Thursday, September 10, 2015
Everything to Know About Parking Structures
The State of New Jersey has published a comprehensive piece on all aspects of parking structures, from architecture to financing. Take a look if you want to be well-informed on the subject.
Bids Sought for "Parking Structure" Study
Still looking for the promised RFP for outsourcing Planning - meanwhile, this ad turned up today and is the first glimmer that the much-discussed parking deck may be inching closer to reality.
PARKING STRUCTURE FEASIBILITY STUDY
Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the City of Plainfield, Union County, New Jersey Purchasing Division, for a Parking Structure Feasibility Study contract, and opened and read in public at the City of Plainfield Municipal Building, Purchasing Department, 515 Watchung Ave., Plainfield, New Jersey on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:00 AM prevailing time. Contract Documents and Plans for the proposed work are on file in the City of Plainfield Purchasing Division, 515 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, N.J. 07060. Bidders will be furnished with a copy of the contract documents by the City of Plainfield Purchasing Division for a cost of $10.00. Proposals must be made on the Standard Proposal Forms in a manner designated in the contract documents, must be enclosed in a sealed envelope bearing the name and address of the bidder and the name of the work on the outside, addressed to the CindyLea Weber, Purchasing Agent, City of Plainfield, Division of Purchasing, 515 Watchung Ave, Plainfield, N.J. 07060 The City of Plainfield reserves the right to consider the bids for sixty (60) days after the receipt thereof, and further reserves the right to reject any or all bids, either in whole or in part and also to waive any informality in any and make such awards or take action as may be in the best interest of the City of Plainfield. Bidders are also required to comply with other provisions of Law including, but not limited to, the requirements of: N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 (P.L. 1977, c.33, Disclosure of Ownership) N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (P.L. 2004, c. 57, Business Registration) N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 (Affirmative Action Compliance / EEO) N.J.S.A. 52:32-55 (P.L. 2012, c.25, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran) 42 U.S.C. S121 01 et seq. (Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) CindyLea Weber, QPA Purchasing Agent City of Plainfield, New Jersey
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Toliver Sees Death Threat in Confrontation
Referring to an incident after the Aug. 31 special meeting, Councilwoman Diane Toliver said Tuesday, "I felt violated, attacked, disrespected and most important, unsafe."
Toliver said of being confronted by a man in City Hall Library, "It only takes a second to die and a lifetime to justify why it happened."
The man, who has not been identified by authorities, approached Toliver after she and two other council members voted "no" on a tax break for the developer of a $50 million project on South Avenue. The meeting was over and many people had left when Toliver began shouting that the man "jumped in my face."
"Fear brings in an accelerant and you fight and fight," she said.
Her husband and others led her away after she flailed at the man, and she filed a police report.
After someone pointed out that the meeting room has only one exit, Police Director Carl Riley recommended that no further council meetings take place there. Regular meetings take place in Municipal Court, which has a metal detector and is connected to police headquarters.
City Hall Library has an entrance from the rotunda, but a door that formerly opened into a foyer was closed off in a remodeling project several years ago. Another door to offices of the mayor and city administrator is normally kept locked during public meetings.
Toliver's opposition to a 30-year "payment in lieu of taxes" plan for the development apparently angered the man, who challenged her after the meeting adjourned. Five of seven council members were present at the special meeting that was called by Mayor Adrian O. Mapp. The only topics were approval of a 30-year "payment in lieu of taxes" plan for Sleepy Hollow Developers' 212-unit apartment complex and another adding a portion of Old South Avenue to the development site. Both failed, with Toliver, Vera Greaves and Council President Bridget Rivers voting "no" and Rebecca Williams and Cory Storch voting "yes."
The PILOT had been deemed crucial to the development, which had already received preliminary and final site plan approvals. Financing and acquisition of about a dozen properties on South Avenue hinged on approval of the PILOT, which was blocked from the agenda at previous meetings. A very large crowd attended the special meeting, with strong feelings expressed for and against the PILOT, but the physical confrontation was unprecedented.
--Bernice
Toliver said of being confronted by a man in City Hall Library, "It only takes a second to die and a lifetime to justify why it happened."
The man, who has not been identified by authorities, approached Toliver after she and two other council members voted "no" on a tax break for the developer of a $50 million project on South Avenue. The meeting was over and many people had left when Toliver began shouting that the man "jumped in my face."
"Fear brings in an accelerant and you fight and fight," she said.
Her husband and others led her away after she flailed at the man, and she filed a police report.
After someone pointed out that the meeting room has only one exit, Police Director Carl Riley recommended that no further council meetings take place there. Regular meetings take place in Municipal Court, which has a metal detector and is connected to police headquarters.
City Hall Library has an entrance from the rotunda, but a door that formerly opened into a foyer was closed off in a remodeling project several years ago. Another door to offices of the mayor and city administrator is normally kept locked during public meetings.
