Margate City, NJ Commission Meetings of April 2, 2026

I'd like to call the meeting to order,
please. Johanna, will you read the
statement of compliance?
You're on.
The notice requirements of the open
public meeting act for this meeting have
been satisfied. A copy of the annual
meeting notice was sent to the press of
Atlantic City Courier Post, posted on
the bulletin board in the municipal
building, the municipal website, and
filed in the office of the municipal
clerk. Please turn off all cell phones.
Please stand for the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Attention. Salute. I pledge allegiance
to the flag of the United States of
America, and to the republic for which
it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.
Johanna, please take the roll.
Mayor Collins?
>> Here.
Commissioner Blumberg? I am here.
Commissioner Horn?
Welcome everybody. Sorry about the
delay. We had some technical
difficulties getting our Zoom set up,
but we are good to go now. So,
we will begin with our engineering
report, Ed. Thank you, Mayor. Good
evening, everyone. Starting out with our
first update on item E, which is the
Ventnor Avenue parking lot project. We
did reject all we we did reject the one
bid we received on the rebid, so we're
now in the process of negotiating with
potential contractors for that work.
We'll keep everybody posted on how that
process
goes. Jumping over to page two, item I,
the Bloom Pavilion deck, which has been
on the list
for a little while here. We've been
working on the design
in parallel with a grant application we
submitted, which we were just notified
we were successful in obtaining $144,000
in grant funding for that project
through a competitive CDBG grant. So,
that's great news.
We'll be able to hit the ground running
given that we've been working on the
design and we're getting close to
a bid. So, we'll we'll uh
we'll we'll get that project moving into
construction soon.
Um, lead service line replacement phase
two, which is our our next phase.
We've submitted everything over to the
I-Bank. They've given us some very
simple review comments back that we've
addressed. And there's a resolution on
the agenda today to authorize that
project to go out to bid. So, we are on
track to receive another million dollars
in principal forgiveness funding in
fiscal year 2026, which is great for the
next phase of lead service lines.
Next bunch of projects are all part of
the new capital budget. So, these are
projects that are all mostly beginning
the engineering phase, including the
lifeguard headquarters expansion
project, an exterior painting project
for the Gladstone Avenue water tank,
our 2026 state aid road, which is
Winchester Avenue from Brunswick Avenue
to Belmont,
the Sig Rem walkway lighting, which will
be bid,
the 2026 road program, which includes
work on Barclay, Brunswick, Pembroke,
Thurlow, and Fredericksburg Avenues,
phase one of our citywide dredging
project. We're in the process of putting
plans and specs together for that phase,
which is exciting. Obviously, that was
in a permitting phase for years, and now
we're actually working on the plans that
will eventually go out to bid.
Brunswick Avenue beach bulkhead
replacement is also in process. We have
some more storm water ordinance and
storm water management plan updates we
need to make in 2026 to stay compliant
with state law.
And we also have an update we need to
make to our EPA risk and resiliency plan
to stay in compliance. So, those are all
new projects that are coming online as
part of this upcoming capital program.
Um, no new updates on our pending grant
applications.
Flipping over to page three,
uh for construction projects, the 2023
road program, I didn't get a chance to
pop out there. This may already be done,
but Bay Shore, Fredericksburg, and Argow
were scheduled to be paved this week um
wrapped that project up.
And then I think that may be all of our
updates
for this meeting.
Yep, that's it. Great. Thank you, Ed.
We will now move to our department head
reports. I will begin with our public
works report.
Uh we will have hydrant flushing the
week of April 13th, and that will occur
between the hours of 8:30 and 3:00 p.m.
Uh also that week our meter the next
phase of our meter program water meter
program will begin.
And we did some
we're in the process of updating the dog
park.
So, Pat Power and I went out there
um I guess it was last week and looked
at um
looked at the conditions, and there were
some areas that were
in need of repair. Uh we're going to be
putting two new dog water fountains in,
fixing the gazebo, and uh replacing new
latches for the gates.
