Heat. Heat. Good afternoon. It is now 4:00 or 1,600 hours. I now call this meeting of the Landing County Board of Commissioners to order. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of the State of New Jersey, adequate
notice of this meeting of the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners was provided in the following manner. published in the press of Atlantic City and mailed to the Hamilton Gazette and has been posted on the bulletin boards in the county office building in Atlantic City, the Stillwater building
in Northfield and the county clerk's office in May's Landing. At this time, we will have a the prayer. Heavenly Father, as we come together today, we thank you for the opportunity to meet and work collectively. Fill our
hearts with gratitude for the gifts and talents each person brings. Guide our efforts with purpose and grace. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Martino >> here. >> Burns >> here. >> R Days >> here.
>> C Days >> here. >> Kerna >> here. >> Parker >> present. >> Ruff >> here. >> Shanker >> here. >> Grizzly >> here. Okay. Hope our commissioners have had the opportunity to review the minutes from the meeting on January the 20th and I
will entertain a motion to adopt those minutes. >> Moved second. >> Been moved and seconded. >> Any discussions, corrections, deletion on the minutes? Hearing none. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Rino, yes. Burns, yes. Rays, yes.
>> C days, yes. Kerna, yes. Parker, yes. Ruffio, yes. Shanker, yes. Grizzley, >> yes. Board of Commissioners will continue to utilize a consent agenda format for sections of the agenda that the commissioners do not need additional
discussion from the board and are not contested. This consent agenda format allows our meetings to run more efficiently and productively so that we can spend additional time during the meeting discussing other important issues that are not as routine. If any
commissioner wishes for additional discussion on any resolution or would like a resolution to be pulled from the consent format to be individually addressed for any reason, please advise and we will do so. For the public, prior
to the roll call on any resolution or group of resolutions, you will continue to have an opportunity to comment if you wish to do so. Anyone attending in person who would like to speak regarding an agenda item or at public comment, please come to the
podium, speak into the microphone, state your name and the town where you reside. You are pro provided up to three minutes to speak. If you are attending virtually and would like to speak, please raise your hand during the agenda item read
public comment at the end. I will call upon your name and a request to unmute you will be sent. Please state your name in the town you reside. You will be provided also with three minutes to speak. First resolution
is a grant resolution number 38. Please read it, madam clerk. Grant application and acceptance from the New Jersey Transit Corporation for the fiscal year 2025 federal transit act section 5310 operating assistance grant funded amount $200,000 county cash match $200,000.
>> Second. >> Thank you. It's been moved and seconded. Discussion. I'd just like to add that this is a very important uh grant because it it funds a need in the county of uh our disabled
senior citizens that that would like to get around. So, this is a very important grant. Any other discussion hearing? None. Madame Clerk, please call the role. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Public comment.
Hearing none, please call the role. >> Martino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes. >> Or Days, >> yes. >> C Days, yes. >> Karna, yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Okay. Professional service agreements
resolutions 39 through 42. I'll entertain a motion to adopt these. want to adopt these resolutions 39 through 42. >> Second.
>> All right. Discussion. >> Are there any comments from the public regarding any of those resolutions 39 to 42? The only thing I would like to add is that as per usual,
uh, all the resolutions pertaining to funds, money have all been reviewed by the budget committee and we recommend adoption. Hearing no discussion on resolutions 39 through 42. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Martino, yes.
>> Burns, yes. >> R Days, yes. >> C Days, yes. >> Kern, yes. Yes. Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion to combine and adopt resolutions 43 through 44.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Any discussion on those resolutions? >> Hearing none. Madam clerk, please call I'm sorry. Public comment. Hearing none. Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Martino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes. >> R Days, >> yes.
>> C Days, yes. >> Kern, yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruff, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Okay. Entertain a motion to combine and adopt 43 through 44.
Start to >> just I just I'm sorry. Uh >> resolution 45, >> change order number two, a contract with Arowak Paving Company Incorporated for the resurfacing of Egg Harbor Road in
the town of Hamilton. Net decrease 213,974.80. >> Move. >> Second. >> Moved and second. Any commissioner discussion? We always like to see decreases. >> Any public comment
hearing? None. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Bertino. Yes. >> Burns. >> Yes. >> R Days. >> Yes. >> C Days. Yes. >> Karn. Yes. >> Parker. >> Yes. >> Ruff. >> Yes. >> Shanker. >> Yes. >> Grizzly. >> Yes. >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion to combine and
adopt 46 through 52. >> Second. >> Second. Any discussion on number 50? >> Okay. Just a quick question. I just want to know how that number uh the not to exceed number compares to last year's number.
