[0:00] Heat.
[0:49] The meeting of the Atlantic County Board
[0:50] of Commissioners is called to order in
[0:52] compliance with the open Public Meetings
[0:54] Act of the State of New Jersey. Adequate
[0:56] notice of this meeting of the Atlantic
[0:57] County Board of Commissioners was
[0:59] provided in the following manner. Posted
[1:01] on the Atlantic County website,
[1:02] published in the press of Atlantic City,
[1:04] and mailed to the Hamilton Gazette, and
[1:06] has been posted on the bulletin boards
[1:08] in the county office building in
[1:09] Atlantic City, the Stillwater Building
[1:11] in Northfield, and the county clerk's
[1:13] office in Mislanding. We will now have
[1:15] an opening prayer. Madame Clark, may I
[1:19] ask that we keep um Commissioner Rizley
[1:22] uh in our prayers uh as he recovers from
[1:24] a recent surgery.
[1:27] >> Dear God, help us to see the bigger
[1:29] purpose behind our meeting. Grant us
[1:30] clarity in our goals and unity in our
[1:32] efforts so that we may serve one another
[1:34] and honor you. Amen.
[1:36] >> Amen. Please place the flag
[1:43] to the flag of the United States of
[1:45] America and to the republic for it
[1:47] stands. One nation under God,
[1:50] indivisible, with liberty and justice
[1:52] for all.
[1:58] » I'll now call the role. Chairman Rizley
[2:00] is unable to attend today. Commissioner
[2:02] Bertino and Parker are attending
[2:04] virtually and Commissioner Ruffy will be
[2:06] a few minutes late.
[2:09] Bertino
[2:11] >> here.
[2:12] >> Earns
[2:13] >> here.
[2:13] >> R Days
[2:14] >> here.
[2:15] >> C days
[2:15] >> present.
[2:16] >> Karna
[2:16] >> here. Parker
[2:24] » Parker
[2:26] >> present.
[2:28] Shanker
[2:29] >> here.
[2:32] I will entertain a motion for a chairman
[2:34] promp in the absence of chairman Rzley
[2:36] and vice chairman Parker.
[2:41] motion.
[2:41] >> I make a motion that the prompt
[2:46] uh will be Commissioner Kern.
[2:51] >> Second,
[2:56] » yes.
[2:57] >> Karns,
[2:58] >> yes. R Days,
[2:59] >> yes.
[3:00] >> C Days,
[3:01] >> yes.
[3:01] >> Kern, yes.
[3:02] >> Parker,
[3:03] >> yes.
[3:04] >> Shanker,
[3:05] >> yes.
[3:09] Commissioners have had an opportunity to
[3:11] review the minutes from June 16th, 2026.
[3:14] I'll entertain a motion to adopt the
[3:16] June 26, 2026 minutes as presented. So
[3:20] >> move second.
[3:21] >> Motion remains second. We'll have a roll
[3:23] call.
[3:24] >> Martino,
[3:25] >> yes.
[3:26] >> Burns,
[3:27] >> yes.
[3:27] >> R Days,
[3:28] >> yes.
[3:28] >> C Days,
[3:29] >> yes.
[3:29] >> Kern, yes.
[3:30] >> Parker,
[3:32] >> yes.
[3:33] >> Rafio,
[3:34] >> yes. Shanker.
[3:35] >> Yes.
[3:35] >> Motion carries. In accordance with the
[3:38] recently adopted ordinance updating the
[3:40] bylaws of the board of commissioners,
[3:42] there will be an early public comment
[3:43] period regarding agenda items only
[3:46] excluding items listed for public
[3:48] hearing and an additional public comment
[3:50] period at the end of our meeting that
[3:52] will allow for public participation. If
[3:55] you would like the opportunity to
[3:56] address the board regarding any
[3:58] resolution listed on today's agenda
[4:01] prior to the board discussing said
[4:03] resolution or the board voting upon an
[4:05] agenda item, please do so during early
[4:08] public comment period. Anyone attending
[4:11] in person who'd like to speak regarding
[4:13] an agenda item or a public comment,
[4:15] please come to the podium, speak into
[4:18] the microphone, state your name and the
[4:20] town where you reside. You'll be
[4:21] provided up to three minutes to speak
[4:23] during each public comment period. If
[4:25] you're attending virtually and you would
[4:27] like to speak, please raise your hand
[4:29] during the agenda item or a public
[4:31] comment at the end. I will call upon
[4:33] your name and a request to unmute will
[4:35] be sent. Please state your name and the
[4:37] town you reside. You will be provided up
[4:39] to three minutes as well to speak. At
[4:42] this time, uh early public comment
[4:45] period is open to the public. Is there
[4:47] anyone from the public who would like to
[4:49] speak regarding agenda items only
[4:51] excluding those that are listed for a
[4:54] public hearing?
