[1]
Editor's Note: Original Art. XIII, Department of Parks and Recreation, as amended, and Art. XIIIA, Department of Public Properties, added 2-6-1975 by Ord. No. O-3-75, both of which preceded this article, were superseded 12-28-1982 by Ord. No. O-29-82.
A. 
The budget shall be prepared under the direction of the Mayor. During the month of November, the Mayor shall require all department heads to submit requests for appropriations for the ensuing budget year and to appear before the Mayor at public hearings which shall be held during the month on the various requests.
B. 
The Mayor, with the assistance of the Finance Officer, shall prepare all estimates of non-property-tax revenues anticipated for the support of each annual budget.
C. 
The budget document shall be prepared in such form as is required by law for municipal budgets and in accordance with the Charter. There shall be appended to the budget a detailed analysis of all items of expenditure and revenue. Such analysis shall include a comparison of the total number of positions of each class and grade to be authorized by the budget, with the actual number thereof employed at the beginning and ending of the preceding budget period. So far as practicable, such analysis shall include appropriate statements of the cost of performance of functional programs and activities in terms of quantitative, countable units of work for operating and capital expenditures.
D. 
On or before the second regular official Council meeting in January, the Mayor shall transmit his budget document to Council, which document shall include his proposed current budget in the form prescribed by the Local Budget Law, a capital budget and such comment or statement as he may deem desirable.
A. 
The Department of Finance shall supervise the administration of each annual budget. In consultation with department heads, the Mayor shall establish quarterly or such other periodic allotments of appropriations as he may deem necessary. Each department shall plan and administer its expenditure program within the limits of such allotments.
B. 
If at any time during the budget year the Treasurer shall ascertain that the municipal government is faced with the probability of incurring a cash deficit for the current year, he shall reconsider the work programs and allotments of the several departments. Upon such reconsideration and with the approval of the Mayor, he may revise budget allotments within the provisions of the Local Fiscal Affairs Law and the Local Authorities Fiscal Control Law[1] so as to forestall the making of commitments and expenditures in excess of the revenues to be realized during the current year. He shall file with the Finance Officer, Mayor and Council a copy of such revised allotments, and the Finance Officer shall control all expenditures within the limits thereof.
[Amended 5-21-1986 by Ord. No. O-15A-86]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:5-1 et seq. and 5A-1 et seq., respectively.
[Amended 10-21-1981 by Ord. No. O-21-81; 5-21-1986 by Ord. No. O-15A-86]
A. 
Any purchase, contract or agreement for the performance of any work or the furnishing or hiring of materials or supplies, the cost or price of which, together with any other sums expended or to be expended for the performance of any work or services in connection with the same immediate program, undertaking, activity or project or the furnishing of similar materials or supplies during the same fiscal year paid with or out of public funds, does not exceed the sum as provided by state statute in the fiscal year may be made, negotiated or awarded by a contracting agent when so authorized by resolution of the governing body of the contracting unit without public advertising for bids. Such authorization may be granted for each purchase, contract or agreement or by a general delegation of power to make, negotiate or award such purchases, contracts or agreements pursuant to this section. Any purchase, contract or agreement made pursuant to this section may be awarded for a period of 12 consecutive months, notwithstanding that such twelve-month period does not coincide with the fiscal year.
B. 
Every contract or agreement for the performance of any work or the furnishing or hiring of any materials or supplies, the cost or the contract price whereof is to be paid with or out of public funds, not included within the terms of Subsection A above, shall be made or awarded only by the governing body of the contracting unit after public advertising for bids and bidding therefor, except as is otherwise provided pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq. or specifically by any other laws. No work, materials or supplies shall be undertaken, acquired or furnished for a sum exceeding in the aggregate the amount as provided by state statute except by contract or agreement.
C. 
Any purchase, contract or agreement may be made, negotiated or awarded for a contracting unit without public advertising for bids and bidding therefor, notwithstanding that the cost or contract price will exceed the amount as provided by state statute, when an emergency affecting the public health, safety or welfare requires the immediate delivery of the articles or the performance of the service, provided that the awarding or making of such purchases, contracts or agreements are made in the following manner:
(1) 
A written requisition for the performance of such work or labor, or the furnishing of materials, supplies or services is filed with the contracting agent or the deputy in charge describing the nature of the emergency, the time of its occurrence and the need for invoking this section, certified by the officer or director in charge of the department wherein the emergency occurred or such other officer or employee as may be authorized to act in place of said officer or director, and the contracting agent or deputy in charge, being satisfied that the emergency exists, is hereby authorized to award a contract for said work or labor, materials, supplies or services.