Anybody can >> the No, the >> Did you say there's an increase of 600 in >> 700,000? Thank you. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Any public comment
on 46 through 52? Hearing none. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Ratino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, yes. Kerna, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruff, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzley, >> yes.
>> Okay. I entertain a motion to combine and adopt 53 through 54, which are appointments. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion on those appointments? If you read the resumeumés, you'll agree with me that they're they're pretty
impressive and we're lucky to have people to come forward to uh volunteer their time. Any public comment hearing? None. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Bertino, yes. >> Burns, yes. >> R Days, >> yes.
>> C Days, >> yes. >> Kern, yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Ruffio, yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Madam clerk, please read resolution number 55. >> Resolution in support of and an acknowledgement of the hard work and
dedication of the Atlantic County Department of Law sponsored John W. Rzley Jr. >> A motion >> moved. >> Second. >> Moved and second. Any discussion? I'd just like to say as as chair that uh
the law department of this county has done well over the years and I can testify to at least 25 of those years. They've given us uh good advice over that time. the folks that have been in the law department. There's been great
interaction between the law department and the board solicitor and that's always been a close relationship over the years and uh we're we're happy they're there and they they do a great job and this resolution just reflects that.
>> Keep us out of trouble. >> Keep us out of trouble. >> That's Ken's job. >> Any other discussion? Any public comment? >> Thank you, Lynn. >> Thank you. Thank you, commissioners.
is a privilege to accept this resolution on behalf of the department of law which also includes the adjusters's office uh cross the risk manager Jacqueline Woods and our waste and measures super
assistant superintendent Michael Sugar as well as all the support staff. I want to thank the board for formally acknowledging the tireless work of our te team as well as thank the county executive personally for his support and
confidence in our integrity and our abilities. Our mission has always been to provide the most diligent and competent representation possible for the residents and the administration of the county. This recognition is a
testament to the collaboration and spirit within our department. I have the privilege of working with very talented people who are compassionate and very passionate about what they do. Whether it's representation at the state or federal
courts or it's the countless hours behind the scenes advising the county, this team brings their best every day. I'm also particularly proud of the recognition for the hard work that
assists county council Mr. Murray and Miss Ruffin have given to this county. They are committed to the law and their constant presence as a source for the board is what allows our department to
function at such a high level by handling our litigation and complex matters internally. We don't just protect the county's interest, we protect the taxpayers. We take great pride in providing
substantial savings through our in-house expertise, and we do understand the importance to the board and the county executive of these savings. We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence and teamwork
with the board, its legislative council. Thank you. To ensure that Atlantic County remains well represented and fiscally responsible. Thank you again for your continued support and confidence. >> Thank you, Lyn. Thanks,
Good evening, Arthur Murray, Assistant County Council. Just a couple of brief words. I'd like to thank the executive for um asking for this resolution. Um it certainly was not needed. Uh but it is appreciated. Um it's important for the members of the public to know the law
department takes nothing personally. Um, sometimes the law department has to give bad news to people. Sometimes the law department has to um, uh, let people know that a policy has been violated. When someone calls the law department, we don't ask for their political affiliation. And we like to think that
whether someone is a 25-y year department head or a two-day employee of the county, if they were to call the law department, they're going to be treated with the same level of respect and given the same level of competence and uh sound advice that we can give. We also
