Borough of Point Pleasant Beach MINUTES
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach met at 6:36 P.M. with Mayor Vogel and Councilman Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, and Dixon present. Councilman DiCorcia was absent. The Municipal Clerk read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Department Head Memos and correspondence were discussed with many items moved to agenda for action.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco to enter closed session to discuss (2) contractual, (1) litigation, and (1) personnel matters, was seconded by Councilman Mercun and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Councilman Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon…YEA
Closed session started at 6:51 P.M. and ended at 7:15 P.M.
Mayor Vogel called the regular meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. Present were Council Members Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, and Dixon. Councilman DiCorcia was absent. The Municipal Clerk again read the notice indicating compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2007 Council meeting, was seconded by Councilman Corbally and carried by the following roll call vote:
VOTE: Councilmen Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon…YEA
Ordinance 2007-23 (Boardwalk Construction Permits) was considered on second reading. Attorney Starkey recommended holding for CME review of public comments. Ordinance 2007-23 held until the October 16, 2007 Council meeting.
Clerk Ellsworth added several items to Consent Resolution 2; Councilman Corbally asked that Consent Resolution 2 item ‘a’ be held as there was not enough time to review.
Motion by Councilman Mercun, seconded by Councilman DiCicco, resolutions covering the items listed below, were carried by the following roll call vote:
CONSENT RESOLUTION 1:
a) Refund unexpended Planning Board escrow balances
b) Approval of Payroll #20 ($247,677.32)
c) Payment to Schulman, Wiegmann from Board of Adjustment escrow ($225)
d) Payments to CME from developer escrow accounts ($1077.82)
e) Payment to Riggins, Inc. for diesel fuel ($4669.26)
f) Approve change of date for use of public meeting room
g) Payments to Madnik, Milstein from Planning Board escrow accounts ($1530)
h) Payment to Project Graduation from MAC Trust for project graduation exp
($6959.54)
i) Payment to Coded Systems for code book update & internet hosting ($8490.45)
j) Approval of computer generated vouchers ($130,749.03)
k) P O to Advance Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning ($3662)
CONSENT RESOLUTION 2:
a) HELD
b) Payment to Historical Society of annual allotment ($1,000)
c) Payment to Schulman, Wiegmann from Bd of Adjustment escrow acct ($225)
d) Chapter 159 to include $63,160 hazardous discharge site remediation funds in budget
e) Payments to Schoor Depalma from escrow accounts ($6,238.25)
f) Raffles License Application for Garnet Gulls Booster Association on 11/6/07
g) Banner Permit Application for American Cancer Society
h) Payment to Aggressive Industries, Inc for handicap access decking
i) Chapter 159 to include recycling revenue in budget ($5722.35)
j) Chapter 159 to include Click-It or Ticket funds in budget ($4000)
k) Chapter 159 to include Clean Communities funds in budget ($9699.73)
l) Payment to Parking Authority for sold meters ($8235.20)
m) Authorize Borough Attorney to draft agreement with Bay Head Condo
Association for erection of fence on Borough property
n) Approve Special Event application for Chamber of Commerce October
sidewalk sales
o) Approve Change Order for Downtown Revitalization Phase III ($2200)
p) Approve handicap parking space request
q) Approval of ad in 2008 Chamber of Commerce Guidebook ($950)
r) Authorize transfer of title of vintage guns to U S Army Heritage Ctr Museum
s) Approve Special Event application for Kidney & Urology Foundation walk on
5/4/08 with parking waiver request and notification requirements
t) Approve Special Event application for Reindeer Romp on 12/2/07 with
notification requirements
VOTE: Councilmen Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon…YEA
Mayor Vogel: an over-occupancy initiative began today, which included members of the Police and Code Enforcement Departments – 9 locations were checked, with 5 found to be in violation; thanked all involved with Beachtown Hoedown and Police Department for their efforts; had first meeting of Bike and Pedestrian Committee.
Councilman Mercun: congratulated Fire Company #2 on their 100th Anniversary; thanked Police for cooperation in over-occupancy efforts; met with engineer Valesi, OEM Deputies Dempsey and Grace, and Administrator Riehl in an effort to put together hard plan for Seacoast Oil Property site – asked Max Gagnon for input in building trades area – Birdsall Engineering will be removing soil and 55 gallon drum – Public Works will clear out brush and poison ivy – fencing will be removed and replaced with vinyl; editorial in “Asbury Park Press” on EMS crisis in NJ, due to financing and lack of volunteers – lucky to have a wonderful bunch of volunteers in town – from January 1st to August 31st, EMS answered 2,178 emergency medical calls in Point Pleasant Beach, 257 in Bay Head and 126 in Mantoloking – average response to 911 call was 2.37 minutes – First Aid volunteers donated 18,600 hours in 2006 and 20,000 in 2005 – if paid would have cost $190,000 for 2006 and $186,000 for 2005 – 89% of First Aid Squad’s expenses are covered by volunteer contributions – 97% go back into providing emergency medical services, only 1% represent operating expenses and 2% for rental – should consider purchasing a new ambulance for them sometime in the future.
Councilman Loughran: occasionally, vehicles travel in the wrong direction on Route 35 South – asked that Public Works paint arrows in roadway as an extra tool (Councilman Dixon asked for Police input first – Mayor Vogel: can reach out to County); dumping a lot of dirt at old P&L property construction site – in compliance, but unsightly – contractor asked to spread dirt around; have a beautiful gazebo by the railroad station – have a program to purchase pavers and dedicate to a loved one – like to let residents know it’s still alive (company went out of business – need to find someone to supply).
