[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6047236,"mediaKeyId","3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7","parentId",3537066,"title","Tenafly administrator proposes 10% cap on engineering fees and to avoid negotiated contracts after park overruns","audioSeconds",346,"startMs",1660000,"endMs",2006000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7&start=1660&end=2006","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7/thumbnail_1660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6047236/Tenafly/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Tenafly-administrator-proposes-10-cap-on-engineering-fees-and-to-avoid-negotiated-contracts-after-park-overruns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047236-860dd5bd2a0a63b50156105ee58a28da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141752&Signature=BvsCLPcsYamxgXvH7fJGt2U883l3gl6XbswTGdL2KNa9V-Gjmu-aTSqfseba9ZgES2LMscQhBz3IQ2jSee6qcbRqk1~ZoCxx0hLuBXB8UUuYg~Zo1PC0nR35JGPO1omx29ty8n91-UV~4gCAVs~D-fe3EHf47jqrrovyGkLlG2kOZl6awiY0vCxfmN5t4mL4XHRanWQ5M66rN3mZj47j6tD-m4YpC9xywHBDrrLc1ZnrA7~UDbnNpS2S7i4ZT9y8~WLcwcZH1do1K1gqtrPCzWvYwmwEr4aCdTgSdUqOitkFv3GmSRB7Y5wp0NVF5eNtLOcK8CceYO7ajCjJ60H7rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tenafly Borough","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","Responding to recent cost overruns and numerous change orders, the Tenafly borough administrator recommended a set of policy changes intended to improve budgeting and procurement for capital projects.

The administrator proposed three principal measures: (1) cap professional engineering services at 10% of total project cost, with a maximum of 15% in extraordinary cases; (2) generally avoid entering into negotiated construction contracts and instead go back out to competitive bid even after multiple failed bids; and (3) require a professional engineer’s estimate — including conceptual design, bid documents, contract administration and inspection costs — to be produced and relied on for budgeting before a capital project advances.

The administrator said the recommendations mirror Department of Transportation practices that cap engineering costs and are intended to reduce surprises in project budgeting; council members asked clarifying questions about how exceptions would be handled and whether additional approvals would be required if engineering costs exceeded the cap. The administrator said any over‑cap engineering expenditures would still require council authorization.

The administrator also updated the council on a separate flood‑control scoping grant and mapping work being performed with drone mapping: staff reported the mapping was roughly 50% complete and covers the borough’s stormwater system including creeks, inlets and pipes.

Council members indicated support for tighter controls and asked staff to prepare potential ordinance language or formal policies to bring back for consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tenafly Council Meeting - March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","In the wake of multiple change orders on capital projects, the borough administrator proposed capping professional engineering fees at 10% of project cost (15% in exceptional cases), discouraging negotiated construction contracts, and requiring engineer estimates before advancing capital projects.","taxTitle","Tenafly, Bergen County, New Jersey","taxId",70483,"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},6047240,"Tenafly to submit letter of intent for Bergen County open‑space grant; pool or courts may qualify",317,229000,546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7&start=229&end=546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7/thumbnail_229000.jpg","/articles/6047240/Tenafly/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Tenafly-to-submit-letter-of-intent-for-Bergen-County-openspace-grant-pool-or-courts-may-qualify","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047240-d1d99c046ba91f0482316b54f33af7ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141752&Signature=CNGvN5dTtmjXvVtHQ8U5KqyMCGeLN7jHet1KRfamBCKkmxOcQ6Tjnb8lmeoXFZ-vBFXMS1ZPJ-8JTJLLUJViHf4-U-LdeNesjqjis2x64W6CjlPwnn97Y4S9ZzrTYnLC7se8ObNMti4gIe21kkHpUfrpEAhBWMdpRxJVnrY6DFCMLSIR1hWBAgxAgQCNAuKpr1mUSQ5skhO3m4c7EbMl-jsGGjRnXaITLMa4GLJtY5XQWr9nd6klDqCxXIR5cwgmdirqgAknHwwlhVbEV4HBmlHx7fJ6GYKXholm-kIbsFoAnrxBicKIwdBGHWgwdtjRGkEtTo5x5M9cd1mVEP~LEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council agreed to submit a letter of intent by the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund deadline and to return at the April 8 meeting to select a project to pursue.

