[Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat.
[Music] [Music] The meeting of the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners is called to order. in compliance with the Opal 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 M Landing. Have an opening prayer. Dear God, as we come before you today, may our actions be guided by fairness, integrity, and compassion. We ask for your blessings upon this meeting so that it may be productive and harmonious. In your name we pray. Amen.
Amen. At at this time, commissioners, I'd like to ask for a a m moment of silence for um a young man who passed away recently. Um More from Pleasantville. I actually had several students who um played football and other sports with this young young man and uh a friend of mine um taught him at
Pleasantville Middle School. So, if you have a moment of silence, please. First of all, before we do that, I would certainly service himself there city was overwhelmed people that showed up. It's just
unfortunate. You know the old saying, folks at the wrong place at the wrong time. You just have been right place at the wrong time, right? Wasn't bothered. It's just un unfortunate. So, we keep u those families in in our prayers and thoughts. So I I would concur with you.
Thank you, Commissioner. Please face the flag for the pledge of allegiance. Attention salute. 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. Roll call, please. Commissioner Burns is unable to attend today. Commissioner Bertino is attending virtually and Commissioner Parker Parker is arriving a few minutes late. All right. Thank you. Here. Forsy present. Gat here. Kerna
here, Grizzly here, Ruff here, D here. Commissioners have had an opportunity to review the minutes from the May 6th, 2025 meeting. I will entertain a motion to adopt May 6th minutes as presented. So move. Second. Moved and seconded. Please call the role
yes. Kern, yes. Grizzly, yes. Rafio, yes. D, yes. Anyone attending in person who would like to speak regarding an agenda item or a public comment, please come to the podium, speak into the microphone, state your name and the town where you reside. You'll be provided up to three minutes to speak. If you're
attending virtually and would like to speak, please raise your hand during the agenda item or a public comment at the end. I will call your name and a request to unmute will be sent. Please state your name and the town you reside. You'll be provided up to three minutes to speak. Right. At this point, we have I
guess it's an an interview or Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. I'm sorry. It's not open to public comment yet. It's not public. No. So, public comment be at at the end of the meeting or if you wish to speak after
each agenda item. Yeah. At this point, I believe we'll have an interview for Atlantic County Utilities Authority, Alexander Marino. Mr. Chairman, if I may, Commissioner Corsy, before this gentleman speak, make sure there's no
glass on the podium cuz I think the last time he showed up at the courthouse, he broke the glass. So, if there's no glass, I I withdraw my Never going to live that down. I just want the record to reflect that glass is recyclable. Oh, so not
he's trying to come up with an answer for this one. Yes, J Marino. Yes. Thank you. We resolution to the record for us. Hang on a second. I was Do you want to sing the national anthem for us? That was a surp I'm kidding. That was a
surprise. I was had something else in my mind. Um, resolution 297, appointment of Alexander Marino to the Atlanta County Utilities Authority for a term to expire on May 1st, 2030. So move second. Moved and seconded.
Mr. Marino. Thank you, Chairman. Uh, it is an honor to be um, excuse me, standing here above you. Uh, the when I left the board of then chosen freeholders, I spoke to that uh, county executive uh, Dennis Levenson. Um, we talked about how I can continue some
type of public service and I said if there is ever an opening on the ACUA, I'd like to be considered by him and then obviously the at that time the freeholders and this was going back to 2017. So he he kept it and we talked, you know, over the last several years and he
wanted uh he thought a better place for me right then would be to start on the solid waste advisory council which I did and I've served on that and uh as soon as I get appointed obviously stepping down and resigning from SWAC I was the chair for the last two years. I think um
my time as a freeholder for those six years um that I served with many of you I was a voice for the taxpayers not just a rubber stamp for ACUA and what they do they do very things very very well but I think uh as things progress and as we
get closer to um I guess the termination of the environmental park and some other things uh I'd like to serve on the ACUA board uh to ensure that they are operating as they are supposed to be doing but also to be your eyes and ears
as obviously not only as uh the commissioners but also for the taxpayers. Sabrina, thank you. Are there any commissioner comments at this time? No, just one. I mean, he's not a stranger to public service and I think once again I
mean nowadays folks want to get paid just to show up. My appearance fee is normally $1,500. But I heard that you were coming today, so I did kind of wave it um because, you know, I wanted to make sure we were here for you. But on a serious note, we we certainly thank you for the
years you served here with us and uh we think that's a good pick to go to ACUA. So, good luck and uh you you can always come home. I'm I'm content. But thank you. That's after December 31st because I'll be gone.
Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Rizley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say that I know that Alex is going to make an excellent addition to the ACA board. Um, he's got all the proper background and I don't think we could have gotten a more qualified
candidate quite frankly than yourself coming forward at this time. So, uh, thank you for your service and I wish you all the best on the board. Thank you, Commissioner. Mr. chair. Hi, Commissioner Barker. Uh, Commissioner Rizley was the chair
when we decided that we needed that this board needed to have a liaison to the ACUA board. And I was lucky enough to be that person that he called and assigned. And so, it's a tough gig, you know, nowadays. It's a lot tougher than it
used to be. I'm sure you know. But when you said eyes and ears being our eyes and ears on the other side, that's that's more important than most people in this room probably could imagine at this time, you know, because a lot of misinformation goes out. And when misinformation goes out, then it's so
hard to try to retract and find where the truth is. So much energy energy gets spent into that rather than solving the actual problems that exist. So, I'm I'm I'm excited to see that you're going to be on that board and I I know you are not foreign to
communication on this board or communication in any board. So that gives me some encouragement to think that uh communication will improve between the two entities and then we'll move forward like you said to because ultimately what we're all here to do is
to give proper information to the to the taxpayers and make sure that we're doing the uh the right thing for the taxpayers and the county as a whole. So look forward to it. Thank you, Commissioner. Any other commissioner comments? Mr. chair. Uh I like your your response
should be when we when we bust on you about the breaking of the glass is that um you're really helping to break the glass ceiling uh for uh for people in the community, which you certainly helped uh do as I got involved in in the political
landscape. And um I think one of the things I always appreciate appreciate about you, Alex, from service here or outside is not only um having the the uh expertise, but the ability to ask the right questions and um the ability to
really help kind of educate and help uh lay people understand something that might be complex or just really out of our professional realm in some cases. is uh I think you've always done a great job at that as as a public servant in in your role in education and and I know
you'll do that in this role as well and it's something I appreciate and uh in you and and any board member that we could have. So um I'm very excited to see you uh be going to this board. So thank you. Thank you commissioner. Any additional commissioner comments? No, I just want to u just couple comments that
um Alex, you've always and continue to be a great public servant. You're there for us when we need things. you get, you know, any information out there, you know, you think that we need to address, you're always, you know, in communication, but thank you and thank you for stepping up for this position.
