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MEETING MINUTES
GREEN BOOK FLOOD CONTROL COMMISSION
SITE: Senior Citizens Community Center
North Plainfield
DATE: November 1, 2006
TIME: 7:30 PM
NOTE
:
Adequate notice of this meeting was provided informing the public of time and place according to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Law (Chapter 231,
P.L. 1975). Adequate notice is also given to provide copies of meeting notice to area newspapers and member municipalities and county governments.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Frank McArdle – No Plainfield Eugene Koo – Union County
Theodore Bassman-Scotch Plains George M Ververides – Middlesex Cty
Richard O’Connor-Engineer GBFCC Raymond S Murray – Green Brook
Melonie Marano – Green Brook Tony Addario - Watchung
AiminShi – Middlesex Cty Engineer’s Off. John Gausz - Watchung
Mark Hardenburg – Piscataway Adrian O. Mapp - UC Freeholder
William Robins – Dunellen John Sweeney – Boro of Middlesex
Frank Righetti – North Plainfield MaryLou Viswat – Middlesex Boro
Alice Tempel – South Plainfield Barbara James – for Asmb. Green
Ed Zujkowski – Bound Brook Colleen O’Shea - Bridgewater Twp
Robert W Billian – Bound Brook Frank Meeks - Treasurer
CharlesDefendorf – NJDEP Jim Koch – Public
Bill Crosby – No Plainfield Joe Skupien – Somerset County
Chairman Debler was unable to oversee this evening’s meeting and Frank McArdle was Chairman pro-tem.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Frank Meeks indicated expenditures were minimal. Pending item is Plainfield’s apportionment and will hopefully be resolved by the December 31st deadline.
Ms Marano questioned the heading listed as “Grotto” on the Treasurers’ report (Page 2 & 3) and suggested it to be “Engineering” instead. It was agreed to change the heading on the report.
Barbara James remarked on the delay of Plainfield’s dues and also the formula used. To Ms James first question, Mr McArdle explained the initial billing was sent in February. As Plainfield cannot locate the billing or voucher, Mr Meeks will have to re-send same. The funding formula is being researched and will be provided as available.
Motion was made & seconded to adopt the Treasurer’s report with the amendment. Treasurer’s report was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
:
1. Finance Committee – copies of the Finance Committee were distributed. Adrian Mapp reported the committee met in regard to 2007 budget. Current & Previous years’ budgets were reviewed. The committee agreed to recommend a proposed 2007 budget of $99,000. A $20,000 reduction was noted from 2006 due to Berkeley Heights no longer being part of the Commission. Another concern were fees for various consulting services.
Mr Mapp read the bill received from Grotto Engineering Associates for services in August & September that came to $1,400.00. Motion made, seconded and approved for payment.
2. Legislative Committee - Mr Crosby indicated that Chairman Debler, Ted Bassman and himself traveled to Washington DC. They met with potential public relations firms to obtain an outline of steps to be taken so the GBFCC projects could somehow be funded in the President’s budget. After these discussions, it is the recommendation of the Finance Committee to budget the balance of fees previously used for an Engineering consultant to retain such a public relations firm. Mr Crosby noted the President’s budget is being prepared now and it would be beneficial to the Commission to request $30 million to finish Middlesex and the lower portion of Bound Brook. Once a track record is established, funding for the balance of the project can be sought. Mr Crosby indicated an approval from the Commission is needed for an RFP (Request For Proposal) to retain a consultant by January. Seeking to place the GBFCC projects in the Federal budget for the next 2 years.
Joe Skupien questioned if this RFP is included in the budget. Mr Crosby responded yes. The amount budgeted would provide the necessary funding for the Public Relations consultant to make the Commissions’ presence known in DC.
Question was raised as to the budget for the consultant. Chairman McArdle explained that the House/Senate has a spring meeting regarding water resources. In the past, someone from GBFCC has been present. Recently, only correspondence was sent and the Commission relied on Congress to lobby on our behalf. This hasn’t been enough. It was proposed that an RFP be approved to retain a PR person (lobbyist) costing $45-60,000 per year. The 2007 proposed budget provides for this request.
Mr Skupien has a concern that the GBFCC is an a-political organization & this type of lobbying may trigger concerns from the respective organizations that each member represents and that such decisions should be referred back to the sponsoring agencies prior to entering into contracts.
Ms Viswat asked if GBFCC is in competition with any other projects. Mr Crosby and Chairman McArdle indicated that NJ is in competition with every other water project in the US. NJ does very well with the funds provided. However, presently the bulk of funds are used for dredging in the NY Port and Arthur Kill and the shore area to replenish erosion.
Ms Tempel would like to be reassured there would be no problem in using the assessment money for lobbying. Chairman McArdle stated there would be no problem.
Mayor Addario questioned whether the budget for 2007 should remain the same as 2006. Considering the cost of a consultant, the budget would have a cushion to fall back on. Mr Crosby said this concern would be taken into consideration & the budget will be presented in greater detail at the December meeting. The Finance Committee would not be agreeable to increasing the budget. However, the cost of a public relations firm would not require an increase in the proposed budget.
Ms James would like to know how quickly a fast track RFP takes. Mr Crosby indicated from past requests that it has taken upwards of 6 months to have the Commission approve issuing an RFP. It is anticipated that proposals for this would be received in mid-December.
