3/12/26 Council Meeting

Ready.
>> Thank you.
>> Please stand for the flag
to the flag of the United States of
America to the republic for it standice
for all.
I'd like to call the March 12th, 2026
meeting of a Carver City Council to
order. In compliance with the open
public meetings act, the state of New
Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting
of a carver city council was provided in
the following manner. It's posted on the
AC Carver city bulletin board. It was
posted on the AC Carver city website and
notices were sent to the Hamilton
Gazette and the press of Atlantic City.
All please.
>> Mayor Jetti.
>> Dovy
>> here.
>> Galloway.
>> Yes.
>> Heist
>> here.
>> Hessie.
>> Yes.
>> Kenir
>> here.
>> Ortiz
>> here.
>> Sen
>> here.
>> Timbers
>> here.
>> Wright.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Number four is public comment on
agenda items only. Is there anybody here
that would like to speak on any agenda
items?
Seeing none, we'll go to uh number five,
which is approve the minutes.
>> Make the motion second.
>> February 26th. Motion made and second.
All in favor?
>> Opposed?
Motion passes. U no mayor tonight. Uh
she had a prior commitment that she had
to be at. And uh we'll start with
>> say the inductees to the um honor
society at Cedar Creek.
>> Honor Society at Cedar Creek. Okay. And
we'll start with the committee. Um,
Mason, would you want to
>> Yes. Jerry, can you hear me?
>> Yes. Can you hear me?
>> I just got your email today.
>> To if you want me to go over it, I can,
but it's a
>> I kind of went over it. I mean, Jeremy
here today from the skate park. Um,
>> okay. I know that there's a first step
that you wanted to get done and I was
just wondering if that's something that
we can attempt tonight or
>> Sure.
>> get the ball rolling.
Le
>> let's give it a shot. Um Mason, if you
guys if you want to bring it up.
>> Okay. I guess we got to reverse
basically basically get a vote on
whether or not the council wants a skate
park and then basically basically out of
the two areas link park and next to the
uh
>> uh DP building. Yeah.
>> So, basic
>> to basically bring up about the um we've
been talking about for the last few
years about the skate park coming to the
public city.
>> Well, be before we do that, the call for
another uh we do have our risk
management.
>> Okay. Insurance,
>> okay,
>> guy here. And uh John, would you come
up?
>> John D. Austinino is our risk manager
>> here. and uh he's here to answer any
questions,
>> okay,
>> that anybody has pertaining to the skate
park
>> and Jason's also here runs the whole
fundraiser.
>> Great. Excuse me. We're here a lot of
questions.
>> We're here for that too. We would like
to comment also
>> the three of us. Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> No problem.
>> I don't think we're
all right. Uh first of all uh John do
you have anything that you can uh start
off with and tell us what your thoughts
are? I think it started last year and
what I did I went to the statewide
insurance fund where you have your
insurance and I just asked them if they
could give us some guidelines
>> which they did. We sent this off to I'm
not sure if everybody saw it. I know the
safety committee saw it.
>> I know the [clears throat] administrator
saw it. I I distribute it, John. I did
distribute it to everyone.
>> Okay, good.
>> Yeah.
>> So, well, I guess first, you know, I'm a
risk manager, so the what you have to
understand is um the first thing I look
at is risk avoidance. So, naturally,
that would be just don't do it.
>> [clears throat]
>> But that being said,
often people want to do things that I
think would not be of best interest as
far as liability.
Statewide gives us rules um or should
say rules, guidelines to make it make
sure that the city is protected and the
public is protected. So, I'm
[clears throat] not saying
risk manager says no, but
if it's a yes, then we should follow the
guidelines and make sure we're doing it
the right way so that
all of the citizens are going to be
protected.
The
earlier this year, uh, we saw our go
11%.
because the five-year loss ratio of the
Cydia has been elevated. Um already this
year we're
probably looking at a dozen claims um in
March.
If we follow these guidelines, we're
protecting. I just have to I have to
tell you that these some of these things
are
when I read them, I'm saying I don't
know how that's going to work. So
[clears throat] what the strip might ask
is that a architect
designs it [clears throat]
>> not ours.
>> Um they ask that a company that
builds these
>> um actually installs it. Now in fact
years ago I remember building
parts parents all got together and just
did it. Unfortunately, liability those
days are done. So, [clears throat]
if it's designed by an architect, it's
installed by a company who makes it,
then a couple of things that uh are very
easy. You have to put a a signage.
One of the things that I I believe would
be difficult,
they asked that a waiver is formed
signed. Now, I don't know some of the
people that are here if I don't know if
if other towns are doing that. Um,
statewide ask that
you sign a waiver, which I above 18, you
would have to have parents sign it for
for minors.
They like to say it, supervise.
I've seen this in in larger
municipalities that have a lot more
manpower that um that isn't as
difficult. Uh but the doesn't have to be
none of these things have to be done.
This is what they're telling you. Good.
>> That was my question next. But it
doesn't have to be supervised.
>> Doesn't have to be supervised. You don't
have to put up signs.
>> You could build it yourself. is just
what they're doing is is saying how you
minimize the risk so that the claims
[snorts] second part of risk management
is risk transfer. So by having an
architect do it the the design and
having a company install it rather than
have a Harbor City employees
install it. You're transferring the
risk.
>> Correct. So we would [clears throat]
like to see
as much risk transfer as possible. So
the architect now the signage
[clears throat] it's easy. Anybody um
can throw those up.
They like to they request that you have
periodic
inspections.
So, it's it could be as simple as a
daily walk through and just see has
anything come loose? Has anything
broken? Is is there any sharp edges that
weren't there yesterday? Um, so you
could take care of any of the things
that are obvious immediately.
I don't know what you what you would
plan as far as times. I have seen two
things. I've seen one where um certain
time it gets locked. I also saw a
municipality that I represent have have
someone climb over the fence because it
was locked. So that's it's a two-way
street. It to me if you're going to do
it um
[clears throat] the prudent thing would
be to lock it. If somebody falls from a
20 foot height because it was locked,
we're going to say why did we put a lock
on the thing? you could have just let
them go in and and they wouldn't have
gotten hurt. Um some of the things I've
seen um it was being used by other than
its design purpose. So um I believe
you're looking at just a skateboard.
So we have seen for example in some of
the municipalities where um
[clears throat]
it looked really attractive for a
bicycle too, you know. So figure I'll
[clears throat] go in there. That's
where the supervision comes in. I don't
know um how you how you stop. Um I know
if I was riding by the place of I would
think it's a good idea to try one of
those zones.
>> A lot of skateparks have signage on it
though that say no bicycles, no roller
blading, no this that, no that.
>> Yes.
>> So the risk would technically be again
in the person's
>> Well, they would the person doing that.
But if it's um if if it's enforced, so
are are the police going to be
monitoring it? Are they going to be
riding by and saying, "Wait, there's a
bicycle going on there. I got to got to
get them off." Uh but as I said, all of
this stuff is doable. It's it's just how
much work and how much um how many of
these steps you can put in place to make
it safer.
So, [clears throat]
>> I'll have I don't know if anybody has
any other questions with the with the
insurance, but
>> I just have a comment. One of the things
that I I think we talked about a long
time ago
>> was um I always growing up used to skate
on the Acro City Lake.
>> And everybody did. We actually had
bonfires out in the middle of the lake
and skated around it. And um
over time because of these type of
things that that kind of thing went away
and not that we can't do it but it puts
the city at a really high risk tolerance
and I I think that's kind of the same
thing they're saying here. Yeah. I I I
not this municipality, but I uh at
another municipality, I said, "I would
like to see you sell [clears throat] all
of the vehicles, fire all the employees,
get rid of all the buildings, and I'll
have a year where we have no claims.
[laughter]
That's not realistic, and I and I
understand it." So, in my heart, I say,
"No, this is a bad idea, but I know that
you you may want to do it." And then
let's take as many safety steps as we
can. But if you said risk management
101, I'd say have somebody form an LLC.
Donate the land to them. Let the LLC do
this and Carper City's off. They don't
have any risk at all.
>> But that's John Decino's world. That's I
I see somebody else have it.
>> Let them have that. Let them have the
get all the glory. It's John's LLC and
look what they're doing for the kids.
>> What happens at What happens at
Crusaders and Derek? Somebody gets hurt
there.
>> They have their own insurance.
>> I have my own insurance.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
So,
>> yeah, they're covered. They're covered
and they're a legit LLC or 501c3.
>> Yes.
>> You guys are 510, correct?
>> Yeah.
Mhm. So, let's say let's say
there's
>> and let's say there's a swing
>> and you have a 5-year-old who swings on
a swing and they want to go as high as
they they can
>> and they and they go high enough and
they fall off the swing.
>> Mhm.
>> Right. Um would the municipality have
more liability if they were not manning
it? it was just a swing or if they had a
personnel who was there standing there
little kid on a swing and and a kid now
falls off the swing. I would think there
may be more liability potentially if you
are manning it because the second the
person is not manning it and a kid uses
the swing and falls now you've made a
swing
>> u an issue of liability that would may
not have been. So that's my concern. If
we were to say, okay, well, you have to
have someone who is going to supervise
[clears throat] people using a skate
park, which is honestly the way these
things are built, they're like it's it's
like a something could be as as
the height of like a couple bones but
long, and someone just kind of goes off
and grinds on it. Just a piece of metal,
>> right? But someone who's not a good
skater could go off of that and just
fall.
>> Yeah.
>> Most u most of the injuries or the first
time user um borrows it has no idea.
Once people get used to using them
they're they're safe. It's just that um
but most skateboarding is just hey let
me try it.
>> I got a question.
>> Yeah.
>> Now you have a kid that's skateboarding
nowadays
hurt. Who's laughing?
>> Yeah. Well, it could be.
>> But there's no difference whether they
fall off on the sidewalk or they fall
off in a park.
>> It's no different. The difference is no
different than the tennis court, the
pickle ball court.
>> Get hurt playing tennis. Get hurt
playing basketball.
>> Might be. You asked what a risk.
>> Yeah. No, I risk. But if someone I think
the sidewalks I believe we have a
sidewalk ordinance that the sidewalk
belongs to the homeowner. Mhm.
[clears throat]
>> So we transfer that risk.
>> Okay. What if they fall off another
road?
>> But if they if they fall in the in the
park or uh in the road. Yes. And we have
liability and we and we pay.
>> So you're saying if it's sanctioned by
the city,
>> then there's more liability that way.
>> We pick up the if they fall on my
sidewalk in front of my house,
>> they they're going to sue me. It's going
to be
>> my insurance. So we've transferred that
risk to
>> not in New Jersey.
