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THIS MEETING OF THE ASA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, HEREBY CALLED ORDER THIS MEETS MEETING, IS BEING LIVE STREAMED IN ADDITION TO TAKING PLACE AND TAKING PLACE HERE IN PERSON, MADAM DEPUTY GOLD COMMISSIONER COOPER.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER, PRESIDENT POIS HERE.
PLEASE STAND FOR THIS RULE AND ASK, UH, COMMISSIONER COOPER TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC FOR STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY.
CAN HONOR THOSE WILL BE LOST SINCE THE LAST TIME WE CAME HERE.
PERFORMING CERTIFICATION FROM THE DEPUTY CLERK THAT THIS MEETING IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT.
SO LET'S MOVE ON TO THE APPROVAL OF TRANSCRIPTS.
MADAM DEPUTY CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY? YES, MR. PRESIDENT.
WE HAVE ONE FROM THE NOVEMBER 5TH, 2025 CONFERENCE BOARD.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
MADAM DEPUTY CLARK, ANY TOPICS OF DISCUSSION? NO.
TONIGHT'S MEETING IS A COMBINED CONFERENCE BOARD MEETING AND WE WILL VOTE ON EVERY ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
SO IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY, PLEASE JUST COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THERE WILL BE TIME LATER IN THE EVENING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY OTHER ITEMS. SO I PLEASE ASK YOU TO LIMIT YOUR ITEMS AT THIS POINT TO AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
COMMISSIONERS, HOW ARE YOU TODAY? I'M CHRIS TAYLOR, BUSINESSES REPRESENTATIVE FOR IBW LOCAL HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM EIGHT TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE 2026 COUNTY BUDGET.
WE ARE HERE BECAUSE AS YOU ARE NOW GOING TO CONSIDER THE 2026 BUDGET, WE NEED YOU TO START TO THINK ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT DEAL WITH THE EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
IN THE LAST RECENT DAYS, WE HAD A MAJOR BLIZZARD AND SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF WHICH WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE ADMINISTRATION ABOUT WHAT HAVE ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE EMPLOYEES.
RECENTLY, ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE JOSEPH DI CENTRAL, WENT ON NATIONAL NEWS AND MADE THIS STATEMENT.
UM, HE ESSENTIALLY SAID THAT THE COUNTY, ALL CIVILIANS SHOULD STAY OFF THE ROAD, STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE.
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YOU, TO YOU.YET THE COUNTY OF ESSEX OPENED UP THE VERY NEXT DAY AT SIX 30 IN THE MORNING AND EXPECTED ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES TO BE HERE.
ESSEX COUNTY'S CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL, AMIR JONES, WAS ON THE EXACT SAME BROADCAST AND HIS STATEMENTS WERE VERY CLEAR.
HE SAYS, THIS IS NOT A A SUGGESTION THEY'RE TELLING TO STAY OFF THE ROAD.
YET ESSEX COUNTY OPENED UP AND EXPECTED ALL OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO BE HERE.
WE HAVE IMPLORED THIS ADMINISTRATION TO STOP THE BEHAVIOR FOR YEARS.
ESSEX COUNTY WILL NOT SHUT THE DOORS BECAUSE THEY SAY IF THEY DO, THEY MUST PAY CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND HOSPITALS OF STAFF EXTRA MONEY.
WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS INCLEMENT WEATHER IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.
EVERY METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY IN THE WORLD HAS TOLD US THESE STORMS ARE ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.
SINCE WE HAVE GONE TO THE ADMINISTRATION REPEATED 30, WE HAD A SITUATION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHERE A PIPE, A SPRINKLER BURST IN 50 SOUTH CLINTON STREET, NO EMPLOYEE COULD GET OUT OF THE REAR OF THE BUILDING.
THE FRONT GATES WILL LOCK SO NOBODY COULD GET TO THE CAR.
WE'VE SENT REPEATED REQUESTS THAT HAVE A COMMITTEE FORMED BASED UPON THE UNION CON TO LOOK TO, WELL, NOW WE'RE COMING TO YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LABOR COMMITTEE.
WE'RE NOW ASKING YOU, SINCE WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RESPONSE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO DO EXACTLY THAT.
NOW TAKE A LOOK AT THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.
IF THE ADMINISTRATION WON'T DO IT, GUESS, GUESS WHAT? YOU CAN CREATE A THAT SAYS IF THERE'S FIVE TO SEVEN INCHES OF SNOW WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, THERE'LL BE A TWO HOUR DELAY IN ALL COUNTY BUILDINGS.
AND IF THE EXECUTIVE DISAGREES WITH YOU, HE CAN VETO IT AND YOU CAN OVERRIDE IT WITH A TWO THIRDS MAJORITY AND MAKE IT A STATUTE.
NOW THAT THE COUNTY HASN'T FOLLOW, YOU CAN SAY IF THERE'S 12 INCHES OF SNOW OR BETTER COUNTY BUILDINGS NEED, NEED TO SHUT DOWN.
YOU DON'T NEED HIS PERMISSION TO DO THAT.
WE'RE ASKING YOU NOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AND PUT THE SAFETY OF THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES FIRST TO SAY EVERYBODY ELSE COULD STAY HOME, BUT YOU GUYS COME TO WORK AND HALF OF 'EM GOT HERE.
MR. TAYLOR, I JUST COULDN'T GET INTO.
MR. TAYLOR, WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE.
RECOGNIZING, UH, COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT.
DAVID WEINER, PRESIDENT OF CD LIQUIDITY ONE, REPRESENTING THE NON-SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEES OF THE SES COUNTY DIVISION OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS.
WE STAND TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SAME RESOLUTION, THE SAME AS MY BROTHER, BUT TO UNDERSCORE SOMETHING WITHIN THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, THIS COUNTY HAS CONTRACTED WITH ONE PART, WITH ONE PARTICULAR, NOT THE ONLY PERHAPS, BUT ONE, ONE PARTICULAR, UH, PROVIDER OF SNOW
THEY HAVE CONTRACTS WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WITH THE COUNTY OF ESSEX.
AND DURING THIS SNOWSTORM ON FEBRUARY 23RD, NOT ONLY DID THEY MAKE A STAY FOR, UH, OUR MEMBERS COME IN AND SOME SOMEHOW GET, EVEN GET OUT OF THE, THE SNOW.
IF YOU LIVED INTO NEWARK, YOU'D UNDERSTAND, I'M SURE.
BUT THEY PUSHED THE, THEY PLOWED THE SNOW.
THE CONTRACT SAYS RE UH, PLOW AND REMOVE SNOW IN ICE.
THAT'S WHAT THE CONTRACT SAYS, REMOVE.
BUT INSTEAD THEY JUST PUSHED IT ALL UP AGAINST THE PARKING SPACES ON THE BACK OF 50 SOUTH CLINTON STREET THAT MADE OUR MEMBERS, AND THEY COVERED UP DISABLED SPOTS.
SO THAT MADE OUR DISABLED MEMBERS HAVE TO PARK FURTHER AWAY AND WALK ON UN ALSO, THEY DIDN'T PLOW THE LOT UNTIL ABOUT 11 O'CLOCK THAT MORNING.
NOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO END THE, THE CITY OF EAST ORANGE BLOCK, THE ENTRANCE ON BURNETT STREET TO THE LOT BY PLOWING THE STREET, WHICH THEIR, THEIR JOB TO DO.
BUT THE COUNTY SHOULD HAVE HAD SUGAR THERE MUCH EARLIER IN THE MORNING BEFORE OUR PEOPLE GET THERE TO PLOW AND REMOVE THE ICE AND SNOW.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE SAYING TO YOU NOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS BUDGET, LOOK AT HOW MUCH MONEY ARE YOU SPENDING FOR SNOW REMOVAL AND IS IT REALLY HAPPENING? IS IT HAPPENING AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO? WITHIN THE
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CONTRACT, WE HAD NONE SHOVELED SNOW, UH, WALKS BETWEEN THREE 20 AND 3 21 UNIVERSITY AVENUE.OUR DISABLED MEMBERS COULD NOT WALK.
AND FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION, NOT YOU, BUT THE ADMINISTRATION TO INSIST THAT EMPLOYEES COME TO WORK WHEN THE BASIC, UH, REALITIES OF LIFE ARE NOT DEALT WITH IN ADVANCE OF THEM GETTING THERE.
AND WHEN THEY DID GET THERE, THOSE THAT COULD TRAVEL THERE, SOME EVEN TOOK AN UBER 'CAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANNA BE CHARGED FOR A DAY.
WHEN THEY DID GET THERE, THEY FOUND THE CONDITIONS THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
SO, UM, I'M GONNA SAY IT AGAIN THAT IN THIS BUDGET DELIBERATION, I ASKED THAT YOU LOOK AT THIS.
I ALSO PUT IN AN OPRAH REQUEST TODAY, WHICH ALL YOU RECEIVED 'CAUSE I I CC YOU EVERYTHING.
UM, UH, 'CAUSE WE WANT, WE WANT TO KNOW, WE WANT THE MEETINGS FOR FOUR COMMITTEES, THE LABOR COMMITTEE, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE, AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS.
AND WE WANNA KNOW FOR 2025, 'CAUSE I BELIEVE THERE'S 19 SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE, OF THE COMMISSIONERS SUPPOSED TO COVER EVERY ASPECT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
SO THEREFORE, WE WANT TO KNOW WHEN THESE COMMITTEES MET, TIME, IF THEY MET, AND IF THEY HAD ANY REPORTS.
MY NAME IS LISA MADDOX DOUGLAS.
I AM THE PRESIDENT FOR THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SUPERVISORS UNION, WHERE I REPRESENT SUPERVISORY STAFF, MID-LEVEL STAFF, AND MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES AT THE DIVISION OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS.
AND OUR LOCATIONS ARE AT THREE 20 DASH 3 21 UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND 50 SOUTH CLINTON STREET IN EAST ORANGE.
I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH MY BROTHERS AND I'M SPEAKING TO RESOLUTION NUMBER TWO.
I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH BOTH DAVID WEINER AND CHRIS TAYLOR.
WE PROTEST THE UNFAIR AND DISCRIMINATORY MANDATE, WHICH REQUIRED NON-ESSENTIAL STAFF TO WORK DESPITE A STATEWIDE AND GUBERNATORIAL DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY.
I BELIEVE THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS WERE EXECUTIVE, UH, ORDER EIGHT AND EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 15.
IT APPEARS THAT DESPITE THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, OUR EMPLOYEES WERE REQUIRED TO SHOW UP TO THE WORKPLACE.
IT WAS VERY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE IT FORCED OUR EMPLOYEES TO WORK, UM, TO WORK.
AND IT DEFINITELY POSED A HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ACTUALLY MADE THEIR WAY INTO THE OFFICE.
AND THOSE WERE BOTH, LIKE I STATED, THAT AN INDIVIDUALS NOT ONLY OF CW LOCAL 10 81, BUT ALSO IBW.
SO WE ARE VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.
UM, WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A NEED TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES WHICH WILL ALLOW THOSE WHO NEED.
OR IF YOU'RE STATING THAT WE'RE MANDATORY, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO WORK REMOTELY.
WE HAVE SAT AT THE NEGOTIATION TABLE COUNTLESS YEARS ASKING FOR REMOTE WORK.
THIS IS THE TIME TO MAKE SURE THIS BECOMES A REALITY.
AND IF THE COUNTY FEE, UH, REFUSES TO ADHERE TO THE GOVERNOR'S MANDATE, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU AT LEAST CONSIDER THAT.
AND THAT YOU ALLOW A, WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS A, UH, WHAT WE CALL A SKELETAL STAFF.
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE NEED TO BE THERE, THEN DEVICES COME UP WITH A SKELETAL STAFF, PEOPLE WHO ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, WHO NEED TO BE THERE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.
AND THEN WHAT YOU DO IS PERHAPS HAVE HAZARD PAY OR MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE PAID HANDSOMELY.
MAKE SURE THAT IT'S DOUBLE TIME.
BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME INCENTIVE.
WE ASK THAT YOU MEET WITH, WITH OUR UNIONS TO WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY A PLAN, WHICH WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE BOTH CAN SIT AT THE TABLE WITH TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE TREATED FAIRLY.
UH, FINALLY, I ALSO ASK THAT WE HAVE A 30 SECONDS DISPARITY STUDY OR SOME TYPE OF STUDY.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE WITHIN THE DIVISION OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS.
I WANNA KNOW HOW MANY WOMEN WORK HERE.
OKAY? I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY BLACK WOMEN WORK THERE AND BROWN WOMEN.
BECAUSE WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT A LOT OF WOMEN HAD TO TRY TO MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THIS PLACE, TO THIS WORKPLACE WHEN THEY HAD CHILDREN AT HOME.
A LOT OF OUR WORK STAFF, SOME OF THEM ARE SINGLE PARENTS AND THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THEM TIME.
FINALLY, WE ASK THAT YOU ADHERE TO THE EXECUTIVE ORDER SET FORTH BY THE GOVERNOR SIMPLY BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
AND IT SHOWS THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY PUTTING THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY ESSEX COUNTY.
UH, MY NAME IS NORM SATTER, 99 BERKELEY AVENUE, BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY.
I'M SPEAKING ON ITEMS 2 11 31 AND 33.
DOES ESSEX COUNTY TAKE CARE OF ITS EMPLOYEES? THAT'S
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THE QUESTION THAT CAME TO MY MIND BECAUSE IN BLOOMFIELD, THEY SHUT DOWN.THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS STORM, THEY KNEW ABOUT THE TOTALS.
THEY ACTED PROACTIVELY TO SHUT DOWN THEIR GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS FOR THE DAY AND HAD PEOPLE WORK REMOTELY.
PUTTING PARENTS AT RISK, PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK WHEN THEY CANNOT MOVE DUE TO A GOVERNOR'S STATE DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE TO ME AS A TAXPAYER TO HEAR THESE STORIES.
SO, MOVING ON TO, UM, ITEM NUMBER 11, UH, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS CONTRACT, $29 MILLION.
WE'RE GONNA BE SPENDING $29 MILLION ON FOOD AT THE ESSEX COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
AND HERE'S WHERE I READ ABOUT THIS.
I READ ABOUT THIS ON YOUR AGENDA AS I WAS MAKING A COCONUT CURRY, UH, ON SUNDAY EVENING.
AND SO THE QUESTION CAME TO MIND.
UM, ARE THESE MEALS OF CONSISTENTLY HIGH QUALITY? ARE THEY HEALTHY AND NOURISHING? UM, DOES THIS CONTRACT SUPPORT AND UTILIZE, UH, A NUTRITIONIST AND A DIETICIAN TO BUILD HEALTHY MENUS USING TODAY'S MENU? IN FACT, WHAT'S BEING SERVED RIGHT NOW? WHAT'S BEING PREPARED RIGHT NOW? WHAT WAS SERVED, UM, WHAT WAS SERVED ALL THE LAST WEEK, AND WHAT IS PROVIDED FOR $8 A DAY SPREAD ACROSS THREE MEALS PER, UM, INCARCERATED PERSON AND IN THE CONTRACT? IMPORTANTLY, HOW ARE SPECIAL NEEDS MET? FOOD ALLERGIES, ETHICAL AND RELIGIOUS DIETS? HOW ARE THOSE HANDLED? EXAMPLES? OBVIOUSLY WE ALL KNOW THEM FROM OUR OWN FAMILIES, PERHAPS OURSELVES.