Um
Additionally, the uh fountains on the
parkway
are going to be getting a new paint job
this month,
and we're working on installing 140
yards of mulch on the city properties.
So, that's it for public works. We'll
now move to Chief Adams and
fire report.
Thank you, Mayor Commissioner. Um to
start off, I just want to say we had a
great event this past Saturday with the
annual Easter egg hunt. Uh it was
probably the largest crowd that we've
ever had as far as the Easter egg hunt
here in Margate City. And I have to say
thank you to the Margate Mothers for
co-sponsoring it with us, and to the
Margate Business Association for their
support. Um it's always great that we
work with in the community and work with
our different organizations to assure
that we can make these events
successful. And thank you to the Mayor
and Commissioners, and to public works
for helping us set up the course. But,
it ended up being a great event,
well-attended, and everybody had a great
time.
Um coming up on April 6th,
we will have round two for all city
employees, our D2 cybersecurity
training. The information will go out on
or about April 6th, so I will follow up
with all the departments to assure that
they got it, and assure that all of our
email addresses are correct, and that we
have everybody in the system to assure
that they're getting the training
completed.
Um a few things regarding the
resolutions for beaches opening.
Um you know, this is our 250-year
celebration of our country, so we're
going to kind of tie that in with some
of the beaches opening things to assure
that we allow the picnicking on the
weekends like we have done in the past
for the holiday weekends.
Um I will work with Chief Hankinson
along with public works to assure that
we have all the dates and everything
properly correct uh when we put that
out, but we will have that on the agenda
for the meeting on April 16th.
And we will also have the bathing season
and guarded beaches on that agenda. And
that's basically when each of the 12
beaches opens and closes for the season
to assure that everybody's aware of when
each beach opens and closes.
And lastly, as far as the resolutions,
we have the location and times for
surfing, kayaking, and sailing. And I
can tell you that hasn't changed. The
locations and times and information will
be the same, but each year by because of
the ordinance, we have to pass a
resolution stating where they are and
what they are for that purpose.
Um lastly,
uh we submitted right after the storm,
the snowstorm, the February snowstorm,
the county had asked for information
regarding our expenses related to the
storm and what we had, and we compiled
all that information through all the
departments, and we forwarded it to the
county right after the storm. And this
past week on Monday, that information
was forwarded to FEMA to see if we'll be
able to get the reimbursement back. So,
we're hoping
and looking for, you know, the
reimbursement of the funds back of what
it cost us for that snowstorm event for
the City of Margate. So,
um and that's all I have for now. Thank
you. Thank you, Chief. Chief Hankinson.
Thank you, Mayor Commissioner.
Uh first of all, on the agenda, you'll
see is the traffic detour plan for the
upcoming cherry blossom festival, which
is scheduled for Saturday, March 2nd.
It's really not that big of a detour. It
just takes some cars going up to
Atlantic Avenue, some cars going down to
uh Winchester Avenue. But, as we know,
that's a heavily attended event. It was
canceled last year, so hopefully we get
good weather this year.
Uh the police department has been
working with public works recently, and
they've been great about we're going to
install lights at the Decatur Avenue
playground for the summer season. It's
one of those areas that gets dark, and
sometimes kids hang out there, so the
lighting in there will
give a
maybe a deterrent to hang out in that
that little playground. But, it's
something the residents in the area
asked for, and
we're going to get it done before the
summer season.
Also, traffic maintenance is beginning
to repaint a lot of the crosswalks on
Ventnor Avenue. They get faded over the
winter months.
We usually do it at
over over night during the midnight
hours just because there's less traffic,
so a little bit of safety for
my line painter. So, again, it's trying
to freshen up things for the summer cuz
it's getting close.
Also, just a reminder, ParkMobile will
be in effect beginning Friday, May 22nd.
The rates will remain the same at $1 per
hour in all three of our areas where we
have paid parking.