>> The home,
>> not the way it works in New Jersey. New
Jersey municipality can pass ordinances
requiring people to to remove snow from
their sidewalks to repair the sidewalks.
But but typically if someone were to
fall on a sidewalk, the only way you can
kind of transfer liability if it's a
commercial property, but if it's
residential property, municipality tends
to eat it.
>> We So I mean, insurance companies do not
have to pay.
>> We've actually won that case where it
was a The person fell at a home and they
went after the city years ago. Um, but
they went after the city and we actually
did win that because of the sidewalk
ordinance that
>> we weren't responsible for the
>> now that that's probably going back 20
years ago. U I think Yeah, it's probably
at least 20 years ago.
>> You were a teenager then.
I have yeah I suppos I started
>> but the the question I asked before was
that the more control that municipality
takes as far as um monitoring.
>> Yeah. Well supervisor that the what
they're doing there is they want
supervisor that's going to make sure
that they signed a waiver. That was
where that was tying in. They wanted it
supervised. They want to make sure like
we had said like no bikes you know
nobody's your sign [clears throat] says
that but doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
The supervisor idea they have here is
that everybody signs a a waiver if it's
a minor their parents signed a waiver
and as long as there's a waiver go
ahead.
>> But what is what does the waiver cover
if if they were to sign a waiver? My
question is is if they sign the waiver
and let's say that there was a signage
on the front of the skateboard part and
there's a QR code on it that says scan
here to sign waiver
>> they hit it gives a time stamp and when
they did it they go they go skate and
they
>> 45 minutes after that and then they go
oh well I fell and then it turns out the
person didn't sign it and then they try
to do it last minute. Well you just fell
and you can somewhat prove that they
didn't sign it. They just try to do it
last second after they fell. I'm sure
there, you know. Yeah.
>> So, they follow it. But what And what my
question is though is what does the
waiver cover though that it would need
supervision there
>> because I mean with the waivers is
a read. I'm fully aware of the fact
there are special dangers and risk in
her in the activity of skateboarding
including the risk of serious physical
injury, death or other consequences
that may arise or result directly or
indirectly from skateboarding. being
fully informed as this [clears throat]
as to these risks and in consideration
of being allowed to participate in city
skateboarding activities and or use of
city facilities. I hereby assume all
risk of injury, damage and liability
arising out of such activities or use
and hereby release the city,
its officials,
>> right?
prison and
>> of the right of recovery that I might
have to bring claim or lawsuit against
them for any personal injury, death, or
other consequences
um occurring,
>> you know. Yeah, I I think your issue
with the waiver, I mean, it's it's a
good point. Like if somebody's not there
to monitor it, nobody's going to sign a
waiver. And I don't think 16-y old kids
are going to show up with their parents
to sign a waiver to get into the skate
park either. So, I'm not 100% sure that,
you know, that a waiver is really
feasible. Um, unless you're gonna unless
you're going to staff it. Um, I think
the staffing, not only to have wafers
signed, but also to make sure that the
that the skate park is being used
appropriately, um, is your defense
against if you don't have anybody there.
If you don't have anybody there and
people are using the skate book
inappropriately, you know, you're going
to be potentially liable for the fact
that you weren't uh you know, you you
knew it was an inherent risk and you
didn't do anything to protect it. It' be
like having a
it's a not a great example because the
risks are much more dangerous in a city
pool, but it's a city pool without
lifeguards, right? And that would be
like, oh, you just leave the gates open
and everybody can come in and swim,
right? swim at your own risk and you
know um you can see the liability there.
Um tour claims act would still protect
the city um for some of the for some of
the potential liabilities but to your
point if you're you need to inspect it
because if you're not inspecting it and
there is you know one of the pieces is
deficient and there's been complaints
about it you know that would trigger
liability or sharp edges that have been
ground down for whatever reason. So, you
know, but but I think to uh Councilman
Wright's point earlier, you know, swings
and playgrounds are inherently risky as
well and people get hurt playing pickle
ball and things like that. So, you know,
it's an amenity that if if council were
to move forward with it, um the risk
manager's point is there's things you
can do to minimize your risk because
it's naive to think that there's not
going to be some sort of accident or
injury at that amenity regardless of
whatever the amenity is. Um so, how do
you give yourself the best chance to be
protected by tour claims act or
something like that where you can avoid
liability, you know? Now, if they if
they this group that wants to do this,
if they created an LLC and had their own
insurance that would release the city
from any kind of liability,
>> you'd have to to the point earlier, I
mean, you couldn't own the property
either. If you own the property, then
you're still going to be you're still
going to be potentially on the hook
against the property.
>> If the property gets leased
to the entity,
>> it it depends. I mean the devil will be
in the details on how the lease is
written but potentially I mean you can
be indemnified under the lease
presumably
>> because well how how would that work
with the Cassadersville because
Cassadersville is technically or key
record is technically leased out to the
city but we have our own insurance so
insurance. Yeah.
>> So but that's
>> your insurance probably indemnifies the
city from any injury that occurs during
that time.
>> But what would that be the same thing as
if we least
>> Well, that's what I said like devils in
the deep. It depends how sort of
>> Mhm.
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. If in other words, it's going to
be how you word it. If he if he words it
then there but
>> do Excuse me. Do they have different
ratings for the different activities of
how risky they are?
>> No, they don't.
>> There are no ratings for the different
activities.
>> They're not even they're not even going
to raise your rates. out that the only
the only thing is the claims or what
winds up raising the rates.
>> Yeah. So, if you get a whole bunch of
claims next year, the rates will go up
because of that.
>> If you get if you build it and there's
zero claims,
there's no there's no change at all.
>> Okay. So,
>> yes.
>> Okay.
Well, then if the skate park can
be created through an LLC,
whether the land is bought by the entity
or leased by the entity,
why would we not do it that way?
>> Well, that just seems like the thing
that would make sense. That way, we get
to have a skate park and the city is off
the hook if anything happened.
>> So,
>> right. Or is that simplifying it too
much? I'm just trying. So, so the issue
the issue is that majority these
companies that build skate once they
build it they basically are it's
something that they're they raise the
funds for it but they are then giving it
to they do not want to stay and and be
on the hook for for for um long-term
maintenance or ensuring it. They're not
going to want to. I mean, if the
gentleman is here,
>> but that would be their responsibility.
>> Before we go to him,
>> you want them to take our
responsibility. He's not going to
>> speak to that.
>> Before you go to that, uh, I think our
administrator had some comments on this,
too. And I should put you first, Jerry.
I'm sorry.
>> I No, that's okay. So, I wanted to make
sure that that um we respected John's
time. So, John has already been to city
hall earlier today. So, this is his
second visit. and I appreciate he only
lives close by, but I appreciate him
coming by and and nobody's going to be
able to explain um shifting the
liability better than John. So, let's
put it let's put it that way, right? So,
I I have questions that I provided
everyone. Um and if you didn't get a
copy, please let me know. But, uh Jody,
I'm going to share the screen. Um okay.
>> So, I can put this up.
[sighs and clears throat]
Okay. So,
>> so, so this was uh basically the outline
of a presentation that um
I'm doing right now. So, it's not really
a prepared presentation and I wanted to
make sure. Can you see it?
>> Yep. [clears throat]
>> Not yet.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Hold on.
>> Questions?
>> I can see it. Your skate park was sent
out at five o'clock.
>> It was. Yeah. Yeah, it was. Yeah.
[clears throat]
>> Until today.
>> That's why That's why you did it.
>> Yeah. But at five o'clock. Like
wouldn't it be here?
>> No. No. I I didn't I didn't expect
anyone to see it. I just want to make
sure that if you didn't get it, I can
send it to you tomorrow again. But I I
have it up here, Donna, as a as a share.
So, let me let me just try to share this
again.
Uh let's go back to Zoom.
share.
How about now?
>> Not yet.
>> There it is. We got it.
>> Okay, good. So, so uh the questions I I
I shared um the question I asked the
committee and then copied uh blind
copied everyone else is um council will
need to pick the location of the park.
If you recall from the last meeting and
even the prior meeting, uh Lincoln Park,
um and Ryan will um confirm this, uh is
a super fun site. So, Lincoln Park may
not be the location, um that a new park
gets built. We have a park there. Um but
at some point, we will be using state or
federal money to clean up that super
fund site. uh when we go through the
entire process that we're currently in
with trying to get all the brownfields
and super fund sites identified in the
city. So I really think that the only
location that is in play is the second
location which is the Buffalo Avenue
location across from Philadelphia
Village behind DPW.
So So at some point um my point is
council will have to vote on a location
to move forward. But before we move
forward, I need to identify or I need to
I need to ask council to identify a
funding source, right? I understand that
there has been conversation about
fundraising and that's great. I I mean,
I appreciate everybody who volunteers
and fundraises, but in order to
undertake something like this, and like
I said, I want to appreciate John
because he couldn't I couldn't do what
John just did or what John can do. But
there are um there are decisions that
council has to make regarding what
funding source are we going to use to
pay the engineer, to pay the architect,
to pay the attorney, and to pay the
builder who builds this thing. Are are
we paying for all the professionals
ourselves or will the skate park group
place money in escrow to be able to pay
for all of that? Right? So, I have some
basic numbers that I'm just kind of
spitballing here, but an engineer for
permitting and and drainage design is at
least $40,000. An architect could be 15.
Attorneys, I don't there's just an
agreement, so there's a little bit of
money there, but then we're looking at a
200 to maybe $300,000 skate park um
based on how it gets designed. I
understand that they may be well, we
could do it cheaper and all of that
stuff. I get all of that, but I'm just
looking at some of the potential costs.
Number three, will there
>> that's actually an important point, too,
because
>> yeah,
>> you're going to do it on the idea that
you donate the land and somebody does it
as an LLC. And I don't know if that's
the plan, but that was one of the
options that was thrown out. If it's
done pursuant to if it's if even if it's
leased and it's still city property,
>> you're governed by uh local public
contracts law.
to go through the valing wage and
everything like that.
>> Correct.
>> Is going to be you know
>> much higher cost for us than anyone else
truthfully.
>> Finish his point.
>> Yeah. Finish.
>> Yeah. It won't be it won't take long.
Number three. So the question and I
think it was already raised. Is this
going to be a crusader or K-RC type
relationship where the skatepark becomes
a 501c3 and provides annual insurance
which as John you know explained um you
know our our our wellestablished outside
groups uh youth sport groups have their
own insurance and we not only request
that annually but we review it annually
John reviews it annually to make sure
that it's current and it's appropriate.
