MEETING MINUTES
GREEN BROOK FLOOD CONTROL COMMISSION
SITE: Somerset County
DATE: December 6, 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 John O’Connor – UA ACOE
Theodore Bassman-Scotch Plains George M Ververides – MBNJ,
Richard O’Connor-Engineer GBFCC Raymond S Murray – Green Brook
Melonie Marano – Green Brook Anthony Addario - Watchung
John Gausz – Watchung John Sweeney – Boro of Middlesex
Mark Hardenburg – Piscataway Colleen O’Shea - Bridgewater Twp
William Robins – Dunellen Howard Norgalis - Bridgewater
Barbara James – for Asmb. Green Jim Koch - Public
Ed Zujkowski – Bound Brook Tom Mineo – Union County
Bill Crosby – No Plainfield Joe Debler - Piscataway
Joe Skupien – Somerset County Eugene Dudley – Plainfield Comm.
Linda Brnicevic – Bound Brook John Cavie – Bound Brook
Carl Andreassen – Somerset County
CORRESPONDENCE
Chairman Debler noted the need to provide updated addresses for each commissioner as well as any commissioner who is new to the GBFCC.
Chairman Debler read an e-mail to Grotto Engineering regarding the requirement for prior approval from the chair before performing Engineering services.
Chairman Debler received an e-mail from Frank Meeks removing his name from nomination for Treasurer in 2007. He has served the commission for over 27 years and is now looking to enjoy other interests. Chairman Debler returned an e-mail to Mr Meeks with congratulations & thanks for his many years of service & dedication.
A letter was also read from the NJ Alliance for Action indicating the various committees that Senator Lautenberg & Mendez have been appointed to.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer being absent, Chairman Debler reported the following:
Plainfield has not paid their dues as noted from the November meeting. New vouchers were being re-sent for payment.
Frank Meeks submitted a bill for $45.00 for 100 pages of printing of the Treasurer report.
NJ Alliance for Action requesting $600.00 for 2007 membership dues.
As a side note, Chairman Debler said he & Ted Bassman met with Phil Beecham who will be going to DC to network & generally be involved for the commission as much as he can.
Grotto Engineering submitted their October bill of $950.00
Tina Totten submitted her fee for November & postal cost on postcards totaling $70.80
Bills were submitted for ad submission of the RFP to Hill Classified - $225.00, Courier News - $36.00 and Star Ledger - $10.50. Total = $271.50.
The Commission voted to approve and pay all bills noted.
LEGISLATIVE
Frank indicated there would be no change in the NJ legislative makeup in Congress and is hopeful the 2007 Federal budget will be adopted. Money allocated will not increase in the current fiscal year. Hopefully, with the NJ Alliance for Action and the Public Relations firm retained, the budget amounts will increase in the future.
Chairman Debler spoke with Senator Lautenberg’s rep and indicated Congress might not get around to passing the $5 million appropriation before the Holiday recess.
FINANCE
Adrian Mapp is on vacation. Ray Murray reported on RFP ad for bid of the federal government relations consultant. The Finance committee met & received 4 bids ranging from $5 – 10 thousand for a monthly retainer. The ads ran in 3 periodicals.
Provident Strategies LLC is a one-man operation & the Finance committee had concern that in a crunch the commission might be left short as far as visibility.
Bracewell & Giuliani – their cost being the highest of $10 thousand is slightly above the commission’s budget.
The Finance committee concentrated on the remaining 2 bidders –
Duane Morris who listed a number of projects in their proposal that were funding for educational programs. They would cost $7500/month plus ordinary expenses.
Winning Strategies has experience in getting federal fund for water projects, beach replenishment in NJ and has also comfortably worked with Congressmen Pallone, Frelinghuysen & Ferguson. Their monthly cost is $5000 plus ordinary expenses.
The Finance committee is comfortable with the working relationships of NJ delegates & getting money for projects. Notably, Congressman Franks would be involved & is a strong advocate of water projects in DC.