GLUTEN-FREE, NUT FREE, VEGETARIAN, DAIRY FREE, VEGAN, LOW SODIUM DIABETIC, LOW CARB PESCATARIAN, HALAL, KOSHER.
YOU GOT THE PICTURE? I DON'T NEED TO BELABOR THAT POINT.
UM, WHERE'S THE FOOD PREPARED AND HOW IS CROSS-CONTAMINATION, ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO ALLERGENS CONTROLLED? ARE THERE ANY OUTSTANDING HEALTH CODE VIOLATIONS OR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS NEEDED, UM, ON THE PART OF THIS, UH, ON THE PART OF THIS, UH, COMPANY? AND WE KNOW THAT THEY'VE HAD THE CONTRACT FOR A LONG TIME.
UM, FINALLY, UM, WE ARE IN THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN.
IS THERE COORDINATION TO SERVE MEALS BEFORE DAWN DURING THE UR AND AFTER SUNSET AND THE EFTAR? SO I HOPE THAT THAT'S, UM, CONSIDERED, UH, FOR NUMBER 11.
I SEE THE 30 SECONDS COMING UP.
I FULLY SUPPORT THE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR CHRISTY CRAWFORD OF MONTCLAIR AND COREY S ANDERSON OF BLOOMFIELD.
AS I KNOW WITH BOTH OF THEM, UH, CHRISTY FROM MY DAYS AT NEW YORK CITY FIRST ROBOTICS AND COREY FROM HIS DJING AT THE BLOOMFIELD FARMER'S MARKET.
UM, BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR ACCOMMODATIONS ARE HARD EARNED AND VERY WELL DESERVED.
OKAY, MADAM DEPUTY COOK, LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT THERE'S NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME.
WE'RE GONNA MOVE OUT OF ORDER AND TAKE RESOLUTIONS ONE THROUGH THREE, WHICH ARE 2026 TEMPORARY EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.
AND THERE WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
UM, UH, RESOLUTION ONE, TEMPORARY EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION.
UH, FROM THIS IS FROM THE BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE FOR BRANCH BROOK PARK IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,082,000.
UM, UH, THIS IS GONNA BE, THIS IS FUNDING FROM N-J-D-D-P GREEN ACRES THROUGH THE ALLIANCE, UH, FOR, UM, BASKETBALL AND BATHROOM, UH, IMPROVEMENTS.
ITEM TWO, UM, FOR DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, THE AMOUNT OF $1,916,000.
THIS IS PARTIAL FUNDING FOR IRVINGTON PARK SOFTBALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS.
UH, ITEM THREE, UH, FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY FOR BODY ARMOR REPLACEMENT.
UM, FOR THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF, THE AMOUNT OF $32,143 AND 26 CENTS.
UM, THIS WILL PROVIDE FOR 30 VEST AND, UM, THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF IS CURRENTLY UP TO DATE WITH THEIR REPLACEMENTS.
MR. BAZ, ANY QUESTIONS ON ITEMS? 1, 2, 3.
NO, MR. PRESIDENT, MR. MCINERNEY? NO QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS.
SO I'M GONNA MOVE IT, I'LL MOVE IT.
MOVE BY SIEBEL DE SECOND, SECOND.
DEPUTY CLERK FOR ONE, TWO, AND THREE.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MARIE THOMAS.
LET'S GO BACK IN ORDER TO ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS ON INTRODUCTION OF FIRST READINGS.
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MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.ALRIGHT, SO LET'S MOVE TO RESOLUTION ONE FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.
IT WOULD BE READ THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
UH, TREASURER MOHAM WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
UH, GOOD EVENING, OSA, MOHAMMAD COUNTY TREASURER.
UM, RESOLUTION NUMBER ONE, UH, AUTHORIZED ASKS COUNTY TO EXCEED THE 2026 TAX LEVY CAP BY AN ADDITIONAL 1%, 3.3 MILLION AND ESTABLISH A CAP BANK.
UH, THE CAP BANK IS NOT AN ACTUAL BANK, UH, BUT IT'S AN A BUDGET TOOL THAT ALLOWED THE COUNTY TO SAVE, UM, THE UNUSED PORTION OF THE INCREASE, UH, FOR POTENTIAL USE IN FUTURE YEARS IF NEEDED.
HISTORICALLY, WE, WE DIDN'T USE THIS, UH, BEFORE, BUT WE JUST AT THE STANDARD RESOLUTION WE DO EVERY YEAR.
LET'S TAKE THIS, UH, ONE FIRST.
MR. B, ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTION MR. MCINERNEY.
UH, JUST, UH, TO REITERATE WHAT WAS JUST SAID, WHEN YOU THINK OF A CAP BANK, JUST THINK OF AN ADDITIONAL WAY TO AUTHORIZE MONIES AS OPPOSED TO ANY SORT OF PHYSICAL, UM, CASH.
SO IT'S MERELY AN AUTHORIZATION IN THE EVENT WE NEED TO YES, IT'S IN THE EVENT.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NUMBER ONE, SEEING NONE, DO I HAVE SOMEONE MOVE IT? I'LL MOVE IT.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MARIE THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POIS? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION TWO FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING, WHICH WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON AND MR. MOHAM HANDLING THIS AS WELL? YES, SIR.
UH, MOHAMMAD COUNTY REGISTER, UM, RESOLUTION NUMBER TWO TO INTRODUCE THE 2026, UH, COUNTY BUDGET.
UH, THE BUDGET HAS, UM, A TAX INCREASE OF 1.74% IN AMOUNT OF $8 MILLION.
ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS, MR. PRESIDENT.
JUST THAT THE, UH, AS YOU KNOW, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD THEIR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE BUDGET.
UM, WE WENT THROUGH EVERY, UH, EVERY DEPARTMENT.
UM, AS, UH, MR. MUHAMMAD SAID THERE'S A 1.74% INCREASE IN THE TAX LEVY, UM, WHICH IS A, A RATHER, UH, LOW PERCENTAGE INCREASE.
UM, WE, WE LOOKED AT THE REVENUE BASE, UH, WHICH, WHICH, UH, IS A STABLE REVENUE BASE.
UM, SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL ITEMS WE, UM, PREDICT WILL BE COLLECTED, UH, THE ONE SHOTS WHICH ARE VERY NOMINAL.
UM, AND, UH, OVERALL THE ONLY REAL, UH, CHANGES THAT, UH, HAPPEN FROM PRIOR YEARS IS SOME READJUSTMENTS BETWEEN, UH, SALARIES AND WAGES, BASE SALARIES AND, UH, AND, AND OVERTIME EXPENSES.
UM, THOSE AMOUNTS BUDGETED WERE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, SOME OF THEM MUCH MORE IN, UH, IN LINE WITH WHAT WAS HAPPEN, WHAT HAPPENED IN THE, IN THE, UH, PREVIOUS YEARS.
SO, ALL IN ALL, I WOULD SAY THAT, UH, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE, UH, THE BOARD TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS AND TO INTRODUCE THE BUDGET, UH, THIS EVENING.
AND INDEED, WE DID HAVE TWO NIGHTS OF HEARINGS, BUT WE WENT THROUGH THE BUDGET VERY THOROUGHLY, AND THERE WERE A LOT OF VERY GOOD QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE BOARD AND CERTAINLY BY THE ADMINISTRATION, AND THINGS THAT WERE PRESENTED IN A VERY CLEAR AND DISTINCT WAY.
SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY, UH, AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW CON THE COUNTY, UH, BUDGET WORKS.
COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I KNOW WE FULLY BETTER AT THIS, AT THE HEARINGS ALREADY, SO I HAVE SOMEONE TO MOVE IT.
SECOND BY VICE PRESIDENT MARY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
DEPUTY, LET'S MOVE TO ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR LISTING PURPOSES ONLY.
DO WE HAVE ANY? UH, NO, WE DO NOT.
SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO, UH, ORDINANCE OF RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
DO WE HAVE ANY? YES, MR. PRESIDENT? WE HAVE TWO.
LET'S MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE O DASH 2025 DASH 0 0 0 1 3.
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WE'LL GO INTO THE RECORD LETTER TIME.I HEREBY DECLARE PUBLIC HEARING AT ORDINANCE NUMBER O DASH 2025 DASH 0 0 1 3 OPEN.
IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT FOR AGAINST THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
MS. SHABA, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
UH, COMMISSIONERS, DO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE O DASH 2025 DASH 0 0 1 3.
ALL MOTION MOVED BY LUCIANO SECOND.
SECOND BY REGISTER, WE CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK TO CLOSE.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT EZ? YES.
THIS MATTER IS NOW CLOSED, SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE O DASH 20 25 0 0 0 1 4.
IT WILL BE READ TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
I HEREBY DECLARE PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE NUMBER O DASH 2025 DASH 0 0 4 OPEN.
IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT FOR AGAINST THIS ORDINANCE, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE TO STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
DO YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK? SEEING NONE.
MR. BOW, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE O DASH 2025 DASH 0 0 0 1 4.
LUCIANO ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY COURT.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
SO LET'S GO ON TO RESOLUTIONS FOUR THROUGH NINE, WHICH ARE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE OFFICE MANAGE, UH, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.
IT COULD BE READ UNTIL THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
UH, TREASURER MOHAMMAD WILL HANDLE FOUR THROUGH NINE.
HE'S GONNA HAVE A WORKOUT TODAY.
UH, GOOD EVENING, MRAM, MOHAMMAD COUNTY TREASURER, UH, RESOLUTION FOUR TO NINE.
UM, THESE RESOLUTIONS TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY TO EXCEED THE 2% CAP.
UH, BACK IN 2015, THE, THE STATE IMPOSED A 2% CAP AND, UH, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.
AND, UH, ANYTIME WE HAVE IN A BUDGET, UH, EXCEED IN THAT, WE HAVE TO HAVE RESOLUTIONS.
UM, THIS IS BASED ON A, A CALCULATION, UH, INCLUDE IN CON HAVING IN CONSIDERATION REVENUE COLLECTED BY EACH DEPARTMENT IN A PRIOR YEAR.
AND, UH, WE, UH, WE ASK FOR AUTHORIZATION TO EXCEED THE CAP FOR BOARD OF ELECTION, UH, BOARD OF TAXATION, SURROGATE COURT, PROSECUTOR OFFICE, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND COUNTY CLERK.
THE, FOR ALL OF THEM, I'M PRETTY MUCH IN THE SAME SCENARIO FOR DO YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH 'EM ALL OR ANY? YES, PLEASE.
LET'S GO STRAIGHT THROUGH NINE.
MR. BAZ, ANY QUESTIONS ON FOUR THROUGH NINE? NOLE QUESTIONS? MR. MACKIN? ANY NO QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONERS? ANY QUESTIONS ON FOUR THROUGH NINE? JUDGE, THE SAME.
BY SERMONS WE WILL CALL MAD DEPUTY CLERK FOUR THROUGH NINE.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION NUMBER 10, WHICH IS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION, OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT.
WE'LL BE READY FOR THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
UH, DIRECTOR HARLOW WILL, UH, ADDRESS THIS ITEM.
GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND PRESIDENT MAYA.
I ALWAYS SAY THAT I DON'T KNOW, HAVE YOU HAD A LONG DAY? I WANT IT TO BE
AND, UH, MAYA HARLOW, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT, ESSEX COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER.
UH, WE HAVE RECEIVED EXTRA, UH, GRANT FUNDING, UH, TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR OUR NATIONAL HEALTH ACCREDITATION.
AS MOSTLY YOU'VE HEARD, WE HAD AN EXTRAORDINARILY SUCCESSFUL, UH, SITE VISIT FROM OUR NATIONAL ACCREDITATION BOARD.
THERE'S STILL SOME, UH, ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, AND ALSO WE ARE GONNA GO FORWARD TO OUR RE-ACCREDITATION.
UH, SO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE, UH, THE FABULOUS WORK IN PROVIDING WORLD CLASS PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY, WE WANNA ENSURE THAT WE'RE DOING EXACTLY WHAT WE SHOULD.
THEREFORE, WE HIRE THE CONSULTANTING COMPANY TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING IS
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UP AND BEYOND PAR.I, SECOND, SECOND, SECOND BY S I'M STILL GOOD TODAY.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK COMMISSIONER COOPER? YES.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTIONS 11 AND 12, WHICH ARE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND WILL BE WRITTEN TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
GOOD EVENING, DIRECTOR CHARLES.
GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS TWO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THIS EVENING.
UH, ITEM NUMBER 11 IS THE CONTRACT AWARD FOR GD CORRECTIONAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE FULL SERVICES AT THE JAIL.
UM, IT IS A A THREE YEAR CONTRACT WITH TWO ONE YEAR OPTIONS.
UM, I HAVE WITH ME, UH, TONIGHT THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF, OF GD, UH, JEN LOBERG, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BEYOND, UH, MY SCOPE.
IS SHE THE, UH, CON FROM THE CONTRACTORS? YES.
SO PLEASE, WHY DON'T YOU JUST COME ON UP, STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION AND JUST TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, UH, THE SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDE.
UH, I'M GONNA APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE IF I LOSE MY VOICE.
UM, JENNIFER LBECK DIRECT A RESIDENT DISTRICT DIRECTOR WITH GD CORRECTIONAL FOOD SERVICES.
WE'VE HAD A PARTNERSHIP WITH ESSEX COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR OVER 20 PLUS YEARS NOW.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPCOMING FUTURE AS WELL.
UM, WE PROVIDE OVER 10,000 MEALS, UH, IN ESSEX COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
UM, CURRENTLY HAVE 36 EMPLOYEES, UH, THAT WORK IN THE KIT IN THE KITCHEN, ALONG WITH, UH, TWO DIRECTORS, RESIDENT DISTRICT DIRECTOR THAT IS THERE.
UM, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE.
MR. SHABAZ, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
MR. MACK, YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
COMMISSIONER, DOES YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON AND MARY THOMASON AND COOPER, UH, TWO QUESTIONS.
ONE QUESTION IS, HOW MANY OF THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE ESSEX COUNTY RESIDENTS? CURRENTLY WE HAVE INMATES, UH, 32 IN THE MORNING SHIFT AND 32 IN THE AFTERNOON SHIFT.
APPROXIMATELY WHEN YOU SAY INMATES OH, RIGHT.
AND HOW MANY FROM COUNTY? HOW MANY OF 'EM LIVE IN ESSEX COUNTY? NOT TALKING ABOUT IMAGE, UH, NO, I'M SORRY.