Greatly appreciate it. Anyone else? Thanks for all you do, Alex. We all appreciate it, and I do as well. You uh you were a big help to me getting this position. So, thank you again. Thank you, Commissioner. He was
the one back. Now, we know the one. Can we revote? [Laughter] Alex, I was trying to keep this a formal interview, but everybody else I understand with Alexander, but um um Alex, as uh Commissioner Gat said, I you
know, I I just want that you also have the temperament, and I think you know, you know how to get things done, and um you know, that's what we're expecting. You know, as as Commissioner Parker alluded to, there've been a lot of questions, a lot of um issues that have presented themselves regarding the ACUA, and I do think that you're you're the person that can uh help us have some of
the answers. Um, as Commissioner Gavis said, also relate to the public in terms that they'll understand. So again, I appreciate your willingness and uh, sure, we'll hope for the best forward to it. Thank you, chair. If there are no other commissioner comments, are there any comments from the public at this time on the
appointment hearing? None. Please call the role. Martino, yes. Horsey, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Frizzley, yes. Ruff, yes. D, yes. Congratulations. Thank you.
Thank you. And next up, we'll have a community survey update by Cara Jansen from the division of director of public health. Good evening, commissioners. Thank you uh chairman days for allowing me to provide an update to the board on uh the
strategic plan for public health. So, um, we did a community survey which was part of, um, data we were collecting and this is the update on our strategic plan. Um, for those of you who don't know who I am, I'm Cara Jansen. I'm the division director for, uh, public health and I'm the health officer for Atlantic
County. Next slide, please. So, we began our strategic plan in July of 2024. And our purpose was to identify where we want to be, how we want to get there, and what actions we need to take to make it all happen. We had grant funding from
the CDC and uh that went to the state department of health and came to the local health departments. Um and and that was unfortunately some of the funds that were cut. Uh but we did complete this process. As you probably know, strategic plans are not precise. So we're just using this as a tool to guide
us moving forward. Um though we've set the period for um up to 2027, we know there could be some variability as time moves forward. Next one. So why did we even need a strategic plan for public health? Well, coming out of postcoid pandemic, we saw that we needed to
really focus on how we make decisions, improving our teams, making sure we're ready for the future. We had a lot of um mature staff getting ready to retire and we need to bring on the next generation. We want to lead our communities to optimal health and we want to reflect
our commitment of that to um our residents. So we um have really crafted this keeping in mind you know our ultimate goal is to the residents next. So we took these steps we created an internal steering committee. We
pulled together our external partners um and we mapped out our objectives. Next one. So, we just made sure we set some really clear objectives and we were updating maybe you might say the messaging for public health. We used feedback from our
internal and external partners to redefine our mission and our vision. We brainstormed with them to come up with values um where we should focus our um health department programming and we came up with four core values and we
completed a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities um and threats analysis along with our partners as well. Then our internal team took those uh four core values and came up with guiding principles and we developed our
strategic priorities, objectives and strategies. Next, so here's our updated mission to promote and improve the health and well-being of the people, animals, and environment of Atlantic County in cooperation with community partners and
state agencies. As you may or may not know, we are given directives here in public health um from the state health department, but we cannot accomplish any of that without our partners. They are essential to our outreach to our community members. We had um 27 internal and
external partners helping us through this process and our new vision is leading the way to healthy communities in Atlantic County. Next. So to help us come up with our um values and guiding principles, we asked
for feedback from our our partners and our internal team on where uh what we were going to identify for public health um moving forward. And the bolder words and the bigger fonts there are, you
know, where we had more consensus. Next. So, the four core values we came up with are integrity, compassion, proactive, and impactful. I'm not going to read through all that, but some of the key parts um for this are in our
actions, we're focused on decision-m, our perspective, and working together as a team. And for outcomes, we want to make sure we're transparent, we act with empathy, we're adaptive, and we're accountable. Next, when we released the entire
strategic plan for everyone to view, there's also additional data in there that we took into account gathered by the uh vendor. We use strategic health advisors, which is made up of retired health officers. So, they were really able to walk us through a process that made sense for public health. Um, but
they gathered some data so we could consider what is the public health landscape right now in Atlantic County. How are people impacted by the incomes that they have? Uh access to food, access to care, transportation, um etc. And really in looking at our
strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, we did find that we have a lot of strengths and a lot of opportunities. And remember, there's a lot of external partners that helped us with this so that we really could be objective in our assessment. Um we found that we've got a great um experienced
workforce and we have a lot of support from county administration. We found that in our opportunities we've built new partnerships just since postcoid. We've got a lot of new technology to work with and we had a lot of grant funding at the time that we did this in July of 24. And
some of the weaknesses um that I would say can really be turned into opportunities, right? We need to look at our cultural competency. We need to make sure we have ongoing funding. And you know, we live in an area where we're impacted um as far as our challenges,
natural disasters that impact our communities, not just, you know, chronic disease and um that that typical public health focus of chronic disease. Next, so here are our strategic priorities. We identified um three of
them. We're going to work on them over the next three years. Next. So, we're going to ensure we have a workforce that's ready to meet the challenge and that we're sustainable. We're going to make sure we work with our partners to build um improving
health and promoting equity and making sure that we have a voice out there on the public health landscape and amongst um those that would be giving us funding um at the state and federal level. All along we had been working on our community health assessment, our
community health improvement plan and our workforce development plan and they all fall into place here as well. Next, so when it comes to a sustainable workforce, um we've already made some progress. We have some tools from Ruckers, a res a training resource
guide. We are working on creating internal committees to carry that forward. And we already have some staff working towards um getting uh additional training on how we build um a sustainable workforce with succession planning as we're seeing more of our
staff getting ready to retire. Next, to improve health and promote equity for all residents. Um we are required by the state health department to do an assessment every four years. Um that copy of the community health assessment I was told will be ready the
first week of June. So I'll have that uh pushed your way. And we're working on our community health improvement plan. We have a really great turnout from our external partners. In the past when we've done this, we've kept this in house and it's worked well. But I'm finding that this guidance we received
from the retired health officers really enabled us to make stronger connections with our partners and we're retaining them on our um community health improvement planning um next steps. So we have three groups for that. We have transportation, access to care and
services and healthy foods. Of course, if any commissioners would like to be part of our workg groups, we're going to be working on um our objectives and our strategies up until September and then we'll move forward with really implementing the plan and monitoring and following it
through. Next one. and to strengthen the voice of the Atlantic County Division of Public Health who really knew in July of 2024 how different the landscape would be and how important it would be um that we really got our voice out there. I must
