Margate City, NJ Workshop & Commission Meeting May 21st, 2026

Nice.
>> 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 press of
Atlantic City Carrier Post, posted on
the Bolton 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 to it. 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 role.
>> Mayor Collins,
>> here.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> I am here.
>> Commissioner Horn,
>> welcome everybody. Uh, sorry for the
delay. had some tough technical
difficulties. Um we will begin with our
engineering report. Ed, please.
>> Thank you, mayor. Good evening,
everyone. Uh starting off on page one,
our first update is for the Ventner
Avenue parking lot project. We were able
to successfully negotiate a price with
Elfariazi concrete in the amount of
$457,000,
which is about $100,000 lower than our
best bid that we received through the
bidding process. So that represents a
good savings for the city. Jumping down
to item G, the wershed improvement plan.
That draft has been submitted to the NJ
D for review. This is part of our
ongoing compliance for storm water
within the city and we will need to hold
a couple public meetings according to
the uh D process for that. So, we'll get
those scheduled most likely just during
one of our regularly scheduled uh
workshop meetings just to explain to the
public what's included in the wershed
improvement plan um and you know field
any questions that the public may have
on that. So that will be an upcoming
event.
Flipping over to page two, item J, our
lead service line replacement project
phase two. We did receive bids on that
project this week. The bids came in
substantially within our IBANK funding
budget. Uh so we're in the process of
reviewing those bids and then there is a
process to go through with the I bank to
get an authorization to award. So, we're
on target there to secure that
additional million dollars in grant
funding, principal forgiveness to go
towards our next phase of lead service
line work, which is good news. Item K,
the lifeguard headquarters expansion
project. We do have a concept plan ready
to review um with the city as far as
just some some of the thoughts that we
had the last time we kicked the project
off. So, that meeting will be scheduled
soon so we can keep the the design of
that project moving.
Item N is the uh lighting for the Sig
rim walkway. We did receive only one bid
um for that project. So, we are
recommending that we reject the bid and
readvertise, hopefully attract some
additional biders uh on the next round
of bidding and then we'll we'll go from
there.
Item P is our citywide dredging project
phase one. We held a meeting um earlier
this week to review phasing of the of
our overall dredging program, some of
the general conditions that we want to
um have in place for when we bid the
project, the municipal permitting
process, and then the public outreach um
program that we're putting together.
Really good meeting. Uh making really
good progress. There's going to be a lot
of information to share with the public
very soon. Uh we'll have a website set
up um explaining the program, the
phasing, the permitting process, all of
that. So um there'll be more to come on
that, but we're making really good
progress on the dredging front. Item
item S is a uh risk and resiliency plan
that we're required to prepare per the
EPA. That draft plan has been sent over
to our water system operator for his
review. We did submit a grant
application for beach bulkhead access on
our street ends to the ACIA through the
CDBG funding program. Uh so we'll wait
to hear back from the ACIA on how that
project ranks.
Flipping over to page three and our
construction projects. We've moved the
redevelopment of Well 10 up into
closeout. So we'll get that project
closed out. Item Z is the Washington
Avenue streetscape project. And uh after
our last meeting, we did receive word
from the NJ DOT that a change order was
approved to maintain two-way traffic on
Washington Avenue between Ventner Avenue
and Amherst Avenue. As we all know, uh
we continue to receive public feedback
on that project after we awarded our
construction bid. uh we had to go
through the proper processes with DOT to
make that change and we were formally
approved. So that section of Washington
Avenue will remain two-way traffic. Uh
also on that project, phase one of
construction is substantially complete
as we can all see outside this building.
Looks good. Uh the only thing that's
left there is to do the bike lane green
painting which will be completed once
the asphalt has the proper amount of
time to settle. Uh that'll be sometime
in June and then we'll pick up phase two
come the fall of 26. The road program,
the 2024 road program, we're in the
punch list phase. That work is is
complete. Our bike lane painting project
on Atlantic Avenue will be scheduled for
the fall uh just due to the u timing
required to get Atlantic Avenue fully
paved in this latest phase. So that work
will be done after the season. Uh last
page here is Atlantic Avenue between
Huntington and Mansfield. So we do have
the bay side of the road paved and the
ocean side uh paving. It says on the
report here is the first week of June.
What will happen is the contractor will
return the first week of June. Um they
do have a little bit of work that needs
to get done before they can pave the
ocean side of the street. That work will
be completed um before Father's Day, you
know, before the season really picks up.
Um so we'll keep everybody updated as
that contractor moves along. And those
are my updates for today.
>> Great. Thank you, Ed.
>> Yep.
