[Adopted by MC 2018-22, September 11, 2018]
In accordance with the Charter, there shall be established a Business Administrator who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. S/he shall serve during the term of office of the Mayor appointing him/her and until the appointment and qualification of his/her successor, subject to removal as provided by the Charter. Prior to his/her appointment, the Business Administrator shall be qualified as provided by Section 4.2 of the Charter.
Under the direction and supervision of the Mayor, and subject to the Charter and this chapter, the Business Administrator shall:
(a) 
Direct and supervise the directors of the department of the City government;
(b) 
Provide for the organization of the work of the departments;
(c) 
Review the administration and operation of each of the departments and recommend to the Mayor from time to time such measures as may appear necessary or desirable for the purpose of improving the efficiency and economy of the City government;
(d) 
Review, analyze and forecast trends of City services and finance and the activities and programs of all boards, commissions and other municipal bodies, and report and recommend thereon to the Mayor;
(e) 
Assist the Mayor to prepare an annual current expense budget and an annual capital budget for consideration by the Council;
(f) 
Develop, install and maintain centralized personnel and purchasing procedures and systems as authorized by this chapter; and
(g) 
Perform such other functions and duties as may be prescribed by Charter or ordinance.
The Mayor may designate himself/herself or a department head to serve as Acting Business Administrator in the event of the absence or disability of the Business Administrator. An Acting Business Administrator shall have all of the functions, powers and duties of the Business Administrator until such time as his/her absence or disability shall terminate.
(a) 
The Public Defender for the City of Plainfield shall have the qualifications, hold the position and perform such duties and responsibilities in the representation of indigent defendants as is set forth in the Municipal Public Defender Law, N.J.S.A. 2B:24-1 et seq.
(b) 
A person whose application for representation by the Public Defender has been approved by the Municipal Court in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2B:24-1 et seq. shall pay an application fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).
(c) 
The Municipal Court may waive the application fee in whole or in part if the Court determines, in its discretion, upon a clear and convincing showing by the applicant that the application fee represents an unreasonable hardship upon a particular defendant.
(d) 
The City shall have a lien on any property to which the defendant shall have or acquire an interest for an amount equal to the reasonable value of the services rendered to a defendant pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2B:24-13. The Corporation Counsel is authorized to file a notice setting forth services rendered to the defendant and the reasonable value thereof with the Clerk of the Superior Court and to effectuate service upon the defendant as provided by N.J.S.A. 2B:24-13.
(e) 
The Corporation Counsel is authorized to compromise and settle any claim for services performed pursuant to the Municipal Public Defender Law whenever the financial circumstances of the person receiving the services are such that, in the judgment of the Corporation Counsel, the best interest of the State will be served by compromise and settlement.
(f) 
The Corporation Counsel may do all things necessary to collect any money due to the City by way of reimbursement for services rendered by the Municipal Public Defender pursuant to the Municipal Public Defender Law, and shall have all the rights, powers and remedies provided in the Municipal Public Defender Law.
(g) 
Application fees collected from defendants for the services of the Public Defender shall be deposited into a dedicated trust fund, and these fees shall be used only to meet costs incurred in providing the services of a public defendant, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2B:24-1 et seq. The dedicated trust fund shall be established as a budget rider, subject to approval by the State Division of Local Government Services, and shall be administered by the City's Chief Financial Officer.
(h) 
To the extent not specifically set forth herein, the provisions of the Municipal Public Defender Law, N.J.S.A. 2B:24-1 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, are hereby incorporated in its entirety as if fully set forth in this section.
(a) 
There are hereby created the offices of Directors of the Departments of Communications and Technology, Finance, Health and Social Services, Public Works, Economic Development, Fire, and Public Affairs and Safety (Police).
(b) 
Subject to the direction and supervision of the Business Administrator, each department director shall:
(1) 
Administer his/her department in accordance with the Charter and this chapter;
(2) 
Organize the work of the department, and allocate and assign personnel and functions within the department; and,
(3) 
Supervise and direct the programs and activities of his/her department.
(c) 
Each director shall appoint and remove subordinate officers and employees within his/her department, subject to the approval of the Business Administrator and in accordance with the provisions of the Revised Statutes, Title 11, Civil Service, or other applicable provisions of the Charter or this Code.
(d) 
Whenever a vacancy exists in the office of the head of any bureau or division by resignation, removal, disability or otherwise, the director, with the approval of the Business Administrator, may fill such vacancy temporarily by appointing an acting head of such bureau or division, who shall have and perform all the functions, powers and duties of the head of such bureau or division until the office shall be filled permanently.
