To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Commissioner Cazola >> here. >> Commissioner Garcia
>> present. Commissioner Alino absent. Commissioner Sorrow >> here. >> Commissioner Romero absent. >> Deputy Director Maran >> here. >> Director Taylor. >> I thought he was calling in. >> Okay. All right. Just wanted to make
sure. >> Do I have a motion and second to accept and dispense with the reading of the minutes from the last public meeting? >> Second. >> All in favor? There is no correspondence ordinance 2026-1.
Do I have a motion and second that the ordinance be read on first reading by title only? >> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I. Ordinance 2026-01, an ordinance of the county of Cumberland, New Jersey, authorizing the guarantee of the payment of the
principle of of and interest on not exceeding $18 million aggregate principal amount of county guarantee lease revenue bonds series 2026 issued by the Cumberland County Improvement Authority for the purpose of providing additional security therefore and determining certain other
matters in connection thereof. Do I have a motion moving the ordinance on first reading? So move second. >> Commissioner Capazola. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Baliki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sorrow. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon. Director Taylor
or sorry. Yes. >> Notice is hereby given that ordinance 2026-01 was introduced and approved by the board of county commissioners of the county of Cumberland on first reading on January 27, 2026. It will be further considered for final passage after public hearing thereon at a meeting of the board of
county commissioners to be held at the Cumberland County Administration building 164 West Broad Street in Bridgton, New Jersey on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 at 6 p.m. prevailing time at which time and place comments and objections to ordinance 2026-01
may be presented by members of the public. During the week prior to and including the date of such meeting, copies of said ordinance will be made available to the general public who shall request the same at the office of the clerk to the board of county commissioners 164 West Broad Street, Bridton, New Jersey.
Ordinance 2026-2. Do I have a motion and second that the ordinance be read on first reading by title only? >> So move. >> All in favor? >> I. Ordinance 2026-02, an ordinance of the county of
Cumberland, New Jersey, authorizing the guarantee of the payment of the principal of an interest on not exceeding $16 million aggregate principal amount of the county guaranteed lease revenue bonds series 2026 issued by the Cumberland County Improvement Authority for the purpose of providing additional security therefore
in determining certain and other matters in connection therein. Do I have a motion moving the ordinance on first reading? >> So move. >> Second. Second >> Commissioner Capazola. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Sorrow. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Notice is hereby given that ordinance 2026-02 was introduced and approved by the board of county commissioners of the county of Cumberland on first reading on January 27th, 2026. It will be further
considered with final passage after public hearing thereon at a meeting of the board of county commissioners to be held at the Cumberland County Administration building 164 West Broad Street in Bridton, New Jersey on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 at 6 p.m. prevailing time at which time and place
comments and objections to ordinance 2026-02 may be presented by members of the public during the week prior to and including the date of such meeting. Copies of said ordinance will be made available to the general public who shall request the same at the office of the clerk to the board of county
commissioners 164 West Broad Street, Bridton, New Jersey. Do I have a motion and second to open public comment on resolution items only? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I [clears throat]
Sandy Aso Upper Deerfield Township on both of the ordinances we kind of for lack of a guarantee the CCIA on projects outside of the county as well just if they're public
um can can we answer that accurate Okay. Um, uh, 202655. Um, just an explanation of those resolutions, I guess, what that's all
about. um 202680 and the design the Cohen green corridor um what that is I guess an explanation and 202682 um what's the intentions with that what
what's what is that all about what's going on there with that money And I think that's it right now. Thank you. >> Is there any other public comment? >> Motion to close. >> Second. All
>> in favor? >> I just want to read the response. >> Yes. reason. >> The first one had to do with uh the ordinances that were backing the state. >> Yeah. So, uh the ordinances they're
being guaranteed ordinarily if it's a an entity that's not another local unit like a municipality or a county. Um so, in this case, it's the state. uh the county would be guaranteeing it if it's something that the CCI is funding directly through like the landfill for example, the county would have to
guarantee it as well. Uh if as far as the county's debt in the aggregate, it doesn't count against us. Um and in the long run, like we're not responsible for anything in this instance. Yeah, we guarantee the payment, but it's the state of New Jersey. If the state can't
make the pay, we got some big problems. Um, as for the other ones, 20265 is changing a petty cash fund for the office on aging. So, every not every department, but some of them that if they have any cash that requires any
change or if they have any emergency situations where they need to run out, it's a dimminimous amount. So, changing the custodian of the petty cash uh just means that we are sending to the state who is ultimately responsible for it. So, because Barbara Neetahan is no longer with uh the office on aging, she
retired. Lisa Williams stepped up into that position. We're changing who's ultimately responsible for it to that individual. And then a couple others. >> 65. Did I misar you? >> 55. >> Oh, what's that one? >> It's about >> Oh, okay. We're just uh we had two
policies in place. One from 2018, another from uh 2025. Uh in each instance, it allowed for the payment of bills to occur on a weekly basis. So it's Yeah. And so we're getting we're reverting back to the 2018 way. So weekly bills can be cut. Uh they
get approved on a weekly basis then ratified by this port as to process. Um and then the last one that wasn't the Cohanzi one was with the jail bonds. So
