Borough of Point Pleasant Beach MINUTES
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach met at 6:30 PM with Mayor Barrella and Council Members Mercun, Loughran, Tooker, Cervino and Dixon present. Councilman DiCorcia was absent. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Toni Pothoff, New Jersey Offshore Powerboat Racing Association (NJOPRA): beginning as the Benihana, boat race has been in Point Pleasant Beach for 39 years – GEICO is sponsor of triple crown event this year – race in Point Pleasant Beach will be the final race of the triple crown – would like to use the Arnold Avenue parking lot as the dry pit area – GEICO is putting up prize money, NJOPRA has to raise money, through sponsorships, to pay for local services, insurance, helicopter, medical safety, etc.
Councilman Mercun: clarified that NJOPRA is not for profit organization, which is asking for: use of lot on 9/5, 9/6 and 9/7; space for 10 concession tents to sell food, (not going to have enough time to get that together, nor is there enough space); beer sales to be permitted by authorized vendor such as first aid squad (not part of NJOPRA event); approval for GEICO Team to set-up early; approval for Miss GEICO to sell materials (not part of NJOPRA application, would apply for their own mercantile license); cooking to be done solely for pit crews and sponsors of event, which will only be approved if fire inspector and fire chief okay location – also clarified that trolley service is not under auspices of NJOPRA and that NJOPRA application is only in regards to parade and use of Silver Lake Lot – fee of $4,000 (total amount allocated for that use in NJOPRA budget) would cover Public Works ($3700) and Police ($300) services for use of lot from western entrance at Boston Avenue, west to Baltimore Avenue; questioned having parade downtown through cruise event (Police Chief: did it last year – no problems).
Mayor Barrella: asked about GEICO sponsorship (started motor sport insurance line – which will be paying for advertisement and purse) – library here tonight asking us for money, have none – last year made $21,000 in that lot during the same weekend – looking to close off about 1/3 of lot – have serious concerns about wisdom of losing $7,000 in revenues and taking a $4,000 flat fee, when we can’t give the library the money they need – GEICO getting a big bang for their buck out of this – feel we should at least be getting $7,000 this year (GEICO is only responsible for purse and doing TV advertising) – if we can get a donation earmarked for the library, would be a win/win (Toni Pothoff: suggested giving balance of $4,000 to library and putting out a bucket for donations for library fund)
Councilman Mercun: when race was a big event, all organizations in town benefited – unfortunately it’s a tight time frame and can’t do what we’d like to – if the boating association polices itself with minimum adverse impact, then we can plan a big event for next year where everybody will benefit; suggested approving application with conditions: will give town $4,000, with $3700 going to Public Works and $300 to Police and not condition approval on library donation – use of west section of lot with no boats on Arnold Avenue and overflow in Bay Avenue lot – no alcohol sale or consumption in Silver Lake Lot – cooking approved by fire inspector and chief – no pegs driven into macadam without approval of DPW Superintendent and agreement to compensate town to fix that portion of the lot – must provide appropriate liability insurance and designate at least one or two contact people for DPW Superintendent and Police Chief to deal with in case there’s a dispute or discrepancy.
Toni Pothoff: asked to use part of the train station lot instead of Bay Avenue Lot (Council agreed – Administrator and DPW will cordon off an area in that lot)
Mayor: would like to see access for local charities to set-up tables (by Band Shell).
