Heat. Heat. I now call this meeting to order. Board of Commissioners. Now 4:00 or 1,600 hours. Uh the meeting of the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners called to order and in compliance with the Open Public
Meetings Act 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 current and the Hamilton Gazette and has
been posted on the Bolton boards in the county office building in Atlantic City, the Stillwater building in Northfield and the county clerk's office in Maze Landing. This time we'll have an opening prayer. Does anybody have the prayer? >> If not, I will um are you okay? All
right. And uh a after the prayer, let us uh have a moment of silence in in her memory of uh Peg Shanker who is the mother of uh Art Shanker. And uh let's have a moment of silence after the prayer. Thank you.
>> Dear Lord, I pray that you guide us always, satisfy the needs that need to be met during this meeting, and strengthen us to make wise decisions for the betterment of our Atlantic County community. Amen. Amen. >> All right. Please rise with me to salute
the flag of our country to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible and justice for all. Madam clerk, please call the role.
>> Chairman, Commissioner Ruff is unable to attend today and Commissioner Days is attending virtually. Rino >> here. >> Burns >> here. >> R Day D >> K >> here. Parker >> present. >> Shanker here.
>> Grizzly >> here. Okay. The first order of business is the adoption of two sets of minutes. First set of minutes was from the December 16th meeting. So at this time
I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes. >> Move. >> Second. Any discussion on those minutes? If not, please call the role. >> Martino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> DS, >> yes. >> Kerna,
>> here. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> Grizzly, >> yes. We've also been given the minutes from our reorganization meeting on January the 6, 2026, and I will entertain a motion to adopt those as
well. >> Move. >> Second. Thank you. Any discussion on the minutes? Hearing none, please call the role. >> Martino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> 16 days, >> yes. >> Kern, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly,
>> yes. I have a couple things I'm required to read here. The board of commissioners will continue to utilize a consent agenda format for the sections of the agenda that the commissioners do not feel need additional discussion from the board and are not contested. This
consent agenda 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 will be provided up to three minutes to speak. If you are attending virtually, would like to speak, please raise your hand to bring the agenda item or add a public comment at the end. I will call upon your name
and request to unmute will be sent. Please state your name and the town you reside. You will be provided up to three minutes to speak. Okay. First thing on our agenda today is a a happy thing that we get to do. We
get to confirm different members to different boards. And uh today we have uh Dr. Harvey Kessleman who has uh come forward and has agreed to serve on the Atlantic Cape Community Board of Trustees.
Would you come forward and address the board? Thank you. >> First, um let me preface my remarks by congratulating the newly okay elected commissioners and also thanking the other commissioners who have been here
for their continued service. Let me begin with that. Um, now that I'm retired, having served, uh, nearly 50 years at Stockton, uh, and I've had a five or six months off, I really am excited about the possibility of joining the Atlantic Cape Community
College Board of Trustees. As those those who do know me, uh, have actually a very very long history working with Atlantic Cape Community College and the community college sector in general, and I have an incredible amount of respect for that sector. And um I am a longtime
resident of Ma's Landing again nearly 50 years. I have served on school board. I've served on township committee and I'm want to get re-engaged with the Atlantic County community the last few years of my presidency and I know um
Commissioner Days can confirm this. I was involved in a lot of statewide issues. So I'm very very happy to be able to do more be involved locally. And so that's my remarks. If you have any questions, since this is your interview with me, I'm more than willing to answer them.
>> I'd just like to say, >> please, >> I've had the privilege of serving uh as a a trustee for Stockton for a number of years and uh under uh at your when you were at the helm and uh we had a great relationship, did a great work uh love
education, a star >> in the field of education. you be a tremendous asset to ACCC and I'm really grateful that you're taking that position. >> Thank you, sir. Appreciate that. >> Echo the same comments, Harvey. Um we're
very fortunate uh first of all to have you involved in education so many years that you it was a career but it was a passion for you and I think uh those of us that served with you and worked with you in the past uh this is a great opportunity not only to continue your legacy of education excellence but also
to bring that uh bring that uh help for the trustees. So I'm looking forward to that too. >> Thank you sir. >> Thank you for uh putting the time on now to serve at this level too as well. I certainly would like to thank you and the entire board thanks you for coming
forward and volunteering your time. You know the gift of time is the most precious gift of all. Um the um decisions that you'll be making will be a large one because uh you'll be involved with the selection of a new
president for the college because Dr. Gob I believe is doing ends and her term ends in June I believe. >> Right. End of June. >> Yeah. End of June. So that'll be a major decision to make and uh I know that uh you'll participate and you'll make the
right decision. >> Thank you sir. >> Again thank you for coming forward and serving. >> I've known six of the nine presidents of Atlantic kid college. So >> very good just really pleased. same thing everyone said. Uh I look forward to uh working with you, continue to work
with you as an educator and as the chair of education schools committee. uh will definitely be in touch and uh as uh our chair said uh ACCCC is going to be getting new leadership and I know they
put out something to the public for the public's uh assistance and they want to hear what the public has to say about who they believe or what kind of leader they believe should be uh taking a helm. So I look forward to engaging in those conversations with you. >> Thank you. Likewise.