I'm going to try and make this as concise as possible. So we issued the bonds back in 2018. And when doing that, it there's a temporary period where the interest that you earn on those bonds uh isn't necessarily checked for arbitrage. And what arbitrage means is you can't
earn an interest rate higher than what you're paying in interest. Uh so you have three years to do that. So when the bonds were issued as anticipated that construction was going to complete in 3 years, uh you have the ability to extend it for up to two years after that. This brings you up to 2023. anything beyond
that, the IRS would have issues and say, "Okay, you're not spending the money. You're just accumulating interest. You're at risk of it becoming arbitrage bonds." Um, so what this does is we're say essentially taking the money that wasn't spent, we're going to invest it. So then until we're able to call those
bonds in 2028, it's invested at earning interest and the interest you earn can then offset the cost of the debt service. And then in 2028, you can then call the bonds using that money, paying off them, and then just whatever is left that's not callable, then that's what the county would pay over the remaining
maturity of the bonds. >> Um, could you explain uh how we're going to be making money on bonds that we're guaranteeing to the state >> because of uh we're getting uh points, I guess. Yep. >> One and a half points. Is it? >> Yeah. So on the project value, we get a
a basis point. So we'll end up with uh about a little over 300 grand coming to the county as a guaranteed fee as part of the projects. >> Okay. I just wanted the public to know that we're we're actually going to make money on >> and that's important to note because these are outside the county borders. So
something is coming back to the benefit of the county. >> Would be nice once in a while. >> Okay. >> All right. I think those are all mine. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. [clears throat] Hi, Matt Pazarski, county planning director. Uh regarding the Cohen green
corridor, um this is a project that's being funded through the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization through grant funds and it is looking at multimodal transportation, a pedestrian, bicycle uh from the what was the Cohen Country Club in Fairfield Township um up
through the southeast gateway neighborhood of Bridton uh through the center commercial district of Bridton into the city park uh through the city park and Mary Elmer to connect to the Barretts Run Park in Hwa Township. Uh
this is a feasibility and schematic design component >> and it all started from South Jersey Trans. >> So So it started with Yeah, it started with an interest in us trying to connect some of the park systems uh around the Cohanzi and we're able to fund it
through SJPO. >> Thank you. department head comments. >> Good evening everyone. I'm Melissa Niles. I'm the department head for human services. Just three things I'd like to highlight. um for February at the
recovery center on February 12th, we're having a Gallentine's evening for the ladies where one of our uh staff is also a professional makeup artist. So, she's going to be giving free makeup lessons. Um and then each participant will get a free makeup kit. So, if you know any
ladies who are interested in that, please send them our way. Also on the same night, um we also have our project best eye screening clinic that will be running from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. And what that is, it's a collaboration with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind
where they come to the recovery center every other month and they come with a full clinic. They come with an optometrist um and people from the public. They register in advance. You know, it's regardless. We don't collect any money and they get a free eye exam from the
doctor there and then there they also get fitted for for lenses or glasses and then we are able to give them a referral to the next phase to help them pay for their eyewear. So um that's also on February 12th. We have that every other month. It's been very well received in
the community. So um I want to make sure that the public knows about that if anybody's interested in that. >> Is it kids or adults or both? >> Both. Mhm. You just have to be I'm going to say Cumberland County resident because we only have so many slots, but they
will go to any they're looking for partners. So, but for us, I'm saying Cumberland County, right? Okay. And then the last thing is uh tomorrow AC all across the nation is our annual point in time survey of the homeless. So point in
time is a um research strategy that's literally a point in time um where the whole nation is going to be going out and counting the homeless. So um we're going to be out there tomorrow. Uh we have street teams.
We'll also be at the soup kitchens which we call project connects. Um and we'll be surveying the homeless, giving out blessing bags and it's very cold out there. Um and homelessness unfortunately is proliferating. Um so if anyone's also interested in
supporting or volunteering at Code Blue, just spend time with the with the guests there. They also welcome that because you know we have consecutive night after night after night of Code Blue. So um you know and thank you for mentioning
that Director Taylor because there's a lot of people out there in need and thank you for the county for all your support. Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Any other department? >> Are there any other department heads that like to say something?
>> No, that's consent. >> Consent agenda resolutions. Do I have a motion and second to vote by consent agenda on resolutions 206 through 39 2026 through 77? So move. >> Second. >> Commissioner Capazola.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Baliki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sorrow. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Maron. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Do I have a motion and second to adopt resolutions 2026-39 through 2026-77 by consent?
>> So move. Second. >> Commissioner Capazola. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Biki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner S. Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. Resolution 2026-78, resolution awarding contract for
providing and delivering traffic signal equipment for Cumberland County Engineers Office and the Cumberland County Co-op Contract Purchasing System number 181-CPS number [clears throat] 25-34 resubmission 2. Do I have a motion and second?