Michelle Sargent, Court Administrator: asked to speak regarding whether court revenues downswing is a glitch or trend – a trend – been sharing concerns that anticipated revenue is more than court could bring in – due, in part, to Supreme Court ruling that we can not issue bench warrants to those living out of state for non-compliance of paying parking tickets – trend in economy has been evident for quite some time – have received many complaints about parking tickets with threats that those ticketed will not come back, which has come home to roost – last year, garnered $10,000 less than Seaside Heights when usually about $6,000 behind due to type of crowd they attract – have tried hard to make this a family town, and have succeeded, due in great part to police – a lot of the downtrend is compliance – we are at the high end of fines for parking tickets and payable violations for local ordinances such as drinking in public and general misbehaving – younger, rowdier group has taken their business elsewhere –numbering system at north end of town has been a great relief for the municipal court, but Silver Lake lot still a challenge – added court sessions for parking tickets – been asked to anticipate what is out there in unpaid tickets – in July of 2008, have an outstanding balance in time payments of $275,000, which is $18,000 less than last year – 808 tickets are in suspension status, anticipating everyone paying would mean $70,000 – 1100 tickets in closed status, that would realize another $215,000 – local ordinance violations have 303 in warrant status, outside state of NJ, which is $185,000 out there unrealized – done everything we can do, cannot use collection agencies or send people to go get them – under challenge from Supreme Court to adjudicate within 60 days, last month we were the #1 court in backlog at 2% (Mayor Barrella: compared last year’s and this year’s violations – roughly $220,000 behind this year ($218,000) – down about $450,00, from anticipated revenue, at year end) – no grant for ‘Click It or Ticket’ this year which put May’s revenue down considerably – rainy spring does not entice people to come back and spend vacation with us, which along with the economic downtrend, makes a difference – May revenue on Boardwalk is indicative of what we will see and it was quiet (seems like this town didn’t wake up until after July 4th) was quiet even in July due to brutal humidity – marketers have come up with a new term "staycations" to describe how people are now spending vacations, at home – Seaside Heights court revenue down $100,000 this year, with $35/parking ticket charge (Councilman Mercun: Seaside making an active bid to get our tourists, trying to create a family image – their marketing efforts may be drawing away people – always thought that ticket being upside down, was a chintzy way to get money and we are now getting the backlash) Cape May handles their parking the same way, with ticket being only slightly larger – also give ticket for improper display of receipt).
Mayor Barrella: asked for percentage down in docketed cases this year – asked about difference in Seaside docketed cases (as of June 2008, Seaside had docketed 10,000 more than us for the prior year, July 2007 through June 2008, but they are still down $100,000 – Seaside is also selling parking spaces in front of their homes for $200; resident and commuter passes have made ours a very complicated system); thanked Court Administrator, Police Chief and CFO for time spent evaluating trend.
Carol Vacarro and Patrick English, Chamber of Commerce representatives, addressed Council on possibility of Chamber sponsored Jazz and Blues festival, in June 2009, and asked if Council would be supportive of event along with beer and wine garden during festival (would like to have it sketched out for Chief’s input; Governing Body looks to promote town and events in shoulder season; this is the time to prepare for event – ran into problem with the boat race, late and scrambling – glad to see Chamber working on festival in advance).
Ralph Molinari, Lions Club: addressed event fees for Lions Club events – Club makes no money on the race – parade actually loses money – having to pay these fees will effectively cancel the parade, maybe not this year, but next year – all money made goes to local charities, between $15,000 and $20,000 annually.
Mayor Barrella: asked if it’s possible that Lions Club volunteers perform traffic control (not comfortable with major intersections being policed by volunteers) suggested trying to find a solution, within the next month, with waiver of fees at 9/16 meeting – need to sit down with Administration, Police Chief and Lions to work this through.
Jack Feely, Lions Club: involved in race since 1988/89 – only averaged $458 last five years on race – if police fees going to be in $600 range, need to know, so that we can return fees to race applicants and cancel event.
Other department head memos and correspondence were discussed with items moved to agenda for action; door-to-door canvass was neither denied, nor approved, but removed from consideration; no action taken on expansion of resident parking pass program (should address as part of comprehensive parking solution) or allowing dogs on Maryland Avenue Beach during off season. Mayor addressed Council about televising meetings – school has the equipment and time has come to do it; Councilman Mercun: towns do just council portion; Councilman Cervino: cost Brick $29,000 to install.
Mayor Barrella called for a five minute recess at 8:15 PM.
Mayor Barrella called the regular meeting to order at 8:28 P.M. Present were Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran and Mercun. Councilman DiCorcia was absent. The Municipal Clerk again read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Motion by Councilman Mercun to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2008 Council meeting and the July 15, 2008 Council Meeting, as corrected, was seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Anna McNamara and Sandra Pasola, Point Pleasant Beach Library Association: requested financial assistance for association, which is in charge of library building – taxes go to Ocean County library system for library operation – Association is in charge of maintaining library building – replaced roof, installed new carpeting, which uncovered asbestos tile and necessitated expensive clean-up, installed new heating, gutters and sidewalk – requesting financial aid as Library Association does not benefit from County library tax – need community’s help – Association fundraisers go to maintain building and programs in town – if Association looses building, Ocean County would have decision powers about whether to consolidate with Point Pleasant.
