this is the commissioner meeting of April 10th 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sussex County administrative Center commissioner meeting room one Spring Street Newton New Jersey can I have a roll call please commissioner deg grp here commissioner Hayden here commissioner shik is absent director space here deputy director Carney here commissioner shik had a family medical emergency he had to tend to last minute okay we're going have a moment of silence and salute to the flag I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liy and justice for all four public statement pursuant to the open public meetings act chapter 231 PL 1975 adequate notice as defined by section 3D of chapter 231 PL 1975 has been made by regular mail and email such notice being submitted on January 7th 2024 from the administrative center of the county of Sussex located at one Spring Street Newton New Jersey to the following New Jersey heral and the Star Ledger and is also posted on the bulletin board maintained to the administrative Center for Public announcements and has been submitted to the Sussex County Clerk in compliance with said act at this time please mute all electronic devices and I ask that my colleagues we put our phones away okay approval of agenda we have one Amendment there will be no executive session tonight can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended still move second uh deputy director Carney and commissioner Hayden any discussion all in favor I oppose abstain motion carries number six proclamations certificates presentations we have a proclamation recognizing April 19th 201 24 as wear a purple day commissioner de is going to read it and we have uh Nick kisnis and Lisa Lombardo from the Department of Health and Human Services here to accept the proclamation thank you Proclamation whereas alcohol use disorder AUD is the most common type of substance abuse substance use disorder in the United States whereas 29.5 million people age 12 and older have had AUD in the past year and more than 10% of yoush children aged 17 and younger live with a parent with AUD and whereas more than 140,000 100,000 persons die each year from alcohol rated causes from driving crashes other accidents Falls fires alcohol rated homicides and suicides and whereas adults ages 26 and older who begin ranking before age 15 are 3.5 times more likely to report having alcohol use disorder in the past year than those who waited until age 21 or later to begin drinking and whereas the month of April was established as alcohol awareness month by the National Council of alcoholism and drug dependence ncad to ensure that families and communities have the resources information and options available to control the crisis of alcoholism and whereas the color purple color that is similar to the um amethyst amethy amethyst is used to represent alcohol awareness here's the reasoning behind the amethyst color amethyst is considered the most beautiful and valuable form of Courts the word amethyst stems from a Greek word meaning without drunkenness in ancient times it was believed that anyone carrying or wearing the stone could not become intoxicated anyone who displays the amethyst color on WE purple day announces that they are they know someone whose life has been improved through alcoholism treatment now there therefore be be it resolved that the Susa County Board of County Commissioners has recognized that Friday April 19th 2024 is we purple day in recognition of alcohol awareness month and encourages all of the citizens throughout the county of Sussex to join in wearing purple at want to say a few words thank you to the board of County Commissioners for this Proclamation bring ATT to for aless aless ATT to Al ISS and a lot of treat I would also All County students are displaying their artwork today showing their own ideas for alcohol and drug prevention thank you thank you can we get a picture yes and the next Proclamation is recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention month and we have Andrea rker from Kitty's house here to accept it whereas child abuse and neglect is a complex and ongoing problem in our society affecting many children in Sussex County and whereas every child is entitled to be loved cared for nurtured feel secure be free from verbal sexual emotional and physical abuse and neglect whereas child abuse and neglect not only directly harms children but also increases the likelihood of criminal Behavior substance abuse health problems risky behavior and whereas the effects of child abuse are felt by communities as a whole and need to be addressed by the entire community and whereas effective Child Abuse Prevention programs succeed because of Partnerships among families social service agencies schools religious and Civic organizations law enforcement agencies in the business community community now therefore be it resolved at the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners do Proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention month and calls upon all Citizens Community agencies Faith groups medical facilities and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to support families thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the communities in which we live by the order of the County Commissioners Jill space commissioner director Chris Carney Deputy Commissioner director Jack de William Hayden and Earl sh commissioner I can't thank you guys enough at Jenny's house for all that you do because you guys are truly I don't really have anything eloquently prepared but I just want to thank you guys so much for proclaiming this and bringing light to it because it is something that's uncomfortable to talk about um we really have been upping our prevention program this year education we got community and come to your grou whe you are serving organ come great thank you can we get a [Applause] picture oh there you go [Music] number seven public hearing there is no public hearing at this meeting number eight public session from the floor this public session is for those wishing to make a comment of 3 minutes or less regarding an agenda item please line up at the microphone and state your name municipality and agenda topic for the record can I get a motion to open the P the floor for public comment move second okay deputy director Carney and a second from commissioner deu any discussion all in favor I oppose abstain uh floor is open anyone on agenda topics only that was easy can I