##VIDEO ID:61xjfaGFYtg## e e e e e this meeting was provided in accordance with chapter 231 Public Law 1975 invation indication who's speaking um who's who's doing the pledge he not up for you're doing oh here it is okay all right indication moment silence pleasee commission flag salute IED Al to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation God indivisible with andice for all commissioner Al here commissioner L commissioner Sor commissioner Maran here commissioner Taylor pres deputy director Romero here director Soo here do I have a motion in second to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the last public meeting move all in favor in correspondence dated December 6 2024 the Ocean County Board of Commissioners notified the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners of a resolution adopted at a meeting held on December 4th 2024 urging State leaders to pass legislation to authorize all local governments and School Board to electronically published legal notice do I have a motion and second to open public comment on resolutions only some second all in favor to public comments resolutions only close so we're on for today's resolutions 789 um would you your 789 is a contract non-fair contract being awarded uh Social Services for an attorney hire in the resolution said there's a need to hire that particular attorney why is there a need to hire that particular attorney okay we'll we'll answer after everybody's done for public I just have a couple of comments I'm assuming this is answer these questions but because it's a non-fair contract he's he's not supposed to give to any of the county candidates and that's true I did give to the County Republican party which then in turn gives to the county candidates Tech as far as I'm concerned and I guess because of the need to hire that particular attorney is also overlooking uh the reer of that attorney on New Jersey Supreme Court's Office assuming there's only one attorney with that name in the county uh back in 2018 so that's that one um resolution 1812 you're going to put an existing employee who um I believe is already a director in the county he's also count is that correct time that seems a little irregular to me because the County Administrator in that particular department has always had separate people hire there if we can have somebody in that position for six months doing both of them why do we bother having two people in that job anyway I don't take that position I think those are two jobs that ought to have separate people six months or six years so I I don't understand it it also that department reports to you the administrator serves you it just seems like an irregular arrangement to have the same person in both of those jobs um 813 and 8:14 I saved the best for last um we're going to hire based on that resolution the CFO who lives in hack that's a long ways away so one of the questions I have is he actually going to you're going to wave The Residency requirement so is he going to Tork or is he actually going to commute 100 miles every day to get down here and I remember very well when rats were in charge and this type of stuff was done uh there was loud uh opposition to it by the Republicans I remember say saying I don't care if they're one foot out of the county they're out of the county well he's not a foot out of the county he's 100 miles out of the county and that's going to be the CFO now the Democrats did this a lot I would just argue this every time hire somebody outside the county the public thinks it's political because we're a county 15 160,000 people we can't find somebody in the county to do that job that's always with the position of the Republicans when they're in the opposition now you're not and you're doing the very thing the Democrats did even doing it worse when they hired people they hired people from Penfield with you seef well let G that far um but it gives the appearance that this is a political H when you have to go to Warren County to find a CFO um and it's my understanding that the boards paid money to have people assist you in hiring people and this is what we get we get a CFO that is um way outside the county the only thing that comes close is when count hired somebody who lived in Ohio to be the solicitor that was serous but uh those are the three comments I had I think drive over nor wouldn't do it at Christmas time but it was hard to ignore particularly the last one on the resolution so thank thank you anyone else for a public comment motion to close okay all in favor okay we have uh three three different questions comments um well let's take the last one first I think Paige would you like to uh speak to that far as our CFO High sure so this is on resolution 2024 811 and 812 uh with the CFO to be clear it is not the intention to have um a CFO either telecommute or commute from waren County um that that's just not the intent the intent is the plan would be for him to move to the area obviously um he may not be able to purchase a home and be set up and have a residence um here on day one so there's language in the resolution to allow for a weaver but that the intent is he the the plan and the intent and the offer was not to have either a telecommute or a commuting from waren County thank you and the man has Family actually down in Southern New Jersey um and is looking forward to moving down into this area when it'll occur we hopefully within the six-month period or less so that will probably give you um a little more reason to understand why you hired somebody who has all the qualifications we had um 10 applications come in two of the applications were extremely impressive um and this gentleman showed to be the most impressive along with showing good character so thank you thank you for that page appreciate next one was 789 and then the ba position so probably de with 799 you like that's uh Mr Carlos SAR and you were essentially putting him back in the same position he held last year I believe successfully on behal Social Services as to any disciplinary action I can tell you that he's licensed and a good standing thank you sir and the last one will be the uh VA position um as a temporary this has actually been practi before even in my tenure um I remember um Mr Vasquez being uh hired as our ba for a short period of time while still being the director of The Authority so it's not something that's out of practice it's something to fill a tooth until the time comes thank you to everyone director count Library uh this is my last meeting I will be County as of January 10th but some things I wanted to let you know before I go between January 2nd and November 30th of this year the libraries had 37,6 51 people enter the library to new Services 31474 physical materials were checked out mind you this doesn't count December of that 3 31474 items 16659 for children and teens just shows we are putting a dent in the literacy issue and that's why it's important that we keep the MRT library on top there were 16,18 electronic items that we offered our patrons that's 4,500 more than we did last year there were 1 199 programs for children that total ,12 kids in attendance 54 programs were for teens six were for were Outreach programs and 24 of those were School visits we held 172 computer classes with a total of 275 people in attendance we did 254 one-on-one computer training sessions for the um Community where 201 individuals learned how to use computers again these numbers do not even count the programs and the trainings that we haveed for so for those people who think that libraries are Obsolete and that people aren't using them anymore these numbers show you differently and this is only for the areas that can get to richon to go to the library those people in mer Ser Township down