Number four is if the skatepark is at
your own risk, will our attorney or risk
manager develop rules and regulations
for the users? That's probably a a yes
question. Uh but if not, and then who
does that? Number five, who be
responsible for safety inspections? Will
it be a city employee? Will it be a
volunteer? I'm not sure if we can get
away with having a volunteer do it. Uh
so it would probably have to be a city
employee. Number six, is there a plan if
and when we have to decommission or
close this and it becomes either unruly
or vandalism occurs? As everyone can see
or maybe has seen and hopefully has not
seen, but there's a lot of uh tagging
and there's a lot of um uh spray
painting at the better built doors where
the impromptu skate park was built. um
that could be argued um like it's uh you
know art and and street art and all of
that stuff, but typically if there's
vandalism or if there's tagging at a
park um someone will find out. They will
call us. They will get in touch with the
mayor or me or someone and tell us to go
clean it up. And so when that happens,
who's responsible for that vandalism?
The last thing is, and I think we kind
of touched on it, but not necessarily.
Well, parents need to be present when
kids use the park. If not, how do we
prevent, and I hate to bring this up,
but but how do we prevent groomers or
other persons with with uh intent to
harm underage users? How do we prevent
that from happening? Um, do we put
cameras here? Is it something that gets
locked after a certain amount? So, so
really what I'm trying to stress is
there so many questions that it's just
not something where we can we can say,
okay, you know, I vote and I second the
vote to build a skate park. There's a
lot involved here. Typically, when we
build a park, a funding source has
already been found. Either we have um a
grant or we have um Ryan or Jod or
someone or our grant writers, Triad,
find additional money to do that. We're
not undertaking anything. The reason we
rebuilt the Winberg building and the
reason we rebuilt the uh tennis courts
with pickle ball is because of the um
water department sales, right? We had
money in place to do that. We're talking
about building something that could cost
several hundred,000 without a penny in
place yet. And so I just want to not put
the cart before the horse and kind of
really bring this down and focus on
this. Now, like I've said to council,
I've got a couple of months where I'm
doing a special project, so there's some
time to talk about it, but these are
really the my most concerning questions,
and that's because I'm not a risk
manager and I'm not an attorney. I'm
going to share
>> Jerry, would there be a number nine? Uh,
Pinelands would pine.
>> Yeah. So, that's that's in the number
with the with um the engineer.
>> Okay.
>> It would be permitting. permitting would
be would be something where we could
probably get it approved over a 12 to
18month period, but there would have to
be drainage. And Ryan, I don't think you
should bring up the fact that Pinelands
and Ryan don't get along with drainage
right now, but but they don't get along
with drainage. So,
>> yeah, hold on one second. Um, y'all,
80% of these questions were answered at
the meeting that we had. you remember
>> they they were answered at the park
committee meeting. I'm not sure if they
were ever discussed or asked of council
>> question. So that's I'm saying that like
80% of them were answered, but I did
bring Jason and Jeremy a bro here to
answer all those questions.
>> Yeah,
>> which I could do quickly and easily.
>> Why don't we call you up?
>> Yeah, thank you. Would you mind pulling
those questions back up on the screen?
>> Oh yeah, I can do that. Yeah, hold on.
Hold on.
>> Let me get that.
>> Thank you, sir. Just to give everybody a
little
>> just to give you guys a little bit of
background about myself. I run Skate
AC1C3.
Uh we built both skateboard parks in
Atlantic City. We have a a really good
record over there as far as having zero
injury uh zero lawsuits, excuse me. Um
and you can look the statistics up for
yourself. There's over 90 public
skateboard parks in the state of New
Jersey. Most years there are zero
lawsuits. Every once in a while you'll
get one where they stopped paying
attention to the park and a ramp fell
apart and maybe somebody got hurt. So
that is like the number one. If you got
any liability claims, it would be
because of not taking care of the park,
which we, you know, our whole community
is constantly monitoring. That's why
you've had the park over there for so
many years. Skaters want to skate things
that are good and our community cares
about this stuff. We want the kids to
have somewhere to go and the community
to have somewhere to go. And you know, I
know it's easy to look at these things
as a liability, but you might not get
sued, but there is a liability if you
don't give the youth somewhere to go.
You have the highest depression,
obesity, addiction rates amongst the
youth that you've had in recorded
history right now for this generation.
So that's why we advocate for this. Um,
and if you look up the facts of what's
in New Jersey, I really would recommend
calling Jersey City Bayon, um, you have
multiple parks in these much larger
communities where there are no lawsuits.
They're open to the public. There's no
waiverss. The signs are posted just like
basketball courts, football courts, and
I purposely designed what are called
lowcost, low impact parks. So they are
less of like humongous ramps that you
would see on the X Games, more of like a
driveway ramp you would see in your
driveway or a curb you would see out
front of your house. These are for kids
to learn on to be safe um and to prevent
injury. I've been doing this for 25
years as a skateboarder. So I know how
to develop these things so that the
injury rates are not there. Um we've got
the questions up here so I'll go through
them.
>> Can you see them? You okay with Yeah.
You want me to make it bigger? Does this
thing come? Can I take this off?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. So,
number one, uh, you'll need to choose
the location.
>> Number two, what funding source? Uh, we
would pay for everything. My business
partner on the nonprofit is Bob Marley's
son and Lauren Hill's husband. So,
funds. They have millions of followers
and massive support base. Um, his name
is Rohan Marley. We have uh let's see
number three will crusader key park
group. We are 501c3.
Uh if we had to do the insurance for the
first year, we could look up the cost
just so that you guys could see that
there are no lawsuits around something
like this. I'd rather not, but I'm
confident that you're not going to have
those issues. And just so you guys know,
you can also look it up. Pickle ball has
just as high injury rates as skateboard
parks. Nobody ever asked these questions
uh when it comes to pickle ball and uh
it's because the you know rates of the
people who are doing it are a lot older
and they're actually more likely to swim
um because kids are just there to have
fun and then you have uh
park would be at your home risk number
four. So the rules and regulations we
did work on that together. Uh obviously
our parks in Atlantic City one of them
has cameras on it station. So
constantly, you know, watching over
who's using it. Um the safety
inspections are the skaters and the
community themselves. We will constantly
be there to advocate for a safe space as
we do in Atlantic City at both of our
parks. If there's ever a crack that, you
know, emerges and needs to be filled,
we'll go there immediately and make sure
that it's safe. Um, is there a plan for
decommissioning or closing if the use
becomes unruly when vandalism occurs? I
mean, uh, we go and paint over or any
vandalism at our skate parks in Atlantic
City. So, we could run the same type of
thing here. We advocate against it.
Wherever there's youth congregating,
sometimes you do have some vandalism.
That's, you know, if you look at New
York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia,
when you build safe spaces for kids to
go, you will get a little bit of
graffiti, that just means you're doing
your job and giving the children
somewhere to go. Let them paint over
that. But that's actually a sign half
the time that you're getting them off
the streets and giving them somewhere
where they feel welcome. So, you know,
I've talked uh here before and you don't
do this, you're letting youth become
trespassers and uh you know, labeled as
loiterers and making them feel unwelcome
and rejected by the community, which
they are future. So, I don't think
that's a good plan and creates
liabilities and other ways long term.
Who will be responsible for the pair
will take on that? And uh will parents
need to be present? You know, it's
definitely something you could put on
the signage and advocate for. Um, this
one about the groomers, you could have
that at any park where there's any sport
or any playground. That's kind of a
weird question, but uh I would say that
we will be pleasing on,
>> right? So, so this so, so this is it
looks like and I'm just going to
highlight it or try to highlight it, but
it looks like what you're talking about
is the same relationship we have with
the Crusaders where they have a 501c3.
They're certified and then they give us
annual insurance submission. They one of
the requirements is that they have. So,
it really seems like the um the skate
park group would potentially be similar
to the Crusaders where it's city leased.
Uh Mason, I don't know how much how much
do we we don't get anything from the
Crusaders. I don't know if we get I
don't know if we get any money from the
Crusaders. I'm not really sure.
>> I don't know. I think it was like a
dollar. I think
>> Yeah, it might be something nominal,
which is which is probably Yeah, it's
very super. Yeah. So that's not I'm not
the but but it looks like that
the the the group I don't know who the
gentleman is. I'm sorry I can't see you.
So I don't know who the
>> Jason. Is it Jason up there?
>> Yes sir.
>> Okay. So, uh, so it seems like you're
talking as if it would be potentially
city property leased to the 501c3
and then a skate park would be built
under the 501c3 and the 501c3 would take
on the liability of it. Um, that's also
another option that was something that
our risk manager even discussed, right?
You know, just a few minutes ago. So the
the concern of cost uh typically uh
isn't it's not going to be a concern of
mine because everyone's going to take on
the cost. So I'm not a decision maker.
I'm the guy I'm the operations guy. So
you really have to convince council that
a skate park run by the 501c3 similar to
the crusaders on leased city land with
annual insurance uh requirements
satisfied to our risk manager. I think
that could be a path forward. I don't I
don't see uh I don't see a problem with
that, but I said like I said, I don't
make the decisions. I don't make the
vote. That's council members and you're
looking at them up on the deis.
>> Mr. Claus, one of Mr. Claus, one of the
things that you mentioned um was
maintenance.
>> Yes.
>> Um I remember love park in Philadelphia.
>> Yeah.
>> Um they couldn't keep the skate
skateboarders out of there,
>> right? And I think the liability comes
down to your maintenance and inspection
records versus assumption of risk. So
with something like this, if
it's going to be important that the city
that there's some type of program for
maintenance and inspection.
>> Sure.
>> If you guys were doing the maintenance
and inspection, that would still have to
be somehow coordinated and and overseen
by the city.
>> Sure.
part of what you do. Do you educate the
city on how to inspect and maintain?
>> Of course, the parks.
>> Yeah. Um it's pretty basic stuff, you
know, they're just curbs and ramps and
things and it's concrete. So, you would
really notice if there was a massive
issue, it basically be a hole or
something would form in the ground. Um,
you know, um and Love Park, for the
record, was not ever a skateboard park.
It was just
>> No, not a district. Yeah. They didn't
want skateboard them out.
>> Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. And they're
actually building a skateboard plaza in
Center City Philadelphia that I was a
part of the group advocating for that
opens up in April outside of city hall
uh with the help of Vans. Um so, you
know, the tides have shifted. This has
always been the issue is that people are
always scared because a lot of times,
you know, respectfully, it's older
people making the decision on whether or
not be um built and they just assume
kids are going to fall on their head and
call their parents and get a lawyer. But
that is just historically not what
happens there. Like I said, there are
90s something skateboard parks in the
state of New Jersey and you can research
the amount of lawsuits there are and the
majority of years there are zero. Um so
it's just something to consider. Uh
>> yeah, Joe, may I ask another question?
>> Sure.
>> Of Jason. So So Jason, are you aware um
are a couple of neighboring
municipalities, Galloway and Mullica,
they closed their skate, was your group
involved in those skate parks?
