SOUTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION  

Policy Board Meeting

Phone Conference  

Monday, March 17, 2008 - 11:00 A.M.

SJTPO Conference Room, 782 S. Brewster Rd. , Unit B-6, Vineland  

The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m. by Executive Director Timothy Chelius, followed by the flag salute.  Mr. Chelius then advised that the requirements of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act were met through 48-Hour Notice on March 11, 2008 to The Press of Atlantic City, The Bridgeton Evening News, The Daily Journal, Today's Sunbeam, and to the Clerks of the four member counties.  Also, the Notice was posted on the designated bulletin board in Vineland City Hall.  Attendance of members was then taken by roll call:  

ATTENDANCE:  

Members:  

Daniel Beyel, Cape May County
Thomas Russo, Atlantic County
Douglas Rainear, Cumberland County
Charles Sullivan, Salem County
Scott Evans, Atlantic City (Not Present)
Jeffrey Ridgway, Pittsgrove Township
Leonard Desiderio, Sea Isle City
Perry Barse, City of Vineland
Thomas Wospil, NJDOT (Representing David Kuhn)
James Schwarzwalder, NJ Transit (Representing Pippa Woods)
Kathleen Aufschneider, SJTA  

Also in attendance:  

James Pierson,, Angelini, Viniar & Freedman
Sonia Frontera, Governor’s Office
John Peterson , Atlantic County
Robert Brewer, Cumberland County
Jerry Mooney, NJDOT
Brian Wahler, NJ Turnpike Authority
Timothy Chelius, SJTPO
Monica LoGuidice, SJTPO
John Petersack, SJTPO
Michael Reeves, SJTPO  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 28, 2008  

On Motion by Freeholder Sullivan and seconded by Committeeman Ridgway, the minutes of January 28, 2008 were approved by roll call vote with an abstention from Freeholder Rainear.

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT  

Chairman Robert Brewer reported that at the March 3, 2008 meeting, which John Peterson chaired, TAC recommended Board approval of the following scheduled action items and Mr. Peterson concurred.  

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS  

Chairman Beyel wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  

Executive Director Chelius reviewed the summary of priority state roads that are near schools and lack sidewalks.  Mr. Chelius stated that the summary has been submitted to NJDOT who can hopefully install some of the high-priority sidewalks.

 SOUTH JERSEY TRAFFIC SAFETY ALLIANCE  

Executive Director Chelius reported that Teresa Thomas was vacationing and that she will distribute a brief summary of the Alliances’ accomplishments for mailout.  He also reported that the Alliance reorganized and elected Sgt. Charley Simonson of the Ocean City PD as Chairman and Lt. John Bieniakowski of Galloway Township PD as Vice Chairman.  

NEW BUSINESS  

1.      Resolution 0803-07: Adopting the FY 2009 Unified Planning Work Program  

On Motion by Freeholder Rainear and seconded by Mayor Desiderio, Resolution 0803-07 was opened for discussion.  Executive Director Chelius reviewed the summary pages included in the Board mailout explaining that SJTPO will continue to focus its efforts on safety and system maintenance.  He then reviewed the breakdown of all programs and noted that SJTPO will be employing four part-time individuals, which will be a cost effective approach.  

With no further comment, Resolution 0803-07 was unanimously approved by roll call vote.  

2.      Resolution 0803-08:  Approving an Amendment of Subcontract Agreement and Contract Modification to the Federal Aid Agreement for the Mill Creek Upper Thorofare Middle Thorfare Bridges Scoping Project  

On Motion by Committeeman Ridgway and seconded by Freeholder Sullivan, Resolution 0803-08 was opened for discussion.  Executive Director Chelius explained that due to the complexity of the projects described in the next three resolutions, additional time is needed for completion.  With no further comment, Resolution 0803-08 was unanimously approved by roll call vote.  

3.      Resolution 0803-09:  Approving an Amendment of Subcontract Agreement and Contract Modification to the Federal Aid Agreement for the Sherman Avenue (CR 552) Boulevards Design Project  

On Motion by Freeholder Rainear and seconded by Vice-Chairman Russo, Resolution 0803-09 was opened for discussion.  With no further comment, Resolution 0803-09 was unanimously approved by roll call vote.  