say my staff um was a little surprised that I made this such a priority that we really stretch ourselves a little bit, get involved in other organizations that are public health or public health adjacent, making sure we have a voice in all corners of um aspects that relate to
public health. And now that we've seen so much funding cut, um we just got a report from the state health department, more cuts to come um for the end of June. So, we're not sure how that's going to change how we do what we do now. We're probably going to have to make a lot of shifts. So, the if I can
get my staff on board with getting a louder and broader voice, then job accomplished. Next one. And implement implementation and monitoring. So, we're engaging all of our staff in that. It doesn't matter what level you are within the health department. They are welcome
to join the committee to keep all this moving forward. Um, we'll have routine monitoring and we'll also have our stakeholders involved in that. Next and I think that's it. If you have
any questions for me or if not now later. Okay. Thank you. Are there any commissioner comments or questions? Yeah, I have a couple couple questions. Um, f fabulous presentation. love love the work that you've you've done here
carrot and have been doing for us. Um couple of things um uh just as you moved through the presentation um how since since co has mental health kind of come
into play with in the public health landscape. Can you just kind of touch on that a little bit for our team or for for our team I guess? Yeah. Yeah. And our strategic plan is it right I would assume we probably have to do a little bit more focus there than we would have
done in the past. Is that the case or is is has that not really changed as strategically as one might think? So I think that we got very lucky with getting some additional programming and offerings when um the state health department was able to put on more
programs. So we were able to send people to trainings where they could talk things out. So I feel I don't want to speak for all of my staff but I think we've overcome that barrier internally. Um so I do see from the health education
side we are getting more requests for her to come out and give presentations on mental health and stress for our communities. So that I think that's still part of what everybody does deal with. Okay. Yes. Uh another question is
um and again just in in the discussions has the topic come up around when we talk about like access to care um we have we have some physician shortages down here uh with a number of long-term
practices really going into retirement as well. I think you use the word mature as you talked about our staff members. Um we have we had that here uh in terms of physicians as well. Has any of that discussion um come up in terms of either the plan or with the external partners
as well? So this they've only had their their second meeting is this month. Um so I I haven't gotten any feedback on on the May meeting. But yes, that definitely was a topic of discussion. And something else we were seeing is um we may get noticed that a new group has come to the area. as we explore that
more, all they did was pick physicians from the area already and plug them into their practice. So, we weren't necessarily expanding. Um, we do have uh both hospital systems on our uh committees. We have Shore and we have Atlantic Care and uh we also have the
FQC southern Jersey. Um, so it is good to have them being part of this discussion so that the message gets carried beyond what we're doing here. Okay, great. Yeah. Um on the health I'm sorry, can I keep going? Oh, sure. On the healthy food um I think that was one
of the it's one of the work groups. Yes, one of the work groups. Um was there any discussion around engagement at in in schools? And I asked that because um I went to the Oakrest open house um and they were starting a rural farm an urban
farming program uh magnet program which I thought was awesome. Um, and I just wondered if, you know, if there's an avenue or an opportunity to, um, kind of go in at the ground level from an education perspective and drive up from
there. Yeah, I'll bring that to that group as well. Okay. Yes, I I again I they've just started in April, so I didn't hear about the May meeting, but yeah, I will bring that forward. Okay. In addition to the physician one as well, just to make sure. And just two more things from the external partners perspective. It sounds like we have a
lot of good key ones and I think we probably know who who a lot of those are here. Are there any areas in terms of partnerships where we have a need and and we're still kind of looking to fill specific voids? You know, I don't know
if we kind of put that call out either to to any of us or even our, you know, members of the public to help bring other partners to the table. Yeah, there's definitely a gap with faith-based. We had a very strong partnership with the AM church in Pleasantville and our contact there
she's just not able to continue any longer and could not get anyone to join on board but she was very good at connecting with all the other faith-based partners within her network. Um so we've lost that but we have an intern um Andrea is um a Stockton student and she's here for the summer
and uh one of the options she has for a project is you know uh get to know public health for our faith-based organizations. love that. So, that's what we're looking to do next. Okay, great. And we will tap in to to utilize your resources for that as well. Yes.
Yeah. Um and I would say we we've kind of had a discussion with the Dascese of Camden on a number of projects here locally too. You know, maybe there's opportunity to engage with them in that respect. Great suggestion. Thank you. Um just two other groups that kind of came to mind too in terms of having a network
to get information out to. um using the Atlantic County Economic Alliance. Uh you know, I feel like there's like some kind of valuable connection that could be made there. And I would say so. Yes. Also, our workforce development board uh partners, you know, we have a ton of
major employers that participate and I just feel like that would be like another good network in terms of information or, you know, partnership. That's great. Yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you, chairman. Sure. Great. Thank you so news. Um, any other commissioner questions, comments?
Value until the end of the year here. You know, again, thank you for that information and for all you and your your department does for for the county. Thank you so much. Thanks. Great. Moving on to resolutions. Resolution 267 grant application and acceptance from
the New Jersey Department of Health for the fiscal year 26 right to know grant funding amount not to exceed $10,544. Moved and seconded. Sorry. Any commissioner comments? Chairman. Commissioner Rizley. Just wanted to state that uh all these resolutions that
are involving money have all been reviewed by the budget committee and we recommend adoption. Thank you. Sounds great. Thank you, Commissioner. Um, any other commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Right. Please call the RO. Bertino,
yes. Yes. Gate, yes. Karna, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruffio, yes. D, yes. Resolution 268. Grant application and acceptance from the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for the Veterans Transportation
Assistance Program amount not to exceed $17,000. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Martino, yes. Horsey, yes. Gat, yes. Karn, yes.
Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruffw, yes. Daz, yes. Resolution 269, grant application and acceptance from the New Jersey Transit Corporation for fiscal year 2022, Federal Transit Act, section 5310, operating assistance grant funding. Funded amount $200,000. County
cash match $200,000. Move. Second. We have been seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Bertino, yes. Horsey, yes. GTO, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruff, yes. D,
yes. Resolution 270. An application and acceptance from the New Jersey Department of Human Services for the Personal Assistance Services Program amount not to exceed $43,758. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role.
Ratino, yes. Horsey, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruff, D, yes. Resolution 271, grant application and acceptance from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services for the State Health
Insurance Assistance Program, amount not to exceed $42,000. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Martino, yes. Horsey, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes.
Parker, Grizzly, yes. Ruff, yes. Resolution 272, grant application and acceptance from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to purchase and install kiosks, printers, and phones, and various central municipal court members town halls. Funded amount
$77,710.31. County county cash match $25,9344. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Bertino. Yes. Horsey? Yes. Gat? Yes. Kern, yes.
Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruff, yes. D, yes. Resolution 273. Professional services agreement with Kier's Engineering and Design Incorporated for the provision of material testing services for various dam and transportation infrastructure related projects. Amount not to exceed
$295,815.50. Move. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? And please call the role. Bertino, yes. Forsy, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes.
Ruff, yes. D, yes. Resolution 274, big contract with Metal Treatment Technologies Limited Liability Company for the impact burn maintenance of the Atlantic County Firearms Training Center. amount not to exceed $773,419. Second. Moved and seconded. Any
commissioner comments? Comments from the public? Please call the role. Bertino, yes. Yes. Gat, yes. K, yes. Parker, Grizzley, yes. Ruff, yes. Days, yes. Resolution 275, big contract with Alcohol
Monitoring Systems Incorporated for the continuous signaling electronic monitoring system for the Atlanta County Department of Public Safety. amount not to exceed $37,47.50. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from
the public? Please call the role. Bertino, yes. Horsey, yes. Kat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruff, yes. D, yes. Resolution 276 renewal lease agreement with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association
Incorporated doing business as Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley chapter concerning occupancy of county-owned premises located 25 Dolphin Avenue DB building first floor in Northfield revenue generating move second moved and seconded commissioner
comments public comment please call the role yes yes gat Yes. He turn. Yes. Parker. Yes. Grizzly. Yes. Ruff. Yes. Stay. Yes. Resolution 277. Lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management for the lease and management
of various county vehicles. Amount not to exceed $1,100,000. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Yes. Or yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes.
Grizzly, yes. Ruffio. Yes. Days. Yes. Resolution 278. Interlocal agreement with South Jersey Transportation Authority for the implementation and operation of the access shuttle amount not to exceed $400,000. Move. Second. Moved. Then seconded. Any commissioner
comments. Any comments from the public. Please call the RO. Bertino. Yes. Horsey. Yes. Gate. Yes. Karn. Yes. Parker. Yes. Grizzly. Yes. Ruff. Yes. D. Yes. Resolution 279. Amending resolution number 283, adopt on June 4th, 2024, an
interlocal agreement with the South Jersey Transportation Authority for the Community Shuttle Program net increase $58,1241. Move. Second. Move and seconded. Commissioner comments. Anyone from the public, please call the RO. Bertino,
yes. Forsy, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzley, yes. Ruff, yes. D, yes. Resolution 280. agreement with Children's Specialized Hospital for the provision of special health child health services to Atlantic County amount not
to exceed $17,000. Moved second. Move then seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Ratino, yes. Corsy, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruff, yes. D,
yes. Resolution 281, intergovernmental agreement with the city of Vetner to provide seasonal parking during the summer to senior patrons of the vet vetner's nutrition site. Amount not to exceed $8,000. Move. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any
comments from the public? Please call the role. Martino, yes. Yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, Grizzly, yes. Ruff, yes. Resolution 282 amending resolution number 399 adopt on September 1st 2020
an interlocal agreement with Atlanta County Utilities Authority for animal carcass disposal a net increase $3,1518 second moved and seconded any commissioner comments any comments from the public please call the role
yes yes gat yeserley yes ruff Yes. Resolution 283, intergovernmental services agreement with the city of Northfield regarding assignment of law enforcement officers to the Atlanta County Prosecutor's Office on an as needed basis amount not
to exceed $6,000. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments, public comment, please call the role. Prino, yes. Yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzley, yes. Ruff, yes. D, yes.
Resolution 284, business associate agreement between the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services, and the Atlantic County Area Agency on Aging to be included with the 2025 2026 State Health Insurance Assistance Program Grant. Move. Second. Moved and seconded. Any
commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Martino, yes. Corsy, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzley, yes. Rafu, yes. states. Yes. Resolution 285, resolution
to comply with the New Jersey Department of Human Services requirement for a standardized resolution to be filed with the 2025 2026 state health insurance assistance program grant by the Atlantic County Area Agency on Aging. Move. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from
the public? Please call the role. Yes. Horsey, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzley. Yes. Ruff. Yes. D. Yes. Resolution 286. Acceptance of deeds easements from various granters in accordance with Atlantic County planning
standards. Move. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comment. Any comments from the public. May please call the role. Ratino. Yes. Yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, Grizzley, yes. Ruffw, yes. D, yes.
Resolution 287, memorandum of understanding with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority to accept funding for economic development initiatives and the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park and further authorizing an amended agreement with the Atlantic County Improvement Authority for the
procurement of economic development initiatives and services amount not to exceed $4,500,000. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Commissioner Rizley. Yeah, just briefly, Mr. Chairman. And I mean, it's really self-explanatory, but I can't
overemphasize the importance of the collaboration between the ACUA and of course our Lenic County Economic Alliance and of course our uh project, the NRTP, which is going to provide uh
tremendous opportunities for Atlantic County residents. The second building is uh is being built in as we speak and um it's a 400,000 square foot building and we'll have that one filled before you know it and looking at building number
three hopefully. So, we're building uh on a whole new economy and a whole new industry here in Atlantic County and it's a really an exciting time to be a part of this and and this joint venture uh the help we get from the ACA uh makes
it all happen. So, with that, thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Grizzlie. Any other commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Bertino, yes. Horsey, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes.
Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruffio, yes. Days, yes. Resolution 288, business associate agreement between the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Services, and the Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services to be included with the 2025 2026 personal
assistance services program grant. Move. Second. We have seconded. Any commissioner comments? Comments from the public? Right. Please call the role. Ratino. Yes. Horsey. Yes. Gat. Yes. Karn. Yes. Parker. Yes. Grizzly. Yes.
Ruffio. D. Yes. Resolution 289. Resolution to comply with the Department of Human Services requirement for a standardized resolution to be filed with the 2025 2026 PASP grant by the Atlantic County Division of Intergenerational Services. Move. Second. Moved and
seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any public comment? And please call the role. Bertino. Yes. Corsy, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Resley, yes. Ruffio, yes. Base, yes. Resolution 290. Agreement with McKessan Medical Surgical under the
Sourcewell National Cooperative for the purchase of flu vaccines. Amount not to exceed $43,985.86. So move. Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any public comment? Please call the role. Ratino?
Yes. Corsy? Yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. RZley, yes. Ruff, yes. S, yes. Resolution 291, amending resolution number 10, adopt on January 7, 2025, the depositories and cash management plan for the county of Atlantic 2025. Move.
Second. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments. Any comments from the public? All right. Please call the role. Martino, yes. Yes. Gatau, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruffio, yes. D, yes.
