR PEOPLE TO SOLICIT.
YOU DO A GOOD NUMBER OF THEM RIGHT NOW AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE, UM, HAVE A DIRECTOR IN PLACE WHO CAN DO SOME REAL OUTREACH THAT WANT TO POUND THE PAVEMENT TO INVITE PEOPLE IN AND HELP THEM GET THAT, UM, PROCESS GOING.
WE'VE BEEN WITHOUT A DIRECTOR THERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.
AND, UM, I'M AFRAID YOUR DISPARITY STU STUDY IS PROBABLY NOT GONNA BE THAT MUCH DIFFERENT FROM THE LAST DISPARITY STUDY.
BUT WE NEED A DIRECTOR IN WHO CAN HELP US CHANGE SOME OF THAT IF WE'RE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT, UM, PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO, UM, PEOPLE THAT'S DIVERSE.
UH, THROUGH MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE, UH, RECEIVED RESUMES.
UM, THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND I HAVE INTERVIEWED A COUPLE PEOPLE.
UM, SO WE'RE, IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS.
I SHOULD TELL YOU ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE NOT ONLY LOOKING AT JUST FILLING IN THE POSITION, BUT PERHAPS, UM, RETHINKING THAT, HOW THAT OFFICE MIGHT BE STRUCTURED.
IF YOU MAY RECALL, WHEN, WHEN DIRECTOR OPA WAS HERE, HE WAS, BECAUSE OF WHERE HE CAME FROM, HE WAS LOOKING TO MERGE SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF D-E-D-T-E WITH THAT OFFICE.
SO YOU WOULD GET NOT ONLY, UH, GETTING, UH, BUSINESSES, BUT ALSO TRYING TO, TO PUT MARRIED, MARRIED, MARRIED, POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES WITH BUSINESSES.
SO TRYING TO THINK, MAYBE THERE'S A WAY FOR US TO FIND SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING TO, TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE ROBUST.
UH, I DON'T WANNA TAKE FOREVER AND A DAY TO DO THAT, BUT KIND OF THINKING THROUGH MAYBE THIS IS, THERE ARE OTHER WAYS
[01:20:01]
OF EVEN MAKING THAT OFFICE MORE, MORE ROBUST.SO THOSE ARE KIND OF THINGS WE'RE THINKING OF, BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT LOOKING AT PEOPLE, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT THE STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION.
I'M WITH YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE.
SO MY QUESTION, NEXT QUESTION BECOMES, HOW CAN WE START TO DO SOME MORE OF THOSE, HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY? UM, WORKSHOPS WE DID TWO, THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS THAT WERE WELL RECEIVED.
YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF THAT 50 PAGE RFP THAT WE PUT OUT AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO RESPOND.
AND I OFTEN TURN OFF SMALL LOCAL VENDORS FROM FROM RESPONDENT.
SO CAN WE START TO HOST ONE OF THOSE AGAIN, THESE FIRST THREE MONTHS AS YOU GUYS START TO REALLY PUT OUT A GOOD NUMBER OF YOUR ROUTINE RFPS AND BIDS GO OUT NOW AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR AND THESE PEOPLE AREN'T PREPARED TO RESPOND? UH, WE, WE, WE CERTAINLY CAN, CAN DO THAT.
UM, WE, WE, UM, I, I CAN'T GO INTO TOO MUCH DETAIL, BUT MS. ROSARIO, UH, HAS A MEDICAL CONDITION RIGHT NOW.
SO SOME OF THAT, THAT'S BEEN HELD BACK A LITTLE BIT.
BUT WE DEFINITELY, AS SHE BOUNCES BACK, WE CAN DEFINITELY DO MORE OF THAT.
AND AS YOU TALK ABOUT, WE TALK ABOUT THE DIVERSITY, UH, DISPARITY STUDY AND TALK ABOUT BRINGING IN MORE DIVERSE DIVERSITY.
AND WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS BRING IN 435 NEW CONTRACTORS, AND ONLY ONE OR TWO OF 'EM ACTUALLY ARE QUALIFIED TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY.
SO WHEN WE STARTED TO BRING IN THESE SMALLER CONTRACTORS AND, AND FOLKS, UH, WE WANTED TO BE IMPACTFUL AND TO BE MEANINGFUL, NOT TO JUST BE MEANINGLESS, JUST TO SAY THAT WE BROUGHT IN ALL OF THESE NUMBERS MM-HMM.