Ordinance 2008-33 (Police Salary Ordinance) was considered on second reading. Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman Dixon and carried by the following roll call vote, to open the public hearing.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
No member of the public wished to be heard. Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote, to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance 2008-33.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Ordinance 2008-34 (Catch & Release) was considered on second reading. Motion by Councilman Loughran, seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote, to open the public hearing.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Lois Wisniewski, 1405 St. Louis Avenue: opposed to ordinance – no problems in last 40 years, but one man takes some turtles and whole town’s rights are being infringed upon – my little boys used to catch fish and I would cook it for them – it was wonderful for them and now they couldn’t do it – writing these ordinances is spending money town doesn’t have – don’t need more government in our lives, need less.
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: this would protect wildlife at the lakes and town would be violating ordinance by addling geese eggs [2-45.4(c) addresses town being able to do so – also, anyone under age of 16 is exempt and can still fish].
Councilman Mercun: asked if snapping turtles became a detriment to other species town was hoping to reintroduce to healthy lake, could they be removed (yes); need to allow for natural or human predation, if lake is restocked.
Craig Jones: asked if he could still chase geese off his lawn back into the lake.
Jim Wisniewski, 1403 St Louis Avenue: State DEP allows you to harass geese (can still do on your own property) – asked if this would override the State (depends on how state statute is written).
Motion by Councilwoman Tooker, seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote, to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance 2008-34.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Ordinance 2008-35 (Sunday Bingo & Raffle Games) was considered on second reading. Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote, to open the public hearing.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
No member of the public wished to be heard. Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote, to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance 2008-35.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Ordinance 2008-36 (Grease Traps) was introduced on first reading. Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman Loughran and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-36 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on September 16, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Ordinance 2008-37 (Teamster Salary Ordinance) was introduced on first reading. Mayor Barrella: implements Teamsters settlement with 4 year contract thru 2011 – give back on medical will effectuate a 23% annual savings – will receive stipend to ease in; Councilman Mercun: thanked Borough Attorney, Borough Administrator and Mayor for negotiating fair and reasonable solution – pleasure to work with everybody.
Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilwoman Tooker and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-37 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on September 16, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Ordinance 2008-38 (Trap, Neuter and Release Program) was introduced on first reading. Councilman Dixon asked where colonies were located, about notification to neighbors and if colonies would affect nesting or migratory birds.
Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilwoman Tooker and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-38 was approved on first reading. T he public hearing will be held on September 16, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Ordinance 2008-39 (Parking of Bicycles) was introduced on first reading. Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilwoman Tooker and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-39 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on September 16, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Clerk Ellsworth announced change, reflected in public copies of agenda, to item ‘h’; no member of the public wished to pose questions or comments on resolutions below.
Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilwoman Tooker, resolutions covering the items listed below, were approved by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
a) Support to amend Municipal Land Use Law regarding recreation and open space set asides
b) Appointment of seasonal Special Officers Class II
c) Authorization to waive municipal portion of raffle fees for First Aid Squad and PPB Library Assoc
d) Authorize Mayor to execute State Local Cooperative Housing Inspection Program agreement
e) Approval of membership in Ocean Fire Co #1
f) Establish tax sale on October 3, 2008 at 10:00 AM
g) Approval of Payroll #16 ($276,067.60) and Payroll #17 ($270,122.54)
h) Authorization to compensate individual for time worked in the capacity of seasonal public works laborer
i) Approval of annual ad in Garnet Gull Booster Assoc Sports Program
j) Memorialize payment to Prismatic Magic for summer recreation program
k) Certify appt of supervisor sanitation after receipt of DOP certification list
l) Authorization for CMX to bid municipal building renovation project
m) Authorization for CMX to bid project for roof repair at DPW building
n) Award contract to Earle Asphalt for Niblick St roadway/drainage improvements ($320,999.13/$150,000 through NJ DOT Grant)
o) Award contract to C. J. Hesse for New York, Marcia and Delaware Avenue roadway/drainage improvements ($349,259)
p) Authorization for CMX to bid project for drainage improvements to Parkway & Central Ave
q) Payment to Schulman, Wiegmann from Board of Adjustment escrow ($225)
r) Payments to CMX from escrow accounts ($7021.27)
s) Scheduled Payment to PPB Board of Education ($774,463)
t) Payment to Brick Utilities for June & July bulk water usage ($209,984.72)
u) Payment to SPS VAR, LLC for annual maintenance for CAD/RMS/AS400 ($2735)
v) Payment to Galvin Law Firm from Planning Board accts ($2260)
w) Progress Payment #3 to Manzo Maroba for improvements to DPW site ($164,985.78)
x) Refund unexpended Board of Adjustment escrow account balances
y) Payment to Ocean County Landfill for tipping fees ($50,000)
z) Payment to Comm Specialists for logging recorder system service contract ($3900)
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
No member of the public wished to pose questions or comments on resolutions listed below. Motion by Councilman Loughran, seconded by Councilman Mercun, resolutions covering the items listed below, were approved by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
a) Payment to Maturano Recreation for wood fiber playground cover ($3655.80)
b) Payment to 600 Bay Ave Partners for façade improvement ($2510.85 thru NPP Grant)
c) Payment to PPB Parking of installment 1 of 3 for 2008 ($36,666.66)
d) Payment of 3rd quarter 2008 allocation to Open Space Trust Fund ($63,888.29)
e) Payment to PBCC for metered postage ($4,098.06)
f) Payment of 2nd Quarter installment to OCUA ($296,010)
g) Payment to USA Bluebook for water meters ($5196.91)
h) Payment to Horizon BCBS for employee health benefits ($133,478.35)
i) Progress Payment #1 to Earle Asphalt for roadway improvements to Sanborn Ave and Water St ($187,400.12)
j) Payment to U S Postmaster for water bill postage ($854.55)
k) Refund dewatering bond (2)
l) Payment to Warnock Fleet for 2008 Dodge Dakota ($16,000)
m) Payment of 3rd Quarter Tax allocation to Ocean County ($1,930,318.93)
n) Progress Payment #6 to F&P for downtown revitalization-phase 3 ($105,942.31)
o) Payment to Pedroni Fuel for diesel fuel and gasoline ($41,852.48)
p) Approval of computer generated vouchers ($4,034,592.49)
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Clerk Ellsworth added items to Consent Resolution 3; Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: powerboat race is worthy cause, but taxes went up and revenue is down – special events impact the town financially – time someone says no, taxpayers of Point Pleasant Beach can’t afford it – thanked Mayor for raising that point; John Fernicola, Arnold Avenue: race generates parking revenue on weekend you wouldn’t see much revenue – hotel/motel tax revenue will also benefit town; Vince Castin, Trenton Avenue: asked about terms of Muskrat Jack contract – never called him, but proponent of getting rid of geese – that’s his job and haven’t seen any results; Councilman Mercun: asked what town is getting out of award for ATM.
Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman Cervino, resolutions covering the items listed below, were approved by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 3:
a) Establish police salaries for 2007 and 2008
b) Payments to Galvin Law Firm from Planning Board and Board of Adjustment accts ($2355)
c) Award RFP for ATM machines to Ocean ATM
d) Payment to Best Uniform for public works employee uniforms ($5662.68)
e) Payment to Murphy’s Diesel Service for repair of sanitation truck ($1058)
f) P O to Motorola for mobile radio ($3907.60)
g) Payment to Water’s Edge Embroidery for football camp shirts ($145)
h) Payment to football camp instructor ($359)
i) Payment to basketball camp instructors ($2350)
j) W/S bill adjustments (20)
k) Approval of NJ OPRA S/E application with conditions
l) Approval of First Aid Squad S/E application to sell raffle tickets on Boardwalk
m) Approval of Lions Club S/E application for Seafood 5K with waiver of S/E road use fees and parking fees through 11 AM – approval of O C road use application
n) Approval of Lions Club S/E application for Tube Race Parade with waiver of S/E road use fees – approval of O C road use application
o) Approval of Lions Club S/E application for Boardwalk Craft Fair with waiver of S/E Boardwalk use fee
p) Approval of curb cut request – 118 New York Avenue
q) Approval of Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation request to place teal ribbons on trees during month of September and Proclaim month of September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
r) Renewal of contract with Muskrat Jack for animal control services
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Clerk Ellsworth added items to Consent Resolution 4; Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: asked about change to one way on Niblick Street for additional block – suggested looking at impact on Parkway and Central (appropriate to send the homeowners on that block a survey; question for engineer as to which streets are better able to handle the flow of traffic; need input from police and engineer; authorized study to be done for Niblick Street); Councilman Mercun: don’t have any information on PPB Renaissance Committee request (Mr. Fernicola, 202 Arnold Avenue: Chief and I have gone over in detail – Great American Trolley, which runs Cape May trolley, would do on Friday from 3PM to 9PM, Saturday from 9AM to 9PM and Sunday from 8AM to 3PM – would be free – run from uptown near Elks with drop off at Baltimore and just before Ocean, where Chief determines it would be safe, and then to Lobster Shanty on Channel Drive – would be acceptable for library to sell wristbands for $1 apiece for those to ride trolley; Chief: not versed if one or two day event needs DOT approval; Attorney Gertner: would want organization to hold the Borough harmless, for ingress and egress to trolley and trips on curbing, etc. – given that we receive an umbrella; Councilman Mercun: suggested approval of run from Lincoln to Boardwalk to Lobster Shanty on condition of approval from DOT and conformity with any other State rules and regulations, approval of stops by Chief and receipt of hold harmless/insurance); Mayor Barrella: alternate truck parking recommendation from CMX cannot be done by resolution – can authorize Borough Attorney to draft ordinance or create a title re-designating truck parking and do first reading tonight [Councilman Dixon: asked if paid to park in that lot (pay to park in a lot, not specific lot); decision to introduce by title].
Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman Cervino, resolutions covering the items listed below, were approved by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 4:
a) Approval of PPB Renaissance Committee S/E application to provide trolley service during boat race with conditions
b) Approval of Jenkinsons Boardwalk request to utilize trailers for ride storage
c) Approval of Ocean Fire Co. No. 1 request for permission to charge for parking in municipal lot adjacent to building and in train station lot during Seafood Festival
d) Approval of Georgian Court University Biology Department request to perform Coastal Dune Ecology Study
e) Removed
f) Removed
g) Removed
h) Authorization for Borough Engineer to perform study on extending Niblick Street seasonal “one-way” traffic regulation for an additional block
i) Approval of PPB Chamber of Commerce S/E Application for use of Band Shell during boat race with waiver of fees
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Ordinance 2008-40 (Amendment to Ordinance 2006-11 addressing Commercial Parking) was introduced on first reading. Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote, Ordinance 2008-40 was approved on first reading. The public hearing will be held on September 16, 2008.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Dixon: Building Department issued $46,000 in penalties for working without permits and conducted 334 inspections; received complaints on buses parked on Ocean Avenue, near Aquarium; Garden State Seafood did a nice job of cleaning up area; Mayor had a meeting on July 30th about Lake Louise.
Councilman Cervino: Beautification Committee requested installation of irrigation systems in different spots, is proceeding with bench for Ellen Talbot, is looking for donations of planter barrels, gave kudos to DPW for bench repair, and has offered to provide tips on plants/plantings; pleased with painting of curbs and with flag and light replacement near Borough Hall; TAC is inviting team from Spring Lake to speak to them regarding website and what else can be done – has been increased co-operation between TAC and Chamber of Commerce regarding website.
Councilwoman Tooker: land use/Master Plan gets re-examined every six years – last exam has been sitting in limbo – Council hired planner to deal with this issue – met with Attorney and planner who will have something ready for September – asked her to review Master Plan Re-examination and recommend what changes should be adopted – also asked her to look at changes which were recommended by the Board of Adjustment and to investigate Stormwater Management changes, more Green Space and Rain Gardens, different things we can do in conjunction with the Environmental Commission – asked planner to look at whole beach area – Historic Preservation conducting an inventory of historic buildings so will also have recommendations for ordinance; if anyone interested in adopting kittens, found through trapping program, they should contact Sharon Cadalzo; thanked Evan Mayer for information on non-point source pollution included in tax bills – for more information about nitrogen pollution, log on to nitrogenfree.com; working with major business owners on recycling – getting resistance from some businesses, which has been disappointing – thanked Jenkinsons for their cooperation –– enforcement being stepped up; need to work on parking; senior advisory sub-committee of Recreation is hosting bus trip to “Beauty and the Beast on November 23rd; thanked Sharon Cadalzo for getting “Share the Road” signs through County; attended “Cool Cities” community meeting; announced date of next Farmers Market; asked if there can be signage by crosswalk near Maryland Avenue Beach (State highway) and asked if DPW can sweep there.
