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GOOD EVENING.THIS MEETING OF THE TEX COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IS HEREBY CALL TO ORDER MEETING.
THIS MEETING IS BEING LIVESTREAM IN ADDITION TO TAKING PLACE HERE IN PERSON.
MADAM DEPUTY CLARK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POIS HERE.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE SALUTE OF THE FLAG.
I'M GONNA ASK COMMISSIONER LUCIANO TO LEAD US IN THE SALUTE I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE, THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
I'M JUST GONNA ASK FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND HONOR OF THOSE THAT WE'VE LOST SINCE THE LAST TIME WE CAME TOGETHER IN THESE CHAMBER.
I HAVE BEFORE ME CERTIFICATION FROM THE DEPUTY CLERK THAT THIS MEETING IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLICS MEETINGS ACT.
SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO THE APPROVAL OF TRANSCRIPTS.
MADAM DEPUTY CLARK, ARE THERE ANY TRANSCRIPTS TO BE APPROVED? YES.
MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE ONE FROM THE DECEMBER 3RD, 2025.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NOPE.
DO I HAVE SOMEONE TO MOVE IT? MOVE.
MOVE ON THE SECOND BY RICHARDSON.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT LARRY THOMAS? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE TOPIC OF THE DISCUSSION.
DO WE HAVE ANY MATTER DEPUTY CLARK? NO, WE DO NOT.
LET'S MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
TODAY'S PUBLIC COMMENT IS A COMBINED CONFERENCE BOARD MEETING, AND, UH, WE WILL HAVE, WE WILL VOTE ON EVERY ITEM OF THE AGENDA.
SO IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THERE'LL BE TIME LATER IN THE EVENING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY OTHER ITEMS. SO I ASK YOU, PLEASE LET ME, YOUR COMMENTS AT THIS TIME TO AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
UH, WINIFRED VICTOR HINES WITH THE
I ONLY HAVE A QUICK QUESTION ON, UM, ITEM NUMBER, UH, 51.
AND, UM, I NOTICED THAT, UM, THEY ARE IMPROVING THE, A SOFTBALL FIELD AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,150,000.
SO I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS ALSO APPLIES TO
AND SINCE WE WEREN'T GIVING, YOU KNOW, ANY NOTICE, SO WE DON'T, UNLESS IT WAS HERE BEFORE IN THE AGENDA, BUT NOTHING WAS SAID TO US.
SO I WANTED TO KNOW IF IT'S THE SAME AMOUNT, IF IT'S THE SAME FUNDING, ET CETERA.
MADAM AND DEPUTY COOK, LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT THERE'S NO TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME.
SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE OUT OF ORDER AND TAKE RESOLUTION 1 58, WHICH IS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET 2026.
MR. JACKSON? UH, GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, UH, TREASURER MOHAM WILL HANDLE THIS ITEM.
UM, THE RESOLUTION NUMBER ONE IS FOR, UM, UH, TEMPORARY CAPITAL BUDGET.
INCLUDE ALL THE, THE PROJECT, WHAT YOU INTEND TO, UM, UH, TO FUND THIS YEAR IN CAPITAL.
IT'S FOR ONE, UH, RESOLUTION 1 58, CORRECT? YES.
MR. BAD, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.
MR. MCINERNEY? ANY QUESTIONS? UH, THIS IS THE ONE FREE, WE TALKING ABOUT THE ONE FOR 18 MILLION RIGHT NOW.
UH, ACTUALLY THE TEMPORARY, UH, CAPITAL BUDGET, UH, THE, THE LAST RESOLUTION 1 58.
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ARE YOU GOOD MR. MCDON? NO, I'M NOT.ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON NUMBER 1 58? SEE ANAND? DO I HAVE SOMEONE TO MOVE IT? MOVE.
ROLL CALL MAD DEPUTY COURT FOR ONE FIFTY EIGHT.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS? YES.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POIS? YES.
OKAY, LET'S GO BACK IN, UH, IN ORDER HERE, WE'RE GONNA GO TO ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS ON INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READINGS.
MADAM DEPUTY CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY? YES, MR. PRESIDENT? WE HAVE FOUR ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.
SO LET'S MOVE TO ORDINANCE NUMBER ONE FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.
IT'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN? UH, YES, MR. MOHAN? UM, GOOD EVENING.
UH, ORDINANCE NUMBER ONE IS THE BOUND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, UM, UH, INCLUDING BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, HIGHWAY AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT OF, UH, $18 MILLION IZING 17.1 MILLION IN DEBT.
MR. SHABA, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
MR. MCHENRY? I BELIEVE THIS IS THE ONE YOU MIGHT HAVE REFERENCED EARLIER.
I DID, YEAH, I JUST, SO LET'S JUST KIND OF GO THROUGH THIS, UH, MR. MOHAMMAD, UM, OF THIS AMOUNT, $4 MILLION IS FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS.
UH, FOUR AND A HALF MILLION IS FOR HIGHWAY AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, AND THEN NINE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FOR PARK REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENTS? YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD JUST SPEAK TO, I KNOW IT'S A, A PRETTY LARGE SCOPE, BUT IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO SOME OF THE SPECIFIC HIGHWAYS, ROADS, UM, PARKS THAT MAY BE ACCOUNTED FOR HERE IN THIS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.
UM, THE, THE, THE FIRST PART, THE 4 MILLION IS FOR VARIOUS COUNTY, UH, BUILDING.
SO ANY BUILDING NEEDED, ANY IMPROVEMENTS YOU WILL FINANCES FROM THAT.
UH, THE, THE SECOND, UH, FOUR AND A HALF MILLION FOR, UH, ROAD, UH, ROADS AND HIGHWAYS AND, AND THE ORDINANCE, UH, THEY DID NOT ACTUALLY SPECIFY SPECIFIC ONE IS JUST FOR ANY ROADS NEED TO BE IMPROVED.
AND THE THIRD ITEM FOR PARKS, AND THIS WILL BE FOR, UH, THEY HAVE A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE ZOO AND THEY HAVE RENOVATION TO SOME, UH, UM, UH, PARKS.
EVERYTHING IS LISTED IN THE ORDINANCE.
YOU, MR. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A COMMENT AS WELL.
JUST, UH, TO GIVE YOU, UM, WHAT'S, WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST, THE, UH, COUNTY EXECUTIVE WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE HAD, UM, PRETTY MUCH PROMULGATED THAT HE WAS GONNA LIMIT FINANCING BY THE COUNTY TO $20 MILLION A YEAR.
SO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WE GIVE A GENERAL AUTHORIZATION BASICALLY TO PUBLIC WORKS, TO PARKS, AND, UM, AND IN THIS CASE, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS AND USUALLY THAT, THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AROUND 18 MILLION.
AND THEN WE DO SOME FINANCING, UH, FOR THE COUNTY COLLEGE AS WELL.
AND SO WE'VE KEPT IT AT 20 MILLION.
WE'RE GONNA SEE SOMETHING A LITTLE, A LITTLE DIFFERENT HERE, THIS, THIS YEAR.
UH, 'CAUSE WE'RE GOING TO A SECOND ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL EXCEED THAT AND THE ADMINISTRATION WILL EXPLAIN THAT.
BUT THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT WE DID IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR, WE HAD TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DEBT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME PRIOR TO, UH, THIS ADMINISTRATION TRY TO CONTROL THAT BY LIMITING THE AMOUNT THAT WE AUTHORIZE EVERY YEAR TO $20 MILLION.
AND WE'VE DONE THAT JUST ABOUT EVERY YEAR.
THERE'S GONNA BE AN EXCEPTION THIS YEAR, BUT I'LL LET THEM EXPLAIN THAT.
AND IT'S, IT'S GENERAL IN NATURE, JUST SO YOU KNOW.
THEY HAVE SOME SPECIFICS THAT THEY WANT TO GET TO, BUT WE GIVE THEM SIGN THE FLEXIBILITY, UH, WITH REGARD TO THE ROADS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE.
SO, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE BY RICHARDSON, OR SECOND? SECOND.
COMMISSIONER SEABOLD BOLT ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS? YES.
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PRESIDENT POIS? YES.LET'S MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE NUMBER TWO FOR INTRODUCTION OF FIRST READING.
WE'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT LATER TIME.
UH, ORDINANCE NUMBER TWO IS THE BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND ACQUISITIONS FOR TWO DEPARTMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION AND DEPARTMENT, UH, OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN AN AMOUNT OF 5 MILLION AND AUTHORIZING 4.7 MILLION IN THAT.
UM, THE IMPROVEMENTS, IT'S INCLUDED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO FOR THE CORRECTION TO, UM, WIRING AND, UM, AND CAMERAS AND, UM, THE KITCHEN IMPROVEMENTS AND FOR THE SHERIFF FOR, UH, BODY WOR CAMERAS AND OTHER, UM, ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER, UM, POLICE CARS.
THERE'S ALSO A CORRECTIONAL, YOU KNOW, COMPONENT TO THIS.
UH, CORRECTION AND SHERIFF? YES.
AND, UH, AND THE SHERIFF IS 1 MILLION.
SO, SO THIS IS WHERE IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN PRIOR YEARS.
WE ARE, UH, AUTHORIZING IN EFFECT WHAT WOULD BE, I WOULD ASSUME GET UP TO $25 MILLION IS THAT THIS $5 MILLION IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GENERAL IN NATURE.
IT'S SPECIFIC, UH, GEARED TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF THESE TWO DEPARTMENTS.
AND, UM, YEAH, IT'S JUST GONNA BE, SO THEY, THEY WILL NOW GO OUT FOR BIDS AND, YOU KNOW, DO THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE WORK REQUIRED, GO OUT FOR BIDS, AND THEN GET THE WORK DONE.
AND IT'LL ALL BE FUNDED BY THIS.
THIS IS JUST THE AUTHORIZATION TO GO AHEAD RIGHT.
AND MOVE FORWARD TO SELL THE BONDS AND TO AUTHORIZE THEM TO DO THE PROJECTS.
BUT THOSE CONTRACTS FOR THOSE PROJECTS STILL HAVE TO COME BACK TO US.
WE'LL BE HEARING THE SPECIFICS OF THOSE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS THEY COME FORWARD.
THANK YOU MR. MCNERNEY FOR THE EXPLANATION.
UH, COMMISSIONER IS THE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON NUMBER TWO? SEEING NONE, DO SOMEONE TO MOVE NUMBER TWO? I MOVE IT.
AND I GOT CUT OFF HER NUMBER ONE AND I'D LIKE TO VOTE YES ON THAT.
SO SHE'S VOTING AFFIRMATIVE FOR BOTH ONE AND NUMBER TWO.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT EZ? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE NUMBER THREE FOR INTRODUCTION OF FIRST READING, WHICH WOULD BE WRITTEN FOR THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
UM, UH, OR, OR, OR ORDINANCE NUMBER THREE IS BOND ORDINANCE.
THIS IS REAPPROPRIATING 3.1 MILLION, UH, FROM A PREVIOUS ORDINANCE.
AND THIS IS TO FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AT THE NORTH CAMPUS.
UH, OLD MONEY WAS NEVER EXPENDED.
MR. BAZ, ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL ISSUES.
MR. MCINERNEY? UH, THIS IS, YOU SAID THIS IS OLD MONEY.
IS THIS A READJUSTMENT OF THE AUTHORIZATION? THAT'S A REAPPROPRIATE OF AN OLD ORDINANCE, YES.
SO IT'S BEEN VETTED IN THE PAST.
WE'RE JUST USING IT THIS YEAR AS OPPOSED TO, RIGHT.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NUMBER THREE.
SOMEONE GONNA MOVE IT? MOVE IT.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
SO LET'S MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE NUMBER FOUR FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.
WE'LL BE RIGHT TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
UM, UM, ORDINANCE NUMBER FOUR IS THE BOND ORDINANCE FOR COUNTY COLLEGE, UH, IN APPROPRIATE 3.9 MILLION FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AT THE NETWORK CAMPUS.
WE DO THIS EVERY YEAR AT, AT, UM, WE, WE PROVIDE HALF OF THE AMOUNT AND THE STATE MATCH IT.
SO THE, THE COUNTY PIECE WILL BE 1,000,950 AND THE STATE WILL MATCH IT WITH CHAPTER 12 FUNDS, UH, AT 1,950,000.
AND THIS WILL BE FOR, UM, NEWARK CAMPUS.
MS. SHABAZZ, ANY QUESTIONS? NUMBER FOUR.
NO, THE GOOD QUESTIONS MR. MCINERNEY.
I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS.
ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER, MAYOR THOMAS? THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
NOT A QUESTION, JUST A COMMENT.
JUST WANTED TO COMMEND, UH, COUNTY EXECUTIVE JOEY ZO AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THIS WORK AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR BUILDINGS IN ESSEX, OUR BUILDINGS IN ESSEX COUNTY, UH, MATCH
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THE BRILLIANCE OF OUR STUDENTS.YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A SCHOOL THAT SERVES 9,000 STUDENTS, ONE OF THE LARGEST SERVING COUNTY COLLEGES HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
UM, THAT WAS BUILT WITHIN A YEAR AFTER THE NEWARK REBELLION.
AND SO YOU HAVE A SCHOOL THAT'S BEEN HERE FOR QUITE A WHILE THAT WAS BUILT IN THE WAKE OF A CITY BUILDING TO PREVENT BUILDINGS FROM GETTING DESTRUCTIVE.
AND SO, AS JOEY D OFTEN SAYS, HE WAS LIKE, THERE ARE PARTS OF ESS COUNTY COLLEGE CAMPUS IN NEWARK THAT LOOK LIKE A JAIL BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT AT THE TIME WHERE THEY WERE TRYING TO DEFEND THE BUILDING AGAINST, UM, POTENTIAL, UH, ACTS OF DESTRUCTION.
ALL THIS TO SAY, MYSELF AND COMMISSIONER LUCIANO JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO HAD A PRIVILEGE OF BEING WITH THE BOARD FROM ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE, UH, CHAIRMAN OR RATHER CUNNINGS AT JOEY D.
STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF AT ESSEX COUNTY, WHERE WE GOT TO, YOU KNOW, BRING IN AND AUTHORIZE THIS NEW BUDGET THAT MAKE SURE THAT THE BUILDING ITSELF FROM THE CAFETERIA THAT'S JUST BEEN RENOVATED TO THE LIBRARY.
UM, AND ALL OTHER CAMPUSES ASSOCIATED WITH ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE ARE STATE OF THE ART.
SO JUST WANNA COMMEND, YOU KNOW, THE WORK OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND CERTAINLY, UM, OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR MAKING THIS A PRIORITY.
'CAUSE OUR STUDENTS DESERVE THE BEST, UM, EVERYWHERE AND CERTAINLY HERE IN MY GRADE CITY OF NEWARK.
IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I SEE NONE.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE IT? CERTAINLY.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POES? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR LISTING PURPOSES ONLY.
MADAM DEPUTY CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY? UH, NO WE DO NOT.
ALRIGHT, THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING.
DO WE HAVE ANY? YES, MR. PRESIDENT? WE HAVE TWO RESOLUTION R 2 26 0 180 8 AND RESOLUTION R 20 26 0 180 9.
SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO THE FIRST ONE.
I HEREBY DECLARE PUBLIC HEARING ON RESOLUTION NUMBER R 2026 DASH 0 0 180 8 OPEN.
IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT FOR OR AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
MS. CHABA, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NO, THE GOOD QUESTIONS PRESIDENT.
MR. NER, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NO, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
COMMISSIONERS ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR THIS RESOLUTION OR AGAINST? OKAY.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? AND A SECOND TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING ON RESOLUTION R 2026 DASH 0 0 1 8 8.
DO I HAVE THE SAME MOVER? SECOND TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION? YES.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK COMMISSIONER SERMONS ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION R 20 26 0 0 180 9.
IT WILL BE READ TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
I HEREBY DECLARE PUBLIC HEARING ON RESOLUTION NUMBER R 20 26 0 0 1 8 9 OPEN.
IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT FORWARD OR AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION, PLEASE CUT TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.
FOR THE RECORD, YOU'LL HAVE TO, TO SPEAK MR. PRESIDENT BEFORE, IF I MAY, BEFORE THE, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE, PLEASE OBJECT.
WE JUST, UH, RECEIVED THE COMMENTS BACK FROM THE STATE, UH, EARLIER TODAY.
SO MY, UH, MY RECOMMENDATION SUBJECT TO, UM, UH, OUR, OUR ATTORNEY, UH, MS. SHAVA, WOULD BE THAT WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING, UM, AND THEN CLOSE IT AND THEN TABLE THE VOTE UNTIL, UH, THE FOLLOWING MEETING OR THE MEETING AFTER THAT WHEN WE GET THE, HAVE A CHANCE TO VET THE COMMENTS.
SO WE'RE STILL AWAITING FOR THE STATE COMMENTS ON THIS.
AND THIS HAPPENS AT TIMES 'CAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY PRETTY EARLY.
SO WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL HAVE DISCUSSION AND THEN WE'LL ADJOURN IT TO THE NEXT MEETING.
THAT'S, THAT'S LEGALLY APPROPRIATE.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS RESOLUTION? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
MR. MCINERNEY, ANY QUESTIONS IN THE RESOLUTION? NO.
WE MADE OUR COMMENTS ON THE, ON THE FIRST READING.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEE NONE.
WHAT I'M GONNA ASK FOR IS A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADJOURN THIS TO OUR NEXT MEETING, WHICH WILL BE APRIL 15TH, MOVE IT MOVE BY RICHARDSON.
OR THE SECOND, SECOND, SECOND BY LUCIANO.
YOU COULD STILL HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
YOU COULD STILL HAVE THE, YOU STILL? WELL, SO SORRY.
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TAKE A STEP BACK.IS THERE ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS RESOLUTION? UH, 2026 DASH 0 1 8 9.
SEEING NONE, WE HAD NO QUESTIONS FROM OUR ATTORNEY.
AND WE HAVE IT MOVED BY RICHARDSON AND SECOND BY LUCIANO TO ADJOURN IT TO THE NEXT MEETING, WHICH WILL BE APRIL 15TH.
ROLL CALL MADELINE DEPUTY COURT COMMISSIONER.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
SO AGAIN, WE'LL COME BACK ON APRIL 15TH FOR THE, THE VOTE ON THAT WHEN WE GET, HOPEFULLY BY THEN STATE, UH, COMMENTS AND SUCH.
SO LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTIONS ONE THROUGH 11.
WITH THE EXCEPTION NUMBER SEVEN, WHICH HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
THESE ARE OUR ADVICE AND CONSENT NOMINATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO VARIOUS ADVISORY BOARDS.
RESOLUTION TWO 12 THROUGH 39 ARE REAPPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS ADVISORY BOARDS AND THEY COULD BE READ TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON? UH, THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT.
UH, WE HAVE OUTSTANDING CANDIDATES TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD, UH, THIS EVENING.
OUR FIRST CANDIDATE IS BERNA DAVIS TO THE, UH, ESSEX COUNTY RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE, UH, TRUST FUND ADVISORY BOARD.
JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
JUST TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
DON'T WORRY YOU'RE NOT ON THE HOT SEAT.
AS HE SAID, MY NAME IS BURNETT DAVIS AND I LIVE IN BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY.
AND I'M AN EMPLOYEE FOR THE ESTES COUNTY SCHOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY.