WE HAVE 24, I BELIEVE 24 STAFF THAT LIVE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
THERE WAS A QUESTION FROM A GENTLEMAN IN THE OFFICE ABOUT THE HALAL PROCESS.
AND SO WE DO HONOR ALL RELIGIONS.
UM, WE ARE CURRENTLY IN RAMADAN, SO WE PROVIDE THEM AN ENHANCED BREAKFAST MEAL THAT THEY EAT BEFORE THE SUN COMES UP.
UH, THEY GET A DOUBLE DINNER, SO THEY'RE GETTING A DOUBLE PROTEIN, VEGETABLE AND STARCH TO MAKE UP FOR THEIR LUNCH.
WE LET THEM PARTICIPATE IN THE MENU.
WE HAVE THE RAMADAN TIER REPS THAT ARE PART OF OUR MEETINGS PRIOR TO RAMADAN STARTING.
THEY WILL GIVE US SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS OF WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE.
UM, WE INCORPORATE THAT IN THE MENU.
SO IT'S KIND OF, WE DO THE MENU WITH THEM FOR RAMADAN, UM, MEDICAL DIETS, WE HONOR DIABETIC 1824, 3600 CALORIE DIABETIC, UM, RENAL BLAND, HIGH, UH, LOW SODIUM, UM, LOW CHOLESTEROL DIETS, SO ALL THAT.
WE DO HAVE A REGISTERED DIETICIAN THAT IS THERE FULL-TIME WITH US AS WELL, THAT IS ALWAYS LOOKING AT THE MENU.
UH, WE'RE ALWAYS INVOLVING THE INMATES IN THE MENU AND THE PREPARATION, ANY SUGGESTIONS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE INCORPORATE IN IT.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WAS ANYTHING COVERED? OVERLAP? YEAH.
THROUGH, THROUGH YOU MR. PRESIDENT.
AND THANK YOU DIRECTOR CHARLES FOR BEING HERE.
I THINK I SHARED THE LAST TIME, UM, THAT WE HAD YOU WITH US DIRECTOR CHARLES.
AND NOW REMIND ME OF YOUR NAME, MA'AM.
JENNIFER, NOW THAT JENNIFER'S HERE, WHAT'S YOUR LAST NAME? LAN.
MAYBE YOU COULD SPEAK TO THIS.
UH, BUT I HAD RECEIVED SOME CREDIBLE CONCERNS FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO EITHER THEMSELVES HAD RECENTLY BEEN INCARCERATED OR FAMILY MEMBERS WERE INCARCERATED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF FOOD.
UM, IN ONE CASE, EVEN, UH, THERE BEING MAGGOTS IN THE FOOD THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED.
[00:35:01]
SOMEONE HAD SAID TO THEM, A WORKER SAID, YOU ACTUALLY CAN'T EAT THIS.I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO GIVE THIS TO YOU.
SO, SO MY QUESTION WAS FOR YOU MS. BECK, PARDON ME IF I SAID THAT INCORRECTLY AND DIRECTOR CHARLES IS, WHAT ARE YOUR PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES FOR ENSURING THE QUALITY OF, OF FOOD THAT PEOPLE RECEIVE IS BOTH PREPARED ACCURATELY AND, UM, DISTRIBUTED IN A WAY THAT IT DOES NOT, YOU KNOW, ROT OVER TIME AND THEN ULTIMATELY GET SERVED TO SOMEONE IN A STATE THAT IS FRANKLY INHUMANE.
SO WHAT, WHAT ARE THE PROCESSES IN PLACE TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING? SURE.
WELL, I WILL PROMISE YOU THAT THAT IS NOT ACCURATE.
UM, WE HAVE OUR, LET ME START BY OUR VENDORS THAT WE USE.
UM, VERY REPUTABLE VENDOR, UM, VENDORS THAT WE USE, ACE AND DICO, DRISCOLL FOODS.
PLAINFIELD PRODUCE, UM, ALL HIGH QUALITY.
UH, JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT IS ON THE MENU, THEY GET AN 18 OUNCE TO 20 OUNCE CHICKEN LEG QUARTER, THREE TIMES A WEEK THAT, UM, THEY WILL PICK IF THEY WANT CURRY CHICKEN, IF THEY WANT BARBECUE SAUCE ON IT.
WE HAVE A DAILY, WEEKLY, WE HAVE A MONTHLY INSPECTION.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT IS THERE REGULARLY, UH, USUALLY TWICE A YEAR.
OUR DIETICIAN, UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF STEPS IN PLACE.
THE FOOD, WE DON'T EVER USE ANY LEFTOVER FOOD.
UH, WE KNOW WHAT OUR COUNT IS, WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE PREPARING.
WE KNOW WHAT OUR OUNCES ARE AND WHAT THEY'RE GETTING.
UM, SO I CAN ENSURE THAT THE FOOD AND THE QUALITY IS, IS PRETTY GOOD.
BUT AGAIN, LIKE I'M GOING OFF LIKE A VERY KIND OF CREDIBLE SOURCE.
AND I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS EVEN THE NORM.
BUT WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT, UM, THERE'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, UM, AT LEAST BASED OFF THE KIND OF INFORMATION THAT I'VE GATHERED THAT THIS, THAT THIS DID OCCUR.
AND SO ALL I'M REALLY TRYING TO URGING YOU GUYS TO DO IS TO SEE WHERE THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH THINGS CAN FALL SHORT.
I GAVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, I THINK WAS THE LAST TIME DIRECTOR CHARLES WAS HERE BACK WHEN I WAS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.
UM, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAD WITH, UH, BRING MEALS FOR STUDENTS, THE VENDOR WAS SOLID.
IT WAS DECENT FOOD, BUT IT WAS HOW THE FOOD WAS BEING, IT WAS LIKE SOME, SOME KIND OF ISSUE BETWEEN HOW IT GOT TO, AND PARTICULARLY IN THIS ONE CASE, WE HAD A SCHOOL WHERE THEY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A FUNCTIONING KITCHEN BECAUSE THE SCHOOL ITSELF WAS LIKE 150 YEARS OLD.
AND SO IT COST LIKE $2 MILLION TO GIVE THEM A KITCHEN.
AND AT SOME POINT THE ISSUE WAS THAT BETWEEN THE FOOD GETTING THERE AND THE PREPARATION, THE FOOD LIKE JUST WASN'T WARM BY THE TIME IT HAD GOT TO KIDS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAD TRIED TO WORK OUT SOME THINGS TO PREVENT THAT, SAYING ALL THIS TO SAY, I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE A FUNCTIONING KITCHEN.
UH, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING IN CERTAIN CASES I, I FEAR THAT'S BEING MISSED.
AND SO MAYBE THAT'S NOT ON THE SUPPLIER END.
MAYBE THAT'S ON THE, YOU KNOW, THE END OF THE FACILITY.
THAT'S, I DON'T KNOW IF DIRECTOR CHARLES HAS COULD SPEAK TO ANY PROTOCOLS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE IN PLACE, BUT I DID WANNA LIFT THIS BECAUSE JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE IS INSIDE THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY LOSE THEIR ACCESS AND THEIR RIGHTS TO QUALITY FOOD.
AND SO I'M HOPING THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PAY JUST A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION TO.
AGAIN, NOT SUGGESTING THAT THIS IS THE NORM, BUT EVEN ONE INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING ISN'T.
AND SO I JUST WANNA LIFT THAT UP.
AND WE WILL KEEP ON DOING OUR PRE AND POST MEAL CHECKS.
UH, WE TALKED TO OUR STAFF DAILY BEFORE EVEN EVERY MEAL IS, IS LAID OUT AND, AND THE PROPER PREP TIME, WHICH IS USUALLY THREE DAYS, WE'RE PREPPED AHEAD.
UM, BUT WE WILL, WE WILL KEEP ON THAT.
I'M THINKING ABOUT THE LAST TIME THAT, UM, THE GED GROUP WAS HERE BEFORE US AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE RATES.
WELL, LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION FIRST.
ARE THE INMATES STILL INVOLVED WITH RUNNING THE KITCHEN AND PUTTING THE FOOD OUT? I THINK SO.
SO I, I EXPECTED THAT QUESTION, UM, SINCE YOUR VISIT.
UM, SO HERE'S WHAT WE DID FIRST.
WE, WE SENT OUT THE RFP, UM, TO MOVE IT IN THE DIRECTION OF EITHER ELIMINATING OR RESTRICTING THE INMATE WORKERS, RIGHT? RIGHT.
UM, THE INITIAL FINANCIALS THAT CAME BACK ON THAT WERE ASTRONOMICALLY HIGH.
SO THEN WHAT WE DID WAS WE PUT RE-PUT OUT THE RSP, UM, TO CONTINUE USING THE IN MA WORKFORCE.
HOWEVER, WE'VE TAKEN MANY, UM, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS INTERNALLY FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT.
UH, WITH THAT, NUMBER ONE, NU NUMBER TWO IS THAT WE'VE, WE'VE WORKED WITH THE, WITH, WITH GD ABOUT INCENTIVIZING THE, IN A WORKFORCE.
RIGHT? WE WE'RE NOW GIVING THEM MOVIE NIGHT FOR THE WORKERS.
WE'RE NOW GIVING THEM, UH, SPECIAL MEALS ON TOP OF, OF THE MEALS THAT THEY GET, UH, ONCE OR TWICE A A WEEK OUTSIDE FOOD, LIKE HAMBURGERS, CHEESEBURGERS, PIZZA, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
AND I'VE UPPED THE, UH, THE PAY FOR THE INMATES.
I'VE ACTUALLY ALMOST DOUBLED IT, UM, TO, UH,
[00:40:01]
TO, TO GET THEM TO COME TO WORK.AND WE'VE HAD, WE HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND THE STAFF AND ALL THAT, AND THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THAT, THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE HAVE, HAVE BEEN, UM, HAVE SHOWN GREAT, UH, UH, POSITIVE, UH, REMARK, BUT STUFF COME THROUGH.
SO ROUGHLY WHAT WAS THE, UM, POTENTIAL NUMBERS LOOKING LIKE OUTTA CURIOSITY IF WE, WE COMPLETELY REMOVED THE INMATE WORKFORCE COMPONENT OVER $5 MILLION A YEAR ADDITIONAL ON THIS PRICE? THAT'S CORRECT.
ONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT I RECALL WAS THE AMOUNT OF PAY THAT THE INMATES RECEIVED FROM PHYSICALLY WORKING.
AND THIS BODY HAD ASKED FOR THAT RATE TO BE EVALUATED AND INCREASED.
DID I HEAR YOU SAY A MINUTE AGO THAT IT WAS INCREASED? I, I DO, I'VE ACTUALLY DOUBLED IT.
AND LIKE, SO I DOUBLED IT $12 AND 32 CENTS.
SO THAT'S BETTER THAN WHAT IT WAS.
I THINK HOPEFULLY OVER TIME WE COULD PROBABLY BUILD IN, BECAUSE AS YOU JUST SAID, UM, IF WE WERE TO REMOVE THE INMATE WORKFORCE COMPONENT ALTOGETHER, IT WOULD'VE BEEN AN ADDITIONAL $5 MILLION.
AND KNOWING THAT MANY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT SERVE THAT UNFORTUNATELY ARE HOUSED IN THAT INSTITUTION, WHEN THEY LEAVE, THEY LEAVE WITH NOTHING.
THEY'RE GOING HOME WITH NOTHING AND GOTTA, YOU KNOW, FIGURE OUT HOUSING AND SO MANY OTHER THINGS.
UM, I TOO RECEIVED SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD, UM, FROM, FROM FOLKS WHO WERE FORMER INMATES AT THE POLICE.
AND I, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS THAT FROM LISTENING TO, UM, THE PEOPLE, I DON'T THINK THE ISSUE MAY BE THE DELIVERY SYSTEMS OR THE ENTITIES THAT YOU'RE GETTING THE FOOD FROM.
IT MAY BE SOME MONKEY BUSINESS HAPPENING WITH, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THERE COMPARING.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW FREQUENT YOU EVALUATE TESTS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE PROTOCOLS ARE, ARE FOLLOWING THROUGH THE, YOU KNOW, THE WAY AND THE LEVEL THAT THEY SHOULD.
LIKE MS. JENNIFER, ARE YOU PHYSICALLY THE EYES AND EARS THERE ON THE SCENE OVERSEEING YES.
AND I WILL, UH, EVERY MEAL BEFORE IT'S PUT OUT, WE DO A SAMPLE TRAY, IT GOES TO THE ADMINISTRATION, UH, FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE FROM KOSHER TO, UM, OUR HALAL RAMADAN MEALS, OUR BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER.
WE HAVE A PRE AND POST MEAL CHECK THAT WE DO BEFORE EVERY MEAL.
UM, MY STAFF OF GD STAFF, WE HAVE, UH, THREE COOKS THAT ARE COOKING THE FOOD.
WELL, MR. CHARLES, DIRECTOR CHARLES, I HOPE THAT THE, UM, ADDITIONAL MEASURES YOU PUT IN WILL ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WAS BROUGHT OUT THE LAST TIME WE HAD A PENAL HEARING, SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT YOU AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAD.
SO HOPEFULLY, UM, WE CAN OVERCOME SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS.
UH, COMMISSIONER LUCIANO, THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO VICE PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU, UH, MR. PRESIDENT AND THANK YOU TO THE OTHER COMMISSIONER COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
THANK YOU JENNIFER, UH, REPRESENTING, UH, GD CORRECTIONAL ALSO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COMING HERE TONIGHT, I JUST WANT TO PUT ON THE RECORD MY EXPERIENCE WITH GD CORRECTIONAL AND GIVE A LITTLE SNAPSHOT OF THEIR BACKGROUND.
GD CORRECTIONAL IS A SISTER COMPANY OF GOURMET DINING.
FOR ANY OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW, GOURMET DINING IS ALSO THE FOOD SERVICE COMPANY FOR CALDWELL UNIVERSITY, SETON HALL UNIVERSITY, AND MONTCLAIR STATE.
THEY FEED ALL OF OUR STUDENTS HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO, I WAS THERE FOR A RIBBON CUTTING DOWN THE STREET AT RUTGERS NEWARK.
JOHN BON JOVI SOUL KITCHEN IS IN COLLABORATION WITH GOURMET DINING AS WELL.
SO IN MY OPINION, IF JOHN BON JOVI AND WHAT HE DOES TO FEED THOSE IN NEED HAS COLLABORATED WITH GOURMET DINING, I THINK THEY KNOW THE BUSINESS AND I THINK THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB, UH, ALONG WITH THE OTHER UNIVERSITIES.
AND I'M A GRADUATE OF SETON HALL, AND I KNOW AS FAR BACK AS WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, GOURMET DINING WAS RUNNING THE FOOD SERVICES THEN.
SO I HAVE THE UTMOST CONFIDENCE IN YOUR COMPANY AND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
I'M SURE THERE'S ALSO PROBLEMS WITH FOOD SPOILING AT TIMES.
YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE'S PROBLEMS. I HAVE 'EM IN MY OWN REFRIGERATOR AT HOME.
UM, PREPARATION, I LOVE THAT WE USE THE INMATES.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT WAY, YOU KNOW, FOR THEM TO, YOU KNOW, EARN THEIR KEEP AND SHOW THAT THEY'RE READY TO JOIN SOCIETY AGAIN.
UM, BECAUSE WE DO BELIEVE IN THAT RIGHT? THAT EVERYONE'S GETTING SECOND AND SOME CASES THIRD CHANCES, UM, TO MAKE UP WHERE THEY'VE LOST AND WHAT BETTER WAY THAN OVER FOOD AND MEALS, BECAUSE THAT CREATES COMRADERY, THAT CREATES FAMILY.
AND, UH, I JUST REALLY BELIEVE THAT THAT'S WHY WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME AROUND THE DINNER TABLE AND OUT TO DINNER BECAUSE IT REALLY MEANS SOMETHING.
[00:45:01]
THIS CONTRACT GOING FORWARD AND, UH, I'D LIKE TO MOVE IT, BUT AGAIN, I DON'T, DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM ANYONE ELSE'S DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION HERE.
UM, YOU KNOW, I I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE DIALOGUE AND I I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF LIKE THE GRAY, RIGHT? I THINK THAT MOST THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS BLACK AND WHITE, SO, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE THAT JD CORRECT, GD CORRECTIONAL IS A SOLID, I DON'T THINK ANYONE'S NECESSARILY DISPUTING THAT, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THOUGH, IS WHAT WE HEAR DIRECTLY FROM CONSTITUENTS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INSIDE.
AND SO WE HAVE TO ADDRESS MULTIPLE THINGS AT THE SAME TIME, AND I THINK WE'RE CAPABLE OF DOING THAT.
SO I'M APPRECIATIVE OF BOTH OF YOU FOR SPEAKING TO THAT.
BEFORE YOU LEFT THOUGH, DIRECTOR CHARLES, I JUST WANTED TO, UM, REALLY COMMEND YOU.
I KNOW THERE'S A FEW DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT WHO HAVE RECENTLY ACTUALLY LEFT ESSEX COUNTY FACILITY AND THEY'RE LEAVING WITH OSHA 10 CERTIFICATIONS.
THEY'RE LEAVING WITH THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY.
UM, THEY'RE LEAVING, UH, TO, TO YOUR POINT, RIGHT? UH, AS COMMISSIONER COOPER SAID, OFTEN A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVE, UH, OUR CORRECTIONAL AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN, IN GENERAL WITH NOTHING.
BUT IN THIS CASE, IN OUR CASE, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY ARE LEAVING WITH SOME RESOURCES.
AND I THINK THAT AS A BIG TESTAMENT TO THE COMMITMENT OF YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND THIS ADMINISTRATION, UM, AND, AND, YOU KNOW, AND A LOT OF THE WORK THAT I CAN SPEAK PERSONALLY TO A YOUNG MAN IN PARTICULAR, I'M THINKING ABOUT, UM, WHO'S BEEN TAKING CLASSES SINCE HE'S BEEN INSIDE.
RIGHT? AND SO AGAIN, UM, MULTIPLE THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT ONCE.
WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO FULL STOP PERIOD AND THERE'S SOME GOOD STUFF GOING ON THAT WE NEED TO HIGHLIGHT, CELEBRATE, AND CONTINUE TO AMPLIFY IN OUR CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE FOR YOUR WORK.
AND I'LL BRING IT BACK TO MY TEAM THREE.
WANNA MOVE IT? MOVE VICE PRESIDENT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SECOND HIM? SURE.
MADAM DEPUTY COOK FOR NUMBER 12.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS? YES.
UH, COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT S YES.
I MEANT TO SAY 11, 12 IS NEXT.
UH, DR. CHARLES NUMBER 12? YES.
NUMBER 12, UH, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS FOR A CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER, UH, WITH SDA LAUNDRY, UH, TECH, THEY PROVIDE LAUNDRY REPAIRS, UM, TO THE NEARLY A HUNDRED, UM, WASHERS AND DRYERS WE HAVE ON THE HOUSING UNITS AND THE MAJOR LAUNDRY ROOM, WHICH HAS 12 COMMERCIALS, UH, WASHERS AND DRYERS AS WELL.
SO WE DECIDED TO UPGRADE SOME OF THE, UH, OF THE WASHERS AND DRYERS.
THEY'VE BEEN THERE, UH, SINCE THE JAIL WAS BUILT, UH, 20 YEARS AGO.
SO, SO WE, WE THINK IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE SOME, SOME OF THAT.
SO, UH, SOME OF THE REPAIRS ARE FOR THAT.
UH, MR. SHABAZ, ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
MR. MACON? ANY QUESTIONS ON 12? COMMISSIONER? QUESTIONS ON 12? COMMISSIONER, WAS IT? THANK YOU.
JUST FOR CLARITY THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
SO THESE ARE FOR THE, THE LAUNDRY, UM, MACHINES THAT THE INMATES THAT ARE USED TO WASH INMATE CLOTHES THAT ARE ON THE HOUSING UNIT? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND ARE THEY CURRENTLY, LIKE, DO THEY STILL WORK OR IS IT JUST LIKE SOME OF THEM HAVE ISSUES OR SOME OF THEM HAVE ISSUES.
AND, AND ONCE THESE, THANK YOU FOR THAT.
AND ONCE THESE ARE IMPLEMENTED, WHAT'S THE ROUGH TIMELINE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN? BECAUSE I KNOW THEY DON'T REALLY GET A LOT OF CLOTHES, SO I KNOW THIS IS PROBABLY TIME.
SO THERE'S, THERE'S ABOUT JUST ABOUT A HUNDRED ON, ON ALL THE HOUSING UNITS.
WE'RE, WE'RE HOPING TO GET IT DONE IN WITHIN 30 DAYS.
UM, DIRECTOR, DO THE INMATES HAVE TO PAY TO WASH THEIR CLOTHES? NO.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SEE NONE.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MARIE THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POIS? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 13, WHICH IS IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK.
WE'LL BE RIGHT INTO THE RECORD A LATER TIME.
MR. COLT, IS THAT YOU? THAT'S ME, MR. PRESIDENT, OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER WITH A RELIANCE GRAPHIC, INC.
TO PROVIDE PRINTING SERVICES FOR ELECTION MATERIAL, ADDING IN AN AMOUNT OF $439,000.
THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS FOR 2,195,000.
THE NEW CONTRACT WILL BE 2,634,000 BUCKS.
MR. ANY QUESTIONS ON 13TH? NO QUESTIONS PRESIDENT.
COMMISSIONERS QUESTIONS ON 13TH? SEEING NONE.
SO I'M GONNA MOVE IT MOVE BY SIEBEL TO SECOND.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK FOR NUMBER 13.
[00:50:01]
YES.COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 14, WHICH IS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTIONS AND COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION.
IT'LL BE READ TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. CO, SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION, CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER WITH ELECTION GRAPHIC INC.
TO PROVIDE VOTING MACHINE SUPPORT AND CERTIFICATION, ADDING THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 $200.
ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS FOR 501,000.
THE NEW CONTRACT IS FOR $601,200.
COMMISSIONERS QUESTIONS ON 14.
SECOND BY ED ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON FEE THAT TAKE A NICE LONG PAUSE.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTIONS 15 THROUGH 19, WHICH ARE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON'S FAVOR, MAN.
THIS IS EIGHT ZERO, UH, JOSHUA, EIGHT SUSSA COUNTY PARKS.
NUMBER 15 IS A CONTRACT AWARD TO FORZA GOLF CART, UH, SOLE RESPONSIVE BIDDER TO FURNISH AND DELIVER THE RENTAL OF ELECTRIC AND GAS POWERED GOLF MAINTENANCE VEHICLES.
MAY 1ST OF THIS YEAR THROUGH APRIL 30TH, 2030.
A AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,289,517 AND 44 CENTS.
THIS IS FOR GOLF CARTS THAT ARE USED THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM, BUT NOT AT ANY OF THE THREE GOLF COURSES.
IF THE BOARD RECALLS, UH, AT A PREVIOUS MEETING, UH, YOU APPROVED THE GOLF CARTS FOR THE GOLF COURSES.
THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR MAINTENANCE CARTS THAT WOULD BE USED AT THE ZOO, UH, THROUGH OUR MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AT THE ENVI AND AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER.
NUMBER 16 IS A CONTRACT AWARD TO STERIS CORPORATION, UH, TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION FOR PROCEDURE ROOM STERIS EQUIPMENT AT THE ANIMAL WELLNESS CENTER 24 MONTH CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 17 TH $70,014 AND 88 CENTS.
UH, AS A BOARD, UH, CAN RECALL, UH, ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE ANIMAL WELLNESS CENTER OPENED AT THE TURTLEBACK ZOO.
THIS IS TO INSPECT AND MAINTAIN SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT'S USED, UH, FOR VETERINARY SERVICES OVER AT THE ZOO.
UH, NUMBER 17 IS AUTHORIZATION TO USE THE ES COUNTY RECREATION OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND, UH, TO FUND A MATCH TO THE GREEN ACRES GRAND AWARD FOR THE BRANCH BROOK PARK, UH, BASKETBALL AND BATHROOM IMPROVEMENTS AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 518,000 425 420 $5.
UH, EARLIER THIS EVENING, UH, THE BOARD APPROVED INSERTION OF FUNDS FROM GREEN ACRES FOR THIS PROJECT.
THIS IS THE MATCH PART OF THAT PROJECT.
UH, AND THE, UH, ACTUAL CONTRACT WILL BE COMING UP LATER ON.
THE AGENDA NUMBER 18 IS AUTHORIZATION TO USE THE ES ESSEX COUNTY RECREATION OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND TO FUND THE IRVINGTON PARK SOFTBALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $305,765.
UH, AGAIN, PREVIOUSLY IN THE AGENDA THERE IS A BUDGET INSERTION FROM GREEN ACRES FOR, UH, MONEY FOR THIS PROJECT.
THIS IS ADDITIONAL MONEY NEEDED TO FULLY FUND THAT PROJECT, AND THAT'LL BE COMING UP, UH, LATER ON THE AGENDA.
AND FINALLY, NUMBER 19 IS, UH, AUTHORIZATION TO USE THE ESSEX COUNTY RECREATION OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND TO FUND THE SOUTH MOUNTAIN RECREATION COMPLEX MINI GOLF IMPROVEMENTS AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $178,500.
AND UH, AGAIN, THIS IS THE FUNDING SOURCE FOR A LATER AGENDA ITEM.
HAPPEN TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE BOARD MAY HAVE.
MR. SHABA, ANY QUESTIONS? NO, THEY GOT QUESTIONS.
MR. MAC? ANY QUESTION? 15 NINE.
WHAT, WHAT'S THE ESTIMATED LIFE ON ONE OF THOSE CARTS? THEY'RE BOTH ELECTRIC AND GAS, RIGHT? JOSHUA ZAS COUNTY PARKS, UH, PREMIUM MR. PRESIDENT? THAT'S CORRECT.
UH, IT'S, IT'S BEEN OUR, OUR EXPERIENCE THAT IT, SINCE IT'S A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT, IT LASTS THE FULL FOUR YEARS.
BUT AS WITH ANY KIND OF ELECTRIC OR GAS POWERED VEHICLE, THERE ARE SOME MAINTENANCE ISSUES AND THE COMPANY COMES OUT AND WE REPLACE THEM AS, AS NEEDED OR FIX THEM ON AS NEEDED BASIS.
SO, SO IS THIS FOR THIS FOR THE ACQUISITION, CORRECT? NO, THIS IS FOR THE RENTAL.
AND THEN AS AS YOU NEED 'EM, THEY COME BACK AND REPLACE 'EM? THAT IS, THAT IS CORRECT, YES.
[00:55:01]
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND ADVISORY BOARD MET RECENTLY AND DISCUSSED FULLY SOME OF THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND THEY WERE APPROVED BY EVERYONE TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TONIGHT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT? THANK YOU MR. ZAS.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR 18 AND AND 20, FIRSTLY FOR 18.
JUST AS FAR AS THE, UM, REALLY GREAT TO HEAR THAT WE GOT THE AUTHORIZATION FOR, UH, THE FUNDING OF THE SOPHOMORE PARK SOFTWARE, SOFTBALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS IN IRVINGTON PARK.
SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN COMING UP A COUPLE OF TIMES IN OUR MEETINGS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, PARTICULARLY AS IT REFERS TO WEAK WAY, I'M SURE THIS MAY APPLY.
UH, MORE BROADLY THOUGH, IS COMMUNITY MEMBERS NOT ALWAYS KNOWING WHEN THESE IMPROVEMENTS AND, UH, CONSTRUCTION ET CETERA IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND SO I KNOW THIS IS PROBABLY LOOKING A BIT AHEAD, BUT HOW ARE WE APPROACHING AS A COUNTY LETTING PEOPLE WHO USE THESE PARKS FAIRLY REGULARLY KNOW, UM, WHAT DISRUPTIONS, IF ANY, WILL OCCUR WHEN THERE'S SOME DEVELOPMENTS THERE? SURE.
UH, JOSHUA ZA, TEXAS COUNTY PARKS TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
SO WHAT WE DO IS, UM, ANY PERMIT HOLDERS THAT HISTORICALLY USE THOSE FIELDS, WE GET NOTIFICATION.
WE TRY THE, THE, THE, THE ISSUE IS NO MATTER WHEN YOU START CONSTRUCTION, IT'S GONNA IN INCONVENIENCE SOMEBODY.
UM, SO WE TRY TO DO IT IN A TIMEFRAME THAT IT WOULD INCONVENIENCE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.
UH, AGAIN, IT'S NOT TO SAY IT'S NOT GONNA WORK FOR EVERYBODY, BUT THEIR PERMIT OFFICE DOES, UH, LET THE PERMIT HOLDERS KNOW THAT THAT FIELD'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
AND THEN WHEN THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION SET TO START, WE WOULD PUT A SIGN UP, UH, AND THE FENCE LINE OR, OR WHAT HAVE YOU TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC.
SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT I, I'LL DEFINITELY BE FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU GUYS ON, SEE HOW IT COULD BE HELPFUL IN THIS IS DOING THESE KIND OF LIKE QUARTERLY UPDATES, IF YOU WILL, WITH THE PEOPLE, WITH THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN OUR COUNTY PARKS, LETTING THEM KNOW WHEN WE HAVE SOME ADVANCED NOTICE, IF WE'RE GONNA HAVE THIS IMPROVEMENT IN THIS MAJOR PART OF THIS PARK.