Resolution 292, alternate method contract with Jewish Family Services for the provision of mental health services to youth at Harborfield Juvenile Detention Center, amount not to exceed $36,788. Second. We've been seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from
the public? Please call the role. Bertino, yes. Horsey, yes. Gat, yes. Kern, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Rafio, yes. Disease, yes. All right. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to combine and adopt resolutions 293 through 296.
Chapter 159. Moved and seconded. Any commissioner comments? Any comments from the public on the 159s? Roll call, please. Bertino, yes. Yes. Gat, yes. Karn, yes. Parker,
yes. Rley, yes. Ruff, yes. D, yes. All right. Alex was already appointed. So resolution 298 reappoint of Jerome Hyrick to the New Jersey Pinelands Commission for a term to expire on June 27th, 2028. So moved. Second. Moved and
seconded. Your chairman? Yes. Commissioner Rizley? I think uh Commissioner Bertino and I would both agree that uh we're lucky to get Mr. Eric back. Would you agree? Yeah, Commissioner. I would agree. Jerry
has done an outstanding job representing us here in Atlantic County and our concerns to the Pine Lands Commission. Um he does a fantastic job with our our agriculture. Our farmers love him. Uh he's doing a nice thing where I'm really pleased uh he's considering
reconsidering uh another term up there. It's nice to know we have a friend in uh at the Pineelands Commission. All right. Thank you commissioners. Any other commissioner comment? Any comments from the public? All right, please call the role. Martino,
yes. Forsy, yes. Gate, yes. Karn, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruffio, yes. D, yes. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to combine and adopt resolutions 299 through 303, roadway solicitations. Move. Second. We have been seconded. Any
commissioner comments? Any comments from the public? Please call the role. Martino, yes. Porsy, yes. Gat, yes. Karn, yes. Parker, yes. Grizzly, yes. Ruff, yes.
Yes. All right. We've all received copies of written communications and petitions. Are there any commissioner comments? Agenda item. Right. Hearing none. Any reports of special committees to the board? U
Mr. chair, not necessarily a special committee, but uh we did have a meeting and just want to say thanks to um Tara number one for helping out and uh uh Tim, I saw Tim just left, our shared services coordinator, but uh we did have a meeting with Mullica Township um with
regard to a LEAP grant that we're going to attempt to apply for. It would help to um put in some new sound equipment um at the school which will be shared with the the township committee has been holding their public meetings at the
school uh while their town hall is um being used by the police department and will be for the foreseeable future uh while they consider options. Um, you know, right now there the public access to a meeting is is pretty abysmal in terms of sound,
uh, being able to go online, things like that. It's really hard to hear even in person at a meeting. Um, so we are applying for a LEAP grant, uh, for both entities to be able to use the sound equipment um, and, uh, you know, be able to, uh, broadcast meetings uh, to the
public as well um, through that LEAP grant. And um so we uh we we had a great productive meeting with them to kind of figure it out. The that deadline's the end of this month, so we uh are working on it quickly, but uh I think uh with the help of Tara and Tim, we're going to we're going to be able to do something
productive there. So, thank you. Sounds good. Any other reports of special committees to the board? Mr. Chair, not really a report as well, but uh at our last meeting, education and schools committee was tasked to do some work in the meet. uh we have been attempting to
get some information uh which we still have not received. So we're going to uh I guess an al alternate method of getting the information that we're requesting. So hopefully uh we'll have that by next
week and then Tara can put together and schedule that meeting and we'll have something for the next meeting uh to report to this board. All right, commissioner. That could keep us updated. Um, any other reports of special committees? Any unfinished
business? Any new business? All right, brings us to public comment. Anyone attending in person that would like to speak now with public comment, please come to the podium, speak into the microphone, and state your name and the town you reside. If you're attending virtually, would like to make public comment, please raise
your hand. I will call upon your name. A request to unmute will be sent. Please state your name in the town in which you reside. You will be provided up to three minutes to speak. Good evening. My name is Alice Carcilli. I live in Brigantine. I'm here tonight on behalf of the organization
Indivisible Atlantic City Empathy United. Uh we're a group of concerned Atlantic County residents here today to implore you to pass a resolution in opposition to any federal legislation that would take health care away, make healthc care less affordable, or shift cost for essential services to New
Jersey's budget, hurting our local economy. I invite anyone here uh to support this request to please stand or come forward. Um we'll be sharing statistics pertaining to Atlantic County and New Jersey residents. This information can be found on the New Jersey Department of Human Services
website, research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, and statistics cited in research from the National Institute of Mental Health. We have copies here of this resolution along with the references for each of you to refer to. Thank you. Medicaid is the largest source of
federal funding to states, providing not only coverage to millions, but also expanded economic activity through job creation, revenue to hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. One in five Americans, nearly 80 million people, including 37 million American
children, rely on Medicaid and CHIP for their health coverage. And another 25 million Americans, get coverage through the Affordable Care Act exchanges. In New Jersey, Medicaid and CHIP, known as New Jersey Family Care, cover a total of 1.8 million residents, including
70,335 Atlantic County residents. These programs cover more than 860,000 New Jersey children, nearly 30,85 of whom reside in Atlantic County, providing children with the opportunity for good health early in life, preventing higher costs in the future, and boosting their
opportunity to achieve better in school and in the workforce later in life. The income eligibility threshold in New Jersey for New Jersey Family Care and Medicaid for adults is 180 138% of the federal poverty level, the $21,000
annual income. Medicaid also pays for 30% of the state's births and provides coverage for pregnancy and continuous eligibility for 12 months of postpartum care to ensure more babies and mothers can enjoy better health and fewer complications or deaths from birth. Mental health diagnoses and substance
use disorders have increased over the last decade, and Medicaid is the leading funer of behavioral health services to treat these conditions, which have devastated countless families. The population of people over 65 is projected to double by 2030, and Medicaid is the leading payer of
long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities, either in facilities or through home and community based services. and the New Jersey Medicare Savings Program with 52% of elderly people and those with disabilities in New Jersey depending on Medicaid for services. In New Jersey, 64% of NJ
family care Medicaid adult enrolles are employed and nationally the majority of non-disabled Medicaid adults under 65 work full-time or part-time or are not working due to caregiving responsibilities. Good evening. My name is Susan Marowitz and I live in Brigantine.
