WBLS Saga To End Monday?

Monday's City Council agenda is of interest both for items that are on it and others that are not.

Most interesting are two resolutions regarding the August 2010 WBLS matter that led to an investigation into handling of public funds. Anyone who hasn't heard all too much about the WBLS issue can go to the box at the top left of the blog and search for WBLS for all 20 Plaintalker posts on the topic. One of the resolutions up for a vote Monday would rescind the January reprimand to Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs as well as the referral of the matter to the Department of Community Affairs, the Attorney General and the Union County Prosecutor. The second resolution would reprimand the mayor and "accept the findings of special counsel" regarding the WBLS expenditure investigation.

The fact that it wasn't discussed in open session on Tuesday suggests that it was hashed out in closed session and therefore a majority will vote approval. But one never knows until roll call.

While those two resolutions hint at some kind of new understanding between the mayor and council, the missing items show there is still more to do before officials hold hands and sing Kumbaya. Six items were listed under communications from the mayor Tuesday and City Clerk Abubakar Jalloh informed Council President Adrian Mapp that corresponding resolutions had been prepared, but Mapp declined to put them on the agenda. Among them were mayoral nominations for the appointment of Diane Sherry-Buono as chief financial officer, four PMUA appointments and two for the Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees.

A public hearing on the amended 2012 budget is listed under "unfinished business" and there is also a resolution to adopt the budget.

There are two resolutions related to the use of Cedar Brook Park and the fireworks display to take place there on July 7. The city must pay $8,068 for use of the county park and coverage by county park police. The fireworks will cost $13,500.

Two union settlements are up for final passage. The Firemen Mutual Benevolent Association settlement reflects no salary increase in 2010, 2.25 percent in 2011 and 2.50 percent in 2012. The Plainfield Municipal Management Association salary ordinance shows a zero increase in 2011, 1.5 percent in 2012 and 2.0 percent in 2013.

The meeting Monday is 8 p.m. in Municipal Court. The full agenda is posted on the city's web site under City Council on the left-hand side.

--Bernice