UM, I AM HONORED TO BE NOMINATED BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SERVE ON THE ESTES COUNTY OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND BOARD.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING ITS IMPORTANT WORK BY SUPPORTING INITIATIVES SUCH AS COUNTY PARKS, UM, COUNTY PARK IMPROVEMENTS.
WE DO EXHIBITS AND ONGOING MAINTENANCE EFFORTS THAT ENHANCE PUBLIC ACCESS TO NATURE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WHILE MS. DAVIS IS, THANK YOU.
YOU HAIL FOR THE GREAT TIMES OF BLOOMVILLE
OUR NEXT, UH, UH, CANDIDATE IS, IS WONDER.
HE HENDERSON TO THE ESSEX COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING.
GOOD EVENING TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HEARD AND SEEN.
UM, MY NAME, UM, WELL, MY NAME IS WONDER HENDERSON.
I WORK FOR ESSEX COUNTY, UH, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY ACTION.
MY DIRECTOR IS TERRENCE MCCOY AND HE INFORMED ME NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT I, UH, HAD BEEN NOMINATED TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION FOR THE AGING SENIOR CITIZEN POPULATION.
UM, IT IS A VERY, UM, CHALLENGING SITUATION THAT WE HAVE, I'M SURE EVERYWHERE, BUT PARTICULARLY FOR AGING PEOPLE, THEY ARE FACING CHALLENGES THAT ARE REALLY OVERWHELMING FOR THEM.
USED TO BE ABLE TO RETIRE, WHICH SOCIAL SECURITY, WHICH YOUR PENSION AND YOU COULD HALFWAY LIVE A DECENT LIFE, BUT THAT DOESN'T ANY LONGER EXIST.
I HAVE MANY SENIORS WHO ARE ABLE TRYING TO RETURN TO WORK AND EVEN THOSE WHO ARE NOT NECESSARILY ABLE, TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO MAKE ENDS MEET IS DIFFICULT AND IT'S CHALLENGING.
AND SO I'M VERY, UM, I GUESS LOOKING FORWARD TO COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH OTHER AGENCIES WHO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT ARE FROM THE SENIOR POPULATION.
UM, I'M DOING MY BEST TO GET THEM INTO LOW INCOME HOUSING, WHICH IS 30% OF THEIR TOTAL INCOME.
AND IT, YOU KNOW, IT HELPS TO LOWER THEIR COSTS, BUT THERE ARE JUST SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED AND NOT ENOUGH APARTMENTS TO GET THEM INTO.
SO THE COLLABORATIVE WORKING TOGETHER, UM, SPEAKING WITH THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, WHO RECENTLY PUT UP A NEW SENIOR BUILDING, SPEAKING WITH OTHER TOWNSHIPS TO SEE HOW WE CAN ALL JUST COLLABORATIVE COLLABORATIVELY, WORK TOGETHER AND GET OUR SENIORS OUT OF NEWARK BUS STATION AND GET THEM OUT OF NEWARK AIRPORT.
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WHERE THEY GO, WHERE THEY PERCEIVE IT TO BE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT.SO IT'S CHALLENGING, BUT I AM SO ENCOURAGED BY WORKING WITH OTHER TOWNSHIPS TO HELP GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED.
DON'T, DON'T RUN FOR COMMISSIONER THIS YEAR THOUGH.
NUMBER THREE, MR. JACKSON? UH, YES.
OUR NEXT CANDIDATE IS DANIELLE BARGO TO THE ESTES COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD.
I AM A RESIDENT OF M MONTCLAIR.
I HAVE TWO LITTLE KID KIDS AT HOME WAITING FOR ME.
UM, AND IN MY FREE TIME, I AM A DOCTORAL STUDENT AT JOHNS HOPKINS STUDYING HEALTH POLICY WHERE I EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF POLICY, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ON THE OVERALL POPULATION.
SO I'M EXCITED TO USE THOSE SKILLS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE NUMBER FOUR.
UH, KATHLEEN LEVENTHAL IS ALSO BEING, UH, NOMINATED FOR THE ESS COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD.
I'M HONORED TO BE HERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONFIRMATION.
UM, I HAVE A LONG CAREER IN MENTAL HEALTH, 30 YEARS WHERE I WORKED IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS, STATES, CITY AND PRIVATE SECTOR.
AND MY MAIN WORK OVER THE THOSE YEARS WAS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING.
SO THERE'S BEEN, UH, HALFWAY HOUSES, UH, MOBILE CRISIS UNIT AND, UM, UH, MO A, UH, INTENSIVE CARE UNIT FOR THE MENTALLY ILL.
SO THIS WAS ALL IN NEW YORK, BUT, UH, MY RETIREMENT FROM THAT WAS IN THE EARLY TWO THOUSANDS.
AND THEN I BECAME DEPUTY MAYOR IN MAPLEWOOD, WHERE WE STILL LIVE.
AND, UH, AFTER THAT, MY NEXT CAREER WAS WORKING WITH, UH, ASSEMBLYWOMAN GART HALL FOR THE NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY.
UM, THAT'S STILL A LOT OF WORK, BUT THE THING THAT STANDS OUT FOR ME IN THIS BEING A VOLUNTEER POSITION IS THAT I'M NOT RETIRED FROM VOLUNTEERING.
I'VE BEEN VOLUNTEERING FOR 68 YEARS.
I, I STARTED AS A, UH, THE PRESIDENT OF OUR TEEN CHURCH CLUB AND AS A CANDY STRIPER.
AND HERE I AM NOW ASKING YOU TO LET ME GO UP TO AT LEAST 70, 75 YEARS.
IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU'RE RETIRED TO ME.
BUT, BUT NOT FROM VOLUNTEERING.
WELL, WE APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONERS.
UH, LARRY BANKS TO THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
I AM THE DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OVER AT NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PROGRAM.
UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRIVILEGE AND EVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP OUT AND SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE IF I GET COMMITTED TO IT.
UM, WHAT I'M HERE TO DO IS TRY TO CONNECT AS MANY FOLKS TO OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST IN THE INDUSTRY THAT WE SERVE AND MANUFACTURING.
A LOT OF FOLKS TEND TO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S AN OVERSEAS, BUT WE HAVE OVER 10,000 DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS.
AND IN ESSEX COUNTY ALONE, YOU GUYS HAVE ABOUT OVER 1,500 PEOPLE MAKING PRODUCTS EVERY DAY.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THERE'S ALSO JOB OPPORTUNITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT.
AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MAKING A PRODUCT.
YOU NEED SOMEBODY TO SELL IT, DESIGN IT, TELL THE STORY, GET IT FROM A TO B.
SO I'M HERE TO TRY TO CONNECT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO AS MANY FOLKS AS POSSIBLE.
WE LOOK AT IT AS LIKE THE LEGO BOXES EACH IS ONE THROUGH 99.
SO WE'LL GO FROM KINDERGARTEN ALL THE WAY UP TO ANYBODY WHO WANTS AN OPPORTUNITY.
SO I DON'T WANNA HOLD UP ANY TIME, BUT THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR EVEN ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE MR. BANKS.
EVA, WHO'S GONNA GO TO THE ESTES COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE ARTS.
PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
I'M THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CENA, THE CULTURAL INTEGRATION AND ARTS ASSOCIATION.
WE PROVIDE YOUTH PROGRAMMING TO OVER 1500 STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE 44 PLUS, UH, NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOCUSED ON MARTIAL ARTS, PERFORMING ARTS AND BOXING.
UM, THEY ALSO OPERATE THE BOXING NEWARK BOXING GYM TEAM.
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OF OUR FIGHTERS IS ACTUALLY COMPETING AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER ON APRIL 10TH.SO I HOPE YOU GUYS SUPPORT US.
DID WE GET FRONT ROW TICKETS? I'M JUST ASKING FOR A FRONT.
I'M ONLY KIDDING FOR THE RECORD STRIKE GUYS.
UM, SO I'M, I'M HONORED TO BE HERE.
AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE GREATER ESSEX COUNTY, UH, PERFORMING ARTS AND UH, CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALRIGHT, YOU'RE GOOD.
NUMBER SEVEN HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN.
SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER EIGHT.
UH, ROBIN SHORT TO THE LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE.
I'M THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT INTEGRITY HOUSE.
I ALSO OVERSEE THE COUNTY OF ESSEX REACH FOR RECOVERY, CHAPTER 51 INITIATIVE WHERE WE VISIT 15 DIFFERENT VICINITIES, UH, EACH MONTH.
I HAVE BEEN PART OF THE LAKOTA MEETINGS FOR THE PAST FIVE, SIX, MAYBE EVEN SEVEN YEARS.
I HAVE 15 YEARS OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AND SIX YEARS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE WHERE I PROVIDE HARM REDUCTION, UH, EDUCATION AND ANY SERVICES TO MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING OUR SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, SPECIFICALLY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, MENTAL HEALTH, AND THOSE THAT ARE UNSHELTERED.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THANK YOU MADAM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.
NUMBER NINE IS, UH, FOIA JOHNSON HILL TO THE SAME, UH, COMMITTEE.
A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW,
I WORK FOR THE COUNTY OF ESSEX.
I WORK FOR THE YOUTH SERVICE COMMISSION.
AND MY ROLE, I'M AN MDT CONVENER.
UM, I'VE BEEN GOING TO THE LACOTA MEETINGS FOR THE LAST PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.
NOT AS LONG AS MS. JACKIE, BUT, UM, AND MY ROLE AS AN MDT CONVENER FOR THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, WORKING WITH THE YOUTH.
I PROVIDE ALTERNATE TO DETENTION PROGRAMS FOR, UM, OUR YOUTH THAT'S CURRENTLY INCARCERATED BUT DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE INCARCERATED.
SO WE FOUND OUR ALTERNATIVE TO DETENTION PROGRAMS FOR THEM.
AND IN THAT ROLE, I FOUND OUT FIND THAT SITTING ON THE, SITTING IN ON THE MEETINGS FOR THE LATA THAT A LOT OF OUR YOUTH CAN, UM, CAN GAIN A LOT OF, UH, SERVICES FROM SITTING IN ON THAT BOARD.
AND ONE THING THAT, THAT I FOUND SITTING IN THIS ROLE AND FOR THE LAST PAST THREE YEARS, THAT A LOT OF OUR YOUTH, YOUTH ARE HIGHLY AFFECTED BY DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.
AND FOR ME, ONE THING THAT I WANNA SEE HAPPEN BEING A PART OF THIS BOARD IS GIVING THEM AND PROVIDING THEM WITH MORE SERVICES ON THE, ON THE SCALE WITHIN THE YOUTH AND WITHIN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
SO HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS WILL POINT ME TO THIS BOARD.
YOU KNOW, I WAS ALSO ON THE NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD FOR TWO YEARS WHERE I SERVED AS THE VICE PRESIDENT AND I ALSO WAS ON THE ESSEX COUNTY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, ESSEX COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, WHERE I ALSO SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT TOO.
AND I'M A MOM WITH TWO SONS AND A MOM WITH TWO SONS.
ONE IS GONNA LAW SCHOOL IN THE FALL.
COMMISSIONERS, NO QUESTIONS IN COMMENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
ALRIGHT, WE'RE ON, UH, NUMBER 10.
COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT AND COMMISSIONERS, UH, I WANT TO THANK THE COUNT EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR THIS, UH, OPPORTUNITY ALSO COMING BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.
UH, HOPEFULLY I THANK YOU FOR YOUR NOMINATION AS WELL OR YOUR APPROVAL.
I'M RETIRED FROM THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, ALSO FROM VERIZON.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THIS GIVES ME TO WORK ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WITH ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE OPPORTUNITY THAT IT GIVES TO YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE THE DECISION OTHER THAN MAYBE THE FOUR YEAR COLLEGE.
BUT TO GO TO A TWO YEAR COLLEGE.
UM, I WAS A SINGLE PARENT, RAISED MY DAUGHTER.
SHE WENT TO ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE, UH, RECENTLY, MORE RECENTLY, SINGLE GRANDPARENT RAISING MY GRANDSON.
HE WENT TO ES COUNTY COLLEGE FINISHED, AND HE GRADUATES FROM MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY, MAY 11TH OF THIS YEAR.
SO I DO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND I SERVED ON THE ESS ESSENCE COUNTY COLLEGE FOUNDATION BOARD FOR 12 YEARS.
SO, UH, WE, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.
[00:35:01]
AND IN FACT, THE NEXT NOMINEE BEHIND ME, I WORKED FOR WITH HER, UH, WHEN SHE WAS WORKING FOR THE CITY OF NEWARK.SO HOPEFULLY I CAN LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER AGAIN.
SO AGAIN, GOODNIGHT AND THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON? NOT A QUESTION, BUT A COMMENT.
MR. BROWN, WE, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
LOOK FORWARD TO YOU SERVING SOME MORE.
AND I, I HAD A FEELING, UH, WHEN YOU RETIRED.
WHAT? JUST, WHAT, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO? IT SEEMS, UH, YOU WERE GONNA BE BACK.
SO WE'RE HAPPY TO SEE YOU BACK.
MAY I SAY SOMETHING MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE.
I'VE KNOWN MAURICE BROWN FOR SO MANY YEARS AND I AM DELIGHTED THAT HE IS WILLING TO GIVE HIS TIME TO SERVE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE.
WE'RE VERY LUCKY THAT HE'S WILLING TO GIVE HIS VALUABLE TIME TO THIS.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SIEBEL.
WE ARE MOVING ON TO NUMBER 11.
NUMBER 11 IS NORM GONZALEZ, AS, UH, MR. BROWN SAID ALSO TO THE ESTES COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS.
I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I WANNA THANK ESSEX COUNTY, JOE DE VICENZO AND HIS ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION.
I HAVE BEEN WITH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF NEWARK.
MY WHOLE WORK HISTORY HAS BEEN IN THIS CITY.
I'VE DEDICATED OVER SINCE I WAS 15 YEARS OLD.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THIS, UM, UH, WITH, FOR THE CITY AND THIS COUNTY.
I CURRENTLY WORK FOR THE CITY OF NORTH, UH, UH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING NONPROFIT CALLED INVEST NEWARK.
I HAVE VARIOUS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION TRAINING, WORKFORCE APPRENTICESHIP, TRAINING PROGRAMS, UH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND I AM SO HONORED TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM SINCE THEY PRACTICALLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID, COMMISSIONER, SINCE THEY STARTED BUILDING THE COLLEGE.
SO I'M GLAD THAT YOU MADE THOSE COMMENTS.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE, UH, BOARD, UH, WITH THE PRESIDENT AND WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE SURE ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE'S MISSION AND GOALS ARE MET FOR ALL OUR RESIDENTS IN THIS CITY AND COUNTY.
AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ALSO MR. BROWN.
I, I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AGAIN.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON COMMENT.
YES, I KNOW, UH, NORMA VERY WELL.
MATTER OF FACT, SHE WAS ONE OF MY AIDES AT ONCE UPON A TIME, SO I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU STILL VOLUNTEERING.
STILL IN THE MIX AND I CONGRATULATIONS.
ALL RIGHT, MR. JACKSON, I THINK THAT CONCLUDES THE NEW APPOINTMENTS, IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
SO WHAT DO WE HAVE NEXT? REAPPOINTMENTS REAPPOINTMENTS FROM 12 TO 39 TO 39.
NONE THOSE FOLKS ARE HERE 'CAUSE EVERY APPOINTMENT, IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
SO WE ALREADY KIND OF, WE'VE VETTED THE NEW FOLKS.
UH, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, COMMISSIONERS ON THE BALANCE OF 12 TO 39? YES, I HAVE A COMMENT.
I KNOW MANY OF THESE PEOPLE VERY WELL AND I'M THE LIAISON TO THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND ADVISORY BOARD.
SO I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE REAPPOINTMENTS FOR MANY YEARS AND I'M VERY HAPPY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM.
AND I ALSO KNOW SO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE ON THE, UH, UH, OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND.
I'M SORRY, THE ESSIE COUNTY LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUESTIONING ADVISORY BOARD.
I'M THE LIAISON TO THAT GROUP AND I KNOW SO MANY OF THEM SO WELL, AND I'M DELIGHTED THAT THEY'RE BEING REAPPOINTED.
THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW IN ESSEX COUNTY, I'M SURE.
WELL, I KNOW THOSE PEOPLE VERY WELL.
ADAM, I'M HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL OF THEM.
WELL, I WAS GONNA ASK YOU THAT.
SO WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA, SHE'S MOVING ALL OF 'EM.
SO THIS IS, UM, GIMME ONE SECOND.
[00:40:01]
'CAUSE THERE'S A ONE THROUGH 39 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SEVEN.COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT EREZ? YES.
AND THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU FOR COMING IN FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE, WHETHER IT'S A NEW POSITION OR REAPPOINTMENT.
WE ARE ALL VERY GRATEFUL, UH, THAT YOU'RE COMING.
AND IF YOU BEHAVE WELL, WE'LL DOUBLE YOUR SALARY NEXT YEAR,
SO AT THIS TIME, WE, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO STICK AROUND FOR THE MEETING, BUT I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO, SO YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO GO.
WE'LL JUST TAKE A SECOND FOR YOU FOLKS TO FILTER OUT, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU PROBABLY WANNA GO PARTY SOMEWHERE.
UM, WITH THE, WITH THE LARGE, THE BIG HAIR.
THE NIGHT THAT WE WERE BOTH DRAWING.
ALL RIGHT, MR. JACKSON, LET'S MOVE ON TO, UH, RESOLUTION 40 THROUGH 42, WHICH FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE, OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THAT'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. MOHAMAD WILL HANDLE THESE.
MR. MOHAMED, A BUSY NIGHT FOR MR. MOHAM.
UH, RESOLUTION NUMBER 40 IS THE TRANSFER RESOLUTION FOR 2025 APPROPRIATION RESERVES, WHICH IS THE, UH, THE, THE APPROPRIATION FROM LAST YEAR FROM 2025.
UH, AND THIS, MOST OF IT WILL BE MOVED TO THE SNOW LINE IN ORDER TO REPLENISH THE COUNTY SNOW RESERVE.
WE HAD THE BIG TWO, TWO BIG SNOW STORMS THIS YEAR.
AND, UM, WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON THE SNOW.
WE TRY TO REPLENISH THE RESERVE.
OKAY, WHY DON'T YOU DO 41 AND 42 AS WELL? UH, RESOLUTION NUMBER 41, UM, RESOLUTION TO CANCEL UN EXPENDANT CAPITAL BALANCE.
UM, UH, ORIGINALLY FROM ORDINANCE, UH, NUMBER 23 DASH SIX FOR, UH, PARK IMPROVEMENT BUILDING, PARKS, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.
UM, THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE WAS, UM, UH, WAS PASSED, UH, FOR 10,000,008, UH, 10 MILLION, 8 MILLION, 10,000,008.
UM, AND WE DID NOT ISSUE ANY DEBT FOR THAT.
THE ADMINISTRATION OBTAINED $5 MILLION GRANT.
AND, UM, SO WE HAVE UNENDED BALANCE OF 5 MILLION SHOULD BE CANCELED.
THERE IS NO FISCAL IMPACT 'CAUSE WE DIDN'T ISSUE ANY DEBT.
THIS IS ONE MONTH'S EXTENSION FOR OF THE TEMPORARY BUDGET TO FUND THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT UNTIL THE, THE BUDGET IS FORMALLY ABDUCTED.
ANY QUESTIONS ON 40 TO 42? THERE ARE NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
MR. MCINERNEY? NO, THE, THE 41, IT'S JUST, IT'S JUST A CANCELLATION OF THE AUTHORIZATION, CORRECT? YES.