I I RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE COUNTY HAD A BONDING PROGRAM WHERE THEY WOULD HELP THE SMALLER CONTRACTORS WHO WERE READY, UH, QUALIFY FOR BONDING.
SO THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT THE COUNTY CAN REVISIT AND BRING BACK THAT COULD BE IMPACTFUL AND HELPFUL TO THE SMALLER CONTRACTORS, NOT JUST BRINGING THEM INTO A WORKSHOP TO SAY THAT, OH, WE SIGNED UP 405,000 NEW CONTRACTORS AND NONE OF 'EM CAN GET A JOB.
IT MAKES NO SENSE TO, TO YOUR POINT, MR. FOR, UH, GOD, COMMISSIONER, THE, THE, UH, UM, THE, IF YOU REMEMBER, TURNER CONSTRUCTION, UH, DID THE SEMINAR AND, UH, WE, WE LOOK MAYBE CAN BRING THEM BACK TO DO, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS VERY WELL DONE.
UM, BUT TO YOUR POINT TOO, UM, WE HAD A, A COMPANY THAT, THAT CAME IN, UM, THAT WE'VE ACTUALLY FOUND A MOVING COMPANY AND THEY, THEY JUST, FOR EXAMPLE, HANDLED ALL THE MOVING FOR US, MOVING FROM BELLEVILLE TO, TO NEWARK, UM, WHICH WAS, WHICH WAS A BIG ASSIGNMENT, UM, AND HANDLED IT REALLY, REALLY WELL.
SO I WAS VERY, VERY HAPPY WITH.
SO WHAT I'M SAYING, TO YOUR POINT, WE CAN, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE, THE BIG NUMBERS.
IT'S FIND THE SPECIFIC PEOPLE WHO CAN DO THE WORK, AND THAT'S WHAT, TO YOUR POINT, ABSOLUTELY.
FIND THE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO THE WORK, WHO CAN ACTUALLY PUT IN RFP AND MM-HMM,
UH, WE JUST NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF FINDING THEM.
AND, AND AGAIN, I, AS, AS I HAVE DONE, UM, MR. MR. PRESIDENT, AS I HAVE DONE, UH, BEFORE, YOU KNOW, ANY BOARD MEMBER WHO HAS, HAS, UH, COMPANIES OR ENTITIES THAT YOU THINK, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE ABLE TO, TO DO WORK, PLEASE SEND THEM MY WAY AND WE WILL REACH OUT TO THEM AND GET 'EM ENGAGED.
YEAH, A SLIGHT SHIFT OF GEARS, BUT REALLY APPRECIATE THE ROBUST CONVERSATION HERE.
UM, JUST WANTED TO FIRST COMMEND THE BOARD FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT WE DID THIS MONTH, AND HONORING, UH, FOLKS EMMA MERRIM, AS WELL AS HIGHLIGHTING THE, UH, JANUARY AS MUSLIM HERITAGE MONTH.
WANTED TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE LOSS OF IMAM HASSAN SHARIF, WHICH OF COURSE, WE ALL AS A BOARD, UH, RELEASE A STATEMENT AND, AND SHOWING OUR CONDOLENCES.
BUT SOMEONE WHO WAS NOT ONLY A DEAR FRIEND TO ME AND MY FAMILY AND MY COMMUNITY, UH, BUT A GREAT, UH, PUBLIC SERVANT TO NOT ONLY THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY, BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY OF ESSEX AND THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AT LARGE.
SO, JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HIS FAMILY, UM, AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE EVERYONE WHO MAY BE GRIEVING OR GOING THROUGH LOSS AT THIS TIME.
UM, AND SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING TO CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE FOLKS.
LET ME, UH, CLOSE BY SAYING I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO BE HERE TODAY.
UM, I WANT TO THANK, UH, COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON AND COMMISSIONER GILL FOR SPENDING A LITTLE BIT OF TIME WITH ME AS PAST PRESIDENTS TO GIMME SOME, UH, LITTLE BIT OF ADVICE AND ANSWERING SOME QUESTIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE THAT GOES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROLE.
[01:25:01]
MY VICE PRESIDENT, UH, DE COOPER, AND I WANNA CONGRATULATE OUR NEW MEMBER, DORIAN, UH, MARY THOMAS, FOR BEING HERE.AND, UH, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WARM WELCOME.
WITH THAT AND A VERY COLD NIGHT, WE WILL END UP WITH A WARM ENDING.