City of Brigantine's Personal Meeting Room

we're facing today and the
responsibility we have to plan for the
future.
Over the past several weeks, we have had
the opportunity to review this budget in
detail and the approach the approach
remains consistent.
We are addressing rising costs while
also putting a long-term financial
strategy in place.
Most importantly, we are now taking
actions to change how we fund projects
by beginning to set aside money to
reduce our reliance on debt.
This is a critical step towards
strengthening our financial position
and helping to stabilize future tax
increases. This budget was built with a
clear focus on balance. It supports
necessary investments in our
infrastructure, including our roads,
beaches, flood mitigation, and
recreation, while also recognizing the
impact on our taxpayers.
No one wants to raise taxes, but we are
committed to making thoughtful decisions
that protect the long-term financial
health of this city.
This is a responsible budget and it puts
Brigantine in a stronger position moving
forward.
If there's no other comments,
we have roll call.
You. Yes. Letieri. Yes. Haynie. Yes.
Virgilio. Yes. Kane. Yes. Reardon. Yes.
Mayor Sera. Yes. Motion carried.
All right, next up we have resolution uh
2026-113.
We have resolution number 26-114.
This is a resolution supporting assembly
bill number 1845
and senate bill number 1608 to require
DEP and New Jersey Infrastructure Bank
to provide priority for principal
forgiveness on environmental
infrastructure project loans to
municipalities in coastal areas. The
motion second. I'll get
Thanks. Any questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? You.
Yes. Letieri. Yes. Haynie. Yes.
Virgilio. Yes. Kane. Yes. Reardon Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah Yes. Motion carried.
>> [clears throat]
>> Finally reached the age where I got to
wear these little cheaters. All right, I
just can't see them anymore.
I need larger print [laughter]
All right, so we got uh resolution All
right, so we got resolution number
2026-115.
This is a resolution authorizing the
loan of beach badges to the Community
Presbyterian Church. We have a motion
second. I'll make that motion.
Second. Questions or comments? It's what
we do every year, right? Yes. Yeah, we
do it every year.
Yeah.
All right.
Questions or comments? No comments? Can
we have roll call? You Yes.
>> Lattieri Yes. Haynie Yes.
>> Virgilio Yes. Kane Yes.
>> Reardon Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah Yes.
>> Motion carried.
All right.
We have resolution 2026-116.
This is a resolution adopting the
Brigantine Employee Handbook as amended
to comply with the New Jersey Family
Leave Act.
We have a motion second.
>> So moved. Second. Questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? You
Yes. Lattieri Yes. Haynie Yes.
>> Virgilio Yes. Kane Yes. Reardon Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah Yes. Motion carried.
Resolution 2026-117.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with EBS Electrical Inc. for
the replacement of variable frequency
drives at well house number eight this
in the amount of $14,450.
We have a motion second. So moved.
Second. Questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? You
Yes. Lattieri Yes. Haynie Yes. Virgilio
Yes. Kane Yes. Reardon Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah Yes. Motion carried.
Resolution 2026-118.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with Northeastern
uh Electrical and GC Services for
service change at the North Shore Lift
Station. This is in the amount of
$18,502.47.
We have a motion second.
I'll make that motion.
Second. All right, we have motion and
second. Questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? You.
Yes. Mr. Leary. Yes. Mr. Kane. Yes. Mr.
Virgilio. Yes. Mr. Kane. Yes. Mr.
Reardon. Yes. Mayor Sarah. Yes.
>> Motion carried. Resolution 2026-119.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with Core Maine LP for the new
base station installation. This is in
the amount of $22,187.10.
We have motion and second. I'll make
that motion. Second. Questions or
comments? Seeing none, can we have roll
call? You. Yes. Mr. Leary. Yes. Mr.
Kane. Yes. Mr. Virgilio. Yes. Mr. Kane.
Yes. Mr. Reardon. Yes. Mayor Sarah. Yes.