(e) 
In the event of the absence or disability of a department head, the Mayor may designate a division head or the Business Administrator to act temporarily as the department head until the department head is present or the disability ceases. The Business Administrator shall be entitled to no additional compensation while so serving as acting department director.
[Amended 9-12-2022 by Ord. No. MC 2022-41]
[Amended 9-12-2022 by Ord. No. MC 2022-41]
Within the Office of the Business Administrator there shall be as established a Division of Personnel, the head of which shall be the Personnel Director. Under the supervision of the, Business Administrator, the Personnel Director shall:
(a) 
Administer the personnel provisions of the ordinances of the City including but not limited to providing advice and assistance to the Department Directors as to the recruitment, hiring and training of City employees;
(b) 
Provide liaison services with and complete and submit all forms required by the New Jersey Department of Civil Service;
(c) 
Maintain central personnel records for the employees of the City;
(d) 
Administer Federal or State personnel training programs;
(e) 
Administer the City's Workers Compensation program; and
(f) 
Perform such other functions as shall be delegated or assigned to such Personnel Director by the Business Administrator.
[Amended 7-8-2019 by Ord. No. MC 2019-19; 9-12-2022 by Ord. No. MC 2022-41.]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2022-41 relocated the Division of Recreation from § 2:9-13.
(a) 
Within the Office of the Business Administrator there shall be established a Division of Recreation, the head of which shall be the Superintendent of Recreation. Under the supervision of the Business Administrator, the Division shall:
(1) 
Administer and operate City playgrounds and playfields, and facilities for indoor and outdoor sports, athletics and recreational programs and activities for children and adults;
(2) 
Sponsor and administer cultural and recreational programs and activities in cooperation with other public and private agencies and organizations; and
(3) 
Maintain, control, and repair public buildings and grounds, apparatus, facilities and equipment used, controlled or managed by the Division for recreational purposes.
(b) 
Rules and regulations governing the public playgrounds and parks of the City of Plainfield:
(1) 
No person shall cut, injure, deface, remove, or disturb any tree, shrub, building, fence, bench or other structure, apparatus or property; or pick, cut, or remove any shrub, bush, or flower; or mark or write upon any building or other structure.
(2) 
No person shall make or kindle an open fire except in picnic stoves provided for the purpose.
(3) 
No abusive, profane or indecent language, or any conduct that may annoy others, shall be allowed.
(4) 
No animals shall be led or let loose in the playgrounds or parks unless authorized by the Division of Recreation (e.g., exhibition or pet show on playgrounds or in parks).
(5) 
No person shall carry firearms, or throw stones or other missiles.
(6) 
No person shall sell, offer or solicit for sale any goods or merchandise without a special permit.
(7) 
No person shall use, consume, carry or bring any alcoholic beverage in or upon any playground or park.
(8) 
Betting, gambling in any form, or maintaining any gambling equipment is prohibited.
(9) 
The playing of baseball is prohibited except at diamonds expressly set aside for this activity.
(10) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to hold, conduct or address any public assemblage, meeting or gathering or to take part in any public debate or discussion without first having obtained a written permit.
(11) 
No person may remain, stay or loiter in a playground or park except between the hours posted in the area.
(12) 
Children under eleven (11) years of age shall not be permitted on the playgrounds or in parks after sunset unless accompanied by an adult.
(13) 
No person without authorization shall distribute any circulars, cards, or written matter or post, paste, or affix any placard, notice or sign within any playground or park.
(14) 
No entertainment or exhibition shall be given in any playground or park except under the direction or by permission of the Division of Recreation.
(15) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to scatter or litter any form of waste material.
(16) 
No person may remain, stay or loiter in the pool area except between the hours posted designating the pool is open for use.
(c) 
Penalty. Whenever, in any other ordinance of the City, or rule, regulation or order promulgated by any law officer or agency of the City under authority duly vested in him/her, or if any act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense, or the doing of any act is required, or the failure to do any act is declared to be unlawful, where no specific penalty is provided therefor, the violation of any such provisions of any other ordinance of the City or any rule, regulation or order as aforesaid shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or be punished by both such fine and imprisonment; provided, however, that, where the penalty for any particular offense is limited by state statute, then such limitation shall be applicable to other ordinances of the City or rule, regulations or order as aforesaid notwithstanding the provisions of this section. Each day any violation of any other ordinance of the City or any rule, regulation or order as aforesaid shall continue shall constitute a separate offense.