>> So move second. >> Commissioner Capazola. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Biki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner S. >> Yes. Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor, >> yes. >> Resolution 2026-79, resolution awarding fair and open contract for providing soup kitchen feeding program services
for the county of Cumberland RFP number 25-37 resubmission. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move. >> Second. >> Commissioner Capola. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Biki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sorrow. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. Resolution
2026-80 resolution awarding parent contract for preparing feasibility analysis and schematic design of financing green corridor for the county of Cumberland RFP number 25-42. Do I have a motion and second? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Commissioner Cazola.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Buliki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner S. Maran. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. Resolution 2026-81, resolution authorizing appropriation reserve transfer 2026-01. Do I have a motion and second? So
>> move second. >> Commissioner Capazola, >> yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Biki, >> yes. >> Commissioner Sara, yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon, >> yes. >> Director Taylor, >> yes. >> Resolution 2026-82, resolution of the county of Cumberlands of New Jersey to
the defeat. Sorry. and redemption of all of for a portion of the Cumberland County Improvement Authority $64,990,000 county guaranteed lease revenue bonds series 2018 and authorizing entering
into execution and delivery of certain documents in connection therewith. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move second. >> Commissioner Capazola. Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Bicki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sorrow, >> before I say yes, I just want to thank uh Mr. Ridgeway for putting this all
together and making sure that we do what we're supposed to do forward. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-83. Resolution authorizing assignment of litigation
matter EW Media LLC versus Office of the Cumberland County Prosecutor Superior Court of New Jersey Cumberland County Law Division CUNL901-25. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move second. Commissioner Capazola. Yes. Commissioner Garcia Beliki. Commissioner Sorrowo.
Yes. Deputy Director Marshon. Yes. >> Director Taylor. Yes. Resolution 2026-84. 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 2026 WA Summer Youth Work Experience Program. Do
I have a motion and second? >> Second. >> Commissioner Capazola. Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Baliki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sto. Deputy Director Marawn. Yes. >> Director Taylor. Yes. >> Resolution 2026-85, resolution authorizing the awarding non-parent move in contract for providing software
support maintenance for the CVS Bluestone cashiering system and imaging system for the Cumberland County surrogates office. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move second. >> Commissioner Hapazola. Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Baliki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner S. Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-86. Resolution resending resolution 2025-424 and authorizing a shared service agreement with the city of Vin concerning Booster Road drainage improvements. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move. >> Second. >> Commissioner Capazola. Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Biki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sar. Yes.
>> Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-87. Resolution authorizing increase of monetary ceiling for labor matters involving UAW contract negotiations in accordance with NJAC 530-5.3
through NJAC 530-5.5. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move. >> Commissioner Capola. Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Biki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner. Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-88. Resolution amending
the 2026 cash management plan of the county of Cumberland, New Jersey. Do I have a motion in second? >> So moved to second. >> Commissioner Capazola. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Biki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Scott. Deputy Director Marshon. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-89
resolution authorizing shared service agreement with the downtownship to prepare a master plan re-examination report. Do I have a motion and second? >> So moved. Second. >> Commissioner Capazola. >> Yes. A question on that.
>> Matt, >> wasn't this part of our original plan? Is this part of our original plan >> for >> master plan? >> Uh, no. So, it's an it's the municipal master plan. Um, they're due for a re-exam. It has to be done every 10
years. Um, and they reached out to us asking if we could uh facilitate that for them. When we did >> plan for the state of New Jersey, was that involved? >> It's a separate It's a separate document.
>> We we utilize we looked at their master plan, but it needs to be updated. [clears throat] >> Will that affect what we did? >> No. >> Okay. That's what I wanted to know. Okay. Thank you. >> Mhm. >> I apologize. Yes. >> Deputy Director Marshana. >> Yes.
>> Director Kil because I'm a president. Am I safe to do on this? >> You are interested. Resident. >> Okay. >> And it's something we do for every township. Director. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Resolution 2026-90.
Resolution opposing version of 911 fees and supporting litigation concerning state of New Jersey misuse of 911 fees. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Before you go on, I think a statement should be made by our VA. I Mr. Miniata, so everybody knows
what's going on with that lawsuit because it should have been done a number of years ago. The counties have been getting screwed. The AMS has been getting screwed for uh telecommunications and and radios and I think he has more information and that
should be shared. >> Yes, I do, Commissioner. Um, this goes back several years. Uh, on everybody's cell phone bill, every month you see a fee for 911. It's a [snorts] it's a small fee that goes back to the state of New Jersey. This fee has been
accumulated over several years in the state and the the the plan originally and to this date was that those fees would come back to the counties to assist in payment for 911 services and 911 upgrades. Um that has never taken
place and those and it's hundreds of millions of dollars sitting in the state right now. uh Warren County up in North Jersey has um instituted a lawsuit um basically almost a class action suit I guess would it be that is
that correct uh council? >> Uh it may be before it's done >> right um but basically they are they are leading the way and they are they are assuming the lead in this in this process and they they believe strongly that they will succeed. Um, this is
purely a letter of support, but they know that every every county in the state is behind them in this process. Um, there are, like I said, hundreds of millions of dollars sitting up in Trenton that that have never been brought back to the counties. And all they're asking for is to give us the money that that's always belonged to us
