City of Brigantine's Personal Meeting Room

No, it didn't sound like
Byebye.
I'd like to welcome everybody to our
April 1st Bergen City Council meeting.
Please rise for the flag salute.
United States of America and to the
standing
prayer.
>> Heavenly Father, in this season of
Easter hope and Passover freedom, fill
our hearts with peace, renewal, and
gratitude. Bless our community with
peace, our homes with love, and our
hearts with understanding for one
another. Help us to bring light where
there is darkness and to walk together
in love and unity. In your name we pray.
Amen.
Please be seated.
>> Exact.
Thank you. At this time, I'm going to
turn it over to Councilman Dennis Haney
for a presentation.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
Uh, recently a
district of mine, Thirdwood resident by
the name of Mike Docker, reached out to
me. He is friends with a person who was
recently diagnosed with ALS, amotropic
lateral sclerosis, uh, commonly known
also as disease.
He asked that we could make a
proclamation for May and it being ALS
awareness month, which it has been for
quite some time now. So, it's a it's a
beautiful thing. We're going to uh we're
going to do that. We certainly wish the
best to Mike's friend and his challenges
that he's going to have uh up the road
here.
uh all of us or majority of us probably
known someone in one way, shape or form
who uh has been affected by someone with
this uh very severe deadly condition.
And uh I mean myself personally
speaking, my next door neighbor
contracted it. Uh he was a great guy,
loved us growing up, lived right next
door to us, his name is Jim Mean, he's a
World War II veteran and uh really good
friends with my younger brother. I mean,
they stayed really tight and uh I'm a
very broad strong guy and uh it really
what it can do to somebody is uh you
know it affects the uh neurons with in
the brain and spinal cord when people
lose their strength coordination and you
know all those other things associated
with that. But um I just saw him from
knowing what he was what became and I
saw him in a wheelchair. I was living
down here. I came up and I went over and
visit him and uh it it's tough. So, uh,
if we can put the word out there for
others to, uh, to to support ALS in
whatever way they can and also, uh, our
state government, there used to be some
money allocated to res uh, resources to
help those affected, afflicted with
this, uh, disease. And I know that, uh,
there were some budgetary cuts across
the board with certain things. And, uh,
helping with ALS was one of them. used
to be about 1.5 million a year or
something of that nature. It's not quite
that same amount now. So, whatever can
be done at all levels. So,
without further ado, um like I said,
everyone might everybody's heard of this
Pride of the Yankees big movie Gary
Cooper playing Luke Garrick who uh back
in uh I guess uh 1937 or whatever he
contracted that for the year year and a
half maybe he was he was gone. So, um
just It's just to put it in a nutshell I
mean that's how devastating this disease
can be.
Whereas amotrophic lateral sclerosis
also known as luperic's disease and ALS
is a progressive fatal neurodeenerative
disease in which a person's brain loss
connection with their muscles slowly
reducing the person's ability to walk,
talk, eat and eventually breathe. And
whereas ALS is no known cure and each
year thousands of Americans are
diagnosed with this devastating disease
impacting not only not only those living
with ALS but also their families,
caregivers and communities. And whereas
the ALS association is committed to
making ALS livable and curing it for
everyone everywhere through adv
advocacy, research, care services and
public awareness efforts. And whereas
increased public awareness and education
about ALS are essential to advancing
understanding, supporting those
affected, and encouraging continued
research toward improved treatments and
ultimately a cure. And whereas the city
of Brigantine recognizes the courage and
resilience of individuals living with
ALS honors the dedication of their
families and caregivers and acknowledges
the efforts of medical professionals,
researchers and advocacy organizations
working tirelessly on the behalf on
their behalf. And whereas designating
the month of May as ALS awareness month
provides an opportunity to raise
awareness, inspire compassion, and
reaffirm our community's commitment to
supporting those affected by ALS.