THERE'S NO MONEY TO GAIN OUT? NO, THERE IS NO ANY FUNDS.
WERE, UH, WERE, UH, WERE SOLD.
NO, WE DID NOT HAVE ANY BOND SALE ON ANYTHING THAT, OKAY.
AND THEN 42 IS JUST FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL? YES, BECAUSE THE BUDGET BUDGET WAS NOT, UH, ADOPTED TONIGHT.
I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON 40 TO 42? SEE? NONE.
SO I'M GONNA MOVE IT, MOVE IT, MOVE BY RICHARDSON OR SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND BY LUCIANO WILL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK ON 40 TO 42.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT EZ? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 43, WHICH IS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
WE'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. UH, MR. EXCUSE ME, MR. PRESIDENT, UH, CAPTAIN CAMACHO AND THE, UH, CORRECTIONS TEAM WILL HANDLE THIS.
MR. MIKE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.
YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, CAPTAIN CAMACHO, DEPARTMENT
[00:45:01]
OF CORRECTIONS, OFFICE OF MANAGE AND BUDGET.ON TODAY'S AGENDA, WE HAVE ITEM 43 CONTRACT WITH CFG HEALTH SYSTEMS. I, I'LL SEE THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR INMATES AT THE ESS COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FROM DATE OF AWARD THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 20, 28, 3 YEARS WITH AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 74.37 MILLION, WHICH EQUATES TO A ANNUAL CONTRACT VALUE OF 24.78.
UH, JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE HISTORY, CFG HAS BEEN SERVING AS THE COUNTIES WHILE THE DEPARTMENT'S MEDICAL PROVIDER FOR SINCE 2008, UH, WHICH IS NEARLY TWO DECADES.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HERE TO ANSWER THOUGH.
ANY QUESTIONS? UH, NO QUESTIONS.
MR. KIN, OR, YEAH, THERE'S JUST SOME OBSERVATION.
THERE'S, UM, A COMPONENT OF INCREASES HERE, UH, ROUGHLY 3% IN THE YEAR 2000, UH, 26, 2027, 2028.
THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS ON THIS AS WELL, CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT.
WE GO FOR TWO YEARS BEYOND THE THREE YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH WE HAVE AN, EACH ONE OF 'EM HAS AN INCREASE IN 3.8% EACH YEAR.
UM, I WOULD SAY PREDOMINANTLY THE INCREASES, THIS HAS A LARGE STAFFING COMPONENT TO IT AND THE INCREASES, MOST OF THE INCREASE IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE THAT YOU WOULD INCUR IN ANY STAFFING SITUATION.
THANK YOU MR. ARY FOR THE OTHER OBSERVATIONS.
COMMISSIONER, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? DO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, I APPRECIATE THAT CLARIFICATION ON THE INCREASES IN THE STAFFING.
DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT AREAS OF STAFFING WOULD BE, UM, INCREASED? IS THAT LIKE NURSES OR WAS IT, THERE'S IN THE CONTRACT THAT I HAVE THE, THE, UH, DETAIL, THERE'S ONLY ONE NUMBER ISSUED FOR STAFFING.
THEY CAN, THE ADMINISTRATION CAN DETAIL THAT FOR YOU.
CAPTAIN, CAN YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT ON THE STAFFING THAT THROUGH YOU, MR. THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT? YEAH.
SO RIGHT NOW I'M LOOKING AT, WE ADD A, WE, THE DIRECTOR HAD A COMMITMENT TO EXPAND OUR MEDICAL, UH, SERVICES PROGRAM, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM.
SO WE DID INCREASE OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL STAFF FROM TWO TO SIX.
UM, THIS WAS, UH, THIS EXPANSION WAS IMPLEMENTED IN RESPONSE TO ASSESSMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE CIVILIAN TASK FORCE AND ALSO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS.
MR. MCINERNEY, HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DID YOU SAY? TWO TO SIX.
JUST, UH, THE MENTAL HEALTH PORTION.
BUT, UH, BUT WE ALSO INCREASED OUR MAT PROGRAM, MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM.
SO WE HAVE SOME STAFF IN THERE TOO.
WELL, WHAT IS, GIVE US A BREAKDOWN OUT OF LIKE, IT'S ROUGHLY 16, 15, $60 MILLION OF STAFFING IN UNDER THE CONTRACT.
WHAT, WHAT WOULD THAT BE? UH, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT DOES THAT COMPOSE WELL THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT AND, AND, AND I ALSO DID SOME, SOME RESEARCH, UM, THE LAST TIME WE'VE, UH, PUT THIS CONTRACT, THAT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO.
SO THE INCREASE, UH, RE UH, RESULTS, UM, RISING LABOR, UH, AND WAGE COSTS, WE KNOW THAT, UH, INCREASED PHARMACEUTICAL EXPENSES, THAT'S A BIG ONE.
UH, HIGHER HOSPITAL AND SPECIALTY CARE CHARGES AND COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES.
YEAH, THAT'S, BUT THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION I ASKED.
THE, THE QUESTION IS, THERE'S STAFFING OF, IN 2026 OF 15 MILLION, EIGHT 15 IN 27, 16 MILLION 4 48 AND 28 17,000,106, YOU'VE GIVEN ME MAYBE A DOZEN JOBS.
WHAT DOES THAT STAFFING REPRESENT, THAT 17 MILLION? WELL, RIGHT NOW WITH ME, I HAVE, UH, BRANDON LES, OUR CFO, IF YOU CAN COME UP AND PROBABLY GIVE A LITTLE MORE SPECIFICS TO THE BOARD.
PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
AND I THINK WHAT WE'D LIKE TO KNOW IS LIKE, CAN YOU JUST GIVE US A BREAKDOWN OF THE OVERALL STAFFING DOCTORS, NURSES, YOU HAVE, THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, ET CETERA? ABSOLUTELY.
UH, THE STAFFING AT ESSEX COUNTY JAIL CONSISTS OF BOTH MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE STAFFING.
UM, THAT'S STAFFING FOR PRACTITIONERS.
AND THAT INCLUDES, UM, THAT INCLUDES DOCTORS, THAT INCLUDES ITS, UM, MID-LEVEL PROVIDERS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, UM, AND, UH, AND PSYCHIATRISTS.
UM, AND THAT STAFFING, UH, ALSO IS COMPRISED OF, UH, NURSES.
SO THAT'S REGISTERED NURSES, LICENSED PROFESSIONAL NURSES, UM, AND ANCILLARY STAFF, INCLUDING MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND, UM, VARIOUS OTHER ANCILLARY POSITIONS.
ARE THESE FOLKS, ARE THEY PER DIEM? ARE THEY PART-TIME, FULL-TIME? CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF THAT? WE, OUR STAFF IS COMPRISED OF, UH, FULL-TIME, PART-TIME AND PER DIEM.
UM, UH, WE ARE PREDOMINANTLY, UM, UH, FULL-TIME STAFF.
UM, BUT WE DO USE PER DIEM FOR, UM, COVERAGE FOR, UH, VARIOUS VACANCIES.
CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE I MANY FULL-TIME, PART-TIME AND PER DIEMS, IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS ANSWERED THIS? YES.
STEP UP AND THEN STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.
YES, I'M GONNA HAND IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE.
I'M THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR CFG HEALTH.
SO EVERY DAY WE HAVE DAY SHIFT, UH, NINE LPNS, FOUR RNS, UM, TWO PHYSICIANS, FIVE MID-LEVEL
[00:50:01]
PROVIDERS, WHICH ARE COMPOSED OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.WE HAVE CLERICAL STAFF, MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH STAFF, UM, OF A PSYCHIATRIST, A MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR WHO IS A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST.
UM, FOUR MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIANS, UM, TWO MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONERS.
UM, WE HAVE DENTAL STAFF, TWO FULL, ONE FULL-TIME DENTIST, TWO PART-TIME DENTISTS, AN ORAL SURGEON, THAT SEVEN DAY WEEK DENTAL COVERAGE, PLUS A DENTAL ASSISTANT AND A PART-TIME DENTAL HYGIENIST.
UM, THE DENTAL ASSISTANT IS ALSO SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
UH, WE HAVE MEDICAL RECORDS, STAFF DAY AND EVENING SHIFT, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
UH, WE HAVE, UM, A LARGE INFIRMARY, 42 BED INFIRMARY.
SO WE HAVE A STAFF THAT OPERATE THAT INFIRMARY, 24 7.
ONE NURSING ASSISTANT EVERY, EVERY SHIFT.
AND THEN A PROVIDER FOR A DAY AND EVENING SHIFT.
AND THE PROVIDER WHO'S IN THE BUILDING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
SO ESSEX IS ONE OF THE ONLY JAILS THAT I KNOW, I COULD BE WRONG, WHO HAS, UM, 24 7 PROVIDER COVERAGE IN THE BUILDING.
SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAKE SOMEONE UP IF THEY NEED AN EMERGENCY.
IF THEY HAVE AN EMERGENCY, THERE'S A PROVIDER RIGHT THERE IN THE BUILDING.
SO AS NEW ADMISSIONS COME IN, THERE IS A NURSE THAT GREETS THEM AT THE DOOR, A NURSE WHO DOES A HISTORY, AND THEN A PROVIDER WHO WILL DO THE PHYSICAL.
AND I'M SURE I MISSED A FEW POSITIONS.
THAT'S, THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD SUM.
I, I, I THINK YOU GOT IT DOWN PRETTY GOOD, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
BUT, BUT I, I, I'M NOT GONNA, I, I'M NOT SUGGESTING AT ALL HOLDING THIS CONTRACT UP, BUT I, IF THEY COULD GET US A, A LIST, I, I WOULD APPRECIATE, JUST SO WE UNDERSTAND IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
ARE THESE FLOATING OR, OR THESE PERMANENT EMPLOYEES? UM, AS PART OF THE, UH, PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME BECAUSE THE TRANSCRIBER STATE YOUR NAME FIRST.
UM, OUR, UH, NEW CONTRACT DOES INCLUDE AN UPDATED STAFFING MATRIX, AND WE'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT TO YOU SO YOU HAVE ALL OF THE DETAIL.
VERY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
AND IT'S ALSO, OF COURSE, AROUND THE CLOCK SEVEN DAYS THAT WE WEEK, SO, YOU KNOW.
IT'S HELPFUL TO US, TO US TO GET THAT KIND OF INSIGHT.
DO I HAVE SOMEONE TO MOVE IT? I'LL MOVE.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK AT NUMBER 43.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT PAUL MERRI.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE INFORMATION.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 44, WHICH IS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTIONS COMMISSIONER REGISTRATION.
IT'LL BE READY FOR THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTIONS, COMMISSIONER OF REGISTRATION, CONTRACT FOR DEBT SHIPPING.
JAY, LET'S JUST GET MYPHONE A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOU.
IS THAT ON KYLE? CAN YOU? YEAH, IF NOT, THEN WE, WE JUST MOVE MR. JACKSON'S FOR THE MOMENT.
UH, LIKE SHIPPING EVER, THIS IS FOR REGION A TO PROVIDE AND DELIVERY PICKUP IN OF ELECTION MACHINES AND MATERIALS.
UH, 24 MONTH CONTRACT FROM DATE OF AWARD NOT TO EXCEED $3 MILLION.
AND THE REASON IT'S FOR $3 MILLION IS, LIKE I'VE SAID IN THE PAST ON OTHER ELECTIONS, UH, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE EVER GONNA HAVE SPECIAL ELECTIONS, HOW MANY WE HAVE TO PUT OUT.
SO THIS IS NOT TO EXCEED THAT AMOUNT.
THEY MOST
WE HAVE AN ELECTION EVERY DAY, ALMOST
SO IN THAT CASE, THAT'S THE REASON WE HAVE A $3 MILLION BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHEN WE'RE HAVING SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
SO IT'S KIND OF A NEW SAFEGUARD.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF RECENT ELECTIONS IN, YOU KNOW, LAST FEW YEARS, SO, UNDERSTOOD.
MR. BAZ, ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
ANY NO QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONERS? ANY QUESTIONS? ASK SOMEONE.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
THE RED RESOLUTION 45 AND 46 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CITIZEN SERVICES.
IT'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LIFETIME.
UH, MR. PORTER, WE'LL HANDLE THIS ITEM.
GOOD E, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
I'M ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST AT DEPARTMENT OF CITIZEN SERVICES.
I'LL BE PRESENTING AGENDA ITEM 45, DEPARTMENT OF CITIZEN SERVICES,
[00:55:01]
DIVISION OF COMMUNITY ACTION PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE CONTINUUM OF CARE, DATA QUALITY AND GOVERNANCE PLANNING SERVICES WITH MONARCH HOUSING ASSOCIATES.JANUARY 1ST, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2026 WITH THE AMOUNT, NOT NOT TO EXCEED $65,005,000.
GENERAL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT WIDE, UH, POLICY DOCUMENTATION FOR OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE PROVIDERS TO IMPROVE, UH, SERVICES FOR UNHOUSED POPULATION IN, IN ESSEX COUNTY.
AND 46 WILL BE DONE BY SOMEONE ELSE TO JACKSON.
UM, MR. BOW, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON 45? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
RICHARD, DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
UM, ROLL CALL OF DEPUTY CLERK COMMISSIONER SERMONS ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
UH, DIRECTOR IFF WILL HANDLE THIS ITEM.
UH, DIRECTOR BARKLEY SES, COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER HERE ON BEHALF OF ITEM NUMBER 46, WHICH IS THE CONTRACT AWARD TO JOHNSON COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A STREET SAFE DURES SYSTEM FOR MONITORING PERSONAL SAFETY DEVICES ON THE UNION COUNTY CONTRACT COURT.
UM, THE, UM, THE MONITORING SYSTEM, UH, PROVIDES, UH, PROVIDES SAFETY DEVICES TO OUR OFFICERS AND STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE ACTUALLY OUT INSIDE THE BUILDING.
AND THOSE DEVICES, UH, ALERT THE, UH, MONITORS AND CENTER CONTROLS OF THE LOCATION OF THE OFFICER.
IF IN FACT THAT OFFICER BECOMES IN ANY DISTRESS, IF THAT OFFICER IS INVOLVED IN A FIGHT, THAT OFFICER CAN SIMPLY PRESS, UH, BECOMES A PANIC ALARM.
IT WILL SEND THE LOCATION TO MAIN CONTROL, AND MAIN CONTROL WILL BE ABLE TO LOCATE THAT OFFICER AND SEND A RESPONSE TO THE STAFF MEMBER.
ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
NANDO, I HAVE SOMEONE TO MOVE.
ROLL CALL ITEM, DEPUTY CLERK FOR NUMBER 46.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MARIE THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POIS? YES.
UH, 47 THROUGH 52 AND ADD STARTER 1 55 AND, AND 1 56, WHICH IS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.
THEY WILL BE RUNNING TO THE RECORD AT LATER TIME.
S COUNTY PARKS, UH, NUMBER 47 IS, UH, CONTRACT PROVIDE GRAPHIC ARTS, VIDEO AND DESIGN SERVICES WITH IRIS COMMUNICATIONS AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $154,400.
SPECIFICALLY, THIS IS FOR THE DESIGN OF ALL THE BROCHURES AND POSTCARDS FOR THE EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THEY ALSO DESIGNED THE PARKS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, UM, AS WELL AS THE SHIRTS AND SOUVENIRS THAT WE'LL BE SELLING SHORTLY AT THE CHERRY BLOSSOM.
IES NUMBER 48 CONTRACT AWARD TO CENTRAL NEBRASKA PACKING TO FURNISH AND DELIVER FROZEN ANIMAL MEAT.
12 MONTH AGREEMENT NOT TO EXCEED 120,000.
UH, THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR ALL THE CARNIVORES AND BIRDS OF PREY THROUGHOUT THE TURTLEBACK ZOO.
UH, CURRENTLY THE ZOO HAS 150 DIFFERENT SPECIES, WHICH, UH, IS APPROXIMATELY 1500 ANIMALS TOTAL.
A CONTRACT NEGOTIATED CONTRACT AWARD TO STAR FIRE CORPORATION, UH, TO FURNISH AND DELIVER AND CONDUCT THE FIREWORKS EXHIBITS.
UH, MOUNTAIN ACTIVITY EXCEED $102,000.
UH, SPECIFICALLY WE DO HAVE SOME TENTATIVE DATES SCHEDULED FOR OUR FIREWORKS PROGRAM THIS SUMMER.
JUNE 24TH IS GONNA BE AT WEEK WAKE PARK, JUNE 26TH AT BRANCH BROOK PARK, JULY 1ST OVER AT BROOKDALE PARK.
AND THEN WE WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL PRO, UH, ADDITIONAL FIREWORKS PROGRAM OVER IN WEEK WAKE.
THE DATE'S NOT SET YET, BUT IT WILL BE A SATURDAY AND MAY NUMBER 50.
UH, LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, THE IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY IN MCCUNE'S, UH, TO EXERCISE THE FIRST FIVE YEAR EXTENSION OPTION, MCCUNE'S BOATHOUSE HAD RUN FROM APRIL 27TH OF THIS YEAR THROUGH APRIL 26TH, 2031.
UH, IT'S, UH, ANNUAL REVENUE OF 360,000, PLUS 4% OF ANY GROSS REVENUE, OVER 5 MILLION.
UH, CURRENTLY MONTHLY MCCUNE'S
[01:00:01]
BOATHOUSE PAYS A RENT OF 27,500.UH, IF THIS, UH, EXTENSION IS APPROVED, THEY'LL NOW BE PAYING, UH, 30,000 A MONTH.
NUMBER 51 IS AUTHORIZATION TO USE THE SES COUNTY RECREATION OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND TO FUND GROVER CLEVELAND PARK SOFTBALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,150,000.
UH, SPECIFICALLY THIS IS FOR AN UPCOMING PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE BALL FIELD OVER IN GROVER CLEVELAND.
UH, SPECIFICALLY IT'LL BE THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE SOIL ROSE AND SEDIMENTS.
UH, NEW CHAIN LAKE FENCE, NEW SYNTHETIC SYNTHETIC TURF SYSTEM.
BUT IT WOULD ONLY BE FOR THE INFIELD, NOT THE OUTFIELD, AS WELL AS SOME IRRIGATION.
UH, SOME SIDE WORK, WORK WORK.
WORK NUMBER 52, AUTHORIZATION TO USE THE S COUNTY RECREATION OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND TO FUND LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES, UH, RENOVATION AT THE ROSE GARDEN OVER AT BROOKDALE PARK.
UH, AGAIN, THIS WILL BE FOR AN UPCOMING A E PROJECT TO DESIGN THIS.
UH, SPECIFICALLY IT'LL BE FOR THE RESEARCH, UM, UH, SORRY, EXCUSE ME.
UH, I'M SORRY, I HAVE THE INCORRECT, UH, PROJECT SCOPE, BUT IT WILL BE FOR THE ROSE GARDEN IMPROVEMENTS OVER AT BROOKDALE PARK.
UH, AS THIS BOARD MAY NOT KNOW, THAT IS THE ONLY ROSE GARDEN THROUGHOUT THE PARK.
SYSTEM NUMBER 1 55 IS AUTHORIZATION USE OF RECREATION, OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND FOR HVAC AND PLUMBING REPAIRS.
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $200,000.
UH, SPECIFICALLY THIS IS TO FUND EXISTING HVAC AND PLUMBING CONTRACTS.
UM, IT WOULD BE PAID OUTTA THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND.
