MC 2014 -07 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9; LICENSES, PERMITS AND REGULATED ACTIVI TIES, ARTICLE 17, SCHEDULE OF LICENSES AND PERMIT FEES OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY 1971.
Turns out it's only an increase in block party permits from $10 to $25. By percentage, it is a lot, but of all the license and permit fees, this change is not major.
Here's another example:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DETERMINATION OF A SPECIAL NEEDS PROJECT FOR
THE PLAINFIELD AREA YMCA. –CITY ADMINISTRATOR.
Looking in the packet, one sees that it refers to the YMCA's intention to build 30 apartments for youth aging out of foster care on its campus at 518 Watchung Avenue. Though many more steps are involved before the project can start, municipal approval is one element in seeking other endorsements and funding.
Monday's agenda is rather crowded with discussion items and things will get worse if the council has to shift to another double meeting on March 10 due to inclement weather. But this item, even at such a preliminary stage, deserves a bit more exposure than the agenda caption affords. It will be interesting to see whether it is treated as perfunctory or whether the public gets a glimmer of the scope of the proposed project.
There is no doubt of the need for the type of project proposed. The transition to independence is difficult enough for young people in any case, but for those aging out of foster care it can be nearly impossible without support. As described in the packet, the Plainfield YMCA project would include intensive supportive services in addition to safe housing while the residents develop the skills to live independently.
To learn more about the concerns for youth aging out of foster care, click here.
Residents who try to follow the actions of the governing body at meetings or on PCTV will not be fully informed unless important agenda items are explained. The background material is available in a binder at each public meeting, but only one person at a time can review it. Council members receive the entire packet and are expected to review it so they know what they are voting on at regular meetings. Questions are supposed to be answered at agenda-fixing sessions such as the one scheduled for Monday.
The public may also speak on resolutions and ordinances up for consideration at agenda-fixing sessions. Bloggers who check the packet, such as Dr. Harold Yood, help enlighten the viewing public with their comments and questions on agenda items.
--Bernice
I wonder why all these materials aren't scanned and put up on the city website?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the city has a scanner. it would take 15 minutes. Five minutes to post on the website.
Bernice: while I am somewhat unhappy with the Y's transition, from housing, what should I call them?, "marginal men." "needy guys," a YMCA mission from its founding in the mid- 18'50s, when young men were moving from their parents' farms to industrial England - to Y's which provided a place of safe, affordable, clean hoiusing for them. Most mode4n Y's have rejected that mission - look at Westfield, or Scotch Plains-Fanwood or Metuchen-Edison =- fully suburanized. No poor guys upstairs.
ReplyDeleteThe Plainfield YWCA gave up on this mission many years ago.
I learned to swim at at the YW, and took ballet lessons in the gym from the son of a Russian ballet master.
I have served on the boards of both the YWCA and YMCA.
The YMCA has operated RAP, a foster care program, for what, maybe 30 years.
An effort to house and support aging-out foster teens, is important.
But, please let's make some arrangements for the guys upstairs in the SRO-residence
It doesn't take much of an imagination to figure out the inadequacies of SRO living arrngements. I think the Y should be commended for moving in this direction. Support services for these young men will be critically important. Let's find out more about what kind of services and programming the Y will be offering.
ReplyDeleteAs the Plainfield Y transitions itself into an organization better suited to meet the needs of our community's youth, young adults and families, the proposed Age Out project is just one of many that we have planned. As noted above, the Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program has long been a part of our Y's offering, but has run it's course and we realize we are not the best suited to provide assistance that many of these men require.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, the Y has contracted with Bridgeway to assist us in determining the specific needs our current SRO residents require and ultimately assist us in finding them suitable accommodations. $$ have been placed into our proposed "Age Out" budget to ensure that none of these residents is left without a place to go.
We hope that the new administration, members of city council and the community at large will support our endeavors, as one of the cities largest non-profits to continue offering the many services we believe our community is desperately in need of.
If anyone has any specific questions, they are more than welcome to contact Ravenell Williams at the Plainfield Y or myself, Kieran Anderson, Chairman, Board of Directors to discuss it further.
Is it fair to mention that Councilman Cory Storch is Bridgeway's Executive Director, and that Bridgeway, I think, was A&F, H&SS Director Ron West's most recent employer? Both should step aside from any debate or decision making regarding the Y and any City approvals.
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