Township commercial Township can't get here and that's why it's so important to keep mer Ser toship on on the books on top and get it going I will miss you guys I appreciate all of the support I've gotten from this board and the previous boards you guys have always been behind me whenever there was an issue or I had a problem I could call any time Doug you are the champion for the library and thank you miss you com make a comment Qui I just want to know what when Jak came in as director she had a uh she goes I got a 10-year plan of what the tackle lit literacy in this County and I asked her short of Define please and and she had a mission and she all these programs that library was busy as you see the numbers because she pushed it and her staff responded with that and it's I really appreciate her taking it to here sorry to see you go uh because you had an idea of a broad library system through the county I we're lucky to have V of milville included but a broad system of through the county uh including br um I I I like when people have an idea what they want to do and implement it and you did that and so I wish you luck where you go you go to the states we have an another Ally at the state other one the federal government but I really appreciate I wish you luck I you know it sucks I but I hope that you're the next person is as good as you and moves forward and pushes this Library be something special so thanks thanks thank you commissioner anybody else okay move on for the resolution consent agenda resolutions resolution 2024 763 resolution awarding contracts for supplying and delivering miscellaneous medical supplies to Cumberland County 2445 resolution 2024 764 resolution awarding fair and Open professional service contract for providing auditing services for the county of Cumberland RFP number 24-48 resolution 2024 765 resolution awarding chair and Open professional service contract for providing Property Appraisal Services for the county of Cumberland RSQ number 24-50 resolution 2024 766 resolution aing fair and different professional service contracts for providing title insurance services for the county of conin RFQ number 2451 and authorizing resubmission of request to obtain additional proposals resolution 2024 767 resolution awarding contract for supplying and delivering office furniture and electronics equipment for the County of Cumberland Cumberland and the Cumberland County cooperative contract purchasing system identifier number 181cc ccps bid number 21-55 resolution 2024 768 resolution rejecting all proposals for Innovation grant for providing sober living pass through payments Transportation coordination Andor programs activities for family members affected by someone else's opiate use for the county of Cumberland Cumberland County Department of Human Services and authorizing read advertising for request for propos proposals RFP number 2457 resolution 2024 769 resolution awarding a contract for Community Support Services older Americans act services for the elderly and disabled for the 2025 through 2027 area plan contract and authorizing read advertising for request for prop proposals RFP number 24-55 resolution 20247 770 resolution awarding fair and open contract for providing soup kitchen feeding program services for the county of Cumberland and authorizing the read advertising for request for proposals RFP number 24-37 resolution 2024 771 resolution awarding contracts for Prov for providing various Social Services for the homeless for the county of Cumberland Cumberland County Department of Human Services RP number 24- 58 resolution 2024 772 resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and is contract for purchase of a for Key System including key cabinet and related software for cumland County Department Corrections resolution 2024 773 resolution accepting Grant award for the fiscal year 2024 State Homeland Security program in the amount of $133,900 71 for the period of September 1st 20124 through July 31st 2027 resolution 2024-the purchase from the New Jersey state contract vendor from the new new network preventative maintenance level one ask for support onsite infrastru U response standard Astro dispatch services for Cumberland County 911 emergency communications resolution 2024 775 resolution authorizing budget transfer 20242 resolution 2024 776 resolution authorizing the a war of a non-fair and open contract for Megan's Law module and ecovery process installation services and Training Services for the Cumberland County victim witness advocacy resolution 2024 777 resolution authorizing purchase from the New Jersey state contract vendor for 6 hfrp tail coat and 6 hfrp tail pink for Cumberland County 911 office of emergency management resolution 2024 778 resolution amending resolution 2022 d2208 228 authorizing a contract for providing Co testing services for the Cumberland County Department of Corrections resolution 2024 779 resolution authorizing an application for renewal of the grant agreement between the Cumberland County Office on Aging and disabled and the New Jersey Department of Human Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired for January 1st 2025 to June 30th 2025 resolution 2024 780 resolution acknowledging submission of a Grant application and authorizing execution of a grant agreement with the Juvenile Justice Commission for the 2025 Juvenile Detention Alternatives initiative Innovations funding resolution 202 24- 781 resolution setting the date time and place at the kland County Board of County Commissioners annual reorganization meeting resolution 2024 782 resolution authorizing purchase from National contract vendor of one 2024 module caterpillar Incorporated module model 305 mini hydraulic excavator with Associated access accessories for the Cumberland County Department of Public Works pursuance of national contract Source well number 01723 - cat resolution 2024 783 resolution authorizing the use of competitive Contracting so request for proposals for providing Youth Athletic opportunity program for the Cumberland County Youth Services advisory Council resolution 2024 - 784 resolution authorizing approval to submit a Grant application and to execute a grant agreement with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development for fiscal year 2025 wioa summer you work experience program resolution 2024 785 resolution authorizing Grant application and agreement between the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services and the Cumberland County Office on Aging and disabled for the AAA njs nap application assistance grant resolution 202 24- 786 resolution amending resolution 20249 authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for providing Library and educational goods and services resolution 2024 787 resolution amending resolution 2024993650 202 24- 789 resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for providing professional legal services to the Cumberland County division of Social Services resolution 2024 790 resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for providing expert Professional Medical consulting services for the Cumberland County Department of Corrections resolution 2024 791 resolution exercising second and final option to renew contract for supplying and delivering office supplies for the County of Cumberland and the Cumberland County cooperative contract purchasing system identifier number 181 CC ccps bid number 2171 resolution 2024 792 resolution amending resolution 2023 777 exercising second and final option to renew contract for providing the vehicle repair services for the county of Cumberland and the Cumberland County cooperative contract purchasing system identifier 181-c ccps bid number 21- 59 resolution 2024 793 resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for