Tonight's City Council meeting includes a public hearing on the 2015 budget as it was introduced in April, and a vote on a $4 million bond issue to support road repairs.
The budget process includes requests from city departments and divisions which may be modified by the administration before being handed off to the governing body with budget introduction. The next step is review and possible amendment before another public hearing and final passage. The council is in the midst of talks on the budget, with amendments expected later this month. Tonight's hearing is on the administration's budget as described in the link above, not the final budget after council modifications.
The bond ordinance was the subject of a special meeting on April 27 that fell through for lack of a quorum. One crucial factor is timing on a Community Development Block Grant that, along with state Department of Transportation funds and proceeds of the bond issue will permit repairs of several city roads. If not used before a June 30 deadline, the CDBC funds could be lost.
On May 4, the administration also wanted to add a related item, hiring an engineer for the road work. Council President Bridget Rivers bristled at Mayor Adrian O. Mapp's request to consider adding that and the hiring of a redevelopment specialist, saying there was a firm deadline of noon Wednesday to submit agenda items.
Rivers reminded Mapp of his opposition to "walk-on" additions to the agenda when he was council president. The agenda is set by the council president for discussion at a meeting prior to the regular session at which the council votes on resolutions and ordinances.
"I'm asking my colleagues not to support any walking-on items," Rivers said on May 4. Mapp can pitch to have his requests added tonight as new items, but five of the seven council members must agree to do, and a majority has been inimical to the administration since it took over in January 2014.
Rivers pooh-poohed the need for a redevelopment specialist, saying Economic Director Carlos Sanchez could do the work, Sanchez said the role involved preparation of redevelopment plans.
"I don't think I have the capacity to do that," he said.
In terms of an engineer for road projects, Mapp said, "We do not have an engineer."
Road projects were previously managed by engineer Jackie Foushee of Remington & Vernick, who left the firm to become the first African-American female head of Public Works in Trenton. Foushee had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Plainfield roads and the repair schedule, which apparently is not matched by a successor from the firm.
In the midst of the discussion, Councilwoman Gloria Taylor said, "I have never see a mayor come in and take over a council meeting,"
As Rivers banged her gavel, Taylor asked Corporation Counsel Vernita Sias-Hill to review protocol, but she had been absent briefly with a coughing fit and missed the discussion City Clerk Abubakar Jalloh then cited the option of adding new items by a two-thirds vote of the council at the regular meeting.
Ciouncilman Cory Storch argued that a mayor has the right to attend council meetings and request additions to the agenda.
"That's a lie," former Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs said from the audience as Storch said she had routinely done so.
Councilwoman Rebecca Williams warned that the city could lose an opportunity by not taking action, but Rivers said, "This council will not delay any streets being paved."
Councilwoman Diane Toliver reviewed what she had learned about the road project process as a new member and said, "Every ward is going to have something done this year, based on money."
Rivers went back to confronting Mapp, calling his request "very disrespectful," which Mapp refuted by quoting the city's charter on mayoral rights, but Storch's bid to add the engineering item failed when only he and Williams supported it.
Tonight's meeting is 8 p.m. in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave. View the May 11 agenda here.
--Bernice
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because protocol, proper procedures and professionalism are the exact things that come to mind when I think of Rivers as a Council President and SRB posing as a Mayor...petty, nasty and vindictive are 3 better words for those two,,, Ugly on the inside to be sure.
ReplyDeleteSome of our council members should just go on and audition for a reality show. All this drama is unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Mayor Mapp did not live up to his promises to the residents of the City of Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteHe is no better then Mayor Robinson-Briggs. The things that go on here in City Hall is a travesty.
If Council member's only knew.
What "things"?
DeleteYou are obviously one of Jerry's kids and we have never had a mayor as irresponsible as Robinson-Briggs. Get real!
DeleteMayor Mapp supporters are still holding on to hope. Every thing he do that is incorrect that try to find a way to blame someone else. When he hired Eric Watson whom everyone know was one of the biggest problems over there at the PMUA. Then he allowed him to bring that corruption right over here in City Hall. Then the demolishing, next the recreation department, next hiring someone to the tune of over 90,000 to bring in grants instead the city looses grants. The grant writer is actually publishing Mayor's Mapp news letter council member's do you know that. and the beat goes on.
ReplyDeleteOne of Jerry's kids again. Ask Jerry what he's done for Plainfield, his f*****g town over the past 22 years.
Deleteto anon 10:34 let me first start out by saying we the employees here at city hall will never let you know whom we are why so we can get transferred or terminated. It is a bunch of corruption going on here in City Hall and sooner than later the council will take off the blinders.
ReplyDeleteCouncil member's watch the budget. Administration is hiding money all over the place. FLUSH ACCOUNT.
ReplyDeleteBetter yet ask the council member's in Orange where your illustrious Mayor works.
Let's get past the drama and get some work done. The majority on this Council have proven that they are inept and working for Jerry and themselves. Rivers is so unprofessional that Jerry had to get her a job. He did the same for Sharon for the same reasons. Rivers, Taylor, Sharon, and Greaves need to stop embarrassing themselves and start working for the people of Plainfield. Again, GET REAL!
ReplyDeleteThere is no question that the roadwork contemplated should have a competent, experienced, full time resident engineer inspecting the work as it proceeds. Typically the design engineer provides these services. The price for the inspection is either initially included in the engineer's fee, or it is quoted as an add on.
ReplyDeleteAs an alternative, the client, in this case the City of Plainfield, can hire an inspection agency, a company distinct from the design engineer, to conduct the inspections. Larger cities who have an engineering department may provide their own engineer for inspection. It would seem that given that this is a relatively small project of short duration that the design engineer is the likely candidate to provide the inspection. The fact that Jackie Foushee has left Remington and Vernick, and by inference left Remington and Vernick incapable of providing these services, seems a bit far fetched. There are thousands of licensed professional engineers in New Jersey amongst whom there just might be few who are capable of inspecting a paving job. What should not be permitted is to accept an inspector who is not a NJ registered Professional Engineer, and further, an engineer who has not had experience in roadwork. The proposed inspecting engineer's resume should be submitted for review and approval by the City. Putting some young technician on the job with a clipboard to oversee the work of a wily contractor is not appropriate. If Mayor Mapp is using this as an opportunity to create a permanent position in the City for an engineer that is an entirely different. A proposal of that nature would be subject to a larger study. Bill Kruse
Good news amongst the gloom. The removal of the debris from the North Avenue demolition project is out for bid. It is hoped that the City has properly used the provision in the Yates contract to terminate the Yates contract. The City can do this on the grounds of either "cause' or "convenience". They should be careful which they choose. We wonder how the "investigation" is proceeding, and the insurance claim progressing?
ReplyDeleteI agree (mostly) with Bill Kruse's comments. I don't think it is essential to have a licensed professional engineer doing the site inspection work. There are many engineers in training who haven't yet passed the exams but who are experienced and qualified for field inspection work. If an experienced EIT is chosen, that person must report to a P.E. (presumably the design engineer).
ReplyDelete