Now therefore, I Dennis Haney, on behalf
of Vinca, mayor of city of Brigantine,
and on behalf of the city council and
the people of the city of Brigantine, do
hereby proclaim May 2026 as ALS
awareness month
and the city of Briantine encouraging
all residents to join in raising
awareness of ALS and supporting the
fight against this disease. Thank you.
Actually,
I'd like to ask if uh council uh Dennis
up front. Grab a picture.
So, I just want to say something real
quick. It's ironic that we have this
proclamation tonight because just got
off the phone with a cousin of mine uh
that I live with for 10 years up in New
York and it was diagnosed with MLS and
uh I was I was literally crying on the
phone and uh told me about um one site
here healing.org.
Uh there have been some reversals and
there's a lot of good information on
there. 47 steps
uh in this uh on this site like prayer,
positive thinking, uh supplements
uh
yeah so I can't believe thank you
healing alals.org.
Hey, just a when Mike told me this, uh,
I just I just remembered uh before I got
here today, I got the Phillies game on
and they mentioned one of their workers.
I can't remember his exact title, but he
was, you know, very involved for many
years with the Phillies. Uh, he his name
is Joe Figueroa and uh they just
announced that he he's fighting. Gosh.
But uh yeah, God bless. God bless all
those people who areffect.
Do we have an executive session tonight?
>> No, mayor. No executive session.
Need our approval.
George seems disappointed. We need our
approval of our March 18th, 2026 council
meeting minutes. A motion second.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Need our approval of our bill
requisition list. We have a motion and
second.
>> I'll second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, we
have roll call.
>> Yes.
Yes.
>> Yes.
>> At this time, we'll open it up for
public comment. This is public comment
on agenda items only.
Seeing no public participation, we're
going to close the public portion.
At this time, we have
ordinance number six of 2026.
Uh this is an introduction. This is an
ordinance amending chapter 105 beaches
and recreational area of the revised
general ordinance of the city of
Brigantine. We have a motion second.
>> So move second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> We have ordinance number 2026-97.
Um this is a resolution of the city of
Brigantine County Atlantic New Jersey
introducing the 2026 municipal budget to
be read by title only. We have a motion
and second.
>> All right. At this time, I'll turn it
over to our city manager, Tiger Plat.
Thank you, mayor.
City manager is required by statute to
deliver to the mayor and city council a
budget document for the preparation of
the annual municipal budget. This
presentation of the city budget to the
governing body commences the formal
budget process under the control of the
mayor and city council. This open
meeting allows for transparency in the
process as well as an opportunity to
report to taxpayers and residents the
manager's budget recommendations.
The CFO Al Stanley received budget
requests from each department head. We
have reviewed each department's request
and worked together to prepare and
collect the data for the budget
document. We have worked with city
auditor Leon Costello to verify
compliance with the state of New Jersey
spending caps law, the tax levy cap law,
and other budget regulations.
The city manager's proposed operating
budgets are compliant with the tax levy
cap law and the spending caps law. I am
recommending this year at the conclusion
of my introduction of the manager's
budget that the mayor and council move
to introduce the budget this evening as
presented. The mayor and city council
will have ample time to review the
budget in detail prior to the public
hearing and adoption anticipated on May
6th, at which time an amendment can be
introduced if changes are necessary.
This year is a self-exam
budget. Since 1977, municipal budgets
have been prepared in compliance with
the spending cap law. In 2010, the tax
levy cap law was established, and the
city manager's recommended budget is in
compliance with both caps.
The city's percentage of tax collection
continues to be strong in 2026 at
99.46%.
This budget reflects a conservative
approach to the anticipation of
revenues.
Salaries and wages total $16,679,456
which includes required contractual
commitments, anticipated increase in
seasonal employees and minimum wage.
Other expenses total 9,984,391
and represents the OE from all
departments along with insurance and
utility costs. Statutory and deferred
charges amount to $4,714,483.
Level debt service continues to be an
important initiative of this
administration. The 2026 municipal
portion of debt is 4 million534,535.