>> Thank you. And chairman, if I may just add a couple comments. >> Go ahead, Commissioner Days. Another educator. >> Yeah, Harvey, all I can say is fantastic. Um, welcome aboard. Thank you so much for for stepping up and continuing to serve our community.
>> Thank you. Good to see you, by the way. >> It's great to be seen from a distance, but thank you. >> Hope you feel better, Rich. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I'll entertain a motion to move
>> 32 to the top of the agenda. Thank you. >> Been moved and second. Any discussion? >> Get the work. >> All right. >> Lynn thanks all of you for getting me out of >> all in favor moving 32 to the top of the
agenda say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Now let's let's vote on resolution number 32 >> appointment of Dr. Harvey Kessleman to the Atlantic Cave Community College Board of Trustees to fill an unexpired
term to expire on November 1st, 2027. >> Moved. >> Second. >> Moved and second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call, please. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay, I'll open the meeting up to the
public to to speak on this particular topic and this particular topic only. Hearing none. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Patino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, >> yes.
>> Kerna, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> absolutely. >> Resley, >> yes. Yes. >> Thank you and congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, moving on to our resolutions. Uh
these were all discussed in the budget committee and um the budget committee recommends of course approval on these resolutions that have to do with funds. So with that, madam clerk, would you please read number 14?
>> Grant application and acceptance from the state of New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the medication assisted treatment grant amount not to exceed $63,984. >> Second. Moved and seconded.
Discussion on number 14 hearing. None. Any public discussion on resolution 14? Hearing none. >> Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Forino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R. Days, >> yes. >> Disease, >> yes.
>> Kerna, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. Okay. >> All right. We'll entertain a motion at this time to adopt resolutions 15 to 20, which is our professional service
agreements. Thank you. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. >> Any discussion? Any public comment on resolutions 15 to 20? Hearing? None. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Bertino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes. R Days,
>> yes. >> DS, >> yes. >> Kerna, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Thank you. Moving on. Our competitive contracts. I entertain a motion to adopt numbers 21 to 25.
>> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Discussion. Any public comment on 21 to 25? Regarding 21 to 25? >> Yes. Okay, thank you.
You know, Steve Young, Atlantic City, and um I'm here about the Atlantic County Justice Facility and I know some of these are agreements and contracts is is uh about that facility and there's
have been a lot of calls as well as complaints that's been coming to us from the National Action Network from the facility and these are some of the agreements that I see is affecting the human rights that's being violated
there. One is the learning county justice facility with tablet services. We're hearing that all they're sharing tablets. There's not that many that's there. I don't know how many you're saying is going to be in this competitive contract.
And we get an answer to that. How many are you going to be providing in this contract? How many more? >> Mr. Fedora, can you answer that? >> Warden Kelly's here. I can >> Oh. >> Oh, perfect. >> Perfect. Warden's on the line.
>> Yeah, >> I don't. >> How you doing, Steve? We're This will be one for one, which we don't have now. So, when this is awarded, every inmate will have access to a tablet. We're We're supposed We're about one for three on a good day with with We're switching vendors. Uh, and this will be a one for
one uh ratio per the spec. So at this current date um what's what's the ratio at this current date? >> About one for one for three. >> So every they're sharing >> they're sharing. Yes. Yep. Yep. >> And this would eliminate that problem.
>> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Other one is the uh the food service. Horrible complaints about the food service there. Is this the same agreement that was done last year and the year before or is the
food going to change? Is there any input for any changes in the food? >> The county has been using Aramark. Yes, that's true. Would you like to comment on that? >> Uh it's Aramark. It the the menus are are are coordinated from a from a
registered licensed dietician. That we did bump up the uh uh the cost on these trays. These are about 68 cents a a tray uh more than what we currently pay. Uh we we've made a lot of changes on on the
menu that are rolling out with Aramark and we've worked very closely on this spec. I believe the inmates should like it uh better. I mean, no one no one's ever said, "Boy, this is the best meal I've ever had in my life in in the county jail or any county jail that I know of." But uh we meet the uh
standards we have to meet and uh you know we it's it's it's better for my administration to not get besieged with with with food complaints. We take them seriously. We we we look at them. We we picture the trays uh and make sure that
that the portions are correct. And um you know this is this is a new uh five-year deal with Aramark. Um and uh it's it's it's at a higher cost which is going to be which equates to a better product.