and was the the original the original plan of those fees on our our cell phone bills were specifically stated to come back to the counties. It's all we're asking for is that for the for them to come back to us. Dr. May also make a comment. Okay. Um,
those that have been involved in this for a number of years should be furious. And the reason why is because if if it's not stopped now and they start using this money, we'll never be able to get it back. And here we are spending
what was it? $10 million on on our radio that we had to pay ourselves when this money was available. was never given to the counties. Right? So, it's very important that in my opinion that the county should
back this lawsuit with with a letter, a very strong letter. Uh this is outrageous. You know, we're talking about lives. This is health safety. Okay? This is life. Uh you know, uh as I said, we put up towers our expense. uh
we uh improved EMS and we still have to improve EMS at our expense and it shouldn't happen this way because what they did was they took a fee on this on this billing and it was supposed to come back to us and it never did. [snorts] So I'm hoping that the board backs this uh
this letter going showing that we we have support for this also. That's it. Okay. Thank you. >> Commissioner Capazola. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sara. >> Yes. Deputy Director Maran, >> just to interject that you think this is an important first step [snorts] that
we're taking in this to show our support um in order to get these funds back to residents of Pland County and use them for their intended votes. My vote is yes. >> Director, >> yes. >> Resolution 2026-91, resolution opposing the proposed New Jersey pack real rule supporting legal
action and authorizing Cumberland County to participate in litigation [clears throat] against the state of New Jersey to secure. Do I have a motion and second? So move second. >> Commissioner Capazola, >> yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Peliki, >> yes. >> Commissioner Sorrow, >> yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon, >> yes. >> Director Taylor,
>> yes. >> Resolution 2026-92. Resolution rescending resolution 2025-522 rewarding fair and open contract for providing endtoend accounts payable automation system with thirdparty administration RFP number 25-32 and in
blue authorizing the purchase of tracking and bill management system from New Jersey state contract vendor. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move. Second. >> Commissioner Capazola. Yes. >> Commissioner Garcia Biki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner S. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Marshan. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-93. Resolution rejecting all bids for providing transportation services for adolescent clients for the Cumberland County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Office. Bid number 25-41. Resubmission and authorizing the readvertising for requests for bids. Do I have a motion and second?
>> Second. >> Commissioner Capazola. Commissioner Garcia Boliki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sorrow, yes. >> Deputy Director Marshon, >> yes. >> Director Taylor, >> yes. >> Resolution 2026-94, resolution authorizing state fiscal year 26, New Jersey Law Enforcement, Wellness, and Res Resiliency Grant. Do I
have a motion in second? >> Some move. Second. >> Commissioner Capazole. Commissioner Garcia. Yes. >> Commissioner Sar. Yes. >> Deputy Director Marsh. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-95. Amendment to resolution 2024-552.
Resolution authorizing a subawward agreement within Spear Medical Centers Incorporated Cumberland County, New Jersey Youth Violence Cessation Initiative Program. Do I have a motion and second? >> So move second. >> Commissioner Capazola. Yes. Commissioner Garcia Biki. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sorrow. Deputy Director
Marshan. >> Yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Resolution 2026-96, resolution supporting the Marsh River Township Fire District number four to make application to the USDA for the congressional direct spending grant. Do I have a motion? Second. So move >> second.
>> Commissioner Capazola. Yes. Commissioner Garcia. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sara. >> Yes. >> Deputy Director Maran. >> Once again, I do think this is another important resolution for us to support that. My vote yes. >> Director Taylor. >> Yes. >> Do I have a motion and second except
treasur is provided? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Do I have a motion and second for authorizing payment of all salaries and wages? >> So moved. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> do I have a motion and a second to open public comment on business only.
>> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I mean the treasur is here. >> We just public. We we didn't we didn't vote to open. We just had a motion. [laughter]
>> She got a treasure. >> Yeah. Well, who cares? Uh we began the month of December with a cash balance of 30,917,41357, cash receipts of 7,6,918.92, dispersements of $19,493,65847,
ending the month of December uh with 19,24,6742 and as incorporated into the treasures report as itemized list of investments totaling 52,278,24 $14.99. And just to give some brief updates uh because year end is the most exciting
time of year for everybody, I'm sure. Um I certainly get excited about it. Uh so we uh uh so yeah, we rolled everything over December uh 31st so that January 2nd when everyone came back to work that they have the ability to requisition purchase orders. The
temporary budget was adopted by this board and as of that date we write all of the unodudited financial statements that the auditors then use to audit. Um we made some uh adjusting entries uh last week. So that is ready to file with the state division of local government
services as soon as we have final uh tax numbers for 26. In that time we've also issued W2s 1095s 1099s. We filed our annual debt statement with the division that's now available on our website and yeah, we're working towards just trying
to get the 26th budget prepared and I I know we're working towards having a finance committee meeting um in the next couple weeks. So, we're working on it. Uh but just to give an update on where we're at. Was everyone excited by that? Because I was.
>> Yeah. >> Motion to accept with enthusiasm. [laughter] You want to try to open up? >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I sandy Asivito upper Deerfield Township.
Thank you for that. Um, is there a limit on the our legal exposure with the the state of New Jersey 911 litigation? And on two, I did appreciate the explanation on the arbitrage and I do I
do understand that. Um, but does and will this mean uh that the money is available to fill either budgetary gaps, capital projects, or or basically anything that you want to spend it on? I guess what's the limitations on the use
of that money? Um, under old business, um, I guess we're still waiting to hear when the regional jail presentation may take place. And the what I had asked for was
something like the state of the county, especially our physical position. And I realized the report was just given, but I guess when you work on the budget, there'll be a little more to it than that, hopefully. Thank you. >> I guess we're going to need our
back. >> I can answer the one piece. >> Any other public comment? >> Uh Steve Soul from B. >> Sorry. >> Yes. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Go ahead.