AND WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC HERE, A LOT OF USE, GIVING PEOPLE AN UPDATE JUST SO YOU KNOW, THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE TO YOUR POINT, IT'S HELPFUL FOR THE PERMIT HOLDERS, BUT EVEN IF I DON'T HOLD A PERMIT AND I FREQUENT WEEK PARK, OR I FREQUENT IRVINGTON PARK, OUR FREQUENT WATSON SAYING ORANGE, WHAT HAVE YOU, IT'LL BE HELPFUL TO KIND OF KNOW.
SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO JUST KIND OF SUPPORTING YOU GUYS ON THAT.
LASTLY THOUGH, THIS IS AROUND 20, UM, WITH THE SYNTHETIC TURF SOFTBALL FIELD.
I KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME DIFFERENT CONVERSATION HERE AS A BOARD.
I KNOW, UH, COMMISSIONER GILL AND EVEN COOPER HAVE TALKED, UH, AT LENGTH OF THIS, ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST AS FAR AS ECHO FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTAL, UH, PRECAUTIONS GOING INTO MIND WHEN WE HAVE THESE NEW TURF.
JUST WONDERING, HOW DOES A SYNTHETIC FIELD FIT AS FAR AS OUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS? THIS IS FOR 20.
I WOULD, I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO PUBLIC WORKS, UM, SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT FOR SURE.
IF YOU KNOW THE WINNING LOTTERY NUMBERS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS, SETTLEMENT TO MOVE 15 TO 19, MOVE BY
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MARIE THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTIONS 20 THROUGH 22, WHICH IS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, DIVISION OF ENGINEERING BURDEN TO THE RECORD AT LATE TIME.
DAVID ANTONIO, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
ADAM NUMBER, UH, 20 AWARDS THOMAS AND SONS, UH, KNOWN AS DEVELOPED BUILDERS, A CONTRACT TO CONSTRUCT THE SYNTHETIC TURF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SOFTBALL FIELD IN THE LIGHTING UPGRADES TO THE S FIELD AT IRVINGTON PARK.
AND AMOUNT TO EXCEED $2,221,764.
UH, DEVELOPED BUILDERS SUBMITTED THE LOWEST OF THE NINE BITS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY.
AND THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF SYNTHETIC TURF UPGRADES TO TWO, UH, SOFTWARE FIELDS, AS WELL AS INSTALLATION OF LIGHTING AT THE SOCCER FIELD.
UH, WE DO HAVE MR. JAY PATEL HERE FROM DEVELOPED BUILDERS.
YOU WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THIS COMPANY AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE BOARD MAY HAVE.
PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION, TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY AND THEN ABOUT THE PROJECT OVERALL FROM YOUR PURCHASE.
I'M REPRESENTING DEVELOP BUILDERS HERE TODAY.
UH, WE ARE A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 2006.
I'VE BEEN MYSELF WITH THE COMPANY EIGHT, EIGHT PLUS YEARS.
AND WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AND STILL CURRENTLY WORKING FOR SEVERAL TOWNSHIPS WITHIN PASSA, OREGON, HUDSON, AND SX COUNTIES.
[01:00:01]
EMPLOYEES TOTAL IN WHICH, UH, TWO OF 'EM ARE EXCESS COUNTY RESIDENTS.UM, AND WE, WE TYPICALLY DEAL WITH, UH, SITE WORK, ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS, DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, SITE, AND MANY INSTALLATIONS AND PARKS AND, UM, MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.
WE DO FIREHOUSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UH, UH, WE'RE CERTIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES AND A MI UH, CERTIFIED MINORITY BUSINESS AS WELL.
UM, THAT'S ALL, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH, UH, UH, ESSEX COUNTY ON THIS PROJECT.
MR. BOW, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE VENDOR? NO QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE VENDOR? COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON, WHERE'S YOUR COMPANY LOCATED? THAT COMPANY IS LOCATED IN MILFORD.
WHERE? NEW MILFORD, NEW JERSEY, MILFORD.
ALRIGHT, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALRIGHT, COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT.
I PREEMPTIVELY SHARED THIS EARLIER, BUT I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO.
UM, ESSEX COUNTY IS THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE.
OF NEW JERSEY AND OUR PARKS ARE SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENTED IN THE STATE.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND, UM, ALL OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY FIELDS IS SUPER IMPORTANT.
SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING A PART OF THAT.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO, UH, THE KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRECAUTIONS CONCERNS AROUND SYNTHETIC TURF, ET CETERA, PARTICULARLY AS IT MAY, I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH OR HOW IT CAN SOMETIMES CONTRIBUTE TO WHAT'S CALLED LIKE URBAN HEAT ISLANDS, UM, IN URBAN CONTEXT, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE MATERIAL OF ITSELF, THE, THE INCREASE OF THE, UM, HEAT CAN JUST, JUST NOT NECESSARILY BE GREAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, ET CETERA.
AND EVEN WHEN I WAS AN ATHLETE, WHICH WAS BACK IN THE DAY, THE TURF FIELD WAS ALWAYS LIKE 10 DEGREES HOTTER THAN, YOU KNOW, THE REGULAR GRASS.
SO I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO SOME CONCERNS THERE, BOTH FOR LIKE ATHLETES IN GENERAL, BUT THEN ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL AND, AND PRECAUTIONS THAT YOU GUYS TAKE.
UH, WE, MR. PATEL, BEFORE YOU ANSWER, PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION SO THAT WHEN THEY TRANSCRIBE, THEY KNOW WHO'S RESPONDING.
UH, JAY PATEL WITH DEVELOPED BUILDERS.
UM, IN REGARDS TO QUESTION ABOUT THE SYNTHETIC TURF IMPROVEMENTS, UH, WE, WE'VE DONE A BUNCH OF, UH, SYNTHETIC TURF INSTALL INSTALLATIONS.
UM, AND ONCE, ONCE THE TURF IS DELIVERED AND WE'VE KIND OF, UH, KIND OF CONTAINED THAT, THAT STORAGE FOR, UH, THE TURF AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
UM, IN REGARDS TO THE ENGINEER, YOU TYPICALLY WOULD, UH, APPROVE, UH, WHAT, WHAT TURF WOULD BE INSTALLED, THINGS LIKE THAT.
AS FAR AS, UH, WE'D NEED A, LIKE A STORAGE LOCATION AND KIND OF CONTAIN THAT TURF.
AND INSTALLATION WISE, IT, IT'D BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE CONSTRUCTION SITE.
SO, UH, THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT THAT.
UH, MR. ANTONIO, DO YOU WANNA ELABORATE? YEAH.
UH, DAVID, AN ANTONIO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
UH, TODAY'S SYNTHETIC TURF, UH, PRODUCTS ARE SAFER YEAH.
NOT ONLY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE ATHLETE, THE USER, BUT ALSO FROM ENVIRONMENTAL, UM, CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS THE HEAT EFFECT THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER.
THAT BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, YOU WALKED ONTO ONE OF THE SYNTHETIC FIELDS, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS ALWAYS 50 DEGREES HOTTER THAN IT WAS, UH, ON, ON THE GRASS.
UH, WITH TODAY'S MATERIALS, THERE'S BEEN GREAT ADVANCES MADE BY THE MANUFACTURERS.
UH, WE HAVE SPECIFIED THE LATEST AND GREATEST, UH, PRODUCTS LIKE WE ALWAYS DO.
UH, WE HAVE MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE THESE MATERIALS.
UH, WE ARE AWARE OF, UM, OTHER CONCERNS, RIGHT? AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WANT PEOPLE TO USE THESE FIELDS AND BE SAFE.
AND WE HAVE BEEN, UM, SAGED BY OUR CONVERSATIONS THAT, UM, THIS MATERIALS ARE SAFE.
UH, THEY'RE GETTING SAFER, AND THE COUNTY IS ONLY GONNA PUT WHAT'S AVAILABLE.
THAT'S THE BEST PRODUCT AVAILABLE FOR THE USERS.
AND JUST SO I'M HEARING THAT CORRECTLY, SO YOU GUYS, WHEN YOU'RE SELECTING YOUR VENDORS, YOU'RE ENSURING THAT THESE KIND OF HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS ARE WHAT'S USED BY THE VENDOR? IF I'M THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, YOU'RE CORRECT.
UH, WE HAVE, WE HIRE AN ENGINEERING COMPANY TO DEVELOP THESE PLANS.
PART OF THEIR JOB IS TO SPEC OUT THE BEST PRODUCT AVAILABLE.
I KNOW THIS HAS COME UP BEFORE, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
I JUST WANNA KNOW, WHEN IS THE PROJECT STARTING? STARTING? UM, YEAH, WE'RE, SO JAY PATEL WITH DEVELOP BUILDERS, UM, ONCE WE GET THE NOTICE TO PROCEED, UH, WE CAN START AS FAST AS, UH, TWO TO FOUR WEEKS.
UH, MR. JACKSON, WE'VE BEEN KICKING AROUND THIS ISSUE RELATED TO TURF FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.
[01:05:01]
ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY PERSPECTIVE LIKE, YOU PREFER TO USE TURF BECAUSE IT'S BETTER OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.YOU PREFER GRASS? LIKE WHAT'S, LIKE, DOES THE ENGINEERING, DOES THE GROUPS LIKE WHO RECOMMEND WHAT WE DO? WELL, AS, AS MR. ANTONIO SAID, WE HIRE A FIRM TO RECOMMEND AND TO, TO DEVELOP THE SPECS.
HOWEVER, UM, THE POLICY OF THE, OF THE COUNTY HAS IS SORT OF A HYBRID APPROACH.
WE CER WE TURF THE INFIELDS AND THE GRA THE OUTFIELDS, WHICH IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE, OF THE, THE PLAYING, UH, AREA IS GRASS.
SO WE ONLY USE THE M THROUGH 'CAUSE THAT'S THE MOST HEAVILY USED.
UM, SO THAT REALLY CUTS DOWN ON, UM, THE AMOUNT OF TURF.
AND WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH, UM, ADVOCATES WHO ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF TURF AT ALL, BUT THEY'VE REVIEWED IT AS A, AS A VERY GOOD, UH, COMPROMISE.
UM, AND AS ALSO MR. ANTONIO SAID THE TECHNOLOGY KEEPS IMPROVING QUITE A BIT.
SO, UH, IN TERMS OF THE TEMPERATURE, UM, AND THE, UM, I'M, UM, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE, I'M DROP THE, THE, THE CHEMICAL THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY NOT IN THOSE ANYMORE.
SO, UM, IT'S, IT'S EVOLVING, BUT I THINK ONE OF THE MAJOR STEPS WE'VE TAKEN IS TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT IT'S, THAT IT'S JUST THE INFIELDS THAT ARE BEING TURFED.
SO I THINK YOU, I HEARD YOU SAID THAT WE USE A HYBRID APPROACH.
WE USE A COMBINATION OF TURF IN SOME AREAS, GRASS IN OTHER AREAS.
AND WE TRY OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PICKING A PRODUCT THAT STAYS AWAY FROM THE CHEMICALS THAT THE PUBLIC GENERALLY HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT.
UM, THE ENGINEERS EVALUATE AND COME BACK WITH A PERSPECTIVE, AND THAT'S HOW WE DEVELOP IT.
WHAT'S THE USEFUL LIFE FOR THE TURF IMPROVEMENTS AND THINGS THAT WE USE? LIKE IS IT A YEAR, FIVE YEARS, 10 YEARS? I, I WOULD DEFER TO MR. ATTORNEY, BUT I THINK IT'S SEVEN TO 10 YEARS IS A, IS A USEFUL LIFE.
ONE, ONE LAST QUESTION THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
AND IS THAT THE CASE FOR LIKE IN WAKE COUNT WAKE WAKE PARK, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH IS THE MOST USED PARK IN THE COUNTY? WOULD THAT TURF TIMBERLY HAVE THE SAME, ABOUT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIMELINE? SEVEN TO 10 YEARS? AS FAR AS THE TURF? YES.
ALRIGHT, MS. THANK YOU MS. PATEL.
UH, DAVID ANTONIO, THE PROVINCE OF PUBLIC WORKS.
ITEM NUMBER 21 AWARDS SINAI ENTERPRISES, THE CONTRACT TO BUILD THE BRANCH BROOK PARK BASKETBALL COURT COMFORT STATION RENOVATION IN THE AMOUNT THAT YOU EXCEED $1,036,850 SIGN.
A ENTERPRISE IS SUBMITTED THE LOWEST OF THE FOUR BIDS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY OF ESSEX.
THE PROPOSED RENOVATION WILL CONSIST OF RESURFACING THE EXISTING BASKETBALL COURTS INSTALLATION OF A NEW BASKET, NEW BASKETBALL EQUIPMENT, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING BATHROOM.
UH, THE BASKETBALL COURT WILL NOW HAVE NEW FENCING, NEW LIGHTING FIXTURES.
UH, THERE WILL BE NEW PLAYER BENCHES, NEW SCOREBOARD, UH, AND OF COURSE, A BATHROOM BUILDING ITSELF WILL BE IMPROVED WITH A NEW BRICK FACADE.
IT, UH, THE EXTERIOR WILL BE PAINTED.
THERE WILL BE NEW FLOORS AND, UH, FRESHLY PAINTED WALLS AND INTERIOR.
AND WE DO HAVE MR. BILL SCHOFF OF SINAI CONSTRUCTION ALSO HERE TODAY.
HE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO, UH, UH, MAYBE SPEND A MINUTE OR TWO INTRODUCING HIS COMPANY AND PERHAPS ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS BOARD MAY HAVE.
PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY AND THE PROJECT THAT YOU SEE IT.
UM, I'M FROM CENA ENTERPRISES.
UH, WE'RE OUR, UM, OUR COMPANY IS REGISTERING CLIFTON, BUT WE HAVE A OFFICE AND, UH, SHOP IN BELLVILLE.
UM, WE'RE A GENERAL CONTRACTOR.
WE USUALLY WORK WITH, UM, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES.
WE'VE DONE WORK WITH, UH, BERGEN COUNTY.
WE HAVE A CONTRACT RIGHT NOW WITH CITY OF NEWARK.
WE WORK EXTENSIVELY WITH, UM, THE ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE, STILL HAVE WORK OVER THERE.
UM, YEAH, WE SPECIALIZE IN THIS TYPE OF, UH, PUBLIC WORKS.
AND WE'RE, UH, LOOKING FORWARD TO DO ONE JOB WITH THE, WITH THE ESSEX, UH, ESSEX COUNT.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE VENDOR? NO QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR THEM? NO QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS? LINDA? COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT.
MR. ANTONIO, I KNOW YOU SAID THAT IT'S THE CONVERSATION THAT'S BEING RENOVATED, BUT I FEEL LIKE I HEARD YOU SAID THAT THE ACT, THE, UM, COURT ITSELF WOULD ALSO BE RENOVATED.
IS THAT CORRECT? UH, DAVID ANTONIO, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
UM, THE RENOVATIONS ARE NOT JUST FOR THE BASKETBALL COURTS, IT'S ALSO FOR THE BUILDING THAT'S RIGHT NEXT DOOR, WHICH IS THE BATHROOM FACILITY.