>> Motion carried. Resolution 2026-120.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with Core Maine LP for
residential meters and radios. This is
in the amount of $13,080.
We have motion and second. I'll make
that motion.
Second.
Questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? You.
Yes. Mr. Leary. Yes. Mr. Kane. Yes. Mr.
Virgilio. Yes. Mr. Kane. Yes. Mr.
Reardon. Yes. Mayor Sarah. Yes. Motion
carried.
Uh we have resolution 2026-121.
This is a resolution amending uh
resolution 2026-32
to the correct fiscal year. This is uh
from 26 to 27. We have motion and
second. I'll move.
Second. Questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? You.
Yes. Mr. Leary. Yes. Mr. Kane. Yes. Mr.
Virgilio. Yes. Mr. Kane. Yes. Mr.
Reardon. Yes. Mayor Sarah. Yes. Motion
carried. Resolution 2026-122.
This is a resolution authorizing the
city manager to sign and execute any
documents necessary in connection with a
waterfront development application for
property located at
5104 Ocean Drive South, Block 3 4301,
Lot 22. We have motion and second. I'll
move.
Second. Questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? New,
yes. Letiri? Yes. Haynie? Yes.
>> Virgilio? Yes. Kane? Yes. Reardon? Yes.
Mayor Sarah? Yes.
>> Motion carried. Resolution 2026-123.
This is a resolution authorizing the
city manager to sign and execute any
documents necessary in connection with a
waterfront development application for
property located at 5114 Ocean Drive
South, block 43 of two, lot four.
We have a motion, second.
I'll make that motion. Second. Questions
or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? New,
yes. Letiri? Yes. Haynie? Yes. Virgilio?
Yes. Kane? Yes. Reardon? Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah? Yes. Motion carried.
Resolution 2026-124.
This is a resolution authorizing the
award of contract to Atlantic Marine
Construction for bulkhead installation
at Ocean Drive West and Bay Court.
Uh this is the amount not to exceed
153,500.
We have a motion, second. So moved.
Second. Questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? New,
yes. Letiri? Yes. Haynie? Yes. Virgilio?
Yes. Kane? Yes. Reardon? Yes. Mayor
Sarah? Yes. Motion carried.
Resolution 2026-125.
This is a resolution authorizing work
change order number one for the sanitary
sewer replacement project phase one. Uh
this is a net increase of 379,118.98.
Uh can we have a motion, second?
So moved. Second. So just to let people
know what this is for is um
this is for some of the drainage work
that we're doing
up at the north. We wanted to make sure
that uh before we paved the road that
there's not areas of that road where the
water just sits, so this will help the
water run uh to where it needs to get
to. And this also includes the emergency
repair work that was done on 38th
Street, so that's the the increase in
this one.
So if there's no questions or comments,
can we have roll call? You? Yes.
>> Luttrell? Yes. Maney? Yes.
>> Giglia? Yes. Kane? Yes. Roden? Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah? Yes.
>> Councilwoman Sherry?
Resolution 2026-126.
This is a resolution authorizing a
refund of an overpayment for a rental
registration fee. Do I have a motion
second? I'll move. Second. Questions or
comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? You?
Yes. Luttrell? Yes. Maney? Yes.
>> Giglia? Yes. Kane? Yes. Roden? Yes.
Mayor Sarah? Yes.
Resolution 2026-127.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with Ford Main LP for census
analytics, leasing, extended warranty.
This is the amount of $33,887.
Do I have a motion second?
Second. Questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call? You?
Yes. Luttrell? Yes. Maney? Yes. Giglia?
Yes. Kane? Yes. Roden? Yes. Mayor Sarah?
Yes. Councilwoman Sherry?
Resolution 2026-128.
This is a resolution authorizing the
execution of an agreement for the rental
of vehicles during the summer season for
beach patrol, beach control, which is
our beach fee office, and public works.
This is will be in the amount of
$31,710.
Do we have a motion second? I'll make
that motion. Second.