Councilman Corbally: moving forward to replace bulkheads off Boston and Randall Avenue on Lake Louise; attended 100th Anniversary of Fire Company and was impressed with number of volunteers in Point Pleasant Beach and surrounding communities – Fire Company responded to 221 calls this year, which was lower than usual – thanked all volunteers.
Councilman DiCicco: Environmental Commission talked about state of the dunes, including breach of dunes and construction over dunes – have ordinance that regulates dunes – have a vacancy for Dune Inspector – spoke with two consultants (Rutgers and Stockton) who would be available, free of charge; met with our Engineer and Abtech, the company that manufactures “Smart Sponge”, regarding outfall pipe – Ron Lotrecchio, Ocean County Engineer, expressed concern about flow rate (using sponge) – will continue to follow up; received proposal from Birdsall Engineering regarding Jetty access – will have to wait until next year to see if Council will fund this as part of 2008 Capital Projects; asked Administrator Riehl to send memo to Department Heads, asking whether they have any need for the decommissioned well properties on Chicago Avenue and Cooks Lane.
Councilman Dixon: Code Enforcement has been in touch with the owner of 202 Elizabeth Avenue regarding graffiti and boarding – will have someone come and turn the boards around; OM Baby paintings are going to be removed; 33 written or verbal notices for garbage this past month, 4 summonses issued; people at the houses, where inspections were performed this morning, were cooperative – found several violations and several health violations – going after landlords and holding them responsible for conditions of these homes – sends strong message regarding overcrowding.
Mayor Vogel: question raised, last meeting, regarding notification on special events – Chief DePolo uses a rule of thumb on how much impact the event will have – event was advertised but notices did not go out because impact was minimal – Council has discussed notification process – a work in progress.
Administrator Riehl: awarding contract for improvements to DPW facility – work should begin soon; actively soliciting bids for tree trimming downtown; Chamber of Commerce thanked Police, Public Works, and individuals involved with Seafood Festival.
Motion by Councilman DiCicco, seconded by Councilman Corbally and carried by the following roll call vote, to award the contract for improvements to the DPW facility to Manzo Maroba, Inc., Morganville – NJ, the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $365,293. 25, contingent upon submission of the required business registration certificates for the two subcontractors.
VOTE: Councilmen Mercun, Loughran, Corbally, DiCicco, Dixon …YEA
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD OPENED AT 7:59 P.M.
Dave Cavagnaro, 118 Parkway: thanked Public Works for trimming trees and shrubs on Parkway; suggested posting hours of operation for the comfort station at the Inlet; thanked Councilman DiCicco for his suggestion regarding public notice on special events; concerned about trucks damaging sprinkler heads near band shell.
Vince Castin, 15 Trenton Avenue: asked about lake consultant – action plan was supposed to be submitted by end of September (contacted them); asked about grass and weeds in street (asked Administrator to check if any interest by Public Works personnel in becoming certified to remove); asked about putting bike rack outside Borough Hall (Administrator will check into).
Max Gagnon, 304 Parkway: attended Planning Board meeting regarding application by Wharfside – want to extend liquor license over proposed new structure, which Board approved with conditions – strongly suggested that Council not extend any more liquor licenses – will be on second story, which can hold more than 500 people and no provision for extra parking spaces; involved in getting Inlet opened up – spoke to Coast Guard about piece of property that adjoins the Boardwalk and Inlet – Coast Guard suggested getting Army Corp of Engineers to put concrete over stones there, like they did further down the Jetty – asked for help in contacting the Army Corp of Engineers (will speak to Borough Attorney and Engineer).
Ray Cervino, 206 Seymour Avenue: citizens have concerns about the railroad traffic stop on Broadway – there are three clumps of vegetation which impact sight – need to be cut back; agree with Mr.Gagnon regarding the Wharfside – only 434 parking spaces – don’t know where customers will be parking, as there are already banquet facilities at the Lobster Shanty; asked if 4–way Stop signs can be put at intersections to get a handle on speeding; asked if there is any impact on the well properties from Sea Coast property (have been checking plume of contamination – one of the reasons the Sea Coast Oil Property is taking so long).
Ben Dispoto 311 Parkway: asked if, when Code Enforcement went to inspect homes, summonses were issued to property owners or residents (both); asked, if homeowners and businesses are responsible for the sidewalks in front of their properties, shouldn’t business owners be responsible for the Boardwalk in front of their businesses (sidewalk is their property, but Boardwalk is the Borough’s property) – valid issue – should investigate.
Vince Barrella, 116 Niblick Street: asked for and received statement of legal and engineering fees – statement not true in (political) flyer about taking ownership of Sea Coast Oil Property and using as Emergency Management headquarters – (title is being acquired and will be used as headquarters); asked Councilman Corbally if graph of the 2007 Municipal Rate, in flyer entitled “The Beach News”, is inaccurate – local tax rate of 65.2, as stated in flyer, is incorrect, should be 68.2 cents – asked if graph was true (not sure).
Sonya Lopez, 1020 Gowdy Avenue: thanked Councilman Mercun for coming to review her property – shame that Borough Engineer wrote a 4-page letter against rain gardens, when they have been approved in all neighboring towns – DEP literature states dry wells are not appropriate when basements are constructed – Engineer forcing them to put one in will cause a problem, because they and their neighbors have basements – put Council on notice that putting in dry well will cause problems and that town will be held liable – asked Council to reconsider Borough Engineer appointment, come the first of the year.
PUBLIC PARTICIAPTION PERIOD ENDED AT 8:23 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 P.M.
Attest: Maryann Ellsworth, Municipal Clerk