Reserve for uncollected taxes is a
calculation based upon the entire levy
of the city including county and school
taxes. The calculation this year remains
conservative and is based upon the
current local purpose tax levy and an
estimate of the school and county taxes
as well as the prior year collection
rate. The 2026 increase is approximately
$98,834.
In summary, the manager's to uh 2026
current fund budget as presented here
tonight totals $39,558,230.
It represents a conservative approach to
revenue projection and includes both the
increases and decreases in the
respective department budgets and other
operating expenses. Based on the 2026
city assessed value, a penny on the tax
rate equals $357,923.
The proposed local purpose tax rate will
increase 5.70 cents with a 2026 rate of
77.90 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For reference, the tax rate in 2014 was
71.1.
The water and sewer utility budget is
supported by the billings and fees
charged for the consumption of water by
individual customers. Water and sewer
utility as presented has a proposed
balance budget for 2026 and maintains a
self-liquidating status. As such, any
capital bond ordinance is approved will
not require a 5% down payment. The
capital budget included in the 2026
budget is a six-year plan for the city.
This capital budget represents a total
of potential capital improvements of
approximately $21,29,200
over a six-year period. The water and
sewer will require a significant
investment over the next six years due
to the aging of infrastructure and
statemandated requirements.
In closing, the city's budget in 2026
once again is managed in a professional
and fiscally sound manner. This has been
achieved through long-term budgeting and
projections, maintaining proper
allocation methods and sound financial
records while providing the necessary
reserves for future expenditures. As
always, I am available to meet with
mayor and city council to review the
budget and provide any additional
information necessary. I would like once
again to thank the city employees and
the department heads for their service
and dedication to the city of Riotine
and for their assistance in the budget
preparation process. I continue to be
thankful for their support as well as
their ability to work together to
continue to provide the level of service
expected by our residents. Also, I would
like to thank Al Stanley, the finance
department, and city auditor Leon
Costello for their help and inputs in
the development of the city manager
recommended budgets. As I stated at the
beginning of this presentation, I now
ask mayor and council to consider
introducing this budget this evening,
keeping in mind that any questions or
concerns can be addressed from this
point on and until the public hearing on
May 6, should any changes be required,
an amendment will be presented for
approval to reflect these changes. Thank
you, mayor. Thank you.
>> Tonight, we're introducing a budget that
is focused on strengthening Brigantine's
financial position, reducing our
reliance on debt, and helping to
minimize future tax increases. I want to
be very clear about what we are doing
here. This budget is not just about
addressing this year's costs. It's about
putting together a long-term financial
strategy in place. The most important
thing to understand in this budget is
that we are starting to change how we
fund projects going forward. A key part
of that strategy is creating a dedicated
line item to begin paying down debt and
funding future capital improvements. In
the 2026, we will raise about $336,000
towards that effort. Over time, that
will allow us to rely less on borrowing
for smaller projects and better manage
our overall debt. We are taking these
steps now so we can control costs more
effectively in the future. At the same
time, like every municipality in New
Jersey, we are dealing with rising costs
of utilities, health care, and wages. We
are actively working with state uh with
state leaders on utility costs which are
impacting both our residents and our
operations.
We have taken steps to manage healthc
care expenses by participating in a
coastal health insurance fund instead of
the state plan. That decision has saved
our taxpayers a significant amount of
money. If we were in the state plan, our
increase this year would have been
nearly double what we're paying today.
Even with these challenges, we are
continuing to invest in our important
priorities like roads, beaches, flood
mitigation, and recreation. So, the goal
of this budget is simple. Address
today's cost pressures while putting a
plan in place that will strengthen our
finances and help limit future tax
increases. And I want to put this in a
little bit of perspective because I
think we have a good budget and our city
manager talked about this a little
earlier. In 2014, our tax rate was 71.1
cents on the 100. 12 years later, our
increase is only 6.8.
We're going from 71.1
to 77.9.
We had a number of years where we cut
taxes, reduced taxes. We are holding the
line. I want to say better than anybody.