And finally, we have a bike auction
tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June
13th
of 2026. We were going to get the
advertisements out there. I spoke with
Johanna this morning, so hopefully
everything will be on track to get that
bike auction. There's usually some good
buys there. We have about 30 bikes that
are sitting there, and hopefully some
people can come and get a bike for the
summer. That's all I have.
Thank you, Chief.
Pat.
Um
You will see there's a a bunch of
You're on. All right.
Um
as you see, there's not much empty seats
up here. There's been a
a bunch of various reasons why people
couldn't make it this evening.
Our solicitors is actually on Zoom
watching and and if he needs to make a
comment or someone has a question
regarding that he's he's going to call
my cell phone.
Any better?
Yes, thank you.
So, what I said was there you go. That
the solicitor is available by phone and
that if there is a question regarding
anything that he's
working on he'll he'll call and and
address it. He is watching on Zoom at
this point.
I do have a report from our building
department. Um,
Palm could not make it tonight. The
building department reminds all real
orders and landlords to submit seasonal
rental applications as applications as
soon as possible so inspections can be
scheduled in a timely manner ahead of
the summer season.
Um, in March the building department
issued 97 UCC permits and conducted 493
sub code inspections. This volume is
expected to increase as additional
applications continue to be submitted.
If anyone has constructed I'm sorry if
if anyone has construction related
questions or concerns, feel free to
contact the building department by phone
or email and the staff will be happy to
assist.
Um, that's all I have on that.
Um, our finance
few talk talking points
um,
was that the annual pension payment was
made
April 1st and it was not April Fools.
You know, some people like to joke
around about that stuff.
Um,
and I do have the cash balance
the February cash report um, that was
completed by
our comptroller.
The cash on hand total is 6,178,169.
60 on deposit 3,044,337.
75.
Um, less our checks for 679,411
dollars and 69 cents
with a cash book balance total of 8,543
dollars 543,000
um, 95 dollars.
Um,
so that would be the report for those
two.
Um,
tonight we're going to be introducing
our budget we've been working on for a
while now. I'm going to go over a few
highlights.
Uh, we're looking at like a 1.94
cent increase to our tax rate. This
represents a 2.93%
increase over last year.
Uh, we worked hard to keep the numbers
as low as possible. We the slight
increase is actually a win for our our
town.
Neighboring towns I believe
in talking to some of the folks
um,
that they're seeing their taxes increase
by a much
much larger amount.
Everyone's pretty much struggling with
the rising cost of health care and
everyday expenses as we can see.
Um, one of our biggest is we're looking
at an 18% increase on health care alone.
Uh, which represents one of the city's
largest expenses.
Every year we see increases in salaries
and pension costs as expected.
Um, I have negotiated what I believe are
fair fair deals with our unions
and
that's to ensure that we maintain
the level of service that we have.
Um, and the caliber of individuals that
we have working for us.
Um, and I will say this I've been
through other towns and Margate's
service to their community is uh,
is second to none.
Um, they do a really great really good
job here.
Um, I've been impressed to see um, what
our emergency responders respond to.
Um, they're not always emergencies but
they are out there helping everybody in
the community and
I will say that they do an outstanding
job.
Um, our assessed valuation increased by
over 60 million.
Um, that equates about a 1.47%
and offsets some of our rising costs but
obviously nowhere near what we need. I
will continue to look at everything and
see if we can find additional savings
before the actual public hearing and the
budget adoption in early May.
That's that's all I have for now. Great.
Thank you, Pat.
Now, pass it off to Leon.
Yes, so today is the
introduction of the budget which means
that essentially the budget process
starts at your level right now. It's
been in the hands of the administration
it's presented as a budget to be
introduced.
The law is that you have to introduce
your budget by March 31st or your next
meeting in April. Today is your next
meeting in April.
So, it has to be introduced tonight or
you'll get fined for every day that it's
not introduced. The introduction means
nothing more than we're starting the
process. It's not a vote to finalize
where it is it's just a vote to start
the process.
