City of Brigantine's Personal Meeting Room

Yeah, that's it.
I'd like to welcome everybody to our
February 18th Brrigotine City Council
meeting. Please rise for the flag
salute.
Please stand
in prayer.
>> Heavenly Father, illuminate our souls.
Lift our thoughts to higher things.
clarify our minds to grasp the truth and
turn us in the right direction. Please
watch over our police officers as they
serve and protect our community. Give
them courage in danger, wisdom in
decisions, and peace in their hearts.
Shield their families with your comfort
and love. In your name we pray. Amen.
Please be seated.
proceed. Can you read the open public
meetings act announcement?
>> Notice of this meeting has been provided
as required by the open public meetings
act.
>> Thank you.
actually going to turn it over to acting
chief Ward for our promotions.
>> Uh thank you everybody for coming out
tonight. It is a true honor to be here
to honor these exceptional officers on a
a night when they truly should be
honored for the things they've done for
the city, this department. a promotion
for the Burger King Police Department
really represents the dedication and
leadership these guys bring to the
department and the trust uh that they've
had through the guys who work here and
without the leadership that they bring
to the department we'd be nowhere. So,
first I'd like to thank you. I'd like to
thank all the staff members because
without you guys, nobody would be here.
You guys are the backbone of what makes
these guys tick, what makes them come to
work and have the honor to do the job
that they do. So, thank you guys. And
I'd like to start with our first
promotion would be Sergeant Shane Don.
Chain has been an officer for uh 10
years here. Um he worked as a class one
officer, became a class two police
officer in Atlantic City, then came back
to us as a full-time officer. Uh in his
time here, he was moved into the techn
where he led investigations. He's done a
lot of training for us. He's got a
four-year degree from Richard Soden
University and really excited to see him
back on the street and he's gonna do a
great job for Tracy's here too if you
want to come up and the Bible
Place your left hand on the plat. Raise
your right hand. Repeat after me. I,
Shane Dugan,
>> I, Shane Dugan,
>> do solemnly swear
>> domly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution
>> I will support
>> of the state of New Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith
>> and I will bear true
>> and allegiance to the saint
>> and allegiance to the
>> to the governments established
>> in the United States
>> and in this state
>> under the authority of the people
>> under the authority
>> and that I will faithfully
impart
ially
>> partially
>> and justly
>> perform all the duties
>> required for the position
>> of brigantine police sergeant
>> according to the best of my ability
>> to the best of my ability
>> so help me God
>> congratulations
Congratulations.
The next officer I'd like to recognize
is Sergeant James Powderley. Probably
one of the most famous people in
Brigintine right now. Your kids all know
him as he does lead. He's also u the
minister at the Baptist church. So he's
very uh very known around this this city
for all his community service that he
does. Uh James started with us uh feel
like he was just a baby and now here we
are. He's got two hash marks and he's
becoming a sergeant. He's done so much
wonderful things for the department and
for the city. So it's really great to
see him up here. Um just some of the
stuff just to highlight that he's done
being a detective bureau uh over the
last couple years. He's led
investigations. He's led a lot of
training. He's really pushed uh a lot of
the things that we do to make the
department run better, to bring in a lot
of the new uh he's received a lot of
awards, a lot of accommodations for his
service, and he says couldn't do it
without his wife Britney. So appreciate
everything that you've done for us.
if you want to come so we can swear.
>> Good job. Raise your right hand. I James
Powerly
>> I, James Powder,
>> do solemnly swear. I do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution
>> of the State of New Jersey
>> of the state of New Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith
>> and I will bear true faith
>> and allegiance to the same
>> and to the governments established
>> to the governments established
>> in the United States
>> and in this state
>> under the authority of the people
>> and that I will faithfully
>> impartially
>> and justly
>> perform all the duties
required for the
position
>> required for the position
>> of police or Brigantine police sergeant
>> of brigantine police sergeant
>> according to the best of my ability
>> so help me
>> congratulations
Our
next promotion is one of our 24 year
vets who's been here for
pretty much most of his career. He
started as a class one here, was the
original person to uh send himself
through the police academy and then get
hired later. Lieutenant Rich Deion. He
is a mentor to me. He's helped me
throughout my career. So to see him
getting this promotion is really special
to me. He's done so many things for our
department from his time in the
detective bureau, his sergeant, all the
training that he's done. He's been in
the motorcycle unit, firearms, pretty
much every aspect of the department
that's uh been beneficial to making this
place really great. So it's an honor for
me to to stand next to you today and see
this promotion. And I think it's uh
definitely welld deserved and you're the
guys around you really trust the things
that you do here. So thank you for
everything you've done for this
department. And uh Lynn, if you want to
come up, I think you're going to be
badging. This is uh Lieutenant Leon's
wife, Linda Leon. She's an Atlantic
County Sheriff and she's going to be uh
pinning Lieutenant Leon.
