COUNCIL MEETING #3

What  is left to discuss about Monday night's meeting are the resolutions, ordinances to be enacted and the Public Comments Sessions

There was a Resolution appointing another member to the PMUA Task Force. This member resides in the Fourth Ward and was an appointment by Council President and Member at Large McWilliams. 

Councilwoman Rivers objected to the appointment since it was “her Ward” and also objected to not being invited to a meeting of the Task Force.  She also objected that action had been taken on the Task Force at a meeting when she was absent and she had not been so informed. Council President McWilliams reminded her that she had refused to participate in the selection of members to the PMUA Task Force and had ceded her" choice" to Councilwoman Greaves.

Another Resolution to be on the agenda  is to execute a “shared service agreement for printing and signature services” offered by the County. Acting City Administrator Kochel stated that there would be a savings to the city. What is not clear is whether the County , as does the city, outsources to a commercial shop the printing etc. or has its own shop.

There are several other resolutions authorizing contracts to “Certain State approved vendors”. Until the support material is available listing the items and costs which are awarded by noncompetitive practices they shall be open to review.  These resolutions will be approved as taking the easy way out.

Another resolution which was not discussed but will be on the agenda “authorizes approval to enter into a cooperative pricing agreement with the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission”. I hope to have an understanding of that resolution this weekend

Once again there was an extensive discussion related to the award of a contract for the reconstruction of South Avenue from the City line to Woodland Avenue. Councilwoman Rivers supported by Councilwoman Greaves, vehemently voted against including this needed project on the agenda. Her argument was that it was a state highway.  Once again Corporation Counsel Williamson went over in detail the status of the ownership of that road. It had been assumed by Plainfield in the 50s. The two Councilwomen felt the money should be spent on Fourth Ward projects.

Of the four proposed ordinances two dealing with the Office of Economic Development may have been tabled according to another blog although I thought they will be on Monday’s agenda.  The other two include the requirement of “lockboxes" on residential buildings with more than four apartment and commercial and business commercial manufacturing buildings. The other had to do with restricting parking on streets in the neighborhood is Netherwood station.

The Public Comment Section has already been reported in other blogs. Once again the question comes up about the public's ability to communicate with Administration effectively and without having to resort to complaining to the Council. There was a question raised by two individuals as to the City living up to an employment commitment made by “somebody” in" City Hall”.

The question unanswered is did that person who could be inferred by comments made be possibly in the Mayor’s office or Recreation have the authority to make that commitment?