In response to Council President Adrian Mapp's request for an update on the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Jackson said Public Works has already made one complete pass through the entire city and, weather permitting, will finish the cleanup by year's end. A schedule for pickup in the city's 10 Public Works zones will be posted, he said. The city will also issue a request for proposals from local contractors to aid in the cleanup. If weather conditions are not ideal, the work may carry over to January.
So far, the city has expended $200,000 on manhours and other costs, Jackson said.
Monday's agenda included a resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation of $600,000 for "extraordinary expenses" resulting from the storm, along with a resolution to issue emergency notes in the same amount. The cost will be spread over five years, but may be amended depending whether costs are less or more than the estimated $600,000.
Once again, officials said they had no knowledge of a $1.125 FEMA grant reported in local newspapers and in a press release from the office of Sen. Robert Menendez.
The council also approved a resolution accepting a $171,501 National Emergency Grant from the Union County Workforce Investment Board that covers hiring of 11 workers for six months for storm-related cleanup activities.
--Bernice
Eric Jackson is a perfect example of what can be done in Plainfield when you leave that stupid Democratic Party Cat Fighting out of the picture...Kudos to him and his department for existing outside the realm of the RDO and the New Dems. Working and being paid for it... Hard to believe it's as simple as that.
ReplyDeleteHEY MAYOR, JERRY and CITY COUNCIL... That's how it works
There are still homes on Rahway that were not in that 1st pass for branch pick up.
ReplyDeleteTo Plainfield's Local City Administration and Council: The FEMA Grant is a REIMBURSEMENT GRANT, meaning the City of Plainfield MUST apply, via the state, for reimbursement of Hurricane Sandy expenses. See the excerpt from the press release below:
ReplyDelete“This federal emergency funding will help reduce the cost burden on local governments that rose to the occasion and acted without hesitation to keep families and neighborhoods safe,” said Lautenberg, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds FEMA. “This funding is a good start, but we have a long way to go in ensuring that every affected New Jersey community gets the support necessary to cover their costs and rebuild. We will continue working with the state and federal governments on behalf of New Jersey’s cities and towns.”
FEMA is reimbursing local governments for the following debris removal costs:
$1,125,000 for Plainfield
$3,937,500 for Manalapan
$1,668,150 for Little Silver
$1,582,350 for Keansburg
These Public Assistance grants are awarded by FEMA on a rolling basis after receiving applications from the state, which coordinates the process with local governments. These grants are the first of more rounds of municipal FEMA reimbursements to be announced."
So, City of Plainfield, who's in charge of grants? Please don't let this "fall through the cracks." A simple phone call can start the ball, I mean cash, rolling.
I asked, publicly, about this grant. It is a 25% match, from what I understand. I asked the administration whether they had, after seeing the report, even bothered to call Sen. Menendez or Rep. Holt to get some info. Apparently, neither Mr. Berry nor the mayor had done so. I guess there's no curiosity, Par for the course. As Siddeeq has noted, a simple PHONE CALL could get the ball rolling.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Councilwoman Williams you're on the city council so couldn't you also make that call to our elected officials.
DeleteWe know the issues this city faces instead pointing fingers continuously maybe you can take it upon yourself on behalf of the people you represent and to do this for the city if city hall wont or cant