SO THIS IS IF YOU ARE ON, UM, BRANCH PARK OR THE SOUTHERN END, ALMOST AT THE CORNER BY THE CLIFTON, BY THE COLONATE BUILDING? YEAH.
ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE COLONATE BUILDING.
[01:10:01]
A BUILDING RIGHT NEXT TO THE BASKETBALL COURTS.THAT'S THE BUILDING BEING RENOVATED.
AND SINCE WE'RE OUT THERE DOING THIS WORK, WE'RE ALSO GONNA IMPROVE THE BASKETBALL COURT, WHICH ADJACENT TO THAT.
AND WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME, OUTTA CURIOSITY, THE BATHROOM HAD BEEN RENOVATED? DO YOU KNOW, UH, THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT? OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD AT THIS MOMENT, I CANNOT TELL YOU A SPECIFIC DATE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU IT WAS A WHILE.
IT'S, YEAH, IT MUST BEEN A WHILE BACK.
SO THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR THAT THAT'S HAPPENING.
I ASKED, SO JUST BECAUSE SNOW IS MELTING, PRAISE THE LORD.
UM, AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LIKE USING THE BASKETBALL, UH, BASKETBALL COURTS AGAIN.
AND SO I WANNA JUST GET A SENSE OF THE TIMELINE, PARTICULARLY THAT AREA.
KIDS ARE ALWAYS, I'VE EVEN SEEN KIDS, PEOPLE SHOOTING BASKETBALLS THERE DURING THE SNOW.
LIKE IT'S A VERY POPULAR COURT.
SO COULD YOU GIVE US LIKE A ROUGH TIMELINE AS FAR AS THE COURT ITSELF, HOW LONG THAT'LL BE OFF DUTY OR OFF USE? YES.
UH, SO BILL, BILL, UH, STEREO WITH CNA ENTERPRISES.
UM, YEAH, SO WE HAVE A SIX MONTH CONTRACT, UM, FROM THE NOTICE TO PROCEED, WHICH WOULD BE ISSUED, UH, SOON.
AND THEN, UM, SO IT'S, UH, THE, THE, THE RESURFACING OF THE COURT.
IT'S, UM, IT'S NOT THAT OF A LENGTHY PROCESS.
UH, SO I WOULD SAY WE CAN, WE CAN, I MEAN, WE, WE, SO WE HAVE TO CLOSE OUT THAT AREA PROBABLY FOR FIVE, SIX MONTHS.
AND, UM, YEAH, UH, WE CAN, FOR CLARITY PROBABLY FOR THE WHOLE AREA OR JUST, SO IT'S, IT'S GONNA BE THE BASKETBALL COURTS AND THE CONVERS STATION, WHICH IS THE BATHROOM BUILDING WITH THE STORAGE.
NOW, UH, IF WE CAN PROBABLY COME WITH THE, WITH THE, TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY TO FINISH THE BASKETBALL COURTS FIRST, AND THEN JUST PUT A FENCE AROUND THE CONVERS STATION AND THEN MAYBE THE, THE, THE, THAT CAN BE USED.
BUT THEN THERE'S ALSO EQUIPMENT INVOLVED, LIKE THE SCOREBOARDS AND BASKETBALL, WHICH ARE FINISHES.
AND WHEN IT COMES TO CONSTRUCTION, THOSE ARE THE LAST ITEMS YOU INSTALL.
SO, BUT AGAIN, LIKE THAT FALLS INTO WHEN, UH, WHEN WE ORGANIZE THE SCHEDULE, WE'RE GONNA TALK WITH THE, WITH THE ARCHITECT, WITH ENGINEERS, WHICH WAY WE WANT IT TO PROCEED.
AND YEAH, THE WHOLE CONTRACT IS SIX MONTHS, BUT WE CAN MAKE PROVISIONS WHERE WE CAN MAKE THE COURTS, UH, LIKE SOONER, I GUESS.
THAT, THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION, BECAUSE THE SPRING IS NEAR AND THE SUMMER IS NEAR, AND THERE'S A WHOLE BASKETBALL LEAGUE THAT HAPPENS OVER THERE IN THE SUMMERS THAT LIKE MY COUSIN PLAYS AT.
SO HE WOULD BE MAD IF I DIDN'T SAY THIS, BUT FORGET ABOUT HIM.
JUST FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN GENERAL.
I THINK THAT IT'S, IT'S VERY POPULAR, UM, AND HIGHLY UTILIZED PART OF OUR PARK SYSTEM.
SO IF WE COULD PRIORITIZE THE COURTS FIRST, THEN THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR, FOR OUR, FOR THE PUBLIC.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE EXTENT OF COURSE THAT THIS WORKS WITHIN YOU ALL'S PLAN.
HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU HAVE? UH, WE HAVE, UH, FOUR EMPLOYEES IN THE OFFICE AND, UH, AND TWO EMPLOYEES ON, UM, LIKE LABORERS ON, ON THE FIELD.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE YOU GONNA EMPLOY TO DO THE BATHROOMS? AND SO WE GONNA HAVE, UH, UH, MY, MY, MY TWO LABORERS ARE GONNA, ARE GONNA BE THERE IN AND OUT.
AND THEN THERE'S ALSO, UH, 10 PLUS SUBCONTRACTORS THAT ALSO EMPLOY, UH, A BUNCH OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GONNA BE WORKING ON THE PROJECT.
HOW MANY, APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY OF THOSE EMPLOYEES FOR YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS WILL BE FROM ESSEX COUNTY? UH, SO I USUALLY WORK WITH, UH, WITH PEOPLE IN THIS AREA.
UM, LIKE I SAID, MY, UH, OUR SHOP IS LOCATED HERE, SO I WOULD SAY THERE, THERE SHOULD BE MORE THAN 15 PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY GONNA LEAVE HERE.
'CAUSE I HAVE A, I HAVE A, A ELECTRICIAN.
UM, UH, SO YEAH, THERE'S GONNA BE PROBABLY 15 PLUS PEOPLE THAT, THAT ARE LEAVING IN ESSEX THAT ARE GONNA BE WORKING HERE.
DAVID ANTONIO, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
ITEM NUMBER 22 IS AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO FRENCH AND ELLO TO PROVIDE THE SAND ENGINEERING AND THE CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE MINI GOLF IMPROVEMENTS AT ESSEX COUNTY SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION COMPLEX IN THE AMOUNT TO EXCEED $178,000.
FRENCH AND PERELLO SUBMITTED THE HIGHEST RATED PROPOSAL OF THE TWO RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY.
AND THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE, UH, REGRADING THE EXISTING MINI GOLF SUB BASE INSTALLATION OF NEW AGGREGATE BASE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PONDING AREAS ARE CURRENTLY PONDING.
THERE'LL BE A RECONSTRUCTION AND REALIGNMENT OF HOLES OF THE GOLF HOLES IN THEMSELVES, UH, REPLACEMENT, REPLACEMENT OF ANY SITE FURNISHINGS THAT ARE WORN, UH, REPAINTING.
SO GENERALLY SPEAKING, THIS IS A REFRESH OF THE EXISTING FACILITY ALONG WITH SOME ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS LIKE A DA COMPLIANCE
[01:15:01]
ELIMINATION OF PONDING, WHICH OCCURRING AFTER THE SITE'S BEEN USED FOR SO MANY YEARS NOW.AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT, MR. PRESIDENT.
ANY QUESTIONS ON 22, MR. BUS? NO QUESTIONS.
UH, IS THERE ANY ESTIMATE OF WHAT THOSE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD COST ON THE MINI GOLF COURSE? UH, THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT? UH, IF BASED ON THE COST OF THE DECEMBER BEING $170,000 ROOF THUMB WITH SAY YOU'RE LOOKING AT 1.5 MILLION.
ANY QUESTIONS ON 22 NANDA? I'M GONNA MOVE 20 THROUGH 22.
MOVE SECOND WITH THE, UH, WITH THE, UH, QUICK SECOND IS RICHARDSON.
WHAT DID HE SAY? COMMISSIONER COOPER? YES.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POIS? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO 23 TO 25, WHICH ARE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF.
AND THAT WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT LATER TIME.
MR. COULTER? MR. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT OFFICER OF THE SHERIFF CONTRACT AWARD TO X-RAY IMAGING, THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, VOTING AND RAPID SCAN MACHINE AMOUNT OUT TO EXCEED $290,000.
WE HAD ONE BIDDER NUMBER 24 CONTRACT AWARD, ATLAS FLASHER AND SUPPLY COMPANY SOLE RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE REFURBISH OF ONE CAMERA TRAILER AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $24,295.
AGAIN, WE ONLY HAVE ONE BIDDER.
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF CONTRACT AWARD LAWMAN SUPPLY OF NEW NEW JERSEY FOR THE PURCHASE OF AMMUNITIONS UNDER STATE CONTRACT 17 FLEET 0 0 7 4 0 AMOUNT NOW EXCEED ONE HUNDRED AND ONE NINE HUNDRED SIXTY $2 AND 5 CENTS.
THIS IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOARD'S ORDINANCE OF 2015.
ANY QUESTIONS OF THESE? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
MOTION MOVE BY VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
SECOND LUCIANO ROLL CALL MANAGER, DEPUTY CLERK FOR TWENTY THREE, FOUR AND FIVE.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
MOVE ON TO 26TH, WHICH IS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR.
THIS IS FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.
WILL BE READ TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. COLTER? UH, THIS IS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR RESOLUTION APPROVING PARTICIPA PARTICIPATION WITH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, ACCEPTING $344,505 FROM THE NEW JERSEY STATE FISCAL YEAR SFY 25 ARRIVED TOGETHER.
GRANT PROGRAM AWARD NUMBER 25 A R RV DASH OH SEVEN STATE REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATION.
WAS THAT FOR PARTICIPATION? YES.
ANY QUESTIONS ON 26? NO QUESTIONS.
SO I'M GONNA MOVE IT NOT FOR PARTICIPATION PART.
FOR THE RECORD OF THE RECORD, REFLECT IT'S PARTICIPATION.
COMMISSIONER GI, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE? 26.
WANNA START IN A SECOND? COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER SERMONS OF THE SECOND ROLL CALL MAD DUCK P FOR NUMBER 26.
COMMISSIONER SEA SERMONS? YES.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON THE 27TH, WHICH IS IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IT OFFICE.
THEY'LL BE READY TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
UH, MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARDED TO PKA, UH, UH, TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF HPE, UH, GREENLAKE, UH, NEW TECH.
UH, THIS IS, UH, TO FURTHER ENHANCE OUR SECURITY AND PERFORMANCE OF OUR IT SYSTEMS. UH, PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT
[01:20:01]
THE, THIS PLATFORM WILL PROVIDE SECURE BACKUP AND DISASTER RECOVERY TO SUPPORT OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, ENSURING THAT, UH, CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY IN THE CASE OF, UH, OF DISRUPTION.AND IT'S THE, AGAIN, THE AMOUNT OF, UH, $305,669 AND 76 CENTS.
MR. MCINERNEY? UH, THIS CONTRACT, IS THIS FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY OR JUST THE HOSPITAL CENTER? UH, IT'S FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY.
I WAS READING SOMETHING IN HERE WHERE IT SAYS, IT ENSURES THAT THE HOSPITAL CENTER CAN RELY RELIABLY DELIVER CRITICAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES WITH SAFEGUARDING COUNTY DATA ASSETS.
IT'S IN THE DECISION MEMORANDUM.
UNLESS I'M READING THE WRONG ONE.
IT'S H NO, IT'S THE RIGHT ONE.
RIGHT? DO I HAVE THE RIGHT? YEAH.
IT'S THE SAME VENDOR, I THINK.
IT'S KS IT'S, IT IS, UH, 'CAUSE THE, THE PARAGRAPH ABOVE SAYS, WHILE STRENGTHENING COUNTYWIDE DISASTER RECOVERY AND SECURITY STORAGE ABILITY.
SO, UM, I'M SURE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT WILL DO, WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE HOSPITAL, HOSPITAL CENTER, MAYBE IT'S FOCUSED ON THAT AS WELL.
A MOTION MOVE BY VICE PRESIDENT COOPER, I, I'M SORRY.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MARIE THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTIONS 28 THROUGH 39, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NUMBER 29.
ALL THE OTHERS ARE IN MEMORIALS.
COMMENDATIONS, PROCLAMATION RESOLUTIONS.
PLEASE NOTE, RESOLUTION 29 IS A GOVERNING BODY CER CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE.
THESE CAN BE READ TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS IN THESE, UH, MR. PRESIDENT? WELL, JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE, BUT WE MAY DO THIS A LITTLE BIT LATER, BUT JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AND ALL THE HONOREES WHO WERE HERE IN COMMENDATIONS WITH A GREAT PROGRAM THAT OUR COUNTY, UM, BOARD OF COMMISSIONER STAFF AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS WHO WERE THERE PUT TOGETHER THAT OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATED IN.
AND CERTAINLY CELEBRATING SOME INCREDIBLE PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY.
SOMEONE MOVE THESE MOTION, MOVE BY VICE PRESIDENT COOPER.
I'M LOOKING THIS WAY TO SEE WHO'S GONNA SECOND BECAUSE THEY GOTTA THIS SIDE.
CHAIR COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT BARRY THOMAS ON MOVING IT.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
SOMO? I NOT SAY, UH, COMMISSIONER.
THIS TOO MANY TIMES I GOT IT RIGHT.
UH, MADAM DEPUTY ER, THEN HE ADD START.
LET'S MOVE ON TO, UH, REPORT A BOARD COMMITTEES AT STERLING YEAR.
WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY, UM, DO YOU HAVE ANY LEGISLATIVE, UH, COMMISSIONER COOPER? UM, I JUST WANT TO, UM, PUT ON THE RECORD NOW THAT WE ARE PLANNING A, UM, TNVR COMMITTEE MEETING.
I THINK WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETIME IN APRIL OR MAYBE MAY.
WE'RE GONNA WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.
UM, WE WAS WAITING TO TIME IT FOR THE, UM, AWARD OF THE CONTRACTS.
SO MR. JACKSON IS YOUR OFFICE, DID WE AWARD THOSE YET? UH, NO.
THE NEXT, OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING.
SO THEN AFTER THAT WE'LL HOST THE COMMITTEE MEETING.
AND, YOU KNOW, NATURALLY WE'LL ADVERTISE IT AND WE'LL INVITE THE GROUPS TO COME IN.
SO, UH, MADAM DR. COOK, LET'S MAKE SURE WE GET THAT COMMITTEE, UH, SCHEDULED ON THE PIPELINE THERE AS SOON AS WE CAN.
LET'S MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
STATE YOUR NAME AND DRAFT AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
DAVID WEINER, CITY LOCAL 10 81.
[01:25:01]
TONIGHT.I BELIEVE YOU DIDN'T VOTE ON THEM.
YOU MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE, WHICH WAS PASSED, BUT YOU DIDN'T VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE MORE.
WELL, WE, IT WAS A PUBLIC COMMENT.