UH, 1 56 IS A, UH, THE CONTRACT TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE 2026 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR AMOUNT NOT TO RECEIVED $222,540.
UH, SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE SOME TENTATIVE DATES, UH, FOR BROOKDALE PARK.
UH, JULY 10TH, JULY 17TH, JULY 24TH, JULY 31ST AND AUGUST 2ND.
AND THEN LOCALLY IN THE PARKS, WE HAVE YCA ON JUNE 16TH, VERONA, JUNE 17TH, VETERANS JUNE 23RD, QUAKE.
JUNE 24TH, RIVERBANK JULY 7TH, WA ASSESSING.
JULY 8TH, IVY HILL, JULY 14TH, BURG JULY 15TH CEDAR GROVE, JULY 21ST.
AND FINALLY IRVINGTON AUGUST 4TH.
AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S A PRETTY JAM PACKED SCHEDULE.
AND WE DO HAVE THE VENDOR HERE IN CASE THE BOARD HAS ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
YEAH, LET'S, LET'S BRING HIM UP.
LET'S, UH, BRING THE VENDOR UP FOR A SECOND.
JUST TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE PROJECT.
JUST PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.
JUST TELL US ABOUT THE SERVICES YOU'RE GONNA BE PROVIDING.
I'M THE OWNER OF 360 8 EVENT MANAGEMENT.
UH, WE ARE BASED IN THE PRODUCT, NEW JERSEY.
I'VE BEEN UP FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS.
WE ARE A FULL SERVICE EVENT, PRODUCTION, CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT AGENCY.
UH, ON TOP OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT THESE EVENTS, UH, WE ARE VERY HANDS ON WITH WHAT WE DO.
WE'LL BE NOT ONLY ON SITE FOR EVERYTHING, BUT WE'LL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEETINGS.
UH, ANYTHING YOU MAKE UP IN THE MEANTIME, UH, AS PART OF THE RFP.
UH, WE'LL, PROVIDING PRIMARILY PRODUCTION AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, UH, THIS IS SOMETHING WE WILL BE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ON DIRECTLY TO GET APPROVED ARTISTS IN PLACE BEFORE THE EVENTS TAKE PLACE.
UH, WE DO CONCURRENTLY HIRE FOUR COMPLETE, HAVE FOUR FREELANCE EMPLOYEES OUT OF ESSEX COUNTY, TWO OUT OF MAPLEWOOD, ONE OUT OF NUTLEY, AND ONE OUT OF WEST CALDWELL.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE VENDOR WHILE WAS HERE? NO.
I KNOW, I KNOW MR. MCKINNEY HAS QUESTIONS.
UH, THEN THAT'S, UH, IT FOR YOU, RIGHT? JO? JOSH, UH, JOSHUA ZAS COUNTY PARKS.
UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY SURPRISES FOR ME.
UM, MR. SHABA, ANY QUESTIONS? UH, THESE WERE REVIEWED.
OR DO YOU HAVE THE GUEST ON THE, UH, ON THE MCCUNE'S LEACH HAS, HAVE THEY EXCEEDED THE, UH, HAVE THEY PAID ANY ADDITIONAL RENT? THE OVER $5 MILLION AMOUNT? UH, JOSHUA'S HS.
COUNTY PARKS, THEY HAVE, UM, I, I DON'T SPECIFICALLY HAVE WHAT YEARS, BUT THEY DEFINITELY HAVE.
I, I KNOW THEY DID IN THE BEGINNING.
I KNOW THEY WERE, IN THE BEGINNING THEY WERE, WERE DOING EXTREMELY WELL.
ARE THEY ALL PAID UP ON THEIR RENT MONTH TO MONTH? YES.
THEY CONSISTENTLY PAY ON TIME.
CAN, CAN I GET A A JUST A, THE LAST YEAR OF WHAT, AND I USED TO GET IT REGULARLY, JUST WHAT THE SALES WERE ON A MONTHLY BASIS? YEAH, WE COULD CERTAINLY, WE COULD CERTAINLY PROVIDE IT.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE YES, MR. PRESIDENT? I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.
COMMISSIONER, SEE YOU BOTH PLEASE.
YOU'LL NOTICE IN NUMBER OF THE ITEMS THAT THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND REVIEWED THIS IN FALL AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY SEE IT ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT.
AND IF NO ONE ELSE HAS ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE HAPPY TO MOVE ALL OF THESE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SCENE, SCENE.
[01:05:01]
SECOND BY RICHARDSON.ROLL CALL MADAM COMMISSIONER COOPER.
COMM COMMISSIONER SEABOLD? YES.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
THREE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORK.
I'LL BE RUNNING TO THE RECORD AT LATER TIME.
WE'LL BE RUNNING TO THE RECORD AT LATER TIME.
DAVID ANTONIO, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AT A BOARD OF CONTRACT TO FRENCH AND PELLO PROVIDED DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE RENOVATIONS OF THE ROSE GARDEN AT THE BROOKFIELD PARK IN MONTCLAIR AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $55,750.
PERO SUBMITTED THE HIGHEST RATED PROPOSAL OF THE TWO RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY.
THE SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDES NEW GRADING, LANDSCAPING ALONG WITH BENCHES, GARBAGE CANS, ALSO REPAIRS AND REPAVING OF PATHWAYS IF NEEDED.
AND OF COURSE, ARCHITECTURAL IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE NEW ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISPLAYING THE ROSES, SUCH AS A NEW 12 FOOT TALL OBELISK.
ITEM NUMBER 54 IS THE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO SNET CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SOFT, SOFT BALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS AT GROVER CLEVELAND PARK.
AND A COST NOT TO EXCEED $1,114,126 SEEN IN CONSTRUCTION.
SUBMITTED THE LOWEST OF THE SIX BITS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF NEW FENCING.
IT WILL BE A NEW SYNTHETIC TURF FIELD, ONLY THE INFIELD.
UM, THERE WILL BE NEW SIDE IN THE OUT IN THE OUTFIELD, UH, IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENTS.
THERE WILL BE A NEW, UH, BACKSTOP, NEW DUGOUTS, NEW SIDEWALKS AROUND THE THE PARK.
UM, AND OF COURSE, ADDITIONAL SITE FURNISHINGS SUCH AS RECEPTACLE, BENCHES AND TRASH BINS.
WE DO HAVE MR. UH, RONNY OF STUDENT CONSTRUCTION HERE THIS EVENING.
HE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE OF OUR TIME TO INTRODUCE THIS COMPANY SURE.
AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, SUPPORT WE HAVE.
PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY AND THE PROJECT.
I'M A PROJECT MANAGER AT ZENITH CONSTRUCTION.
UM, WE'RE GONNA BE DOING A NEW SOFTBALL FIELD AT GROVER CLEVELAND PARK.
UH, IT'S NEW SYNTHETIC TURF, UH, DRAINAGE, IRRIGATION, UH, FENCING, BACKSTOPS, AS WELL AS SOME ASPHALT AND CONCRETE SIDEWALKS.
UM, WE'RE BASED IN ORANGE AND ABOUT 50% OF OUR WORKFORCE IS RESIDING IN ESSEX COUNTY.
AND WE'RE GONNA MAKE SURE THAT THAT 50% WORKS ON THE ACTUAL JOB.
AND, UM, YEAH, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH MOST OF IT.
AND, UH, ALSO WE'RE UNION AUTHORITY WITH THE, UH, LOCAL 4 72 IN 8 25 MINUTES.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE VENDOR WHILE HE'S HERE? COMMISSIONER LUC, JUST TO COMMENT, UM, I KNOW THE VENDOR, THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK, GREAT WORK HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
AND I JUST WANTED TO PUT ON RECORD, PLEASE LET NICK KNOW.
COMMISSIONER LUCIANO WAS ASKING FOR HIM.
PRESSURE, BUT THAT'S BEEN THAT FOR AN IMPORTANT PRESIDENT
IT'S ALSO IN MY DISTRICT, THAT FIELD, THANK YOU TO THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NEEDED SOME ATTENTION FOR, UH, A FEW YEARS NOW.
YEAH, I'M SURE IT'S GONNA LOOK.
UH, DAVID ANTONIO, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
ITEM NUMBER 55 AWARDS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 2025 CDBG AWARD WITH RESURFACING PROGRAM TO SMITH SANDY ASPHALT CONSTRUCTION IN AMOUNT TO EXCEED $1,593,289.
SMITH SMITH SANDY ASPHALT SUBMITTED THE LOWEST OF THE TWO BIDS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY.
THIS PROGRAM WILL RESURFACE SPRINGFIELD AVENUE FROM CHANCELLOR AVENUE TO SMITH STREET IN IRVINGTON.
THIS IS A DISTANCE OF ABOUT ONE MILE.
UH, THE SCOPE WILL INCLUDE PAVE PAVING CURB TO CURB, UH, NEW ROADWAY BAY MARKINGS, DUE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS, AND OF COURSE, A DA COMPLIANT RAMPS IF NEEDED.
ITEM NUMBER, UH, 56 EXERCISES A TWO YEAR EXTENSION OPTION TO THE CONTRACT WITH CORE FACILITY SERVICES, WHICH PROVIDES THE TOTAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT THE COUNTY'S TWO BUILDINGS, LOCATED AT THREE 20 AND 3 21 UNIVERSITY AVENUE HERE IN NEWARK IN AMMAN TO EXCEED $1,671,166.
ITEM NUMBER 57 ALSO EXERCISES A
[01:10:01]
TWO YEAR EXTENSION OPTION TO THE CONTRACT WITH ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE CORPORATION AMCO, WHICH PROVIDES SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE OF ELEVATORS AT VARIOUS COUNTY LOCATIONS IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,456,420.THIS CONTRACT INCLUDES THE REQUIRED MONTHLY AND YEARLY INSPECTIONS AND ANY REQUIRED REPAIRS TO ALMOST 80 COUNTY OWNED ELEVATORS.
ITEM NUMBER 58 EXERCISES AT TWO YEAR EXTENSION OPTION TO CONTRACTS WITH THE THREE LOWEST BIDDERS TO PROVIDE PARTS AND SERVICE FOR SPECIALTY OFF-ROAD VEHICLES IN AMOUNT TO EXCEED $181,325.
THE THREE VENDORS ARE ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, NORTH JERSEY, BOBCAT AND GECO INC.
THIS CONTRACT ALLOWS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, SPECIALIZED VEHICLES SUCH AS JOHN DEERES AND BOBCATS TO BE REPAIRED ON AS NEEDED.
BASIS NUMBER, UH, 59 AWARDS FM GENERATOR INCORPORATED A TWO YEAR CONTRACT TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION, TESTING AND ANY REQUIRED REPAIR OF THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY POWER GENERATORS LOCATED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AMOUNT X TO EXCEED $129,050.
FM GENERATOR SUBMITTED THE LOWEST OF THE TWO BIDS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY.
THIS CONTRACT ASSURES THAT THESE EMERGENCY POWER GENERATORS ARE FUNCTIONAL AND READY FOR USE IF PRESSED INTO SERVICE DURING AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
ITEM NUMBER 60 AWARDS LIBERTY MECHANICAL, THE TWO YEAR CONTRACT TO PERFORM ON A AS NEEDED BASIS.
THE ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AND STRUCTURAL SERVICES TO MAINTAIN THE CLAY STREET, BRIDGE STREET, AND JACKSON STREET BRIDGES OPERATIONAL IN THE AMOUNT THAT TO EXCEED $108,975.
LIBERTY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS SUBMITTED THE SOLE BID RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY, UM, I'M SORRY, YEP.
RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY IN AN AMOUNT OF $217,950 WITH THE COUNTY BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR 50% OF THAT.
UH, NOTE THAT THESE THREE BRIDGES OVER THE PACIFIC RIVER ARE CO-OWNED WITH HUDSON COUNTY AND THEREFORE HUDSON COUNTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OTHER HALF, WHICH IS ANOTHER $108,975.
THESE THREE BRIDGES ARE MOVABLE AND QUITE OLD.
SO HAVING THIS CONTRACT IN PLACE, UM, ENSURES AN ASSISTIVE DEPARTMENT TO MAINTAIN THIS BRIDGES OPERATIONAL AND OPEN TO THE TRAFFIC AT ALL TIMES.
AND ITEM NUMBER 61 IS THE WORK OF A ONE YEAR REVENUE GENERATING CONTRACT TO PRONTO CAFE TO OPERATE THE GRAB AND GO CAFE LOCATED IN THE LOBBY OF THE NEW WINONA LIPMAN FAMILY COURTS BUILDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,800.
PRONTO CAFES SUBMITTED THE HIGHEST RATED OF THE TWO PROPOSALS RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY OF ESSEX.
ITEM NUMBER 62 AUTHORIZES THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION AND EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, I'M SORRY, NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN AN AMOUNT OF $210,000.
THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GREEN STREET PROJECT PLAN AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE MAP.
THE COUNTY'S, UH, HIGHWAY STONEWATER GENERAL PERMIT REQUIRES THAT THESE TWO ITEMS BE PERFORMED AS THE TERMS OF AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH PERMIT.
AND THE DEP HAS, UH, MADE THESE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO US TO UNDERTAKE THESE TWO REQUIRED TASKS.
AND ITEM NUMBER 63 AUTHORIZES THE EXECUTION OF THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AND A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX AND COOPERMAN AND BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER CONCERNING THE INSTALLATION OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO BE LOCATED AT OLD SHORE HILLS ROAD AND ITS INTERSECTION WITH FERN DRIVE IN LIVINGSTON.
THE NEW SIGNALED INTERSECTION WILL BUY FOR PROTECTED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS ACROSS SHO HILLS ROAD WITH HIGH HIGH VISIBILITY CROSSWALKS.
THERE WILL BE LARGE L TRAFFIC SIGNAL HEADS AND PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN SIGNALS WITH PUSH BUTTON ACTIVATION.
ADDITIONALLY, LEFT TURN VEHICLES WILL NOW HAVE A PROTECTED LEFT TURN BAY AND LEAD TURNING PHASE.
THE ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THIS TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE BORN BY COOPERMAN BARNABAS
[01:15:01]
MEDICAL CENTER.MR. SHABA, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON 53 TO 63? NO, THEY ARE REVIEWED.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE ITEMS? NO, I THINK ALL THESE ARE FUNDED BY CAPITAL EXCEPT FOR, UM, 55, WHICH I THINK IS A-C-D-B-G? YES, THAT'S RIGHT.
AND THE LAST ONE AS WELL, CORRECT? BECAUSE THAT'S BEING PAID BY, UH, THE LAST ONE IS ACTUALLY PAID BY, UH, COOPERMAN.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS MR. KINER? NO, I DON'T COMMISSIONERS ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE ITEMS? SO, NONE MOVED BY LUCIA.
I THAT IT COMMISSIONER SEABOLD MOVE.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK ON 53 TO 63.
COMMISSIONER VICE PRESIDENT MARIE THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POIS? YES.
ALRIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 64, WHICH IS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CITIZEN SERVICES WILL BE RUNNING TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. PRESIDENT, UH, DEPARTMENT OF CITIZEN SERVICE.
UH, AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH I MATTER TO LLC UNDER THE STATE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT, ADDING AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,000.
THE ORIGINAL AWARD WAS ON JUNE 11TH, 2025, WHICH TOTALLING NOW $24,000 UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR, DECEMBER 31ST, 2026.
ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
MOVE BY VICE PRESIDENT SECOND.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK COMMISSIONER COOPER.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT POIS? YES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 65 AND 66, WHICH ARE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AND REHABILITATION.
THEY'LL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. COLTON, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MR. PRESIDENT, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION.
UNIFORM SHARED SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF NEWARK, HAZARDOUS MATERIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.
UH, NEWARK MAINTAINS ITS OWN HAZMAT TEAM AND RESPONDS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
NO COST TO THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY FOR THE REST OF IT.
HAS NUTLEY HAZMAT AS OUR PROVIDER.
ARE YOU DOING 66 AS WELL? I AM, UH, DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE.
ACCEPTANCE OF LETTER OF INTENT FOR THE AMENDMENT OF FY 26 SPECIAL CHILD CHILDREN HEALTH SERVICE CASE MANAGEMENT GRANT.
FOR A PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2026, THE COUNTY RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL $7,067.
THE TOTAL COST OF THE GRANT RIGHT NOW IS $284,274.
ANY QUESTIONS ON 65 AND 66? NO, THEY'RE GOOD QUESTIONS.
MR. KINNAR? DID, DID NEWARK ALWAYS DO NEWARK OR, OR DID WE, DID NUTLEY DO IT ALL? NO.
UH, REGARDING THE HAZ HAZMAT TEAM, NEWARK HAS ALWAYS HAD A HAZMAT TEAM AND THEY PROVIDE THE SERVICES WITHIN THE BOUNDARY.
THEY ALSO USE, UM, NUTLEY HAZMAT AS THE REST OF THE COUNTY.
SO WE WE WE DON'T PAY THEM ANYTHING THEY, THEY NOR NO, THEY DON'T.
THEY GO AFTER THE, I MEAN, THEY'RE COMPENSATED BY THOSE WHO CREATE THE SPILL, THE HAZARDOUS ISSUE.
SO IT'S JUST THEIR AUTHORIZATION.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK 65 AND 66.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO 67 AND 68, WHICH ARE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR THAT WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
THIS IS THE PROSECUTOR CONTRACT AWARD TO GREATER ESSEX SC COUNSELING SERVICE LLC TO PROVIDE DRUG TREATMENT
[01:20:01]
SERVICE FOR THE OP FOR HELP PROGRAM.THIS IS A 12 MONTH AGREEMENT FROM JANUARY 1ST, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2020, 26.
UH, THIS WORKS WITH THE COURTS OF EAST ORANGE AND IRVINGTON.
OFFER EARLY INTERVENTION WITH TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SUPPORT FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME VIOLENT OFFENDERS MOTIVATED BY, UH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
DOING BUSINESS AS PHOENIX DISTRIBUTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF RIFLES UNDER THE STATE CONTRACT.
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $32,741 AND 75 CENTS.
IT'S REPLACING 15 RIFLES, WHICH ARE 20 YEARS OLD.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE TWO ITEMS? NO, THEY'RE GOOD QUESTIONS, MR. PRESIDENT.
MR. MACKIN, ANY QUESTIONS ON 67 AND 68? WHAT DO THEY DO WITH THE OLD RIFLES? USUALLY THEY EITHER HAVE THEM MELTED DOWN OR THEY SOMETIMES SELL THEM OFF OR BACK TO THE VENDOR.
MOVE, MOVE BY LUCIANO TO THE SECOND, SECOND.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 69, WHICH IS FROM THE BOARD OF TAXATION.
IT'LL BE READ TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. COLTRAN IS PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR THE BOARD OF TAXATION, SAMUEL SAMUEL KLEIN AND COMPANY 12 MONTH CONTRACT FROM DATE OF AWARD AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $25,000.
ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
MR. MCKINNEY? NO QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS.
ANY QUESTIONS? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT THEY'VE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB FOR US EACH YEAR.
COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE IT? YES, I WOULD.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY LUCIANO.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY CLERK OF 69.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
70 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO NUMBER 71, WHICH IS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION OF FINANCE.
WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. COLTRANE, THIS IS FOR THE OFFICE OF PURCHASING.
THIS IS A CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER, 20% TO THREE, RESPONSIBLE, RESPONSIBLE BIDDERS, UH, ADDING $8,000, BRINGING THE TOTAL EXPENDITURES TO $528,000 FOR, UH, VARIOUS ITEMS FOR PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. MR. BOW, ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS ON 71? SEEING NONE, SO I'M GONNA MOVE IT.
