Borough of Point Pleasant Beach COUNCIL MINUTES
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach met at 6:30 PM with Mayor Vogel, Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, and Dyer present. Councilman DiCorcia arrived at 6:39 PM. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Mayor Vogel: Governing Body members met with Ocean County Engineering Department to discuss cross-jurisdiction projects and County infrastructure within Point Pleasant Beach – concerns were raised about Sea Avenue pump station’s outflow onto beach, drainage and improvements to Baltimore Avenue, and traffic calming – asked County and Borough Engineers to provide an update.
Ron Lotrecchio, Ocean County Engineer: gave overview and answered questions; station pumps storm water from inlets on state, municipal and County roads – County, town and state partnered to design today’s outlet, incorporating re-circulation – once or twice/day, wet well fills with water and pipe drains to Twilight Lake – larger pumps kick on in major storm – screen filters objects – discharges to ocean during floods – Brick MUA is meticulous about maintaining/ inspecting – County spends $50,000/year for contract, excluding maintenance (report addresses concern about outfall effluent – how is tank water cleaned?) no storm water treatment (can water be cleaned before hitting outflow?) DEP best management practices include changing catch basin heads – lead and fertilizer levels require treatment – not in system design (does pump station discharge onto beach during storms only?) yes (how much drains into ocean?) Lake Louise discharges to river, Lake of Lillies to pump station (Engineer Savacool: Little Silver Lake is hydraulically connected to Lake Louise – rest of town drains mostly to head of Little Silver Lake, through Chicago Avenue inlets; Councilman DiCicco: asked if pollutants dissipate in lakes) there is opportunity for suspended solids to settle (Engineer Savacool: lakes provide degree of settling) (can retrofit serve as filter?) not practical – must turn to DEP best management practices regarding non-point source pollution control (would County participate in retrofitting to allow filtering?) have always partnered with local government – skeptical about treatment outside catch basin level – storm drainage castings might need upgrading (goal is to move water quickly off roads – to discharge it into ocean (Councilman DiCicco: asked Engineers Lotrecchio and Savacool to review similar situation in Rhode Island; Councilman DiCorcia: structure may have outlived function; Mayor Vogel: there are health concerns once material is on beach – will forward information including that about Rhode Island beach – appreciate continued dialogue – beach must stay in best condition for safety and well-being of all).
Engineer Lotrecchio: option for Baltimore and Harvard Avenues is to abandon/modify slot – can discuss as joint project – some locations are difficult to drain – looking to relieve ponding (Mayor Vogel: asked Engineer Savacool if it will take shape in fall; yes).
Mayor Vogel: concerns with traffic calming in southwest portion and Ocean Avenue – County did good job – positive feedback on signage – requests for pedestrian signs and for reduced speed limit on Bay and Ocean Avenues have been sent to County Engineering and to Freeholder Kelly – questioned acceptability of roundabouts (Engineer Lotrecchio: difficult to have enough right-of-way for roundabout in fully-developed town – County frowns on speed bumps – not emergency-service friendly – encourages bump-outs and designating truck routes) trucks are an issue, but more-so is cut-through traffic (Engineer Lotrecchio: DOT has completed research on Bay Avenue and Route 88 – hopefully, will move within 30-45 days); moving forward with Lake Louise dredging; Engineer Savacool’s lake study will be addressed, as will managing storm water runoff into them; (Engineer Savacool: finalizing designs for Riverside Drive and for handicap ramps in western part of town – both funded by CDBG; Councilman DiCorcia: asked Engineer Savacool to look into handicap ramp on south side of Trenton Avenue, near Gowdy – cars park in front of it; Engineer Savacool: moving on water tank inspections, to finalize scope of re-painting; Lake Study should be done this week).