YEAH, BUT DON'T, DON'T YOU VOTE ON IT.
PUT THE, IT WAS, WE, WE DID IT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IT WAS ORDINANCE SECOND READING AND PUBLIC COMMENT.
SIR, DO YOU VOTE ON SECOND READINGS? SIR, WE'VE ALREADY MOVED ON THAT.
YOU DIDN'T MOVE TO TO, TO VOTE ON IT.
WE, WE, WE MOVED TO CLOSE ON IT.
SO WHEN DO YOU VOTE ON IT? IT'S BEEN VOTED ON ALREADY, SIR.
WELL, I'LL, I'LL CHECK THE, I'LL CHECK THE VIDEO.
I I WANNA GO BACK TO THE ISSUE THAT WE BROUGHT UP ON THE DAY OF THE AL FIRST OF ALL, THE GOVERNOR.
MY BROTHER SAID WHAT JOE D SAID.
BUT ON THAT DAY, THE DAY BEFORE, ACTUALLY GOVERNOR CHERYL SAID, UM, I AM URGING YOU TO STAY OFF THE ROAD.
SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY, CHERYL SAID THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALLS EXPECTED SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING ON THE DAY OF THE BLIZZARD, ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WAS SHUT DOWN.
50 SOUTHTON STREET SECURITY DID NOT SHOW UP.
UH, ONLY ONE SHERIFF'S OFFICER SHOWED UP IN THE BUILDING, WHICH IS FIVE STORIES.
SO THEY DIDN'T LET ANYBODY, ANY CLIENTS, INTO THE BUILDING.
THE BACK PARKING LOT AS I REPORTED ON BURNETT STREET, WAS NOT PLOWED UNTIL LATE IN THE MORNING.
AND EAST ORANGE HAD BLOCKED THE ENTRANCE.
THE GARAGES AT 3 23 21 UNIVERSITY AVENUE WERE REPORTEDLY PLOWED AT, WITH REPORTEDLY NO CLIENTS ARRIVING UNTIL THE BUILDINGS, UNTIL THEY WERE MERCIFULLY CLOSED AT TWO O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON.
WE'RE AGAIN URGING YOU AS MY BROTHER DID FROM THE IBW TO MEET WITH THE UNIONS AND TO COME UP WITH AN ORDINANCE OF YOUR OWN AND VOTE ON IT.
UH, THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOME TYPE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING, UH, BAD WEATHER AND WHETHER EMPLOYEES HAD TO WORK OR NOT.
I BELIEVE THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CLAIMED IN THE PAST, I BELIEVE IT.
UM, THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS THAT, AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THAT ALLEGEDLY, IF YOU CLOSE DOWN ANY OF THE NON 24 7 HOUR FACILITIES, THE YOUTH HOUSE, THE JAIL, AND THE MENTAL FACILITY, UH, THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY OVERTIME TO THE OTHER EMPLOYEES.
I, WE'RE GONNA LOOK, LOOK AT THE CONTRACTS AND WE'RE, LOOK AT THE, THE CODE, ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
'CAUSE WE'VE NEVER SEEN THAT WRITTEN ANYWHERE.
THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY PEOPLE OVERTIME IF, IF WE WEREN'T TO TO WORK, WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO GONNA GET OUT OF WORK.
WE'RE LOOKING NOT TO BE LOOKING, NOT TO BE PUT IN A POSITION.
AS MY SISTER SAID, OUR MEMBERS ARE WOMEN AND THEY HAVE, AND THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.
THOSE CHILDREN ARE LEFT AT HOME 'CAUSE THE SCHOOLS CLOSED.
I'M GONNA STAND HERE FOR THE NEXT FOUR SECONDS AND WAIT FOR MY TIME TO GO UP AND THANK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
UH, FIRST A POINT OF, UH, PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, UH, TO THIS HONORABLE BODY, UH, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, UH, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
UH, IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS, UH, YOU HAVE ALL DONE ME AND MY FAMILY A GREAT SERVICE.
AS WE DEALT WITH THE, UH, PASSING OF MY BEAUTIFUL WHITE BRENDA TAYLOR OF 43 YEARS.
UH, YOUR COMMENDATIONS, YOUR WORDS OF CONDOLENCES AND THINGS ARE SOMETHING ME AND MY FAMILY WILL NEVER FORGET.
AND I CANNOT BE THANKFUL FOR YOU TO YOU ENOUGH FOR IT.
UH, YOU, YOU TRULY SHOW THAT WHEN IS NECESSARY, THE COUNTY COMES TOGETHER AND WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND WE'LL CONTINUE YOU TO DO THAT.
SO PLEASE STAY HOME AND OFF THE ROAD.
PUT ON THE MIC OUTSIDE FOOD AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE AND MAKE SURE YOU THE BACK.
SO PLEASE STAY HOME AND OFF THE ROAD.
THAT IS THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ON NATIONAL NEWS SAYING, WE WANT EVERYONE TO BE SAFE.
THE NEXT DIRECTIVE CAME FROM THE SHERIFF.
IF YOU ARE NOT A FIRST RESPONDER POLICE, FIRE, EMS OR DRIVING A SNOW PLOW, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROADS.
THAT IS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL FOR THE COUNTY OF ESSENCE DIRECTING PEOPLE THAT IT IS NOT SUGGESTION YOU OUGHT TO STAY OFF THE VOTES.
SO THE COUNTY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OPEN, I'M SORRY, THE COUNTY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OPEN BY THEIR OWN WORDS.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO GO BACK NOW, EMPLOY THIS ADMINISTRATION.
THEY MADE EMPLOYEES USE PERSONAL TIME AND OTHER
[01:30:01]
THINGS.GIVE THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT TIME BACK.
WE'RE ASKING YOU AGAIN TO CONVENE THOSE LABOR COMMITTEES AND OTHER THINGS TO LOOK INTO THIS.
UH, AND IN MY LAST MINUTE, UH, DAVID, UH, I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE, UH, A LITTLE BIT MORE HELPFUL TO YOU.
UM, UH, AS, AS TRYING TO GET SOME QUESTION THINGS ANSWERED.
SOMETIME IN 2008 OR 2009, THIS BODY CREATED A, A DECISION BASED UPON THE SAFETY COMMITTEE THAT IN THE EVENT THAT ESSEX COUNTY BECAME INACCESSIBLE, 'CAUSE THIS WAS JUST PAST 2011, THE ENTIRE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT WOULD BE MOVED FRANK TO THE ESSEX COUNTY HOSPITAL CENTER.
SO DATA AND EVERYTHING ELSE UP THERE, THE CLERK OF THE BOARD'S OFFICE HAS A RELEASE AT THE COUNTY HOSPITAL CENTER WITH THE CODE OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, THE S-O-P-P-A COMPUTER NAME PLATES FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR DISTRICTS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHO MIGHT SURVIVE NAME PLATES FROM EVERYONE AT THE ADMINISTRATION THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE UPDATED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THINGS.
THAT MAY BE WHY THAT THING SAYS HOSPITAL CENTER.
'CAUSE ALL THE DATA WAS MADE TO BE STORED UP THERE.
AND WE HOPE THAT THIS BOARD WILL LOOK INTO SETTING UP SOME THINGS WITH THE, UH, UNIONS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES.
LISA MADDOX DOUGLAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SUPERVISORS UNION.
I SHARE THE SENTIMENT OF MY BROTHERS HERE WHO JUST SHARED WITH YOU THAT WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU REINSTATE THE PERSONAL TIME THAT WAS UTILIZED BY OUR PARENTS WHO HAD TO COME INTO WORK, OR PERHAPS THEY JUST HAD TO STAY HOME BECAUSE THEIR CHILDREN WERE HOME.
SO WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU REINSTATE THEIR PERSONAL TIME, THEIR VACATION TIME, WHATEVER OTHER TIME, WHETHER IT WAS COMP TIME THAT YOU REINSTATE THEIR TIME.
ALSO, I HEARD ABOUT THE WONDERFUL BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION THAT YOU HAD HERE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS.
I DID SEND AN EMAIL TO DIRECTOR BEL RAMOS ASKING WHY DID WE NOT CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE DIVISION OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS.
THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE, UH, SHOULDERED BY EACH ADMINISTRATOR WITHIN THE OFFICES.
THIS NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.
WELL, PERHAPS IT WOULD HAPPEN FROM THE ADMINISTRATION IF WE HAD A CWA DIRECTOR, WHICH WE DON'T.
IF YOU LOOK ON THE WEBSITE, IT SAYS TO BE DETERMINED, WELL, THAT'S BEEN ABOUT TWO YEARS.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY REAL CLEAR LEADERSHIP IN THE DIVISION OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS.
AND WE'RE ASKING YOU AND IMPLORING YOU THAT PART OF THAT BUDGET THAT YOU CONSIDER PROMOTING ONE OF THE DEPUTIES, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE DEPUTIES IN PLACE TO BE THE NEXT DIRECTOR, WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED.
PERHAPS THEY'RE WAITING FOR A POLITICAL APPOINTMENT, BUT WE BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE AND IN THE SEAT ALREADY.
ALSO, I WAS HERE, UH, THINK ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHEN WE HAD THE DISPARITY STUDY, AND I WAS HERE WITH THE NAACP AT THE TIME, AND WE HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE MGT DISPARITY STUDY.
MY QUESTION IS, AS I SAT HERE TO HEAR ALL OF THESE CONTRACTS, I'M WONDERING HOW CLOSE WE GOT TO THE GOAL OF ENSURING THAT MORE BLACK BROWN WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE AWARDED THESE CONTRACTS.
SO IF WE CAN HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT.
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT'S HAPPENED AFTER THE STUDY.
IT'S LIKE, WE HAD THE STUDY, BUT NOTHING, THERE WAS A BUNCH OF RECOMMENDATIONS, AND I HAVE 'EM HERE ON MY PHONE.
I'M WONDERING IF ANY OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, IF WE YOU TOOK KEY TO ANY OF THAT.
ALSO, WE WERE HERE, UH, I BELIEVE A MONTH OR TWO AGO, UH, BROTHER WEINER, AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THE HOMELESSNESS ISSUE IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.
WE ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE LACK OF CONTRACT THAT WAS PROVIDED TO THE YMCA.
I BELIEVE IT WENT OUT FOR A REISSUE OF SOME SORT.
HOWEVER, I MUST SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE STILL ON A DAILY BASIS ARE TURNING CLIENTS AWAY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY BEDS FOR THEM.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD LOOK.
AND I THINK THAT WE CERTAINLY NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT.
ALSO, UH, I FELT, I THINK I SPOKE TO YOU ABOUT THE CWA DIRECTOR, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HANDLE THAT WITH THE LACK OF BEDS.
AND I TOO WILL RUN OUT MY CLOCK.
HAVE A GREAT EVENING EVERYONE.
THANK YOU, MR. PEACE AND BLESSINGS.
I'M A LIFELONG ESSEX COUNTY RESIDENT.
I RUN A COMMUNITY CENTER INSIDE BRADLEY COURTS HOUSING, ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PLACES IN NEWARK.
AND WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THE SNAP BENEFITS, THIS IS GOING TO CREATE A DIRE SITUATION.
WE HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT WERE SCAMMED OUT OF THEIR SNAP BENEFITS.
AND WHEN THEY CALLED THE COUNTY TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON,
[01:35:01]
THE COUNTY GAVE THEM A LIST OF PANTRIES.I ASSURE YOU THAT THE PANTRIES CANNOT HANDLE THE AMOUNT THAT IS GOING TO BE NEEDED BASED UPON HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SCAMMED.
SO IN MY, IN THE FACILITY THAT I'M IN RIGHT NOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT UPWARDS OF 30 PEOPLE WITH 30 FAMILIES.
AND THAT'S JUST IN THAT ONE LOCATION.
UM, I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A ESS COUNTY SITUATION THAT IS OTHER STATES.
AND AS WELL, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I PUT THIS ON THE RECORD SO THAT WE CAN GET THE SITUATION ADDRESSED, BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY A DIRE SITUATION.
WE HAVE THE MOST VULNERABLE FAMILIES WITHOUT THE PROPER CARE AND NUTRITION TO GET THEIR KIDS FOOD AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UH, DOUGLAS FREEMAN REPRESENTING THE SOUTHWOOD AND IRVINGTON DISTRICT.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU ARE AWARE, BUT A GENTLEMAN LOST HIS LIFE ON CHANCELLOR AVENUE BECAUSE HE HAD TO WALK IN THE ROAD.
WE CALLED THE STATE TO FIND OUT WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEARING THE BRIDGES ON LYONS AVENUE AND CHANCELLOR AVENUE.
WE RECEIVED A RUNAROUND FROM THE STATE.
THEY SAID IT'S THE PROPERTY OWNER OF ABUT TWO, THE PIECE OF THE, THE BRIDGE PROPERTY.
THEN IT TURNED INTO THIS, THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY.
THE CITY SAYS IT IS THE STATE.
THE STATE SAYS IT'S THE COUNTY NOW.
AND WE RECEIVED THE RUNAROUND.
UM, THANKFUL IRVINGTON STEPPED UP AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO IT.
AND YOU KNOW, I THINK IRVINGTON FOR DOING THAT.
BUT WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MATTERS TO US TREMENDOUSLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S A LOSS OF LIFE.
AND TO HAVE THAT LOSS OF LIFE THE WEEK BEFORE THE SNOW STORM.
AND STILL WE GETTING A RUN AROUND ON WHO'S GOING TO SHOVEL THE BRIDGES.
THE REASON WHY THE COMMUNITY DID NOT VOLUNTEER, BECAUSE IT IS OVER A HIGHWAY.
AND AS YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANT TO TOSS SNOW ONTO THE HIGHWAY OR ICE AND THOSE THINGS.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITIES SHOULD NOT BE DOING.
SO THROUGH YOUR OFFICE, UH, MR. PRESIDENT, WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU INVESTIGATE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL OF CLEARING THE BRIDGES ON LYS AVENUE AND CHANCELLOR AVENUE, AND ANYONE THAT'S A COUNTY, UH, IS NEXT TO THAT PARTICULAR PROPERTY OF THE STATE THAT WE KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ICING, UH, PUTTING SALT DOWN AND CLEARING IT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. FRIEDMAN.
IF YOU COULD GET WITH ADAM, UH, TO GET THE DETAILS, THAT WAY WE CAN FORWARD IT TO ENGINEERING WHO I WOULD THINK WOULD, UH, HAVE A HANDLE ON THOSE THINGS OR WHOMEVER THEY HAVE.
GOOD EVENING, MAGGIE FREEMAN, SOUTH WARD PARK, WHATEVER HAT YOU WANNA PUT ON ME TODAY.
UM, I JUST HAVE THREE POINTS THAT WE EXPERIENCED.
UM, ONE WITH THE SNOWSTORM AND A FEW OTHERS WHILE WE'RE SITTING HERE.
UM, WE NEED, UM, UPGRADES WITH EQUIPMENT FOR THE MAINTENANCE CREWS, FOR THE COUNTY PARKS.