When we have the public hearing on March
7th? Yes. On March 7th
May 7th May 7th going backwards. May 7th
you can change any line item you want.
Obviously ones that are dedicated by
statute like we just paid the pension we
can't change that. And we can't change
debt service. They you all those things
that are mandatory that are set we can't
touch but you can change other items if
you want.
It would require at least two people to
vote to change it. And the changes can
all be made on May 7th and the adoption
can be done that same night provided
that they're not more than 10% of any
one line item. So, tonight is
the introduction.
Uh, since there's only two of you you
need both of you to vote yes to
introduce it and move forward and hold
the public hearing. You can have all
discussions you want between tonight and
May 7th but no action can be taken until
May 7th. That's the time we can make any
changes that we want to make.
The as Pat said the increase is 1.94
cents
which is going to be one of the smaller
ones you're going to see. I think there
was a buzz back in the audience about
Brigantine's 5.7 cent increase that they
introduced yesterday.
Uh, you're going to see a lot of numbers
that are over five.
Uh, we do 53 towns so I can tell you I
can't tell you which ones are going to
come out with what number cuz they need
to tell you that when at their meeting
but there'll be some bigger ones than
this then and bigger ones than
Brigantine too. So, you're on the the
bottom quarter of what the increases
are. I can tell you that North Wildwood
was three cents upper was three cents.
Um, Somers Point was 3.6 you're 1.9
Brigantine's 5.1 and there's going to be
some over fives and sixes still coming
in the next couple weeks.
So, that's what needs to be done today
is to introduce it get it on the table
and um, it'll be on your website as the
introduced budget. And at the May 7th
meeting anything can be asked anything
can be done any items can be looked at
and changed if there's a reason to
change them. There may be some you have
to increase who knows what's going to
happen between now and then but that's
the process and that's what I recommend
that you do.
Okay.
Thank you, Leon. And just for everybody
in the public uh,
the May 7th public hearing is when you
can ask your questions but
feel free not to wait till then email
myself Commissioner Bloomberg,
Commissioner Horn with any
But the fact that they're saying it's a
two cent tax decrease is a two cent tax
decrease based on their equalization.
How each town gets it is different on
every single one.
So,
I can get you that answer. I didn't
bring that one with me.
>> Again, it's just for the general public
to have an idea of where we're going to
be.
You know, a lot of people who
say hey, this is great and then they see
the add-on from the county every year.
Right.
>> And it you know, it makes it hard to
remember that the county is a load of
pie and you get your piece of the pie.
As you grow you get more. Right.
>> And that's just a matter but those
ratables that you get should offset a
lot of what your growth is also. So,
it's it's a mix and it's a very tough
tough thing to describe to everybody and
I get this all the time.
Cuz after the bills go out in July the
mayor will call me and say hey,
I thought the county said we're going
down two cents. Why did we go up four
and a half?
Because you got bigger and other people
got smaller. It's it's a
goes all over the place.
Well, one last question. How much of
how how much surplus are we using to get
to the 1.94
and what will we have left after? Okay.
You're using 5.5 million which is an
increase of 400,000 over last year.
Okay. You'll have 3,086 left. Last year
you had 2 million I mean 3,206 left. So,
it's a little bit less than last year.
Um,
you are using more than you did last
year and you're going to be starting the
year off with less than you had last
year.
So, we need to make back all that money
to be in the same position next year for
next year's budget.
Got it. Thank you. Mhm.
Good.
Thank you. All right. Thank you, Leon.
Yep. Johanna, anything to report?
Um,
the rabies vaccine will be held May 2nd
at the firehouse here on Washington
Avenue between 10:00 and 12:00. Dog
licenses are required. We're still
hoping for more mercantile renewals.
We're missing a few of them and voter
registration for the primaries
ends May 12th. And that's it. Great.
Thank you.
All right. We will now open up public
comment for anything discussed during
workshop. If anyone has any comment,
please step forward.