Councilman Corbally: asked if all looked at Brielle’s sign (yes) – Chamber will remove sign by Gold’s Gym’s and will replace with more modern one – town should maintain right to determine what is objectionable advertising (Marge Pennell, Chamber of Commerce President: will designate lines for town, emergency, non-profit information, etc.- message will be changed via laptop at Chamber office) asked if, during emergency, ads could be shut down and town message run (Mayor Vogel: asked how to communicate change on off-hours; Marge Pennell: if Chamber director couldn’t take laptop home, someone else would have access; Mayor Vogel: Brielle’s sign is unobtrusive – shouldn’t be like Las Vegas strip – sign would require Board of Adjustment approval; Councilman Liotta: setting precedent for other businesses if sign is granted to Chamber – need something better than current sign – hasn’t seen many like this in New Jersey – doesn’t care for it; Councilman DiCicco: Board can ensure it remains tasteful; Councilman Dyer: agrees restrictions are needed and messages should fade in and out; Councilman DiCorcia: parameters should be set – disagrees that it will set a precedent – other business would have to go through Chamber to go through Council –doesn’t think Governing Body and Board have addressed signs as they should – other communities put restrictions on them – no objection, as proposed; Attorney Gertner: safety issues were brought up – assuming Chamber applies to Board, it is not inappropriate for Chief DePolo to make recommendations).
Department Head memos and correspondence were discussed – items were added to agenda for action. Councilman Corbally requested that action be held on memo regarding sale of excess property, so he can work with Fire Chief Michigan. Elaine Petrillo’s memo regarding curb and sidewalk at 1303 Oceanfront, noting non-conforming use of pavers, and owner’s request for relief from standard, was held (Attorney Gertner: research indicates it is not within Council jurisdiction, but Board of Adjustment). Fence ordinance issue was held.
Motion by Councilman DiCorcia, to enter closed session to discuss one contractual and one personnel matter, was seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia…..YEA
Closed session started at 7:21 P.M. and ended at 7:36 P.M.
Mayor Vogel called the regular meeting to order at 7:42 P.M. Present were Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer and DiCorcia. The Municipal Clerk again read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Motion by Councilman DiCorcia, to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2006 and February 21, 2006 Council meetings, was seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia.…YEA
Mayor Vogel: Beautification Committee is here to present awards honoring individuals and businesses whose efforts show pride and community spirit.
Councilman Liotta: Beautification Committee, a dynamic, energetic, fun group does so much with gardens, flowers, signs, flags, Christmas Decorations, etc. – it’s the Governing Body’s pleasure to recognize businesses that spend their time and money to maintain the quaintness, beauty and specialness of Point Pleasant Beach.
Sandra Pasola: thanked Councilman Liotta, an active Committee member – every year, Committee nominates businesses/groups that contributed to beautification and preservation of Point Pleasant Beach; the Lobster Shanty was recognized for renovation and enhancement of location; Green Planet Coffee was recognized for updating corner of Bay and Arnold Avenues; Shore Chic was recognized for the vintage character it adds to the antique district; Strollos Lighthouse was recognized for helping beautify corner of Broadway and Ocean Avenues –acknowledged Debra Ehrgood, 5th grade teacher at Antrim School, and student members of environmental science club for hard work and dedication to school and Point Pleasant Beach – club created beautiful butterfly garden in front of school, showing pride in school and town.
Debra Ehrgood: raise monarch caterpillars – go to Lake of Lillies daily during fall to get milkweed for them to eat – offered club’s assistance, in planting at lakes, to keep ecosystem going – asked that milkweed be put there, as it is very important to the butterflies.
Sandra Pasola: thanked Governing Body for supporting Beautification Committee – encouraged them to keep town’s flavor, quaintness and beauty in mind when making decisions.
Mayor Vogel: thanked children and businesses – two gems of the community.
Ordinance 2006-10 (Index Rate Ordinance) was introduced on first reading. Administrator/CFO Riehl: cap was set at 2.5 % – can go to 3.5% by ordinance – enables Borough to bank what isn’t used in current year’s budget for succeeding years.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, seconded by Councilman Dyer and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2006-10 was adopted on second reading. The public hearing will be held on April 18, 2006.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia.…YEA
Ordinance 2006-11 (Residential Parking Program) was introduced on first reading. Mayor Vogel: everyone’s contributions and thoughts were considered during drafting.
Motion by Councilman Dyer, seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2006-11 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on April 18, 2006.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Dyer and Mayor Vogel***.…YEA
Council Members Corbally*, DiCicco**, DiCorcia….NAY
*Councilman Corbally: disappointed at lack of compromise – agrees with Councilman Loughran that passes will not be used much in summer, but will lose revenue.
**Councilman DiCicco: good idea, but not in Silver Lake lot, the primary revenue generator – better plan would be to allow passes elsewhere – should not compromise/sacrifice revenue when there is an alternative.
