FEB. 3, 2015

The sun is out but it is cold. If it were not for the 7:45 city robocall I might have had a good post 3am night’s sleep.

The City’s warning/emergency system is good innovation; except I am one who rush to find a phone and usually when I am cooking dinner it is an inconsequential (for me) message. I would not discourage the service, but hope it would be more selective on routine calls. The “Nixle” internet messages are valuable but one must be prepared to receive them. Both information modalities are the unattainable 110% improvement over our previous administration.  

The next improvement would to have alternate emergency dates for all Council meetings. Having the Agenda Fixing Session held just before the scheduled business session defeats the purpose of that meeting. There must be a sufficient interval between the two meetings for Councilors and the public to “understand” what is on the agenda. Initial concepts can be changed by the input of more and often contrary opinions.

Since the weather reports indicate another potentially large winter event Sunday night into Monday, perhaps the Council President could at this time fix an emergency alternated date for the meeting. Is there provision in the charter for such action?

ABOUT MONDAY'S AGENDA

 What a finish, it will go down in the annals of the Super Bowl.

That is more than I can say about the scheduled Agenda Fixing Session Monday night; if it is not postponed by the weather. As I write this at 10pm it is snowing and all predictions indicate that Monday will be bad. Of the choices between 10-12 inches of snow or up to 4 with freezing rain I would take the heavy snowfall.

If it is bad evening time my old aching bones say stay at home.

Much of my comments about the agenda are still valid although I was able to print it out and read some of the backup material.

I have some questions including one about Resolution Q; the submitting of the CDBG funding request. How were and by whom were the seven residents who made up the ad hoc Community Development Review Committee selected? How representative of the community? Did any have any conflict of interests? Why is Union County College’s Urban Garden Initiative (whatever that is?) more important than Plainfield’s Roadway improvement?

Incidentally although the results were not altered, the formula used to create a rank is faulty.  The individual rankings were added up and divided by 7(the number of members) but in the case no value was given it was not taken into account and the same divisor used.

I am somewhat confused by proposed Ordinance 2015-07 amending the City Health Code with a new article entitled “Sick Leave for Private Employees”. Is the city mandating all nonpublic (City or Authorities) employers in the city to provide “sick leave pay for any employee who works over 80 hours in the year?

The intent may be worthwhile; but is it economically feasible, or will it accomplish the conclusions stated in Whereas 2? Does the City have the legal right for such an Ordinance, or the enforceable capabilities? Could there be a political motivation for this Ordinance?

I hope the Council will have read it and be sure of the answers  has well as the premises which I believe to be faulty in some of their conclusions.  

IS THERE A FOOTBALL GAME TODAY?

Frustration! My computer repeatedly refused to print the agenda for Monday night’s meeting snow be damned.

There are several items that will be of interest to see if they will be accept for the agenda. Perhaps we could need a bookie.

One is an Ordinance changing the city’s representative to PARSA from the PMUA to the Mayor’s nomination. That is as it should be, PMUA has no business having that power. Since Mapp’s nomination is Thomas Crownover whom the Council has rejected numerous times it will not happen unless that was part of the agreement. (no go)

There is resolution authorizing approval to award a multi-phased professional services contract to Parentebeard to conduct a forensic audit for an amount not to exceed $60000.00. The Council’s handling this one will be of interest; did not make the grade last month.(no go) Rejected by Council in Dec.

Other items of interest include:

A resolution authorizing a consulting agreement for professional services with international consulting group to perform an audit of utility billing.(ok though I have not read the  support material, this may be another forensic audit; in that case no go)) Please read Bernices blog Plaintalker today for an explanation.

A resolution authorizing approval to award a contract to Packetalk to provide a city wide closed circuit television (CCTV).(about time how many years)

There are 5 new Ordinances for first reading including one for entitled sick leave for employees. Since I am unable to print any of the stuff on the agenda I do not have any more idea about the wording and content to pose any opinion.

If I can solve my printing problem I will post more Monday.

Addendum;Sunday afternoon printer problem fixed;will have some comment Monday am.