>> Place your left hand. Raise your right
hand. Repeat after me. I, Rich Deon,
>> I, Rich,
>> do solemnly swear
>> domly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution
>> I will support the Constitution of the
State of New Jersey
>> the state of New Jersey
>> and that I will bear true faith
>> that I will bear true faith
>> and allegiance to the same
>> and to the governments established
>> to the government established
>> in the United States
>> and in this state
>> in this state
>> under the authority of the people
>> and that I will faithfully
>> that will faithfully
>> impartially
>> and justly
>> perform all the duties duties for all
the duties
>> required for the position
>> of brigine police lieutenant
>> brigantine police lieutenant
>> according to the best of my ability
according to the best of my ability
>> so help me God
>> congratulations
give bonuses for blood Congratulations.
For our final promotion tonight, we're
going to be promoting Michael Feynan to
captain of the police department. This
is also really special. Me and Mike
started the class one academy together
in 2004 and rolled around and beat each
other up and became best friends ever
since. So to get to stand here and see
Mike succeed so well is is really an
honor for me. Um he's done so much for
our department over the years from
training to defensive tactics to all of
the u different stuff he's got for our
traffic and uh all the different
financable things that he's done for
making the department great. His new
role he's going to be taking over as the
patrol captain which is a lot of
responsibility. He's going to pretty
much run the day-to-day operations of
the police department. So, he's taking
uh taking on a big role, but there's
nobody better for the job right now. So,
I'm really excited to see him move
forward in his uh his career.
Tom, if you would like to come up,
Andrea Payton. Yeah.
>> Awesome. Thanks, Tom, for your service.
He just recently retired from the
Atlanta County Prosecutor's Office after
service. So, thank you for Tom.
Raise
your right hand. Repeat after me. I,
Michael Fine,
>> I, Michael Feine,
>> do solemnly swear
>> that I will support the Constitution
>> of the State of New Jersey
>> state of New Jersey.
>> And that I will bear true faith
>> I will bear true faith
>> and allegiance to the same. and
allegiance to the same
>> and to the governments established
>> in the United States
>> and in this state
>> under the authority of the people
>> and that I will faithfully
>> I will faithfully
>> and partially
>> and justly
>> perform all the duties
>> perform all duties
>> required for the position
>> of brigantine police captain
>> according to the best of my ability
.
>> So help me God.
>> Congratulations. Thanks
First of all, I want to say how proud I
am of everybody who's been promoted
today. Outstanding officers, very
involved in the community, and many of
I've known since I've been on council
and always been there to be supportive,
to help and take care of the city. And I
think that is so important. I also want
to thank all of our police families. Our
officers could not do the jobs that they
did if you weren't there supporting
them. And that is so important to us. I
think probably one of the most important
things in this city and it's actually a
big reason I find that more and more
people are moving to Brigantine is
because of the outstanding police force
that we have. And I think it is so
important especially in this day where
it is very very challenging and very
very hard to be a police officer. And I
will tell you, I'm very proud of the
city. I'm very proud of city council for
the support that we have for each and
every one of you and grateful for the
job that you do. Our lives are better in
Brigantine because of your service to
this community. Um, I also want to
recognize our retired chief Rich Caseo.
Um, Rich
Sorry, just getting a little feedback.
Uh, Rich has been an outstanding chief.
Very, very proud to have the opportunity
to have him be the chief here. And one
of the things I think that's very
interesting is Rich took over just
before the pandemic. When the whole
world shut down, we looked to Chief
Caseimeno to keep this town going, to
keep us safe. and Rich stepped right in
and took over and did an outstanding
job. When everybody else sheltered in
place, he along with all of our officers
continue to work hard and continue to be
out in that community. It's not a luxury
that any of you had. I think one of the
things that made Rich really good is
that he has held almost every position
within the police department and I think
that really helped him to have a strong
understanding of what the needs of that
department are and how to advocate that
to city council. anytime we ever had
questions and needed to know what was
going on or what the department needed,
Chief Castimen was able to articulate
that and make sure that things got done.
And I'm very very grateful for that
service. And I think for me being a
teacher, probably one of the most
important things to me is uh Rich's
ability to mentor young officers who
come on. And I think that's important.
One of the best ways to learn is through
the leadership of other people. And I
think Rich has been an outstanding
leader um to be able to be there hands
hands in and make sure that people
understand the job that they need to do
from someone who has done that job. So
Rich, for your 25 years of service here
in the city of Brigantine, we're very
grateful. I'm going to read this
proclamation. I don't know if you want
to come up, you want to stay back there
while I read it. It's up to you. But
>> come on up, chief.