>> Uh was there any input from um the people that's affected the most that's eating these food? >> Any inmates or anybody any comments or did they have any input or they request recommendations? when we have our our uh our or our or
our our dorm rep, tier rep meetings, you know, we we we take into consideration their uh issues with food and we we address them and then when we were uh coming up with the spec, you know, and and we had decided what we wanted uh that was put into spec. Now that it's
going to be awarded, it's it's our existing um vendor and you know, he the regional manager Mark knows what I expect from him on this. I I I honestly I mean I get complaints about everything. I haven't got a lot of an
inordinate amount of food complaints in a while and I get complaints and I and I address them all or you know send them out to to the unit that has to go and investigate that. But I mean my anecdotally to say the food is bad. I mean I I don't know. I'm not seeing that Steve and you know you you know how to get a hold of me. Uh you've been out
here several times and if if you if you have something more specific you're more than welcome to contact me. >> Thank you very much. And I'll save the rest of my comments during the public portion. Uh but I do look forward to meeting with you Warden and as well as the uh if you have a committee of the
commissioners uh we look forward to meeting with them as well as well as taking a visit there so we can see for oursel. So I'll save the rest of the comments for the end. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Are there any other comments regarding
um any of the resolutions 15 to 20 I'm sorry 21 to 25 hearing none sensing a readiness to vote clerk please call the role >> yes >> Burns >> yes R days >> yes >> days yes >> Kern
>> yes >> Parker yes >> Shanker >> yes >> Grizzley >> yes >> chair will adopt entertain a motion to adopt and combine and adopt resolutions 26 and 27. Move. >> Second. >> Thank you. Been moved and seconded. Any
discussion by the governing body? >> Any public comments on these two resolutions? Hearing none. Please call the role. >> Bertino, >> yes. >> Burns, yes. R Days, >> yes. >> C Days, >> yes. >> Kerna, yes. >> Parker, yes. >> Shanker, yes.
>> Grizzly, >> yes. Okay. I entertain a motion to combine and adopt numbers 28 to 31. >> Second. >> Any discussion on these resolutions?
Any public comment on these resolutions 28 to 31? Hearing none. Roll call. >> Bertino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Disease, >> yes. >> Kern, >> yes.
>> Parker, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> Mr. Chair, if I may. >> Yes. >> I guess I should have said this earlier. on any of the uh personnel ch changes that we have within our court. If we
could just have them contact um a personnel committee beforehand so that the personnel committee can have a an opportunity to be aware of those decisions. >> What are you getting at exactly? I'm just so understand what your question is.
>> What I'm getting at, you know, we have these committees. We have personnel committee. We have a governance committee for the municipal court. >> The communication between the committee and the municipal court has not been the best. I'm asking for it to improve so
that we can send a message to them to let them know that the personnel committee would like to be informed ahead of time >> just to be able to look over personnel >> whatever personnel decisions are going to be made so that we're informed before we arrive at the meetings before it comes out in the packet.
>> Agreed. No, I I understand what you're saying now. Agreed. We can address that internally here, I'm sure. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, madame clerk. No, I'm sorry.
I want to entertain a motion to combine adopt 33 to 35 appointments. >> Thank you. Thank you. Any discussion by the members of the governing body here? I'd just like to mention that we're
certainly grateful for their service. It's um good to see uh Dennis Tui Jr. on that list as well. A lot of people don't know, but um his father was um the solicitor here for many, many years. 13
years in fact and he was our board solicitor and did one great job particularly when we were investigating voter fraud. He was a big help to me in writing that report from years ago. So
it's good to see that his son is here and we certainly um want to thank Mr. Hackett and Peter Hagen and Judy Turner to the library commission. These are all
volunteer positions and um we can't we can't say enough and thank enough for those folks that are serving. So with that any public comment on those resolutions hearing none please call the role. >> Martino >> yes. >> Burns >> yes.
>> Rays >> yes. >> Days yes. >> Kerner >> yes. >> Shanker >> yes. >> Frizzley >> yes. Madam clerk please read number 36. Resolution urging the governor of the state of New Jersey to declare a state of emergency for Jersey Shore Beaches.
Sponsor June Burns and Michael J. Rafio. >> Second. >> Move a second. Any discussion? >> Yes, please. So, this is in support of our shore municipalities to have the opportunity
to apply for money for beach replenishment. Without the governor um declaring us our shore communities a state of emergency, we're not eligible to apply for any money to receive any money. Um, we were contacted by Mayor
Sarah, both Michael Ruffio and myself, Commissioner Ruff, um, to support this and he's been working with mayors all up and down the shoreline of New Jersey to try and replenish, get money to replenish our beaches. So, I ask you all
for your support. >> Absolutely. Any other comments? I'm >> going to go out of order if I may. Uh, Mr. Mayor just a little bit. We did receive a correspondence from Mayor Sarah December 22nd, 2025 resolution adopted by city the city council of of
the city of Brigantine requesting a state of emergency and state disaster declaration for the Jersey Shore. >> Any public comment on this resolution? Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Creed Po Gest Manor, happy new year, everybody. And >> same to you.
