Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Council Meeting Minutes
August 17, 2021
Held in-person at Borough Hall Council Chambers, 416 New Jersey Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach.
Live streamed via https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflODKbSFakXUEKiyxSYdUA/live
Mayor Kanitra called the regular meeting to order at 7:30PM. Present were Councilmembers Vitale, Byrnes, Cortes, Santanello and Migut. Councilwoman Testa was absent. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: “Adequate notice of the time and place of this meeting was given under the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act and was posted and sent to the officially designated newspapers in compliance with the law.”
FLAG SALUTE, INVOCATION
Motion by Councilman Santanello to approve the July 20, 2021 Council meeting minutes was seconded by Councilman Vitale and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Councilmembers Vitale, Byrnes, Cortes, Santanello, Migut….YEA
Councilwoman Testa….ABSENT
PROCLAMATION: Point Pleasant Beach High School Softball Team – B-Central Division Champs
Mayor Kanitra presented the proclamation.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Vitale: gave Chief’s report since the last Council meeting – training included SWAT, Canine In Service, Detecting Individuals who are Driving Impaired and DWI Detection & Standard Field Sobriety Test – there were 38 arrests for criminal offenses and there were 80 quality of life offenses – in the process of hiring 10 SLEO II’s who are entering the Police Academy on September 10th – they will graduate in May and be used for the 2022 season – plan on hiring an additional 25 for a 2021 Academy class – thanked Capt. Kowalewski and Lt. Grace for coordinating and overseeing these new hires – planning added patrols from NJ State Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Dept., Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and NJ Dept. of Homeland Security during Labor Day weekend; Summer Camp was a huge success – ends Friday with a camper family BBQ for about 250 people – finished with 166 kids – engaging and fun-filled – his daughter loved it; Pickleball is ongoing on Wednesdays – moved to 7PM for cooler weather; Bonfire is September 11th, 6-10PM at Maryland Ave. Beach – committee is working on donated firewood, pizza and s’mores and Sam Sims will entertain again this year; Tug of War planning is in place for October 9th – Boat House 401 is sponsoring it and will be the location for the after party; the Recreation Committee and Chamber of Commerce are hosting the next First Friday on September 3rd with a band on Arnold Ave. and games scattered throughout Arnold and Bay Aves.; are planning for the Winter Wonderland event in Pleasure Park – tentatively on December 11th; the Military Banners will be hung throughout town on September 3rd.
Mayor Kanitra, on behalf of Councilwoman Testa: she is working on Safe Routes to School Grant (item 2p) – asked all to vote in favor; asked all to visit the mural on the north side of the Bam Bam Burger building; (Councilman Cortes: asked about educational pamphlets about Safe Routes to School) yes – need a campaign with yearly reminder.
Councilwoman Byrnes: gave the Fire Dept. report – getting additional drivers qualified on the new rig (4301) and the old one has been delivered to the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Dept. in NY – Dept. members were recently recertified in CPR – reminded all to check smoke detector batteries regularly and have a working fire extinguisher at their homes – have had heavy call volume and have been able to respond with no lapse in coverage – are always looking for new members/anyone looking to serve the community – thanked all for continued support; Environmental Commission is moving forward with educational events and presentations, including an electric car demonstration to coincide with the Farmers Market – purpose is part of Sustainable Jersey action to achieve Silver Status rating – Commission is looking to install electric vehicle charging stations, made possible by grants through NJ’s Drive Green Program – planning a presentation with the Leave Only Your Footprints organization – Commission and Green Team will have a booth at the Seafood Fest – thanked Rich LaDuca and the PPBHS Woodworking Dept. for the charming, free library bookstand on the agenda; the Shade Tree Commission held a tree dedication ceremony 2 weeks ago in memory of Elaine Hennessy – a moving tribute to her dedication to making PPB a better, prettier and greener community – the plaque and tree will be a remembrance to her many contributions – Commission has been working with BA/CFO Riehl and Code Enforcement on removal, replacement and pruning of hazardous fruit trees – are grateful for the support – Nominate Your Block Program was announced for fall; the Senior Committee will host at least one event per month – will host the first Friday Event in August, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce – September 2nd is a fundraiser Fireworks Boat Trip and October 11th is a spa day at Spa Bella, with treatments for seniors on the house – maybe a craft/bingo/speaker event in November and a Jingle & Mingle Holiday Luncheon December 9th – the Golden Gulls Flyer will be mailed with tax notices.
Mayor Kanitra: asked BA/CFO Riehl for status of the electric car charging station grant for 2 charging stations in the train lot (BA/CFO Riehl: are on the radar – has not heard that it’s been announced).