Uh just to let people know, this is
something we started to do um was just
last year, right out? Yes. Started to do
this last season.
Um
it's made a big impact. Uh we get
vehicles where in the past we're buying
vehicles for the beach. And you know you
have vehicles out on the beach, they
don't last long. What we do now is we
rent them for the season. We use them.
At the end of the season, we turn them
back in. Um long term, this will be a
big savings for the city cuz we won't
have all the maintenance and repair of
those vehicles. But it makes sure that
um the beach vehicles we use are always
in good working conditions. So, this is
a great and I want to give credit to Al
Stanley for coming up with this. So,
thank you very much for helping us save
money. We appreciate it.
Uh if there's no questions or comments,
do we have roll call?
Yes, Mr. Harry. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes.
Resolution 2026-129.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with Blackjack Construction for
various municipal paving. This is the
amount of $18,284.76.
Do we have a motion and a second?
So moved. Second. This is just um
various repair work that we've done on
the
avenue. Atlantic City Avenue is a county
road. We've had to dig it up to do some
repairs. This is covering that repair
work. That's all this is.
Uh if there's no questions or comments,
do we have roll call?
Yes, Mr. Harry. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes.
Uh next up we have our consent agenda.
We have the Elks noise ordinance
extension, the POCC Kwanzaa event, and
welcome summer bonfire. Do we have a
motion and a second? I'll make that
motion. Second.
Questions or comments? Seeing none, do
we have roll call?
Yes, Mr. Harry. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes.
All right, this time we're going to our
council manager committee discussions.
Anything for us, ma'am? Nothing at this
time. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Over to our department heads.
Start with our deputy mayor.
I'd first like to thank our management
team and Leon for the hard work working
on the budget. It's a very responsible
budget and [snorts] it's going to set us
up for the future and allow us to
maintain a good fund balance.
Uh
golf course was closed yesterday and
half of today for uh so they could
aerify and top dress the greens. It is
they are doing so much work. It's
unbelievable how much every time you
play how many improvements you see each
day. Inside the the clubhouse looks
great with the new paint and chairs and
carpeting.
They had a wedding. They had they've had
a baby christening and different events
out there already
and looking forward to a good tournament
season.
That's about it.
Second board except there's still
concerns about the
handicap [snorts] ramp
at 13th Street. Do you know
anything update on that?
Yeah, we're we're actually probably be
reaching out to our county executive to
see what's going on.
Our understanding from the contractor is
that that handicap ramp was pulled out
of the job.
Uh we're not sure
what's going on. So I know that our city
engineer
and deputy city manager working on a
letter to our county executive right now
just to get an update on that.
Um there was also a set of stairs that
were there.
It was a set of stairs that county
needed a ramp and we did actually let
the county know that the handicap ramp
location was probably that idea because
a storm
storm came through and damaged it. So
they took it out. Our understanding is
that they do not intend to replace the
stairs at this time, but we're hearing
that from the contractors and we're
hearing actually from the county
government. So we're going to get those
updates from them.
Yeah, so we're we're on
Um also some information
public works.
Beach clean updates scheduled for this
year will be May 30th,
May, June 27th,
July 25th,
September 19th. The location will be
16th Street and Ocean Avenue
at the city parking lot there is where
you would meet up. Time will be 9:00
a.m. to register.
If you have any questions, you can
contact John Doreen at 266-7800.
Also, the paper shredding events. Uh,
the truck event will be May 30th
and September 19th.
The times are 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Again, the location will be the 16th
Street beach parking lot.
We'll have a commercial document
shredding truck on site also for secure
document and all paper shredding. For
information again, contact John Doreen
at 266-7800.
And Paul, I want to add too, I don't
know if people realize, but the
promenade, it's not actually owned by
the city of Brigantine. It's actually
owned by the county. It's county
property. So, that's why we have to
reach out to the county to see why those
decisions were made.
But, I heard the flagpole's coming.
All right. Go down to Dennis.
Thank you, Dennis.
