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Essex County commissioners approve HUD grants, homelessness reprogramming and a slate of procurement contracts
Summary
The board approved Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds, reprogrammed ESG dollars for rapid rehousing, authorized multiple parks and public works contracts (including a bridge replacement and holiday‑lights spending), and accepted state and federal revenue insertions including opioid settlement funds and arts grants.
The Essex County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a package of grant authorizations, budget insertions and procurement contracts covering housing, public works, parks and information technology.
Housing and homelessness: John Sures, director of the Division of Housing and Community Development, asked the board to accept several HUD awards and reprogramming actions. The county will accept a 2024 Community Development Block Grant of $5,279,531, HOME Investment Partnership funds of $1,182,534.93 and an Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) of $460,258. The board also approved reallocations: $32,000 from unused ESG funds to Family Promise of Essex County for rapid rehousing, and smaller ESG transfers of $10,000 and $8,000 for United Community Corporation for rapid rehousing. Sures said prior RFPs and an action plan had been completed and the current items are to receive the HUD funds.
“ We do…advertise through the newspapers and through the county website, and they have to apply through our portal,” Sures said when a commissioner asked how organizations are notified about RFPs.
Contracts and procurement: The board approved several vendor awards for county operations and parks: a 24‑month extension with Hodges Party Rental (DBA) for park rental equipment not to exceed $275,000; a $212,890 award to David Fred Development Corp. for holiday light accessories; and a contract with Direct Waste Services for park solid waste transport and disposal not to exceed $721,698.08, with specified seasonal service periods.
Public Works and fleet: The county awarded CMS Construction the low bid for replacement of the Thomas Boulevard bridge over the Second River in Orange, not to exceed $519,351, for a 90‑day project. Barnwell House of Tires was awarded a two‑year as‑needed contract for passenger and light truck tires, amount not to exceed $160,000, and the board approved a one‑year extension to a vendor for hydraulic lift and boom truck repairs in an amount not to exceed $25,475.
Sheriff equipment: The sheriff’s office contract to Liberty Harley Davidson to furnish eight Harley Davidson motorcycles, amount not to exceed $170,446, was approved; staff said the purchase will replace five older motorcycles and add three new units, with expected delivery in about six months.
Budget insertions and other revenue: County staff presented revenue insertions totaling several grants: $799,993 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the CARA (Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Project) program; two opiate settlement deposits of $305,952.73 and $74,632.97; $391,400 from the New Jersey Council on the Arts for local arts programming (with an administrative portion that requires a local match); and $72,500 from the New Jersey Department of State for a county history partnership program.
Public comment and calendar notes: During public comment Nadira Brown asked the board for follow‑up on an email she sent in May about constituent and workplace concerns; President Palmeiras invited her to exchange information with staff for a written response. The board also noted the Oct. 2 meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 10, because of scheduling conflicts.
Votes at a glance: the board approved all items presented in the meeting’s business agenda by roll call (no recorded 'No' votes on the items summarized above; several items recorded Commissioners Gill as absent).