ROLL CALL MADAM DEPUTY COURT FOR 71.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
THIS IS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
WE'LL BE READ TO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON? UH, YES, MR. PRESIDENT.
THIS IS, UH, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS WITH ASSOCIATED HUMANE SOCIETIES C PAW, NEW JERSEY AND WILDLY WILD FLOWERS, TNR TO PERFORM TRAP, NEUTER, VACCINATE AND RELEASE SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY OF ESSEX FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2026 IN NOT TO, NOT TO EXCEED $290,000.
UM, AS THE BOARD, I'M SURE RE RECALLS OR UNDERSTANDS, WE'VE HAD TREMENDOUS, UH, SUCCESS WITH THIS PROGRAM.
UH, WHEN WE FIRST STARTED OUT, I THINK IT WAS LIKE $5,000 THE FIRST, UH, YEAR THAT WE DID IT.
AND WE, WE'VE INCREASED EVERY YEAR IN 2023.
WE SERVICE 606, UH, CATS IN 20 24, 1127, AND IN 2025, 2,939.
SO THE NUMBER IS GOING UP, UH, EXPONENTIALLY.
AND THIS HAS, UM, UH, PREVENTED, UH, THE BIRTH OF, OF, OF ALMOST 18,000, UM, KITTENS IN THE 2025 YEAR.
UM, THIS INCLUDES THE CONTRACT INCLUDES FOODS AND SUPPLIES FOR
[01:25:01]
TRAPPERS.UM, AND, UM, AGAIN, IT'S BEEN, UH, A ROUSING SUCCESS FOR, UH, THE COUNTY OF ESSEX.
AND IT'S A, IT'S A, YOU KNOW, COMMEND THE LEADERSHIP OF, UH, COMMISSIONER COOPER AND, AND THE BOARD, UH, FOR, UH, HELPING US TO PUT THIS, UH, EFFORT FORWARD.
IT HAS BEEN A, A VERY PROUD PROGRAM, CERTAINLY TO ALLEVIATE THE FEDERAL CAP PROBLEM THAT AS MANY CITIES ARE FACING HERE, HERE IN ESSEX COUNTY.
AND SO, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE PREVENTION OF, UH, THESE, YOU KNOW, KITTENS INTO, YOU KNOW, STREETS, UH, YOU KNOW, HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS.
AND WE WANNA THANK ALL OF THE FRIENDS GROUPS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WHO HAVE BEEN PARTNERS WITH US TO BE ABLE TO TRAP AND BRING TO THE MOBILE UNITS.
MR. SHABA, ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
I, I JUST HAVE, I JUST HAVE ONE, IF YOU'LL INDULGE ME.
DID THIS ALL START WITH THE CAT LADY? IS THIS PRETTY MUCH HER? I, I WOULD SAY YES.
YOU KNOW, I, I HAVE TO REALLY TAKE MY HAT OFF TO HER.
EVERYBODY PROBABLY THOUGHT, YOU KNOW MM-HMM
HAD DIFFERENT THOUGHTS ABOUT HER, BUT I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IT'S $290,000 NOW.
IT STARTED OUT, I THINK AT 25,000, ACTUALLY FIVE, 5,000.
AND SO, UH, I GIVE HER ALL THE CREDIT IN THE WORLD AND SHE'S DONE A, SHE'S BEEN A TERRIFIC ADVOCATE.
AND CERTAINLY THE, THE BOARD AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE WORKED VERY WELL TOGETHER ON THIS.
UH, COMMISSIONER COOPER CHAIRS.
I'M NOT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY FROM ANYBODY ELSE.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT EVERYTHING, EVERYBODY LOOKS SIDEWAYS WHEN SHE CAME IN HERE.
REGRETTABLY, SHE'S NOT HERE AND I'M NOT GONNA MEOW FOR YOU.
SHE DOES COME IN AND SHE DOES ADVOCATE.
SHE GIVES US A SIGNATURE MEOW ONE TIME TO HER, BUT MOSTLY, MOSTLY MEOW.
IT WAS THE ONE HITS THE ONE TIME, IF I MAY, MR. PRESIDENT.
THE VENDORS WOULD'VE BEEN HERE, BUT THE DECISION WAS MADE TO LET THEM WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE THE MEETING, WHICH I THINK IS IMMINENT.
I WANNA COMMENT FOR THE SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING.
WE'LL HAVE A COMMITTEE MEETING AND I THINK IT'LL BE MORE APPROPRIATE THEN SO THEY CAN GIVE US GREATER DETAIL, UH, TO IT.
WE HAD A PRETTY FULL AGENDA TONIGHT, BUT CERTAINLY THIS IS A, A REAL PROUD PROGRAM.
SO, MAY I HAVE, UH, ANY COMMISSIONERS, ANY COMMENTS? SEEING NONE.
DO I HAVE SOMEONE TO MOVE IT? MOVE, MOVE BY LUCIANO.
SOMEBODY WE WE'RE GONNA NEED AN OFFICIAL YES OR NO ON THAT, COMMISSIONER? YES.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO GO WITH.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 73 TO 154, WHICH ARE IN MEMOS, COMMENDATIONS, PROCLAMATION.
THEY COULD BE READ INTO THE RECORD AT A LATER TIME.
COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THESE ITEMS? NO.
UH, SECOND BY MERCADO WILL CALL MADAM DEPUTY.
UH, DEPUTY CLERK COMMISSIONER COOPER.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTION 1 57, WHICH IS FROM THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
IT'LL BE RUNNING TO THE RECORD AT LATER TIME.
MR. JACKSON, MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS BOARD OF ELECTION CONTRACT WITH NJ MOBILITY LLC TO PROVIDE HANDICAP RAMPS FOR POLLING PLACES APRIL 1ST, 2026 THROUGH MARCH 31ST, 2028.
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $134,895.
ANY QUESTIONS? NO LEGAL QUESTIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS ON 1 56? I MEAN, 1 57 57 57.
COMMISSIONER, VICE PRESIDENT MURRAY THOMAS.
OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON TO REPORT BOARD COMMITTEES.
UH, IT'S STILL A LITTLE EARLY IN THE YEAR.
WE DON'T HAVE, WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMMITTEE MEETINGS YET, SO WE DON'T, I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANY, WE DON'T HAVE ANY LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.
ANY WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS? SEEING NONE.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS SEEING NONE.
[01:30:01]
BUSINESS TO DISCUSS? SEEING NONE.IF THERE'S ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WILL LIKE TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE.
STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.
YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
UH, WINIFRED VICTOR HINES WITH THE QUAE PARK ASSOCIATION.
UM, THE DECISION TO BUILD A FOURTH SOFTBALL FIELD INSIDE QUAE PARK OVER THE EXP EXPLICIT OBJECTIONS OF THE QUAE PARK NATION AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF RECREATIONAL PREFERENCE.
IT IS A QUESTION OF DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, PUBLIC TRUST AND RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE OF A SHARED COMMUNITY RESOURCE.
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHOULD INSIST THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE HOLD A PUBLIC COMMUNITY MEETING BEFORE ANY PLANS ADVANCE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
ONE, EQUATE PARK BELONGS TO THE COMMUNITY, NOT TO THE COUNTY.
EXECUTIVE QUA PARK, A 311 ACRE PUBLIC GREEN SPACE THAT HAS SERVED NEWARK SOUTH WARD FOR GENERATIONS.
DECISIONS ABOUT HOW THAT LAND IS USED MUST REFLECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK AND RECREATE.
THERE NOT THE UNILATERAL PREFERENCE OF A SINGLE ELECTED OFFICIAL WHEN THE COMMUNITY SPEAKS CLEARLY AND THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE PROCEEDS ANYWAY.
SOFTBALL FIELD DOES NOT REFLECT THE COMMUNITY'S EXPRESS PRIORITIES.
THE QUAKE PARK ASSOCIATION, THE ORGANIZATION MOST DIRECTLY AND CONSISTENTLY ENGAGE WITH THE PARK AND ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITY, HAS CLEARLY STATED ITS OPPOSITION TO THE SOFTBALL BASEBALL FIELD AND ITS SUPPORT FOR AN ICE AND ROLLER SKATING RINK.
THIS IS NOT A FRINGE POSITION.
IT REFLECTS THE CONSIDERED JUDGMENT OF AN ORGANIZATION WITH DEEP ROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY, IN A DEMONSTRATED TRACK RECORD OF ADVOCATING FOR WHAT RESIDENTS ACTUALLY WANT AND NEED.
THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES PLAN EFFECTIVELY DISMISSES THAT INPUT WITHOUT EXPLANATION OR DIALOGUE.
AND THE COMMUNITY DESERVES TO KNOW WHY.
AN ICE AND ROLLER SKATING RINK SERVES FAR MORE PEOPLE THAN A FOUR SOFTBALL FIELD.
SOFTBALL SLASH BASEBALL FIELD SERVES A SPECIFIC AND RELATIVELY NARROW USER BASE.
ORGANIZED TEAMS, LEAGUES AND SCHEDULED GAMES AND ICE AND ROLLER SKATING.
RINK BY CONTRAST, IS A MULTI-GENERATION YEAR ROUND RECREATIONAL AMENITY THAT SERVES CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, SENIORS, FAMILIES, AND CASUAL VISITORS ALIKE.
FOR A COMMUNITY THAT CURRENTLY HAS NO SUCH FACILITY WITH REASONABLE ACCESS, THIS IS NOT A LUXURY, IT IS A MEANINGFUL QUALITY OF LIFE INVESTMENT.
THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OWNS A COMMUNITY.
A TRANSPARENT EXPLANATION FOR WHY A FOUR SOFTBALL FIELD WHEN THREE ALREADY EXISTS WAS PRIORITIZED OVER A FACILITY THAT WOULD SERVE EXPONENTIALLY MORE RESIDENTS.
WHEN PUBLIC LAND AND PUBLIC FUNDS ARE INVOLVED 30 SECONDS.
ANY PLANS PLAN TO CONSTRUCT A NEW ATHLETIC FACILITY ON PUBLIC PARK LAND AND INVOLVES PUBLIC DOLLARS.
TAXPAYERS HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT AND TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN BEFORE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS, WHICH IT ALREADY HAS.
BY THE WAY, A COMMUNITY MEETING IS NOT AN EXTRAORDINARY ASK.
IT IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT RESIDENTS ARE ENTITLED TO EXPECT FROM THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
PROCEEDING WITHOUT COMMUNITY INPUT SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENCE.
IF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE IS PERMITTED TO OVERRIDE THE EXPRESS WISHES OF THE WEAK WAKE PARK ASSOCIATION AND THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT EVEN HOLDING A PUBLIC ME MEETING.
IT SIGNALS TO EVERY COMMUNITY AND THE COUNTY THAT PUBLIC INPUT IS PERFORMATIVE.
SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS AFTER DECISIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE RATHER THAN SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY SHAPES THEM.
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DRAW A CLEAR LINE HERE AND SIT IN AN UNAMBIGUOUS MESSAGE.
AND THIS COUNTY COMMUNITIES ARE HEARD BEFORE SHOVELS GO IN THE GROUND.
THE ASK TEMPLE AND REASONABLE, THE WEAK GREG PARK ASSOCIATION AND THE COMMUNITY ARE NOT ASKING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES TO ABANDON THE PROJECT OUTRIGHT.
THEY ARE ASKING FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
A PUBLIC MEETING WHERE THE PLAN CAN BE PRESENTED, QUESTIONS CAN BE ASKED, ALTERNATIVES CAN BE DISCUSSED, AND COMMUNITY VOICE CAN BE FORMALLY HEARD AND CONSIDERED.
THAT IS NOT OBSTRUCTION, THAT IS DEMOCRACY.
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHOULD INSIST ON NO, NOTHING LESS.
AND THEN ALSO I HAVE, UM, MADAM, ONE LAST COMMENT THAT PERTAINING, UM, TO THE FEBRUARY 4TH, UM, TO THE FEBRUARY 4TH MEETING, COMMISSIONER LUCIAN AND, UM, COUNCILMAN PATRICK AND PATRICK COUNCIL WERE IN OF THE BASEBALL FIELD BECAUSE THEY SAID IT THAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS IT.
NOW, SPEAKING TO ONE ORGANIZATION IN THIS CASE THE WEEK GREG PARK SPORTS AUTHORITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE NOT CONSTITUTE COMMUNITY INPUT.
I HAVE TO THE TIME LIMIT FOR EVERYBODY.
I KNOW, BUT I JUST WANTED, I I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD.
'CAUSE THEY SAID THAT THEY SPOKE TO HIM.
[01:35:01]
WERE IN FAVOR OF IT.BUT YOUR TIME IS, YOUR TIME IS UP AND WE NEED TO BE RESPECTFUL.
AND THEN MAYOR BARAKA SAID HE DID NOT MAD.
AND YOU, YOU COULD ALSO EMAIL US AS WELL AND WE GAVE YOU YOUR TIME.
BUT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT.
BUT YOU COULD SHARE IT WITH THE PUBLIC ON YOUR OWN TIME AT THIS POINT.
THE THREE MINUTES ARE UP WHILE NEXT PUBLIC SPEAKER PLEASE.
AND, UM, THE, I WAS GONNA, THE QUESTION IS LIKE, MAYBE THE LAST TIME WE SEEN THIS, PLEASE JUST SAY YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.
UM, AND I'M GONNA GO A LITTLE LEFT FIELD BECAUSE UH, WE GREAT PARK GOLF COURSE.
WE KNOW IN 1913 THAT WAS PRESENTED IN 1914, IT OPENED 1969.
WHY DO WE NEED A FOURTH BASEBALL FIELD? STATE OF THE ART TURF FIELD 2019.
BILL HICKS FIELD, 2016 ELIZABETH AVENUE, MIKA, RUTGERS, NEWARK 2019.
UH, LAST TIME WE WAS HERE AND AS WHEN HE SAID, BUT MAYOR BARACK DID NOT AGREE ON ANYTHING.
HE DIDN'T SAY YES TO ANYTHING.
'CAUSE MY THING IS LESS TRANSPARENCY.
SO MY QUESTION WAS AGAIN, WHY DO WE NEED A FOURTH BASEBALL FIELD IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE BASEBALL FIELD, IT SAID LAST TIME WE WAS HERE, IT'S NOT A FOURTH FIELD, IT'S ADDED ON.
BUT WHEN THE SIGN SAYS NEW, NEW IS NEW, IT A NEW BASEBALL FIELD.
IT IS SO MUCH FIELD THAT'S BEING BUILT AND A 90 FOOT BASEBALL PATH.
WE HAVE 90 BY 60, BUT IT'S 300 TO THREE 50 DOWN LINE.
THIS IS NOT MAJOR BASEBALL FIELD.
AND AGAIN, WE DON'T NEED FOUR.
SO MY QUESTION IS, AGAIN, IT WAS ASKED WHY A FOURTH ONE SKATING RINK IS FOR EVERYONE.
THE YOUNG, THE OLD, YOU TAKE YOUR DATES, YOU TAKE YOUR GRANDKIDS, YOU EVERYBODY CAN ENJOY THAT ALL YEAR ROUND.
WE STILL CAN PLAY SOFTBALL, WE CAN PLAY BASEBALL.
WE, SO I'M, I BOUGHT THE GOLF COURSE UP 'CAUSE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WORK WAS DONE ON IT? YOU NEED IT 20 19, 20 16 WORK DONE ON BASEBALL FIELD.
SO THE QUESTION IS WHY, WHY IS IT SO HARD TO SAY, WHY CAN'T WE HAVE A SKATING RINK? ICE SKATING, ROLLER SKATING KIDS A FAMILY.
AND YOUNG LADY SAID, I WAS IN THE PARK SUNDAY BECAUSE IT WAS EXCELLENT, THE WEATHER.
EVERYBODY'S LIKE, WHAT'S THIS? WE DON'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS.
BUT SOMEBODY WILL SAY, OH, I SPOKE TO THE PEOPLE MEETINGS.
THEY SAY, OH YOU HAVE BRANCHWOOD PARK.
THAT'S NOT SOUTH WARD, THAT'S BRANCHWOOD PARK.
WHY DON'T WE SEND 'EM UP THERE? WHY NOT? WHEAT GRADE PARK IS ALL AROUND.
YOU GOT BEAUTIFUL NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS, $2,000 A MONTH TO LIVE IN, GO ACROSS THE STREET, ENJOY SKATING, ENJOY WHAT WE USED TO HAVE.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF THOSE DON'T COME TO NEWARK OR YOU'RE NOT IN WHEAT GRAY PARK, IT'S NOT IMPORTANT TO YOU.
SO THE QUESTION AGAIN, WHY IS THERE A FOURTH BASEBALL FIELD AND WHY IS IT SUCH A FIGHT TO HAVE A SKATING RINK? SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ALL YEAR ROUND.
BASEBALL, YOU CAN'T PLAY IT IN THE WINTER SKATING RINKS, SUMMER, WINTER, FALL, SPRING.
LET THE ADULTS LET FAMILY LET FAMILIES ENJOY EACH OTHER.
'CAUSE THEY, I MEAN IF THERE'S A PROBLEM, LIKE GIMME A REASON, WE JUST NEED A REASON WHY IS THERE AND IT'S ENOUGH WEAK WAY PARK 'CAUSE ALL THAT SPACE IS BEING TAKEN OF ALL THAT DIRT.
THE Z
SO IT'S JUST A QUESTION, WHY AND WHY NOT AND WHAT DO 30 SECONDS IT FOR? OKAY.
UH, WELL IT WASN'T ENOUGH THERE.
IT WAS SO THAT SHABAZZ AND WEEK WAY, OH THEY'RE PRACTICING THERE BUT THEN, OH, THEY CAN'T PRACTICE THERE BECAUSE IT'S NOT ADEQUATE, ADEQUATE WHAT IT HAS THE MEASUREMENTS THAT IT SHOULD HAVE FOR THEM TO PLAY SOFTBALL.
SO WE ARE NOT GETTING CORRECT ANSWERS AND KIND OF GETTING FALSE STATEMENTS.
I DON'T WANNA CALL YOU ON A LIAR 'CAUSE THEY FELT THEY WERE LIAR, BUT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT INFORMATION, THEN YOU ARE INCORRECT.
SO JUST AGAIN, CAN WE TIME TRY TO UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY.
NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
UM, EDWARD NICHOLAS LAN, NEW JERSEY.
UM, I'M HERE THIS EVENING BECAUSE WHEN I WAS HEARING THE PLANNED CALENDAR FOR, UM, THE SUMMER EVENTS, I DID NOT HEAR ABOUT GLENFIELD PARK.
AND GLENFIELD PARK IS A COUNTY PARK IN MONTCLAIR.
I'M HERE ALSO REPRESENTING VANGUARD THEATER.
[01:40:01]
JANICE FREEMAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, BUT SHE HAD TO LEAVE.UM, WE DID OUR FIRST ANNUAL THEATER IN THE PARK AT GLENFIELD PARK AND IT WAS WELL ATTENDED.
UM, BASICALLY WE ARE BACK HERE TONIGHT TO SEE IF THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS SUMMER'S CALENDAR.
UM, WE FIND THAT THEATER IS ALSO IMPORTANT AND IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO US TO BRING SOMETHING BACK TO GLENFIELD PARK BECAUSE GLENFIELD PARK IS A COUNTY PARK AND IT HAD BEEN RENOVATED AND NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE THERE SINCE LIKE THE MONTCLAIR AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL.