Plenty of activity on the 26th Street
baseball and softball fields for the
boys and girls this summer.
I go down that street a lot. It's great
to see. And as well as whatever
activity's going on at the baseball
field.
Other than that, nothing of note for the
third ward. Thank you.
All right. Councilman Park.
Eric, thank you.
I know it's early, but mark your
calendars. We have Memorial Day coming.
We have the parade sponsored by the VFW
on the 24th, Sunday.
Step off at
5:00, I believe, but
all of the charities on the island
the VFW, the Elks, and the American
Legion having events all weekend.
Check check the times.
While you're flipping through from
Mike's phone number, you'll see the
advertisements for everything going on
that weekend, so
Maddie's car wash. She's going to be at
Bright Start. Maddie's car wash, yes.
Sorry. That's
>> this weekend? That is this weekend, uh
Saturday.
>> time is it? Does it start this weekend?
Yes, copy. Do your car wash to support
the Elks charities. Thank you, Mayor.
Good afternoon.
Of course, again, I'm going to thank the
financial team for all your hard work.
Guys did fantastic job with Allen going
over everything with me.
He knows I'm not that bright, so he
explained in details how I was able to
to grasp the happenings.
Um
I also want to thank our garden club uh
volunteers. We've been hard at work
getting ready for the summer season.
Uh
The
Brigantine Island's Secret Garden Tour
will be held on June 27th
uh from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., rain or
shine.
And uh you can pick up a list of the
addresses that are on the uh Secret
Garden Tour at either the farmers market
that morning
um where we'll have a tent set up or the
Brigantine Community Center.
Last but not least, I want to wish a
speedy recovery for Mr. Bill Bennett.
Um
He's recovering at home from the
hospital today.
All the best.
Mike.
Thanks, Mayor. Thanks for everybody
coming out tonight. I really appreciate
it.
Uh I want to thank Allen and uh
everybody else and all the department
heads for
for doing the best we can this year. And
I've been working with Leon now for the
last 10 years.
I know the excellent job that he does,
and
so
Thank you.
Uh other than that, the Cultural Arts
Commission had a uh great uh day last
Sunday at their Frank Sinatra dinner at
the Cove upstairs. Great time had by
all. Big crowd.
And more things coming up. The Economic
Development Commission,
they're working on the uh 250th
anniversary uh of the country. Here and
there, we're going to have a few extra
items going on. We'll have details out
shortly.
Uh
we also have our 100th anniversary
coming up. That's going to be after the
summer. We're finalizing some things for
that also. So, they're the two big
events
along with food truck festivals and
stuff that we have once a month now is
right here at Hanlon Park. Chamber
Commerce is working hard. They have
movies on the beach scheduled.
Uh
bonfire, great bonfire coming up. And
that's that's about it, so.
Any questions? You know where to find my
number. Thank you.
Thanks, Mike.
I have a couple of updates to
working with Brigantine. We've been
working with Senator Polistina to get
answers on
why the delivery charges for South
Jersey Gas are so high.
You know, people are seeing like a 300%
increase. And with other rising
utilities, it's been out of control. Uh
we've been back and forth with South
Jersey Gas, requested information. Uh we
had requested some specific details from
them. Cuz some of the information they
gave was kind of
I think general.
It was hard to kind of follow, so we
asked for clarification and asked for
some deeper detail on a few things.
Uh put an update out the other day. Uh
it's been about 2 months since they've
responded. Uh they have reached out
twice during that time. They kind of
give an update and let us know that
they're working on it, but the
department who's responsible for
compiling that information is very
overwhelmed and unable to answer
questions.
We're trying to be patient, but
you know, after a while it starts to get
frustrating. So, we put that update out
yesterday. I think with the
I want to say public comment on that.
South Jersey Gas reached out today and
said we would have an answer by the end
of the week. So, as soon as that
information comes in, we'll let people
know. But, they responded first thing
this morning to apologize again for the
delay and get us getting us the
information.