***Mayor Vogel: concerns were heard and addressed – giving benefit back to residents.
The 2006 Municipal Budget was introduced on first reading.
Mayor Vogel: Budget Committee (Council Members Liotta, DiCicco and Dyer) worked with Governing Body and professionals – healthy mix of policy and sound fiscal management.
Councilman Liotta: acknowledged CFO Riehl, Kathryn Beno and Budget Committee – for outstanding budget – Committee worked well with department heads – reviewed each line item – familiarized themselves with budget’s workings – numbers started at substantial 18.3 cent tax increase and were cut to 1.4 cent – tremendous year with revenues – increased surplus by $116,000 over last year – water and sewer utility has surplus – added $15,000 for accumulated leave – restructured government’s relationship with Parking Authority – very strong budget.
Councilman DiCicco: enjoyed process this year – thanked CFO Riehl, Kathryn Beno, department heads, Budget Committee and Governing Body – budget process is inexact science – never know how much revenue will be brought in – fiscally-prudent in anticipation of next year – increased spending by only 4.8%, taking into account dramatic increases, not gauged in inflation index, including pension, LOSAP and increased fuel costs – add to next year’s surplus and continue path to sound financial footing.
Councilman Dyer: recognized CFO Riehl, Kathryn Beno and Budget Committee – lot of hard work and time analyzing budget – thanked department heads and last year’s Committee – did not cut services – department heads feel they can work within this budget – had one-time revenue from 2005 of more than $311,000 that had to be made up and a $120,000 pension increase – conservative with projections – $28,000 per antennae on water tower can be used to lower liability for employee time off.
Mayor Vogel: philosophical change – focus is on efficiency of tax dollars – commended Committee for hard work –open, inclusive process – held public workshop and meeting – will post draft on municipal web site – version approved this evening will be available next week – all commentary and concerns were considered.
Motion by Councilman Liotta, seconded by Councilman Dyer and carried by the following roll call vote, the 2006 Municipal Budget was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held May 2, 2006.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran*, Corbally**, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia***….YEA
*Councilman Loughran: thanked Committee for work, time and commitment – reflected in small tax increase – other Ocean and Monmouth County school boards and municipalities are seeing double-digit increases – everyone’s complaining about less state aid – fortunate to be able to adjust budget, yearly, due to revenues – should be in good hands over next couple of years with conservative approach.
**Councilman Corbally: agreed with Councilman Loughran – thanked Budget Committee, CFO Riehl and Kathryn Beno – did a great job – will have greater surplus in water and general account next year – adding to pension monies going out – 1.4 cent increase is manageable.
***Councilman DiCorcia: complemented Committee – as 1981 Finance Chair, understands what Committee went through – since Board of Education budget came out with 7% increase, asked Committee to use surplus and give taxpayers a break.
Municipal Clerk Ellsworth added several items to Consent Resolution 2; Administrator Riehl asked that Consent Resolution 1, item ‘l’ be held as work has not been started (Councilman DiCorcia commended Clerk Ellsworth for getting money from insurance company); Ben Dispoto, 311 Parkway: questioned Consent Resolution 1, letter ‘d’ (want to continue to get funding from Cable TV); David Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: asked about ‘Beachtown Hoedown’ (all inclusive safety day, sponsored by Police Department – bicycle and fire safety, child photo ID’s – large donations raised, but because of event’s popularity, asked for Governing Body’s financial support); Vince Castin, 15 Trenton Avenue: asked if Consent Resolution 1, item ‘e’ was same as ‘Beachtown Hoedown’ (no – scouts and community groups volunteer to clean beach); Councilman DiCicco corrected item ‘c’ on Consent Resolution 2.
