[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6687094,"mediaKeyId","2174014-f0b716e31580c863971ee65c48431ea4","parentId",2174014,"title","Resident questions multiple contracts, grants and reservoir projects; board adopts batch of resolutions with two exceptions","audioSeconds",92,"startMs",1393000,"endMs",1485000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174014-f0b716e31580c863971ee65c48431ea4&start=1393&end=1485","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174014-f0b716e31580c863971ee65c48431ea4/thumbnail_1393000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6687094/Union-County/New-Jersey/Resident-questions-multiple-contracts-grants-and-reservoir-projects-board-adopts-batch-of-resolutions-with-two-exceptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687094-5bfa89e401dab511ef6edfd34330026c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151040&Signature=jOYSYeF-PCUD02c6wBiXcpRQCcijpGIzUJShenckEM~S2MUTzrBkbqHYzMDmO54On7tNzchMfuo7BjNZivAbOBBpz5~PQKfoPquyUMFnGpjuar3scno8p5QZMGvo2SD8OzGwp1oYyd1Y088rrjYlh9yfuUWk1EQV3xFbxL4hR0YiLx5j4aWOEw7eQfUxamI-es3gSxRVTL0Q7uqWrApod4ubCrsvdCWncZDW7JHFqZIy-3eO8JyrFo9ar5HmazItti2Qg0ZBWqjLpJOYUPzY7xGU9HKAKR2j3yjxHoxepWoDFLv2SSSxLKaaQR8SDwU3mADRzm06VXMdn26tmXkscA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Union County","date","2025-01-01T06:36:03.75Z","article","A longtime public attendee pressed Union County commissioners on multiple items during the public-comment portion of the Dec. 18 meeting, asking for clarification about a missing salary ordinance, contract increases, grant transfers and park-improvement funding. County officials responded with explanations and the board then adopted a group of resolutions covering appropriations, contracts and grants; two items in the batch were recorded with non-unanimous support.

Bruce Patterson of Garwood questioned why a previously proposed salary ordinance (referred to as A51 in public remarks) was missing from the agenda and asked for an explanation. He raised several other items by resolution number, including an amendment to Neglia Engineering’s contract for Metano Park design and administration—described in the public comment as an increase from about $107,000 to $640,000—and a payroll services contract awarded to Prime Point for $180,000.

County staff and the county manager provided responses during the meeting. County staff said the resolution language describing certain grants uses phrases such as the “Middlesex Reservoir” and “Clark Reservoir” as the state captions funds; they clarified that a $20 million DEP grant mentioned in the agenda covers reservoir-related work and that wording may refer to different reservoir line items as part of the same funding total. On the boat house in Clark, county staff said the estimated cost is between $3 million and $4 million, that operating hours have not been determined, and that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is still reviewing the application and county staff are evaluating RFP submissions.

Regarding the contract amendment for Metano Park and other procurement questions, county staff said the changes reflected scope revisions and DEP requirements; staff said specifics on competitive bidding and approvals were handled through procurement and engineering oversight. On questions about a $54 million number tied to an improvement authority, county staff corrected the figure in the meeting to $14 million for the cited resolution.

After public comment the board moved to adopt resolutions numbered 2024-934 through 2024-1009. Vice Chairwoman Lourdes Leon moved the batch and Commissioner Bodak seconded. The clerk recorded the roll call: Commissioner Bodak voted aye on all; Commissioner Kowalski voted “yes” on most but recorded a “no” on resolution 934; Commissioner Mirabella abstained on resolutions 979 through 981 and voted yes on the rest; Commissioner Williams voted yes on all; Vice Chair Leon and Chairwoman Palmeri Mudett voted yes on all. The clerk summarized the results: resolution 934 passed 5–1; resolutions 979–981 passed with 5 ayes and 1 abstention.

Other public commenters raised project- and animal-welfare questions. Delia Collins of Clark asked about the projected cost and year-round hours for the Clark boathouse and about instituting a county spay-and-neuter program for community cats similar to those in other New Jersey counties; county staff said the boathouse budget estimate is $3–4 million, operating hours have not been set and that spay-and-neuter program design would require follow-up with appropriate county divisions and partners.

Claire Lebruno of Clark asked for status on DEP approvals and the number of RFP responses for a reservoir project. County staff said DEP review is ongoing and that RFP submissions were being reviewed.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Resolutions 2024-934 through 2024-1009 — Motion: adopt batch; Mover: Vice Chairwoman Lourdes Leon; Second: Commissioner Bodak; Outcome: adopted with exception noted below.
- Resolution 2024-934 — Vote: 5 ayes, 1 no (Commissioner Kowalski voted no).
- Resolutions 2024-979 through 2024-981 — Vote: 5 ayes, 1 abstention (Commissioner Mirabella abstained on these three).