[4:58] » Seeing none motion to close early public
[5:00] period.
[5:03] » So move second.
[5:04] >> Motion remains second. All those in
[5:06] favor?
[5:07] >> I I.
[5:08] >> Any opposed?
[5:10] >> Okay. Motion carries. We now have a
[5:13] presentation honoring 2026 Miss New
[5:16] Jersey Kylie Jean Wright. Welcome,
[5:19] Kylie. Congratulations.
[5:26] » Commissioner, the other female on the
[5:29] commissioner board. Will you join me,
[5:30] please?
[5:32] >> Congratulations.
[5:33] >> Thank you.
[5:34] >> We're so happy that you could fit us
[5:35] into your busy schedule. We know you've
[5:39] hit the ground running and For those of
[5:42] you that don't know, she's newly crowned
[5:45] Miss New Jersey from Atlantic County
[5:47] >> and attends ACC.
[5:53] We're so proud to call you one of ours.
[5:56] And since the beginning of Miss America
[5:59] pageant, the contestants have always
[6:01] been role models for young girls, which
[6:04] still is 100% true today. But I read
[6:07] your bio. What Kylie does, her platform
[6:11] is she's a certified advocate for sexual
[6:14] violence and domestic abuse. So you are
[6:17] a role model, a voice for all women.
[6:20] Thank you. That means so much. So I have
[6:23] one favor to ask you on behalf of
[6:27] >> Atlantic County, when you win, Miss
[6:29] America, will you come back and see us
[6:32] again?
[6:32] >> Of course. I HAVE
[6:39] AND a certificate from our county
[6:41] executive Dennis Levenson for you. So,
[6:43] you're going to be a busy lady.
[6:46] We'll be following you and cheering you
[6:48] on from here.
[6:49] >> Best wishes in Florida.
[6:51] >> So, that's
[6:53] Thank you.
[6:54] >> Put you in the middle for some pictures.
[7:01] » I'm good at that.
[7:04] Congratulations.
[7:16] We're so happy to have somebody local in
[7:18] the state to represent us. So, thank
[7:19] you. I know you'll do a great job.
[7:21] >> Thank you.
[7:21] >> Enjoy the rain.
[7:23] >> Thank you so much.
[7:26] >> Thank you.
[7:29] >> Kyler, if you wanted to say anything,
[7:30] feel free, but not putting you on the
[7:32] spot here. a few jokes. That's fine.
[7:35] Microphone.
[7:36] >> The microphone.
[7:40] » Um, I just want to say thank you so so
[7:42] much. I am so proud to be from Atlantic
[7:45] County, from the Jersey Shore. Um, like
[7:48] she said, um, my community service
[7:50] initiative is Take Defense. So, not only
[7:52] am I an advocate for, um, women's
[7:55] empowerment for sexual assault and
[7:57] domestic violence awareness, but I also
[8:00] teach women self-defense. So, I'm
[8:01] actually teaching you how to defend
[8:03] yourself, teaching safety awareness
[8:05] tips. Um, and just that alone, there's
[8:08] no confidence like self-defense
[8:09] confidence. It's so empowering. And the
[8:11] mission of Take Defense is to ensure
[8:14] that women have the tools and the
[8:16] ability to fight back. And again,
[8:18] there's no confidence like self-defense
[8:20] confidence. So, thank you again so so
[8:22] much. I'm so proud. Thank you,
[8:29] » Arley. Don't feel like you have to stay
[8:31] because it doesn't This is probably the
[8:33] most exciting part of our meeting right
[8:35] now.
[8:39] » Congratulations. Best of luck.
[8:49] » Thanks, Kylie.
[8:51] >> Hey. Uh, if any commissioners would like
[8:53] to discuss or remove any grants from the
[8:56] consent agenda, please indicate so now.