get a motion to close the floor for public comment move okay commissioner Hayden and a second second okay deputy director Carney any discussion all in favor I I I oppose abstain motion carries number nine Commissioners comments uh start with commissioner Hayden all right back to something that I've been talking about a lot but I have more information and it's not good so the other day my lawyer was contacting Ed by the FBI in regards to the food pantry they wanted to speak with me he arranged the meeting they requested documents and asked a lot of questions the questions they uh asked included individuals that are here some not here also about locations of where the food was stored and other PL things documents requested were bunch of opras that have been done to Su County Social servic by Mr Winkler email correspondents and all documents provided to the uh information providing requesters regarding the request um FBI would like certified audio records of every meeting after December 13th they brought up some events that were done to me as well the original documents that were used to dend around with the stolen Val was sent to the uh media were deemed fake by the state police and they were turned over for prosecution they were not real so uh the FBI has this it's not a joke talk to Doug he will talk to somebody tomorrow and that'll be that but they knew more than I thought they knew um do you want to touch on any meetings that you've attended this year on behalf of the county you've kind of made it so I can't do my job I have not made it to that you cannot do your job everyone does their jobs individually I don't know where any of the Commissioners are during the well it's my public comment section I if you want to bring that up in yours you do that okay I will uh commissioner de yes so uh to begin I had the pleasure of following up uh with suss County Historical society's president Wayne mccab Uh to have a meeting so we had a wonderful conversation that led me to attend suss County Historical society's annual meeting um so that was Tuesday night um it was terrific to meet the wonderful volunteers who are committed to preserving the history of our exceptional County uh during the meeting I was happy to hear that they will continue to host tours and events at their mu uh Museum right here 82 Main Street Newton uh in addition one of the historical society's goals is in the future um is to perform Outreach by going to schools to educate fourth graders on the history of susus County uh I think this is truly great and is important for the Next Generation to learn where we come from especially our own County because it's our home uh next for the division of Health uh Public Health nursing will'll be attending two upcoming events with a focus on sun safety uh one on Healthy Kids Day at the suss County YMCA on April 20th 2024 and the second at the family health Expo at project self-sufficiency on April 24th 2024 the Office of Public Health nursing provides basic health literature and handouts at all public events including these and they attend in order to reinforce healthy eating and physical activity for our community members as well as promote uh the prevention of cancer a women's health screening clinic will be held on Thursday April 18th 2024 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Office of Public Health nursing which is located at 2011 wheatsworth Road Hamburg this Clinic offers a variety of Health screenings and education um the service is available free to uninsured and underinsured County residents who qualify for the New Jersey cancer education and early detention program njce d uh to schedule an appointment call the Office of Public Health nursing at 97357 n570 extension 1246 um for seccc sus County Community College and the American Legion Post 86 will host a 5K walk run around around the count Community College campus for veterans awareness uh the mission of the event is to bring attention and substantially support the veterans of Sussex County um American Legion Post 86 and Sussex County Community College believe veterans transitioning back to civilian life appreciate the support of a welcoming Community entry fees will will go a long way in providing educational resources and economic support for our veterans the race consists of both a 5K and a fun walk which will go around the campus um I'll be running into 5K okay I invite all you to join yeah yeah right I'll let you know my time well I I'll try to improve throughout the year so well this is the um start of it but um that's all I have thank you God bless great deputy director Carney all right I'll be brief um this is from the department of engineering planning Bridge d38 carrying over County Route 519 wage Avenue over drybrook and Frankford Township project involves construction for replacement of structure and guide rail installation constru constru constuction contract for the project is amount of 1, $435,000 33 or 1,435 $33 and 13 was award on March 27th sparck uh Contracting is the contractor in Lafayette construction is scheduled to begin on April 16th uh subject to other and other foreseen circumstances I see the mayor frankfurt's here please let your um constituents know that we will be doing this uh this is install soil erosion sediment control measures demolish existing structure install Coffer dams dry piles and construct pile caps and footings construct concrete Wing walls and bridge deck pavement guide rail landscape and incidental items of work uh this total job is 1,435 th000 like I said a road closure and sign detour will be in place for the duration of construction which is anticipated to last through the end of 2024 access to driveways and Municipal roads will be maintained throughout the construction DPW DPW Andover crew has completed work to repair a section of fa failed asphalt pavement on County Route 519 and over burrow burrow the failure of the asphalt was due to a weak roadway subgrade impacted by recent freaw Cycles the work will be completed using a milling machine attached for skid steer and asphalt box division of planning and economic development the division of planning is responsible for managing service requested related the development review General planning Farmland preservation Transportation open space right to farm and the honey and the Harvest honey and garlic Festival as of April 8th 2024 all service requests received by the division are now being managed via the City Works asset management system that's