This is Nancy Richway from Fairfield County. >> Hi, Nancy. >> Thank you, Mr. Hi. How's everybody tonight? >> Missing you. >> Cold. It's cold and icy out there. I couldn't get out. Um, sorry I missed
your meeting. I wanted to come. Mr. Rich, I want to thank you for that treasures report and uh take it easy going home. Be safe. Goodbye. >> Thank you. Take care. your turn. >> Sorry.
>> That's all right. Steve Solah from Vinland. I know it's a technically new business, but I I'm hoping just for a little bit of clarification on a couple things I just heard. Um, with the $65 million release, I think that's pretty
important. If I could get like a plain English explanation about that just so I fully understand what just happened. um for the potential class action lawsuit.
Um does that relate at all to uh radio programmers in the county? And oh, the fire district number four grant. If you could just explain what that was about. Uh Victor Bermudez, president Local 231
out of Hope Township. Uh wanted to bring to light uh something that we've been going through for quite a while now. Uh dumped in our lap was uh mental health issues with prisoners. We know that Governor Christie shut down a lot of facilities that took care of these
people and now they've been dumped on corrections for quite a long time. We don't have the resources, the training or the room or the or the capability of taking care of these individuals which puts a great liability strain on correction officers as lately there was
articles put out about us having a very hard time retaining people. The good news with Cumberland is uh in the last six years we [snorts] were only well from 2020 to uh I would say 20 23 to 24
we may have retained five people. I think we're up over the 20s now. Uh in the last two years with uh the last two wardens Albino and Kasaboom which are doing a fantastic job getting us people in a time that we're short. Uh what I
wanted to present was that the uh there was an isolated confinement restriction act that was put into law for uh confinement of individuals. Uh it was started in New York for civil rights violations of locking down inmates. [snorts]
uh New York last year took it back and now they're able to confine certain individuals as assaults rise on corrections officers uh New Jersey uh statewide, [clears throat] national and nationally ww. So, what I'm
asking is this for this board to possibly uh talk with us to maybe draft something uh a letter perhaps to revisit taking some of that back so that we can deal with these people or possibly get the resources, the training and and the
things that we need to take care of. I mean the these are different individuals and assaults of my officers have risen in the last two years exponentially where if if we have one a week you know that's that's a blessing.
So if we could try to repeal that would take the liability issues off of us. to protect the inmates as well as the officers uh to address the issue and keep them uh separated from everyone so that they could get the treatment that they need
on their own is is hard right now because we can't do it. We have to mix them with everybody and we have to let them out all day and my officers are getting urine and feces and all kind of things thrown on them. They're getting punched. They're getting slapped. they're getting it's it's getting really hard and with that it's hard to retain
people and keep them. So, I just wanted to uh present that to the board and um myself and the warden have been talking about it and uh I'm just putting it out there so that we may discuss it. Appreciate it. >> Thank you.
>> Can I can I please speak to that issue in just a little way? Excuse me. >> Good evening, Jennifer Webb McCrae. um here in my official capacity as Cumberland County Prosecutor. Um in response to uh Mr. Bermudez's comments.
I um thought to say that we are delighted that a grant that we had secured which was called project redirect which um was a mental health collaborative between the guidance center, our office, the municipal courts
as well as there was a re-entry component with the Cumberland County Jail. Um it was rescended when um President Trump went into office and we appealed that. We were um tenacious because we heard nothing for months and
I finally said, "Are we not entitled to due process?" And with the help of our senators and Congressman Van Drew, we learned last month that we won our appeal. I believe it's about we had about $450,000 left in that grant. So we
can now re begin the work of delivering a me municipal court mental health program, but also a program that works with the county jail to hook people with mental health needs up with the guidance
center before they are released from the jail. And the hope is that by building those relationships and getting them um acquainted with the mental health services in the community, we can uh disrupt
behaviors that often times if left untreated become criminal justice issues, which we all pay a cost when that happens. So, I'm excited that we um have this opportunity again. I'm a little bit frustrated because we had some momentum and now we have to rebuild
that momentum and refresh everybody's memory because it's been almost a full year. But I hope that that provides some um help with the connections that will be made between our office, the guidance
center, as well as the jail to alleviate some of those issues that you see when individuals get put in the jail and have untreated mental health issues. Also happy to report that we are moving along with another grant that we we secured
from the state to begin a mental health court with the superior court. So that there there is a planning group right now. We took the lead, but that is a was a collaborative effort between our office uh Salem County Prosecutor's Office and Gloucester County
Prosecutor's Office because we were required to apply as a visage and the planning group which also includes the court and also includes uh the public defenders office and other stakeholders are planning what that
mental health court will look like. It will be similar to uh our our recovery court which formerly was known as drug court and there will be oversight site by um the superior court judges. So we're excited about that. We are
required to sub submit a plan to the assignment judge for his sign off. We hope to have that up and running um before I was hoping ambitiously that it would be March, but I think that it will likely be closer to June. Um so that we
then have another diversionary opportunity um to to address mental health conditions that um find their way into the mental into the criminal justice system when untreated or when
people are unlin to services. You would not believe how many communications I get from parents who say that they've been struggling with their children, adult children mostly, who have mental health issues and they have hit rock
bottom. And sometimes for some people, just like with recovery court, um people need to hit rock bottom to see that they need to avail themselves to help. So, this will just be another toolbox in the county's um toolbox, but also in
prosecutors, assistant prosecutor's toolboxes to divert the appropriate individuals, which will not include violent crimes into mental health court. And then once they if they comply and once they succeed, we will um be in a
position to dismiss their charges. So, um, happy to report those things and I hope that they assist in, like I said, the toolbox of, um, items that we have available to us to treat mental health disorder.