So, I don't have I don't have my glasses
on. You have to bear with me. I almost
stole tigers. All right. So whereas
Chief Richard Casemno served our
community over the course of 25 year
career with the Brigintine Police
Department, exemplifying
professionalism, integrity, leadership,
and courage, earning the respect of his
fellow officers, and the people he
proudly served with. Shortly after
assuming the role of chief in February
of 2020, when our lives were forever
changed by the global pandemic, Chief
Caseimeno led the department through
these challenging and unprecedented
times by implementing the most
up-to-date safety measures,
communication system, and training uh
and training to safeguard both the
department and the community. Chief
Casemna was actively engaged in our
schools, our neighborhood, and our
community organizations, and firmly
believed in the the best way to serve
the public was providing highly trained
personnel through the use of top-notch
equipment and advanced technologies and
initiatives that became the hallmark of
his career.
Through his career, Chief Caseimento
served in both the patrol division and
the detective bureau and was a member of
the Atlanta County SWAT team, mentored
new hires in his role as field training
officer, trained department personnel
and firearms instructors, and served on
the department's motorcycle unit. As a
lifelong resident of Briggin, a devoted
family man, his career was more than a
profession. He served with dedication
and pride and ensured the safety and
well-being of his hometown. Chief
Caseimento's legacy will have a lasting
impact on the Brigantine Police
Department and the people of Brigantine
will be forever grateful. Now therefore,
I Vince Sarah, mayor of the city of
Brigantine, on behalf of city council
and the people of the city of
Brigantine, do hereby recognize Chief
Richard Casemno for his outstanding
service to the Brigantine community.
Chief, thank you so much.
Uh, you know, first I want to
congratulate the newly promoted. I
obviously know those guys very well. Uh,
they did a a really good job throughout
their careers and I know they're going
to to do a great job uh moving the
department forward. It's in good hands.
Uh, so it was easy to step step aside
because I know it's in good hands. Uh, I
want to thank mayor and council for
this. Uh this is really cool. Um I
really
when when a guy did 25 years like I
really took it serious
and uh it's cool. It's cool being being
able to uh celebrate it now after 25
years. I always uh I always wanted to
celebrate those guys because it's hard.
Uh I know a lot of guys throughout the
county and in Brrigantine who for some
reason or another didn't complete 25
years. So um I always was really excited
to celebrate someone. So it's cool being
that guy now. Uh I want to thank mayor
and council uh for this. Uh this is
really cool. I want to thank all the uh
past officers. Uh you know they this is
for 25 years. So they're really
instrumental in that. They bring you on,
they train you, they take you under
their wing, they they pass on their
training to you. Uh if you need them, uh
they're there for you. If you know you
had a rough night, they they'll help you
through it. So I want to thank maybe
some of them are here. I want to thank
them for that. Uh I want to thank all
the men and women back there. Um you
know, over 25 years I worked with all of
them. They all helped to make the
department better. uh you know, they
they're out there in the community.
They're answering calls in the middle of
the night. Uh and they're they're making
the department as good as it can be. And
as the mayor said, that's why it's a
safe place. That's why it's a great city
because because of their all their hard
work and we work together uh uh to do
that. And I want to thank the community
because uh the community loves us. We
love the community back. These officers
are in the schools almost every day.
we're we're forging relationships with
the with the kids in the school and and
I'm really proud of them. So, I thank
them for standing by me and working
together for 25 years. Uh,
all right. The hardest part is my wife
and my kids.
uh if you know them, uh they're
absolutely awesome and they're uh you
know, the best thing that you could ever
ask for uh standing by you for 25 years.
So, I really thank them uh for that.
You know, when when I swore in a new
guy, I always liked thanking the the the
family. You know, thanks for standing by
your your uh officer. You're embarking
on this career with him or her. And uh
it's really important the family rides
this roller coaster with you and uh it's
cool to come full circle and thank them
after 25 years.
It puts them through a lot. You know,
there's there's times where uh you have
to drop everything you're doing and just
leave. and uh you go on some nasty calls
sometimes and and they're like, you
know, what happened to dad and uh what's
wrong with them? And um so anyway, they
live they live the job with you. Uh and
obviously the wife bears the brunt of
that. You guys know how awesome she is,
try to get through it. Um so yeah, I
just I thank them for sticking by me for
25 years. Uh, as as the mayor said, I
was on the SWAT team for 12 years. And,
you know, I would I would gear up at
3:30 in the morning and I would try not
to wake up the babies. They're not
babies anymore, but uh, you know, and I
did it for 12 years. So, you you gear up
and try not to wake anybody up. And, you
know, I know now that you leave your
wife and and she's got to think about
what you're doing. you know, it's a
county team, so you're rounding up
people who are selling lots of guns,
lots of drugs. They're wanted for
homicides, and you know, your poor
wife's got to try to go back to bed and
then go to work couple hours later. And
if you're lucky, you can call her and
say, "Hey, everything's all right." So,
I really appreciate her standing
standing by me through all that. And the
girls, love you guys. You're the best.
Thanks everybody.
Let me clean up.
All right, we're going to take a five
minute recess. Give time uh for people
to take pictures and hang out and talk a
little bit. So, we have a motion and
second for a fiveminute recess.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> All in favor?
>> I. Any opposed? All right. Seeing none,
motion pass. Feel free come up, take
pictures.