all I have for that I did was able to talk to Mike Richards today and I've been speaking about this a while about doing our food a food drive at the fair um so he finally got with the people that uh need to set this up so we will be doing a food drive one day during the fair he he thinks it's going to be the Saturday of the fair uh opening weekend I also reached out as he reached out to me I reached out to Tammy horsefield along with that Sussex County day we'll be doing another food drive there as well and she's looking at the logistics and where we're going to set that up um we don't want have people bringing food all the way into where the cus County uh day is so maybe have to set something up and I'll work on that with Christine and line figuring out where we could set up a maybe a sign and maybe a pickup truck maybe we get a DPW truck there or something like that bill right and then uh people can just drop off the food walk in susex County day and have another food drive yes so that's all I have thank you okay division of Senior Services Center for lifelong learning at Sussex County Community College the division of senior services collaborates with Sussex County Community College to offer educational presentations and classes to seniors through the center for lifelong learning lifelong musician Wendy Fulham will Present part two of The Rock and Roll music of our lives in the student Theater at seccc on Friday April 12th 2024 from 2: to 4:00 p.m. take a walk through the history of rock and roll as it unfolded in the United States from the days before Rock pre 1955 to the beginning of the 1980s this event is free and pre-registration is required to pre-register or obtain additional information please contact the division of Senior Services by calling 97357 n555 extend 1277 um division of Senior Services matter of balance a matter of balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults a matter of balance program is available at the Stillwater Community Center located at 9:31 schwarzwurzel goals to increase activity change their environment to reduce fall risk factors and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance to register or obtain additional information please contact the division of senior services at 97357 n555 Medicare presentation Social Work aging supervisor Terry Sebert will be conducting a public presentation on the health care cornerstones Social Security Medicare Medicaid Affordable Care and extra health programs at the main library in Frankfurt on Tuesday April 23rd from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to to obtain additional information please contact the division of senior services at 973 579 0555 um coming up soon on April 25th is the Sussex County Chambers chairman uh Sussex County County Chambers um toast to the Stars award program luncheon and um our deputy director Chris Carney is up for a an award um that he may possibly win the Chairman's award which is quite an honor and other um possible recipients of awards are the Sussex County Clerk's Office the Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services the Sussex County Library System the Sussex County Sheriff's Office and the Sussex County Sheriff's office of emergency management so if anyone's free and they want to attend that it's a a luncheon at Crystal Springs April 25th the information is on the chamers website um as Commissioners we all set our own schedules and we we go to meetings if there are meetings we uh we go out and we pursue meetings on different topics so we've all some I let me rephrase that most of us have attended many meetings this year some of them we can't discuss because they're um attorney client uh confidentiality meetings but um we've all most of us have attended many meetings so it I would urge commissioner Hayden to attend some meetings told her earlier that I'm back in the game I had some health issues as you all know I had the kidney stone thing going on that was brutal if you've ever had one but I saw on Facebook that someone had sent me that that you were healthy and that's why you can be a Mech bike so you can't what she I said was that's okay this is my comment you can talk dur your comments so this is my comments um liy about me and now uh and the next thing I'll talk about um Deputy Administrator Lorraine hence and I have been working on uh along with Catholic Charities veterans support group and we've been brainstorming we had a zoom yesterday and we are getting closer and we're hoping that maybe within a month we can get this up and running um maybe once a month will be a zoom for any veterans that might need to talk with other vets um and then one will be in person and we're thinking that we're going to do it here at the administr administration Center um I also attended a mayor's meeting this morning that the 24th legislative district hosted and it was nice to see many different mayors and um Council people and commissioner schik attended that with me and on a personal note uh my family business space farms opened on March 29th for our 97th season so we're happy to do business here in Sussex County that's all I have uh actually I could ask you now instead of Unfinished Business do we have any update um has anyone been contacted from the feds about the food pantry to anyone here in the county um other than apparently commissioner I have not been contacted by any law enforcement agency state or federal we've not received any letters for inquiries no subpoenas um I did confer with um other department heads not aware of any other department head having been contacted I just first I would assume they would contact me but I did reach out to a couple and one while we were sitting here no one's can contacted by anyone yet I can't speak to the to the veracity of Mr Hayden's statements other than just my own practice and I can't fortunately I don't think I've ever been the subject of an FBI investigation so I can't say from firsthand knowledge but um typically in order to protect chains of custody or to prevent spoliation or or the intentional destruction of of Records they would file subpoenas or make requests for documents and not have them you know that that's how they would obtain them but we've not received any such thing director no okay anyone been contacted from the AG's office on a no-show job for a County employee that worked in from uh November of 21 to August of 22 during Co um to try to like some Encompass all of them uh I've not received any Communications