>> Thank you very much. >> Anybody else? >> Motion closed. Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> Um, [clears throat] start can start with um an answer to Mazito's questions. The exposure on the
911 case is zero. There is no we have no financial investment. >> All we're doing is is proposing to support them but not with finances. And at this point only uh Warren County has filed. Ocean County is thinking about filing. Cumberland County may eventually
vision. >> As I said, this is really a first step. Question um jail presentation we submitted our request for meeting. There's no regular response. So >> I think the question of of the bond
being able to use for other things we know that we can but I think you should explain Yeah. >> exactly why. >> Yeah. So we took out [clears throat] try and simplify it a bit. So, um, we had, uh, bonds for 65 million that we
had debt on, we didn't spend all of it. So, whatever we didn't spend, we're then using that money to then pay back. So, we're basically reducing our debt footprint. So, we're not spending it on anything, it's just going to retire the debt that we took out. Um, so if we're spending, I'm rounding 3.5 million a
year for these bonds, this will reduce it by about 2.8 2.9 million. So substantial impact to the budget in a positive way. Um but no no new spending against it. It's just taking the debt that we took out and then using it to pay it back. Um because we didn't spend
it. >> That was it. >> So other words, we're using the money that we borrowed to pay >> Yeah. We didn't >> we're taking the interest to help pay it back. >> Exactly. >> Yep. >> I think that [clears throat] the question for Mr. sold was um the the
use of 911 piece if we recover. >> I guess that's your question. >> You asked about radio programming. >> Yes. >> It could be used for any services for 911. >> I I was more wondering about um >> I was just I'm just answering I'll only
answer the question and that's >> but it's purely based upon um the funds get returned to the county. The county uses them for any 911 service related issue. So it could be used for almost anything related to number presently. Uh
there is a process underfoot for a um next generation 911 program that's mandated by the state by the end of 2728 and we would use most of it for that I think is it could be recovered because we're spending we're spending every
money on that. >> Yeah. Okay. And then they have the next gen grants that they try and claim like, "Oh, this is your money coming back to you, but you have to apply for it. You might not get it." >> Exactly. We'll fight for that. >> We're on your side. >> Yes.
We believe that this sucker. >> You want me to go first? So, here I first want to thank Matt and Amari for what you guys are doing over there. A lot of great things. Um, I met with the
culture a cultural and heritage commission. Um, I like the idea that they're doing u a concert for the county. Um, they're going to have all um different kinds of music artists coming out this summer and um they're going to get opportunities. Uh, it's going to be
like a free concert. When's it starting? June. Is it starting inugust? August. August. >> Each Wednesday in August. >> Each Wednesday in August. So, um I think that's going to be awesome. Um they're still organizing whether there's going to be, you know, food and things like that. So, more information to come with
that. Uh recreation commission. I want to congratulate Chris Wilson. He's going to be the director again this year. And um we talked a lot about uh creating uh some kind of um let's see here. Sorry, I lost my spot here.