[8:59] Have any commissioner comments?
[9:01] Okay. Seeing hearing none, I'll
[9:03] entertain a motion to combine adopt
[9:05] resolution 322 through 333. Moved.
[9:09] >> Second.
[9:09] >> Been moved and seconded. We'll have a
[9:11] roll call. Martino,
[9:14] >> yes.
[9:14] >> Burns, yes. R Days,
[9:17] >> yes.
[9:17] >> C Days,
[9:18] >> yes.
[9:18] >> Parker,
[9:21] >> yes.
[9:22] >> Rafio,
[9:22] >> yes.
[9:23] >> Shanker,
[9:23] >> yes.
[9:24] >> Kern, yes. A resolution number 306 was
[9:28] previously tabled. Madame clerk, please
[9:30] read 306.
[9:32] >> Renewal competitive contract with DB
[9:34] Grant Associates Incorporated for the
[9:36] provision of career services amount not
[9:38] to exceed 1,113,3.
[9:42] » Any commissioner comments?
[9:46] Seeing hearing none, we'll have a roll
[9:48] call.
[9:51] Motion. Okay. Have a motion.
[9:57] Move.
[9:58] >> Second.
[10:00] >> Okay. Any commissioner comments?
[10:03] We have a roll call. Oh, do you have
[10:04] something?
[10:05] >> No.
[10:05] >> Okay. We'll have a roll call.
[10:09] >> Yes.
[10:10] >> Burns.
[10:11] >> Yes. R. Days?
[10:12] >> Yes.
[10:12] >> C. Days?
[10:13] >> No.
[10:14] >> Parker?
[10:16] >> Yes.
[10:17] >> Rafio?
[10:17] >> Yes.
[10:18] >> Shanker?
[10:18] >> Yes.
[10:19] >> Kerna?
[10:19] >> Yes. Motion carries. If any
[10:22] commissioners would like to discuss or
[10:24] remove any competitive contracts from
[10:26] the consent agenda, please indicate so
[10:28] now. Any commissioner comments?
[10:33] Okay, see hearing none, I'll entertain a
[10:36] motion to combine and adopt resolution
[10:38] 334 through 335.
[10:43] » Move. Second.
[10:46] >> Have a motion in a second. We'll have a
[10:47] roll call.
[10:49] >> Yes.
[10:50] >> Burns. Yes. R Days.
[10:52] >> Yes.
[10:52] >> C Days.
[10:54] >> Yes.
[10:54] >> Parker.
[10:57] >> Yes.
[10:58] >> Rapio.
[10:58] >> Yes.
[10:58] >> Shanker.
[10:59] >> Yes.
[11:00] >> Karn.
[11:00] >> Yes. Motion carries. I'll entertain a
[11:03] motion to adopt resolution number 336.
[11:11] » Second.
[11:12] >> Have a motion and a second. Any
[11:14] commissioner comments?
[11:16] >> Seeing hearing none, we'll have a roll
[11:18] call. Martino.
[11:20] Yes.
[11:21] >> Burns.
[11:21] >> Yes.
[11:22] >> R Days.
[11:22] >> Yes.
[11:23] >> C Days.
[11:24] >> Yes.
[11:24] >> Parker.
[11:26] >> Yes.
[11:27] >> Rafio.
[11:27] >> Yes.
[11:28] >> Shanker.
[11:28] >> Yes.
[11:29] >> Karna.
[11:29] >> Yes.
[11:30] >> If any commissioner would like to
[11:32] discuss or remove any miscellaneous
[11:33] items from the consent agenda, please
[11:35] indicate so now.
[11:39] » We need a regular 349 from a.
[11:45] >> Okay.
[11:48] seeing hearing no comments, I'll
[11:51] entertain a motion to combine adopt
[11:52] resolution 337 through 348 and
[11:56] resolutions number 350 through 353.
[12:00] >> So move second.
[12:00] >> Second motion remains second. I have a
[12:02] roll call. Martino,
[12:05] >> yes.
[12:06] >> Burns,
[12:06] >> yes.
[12:07] >> R Days,
[12:08] >> yes.
[12:08] >> C Days,
[12:09] >> yes.
[12:09] >> Parker,
[12:11] >> yes.