>> Congratulations for the new folks and all that. >> Um, >> am I still considered new? >> We'll talk about it later. >> Andrew, you're always in a special spot. Put it that way. >> That's what my students say.
and we all mean it in all different ways, but that's that's where we go. Um, a little bit of concern about this particular resolution. I mean, after all, um, the new governor has only been governor for >> not yet,
>> four hours and four hours, >> 30 minutes. um and making things sound as though well this has been something has been ignored just seems um getting off on the wrong foot.
Um beach replenishment actually um was a project just completed for Atlantic City and Betner um early last year before some of the other storms uh bring our project completed in 2023. Um there's been regular uh replenishment
until certain changes in certain occupants of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Um and then a budget getting adopted for fiscal year 25 that did not have uh funding. Um there is a continuing resolution
uh that needs to be done by the end of this month uh to keep funding going overall for the government for 2026. Um so I'm wondering why um there would not be a request um both of the
president uh to use his various authority that he has certainly not been shy about exercising in areas of disaster relief um but also um for Congress uh to make sure that since this is the second I believe continuing
resolution that'll be coming up the end of the month um that they make sure this time to put the beach replenishment money in. Um I'm not sure which federal law um is being referred to. Um,
one thing that I saw online basically talked about um that you have to show actual damage um first and also that it results in the state winding up paying one-third of the
cost which is the usual situation for beach replenishment as well as uh being the lead contractor and that's also why some of these things take a while. Um, so I might suggest uh respectfully that the board consider tableabling this with
my remaining 17 seconds. Um, and perhaps also having some sort of informal discussions uh with the governor's office um on the issue rather than uh coming out with something that seems a little more less than consiliatory.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you. Anyone else like to speak on this topic? Okay. Any other public comment? The board like to comment further on this or they're ready to vote.
Only Thank you. The only comment I'll make on it is of course um you know, and this is nothing new for the Jersey Shore communities, beach replenishment programs all on the uh all on the coastline um are vital to keeping our tourism industry and everything in place. I think that the state and
federal partners um need to be reminded it's okay to send the resolution. I'm I'm going to support this resolution, sending it to them. Uh we may want to have a further discussion if we want to do something additional with our federal partners or and that would be in
consultation maybe with Congressman Vanu because I know he's heard about this already. I've had the discussion with him already uh that that continuing um fin funding that we've been getting is vital. He doesn't need them. He knows that. He hears it from all the communities at the shore. I don't think
holding this up is going to do anything um that's going to hurt anything. The governor's new she's getting a chance to get her feet wet. This isn't a new topic they're going to be hearing of in Trenton. Um and I think she's she's got her she hit the ground running. She's got a good transition team. I know some
of the people on her transition team that are recognizing issues here in South Jersey that she'll be supportive of. I don't think she'll view it as anything as confrontational or anything like that. I think it's a reminder. So, I'm good with it as is. >> I just just
wanted to say that, you know, the whole district is short and beach replenishment is is important to to one and uh this cannot just be a one on and off. We've got to we've got to continue
to advocate for uh each replacement. So I think that as long as we are making an ongoing commitment to that then I'll be favor. >> Thank you. I agree. >> All I was going to say is thank you very much. And when I spoke with Mayor Sarah,
this was the end of December. He was hoping that we would pass the resolution at our reorg meeting which we couldn't do because at that point it our meeting was full. It's all the swearing ends and everything. and I reassured him that we would get it through. Um, we would
present it to the commissioners at this meeting, but I appreciate everything you say and we will not just pass a resolution and leave it. We we're all 100% for our beach communities, our shore communities, and the tourism that brings in it. And not only that, but but
your homes, people that choose to live there. So, thank you and thank you to commissioners. Anyone else like to speak before we vote? Okay. Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Bertino, >> yes. >> Burns, >> yes. >> R Days, >> yes.
>> Days, yes. >> Kerna, >> yes. >> Parker, >> yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Grizzly, >> yes. >> You are our council. Jarn, >> we have been informed that we need to add an executive session resolution on
this. Uh, can we do this at the end of our meeting or do you prefer that we do this now? >> Yes, chairman. You can add it on at the end of the meeting if you'd like. >> All right. So then we should hold this moving it until the end of the
meeting. All right. I'm comfortable with that as well. All right. Moving on then. Reports of special committees of the board. Anyone like to comment on some things? I've got a couple topics, but go ahead.