But we are continuing to put budgets in
place that position us to be strong in
the future. And that is what this
budget's about. I want to thank our city
manager. I want to thank our CFO, our
financial team, all our department
heads, and our city employees for the
outstanding work they do holding the
line on taxes and holding the line on
expenses.
It's time to open it up.
This time I'll open it up if there's any
questions or comments from council.
All right. Seeing none, uh, can we have
roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-98.
Sorry.
98. This is a resolution authorizing the
city of Brigantine tax collector to
prepare and mail estimated tax bills in
accordance with PL 1994 C73. We have a
motion second.
>> So move.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-9.
This is a resolution amending um
authorized vehicles to be sorry sorry
procured with enterprise fleet
management brantine New Jersey. The
total cost of the vehicles shall be
$173,28
for the uh F-150 truck and $50,389
for the F250.
We have a motion and second
>> questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-100.
This is a resolution of the city of
Brigantine accepting grant funding for
the 2026 Cops and Shops summershore
initiative. Have a motion. Second.
>> So move.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-101.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract for vegetation and fertilizer
services with True Green LP in the
amount of $41,660.
We have a motion and second.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Sync? None. Can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Mayor Sarah.
>> Yes. Resolution
2026-102.
This is a resolution authorizing an
employment agreement for the head golf
professional services at Brigantine Golf
Links. We have a motion second.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-103.
This is a resolution authorizing a
contract for reimbursement for damaged
fence from snowplow operations in the
amount of $175.84.
Motion and second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-104.
Uh this is a resolution state of the
reads weird. Uh
yeah, it just
I know it's a grant. It just reads weird
when the state happens. So this is a
resolution the state of New Jersey NJ
Department of Law and Public Safety
offices for the Attorney General Safe
and Secure Communities Program. We have
motion second.
>> So moved. Second.
>> Sorry. The state resolutions title
different arts. I get rid of how I read
ours and I'm like, wait, those aren't
the right words. All right, so we had a
motion for a second.
Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-105.
This is a resolution authorizing
asbestous abatement and boiler
replacement at the police department in
the amount of $10,900.
We have a motion and second.
>> I'll make that question.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Resolution 2026-106.
This is a resolution authorizing the
repair of the pickle ball and tennis
courts. This in the amount of 14,000.
The motion second.
>> Now, we're happy to move this forward. A
few of the uh pickle ball players out
there reached out to us, sent us some
pictures of some damage. The winter was
very, very harsh on the courts, caused
some cracking or worsen some of the
cracking that was out there. So, I'm
very glad we're able to get a contractor
in. The goal is to have this up and
ready by the season. So, we're moving on
this as fast as we can. So, I'm glad to
see this one forward so quick. Thank
you, John. Appreciate it.
Motion second. We have roll call.
>> Yes. Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Next up, we have our consent agenda. We
have our Brigantine Beach Volleyball
Association for various states. The
motion second.
>> Second.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, can
we have roll call?
>> Yes.
>> Sarah,
>> yes.
Next up, we have our council manager
committee discussions. Tiger,
>> mayor, I'd just like to announce my
resignation.
It was April 1st. Sorry.
>> I Karen, you weren't supposed to laugh
so quick.
>> I know probably a lot of excitement, but
Yeah.
>> Nothing that nothing else.
>> Did you see them all jumping to make the
motion to accept?
>> Sounds like it worked.
>> I will not be making said comments.
>> Turn over to our department heads for
us. turn over to our deputy mayor.
>> I'm gonna go.
>> None of you are allowed to leave here.
>> I know how this works.
>> All right. First, I'd like to welcome
Mrs. Phillips back. It's been a long
winter since we've all been shut in, and
it's good to see you back with us.
Yes. Um, I want to thank everyone
involved in the budget process for all
the hours that you've all put into it.
Uh, I'm sure this is going to be, you
know, like said, making us stronger in
the future. Um, we had a rec commission
board last week and one of the major
things was part of discussion was
biblical and I'm sure they're be all
very happy to hear that.