Councilman Loughran: received letter from Sgt. Michigan commending Kyle Giddes and Daniel Rac on apprehending gentlemen, who was stealing parts from cars at All Time Auto Body in middle of night; mentioned letter from Dave Cavagnaro, commending special police officers Mike Armstrong and Steve Woodruff for finding a lost dog, going door to door to find owner – thanked them for their dedication and service; Chief requested that State investigate intersection of Route 35 and Trenton Avenue due to number of accidents – State has forwarded a copy of that report with recommendations, some of which they will implement and others County will have to; disappointed with approval of doctor’s office on corner of Bay and Laurel Avenues – adamantly opposed with these uses on first floor of Arnold and Bay Avenue commercial properties – would like to see town change ordinance for Bay Avenue, removing this use, as was done for Arnold Avenue – asked to get something together for next meeting (there was a retail portion to this use and specialty doctor with about 20 patients per day); NPP is scheduled to close early due to cuts in State Budget – if you live on Broadway or Ocean Avenue, contact NPP Coordinator Cadalzo about an award; Boat Parade is scheduled for September 19th.
Councilman Mercun: spoke with Court Administrator about court revenues; met with DPW Superintendent – things moving smoothly there; County will be demolishing Inlet Drive building in October (been contacted and were open to starting within a short time frame); working on ethics – very tricky area; Planning Board has not approved Risden’s application – shouldn’t talk about it due to contract, but Planning Board has asked for direction; Councilwoman Tooker and I are working on Lake of the Lillies – would like to see Dr. Souza’s final report by end of month, so it can be discussed at September meeting.
Councilwoman Tooker: went to Wharfside Patio and had tour on busy night – restrictions put in place were working and they were counting those entering establishment.
Mayor Barrella: appointed former Councilman James Malone to fill vacancy on Planning Board – will be a real asset; regarding Risden’s, Council has been working on moving it forward – sometimes zeal is an impediment to getting things done; had meeting scheduled with DEP on Lake Louise, which was cancelled for good reason – DEP met internally and are putting a proposal together; received decision in suit to acquire title of Maryland Avenue, also know as the Boylan litigation – Mr. Boylan was given a chance to settle and concessions were made, those concessions have been pretty much reversed – town prevailed at trial level; asked about resident’s thoughts on what to do at 29 Inlet after building comes down; asked if Phase I of I&I was complete and when Borough will move into phase II (would have to authorize engineer to start working on it); like to speak to DPW Superintendent about garbage rules and recycling on Ocean Avenue – maybe time to bring in line with everyone else and see what savings can be effectuated; received letter from business owner about Wharfside and response from Borough Administrator on how occupancy of 400 was determined; thanked Council Members Mercun and Tooker for work they’ve done together – same with Councilmen Cervino and Dixon – pleasure to serve with them as they have interest of town at heart; Councilmen Loughran and DiCorcia have provided a great deal of guidance in their waning moments; lot at Broadway & Channel Drive, by Farrell’s, is for sale – asked Open Space Committee to explore acquisition; had meeting with business owners in town about help with police protection and maintenance and repair of Boardwalk – hopefully will make some progress; TAC has become the poster child of an acronym – Tourism Advisory Committee should make recommendations and advise the Chamber and Council, not sign contracts; shared letter, from Sanborn Avenue resident – ran on platform and tried – found special interest groups in town are very strong and range from NJ State Realtors Association to businesses in town – need to address additional revenue sources – if Parking Committee is not meeting, need to get it moving – Senator Ciesla and Assemblymen Wolfe and Holzapfel have to realize our town needs their help – asked public to contact them at 732-840-9028 or gfeldman@njleg.org – need to get local option tax legislation through in Trenton or going to be looking at the same tax increase, year in/year out – doing my part, if public can help, will be appreciated.