WE'VE HAD, UM, OTHER FESTIVALS THAT ARE BEING DONE NOW THAT DEAL WITH, UM, THE POPULATIONS OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
SO I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF VANGUARD THEATER AND ALSO I'M PART OF QUAKE PARK AND I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THE WEAK WAKE PARK HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL AS WELL.
SO I REPRESENT THAT AS I'M A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THAT PARK.
NOT AT THAT PARK, BUT OF THAT FESTIVAL.
AND THAT FESTIVAL HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST, I BELIEVE 15 YEARS.
SO WE JUST WANNA FIND SOME FEEDBACK OF HOW ARE THESE FESTIVALS BEING PROCEEDED IN MOVING FORWARD.
SO I GOTTA GIVE YOU A COUPLE, A LITTLE QUICK UPDATE.
I, UM, THE, THE CALENDAR YOU HEARD TODAY IS FROM THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES BRANCH.
IT'S NOT ALL OF THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE, UH, IN THE COUNTY AND UH, ACTUALLY WAS IN TOUCH, UH, WITH MS. FREEMAN WHO REACHED OUT.
SO I, I'M WORKING AT A MEETING WITH HER NOW.
I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU.
YEAH, I'LL BE AT THAT MEETING.
AND I HAVE A PLEASURE TO, UH, ATTEND ONE OF YOUR LAST PERFORMANCES AND VERY MUCH ENJOYED IT.
I ATTENDED IT WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO'S QUITE
I'M PART OF THAT COMMITTEE AS WELL.
MY NAME IS CAROLYN BERG AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PRESIDENT AND THE ESTEEMED COMMISSIONERS.
AS I LOOK AROUND, I SEE A FEW FAMILIAR FACES ON BOTH SIDES.
I ALSO, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS AND VENDORS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE WEEK WAKE PARK HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL THAT I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH WITH THE PAST 16 YEARS.
AND AS I LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE EVENTS THAT ARE SCHEDULED FOR THIS SUMMER, I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE HERE ASSURED THAT I KNOW THAT WE WILL CONTINUE THE LEGACY OF THE WEEK WAKE PARK HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL.
I AM ALSO HONORED TO BE THE OWNER AND, AND WAS PRESENTED AND AWARDED A PROCLAMATION BY THIS VERY ROOM OF COMMISSIONERS.
AND WE'D LIKE TO KNOW, WILL WE HAVE OTHER FESTIVALS ASIDE FROM WEEK WAKE PARK AND UP IN, UH, WEST ORANGE AT THE EAGLE ROCK RESERVATION AND ALSO IN BRANCH BOOK PARK AND ALSO AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL, UH, UH, PARK OVER HERE.
RIGHT, RIGHT HERE ON THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE THE PERSON THAT USED TO BE IN CHARGE OF IT IS NO LONGER HERE.
SO MY QUESTION IS, ARE WE GOING TO DO IT THIS YEAR AND ARE WE GOING TO HAVE IT? WE, WE'LL I'M OPEN YOUR QUERIES.
I'M HOPING FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENT.
YEAH, WE'LL, WE'LL RESPOND TO YOUR INQUIRIES IN WRITING IF YOU WANT.
YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WITH ADAM.
I LEFT IT HERE ON THE PAPER, BUT I'LL ALSO GIVE IT TO WELL, THAT'S HOW WE'LL GET BACK TO OKAY.
THAT'S HOW WE RESPONSIBLE FOLKS.
IF WE DO IT QUICKLY, WE DO, BUT WE'LL DO IT THAT WAY.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
MY NAME IS RODERICK D JOHNSON.
UH, THE OWNER OF RODE JOHNSON FOOTBALL, LLC CORPORATION.
ONCE AGAIN, UH, I'M HERE TO, UH, TRY TO BE ACCOMMODATED FOR OFFICE SPACE UNDER THE URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONE.
UM, RIGHT NOW, BEFORE I TAKE MY FINAL REQUEST BACK TO, UH, THE X COUNTY EXECUTIVE, JOE DCIO, I JUST WANT TO SHOW UP, SHOW MY FACE ONE MORE TIME HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE.
UH, ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE SECURE PRIVATE EQUITY WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWARK, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S A BIG OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE FOR THE CITY OF NEWARK TO JOIN THE GDFL, UH, MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL 20 AND UP.
UM, SO I'M IN DESPERATE NEED TO SECURE OFFICE SPACE TO GRANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO THE YOUNG ADULTS IN THE CITY OF NEWARK 20 AND UP.
UH, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHO WOULD BE THE PROPER, UH, AUTHORITY TO HELP SECURE THE OFFICE SPACE THAT I'M REQUESTING.
UH, ONCE AGAIN, UM, I HAVE KNOCKED ON
[01:45:01]
MANY DOORS AND, AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON ME AS THIS OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF.SO, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I JUST WANT TO COME HERE, PRESENT MYSELF ONE MORE TIME TO YOU.
UM, AND I'M JUST, LIKE I SAID, I HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATIONS THAT NEED TO BE FORWARDED TO THE CAPITOL, TO THE GOVERNOR.
BY THE SAME TIME I'M GETTING NO CORPORATION WITHIN, UH, THE CITY OF NORTH DOWNTOWN AND OTHER PLACES THAT I'VE BEEN.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE ONCE AGAIN TO ASK YOU WHO WOULD BE THE PROPER AUTHORITY TO HELP JUSTIFY MY SITUATION.
SO I WILL GET ADAM TO GET YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION.
I'M NOT IMMEDIATELY AWARE OF ANY OFFICE SPACE AT THE COUNTY OFFERS.
UH, I'M JUST NOT AWARE OF THAT.
BUT WE'LL ASK THE ADMINISTRATION IF, YOU KNOW, TO, UH, INQUIRY IF THEY DO THAT.
AND WITH RESPECT TO THE CITY OF NEWARK SUPPORTING THE FOOTBALL, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE ON THE CITY COUNCIL, NEWARK OR SOME OTHER DESIGNEE OF CITY OF NEWARK.
WE'RE, WE'RE A SEPARATE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN NEWARK.
I UNDERSTAND, BUT WE'RE NOT, YEAH.
I JUST WANTED TO JUST COME MAKE MYSELF, YOU KNOW YEAH.
MY PRESENCE DOWN HERE ONCE AGAIN, BEFORE I GO BACK INTO CITY HALL, WHICH I WAS DOWN THERE AT A COUNCIL MEETING AND LEFT THEM A DOCUMENTATION AS WELL AS FAR AS WHAT WAS AVAILABLE IN REGARDS TO THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM, THE CARE ACT.
SO I'M GONNA GO BACK DOWN THERE ONE MORE TIME AND, AND HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, IF THINGS WORK OUT, I WON'T SHOW UP HERE AGAIN.
YEAH, WELL I, YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO SO.
BUT IF YOU LEAVE YOUR CONTACT PERMISSION AND LIST THE VERY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT ESSEX COUNTY OFFERS, WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE.
WE CAN'T ADDRESS WHAT THE CITY OF NEWARK DOES.
THAT'S, WE, WE DON'T SPEAK FOR THEM THAT THEIR, THEIR OWN AGENCY, YOU KNOW, THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT.
I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT I FOLLOW LEGAL PROCEDURE AND GOING ABOUT EVERYTHING THE RIGHT WAY.
WE'LL, WE CAN GIVE YOU A RESPONSE WITH RESPECT TO ESSEX COUNTY.
MAKE SURE WE GET YOUR EMAIL AND THEN LIST ALL OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU KNOW SPECIFICALLY SO THAT WE CAN ANSWER THEM VERY SPECIFICALLY.
THAT WAY YOU GET THE MOST DIRECT ANSWER.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
I'M TERRY SOUS AND I ACTUALLY LIVE IN UNION COUNTY, BUT I WAS A MANY, MANY YEAR RESIDENT OF ESSEX COUNTY.
AND I COME UP HERE FREQUENTLY BECAUSE I AM ASSOCIATED WITH A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION CALLED EYES ON ICE, WHICH HAS BEEN AT DELANEY HALL EVERY DAY FOR 11 MONTHS.
AND IN APRIL IT WILL BE A YEAR.
AND THAT IS PEOPLE FROM ACROSS NEW JERSEY WHO HAVE BEEN WELCOMING THE VISITORS AND TRYING TO HELP THEM THROUGH THIS TRAUMATIC TIME, UH, WHEN THEIR FAMILIES ARE BEING TORN APART BASICALLY.
AND IT'S, IT'S INCREDIBLE, UH, IN TERMS OF THE MAGNITUDE OF WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD.
I KNOW, UH, COMMISSIONER MURRAY THOMAS HAS BEEN DOWN TO SEA WITH HER OWN EYES.
PROBABLY HAS TOLD YOU SOME ABOUT IT.
WE WOULD INVITE ALL OF YOU TO COME DOWN DURING VISITORS HOURS AND MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT THIS IS DRAMATICALLY AFFECTING.
UM, BUT I CAME TONIGHT BECAUSE I WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL PERSONALLY.
I KNOW WE'VE BEEN HERE WITH LOTS OF PROBLEMS AND LOTS OF ASKS AND LOTS OF CRITICISMS. AND, UM, ACTUALLY IN, IN JANUARY, THE COUNTY BROUGHT A TENT DOWN TO, TO PROVIDE SHELTER IN THE REALLY FREEZING COLD WEATHER FOR THE VISITORS.
UH, GEO SHOULD BE TOTALLY SHAMED AND EMBARRASSED BECAUSE THEY NEED TO BE WELCOMING PEOPLE INSIDE AND PROVIDING INDOOR WAITING AREAS AND INDOOR PLUMBING FOR BATHROOM FACILITIES FOR THE VISITORS.
BUT THE COUNTY HAS STEPPED UP.
THEY PROVIDED A TENT AND THEY PROVIDED PORTA POTTIES.
AND, UM, THE VOLUNTEERS THAT WORK DOWN THERE HAVE BEEN REALLY TRYING TO KEEP THE PLACE VERY, VERY CLEAN.
IF YOU GO DOWN THERE, I WAS THERE THIS MORNING, VIGILANT, YOU'LL SEE THERE'S NOT A HARDLY ANY PAPER OR ANY LITTER OR ANYTHING AROUND.
AND WE NEVER LEAVE FOOD IN THE TENT, SO THERE'S NO RAT PROBLEMS. WE HAUL AWAY THE GARBAGE OURSELVES.
WE TAKE THAT HOME WITH US AND PUT IT OUT WITH OUR OWN GARBAGE.
SO THAT TENT WE'RE REALLY TAKING CARE OF BECAUSE IT HAS MEANT A LOT TO PEOPLE.
AND I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
I THINK THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE REALLY JUMPED ON IT AND, AND, UH, ASSENTED TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN.
SO, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT IT STAYS UP THROUGH THE SUMMER BECAUSE IT PROVIDES SHADE AND IT PROVIDES, YOU KNOW, A PLACE WHERE THE RESIDENTS CAN OR THE VISITORS CAN COME AND GET INFORMATION.
SO THAT'S THE FIRST THING ON MY, UH, LITTLE LIST TONIGHT, UH, A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE TEAM.
BUT, UM, THEY'RE JUST PEOPLE FROM ACROSS NEW JERSEY AND THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF ALL KINDS OF TASKS ONSITE.
[01:50:01]
MANY OF THE VISITORS ARE TURNED AWAY FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS.AND WE KEEP CLOTHES AND SHOES AND VARIOUS THINGS SO THAT THEY CAN EASILY, UM, GO IN AND VISIT THEIR LOVED ONES.
BUT I WOULD LIKE, I DO HAVE SOME ASKS.
THERE ARE, THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POVERTY AND TRAUMA THAT'S HAPPENING WITH THESE FAMILIES ALSO THROUGHOUT THE, THE COUNTY.
THERE'S A TREMENDOUS INEQUALITY AND THERE IS A NEED FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND HEALTH ASSISTANCE FOR MANY, MANY FAMILIES.
AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW, UM, HOW CAN WE WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE THAT MORE AVAILABLE TO BOTH OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN NEWARK, OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN OTHER TOWNS ACROSS THE COUNTY, AND TO THE RESIDENTS WHO 30, 30 SECONDS TO THE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR FAMILIES TORN APART AND DON'T HAVE A BREADWINNER RIGHT NOW.
SO, IS THERE SOMEONE I SHOULD TALK TO OR THAT YOU COULD HELP ME, UM, UH, MOVE AHEAD SO THAT WE HAVE MORE ASSISTANCE FROM THE COUNTY? UH, THAT WOULD BE TREMENDOUS.
AND YOU'VE SHOWN YOUR GOOD HEART ALREADY AND MAYBE THERE'S MORE THAT YOU CAN DO.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
UH, I AM THE FOUNDER OF TREEHOUSE ENT CULTURAL ARTS MOVEMENT.
WE ARE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HAVE HOSTED THE MONTE IRVIN ORANGE PARK HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR, FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.
UM, IN CONJUNCTION WITH ESSEX COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND ESS COUNTY DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
THE FESTIVAL TYPICALLY ATTRACTS ABOUT 5,000 TO 7,000 ATTENDEES OF ALL AGES, BUT MOSTLY OLDER ADULTS, 40 AND UP.
IT PROVIDES A VI VITAL PLATFORM FOR MANY SMALL BUSINESS VENDORS, ENABLING THEM TO PROMOTE THEIR BUSINESSES AND EARN MONEY FROM THE ATTENDEES INCOME THAT THEY STRUGGLE TO EARN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
WE ALSO INVITE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO BRING MOBILE UNITS FOR HEALTH SCREENINGS AND SET UP SPACES TO SHARE INFORMATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
SO IT'S NOT JUST A DAY OF MUSIC AND DANCING, BUT A DAY UP A DAY THAT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER CAN ATTEND TO ENJOY, UM, A TIME SPENT WITH THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR FRIENDS, ALUMNIS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF, UM, ESSEX COUNTY AND ABROAD.
UM, THE PERSON WHO USED TO ASSIST US WITH THIS EVENT, WITH SOME OF THE LOGISTICS, UM, IS NO LONGER WITH ESSEX COUNTY.
AND WE HAVEN'T HEARD, UM, ANY, WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO IF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WOULD CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH US WITH THIS EVENT OR ANY INFORMATION IF WE ARE, IF WE'LL BE PERMITTED TO HOST IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.
SO I'M HERE TONIGHT TO ASK AND, UM, TO FIND OUT IF WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.
IT'S AN EVENT THAT, UM, NOT ONLY IS FOR THE COMMUNITY, BUT THE, THERE'S A THREE UNIT, THERE'S THREE SENIOR HOUSING BUILDINGS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM MONTY URBAN PARK AND THE SENIORS LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EVENT EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS.
UH, MY NAME IS ADAM MARSHALL FROM BLOOMFIELD.
I'M AN ARMY VETERAN AND A MEMBER OF EYES ON ICE.
UH, THE MEMBERS OF EYES ON ICE WOULD LIKE TO THANK BRENDAN GILL, JODY VINCENZO, AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ESSEX COUNTY GOVERNMENT WHO FUNDED, BUILT, PLANNED, AND ADVOCATED FOR THE TENT ON DURAMIS AVENUE, UH, NEXT TO DELANEY HALL.
YOUR ACTIONS HAVE PROVIDED AID AND COMFORT FOR FAMILIES OF THOSE IN NEED.
AND, UH, COMBINED WITH THE EFFORTS OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, YOU WERE ABLE TO PREVENT FROSTBITE, HYPOTHERMIA, AND OTHER EXPOSURE INJURIES, UH, TO APPROXIMATELY 3000 PEOPLE WHO VISITED.
UH, YOUR KINDNESS WILL ECHO INTO THE FUTURE AS SUMMER APPROACHES.
WE'RE GOING TO BE SHIFTING OUR EFFORTS TO THE PREVENTION OF HEAT INJURIES SUCH AS DEHYDRATION, SUNBURN, HEAT, STROKE, AND SO FORTH.
TO BETTER FACILITATE THESE AID EFFORTS, UH, WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND ALL INTERESTED PARTIES WHO WOULD, UH, HELP TO, UH, PLAN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON SITE, MANAGE WASTE, AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY.
[01:55:02]
YES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND TO SHOW NEW JERSEY AND THE WORLD THAT ESSEX COUNTY SUPPORTS HUMAN RIGHTS, UH, IN THIS ONGOING CRISIS THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY ICE.LASTLY, I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT, UH, MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PREVENTED VISITORS FROM PARKING BETWEEN SEVEN AND 10:00 AM ON SATURDAY MORNING.
UH, PLEASE REITERATE TO THE OFFICERS WORKING IN THIS VICINITY, UH, THAT PARKING SHOULD REMAIN OPEN TO VISITING FAMILIES AND, UH, VOLUNTEERS AFFECTED BY THIS CRISIS.
PENDING ANY QUESTIONS? I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
PLEASE JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
I WAS HERE THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE.
I WAS TRYING TO GET THE INSPECTION DONE INTO BURG PARK 'CAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN DONE.
ALL THAT'S BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.
CAN YOU JUST SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE MICROPHONE? LITTLE HARDER TO ALL THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF, THE SATISFACTION AND SO FORTH.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH TABLE TO TABLE, BUT NOW SINCE JANUARY, BUT I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY WE HAD THOUGH RESTROOM, NO WATER.
SO I'M THINKING MAYBE BECAUSE OF THE SNOW STORM, THE PIPES MIGHT HAVE FROZEN.
I SENT TWO EMAILS IN TO THE COUNTY, NO RESPONSE UNTIL I HAD TO REACH OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO LET ME KNOW WHAT'S, WHAT'S HAPPENING.
WELL, I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE BUILDING TODAY, BUT THEY SAID THE WOULD'VE BEEN TURNED BACK ON TODAY.
MY PROBLEM IS THAT YESTERDAY I GOT SO MANY PHONE CALLS, THEY PERMITTED THE WHOLE PARK OUT.
THEY PERMITTED THE WHOLE PARK OUT.
THE SOCCER TEAM CAME, YOU HAD TRACK TEAMS THERE, THE FOOTBALL TEAM, KIDS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS THERE.
AND THEY HAD BOTH OF THE BASEBALL FIELDS PERMITTED OUT.
THE WHOLE FOOTBALL FIELD PERMITTED OUT.
AND THEY WAS, AND THEN HAD THE NERVE, THE SOCCER PEOPLE TEAM CALLED THE COPS ON THE KIDS THAT THE COACH THAT WAS DOING THE FOOTBALL.
AND I'M LIKE, CALL THE COPS BECAUSE THEY WANTED THEM OFF THE FIELD, NOT SHARE THE FIELD BUT COMPLETELY OFF THE FIELD.
AGAIN, I CALLED THE COUNTY, I WANTED TO SPEAK TO DAN, BUT HE WASN'T IN OFFICE.
SO I WOUND UP SPEAKING TO JACKIE, LOVER TO DEATH.
BUT SHE TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO ME, THIS IS WHAT THE COUNTY DO.
I SAID, MAYBE Y'ALL OVERBOOKED IT OR SOMETHING 'CAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE COMMUNITY.
I SAID, THEN WHAT WE SUPPOSED TO, HOW DO WE ENJOY THE PARK IF EVERYTHING IN THE PARK IS BOOKED? ONLY THING THAT WAS OPEN THE PLAYGROUND.
SO EVERYBODY GOT TO COMMUNITY, GOTTA RUN TO THE PLAYGROUND.