Um, there is strong public support for the Affordable Care Act, ACA, which brought the number of uninsured people to a record low by enrolling over 25 million Americans in affordable private insurance coverage, including more than
500,000 in New Jersey and by providing coverage to an additional 20 million lowincome adults through the ACA Medicaid expansion that is fully funded by the federal ederal government. There are
462,500 New Jerseyians who receive federal premium tax credits and improvements to the ACA's affordably affordability tax credits save the average enrolly $2,400 annually while continuing to
protect millions of people with pre-existing conditions from discrimination, higher costs, and medical debt. and it will expire in 2025 unless Congress extends them, preventing millions from losing coverage or having
to pay much more for coverage. The Supplemental Nutritional Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, provides essential food assistance to 800 and 37,000 residents in New Jersey. More than
33,585 in Atlantic County, including working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. reducing food insecurity, improving health outcomes, and supporting local grocery stores and farmers
markets. Federal proposals to slash SNAP funding would force many families to choose between food and medical care. It would exac exacerbate poverty, increase the burden on state and local services,
and undermine the health and well-being of vulnerable residents, particularly when paired with healthc care coverage cuts. Congress has passed a federal budget resolution that if enacted would slash
880 billion or more from healthc care programs, taking Medicaid and ACA coverage for millions of low and moderate income people, increasing premiums for millions more, and inflicting lasting economic harm on
state budgets, hospitals, and local economies to extend the 2017 Trump tax law and pay for nearly $5 trillion in t tax breaks for the wealthiest. People losing their health
insurance coverage will have a broader impact, reducing economic output by 3.6 billion and result an estimated loss of nearly 20,000 jobs. Hello, I'm Deborah Silver. I'm from
Galloway Township. I um at one time was president of the mental health advisory board, your board, just to let you know that. So, it's good to be back. Um and I today I wanted to discuss a few points. Um Christine Nobert buyer the commissioner of the department for
children's and family services said like many state agencies we rely heavily on direct and indirect federal funds to support a variety of crucial um crucial prevention intervention and treatment programs for children, individuals and families we serve. The proposed cuts for
federal co uh funding would mean significant cuts to children's mental health services threatening to collapse the children's system of care at a time when the demand for services is at the highest it would be re would reduce funding for children's protect
protection case workers and child abuse investigations making New Jersey less safe for vulnerable children and struggling families. The health and safety of New Jerseys children are truly at stake. Medicare. Medicaid makes us all healthier and safer. And every New
Jersey family would be hurt if millions of Medicaid dollars were taken away from us regardless of whether they're directly enrolled in the life-saving program. When we talk about Medicaid cuts, we are talking about the numbers in the budget document. We're talking about the programs that are touching
every aspect of public and private health care. Each dollar withheld in New in New Jersey means loss of jobs, closed hospitals, price hawks hikes for health services, and more people dying in preventable diseases. Healthc care services provided by New Jersey Family
Care includes doctor visits, eyeglasses, hospitalizations, lab tests, x-rays, prescriptions, regular checkups, mental health, dental preventive screenings, autism services, community dollar services, and help with personal care needs. These services may include both
health care and long care longterm care services that enable people with complex needs to live fully in the community in their own homes and in the facility relying on 247 nursing and medical attention. Some services are designed to help individuals with disabilities live
safely and independently in the community in direct support and professionals dehabilitation programs and supported in employment behavioral supports and more. This is really, really, very scary, very scary time.
Thank you. Good afternoon. Uh, my name is Laura Rogers. I'm chief impact officer at Jewish Family Service in Atlantic County. And a little bit about the people um who will be impacted by these potential cuts. Uh for example, uh with
um SNAP or food stamp cuts, uh we would um at JFS really struggle to meet the need. We are already seeing a 50% increase in food that we're distributing just since January. So, it's hard to
imagine uh what people will need if SNAP is cut. And uh I've been a social worker for decades. Um this is a a moment that I've never contemplated before. and I'm losing sleep and and we are stressed. Um
I think about today the older adult that our case manager took to um get cancer treatment using Medicaid. I think about the eight-year-old who graduated um from therapy uh last week and was able to
complete school without interruption um with expert trauma treatment and and help for anxiety. Uh I also think about uh our neighbors who are currently unhoused and unsheltered who our team
helps to uh get a home, get off the streets and uh they need a lot of support that is paid for by Medicaid. So we um can't imagine the impact on the people that we serve and care about every day. Uh New Jersey family care has
an annual budget of 24 billion. That cost is shared as you as you know between the state and federal government. The governor has continued that support in this uh uh budget that he has proposed this year. Um reductions in federal funding will impact the state
budget obviously come down to uh county uh impact as well and directly uh jeopardize access to care and um create a lot of difficulties for our lo local systems. Uh New Jersey uh Medicaid
provides coverage for ne nearly half of New Jerseys children. Uh one-third of births essential services for working families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. So uh JFS uh joins with the voices today to ask you to uh
support a resolution showing that uh you are also concerned about potential Medicaid and SNAP cuts. Thank you very much. Hello, my name is Terry Ree and I am from Northfield and I was um asked to read a letter that was released by um
Elizabeth McCarthy who is the president and CEO of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. Late last week, two important developments took place. New statistics on food and security were released by Feeding America and the House Committee on Agriculture submitted proposals to
cut SNAP among other programs. The data, as we expected, is not good. Food insecurity is up almost 10% in New Jersey to 1.1 million people. This comes at the same time as decreases to the TEFAP food that we get from the USDA and higher prices in some cases for food
that we purchase. As we budget for the new fiscal year, we have prioritized our ability to distribute food to the most in need areas and will continue to analyze that need and get feedback from our partners to make adjustments. In addition, the House Agricultural Committee put forward a proposal to make
devastating cuts to SNAP, and on Sunday, it was approved by the House Budget Committee. They include shifting the cost to the states, dramatic increase to work requirements, decreasing the benefit level from approximately $6 a day to $4 a day, and more. And while the
details seem to change by the hour, we know that these cuts will cause many families, seniors, and children to face huge deficits in their food budgets. We also know that our food distribution cannot begin to make up the difference. The proposal also eliminates the SNAP education program, which has been a
crucial piece in helping individuals and communities learn to make healthy meals on limited budgets. For CFBJ, that means 28 staff members whose funding will be cut and therefore their jobs will be eliminated. The timing of this last cut is unclear right now, but we believe it
will be on or about October 1st. This proposal still needs to be voted on by the full house and then the Senate and we know that reversing the cuts completely is not possible, but we are aware that some members are working on alternative proposals. They indicate that hearing from the public will be very important and we are issuing calls
to action to our staff partners, donor base, food donors, volunteers, and all of you. As you know, we are a nonpartisan organization, but we believe that there are people on both sides of the aisle who support support food security. And we ask that each of you take time this week to call members of
Congress, particularly those in the majority party. Contact information for their offices she includes below. And you do not need to be an expert. You simply need to call and say that you oppose the cuts to SNAP and that we trust that neither party wants people in New Jersey to go hungry. Three things to
know. Hunger in New Jersey is up 65% since 2020. This equals 1.1 million people. SNAP is our nation's first line of defense against hunger and literally saves lives. and current proposals to cut SNAP would devastate the program. She then goes on to add three things