from any law enforcement agency state or federal about any issues pertaining to Sussex County okay thank you that's all I have okay number 10 approval of I will say that said Mr Hayden did invite me to commissioner Hayden did invite me to reach out to his lawyer um tomorrow or and uh to to ask questions so with your permission I will my morbid curiosity will get the best of me so make fine fine with me okay um number 10 approval of consent agenda there is no consent agenda tonight number 11 approval of minutes the regular meeting March 27th 2024 can I get a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting still move okayy director Carney and commissioner Hayden seconds any discussion all in favor I oppose abstain motion carries number 12 ordinance we have no ordinance at this meeting number 13 appointments and or resignations uh can I get a motion to adopt resolution a so move okay commissioner Hayden makes a motion and a second second okay commissioner degr seconds any discussion can I get a roll call vote commissioner de group yes commissioner Hayden yes commissioner shik is absent director space yes deputy director Carney yes okay resolutions can I get a motion to adopt the resolutions a through S move okay deputy director Carney makes a motion and a second second uh commissioner de grp seconds any discussion uh can I get a roll call vote commissioner degr yes commissioner Hayden yes commissioner shik is absent director space yes deputy director Carney yes okay number 15 Awards of contract bids orders bids the board of County commissioners of the county of Sussex oh let me read this part inter International in the wait that's from the rest of the other the board of County commissioners of the county of Sussex has reviewed the award of contract change orders bids consisting of various proposed resolutions and has determined that adoption of the said resolutions is in and will further the public interest can I get a motion to adopt resolutions a through D move okay commissioner Hayden and a second deputy director Carney any discussion roll call vote commissioner de group yes commissioner Hayden yes commissioner shik is absent director space yes deputy director Carney yes number 16 Financial uh a payment of bills list a April 10th 2024 can I get a motion to pay bills list a so move second okay that was commissioner Deo made the motion and commissioner Hayden second it any discussion roll call please commissioner deg group yes commissioner Hayden yes commissioner schik is absent director space yes deputy director Carney yes okay B payment of bills list B April 10th 2024 can I get a motion to pay the bills list B some move than commissioner Hayden and a second second uh commissioner degr any discussion roll call please commissioner degr yes commissioner Hayden yes commissioner schik is absent director space abstain d uh deputy director Carney yes number 17 Personnel a resolution regarding personnel agenda of April 10th 2024 can I get a motion to approve the Personnel agenda move okay deputy director Carney makes a motion and a second second uh commissioner deu um any discussion roll call please commissioner de group yes commissioner Hayden yes commissioner shik is absent director space yes deputy director Carney yes number 18 administrative report real quick thank you director uh we we applied we last meeting I said we were looking at three different grants and we made applications for them this past week they've been sent to the state to the Senator's office for discretionary Federal funding and those three are for possible help with the um main sewer line in installation in in Frankfurt and one another one is uh environmental for street sweeping that will allow us to get a of shared service agreements for for street sweeping for to meet the new de P requirements that are coming up and another Transportation grant that would add another bus to our system that would allow us to have M more different types of schedules for seniors and for the the courts and stuff of that nature and if you can see real quickly the projectors are gone we've done the pre-wiring we're getting ready to get this thing the sound up and everybody will be able to hear in the back so just stay tuned it's coming so that's all I have for tonight sounds good 19 County Council report only thing i' I thought to honest the appraisal for the jail is underway uh spoke with the appraiser earlier this week so they've started trying to keep that on a relatively shortly so it's a somewhat of a complex appraisal process given the building and it's where it's situated but we're moving forward by next meeting I will come back to you with uh an outline of exactly all the steps we need to take to get from here to unloading the no perfect sounds good thank you yes sir number 20 unfinished business you have any number 21 new businessops we get Bill oh Bill yes yes I think so yeah that's last part Bill cop all go ahead Bill sorry I was rushing it skipping by U the department has been working with uh on two different initiatives you want just State your department department of engineering and plan thank you been working on two separate initiatives that are at a decision point where we need some guidance from the Commissioners and the first project is the office of State planning as as I'm sure you're aware is getting ready to update the development and Redevelopment plan for the state they are looking to identify a negotiating entity that will work with them representing County where this region in the update process what that what that generally will entail is the negotiating entity would be the point of contact between the State Office of planning and any Regional planning agencies Municipal governments and the county governments to kind of collaborate and work through the development process with intent that when the state plan is ultimately updated that it will be a reflection of the plans that are in place at the local level so County County Municipal and other region agencies they have set this up with the intent that the counties would ideally serve as a negotiating entity but the county has an elective option not to so Sussex County has an option to serve as a negotiating enti it would be done through the division of planning um if the Commissioners would to choose that option that additional work cannot be absorbed within with the existing Staffing within the division so we would have to we have to rain the services of a professional planner