And that we will have all of the
requested information by the end of the
week. So, as soon as that comes in, I'm
going to talk it over with the senator
and his staff, and then we will share
all the information and questions
publicly.
And as I said from the beginning, I
think one of the most important things
is understanding what the main factors
are driving those rates up. Because once
we understand what those factors are,
then we can start to begin to put
together a plan to bring relief. I know
that this has been a big platform for
our new governor, Governor Christine
Gregoire. She's working on utility
bills, and I'm hoping this is something
that we can all work on together to try
to bring relief. I know she's done a
couple things in the state to try to get
things under control. And I'm hoping
through the senator that we'll be able
to share the information that we find
and some ideas we have on getting this
done. Because affordability is a major
issue in our state right now. So, we'll
keep everybody posted. But again, they
responded this morning to apologize for
the delay, and that we will have the
answers by the end of this week. So,
we'll keep people posted either way.
Uh next big thing is the state passed
some
changes when it comes to e-bikes. I know
that this is in response to the request
of a number of municipalities. A number
of young people have gotten hurt and
lost their lives on e-bikes.
Uh so, the
new regulations are out.
They take effect this summer. Uh Chief,
I know that you guys put some
information out from the police
department. Uh if you can continue to
put stuff out on social media and stuff
in the newspaper. I think my biggest
concern too is one there's a lot of
people who don't know that change has
happened.
Two, there's going to be people coming
from out of state that might not have
similar regulations so what they can
expect. There's a lot of people who come
here who do follow our social media. I
think the biggest challenge too is there
is not a lot of guidance from the state
on how to make this work. I think one of
the biggest issues is they're requiring
insurance but to my knowledge no one's
insuring anybody's right now.
And I think there's also a license that
they have to get as well, correct?
Yeah, we just continue to to share what
we know that there's changes coming but
a lot of this is we still need guidance
from the state. We just don't have that
guidance.
And I just think it makes it
challenging. That's all.
So we're doing the best we can but like
Chief, is it true
that there's no requirements, no rules
and regulations applied to the e-bikes
that are over 20 miles an hour more so
for license and registration and have a
throttle
that that less than 20 mile an hour
pedal assist bikes are not under that uh
>> Skate as well.
That's for now.
And scooters.
As of now it's required to wear helmets.
Just so you know there's a lot of
changes.
Just want to at least start the
discussion so people know this is
coming.
Cuz I don't want to be July and all of a
sudden people are like I've never heard
of something like this. So.
Thank you very much. I appreciate Chief,
also go online not everything obviously
on there is gospel but they can seek
some guidance just searching whatever
they can find title 39 to right whatever
is
you know they can find up to date info
at least search for up to date info.
I know there's a good bit on there
already. Like I said it's not gospel but
Yeah, it's not gospel but search
Right. Exactly.
State this here.
I'm sorry. Plus four is our residence
reserves whoever.
They they do have all of the special
options or
And the title of the 39 just to for
clarity, that's one vehicle off of New
Jersey Street.
Thank
And thank I appreciate it. It sounds
like the
department's on time.
Uh other thing we want to talk about
beach bathrooms, this has been a huge
request for people. We are working on
upgrading our beach bathrooms. The plan
was to do four of them this summer.
Uh there's a specific type
of bathroom that we need to use out
there. It's uh
It's to meet all the requirements when
it comes to ADA as well as being out
there on the beach. When we looked at
the cost of doing four, they were
actually way more expensive than we
realized. Our plan is to do two this
summer, two next next summer, and start
picking that off, but that is moving
forward. The bathrooms are actually
being constructed ahead of time. They
will be brought in and dropped on site,
but we're looking to have those in place
by midsummer. We were hoping to have
them for the start of the summer, but we
won't, but they will be here midsummer,
but we're going to continue to work on
that as we move forward.
Uh the other big thing, and this has
kind of been hanging out there for a
while,
is the county's supposed to be doing a
redesign of the lighthouse circle.