(2) 
Upon the furnishing of such work or labor, materials, supplies or services in accordance with the terms of the contract or agreement, the contractor furnishing such work or labor, materials, supplies or services shall be entitled to be paid therefor, and the contracting unit shall be obligated for said payment. The governing body of the Township of Monroe shall take such action as shall be required to provide payment of the contract price.
D. 
No purchase, contract or agreement which is single in character or which necessarily, or by reason of the quantities required to effectuate the purpose of the purchase, contract or agreement, includes the furnishing of additional services or buying or hiring of materials or supplies or the doing of additional work shall be subdivided, so as to bring it or any parts thereof under the maximum price or cost limitation as provided by state statute thus dispensing with the requirement of public advertising and bidding therefor, and in purchasing or contracting for or agreeing for the furnishing of any services, the doing of any work or the supplying of any materials or the supplying or hiring of any materials or supplies, included in or incident to the performance or completion of any project, program, activity or undertaking, which is single in character or inclusive of the furnishing of additional services or buying or hiring of materials or supplies or the doing of additional work, or which requires the furnishing of more than one article of equipment or buying or hiring of materials or supplies, all of the services, materials or property requisite for the completion of such project shall be included in one purchase, contract or agreement.
[Amended 10-21-1981 by Ord. No. O-21-81; 11-9-2020 by Ord. No. O:24-2020]
The Township Council, upon consideration and review of the procedures and recommendations, shall award the contract or purchase to the lowest bidder, pursuant to law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.
A. 
Prequalification regulations for bidder requirements for public works projects.
(1) 
Findings. The governing body makes the following findings:
(a) 
The Township has proprietary and governmental interests in high standards, high qualifications and a high level of safety for workers and the general public. Those interests are fostered and benefitted by requiring bidders who desire to bid on public works projects with an estimated cost of construction equal to or exceeding $250,000 to employ highly skilled workers.
(b) 
Using formally trained trade and craft workers ensures a level of competence, productivity, and worker safety that contributes to the timely and cost effective completion of public works projects.
(c) 
A registered apprenticeship provides for a formal training arrangement that includes a paid-work component and an educational or instructional component, wherein an individual obtains workplace-relevant knowledge and skills.
(d) 
Registered apprenticeship programs are a written plan designed to move an apprentice from a low- or no-skill entry-level position to full occupational proficiency. These programs must meet parameters established under the National Apprenticeship Act[1] that are designed to protect the welfare of the apprentice. The Act and its promulgating regulations are administered by the Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 29 U.S.C.A. § 50 et seq.
(e) 
The publication "Apprenticeship Training In New Jersey - Directory of Information and Resources," prepared by the State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Business Services - Office of Workforce Initiatives, describes the benefits that apprenticeship programs provide to the public, including, but not limited to:
[1] 
Developing and maintaining a highly skilled workforce which has "learned how to learn" and which is well prepared to adapt to an ever-changing employment and economic environment that is the hallmark of today's global economy; and
[2] 
Increased productivity from apprentices who are more versatile and better able to solve work-related problems than untrained workers.
(f) 
The governing body may, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-25, establish reasonable regulations appropriate for controlling the qualifications of prospective bidders upon contracts to be awarded on behalf of the contracting unit, and may adopt a standard form of statement or questionnaire for bidders showing the bidder's financial ability and experience in performing public-sector work, to the satisfaction of the Township.
(g) 
A highly skilled workforce ensures lower costs for repairs and maintenance over the lifetime of a completed public works project; ensures that trade and craft workers have been properly trained to adapt to an ever-changing employment and economic environment that is the hallmark of today's global economy; and allows the apprentices to be better trained which ultimately increases productivity and safety in the workplace.
(h) 
N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13 provides that any specifications for the provision or performance of goods or services shall be drafted in a manner to encourage free, open and competitive bidding and that no specifications may "(a) Require any standard, restriction, condition or limitation not directly related to the purpose, function or activity for which the contract is awarded."
(i) 
A requirement that a responsible bidder is one who participates in an apprenticeship program is consistent with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-13 inasmuch as the requirement is directly related to the cost, efficiency, skilled labor force, quality, safety and timeliness of the Township's public works projects.
