An $8.5 million surplus and a 97.05 percent tax collection rate are the good news for the 2016 budget, but a $6 million drop in residential ratables is just one of several challenges the city still faces.
The figures came from a presentation to the City Council Monday by Chief Financial Officer Ulrich "Al" Steinberg and Finance Director Ron West, in advance of budget introduction next Monday. The governing body will then begin weeks of deliberations with the help of the Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee before a public hearing and final passage..
The process began late last year with departmental requests that were subject to modification by the administration. The budget now ready to hand off to the council totals $79,412,520.58, a 1.74 percent increase over last year's figure. It reflects a $94 increase on taxes for the average home valued at $113,000. Of that amount, $23 is due to the loss of ratables. The total value of all city property declined by $38,266,307 since 2011, now standing at $1,216,502,273.
Sixty percent of the budget is for the Police and Fire divisions, with 33 percent for all other union employees and just 7 percent for department heads and managers.
Councilwoman Bridget Rivers challenged West over the projected $94 average increase, saying the city saved $1.2 million on insurance in 2015 and she thought it would reduce taxes.But she said insurance was budgeted for the same amount this year.
"Yes," West said.
Rivers asked why.
"We are only allowed to budget against the prior year appropriation," West said.
"I still don't like the answer," Rivers said.
After Mayor Adrian O. Mapp took office in January 2014, West and Steinberg did the municipal equivalent of rifling the couch cushions for cash, selling off unwanted city property, claiming dormant grant money and reviewing fiscal practices for economies. A list of key accomplishments includes an upgraded Moody's bond rating, "financial housekeeping" that resulted in recouping $1.5 million and audit findings reduced 75 percent to just four.(In 2013, auditors found 16 problems, nine of which were repeat findings.)
This year, West and Steinberg plan more of the same and want to establish a multi-year forecast to stay on track for tax rate stabilization. A list of key priorities notes "56 projects underway" in economic and community development.
The council still has to set dates for budget talks. Plaintalker will publish the schedule as soon as it is available.
--Bernice
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Monday, March 7, 2016
City Seeks New Engineering Firm
A new engineering firm is up for City Council consideration, at a tab not to exceed $90,000 for 2016.
If approved at the March 14 regular meeting, Pennoni Associates would succeed Remington & Vernick as city engineers. Terms include a maximum of eight office hours per week as needed, at $160 per hour. The firm would be responsible for plan review, budget preparation for capital improvements, grant applications, equipment and services specifications, mapping and signing off on documents, among other tasks. The engineer would also attend meetings as required by Public Works director Eric Watson or his designee.
Up until about 10 years ago, the city had a full-time in-house engineer, but later outsourced the duties. One of the major concerns has been a road repair program that began as a five-year project in 2005, but morphed into "phases" after the schedule fell behind.
For several years, the engineer assigned from Remington & Vernick was Jacqueline Foushee, who developed an exhaustive knowledge of city infrastructure and a congenial working relationship with city staff and land use agencies. Foushee left the company in 2014 to become the first female African American Public Works director in Trenton, shortly after former Plainfield Public Works Director Eric Jackson was elected mayor of Trenton.
Another engineer was assigned to Plainfield, but apparently did not have the same affinity for the city.
The contract with Pennoni Associates, if approved by the governing body, runs to Dec. 31.
Also on Monday's agenda is a $2.3 million bond ordinance for capital improvements described as:
"Providing for various capital acquisitions and improvements within the City including, but not limited to, the improvements to Seidler Field, Municipal Lots 6 and 8, Department of Public Works salt and sand storage silo, Department of Public Works City yard and Police Headquarters, the acquisition of vehicles for the Department of Public Works, the acquisition of police vehicles and the acquisition of a fire engine pumper, and the purchase of property."
The bond ordinance will be up for first reading on March 14 and if passed, will be up for second reading and final passage on April 11.
Other items include a lien for $114,000 to be placed on 117-125 North Avenue for the March 21, 2015 demolition that went wrong and destroyed a neighboring restaurant. The owner is not identified.
Click the link to view or print your own copy of the Monday, March 7 agenda.
--Bernice
If approved at the March 14 regular meeting, Pennoni Associates would succeed Remington & Vernick as city engineers. Terms include a maximum of eight office hours per week as needed, at $160 per hour. The firm would be responsible for plan review, budget preparation for capital improvements, grant applications, equipment and services specifications, mapping and signing off on documents, among other tasks. The engineer would also attend meetings as required by Public Works director Eric Watson or his designee.