Expert Medical consultant for the Cumberland County Department Corrections resolution 2024 794 resolution approving change order number four to contract for purchase of radio communication equipment and accessories under State contract a 8399 t109 computer aided dispatch and record system for the Cumberland County Office of Emergency Management resolution 2024 795 resolution authorizing the use of competitive Contracting for proposals for providing virtual reality trades training opportunities for residents in cumland County sale and C May counties that participate and are enrolled in adult literacy Innovation program resolution 2024 796 resolution awarding contract for Gas Energy supply for the county of Cumberland and for participating members of the Cumberland County cooperative contract purchasing identifier system identifier number 181 CC ccps reverse auction bid number 2452 resolution 22479 resolution authorizing 2025 subgrant to Margaret Winchester enrichment center for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the Cumberland County Office on Aging and disabled resolution 2024 798 resolution approving change order number one to contract for providing various youth services for the Cumberland County Youth Services advisory Council RFP number 24-10 resolution 202 24- 799 resolution declaring a 2014 Jeep Patriot as Surplus and unneeded property and authorizing the sale of the vehicle where is as is to commercial Township resolution 20248 resolution authoriz agreement with Gateway Community Action Partnership for Outreach Services service reimbursement to the office on aging and disabled resolution 202 24-1 resolution authorizing a shared service agreement between Cumberland County and Salem County for combin sexual assault Response Team resolution 20242 resolution amending resolution 2023 786 exercising second and final option to renew contract for providing Community Support Services older Americans act services for the elderly and disabled for the 2022 through 2024 area plan contract RFP number 21-50 resolution 2024 d803 resolution authorizing purchases from State contract vendors resolution 2024 04 resolution approving the Cumberland County local Road Safety Action Plan resolution 202 24-85 resolution authorizing shared service agreement with the city of Bron to provide senior citizens meal assistance resolution 202 244-8067 resolution authorizing Award of subg Grants from the Cumberland County cultural and Heritage commission block grant for the calendar under year 2025 resolution 20248 resolution authorizing modification number two to agreement with New Jersey Department transportation for additional 2021 Federal Road program funds for the highway safety Improvement program resolution 22489 resolution approving the policy and procedures manual for the fiscal year 2025 small cities program housing Rehabilitation fund non-entitlement Community owner occupied housing rehabilitation program resol resolution 202 24-10 resolution of the county of Cumberland state of New Jersey consenting to finance by the Cumberland County Improvement Authority in connection with the issuance of not to exceed $4 million Township guaranteed lease revenue bonds on behalf of the Board of Education of the township of Upper Deerfield County of Cumberland New Jersey pursuant to njsa 40 col 37 A- 56 and approving and authorizing the in and and entering into the execution delivery of lease agreement with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and a sub leas agreement with the Board of Education of the township of upper gear in connection with upper gear field board of education project resolution 20248 111 resolution appointing Jeffrey rway as acting Chief Financial Officer for the county of Carland resolution 202 24-12 resolution appointing infim County Administrator resolution 24814 resolution appointing Chief Financial Officer and waving residency requirement resolution 202 24-85 resolution authorizing an access agreement between the county of cumland and the City of bridon and overd N nurseries LP pertaining to property known as lot 3 block 282 and Lot 12 block 20 Lot 12 along West Park Drive Sunset Lake resolution 20248 20116 resolution authorizing a shared service agreement with the city of Bron concerning C blue warming shelters resolution 20248 17 resolution authorizing shared service agreement with the city of noville concerning code blue warming shelters resolution 202 24-18 resolution authorizing a shared service agreement with the city of violent concerning code blue warming shelters resolution 20248 19 resolution rejecting all bids for specifications for the Cumberland County ada8 Fairgrounds improvements and authorizing the re advertising for requests for bids bid number 2453 resolution [Music] [Music] let's let's um you want to do the vote your vote first no no I don't okay are you GNA any inventions or yes or NOS on uh it'll be all yeses it's just suggestions and things all what's you have okay so the first one is U two resolution 764 I don't know why we're not out going out the bid uh uh we're doing B which has always been our company uh but it's always good to bid out who are there is every once in a while essentially the cost is $250,000 U uh again back in viral we did this and we found another company um and that company gave us a better price which I would imagine we get a better price and actually gave us a better audit and I think the city's still using them today so it's always good to once in a while put it out the bid U number four uh 766 uh well I didn't see any other things so all right U uh I I questioned this is maybe for our solicitor uh we B we bid this out uh I don't know who this company is and maybe they're a great company uh the bidder was a local company and I don't know what they were sufficient or not uh uh whatever they did wrong um but did we ask was it something that we could have uh uh could have been uh overcome um think get this local company to do our appraisals in in in the county um I've been looking for years to have someone bid or at least be part of it and we finally get a company that's local at least in the mix and then we I thought I heard you say 766 is that 766 te Title Insurance title ins shorts exactly for years I've been question sorry title shorts I apolog to the company that was hard and explain to them why because it was incurable and you're going to ask for resubmissions so they're going to have another chance okay so they could it could be correct okay all right that that's good I app I appreciate that U number eight um u i i this is a response that again same thing as the one above that there was some this is the soup kitchen we accepted some some were kicked out that always were in the program and I'm really really appreciate that we uh put it out only one company only one uh this Trinity first Hope Center came back to to get in but hopefully other ones will submit and will accept them so it's good to see that um uh eight uh 18 16 778 um how how long do we have to do this covid test stuff which is uh $114,000 um now they have a lot of uh that's cost too um you want to have the sure you will recall there was a class action suit based on Co there's a court order that's um extent and we have negotiated a lessening of the controls but as you know there has been Co around the area uh so while we reduced the expense through negotiation with the court appointed monitor at this point we still need to do it until such time as we can negotiate a cessation of the controls now they' accepted that there's more uh uh uh medication or more uh possible cures or actually help better they've accepted that maybe it should be looked at or uh asked again about u u this testing that we actually do uh actually do some proactive