know that some people don't follow our advice and we don't hold that personally either. That same department head calls the next day with a legal question, we answer that question to the best of our ability uh in terms of doing that. Uh, and that will never change under the
leadership of Miss Hughes. Um, and as Miss Hughes indicated, we have a staff of parallegals, secretaries, other workers who work just as hard as us. They're not seen, um, but they, uh, should be acknowledged as part of this resolution. Also, uh, I will also echo
Miss Hughes's comments about working with legislative counsel, uh, Mr. Warren. Uh, he tries to keep us a breast of everything. We try to keep him ab breast of everything because I think information is important to know and we don't want anyone doesn't like surprises. We know the board doesn't
like surprises. The county doesn't like surprises. Uh and u we're going to continue doing what we do. Uh and again we don't take it personally. So from that point of view uh no one should be discouraged because they've gotten some bad um news from the law department. Unfortunately when you get a call from
the law department sometimes it is bad news and we've got to convey that the same way we convey good news. So, with that, I'd like to thank the commissioners for this recognition. >> Good evening. I'll be brief. I just want to make sure everybody knows how to spell or say pronounce my first name. This is attorney Miranda Ruffin. I'm
assistant county counsel. I do want to thank the county executive and the commissioners for having us here. I will say in my three years that I've been with the county, my record speaks for itself and always keeping in mind the taxpayer and what I'm here to do. In three years, I've only lost once and
I've only made three settlements. And one of those settlements was for half of what the insurance company told me that I could settle it for. So, I'm just here to do the work. I'm the one that you don't see, but I know the warden and I know the sheriff know the name. And I will agree with Mr. Murray. There are a
lot of unsung heroes that work with me because if you see Miranda Ruffin, you generally see my parallegal Tony Floyer working right by my side and that's who you're usually hearing from on a day-to-day. So, I really do appreciate this and I do appreciate the leadership and guidance I get on a daily bas basis from Miss Hughes. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Anyone else in the law department like to speak? Certainly welcome. All right. Is there any member of the public like to speak?
Hearing none. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Bertino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, >> yes. >> Kerna, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Rafio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Okay, moving on. Anyone have any written
communications or petitions, reports to special committees of the board? Anybody like to talk about anything in particular? >> Yes, Commissioner Martino. >> Couple of things. Um the solid waste advisory committee recently met. Uh we were discussing with uh the ACA their
plans um uh to do an extension um adding 40 feet on top of the ACA landfill and then filling in a section in the front that was uh previously left empty. Um Matt's going to be coming here giving us a presentation on it. I just wanted to give the commissioners a little advanced
warning and when the minutes come out you guys will get a copy of the uh updated proposal as well as the solid waste uh management plan which we will work on as well. Atlantic County government's been working on that in conjunction uh with with a board and the
ACA little bit of input that'll be coming to you guys as well. Also from the bridges and roads committee we recently met. Um I want to compliment our guys at the public works department on the job they did with the recent snowfall. I know I had some complaints
from people calling me. Uh you didn't go close enough to my mailbox. I said well that's why you still have a mailbox as the snow's got to go somewhere and I can't get that and I can't get really that close. So uh they did a great job working in tough conditions. The icing I don't have to tell anybody. the ice
spent half the day sliding around my parking lot of my house trying to put trash out. Um, so everybody went through the same. It was very, very difficult. An unusual storm event that we usually don't get to last with these kind of temperatures for so long. So I got to give them compliment and I told him keep
going out and clearing the roads. You got more to do. So just so you know, it wasn't just a we did it that day kind of thing. But uh, bridges and roads committee is good and the projects will continue again once the weather breaks. You'll start seeing our guys out there doing their projects >> once the weather breaks. Yes. Yes.
