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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE PROPOSED LEASE BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF PASSAIC AND THE PASSAIC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE FORMER SHERIFF’S OFFICE BUILDING AT LAMBERT CASTLE IN THE CITY OF PATERSON AND AUTHORIZING PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13, ET SEQ.
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (hereafter “County”) is a body politic and corporate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1 and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1 the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic (hereafter “Board”) is vested with managing the property, finances, and affairs of the County; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-15(g), the County may lease property for a term not to exceed fifty (50) years, provided that such lease is for a public purpose, and where the lease is for any civic or historic programs or activities by duly incorporated historical societies; and
WHEREAS, the County is the owner of the property located at 3 Valley Road in the City of Paterson, (Block 5301, Lot 1 on the official Tax Map of the City of Paterson) upon which the structures more commonly known as Lambert Castle, the Lambert Castle Carriage House, and a building formerly used by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office are located; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2014, the Board passed Resolution No. 20140216, authorizing a lease agreement between the County of Passaic and the Passaic County Historical Society, to operate a museum at Lambert Castle for a twenty-five (25) year term, beginning March 26, 2014, and ending March 25, 2039; and
WHEREAS, the County has performed extensive renovations at Lambert Castle, the Lambert Castle Carriage House, and the former Passaic County Sheriff's Office Building, and desires to renegotiate the lease with the Passaic County Historical Society, whereby the County’s Department of Cultural & Historic Affairs shall operate the museum at Lambert Castle, and the Passaic County Historic Society shall operate a new Local History Library in the former Passaic County Sheriff's Office Building; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13.5(a)(1), when the County is leasing any real property for a period greater than twenty (20) years, it must prepare a report identifying the reasons for, and all advantages and disadvantages and benefits and detriments of, the proposed lease, assessing the environmental and recreational impact of the proposed, and other requirements as set forth therein, and make it available to the public thirty (30) days prior to public hearing required pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A: 12-13.5(2); and
WHEREAS, moreover, as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13.5(a)(3) the County is required to conduct a public hearing in the City of Paterson at least ninety (90) days prior to the proposed lease of real property, and further comply with the notice requirements as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13.6 and N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13.7; and
WHEREAS, this matter was reviewed on October 9, 2024 by the Administration and Finance Committee and is being recommended to the Board for approval; and
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13.5, et seq., the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic authorizes the following:
Section 1. Incorporation of Recitals.
The foregoing recitals are incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. Preparation of Report on Property.
The County’s Director of Cultural and Historic Affairs is hereby directed and authorized to prepare a report as required under N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13.5, which shall be posted on the County website and generally available to the public thirty (30) days prior to the public hearing as set forth in Section 3 of this Resolution.
Section 3. Public Hearings and Notice Requirements.
The Clerk of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to schedule a public hearing concerning the proposed lease between the County of Passaic and the Passaic County Historical Society for the former Passaic County Sherrif’s Office Building located at 3 Valley Road in the City of Paterson for a fifty (50) year term, such hearing being held at the Passaic County Administration Building, 401 Grand Street, Room 220, Paterson, NJ 07505 on December 10, 2024 at 5:30 P.M.
Notice of the public hearings shall be made in compliance with N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13.6 and N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13.7.
Section 4. Posting of Property to be Leased.
The Clerk of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to post a notice of public hearing concerning the lease of the Property in the Board of County Commissioners meeting room on a bulletin board or in a conspicuous place no later than five (5) days after the approval of this Resolution.
Section 5. Severability.
All sections contained herein are severable, and in the event any of them shall be held to be invalid by any competent court, this Resolution shall be interpreted as if such invalid section or covenants were not contained herein
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Board, County Counsel, and County Administrator are authorized to take any other steps necessary to carry out the purpose of this resolution.
KJB October 22, 2024