Administrator Riehl: awarded New York Avenue and Niblick Street road improvement projects – plan to start both in October; Rosewood, Briarcliff and Ridgefield will start within two weeks; Borden Avenue parking lot base paved and temporarily striped – waiting on installation of new lights and removal of the old light poles to do the final paving; had conversation with Drs. Ravally and Savage from the Board of Education, regarding quarterly newsletter containing school and municipal information – offered to have journalism students put it together and print it, with town paying for mailing (no objection to proceeding).
Councilman Loughran: asked that knocked over pay phone, in front of Corner Bagelry be looked at – some pavers have come up.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD OPENED AT 10:24 P.M.
Joe Feely, 1809 Beacon Lane: have noticed a substantial change in area of Maryland Avenue beach entrance – bike racks, garbage enclosure and addition of parking spots in cul-de-sac have been helpful – need to address staircase, which is dangerous as to amount of sand that builds up on two top steps; thanked Governing Body for what it’s accomplished so far this year. (Councilman Loughran: steps at beach may need to be redone or repositioned – asked Administrator to have Public Works look at it).
Max Gagnon, 118 Parkway: recommended Council move and not lollygag on Master Plan – could wind up spending a lot of money needlessly, unless it is put into place; nice to be able to talk to Council and see some action; suggested Mayor Barrella write a letter to Governor Corzine – can put an awful lot of signatures on it; two big people down on the Boardwalk benefit from fact that we’ve been supplying all these police officers down there; too many people have complained to me about taxes going up.
Vince Castin, 15 Trenton Avenue: put information in Council’s mailboxes about geese and measures County took to try to control them – County finally rounded-up and gassed geese with a 90% positive feedback – the U S Department of Agriculture will visit sites and perform study – preliminary work is free; fence, erected at Silver Lake every year, falls into lake – asked to either have it removed or replaced with something better.
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: on behalf of Beautification, thanked Councilman Cervino, Administrator and Public Works for help with fixing light at flag pole in front of Borough Hall and benches throughout town; letter in tax bill contained lots of information – told where to go in case of emergency, but not where to go with pets; noticed a lot of geese grazing on Little League field – need to take aggressive steps soon; agreed with Mayor that this is not the time of year to change (resident) parking plan – should be terminated unless it’s made more equitable – can’t gauge financial impact; Parking Committee has been entrusted to do a lot, however, no one is talking about whether it will continue to meet and exclude residents – before another meeting is scheduled, issue needs to be resolved – not fair to continue to meet and exclude the public (Mayor Barrella: that decision was made by the Committee – nothing will be adopted in secret, nothing has ever been proposed without being fully aired – as you recall, there was a meeting in this room on February 26th, in which, every question people had was addressed – changes were made – the system is working the way the system was designed to work – hopefully, we will get some alternate revenue sources from meetings with our legislators and this whole concept can go on a back burner.) – no committee at any time should ever meet and exclude the public (Councilman Mercun: excluding public violates personal belief in what government is all about; Mayor Barrella: the committee will continue to meet in the way the committee determines it is appropriate for that committee to accomplish its goals – not subject to Open Public Meetings Act; Councilman Mercun: not saying there are Open Public Meetings Act issues, but asking why it’s being done in secret; Mayor Barrella: it’s not being done in secret, public was at last meeting the public and was allowed to comment – then they went into executive session – reasoning was to encourage open exchange of ideas and prevent the stifling of discussion and hindering of solutions due to distortion of comments made at meetings – it becomes a political football – the financial well being of Point Pleasant Beach is much too important to become a political issue – will back Chair and members of that committee in their bi-partisan decision; Councilman Cervino: agreed with Mr. Cavagnaro; Councilman Dixon: agreed with Councilman Mercun that it should be open to the public – also agreed with Mayor that it does stifle people – however, if you are going to put yourself on a committee, this is the chance you take – must have the guts to stick it through, thick or thin, good news or bad news, or maybe one shouldn’t be on a committee); voted on two ordinances by title only, tonight – though doing so with best intention, Council is setting a precedent – if something is that important it should be reviewed and printed, so the public has time to digest it.