Anyone else like to give a report on any committees? >> Mr. Chair, I see no one else. Really briefly, we had a brief education and schools committee meeting yesterday to talk about a proposed uh state of education in Atlantic County address. Um
the purpose of the state of education address is pretty much three-fold. One is for accountability and transparency, two is for strategic alignment, and three for policy direction and legislative advocacy. In short, the address is designed to move beyond
reporting conditions and forward and toward establishing a coordinated forward looking education strategy for the county. >> So my report, >> thank you. Any other reports? Now I ask for
unfinished business. Anybody have any topics of unfinished business? How about new business? New business. Okay. All right. Moving to public comments then. Anyone attending in person who would
like to speak now the public portion, please come to the podium and speak to the microphone. State your name, the town you reside in. You're attending virtually, like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. I will call upon your name and a request to
unmute will be sent. Please state your name, the town you reside. You'll be provided with three minutes to speak. >> Good afternoon, public safety director. >> Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice Chairman, commissioners. Um, just for the record, I want to make make it clear
that the department head that Mr. Murray was talking about was not me. Um, I thought it would be helpful just to to give you some updates on the jail and where we are. We've had a a tough month. Um, and
although we didn't plan it this way, when the first group of commissioners went to look at the jail, the heat broke the day before and we had to bring in some huge uh diesel machines to pump heat into the uh into the jail. Um, but
I I I think it's important to uh we had a meeting with um CGL a couple weeks ago uh in preparation for their presentation to the commissioners uh just trying to refine some of the things that we need to refine. And one of the questions I
asked them was, are you working on any jails uh that are around 900 beds, which is what we would need, and what would they cost? and they they they're working on one and I'm going to get more information from them, but they're working on one and the price for a 900
bed uh facility is $561 million. So, um it's going to be an expensive proposition to to to do this, but we'll have more more to say at the uh uh at when we meet with the jail committee. I think it's the 12th, February 12th, I
think it is. >> Right. So, I'm going to ask the the warden to come up and talk about some of the problems that we've had at the jail. Now, warden >> afternoon. Um, Michael Kelly, warden, Atlanta County Jail. >> Um, Mr. Fedorco asked me to come out and
just talk about some of the challenges we've uh faced recently at the jail. Um, we've had a rough winter with this cold snap. The building has been showing its age for quite some time with a multiple HVAC issues. Uh you know, we we we've been replacing heating units as they've
gone down. Some of these apparatesses are 30 years old. Saturday uh Sunday afternoon, we one of one of the coils broke in unit 6. The these these uh these look like like little like little houses on the roof, these structures, and it flooded the whole
entire second floor, destroyed one of our control pods. Um, miraculously we got it all put back together by yesterday afternoon. Uh, thanks to uh, uh, facilities director Chris Polarmo who outfit that he uses to help us clean it up and get us back up and running.
But, you know, we had one blow at the beginning of the summer and that could be ongoing with this. And, um, you know, that's that that's an issue. Basically, just we're functioning. We we have a new collective bargaining agreement with the officers which I think has put us a much
better position to hire people. It's a tough job. Uh there's been a really good national article out came out a week ago called Why No One Wants to Be a Correction Officer. Really focus on New Jersey DOC. I suggest you look at it. Um but aside from those kind of issues, we're just dealing with the the age of
the building. uh exposed conduits when we look behind the walls and stuff. Concerns about the the the integrity of of the windows and the steel and the exterior of the building. It was built early 80s in all kinds of weather, never been replaced. And there's be really
hard to replace that, you know, and still be open and functioning. So, uh we're just um really, you know, and this this this winter showing us because we haven't had a cold snapping like this in in quite some time, aside from the complaints and stuff that we're getting. I mean, it's you can only keep a building so so warm that steel and
concrete with wind wind hitting it. You know, we gave out extra blankets and stuff like that. So, we're we can handle all that kind of stuff. I'm I'm just just trying to make it clear that something needs to be done building wise. You know, whatever the decision that commissioners in the county decide
to do that, that's on them. But it's it's now the time to talk about a new facility, you know, that could be operational in five to six years. you know, we'll make it through them and we'll take care of the daily stuff that we have to take care of. We still have to fix the locks and and cameras and stuff because we're still operational. I
have 750 to 800 inmates there on any given day and uh of all kinds of different backgrounds that might some might be there for two or three days, some might be there for two years uh that we we have to uh the challenges, you know, my staff, the men and women that work the department are are are fantastic. the way we dealt with
emergencies this weekend. They're they're they really are as as tough as to hire people, they really come together and uh I'm I'm very very proud of the job they do and uh they're they're really good. I know some somebody came here two weeks ago and was making some some claims. I I just want
to real briefly address that. >> We know how to handle Ramadan. We've been doing that's probably the easiest thing we do. We know how to do Jamal prayer. We do it. We we handle that. Um, the part of the problem is I we it took me years to find someone even willing to come in and do it. You know, these are