>> No, that was many years ago. And that
was a situation I believe in Galloway
where the ramps were not maintained and
what are called prefab bark. They're
pre-fabricated ramps that were put in
that uh also um you know the concrete
ones are actually you know on the ground
attached to the ground. A lot of times
the issues come from when these ramps
prop up and there might be something
that sticks out uh and that's
prefabricated issue was way um yeah
>> thank you. No, thank you for that. I
appreciate that because I didn't know
what the the you know I don't know who
who created those parks. It must have
been the municipality themselves.
>> Yeah, they closed down a long while
back.
>> The during this whole process, I've been
hearing, you know, this is for the kids,
right?
>> Yes.
>> And now I wasn't over at the park where
when it or the skate park on Atlantic
Avenue that was built by whoever was
using it. Um, but my understanding was
it mostly were 25, 30 year old guys.
>> Yeah. That's delay and say they died
young.
>> But how would you how would you manage
that? How would you manage, you know, a
little 5-year-old or 10year-old?
>> Sure.
>> Wanting to go on the park when there's
guys that are 30, 40 years old.
>> So the guys who are older are, you know,
just like if you were on a basketball
court and there were little kids playing
with basketballs, they're aware that
this is a youth learning and they are
typically uh helping to teach them uh
how to do this. Would there be a section
of the park for the smaller kids or not?
>> Uh that's, you know, not what typically
happens. Um but realistically, it's not
as much of an issue as you would think.
Uh these guys were also once little
kids, so they're very aware of the
process that these kids are going
through. And you know, typically we are
mentoring these kids. We are now put a
board slip out and hit a kid. if the guy
doesn't land his trick and the kid
doesn't know what's going on possibly,
but it's a very rare circumstance. Um,
we definitely are uh very conscientious
about making sure everybody has a good
time. Uh, you know, so and yes, to your
point, it's not just we we do this for
the kids because the kids are the ones
that really have nothing to do and
nowhere to go, but there are also older
people who skateboard and um it's for
everybody, you know. the skating
community typically tends to stick to
itself and
>> yeah,
>> they help each other out.
>> Joe, can I add that too?
>> Sure.
>> Just from being involved around with the
kids and stuff and um but like when we
have like our adult basketball type
90% of the people have kids, those
little kids who are on the court playing
with the the 90% where you're committed.
I don't know much about skating, never
really skate, don't know much about it.
But far as basketball, football and
everything, when you have adults that
are dedicated to the program that
they're doing, they see young kids pick
up on basketball, pick up a football,
the last thing they're doing is pushing
a kid off the court and saying, "We're
so important." They're taking that kid
under their wing and they're teaching
them how to do a layup, how to do a
shot.
>> Great.
>> What it's doing is it's more of a
benefit for the kid than anything else,
>> right?
>> So, I'm assuming that probably with
skateboarding is probably the same
thing. Yeah, your little kid struggling
on the skateboard trying to you're going
to teach them how to, you know, stay
>> Atlantic City. We run programming for
the youth. Uh we teach them lessons and
we are, you know,
>> there's tons of kids that I mentored and
and our community mentored that are now
sponsored skateboarders that teach other
kids how to skateboard. And it's kind of
like if it becomes generations just
recycling energy and investing energy
into the next generation. So I I did
hear ahead.
>> Is Is this a Hi, Jason. How you doing?
Is this a full-time job for you or are
you volunteering?
>> I started the nonprofit and it is a
volunteer movement. I have a regular job
but uh this
>> So how much time do you usually spend
there
>> at the skateboard park?
>> Skateboard parks. Yeah, of course. One
second. [clears throat]
>> Yeah. I mean I'm not like monitoring the
parks every day all day. I go by a few
hours a day or I wouldn't even say a few
hours a day. What it is is that
skateboarding is like how you would have
a social network on the phone. We're a
social network at the parks. We're all
in touch through the phones, but also in
person. So, the community is constantly
aware of what's happening at the park.
We're communicating with each other
about what's going on in the park,
mainly like who did what tricks and
things of that nature. But like if
something were to happen uh with a ramp
or something, I'm typically
[clears throat] the first person that
people will call. Hey man, this you know
thing is and we really don't have those
types of issues, but like uh we've had a
few incidents with graffiti where
somebody will send me a picture and then
I know, okay, we got to go over there
and paint that like that.
>> Joe, so Joe, one one thing. So Joe, I
want to I want to apologize because it
it's going on for a little while and I I
apologize for the impromptu
presentation, but it's really great that
everyone came together, John, that I had
time to go through these questions that
I was concerned about and that Jason and
others are there. I'm not sure if it's
something that continues at this meeting
or a subsequent meeting, but I just
wanted to, you know, apologize that this
presentation or this discussion is going
on for maybe a little bit longer than I
think we may have planned.
>> Jerry, that maybe we could call a
special meeting.
>> Yeah.
>> Council once I have a special meeting on
city council that we could
>> Yeah. come up with concrete things like
the idea that sticks in my head is about
the 501c3 where you guys would
you would run it. We don't have the
resources in the city to manage it to do
all the things that you're talking about
need to have done on there. I would
personally and the rest of council has
say too but uh I personally would be
more comfortable with that type of setup
and thus you guys building it and
throwing at the responsibility of the
city. One second.
>> Yeah. I'd like to call for a vote to
move forward with working out the
details for both sides to protect both
sides. I think the city has to have some
has to want to protect the youth and
protect the city. So I think we should
really put it to a vote to protect both
sides.
I'm going to make a t a motion. I can
make a motion. Right.
>> Yeah. Well,
>> she she making a motion. I want to make
a motion at the table.
I
>> was obvious to just come into city hall
one day and like talk to you guys.
That's what I did in Atlantic City
meeting.
>> Can I talk to you about this?
>> I've been trying to do that for the last
three months and trying to get it on the
agenda. Trying to get it talk. No, we
can't do it. That's what you No, we have
to talk about No, we got to vote on
this.
>> Well, there's still a lot of questions.
>> I know. And that's what I mean. That's
what we're here for to answer these
questions. I don't think we're in a
position to vote on this right now.
>> I mean, we could have been in this
position three months ago to vote on it.
>> Yeah, I I
already made a motion at the table.
>> Second drag.
>> We have a motion made and second at the
table that takes precedent over any
other motion.
>> Are you going to hear the rest of the
comments from the public? I know these
three right here said they're
>> Yeah. Before we even motion, I I think
we're kind of pushing it because of
other people not understanding it when
it's really not too much. Yes. Can I can
I finish on
>> Sorry, Tanner. I apologize.
>> I know that there's a lot to understand
with it and it seems more that there's
like a um like there's a lot of
scariness with it, but I mean just
because you don't understand the
liability that comes with it. I mean
like I agree with Mason a lot there. We
we're going to table this and table this
and table this until somebody just
because people don't have
>> and set up a special meeting where we
can have discussion just about this
because we have a lot of other
businesses.
>> That's okay. But I don't think that
should be a time period. That's some
meetings go long. I think that the
public has come. They've invested their
time. I think we should hear from them.
[clears throat]
>> Hold on. If there's a if there's a
motion in a second to table that should
be voted on and then I mean right now
you're allowed to discuss whether or not
you
>> I'll send that and we'll ask these guys
to say
>> me to sit down.
>> Thanks Jason. speaks. Can I ask Jason a
question?
>> Sure.
>> Is there a cost for your people to
participate in the park?
>> No. Just like any other public park.
>> And um do you ask for liability waivers?
And how do you issue those liability
waivers?
>> Just like every single other skateboard
park in New Jersey except for Ocean
City, New Jersey that I know because
they don't want people from outside
their community coming into their
community. None of the other parks in
New Jersey have what you're talking
about. They just like a basketball court
open to the public. And there are
>> Yeah, it is a lot safer than you guys
would think. People get hurt a lot more
doing pickle ball and and that leads
into the lawsuits more than skate parks.
And this is all stuff I've researched
that you can feel free to use if you can
look it all up. But is it is it more um
when someone gets injured in pickle
ball, usually an ankle or something like
that, where somebody gets injured on a
skateboard, I think it's a lot more a
lot more
>> I've been a skateboard for 25 years and
I've never broken a bone.
>> Oh, really?
>> Anything can happen. I can fall in a
pickle ball court and the pickle ball
thing falls in my eye socket
danger.
I think that's where
>> they
is this on.
>> My name is Michael Mars. I live not too
far from the park. I live over in Al
Village.
>> Okay.
>> I've been over there for about 20 years.
Um, I like to go outside and exercise,
ride my bike. So, I always like to stop
at a park at the park on a nice day. So,
I'm I'm not here to advocate against a
skate park. We're talking about the
benefits of the skate park. What what
I'm here to advocate for is the benefits
of Lincoln Park because I've been
watching this on Facebook and I seen
where as it was progressing that Lincoln
Park was the preferred site. And these
are just my thoughts on maintaining
Lincoln Park as it is. So,
>> well, before you go any further, I think
it was established already that that
site really does not work.
>> Got it.
>> Because we need to um do some
remediation.
>> And also a concern was that to get
access to Lincoln Park for the kids in
the city, they would have to cross over
Route 30. And that wouldn't be overall
that wouldn't be a safe thing to have
happen on a daily basis.
>> Okay. So it appears that it's not going
to happen.
>> Okay. So that being said, I'll just
summarize my points here. Okay.
>> So
>> I was just going to say that you know
communities
they need just as he was saying they
need places for the kids um recreation.
We also need green spaces, parks for
people. Okay. [clears throat] And mainly
what I was touching on here was that
when when I moved here about 20 years
ago, I seem to remember Lincoln Park
being even bigger than it is now. So,
they came in um we needed the uh the
commuter parking lot for the city and to
draw people here. They built that. They
built the street there, but that took up
a sizable part of what I seem to
remember as the parking. the park is
already smaller than it was. Okay. So, I
was just sort of um alarmed when when I,
you know, heard about us reducing it
more and when I saw the graphic on
Facebook taking another slice out of
that. I don't think we should do that. I
think that we have undeveloped areas. We
have areas in need of development. at
the area over there by the public works
and and I just hope that that we go in
that direction.
>> Okay. So, that's all I had to say.
>> Anybody else want
>> I'll keep it short.
>> My name is Eric Lang
>> and I just want to say I love everybody
here.
>> Thank you all for your service.
>> I love Acover City and uh I think
Lincoln Park is a great place. Escape
sounds good, too. But cutting down the
trees, like those trees are my friends.
So, I thought I'd come in here and just
respectfully, humbly advocate for them
to not be cut down. That's all. But if
you guys are going to cut them down,
whatever.