Mr Murray noted it would benefit the Commission to publicize in NJ publications as well as Washington DC. It was also noted that a direct web link to the Commission website should be set up prior to advertising. Chairman McArdle agreed and requested Mr Crosby & Mr Murray to set up the web link with Colleen O’Shea.
It was questioned if this award will be fair & open. Chairman McArdle assured it would be.
Mr Skupien questioned whether the RFP should be going without review from the membership. Mr Crosby assured him this is a simple RFP to represent the Commission with a public relations firm. Contracting will require approval from the Commission.
Motion was made, seconded & approved to proceed with an RFP for a public relations consultant.
Chairman McArdle suggested an RFP also be done for Engineering services for 2007 as well. Mr Crosby noted discussions had been made by the Finance Committee in the same respect and believes the recommendation from the Finance Committee will be to retain Grotto under applicable provisions of the existing contract for 2007. The issue will be visited in greater detail in December.
Chairman McArdle indicated this subject would be taken up at the December meeting.
PROJECT REPORTS
Charles Defendorf (Army Corps of Engineers) reported for John O’Connor. Megan & John O’Connor are expecting their third child.
1. They have been finishing projects in the field including final walk-thrus and maintenance.
2. Removal of the railroad bridge in South Bound Brook is in the final stage of negotiations.
3. The funds from Federal & State are the same as last month. At current funding levels, $5M, there is not sufficient funding to complete the project. Phasing to break the project into manageable portions is becoming increasingly difficult.
4. Talmadge Ave – should be out to bid shortly.
5. Permitting for the balance of R-2 is anticipated in early December. Work will be advertised bid and constructed, as funding is available.
A Bound Brook representative asked for clarification of contamination contained at the bank of the South Bound Brook River. It was noted that cleanup will be performed as necessary by the ACOE in accordance with NJDEP requirements and standards as part of this project.
It was noted that an error in spelling was made from the October minutes located in the Questions/Answers # 7. The word “scooping” should be “SCOPING”.
Richard O’Connor (Consulting Engineer) had no report.
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
1. Ms Marano questioned the proposed project of 18 single family homes in Dunellen. The citizens are quite concerned on how it will affect/impact the flooding on the Green Brook/Dunellen sides & the flood control project. Mr Robbins (representing Dunellen) indicated they are working at every level to address these concerns. A meeting with the developer is scheduled for November 27, 2006. Prior to that meeting, the engineers and homeowners should be having a meeting to address any concerns of flooding issues. He will keep the commission apprised of the situation.
Mr Skupien suggested this project is an ideal role for the commission’s consulting engineer. The commission only has a 300-scale drawing & report of what is proposed. It would be important to determine the physical impacts of the project. He suggested Mr O’Connor meet with the Boro Engineer. Richard O’Connor indicated he would be available to assist in this project as necessary.
Richard O’Connor noted there are options the Commission has in the future from the state that allows for the creation of regional stormwater plans. There is a Rutgers’ group (thru the Rutgers Cooperative Extension) that currently works on plans in different areas throughout the state. Plans are developed allowing all participants in the regional plan to implement stronger/ more stringent stormwater standards. These plans also include future projects such as the Commissions’ flood projects. It is something to look at in the future & discuss with the Rutgers’ group for viability in this region.
Chairman McArdle asked Mr Skupien & Mr Ververides if there has been any dialog between Somerset/Middlesex regarding a regional stormwater plan as explained by Mr O’Connor. Mr Skupien indicated concerns that such a plan could detract from completion of the flood control project.
Chairman McArdle is under the understanding that any developer or proposed change would be required to go before the state/regional plan for review. Mr O’Connor indicated local entities would review using the regional plan as a basis. Each participant would amend their own stormwater management ordinances to reflect the recommendations in the regional plan.
Mr Skupien questioned would these additional requirements have to do with stormwater quality or quantity. Mr O’Connor responded that the requirements could be both.
Mr Skupien noted it takes a lot of participation & involvement by Commission members to bring focus on watershed issues and potential solutions. This will also look at non-flood issues & the flood control project can be folded into that. A regional stormwater project can be very complicated. It isn’t a bad idea but the GBFCC would be spread thin. The key would be to participate with a group in a flood control project.
Mr O’Connor asked that if there were an interest from the Commission, he would contact Rutgers to possibly do a short segment at a meeting next year to explain what has been done on some of its projects. Chairman McArdle advised he would encourage the idea suggested by Mr O’Connor.
Chairman McArdle asked for any public questions. None were presented.
Chairman McArdle appointed the following to the nominating committee for 2007: Mr Crosby, Mapp and Sweeney who are to report back at the December 2006 meeting.
SPECIAL NOTE
Chairman McArdle advised that members aren’t providing their e-mail address so they can receive meeting notices, information about the Green Brook Flood Control, etc. This will also benefit the Commissions’ cost on postage. The Commissions’ website is
www.gbfcc.org
. Also, please advise the secretary if you have no access to a computer or if your e-mail address has been changed.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Green Brook Flood Commission will be Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 7:30pm in the Freeholders Meeting Room, 20 Grove Street, Somerville.
The January 2007 meeting will be January 3, 2007 at 7:30pm in the Library, Middlesex County.
Chairman McArdle asked for volunteers to host meeting from February thru December and advise the chairman.
Motion was made, seconded & approved to send a note of appreciation to North Plainfield for their financial support and hosting the evening’s meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
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