Motion by Councilman Dyer, seconded by Councilman Corbally, resolutions, covering the items listed below, were approved by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
a) Establish Local Emergency Planning Commission
b) Support for Removing Limitations on Veteran Group Poppy Sales
c) Implementation of National Incident Management System
d) Support Local Franchising Authority
e) Permission for Clean Ocean Action 21st Annual Spring Beach Sweeps on 4/29/06
f) Approval of Payroll #7 ($200,576.74)
g) P O to Bordens for office furniture and lockers at water plant ($1639.96)
h) Payment to Metric Parking for multi-space parking meters ($152,198.40)
i) Payment to Bollinger for employee health benefits ($33,869.28)
j) Payment to All Points for town calendars ($4170.00)
k) Payment to Lawmen Supply Co for police vests ($3245)
l) HELD
m) Payment to Borden’s for office furniture and file cabinets ($2099.96)
n) Payment to Brick Utilities for February bulk water usage ($44,742.36)
o) Award of contract for Hydroseeding at Silver Lake ($3,000)
p) Permission for Chamber utilize public meeting room on 4/19/06
q) Payment to All Time Auto Body for repairs to police vehicle ($2,466.39 – reimbursed by insurance)
r) Award of contract for public works uniforms to JJB Brothers ($5743.25)
s) Payment to Horizon BCBS for employee health benefits ($59,394.07)
t) Payments to Schoor DePalma from escrow accounts ($6395.92)
u) Authorization for placement of memorial rock at Veteran’s Park
v) Payments to the Galvin Law Firm from Bd of Adjustment accts ($2379.30)
w) Payment to Schoor DePalma from developer escrow ($297.38)
x) Payment to NJ Division of Pensions ($2781)
y) Payments of computer generated vouchers ($421,434.50)
z) Emergency Temporary Budget appropriations
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
a) Approve annual ad in Festival of Atlantic ad book ($600)
b) Authorize Borough Attorney to draft ordinance banning low speed vehicles
c) Authorize Borough Attorney to draft ordinance, prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants, excluding open-air decks
d) Appointment of part-time communications operator (1)
e) Donation in support of ‘Beachtown Hoedown’ ($1500)
f) Approval of Special Event Application for Memorial Day Bicycle Parade on 5/27/06 and approval of Ocean County road use application
g) Approval of Special Event Application for Huntington’s Disease Society Walk on Boardwalk on 9/30/06
h) Approval of Special Event Application for Disabled Veterans ‘Forget-Me-Not’ flower drive on Boardwalk – waiver of $25 application fee
i) Approval of Chamber of Commerce request to add portion of Ocean Avenue to Sidewalk Sale venue
j) Approval of Special Event Application for Lions Club Mothers Day Run and approval of Ocean County road use application
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
Mayor Vogel: appointed Phil Bailey, Sal Pepe and Max Gagnon to Open Space Committee (all agreed); Education Foundation evening honoring Dr. Crawley was a shining example of what Point Pleasant Beach is about and how community joins to support worthy causes and honor outstanding people; likewise was Little League fundraiser honoring Greg Moberg and Alan McCartney, who contributed much to community – this Saturday is Little League Opening Day – thanked those who volunteer for kids; received update on Sea Coast Oil property – continued concern with contamination – asked Borough Engineer for direction – Legal Counsel is reviewing next steps with Environmental Attorney – Governing Body is monitoring and working proactively – long-term project (Councilman DiCorcia: asked if Borough had taken title) waiting for further information – will need title to receive further state funding (Councilman DiCorcia: concerned that Borough is spending thousands on things the owner should have – asked Council to move forward) could foreclose at any time and recoup monies spent – exposure, from Borough’s perspective, is limited – corporation owner could not be located – Governing Body had limited options and moved prudently, protecting ourselves while addressing environmental concerns (Councilman DiCicco: not precluded from suing anyone – there is an ongoing release in ground; Attorney Gertner: asked if state spill lien is on property; Administrator Riehl: no – municipal lien since 1997) concern has been well-managed and appropriate action to mitigate loss taken; Mantoloking is asking for participation in document imaging – asked Governing Body and Clerk Ellsworth to consider partnering with Bay Head, Mantoloking, Lavallette, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park for possible County benefits (Councilman DiCicco: suggested starting with County Clerk, who’s shepherding the project) grant is available – Council members interested in working on this should let him know.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Liotta: thanked Administrator Riehl, Public Works Director Meany and his department for work at Little League field – thanked Dave Cavagnaro and Mary Steiner for planting bushes and Gary and Michelle Edwards for donating them; thanked Administrator Riehl for getting ‘No feeding of Wildlife’ signs at Inlet; wants to revisit grading and drainage ordinance spearheaded by former Councilman Lurie.