>> Okay. They're not cutting down yet.
>> Not cutting down trees in Lincoln Park.
>> That's all I got to say. Peace and love,
everybody.
>> Peace and love.
>> Anyone else? All right. Um Okay.
>> So, now I'd like to make that
the tape this and for very soon have a
motion special.
>> Do we make a motion at least today on
the location? It seems like we know the
location. Well, we got to get it
approved first and then the location.
>> When you say look into that location,
>> can we
need to be a second?
>> Wait, hold on, hold on, hold on. There's
a motion on the floor. There needs to be
a second and then you can discuss it.
There you go. Now you can
>> to table
>> the table. But now you can discuss.
>> But can we put a time frame on how long
we're table?
>> Like we will have a special meeting on
or
>> we can we'd have to look at the calendar
and figure out but soon. I'm I'm not
saying a month from now.
>> We're talking public meeting or
>> public public workshop meeting. City
council.
>> Can I make a point for I don't think we
need to table it. It wasn't on the
agenda. It's not an action item.
>> Yeah. But it is a discussion. It's
>> a discussion.
>> I think we just need to set a meeting
date to to hash.
>> That's a fair point.
>> A meeting.
>> So,
>> are you making that motion to do that?
>> Point order
date.
>> So, let's look at the calendar. Our next
meeting is on the 26th. Why don't we do
it that same night and do it earlier?
Uh, how about the 25th?
>> Wednesday the 25th.
>> What time?
>> 25th.
>> 6 o'clock.
>> 6 p.m. And is that um a public meeting?
>> Has to be a public meeting.
>> Public meeting
>> and then we can spend all the time
>> on that.
as question.
>> Will we have an answer that night? We
won't have another meeting after that,
another meeting after that, another
meeting after that.
>> It depends what probably happens at the
meeting.
>> Yeah,
>> because there's people that call
>> take a
>> keeps asking if they're going to like
for both sides, you know, what might who
knows what will happen at the meeting.
>> Well, I I agree with somebody's point
over here that
>> this fight is one thing that we need to
do,
>> right? We got if we're going to agree to
do this. So, but I don't know if we've
agreed to do this yet.
>> That's what I'm saying. We had to agree
to do it first before
>> but I think we need that meeting to
really uh they answered a lot of
questions. The 501c3 is seemed to me
like the best idea and I think everybody
feels good about
>> I mean they answered all those questions
last.
>> Okay. So, you're saying that on this
meeting on the 25th, Wednesday the 25th,
we will decide as a council whether or
not to have a skate park.
>> Yes.
It'll be advertised and that'll be the
one topic for
>> no other agenda items.
>> Mr.
We should go come to that meeting
prepared like the background information
on the on this 501c.
[clears throat] Uh so so we understand
whether it's applicable or similar to to
to
our meals that we have now. So there
>> is does Jason still hear you?
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. So can he get us that information
and
>> and maybe have maybe a plan rendering
size of it
>> property necessary all that kind.
>> Can you do me a favor? Can you look at
Jeremy when you're talking because
Jeremy's going to want to come in and he
might be so he knows exactly what you're
talking about so he can get that
information for you.
>> Was it you need?
>> Well, it's not for me.
>> Yeah. So we come to the meeting with
information that's given to us.
actually
24
>> and now I have to screech team
I'm only one set
did gentleman hear
>> what Mr. Adobe Adobe said.
>> So you'll be prepared with everything
you need to be prepared with.
>> I'll need it in advance.
>> You'll get it to me in advance.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
Great. Okay. So, we got to settle
the table and uh
>> Yeah. move on.
>> So, let's vote on that first.
>> Oh, no. We don't have to do anything,
right?
>> No, we don't have to. Not on the agenda.
It doesn't even
>> So, we're going to make a motion to have
a special meeting.
>> So, is there a motion?
>> I'll second. Motion made and seconded
for Wednesday, March 25th at six
o'clock, a special meeting of city
council to discuss sleep. All in favor?
>> I opposed.
>> All right.
>> This is why they call
such pain.
>> Mr. Galloway, do you want to speak on
your committees?
>> Oh, yes.
>> Talk about which committees you're
reporting on.
>> All right. Um,
I did not attend a safety meeting today.
Jerry uh or Meg, maybe you can give a
little
>> recap of what happened at that meeting.
um
sustainable at Harbor City. Um I passed
out the flyer for some of we have six
events planned. I don't know what those
but um concentrating on bees and
butterflies and pollinators. So all
program if you want to have discussions
please take it out into the hallway so
we can hear what the people on the days
are saying. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Um so we will post information on the
website sustainable ehc.org.
Um we have
programs. We have beekeeper coming. We
have um uh arbor day is going to be free
trees for backyards. Uh people have
asked for uh fruit trees and flowering
small flowering trees. Uh we'll have a
program actually two programs on growing
tomatoes. Uh, one will be uh we'll give
it giving away his own plants and
another one will be how to can them,
freeze them afterwards. Um, and then
we'll have potting party. We're going to
concentrate on getting some pollinator
plants to plant. We want to increase the
amount of milkweed in the city. I have
purchased milkweed seeds, so they'll be
available for the public. Um, our next
green team meeting is 700 p.m. Tuesday,
March 24th. And this is important if
anybody's interested in attending. Steve
Feedler will be there to discuss the
wild and scenic designation for the Egg
Harbor River. Um, the Great A Harbor
River is, what did I say?
>> Great.
>> The Mullica River. uh Great Egg Harbor
River is already designated as wild and
scenic and it offers some benefits and a
protection for the river. So, it'll be
an important one to to attend if you're
interested. It'll be here at city wall.
And um this isn't related to the green
team, but I did get contacted by the
Peace Pilgrim Group and they want to
have hold their walk this year on Peace
Pilgrim's birthday July 18th and they
have a new initiative. Um they have some
new members on their international board
[clears throat] and they're interested
in getting walks done in every town that
piece Pilgrim Walk through was the
country. They have a map with all the
towns she visited and they're going to
be contacting all these communities. So,
they're asking for a barber city support
for that and so I'll have a resolution
for the next agenda.
>> Okay,
>> that's all I have.
>> That's okay. Thank you, Mr. Sassy.
>> Um, I have nothing for Rotary. However,
um, as far as the code, they have there
is a resolution uh to hire two people
that we had interviewed.
>> It's not on the agenda. That'll be an
add-on from Jerry.
>> That'll be an add-on.
>> Yeah, it just happened.
>> I know. I had seen it, so I thought
everybody saw it.
>> Everyone Everyone received the copy, but
I'll read it into the into the record,
but yes, that's correct.
>> And what I also wanted to ask is, can we
please post a job opening for code
enforcement that um since Yes.
>> will be leaving on the
>> Yes. Yeah. And so, um, I wasn't sure if
he was leaving until early this morning.
So, yes, I'll get that posted right
away.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay.
>> Anything else?
>> That's all I have.
>> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Timber.
>> I have nothing. Mr. Dobby, any report?
>> No report.
>> Okay, S. Um, no, I'm good. Thank you,
Mrs.
>> Um, yeah, just one thing. um the
licensing committee um after speaking
with Megan and Jackie um the first thing
we would like to do is um all games of
chance um through the churches, the high
schools, anybody who comes in and gets a
license for a game of chance. That would
be any bingo game, any um 50/50, any
purse, the purse bingos they do,
anything through the high school, the
churches, they have to pay a
>> basket raffles.
>> Basket raffles. They have to pay a fee
to the state in order to get a license
to do that. They do not pay anything to
the city to have the paperwork
processed. We are entitled to get the
same amount that the state gets to have
that paperwork processed. we have never
charged for in all these years. These
girls
give the paperwork out. They go over the
paperwork. If the paperwork is wrong,
they correct the paperwork. They are the
people that the state calls if there's
an issue with the paperwork. So, we
would like to set um change the
ordinance that we charge the same amount
that the state does when that paperwork
is processed that we get what the state
does. They said that when most people
walk in to get their license, they walk
in with two checks. What do we owe the
state? What do we owe the city? And they
tell them what they owe the city
nothing.
>> Most other towns,
>> most other towns do charge. Now, the
state also charges if they do a bag
bingo and they make $13,000, the state
gets a percentage of that back. They
have to pay the state a certain
percentage they make on their profits.
We don't want to charge that. We just
want to charge the fee that the state
charges when they receive their license.
>> It's not a big fee. It's $20,
>> you know,
>> but we feel that it's something that
>> a processing
>> and the proc like a processing fee for
what they do with their time and their
effort to do that. So, we wanted to
bring it um in front of council to find
out if you guys would feel that that
would be a fair and legitimate thing.
>> Just not anybody can just get a license.
You have to be you have to be licensed
by the state to even hold the raffles
like but you know
>> right
>> like the the school has to have the ban
bianial license from the state the
registration to hold these raffles like
not just anyone can come in and apply
>> to renew it every two years these
raffles that people are having around
town
>> that that aren't saying you I mean no
but
>> but this has to be done ordinance
>> so we'll have to have the ordinance
prepared
>> right and I I shared with you with other
towns too. I mean,
>> right,
>> can [clears throat] prepare something
for the introduce maybe the next meeting
if you so if you want to,
>> right? We wanted to bring it here, put
it in front of everybody, make sure that
everybody was in agreement that we felt
that this was fair that we did this and
then we could take it.
>> I don't think we need to take a vote on
>> what we do is we'll we'll prepare an
ordinance for council's consideration.
>> Okay. As long as everybody feels that
just you know,
>> I'm curious what's the fee for the state
license? Like it depends if it depends
what's the prize amount. People have to
guess guess what they would get on a
50/50. So it's like 20 bucks. Say 20
bucks on the thousand something like
that.
>> I mean they're not they're hard to get.
I remember job.
>> Oh you're talking about the license to
apply. I think it's like 200 bucks every
other year. But you have to meet certain
criteria to get that.
>> You have to list every person.
>> Well they that's through the state. We
don't get involved in them getting a
license to have the
>> state is the fee is 200. you want to
charge 200.
>> No, no, no. That's to get a license for
an organization. Say um Cedar Creek
football team, they have a license to
have but they have to apply every two
years and prove like show proof that
they're a nonprofit.
>> But what happens is if you're going to
hold a raffle in town, you have to go
and get the town and then the state
permission to hold a raffle on that
daddy. And there's like a $20 fee for
that. Yeah,
>> I think what the council woman is
suggesting is that this right now only
the state is getting the $20. The city
is also doesn't have an ordinance that
would allow the city to also collect the
$20 and they're doing all the processes.