So, kind of a recreation center. Um, that's something that's big to me, I think, getting our kids involved. Um, another thing I wanted to bring up was um I think that was it. Uh, but one other thing I wanted to bring up was was
yesterday with our last couple days with our weather situation. Um, I feel like as a county we need to do a little bit better about um calling it a little bit earlier. Um, I know a lot of people had to wait till 5:00 in the morning. There were some issues. Um, I brought it to the attention of our administration. I
just think that we need to get that information out a little bit earlier when we have a snowstorm to it wasn't the magnitude. It wasn't like we had 2 ft of snow, but that ice on top created a dangerous situation. We have to think about the safety of all of our county
workers, um, which is all of, you know, everybody here as well. Um, and on top of that, one of the things that came up was the use of brine. I know I talked to Kevin about that. Something I'd like to revisit. I just it's looking it up and doing my homework about it. Seems like almost everywhere is using it and we're
not. So, I'd like to delve more into that. So, >> thank you. Um, Commissioner Garcia. >> Yes. So far, I've attended one committee meeting because that's all I've had scheduled so far. But I met with the department of uh health and that was
because uh Commissioner Romero was on vacation celebrating his birthday, but that day was also my birthday. Uh but anyway, uh I didn't mind attending. Actually, it was very nice to get to meet the staff uh Megan Shepard and her staff and the uh reorganization of the actual board. So, um thank you for all
of the information provided. It's great to know that this uh board of health protects our county uh with our public health. And then um I also have one comment. I attended the December meeting even though I was not part of the uh of the board at that point. I wasn't sworn in, but there were two members of the
community who um spoke about the immigrant trust directive. One was Shashana Oski of Fairfield Township and uh Evian Roupert of Sto Creek Township requesting that the board uh sign a resolution or adopt a resolution regarding the immigrant trust act. Um I
understand their concerns and why they wanted uh that uh this board to adopt that and I wasn't part of the board, but I I want to make a comment because I am an immigration attorney. That's my area of expertise and um I know that we're hoping that Governor Murphy signed that into law. who did not um and simply
because there are reasons why it could be attacked in litigation whereas it stands right now it has survived uh scrutiny in the federal district court here in New Jersey. So it actually still stands. For those who don't know the immigrant trust uh directive is a
statewide policy that limits how local and state law enforcement interact with federal immigration authorities with the goal of ensuring that immigrants feel safe reporting crimes and accessing public services. Um, I myself have seen ICE here. I was coming back from the
Department of Homeland Security a couple of weeks ago and I saw them on Pearl Street in Bridgton. I know there's a lot of fear giving what's happening nationally. Um, but you know, rest assured that the immigrant trust directive applies here in New Jersey. Um, what it does, it it builds trust
between police and immigrant communities. It separates local policing from federal immigration enforcement. And the reason for that is local policing is for people who uh they enforce criminal law. ICE inform enforces immigration law with civil law.
Very different things. This separation is meant to prevent immigration status from becoming a barrier to public safety. It limits voluntary cooperation with ICE except in certain circumstances. If there is someone who's detained in a jail, they will not be
held beyond what is required under the criminal law. But immigration can come and pick them up. We just don't hold them beyond their time. Um, and also they cannot ask about immigration status unless it's related to a criminal investigation. This applies across the
state. I know they were asking for this board to uh endorse um a resolution, but it really wasn't necessary because the Immigration Trust Act still stands. The goal is simply this. Public safety improves when immigrants trust law
enforcement. Governor Murphy before he finished his term did sign one of the acts that was before him and that's the Safe Communities Act which protects sensitive locations from ICE enforcement being churches, schools, shelters,
courouses and for many different reasons. We understand why those places should be protected. As you see what's happening nationally, it's very very scary. This is going to require statewide uh model policies which the New Jersey attorney general will be uh putting in place and it reinforces New
[clears throat] Jersey's commitment to immigrant safety. Um it is a major step toward protecting immigrant families in New Jersey by ensuring that essential public spaces remain free from immigration enforcement. Now, as an immigration attorney with
decades of experience, I have represented immigrants who were victims of serious crimes and helped them obtain new visas. These cases have shown me the importance of trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. When victims fear deportation, they remain
silent and justice is denied. The immigrant trust directive ensures that victims can come forward without fear, making our community safer and stronger. As a county commissioner, I'm going to speak from the heart about something that matters deeply to me and to the future of Cumberland County. We're a
community built on hard work, on family, and on the belief that every person deserves deserves a fair chance to build a life with dignity. And that includes our immigrant neighbors, documented and undocumented alike. These families are not strangers to us. They are the hands
that harvest our fields. The workers who keep our food industry moving. The parents cheering in our school gyms. The people standing beside us in grocery lines and church pews. They contribute quietly, consistently, and often without recognition. Yet, their impact is felt
in every corner of this county. And let's be honest with ourselves. Many of us enjoy the fruits of their labor every single day. We eat in the restaurants they run. We savor the cultural dishes they bring to our community. We shop in the stores they keep open. We benefit
from their work, their traditions, and their presence. Yet too often, we look the other way when it comes to offering them protection, stability, and the basic dignity that every family deserves. That contradiction should challenge us. Many of them live with a weight most of us will never have to
carry. The fear of being separated from their children, the uncertainty of tomorrow, the constant pressure to work harder, stay invisible, and hope that their presence is accepted. No, no family should have to let live like that. Especially families who give so
much to the place that we call home. Their children, many of them US citizens, sit in our classrooms with big dreams and bright futures. When we support their parents, we support those children. We give them stability, hope, and the chance to grow into leaders,
workers, and neighbors who will shape the next chapter of Cumberland County. And let's be honest, our county is stronger because of them. They pay taxes. They support local businesses. They bring culture, resilience, and a spirit of determination that enriches us