County staff and the county manager answered several of the substantive questions on the record and said further details—such as specific contract justifications, procurement documentation and project-level budgets—are available through departments and will be provided as staff follow up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ucbocc 121824 r","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment Bruce Patterson pressed the board on a missing salary ordinance, large contract amendments and grant transfers; county staff provided clarifications. The board adopted a batch of resolutions (2024-934 through 2024-1009) with one no vote on resolution 934 and abstentions on resolutions 979–981.","taxTitle","Union County, New Jersey","taxId",2731,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6687099,"Union County adopts ordinance revising administrative code; officials call changes 'cleanup'",212,434000,646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174014-f0b716e31580c863971ee65c48431ea4&start=434&end=646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174014-f0b716e31580c863971ee65c48431ea4/thumbnail_434000.jpg","/articles/6687099/Union-County/New-Jersey/Union-County-adopts-ordinance-revising-administrative-code-officials-call-changes-cleanup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687099-4a132f411d1b0f6d91be3a8ef8a7c522/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151040&Signature=P8fdNjjI2SPHwkxsr1yHkfY-v9GnrhX5MGXvrZItbALKJsr782JJMBA5ELsimgOTHZbPWAz~anBpTz78deq3k0plEx9l9p5hbIBJEHcqOQO-daUIFpis4qTZvAPoOz3zEC3wwMBx5SyjQ~u10v81~NQwlfsn3Mh5JudWyxebW2SnNQhZ9AZhObi-So~Bd7d5iwFCVd~r06UOtHZd1IkzLnzGMZsax1RZT8M86l4-FiPCnAy1s7u3yUs6~~dCWGCzeDk94wpPgJLNdU~QmR44qyTQV8GMrFTPqQxK6bfooBFyt5IzivfgrucA4tNsMl7CbBungwv0o75Zo~PxXBQ8ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Union County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 18 adopted Ordinance 852-2024, which amends parts of the county administrative code and related policy chapters, including provisions on government structure, departments, fiscal provisions, benefits and department head qualifications.

Chairwoman Palmeri Mudett opened a public hearing limited to the ordinance. Bruce Patterson of Garwood asked which parts of Chapters 2, 26 and 44 would change and who would be affected. County counsel replied that the amendments are an annual “cleanup” to update outdated language so the code reflects current practice and said the changes are not intended to affect personnel or procedures.

Commissioner Alexander Mirabella moved the ordinance for final reading and Vice Chairwoman Lourdes Leon seconded; the clerk recorded six affirmative votes and the ordinance was adopted.

The ordinance amends multiple articles across Part 1 (administrative code) and Part 2 (policies and general legislation), including chapter references for the Department of Human Services, Department of Engineering/Public Works, Department of Economic Development, fiscal provisions and benefits. County counsel said the changes align the written code with existing practice.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 852-2024 — Motion: move for final reading and advertise; Mover: Commissioner Alexander Mirabella; Second: Vice Chairwoman Lourdes Leon; Vote: 6–0 in favor; Outcome: adopted.

County officials said the amendments are housekeeping items; department heads and staff will implement changes and publish the updated administrative code as required by law.","Ordinance 852-2024, which amends multiple chapters of the Union County administrative code and policies, was adopted after county counsel said the changes chiefly update outdated language and do not change substantive processes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6687103,"Union County adopts $37.8 million bond ordinance to fund capital projects",253,174000,427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174014-f0b716e31580c863971ee65c48431ea4&start=174&end=427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174014-f0b716e31580c863971ee65c48431ea4/thumbnail_174000.jpg","/articles/6687103/Union-County/New-Jersey/Union-County-adopts-378-million-bond-ordinance-to-fund-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687103-f2a8dc96ec2858f9571333171e567b7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151040&Signature=KynaoqO~5CFXn57S0n04-C8isEl~VmHGbxXw60fsPNUDyWchTCZZSdVCBeqhem6kPgA6-00EIIw~LEZSXO-8chYXfByW1rK4UdZ6xyz6UZmgNxJ12NRepdJkytwjeGPJSOn7yaRsI3QgdT1mJijLLD3ZK-bsO9LpEhWyuH7r7u~ck5HKdAzSvtIDREXCQYEOxl1NKPoIxGWJSgBrg4E60u151qAOa8UMSoGSPg3zOyNUeiLN0vRkIPgmccY9nfEt~F4d8hee7~srcDxMJZ01sPQaPWTeEM4B6-oNfya9nyXiE6i0jT1AVQOgIlncjQJIxBdDClB5yz8YhFiIinfjcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Union County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 18 adopted Bond Ordinance 850-2024, authorizing $37,783,130 in appropriations and the issuance of up to $23,805,044 in bonds and an equal amount in bond anticipation notes to finance public improvements, equipment, furnishings and vehicles.

The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote after the board opened the meeting for public comment. Chairwoman Palmeri Mudett called for final reading and adoption; Commissioner Rebecca Williams moved the ordinance and Commissioner Bodak seconded the motion. The clerk recorded six affirmative votes and the ordinance was declared adopted.

Bruce Patterson of Garwood questioned the ordinance during the public comment period, asking why the amount in the bond ordinance differed from figures he recalled in the county's capital budget. Director Taylor replied that “a capital budget is not an authorization” and explained that the capital budget appended to the operating budget is a working document; funds are only appropriated—and projects made “real”—when a bond ordinance is adopted. Taylor also said the county is paying down more debt this year than it is authorizing, noting the county is reducing net debt over the past decade.

The bond ordinance text read into the record lists specific appropriation and financing figures and authorizes the issuance of bonds and bond anticipation notes. County officials did not enumerate individual projects in the ordinance reading; they said the ordinance consolidates departmental needs into the appropriation.

The board followed statutory notice and public hearing procedures under the Open Public Meetings Act before voting.

The ordinance's immediate effect is to permit staff to proceed with project planning and procurement steps that require appropriated funds. County officials noted the county is both authorizing new borrowing and continuing a multi-year trend of reducing overall debt.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 850-2024 — Motion: move for final reading and advertise; Mover: Commissioner Rebecca Williams; Second: Commissioner Bodak; Vote: 6–0 in favor; Outcome: adopted.

Clerk and department staff said project-level details and timelines will be provided as procurement steps and grant match determinations proceed.","The Board of County Commissioners approved Bond Ordinance 850-2024, authorizing $37,783,130 in appropriations and up to $23,805,044 in bonds and bond anticipation notes to finance capital improvements and equipment purchases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident questions multiple contracts, grants and reservoir projects; board adopts batch of resolutions with two exceptions

Union County adopts ordinance revising administrative code; officials call changes 'cleanup'

Union County adopts $37.8 million bond ordinance to fund capital projects