Uh
in short, the circle's not a circle,
it's an obstructed roadway. Some people
treat it like a circle, some people
treat it like an obstructed roadway. The
county wants to make it a real circle.
Uh
this has been in the design phase with
the county for about 2 years. I know
engineers move slow, but I don't know if
they move that slow, so we're reaching
out to the county to get an update on
where this is. I've reached out to
several of the county commissioners.
They're also trying to get us updated on
where this is and how we move forward on
that. Uh but we want to keep people
posted. But to kind of put this in
perspective, this is three mayors in
almost 20 years of trying to get this
project done.
You know,
starting to worry, but we're 2 years
into design, but uh, we're going to find
out uh, what's going on with that and
let people know uh, cuz the county said
they would do it, so we need to get it
done. We want to make sure that it's
safe out there for everybody. So, we'll
keep everybody posted.
Yeah, the irony is when [clears throat]
this first came When I first got on
council, people talked about the issues
with the circle and I said, "We can
solve this problem by putting yield
signs out there."
I was told that the yield signs would
not be DOT standards because it's not a
true circle and if the city or the
county put yield signs out there with it
not being a circle and there was an
accident, the city would then become
liable for the accident cuz it doesn't
meet the DOT standard.
So, I'm just telling you what I was
told. I feel like put a couple signs out
there, real cheap fix,
but we were told that we were not
allowed to do that. So, the county is
moving forward with a redesign of the
circle to make it a real circle, so this
way circle rule apply and I'm going to
laugh if they just put yield signs out
there after the circle cuz we could have
just put signs, but it's not our road,
it's the county road.
So, we're working with them to to do
what we need to do, but I think we need
to make sure that this project keeps
moving and gets done and the residents
aren't waiting another 20 years, right?
So, let's make sure we get this done.
Uh, the other thing I'm going to talk
about in the last update is uh, the
pickleball and tennis courts. There was
major damage to them over winter, a lot
of cracking. We had a company come in,
all the repairs were done. It looks
absolutely beautiful, but I want people
to know that this isn't the final bit.
This is just to make sure that they're
playable. We're also in
the design phase for a full renovation
of all of the outdoor recreational
facilities out there. It's bocce ball,
pickleball, tennis, hockey, and mini
golf. So, we're working on that. Uh, we
have some designs coming back in once we
have internal approvals and working with
our pickleball tennis ambassadors. We're
going to hold a public meeting this
summer. So one everyone who partakes in
that can come out and take a look at it.
Also two with the residents who live
around there to make sure that things
are up to their standards. So we're
going to be putting in sound buffers to
make sure this pickleball. I don't know
if you guys have heard it but it's a
constant noise back and forth. It has
been major issues in other
municipalities. We're going to do what
we can to put in sound buffers to try to
minimize that. So that'll be coming and
we're moving forward on that. Once we
have the design done the next part of
that is we have to work on putting
together the funding. As we've told
people this is going to be a multi-year
project. It's not something that's going
to get done on once cuz yes we want to
get it done but we want to make sure
that um we're smart with how we spend
money. So the first part of this is
design, community input, and then we'll
start to look at how we put together the
funding to get that project done.
All right.
Got it. Um
I know we're addressing the gas bills
but some people are thinking about the
electric
bills but I think you're doing planning
by addressing the gas bills first. And
after that then you're going to attack
it.
Yeah, I think um
you don't want to spread yourself too
thin and I think it's important to start
in one spot and get some answers and get
some real movement. The other thing too
is I think if we look at what's
happening with the gas bills
that may shed some insight into what's
happening
There's a lot going on
and what's really amazing about this is
that
people from the tri-state area have
reached out to me through social media
to give ideas, suggestions, issues and
things you should pay attention to and
it's not just
New Jersey issue. This is actually
impacting people across the tri-state
area and they want answers too. So I let
people know that once we know this we
will share this publicly because this
does impact more than just, you know,
Atlantic City Electric or South Jersey
Gas customers. This is across the board.