I'm going
to
That was cool.
Good to see you
playing or what?
Hey, how are you?
Sir,
>> he's over there.
really nice.
Me too.
So,
how are you?
Good. You look good.
Just
Congratulations.
>> Okay. Nice to meet you.
scared right past you.
What?
>> All right.
Are you Jimmy's mom?
>> Yes, I'm Shane's mom.
>> You
Okay.
Ready.
Hey, what's up? How are you?
>> Good. How are you?
>> Very good. Congrats.
>> How's everybody?
>> Good.
Can we just do one more? I I'm sorry.
Okay. Come on.
What's that?
because you know
We're going to be resuming our meeting.
>> We have a motion and second to resume
the meeting.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I. Any opposed? Seeing none, we're going
to resume our meeting.
>> Tiger, any executive session tonight?
>> No executive session, man.
>> All right. Next up, we have our approval
of our February 4th, 2026 Brickine City
Council meeting minutes. A motion
second.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes.
>> Next up, we have our bill requisition
list. We have a motion. Second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> You. Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Kane.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes.
>> Uh, next up we have public comment. This
is on agenda items only. If you wish to
be heard on any agenda item, please come
up and state your name and address for
the record. Seeing no public comment,
we're going to close the public comment.
Uh, next up we have
ordinance number two of 2026. This is an
ordinance of the city of Brigantine, uh,
county of Atlantic, state of New Jersey,
repealing and replacing article 1,
chapters 85-1
through 85-22
titled affordable housing in the code of
the city of Brigantine.
>> We have a motion, second.
>> All right. So, this is an introduction
for the next couple ordinance that are
coming out. Uh, two, three, four, and
five. These all have to do with
affordable housing. We're going to be
introducing them tonight, but I also
want to put it on record that the state
of New Jersey did not get these into us
and adequate time to review. Did a quick
look at them. We're in a position to
introduce them, but the state has very
strict timelines on when everything has
to be adopted. So, we're going to start
the process, but I know I'm going to
speak for myself that we reserve the
right to reintroduce if there's any
issues or problems with these. And I
want that to be a part of the record
because the state did not get these to
us in time to properly review.
All right. So, questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah,
>> yes.
>> Ordinance number three of 2026. This is
an ordinance of the city of Brigantine,
County of Atlantic, state of New Jersey,
amending article 6, chapter 85 through
20 or 85-24
85-25
85-26 title affordable housing overlay
in the code of the city of Brigantine.
Motion second.
>> Again, this was an ordinance that we
received late, so we're going to be
reviewing it in the introduction period.
Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call? Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes.
>> Ordinance number four of 2026. This is
an ordinance of the city of Briggin
County of Atlantic, state of New Jersey,
amending chapter 198, article 6,
sections 198-51.1
titled affordable housing overlay B1
zone. section 198-51.3
titled affordable housing overlay B1A
zone and section 198-54
titled affordable housing overlay B3
zone in the code of the city of Brington
have a motion second
>> second thing we're introducing this but
we still need to review it uh questions
or comments seeing none can we have roll
call
>> yes
Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes.
>> Ordinance number five of 2026. This is
an ordinance of the city of Brigantine
County of Atlantic, state of New Jersey,
repealing and replacing chapter 150
sections
150-1
through 150-10 development fees in the
code of the city of Brigantine. We have
a motion. Second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second. And again, these are very
lengthy ordinances that came in last
minute from the state. We're still in
the review process. Questions or
comments? Seeing none, can we have roll
call?
>> Yes.
>> Sarah,
>> yes.
>> All right. We have resolution 2026-63.
This is a resolution authorizing
property tax exemption for a permanently
disabled veteran. This is for block
7304,
lot 7. Motion. Second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second. Questions or comments? Seeing
none, can we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Sarah,
>> yes.
>> Resolution 2026-64.
This is a resolution authorizing
property tax exemption for a permanently
disabled veteran. This is block 7702,
lot 11. Motion second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? See? None. Can we
have roll call?
>> Yes.
Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-65.
This is a resolution authorizing the
submission of an application for project
funding for the lead service line
replacement program phase 1 and
identifying the city official authorized
to execute the application which will be
our city manager Tiger Plaid. We have a
motion. Second motion.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes. Yes.
>> Yes.
>> This is for the city's part.
>> I'll ask because there's different for
the city's part. Okay. Correct. Yeah,
>> I've had people asking me, is the city
going to apply for grants to help the
homeowners pay for that?
>> Yes, it it's it's through what's called
the I bank. We are applying for money to
offset costs, right?
>> Absolutely.
>> But the the homeowners are still going
to be required to quite a bit.
>> There will be a cost to them.
>> Yeah. Because
>> again, this is mandated by the state of
New Jersey. Well, I keep reiterating
that, but there people are very confused
about it.
