47-22 Authorizing Execution of the Memorandum of Understanding with Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris - 2022.pdf

47-22 March 15, 2022 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, in September 2020, the Township of West Orange (the “Township”) entered into a groundbreaking relationship with the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, Inc. (the “MHA”) to establish a program, whereby MHA trained professionals accompanied police officers from the West Orange Police Department (the “WOPD”) on certain calls involving mental health and mental health related issues (the “Program”); and WHEREAS, this Program has been successful and is now being showcased by other law enforcement organizations; and WHEREAS, the Township has applied for and has been awarded a grant from the United States Department of Justice in the amount of $525,000 over the course of three (3) years to continue the Program; and WHEREAS, the Township seeks to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the MHA (an “MOU”), annexed hereto as Exhibit “A” to formalize the relationship to continue the Program; and WHEREAS, based on the specialized qualifications of the MHA services provided to the WOPD, including the specialized licensing and training of the MHA and its trained professionals in the area of mental health, the proposed Memorandum of Understanding constitutes a professional services agreement exempt from public bidding pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5 of the Local Public Contracts Law; and WHEREAS, the pursuant to the requirements of the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Report Act, N.J.S.A. 19:44A-1, et. seq., the Township shall retain on file a Business Entity Disclosure Certification and Political Declaration from the MHA.