So,
>> right. And you can't we the state
doesn't allow you to charge more than
they get like it's capped like the
>> Okay. So, that's something we can
prepare for the next meeting, too. If
you're I mean yeah we they know
>> I say
let's vote on all in favor first of all
we need a motion
>> I'll make a move I second it
>> okay all in favor
>> post
>> right chief of
>> police
um we were struck by lightning last
night um they are still working on our
servers went down um some of our stuff
so they are still working on fixing
everything. That being said, I was not
able to access all of our stuff, so I
had nothing.
>> That fits right in in tonight's there,
right?
>> The Joe, she was excellent taking care
of business today, though. She was she
took care of everything.
>> Thank you. All right. Number nine, CFO.
>> I don't have anything. Thank you. city
clerk.
>> I just want to mention next Tuesday
we're having an on-site well wellness
screening um for if you anybody wants to
come blood blood pressure pre-diabetes
risk assessment uh glucose when this
>> it's next uh Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to
two and
>> yeah it's here at city hall
>> Atlantic Care is partnering with the
mayor's wellness program so that will be
here in this room next um Tuesday
>> thank you city attorney I have nothing
>> okay city administrator
>> this year we had a ice storm we had an
ice storm we had a blizzard we were hit
by lightning
I had to salt or I asked an employee to
salt sidewalks today after two or three
80° days
>> and next Tuesday we are planning for
another snowstorm. So um this is the
test
>> the test of wits and and all of that
other stuff. Um but I really don't have
much. I took a lot of time. I do want to
say that at the safety committee meeting
uh the one thing that was very important
was that um we have a website. I think
Jody checked on our website to make sure
that the website is also ADA compliant.
We are starting to do a we start we are
starting on a $400,000 project at city
hall um designed by RVE and um managed
or built by Maxwell Construction. So ADA
is very important. It seems like the
theme of this spring. Um, but Jody,
there's a couple of websites that are
linked to ours like sustainable EHC. So,
I don't know if you checked on those as
well.
>> What would have to be
>> about the font and
I don't know that they would be required
to be
>> I don't know. Just that it's linked to
ours. So, I was, you know, concerned
about it. Um,
>> I'm not sure if there's any others that
are linked to ours. I just found our
EHC, our sustainable EHC linked to ours.
So, there's requirements as far as uh
ADA on our website and I want to make
sure that um we're complying. So, I'll
work with Jody to make sure that we um
we get those. Um
>> Great. Thank you, J.
>> That's it. Thank you,
>> Jerry. Another I have one question.
>> Yeah, meetings going to be during the
day or are they going to go back to
Nette planning them through committee?
So, so safety committee meetings are
prepared um for uh quarterly meetings
10:00 a.m. um in in in city hall and
then if the safety committee wants to
have a separate meeting on their own.
So, so at this meeting we talk about um
insurance claims, we talk about
employees getting hurt, we talk about uh
returning back to work, we talk about a
lot of um internal stuff. Um but if the
safety committee wants to have a
separate meeting, we do have minutes
from these meetings. So they could have
a separate meeting in the evening when
people when council members are
available and then we could go over the
minutes and I can discuss or add
whatever questions answer any questions
that you may have.
So maybe maybe your meeting during the
day with the quarterly meetings maybe
call it something else other than safety
committee because
>> the safety committee has been confused
about
>> so you call it risk management
assessment
>> it's a requirement of our statewide
insurance fund. We have to have
quarterly meetings and we go over
training. We schedule training and we
look at issues and problems within our
workforce. It's it's basically DPW and
police that cause all the problems. So,
um but we have staff there that help us
manage these claims. So, it it shouldn't
be uh a safety committee meeting similar
to our safety committee. Um it could be
something else and I'll start calling it
something else, but it is a requirement
of our insurance coverage.
>> I was just going to say that had to be
during the day. I was going to ask that
someone else because I cannot do it
during the day. I was going to get that
someone else take my place because I
felt it was unfair to be on the
committee and not be able to attend the
meetings
>> but completely different and
>> yeah these are really for employees
>> right then then I understand that and
we'll just
>> work two separate
>> right two separate entities
>> yeah and it's not like I mean Nette
tried to to get on we didn't have we got
hit by lightning so we didn't have our
email up and all of that so I ended up
apologizing because I didn't see Nette's
email asking for a quick zoom uh which I
could have easily set up But um if an
council member wants to attend, of
course, I know I don't stop anybody from
attending. It's just that it's it's an
internal discussion with a lot of uh
detail regarding our employees and
managing the risk that we have with
employees and our operation.
>> Jerry, did you want to mention the
resolution for hiring?
>> Oh, yeah. I'm sorry about that. Um so,
uh I just want to bring it up, Meg, if I
could.
>> You're allowed.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I just want to find it
actually.
Okay. So,
the
resolution uh council president, the
resolution that I need to read into the
record, I don't have a number for it,
but is the resolution to hire part-time
employees, whereas the city of Egg
Harbor has a need to hire um employees.
Uh we would be we would be asking
council to consider hiring
um Mr. Brian Malazo, part-time code
enforcement officer, assistant
construction official, $30 per hour, up
to 20 hours per week with no benefits.
He does have his construction official
designation. And then uh we have a
resignation. Today was his last day
actually, Mr. Rich Saunders, who has
been our construction official and our
uh building subcode. And we would be um
passing on that responsibility to Mr.
Stephen Buckhoffer who is currently our
um fire, electric and plumbing sub code
and is also our fire official. We would
be adding to him um the title of
construction official which basically um
is the um connection between our office
and the DCA and building sub code
official.
>> He doesn't doesn't have building sub
code. I just talked to him before the
meeting.
>> Okay. Okay. So So uh Brian has building
sub code. So, we'll work that out. I
think that was probably a
misunderstanding that I had. So, we'll
get that straightened out. Um, and then
>> mentioned 20 hours. It's 28 on the
paper.
>> 28. I'm sorry. I did I I I meant to say
28 if I said be up to 28 hours per week.
And then Mr. Buckhoffer would be our
construction official. Uh, $11,000 would
be added to his current salary of 17425
for his sub code work.
Okay,
>> Jerry, will he be overseeing the code
enforcement as well?
>> Yes,
>> it is his full-time job in Willingboro
and he would be doing that for us on a
um part-time on call type of basis.
>> Okay. Is there a motion?
>> Second.
>> Okay, got it.
>> Okay,
>> do
>> yes.
>> Galloway,
>> yes. Heist.
>> Um, I have a question. Can we put this
through if we have it if it's not
correct on here?
>> It is correct.
>> Well, you're talking about the building
sub.
>> Yeah, it would be removing building sub
code. Thank you. Good catch.
>> That should be on Mr. Malazo and not Mr.
Buck Hopper.
>> That's correct. Yep. Thank you.
>> Mr. Ro if it's not written correctly on
this.
>> No, we're going to correct it. Meg meg
corrected it. You can do the the motion
to motion on the amended motion.
>> It's different than an ordinance.
>> That's correct.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> So, it was corrected.
>> So, we can we can Okay.
>> Yes.
>> All right. Where was I? Hessie,
>> yes.
>> Kenir, yes.
>> Ortiz, Sen. Yes.
>> Timbers,
>> yes.
>> Right.
>> Yes.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay. Um,
>> all right. So, uh, engineer.
>> Sure.
>> Engineer.
>> Yeah, I'll keep it short. Um, Buffalo
Avenue, uh, we are looking to do stop
work on Monday. Um, weather dependent.
We'll see how that goes. Um, the
campground, um, we are working through
the design as quickly as possible,
trying to get all our permit documents,
uh, ready to go out the door. Uh, city
hall improvements, uh, we're making
material selections, processing
submitts. They're ordering materials. Uh
like we talked about, we're going to
make sure that they have pretty much
everything lined up so they can come in
and sweep through as quick as possible.
>> Please give me.
>> Yes.
>> When should that start? Do you have an
idea projected date?
>> Not yet. Um it's going to depend on some
of the longer lead times. Um we don't
see anything being longer than the four
to six weeks. Um but we're we're still
getting submitts in to approve. So they
have to send them to us. We have to
review them. Uh the city's making some
material selections. Once that process
is all flushed out and they get them
back, that's when they actually place
orders. So, um we should know I would
say in another two to three weeks, we
should have a very very good idea on the
schedule. Uh but we talked when we had a
pre-construction meeting, we talked with
them about um like timing the deis work
the work that's required in here to be
in between meetings. So like we'll have
a meeting and then they can start Friday
do their demo of the whole week to do
the work uh the following week. Uh so we
won't you know we won't disrupt a
regular council meeting.
Um, sure. Uh, New Orleans Avenue
subdivision, we, um, I saw the
solicitor's office sent stuff over to
the county for review and approval on
the conditions, uh, that were required
as part of the approval. So, once those
are approved, we can finally, uh,
circulate the plat and get that filed.
Um, I bank project, we need to place an
ad probably within the next week or week
and a half. Their advertising
requirements are crazy. You have to
advertise 30 days prior to when you're
going to advertise. Um, so you have to
advertise, wait 30 days, then advertise
the job, and that has to be out for 30
days. Um, so we're trying to do that
next advertisement within the next week
to 10 days. Uh, that would put our bid
opening at some point in May, and then
we could award it in June. And there's
some time for DP to approve everything.
Um, so we're we're on track for that.
>> Please,
>> that is the the storm water improvement
project, the like two plus million
dollars in clean water.
>> Do we have a a location or
>> Oh, yeah. It's primarily on Beethoven
Street. There's a splinters up to Argo
and a couple side streets. Uh but yeah,
it's it's we designed it and submitted
it to them in March of last year. So um
they took a long time to get back, but
we're still on track to get the FY26
money. Uh and then hopefully move on to
the FY27 project. And then the last
thing is the senior center ADA
improvements. Um we did a site survey
the other day. Uh we have a LAR scanner
went scan the inside for to so we can
design all those improvements. Um so
yeah, that's that's the active stuff at
the moment. Uh We um we finished the
survey um even though there's still some
snow on the ground. Um but we have our
site plans and we're we're finally ready
to submit that I think. Oh
>> yeah.
>> Two two things. Deer Street
>> um
>> so Deer Street the county is performing
work. Uh we held a meeting with them a
coordination meeting with them here like
three weeks ago now.
Um, yeah. Uh, just to talk through, they
didn't think it was really going to have
any impact on the school and the one
that they were focusing on was the
Havana Avenue and the community school.
Um, and they didn't realize that the
only way to get to the elementary school
is from Deer Street. So, um, we had a
probably hour, hour and 15 minute
meeting here and we talked through how
they can phase everything and how they
can sort of shift their detours so that
they'll provide access to uh, Buffalo
Avenue from Deer Street at all times.
Um, so there'll be a series of revolving
detours. It might be three different
days in a row, three different detours.