that citizens can do to let people know what's going on, such as calling representatives, talking to friends, and using social media. Personally, I would just like to add that in Atlantic County as of October 2024, there were 34,56 people on SNAP. That breaks down
into 20,640 adults and 13,416 children. Thank you for your time. Hi, my name is Susan Colgus. I'm from Galloway Township and I want to thank the the folks who put the word out to come and talk tonight about Medicaid. Uh
my story about Medicaid is we are a Medicaid family um for my son Alexander. I want people to see what this looks like, what we look like. I'm also an assistant professor of education at the College of New Jersey. I've been appointed to the commission um the women's commission here for Atlantic
County and formerly um for the disability advisory board um and I served on the Galloway Township Board of Education for three years during COVID. Um I have an eighth grader who goes to Galloway Township Middle School and he will be going to a magnet program. Um,
and we h we also have a youngest um, Gabby who's 11 in Galloway Schools. And we have Alexander who's 24 and has uh, significant disabilities and he's on Medicaid. I need people to know what this looks like because his
budget cost $500,000 a year. But the state of New Jersey has let me know, the division of de developmental disabilities has let me know that if we can no longer take care of Alex, that he'll be going to Woodbine Developmental Center. And I know that people think that the institutions were closed in the
1980s, they're still open and they still take admissions. And they take admissions like my son who's 24 years old and still calls me mommy. Alex is, you might also remember that I had to reach out to the commissioners between
2022 and 2023 when my son was hospitalized for 297 days in Philadelphia at Children's Hospital Philadelphia. and he was a difficult discharge and we had to stay in the hospital for his safety because we were
not able to return to New Jersey without the threat of him being sent to a facility 3 hours away or to the developmental center. So looking to the history of disability and what people have done, we stayed and we held out in that hospital even though insurance was
stopped paying for almost a year um until we were able to settle with New Jersey and they provided the the budget that he needs which is $500,000 a year if he was sent to Woodbine would be upwards of a million
dollars for his care. So, I need folks to understand that I am able to be an assistant professor 70 miles away from my house because Medicaid takes care of my son. Able to serve on the school board. I'm able to organize families. I
organize over 800 families who have the most significantly disabled children in the state of New Jersey. and we are all hanging on by a thread watching what is happening with Medicaid with terror in our hearts for what can happen. So I
know that personal stories are very important and to see what family who relies on Medicaid looks like that we could still be com giving to our community educated homeowners taxpayers but our lifeline is Medicaid. Thank you.
Thank you. My name is Carolyn Rush and I am actually from Seal City in Cape May County and I will be um doing the same thing next week with the Cape May County Commissioners urging them to adopt this resolution. Um, so I what I wanted to do
here today was just these women who spoke spoke so eloquently and I know that some of you may be wondering why are they asking you who are county commissioners to help with things that are really at the federal level. Um, and the real reason is because we are all
hoping that our commissioners, the people that are elected officials closest to us in Atlantic County and Cape May County, will urge our federal officials to not allow legislation to get through that will destroy the the
health care and the food services and the things that are so desperately needed by people in our communities. So, I know that Alice gave you a packet that has the resolution. The gist of it, while it outlines a lot of problems that
that may occur if these cuts are enacted, the gist of it is that we are looking for you, our local leaders, to urge our New Jersey congressional delegation to voice opposition to vote to and vote against the federal
legislation that would take health care away, make health care less affordable, shift costs for essential services to New Jersey's budget, and hurt local econom economies. They're going to be voting on this, I think, at 1:00 a.m. tomorrow or
something strange like that. You got to ask yourself, what are they doing? And our representative is Jeff Van Drew, so we need to make sure that he hears your voices. I know that he respects the people that are on this uh you who sit in these commissioner seats. Please let
him know that your constituents are not okay with a yes vote from him. Please make sure he hears your voices loud and clear. Pass this resolution and make sure that he gets a copy of it. They will be getting a copy of it anyway, but
signed by you, it will have more meaning. So, please take seriously all the information that was shared with you today and understand that your role at the county level is to influence those at the federal level who make decisions that will impact the lives of all of
these people. Thank you. Is there any other public comment at this time? Listen, I I just want to say that I I appreciate all of the comments that were made here today. I appreciate your passion and um I guess most importantly, I appreciate your engagement in your community. Um so, you know, there's a
lot of information to unpack. I'm sure that we'll all do our due diligence and take a look at what was presented to us, but I do want to thank you for your comments today, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, Commissioner portion closed on this. Sorry. Did you close the public portion? Not at this time. No, I'll wait for you close. Okay. So, is there anyone online?
Any other public comment? All right. At this time then I'll entertain a motion to close public comment. So start moved and seconded. All those in favor I. Any opposed? All right. So any comments for the good of the order? Commissioner Corset. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to speak to the uh comments that was made first.
Sure. Uh first of all, I want to thank you all for coming out. A lot of information um probably some of us that we didn't know about, some of we probably did know about. I do think it is important that we do notify our federal officials, but we can't skip the fact that we must talk about our local
officials as well. So, if it's coming from the commissioners, it need to come from our senator, our assembly people right up the chain to pass the resol. However, uh I'm sure that our chairman will send this resolution to our solicitor uh to see if any additional or
delete or add to the resolution before it comes back for this board for a vote. Uh I think can't speak for all my colleagues, but there's enough potent information in there for all of us to to digest and to look at because it's the right thing to do, right? And and I
heard one of you say it's not about a party. It's not about the Democrat. It's not about a Republican. It's not about an independent. It's about doing the right thing. And it's always easy to do the right thing. You never know if you're going to fall into that situation, right? And back in the day and some of us still we often talk about
the fact we all one paycheck away from the homeless from rescue mission etc. We all one paycheck from healthcare, right? Don't think we we have made it uh that it wouldn't affect us. And there's a lot of stuff going on down in DC. And not
only do we need to hold our New Jersey delegates together, we need to get to the president who's making all these crazy cuts. And I know most of y'all scared to say it. He's a wax job of the first degree. And at the end of the day, what he's doing is hurting people. And
folks don't want to talk about it. Let's just put the chips on the table. At the end of the day, innocent people are being hurt. I don't give a rat's tail if you're a Republican or Dem. Everybody's being hurt across the board. And some of y'all voted for it. And y'all feeling the crunch because of your constituent
or because the people you live next to. And so at the end of the day, we need to hold everybody accountable from the top down. And nobody should get a pass. And that talks it in terms of I like how you look at listening to the news now and they talked about we'll see what happens
in the midterm. Damn the midterm. Let's talk about what's happening right now, right? Because by the time you get to midterm half the damage is done if not all of it. And so um again I can't applaud you enough for coming out uh and and again I think my colleagues up here
enough astute enough to understand and they probably thinking some of the stuff y'all have been saying, right? But you bring a resolution before this board and that Mr. Chairman I will say uh when this resolution come back in the right form uh I would be supporting the resolution like I said it's the right
thing to do. Um, but more importantly, it takes not only y'all to come, it takes other organizations to get involved. The the religious community folks need to stand up. They need to speak up. They need to get up. They need to wake up and they need to be heard. Right? If we sit on our behinds and we do nothing, you get what you reserve.