>> Yeah, I think part of the challenge too
with the grants um there's more money
that are available to towns that have
higher levels of affordable housing. So
really, a lot of the money that's out
there for homeowners is needbased. So
since our affordable housing levels low,
we won't get as much. uh but we are
exploring
every option to try to bring money in to
keep it under control. But again, this
is something that's being impressed upon
every municipality by the state of New
Jersey and New Jersey is not really
providing enough funding to cover
everything. Okay. Thank you.
>> No, you are correct. I think this
creates a financial burden on a lot of
people. And I think this is a problem
when you have state officials who make
decisions that sound good in the vacuum
of things but don't understand the
reality of how it impacts people. And I
think that is a major challenge. Uh
we're doing everything within our power
to keep costs under control, but again,
this is a state mandate. At one point in
time in the state of New Jersey, if it
was statemandated, it's state pay. But
with this, it is state mandate. you pay,
right? And that's one of the problems
and a lot of it comes down to how the
state of New Jersey decides to spend its
tax money. And there for us, we're
applying to get what we can, but it's
not going to offset 100% what home
owners have to pay. That is
unfortunately the challenge.
All right. We have um resolution
2026-66.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with Arthur Chu Consulting for
planning, permitting, and design for
proposed reconstruction of 15th Street
South, 20th Street South, and 37th
Street South. This will be in the amount
of 35,000. We have a motion second.
>> Second. Uh, one of the things that we're
really doing is actively and
aggressively
um reconstructing and repaving many
streets uh through Brigantine. There's a
lot of streets that need it. We're
picking off as many as we can. Uh, this
will be part of the next round that we
worked. Uh, questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes.
Resolution
2026-67.
This is a resolution authorizing the
issuance of amusement game license to
the Smile Factory LLC for the 2026
licensing year. The motion second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
I have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-68.
This is a resolution authorizing the tax
collector to issue refund payments. Have
a motion. Second.
>> Make that motion. Second.
>> Questions or comments?
>> Seeing none, can we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-69.
This is for a self-examination of the
2026 budget. We have a motion and
second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second. Questions or comments? Seeing
none, can we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah,
>> yes.
>> Resolution 2026-70.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with affordable interior
systems, WS Golf Company, Inc. for
office furniture and improvements. This
is for our beach fee office. This is
going to be be in the mountain of
$22,7720.
We have a motion. Second.
>> Second. Uh, this is something they
definitely need. I think a lot of the
equipment in there is um probably older
than me. I don't know the last time that
they've gotten equipment. There's a lot
of the workers down there who actually
spend their day standing. So, I think we
need to make sure we invest in that
office down there. Uh, questions or
comments? Seeing none, can we have roll
call?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 202671.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with tactical public safety and
portable radios for the fire department.
This is the amount of 10,811.
Have a motion. Second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none. Can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-72.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract with Frank Mazet and Sun, Inc.
for replacement of iron ply
underllayment at the links clubhouse.
This is the amount of $15,180.
The motion second
>> second
>> questions or comments?
Seeing none, can we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Next up, we have our consent agenda. We
have Elks raffle license number 1140 and
number 1141. Hooked on fishing which
will be July 25th 2026. Stockton
University Battle of Brigantine March
28th 2026.
Riptide Derby 2026 March 1st to May 21st
extended access May 26 through June 30th
6 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Uh motion second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor,
>> yes.
>> We have our council manager committee
discussions.
Uh, mayor, I just want to uh bring up
obviously it was uh pretty cold here for
a period of time there and we had over a
two-eek period there was uh 208 broken
pipe calls that our public works and
some of those included our fire
department including four water main
breaks. So in about a twoe period uh
those uh the staff were really running
all over the island taking care of
people and I know uh how hard they
worked. Uh so John if you could you know
thank your your team and and all as well
chief uh for the great work they did
during that time frame
turn it over to our departments
of course
thank you I know you guys worked really
hard I know it's very much appreciated
so thank you to our deputy mayor Karen
>> view
the lynx is looking so forward to having
golfers out. It's been quite a while
since anybody's been out there.
Hopefully next week we can have have
golfers out. Have decent time out there.
Um
I just want to remind you all to check
your email. We got a message from the
school about Read Across America Day. If
you're able to go and read to the kids,
it'll be March 3rd, fourth or 5th.
Okay. So just respond to them. That's
it. Thank you.
>> Yes.
Congratulations, but I'd like to
congratulate all our promoted officers
police department. They certainly
deserve it. Good luck and good health to
Chief Casemo in his recent retirement.
I also want to put a shout out to John
Doring and his staff during their
preparedness during a recent weather
problem.
One particular story I had a woman very
well known to us on the afternoon said I
don't know what to do I can't get out of
my house I got a link in front of my
front door wasn't snow piled up that I
can't reach anybody made a call to
John's cell phone on a Sunday afternoon
and he answered me
to call her back and she says they're
already here
so thank you
have a whole lot
everybody know that garden club has
already started meeting trying to get
supplies together coming up with a game
plan for uh planning this summer. Um I
want to congratulate all those promot
great group of guys well deserve and of
course the retirement chief kous.