Hello. Uh good afternoon. Sam Lashman,
uh Hanover Avenue, and uh happy holidays
to everybody that's celebrating. I do
have a question a few questions about uh
the budget
uh
When does the state aid come in? I think
I read we're getting a reduction.
That's one of them. Uh the state aid is
in. Every town's getting exactly what
they got last year. To the penny.
There's no change at all. And you get
773,000
to fund the a uh
uh $40 million budget. So, it's
insignificant.
>> Okay. How about What When does the
school budget get set?
The school budget
is set. That was done
last week.
>> The Board of School last meeting was You
You mean last week. And their increase
um
Their levy is going to be
$11.8
compared to
last year was
$11.1.
So, it's a $700,000 increase. By the
time you take the new ratables and the
um
increase that they have, around 6/10 of
a cent it's going to be.
I don't know if you can answer this. Uh
how many kids we're sending to Atlantic
City High School? That I don't know.
>> Supposedly that number is going up to
Yeah, I don't have the exact number. Um
But Pat, do you want to get Mr.
Lashman's number and
>> are We have like 80 kids or something
and the others are going to Ocean City
and Harbor Township or other schools.
That's not the only Oh, yeah. They go
all over the place.
>> Yeah. But 30 around 35 are going to
Atlantic City.
>> bunch of them are going to AC. It's
about 35, yeah. And and the rest are
going to other schools.
>> Yes. Thanks a lot. Thank you. Thank you.
Pat, if you just want to your
microphone.
Sherry Lillienfeld, uh Wellington
Avenue, full-time resident, and also an
active member of the Green Team.
Um first of all,
and forgive me if it's there, is the
budget posted on the website so people
can see it? First of all,
there isn't a budget yet. Until they
vote to put it vote to introduce it.
>> If we don't get two to zero to introduce
it, there will be no budget on the
website. Cuz it won't be introduced.
So, I'm sorry. Is that the 7th May 7th
date? When does it get introduced?
>> If if both of them say yes to introduce
it
>> we introduced the budget today. So,
again, just a reminder, comments on the
budget are for uh the May 7th meeting.
So, any questions regarding the budget,
we introduced it today. We give
everybody um I think we have to give
them at least 28 days or so. You said to
>> Exactly.
>> 28 days to review it. And then,
including ourselves, and then uh it will
be voted on at the May 7th meeting. So,
at that point, between now when we
introduce it, it'll be put on the
website tomorrow, I would I would
imagine, um
the public can view it and then come
back with questions at, you know, uh the
May 7th budget hearing. But as I said,
if anyone has any individual questions
on the budget, feel free to email us and
we'll we'll
respond But they have to today, assuming
you both vote for it, we can see it and
>> Yes. Yes. Perfect. That's what I wanted
to know. So, of course, um I always have
a question for our engineering report.
Um
the lead service replacement, um
obviously they have to dig up the roads
and
I think my street was one of the first
ones cuz it happened a few weeks ago.
So, in terms of repairing the roads, is
that going to be phased in as well or
are you going to repair the roads
um when everything is done because I
don't really know how many phases there
are either. Like how many phases and
when's the roads going to be repaired?
>> There are going to be multiple phases.
The lead service line project itself
will include patching the road basically
where they dig it up, and that's because
the funding source that we're using is
very restrictive on what they will pay
for as far as paving. In other words,
they their money's supposed to go
towards taking the lead out, and they
don't want to use it to repave all your
streets. Um so, that's probably
something we'll look at going forward as
part of our, you know, capital road
improvement project. There will be
multiple phases of this lead service
line work. So, we want to be smart about
it um as far as when we do our paving,
try to get it all done in one shot. So,
Yeah, cuz there's a lot of
patches in the road. And then, one thing
I noticed it didn't happen with my home
with my home, they they ripped up the
grass and they kind of put it back,
which is all right. But my neighbor,
when they
replaced it, they
destroyed part of his concrete driveway.