So, it'll be a little bit of confusion,
but every day there will be access to
Buff Lav School. Well, it was originally
slated to start Monday. They pushed it
>> a week or so.
>> Yeah. Um maybe the end of next week,
more likely the following Monday.
>> Yes. Yeah.
>> Schools have been notified. I sent them
the detour routes. So
>> I saw it on Facebook.
>> Good.
>> Yeah. Can that
>> Yeah. They um you'll you'll see they're
going to start the work. They have work
in Galloway. Um that's going to occur
before this. So you'll see work start
down there and then you'll figure you're
a week and a half to two weeks from when
you see the work start in Galloway. Um
>> and one other thing can you talk about
the change at your company?
>> Sure. Um so Remington and Vernick
Engineers um became part of Ardora which
is a uh larger national engineering
company. So we have about 2600 employees
stretching uh clear across the United
States. Um but yeah so we are operating
as Remington Verdict at least for the
next year or so. But it seems that we
will eventually be part of uh the larger
Ardora company. So,
>> but we'll still have you.
>> Yeah, there's you're right. So, um I
sort of glaze over that. No real like
internal changes. Everyone literally
everyone in the entire company is
staying our whole management structure.
Ardura has no current presence in the
Northeast. They had nothing north of
Virginia. So, they didn't like buy us to
merge with somebody somebody else. It's
it's just a division within the company
essentially. Um so, they're they're not
planning on really changing anything.
It's just sort of folding into that that
larger umbrella.
>> And legally, we don't have to make any
changes. council
>> uh after well they're not making any
changes not right now if they change
during the term of their contract you'd
have to amend the contend amend the
resolution just to recognize the new
entity
>> yeah we're not we're still operating as
Roington and Vernick 2 LLC I think is
the technical legal name at the moment
um but yeah we're still operating as
that entity we have thousands of
contracts all over the place and we we
had that discussion as part of that
merger was we're not going to you know
over complicate that as contracts cycle
through we'll turn them over
um at this continue
>> just and just the fact
>> that ver 125 years old correct
>> and Carter City has been a client of
them for all 125 years
>> been continuous yeah
>> I didn't I wasn't here when we started
[laughter]
this meeting started
[laughter]
>> but yeah we we will still be celebrating
our 125th anniversary at Remington
Infernic this
Thank you. Anybody have any questions
for us?
>> Any
number 14 resolution budget
appropriation preserve transfer last
motion?
>> Motion second.
>> Motion made second. Questions?
>> Yeah. Why are we transferring 20,000
into the heat of the
>> So that way I can move money to the
storm trust.
>> It is for the storms.
>> Yeah.
Dovy.
>> Yes.
>> Galloway.
>> Yes.
>> Heist.
>> Yes.
>> Pessie.
>> Yes.
>> Kenir.
>> Yes.
>> Ortiz. Sen.
>> Yes.
>> Timbers.
>> Yes.
>> Right.
>> Yeah.
>> Resolution passes. Number 15. Resolution
for 100% disabled veteran. Tax exemption
case number 2026-02.
>> Mr. [clears throat]
>> Motion made and seconded. Questions?
Roll call. Doby, yes. Galloway,
>> yes.
>> Heist, yes. Pessie,
>> yes.
>> Kenir, yes. Ortiz, Sen, yes.
>> Timbers, yes. Right.
>> Yeah.
>> Motion passes. Number 16, resolution
100% disabled veteran tax exemption case
number 2026-3.
>> I like the motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion made second. Questions? Roll
call.
>> Doby,
>> yes.
>> Galloway,
>> yes.
>> Heis,
>> yes.
>> Hessie,
>> yes. Kenir,
>> yes.
>> Ortiz,
>> yes.
>> Sen,
>> yes.
>> Timbers,
>> yes.
>> Right.
>> Yes.
>> Resolution basis number 17,
100%
disabled veteran exemption case
number 2026-01
repeat of 2025 property tax.
>> Make a motion. Second.
>> Motion made. Second of questions.
>> I do have one question. I just wanted to
ask Joby something. We do get monies
back from the state. You know, there's
actually legislation that they're trying
to work on to try to like
>> force the state to give the
municipalities money back since they're
the ones who
I wasn't sure whether we
>> apparently unfortunately it up and
[clears throat] I thought
>> rolly.
Yes.
>> Galloway. Yes.
>> He pesser.
>> Yes.
>> Ortiz. Sen. Yes.
>> Timbers. Yes. Right.
>> Yes. Resolution passes number 18, 100%
disabled veteran tax exemption case
2025-02
refund of 2025
property taxes. I'll make the motion
second.
>> Motion made second. Questions? Roll
call, please.
>> Doby, yes.
>> Galloway, yes. Heist,
>> yes.
>> Hessie, yes.
>> Kener, yes.
>> Ortiz, Sen.
>> Timbers, yes. Wright,
>> yes.
>> Resolution passes. Okay. Number 19 is a
public hearing ordinance number 4-2026
abolishing the ordinance opting into the
Garden State CPACE program to facilitate
and finance CPACE projects adopted on
September 1125.
Motion.
>> Motion made second. There second.
>> Second.
Motion made. Seconded.
Questions.
For public comment, right?
>> No, this is
>> public.
Open the public.
>> Okay. It says adoption.
>> Public
hearing. Uh public hearing is open.
Oh, let's make a motion.
>> Is there a motion to open?
>> Second. That's what we do. Motion made
second.
>> Yeah, you just public hearing.
>> We're just abolishing the one we created
last year because we had to make some
changes and we that one we adopted at
the last meeting.
>> Okay. Public hearing is open. Anyone
wish to either
>> seeing none. So motion to close the
public hearing motion. Second.
>> All in favor?
>> Okay. Now, is there a motion to it now?
Make a motion. Second.
Motion made in second. Roll call,
please.
>> Doby, yes. Galloway, yes. He
>> Yes. Hessie, yes. Kenir,
>> yes.
>> Ortiz, Sen,
>> yes.
>> Timbers,
>> yes.
>> Right.
>> Yes.
>> Ordinance passes and it will be posted
on the city website. Number 20, public
hearing ordinance number
5-206
amending chapter 235 streets and
sidewalks article 7 titled free renewal
and replacements there. Motion to hold a
public hearing.
>> Make a motion.
>> Second.
>> All in favor? I opposed.
>> Okay. Public hearing is open for
ordinance number 5-206.
Anyone wish to be?
>> I have a question. A couple questions.
>> Okay.
>> Well, basically comes down to this and I
believe Councilwoman Galloway answered
me in the in the affirmative
two weeks ago. My question is according
to this ordinance,
I'm reading it. No trees shall be
removed until the code enforcement
department or the city ISA certified
arborist has reviewed and approved the
removal.
And then a couple pages later it says
any person agreved by the decision of
the city.
My question is
can a resident be denied permission to
take down a tree on their property?
>> Yes.
>> Yes,
>> they can be.
>> Yes. according to the way according to
the way the ordinance is written. Yes,
they can.
>> City administrator Arberus, would you
elaborate on that?
>> Uh, sure. Thank you. So, earlier um
today, and I apologize because today was
a crazy day, but earlier today, I did
send out an email to clarify that um
I've done this now for three
municipalities. Um, Egg Harbor City is
one of the three, and I continue to do
it for some other municipalities.
And typically um a tree that is
requested to be removed is
most of the time almost 95% of the time
the way I keep my statistics is either
dead or diseased or dying. And so I
identify the risk uh the
risk that typically the homeowner
already knew or may have been told about
uh by a tree company and I approve that
removal. There are few instances where
someone wants to remove a tree um and
the tree is somewhat healthy. And so in
my case, I and the homeowner talk about
pruning the tree or potentially cabling
the tree, which is uh putting a cable
between two branches that could be
potentially um um uh weighted
differently with an un unbalanced
canopy. Uh but most of the time because
trees cost tens of thousands of dollars
to remove or or thousands of dollars, I
apologize. Thousands of dollars to
remove, typically um wholesale removal
of trees is just so costly people tend
to not do it instead of do it more.
>> Okay. Well,
I what if I want to add an addition onto
my house and there's a perfectly albeit
healthy tree in my yard where my new
living room wants to be on it.
>> Right. So, we wouldn't we wouldn't I
would I would be asking you if it's a
perfectly healthy tree that um while
you're taking it down uh you would say I
want to put a large addition on my
house. It has to come down and then um I
wouldn't deny the tree to be removed but
I would request as the ordinance says to
plant a new tree in its place somewhere
else on your property.
>> And I have no problem with that. I'm
not, let's say, I'm not wanting to
remove an a healthy tree, say for a home
extension, but I just don't want this
tree in my front yard anymore and a
healthy tree, but I just want it down
and it's on my property,
>> right? That there there has to be
>> I agree to plant a tree in its place
once I take the perfectly healthy tree
down just because I want it down. Can I
be denied the right to take that tree
down? Now, you'd be required to replace
a tree. Um, you'd be required to make a
tree replacement, right, Jerry? Under
That's correct.
>> 4B2,
resident who removes a non- street tree,
which would be one on your property,
>> um, that is not deemed a hazard with a
diameter of 6 in or greater is required
to plan a replacement tree.
>> Yep. regular space.
>> So then I will not be denied
>> no
>> need to take as long as I plant another
tree.
>> So So the way the artist works is if
it's if anybody removing a tree on the
property has to come in and do a $25
>> no problem application.
>> Okay. And then if the tree arburist
comes out and looks at it and says,
"Okay, the tree is unhealthy. You're not
required to plan a replacement tree." If
it's a hazardous tree, I'm I'm just
explaining the whole ordinance. Okay.
>> Right. So, if it's if it's considered a
not a healthy tree, you have no
replacement obligations. If it is a
healthy tree determined by the arborist
and you still want to remove it, then
you have the requirement to replace it
to to plan to replace the tree.
>> But I will be able to remove the tree as
long as I agree to plant another tree.
>> Correct. That's the way.
>> You will be I will try
>> vigorously to talk you out of it. But
you will be able to do it
>> if you need to do it. Yes,
>> that is how that is how the ordinance is
written is that is that if you're if
you're the ordinance only requires a
replacement tree if the tree is not
deemed a hazard. But it doesn't say that
you can be not denied the right to take
the tree down. What it can say is that
if you take down a tree that's not
otherwise a hazard, you have a
requirement to replace a replacement
tree. You have a requirement to plant a
replacement tree. That's what you
>> and the the the real and Joe just real
quick if I could say the real um reason
why the D wanted this ordinance that
every municipality so they tied it into
the MS4 permitting process is because
people were taking down trees without
replanting trees, healthy trees without
replanting trees. And so really the goal
of the DP is to make sure that if a
healthy tree comes down, a healthy tree
gets planted so that the canopy can
rejuvenate itself over time.