volunteers to find an Iman that was willing to come in and do it. And I I I got somebody really good now and um he's dedicated to coming in. It took me over two years to find somebody. They just weren't interested coming in there. You know, Fridays are they're busy with their own mosques and stuff, but we have all the religious materials through our
chaplain. Uh whether you want a Bible, Quran, we have stuff on the tablets. We're expanding our tablet program. So, so we meet all that. I'm not required to provide microwaves or tablets. I do both. About half the jails in this state don't do tablets. A lot don't do microwaves for safety reasons. I do. I
think it's important to do that. I've had far less problems with them than without them. And I'll continue to do them. But I'm not set up to have five microwaves in the area or multiple outlets which are used for to uh cook contraband and stuff like K2 and what I talked about before. I just wanted to
make that clear. But we're willing to take uh criticisms and and questions from anybody. We're in the complaint business when you run out of jail. I take them all day. I talk to all kinds of people. Sometimes just let them vent and and and I can empathize with the situations. They have loved ones and they're I'm always there for that, you
know. But again, go circling back. I'm I'm just here to speak about the condition of the building and that, you know, a plan needs to be going forward. I would feel remiss if I finish my career and and and don't have make it clear that, you know, something has to be really looked at this this building going forward. That's all I have to say
and thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Warden. >> Mr. Chair, if I may. >> Yes. >> Um, I want to clarify as well because I was the one that brought that up. So, Captain Stowe, I want to he when the the
call came in about Ramadan and food. Um, I also received a phone call, and I didn't say this, saying that he got right on it and handled it. And that came from the family of the inmate that made the phone call. So it was it was
quickly handled. That's why it never made it to this board. It never even made it to Jerry. It that I that I that I remember because by the time we were, you know, going to put the report out to handle it, it was already taken care of. >> Yeah. >> You know, so I want to make sure that's clear. So I I don't know if that came
out in the last meeting. >> So what I what it was was >> I'm not right. what it was before, >> right? It there was just there was a single pod that that had an issue for whatever reason from my understanding
and like I said before I even got to even do anything to make any phone calls to take care of through administration Captain Stow had already taken care of the situation and I got a phone call back from the family saying that you know they you know they were very pleased with how he took care of that. >> Yeah, he does a great job that he's the
main services captain. We uh it's coming up February 17th. We already have the forms out when you sign up. Our food vendor handles it. It this is this is common practice in all jails and we're >> and if I remember correctly, I think it was something to do with someone not filling out a proper form or something like that. Something to that something
to that effect. >> We everyone signs up with a couple and then if you come in during the middle of it, you sign up and you're on it the next day. We're we're do calories a day there. Whether it's three trades or two trades, everyone's getting the same same amount, you know, through our we have a good relationship,
but they just got renewed for another 5-year deal. We were here two weeks ago for that. Air Mark does okay with us. We have a new site director. They they this is what they do. They're they pout the proper doc. >> I appreciate >> Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. >> Yes. >> Uh, can you send us that article or tell
us where that article was? >> I I can send Mr. Yeah. Yeah. It was it was on corrections one, but it was also new jersey.com. Yeah. Send us a copy of it. Be interested in that one. Would
anyone else like to speak? Hearing none, I'll um anyone online like to comment? No. Okay. All right. Then we'll entertain a a motion to uh close the public portion. >> Second.
>> Moved and second. All in favor say I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Uh the last thing we have on our agenda today is a resolution number 56 authorizing authorizing a close session.
So I'll entertain a motion that we adopt number 56. >> So move. >> Second. >> Okay. It's been moved and second. Any discussion on the resolution? Hearing none, please call the role. >> Rino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes.
>> R Days, >> yes. C days, >> yes. >> Kerna, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Rafio, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Chairman, no formal actions anticipated coming out of close session. >> I'm sorry. Say again, I couldn't hear you.
>> No formal action anticipated coming out of close session. >> Very good. Very good. Okay. With that, we've moved and pass the resolution. Then I'll ask anyone who's not involved with this uh the legal issues to leave the room at the time.
Chair will entertain a motion to uh close the the executive session to resume our regular meeting. >> So move >> second. >> Any discussion on that motion hearing? None. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Bertino, >> yes.
>> Burns, yes. >> R. Dates, >> yes. >> C. Dates, yes. >> Kern, yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Rafio, yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Okay. All right. Is there anything for the good of the order? >> Yes.
>> I just would like to uh say happy birthday to Commissioner. >> Thank you. >> You don't want all the singing. >> I love too much to sing. >> You only come once a year. >> Sounds better a little. I wish everyone
a happy Black History Month and uh remind all our educators out there that it is state law is a state mandate to teach black history throughout the year not just on February in state of New Jersey >> as it should be.
Any other uh comments to go the order? If not I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So move second. >> All in favor say I. >> Oppos? Motion carries. We are ajourned. Thank you.