Councilman Cortes: welcomed all back; recognized August employee anniversaries – Patty Kile 9 years, Judge Bob LePore 1, Joshua Woszczak 1; spoke about the Route 35 paving project from Rte. 88 to the bridge – started on Washington Ave. – Governing Body has had issues with Earle in the past, but their work so far is superb – residents are happy – he thanked Rob Earle; memorializing item 1o – Linda used to work for PPB and has been back for 2 weeks – has always had a great work ethic, has a CDL and is cross-trained – DPW Super. Trout is happy to have her back; attended the ceremony for Elaine Hennessy – had their differences, but are all residents – she was very passionate about her issues – a good, moving ceremony – she did a lot (Mayor Kanitra: she did the original barrels; Councilwoman Byrnes: was lovely and well attended – about 50 people showed up) it was nice.
Councilman Santanello: pointed out to Councilwoman Byrnes that that Point Pleasant banned the little bookshelves – thinks it’s great that PPB is doing them.
Councilman Migut: the Animal Welfare Committee will hold its first fundraiser in 1½ years, due to Covid on October 12th at Last Wave Brewery – tickets will be on sale next month for $35 – includes pizza, snacks and a ticket for a gift auction; attended the Parking Authority meeting 2 weeks ago – the Authority agreed to pay for a Free Parking sign in the railroad lot to advertise free parking from September – Authority Secretary Mills is in charge and she spoke to BA/CFO Riehl about it – the sign should last 3 years or so.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Kanitra: the A.J. Meerwald is coming August 26th-September 7th – is in need of repairs – will not be sailing – will look cool on Channel Dr. – all will have an opportunity to engage with the crew and look at the boat – hope to attract it here full time – they asked if he would host an event to help promote the boat and to show community support – proceeds will go to the PPB Endowment Fund – might be able to clear $5K or so for the foundation – not a fancy event – it’s called The Mayor’s Invitational – everyone is invited – live music, beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres and oysters supplied by Atlantic Capes, who owns the property where they will be docked – tickets are $75/person, available on the A.J. Meerwald web site; asked BA/CFO Riehl for an audit of benches in town – the wood on some is really ratty – need to clean things up – if PPB owns them, need to fix the wood – if PPB doesn’t own them, need to notice the owners (BA/CFO Riehl: can discuss replacing them with composite ones – but those are light and moveable; Councilman Santanello: maybe keep more permanent ones at the band shell); authorized the landscaper to clean things up – asked when it’s happening (BA/CFO Riehl: had also asked for plantings at particular locations – they sprayed the property by the firehouse but it looks trashy because they wait until everything is dead before they come back – can reach out again; Councilwoman Byrnes: on top of the brown weeds, the new plantings have not held up – doesn’t represent all the effort) Borough Hall areas should be cleaned up by now – are paying the money – let them know Council is not happy (Councilman Vitale: asked about adding the area around St. Peter’s – has not been touched; BA/CFO Riehl: they were supposed to prune everything down); coming up on 20th anniversary of 9/11 – want to be sure to pay appropriate homage – been working with BA/CFO Riehl on a ceremony befitting of the sacrifice – lost people in town – have speakers set up (BA/CFO Riehl: will start at 8:30 a.m.) will recognize when the twin towers were hit – at the bandshell – encouraged all to come and pay respects, especially the younger generation, to can hear personal stories (BA/CFO Riehl: should have a brochure by next meeting – no particular timeframe – anyone is welcome to speak); summer has gone well, after a chaotic spring and nerve wracking early summer, with new ordinances, Police work, litter patrol, etc. – gets calls all the time about how respectful the crowd is – even though still busy – litter marijuana smoking and public drunkenness has been cut down by leaps and bounds – is a testament to everybody’s hard work – important to stay the course, now that precedent has been established – other coastal towns have enacted similar ordinances – in harmony with the Boardwalk – they are just as happy – great to see.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
BA/CFO Riehl: 4th quarter tax bills will be mailed the last week of August – the certified rate is lower than the estimated rate – most people will see a reduction – literature will go out with the tax bills – reached out to see if there is anything else that is pertinent to be included, without incurring an additional mailing expense (Mayor Kanitra: QOL Dir. O’Rourke comes back on September 7th and will get out the fall newsletter); have a preconstruction meeting on Thursday on the Water Main project, working on going out to bid on Valve Exercising, Maryland and Bay are finished, with final payment on the agenda – working on Central Ave. Road Resurfacing, Boston Ave. and Trenton Ave. (Mayor Kanitra: confirmed that the same curb and sidewalk procedures as on Ocean and Arnold will be followed) met with Engineer about sending a letter out about driveway aprons and curb work needed (Councilman Cortes: the little sign by the Borden’s lot is broken; BA/CFO Riehl: it belongs to the Parking Authority; Councilman Migut: will mention it; Mayor Kanitra: some long parking signs are getting faded – would to work with the Parking Authority to make everything uniform (Councilwoman Byrnes: sign by her house as well; Councilman Cortes: noted the $16K reduction on Maryland Ave. on the agenda – that’s good).