based on the information to date we would anticipate that that will be between 1008 and $100,000 under things and it will require about the next 12 months to do the other option three option just quick question though and I apologize for interrupting you but I think it's an important question $80 to $100,000 that we're footing The Bu for 80 to $100,000 that we would be putting the bill okay thank you yes and and we would have if that was the option that we chose we'd have to put together some sort of a request of proposal for Professional Services send it out get solicitations back and move based on the scope of work that we're currently in the process of development uh that that's the first of three options the section second option is the state is acceptable to people counties declining the the responsibilities of being a negotiating entity and if Sussex County chose not to be the negotiating entity we can go back to the state and we can let them know that were not in a position to do this and the state would go out and either retain a consultant to serve as negotiating entity or identify another party to do it I based on my discussions U with you know the office of planning from the state and with Autumn from the divisional planning I I do believe that we would still be able to provide constructive input into the process but we just would not be tasked with the administration and management and coordination of all the efforts between the state and their efforts to interface with County and Municipal governments certainly would not preclude our ability you know if if we had an expression of interest at a local level we we certainly would have the ability to collaborate with any Lo municipalities independent of being negotiating entity so I don't know that is you know I I don't think we're losing any ability to comment on the development of the plan as the state advances it the third option that that is available is we could enter into an interlocal agreement with either another Regional planning entity or another County and you know we could split the the responsibilities of doing this we've reached out to both Warren and Morris uh they are not in a position to move in that direction they their resources are pretty well maxed out with what they're doing and the ability just to manage they're going to choose and manage this in house so those are really the three options I I think in discussions with Autumn if you're looking for a recommendation I think Autumn I Autumn and I are both in concurrence that we would recommend that we go back to the state and just let them know that we not in a position to absorb the additional work that they're asking us to absorb and have them identify an entity that would serve as the negotiating entity and then we'll work with them moving forward so the board can I don't need an answer right now I think we'll have to like maybe have this an executive session next time I mean I don't know if we even need to do that I think he that's why I kind of wanted bill here to explain if anybody had any questions time to ask um I understand that a little bit more just because I spent some time with Bill and I didn't want to talk to you guys as a third party because he explained a lot better than I could have although I thought it was C that you picked on the test but apparently it's B um I like see well C well C goes back to your shared service with the other counties and now we're concerns me c goes back to a shared service and it would mean that we would have to develop local the interlocal agreement you'd have to find an entity that was willing to partner with we'd have to develop it to identify the level of responsibilities of both entities and how it is manage forward does not necessarily mean that I think even under C we Sussex County would still be looking to retain a professional planner services not to the 80 or 100 but you know maybe half of that because at the end of the day we still do not have staff that we assigned to manage this and the last time we went through it it is a very cumbersome process and requires a lot of involvement and coordination and meetings that that the staff just we know we just don't have the staff to that he concerns me anytime we are opening the door for the state to give their advice isn't the best situation but but there will be if I'm correct we will have a subcommittee that we a couple Commissioners will be able to sit on along with some other possibly municipalities mayor council whatever it may be well under we went back to the state and we said we're not in a position to do this identify an entity or consult you want to act as negotiating entity my understanding is that entity will work with us no different than we would be working with you know I'm just concerned it's their choice of who they pick what their entity might want for Sussex County might not be what Sussex County wants for Sussex County that's my concern well that's I I I can tell you that this will be the second time that we've laun through this process and it was an enormous amount of effort to even get to a point where a plan was adopted by the state and you know it's always a matter of opinion but I think the general consensus if you ask people will be that the plan the state adopted really was not refle of what the county or municipality we would have been you know looking for bits and pieces of our goals and objectives I don't know that was I don't know how much our maybe we could work on c a little bit more can work on S A little bit more we kind of exhausted other entities we still waiting to hear back abely that any other Commissioners anything de I agree with you I would never relinquish any of State I don't think uh giv up any of our I don't I I I would anticipate that a consensus of the county would be not to Rel relinquish stuff the state but the reality is you know we can don't think we would be able to find an interlocal agreement that get in place time part when what would they do hire a consulting firm for us they have they've been indecisive on exactly what they that's what I believe they would have the option of hiring the consultant that would that would serve as the negotiating entity or they certainly could just absorb it in their own staff someplace would if they hired a consultant for us would we absorb that cost I have NOA that's not my understanding my understanding is if we decline it and any cost related to identifying a negotiating enti is then by the state then my