uh uh uh I say treatment but uh medication that's available that to prevent the spread so instead of testing actually do something about it so needless to say you have to have inmates that are willing to accept I'm just I'm just thr it out no no no I'm not no no let me no no let me be clear I'm not a favorite shot I'm talking about that there's other remedies out there now that they that the medical industry accepts uh that are less evasive than a shot I'm not a fan of the shot so so I hope I I'm sorry I didn't say it right I'll want to say clearly so um the uh number 17779 uh I noticed that we're uh and I this is for blind it visually paired I know this there's a center out out Hotwell uh I just say this because a good friend of mine uh would I hope the service being provided uh is Outreach besides just at that Center but actually provide somebody for outreach I know one of there's two of them on the the J that that it's actually outside and and actually brought to the home or the not just add a center that out in the middle of nowhere uh that bring out to the to the people that actually need it so I hope it's an outreach program I think I read that so either it is and I'm glad it doesn't seem like a lot of money for What U what is really needed to help the people to have are blind or visually impaired so I hope I'm glad to see it but I I hope it's just the future is actually more Outreach than just at the center itself so so there's no question question on that there's no question you're just no I just making a statement so okay um 18 and this also ties to 20 20 well just say 18 this is third this is a I was it four by Workforce Development that and I think they're doing on another one I see this is the prosecutor's office or something do on this Innovative grant for trading of people uh in clubing HVAC electrical uh using uh visual uh if I'm saying it right so it's not only these two grants but I also do the library is actually has the equipment now so we we we're going to be able different taxs to trade our our our uh young adults or old older a trade uh through this uh U I'm saying it wrong because I'm losing the word but the visual uh actually show them what to do trade them to be um uh helpers I guess that's the term they would have a certificant be helper would then be able to actually uh uh be employed and actually be able to provide some service to our small business individuals our electricians our plers our HVAC guys so I I just want to say that all three I think it's Workforce Development the library and the I say the ju attention I'll say the Prosecutors office not knowing that this is actually a great Outreach they all went after this seeing that there's a need and I think it's being very Innovative I wish there was for mechanics would' be great too but they leave that alone for future and I did discuss it about training in the Board of Elections maybe implementing that for our 600 people that work for our elections um to show how things are done but it's a great step U and hopefully reachs benefits for us down the road so um 21783 I do have a question this the question is we're providing special equipment for for sports equipment athletic opportunities for Youth Services what it says buy what a special equipment what equipment are we buying that's a question name in the department please good evening everyone I'm Melissa Melissa NES I'm the department head for Human Services so this resolution is not to purchase a athletic equipment it's to help families who have uh children who want to participate in sports but don't have the money to pay for the registration and the equipment that they need to play the sport that's what this is for okay that it's said special it's said special equipment but that's all right that's a better explanation them I'm not exactly sure exactly how design but it is definitely going directly to the youth who otherwise would not be able to participate for registration and the equipment that they need it's a great thing yeah it's a deed it's a deed there people can't afford it's absolutely deed so that they that can participate and it's especially if they have more than one child and that's it's tough for some families to do it so also just so you know the other resolution you as about the J Juvenile Detention that's human services and oh all right so corrected I wasn't too sure so but but it's great that everyone is is jumping in that so uh and and uh 22 is is is also the same thing so all right so do some mean in the bones for the rest of the guys sorry about that I want a roll so okay well at least I'm meting that Ro uh 28 this hir of this doctor is again required by our agreement and just so you know that's why we have one but we also on 31 hired another individual to oversee as an expert to oversee our medical provider in the jail which we this board has questioned over time how effective that medical provider has and I was suggested by our solicitor to bring in someone that actually can look over that and that's why we have two doctors on the line am I correct about that no thank you thought that was the person so okay I'll be service not pH to help supervise your medical director your medical um contractor at the jail these two doctors are pursued to the Department of Justice settlement that you had with them based upon the suicide your experience at your job I stay corrected so thank you right um well it's good we have to do this so um 35 comments about the wood the marget wichester Enrichment Center aging the again this U the service I hope I hope is a is an Outreach more than just sitting in a a building and uh because there are people that need that Outreach um at 37 and I also uh is the jeep that we're doing for commercial Township I I thank the commission for doing this it was commercial Township approached us require asking us if we could help them and we are and I really thank Dave D Woody for finding the vehicle it took a while but very impressive and this helps them their Emergency Management to function so it fits perfect they're doing and uh I this is the part 43 805 just asking u u i see the city of bridon is providing senior citizen be assistance which I was told which I never saw that before why now and we have Gateway in bridon is anyone for that I do have a question it doesn't really matter but the it's it's why is our provider Gateway not be toide service of the sub there you go you go okay thanks for off aging um the me assistance from the city of Bron it's something I've been here 24 years we've been doing it every year for 24 years with v Bron and milville Bron happen to return their paperwork first so that's why they're on City B return that will have to be January meeting um the agreement with Gateway is to reimburse our staff for providing assistance to seniors and people with disabilities completing their Li he applications so we we'll do the applications and take them over to Gateway and Gateway reimburses us for each application that so Bret has done it in the past the food all right there that was totally different but that's good it's good so City provides some support financially for that program all right thank you thanks and this is 45 this is the cultural heritage Grant do we get a list of this ahead of time of the people that uh that is selected by this uh the cultural and Heritage commission before it gets all this well I do I on to the board yes oh okay it would be nice to review this ahead of time determined by the board that's what the board is there for yeah well Ty one second all right well director I say that that it should it should be given to every member of this board to to also look at this list after selected uh I've said this in the past in different places uh it's just uh we should should