Uh some people also we focus a lot on
South Jersey, but people from North
Jersey people have also reached out to
among those some of their elected
officials and say, "Whatever you find,
please send us because we're going to
take up these issues with our local
utilities as well."
So, we'll keep everybody posted. And
then some people are saying, "Well, my
gas bills are dropping." That's because
your usage is different.
So, it doesn't mean that the gas company
actually did anything. Just means you're
using less this time because the weather
is warm.
And that's one of the things the gas
company did share is that rates would
come down around this time, but for the
same reason because usage is down.
The rates fall, drop when usage is high,
the rates go up. Um
So, we want to get clarification. I will
tell you like they gave me and I'll
almost say they gave me a number on what
they said the rates went up.
But it doesn't match what people are
paying. So, I'm assuming I'm missing
something.
The numbers like the math doesn't match.
So, I asked for that breakdown and how
they can explain how this number equals
this number.
Right? So, we want to make sure and
that's why I said the
I don't
with the frustration and anger that's
out in the community, I don't want to
put out information
if it's not 100% accurate, if it's not
clarified because I want to make sure
that people have the truth. That's not
fair to anybody to talk about. So, we're
going to work our way through the
process, get the correct information,
and to share it publicly so this way
people understand. And that's why I said
the math doesn't match.
Got to ask the question, give them the
opportunity to answer that
But, you know, once it gets out to
public and people get an idea, people
are just it's going to escalate. So, we
want to make sure that we're focused on
providing solutions, not just making
people angry.
Thank you.
All All this time we're going to open it
up for public comment. Anybody wishing
to be heard, please come up, state your
name and address for the record. Come
on, Dad. Come on up.
Talking about the uh
My name is Frank Gonzalez, uh 605
Westshore Drive.
I got a letter in the mail today from
some company. I don't know who they are.
They're saying if
you don't sign up for them, you're going
to be
penalized. Your rates keep going up. If
you sign up with them, they're going to
hold your rates low.
It didn't make sense.
I don't know if anybody else got the
letter or not. Is it from a utility
company?
I don't even know the name of the
company. They say they're not involved
with the Atlantic the America area the
Atlantic gas.
But uh
I don't know. I didn't even underst- A
private contractor or a propane company,
but once you bring the letter in, we'll
look at it because If I still have it.
>> Don't sign up for anything yet. Just
bring it Yeah, I just wanted to let you
know, okay? Yeah, thank you. I know with
electricity, you can shop the rates. I
don't know if it's the same for gas.
>> bill's staying down cuz I got the solar
panels.
It's keeping it down. Yeah.
That's perfect. Thanks.
Yes, this folks.
Ann H. Lopes, 308 27th Street.
Um just a comment on the budget. I know
it was passed and I that was not
not unexpected. And this has come up
before, but looking over it, it was
interesting to see that the city's
revenues have increased almost $2
million
over last year.
And you're leaving almost $5 and million
dollars in the surplus out of 9.5
million dollars that was in the surplus.
It's interesting to note that over the
years the city always has a large
surplus at the end of the year.
And they use maybe 40 some percent in
the budget.
And it's practice I think that they call
conservative and certainly up
conservative.
But I wonder if this at this practice
because
by leaving so much in that surplus to
carry it over, the taxpayers have to
come across
to pick up what is extra you know, extra
expenses. So I just wanted to make that
point and I see the auditors here and he
definitely doesn't agree with what I'm
saying.
But in terms of um
you know, the taxpayer and how much
taxpayer it has to make up when you're
carrying such a large surplus. So that's
just my comment and I hope you do think
something about it, but um
I know your practice through the years
has just been the opposite. You keep a
large surplus a surplus.
So but anyway,
just something to think about when we
all have to pay our taxes. Thank you.
Thanks Mrs. Fields. I was just going to
say that the strong surplus it also
helps our bond rating as well, which in
turn
saves money.
Still leaving.
Surplus to start.
Good evening. Good night.
But
nothing has changed.
Something that I wanted to say.
>> Yeah, I just want to point out just one
fact here.
