MCIA to manage Metuchen parking under three‑year agreement; staff updates rail projects and vendor contracts

The Middlesex County Improvement Authority told the public on Dec. 11 that it will assume management of parking operations for the Metuchen Parking Authority under an agreement expected to begin at the start of the new year.

James Poloz, speaking during the public resolution comment period, described the arrangement as “a 3 year agreement to begin with” and said the county will receive a fee for providing services. Poloz said the contract covers all parking lots the Metuchen Parking Authority is responsible for, including surface lots and a deck; when asked about the fee, staff said the amount is $30,000 per year.

Authority staff also provided updates on rail and parking infrastructure. In committee reports, staff said design work is ongoing on county rail projects: “we're continuing with our 60% design in North Brunswick,” and the authority is completing 10% design for a New Brunswick project and is meeting with Amtrak, officials said. Staff said a county parking deck in New Brunswick is scheduled to open Jan. 15, with staff phased in early February and broader public access planned for April or May.

A county staff member identified as Bill provided a consolidated parking-operations budget figure when asked by a public commenter: “Our parking operations are $3,767,875. That's the combination of all our parking operations, the Carter parking garage, the New Brunswick Cancer Center parking garage and the Metuchen operation.”

Multiple vendor contracts and renewals appeared on the authority’s consent agenda. Officials said AME Incorporated was selected through a cooperative purchasing program to provide cleaning and maintenance services at a garage. Compliance Consulting Group was described as a provider of compliance policies and training for long-term care operations; staff estimated work with the compliance consultant would not exceed $15,000 for the year. JJM Consulting, represented by Jay Muldoon, will provide a temporary transition role as parking director for Metuchen; staff said Metuchen (the parking authority) will pay for those transition services, not the county.

The authority also plans to renew a public‑relations contract with Keywood Strategies; staff said the firm produces press releases and social media updates for projects including the county rail yard groundbreaking. A public commenter who identified himself as Charlie complained about the authority’s public communications and requested more standard Zoom meeting links and easier public access to materials.

Those procurement items were included in a consent agenda approved by the authority that evening. The authority did not discuss significant changes to the scope of the Metuchen management contract during the public comment period.

The authority’s procurement and budget documents will follow the Department of Community Affairs review process before being posted, staff said; staff told a public commenter the DCA typically takes two to three weeks to provide final approval and that materials will be posted to the authority’s website after DCA sign-off.