(d) 
The parcel of City-owned land previously known as the "Greenbrook Trail" is hereby renamed as the "Albert T. McWilliams Memorial Trail," and all necessary signage shall reflect same.
[Amended 9-12-2022 by Ord. No. MC 2022-41]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2022-41 relocated the Division of Recreation Summer Day Camp; Fees, from § 2:9-14.
The Summer Day Camp Program conducted by the Division of Recreation shall be open to children of Plainfield residents between the ages of five (5) through seventeen (17). The maximum registration for the program shall be determined by the City Administration in consultation with the Business Administrator and the Director of Parks and Recreation.
(a) 
Residents will be required to pay a fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per week for the Summer Day Camp Program. Any additional siblings in the household will be required to pay Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per week to participate in the Summer Day Camp Program. This fee will be exclusive of additional cost associated with special events and amusement park admission.
(b) 
Residents will be required to also pay a fee for the following activities:
Youth Basketball
$25.00
Winter
Youth Wrestling
$25.00
Winter
Double Dutch
$25.00
Fall/Winter
Arts and Crafts
$25.00
Winter
Boys and Girls Tennis
$25.00
Spring
Family Golf
$25.00
Spring/Fall/Winter
Summer Camp
$50.00
Summer
(c) 
Any new programs will be assessed a fee of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) such as bowling, hockey, chess club, ice skating, roller skating, etc.
(d) 
Families who qualify as economically disadvantaged will be referred to social service agencies which provide stipends that may cover the cost of camp enrollment and other costs.
(e) 
Nonresidents will be charged an additional Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per program with the exception of swimming which will be an additional Thirty Dollars ($30.00). Non residents will be charged One Hundred Sixty Dollars ($160.00) per week for the first child in the family and Eighty Dollars ($80.00) for each additional child for Summer Camp.
(f) 
Recreation program fees will be subject to review and increase every five (5) years.
There is hereby established a Municipal Court, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 264 of the Laws of 1948, as amended and supplemented.
[1]
State law reference: As to Municipal Court, see N.J.S.A. 2B:12-1 et seq.
The name of the Municipal Court shall be the "Municipal Court of Plainfield".
The Municipal Court shall have a seal which shall bear the name of the Court.
(a) 
There shall be a Judge of the Municipal Court who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council.
(b) 
Such Judge shall serve for a term of three (3) years from the date of his/her appointment and until his/her successor is appointed and qualified.
(c) 
Appointments to fill vacancies in such office shall be for the unexpired term only, except in the event a Judge holds office beyond the end of such term of three (3) years, new appointments to such office shall be for a full term of three (3) years from the date of such new appointment.
Stenographic services as authorized by the Judge and rendered on behalf of the Municipal Court shall be paid as provided in the City budgetary appropriation.
The Municipal Court and the Municipal Court Judge thereof shall have, possess and exercise all the functions, powers, duties and jurisdiction conferred by the provisions of Chapter 264 of the Laws of 1948, as amended and supplemented, or by any other law.
(a) 
The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council shall, pursuant to Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, where applicable, appoint a Clerk and other necessary clerical and other assistants for the Municipal Court and provide for their compensation.
(b) 
The Clerk and such other Municipal Court personnel shall perform such functions and duties as prescribed by law, the rules applicable to Municipal Courts and by the Judge of the Municipal Court.
(c) 
Municipal Court personnel, as to non-judicial matters, shall be subject to supervision of the Director of the Department of Administration and Finance.
(a) 
The Municipal Court shall be held at, and the place of the Court shall be designated as, "Municipal Court-Council Chambers", 325 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, N.J. 07061, or such other place as may be designated by resolution of Council.
(b) 
The Judge of the Municipal Court shall hold Court at such time as the business of the Court may require, subject to the rules of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, applicable to Municipal Courts.
The Judge of the Municipal Court shall be a resident of the State of New Jersey and shall be an attorney-at-law of the State of New Jersey and shall be an attorney-at-law admitted to practice in this State for at least five (5) years.
(a) 
With the written consent of the Assignment Judge of Union County, the City of Plainfield may:
(1) 
Increase the number of Judgeships of the Municipal Court, or
(2) 
Appoint one or more temporary Municipal Judges.
(b) 
A Temporary Judge is an additional Judge of the Municipal Court appointed to meet a special need of limited duration. The procedure for appointment of Temporary Municipal Judges shall be the same as that for all other Municipal Judges but each term of Temporary/Additional Judge shall not exceed one (1) year.
(c) 
Any such designation shall be made in writing and shall be filed in the Court and any such person so designated while sitting temporarily, shall have all the powers of the Judge of such Court.