all. When they thrive, our economy thrives. When they feel safe, our communities become safer. When they are welcomed, our county becomes a place where everyone has a chance to rise. Supporting our undocumented immigrant community is not about politics. It's
about humanity. It's about living up to the values we say we believe in. Fairness, compassion, and the simple idea that every person deserves to be treated with respect. Because [snorts] when we lift up every family, every worker, every child, every neighbor, we
lift up Cumberland County as a whole. And that is the kind of community I believe we can be and the community I am proud to fight for. Now having said that I practice immigration law within the confines of the constitution and the immigration and nationality act. No one is for open borders. No one. But people
have been here for years contributing and I I think that we should respect their humanity. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you director. Uh, one of the things that I want to uh, thank I want to thank Matt. Where is he at? Right there. Okay. Especially for this uh, the
the the Coahansancy green card. This is something that can open up our park systems which we've been trying to do for the longest time. It wasn't for the D who actually might have gotten a Cohenic the former Cohic. Um, their statement was absurd. Uh, from
what I understand, they're supposed to get a new director up there. >> Worse or better? >> Better. Yeah, we got a shot at it. One of the things we wanted to do earlier was [clears throat] to have, you know, Green
Acres, uh, we we they sold the company up to Green Acres and according to, uh, the agreement Green Acres was supposed to maintain it. This is my argument the whole time. They did not
they did not do the contract. They didn't adhere to the contract. They were supposed to maintain it, keep the the uh uh the pathways open and they never did, right? So, we can't even use it. So, my
contention was my idea was to Okay, fine. If you want to keep it, you can keep it, but allow us to be the stewards of it. Okay? If you want to make sure that nobody can ever uh develop it, I don't have a problem with that, right? But allow the county to be stewards of
it so we can open it up as a park for the western side of the county and it works great. Now they the argument was that they used the eagle well, you know, I love the eagle, don't get me wrong. I think it's the greatest
thing in the world, but it's not in anymore. That's one. And two, when they played golf there, they didn't have a problem. So now they're saying, well, because we wanted to open up to a park and have people be able to walk through on the on the pathways and have, you know, where
you can get out there and get fresh air and be by the river. Okay, now that's detrimental. How do you go from having a what do you call golf club? People were there all the time. might have hit, you know, the eagle with the ball, but they didn't have a problem
then. Then all of a sudden, once Green Acres got it, uh, well, we can't go there anymore. And I think that's absurd. You have a plot of land that could be used for the people of Conway County and we have a situation with it. So, ma, hopefully there's any way we can
set up another meeting with the D. Maybe we can solve that problem and the lighthouse. [clears throat] But this is something that I'm very happy that this here is is working out. The other thing is we we've been having meetings um for the EMS
ambulance service for the county. I see that uh our sheriff is here. Uh I just want to say that Sheriff Donado has been working extremely hard on getting a lot of the information in order to do this.
Hopefully, and if I'm speaking out of term, Sheriff, you tell me hopefully by mid-March. Is that too far out or is that a good estimation? We we should have some major answers for this uh ambulance service. This ambulance
service would take care of uh Marsh Township, Commercial Township, Fairfield Township. We're hoping that um downtown and uh Lawrence Township. Am I correct?
>> I said okay. get involved also because commercial has four ambulance or three I thought it was four. Okay, Lawrence I know has three. So if we can get them all in we'll have enough to cover the
county considering what happened with inspir different things went on and the amount of money it would cost to continue. So, if this all works out, I I think it'll be a great plus for the county. Uh, and the county, what what
we're doing as a county is helping set it up, but it'll be its own entity. Okay? It'll be uh it'll serve itself. It'll pay for itself. And it can be done. People say, "Well, it can't be done." It can be done. In Washington Township, uh, it is, I think, one of
only two in the state of New Jersey. I might be wrong. might be the only one in the state of New Jersey that is totally independent, does not have FEMA money, does not have township money, and does not have state money. All right? Or county money. Um,
and they work on their own. I I talked to the woman there. She's brilliant. She really is. She's very good at what she does. And she learned how to put together um full-time and part-time staff, which saved them, which saves them a tremendous amount of money. Now,
for an ambulance service to be on its own, independent, you got to give it credit. You just got to give her credit. She's doing a great job. So, we we've contacted her. We've learned some stuff from her. Our consultant talked to her. But again, I have to give kudos to our our sheriff.
He has been working diligently on this. And Sheriff, I just want to thank you so much. That's it. >> Deputy Director Mar. >> Thank you. So, first and foremost, I just want to thank everyone who braved the elements to come out here tonight.
Really do appreciate that. We had a pretty good storm hit us. I'm sure everyone's aware of that. A lot of snow. We had a lot of ice and then these free and cool temperatures have not made things easy. So, I really do want to thank all of our people in public works who are doing their best to make our roadways safe for us to travel. As I
said, it's it's been some tough conditions with the icing, with the refreezing these cold temperatures. It's really challenging, but they are working very very hard and very diligently for us and I really do appreciate them and I I I can't thank them enough because that's a hard job that they're doing. So, thank you so much. Also, we have um
speaking Eagles, we have the Eagle Festival, not this weekend, but next Saturday. >> Next Saturday. >> Next Saturday. Right. So, uh it's a great event. If you haven't been there, very very family uh friendly. So, I would encourage anyone hopefully we have some better weather and if so, I hope [clears throat] to see you out there because I know I'll be attending. Thank
you very much. >> One thing about going last is um mostly everything that you'd like to talk about has already been addressed. So I thank everybody for their comments, but I would like to sincerely thank our public works department for all they've done to
keep our county roads as clear as possible during this difficult time. I'd like also like to thank the county employees for coming in and working. I know it was a very stressful time for them to to get to work and we thank you very much and just know how much we do
value you and all that you contribute to our county and to our residents. And that's about all I have. Is there a motion to adjourn? >> So move second. No need for session. All >> favor.
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