[12:12] >> Rafio,
[12:13] >> yes.
[12:13] >> Shanker,
[12:14] >> yes.
[12:14] >> Kern, yes. Resolution 349, please.
[12:18] Amending resolution number 108. Adopt on
[12:20] March 3rd, 2026, an alternate method
[12:22] agreement with William Blay, Esquire for
[12:25] the provision of legal services. Net
[12:26] increase $50,000.
[12:30] >> Motion.
[12:32] >> Second.
[12:33] >> Motion been made. Second. Any
[12:35] commissioner comments?
[12:38] We'll have a roll call. Bertino,
[12:40] >> yes.
[12:41] >> Burns, yes. R Days,
[12:42] >> yes.
[12:43] >> C days, abain.
[12:45] >> Parker,
[12:46] >> yes.
[12:48] Rafio
[12:49] >> Shanker.
[12:50] >> Yes.
[12:50] >> Kerr, yes. Motion carries. Chapter 159.
[12:54] I'll entertain a motion to combine adopt
[12:56] resolutions 354 through 356.
[13:00] >> Moved.
[13:01] >> Second.
[13:02] >> Motion made. Second. Any commissioner
[13:03] comments?
[13:06] Being hearing? None. We'll have a roll
[13:07] call.
[13:10] Martino.
[13:11] >> Yes.
[13:12] >> Burns? Yes. R Days?
[13:14] >> Yes.
[13:14] >> C Days?
[13:15] >> Yes. Parker,
[13:17] >> yes.
[13:18] >> Rafio,
[13:18] >> yes.
[13:19] >> Shanker,
[13:19] >> yes.
[13:20] >> Kerna,
[13:20] >> yes.
[13:22] >> I will now entertain a motion to combine
[13:24] adopt resolution 357 through 359
[13:27] appointments.
[13:32] >> Second.
[13:33] >> Motion made second. Any commissioner
[13:34] comments?
[13:37] Seeing here none, we'll have a roll
[13:38] call. Martino,
[13:40] >> yes.
[13:41] >> Burns,
[13:41] >> yes.
[13:42] >> R Days,
[13:42] >> yes.
[13:43] >> C Days,
[13:44] >> yes. Parker,
[13:45] >> yes.
[13:46] >> Ravio,
[13:47] >> yes.
[13:47] >> Shanker,
[13:48] >> yes.
[13:48] >> Karn,
[13:49] >> yes. Motion carries.
[13:52] >> At this time, I'll entertain a motion to
[13:55] withdraw resolution number 360.
[14:01] » Second.
[14:01] >> Motion made in second. Any commissioner
[14:04] comments?
[14:05] Have a roll call. Bertino.
[14:08] >> Yes.
[14:09] >> Burns. Yes. R. Days.
[14:11] >> Yes.
[14:11] >> C. Days.
[14:12] >> Yes. Parker,
[14:14] >> yes.
[14:15] >> Rafio,
[14:15] >> yes.
[14:16] >> Shanker,
[14:17] >> yes.
[14:17] >> Kern, yes. We've received copies of
[14:20] written communications and petitions.
[14:22] Uh, does any commissioner have anything
[14:24] that they would like to share?
[14:28] Seeing hearing none, any reports of
[14:30] special committees of the board?
[14:34] Okay. Any unfinished business?
[14:37] Okay. Moving forward. Any new business?
[14:41] Okay. Anyone attending in person who
[14:43] would like to speak now a public
[14:45] comment, please come to the podium.
[14:46] Speak into the microphone, state your
[14:48] name and the town you reside. If you're
[14:50] attending virtually and would like to
[14:52] make a public comment, please raise your
[14:53] hand. I will call upon your name and a
[14:56] request to unmute will be sent. Please
[14:58] state your name and the town you reside,
[15:00] you will be provided up to three minutes
[15:01] to speak.
[15:05] Do we have anybody from public? Oh,
[15:08] okay. Motion to close public comment.
[15:10] moved.
[15:11] >> Second.
[15:12] >> All those in favor?
[15:14] >> Opposed?
[15:15] >> I
[15:17] >> Okay. Uh, any comments for the good of
[15:20] the order?
[15:23] >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion to
[15:24] adjurnn.
[15:25] >> So move. Second.
[15:27] >> All those in favor?
[15:28] >> I I