Toliver's opposition to a 30-year "payment in lieu of taxes" plan for the development apparently angered the man, who challenged her after the meeting adjourned. Five of seven council members were present at the special meeting that was called by Mayor Adrian O. Mapp. The only topics were approval of a 30-year "payment in lieu of taxes" plan for Sleepy Hollow Developers' 212-unit apartment complex and another adding a portion of Old South Avenue to the development site. Both failed, with Toliver, Vera Greaves and Council President Bridget Rivers voting "no" and Rebecca Williams and Cory Storch voting "yes."
The PILOT had been deemed crucial to the development, which had already received preliminary and final site plan approvals. Financing and acquisition of about a dozen properties on South Avenue hinged on approval of the PILOT, which was blocked from the agenda at previous meetings. A very large crowd attended the special meeting, with strong feelings expressed for and against the PILOT, but the physical confrontation was unprecedented.
--Bernice
Council Majority Favors Express Night Club License Renewal
For the second time this year, a council majority has dismissed police recommendations to deny a liquor license to Express Night Club owner Luis Penaloza, who is now claiming police are harassing him.
In April, Penaloza applied to open the club at a former go-go bar site on Richmond Avenue. In a hearing held by the City Council acting as the local Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Penaloza and his lawyer denied he was opening a "sexually oriented business" and promised dancers would wear modest bathing suits.In May, the place-to-place transfer was granted, with Vera Greaves, Gloria Taylor, Diane Toliver and Bridget Rivers voting "yes" and Tracey Brown voting "no." Cory Storch and Rebecca Williams were absent.
The normal expiration date of June 30 for liquor license renewal was moved to Sept. 18 this year to allow for a new electronic system to replace paper documentation. Among a long list of social clubs, bars and restaurants and liquor stores, Express Night Club was singled out for denial once more. Sgt. Christopher Sylvester told the council Tuesday that police checks turned up numerous violations on July 2 and July 24, including a lap-dancer from New York who was not an employee, but just "there to make extra money." She was seen stuffing currency into her bra, an undercover officer reported.
Penaloza spoke in public comment at the agenda-fixing session Tuesday, claiming police were "harassing me like a little child," asking him where he lives and why he wants to "take a dump" on Plainfield with his business. He said he went to the Union County Prosecutor's Office to make a complaint and now Plainfield Police Director Carl Riley won't talk to him.
"I don't know why they don't want to talk to me. I'm a businessman. Please, I just need to work. Stop harassing me," he said to applause from some audience members.
Riley explained that he cannot say anything due to the prosecutor's investigation.
Among council comments on the matter, Councilwoman Diane Toliver questioned the random police checks and said, "It's hard for me to believe that every other bar in this town is perfect - come on."
She downplayed the infractions, as did Councilwoman Gloria Taylor, who said Riley's silence "sounds a little fishy here." Riley again explained he is constrained from speaking and Corporation Counsel David Minchello said a lot of things would come out if there was a hearing.
Councilwoman Rebecca Williams said she opposed the license renewal last spring and said it was important "to find out more and not just grant a renewal."
Councilman Cory Storch thanked Sylvester and Riley and said, "We can't look for excuses not to enforce the rules."
The council's choice boiled down to agreeing to move the item to the Sept. 14 agenda for renewal, or to say no, which would lead to a hearing. As in May, the consensus was Greaves, Taylor, Toliver and Rivers saying "yes" to putting it up for renewal. Storch, Williams and Brown said no, preferring a hearing. The 4-3 vote means the license will be up for renewal, despite the police recommendation for denial.
Penaloza spoke again in the second public comment period, telling Riley he knew of other bars in violation. He said he came to this country at the age of 12 and went to work in a factory. Now, he said, his daughter wants to go to Harvard or Yale, but "somebody" is trying to stop her.
"Thanks to the council, my daughter can keep dreaming," he said.
--Bernice
In April, Penaloza applied to open the club at a former go-go bar site on Richmond Avenue. In a hearing held by the City Council acting as the local Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Penaloza and his lawyer denied he was opening a "sexually oriented business" and promised dancers would wear modest bathing suits.In May, the place-to-place transfer was granted, with Vera Greaves, Gloria Taylor, Diane Toliver and Bridget Rivers voting "yes" and Tracey Brown voting "no." Cory Storch and Rebecca Williams were absent.
The normal expiration date of June 30 for liquor license renewal was moved to Sept. 18 this year to allow for a new electronic system to replace paper documentation. Among a long list of social clubs, bars and restaurants and liquor stores, Express Night Club was singled out for denial once more. Sgt. Christopher Sylvester told the council Tuesday that police checks turned up numerous violations on July 2 and July 24, including a lap-dancer from New York who was not an employee, but just "there to make extra money." She was seen stuffing currency into her bra, an undercover officer reported.
Penaloza spoke in public comment at the agenda-fixing session Tuesday, claiming police were "harassing me like a little child," asking him where he lives and why he wants to "take a dump" on Plainfield with his business. He said he went to the Union County Prosecutor's Office to make a complaint and now Plainfield Police Director Carl Riley won't talk to him.
"I don't know why they don't want to talk to me. I'm a businessman. Please, I just need to work. Stop harassing me," he said to applause from some audience members.
Riley explained that he cannot say anything due to the prosecutor's investigation.