>> Thank you mayor. Yeah, congratulations
to everybody with promotions and all.
Really cool, especially know
one or two of the guys since seems like
they were 10 or 12 working here, these
kids. So, it's it's pretty cool. Yeah,
playing hockey isn't a whole lot. But,
uh, other than that, thanks John for
everything you do. Wow. Two over 200
burst pipes. It's crazy. Uh other than
that, we got the um uh economic
development committee ongoing
negotiations with different things that
are coming up. I wish I could say a few
things about some big things that are
happening, but uh soon it'll happen
soon. Uh the cultural arts commission's
meeting regularly. They have some
upcoming things coming up also uh next
month. And one of the biggest things is
next month is the uh St. Patrick's
parade. Uh, you know, we're so happy to
have uh Graham Marshall selected, Neil
Kane being one of them, uh, Bob Hume
from Sand Jack Deli, uh, Janette Kesler
who does so much every year supporting
ACUA. And then we have a brigade teacher
of the year, Carrie Hazer is so
that that's all I got. Thanks.
>> I just want to give a couple quick
updates. Uh we've been working on, you
know, beach replenishment, emergency
beach replenishment, following up with
the governor's office again. Um sending
a letter again today in writing. We've
had a couple conversations with the
governor's office. They told us they're
reviewing it. We want to send it up in
writing to make sure that they be
possible to let the governor know how
important this is. We've been working
with Congressman Banju, the Army Corps
of Engineers, and the New Jersey DS.
Uh, one is, uh, the extension of the
seaw wall. We're looking to do a
permanent extension up there to try to
protect those homes. Uh, everybody's
working with us. You know, Congressman
Van is working real hard right now to
get the federal funding to move that
forward. Uh, with the beach
replenishment, he's got federal funding
available. We just need the state to put
some type of emergency declaration
forward in order to move that money from
the federal government to the state. Uh,
the other thing we're working on with
the Army Corps is um they're doing a
year-long study on the impact of hard
structures, whether it's jetties or
groins or wave breaks to see if that
will help hold sand in place and add
protection. Um, working with Andrew's
office, we've now officially applied to
be in that study. We applied, they said
we would be a part of it. The D had to
support it, which they said they would
support it. And then the Army Corps
asked us for an official letter from me
officially asking. So I guess we had to
officially officially ask, but I
understand it's all about paperwork. So
we uh forwarded that out today. So
hopefully we'll have some good news on
that. And it's really good to have um
strong partners at many different levels
in order to get work done because I feel
like um they do really look out for
team. So it's good having those
relationships.
I wanted to give an update on uh South
Jersey gas bills. This is something
working with Senator Palestina. There's
a number of residents in the community
who have actually reached out to myself
and the senator said from all over the
county. He's received some frustrated
phone calls from residents that have
that are stating that their delivery
charges are now three times as high as
the actual gas. Um both the senator and
I have had con uh conversations with
South Jersey Gas. What we've requested
is a five-year history of the delivery
charges so we can look at the trends and
we also want to know what specifically
makes up that charge because it's more
than just the cost of delivery. There's
a lot of charges that make that up. Um I
had an opportunity to follow up with um
a representative yesterday from South
Jersey Gas. They said they're working on
gathering up that information and they
anticipate having it for the senator and
for us here on Brigantine by next week.
Uh we made the original request on
January 23rd, but I was hoping to have
it this week, but they said they would
have everything next week. So, we will
keep everybody posted and share that out
publicly. Uh the other thing I've been
talking with the senator about is what
can be done right now um to get some
relief on those bills. I know Governor
Cheryl, that's been one of the big
things that she campaigned on was uh
relief on both gas and electric bills.
So, I think there might be an
opportunity for all of us to work
together to try to bring some meaningful
I know the senators on board and you
know as soon as we have this information
we'll share it with uh the public as
well as with uh the governor.
At this time I'd like to open it up for
public comment. Uh anybody wishing to be
heard please come up and state your name
and address for the record.
>> Elizabeth Anderson
um 309
309 South 37th Street.
Oh, I can speak. Oh.
Um,
my husband and I purchased a two family
home about six years ago. Um, we live on
the second floor of this house with an
outside
um entrance. We rent the first floor and
the renters have a private front and
back entrance. Um, I personally vet,
review, introdu, um, ask questions of
everybody that wants to rent my property
for that first floor. Um, I provide for
the renters,
um, what I expect when they're their
rental instructions,
um, whenever they leave, what how they
leave the place and what condition they
leave it in. Um, I also, um,
provide them with the list of amenities
so they are fully aware of what they're
going to be getting there and what I
expect of them.
My neighbors, I'm very close to many of
them. No one's had reported any
disturbances. I may not be in the house
all the time, but no one has come to me
with any problems or issues with anybody
that I do rent to. In fact, I've gotten
many um raving reviews from the people
that are staying there. I am fortunate
enough to be very close to the beach,
about a half a block. So, they're
thankful to be that close, and they've
respect all of my wishes and my
requirements.