So, I'm hoping and he he hasn't been
back, so he hasn't been able to
complain, but
um obviously there's going to be some
driveways or concrete that's going to
need to be replaced too, not just the
road.
>> That they will fix. So, anything they
dig up as far as driveways, you know,
grass, they'll resod it. Um what's out
there now is probably temporary. They'll
That'll all be put back the way it was
or better. So, is there a mechanism to
let them know if there is something
other than the road to fix? We're out
there. We're out there inspecting it.
It'll It'll get fixed. We We have a
punch list, and we'll make sure it gets
addressed.
>> Okay, great. Thank you.
>> You got it. Thank you. Thank you. Any
questions?
Uh Steve Jezek, 112 North Lancaster
Avenue. Another question for Ed. Um
These have to be physically dug. They
don't have a a means means of like
snaking them through. Um
>> No, they do. They've been moling a lot
of them. Um that's what they've been
trying to do wherever they can to
minimize the disturbance. So, that's
They have been doing that where they
can.
Okay. That's it.
>> Yep. Great. Thanks, Steve.
Any other public comment on workshop?
Is there a motion to close public
comment?
Motion. Second.
Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumberg?
>> Yes.
Is there a motion to adjourn?
I'll make that motion. Second.
Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumberg?
>> Yes.
All right. Soon as we are ready, we will
start the next meeting.
I'd like to call the meeting to order,
please. Johanna, will you read the
statement of compliance?
The notice requirements of the Open
Public Meeting Act for this meeting have
been satisfied. A copy of the annual
meeting notice was sent to the Atlantic
City Press, Courier Post, posted on the
bulletin board, the municipal building,
the municipal website, and filed in the
office of the municipal clerk. Please
turn off all cell phones.
>> Please stand for the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Attention. Salute. I pledge allegiance
to the flag of the United States of
America, and to the republic for which
it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.
Johanna, please take the roll.
Mayor Collins?
>> Here.
Commissioner Blumberg?
>> I am here. Commissioner Horn?
Is there a motion for the approval of
the March 19th, 2026 regular and
workshop meeting minutes?
>> I'll make that motion. Second.
Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumberg?
>> Yes.
We will now open up public comment on
resolutions. If anyone has any comments
on any of the resolutions on today's
agenda, please step forward.
Is there a motion to close public
comment on resolutions?
>> I'll make that motion. Second. Mayor
Collins?
>> Yes. Commissioner Blumberg?
>> Yes.
Johanna, will you proceed, please?
May I have a motion for the introduction
of ordinance number 4-2026,
calendar year 2026 ordinance to exceed
the municipal budget appropriation limit
and to establish a cap balance or cap
back?
>> Second.
Mayor Collins? Commissioner Blumberg?
>> May I have the motion for resolution
number 71-2025
or 2026 authorizing payments and claims?
>> I'll make that motion. Second.
Mayor Collins? Commissioner Blumberg?
>> May I have the motion for resolution
number 72-2026,
a resolution of Margate City authorizing
the filing of a loan application to the
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection and to the New Jersey
Infrastructural Bank to fund phase two
of a lead service water line replacement
project. I'll make that motion. Second.
Mayor Collins? Commissioner Blumberg?
May I have the motion for resolution
number 73-2026,
budget introduction? I'll make that
motion. Second.
Mayor Collins? Commissioner Blumberg?
May I have the motion for the consent
agenda, which consists of resolution
number 74-2026
through resolution number 82-2026?
I'll make that motion. Second.
Mayor Collins? Commissioner Blumberg?
>> All right. We will now open up public
comment. If anyone has any comment on
any topic at all, please step forward.
Is there a motion to close public
comment? I'll make that motion. Second.
Mayor Collins? Commissioner Blumberg?
>> Is there a motion to adjourn? I will
make that motion. Second. Mayor Collins?
Yes. Blumberg?
>> Thank you everybody. Enjoy your night.
Thank you, everybody.