next question becomes Consultants negotiating for us do we have any input with the Consultants I would it is my understanding that we would be consulted through this process so that any plans you know the closest pl we have is the 2007 strategic Pro Plan which is which is Jack was eight so it is based on my discussions and Autumn's discussions with representatives of the state the state would work with us we would get all the information we'd be able to provide any kind of comments feedback input plan comparisons and and we certainly would have the ability to to do it collaboratively with any governments that wanted to you know do this as as a collaborative effort so so I'm seeing it a little different and I don't want to stay involved in the county more than it has to be but I feel like this is an opportunity for us to have have our voice heard instead of the opposite of what it seems like you might be thinking as I'm not trying to argue with you by all means it's just I get your point 100% but I feel like they're going to do what they want to do anyway cuz the state always does so at least we're going to have the opportunity unless I'm wrong but this is what I'm hearing we're going to have the opportunity to voice our concerns along with the municipalities we will have a subcommittee we will be able to say hey no that doesn't work here in Sussex County this is not Buren this is not paic we have a voice with the highlands Council too and it doesn't help we have voices in all of the stuff the state does you know they publish all of the rules RS anybody can comment on vision of planning usually reviews and provides comments on all this stuff we have that ability they would they would entertain any com comments that we te to offer what they would do in response to it you know is really at the discretion of so the consultant would come up with an idea we would see it we would review it so it would almost be like we're having I don't know that the consultant would come up with an idea I think the consultant would work with the county the same way that the consultant would work with all the municipalities okay or the county would work with municipalities if we were the negotiating entity to compile all existing planning documents review them and then compare those documents with whatever it is the state is proposing for consistencies or deviations and really you're looking to get these planning documents and identify where they're similar where they deviate if they deviate making a case to modify update the the state plan to be more inine with whatever the local planning documents are I don't believe the consultant is going to be making that case I think the county would still be in a position to make that Cas or any of the municipalities I think the consultant is just really managing the administration and facilitating this and pulling all the information together that the state needs to review their proposed plan in comparison to any existing that or Regional like the I think we'll have to like discuss it further yeah and and really if there's questions if you need clarifications by all me we know how to find you Bill what are you under any timeline is there an in do we when do you need to let somebody know on this so there is a tentative time frame for this I can tell you the state is months behind schedule from where they had hoped to be because before they can release the preliminary plans they need comments and concurrence by all the the state agencies and they have yet to get that so once they have that that really will start the process and what they are anticipating is any of the counties or the negotiating are already preemptively should know this is coming and are working to and start gathering information so we got a a week or two couple weeks we have a little bit of time but it's something that we really need to decide as soon as we can and and in defense of Bill too though he brought this up a while ago and I think there's been two faces that's have change on this commissioner board since you brought this up so we were aware of it at least commissioner Hayden uh commissioner SP and myself were were aware yes I mean it has been an ongoing discussion and heading in this direction we're just getting to the point where we need to just this down and make a decision just not there yet to say B that's why I said I I'm just any questions I'm trying to convey information if you need clarifications if you want other information on this be more than happy to get it to you and we're looking at just making informed decision right sounds good thank you okay other thing there's more so the department has ALS also been working with the Jersey transport Transportation Planning authority njtpa to develop a Sussex County local Road Safety plan this was a partnership that Commissioners authorized enter into back project has advanced but it's really been advancing ITA level so PPA has went out solicited Professional Services they've identifi a consultant that they will have working with Sussex County on the adop this plan where we are right now is as part of the development process the county has to identify a local implementation committee the committee is going to be four group of people that will help steer the development of the plan uh identify potential techniques methodologies that could be incorporated within our systems our transportation systems to improve overall operational safety so what what this plan really is you probably seen there's a big push at the federal level before Vision zero plan division zero plan is putting efforts into identifying what the most common contributing factors are to particular tracs with the goal of eliminating serious crashes and fatalities obviously there's a lot of components that are involved in that and this is one of those components So the plan what what this committee and plan will do is the plan will look at systemically the county and Municipal ladway infrastructure in Sussex County to collect data analyze the data and begin to identify what the commonalities are of high accident location and that that information will be used to help identif identify what's referred to as proven safety counter measures which are safety enhancements that can be incorporated into the systems uh that will help really work towards a vision zero objective local implementation committee will be working with the consultant and you know obviously the department of engineering and planning from GetGo to