Motion by Councilman Corbally, to authorize Engineer Savacool and Attorney Gertner to streamline grading and drainage Ordinance for smaller applications, and to review swimming pool ordinance, was seconded by Councilman Liotta and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia….YEA
Councilman Liotta: parking revenue is huge part of budget – blessed to have wonderful town with businesses and beautiful beaches that people want to visit – had banner revenues last year with 13 machines in lot – this year, will have 23 machines there with all spaces at $2/hour – asked Council to consider placing meters in railroad lot at $1.50/hour on Saturdays and Sundays only.
Councilman Loughran: commended Public Works – during March, collected 260 tons of garbage, 56 tons of recycling and 10 tons of brush – have received approximately $7,000 from County for recycling efforts – Recycling Committee is looking to improve on that – finished installing geese fencing at Silver Lake – put up signs – spent many hours renovating Silver Lake lot – installed handicap toilets at Pleasure Park and upgrades to Arnold Avenue comfort station; asked Administrator Riehl to contact Parking Authority to clean Bay Avenue lot.
Councilman Corbally: asked Councilman Loughran to have Public Works remove meter posts on Arnold Avenue; upon reviewing placement of additional meters, thinks train station lot is better suited for boxes – looking at 30 spots in front of commercial entities – have ton of meters – non-metered spots closer to ocean can take in money; last week, he, Councilman Dyer, Administrator Riehl and Clerk Ellsworth met with computer company on networking Borough Hall – have one proposal and looking for two or three others – welcomed ideas; Farmers Market Committee met last week and hopes to be ready for May 7th kick-off; thanked Vince Castin for researching advertising for water tower – if can be done in politically-acceptable way with proper sponsor that brings the Beach and/or Garnet Gulls into it, can raise up to $50,000/year.
Councilman DiCicco: FEMA Committee, including Councilman Liotta and himself, has had two productive meetings – established plan to re-enter community rating system – prerequisite is to prepare flood plain management plan to address repetitive-loss properties – meeting with Mike Gardner about mapping and remediation – must accumulate 500 rating points to get discounts on flood insurance – Committee will provide education for residents and businesses – shooting for reentry by October – meets last Tuesday of every month; went to DOT, with Mayor Vogel and Chief DePolo, to discuss grant to make communities more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly – dovetails nicely into grants sought for enhancement of Broadway/Ocean Avenue/Arnold Avenue rectangle – received $50,000 grant to study area – among 14 municipalities in running for DCA “At Home Down the Shore” grant – meeting with DCA Representative; Master Plan Review Committee submitted report to Governing Body, Planning and Zoning Boards – getting resident feedback – asked that Committee reconvene to prepare updated report to clear ambiguities (Mayor Vogel: will meet with planning professionals shortly).
Councilman Dyer: thanked Administrator Riehl for “No Feeding of Wildlife” signs; thanked Dave Cavagnaro for baking cookies for Council meetings; had a nice time at Saturday’s largest-ever Easter Egg hunt – thanked MAC Coordinator, Marie Kurtzke, and Municipal Alliance Committee; working on weekend code enforcement – met with Mike Gardner last week – will meet with Elaine Petrillo this week – thanked CFO Riehl for finding $4,900 in grant money to put toward it – will meet with Chief DePolo to discuss safety issues – hopes to have comprehensive summer plan for discussion at next Council meeting.
Motion by Councilman Dyer, to place a memorial bench on Maryland Avenue Beach platform in memory of Nick Jaworovich (CRAB will put plaque on it), was seconded by Councilman DiCorcia and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Liotta, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dyer, DiCorcia.…YEA
Councilman Dyer: served on Board of Adjustment – commended Councilman Liotta’s efforts – some ordinances need streamlining to make it easier for residents.
Councilman DiCorcia: worked with Councilman Corbally on getting garbage cans next to bank and Borden’s; have 50-70 spots in mind for meters – likes idea of using railroad lot, mostly on weekends – had designated 8 spaces nearby to place meters – will go through DPW Director Meany – upset that there are no meters, on Ocean Avenue, by municipal lot (Chief DePolo: Ocean Avenue, south of Arnold, is too narrow); along with Councilmen Loughran and Liotta, would like to honor Matt Rega, the high school’s all-time wining wrestler, with a plaque at a future Council meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD OPENED AT 8:53 PM
David Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: complimented Council on budget – thanked Councilman DiCorcia for looking to surplus to reduce taxes – thinks it’s Board of Education’s responsibility to be fiscally prudent with increases; ordinance allowing one to circumvent bringing property to proper flood elevation is counterproductive to FEMA requirement; asked if town can pave contaminated property and use without remediation – would be nice to have stable location for Emergency Management equipment; asked Council to look into bicycles on sidewalks; brought up fence issue on Zilai Row –emergency personnel can’t get in – asked for memos from Building Inspector and Fire Marshall at next Council meeting (if public record).