know about this so okay thank you anything else commissioner just the last I I was assured I by the Sol today that this is on 8:14 um and I'll say this the Chief Financial Officer the gentle with the came up here has we had one that was from uh Cherry Hill or Hadfield that worked here for years we we also had one that did live in the county just recently lived at Pitts grro uh so this is not out of the ordinary we went where we could and you guys did the interviews that we went where we the person was the best most qualified and this person would I'm satisfied if it's going to move down the six month idea is in this is in this uh resolution right six months his offer right no more than six months to move here okay but it's not written in this wave of residency requirement that six months I was happy with a year so I was that's why I was year so so six months he has the opportunity to move down here and become part of this community which is his okay and that's more than we got from our other Chief Financial officers over the last since I've been on this board so okay thank you CL discussion motion close fa agenda commissioner Al yes commissioner Lo yes commissioner mon yes commissioner s commissioner Taylor yes deputy director Romero yes director CIO yes do I have a motion in second to adopt resolution 2024 763 through 2024 820 by consent so move second commissioner Al yes commissioner Lo yes commissioner marshan yes commissioner s commissioner Taylor yes deputy director Romero yes director SEO yes do I have a motion in second to accept treasurer's report as provided sub all in favor do I have a motion in second for authorizing payment of all salaries and wages make the motion second all in favor do I have a motion in second to open public comment on new business only move second all in favor public comment on new business please state your name where you're from just a com Mr CIO had mentioned that a precedent had been set um precedence is often mistaken as permission and uh this County needs to know that the pendulum swinging okay and you're not getting permission to make the political precedent moves that you're planning to make okay this is no different than your predecessors and that's exactly why they're your predecessors okay keep in mind that you work for the taxpayers of this County and we are not a fall back plan for elections or for boy for all your help or any of that other BS okay it's getting out of hand and we really I really thought that it was going to be different and it's not not at all we deserve better and if you guys aren't going to give it to us we will find people who will thank you thank you anybody else for public coming new business state your name and where you're from gille just to be clear about Mr Al said it may be in the employment letter resolution you passed it's a blanket waiting doesn't say six months doesn't say anything doesn't have to move here so he might come down here and move to Penfield might go some El to me he's in compliance with what's in the resolution he wanted to make it that you should have put it in the resolution not a lawyer but I don't know how an employee letter uh holds mustard over a resolution so I can comment on that but that's what the resolution says unless I miss something it's a blanket waiver of residency in both the resolution P so yes there's an intent to move down here whatever here means but there's not a requirement and um I think there's an old saying about hell being full of intentions so anyway I just don't see a guarantee know much you acted on the day that the person has to move down if it's in the employee letter that's better than nothing but it's not as good as if it was in the resolution itself one other thing I noticed is on December 12 there was a bid notice published and I just saw some language in here that was a little curious to me maybe I've just missed it in the past but um uh it was for the Broadband work and it said in there proposals are being solicited through a fair and open process in accordance with I won't all the legal citations as such contractors are exempt from the limitations of making political contributions under that law further for that reason as well as because of the language in the New Jersey Ann appro that refusal to disclose campaign contributions otherwise required uh will not adversely affect your consideration for the award so I found that language a little interesting I don't refute but it but the fact is is that they may not have to report those contributions and I guess they could refuse if they want but the people to whom they give those contributions in most cases do have to reform so that language to me doesn't make that clear that contributions when you make political contributions aren't secret it just falls on the candidate or the political party that takes them in to report them so all those contributions should be public and I just don't like that language in there because it it kind of says don't worry you don't have to report your contributions and it won't affect your consideration that just doesn't sound right and I think it could be worded better than that because we don't want to hire people who are deliberately trying to circumvent reporting political contributions thank you again anyone else for public comment even my name is Mon and I a lifelong resident of County and I am an hss2 over at the county div Social Services back in August you said you hired a firm to look into the problems that we have over there you took L away from us so I want to know where you are in the process of like what's going on with that because we have a lot of issues over there that's number one number two back in 202 Cheryl golden asked civil service to put out a test for a County welfare investigator they did that about eight of us I think paid our $25 to civil service to take this test fast forward she never pulled anyone from the test never did anything um I've asked for my money back because she's very deceptive position because she said the position wasn't available she went as far as to interview six I think it was six of us six or seven of us just to pull a position away where where did the position go when I started there in 2013 there were two investigators one retired my understanding was that one was being replaced that retire I don't want to take a loss for her deception she had civil service call for a test I don't make six figures I paycheck to paycheck I don't make six figures I work hard every day I need every dollar and for her to use the deception that she did in have civil service called for a test and now there's none I want my money back and I told her that I want to be reimbursed I know the Civil Service one that took took the $25 but she is the one that asked him to call for the test I want my money okay thank you anyone else for public comment new business on motion to close second all in favor commission reports okay let's start commission Marsh commission report so this past Saturday I had the honor of attending the re of remembrance ceremony it was a lovely ceremony it was very very well attended it was really uplifting to see so many families there to honor their veterans I really enjoyed the ceremony and I'm I'm really glad that so many people came out it was so so very well attended it was it was packed house and I I really want to thank the people who put that together and also all the people that came out to honor the veterans so when we look back I've been sitting here now for about a year so I look back on this past year and I like to think how things have gone or things we can do better or goals that I might have in the future and only being here for a year I think about all the people that have helped me along the way as I was new to this position