And I want to wish everybody a happy
Passover, happy Easter. Be safe.
See you in a couple weeks.
Paul
everything said the third order. Thank
you.
I'm not saying
um please don't forget we have um fish
fry this Friday at the Elks. So Good
Friday fish fry the annual events been
going on for about 30 years now.
Uh Ernest and Sons will be doing the
food this year
with rave reviews.
Everything that that Mel has been doing
has been tremendous. So 4 to 8 p.m. this
Friday obviously
fish heavy
also
hoping that right baseball opening day
18 couple weeks calendar after that and
then this is in not till May but I want
everyone I mention it every year
on drugs that the does that supports our
youth we send um
youth to a conference and it's for high
school age, but we also said middle
school age kids
talk about addiction and talk about
smoking and talk about all kinds of
other things that would lead them down
the wrong path before they get to high
school and before the the broader drug
related things are introduced into their
lives. So this is a fundraiser we do at
the Yorks each year. the council usually
walks and the funds raised to send
Brigantine kids
to this conference.
>> Thank you.
Thanks to everybody for coming out
tonight
Cultural Arts Commission.
having a big day on April 25th. Frank
Sinatra show at the co. Tickets are 45 a
person and uh great dinner and
entertainment. So mark your calendars
April 25th.
Other than that, have a great happy
Passover.
Thank you.
I'd like to wish everybody a happy
Passover. Passover started tonight.
everybody happy Easter on Sunday. A
couple board appointments uh to our
planning board. Need a motion and second
to appoint Frank Pabis to the planning
board.
>> All in favor?
>> I. Any opposed? Seeing none. Motion
pass. Welcome to the planning board.
>> Uh next up we have a school board
appointment. I would like to appoint or
reappoint Helen Kaufman and Shannon
Fitzgerald. their positions. So, we'll
make that appointment.
Good to go. At this time, we'll open it
up to the public. Uh public comment,
please state your name and address for
the record. That's John.
>> John Johnson, 36 Beach Drive. Uh, I
noticed in my driveway, concrete
driveway, a box painted out around the
water valve and a note was left or a
notice was left in my door saying that
they were going to explore, I guess, the
lead pipe issue by digging down there
and phone number if you had any
questions. I called him up. Very nice
young lady answered. I said that my
thought would be if you're going to do
it and there's a car in the drive,
please knock on the door so we can move
the car. She said yes, I'll load it. Uh
beyond that until it happens if in Coke
or any other area if it is galvanized or
lid and needs to be replaced
what action or time frame will the city
take from the exploration and finding of
the result.
>> Yeah John I don't have the exact
timeline but that's so the island was
broken up into 10 zones. They're doing
exploratory work in zones nine and 10
which are the last ones and the reason
we're doing the work there is we
actually believe that a lot of those
lines are not
>> the exploratory work would show that we
would have to submit to the D and then
they can from the project. So that's
actually what the work is doing. We've
actually been in contact with your board
at Coke Beach to make sure that they
understand what's going on and what the
process is and um hopefully we'll have
more information soon, but it won't be
anything immediate because we're going
to start obviously in zones one or two.
So, you could be several years out if
it's found there.
>> Good. Longer the better. Thank you.
>> Longer the better. I hear it. My other
question is seeing that there's going to
be asbestous abatement and boiler work
here. Is there any more asbestous left
in city owned buildings in Brigitton? Do
we know about that? I'm not sure. Turn
it over to director of public works.
>> Not familiar.
Yes. Well, I hope so. And I thought that
was already removed everywhere. So, if
it's still here, sooner the better for
the safety of those who work around it.
Happy Easter. Passover. Thank you. And
Tiger, you certainly shocked us.
If there's no other public comment,
we'll close the public portion. Any
final council comments?
I see none, we have a motion and second
to adjurnn.
Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Any oppose? See none. Motion pass. Thank
you for coming out watching your council
team at work.