Staff and council discussed possible projects that could qualify for the grant, including upgrades to the municipal pool, tennis‑court resurfacing or other park capital improvements. The borough’s recreation staff and Jamie (recreation) were asked to identify priorities; the grant typically funds capital improvements (not operational costs) and is generally close to a 50/50 match, staff said. Applications are typically awarded in September, staff said, and the borough would plan physical work to occur in the off‑season if funded.

Council members noted that while some capital items (for example, a full tennis‑court rebuild) might not be fully fundable by the program, partial funding for elements such as resurfacing or a portion of a multi‑court project could be pursued. The consensus at the meeting was to issue a letter of intent by the stated deadline and to return at the April 8 meeting to finalize the borough’s application and identify the project that offers the highest cost‑offset value.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with recreation staff and Jamie to prepare a letter of intent and present project options and cost estimates at the April 8 meeting.","Council agreed to submit a letter of intent for the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund and will return April 8 to select a project; the grant typically requires a near 50% match and awards in September.",{"_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},6047246,"Tenafly council weighs $50–$75 administrative fee for historic‑preservation certificate",183,57000,240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7&start=57&end=240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7/thumbnail_57000.jpg","/articles/6047246/Tenafly/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Tenafly-council-weighs-5075-administrative-fee-for-historicpreservation-certificate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047246-6890a9880a42752f9490a2d8aa8b1c47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141752&Signature=fRbkVnSuxq75dITHq3jH3t-r-kidXm5oNkpTWUwz~Fn2DaImXQP4rWs-uxaL~S1Ou9L2kpX7HUhV9Ufq9JABJFOz~TZxzSsyzATzSVBYTEv4MLoL9TIWNhkUqt6n7zJaTO0W0x9Jy~dXCKDLqpST4n5lYsN~Ulmv5YkGMtZdHLZ6CW~j~E9l8ZxflSdwcde1rCQAmPJEZ4sqj4wNOU1L54LT02iMRNqnoD2TSNny4FvwQkYE6U23P~B7Po4pT4NkZlfWnxPPB99hYxm-mgoIn42Ns306cd1H3jbnS16s6kRjocH8P~2hB4wVo6p4BrvLWw320mKxbem4KcaGXLNTxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tenafly Mayor and Council discussed a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission to add an administrative fee for applications for a certificate of appropriateness, proposed in the meeting materials at roughly $50 to $75.

Staff said the commission receives a handful of applications annually — estimated at fewer than 20 last year — and that the fee would be administrative revenue placed into the borough’s general fund (the Historic Preservation Commission is within the administrator’s office). A staff member said the proposal was part of a general review of fees and revenue opportunities and that the program would not generate large revenue.

Several council members expressed concern about adding another cost to owners of historically designated properties. “The work the commission does is wonderful … it’s very challenging to maintain historically preserved homes. It’s very expensive. So I'm not sure we want to add another fee to the homeowners who kind of have chosen to have their houses deemed historical,” one council member said.