help identify and steer this plan and it will ultimately be a document that the county predominantly through the department of engineering and planning will use to help identify recommended safety enhancements that can be either systemically so we can do them systemwide they could be incorporated into projects we already have ongoing or they could be Standalone projects so as an example if you if you did this and you found that there were a number of runoff the road accidents on hor horizontal curves there there are a number of low cost safety enhancements that you consider implementing to help reduce the occurrence of those signs I think suss kind of proactive and do a lot of stuff with signs you can also look at the geometry that curve and you can consider High friction surface treatments at curves you can consider the rumble strips you've seen rumble strips on a lot of the you know a lot of state roads up here in the county have them so this committee and this plan will help steer the decisions that the county makes moving forward in what we do improve the operational safety of the system the Federal Highway through the TPA identified a recommended list a recommended collection of groups for individuals that would be appropriate for inclusion in this type of uh committee so it's it's engineering is government County and or government either elected administrative officials it's EMS it's it's law enforcement it's Health Transit type systems so what we have done and I believe it was distributed to all of you is the department took the liberty of proposing a tenative Target list for R so what I'm looking for is some feedback on the roster looks if you if you have any comments on it if you like to change it if you like to add other people we're really looking to get like diverse representation so some rural representation some Urban representation um with keeping in mind that it's really targeting between like a 10 and 15 person committee we're not looking to have you know a representative from every municipality we're looking to get a representative that would be a fair representation of particular context or area sounds good so you'll email us I I will email you I sent it I don't know if Christina has had a chance to distribute it but I sent the information to her with the the local implementation committee and the potential roster the board absolutely has the ability and I would encourage some participation at the board level and and the administration so you know above above the department director maybe we could bring up at our mayor's lunch in when we sit with the Mayors again or when you sit with the Mayors again and kind of ask the mayor we need to we need we need to start if the list looks appropriate what I would like to do is start reaching out to people because we have to identify you know have the target but now we need to identify people that are going to have the time to right very optimistic that we will have this done next couple ofs okay so that's not going to be able to wait for get okay we can get moving on it get us the email and we'll get started that sounds good thank you thanks Bill thank you apprciate it for staying if there's any questions on any that we know how to reach you yes thank you okay any new business okay number 22 public session from the floor this public session is for those wishing to make General comments of 3 minutes or less on non agenda topics please line up at the microphone and state your name and municipality for the record and I should state that it's not a Q&A it's not where you come up and you can question the Commissioners and we respond back it's you tell us your thoughts and if we have a comment to make we will make it so anyone anyone motion motion motion oh can I get a motion to open the floor the public comment okay deputy director Carney and commissioner hay any discussion all in favor I opposed motion carries Kevin Collins up yeah it's not it only records Ken and over New Jersey Mr Hayden your claims of Innocence are feudal andly irrelevant at this point career is over so I'll start out tonight by asking for your resignation this evening without further delay if you don't understand that every minute you remain a county commissioner is an affront to every veteran who actually served our nation and a diss to the community you've sworn to serve and you are truly too far gone to rescue sir resign bill tonight there's still time I'm here tonight to talk about an organization that has done more harm to Sussex County in the 25 years I've lived here than any other organization this organization has repeatedly Anointed The anep to positions of power in these positions the anointed anep have saddled Sussex County residents with roughly $30 million in debt from their inept handling of the Sussex solar scam the anointed inept were duped and the taxpayers are still paying the bill perhaps some of you sitting here right now were anointed to your positions by this organization this organization is clearly very dangerous and they are out of control sadly they're the only ones who can petition to remove commissioner Hayden from office by petition what is the name of this dangerous organization causing so much harm to our community the Sussex County Republican Comm the SCRC run currently by Joseph La barara I can only hope that they and you and he do all you can to recall this Abomination you turn Bill Hayden into Senator aro's lap dog and you're surprised when the pit bull bites you fix the SCRC haon is just a symptom fix the root of the problem one minute resign bill the lawyers coming for you all next week didn't add you to the list okay anyone else Kathy BR um I'm here basically for the same reason um basically I feel something needs to be done um this is costing our County in reputation in money in in time this is getting this is totally ridiculous with all these accusations and now these so-called um Tor notices that were sent out to be suing all of you people this is just out of control and I feel that the person who has started all this if they are guilty of Stolen Valor they have no credibility whatsoever and they are absolutely Shameless and they need to resign immediately and if they refuse to resign which I assume that's what's going to happen because they are Shameless then there should be a recall and and that should take care of the problem this is costing us like I said too much money too much time there are lots of things that this County needs and they're not