The Municipal Clerk announced additions to the agenda.
Mayor Kanitra: asked Lt. Grace if the number of SLEO II’s compares to last year’s number, at a minimum (Lt. Grace: absolutely – hoping to do 35) that’s good – with those resources to guard the beaches at night, the nighttime litter has disappeared.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:08PM
Vincent Castin, 15 Trenton Ave., PPB: asked about the A.J. Meerwald (Mayor Kanitra: unable to sail – going from here for massive repairs – will do dockside programs and fundraising – 115-feet-long); asked about the Coast Guard Station (BA/CFO Riehl: in appraisal process) and the Boat Museum (Mayor Kanitra: will decide about for outside groups – have already asked the Historical Society to start preparing); asked about the lending library (Mayor Kanitra: showed a picture).
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway, PPB: asked about 1j (Councilman Cortes: explained the route; Lt. Grace: down Broadway and out of town – will do everything in Jenkinson’s lot – 2 officers will make sure they get out safely); asked about 1k (Councilman Cortes: same as Kane Brewery’s permit for non-consumption; BA/CFO Riehl: no taste testing or consumption) is concerned about businesses that pay rent and sell alcohol (Mayor Kanitra: fits in the mode of the Farmers Market – local, artisanal stuff – will yank if there is an issue); asked about 1v (Mayor Kanitra: an A.J. Meerwald event – Bayshore Center is the group that runs the Meerwald; asked for update on streetlights out) has not gone out because of his knee.
Mary Steiner, 423 Yale Ave., PPB: if considering a few more benches, consider cement ones for the gazebo (Mayor Kanitra: good idea – can consolidate them – asked for solution to the Farmers market destroying grass by the gazebo; Attorney Riordan: suggested pads, like at Citifield; Mayor Kanitra: maybe there is something to be put down before vendors come – asked for thoughts).
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:19PM
Motion by Councilman Cortes to close public participation and approve the items listed below was seconded by Councilman Vitale and carried by roll call vote.
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
1a Approval of payment of Payrolls #15 ($345,747.69) & 16 ($331,148.71)
1b Approval of payment to Quadient Finance USA for postage via credit line ($6,255)
1c Approval of PO to Wilmac Business Equipment for Service/1-yr maintenance renewal ($3,885)
1d Approval of salary adjustment for C. Glass for obtaining Municipal Finance Officer certification
1e Approval of sale of 2012 Kubota, 2003 Utility Trailer & 2006 Chevy Silverado to BOE for $5K
1f Memorialization of appointment of P. Harth, PPB, to the position of F/T Clerk 1
1g Approval of PPB Rec Cmte S/E app for Residents Only Bonfire on MD Ave Bch, 9/11 (rain: 9/12)
1h Approval of PPB Rec Cmte S/E app for Winter Wonderland at Pleasure Park, 12/11 (rain: 12/12)
1i Approval of Oceanic Global Fdn S/E app for Beach Clean Up on MD Ave Beach, 9/12
1j Approval of Young Survival Coalition S/E app for Tour de Pink Bike Ride on Bdwy 10/3
1k Review of GK Distilling ABC Seasonal Farm Market app to sell alcohol at PPB Farmers Market
1l Authorization for Mayor to execute 2022 Municipal Alliance Agreement
1m Approval of payment to the Ocean County Landfill for landfill escrow, 7/20/21 ($50K)
1n Approval of payment to All Covered for Microsoft Exchange Online Plan ($6,646.40)
1o Memorialization of appointment of L. Criqui, PPB, to the position of DPW Laborer
1p Approval of payment to the State of NJ for employee & retiree health benefits ($121,749.14)
1q Approval of pymt to Selective Flood Insurance for 1000-1002 Ocean Ave flood insurance ($7,212)
1r Approval of payment to Deschamps Mat Systems for 150 feet of Mobi Mat ($6,567)
1s Approval of payment to Brand, 46 Niblick St. for refund of 3rdQ tax overpayment ($3,218.78)
1t Approval of Copline Inc. S/E app for 5K Run/Walk on the Boardwalk, 12/31/21 & -1/01/22
1u Adoption of policy addressing the protection & safe treatment of minors
1v Approval of ABC Social Affair permit app for Bayshore Ctr for event at 301 Channel Dr on 9/1
1w Approval of PO to Continental Fire & Safety for protective gear for the Bldg Dept ($4,280.15)
1x Approval of payment to Sprague Resources for DPW diesel fuel on 7/12/21 ($5,710.07)
1y Approval of PO to Sprague Resources for 2021 diesel fuel ($20K)
1z Review of Last Wave Brewing Company Limited Brewery ABC License renewal
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
2a Approval of payment to GovPilot for additional modules ($4,896)
2b Authorization for resident inclusion in the upcoming MOAEC energy auction
2c Support for legislation to temporarily extend expiration of valid US passports
2d Approval of Colliers scope of work-Rte 35 Water Main Replacement subject to Atty review ($98K)
2e Approval of handicap parking space removal at 315 Yale Ave
2f Authorization to execute NJDOT Municipal Utility Engineering & Construction Agmt for Rte 35
2g Approval of payment to BTMUA for July bulk water usage ($158,931)
2h Approval of payment to M. Woszczak Mech Cont for emerg water leak at 305 Baltimore ($5,605.69)
2i Approval of payment to Jenkinson’s South for District 2 repairs ($3,139.76)
2j Approval of payment to WB Uniforms for 2021-23 DPW uniforms ($9,436.34)
2k Approval of payment to All Covered for Dell Optiplex, Monitor, Microsoft Office ($1,852.99)
2l Approval of date change for Chamber ABC S/A Permit for Beers on Boards, from 3/21/20 to 11/6/21
2m Appointment of K. Finnegan to the position of Seasonal DWP Laborer
2n Authorization to appoint P. Renner to the position of 2nd Alternate on the Shade Tree Commission
2o Authorization to install lending library bookcase at Arnold & St Louis in garden area with
coordination between the Borough Administrator, Councilwoman Byrnes and the Fire House.