No final vote was taken on the fee at the meeting; council discussion moved on to subsequent agenda items.","The council discussed a Historic Preservation Commission recommendation to add an administrative fee of roughly $50–$75 for certificates of appropriateness; some members said they did not want to burden homeowners who elected historic designation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6047251,"Tenafly introduces several ordinances and adopts temporary capital and consent resolutions",605,2040000,2645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7&start=2040&end=2645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7/thumbnail_2040000.jpg","/articles/6047251/Tenafly/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Tenafly-introduces-several-ordinances-and-adopts-temporary-capital-and-consent-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047251-972f1863548e5ea9927ce2dfa136ef3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141752&Signature=kbzmGkks18N~BJscU0FNiAioEyOiufEFnxyeFfzWz6VknbRMLuKV54FNQSKv6oUYyfqv5F7Zla0SOzt1Jdyy~NDu7-xlMvCAi0QOQMGP77JY4wKVnmuhylK~~vDqdmzDnR-Zmsnu5eYFveP70roNVWYXFEk0hdmoV48W69CIgY6owHitEkNYCgQgQAotoO6KJ0WfAQq~BjYSbQ3a50AAlKuIsTOKNvdCpQ6896RojrmrDwAK4ulyglRwuH2D~zsJVKzMZq-X6c6u2zoUZWhOx1SrvRlsZVw77kSJZbqsegsKWjaWOe7xNRZLe~RvuePYIY3aJxsnjlqq9qPy2BXMpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tenafly Mayor and Council introduced multiple ordinances for first reading and approved a temporary capital budget and a package of consent resolutions during the meeting.

Ordinances introduced for first reading included:
- Ordinance 25‑10 (calendar year 2025 budget cap ordinance); motion to introduce made by Councilwoman Corsaire and seconded; hearing set for April 8, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
- Ordinance 25‑11 (bond ordinance authorizing various public improvements and equipment purchases) appropriating $4,369,600; introduced and set for hearing April 8, 2025.
- Ordinance 25‑12 (reappropriation ordinance) reappropriating $1,043,000 in proceeds of obligations not needed for original purposes; introduced and set for hearing April 8, 2025.
- Ordinance 25‑13 (open space appropriation) appropriating $955,000 for playground equipment, pool upgrades, Little League field work and supplemental items including skate‑park asphalt and curbing; introduced and set for hearing April 8, 2025.
- Ordinance 25‑14 (land‑development regulation amendments, chapter 35) introduced for first reading and set for hearing April 8, 2025.

The council also approved resolution r25‑162 (temporary capital budget) and then approved the consent agenda items r25‑163 through r25‑194 by roll call; minutes from recent meetings were approved as noted in the record. Where roll calls were recorded in the transcript, council members answered \"yes,\" indicating unanimous support on those items.

Several motions to introduce ordinances were made on the floor with named movers and seconders; Omar (municipal clerk) read ordinance titles aloud and conducted roll calls. Hearings and votes on final adoption will occur at the April 8 meeting.

Votes at a glance (items introduced/approved at this meeting):
- Ordinance 25‑10: Introduced; hearing 04/08/2025, 7:30 p.m.; mover: Councilwoman Corsaire; second: (recorded).
- Ordinance 25‑11 (bond, $4,369,600): Introduced; hearing 04/08/2025, 7:30 p.m.; mover: Councilmember Rollieri; second: recorded.
- Ordinance 25‑12 (reappropriation $1,043,000): Introduced; hearing 04/08/2025.
- Ordinance 25‑13 (open space appropriation $955,000): Introduced; hearing 04/08/2025.
- Ordinance 25‑14 (chapter 35 amendments): Introduced; hearing 04/08/2025.
- Resolution r25‑162 (temporary capital budget): Approved by roll call (unanimous yes recorded in transcript).
- Consent resolutions r25‑163 through r25‑194: Approved by roll call (unanimous yes recorded in transcript).