(j) 
An apprenticeship program requirement as a condition of responsible bidder determination is consistent with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-6.1 which requires that public contracts be awarded not to the lowest bidder, but to the lowest responsible bidder.
(k) 
Requiring apprenticeship programs as an element of responsibility places all bidders on equal footing and does not unnecessarily limit the number or type of bidders on public contracts, as all contractors will have a fair and equal chance to bid on Township contracts.
(l) 
Requiring apprenticeship programs as an element of responsibility supports State of New Jersey policy as set forth in N.J.S.A. 34:1A-37 and N.J.S.A. 52:38-1:
[1] 
The State of New Jersey, as set forth in N.J.S.A. 34:1A-37 as an example, has recognized the inherent good in the encouragement and promotion of apprenticeship agreements and supports apprenticeship programs through programs of the State Department of Labor and Workforce Development;
[2] 
The State of New Jersey, as set forth in N.J.S.A. 52:38-1, has determined that a highly skilled workforce ensures lower costs for repairs and maintenance over the lifetime of a completed project, and such a requirement is directly related to the contract activity;
(m) 
Apprenticeship programs that train highly skilled workers and improve efficiency in government projects further the purposes of the Local Public Contracts Law.
(2) 
Definitions. Unless otherwise apparent from the context, the following words shall have the meanings set forth herein:
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
A registered apprenticeship program providing to each trainee combined classroom and on-the-job training under the direct and close supervision of a highly skilled worker in an occupation recognized as an apprenticeable trade, and registered by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training of the U.S. Department of Labor and meeting the standards established by the Bureau, or registered by a state apprenticeship agency recognized by the Bureau.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Division of Local Government Services within the Department of Community Affairs.
LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER OR VENDOR
The bidder or vendor: a) whose response to a request for bids offers the lowest price and is responsive; and b) who is responsible.
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT
Any construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, custom fabrication, or repair work, or maintenance work, including painting and decorating, done under contract and paid for in whole or in part out of the funds of a public body, except work performed under a rehabilitation program or work performed under a contract for road resurfacing.
RESPONSIBLE
Able to complete the contract in accordance with its requirements, including, but not limited to, requirements pertaining to experience, moral integrity, operating capacity, financial capacity, credit, and workforce, equipment, and facilities availability.
RESPONSIVE
Conforming in all material respects to the terms and conditions, specifications, legal requirements, and other provisions of the request.
(3) 
Registered apprenticeship program required for public works projects.
(a) 
It is hereby established by the governing body that participation in a registered apprenticeship program shall be a necessary qualification for all contractors and subcontractors, including lower-tier subcontractors seeking to perform work on any public works project for which the Township estimates that the total cost of the project, exclusive of any land acquisition costs, will equal or exceed $250,000.
(b) 
All bidders on public works projects for which the Township estimates that the total cost of the project, exclusive of any land acquisition costs, will equal or exceed $250,000 shall provide evidence that, at the time of the bid, the bidder and all of the bidder's subcontractors participate in registered apprenticeship programs for each of the trades of work contemplated under the awarded contract for which a registered apprenticeship program exists. Any bidder who fails to submit such evidence shall not be deemed a responsible bidder.
(c) 
It shall be a term and condition of any and all contracts for a public works project for which the Township estimates that the total cost of the project, exclusive of any land acquisition costs, will equal or exceed $250,000 that all lower-tier subcontractors (e.g., sub-subcontractors and below) must provide evidence of participation in registered apprenticeship programs for each of the trades of work contemplated under the awarded contract prior to execution of any subcontract governing work on the public works project and prior to performing any work on said public works project.
(4) 
Incorporation into bid documents and contracts. The requirements of this section shall be incorporated into the Township's bid specifications and contracts for public works projects for which the Township estimates that the total cost of the project, exclusive of any land acquisition costs, will equal or exceed $250,000. Any violation of this section may constitute a breach of such contract.
(5) 
Repealer. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are repealed as to such inconsistencies.
(6) 
Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this section is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.