2p Support for submission of NJ DOT Safe Routes to School grant app/authorization to execute docs
2q Approval of Colliers scope of work-Ocean/Arnold curb & sidewalks subject to Atty review ($33,750)
2r Approval of Change Order 2/Final to Black Rock Enterprises for MD Ave Project (-$16,328.50)
2s Approval of pymt of Pay Cert 3/Final to Black Rock Enterprises for MD Ave project ($13,607.07)
2t Approval of PPB Env Com/Green Team S/E app for Electric Car Awareness event in train lot, 8/29
CONSENT RESOLUTION 3:
3a Approval of payment of computer-generated vouchers ($1,644,209.82)
3b Approval of payment to Valic for 2020 LOSAP awards ($50K)
3c Approval of payment to Ocean Fire Company No. 1 for annual contribution ($18K)
3d Approval of payment to PPB Fire Company No. 2 for annual contribution ($18K)
3e Approval of payment to Pt Pleasant First Aid & Emergency Squad for annual contribution ($38,500)
3f Approval of Fire Dept & First Aid Squad request to charge for parking in lots during Seafood Fest
3g Approval of payment to ESI Equipment for Holmatro extrication tools for PPB Fire Co 2 ($2,705)
3h Approval of pymt to Continental Fire & Safety for personal protection gear for the FD ($42,740.30)
3i Approval of payment to Firetec Used Apparatus Sales for sale of 2000 Pierce Dash ($4K)
3j Approval of membership of T. Angus, PPB, in Fire Company No. 1/NJ State Firemen’s Assoc.
3k Approval of payment to All Covered for IT maintenance & support for PD ($4,760.96)
3l Approval of membership of D. Rosa, PPB, in Fire Company No. 2/NJ State Firemen’s Assoc.
3m Appointment of 10 Seasonal SLEO IIs
VOTE: Councilmembers Vitale, Byrnes, Cortes (except 1f), Santanello (except 3a invoice #s 20467, 20469,
20485 & 80013, 1f, 2d, 3k, 3m), Migut (except 3)….YEA
Councilmen Cortes (1f), Santanello (3a invoice #s 20467, 20469, 20485 & 80013, 1f, 2d)…NAY
Councilmembers Santanello (3k, 3m), Migut (3)….ABSTAIN
Councilwoman Testa….ABSENT
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BEGAN AT 8:21PM
Vincent Castin, 15 Trenton Ave., PPB: asked about 1l.
George Loder, 712 Atlantic Ave., PPB: thanked Mayor & Council for getting the town into the New Jersey Coastal Coalition – been actively attending the meetings – received a grant from Manasquan Bank for floodplain mitigation – representatives will be here on September 21st – apologized for putting on the agenda).
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway, PPB: on August 8th, 3 police officers helped his friends struggling to put a table in their car – no tickets were issued for loading/unloading – is very appreciative.
BA/CFO Riehl: congratulated Payroll Clerk Christie Glass on passing the CFO exam – is now a certified CFO.
Mary Steiner, 423 Yale Ave., PPB: asked if the fall newsletter will address new recycling rules.
Mayor Kanitra: the Non-resident Taxpayer Advisory Committee’s 8th annual meeting is on Saturday, August 28th, 10AM-12PM – open to all.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ENDED AT 8:26PM
Motion by Councilman Cortes to close public participation and adjourn was seconded by Councilman Vitale and carried by consent of Council.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:26PM.
ATTEST: _______________________________
Eileen A. Farrell, RMC
Municipal Clerk