You get right. And so, you can't keep pointing the finger at the Republicans or the Democrat. If you sit your behind home and don't think it affect you, it may again and I'm repeating may not affect you directly but hell it might affect one your family member, your neighbor, your cousin, whoever. And so I
challenge the the religious community as well to get off their behind do a resolution come to before the if they don't come send us a letter in opposition to right and so I think that has a lot of meanings just as well as
our New Jersey delegates. And so, um, I would hope, uh, at the next meeting, uh, if by then if the resolution is prepared to go, uh, through chairman, um, that we be able to do so. Again, every every proposed resolution is going to committee and going to continue with that that policy. So, we'll we'll see
how it works out. But, um, I appreciate that, Commissioner Corsy. Um, any other comments for the good of the order? Just one. I'm sorry, Commissioner. No, I was just going to say for the good of the order, we're going into Memorial Day. remember, you know, all those that um have served. Yeah. I just want to say,
so I, you know, the beginning of the of the meeting, I mentioned the the national anthem, but we did have a local um young lady, uh Taylor Pontter, who sang at Fenway Park, and she's done a good job raising money for a veteran. She having a great interview and then the president of Atlantic City the other day. Um and uh we do have the county
memorial day um ceremony coming up at 2 o'clock at Esto Manor. Excuse me. I'm just say Saturday on Friday at 2 o'clock at Esto Manor. So, I just wanted to put that out there as well. So, at this time then I'll entertain a motion. Mr. Chair, before Mr. Chairman, before you do that, I was I wasn't I wasn't here for the
beginning of the meeting. I don't I'm not sure. Did we do a moment of silence in the beginning of the meeting? Thank you. Yes, sir. M Mr. Chairman. Yes. If I may, I was I got so excited about the resolution stuff I didn't finish my second part of my comments. So, Mr.
Chairman, I want to take this board back to May 6 when I raised the issue regarding Atlantic Cape Community College when Dr. Gabber was here giving her presentation and I asked for the number of enrollment, denrollment, etc. at the college. It is the 20th and I
have yet to receive anything. I made sure every commissioner was CCed on my letter to the Dr. Gaba. I sent the letter as the commissioner. She should have responded to my letter. Um, I don't have a problem going to a committee. I
sent the letter as an elected official as the comm and I do do deserve a reply from Dr. Da. I know one of the damn problems is the chief of Stanford. Okay, let's put all the cards on the table. Has been a problem over there. And so I
never forget I asked a question during baseball and the first thing she asked the question was who's on the committee? Doesn't give a rat's ass who's on the committee. If I asked the question as an elected official, I expect to get the answer. is here the 20th or the 21st. I've yet to hear from her on two things
I sent. One was the enrollment. How did we talk? We would consider merging Atlantic City with Mainland. No response. I asked in the letter and you all got a copy of it. Um regarding ACIT renting space in Atlantic City. None of them have been replied. Now I'm saying
to you, chairman, to this board, letter don't reply in the next week. I'm going to pull out a can of whip ass. I think it's unprofessional that we put that kind of money into that and I can't get a response. I don't care who she sends it to our CC and I expect everybody to get
a copy of the reply but I think she ought to reply. Yeah. Commissioner Dr. Gunther did respond to respond to my request what he asked. Right. Right. Exactly. She has yet to reply to any of it. Right. So Mr.
chair as the chair of education and schools committee. The the comment that I made earlier was reflecting exactly what Mr. uh Commissioner Corsy is talking about and so we have not gotten a reply and I fully hope and expect to
get a reply on some of the things that we asked for next week so that we can move forward at the next meeting. I've also spoken to Dr. Gunther personally. I've spoken to uh uh you know several folks. So there's been some conversation but no official reply on the things that
were asked for. So when we get it, we will convene our meeting and we will deliberate over it and we'll have something hopefully to report to this board the next meeting. So So I want to be clear, Mr. Chairman, if I may. I have no objection to none of that. I Ernest
Cory the commissioner send her a letter. She can reply to Mickey Dam mouse but she has a courtesy to respond back to my request. Well, she hasn't replied to No, no, I'm just saying in general, she hasn't replied to your request, nor has she replied to the committee's request.
So, at this juncture, there has been no sufficient reply at all. Agreed. And I'm saying as a courtesy, I don't care who else she replies to, but since I send the request, I expect an answer from her, whether it's her chief of staff or her directly. I'm tired of the
the talk about I didn't know, I don't remember, nobody told me. The problem is we let them get away with too much and we're pumping too much money into this college and the return isn't is not that great. Let's let's keep it real. I mean, chairman, Mr. Yeah, I I just
want to make um a statement that it I understand that our clerk has also been trying to follow up and get the information and still has not gotten the replies as well. So, you're right. Right. I say no disrespect to our staff. They've done they've done their job, right? And you're absolutely right.
Still not getting a reply. Why? Commissioner Gavin, I was just going to say we don't have a reply for the weekends. I mean, I I would then request her presence at the next meeting to give formal reply. Sounds good to me. I'm proud of that.
But I agree with you, Christian. What the numbers were, right? 100%. Yeah. It's almost like you're hiding something. I'm not saying you are, but hell, almost two weeks later, we can't get a reply. And part of the problem is the dag on chief of staff. I get so many people to tell me when they go to that college, they can't get past her. She's
part of the problem, not part of the solution. So something's got to get and with this board, this county pumps a lot of money into that college. And we keep talking about the enrollment, but we not we we support it, but we don't go the extra
step. As you said it before, you got to go where they at. Tik Tok, Facebook, whatever they on, right? We've not done it. and to give us the BS story every time they come. I wish they put that much damn energy into it that they put into the baseball field. Course, I can't say that I disagree with
you at all on any of that. So, we'll I'm sure you're going to keep at it. He's on fire. Appreciate that. Thank you so much. First time I heard that today. Thank you. Um, at this time, we'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. So, move. Second. All right. All those in favor. All right. Meetings adjourned. Heat. Heat.
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