and if I sat here and talked about that we would here for a while because there there's so many people that I could thank for their help but tonight I'm just going to talk about one person and that's director which is Joe cilio and Joe I just want to tell you over the last year how much I really um have appreciate all the time you spent talking to me going over issues um everything you've done I really do appreciate that I I respect you as a person and I just wanted to say thank you for that so thank you your sure t I have to say I wholeheartly agree with commissioner Marshon I too attended the ceremony Saturday at the um veterans cemetery and it was it was an extremely cold day but again so many people turned out for their loved ones it was it was a beautiful event it was nice to see that um a lot of the high school kids were there you know and a lot of um a lot of families showed up to lay the Reefs on the graves and and um I I want to wish everyone a a happy and healthy holiday season I especially you know want to thank Joe our director for all of his guidance this past year and I I truly hope next year they move art on the other side of me so that I don't have to follow his act but um but thank you for everything thank you Commission just the uh they they've kind of covered the wreath of reverance which was a great event it was actually uh many people came out was perfect so cold day was perfect and um the 4 AG had their award ceremony which which uh commission loads attended did a great job giving the county award out to uh it honors the 4 members that have really um uh put all their efforts put all their uh training over the course of time um it's really it just recognizes that and I'm still learning about 4 ages much as I've attend meetings to understand it but very dedicated people overall uh you're once you're in most of the time those people are are those kids grow up in it and this just is the end of their uh of their not their end of their career but they normally go on and come back to teach other kids uh the 4 Age way I guess so very nice um always a very nice ceremony uh I had a chance to attend the wrap up of the election that just happened uh it was really overall very uh for as many people that came out to vote maybe 56,000 there was minimal or not many issues at all uh I think they did a great job on the uh election that came out I always tell them the problems they have and the areas that we need to do better they already summed it up you know we had some long lines but it was a presidential year but they got to in it out they they have uh improve certain areas that they need to improve and they've earmarked that they even are going over the process and they even have it on the wall the process of things they did well things they could do better things they out out of their control I like that and um I really uh I think they I'll say that I think the board of election did a fantastic job and it's taken a while to get there um and the last thing I U just want to bring up that uh I U I'm talking to individual members about this which mentioned this uh middle mile RFP I would like to make sure this board reviews that as much as could uh I have an opinion on it I hope the boarders will consider that opinion as we put that out I think and I've said this many times that this is the U this is what's going to bring this County uh forward communication is the key and um the companies right now that are doing it are not doing it so um we need to look at that and it's not something we kick the can down the road we take it move forward with it with the county sail so U last thing the director Joe I I just know that Joe worked very hard being a director he uh many times early morning called me called I'm sure other board members about things that were happening uh made meetings that other people couldn't showed up and uh and represented us um he did a great job at that uh it's not an easy job but he he made it look easy because he uh he took took it R with it um maybe took the burden off a lot of a lot of us because of what he did so I thank you for that and uh you know we'll be talking so appreciate that I just want to wish everybody a happy holiday Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah and whatever other religions are out there that that I don't know about but I just want to wish everybody a happy and safe holiday the best thing is that usually at this time of year with our families if you don't have a family you know we'll pray for you on that one but we just it's always good to be with family please enjoy them because you never know they might not be there tomorrow we never know what's going to happen very true um I'm going to dispense with all the places I've I've been to this this past month I want to reiterate we have two other people on this board that were directors at one time and that's Doug and and myself uh that is a very thankless job it really is a lot of people really don't know how much work is involved with the director anything something happens it's that person's fault I don't care what it is doesn't matter a decision could be made by a department head it could be a decision could be made by somebody else but if it goes south what happens that person in that chair is responsible that's that's the way it is and it's very very difficult to try to oversee everything in the count the amount of meetings that Joe went to there were times where he had to make decisions on the fly to make things work and make sure the County government was continuing so I I just want you to know I learned a lot from you even though I was in that position before I've learned a lot from you I know your dedication I know where your heart was at and it still is and I admire you greatly and I think you did a great job thank you so much and we're going to miss you thank you commission commissioner good evening everyone thank you commissioner SEL uh Merry Christmas happy holidays and um wishing you a very happy New Year this is a time as commissioner SAR said that we reflect on the year that's passed um and sometimes we realize that we do time does move very quickly and sometimes those people aren't with us the following year um I do would like to take a moment of silence uh for somebody that this County did lose recently I've been involved in Cumberland County and public service for 25 years in one way or another through education through public service through government um even with my own Farm donating produce to our local churches and have had the privilege of working with many many many people in many different places and there's one person that really does stand out who's kind of been an institution here in Cumberland County and that is Mr Sam Hall um as a former brid and educator he was really everywhere not even in his own school but in all of them and um I could always look forward to seeing him in so many places and he did um go home to be with his Lord uh recently and I just would like to take a moment of silence for him and for his family thank you um further commissioner alre you did bring up a question about um our culture and Heritage funding uh right now culture and Heritage committee did give out over $34,000 in Grants now that is not all County money uh the county has contributed about $30,000 consistently for several years in a row without any increase um to the culture and Heritage Foundation and the culture and Heritage sorry commission does go out and seek out Grant monies from the state from federal government all different places to begin to give to different organizations that have uh Cumberland County culture and Heritage uh at the heart of their missions I think the board has done an incredible job with picking the organizations they're all volunteer