Just as an overview, I have three
bedrooms that I rent. One is 70 square
ft, one is 93,
one is 107.
We're looking about 270
270 square ft per bedroom. I am
permitted only to rent to four people
because of this square footage. My first
floor alone is around 750 square feet.
My initial fee when I started renting
was $150 for the inspector to come in
and make sure everything was
acceptable. It is now up to $450.
I'm told that is the fee is per bedroom.
Nothing has changed in my unit. I pass
every inspection. We've had no issues
with any of the inspectors.
I understand that there have been some
short-term rentals that have been
in the news or have been causing
disturbances in the neighborhoods
wherever they're located. Um, our
street, our block, um, is quiet and
again, my renters appreciate that. Um,
and I am grateful that we are in that
particular area. Um, I understand those
larger places have 10, 12, maybe 14
guests and I can understand if there's
no one there to really um, manage it um,
how it can get out of control.
What I'm asking here is if you could
re-evaluate
the inspection fee for those of us,
let's say under a thousand square feet.
I'm I'm well below that. Um our street
probably needs minimum police
surveillance.
Um, and I
am trying to um,
and I'm sure you're perfectly aware that
all short-term rentals are they're not
equal. And I feel that we're in a
different category that should be
penalized because of something that has
occurred in the past couple years. Um, I
would be open to any questions that you
may have, but if you could if there's
anything else I can supply to seriously
um consider having either a range or
different u categories for short-term
rentals because I am um sad that I have
to be put in the same group with some
people that are not managing their
property well at all.
If you have any questions, I'll be glad
to answer. And if there is anything else
I need to provide to you, anything I can
give you to help you make a decision and
encourage you to seriously consider
this. Um, I would appreciate it very
much.
>> Thank you very much. I would appreciate
it. Something we could take a look at
and evaluate. uh the short-term rental
uh fees there is a range and I think I
don't know if you were hearing a part of
it but there was months and months and
months of discussions with many of the
owners and I think the challenge that we
had is while it sounds like you run your
property very very well there's never
been an issue there there has been
massive issues across the city that
needed to be addressed we had to hire
two full-time code enforcement officials
as well because um there was numerous
legal bills that were associated with
this
>> and um part of the issue is that it's
not fair to put that solely on the
taxpayers. So if you notice the fees are
by bedroom. So the larger your home is,
the larger the fee is, the smaller it
is, the smaller the fee is. That's
something we tried to consider. But
something we will continue to evaluate,
but the city also has to recoup some of
its expenses that we've had in dealing
with this and that we've continued to
deal with this. And I think one of the
cornerstones of this is having those uh
inspectors, those code enforcement
officials who go out and stay on top of
this, which has really kept things under
control. So, we're not trying to make a
profit off it. We're not trying to do
anything extra, but it does cover the
added expenses that are here. But it is
something we can look at and evaluate.
But I just want you to also understand
the history of where we are.
>> I and I I understand this because it's
been a couple years. Um it's it's the
yes, it's the number of bedrooms, but
it's also the square footage. When you
look at one that's 70 square feet, I
mean, there's one little So I I can't
possibly have a large number of people
in the house,
>> right? um to maybe even cause an issue
with being rowdy. Um and I totally
understand that because of the added
expenses.
Um,
you're saying you could spread it out
through all through all of their
short-term rentals, but how many of us
have really no
maybe square footage would be more
appropriate rather than the number of
short-term rentals? Um, and looked at
those closely. And if that means another
kind of inspection that you have other
criteria that you would like to follow,
but definitely the size of the area is
going to be a major consideration uh
because of the number of people that are
going to be occupying it. So I don't
know if there's another factor there
that wasn't considered. It just tried to
spread it out through all the short-term
rentals and it just
>> expired. Your time
something we'll review and take in
consideration. We'll take So, thank you.
>> I feel your pain. I have a similar
situation where I have a small duplex
upstairs and downstairs and downstairs
was originally two bedrooms, but after
Sandy, when I raised the house because
of upstairs having an addition, I had to
build a room underneath. So, now I have
three bedrooms. But originally the
inspector would come to my home and say
that 9 by9 bedroom can only accommodate
one person and you could put two people
in the queen bed in the front bedroom.
So you're only allowed three people. So
I added another bedroom. So now I can
accommodate
five people. Okay. But I'm penalized the
same as you are. They want $600
to right license my property and I'm
only six people.
Okay. For the same reason, have you
checked your water bill? You're paying
for two water bills, right? A double
water bill as a as a as a duplex.
>> Um,
>> you have one meter or two?
>> I have one.
>> You have one meter. So, you're in the
same boat as me. I pay two water bills,
two I mean, one water bill, but two
sewage bills.