>> Just to be brief. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh solid waste advisory committee had a meeting this past week. Um and we discussed the new solid waste management plan that uh they're going to be presenting. They presented it to the uh to the board for their review. Um that is also going to be something we're
seeing in committee. Uh I asked them to we have a committee meeting scheduled for the solid waste advisory committee for the commissioner board. We'll be discussing uh the the issues with it and and their new plan moving forward. Just wanted to bring you up to speed with it. Um so Lena County, I I I think Matt's
going to be in to explain it to us when at the uh at our committee meeting as well. So I asked them to attend explain answer any questions commissioners might have at that time. >> That's all I have. >> Anyone else? Any committee meetings? >> If I may, Mr. chair from education and
schools committee. Uh I've been in conversation with quite a few of our educational partners with our union leaders here, the ACCA leadership, uh the ACCCC,
uh ACIT, Dr. Phil Gunther, um our administration, and we've been discussing um a state of education address for our county to to have every year, right? around this time after reorganization for all of our partners to kind of come
together with superintendent, school boards, and and discuss what's going on holistically with education in our county and put something together that we can present to not only to this board, but to the county residents on where education is and where we're
headed and how we're growing in the same direction. So, we know that we can't do all things. you have, you know, each town um or school district has its own school board, but if there are things that we can do together, uh we should sit down at the table and figure out
what those things are, how we can help each other and assist each other in education and how we can, you know, all come together with a collective plan that we can agree on that moves the the education in our county forward. That's something that I've been working on.
It's getting pretty close. Uh, I think we're just about ready. I've spoken to just about all our stakeholders and we're getting ready to present something to this board. >> Very good. >> One thing I did say, I saw a little piece on
I guess it was Facebook or something about the effort to teach kids again how to handwrite script. And that's so important because, you know, I had to basically teach my two sons
how to handwrite. And that's a skill that is necessary. And I don't know why it ever, >> I'm not mistaken, the governor, the governor uh that just went out before he left in lame duck, he passed uh to teach >> cursive.
>> Yeah. Cursive. >> Cursive. >> That's where I think I saw it. Yes. >> From third starting in third grade. >> Hallelujah. So that's already >> Yeah. >> You know, teachers, if you don't if you haven't heard, it's coming. I It was the topic of conversation in our school today. So if you know, get out some of
those old handouts and get ready to start teaching cursive handwriting again. >> Has to do come back. >> Our founding documents are all handwritten. I mean, we need this. Need it.
Anyone else have any committee reports like to deliver? I I got a couple items. Um, I represent the county on the NARTP or our technology park, which we're all very very proud of. Um, they just had their
audit completed, reviewed. Again, they had an unmodified opinion, which is the top opinion you can have on in regards to an audit. The second building should be completed by March. We're excited about that.
Um, you know, I've observed the folks that run the NARTP and I tell you something, seeing firsthand, I don't think we could have get a better bunch of folks that are as
qualified as they are to run NARTP. Um they just uh renewed a lease with the improvement authority that building that they're in currently in a five-year lease. It's $47,000 a year.
Um there's some exciting things going on with um air taxis and all the technology that goes in involved with with that technology. They're also speaking with a gigantic
company which I hope that will uh prove fruitful and that's AMD Advanced Micro Devices. If you don't know never heard of Advanced Micro Devices, they're a 380 billion dollar
company. We're talking about big time. So, um there's some exciting things that are going on there and uh and that's all because we have all of our entities all work together and we have creative,
we have the ACUA, we have all these different entities in the county government, the ACA, all working together and it all it all ties in to promote a new industry for our county. So, this is really exciting times to to be living
here in Atlantic County and this is building number two and I believe the total buildout is seven buildings. So, we can have success and we can have more folks rent space in there and do their technology and utilize what we have
here, leverage the the tech center with it. We're going to be looking at some nice things down the road for Atlantic County. I did attend um an Njac meeting in Trenton regarding health insurance, a health
insurance crisis and uh it was an interesting meeting. There was a lot of spirited debate between people panelists about the the problem we have with health insurance. And it's it's
gigantic and it's it's across the board. It's not just the state health insurance plan. It goes beyond that. My insurance now is 2,600 a month to cover my wife and my two sons. 2,600 a month. It's
insanity. I'm not even on the plan. I'm on Medicare. So, so it it's it's a it's a tremendous challenge that we we face here in New Jersey and across the nation. the last four years we've seen
