MONDAY NIGHTS AGENDA

Attached to the agenda are the reports of the administration and finance committee as a sip in this city and neighborhood services committee. An Apology: This is the copy of the "Dragon" transcrip which had been corrected before posting to read "City and Neighborhood Services Committee", Ihave no explanation why the wrong draft was posted. Also other committes should have b een posted capitalized.

The administration and finance committee report is notable for.(1) Recommendation that a Collection Company be hired after  an RFQ for bids to collect open claims owed the city.(2) In addition there is  discussion on the open T&M claims against the city.. (3) Also noted Dornach’s claim for monies owed for the Senior Center completion is in binding arbitration. Mr.Mapp's notation was that the city must stick firmly to the provisions stated in the contract that transferred  the property to the developer.(4)The report  also noted that three of municipal l unions  have filed for binding arbitration and  the fourth FBMA has filed for an impasse.

Councilor Greaves’ committee report was limited to the status of the repavement projects; (1) Roosevelt Ave., (2) South Avenue, and (3) that there are funds available for part of the remaining Watchung Avenue reconstruction.  Since we are without engineering bids there is the fact that it is now September and construction probably will not be possible until next spring.  Once again the City is negligent in preserving its inner structure. 

There are two resolutions on the consent agenda that are perhaps should merit further consideration by the Council:   The first R304 authorizes permission be granted Street encroachment to conduct the “First Annual Historic Queen City Walk/Run for Life”.  The second (305) is a Council Resolution granting permission for street or sidewalk encroachments to conduct a “Community Appreciation & Youth Fun Day” hosted by the Fourth Ward Councilwoman Rivers.  Both seem to be admirable endeavors.

However, there are several problems that I see with our 304; the first is that the description of the streets to be closed is not only inconsistent with the Flyer posted on the City Site but confusing and needs clarification.  In addition since  it is advertised as “The City of Plainfield Presents”  which would indicate that it was an official city project however it goes on to note that is in collaboration with  “Plainfield Grassroots   Development  Corporation”  listed  as a so-called  (Correction dropped in posting:) "non-profit organization". There is no real information about this organization and what it does on the Internet.

There are fees be charged for participation but there is no explanation where or how the money is to be used.  Nor do we know the financial condition of the sponsoring body or is it the City?  Although the resolution calls for the organizers to hold the city not responsible there is no assurance that they have insurance and furthermore the Flyer suggested it is a City project and therefore the City could be legally responsible despite the Resolution.

Regarding R 305-11; I'm concerned that it does not designate who is the sponsoring or responsible agency. On Sept. 6 the insurance bond had not been presented. This is even a bigger event than 304 and the financial resources are unknown.  Once again the Council is being present with accepting a legal responsibility by approving without complete knowledge. I hope that they will ask Corporation Counsel’s opinion on their Fiduciary responsibility and City liabilities before acting.

As to the remainder of the Resolutions; we have posted about the appointment of a Director for Public Works and Urban Development as well the South Ave Repavement award.   

There are five resolutions numbers; three 117 – 11, 318 – 11, 319 – 11, 320 – 11 321 – 11 authorizing purchasing to award contracts to state approved vendors without a bidding process for automotive equipment not to exceed $13,000, public works equipment total amount of hundred $75,000, I computer equipment hundred and $5000, please equipment fund is $87,500, and office supplies, equipment for $20,500. These are the maximums activities spent for the restive FY 2011.

Resolutions 311 – 11 which authorizes adoption of a temporary emergency appropriation to the TY 2011 budget. There is an increase over either $5 million or 7mil from the original estimate budget.  Great deal of this amount is and salary increases and increased office expenses. Some of these changes are due to the filling of vacant positions. There is some confusion as to the total in as much as along with the new expenses there is included grant monies which have been received including $725,224 as a Health Service Grant.  Perhaps the City Administrator can explain.

Two Ordinances for first reading included it an Amendment to the Fire Prevention Code requiring certain resident, business and commercial buildings to install Knox Key Retention Boxes to enable non destructive access to buildings in emergency situations. The second Ordinance is to require residential permits for parking on various streets in the Netherwood Station neighborhood. Neither should be objectionable.

This could be with the Public Comments sections a rather long meeting but one the public should attend. 

Please note: the blog as apparantly original posted contained errors in an original draft from dictation plus some omissions that were in the final draft that was supposed to be posted. Non of these errors existed in the "preview" prior to the posting. I regret that I did not catch these blips upon posting.