MONDAY'S MEETING

The agenda was available mid-afternoon. There is little more added than was approved at the Setting Session.  The Resolutions from the Corporation Counsel were not previously reviewed in public, but after action in Executive Session were OK'd for inclusion last Monday.

I hope that the support material in the public packet will include the information on the agreement between the City, the UCIA and the UCIA PLAINFIELD URBAN RENEWAL CORP resolving outstanding claims on the redevelopment cost and (unpaid) PILOT payments are spelled out.

Likewise the incident that resulted in an $80,000.00 settlement involving a member of the Police Department should need generalized clarification. If it is a problem that has previous occurrences has there been remedial action? 

    

There are 7 resolutions dealing with street closures or use of parking lots plus one to be added at the meeting. The new one is from Faith Tabernacle Church for closure of Clinton Ave between Front St and South Second-under the RR Bridge- for what appears to be a capital fund raising event.

Of the other seven already on the agenda, three are on the consent agenda. That is wrong! All items of this nature should be treated equally; no special consideration should be given to anyone.

Apparently two are requests from churches and one is for a community appreciation day on West 3rd St. between Liberty and Plainfield Ave. sponsored by 4th Ward Council Representatives; Rivers and Greaves. 

I have last week noted that I thought that the City permitting religious bodies to use public property, such as the streets might be skirting the separation of Church and State concept of the 1st Amendment.  This is especially so in that the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH sponsoring one of the events is not from Plainfield but Dunellen and part of the purpose is for prayer and Biblical teachings.

In this case my concerns are strong although Corporation Counsel David Minchello has privately assured me that there is one case decision permitting such use.

The other Church ; EVANGELIC MISSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT has been actively involved in community services and states that its  affair is to acquaint the community with the traditions of various Hispanic cultures. We were assured that there were to be no religious oriented activities on public property.

I hope the Council gives serious consideration before approving all but the West Third St request. The intent of the Street Closure Ordinances was for local neighborhood events and Community type affairs. The holding of "commercial" fairs in my opinion was not a consideration when the closuring was enacted. Moreover, I do not believe that blocking prime roads was ever intended. 

These street closings are getting out of hand and politicians AKing how much they like them is ridiculous. 

Of interest will be Councilor's votes on denying renewal of the Liquor license held by Naicken, Inc. At best some of the argument proposed last week to defeat this resolution was unique to say the least.

The other Resolution that bears watching as to Councilors vote is R319-13 awarding an additional $2700.00 to CHS Construction Group for unforeseen problems in tearing down an abandoned (?) property on Leland Ave. This has been a subject of a previous blog this week.

Oh yes, I wonder if the prayer will conform to non-sectarianism?

Any new info about the meeting will be posted Sunday.