4.      Resolution 0803-10:  Approving an Amendment of Subcontract Agreement and Contract Modification to the Federal aid Agreement for the Buckshutem Road Bridge Design Project  

On Motion by Freeholder Sullivan and seconded by Freeholder Rainear, Resolution 0803-10 was opened for discussion.  With no further comment, Resolution 0803-10 was unanimously approved by roll call vote.  

5.      Resolution 0803-11:  Approving Consultant Selection of the Almond Road Design Project  

On Motion by Committeeman Ridgway and seconded by Freeholder Sullivan, Resolution 0803-11 was opened for discussion.   Executive Director Chelius explained that this project is included in the FY 2008 Transportation Improvement Program.  The consultant will prepare the necessary construction plans and specifications and cost estimates as may be required for the resurfacing and safety improvement of 3.5 miles of Almond Road in Salem County .  The Notice of Availability was sent to approximately 140 firms, with twelve proposals received.   

The Consultant Selection Committee consisting of Salem County and SJTPO recommend the selection of Urban Engineers, Inc. in association with advanced Infrastructure Design, Inc. and GEOD Engineering, Corp. for a total cost of $364,293.00, with a 13.0% DBE.  On question by Thomas Wospil, Mr. Chelius confirmed that the contract cost complies with the budget set in the SJTPO TIP.  With no further comment, Resolution 0803-11 was unanimously approved by roll call vote.  

6.      Resolution 0803-12:  Endorsing the Ranking of Applications for the Round 9 Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) Competitive Grant Program  

On Motion by Freeholder Rainear and seconded by Mayor Desiderio, Resolution 0803-12 was opened for discussion.   Executive Director Chelius explained that this process involves ranking applications that are received for JARC funding for special transportation services in the SJTPO region.  Mr. Chelius stated that the committee consisted of SJTA, NJ Transit, Department of Human Services, Cumberland County, Atlantic County, and SJTPO, and he then reviewed the rankings as follows:  

In the urban area:  

1.  Atlantic County Department of Human Services; and

2.  SJTA – Marina Shuttle  

In the non-urban area:  

1.  Cumberland County Improvement Authority

2.  Salem County Interagency Council

3.  Pearl Transit

4.  Atlantic County Department of Human Services  

Michael Reeves emphasized that the summary included in the mailout is basically the Committee’s recommendation to NJ Transit, further explaining that NJ Transit does the final negotiating and determination in ranking.  With no further comment, Resolution 0803-12 was unanimously approved by roll call vote.  

7.      Resolution 0803-13:  Endorsing a Highway Safety Project Grant from the N.J. Division of Highway Traffic Safety for the South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance  

On Motion by Mayor Desiderio and seconded by Mayor Barse, Resolution 0803-13 was opened for discussion.   Executive Director Chelius explained that this resolution supports a total of $78,100.00 to continue the Alliance ’s safety efforts and programs, which will begin October 1, 2008.  With no further comment, Resolution 0803-13 was unanimously approved by roll call vote.  

            NJDOT Update:  Jerry Mooney, NJDOT – Bureau of Statewide Planning

Shore Connection Projects:  Jerry Mooney reported on the following intersections:  

Rt. 49/55 Interchange:  Mr. Mooney reported that changes were made to the project schedule including preliminary design submission expected by August 2008, with advertising in January 2010, and anticipated construction to start in March 2010.  

BOARD MEMBER COMMENT  

On Motion by Vice Chairman Russo and seconded by Freeholder Sullivan, the Policy Board appointed Monica LoGuidice as acting Secretary in lieu of Freeholder Sullivan to sign resolutions.  With no further comment, the motion was unanimously approved by roll call vote.  

ADJOURNMENT  

On Motion by Mayor Desiderio and seconded by Committeeman Ridgway, the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.  

Approved Minutes Certified Correct:  

_______________________________________

Monica LoGuidice for
Charles R. Sullivan, Secretary/Treasurer