being taken care of by everyone because certain people are taking out their own vets and I do have a concern about one thing in the county um the food pantry there have been lots of accusations about the food pantry as of now to my knowledge none of these have been proven I am concerned that people are going to not want to give to the food patry anymore because of these accusations and I have the same concern I'm that that is very upsetting to me this is a really bad time economically and I think people are in need and I would hate for the food pantry to not get what they need I mean I I know what this is like I'm a I'm a volunteer at Ben Bodega so I know what it's like and I know that working people are struggling and I wouldn't want people to go without because of one minute accusations that so far we don't know that you know that anything has been proven and it just it's just very sad to me and I and again I say this person should resign and if they're Shameless enough to not resign then there should be a recall thank you thank you anyone else hi again James Gaddy from Sparta Township um so uh you all already know that I am the Chief Operating Officer and part of the senior leadership team at Sussex County Community College um about two months ago the college received a letter from an employee detailing uh all sorts of issues that essentially leads to a toxic uh work environment um because of that and because of comments John Connelly had made uh I brought it to the attention of our security team that uh John Conley had a gun in his office uh we we danced around that for a few weeks with alleged alleged um at the last commissioner I played the tape for you all where Dr Conley admitted that he did have a gun on campus so that was my first allegation when I spoke up and that's been true the second allegation that I made when I spoke here at the commissioner meeting about a month ago um was that the college was sitting on over2 million ta money uh without plans for without factual plans as to how to use that money and again we confirmed uh that that is the case there's million uh that Dr Conley admitted to sitting on in reserves there's about another 7 million that is set aside specifically capital projects at the college the third allegation is the hostile work environment toxicity blackmail recording as well as retaliation and as of today uh as of yesterday I have been on leave from the college for speaking out about my working conditions and that has been a month so you speak out about your working conditions and then you're suspended from your job that is one of the most clear forms of retaliation and while I acknowledge that County Commissioners do not have direct jurisdiction over the over the college uh this is the couny Community College you guys fund it you appoint the trustees and the trustees failure to investigate this timely is putting fin at risk putting the amazing staff and faculty we have there in even more challenging terms and personally uh you know I suspect that iend up losing my job so I just ask you once again to please put as much pressure on the board of directors as possible so that way we can work this out without resting to thank you okay anyone [Music] else John some of you may been on the board September of 2022 I addressed you concerns 640 also and few minutes ago engineer was talking about a Road Safety plan i22 I had two informal conversations with the engineer and I sent them a letter in November 2022 still waiting for a response I sent another letter in March I guess that which I pointed out there are two young children who ride bicycles on that road now I don't know if you're familiar with it if you ever gone to the wall pack in as soon as you pass the blinking light that heads to the bridge talking about that stretch in there it's 1.3 M long you're coming from Leighton where it's 30 mph as soon as you pass the intersection within 100 ft it say 40 about 3/10 of a mile further down the road there's a warning of 30 30 m hour but right after that 50 wait a minute you just had a 30 m morning here and now within 400 ft 50 as you drive through there it ain't nice very limited site distance but the thing that setting the most is I sent in two letters and have not received a response okay I saw you today and I told you that I was going to get back to you so I do plan on uh getting back to you on that so but that was just this afternoon and I haven't had a chance because I had other meetings this afterno here about ath ago from May haror in s ten pretty much saying the same thing we brought this up before I may of2 sent a letter no response to the mayor right I will I know I'm not a very important person just a little taxpayer in account very important talking about Road safy that's what I brought up right I will definitely get back I don't have a vegetable stand out there I don't want people to come I don't even have a house there yet but and also I pointed to jail there are at least seven mailboxes along the guard rail you're living here you have to cross over this 50 m hour road which to me that's 206 you drive through here next time you go through say wait a minute what does this have in common with 206 right that's like I said it's very similar to like 519 just past past space farms that's 35 that goes right to a 5050 and they have mailboxes across the street also no Mon's been injured but I'm on record now and say hey you got a concern here I was really surprised when I hear that talking about safety enhancement safety time thank you hey anyone else hello again L hall serson Township um I will back up what Mr Snider just talked about about the condition of [Music] 64 it's interesting that this greatest part of the road is 40 miles hour and when you get to the curing part of the road with the dips where you can't see what's ahead of you it's 50 that's what I have to say about that I mean it's kind of the backwards I can understand it maybe being drifty for the straight part but when you get to the Cur and what have you toce it the other way for thank you anyone else okay can I get a motion to close the floor for public comment and return to regular business still move okay deputy director Carney makes a motion in a second second uh commissioner Hayden any discussion all in favor I opposed abstain motion carries number 20 three reminders please check the County's website at www.sex.nj.us804anddate.com all in favor I I oppose abstain motion carries what time is it 75 okay meeting 705 meeting