>> Correct. It's a tree replacement
ordinance. It's not denying the
homeowner the right to to remove a tree.
It just says remove a healthy tree, you
have an obligation to plant a healthy
tree somewhere else.
>> Okay. And you answer my question, Jared,
by mentioning the D.
>> Yeah.
>> Actually requiring us to do that, right?
>> They're requiring everyone to do it.
Yes.
>> Which begs the question to me, why have
a local public on it if this is if this
is being mandated by the state? Why are
we even
>> Why are we voting?
Similar to the pine man situation where
>> they don't have enforcement power in any
car city we do
>> and that's why we have our local
ordinance correct
>> yes
>> that's correct
>> if I'm not mistaken
>> just like storm water management
regulations and things like that DP
regulates DP mandates that
municipalities have to implement it and
the full
>> and if we didn't then we get
>> you get fined
right
>> the were fined and and in Jerry's in
Jerry's he tried to sneak it through
before and they There you go.
>> I tried. I really did try. So I
apologize, but I did try
>> a lot in the ordinance. The first thing
that and everybody in this room should
be concerned about it is at this present
time,
>> the people who own homes in Egg Harbor
City are responsible for their street
trees,
>> right?
>> They're how old? 100 years old. They
cost brand to remove. So without
adopting this ordinance, everybody in
town would still have the the
responsibility for taking care of those.
Adopting this ordinance puts the onus on
the city to take care of those street
trees. Okay. We got $2 million, well
close to $2 million to take care of
that. It's a four-year program. Not
adopting the ordinance puts that $2
million in jeopardy.
>> Yeah. And and that's
>> I don't want to see that happen. My only
question was if I don't have a street
tree and it's healthy, I want to be able
to take that tree down with the
agreement that I will plant another
tree. I be denied in the end. What
you're saying, what I hear you saying is
that I can't be told no, that tree has
to stay on your property.
>> No.
>> Yeah. You'll be told yes, but you'll be
told yes, but you got to plant a tree
somewhere else on your property. That's
>> okay. But but the yes, but I'll plant it
on the tree allows tree to come.
That's that's my
>> Okay. Very well.
>> The other thing I wanted to say was this
ordinance has been introduced the third
time it's being introduced. It was
introduced last January with all the
requirements recommended by the D and
the uh Pineelance Commission which I
supported 100%. It included replacing
trees based on the size of the trunk. So
if there was a you had a big humongous
tree, you would have to replace it with
four or five trees.
That ordinance, it didn't go anywhere.
The council would not adopt it. So we
had to redo it. We took all that stuff
out. We took everything out and made it
the way the public wanted it, which was
no requirements, no fees, nothing. We
sent we docked that in December, sent it
to the DP and they said, "You can't do
that,
>> right? You have to do a real ordinance
and you have to replace any trees that
come down in your community.
>> And we did try to this is the end result
and has it went from $250 to $500
replacement if you can't replace it on
your property fee to $25 application
fee. Now I just today
Washington Township through the woods
over bridge they have the same ordinance
that they adopted recently. Their
application fee is $250.
Now when that money goes away that we
have
to maintain our street trees when it's
expired and we used it all up. There's
no money in our budget to take care of
our trees.
>> Mhm.
>> So having having those fees, those
replacement fees would go into a trust
fund that would replenish some of that
money so that in three years time when
the grants go away, we no longer have
any money. We have a little pot of money
that if somebody or somebody a tree
needed to come down, we'd have the money
to go pay. Right now, the grant is
paying $750
per tree to remove that's that was the
bid amount that we accepted. So, it's
costing the city $750
to to address every street tree in town.
It's a lot of money. I don't think the
taxpayers can afford that. So, you could
you could turn down the ordinance. You
could push against it.
>> There's pros and cons to my main
question was answered and to my
satisfaction. So I'll I'll vote.
>> You're asking a question
>> about your tree in your yard or
anybody's tree. We can't give you that
one your argument. No way.
>> Stop talking.
>> Is there a motion? I got one.
>> You said I can't be guaranteed that. So
you just said that
>> was not an arbur. I can't look at your
tree and tell you.
>> Well, I'm not asking you. I'm asking if
this says that. And according to our
lawyer, he says that I will be able to
take a perfectly healthy tree down as
long as I plant another one.
>> Correct.
>> Okay.
>> Yes.
>> Amazing.
>> I have a question. We are planning to do
the next phase. It goes well at the the
north.
>> Now, what do we got to do with all those
trees that are going to come down?
>> That's in there. There's
>> a while. I know it's in there. But
>> you want me to explain it?
>> No. Not
as he asked the question.
Well, this is public comment, so we we
should probably close public comment and
then you can discuss your
>> make a motion.
>> I think most hear from the public.
>> Yes, we did. We It was public comment.
>> My question is, is this ordinance going
to interfere if we have to take trees
down over there?
>> Where?
>> Over where? I didn't understand them.
>> I just want the answer. Well, it doesn't
redevelop. It it it will it will it will
require the new the new development to
plant new trees. Yes.
>> Not one for one. No, not one for one.
It's different. You see it in the
ordinance. It's different for
development than it is for private
property for development.
>> Okay. Development and private owner.
Yeah.
>> Different different categories.
>> That's what I wanted to get to because I
kind of knew that. Okay.
Motion made and seconded. All in favor?
Opposed? Motion to adopt.
I'll make
>> motion has been made and seconded to
adopt roll.
>> Doby Galloway.
>> Yes. Heist.
>> Oh yeah. Pessie.
>> Yes.
>> Kener.
>> Yes.
>> Ortiz. Sen.
>> Yes.
>> Timbers.
>> Yes.
>> Right.
>> Thank you.
>> Passes and it'll be posted on the
website.
>> Number 21. Ordinance number six, public
hearing amending chapter 216 of the city
code titled rental property
registration.
Is there a motion to open a public
hearing?
>> I'll make a motion second.
>> Motion made and seconded. All in favor?
>> I
public hearing is now open for ordinance
number six amending the city code title
registration rental property
registration.
Anyone wish to be heard? [clears throat]
Seeing none, is there a motion to close
the public hearing?
>> Second.
>> Motion made second. All in favor?
>> Opposed.
>> Is there a motion to adopt?
>> Make the motion.
>> Second.
>> Motion has been made and seconded. If
you call, please.
>> Doby,
>> yes.
>> Galloway,
>> yes.
>> Heist, yes.
>> Hessie, yes.
>> Kenir,
>> yes.
>> Ortiz, yes. Sen,
>> yes.
>> Timbers, yes. Right.
>> Yes. Ordinance adopted and it'll be
posted on the city budget.
Number 22 is our bill list. Your motion.
>> I'll make a motion. Second.
>> Motion made. Second. Is there questions
on the bills?
>> Seeing none. Roll call, please.
>> Dovy?
>> Yes.
>> Galloway?
>> Yes.
>> Heist?
>> Yes.
>> Hessie?
>> Yes.
>> Kener?
>> Yes.
>> Ortiz?
>> Yes.
>> S?
>> Yes.
>> Timbers?
>> Yes.
>> Wright?
>> Yes.
Bills are paid. Number 23, public
comment. Anyone wish to be heard on any
other
get a recording.
Keep it.
Oh, she does. She got four words.
[laughter]
>> Hey, she's doing an amazing job. I don't
know anybody. [laughter]
>> I miss you, Komi. I miss you.
>> Doing a good job. Um,
the ladies in the office. I don't know.
Anybody told you, but you guys are doing
a good job. And you, too. No one's here
to arrest you today.
Amazing job. They mortif.
>> Oh my good. All right. And I hope we get
the skates.
>> Yes.
>> All right.
>> Thank you. Anyone else wish to hear?
>> Okay. Um number 24 comments by city
council members starting with let's
start
>> the 10 minutes.
>> Okay Mr. James
>> uh that would be great meeting looking
forward to our next meeting till we can
talk good stuff about
>> yep
>> that's it.
>> Thank you Mr. D. I have no
finish.
>> When I was young, I rode a skateboard.
You remember a pebble to this day? Cuz I
went fly
and
>> I believe I assume that risk. That was
good. [laughter]
>> And no, I do not sign.
That's
all.
>> I would like to say I had the very first
skateboard that would was ever
manufactured.
>> Oh boy.
>> When Remington
Remington and Berdick came
[laughter]
>> else
um
after uh I guess this would be a good
time to tell it. If you haven't known,
you're about to know today. Um, I had
switched to an independent. I will be
running out of independent this year.
Um, it took me a couple months to make
that decision, but uh, there's a couple
things that, you know, over a couple
years that I'm just throwing my way to
go back to an independent, like I've
said for years, I don't believe there
should be an R and a D in a small town
like this. We should all be here for the
city.
>> We're all in this together.
>> Yep. And um year after year you hear
both parties. It's all about power. We
got power. We got power. I did not sign
up here for power. I signed up here for
the help for egg barber city. And so
after
my wife and everybody, I decided that I
am going to go back to an independent
and I'll be running at the independent.
Just wanted to put that out there. I
mean, the mayor already let the mayor
know a while ago, but before I got out
there, I'm sure Mega already received
it, but
>> I thought it go city council, but I
mean, not city council, the first
office.
>> The petitions aren't due yet.
>> No, not the petition. This is like the
switch of a party or anything.
>> You have to do that.
>> I already thought.
>> Okay. No, I don't get
>> I didn't know yet.
>> No. No.
>> But yeah, I just wanted to put that out
there. That's all.
>> Okay. Uh yeah, I just want to say that
um we have a lot of projects in our
queue for [clears throat] um
progressed progress in our city. Uh some
things have already happening. Um
there's
we're working very hard with some of the
eyes that were in town. We're looking to
do some redevelopment
u planning for the main street white
horse bike corridor where we have a lot
of eyesource. We want to try to come up
with a plan. We we all have ideas of how
to do things, but we want to put it in
writing and put a plan together and
we're we're going to do that with our
our planners and our engineers to to do
that. And hopefully very soon we'll hear
from the Pinelands on what's going on
with the studio and I think that will be
a big day in Acover City
and uh all the other things that we're
working on. Uh I think 2020 the rest of
this year we'll see some of those
projects come to fruition. So or at
least start.
That's all I have.
>> I got one question on the studio. All I
ask is that if that does go through and
they do as a ribbon cutting that the old
council that started that program and
got it to go to where it is dead can be
invited to the um the
>> I'm sure you know that
>> that'll be Mr. Shankers plan but uh
>> yeah whoever whoever yeah whoever I know
there was an old a lot of old county
members right work on project
>> okay
there a motion to adjurnn motion
>> second motion made second all in favor
>> good night everyone