Among council comments on the matter, Councilwoman Diane Toliver questioned the random police checks and said, "It's hard for me to believe that every other bar in this town is perfect - come on."
She downplayed the infractions, as did Councilwoman Gloria Taylor, who said Riley's silence "sounds a little fishy here." Riley again explained he is constrained from speaking and Corporation Counsel David Minchello said a lot of things would come out if there was a hearing.
Councilwoman Rebecca Williams said she opposed the license renewal last spring and said it was important "to find out more and not just grant a renewal."
Councilman Cory Storch thanked Sylvester and Riley and said, "We can't look for excuses not to enforce the rules."
The council's choice boiled down to agreeing to move the item to the Sept. 14 agenda for renewal, or to say no, which would lead to a hearing. As in May, the consensus was Greaves, Taylor, Toliver and Rivers saying "yes" to putting it up for renewal. Storch, Williams and Brown said no, preferring a hearing. The 4-3 vote means the license will be up for renewal, despite the police recommendation for denial.
Penaloza spoke again in the second public comment period, telling Riley he knew of other bars in violation. He said he came to this country at the age of 12 and went to work in a factory. Now, he said, his daughter wants to go to Harvard or Yale, but "somebody" is trying to stop her.
"Thanks to the council, my daughter can keep dreaming," he said.
--Bernice
Paid Sick Leave, More to Follow
Expect more posts on the City Council meeting in coming days, including one on the paid sick leave issue, what's next for the Express Night Club's liquor license, why the Fire Officers union is unhappy and what Councilwoman Diane Toliver had to say about the incident at the Aug. 31 special meeting.
--Bernice
--Bernice
Outsourcing: RFP for Planning Firms Expected Today
Outsourcing the Planning Division will save the city about $200,000 a year, officials said in a segment of the City Council's executive session Tuesday that was opened to the affected employees and interested members of the public.
The move would also increase efficiency, Economic Director Carlos Sanchez said. And out of 21 municipalities in Union County, only one other has an in-house planning division. He said developers who are interested in Plainfield have not made applications to the Planning Board because, they told him, "the processes and efficiency are not there."
The change would affect three full-time employees and one part-time employee. The division provides expertise to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission and Shade Tree Commission and serves not only developers, but residents who just want advice about putting up decks or fences.
Corporation Counsel David Minchello said a request for proposals from outside firms will be in newspapers today. A layoff plan must go to the governing body, which can move for state review. The state can review the plan, make recommendations or reject it. If it is approved, employees will receives notices and be apprised of any "bumping rights" they may have.No action on the plan will take place until the Oct. 5 agenda-fixing meeting.
Residents opposed to outsourcing the division arrived at 6 p.m.Tuesday and waited an hour to hear the administration's rationale, many later speaking out in the agenda-fixing session that followed. Objections by residents and some council members included a loss of institutional knowledge about the city's physical characteristics and structures, as well as accessibility of current staff.
Councilwoman Gloria Taylor asked whether the administration had any discussion with the Planning and Zoning boards, but Minchello said the administration had to come to the governing body first. Rumors of the outsourcing had stunned land use board members, who rely on the planning staff for meeting preparation.
Up until Tuesday afternoon, residents were still speculating on the whys and wherefores when they heard that the matter would be discussed in an open part of the executive session. The affected employees and their supporters waited in the hall outside Municipal Court for the open portion of the executive session, which employees had requested through the Rice Notice law. The explanations shed some light, but did not lessen the heat of Planning Division advocates.
--Bernice
The move would also increase efficiency, Economic Director Carlos Sanchez said. And out of 21 municipalities in Union County, only one other has an in-house planning division. He said developers who are interested in Plainfield have not made applications to the Planning Board because, they told him, "the processes and efficiency are not there."
The change would affect three full-time employees and one part-time employee. The division provides expertise to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission and Shade Tree Commission and serves not only developers, but residents who just want advice about putting up decks or fences.
Corporation Counsel David Minchello said a request for proposals from outside firms will be in newspapers today. A layoff plan must go to the governing body, which can move for state review. The state can review the plan, make recommendations or reject it. If it is approved, employees will receives notices and be apprised of any "bumping rights" they may have.No action on the plan will take place until the Oct. 5 agenda-fixing meeting.
Residents opposed to outsourcing the division arrived at 6 p.m.Tuesday and waited an hour to hear the administration's rationale, many later speaking out in the agenda-fixing session that followed. Objections by residents and some council members included a loss of institutional knowledge about the city's physical characteristics and structures, as well as accessibility of current staff.
Councilwoman Gloria Taylor asked whether the administration had any discussion with the Planning and Zoning boards, but Minchello said the administration had to come to the governing body first. Rumors of the outsourcing had stunned land use board members, who rely on the planning staff for meeting preparation.
Up until Tuesday afternoon, residents were still speculating on the whys and wherefores when they heard that the matter would be discussed in an open part of the executive session. The affected employees and their supporters waited in the hall outside Municipal Court for the open portion of the executive session, which employees had requested through the Rice Notice law. The explanations shed some light, but did not lessen the heat of Planning Division advocates.
--Bernice
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