SO SHE SAID, WELL, WE BOOK 'EM IN ADVANCE.
I SAID, WELL MAYBE BURY PARK IS NOT AS BIG AS WHEAT WAY PARK OR BRASSWOOD PARK OR ANYTHING, BUT THE BOOK, EVERY FIELD WHEN YOU HAVE NO USE OF THE PARK, THE COMMUNITY PEOPLE HAS NO USE OF THE PARK.
AND I SAID, THEN THEY HAD THE NERVE, THEY JUST WAS RUDE AND THEN HAD THE NERVE TO CALL THE COPS, WHICH THE COUNTY CAME AND TOLD 'EM, WELL, YOU GUYS HAVE TO LEAVE.
BUT THEY ASKED FOR THE EVERYBODY'S SCHEDULE.
I SENT THEM MY SPREADSHEET AND SO FORTH.
SO EVERY, I DON'T, I JUST DON'T.
SO I SAY THIS ALL ABOUT THE DOLLAR BECAUSE THEY DON'T, YOU KNOW, THEY COMING FROM EVERYWHERE.
AND I SAID, THEY HAD THE AUDACITY.
I SAID, NOW THE KIDS HAD TO VISUAL THE COPS.
THE COUNTY COMING THERE, THEY GOING BACK AND FORTH.
THIS IS A THING THAT I DON'T, THAT'S NOT JUST NOT, I, I CAN'T, THAT BOTHERS ME.
I UNDERSTAND WHERE JACKIE WAS COMING FROM.
I UNDERSTAND THEY PERMIT, I KNOW IT'S THE WORLD CUP, BUT YOU CANNOT BOOK THE WHOLE PARK OUT WHEN THE COMMUNITY CAN'T HAVE NO ACCESS TO IT.
AND I SAID, WELL, THE PLAYGROUND SIX 30 IS DARK.
I SAID, WHERE IT HAPPENED TO THE LIGHTS, THE LIGHTS THAT'S ON THE TRAIL FROM THE PLAYGROUND BACK, IT'S DARK 30 SECONDS.
SO THE MANY PUBLIC SERVICE NEEDS TO COME AND BOOST 'EM UP.
NOW I HAVE VIDEO 'CAUSE I, I'M THERE ALL THE TIME AND I VIDEOS AND PICTURES I ALWAYS TAKE AND I HEAR THE KIDS, YOU KNOW, THEY PLAYING, YOU KNOW, IT'S A NICE DAY.
SO THE PARK IS FEELING UP, BUT IT'S DARK AND, AND IT'S NOT FAIR.
AND I TOLD HIM SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.
AND I SAID, I HAVE TO PUT, IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYBODY TIPTOED OR WALKING ON EGGSHELL EGGSHELLS WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO JOE D YOU KNOW, I'M NOT, NO, I'M NOT SAYING THAT TO BE FUNNY BECAUSE HE SAYS TO ME, YOU KNOW, I KEEP HEARING, OH, WE PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THE, THE PARTY, BUT IT WASN'T NEVER TAKEN CARE
[02:00:01]
OF PROPERLY.SO WE'LL LOOK INTO MR. JOHNSON, IF YOU CAN, UH, LOOK INTO THE LIGHTING AT THE PLAYGROUND.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS OR SOMETHING THAT MAY NOT ADJUST PROPERLY.
THEY SAID IT WAS COUPLE OF SERVICE.
IT'S THE LIGHTS ON THE TRAIL BACK, GOING BACK TOWARD IT'S DARK.
SO IF YOU COULD LET ADAM KNOW PRECISELY WHAT WAS DARK.
I WANNA MAKE SURE IT'S THE LIGHTING IN THE PARK OR IS IT THE STREET LIGHTING THAT PCG.
WE, WE WILL JUST KIND OF GIVE US A LITTLE MORE CLARITY WITH ADAM AND THEN WE'LL WE'LL LOOK INTO IT AND THEN IF YOU CAN GIVE 'EM THE DATE OF WHAT YOU THINK MAY BE A DOUBLE BOOKING OR SOMETHING, THEN WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT AS WELL.
GIVE US THE EXACT DATE THOUGH, PLEASE.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
UH, NORM TERRIA, 99 BERKELEY AVENUE, BLOOMFIELD.
UM, HOW IS EVERYONE THIS EVENING? I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG, A LONG EVENING, SO I'LL BE QUICK.
NO MATTER HOW YOU TRAVEL IN THIS COUNTY, EVERYONE DESERVES SAFETY.
THIS IS BUS STOP 1 7 1 7 5 AT THE CORNER OF BROAD STREET AND CARROLL IN THE NORTHERN END OF BLOOMFIELD.
THERE'S A MARKED CROSSWALK RIGHT NEXT TO THE BUS STOP.
ON MONDAY EVENING, THE TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD COUNCIL MAYOR JENNIFER MANDEL, COUNCIL MEMBERS CRUZ, UH, GONZALEZ, CHARIS TABIS AND FISHMAN VOTED TO ELIMINATE THIS CROSSWALK, UH, SORRY TO ELIMINATE THE BUS STOP AT THE CROSSWALK.
NOW, BUS RIDERS SOUTHBOUND BUS RIDERS ARE NOW FORCED TO THIS LOCATION.
WHAT'S MISSING? A CROSSWALK IS MISSING.
THIS IS ACROSS THE, UM, THE WOMAN CROSSING HERE IS COMING FROM THE BROADACRE OFFICE COMPLEX, WHICH IS OFF TO THE, UH, RIGHT HAND SIDE.
THERE'S UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THERE'S ALSO MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.
THEY HAVE THEIR AUDIOLOGY CLINICS AND THERE'S SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY CLINICS AND A HOST OF OTHER OFFICES.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW THE 72 BUS, IT IS A BUS THAT RUNS FROM NEWARK THROUGH BLOOMFIELD UP BROAD STREET ALL THE WAY TO CLIFTON, TO PATTERSON AND BACK.
IT RUNS EVERY 30 MINUTES, APPROXIMATELY FROM FIVE OR SIX IN THE MORNING UNTIL MIDNIGHT CARRYING PASSENGERS.
BLOOMFIELD ELIMINATED A BUS STOP NEXT TO A CROSSWALK.
THEY NOW ARE SHUNTING RIDERS TO THIS STOP THAT HAS NO CROSSWALK.
AND THAT IS WHY I AM HERE THIS EVENING ON BEHALF OF VULNERABLE ROAD USERS.
AND YOU'RE PROBABLY SAYING, WELL, YOU, YOU DRIVE, RIGHT? YEAH, I DO.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I TOOK TO GET HERE? THE NEWARK LIGHT RAIL.
AND SO I HAD TO CROSS STREETS AND HAVING THE 72 BUS GETS ME UP TO MY DERMATOLOGIST UP, UH, IN CLIFTON.
UM, AND I ONLY FOUND THAT OUT RECENTLY.
BUSES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ARE LIFELINES AND EVERYONE DESERVES SAFETY.
I DON'T KNOW AND WILL NEVER MEET MANY OF THESE PEOPLE.
BUT I REQUEST ESSEX COUNTY'S HELP TO START THE PROCESS OF RES FUNDING, RESEARCHING, DESIGNING AND INSTALLING AN A DA CROSSWALK NEAR BUS STOP.
NUMBER 3 1 1 2 9, WHICH IS THE TD BANK, UH, ON BROAD STREET, DON'T HAVE THE STREET ADDRESS.
NOW IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IT BE A DA ACCESSIBLE.
WHY? BECAUSE THE CROSSWALK THAT I SHOWED YOU HAS, UM, TRUNCATED DOMES.
IT HAS RAMPS AND IT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT HAS A MARKED VISIBLE CROSSWALK SO THAT PEDESTRIANS CAN EXPECT TO CROSS SAFELY AND DRIVERS KNOW THAT, UH, PEDESTRIANS WILL BE ENCOUNTERED.
IT'S VERY EMBARRASSING TO HAVE SAFETY YANKED OUT FROM UNDER YOU AS A CITIZEN.
AND I ENCOURAGE YOU, EVERYONE DESERVES SAFETY TIME.
AND I ENCOURAGE ESSEX COUNTY TO HELP CONSTRUCT A CROSSWALK
[02:05:01]
SO THAT NO ONE DIES.MAGGIE FRIEDMAN, WEEKDAY PARK SPORTS AUTHORITY CONSERVANCY.
UM, WITH OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND VOLUNTEER HOURS, WE'RE A BIT TIRED OF HAVING TO DO A LOT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL THINGS IN THE PARK, BUT IT'S, YOU KNOW, THERE'S STILL SOME MORE WORK TO DO.
SO WE HAVE COME ACROSS, UM, DURING THE SNOWSTORM, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THAT THE RUBBERIZED TRAIL WAS NOT, UM, CLEARED.
SO WE DEFINITELY ARE ADVOCATING FOR, UM, UPDATED EQUIPMENT TO HAVE THAT RUBBER PIECE ON THE BOTTOM OF A, UM, A CART OR A TV THAT, UM, CAN SHOVEL AND KIND OF LIFT THE BURDENS OFF OF THE WORKERS THERE, BECAUSE WE'VE DEFINITELY SEEN SOME OF THE LABORIST TASKS AND WHY IT TOOK SO LONG TO GET THOSE, THOSE THINGS CLEARED.
ALSO, YOU WANT THE SCHEDULE FOR, UM, REPAVING OR POTHOLE FILLING, BECAUSE WE JUST HAVE A LOT OF CRATERS THAT ARE, THAT ARE DEVELOPING IN THE PARK.
UM, THAT DEFINITELY, UM, IS IN, YOU KNOW, WE NEED HELP.
UM, ADDITIONALLY THERE'S TREES STILL DOWN.
UM, THERE'S SOME, LIKE BY THE FOOTBALL FIELD AREA, THEY'RE LIKE DOWN, BEEN THERE FOR MONTHS.
UM, YOU KNOW, ENVIRONMENTALLY, IF YOU, IF ANYONE HAS REPORTED IT OR NOT, BUT WE HAVE SEEN THEM IN ALONGSIDE MIKA AVENUE, DAYTON STREET.
SO THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE CLEARED AS WELL.
THE FLOODING, UM, SO THIS MIGHT HAVE TO BE A JOINT EFFORT WITH NEWARK BECAUSE THE CATCH BASIN SURROUNDING THE PARK AS WELL AS INTERNALLY IN THE PARK NEED TO BE, UM, ADDRESSED.
UM, DEFINITELY ON THE ELIZABETH AVENUE SIDE OF THE PARK BECAUSE, UM, IT'S COLLAPSED IN A-D-E-P-I BELIEVE THEY MENTIONED THAT IT REQUIRE THE COUNTY, KIND OF ALL MINES THINKING TOGETHER TO KIND OF GET THAT, UM, INITIATIVE GOING.
WHICH LEADS ME TO THE DIVIDEND HILL AREA THAT WE, UM, HAVE ADVOCATED FOR, FOR THE LAST, I DON'T KNOW, TWO, TWO YEARS, TWO, THREE YEARS.
WE, WE STILL WANT THINGS DONE THERE.
UM, WE, UM, INVITE EVERYONE HERE AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT WITH RUTGERS.
AND WE PARK SPORTS AUTHORITY CONSERVANCY ON APRIL THE 11TH.
WE'LL BE OUT THERE FROM NINE TO 12.
SO YOU ALL ARE WELCOME TO COME JOIN IN.
WE'LL BE FOCUSING ON DIVIDEND HILL, BUT WE WANNA SEE THAT ADDRESSED AS WELL.
OUR TENNIS PROGRAM WILL BE UP AND RUNNING.
UM, I KNOW THAT THERE WERE LIKE ONE, IT WAS LIKE ONE PORTA POTTY THERE, BUT THE BATHHOUSE IS STILL A AREA WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE RESTORED.
BUT IF, IF WE CAN'T GET THAT DONE RIGHT AWAY, WE, WE WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL PORTA-POTTIES FOR THE YOUTH TO BE ABLE TO COME, UM, AND, YOU KNOW, BE ABLE TO USE NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THERE'S A, A TENNIS COMMUNITY THAT COMES IN THE, THE EVENING AS WELL.
AND I'M SURE THEY WOULD APPRECIATE HAVING THAT FACILITY AS WELL.
UM, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.
WE HAVE A, UM, A 32 TEAM INITIATIVE LEAGUE TEAM THAT WE WANT TO SEE KIND OF GOING, WE INVITED THE COUNTY EXEC AND SOME OTHERS, AND WE WANNA SEE THAT KIND OF GOING, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY SUPPORT THAT IN OUR WAY, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT.
I DON'T CARE IF IT'S THE CASE OF WATER, WHATEVER CHIPS, ANYTHING.
BUT WE, WE WANNA SEE THE KIDS OUT THERE.
UM, BECAUSE WE ARE PARTNERED WITH, UM, SEVERAL SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.
AND ONE THING THAT WAS MENTIONED, UM, WITH THE YOUTH FROM THEIR OWN MOUTHS WAS THAT WHEN THEY CAME OUT TO SATURDAY'S PRACTICE TO DO THAT FLAG FOOTBALL, THEY WENT BACK WITH EXCITEMENT IN THEIR SCHOOL.
WE GOT TO SEE THE SMILES ON THEIR FACES, THE ENCOURAGEMENT THAT THEY GAVE TO ONE ANOTHER, AND THE INVITES THAT THEY SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, COME BACK OUT TO WEEK GRADE PARK THE NEXT DAY.
SO TO SEE THAT HAPPENING AND TO SEE THEM ADVOCATING FOR THEMSELVES AND TO SEE HOW IMPACTFUL THE GREEN SPACE IS, IT JUST MIRACULOUS TO, YOU KNOW, FOR OUR CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY.
BUT, UM, AS PAM ALSO MENTIONED, MAYBE A SOLUTION COULD BE, AND I JUST WANNA OFFER THAT AT THE MICROPHONE RIGHT NOW, IS THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO DO A SUMMIT WITH CONSERVANCY SO THAT THEY KNOW THE DOS AND THE DON'TS, THE PROTOCOLS, YOU KNOW, JUST HAVE SOME, YOU KNOW, TACKED ABOUT THEMSELVES.
BECAUSE AT, AT THIS POINT OF THE, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE 30 SECONDS, 55 OR MORE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ON ONE ACCORD, SHARING BEST PRACTICES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE KIND OF LIFT EACH OTHER UP.
BECAUSE IT IS A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE A STEWARD OF A 311 ACRE PARK.
BECAUSE WHEN WE CAME IT WAS DEFINITELY A BLIGHTED SITUATION AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE INVESTMENTS MADE TO THE PARKS SINCE WE'VE BEEN NAVIGATING.
GOOD EVENING, MR. UH, GOOD EVENING.
DOUG FREEMAN, UH, WEAK GRADE PARK SPORTS BODY.
UH, FOR THE RECORD, UM, THE FOURTH BASEBALL FIELD, WE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OTHER RENOVATIONS, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT IT EXISTS.
UM, THERE WERE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT ASKED FOR A UPGRADED BASEBALL FIELD, WHICH WAS WEAK HIGH SCHOOL.
ALRIGHT, SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK ON WEAK PARK SPORTS STARTED, WHICH IS A YOUTH ORGANIZATION AND A PARTNER OF THE COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY OF NEWARK AND A NONPROFIT, UH, FRANKLY WE JUST GETTING TIRED OF ATTACKED.
RIGHT? AND THAT LEADS ME TO THE SWEAT EQUITY, TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY PROPOSAL.
THE PROPOSAL ESTABLISHED A FRAMEWORK TO RECOGNIZE TRACK AND PROTECT, SWEAT EQUITY, VOLUNTEER
[02:10:01]
LABOR AND COMMUNITY WORK, CONTRIBUTE BY RESIDENTS ACROSS ESSEX COUNTY, ALSO CITY OF NEWARK, AND INCLUDING WEAK WAY PARK SWEAT EQUITY REMAINS ON TRACK AND VULNERABLE TO MISREPRESENTATION, LEADING TO CONFUSION AND LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.AND THAT GOES FOR OUR CONSERVANCIES.
YES, THERE NEEDS TO BE A A, A REAL SERIOUS TALK.
'CAUSE I HAVE WENT TO BROOKDALE PARK IN BRANCHWOOD PARK AND I KNOW WHAT A CONSERVANCY CONSISTS OF NOW.
AND FRANKLY, IN WEAK WAY PART FOR WHAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED OVER THE YEARS FROM THE ELDERS.
I'VE SEEN CONFRONTATION VICTIMIZING PEOPLE CONSTANTLY ATTACKING INDIVIDUALS, LACK OF WORK, LACK OF REPRESENTATION.
BUT STRANGELY, I'M SEEING ALL THESE DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE THEIR NAME ON READ DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
SO I HAVE TO ASK MYSELF A QUESTION, WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT WEAK WAY PARK THRIVING? WHY ARE YOU CONSULTANTS? WHY ARE YOU COPYWRITING WEAK WAY PARK? YOU CAN'T COPYRIGHT A PARK.
SO WHEN PEOPLE ARE ATTACKING INDIVIDUALS, SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA DIG INTO THE PEOPLE WHO DOING IT ATTACKING.
YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GO AT THE PERSON OR THE GROUP THAT'S BEING VICTIMIZED.
'CAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION ON SET INDIVIDUALS, AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH NOW GOES INTO WHERE WE WANT QUARTERLY REPORTS.
WE WANTED TO HAVE THIS MEETING WITH THE DISTRICT TOO, TO CAPTURE THROUGH RUTGERS OR NJIT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.
'CAUSE THEY WAS CALLED UPON US.
ALSO, WE WANT TO GO THROUGH, NOT FROM WIL MCNEIL TIME FROM 2013, BECAUSE WE RESPECT WIL MCNEIL, MR. UH, WHITTEN, UH, MIDDLETON, AND THE REST OF 'EM PUT IN A LOT OF WORK.
AND I'M GONNA SIT HERE AND PROTECT THAT WORK BECAUSE IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE DONE THIS WAY.
AND THAT ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO EXIST THE RIGHT WAY WITH THE LEGACY OF WHAT? WEAK WAY, UH, PARK.
AND I'M GONNA SAY A BECAUSE I'M NOT GONNA SAY THE LAST PART.
THEY NEED TO BE RESPECTED, BUT NOT THIS WAY OF ATTACKING PEOPLE.
IT NEEDS TO STOP, EXCUSE ME, EVERYONE.
WE NEED TO HAVE QUIET IN THE AUDIENCE, LET PEOPLE SPEAK.
YOU CAN GO INTO THE HALLWAY, BUT RIGHT HERE WE NEED TO HAVE, WE NEED TO HAVE QUIET SO PEOPLE CAN BE RESPECTFUL AND SPEAK.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
AND I'M A REGISTERED VOTER THAT UNDERSTANDS THE POWER IN MY VOTE.
UM, ON FEBRUARY 17TH, I WENT TO A COUNCIL MEETING IN NEWARK TO BASICALLY REPORT THE NEWARK POLICE TO THE COUNCIL.
10 MINUTES LATER, AFTER I LEFT THE MEETING, MY SON WAS BEING, I FEEL TARGETED BY BON, WHICH IS THE BUREAU OF NARCOTICS.
I THEN, UM, I POSTED IT ON FACEBOOK.
IT SHOWS HOW DIVIDED OUR CITY IS BY WHAT THE IRON BOUND FEEL LIKE A BLACK MAN WOULD DO.
LIKE HE'S GUILTY INTO PROVEN INNOCENT.