Next steps: public hearings on the introduced ordinances are scheduled for April 8; council will consider final adoption and any amendments at that hearing.","At the meeting council introduced ordinances 25‑10 through 25‑14, set hearing dates for April 8, and approved a temporary capital budget plus a slate of consent resolutions; roll calls recorded unanimous 'yes' votes where noted.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6047256,"Tenafly pulls vote on $82,000 skate‑park change order after council questions unexpected costs",965,561000,1526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7&start=561&end=1526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3537066-2b62ed5e0adb532d42691441e0e1f1b7/thumbnail_561000.jpg","/articles/6047256/Tenafly/Bergen-County/New-Jersey/Tenafly-pulls-vote-on-82000-skatepark-change-order-after-council-questions-unexpected-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047256-fa1e19e6c329fea7630dcb92f18eed05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141752&Signature=KA7Xf7KJRvBU3LhKajMg1~qFMPrX25dOB3yAceMKAxgjkJjdht3J2RZB~iN4V-ANvQgcmtbYIEtDU37ex59TqBJ5BhIg7vC9c-2GhJghVuIayDLCRdlPiMogclyO9-wYTM0k8x-QsyZRNcJAnlUIbMyyADtB4XXDn~gyAA4jAPSCXYVFSmuX842jYDdDCj4Y-4sv2TRJV-NTbKPQgWaWV1vPmphIJZQC2J3jXK4McRsk4hjTC1rkhUGUgVLJCc0VJwbdS4Kn-MSpe9OjKJ5xUZRJPHZLYUvdixC36wqtKcNbccEJ0GXTOpGggtBDPWtyHnpz2uV6iI24eo1fzT4H4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tenafly Mayor and Council pulled a resolution authorizing the final change order for the Grove Street Park project after members said they were not informed earlier that work to prepare the skate‑park surface and curbing would add about $82,000, and that an insurance‑required 8‑foot fence would cost roughly $42,000.

The decision followed a lengthy project update from Andy (staff member), who described a five‑year project history that began with design bids under $500,000, later saw bids above $1 million, then moved into negotiated contracts. The negotiated base contract awarded to contractor Kennegan was roughly $490,000 and did not originally include the skate‑park surface. The borough separately purchased skate‑park equipment for about $69,000 under a Sourcewell contract, Andy said. After the vendor supplied a smaller layout, the borough obtained a negotiated price for the surface and curbing that staff reduced by negotiation but which still added roughly $82,000 to the project estimate.

Mayor and council members questioned why those costs were not disclosed earlier and whether the borough had consulted its insurance fund (JIF) before construction. Titus (council/staff not specified) explained the fence is required by the borough’s insurer and is a condition of coverage. At one point a council member summarized the immediate concern: unexpected additional costs and a smaller skate‑park footprint than earlier designs had led the council to decline voting on the change order that night.

Andy said the skate‑park equipment layout arrived late and that Kennegan took more than 60 days to provide a price; he also said the firm’s original quote had been higher and was negotiated down. “Once we had the layout that was approved, then we had to redesign the surface … it took him literally 60 plus days to get us a number, and we didn’t agree to that number. We’ve negotiated him down to the number you see in front of you,” Andy said.

At the meeting the council agreed to remove the change‑order resolution (identified in meeting materials as part of the Grove Street Park packet) from the consent agenda and to schedule follow‑up conversations among staff, the contractor and council members. Council members also requested a holistic review of the project and the series of change orders; one council member asked for a post‑mortem on project oversight to identify how multiple change orders accumulated.

Action taken: the council pulled the resolution authorizing the change order and will consider it at a future meeting after staff returns with a recommendation and supporting detail. The council also requested a project review to explain prior change orders and procurement choices.

Next steps: staff will convene stakeholders to clarify the change‑order pricing, provide an itemized breakdown of the fence and surface costs, and return to a future meeting with options and recommendations.","Council members halted approval of a change order for Grove Street Park’s skate area after learning of an $82,000 surface/curbing cost and an insurance‑required fence of about $42,000; staff will return with recommendations and a project post‑mortem.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tenafly administrator proposes 10% cap on engineering fees and to avoid negotiated contracts after park overruns

Tenafly to submit letter of intent for Bergen County open‑space grant; pool or courts may qualify

Tenafly council weighs $50–$75 administrative fee for historic‑preservation certificate

Tenafly introduces several ordinances and adopts temporary capital and consent resolutions

Tenafly pulls vote on $82,000 skate‑park change order after council questions unexpected costs