Up until about 10 years ago, the city had a full-time in-house engineer, but later outsourced the duties. One of the major concerns has been a road repair program that began as a five-year project in 2005, but morphed into "phases" after the schedule fell behind.
For several years, the engineer assigned from Remington & Vernick was Jacqueline Foushee, who developed an exhaustive knowledge of city infrastructure and a congenial working relationship with city staff and land use agencies. Foushee left the company in 2014 to become the first female African American Public Works director in Trenton, shortly after former Plainfield Public Works Director Eric Jackson was elected mayor of Trenton.
Another engineer was assigned to Plainfield, but apparently did not have the same affinity for the city.
The contract with Pennoni Associates, if approved by the governing body, runs to Dec. 31.
Also on Monday's agenda is a $2.3 million bond ordinance for capital improvements described as:
"Providing for various capital acquisitions and improvements within the City including, but not limited to, the improvements to Seidler Field, Municipal Lots 6 and 8, Department of Public Works salt and sand storage silo, Department of Public Works City yard and Police Headquarters, the acquisition of vehicles for the Department of Public Works, the acquisition of police vehicles and the acquisition of a fire engine pumper, and the purchase of property."
The bond ordinance will be up for first reading on March 14 and if passed, will be up for second reading and final passage on April 11.
Other items include a lien for $114,000 to be placed on 117-125 North Avenue for the March 21, 2015 demolition that went wrong and destroyed a neighboring restaurant. The owner is not identified.
Click the link to view or print your own copy of the Monday, March 7 agenda.
--Bernice
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Cuidado!
Ooops! The site of a March 10 campaign event is a nonprofit agency. If this agency has 501(c)(3) status, it can be lost through this type of activity. See guidelines here.
Some Highlights from Joint Land Use Meeting
Muhlenberg, the volume of foreclosures, a new municipal complex, impending development and even the city's century-old sewers came up as topics Saturday at a joint meeting of land use boards and commissions.
I missed the beginning of the meeting due to a prior commitment and so did not hear Mayor Adrian O. Mapp's remarks, but there was plenty more to hear in the second half. Plaintalker has already written about some of these topics (click links).
Regarding the 10-acre site that now only holds the empty Muhlenberg hospital, the city has found it "in need of redevelopment" and a request for proposals will be issued next week. The city does not own the site but JFK Health is amenable to discussion of the site's future. City officials have already decided not to use eminent domain to acquire the site. Planning Board Chairman Ron Scott Bey called eminent domain a "gun with no bullets," as the city would have to pay for the site plus attorney fees.
Litigation over taxes on the property is underway. Another issue is who will pay the millions of dollars needed to remediate environment hazards and demolish the building. Officials expect a tax incentive will be needed to make a deal. A new marketing effort will extend beyond New Jersey to neighboring states.
(A Muhlenberg update is also listed as a discussion item for Monday's City Council meeting.)
Other topics:
-- Foreclosures and abandoned properties are so extensive that Economic Development Director Carlos Sanchez wants to hire a "point person" to work on the problem. Sanchez said there are 320 abandoned properties that have an adverse effect on neighborhoods. One task might be to pinpoint where there are clusters of vacant buildings in wards or neighborhoods that should be addressed first.
I missed the beginning of the meeting due to a prior commitment and so did not hear Mayor Adrian O. Mapp's remarks, but there was plenty more to hear in the second half. Plaintalker has already written about some of these topics (click links).
Regarding the 10-acre site that now only holds the empty Muhlenberg hospital, the city has found it "in need of redevelopment" and a request for proposals will be issued next week. The city does not own the site but JFK Health is amenable to discussion of the site's future. City officials have already decided not to use eminent domain to acquire the site. Planning Board Chairman Ron Scott Bey called eminent domain a "gun with no bullets," as the city would have to pay for the site plus attorney fees.
Litigation over taxes on the property is underway. Another issue is who will pay the millions of dollars needed to remediate environment hazards and demolish the building. Officials expect a tax incentive will be needed to make a deal. A new marketing effort will extend beyond New Jersey to neighboring states.
(A Muhlenberg update is also listed as a discussion item for Monday's City Council meeting.)
Other topics:
-- Foreclosures and abandoned properties are so extensive that Economic Development Director Carlos Sanchez wants to hire a "point person" to work on the problem. Sanchez said there are 320 abandoned properties that have an adverse effect on neighborhoods. One task might be to pinpoint where there are clusters of vacant buildings in wards or neighborhoods that should be addressed first.