It was the recommendation of the Finance committee to award the contract to Winning Strategies.
Ray Murray noted that copies of the bids would be available to anyone who would have need/want. The bids would also be available on the GBFCC website.
Chairman Debler noted the RFP would be coming off the website on Thursday, December 7, 2006.
Joe Skupien asked to summarize what the RFP would do for the commission. Ray noted they would lobby for Federal dollars in the congressional delegation & the Office of Management & Budget. Green Brook Flood Control Commission would like to be in a position where the President would place funds in the budget and be able to solidify the current $5 million allocation & increase awareness regarding the Commission’s needs.
Mr Skupien questioned if there are any deliverables in the proposal. Ray Murrary indicated yes, but it is not easy to show what is done.
Chairman Debler indicated the consultant would provide a bill for payment as any other contractor showing time records and stating what work was performed.
Bill Crosby noted the Commission likely wouldn’t see any outcome for at least a year.
Mr Skupien noted the Commission has the ability to terminate the consultant’s contract after 30 days.
There was question of the number of people in the consultant firm and their qualifications. Ray Murray said he would provide that information to the Commission.
Eugene Dudley of Plainfield questioned how long the contract would be for the lobbyist. It was indicated it would be a one-year contract with 30 day written cancellation notice to terminate if necessary.
Barbara James (Plainfield) indicated it is not unusual for a lobbyist to provide a monthly report that looks for any legislation, etc.which includes motions, resolutions, flood zoning, who they spoke with, etc. If not, they should provide a no activity report to evaluate what to give or not give.
BUDGET
Copies of the budget report were distributed after the last meeting and there are copies for those who did not receive it.
He noted the revenues & expenditures don’t match because Berkeley Heights was originally included on the revenue side but haven’t participated. To adjust for 2007, the Commission calculated a pro-rate share for each of the member entities. There is an overall $20,000.net reduction in the budget.
The proposed 2007 budget as written for $99,044 was approved.
Chairman Debler discussed whether to retain the services of Grotto Engineering without an RFP for 2007. Within the original proposal were provisions to extend the Engineering services contract through 2007. The Green Brook Flood Control
Commission approved the appointment of Grotto Engineering for 2007.
CORRECTIONS TO MINUTES
Ms Marano noted incorrect spelling of her name throughout the text of the previous meeting’s minutes. It was duly noted the spelling of her name is MARANO and would be so noted in any further communications.
No other corrections were noted. The minutes were approved as amended.
ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS
John O’Connor announced the arrival of his 3rd child, Jack Owen who was born on November 9, 2006. Everyone in the family is doing fine.
John O’Connor noted the Intrepid had been set free. Since the ACOE was involved, it was there with surveys, dredgers & the military to make sure it was successfully relocated.
The funding for FY 2007, which began October 1, is under a continuing resolution pending Congressional budget approval There are restrictions that will impact the projects in some ways. $5 million for the year isn’t in hand – there is only $1 million. That has slowed the project. Washington, DC looks at it as saving money when it only causes delays. As construction contracts come up with increasing prices we have to show where the money is going. We have to make a case as to why we need the money, so the work can continue.
Construction
Lending contract segment T,U, and R1 – are substantially complete, final inspections have been done and the contractors are finalizing the punchlists.
T – Billion Park in Green Brook
U - Middlesex (Rt 22 to 28 at Shop Rite)
R1- Middlesex along Talmadge Bridge area
Since projects are substantially complete, the ACOE is looking to turn them over to the State of New Jersey for light maintenance duties
Billion Ball Field
– final inspection is completed, the sprinkler system has been winterized and will be ready for play in the spring.
Conrail bridge removal – the bridge spans the Raritan River between South Bound Brook & Middlesex Boro. A final proposal is due December 11, 2006. ACOE is trying to award the contract before the holidays on December 21, 2006 so work can begin in January 2007. This would entail removal of the bridge that spans the river & the embankment adjacent to it.