and they all take the time to review these applications people come in lay out elaborate plans um and it's it's really a special thing that the county gets to be a part of watching these things come come to fruition and really give kind of light and love to our County um happy to get all of you that list I think it I thought it went out to everybody but I will make sure that it does um so you can see the the projects and the organizations that we've been involved with but I would ask this board to consider um increasing that $330,000 in funding um that the commission does make go so far with other Grant monies um they're obviously giving away $334,000 so it's um it really is a great you can look over the list to see what those uh projects are um also 4 amazing amazing uh what they did this year and we got to go there and honor all the kids and the families and the volunteers and the leaders I know it was a little bit of a rocky year for 4 um I've gotten to know 4 very well um being the liaison to that committee there's families that have been involved in 4 for some of them 50 years and it is a family affair it's a generational thing and I'm just so blessed that we have such a strong and thriving being hardworking for each Community here in Cumberland County it was wonderful to see all the kids and the families and the volunteers get the recognition really that they deserve um at the end of the year and I I really look forward to doing it again next year and watching all the things that that they do and continue to do throughout the county um and last but not least commissioner syia it has been an absolute pleasure to serve on this board with you we will miss you um but before we go we do have a little something for you on behalf of the Board of Commissioners oh jeez it's a it's a glass sculpture and it will have its plaque on there it's coming and it will be finished but it's our local glass artist here in milville um Mr Sketch Manion and whove made this for you with love and honor and respect thanking you for your service on behalf of the entire Board of Commissioners thank you [Applause] last but not least my deputy director Antonio Romero yes um I'd like to take my time uh to than uh we were uh we did a young men uh fashion show type of uh you know fashion show well what do you call it uh for 60 Tech uh Tori and I were judges and uh and we had a Mr 6 Tech and we had a great time over there and um I also also last weekend I got together with Melissa and we did a radio spot looking for an opper a job opportunity and it turned out to be that we were going through the whole department trying to help people with uh with alcohol addictions and and and and try to find we did it we started with the with the opportunity of jobs looking for people that want to C Cel and supervise I think she's doing a great job we got to find it's something was very well needed in this County I mean I I have a business in Downtown City of Island and I see this problem every every day every day also uh like to see uh said Kevin you're buying a uh a I didn't get a chance to talk about it but you're buying a caterpillar um I'm glad you're I I believe this is for the mosquito Department that's correct that's correct all right so you didn't never tell me about this but I I could I saw the caterpillar and I said I would love to be the one in it you know I think those guys need it real bad uh uh to be you know it took 13 years to start this program and we got three people that are doing great job picking up the tires doing the best they can going in dishes digging out the trenches so they could have we we don't have a mosquito problem I think you're doing a great job and uh keep up the good work I mean it's going to be all worth it and now my friend CIO about four years ago I Su invited me to his house and we decided to run together and S is being like a brother to make sense I don't know if you guys we uh notice I always wear a red and black ribbon on my right hand it wasn't witchcraft it wasn't anything in that neb but it remind me that whenever I had issue I could always called on CIA and he would help me with the answers and um I'm going to miss him I cut it off now I'm GNA find one for Jimmy so uh I cut it off uh I'm going to miss him very much guys he did he did a great job he came aboard as a director in a very tough moment when we lost our ba for illness and and he came in took over did his best he wasn't hired to do that job but he knew that it was needed in this County to have a PA so he took it upon himself something that nobody really stepped up and said hey I want to do this because we all have jobs and he put his time was here almost every day uh moving forward and did a lot for this County and I you know appreciate I appreciate the work he's done I appreciate his friendship because he's a true friend last last week I was uh you know I didn't talk to him for about three weeks I I've really been upset that he's not going to be on my left side uh you know for the next three years I mean uh soio U always whether we were sitting there or here is always being on my left side and um he's been very close to me and not seeing him is going to be tough but last week Jimmy Tori myself and selia we went out to a cigar shop and then we had a cigar uh and Order KU was having a uh aib right rib like a ribbon cutting and we decided to go and visit them and have a cigar and while Tori and I were having a conversation and and uh he was talking to Jimmy I look over to CIO and he looked at me and he said uh I love you brother and that meant a lot I love you too so I will miss him we had we we're human we had a tough times we have good times we We Are Family his family became part of my family his Grand grandson became my son's best friend uh Melissa is's a good friend of mine so I will definitely miss him his wife and and my wife are very good friends and the only thing is when we get together now we could talk politics like against because we were not allowed to talk politics when the wives were there so you know this is it'll be a little different uh but I will miss you and andow so long yeah somehow we we'll be get you back in here so you know that's all I have to say today thank you commissioner um I'm very honored and humle by all these guys comments and I think I owe them a lot of money I paid I think was it $25 each money wanted for that um I wrot something as an exit speech because a lot of times I get a little choked up and I really want to stay on the task um I just feel a very deep sense of gratitude and pride and I'm going to read this because otherwise I'm going to screw up as I over the past three years of serving cing County as a commissioner and director over the past year has been one of my grand honors of my life to work alongside such dedicated individuals to make a difference on our community I remember sitting at a breakfast political breakfast in 2020 and I casually mentioned to somebody who I deeply respect and I said I wonder if I should run for an office and to my surprise he looked at me and said yeah you make a great candidate you should run for a County Freeholder at the time that's was a Freeholder and the moment I looked at him I said I was thinking let dog catch you um but anyway that planted a seed and after some reflection I called the chairman and I asked for the privilege to serve when he asked me why my response was very simple kland County provided me with the perfect place to raise my family because I moved down here years ago for a job same kind of thing what the CFO is looking to do and it's been a wonderful life and I put that in the to by the way for time for Christmas but it's also time to give back and that was my answer to him the honor of serving crin county is one of the