--A new municipal complex might require "taking a property or two" near where the current buildings are, and possibly relocating a firehouse, Mapp said. He said there might be an answer in coming months.
--Planning Director Bill Nierstedt mentioned interest in development beyond the downtown, such as on the south side of North Avenue between Leland Avenue and Berckman Street, on East Second between Leland and Johnston Avenue, in the Edward Paul building on South Avenue, and the Rushmore building which was approved as a storage facility.
--Resident and historian Nancy Piwowar commented on the state of city sewers, expressing fear for a major sewer collapse in the 100-year-old system. (However, the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority recently made a sewer capacity study of a proposed 212-unit complex on South Avenue and found the capacity adequate.)
Nierstedt mentioned two development applications scheduled to be heard on March 17, one for site plan approval of a residential and commercial project on South Second Street and final site plan approval for the South Avenue Gateway development.
Other topics were how to prevent to proliferation of satellite dishes, outreach to business owners on signage rules and helping homeowners to become more knowledgeable about the property maintenance code.
--Bernice
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Downtown Update
Here is how the building looked in 2010:
Cretella has completed renovations of two Park Avenue buildings and one on East Fourth Street.
This is the building in 2014.
On the to-do list is the largest development, 148 apartments and commercial space on West Second Street.
In all, Cretella has 11 projects in various stages downtown. A busy man!
--Bernice
Sick Leave Pay Ordinance Up for Final Passage
Advocates and opponents of a paid sick leave ordinance are expected to turn out in force Monday as the governing body considers final passage of the legislation.
The agenda-fixing session is 7:30 p.m. March 7 in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
The law affecting city businesses would allow employees to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. It may be used for the employee's own illness or for care-giving to family members. Advocates say it would help workers who now face a choice of going in sick and possibly spreading disease, or losing income by staying home. Opponents claim it will harm city businesses and non-profits and cause job loss.
Further, opponents say it will blindside employers who are unaware of its consequences, while supporters point to other cities that have recognized the need and passed the legislation.
A new boost this time around is an AARP NJ "Advocacy Alert" article endorsing the legislation and urging city residents to ask their City Council members to pass it.
The agenda is chock-full of other interesting topics, giving local bloggers a lot to write about after a long spell between council meetings. An update on the Muhlenberg campus is promised, the 2016 budget process is starting and "Stirred Not Shaken LLC" is seeking a liquor license transfer. Look for another preview over the weekend and coverage to follow.
--Bernice
P.S. - Don't forget, you can bookmark ptalker2.blogspot.com and get my blog directly without waiting for Dan to relay it on his blog.
The agenda-fixing session is 7:30 p.m. March 7 in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
The law affecting city businesses would allow employees to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. It may be used for the employee's own illness or for care-giving to family members. Advocates say it would help workers who now face a choice of going in sick and possibly spreading disease, or losing income by staying home. Opponents claim it will harm city businesses and non-profits and cause job loss.
Further, opponents say it will blindside employers who are unaware of its consequences, while supporters point to other cities that have recognized the need and passed the legislation.
A new boost this time around is an AARP NJ "Advocacy Alert" article endorsing the legislation and urging city residents to ask their City Council members to pass it.
The agenda is chock-full of other interesting topics, giving local bloggers a lot to write about after a long spell between council meetings. An update on the Muhlenberg campus is promised, the 2016 budget process is starting and "Stirred Not Shaken LLC" is seeking a liquor license transfer. Look for another preview over the weekend and coverage to follow.
--Bernice
P.S. - Don't forget, you can bookmark ptalker2.blogspot.com and get my blog directly without waiting for Dan to relay it on his blog.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Planning Board Questions South Avenue Proposal
It was back to the drawing board Thursday for a proposal to build six apartments atop a South Avenue liquor store.
When Planning Board Chairman Ron Scott Bey polled members on whether they wished to proceed, the consensus was that they had enough information to say no, but not enough to say yes. Toth said the proposal needed a "serious redesign" and member Siddeeq El-Amin said, "It just needs to be totally redone."
Patel and attorney Daniel Bernstein agreed to return on April 7, and meanwhile will consult with the Planning Division on needed revisions.