Joe Lemma, 203 St. Louis Avenue: asked if abandoned property can be taken-over – owner hasn’t paid taxes for 15 years (Administrator Riehl: have filed in-rem foreclosure); 6 lights in train station lot have been out for 9 months; should put 43 meters back on Chicago Avenue to compensate for revenue loss on parking permits – could get money there in winter.
Thomas Highton, 314 Parkway: spoke about taxing private lots – report indicates a spot can generate $2500-$10,000/year – hundreds of private spots – former Councilman Lurie said Atlantic City does this and Jackson was considering – could be tremendous revenue source (Mayor Vogel: power to tax requires special legislation – for sound argument, need facts and figures – just issued RFP for study on ‘Financial Impact of Tourism’; Councilman DiCicco: legislation never passed for Jackson to levy tax); asked Council’s position on revaluation of parking lots (3 methodologies for appraisal) asked if there will be 3 appraisers (one firm with appraisers holding different certifications) asked when appraisals will be complete (October).
Vince Castin, 15 Trenton Avenue: referred to Joe Spader’s letter in “The Ocean Star” – made a lot of good points on lakes – Borough can do a lot about the lakes on its own.
Frank Carey, 806 Briarcliff Avenue: a few years ago, had no scrolling signs – now, could have 3 – should consider ordinance to regulate – Brielle’s is aesthetically pleasing with white lights – bright signs not appropriate for residential areas; will be antennas on water tower – doesn’t help aesthetics, but seems a necessary evil – asked if Borough is in such dire straits as to need advertising – should focus more on tourism than advertising on public property – shouldn’t sell everything for sake of dollars – Beautification Committee just congratulated private citizens for going above and beyond – don’t think advertising revenue will be that great; High School students voluntarily painted benches on Boardwalk – per DPW Director Meany, private benches are not being painted by town – asked who’s going to maintain them – if people maintain their own, will be a hodgepodge of colors (Administrator has been asked to check agreement); asked Council to keep up good work and keep town beautiful.
Ben Dispoto, 311 Parkway: thanked Council for budget – confirmed that 1.4 cent increase doesn’t include Open Space – asked if Council can get together with Board of Education to clarify what is being imposed on citizens – where tax dollars are generated and what true costs are; asked if Council could get County and State to sweep their roads – suggested alternate side of the street parking to ease cleaning; sewers are full of debris (public works short-handed but will get done); FEMA issue was brought up in summer 2002.
Vincent Barrella, Niblick Street: parking lot income is inherently rental – asked how commercial lots would be appraised – property across from Boardwalk, with 50 spaces being rented and turned over 2-3 times/day, is different than a rental property in Spring Lake that is 6 blocks inland – inappropriate to compare from an appraisal standpoint (Mayor Vogel: problem with valuating unique properties is that there aren’t similar sales to use the sales comparison approach – rental income is a challenge as well – standards will be followed) business activity is the rental of the land – income produced is the income from the land – must ensure the appraiser is aware of what we’re dealing with; Board of Education seems not to be able to produce a budget – there’s a PTO meeting Thursday night, for those interested.
Ed Sirchio, 722 McLean Avenue: New York Jets purchased Exxon property – tax rate to be based on players’ salaries – State will make about $20 million – suggested Council check it out; thanked Council for going ahead with proclamation for Nick Jaworovich – family and members of CRAB appreciate it; thanked Council for looking into outfall problem; asked if there’s an emergency evacuation plan (yes) Ohio just had severe storms – people died – weather is getting worse – something should be done as soon as possible (Police Chief requested a radio to allow emergency information to be broadcast – will be in place soon).
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD CLOSED AT 9:34 P.M.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM
Transcribed by: ___________________________________
Eileen Farrell
Attest: _____________________________________ Maryann Ellsworth, Municipal Clerk