(7) 
Director approval required. Upon adoption, a certified copy of this section shall be submitted to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services for approval together with such other documents as shall be required by Director, in accordance with the requirements of Local Finance Notice 2016-12 or such successor directive issued by the Division of Local Government Services prior to adoption of this section. For guidance purposes, Local Finance Notice 2016-12 requires the submission of the following documents in addition to the ordinance:
(a) 
Copies of the two newspaper legal advertisements, and any other advertisements, for the public hearing;
(b) 
Certified and sealed copy of the governing body's resolution (by the governing body's Clerk or Secretary) adopting the regulations;
(c) 
A true, certified and sealed copy of the transcript of the public hearing held pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-25. The transcript shall be certified by the governing body's Clerk or Secretary; and
(d) 
A completed, certified and sealed (by the governing body's Clerk or Secretary) standard certification form. Please note that the certification form has been updated to require additional information and shall be utilized in lieu of the prior form.
(8) 
Effective date and sunset provision.
(a) 
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:41A-101, all ordinances take effect 20 days after final passage by the Township Council of Township of Monroe and approval by the Mayor of the Township of Monroe.
(b) 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-25, this section shall not take effect unless and until this section and required accompanying documentation have been submitted to the Director for approval in accordance with Subsection A(7) of this section, and either 1) the Director grants such approval, in writing, or 2) the Director fails to approve or disapprove the ordinance within 30 days of its receipt by the Director.
(c) 
In the event the Director approves this section only for a limited duration, this section shall cease to be effective, and shall no longer constitute a requirement for bidding for or performing work under a contract advertised subsequent to the expiration of such approval.
The Mayor shall execute and sign contracts let by the Council and authorized pursuant to the municipal ordinances, and the Mayor's signature shall be attested to by the Municipal Clerk.
[Amended 5-21-1986 by Ord. No. O-15A-86]
All purchases of any work, supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services in excess of the amount as provided by state statute for the municipality's account shall be made by the Department of Administration, pursuant to a written requisition from the head of the department whose appropriation will be charged, and the certification of the Treasurer that a sufficient unemcumbered balance of appropriation is available to pay therefor.
[Amended 5-21-1986 by Ord. No. O-15A-86]
The Mayor shall reestablish and approve uniform standards for requisitions and purchases. The Department of Administration shall control the delivery of all supplies, materials and equipment and shall make or cause to be made proper test checks and inspections thereof. The Department shall ascertain whether the supplies, material, equipment and other items purchased comply with the specifications and shall cause laboratory or other tests to be made whenever, in the opinion of the Department head, it is necessary to determine whether the materials or supplies furnished are of the quality and standard required.
A. 
Each department shall follow such procedures and use such forms for purchasing as the Mayor shall prescribe. Upon request of the Mayor and/or the Business Administrator, each department head shall submit a complete statement of the materials, supplies, equipment and work and labor under contract which will be required by the department during the ensuing year, half-year or quarter-year, as the Mayor may determine, according to the best estimate of the department head. Such statement shall be in such form and detail as the Mayor may require.
[Amended 5-21-1986 by Ord. No. O-15A-86]
B. 
Each department head shall designate, in writing, a purchase certifying officer and one or more receiving clerks.
C. 
Where purchases in excess of the amount as provided by state statute are made without competetive quotation, the Department of Administration shall obtain, whenever possible, at least three price quotations for the item or items of purchase, which shall be furnished in writing by the vendors whenever the purchase price exceeds the amount as provided by state statute. The Department shall record and retain such quotations for at least two years from the time they are furnished. Whenever circumstances permit, the purchase shall be made from the lowest of such quotations received from a responsible bidder.
[Amended 5-21-1986 by Ord. No. O-15A-86]
D. 
The Mayor shall establish a procedure for the purchase of any item or items required for the immediate protection of the public health, safety, morals or welfare of the municipality, which procedure will permit such emergency purchases to be made for specific purposes in a manner other than that prescribed by this article.
E. 
Except as the Mayor or such other officer as he may designate may authorize in case of emergency, no purchase shall be made and no bill, claim or voucher shall be approved unless the procedures prescribed by or pursuant to the Charter and this code have been followed.
[Amended 5-21-1986 by Ord. No. O-15A-86]
Immediately upon delivery of any purchase item, the receiving clerk shall make a record thereof, on a form to be approved by the Division of Finance, and the department's acceptance of the delivery shall be certified by the certifying officer in such form as shall be prescribed by the Division of Finance. A voucher properly prepared and executed by the vendor shall be submitted to the Council who shall not authorize payment unless and until they have first examined a properly prepared and certified receiving report and have satisfied themselves that the items billed were properly authorized and delivered in accordance with a duly issued purchase order or any change thereof authorized by the Department of Administration.