Joe Lemma, 203 St Louis Avenue: took $58,486 in at train lot so far, estimating about $70,000 for the year – should meter other lots – that’s where revenue is; been coming up here making complaints for years, but have been targeted and having problems for the last 5 months – someone gunning for me and knows where I live.
Craig Jones, St. Louis Avenue: another month gone by and still nothing moving forward with this lake, waiting for another report (report is done – Dr. Souza was asked to consider other information presented at public hearing) – planting plan was done by Dr. Souza and was approved by Fish and Wildlife and the DEP – the Lake Restoration Permit was granted on that planting plan – if planting plan is changed, town would have to go back for another permit and the shoreline restoration would be delayed; hear a lot about Open Space being used for Channel Drive, Risdens and now that lot – asked why no Open Space funds are being used for Lake of the Lillies (Mayor Barrella: every time Open Space comes up, the #1 priority that I detail for the use of Open Space funds is the restoration and dredging of Lake of the Lillies) asked if Council had to pass a resolution to do that (Attorney Gertner: recommended against doing same – perceive, but are not sure, that part of the report will lay the foundation for a request for contribution – to take that pre-emptive strike may in fact inhibit town’s ability to collect from other resources; Mayor Barrella: we’re prepared to spend the money from Open Space to the extent that the culpability and responsibility for restoring that lake is ours – but DOT, because of Route 35 run-off, is largely responsible for the problem and there are a number of county roads – that’s the appropriate way for the taxpayers of Point Pleasant Beach to get this accomplished – when this plan is finalized, town will be going to DOT and to Board of Freeholders asking for financial commitment from them commensurate with their responsibility for creating the problem – then will be working with getting the money out of the Open Space Trust Fund) asked when that would be done (engineer is hashing out whether to perform a dry or wet excavation – may have springs that are going to be uncovered – a huge, complex project – if you want it done right, it’s going to take some time, especially since you’re dealing with the State and the County) asked if Council was trying to move forward with the details in the existing report (correct).
Sharon Cadalzo, 302 Atlantic Avenue: credit for bike signs belongs to Mayor – a lot of the population doesn’t understand that a bicycle is the same type of vehicle as an automobile – supposed to drive in the same direction, not ride on sidewalks, and use helmets –suggested that town deliver some of the DOT bicycle riding signs, in Spanish language, to area businesses – need to educate our community and visitors.
Tom Perry, 19 Central Avenue: asked about getting Boardwalk business owners to meet with public on an annual basis just to hear our issues, especially after summer (Mayor Barrella: asked Councilwoman Tooker to look into – if needed he’ll draft a letter and follow-up with a formal request); asked about public access to Gull Island (full of ticks and also the location for dredge material).
Sean Hennessy, 618 New Jersey Avenue: a lot of teenagers and men in their 20’s, who are playing basketball between 6pm and 7pm at Pleasure Park, are lining up on north side of building and urinating – asked Chief DePolo about opening rest rooms until dark (Chief will look into).
Dan Hennessy, 619 New Jersey Avenue: can’t hear people who are speaking in the back of the room; need two meetings a month in summer to handle the workload; got hit with increase in taxes now and took a whack on reassessment year – need to find ways to raise more money; thanked for sign – recently, though, person doing 45 mph on Bay Avenue just missed hitting kids on bikes, without lights – need some radar enforcement there, with people being pulled over – it’s a real problem.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD ENDED AT 11:08 P.M.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, to enter closed session to discuss (3) contract, (3) litigation and (3) personnel matters, was seconded by Councilwoman Tooker and carried by the following roll call vote. Attorney Gertner announced that action would be taken afterwards.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA
Closed session started at 11:09 P.M. and ended at 11:53 P.M.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, to come out of executive session, was seconded by Councilman Cervino and carried by the following roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun.…YEA.
Present were Mayor Barrella and Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran and Mercun. Councilman DiCorcia was absent.
Motion by Councilman Loughran, to authorize preparation of non-union salary resolution, was seconded by Councilman Mercun and carried by the following roll call vote. Item was discussed in closed session.
VOTE: Council Members Dixon, Cervino, Tooker, Loughran, Mercun…..YEA
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m.
