New Jersey Recreation and Park Association
Public Affairs Committee
Meeting Notes
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Present: Jim Truncer, Ed Loud, Steve Jandoli, Bruce Kaufmann, Denise Lanza, Don Bogardus, Dina
Trunzo, Pam Griffin, Jack Roberts, and Ben Stentz.
Consultant Report: Pam reported that the Torok Group has decided not to submit for a month to month
contract, nor to provide a proposal for the new contract period. Six firms have been identified and asked
to provide a proposal. NJRPA has provided them with a scope of services. Upon receipt of the proposals
(due April 30th), a small committee will be set up to evaluate the proposals based on a checklist.
Interviews will be held in May, contract negotiations are anticipated in June, and a contract would be
awarded to start on July 1.
Minutes from 2/12/14: The minutes were reviewed as to the status of the bills reviewed at that time.
Some of the bills have been withdrawn (A2573/S77 and A2432). ACR112/SCR2 has moved to be placed
on the desk in both houses (use of sales tax for open space funding). S1133/A2160 moved out of
committee into the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Jack asked if there had been any movement in the proposed alternative to the Safe Playing Fields Act.
Since Bill Foelsch was unable to attend the meeting, we have no update on this. Likewise, there was
limited discussion about the bill proposing use of the Corporate Business Tax for open space.
Bills reviewed:
A567/S647 – exempts disabled veterans from certain fees at State parks and forests. The bill removes
revenue from State parks and forests without a replacement mechanism. Oppose unless amended to
replace lost funding.
A911 – Prevents county park facility from having a primary purpose of hosting private events. Denise will
contact Assemblywoman Munoz for further explanation and discussion. Monitor.
A1569 – Establishes a Park Prescription program authorizing medical practitioners to prescribe free
State park access passes to patients with obesity related conditions. Denise will contact
Assemblywoman DeCroce to discuss the impact on State park revenue. Oppose.
AR56 – Urges Congress to pass the Community Park Revitalization Act, which provides matching grants
to help revitalize local metropolitan communities and creates an innovative federal financing
mechanism for park and recreation infrastructure, (Sponsored by Congressman Sires). Support.
S1496 - Authorizes the State, with prior approval from the State House Commission, to use eminent
domain power to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes provided lands are protective
of drinking water sources. See NJDEP comment. Monitor.
S1659 – Provides counties and municipalities with additional discretion when leasing public land for
agricultural or horticultural use. Monitor.
S1734/A2453 – Provides for no net loss of DEP lands for fishing, hunting, and trapping purposes. Seek
NJDEP comment. Monitor.
S1772 – Prohibits smoking at public parks and beaches. There was some discussion regarding smokers
filing lawsuits when smoking is banned in some outdoor areas. Monitor. (Assembly bill A1080 passed
March 20th)
For review at next meeting – A1672, formerly A3247. No senate version at this time
Next meeting: June 18th at Thompson Park, Monmouth County Park System at 10 am.