Patel's proposal was for six two-bedroom apartments with a roof garden and 21 parking spaces on the L-shaped lot, which opens on both South Avenue and Leland Avenue. Board members questioned the traffic flow, asking for a one-way entrance on busy South Avenue but allowing two-way traffic on the Leland side. The plans called for entrances to the residences at the front and rear of the building, with doors to the liquor store in the middle. Handicapped access was provided near the store entrance, but El-Amin said it should be geared to residents.
Among other concerns, four of the six apartments were undersized. Patel spoke of expanding the liquor store for storage, which raised questions about increased deliveries. Bernstein's mention of "hardship" in dealing with design for the existing long, narrow building did not sway board members. El-Amin said a 42-inch guardrail on the roof garden was "too low" if children were to use the space for play.
Another application, for a house of worship for up to 297 people on Roosevelt Avenue, could not be heard because an amended legal notice was one day short of the 10-day requirement for publication in advance of the meeting. A Feb. 18 hearing on the application was halted due to the initial notice lacking part of the address. The third try to hear the application for Ministerio Internacional Puerta Del Cielo is expected to take place on March 17.
A lively discussion broke out near the end of the meeting, foreshadowing a joint meeting Saturday of four land use boards. El-Amin raised concerns about excessive signs in store windows and asked who enforces board rulings. Planning Director Bill Nierstedt said Zoning Officer Ron Johnson sends two letters regarding violations before the property owner gets a summons to appear in court. Board member Horace Baldwin suggested a follow-up review, perhaps by an intern, of a year or two of approvals, to see whether applicants actually obeyed terms they agreed to.
El-Amin also spoke about the proliferation of satellite dishes, calling them "visual garbage.".
"Bring it up Saturday," Scott Bey said. "The mayor needs to hear it."
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and Economic Development Director Carlos Sanchez are both invited to the joint meeting of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Shade Tree Commission and Historic Preservation Commission from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave. The public may attend and will have a chance to comment at the end of the meeting.
--Bernice
Google image
Owner Jigar Patel, his attorney and expert witnesses were well into a description of the proposal when Planning Board member William Toth said the residential portion needed a five-foot setback for fire safety reasons. Toth, an architect, said the proposed two-story addition would be right on the lot line, a violation of zoning requirements.When Planning Board Chairman Ron Scott Bey polled members on whether they wished to proceed, the consensus was that they had enough information to say no, but not enough to say yes. Toth said the proposal needed a "serious redesign" and member Siddeeq El-Amin said, "It just needs to be totally redone."
Patel and attorney Daniel Bernstein agreed to return on April 7, and meanwhile will consult with the Planning Division on needed revisions.
Patel's proposal was for six two-bedroom apartments with a roof garden and 21 parking spaces on the L-shaped lot, which opens on both South Avenue and Leland Avenue. Board members questioned the traffic flow, asking for a one-way entrance on busy South Avenue but allowing two-way traffic on the Leland side. The plans called for entrances to the residences at the front and rear of the building, with doors to the liquor store in the middle. Handicapped access was provided near the store entrance, but El-Amin said it should be geared to residents.
Among other concerns, four of the six apartments were undersized. Patel spoke of expanding the liquor store for storage, which raised questions about increased deliveries. Bernstein's mention of "hardship" in dealing with design for the existing long, narrow building did not sway board members. El-Amin said a 42-inch guardrail on the roof garden was "too low" if children were to use the space for play.
Another application, for a house of worship for up to 297 people on Roosevelt Avenue, could not be heard because an amended legal notice was one day short of the 10-day requirement for publication in advance of the meeting. A Feb. 18 hearing on the application was halted due to the initial notice lacking part of the address. The third try to hear the application for Ministerio Internacional Puerta Del Cielo is expected to take place on March 17.
A lively discussion broke out near the end of the meeting, foreshadowing a joint meeting Saturday of four land use boards. El-Amin raised concerns about excessive signs in store windows and asked who enforces board rulings. Planning Director Bill Nierstedt said Zoning Officer Ron Johnson sends two letters regarding violations before the property owner gets a summons to appear in court. Board member Horace Baldwin suggested a follow-up review, perhaps by an intern, of a year or two of approvals, to see whether applicants actually obeyed terms they agreed to.
El-Amin also spoke about the proliferation of satellite dishes, calling them "visual garbage.".
"Bring it up Saturday," Scott Bey said. "The mayor needs to hear it."
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and Economic Development Director Carlos Sanchez are both invited to the joint meeting of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Shade Tree Commission and Historic Preservation Commission from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave. The public may attend and will have a chance to comment at the end of the meeting.
--Bernice
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