UM, I ALSO EMAILED JOE D, MAYOR BARAKA, UM, AMIR JONES AND THE CAPTAIN TO THE, TO THE SOUTH WARD FOR A MEETING.
MAYOR BARAKA GOT BACK TO ME AND TOLD ME HE WOULD ATTEND THE MEETING.
JODY IGNORED ME BEFORE I SENT THE EMAIL.
I WAS PRESENT HERE AT EVERYBODY'S OFFICE.
AMIR RAN DOWNSTAIRS AND SAID HE HAD TWO MINUTES.
I TOLD HIM THAT THIS SITUATION TOOK LONGER THAN TWO MINUTES AND THAT I REQUIRED THE MEETING WITH EVERYBODY THAT I VOTED FOR AND THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I HAVE PARTNERED WITH AND WORKED WITH DOING DILIGENT WORK.
I DID MEET WITH A SOUTHWOOD CAPTAIN, BUT I WENT BACK.
I ALSO WENT TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO BASICALLY ASK FOR AN, IN A INVESTIGATION TO OPEN UP.
THAT WAS THE 23RD I BELIEVE OF.
SO IT WAS THE 24TH OF FEBRUARY WHEN I OPENED THE INVESTIGATION AND MADE MY ALLEGATIONS BECAUSE I FELT LIKE MY SON WAS BEING TARGETED TO BE MADE A INFORMANT FOR
[02:15:01]
THE JOINT TASK FORCE.UM, FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW, BON IS A JOINT TASK FORCE THAT BASICALLY TERRORIZES OUR URBAN COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX COUNTY.
UM, THEY TARGET BLACK MEN AND BASICALLY DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.
AND I ASKED FOR A MEETING AND ALSO PUT THEM ON NOTICE WITH THE INVESTIGATION.
WHEN I WENT TO, UH, TO THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY TO SEE WHY NOBODY HAD ANSWERED ME BACK, BECAUSE USUALLY WHEN YOU MAKE A REPORT, THEY ASSIGN SOMEBODY TO YOU.
UM, NOBODY HAS GOTTEN BACK TO ME.
AND THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE, UH, INTERNAL AFFAIRS WAS NOW MOVED TO WEST ORANGE.
THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME AN ADDRESS.
AND I BELIEVE THAT'S A PUBLIC ENTITY WHERE I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO INTO, THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME AN ADDRESS.
THEY GAVE ME AN EMAIL AND A PHONE NUMBER.
THE SECRETARY, UM, BASICALLY SAID SHE WOULD EMAIL ME.
SO I FEEL LIKE THEY PLAYING IN MY FACE.
THE REASON WHY I'M HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE I KNOW Y'ALL HOLD THE POWER OF THE PURSE.
I WOULD LIKE MY ACCESS THAT Y'ALL UNDER REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BUREAU OF NARCOTICS IS DOING WITHIN OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY.
UM, I BELIEVE IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME, STRUCTURAL RACISM.
AND ALSO THEY LIKE HAVE JOINT TASK FORCE TO DO ALL OF THIS STUFF THAT'S BASICALLY MAKING A RECIDIVISM RATE GO UP HIGHER AND HIGHER.
SO I'VE BEEN EVERYWHERE BASICALLY SEEING HOW THE CHAIN OF COMMAND GOES SO THAT I CAN SPEAK.
AND SO THAT MY, THE COURTROOM WILL STAY LIKE IT IS HERE.
SO I'M LOOKING AROUND SEEING THE SAME PEOPLE 30 SECONDS AND JUST NOT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE IS SCARED OF JODI OR WHOEVER, BUT I'M NOT.
SO I'M BASICALLY ASKING IF Y'ALL COULD LOOK INTO THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF NARCOTICS, BECAUSE IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE REACHING OUT TO ME THAT HAVE FEDERAL CASES THAT BASICALLY IS SUING THE CITY AND ALSO THE COUNTY.
I PROMOTE UNITY IN MY COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A BUNCH OF UNIONS AND POLICIES AND THINGS THAT THEY, WHERE THEY COULD DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.
I AM ASKING THE PEOPLE WITH THE POWER OF THE PURSE TO INVESTIGATE THEIR MOVEMENT BECAUSE IT IS UNJUST.
AND AGAIN, I'M LATOYA JACKSON TUCKER, AND I WOULD LIKE SOME RESULTS.
I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO MY SON IN THREE DAYS.
HE'S SITTING IN THE COUNTY BASICALLY WAITING FOR A PAROLE HEARING AND HAS FIVE YEARS OF PAROLE AFTER DOING THE 85 PER 85%, UH, NINE, NINE AND A HALF YEAR STINT.
IF ANYBODY HAVE SEEN ME, I HAVE BEEN ON FACEBOOK BASICALLY POSTING PEOPLE AND DOING THINGS IN A WAY BECAUSE I KNOW HOW LOWER ENFORCEMENT CAN COME AFTER YOU.
I AM A NEWARK RESIDENT, AND I AM A VOTER.
AND I DO WANT SOME THINGS TO HAPPEN IN THE FAVOR OF OUR BLACK MEN IN THIS CITY OF NEWARK AND EXUS COUNTY.
SO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BUREAU OF NARCOTICS THAT'S BEEN SETTING UP OUR PEOPLE AND FALLING IN LINE FOR YEARS OF STRUCTURAL RACISM AND ALSO ADDING TO TISM.
OKAY, MADAM DEPUTY CLERK, I THE RECORD REFLECT THAT NO ONE ELSE WISHING AT THIS TIME.
SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO THE COMMISSIONER COMMENT SESSION.
MR. MR. PRESIDENT, I, IF I MAY JUST, MR. JACKSON, GO AHEAD.
I DON'T WANT TO EXTEND THE MEETING, BUT A COUPLE JUST, I WANNA COMMENT ON A COUPLE THINGS, PLEASE.
ONE IS, ONE IS, UH, WITH RESPECT TO, UH, MR. MC ALVIN'S RE, UH, ISSUE WITH THE SOCCER, UH, AND FOOTBALL.
THE, UH, THE SOCCER TEAM HAD THE PERMIT TO USE THE FIELD.
UM, AND THE FOOTBALL TEAM CAME AND SAID THEY WANTED TO USE THE FIELD, BUT THE SOCCER TEAM HAD THE PERMIT, UM, THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO NEGOTIATE, UH, YOU KNOW, OR, OR RESOLVE THE FACT THAT THEY HAD THE FIELD.
SO WE DON'T ENCOURAGE, UM, PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE PARK TO, TO ENGAGE OR TRY TO, YOU KNOW, WE, IF, IF THERE'S AN ISSUE, IF NOTIFY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THEY WILL RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
SO WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, FI FIGHTING OR ENGAGING OR WHATEVER FIELD THE ANSWER.
LET'S, LET'S LET THE, THE PROPER AUTHORITIES, UH, CALM THE SITUATION AND MAKE THIS SITUATION WORK.
THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED HERE.
THE SOCCER TEAM HAD THE, UH, THE PERMIT.
UH, THE OTHER THING JUST, UH, I WANTED TO COMMENT ON WAS THAT THE, WITH RESPECT TO THE, THE, THE SOFTBALL, THE, THE, THE, UM, BASEBALL FIELD, THE WEAK WAKE PARK, UM, THAT IS NOT A NEW FIELD.
IT'S RENOVATING AN EXISTING FIELD.
IT'S, IT'S AN EXISTING FIELD, UH, THAT QUITE FRANKLY, UH, DOES A DISSERVICE, I THINK TO THE, TO THE, TO THE TEAMS AND THE KIDS IN THE AREA.
UM, IT'S, IT'S FAR BELOW THE STANDARDS OF, OF OTHER, OTHER FIELDS THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
[02:20:01]
BUT I'M GONNA READ IT AGAIN 'CAUSE I DON'T THINK SOME PEOPLE WERE HERE WHEN I READ THIS, UH, PREVIOUSLY.THIS IS FROM, UH, MR. THOMAS, WHO'S THE PRINCIPAL OF WEAK WAKE HIGH SCHOOL.
AND HE WAS ALSO, UM, AND AS, AS A FOLLOW UP TO THIS LETTER, I SPOKE PERSONALLY WITH COUNCILMAN, UH, COUNSEL ABOUT THIS.
AND HE SUPPORTED, UM, THIS LETTER, UH, THAT CAME FROM, UH, PRINCIPAL THOMAS, UH, AS DIRECTED TO DAN SANTE, OUR PARKS DIRECTOR.
DEAR DIRECTOR SANTE, AS YOU KNOW, WEAK WAKE HIGH SCHOOL HAS A LONG, PROUD AND RICH TRADITION, ONE THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO DECADES OF COMMUNITY PRIDE, ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
TODAY, THAT TRADITION IS AT RISK WITHOUT ACCESS TO A PROPER HOME BASEBALL DIAMOND.
WITH THIS IN MIND, I AM HUMBLY SENDING YOU THIS CORRESPONDENCE TO EXPRESS THE URGENT NEED AND PROFOUND IMPORTANCE OF CONSTRUCTING A VARSITY BASEBALL FIELD IN WEAK WAKE PARK FOR OUR STUDENTS IN BROADER COMMUNITY.
LAST YEAR, OUR BASEBALL TEAM COMPLETED AN ENTIRE SEASON WITHOUT A HOME DIAMOND.
THE ABSENCE OF A DEDICATED FIELD NOT ONLY UNDERMINES THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROGRAM, BUT ALSO DENIES OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AN EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE, COMPETE, AND GROW IN FACILITIES COMPARABLE TO THOSE AFFORDED TO STUDENTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY.
A VARSITY VARSITY BASEBALL FIELD IS NOT A LUXURY ABSOLUTE NECESSITY FOR ENSURING FAIR ACCESS TO ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES, STUDENT AND WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES.
THE PROPOSED FIELD IN WEAK WAKE PARK PRESENTS AN IDEAL AND TRANSFORMATIVE OPPORTUNITY.
THE LOCATION IS CENTRAL, HISTORICALLY MEANINGFUL AND PERFECTLY SUITED TO SERVE BOTH THE SCHOOL AND THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
ADDITIONALLY, THE POSSIBILITY OF DEVELOPING SHARED COMMUNITY RESOURCES WITH SCHOOL RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE WOULD CREATE A POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP, ELEVATES PROGRAMMING, EXPANDS ACCESS, AND STRENGTHENS THE FABRIC OF THE SOUTH WARD COMMUNITY.
SUCH COLLABORATION WOULD ALLOW FOR YOUTH CLINICS, COLLEGIATE MENTORSHIP, COMMUNITY BASEBALL EVENTS, AND A YEAR ROUND POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT FOR LOCAL FAMILIES.
WEAK WAKE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL IS MORE THAN AN ATHLETIC TEAM.
GENERATIONS OF NEWARK HAVE TIES TO THE PROGRAM AND RESTORING A PERMANENT FIELD WOULD REIGNITE A STRONG SENSE OF TRADITION, PRIDE, AND INVESTMENT IN OUR YOUTH.
OUR STUDENTS DESERVE FACILITIES THAT REFLECT THEIR POTENTIAL AND HONOR THE SCHOOL'S STORIED HISTORY.
A FULLY BUILT VARSITY BASEBALL FIELD WILL HELP US RECRUIT, RETAIN, AND INSPIRE STUDENT ATHLETES WHILE CONTINUING TO BUILD BRIDGES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOUR SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP IN MAKING THIS PROJECT A REALITY.
BY INVESTING IN A PROPER VARSITY BASEBALL FIELD, IN WEAK WAY PARK THE CITY WILL BE, UM, AFFIRMING ITS COMMITMENT TO ATHLETIC EQUITY, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, AND THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONSIDERATION AND YOUR DEDICATION TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF NEWARK.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE IN BRINGING THIS ESSENTIAL AND LONG OVERDUE RESOURCE TO OUR COMMUNITY PRINCIPAL THOMAS.
UH, YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOW OVER.
I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE'S TIME 'CAUSE HE DIDN'T INTERRUPT YOU WHEN YOU SPOKE AND WE WANT, YOU KNOW, WE BE RESPECTFUL.
COMMISSIONER, COMMENT SESSION COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON.
UH, I WANT TO COMMENT ON SOME OF WHAT I HEARD TONIGHT.
UM, ESPECIALLY THE HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVALS THAT HAVE BEEN A TRADITION IN OUR PARKS FOR, UH, DECADES.
UM, ONES THAT I ENJOY AND JUST BECAUSE ONE PERSON WHO USED TO RUN THEM IS NO LONGER HERE IS ONE PERSON CAN'T STOP THE COUNTY FROM THESE EVENTS GOING FORWARD.
UM, SO I'M SURE THERE'S A WAY TO WORK THINGS OUT AND THAT ALL OF THE EVENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST SHOULD CONTINUE.
THERE'S NO REASON WHY THEY SHOULDN'T.
SO I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER MARY THOMAS THROUGH YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
UM, THANK YOU, UH, THROUGH COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
I KNOW THERE'S SOME SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL CASES THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED UP WITH IN WRITING, BUT I DO WANNA SPEAK TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP AS IT RELATES TO, UM, COUNTY PARKS PROGRAMMING, PROPERTY, ET CETERA, UH, THAT WERE LIFTED.
FIRSTLY BEING THE ONE THAT YOU MENTIONED.
I MEAN, I GREW UP IN, IN THE SOUTH WARD ON AND RENTER, AND SO THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN A BIG PART OF MY LIFE, WHICH IS JUST, YOU COULD HEAR THE MUSIC, LIKE GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, I THINK IT WAS LAST YEAR WE ACTUALLY HAD SOME OF MY MENTEES FROM OUR ORGANIZATION SERVED AS, UH, YOUTH VOLUNTEERS AT WEAK WAKE PARK, UH, MUSIC FEST.
UH, ONE OF THEM GOT TO BE IN THE GOLF CART AND SHE WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
LIKE, SHE SENT ME LIKE, MR. DORIAN, I'M A GOLF CART.
I'M LIKE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SHOULD BE, BUT LIKE, SHOUT OUT TO WHOEVER LET YOU DO THAT.
UH, BUT AGAIN, TO YOUR POINT AND THE POINT THAT WAS RAISED EARLIER,
[02:25:01]
UM, IT'S A AREA, IT'S A SPACE WHERE THERE'S CULTURE, WHERE THERE'S MUSIC, IT'S INTERGENERATIONAL.UM, AND FRANKLY, PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO PUT ESSEX COUNTY DOLLARS AND ESSEX COUNTY POCKETS.
YOU KNOW, YOU GOT VENDORS FROM OUR COUNTY, WOMEN, UH, VETERANS, YOUNG PEOPLE, UM, THE ELDERLY, ALL THE WHOLE NINE SELLING SHEA BUTTER FOOD, UH, CLOTHES, ET CETERA.
AND SO IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING AND YOU KNOW, IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, I'D LOVE TO SEE CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND WHATEVER YOU CAN DO TO WORK TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.
I'M, I'M, I'M, YOU KNOW, I'M 10 TOES DOWN AS THE YOUNG PEOPLE SAY, UH, BOTH FAT AND ORANGE PARK AS WELL.
I KNOW ORANGE PARK CAME UP AS WELL.
ANOTHER THING I WANNA MENTION, UM, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT LENGTH IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS OR PERHAPS MAYBE NOT AT LENGTH ENOUGH, UH, BUT AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS, AND I DEFINITELY WILL BE FOLLOWING UP, UM, WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO REALLY SEE HOW WE CAN GET BETTER AT THIS.
AND THIS IS, UH, MAKING SURE THE COMMUNITY IS AWARE WHEN THERE ARE UPDATES, RENOVATIONS, UM, NEW CONSTRUCTIONS IN COUNTY PARKS.
WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT ESSEX COUNTY PARK SYSTEM IS THE FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OLDEST, ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC COUNTY PARK SYSTEMS IN OUR, IN OUR ENTIRE, UH, NATION.
UM, ONE OF THE LARGEST, UM, MOST POPULOUS AND USED PARK SYSTEMS AS WELL WITHIN THE COUNTY, I'M SORRY, WITHIN THE STATE.
AND SO WE'RE DEALING WITH LIKE TOP TIER QUALITY SPACE HERE, AND IT NEEDS TO BE RENOVATED.
WE NEED TO HAVE UPDATES, WE NEED TO HAVE PROGRAM, ET CETERA.
AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE'S VOICES ARE HEARD WHEN, AS FAR AS SHAPING WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, THAT THEY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING, UM, AND THAT THEY'RE INFORMED AND A PART OF THE PROCESS.
AND SO I THINK IT'S KIND OF, AS THEY SAY, ISSUES OF NOT ALWAYS INTENT, BUT IMPACT INTENTIONS ARE ALWAYS GOOD, BUT IF PEOPLE AREN'T A PART OF THE PROCESS, THEN THE IMPACT CAN BE FUNKY.
UM, AND SO I JUST THINK SOMETIMES THAT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT.
HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WHETHER IT'S QUARTERLY MEETINGS, WHETHER IT'S MONTHLY MEETINGS WHERE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, MEMBERS, ET CETERA KNOW, OH, THESE UPDATES ARE COMING TO THE PARK, OR I WAS INVOLVED IN MAKING SURE THAT THIS NEW THING IS HAPPENING, WE CAN DO BETTER AT THAT.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, I SEE IT AS MY PERSONAL, UM, KIND OF CHARGE TO HELP BRIDGE THOSE GAPS.
UM, BUT YEAH, I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO, UH, SU SUPPORTING ON THESE VARIOUS AREAS.
AND EVEN THE SUGGESTION THAT CAME TO AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT WE HAD AT THE LOT ON, UH, NEAR DELANEY HALL, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO US OUR ATTENTION FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
AND FRANKLY, I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD'VE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE ADVOCACY FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS, I KNOW IT WAS SOMETHING MYSELF, UH, BARBARA RICHARDSON, UH, UH, GIL AS WELL.
WE WERE REALLY PUSHING AND WORKING HARD FOR A LONG TIME TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
THE PORTA POTTIES ARE GREAT, AND THERE IS A WAY THAT WE CAN IMPROVE OUR COORDINATION AND MAKE SURE WE CAN PROVIDE THE, YOU KNOW, AS MANY RESOURCES THAT WE CAN TO THE EXTENT THAT, YOU KNOW, IT CONTINUES, UH, TO BE POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT OUR ESSEX COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ARE COMING TO DELANEY HALL EVERY DAY, UM, TO, TO SEE THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
AND SO, UH, JUST, YEAH, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SPEAKING AND FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO, UM, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW WE CAN GET BETTER TOGETHER.
UM, AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE UH, CHERRY BLOSSOMS HAVE JUST BEGINNING TO GO, JUST A HAIR.
THERE WAS A HINT AS I STARTED DRIVING IN TODAY.
THE ASEX COUNTY PARK SITE IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT.
THERE ARE ANYTHING FROM, THERE'S LIKE A, WHAT, FIVE OR 10 K RUN.
THERE'S A WHOLE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. THERE'S CHERRY BLOSSOM TALKS, YOU KNOW, TOUR AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER PROGRAMS. I'M NOT GONNA DO JUSTICE BY JUST NAMING A COUPLE, BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CHECK OUT THE ESSEX COUNTY PARKS SYSTEM, UH, ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR THEIR WEBSITE TO SEE THAT.
ANY OTHER NEWS? ALL SEE? NONE.
MOVE BY RICHARD SECOND BY THE VICE PRESIDENT.