Thank you. Thank you.
Good evening. Um, Ashley Kitten, 4200
Atlantic Brigantine Boulevard. Good
evening, everybody. Thank you for giving
me the opportunity to come out and speak
to you all tonight. So, as said, I'm
Ashley Kitten. I'm here on behalf of um
our four-unit condo association, and
we're here tonight to talk a little bit
about us struggling to understand um
some necessity and fairness around a
requirement in a letter that we
received, but I do want to first state
that um
we have had some communication back and
forth, and this was a prepared
statement, so I'll I'll get to that at
the end as well.
So, um we were informed that uh a state
requirement tied to emergency access was
uh affording us the
necessity to move a water meter.
However, based on our understanding,
water meters can currently be read
electronically, and each property has a
shutoff valve located at our curb
currently. So, if that's the case, we're
respectfully asking what specific
emergency scenarios require the meter
itself to be re- relocated from our
current crawl space area to the curb.
And after review of cited ordinances, we
understand that the city has the right
to access our meters for inspection, and
under certain circumstances has the
authority to temporarily shut off our
residential water. Um
the city currently has the ability to
access the meter in our crawl space.
It's just not the preferred location,
which we understand. We fail to see in
other ordinances where the city has the
legal ability to mandate this relocation
of meters or shut off our water for
non-compliance, which the letter that we
received stated, especially in a
building of 30 years plus age, which
ours is. Um, further, after reviewing
additional ordinances, we understand
this requirement exists for potential
new constructions, but construction, but
fail to see the clear language requiring
meters to be at the curve for existing
properties.
Additionally, there seems to be some
inconsistent communication regarding
whether or not the meter for this
project would be provided by public
works or not and the ownership of the
current meter. So, the cost of the
materials for us would be approximately
$2,300 and we're receiving quotes for
the movement of this in excess of
$5,000. So, um, that's why I'm here on
behalf of the four of us saying that
this is a really undue hardship and
we're being faced with that significant
unexpected financial burden with that
compliance listed in 90 days. So, given
all of that, we're respectfully asking,
what are the specific ordinances guiding
this? Um,
why is this being enforced in a way that
appears inconsistent with written code?
On what legal basis is the threat the
city threatening to um, cut off our
essential water for non-compliance? And
if you are legally allowed to require
the movement, why must we as the
homeowners bear the the full financial
cost? And additionally,
would the old meter responsibility
remain with the city as we believe that
it should. So, I I want to thank
everybody that has spoken with me today
because I've spoken with many of you. I
appreciate the phone calls, the
conversations, um, and your ability and
your willingness to be collaborative.
Um, I want to make sure that you know
that we are not here to be adversarial,
that we just want to get to a resolution
and it seems like we're working towards
that. I just felt it really important to
be here and have this discussion.
Absolutely. Thank you.
All right, so we are working towards a
resolution. I'm going to turn it over to
our deputy manager, Ryan Hurst, because
I know she's been working with you on
this issue.
Hi Ashley, thank you so much for coming
tonight for your time on the floor.
I spoke with you earlier.
Um so, we want to let you know first and
foremost that at this point we aren't
uh
going to push the 90-day
we're not viewing you as being in
compliance because you have contacted us
and we are going to work something out.
Um as far as
the ownership, um we do have to go over
that with our attorney um and he's here
tonight.
He's aware of the situation
um we would like to discuss it further
I really appreciate that. Thank you.
Again, your willingness, your ability,
and your your phone calls back and
forth. So, thank you for addressing it
here while I'm here. Thank you. Thanks
for coming.
If there's no other further public
comment,
all right, we'll close the public
portion. Any final council comments?
Seeing none, we have a motion and second
for adjournment. I'll make that motion.
Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?
Seeing none, motion passed. Thank you
for coming out and watching your council
team at work. Good night, everybody.
And to all our mothers out there, happy
Mother's Day. This weekend, don't
forget. Everybody, don't forget it's
Mother's Day.