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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AWARD OF CONTRACT TO LASSER SUSSMAN ASSOCIATES, LLC FOR APPRAISAL SERVICES FOR THE HIGHLANDS RAIL TRAIL - PHASE II IN THE BOROUGH OF WANAQUE, RFQ-24-041 PURSUANT TO PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5 ET SEQ.
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (hereafter “County”) is a government body incorporated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1, et seq. and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1 the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners (hereafter “Board”) is vested with decision making powers on behalf of the County; and
WHEREAS, the County is in the planning stages of Phase II of the Highlands Rail Trail, in the Borough of Wanaque (hereafter “Project”), which will be a contiguous trail providing a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly pathway through the highlands communities of northern Passaic County; and
WHEREAS, in order to complete the Project, the County must acquire certain property interests from various property owners in the Borough of Wanaque; and
WHEREAS, by the laws governing eminent domain, specifically, N.J.S.A. 20:3-6, the County must first attempt to obtain the necessary property interests through bona fide negotiations with the affected property owners based upon the property values and damages to the remainder of the parcels involved associated with the partial fee takings as set forth in the detailed real property appraisal reports compiled on these properties; and
WHEREAS, to determine the fair market value of the real property interests that need to be acquired for the Project, the County must appoint a qualified real estate appraiser to appraise the value of the property interests needed, taking into consideration damages to the remainder, if any; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5, et seq. the County issued RFQ-24-041, seeking qualifications for a pool of real estate appraisers for calendar year 2024, to be hired on an as-needed basis, to provide professional services to the County; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4, the County’s request for qualifications is a fair and open process, specifically, the qualification for the pool of real estate appraisers for calendar year 2024 is publicly advertised, awarded under a process that provides for public solicitation of qualifications, established the basis of an award and disclosure process documented in writing prior to any solicitation, and is publicly opened and announced when awarded; and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2023, the Board passed Resolution No. R-23-1125 qualifying a pool of real estate appraisers for calendar year 2024, as recommended by the County Counsel, to be hired on an as-needed basis, which included Lasser Sussman Associates, LLC; and
WHEREAS, the Passaic County Engineer is recommending that the Board authorize an award of contract to Lasser Sussman Associates, LLC, to prepare appraisal reports related to the property interests needed for the Project, as required by N.J.S.A. 20:3-6, in an amount not to exceed twenty-nine thousand five hundred dollars ($29,500.00); and
WHEREAS, funds are available in Account No. C-04-55-182-002-906 or any other account that may be deemed appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer or his designee, and the availability of funds has been contingently certified by the Chief Financial Officer subject to sufficient funds being appropriated by the Board in the 2024 and/or subsequent years’ County budget(s), which is attached to and made part of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the May 8, 2024 meeting of the Public Works Committee and is being recommended to the Board approval; and
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5 et seq. that the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners authorizes an award of contract to Lasser Sussman Associates, LLC, to prepare appraisal reports as to the values of the property interests needed for the Highlands Rail Trail - Phase II project in the Borough of Wanaque, in an amount not to exceed twenty-nine thousand five hundred dollars ($29,500.00).
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, the Clerk to the Board shall print, in the official newspaper, a brief notice stating the nature, duration, service, and amount of the contract award to Lasser Sussman Associates, LLC, and maintain a copy of the resolution on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Clerk to the Board.
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk to the Board, County Counsel, and Director of the Passaic County Board of Commissioner are authorized to take any other steps necessary to carry out the purpose of this resolution.
KJB May 21, 2024