UM, SUCH AS LIKE, BECAUSE WE HAVE RUBBERIZED SURFACES IN WEEK PARK IN PARTICULAR, UM, THE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS AND, UM, THE RUBBERIZED TRACK, THEY GO UNCLEARED.
SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT YOU HAVE PEOPLE GOING INSIDE THE ROADWAY.
I HAPPEN TO HAVE ASSISTED SOMEONE THAT WAS PROBABLY LIKE 85 YEARS OLD IN JUST TRYING TO NAVIGATE THAT, UM, THAT CARMICHAEL DRIVE.
SO IT'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH INCLEMENT WEATHER.
SO WE DEFINITELY NEED RUBBERIZED, UM, THINGS THAT COULD GO POSSIBLY ON THE CARTS THAT WE'RE GONNA BE RENTING OUT, I BELIEVE.
SO THAT I I WANNA SAY IT'S PLOWS, UM, THAT HAVE THE RUBBERIZED MATERIAL AT THE BOTTOM SO THAT IT DOESN'T SCRAPE OR DAMAGE THE PROPERTY.
TWO, UM, AND JUST HEARING OF THE AMOUNT OF CONTRACTS THAT COME THROUGH YOUR, UM, BOARD, UM, I'M SUGGESTING THAT THE SCHOOLS, UM, UNDER THE ESS COUNTY APIC KIND OF WORK WITH THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE GRADUATES AND SENIORS WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND CERTIFIED TO DO THE WORK.
SO THAT WAY WE CAN ENSURE THAT ESS COUNTY STUDENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THESE JOBS SITES.
UM, AND MAYBE AS APPRENTICESHIPS, INTERNSHIPS, ET CETERA.
UM, I FEEL LIKE WE ARE BUILDING THE TALENT THAT WE NEED.
WHY AREN'T WE USING THEM FIRST? UM, AND TWO, WE NEED TO EXPAND THE PARAMETERS OF THE ECUA.
UM, WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF UNSAFETY, UM, I'M SORRY, SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE WIRING.
THERE'S OUTDATED INFRASTRUCTURE WE'VE WITNESSED ON LIONS AVENUE LIVE WIRES HAPPENING.
WE HAPPEN TO REPORT THAT, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE CONSTITUENTS ARE NOT GOING TO CALL YOU WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM.
HOW ARE WE INSPECTING THOSE THINGS AND STAYING ON TOP OF IT? SO MY OR OUR SUGGESTION IS THAT EACH CITY, UM, HAVE REPRESENTATIVES ON A, LIKE AN ADVISORY BOARD OF SOME SORT.
MAYBE WE COULD KIND OF COME TOGETHER ON A MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY BASIS.
UM, I KNOW THAT YOU ALL MEET ON, UH, ON YOUR SCHEDULES, BUT HOW ARE YOUR, YOU KNOW, CITIES COMING BACK WITH THE INFORMATION OF THE NEEDS SUCH AS THE HIGH COST AND, UM, UTILITY BILLS? LIKE ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.
[01:40:01]
REALLY HAVE A SAY, UM, OUTSIDE OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU KIND OF VOTING ON.UH, NORM TER, 99 BERKELEY AVENUE, BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AFFECTS EVERYONE COUNTYWIDE ESPECIALLY, AND WE KNOW SORT OF TWO BACK-TO-BACK SNOWSTORMS, UM, THAT HAVE HAPPENED.
I THINK IT'S TIME, UH, COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT THAT WE ACTUALLY STAND UP A TASK FORCE, UH, COMPROMISED OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, COUNTY OFFICIALS, LOCAL OFFICIALS, STATE OFFICIALS TO WORK OUT ALL OF THESE CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO SNOW REMOVAL, PARTICULARLY, UM, ALONG THE BRIDGES, BUT ALSO AT THE 460 INTERSECTIONS THAT ARE CONTROLLED BY ESSEX COUNTY.
UM, YOU'VE HEARD ME BEFORE, I WAS SPEAKING, UM, ABOUT WATTS SING AND BLOOMFIELD, THE CROSSINGS THERE.
ANYWHERE WHERE THERE IS A CROSSING GUARD AND IT'S A COUNTY ROAD, IT NEEDS TO BE PRIORITIZED DURING, UH, SNOW REMOVAL.
UH, SO THAT'S THE FIRST THING.
UM, THE SECOND THING, UH, IS, UM, I WAS HERE ALSO LAST TIME TALKING ABOUT DR. LINDA DAVIS IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.
I COULD NOT IMAGINE HOW PRESCIENT MY COMMENTS WERE IN THAT A WEEK LATER THERE WAS AN ICE PURSUIT IN NEWARK THAT INJURED THREE CHILDREN.
THAT WAS JUST ASTOUNDING TO ME.
AND WHAT I'M ASKING YOUR BODY TO DO IS TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MAYOR RO BARAKA AND ACTUALLY COME UP WITH LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME TO ESSEX COUNTY FACILITIES.
SO, UH, PLEASE FOR CONSIDERATION, UM, RESTRICTIONS ON COUNTY PROPERTY.
IF WE HAVE FOLKS THAT COME TO A COUNTY PARK, CAN ICE OPERATE IN A COUNTY PARK, BRANCH, PARK PARK, UM, YOU KNOW, WEEK WAKE PARK WATT, SUSSING PARK, BROOKDALE PARK, UM, HOW ABOUT IF I AM SOMEONE WHO IS AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT AND I'M COMING TO AN ESSEX COUNTY BUILDING, SEEKING OUT SERVICES, AM I SAFE IN THAT BUILDING? I'M NOT SURE.
SO, OR CONSIDERATION LONGER TERM.
A FEW OTHER, UH, NON AGENDA ITEMS TOO.
UM, I WANTED TO INTRODUCE THESE THREE STATE BILLS THAT ARE AUTHORED BY STATE SENATOR BRITTANY TIMBERLAKE, S 37 14, THE JUSTICE FOR FIREFIGHTER PATRICK THOMAS ACT, S 37 0 6, AND S 37 15, UM, 37 14, THE JUSTICE FOR FIREFIGHTER PATRICK THOMAS THOMAS ACT.
UM, I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF ALL THREE OF THESE BILLS.
UM, THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR, UM, PEOPLE CONVICTED OF CERTAIN CRIMES OR OFFENSES TO BECOME INELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT TO POSITION COVERED BY, UM, CIVIL SERVICE AND TO LOSE THEIR PENSION BENEFITS ACQUIRED.
UM, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, S 37 0 6 PRESUMPTION OF KNOWLEDGE THAT A NOOSE OR A NAZI OR CONFEDERATE SYMBOL WOULD CAUSE BIAS INTIMIDATION.
THAT WAY NOBODY COULD SAY, OH, I DIDN'T KNOW.
AND THEN, UH, S 37 15 A STATUTE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENGAGING IN CERTAIN BIAS RELATED CONDUCT TO BE AWARE OF THAT.
AND IF THEY DO ENGAGE, THANK YOU.
IF THEY DO ENGAGE IN IT, UM, JUST, UH, THAT THEY RECEIVE COUNSELING.
OKAY, MADAM DEPUTY, THE RECORD REFLECT THAT THERE'S NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME, SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE COMMISSIONER.
ANY COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER COOPER? UH, THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT.
FIRST I WANNA THANK THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION FOR, UM, LETTING ME AND THE SEVEN OAK SOCIETY USE, UM, THE MONTE URBAN COMMUNITY CENTER TO DISTRIBUTE COATS.
LAST, UM, SATURDAY WE DISTRIBUTED OVER 500 COATS.
IT WAS A LAST MINUTE REQUEST AND YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO, UM, ACCOMMODATE US.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
WHILE I WAS THERE AT THE, UH, COMMUNITY CENTER, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT JUMPED OUT WAS THERE WAS A LINE OF PEOPLE WAITING TO USE THE ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION THAT'S THERE.
AND WHAT I LEARNED FROM TALKING TO THEM WAS THAT, UM, THEY'RE GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL THAT THE COUNTY INSTALLED THAT CHARGING STATION THERE.
THE UNFORTUNATE THING IS IT HAS AN ARM UP ON, YOU KNOW, THE PARKING LOT.
SO IF THAT ARM IS DOWN, THE PUBLIC CAN'T COME IN TO USE THAT.
WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? APPARENTLY THE NEXT CLOSEST CHARGING STATION WOULD BE UNION WEST ORANGE OR GOING TO BLOOMFIELD.
AND YOU GUYS KNOW BETTER THAN ME HOW THE ELECTRIC CARS WORK.
[01:45:01]
DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF POWER, THE CAR SHUT DOWN, IT CAN'T GO FORWARD.SO I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF MECHANISM WHERE, UM, WE COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO GRANT, UM, THE PUBLIC ACCESS, MAYBE PEOPLE WHO PRE-REGISTER, MAYBE A CODE ACCESS OR SOMETHING SO THAT THEY CAN GET IN TO UTILIZE THE CHARGING STATION FOR THEIR CAR.
THIS ONE YOUNG LADY WHO HAPPENED TO BE AN ORANGE RESIDENT WAS TRYING TO MAKE HER WAY TO THERE AND THE ARM WAS DOWN.
SHE COULDN'T GET IN AND HER CAR CUT OFF ON HER AND SHE HAD TO TOW THE CAR.
IT, YOU KNOW, IT, IT DOESN'T GO.
SO THAT'S MY REQUEST TO THE ADMINISTRATION.
CAN WE COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF MECHANISM TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GRANT RESIDENTS ACCESS, UM, WHEN THE ARM IS DOWN.
THE, UM, NEXT THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE DISPARITY STUDY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING UP THE DISPARITY STUDY.
I TOO WAS WONDERING ABOUT THE, KNOWING THAT IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE ANNIVERSARY WHEN THEY CAME TO DO THE PRESENTATION, THERE WAS A WHOLE LAUNDRY LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS.
WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTED? I KNOW I SAW A COUPLE WEEKS BACK THAT YOU GUYS HAD HAD A SERIES OF SMALL BUSINESS OUTREACH CONTRACTORS SIGN UP.
HAVE WE YIELDED, UM, COME UP WITH ANY NEW CONTRACTORS TO PLAY THE CONNECTION GAME, TO RESPOND TO THE WONDERFUL PORTALS AND THINGS THAT JAY'S OFFICE, UM, WHEN YOU PUT OUT YOUR BIDS AND SPECS? SO WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE WE, UM, IMPLEMENTED FROM THAT STUDY THAT WE PUT TOGETHER AND WHAT OUTREACH ARE WE DOING TO GET MORE VENDORS TO COME IN? NEXT ISSUE IS DO WE HAVE A PROCESS WHERE WE CONNECT THE RESIDENTS THAT GO THROUGH EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING TO SOME OF, OF THE VENDORS THAT WE GIVE CONTRACTS TO.
WE GIVE OUT A LOT OF MONEY TO, UM, VENDORS AND CONTRACTORS TO DO VARIOUS WORK FOR US.
IF YOU LOOK, OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HERE IN THE COUNTY IS 5.5%.
WE ARE LIKE IN THE TOP 10 ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT GO TO THE WONDERFUL OFFICES THAT WE HAVE THAT TRAIN PEOPLE.
DO WE HAVE A PROCESS WHERE WE PLAY THAT CONNECTION GAME TO GET SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT'S GOING TO EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING TO SOME OF THE POTENTIAL POSITIONS THAT COULD BE AVAILABLE THROUGH SOME OF THE, UM, ENTITIES THAT WE GIVE CONTRACTS TO.
DO WE HAVE A PROCESS? I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT PROCESS IS.
AND DO WE HAVE A WAY TO EVALUATE IF PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY HIRED WHEN WE MAKE THOSE REFERRALS? THE SNAP SCAM.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS LIKE A HOAX, THAT IT WASN'T REAL.
AND IF IT'S TRUE BASED UPON THE PERSON WHO JUST CAME TO THE MIC, I'M SURE DIRECTOR RAMOS IS ON TOP OF IT.
IS THERE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO TO ENSURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS WHO WERE UNFORTUNATELY VICTIMS OF THIS SCAM, IS A WAY FOR US TO RETURN THOSE BENEFITS BACK TO THEM? I DON'T KNOW ABOUT Y'ALL, BUT I KNOW THE COST OF GROCERIES HAVE GONE UP.
YOU KNOW, I USED TO PAY $2 AND 50 CENTS FOR A LOAF OF BREAD, NOW IT'S $4 AND 50 CENTS.
SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO NEED THEIR SNAP BENEFITS.
WHAT MECHANISMS, WHAT ARE WE DOING? AND IF IT'S BIGGER THAN JUST ESSEX COUNTY, UM, IS THERE A WAY FOR US TO RETURN THOSE BENEFITS BACK TO THOSE RESIDENTS THAT WERE UNFORTUNATELY IMPACTED? LAST COMMENT IS ABOUT THE SNOW.
THIS ADMINISTRATION DOES A MAGNIFICENT JOB IN ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU GUYS DO.
THE LAST TIME THAT WE HAD THIS LEVEL OF SNOW THAT WE GOT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WAS LIKE 2016.
MY QUESTIONS ARE WHAT DID WE DO BACK THEN WHEN IT HAPPENED? WHAT'S THE HISTORICAL, UM, PRECEDENCE THAT WE USE? BECAUSE IT IS KIND OF CONFLICTING AND CONFUSING TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR SAY, STATE OF EMERGENCY, SHUT DOWN.
DON'T GO OUT, DON'T DO ANYTHING.
THE BUS IS SHUT DOWN, THE SCHOOL IS SHUT DOWN.
BUT I STILL HAVE TO COME TO WORK.
I GET IT THAT YOU WANT ME TO USE MY PERSONAL TIME, BUT FINANCIALLY THAT IMPACTS ME.
SO IT, IT MAKES ME SAY, WHAT DO OTHER COUNTIES DO? WHAT DO THE UNIVERSITIES DO AS AN EMPLOYER? I APPRECIATE THAT.
I DON'T WANNA GIVE AWAY, YOU KNOW, PAY FOR YOU NOT COMING TO WORK.
BUT WHEN IT'S UNPRECEDENTED AT THE LEVEL THAT IT WAS, WHAT DO OTHER COUNTIES DO? WHAT ARE OTHER MECHANISMS THAT WE COULD COME UP? AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT WHEN IT JUST SNOWS ON A REGULAR BASIS.
IT WAS A LOT OF SNOW OUT THERE AND IT WAS A LOT OF SNOW THAT WE HAD TO MOVE.
SO PERHAPS MAYBE WE COULD COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF POLICY FOR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES.
SO I WAS WONDERING WHAT DO WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS THAT SPEAK TO EXTRAORDINARY WEATHER? LIKE WHAT WE JUST DEALT WITH, YOU KNOW? UM, SO THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS AND I'LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO A RESPONSE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.
ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS? SAME.
I A MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOTION MOVED BY COOPER SECOND BY LUCIANO.