one I will always treasure I want to thank the administration my department heads because I did consider you mine for all your cooperation but importantly I could have done nothing without your support and also my lovely wife her support has been tremendous to me my family has been wonderful they made countless sacrifices along the way I owe them the deepest thanks and I look forward to spending more time with them now especially my grandchildren when I steep into this role I knew there was a lot of hard work ahead cand county has faced many challenges but during the last three years we have proven that meaningful progress is possible and I'm proud of the accomplishments of this commission board now this is a bit uncomfortable for me and I want to thank you for your time and your patience to listen to this because self-praise is something that I don't do I think that I made this mention somewhere along the line that my mom never made it a very desirable trade just pat yourself in the back so what I'm asking from you all is take part in the system all of you offer Solutions and not just criticism because criticism gets us nowhere now I want to talk about the year 2024 some of the accomplishments that this board has done things along which Jim and Doug and art Tony and Victoria had mentioned and I use their names their first names this time because they are truly friends because they're all dedicated to this County you know we reached in constru ction in agreement with the Army Corp of Engineers we found ourselves clear for the issuance of final permits after four or five long years we're finally going to be starting the South Avenue project and I can go on and on about this but there's too much to read about it in the press release in downtown we had the sore project over $40 million we carried the torch and finally made it work Upper Deerfield Township you just saw it in the resolutions we're now working in hand inand in cooperation with Upper Deerfield with to school system 700 megahertz system the middle mile you all know I'm not a fan of the minle mile I voted against it but to be fair we had to give it a chance at least to see if it was plausible I don't know if it will or not be it's not for some time for one person to decide the Regional Jail we put this together we're looking to work with salm and Gloucester County to make a regional jail so we're no longer burdened by a suicide hotline system over at the jail in bridon right now and I won't go into any other detail about that too but all I know is that we have saved ourselves from a lot of other settlements in legislative problems through the Departments that we have put to in place and the decisions that we've made we're looking at a new physical plant for the county we're looking to create and make it whole Under One Roof we have numerous Public Work Improvement jobs in 2023 we did 17 projects a total of 20.3 miles of resurfacing and repair mayor at and jve over the Raceway Bridge replacement in 2024 we improved the bomb at 24.4 miles of resurfacing that's 26 new projects that we did and I can list them all and anybody wants this copy they're more than welcome to have it chest Avenue over Panther Branch minor Bridge repl that's another one contract settlement seven contracts in 2024 they were linked to nothing more than people dragging their feet before these people got some closure that's the PBA 231 the doc Superior offices the Dos administrators D OSS Rank and file UAW the prosecutor's office in the clerical the prosecutor's office for the detectives 396 and M MOA signed contract draft as I speak prosecuted detective Superior officers 396a another Mo MOA sign if I sound a little angry is because we worked hard and some people don't appreciate the things that we've done litigation settlements this county has been taken has taken a hard look at outgoing litigation to balanc potential outcomes versus cost related to settlement and I'm wish Mr Hawke was here right now because Mr Hawke asked the question time and time again why are these costs so high why are we seeing repetitive uh Council charges over and over and over again we settled them ccj settlement instead of costing $13 million even $6 million we got it down to $3.4 million thank you by the way Administration on that 19 claims pending for years settled removal Council that spent more time billing us than actually selling disputes and I got a list of those two we got rid of the strip service that cost us so much money there's other lication that goes on and on and on that I can't even begin to say we have a County work uh Park system now that we're looking in we're interfacing the D we have Recreation accomplishments in 2023 under the allbr we secured a million dollars in Grand funding we authorized Department planning to complete a master plan plan we allocated $2.5 million in arpa mon we supported East Point Lighthouse as a destination tourism look location and what did the D do to us we hired County Parks coordinators we secured another $276,000 in Grant for trail development in Mid County Park this is the development that we're looking to make for CR County in 2024 $400,000 in small City Grant approved the mid County Park and Fairgrounds master plan rep replaced a rusted Cyclone Fence which you know everybody who ever went down to the fairground saw how ugly that was what did we do we're beautifying it we're making it whole again and I can go on and on and on secured another $70,000 in grant money from PR for G Street Street Park in Bridgeton completed the initial environmental assessment for allinclusive Library playground authorized insulation on a picnic room the fairground go on and on and I can go on and on and on in summary $1.74 million secure Grant funds in a two-year period a total investment of $4.2 million of non-count dollars in Recreation within the county these achievements demonstrate the power of focusing on Solutions and working together for the good of the county as County Commissioners we are entrusted with making thoughtful decisions that address pressing challenges we allocate resources wisely and create opportunities for growth the people of kland County rely on our leadership dedication and collaborative efforts to strengthen infrastructure support local businesses honor and assist our veterans which you all know how I feel about veterans improve the quality of life in our communities help them to thrive now for the generations to come I've never spoke this long ever as I step back and I do so with the hope of the future local government works together listen to each other put the needs of the county first I believe that the foundation that we have built the last two years will continue to move forward I want to thank you for trusting me with the opportunity to serve I'm deeply grateful for all your support I will always be proud to have been a part of this journey Merry Christmas to you all happy New Year and God bless ging [Applause] count do we have a reason for executive session is not anticipated there would be action taken resolution 24821 resolution providing for a meeting not open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey open public meetings act njsa 10-12 matters relating to litigation negotiations and the attorney client privilege matters relating to employment relationship do I have a motion and second move commissioner Al yes commissioner Lo yes commission s yesion Mar yes commission Taylor yes deputy director rero yes director yes this has been a QBC television production in association with our partners and sponsors QBC broadcasts on Comcast cable channel 22 and live streams it's programming on Facebook and YouTube All Rights Reserved by twiin media and QBC programming that serves the South Jersey Market what we do Li