double digits increases uh is it just cannot go on the way it's going. Um some of the recommendations that they talked about was increased transparency and uh transparency all the way around
between the h hospitalsarmacies the doctors equipment more transparency the govern new governor was there briefly she spoke she didn't really have you know in fairness to her she really didn't have much to
say on on that topic but um it is a big big problem. So they had they did come up with a number of recommendations and um they the state of New Jersey you know put out and I'm going to give everybody a copy of this um their death spiral
report which they did in I believe it was 2025 which really talks about the the issue and the problems with health insurance. So that was certainly an interesting
meeting. So with that, that's that's all I have. Anyone else have any other topics? >> Mr. Chair, if I can just cycle back to one point also with the um the NERTP, one of the discussions that is being had
within our uh committees is uh the provider of the Wi-Fi. So we may have I guess a topic that's coming up is we have to decide whether we believe and I think they've come to their conclusion
that it's a matter of you know it's a it's a security issue that we don't have sufficient Wi-Fi out there for the airport anyp for that entire area. So, one of the topics now is possibly going
into a third party looking into a third party uh relationship where we get a third party provider to come in and provide the power for that area in order to better secure it. So, that's another uh topic that ties into what you were
saying. Okay. >> Unfinished business. Any unfinished business to discuss? All right. New business. >> New business. I will put out there are a few things that are going on right now,
Mr. Chair. Uh I don't know if we're all paying attention, but we should. The eBike the ebike licensing and safety law that was signed >> that's been a hot topic here. Yep. >> Um, Governor Murphy signed the landmark ebike safety and licensing law requiring
all classes of ebikes to be registered and operated with a valid license issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Uh, key provisions include minimum age requirements, I believe it's 15, uh, written
vision uh, road test for nine drivers and license holders and mandatory insurance. uh county considerations, uh potential traffic enforcement adjustments, public safety campaigns, and coordination with local police and
compliance timelines. So, that's out there. Uh paid family leave expansion, a bill expanding eligibility for New Jersey Family Leave Insurance, FLI, was signed into law lowering qualifying hours and broadening coverage for
workers statewide. Also, county implications. Uh, county employers and contractors will likely need to revise HR policies and benefit uh and benefit communications to align with updated eligibility standards. There's a few
more that I won't go into detail with, but we have the public health and vaccine access legislation, uh, state communities act, immigrant protection bill, and enforcement debate, which is going on,
and the governor did not sign that. Uh, I'm sure that's going to continue to go on. And then the last was just legislative activity at session start. So the 222nd New Jersey legislative legislature convened with the Democratic supermajority that could accelerate
priorities on housing, environment, and taxes. Lawmakers passed dozens of lame duck measures in the sessions final days potentially affecting county funding streams or regulatory frameworks. I just
wanted to put that on everyone's minds, particularly those that are potentially impacting county government. >> All right. Written communications and petitions. Is there anything to report
topics on that one? No. Okay. Moving on then. We're at the public comment portion of our meeting. This meeting is now open to the public for any topic. >> Thank you. First of all, congratulations to all
those who was elected or selected. Again, I'm Steve Young with the National Action Network and we've been getting a lot of complaints. And first, I would like to know who is there Atlantic County Justice Facility Committee or jail committee? There's a jail. And if there is, can they committ can they
raise a hand who they are? Can I identify two four? Okay. Uh first thing we would like to do is set up a meeting with you guys and and uh I'll tell you why in a minute. And we know there's issues at the jail. And keep in mind 80%
of the people that's in there have not been convicted. Some people have been waiting over a year and a half to go to court. In these type of conditions, we want you to hear shower mats in showers. Microwave only
one for 48 or more inmates. Need more than just one. Video visit will plug plug. Need more than just just two outlets for 48 inmates. Only have five phones for 48 inmates.
Need at least five more. There's no type of Juma service. That's Islamic service on Fridays. And but they do have church services. That's definitely a violation. >> I'm sorry. Can you repeat that one
again? I didn't didn't quite hear you. >> Juma services, prayer services for Muslims and Islam on mostly Fridays >> where they um pray in unity. There is not. They're not getting that.
Uh, the two flushes in the toilet. Have to be clear on this cuz we got it. We want you to hear like we got it written. Two flushes in the toilet is un inhumane when it takes more than 15 or more
minutes to re circulate the flush. Again, there shouldn't be three people in a room because one may be on the floor and where you urinate at is right there and it splashes.