>> I I think that's something that we
should look at also because water in is
water out. So why are you charging me
double if I'm only using X amount of
water coming in? Why am I paying double
to have the water go out through the
same sewer? It's not like it's two
separate sewers. It's one sewer. So
there's a few issues that I'm going to
address some of those,
>> you know, with
>> to me it's square footage rather than
because
>> square footage rather
>> because yes, obviously
>> my places are 700 700 too, you know, 700
square feet versus somebody that's about
18 people. rent the place.
>> But the person who's got 18 people is
not paying the same fee as you
>> for when you're talking about the
>> it's per bedroom.
>> It's per bedroom.
>> Per bedroom, right? Per bedroom. What
you're talking about is the water sewer
fee.
>> Well, that's sort of another issue that
I'm I'm talking about with I had the
exact same problem.
>> Perfect.
>> My fee increased considerably over like
150 I was paying
>> before. Now I'm paying 560 I think for
600 or four
>> when Yeah. when nothing has changed or
and and to me I don't feel that we
haven't even created there there's
nothing going on in our neighborhood
particularly that needs extra attention
or someone that has to be paid to sort
of help us. Um everything has been the
same all these years. So, um I I I find
it a little I understand what you're
saying, but there seem to be um some
inequities between those that were
causing the problem or probably the
residences that have numerous people
there and hard to control.
>> Well, I think the challenge too is so we
have expenses for the city and this is
what we discussed in the meetings with
the short-term rentals. Should every
taxpayer in the city of Brigantine pay
to address it or should this be covered
by the short-term rental industry? And
even though there might not be specific
issues associated to your property or to
yours, the issue is it comes down to
like you said. So should every homeowner
and bring a team have to pay to support
the businesses or the businesses?
>> I agree with you. Short-term rental. I
took on that responsibility to have a
short-term rental with all that was
involved. But for this situation that
has now arisen has nothing I'm not I'm
not part of that group that is causing
the problems or need extra attention or
if if those situation didn't happen for
instance we would be still paying the
original inspection fee because
everybody was following the rules at
making sure that the neighbors weren't
annoyed and there was no destruction.
But unfortunately things like that do
happen. But for us to so to take that
total cost and have all of us help pay
for that,
you're going to,
you know, you're we're paying for
something that we're not
we weren't the cause of it, nor are we
creating or continuing to be a cause of.
So, I just feel it um
it's not equitable. I That's what I'm
saying. The square footage could be
looked at as opposed to the number of
people that have short-term rentals.
>> Like I said, it's something that we're
going to continue to evaluate. Okay.
Look at
>> I appreciate your let me speak.
>> Absolutely. Thank you. and we thank you
for being a responsible owner at Rener
who manages your renters.
>> Thank you. And and because of the
economy also, we're now I don't have to
raise my price, but I do have to cover
my expenses. And we've noticed that with
the number of renters that um have
slowly been declining, and I raising my
fee isn't going to help that situation.
So that's why I wanted to bring it to
somebody's attention that is impacting
us uh on whether we're going to continue
to do that.
>> Oh yeah, everyone's feeling the effect
of that.
>> Yes.
>> And it's not just
I've up and down the coast.
>> There's a lot of issues with short-term
rentals and um I think one when COVID
hit
>> Yeah. people start to travel, short-term
rentals made sense. But now that people
are traveling more, they're staying in
hotels, they feel comfortable. Um,
because we've been watching this for a
while, there's a lot of short-term
rental properties that aren't being
rented all over because people are
taking different options. So, you are
correct,
>> right? I know, and I I know there's many
factors. Um, but this particularly
I appreciate your hearing. I hope that I
can hear from you soon. And again, if
there's any other information I can give
you and and as a side note, I am
absolutely blessed. The ceremony
was the most beautiful thing I've seen
and they truly truly truly do appreciate
I appreciate all the help and what they
do to keep us safe. This was a wonderful
meeting. Thank you.
>> Thanks. Thanks, Mrs. Anderson. One one
last thing too is that when when the
crowds were here for nearly a year and
we were going over what to do with the
new short-term rental rules, a a
majority of them were asking for a 7-day
minimum here on the island, which we
didn't we didn't agree with that uh at
the time because
we felt it affect people's businesses.
like if you have three or four days
rented out and then you have an
opportunity to rent two or three days
out,
>> you know, we didn't want just to be a
lose out on that money. So,
>> right,
>> that was one thing that we were
considered when we had the, you know,
the twoight minimum.
>> So, and I summertime I'm seven minimum.
>> It is winter time and I'm a little more
flexible. Um, but during the summer from
Memorial Day to Labor Day is seven day
minimum for us. So I don't chop it up
and just um I want people that uh are
serious about what I'm trying to
provide.
>> Right. So like they said we we're talk
about see if
>> I appreciate your time.
>> Thank you.
>> There's no other public comment. We're
going to close the public portion. Any
final council comments?
>> I see none. We have a motion and second
to the meeting.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor?
>> I. Any opposed? Seeing none, motion
pass. Thank you for coming out, watching
your council see him at work.