I want to describe this so you can see and feel. Okay. Uh they only give us one toilet tissue and one soap. We should get at least two or more being that we
only get laundry twice a week other than what we have to wash with our hands. The store prices commissaries is too high and it's taken from our communities. The mothers, the children, the grandparents, they haven't been
found guilty. And the commissary is so high you can't even buy your own food if you had it. Okay. They pay $50 a month. Don't get anything in return. What do you do with $50 a month? It's been going on for
years. I'm almost finished. Mr. >> Understand >> and and it's taken from our communities at a time when everybody's in poverty. Most of the people that's in poverty is in jail because they can't get out. They can't afford a lawyer. But these conditions are not shouldn't be
especially to take from our communities. Take it from the children sometime $50 a month for rent. Uh uh okay the food is either overcooked or undercooked and the portions are way too small. We
talked about food $1 million for a food contract and we're not see and people out there starving. We need to definitely look into what they eating here and how they eating in what portions. Okay. And I have two more and I'm almost
finished. There is no law library which is very serious. How can they look up what they doing? We know they have West Law but they need a law library. Some people used to read and they can't use computer. So they need that to look up
their cases, find out the so they can work with their lawyers so they can be a better citizen and get out. We need better cleaning solutions. They want to clean themselves, but the showers and the different things like that
is it's inhuman. This is this is just some of the things and we have several letters and more to come. But we don't want to come in up here in this meeting and complain all the time. Dr. Martin Luther King was about solutions and about working together. His birthday was every day. Let's put his birthday and
his works to work together about solutions for these human and civil rights violations. Only way we can do that, we have to communicate with each other. We have to have meetings and we have to see it for ourselves. So that's what we would like to do. First thing is
with that committee and we would like to have the tour of the facility and we don't need no dog and pony show like we had in the past and they paint the walls that make it look good on one part and the rest is still worse than it ever been. We would like to see it all. We
don't have nothing to hide. This is taxpayers money. Even with the medical, we want to see it for ourselves as citizens. We should have the right to do that. We would like for you to come with us. And we even invited the sheriff to see. So this is nothing that we making
up. But we can only fix this if we working together and it's transparency. Again, it's taxpayers money. And everyone is innocent till they proven guilty. Dr. Martin Luther King often spoke for the voices. So a lot of people in there cannot do not know how to speak
for themselves. And that includes the woman as well as the men. And I thank you very much. Let me respond, sir, by saying that I give you my word that we will meet with you. Okay? We will. We may not agree on
everything, but we certainly will. We'll meet with you in the future. We we're a little jammed up at the moment because we're debating about a jail as well, the topic of the jail. So, but we will reach
out to you and set up a time and see if we can have some discussions. Okay. >> As well as a meeting with the warden. Can we have a meeting like next week? We You want We don't want to come here and it die down. Next month >> be another story. Can we get some time time frames? Work with me. Work with us.
>> We'll work we'll do our best to >> solve this problem. Okay. >> Thank you. >> And Mr. Chair, if I may. So, uh, Mr. young. Uh just for your information and knowledge, the jail committee is kind of we're in the process of taking tours in
to the jail as we speak already. I think we're going into our second group of tours that are that are coming up. And the jail committee meeting has a a meeting. So we're we're on the same page in terms of what you're thinking. There there are some challenges that we have in that jail that we're all looking
into. And as the chair said, we have, you know, something that we'd love to discuss with you as well about um what we're going to do with our jail because that that's a topic of conversation that is is is pressing and we're going to have to make some some decisions and
make them pretty quickly. And I don't know if you heard about, you know, the the regional facility that's uh >> proposed >> that's proposed to be put in Winslow Township at the old anor spot with Camden County and um
>> and Cumberland County. And so from what we're being told, this board has been told is that that's going to happen either way no matter what this board says it's going to go. that that that jail is going to be built and the only decision that we have to make is whether we're going to uh go into that facility
as well, have our inmates go into that facility and not have the facility that we have. So, some of these problems that you're talking about, we we we know we have problems in our jail. We know we have things that that that need to that need work and need attention, but this this it's it's part of a greater
conversation at this point that you should know. Uh so, I just wanted to put that on your radar. Thank you. And um also for this board's u information uh Mr. Young brought up Juma prayers on Friday. U and so I I will say that and
and the food you also brought up. So I'll connect that piece and say that during Ramadan, Ramadan's going to be coming up soon. And I know that uh last Ramadan there was several calls that were made because the inmates weren't being fed at at their at their proper
time. So for those who don't know, uh the Muslims during Ramadan are fasting during all during the day. So they wake up early in the morning before the sun comes up and then they eat and then they don't eat again until the sun goes down later. So if they miss that meal at
night, you're almost asking an inmate not to eat for 24 hours. So that's that's that that's the kind of, you know, things that we can't have within our jail. And we had some of that last year. And I'll say that the officers on the inside were very receptive and took care of situations. We have to make sure
that those things aren't happening. You know, particularly when people are talking about their practicing their religious practices and you know and humanitarian issues, you know, we people have to eat. 24 hours is a long time to go without food. So, we do have some
issues that we need to talk about. We'll talk about all these things when we get into the meeting. >> And when is your next meeting? Y committee meeting is we have a jail committee meeting coming up. >> Yeah, but that's not that's not at the top of your job. Okay, okay,
>> that's why I said we have a full >> But just keep in mind it's an emergency situation especially for the officers because you're we're hearing they're short and when they're short the the mindset of doing too much for less is a problem and an issue. So they're in
jeopardy as well, their health and safety as well. And and we need to consider that as well. The shorter officer, so they saying they can't do this, they you can't take them out. You can't take them all through the phone. The video core, you can't take them out to the yard. Some of them have been out in the yard. Those type of things. So,
so keep in mind this is emergency situation, not only for the people that's in there, but the people that has to go home as well as those officers. >> Well, you you have my word and you know that the chair has given you his word. I'll give you mine. that everything I've I've written down everything that you
said was an issue and you know we'll talk offline if there's to make sure that I have the proper list right and then during the jail committee meeting I'll make sure that these topics are part of our agenda and part of our meeting minutes >> and I thank you all for your time and do
appreciate >> thank you anyone else like to speak at this time Yes. Green. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, if I may first, um, for the solicitor, a question on resolution 37. Is it anticipated
there would be action taken by the board after the close session? And is this based on something where um, an entity uh, is suing the county or the county is looking to perhaps interact with a different entity?
Yes, you can. >> Yes, there's no formal action. >> Okay. Um the other going back to resolution 36, Mr. Chairman, um also noticed but time was limited. Uh it did not include either Senator uh Booker
or Senator Kim uh in the recipients. Um, also in part going back to uh my district freeholders comments, um, like I said, the end of the month is the deadline for the new continuing resolution.
Um if you want beach replenishment to be included in the fiscal year in essence 26 budget um folks of the same party as the
congressman need to communicate with him um about voting for the continuing resolution. There's going to be a lot of pressure um on him to support it. On the other hand, if he supports it and the money is not there, then again, that's going to be more difficult. And finally,
um you may want to try to get more clarity on specifically what federal law is being referred to as I had lifted up earlier. Um it seemed to at least the one uh section seemed to be saying that you a had to show actual damage to your
particular beach um if you're trying to get the emergency aid, but again that it would be um the state again providing a third of the money and the state being the lead contractor. So that is not going to be a quick turnaround. If
instead we're talking about um our folks down Route 9, um you know, we're carrying their water, then that's a little bit of a different thing. So, I just lift that up for you. Thank you. >> Yes, we can certainly add the senators to our resolution.
>> Absolutely. Okay, that basically completes our agenda, but we're we will entertain a motion now to add resolution 37, our executive
session. >> Thank you. It's been moved and seconded to add to our agenda. >> Don't need a motion. All right. All right. All right. Madam clerk, would you please read it? >> Resolution authorizing a closed session
requested regarding pending or anticipated litigation and/or attorney client privilege requiring confidential communications. >> Okay, any discussion? Can't really can't have much discussion
on this one. So, uh sensing readiness to vote. Madam clerk, please call the role. We did. We had >> second. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> What do you want? Which one? Which one do you want? >> I'll take the move.
>> Thank you. >> Bertino. >> Yes. >> Burns. >> Yes. >> R Days. >> Yes. >> Days. >> I'm going to recuse myself from this meeting. >> Karn >> and excuse myself as well. >> Thank you.
Parker, >> sorry. Yes. >> Shanker, >> yes. >> Frizzley, >> yes. >> Okay, motion's approved. We're going to go into executive session. So, I'll ask everyone who's not involved in this, please leave at this time.
>> All right, we're back on. Concluded our executive session. We have anything for the good of the order? We need a motion to come out of executive. >> We need a motion officially. All right. >> Second. >> To move and seconded to come out of
executive session officially. >> All in favor say I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. >> Okay. Okay. Anything to conclude the meeting? Anything under the good of the order? >> If I may. >> Yes.
>> Um I on behalf of my family, myself, uh it's been a really tough week for us. Um, I want to thank all of you up here for your kindness and and a lot of the people that are in the room now, people that were that were in the room earlier. Um, and people, friends and family from
all over the county have reached out and uh, with their thoughts and prayers and really helped us get it through a tough time. >> Uh, we're going to move forward from here, but uh, you know, it's uh, when you lose your mom, it's a tough it's a tough day. And I just want to thank
everybody. I appreciate appreciate you stepping up. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments before we adjourn? >> Last for good of the order, I'll say that I attended the uh MLK event at in
Atlantic City uh yesterday and uh at St. James Church. The walk was cancelled because of the weather and so we just had the event. I did run over a little bit long for Councilman Shabbaz
or I should call him president way over. >> It went a little bit over but uh it was it was it was a good affair. It was a good event and uh well represented. So just for the good of your work. >> Thank you. Anything else before we adjourn?
>> I'll entertain a motion. >> So move second. >> Seconded. All in favor say I. >> Motion carries. Your turn.