>> Um I just wanted to touch base Pat with
in respect to these technological issues
we're having. Um if we could have Mike
Morris come in the afternoons, maybe on
our meeting days and just make sure
everything's set up just a couple hours
in advance, I think that would be
beneficial. Um, and then to all of our
department heads, I have been getting uh
quite a few um
concerns from people watching on Zoom
that the microphones either are not on
or not not audible. So, um, even if your
green light is on, if you can make sure
you're you're talking pretty close to
the microphone, some of them, you know,
might might be a foot or two away and
um, people aren't able to hear. So, if
we can just try to do a better job of
that, I'd appreciate that. So, uh, we'll
now go to our department head reports.
Chief Adams, will you begin, please?
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, start off just,
uh, the fire department is preparing for
the summer season. Uh, we have an
additional retirement effective June
1st, 2026. Firefighter Debbie Bole is
retiring after 25 years of service to
the city of Margate. Debbie was our
first female firefighter in the city of
Margate, and she was also the first
female firefighter hired in Atlantic
County. Uh we wish her the best in her
retirement and she just became a Grammy
as well. So she's going to have a lot of
time to fill with her granddaughter. So
best wishes to Debbie. Um the beach
patrol speaking with Chief Graves today.
They're ready to go for the 2026 season.
They want to say thank you to public
works for their assistance in getting
some of the preparations ready. Um Chief
Graves advised that the following
beaches will be open this weekend.
Brunswick, Huntington, Osborne
headquarters Washington Avenue and
pending the weather, how it plays out
this weekend. Uh Madison Avenue will be
open as well. Uh and I can't stress this
enough after the tragic event that
occurred in Ocean City this week. Uh
they had an unguarded drowning at an
unguarded bathing beach. And I have to
remind everybody, please only swim at
guarded beaches during protected bathing
hours, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. And you
know, heed the warnings of the
lifeguards. They're the professionals.
They know the conditions. They know what
the water's like. And we're going to
have strong winds this weekend in excess
of 25, 30 mph on Saturday. So, the ocean
is going to be churned up a bit. So,
please heed the warnings of the
lifeguards and only swim at guarded and
protected beaches. Uh, and that's all I
have for today. Thank you, Mayor.
>> Thank you, Chief Scott.
>> Let's see if I can do this right.
>> Can you hear me? Young lady had
complained that my voice can't be heard.
So, hopefully they can hear this one.
Now, I really don't have that much
directly involved in the law department,
but I do want to make two comments.
First, we had a young man, as you all
know, uh, hit on a motorbike. Chief
Hankinson will probably expound on that.
and our fire department as a it was a
child of one of our local firemen was
rushed to the child trauma hospital.
Some people asked me why did we have a
helicopter take the kid to Cooper
instead of Atlantic City Trauma and the
answer is because there is such a thing
as a child child trauma center versus an
adult trauma center. I didn't know that
but now you do. And I think our guy guys
did a tremendous job on that. And
fortunately, that young man is fine. He
I understand that he's he's doing very
well even though the car ran over him.
It highlights the danger of these
electric bikes and these electric
scooters. Now, state law. Chief
Hankinson's on top of this. He was
advising me today and I'm sure he'll
talk about this that it's coming into
effect. When is it, Chief? July 19th,
right? Is that the new law? Sometime in
July.
>> Yes. July 19th. and our police are on
it. And I've had a number of mothers ask
me about this. So, I think it's
something we should mention here that
we're aware of it. Our police are aware
of it. And thankfully, the legislature
has passed some laws now that give us
the ability to police some of the uses
of these electric bikes cuz you all know
how quiet they are. And a 9-year-old kid
really, in my opinion, is not capable of
responsibly handling a bike. It's It's
just too dangerous. Um, what else? The
other thing I did want to mention,
mayor, I think it was an extremely smart
move to listen to the people on
Washington Avenue the way the governing
body, you guys have done. They didn't
like this one-way street. There was a
lot of feedback on it. And I'm very
proud to say the governing body listened
to the feedback. So, you got the state
approval, Eddie, that that was what we
heard now today. We're allowed to keep
it two-way. I think it makes a bunch of
them happy. It's kind of funny because
the chief and I were talking about there
was a time when people would come in one
one way, but on this street they wanted
two ways and that's the people's will.
And I think it's going to work out fine.
And I I think that was really a very
good move to to bend and make that
change uh to them. And people should
realize that that they that the
governing body listened and did it. And
that's all I have. And I hope you could
hear me. Am I clear now?
>> How about it, Johanna? Can you hear me?
Or we don't know.
>> I'm getting text messages that people
can't see or hear anything
>> even now.
>> Even right this moment.
>> It doesn't mean it's you, Scott. That's
just what
>> Well, there's a technical problem, I
guess.
>> Thank you, Scott.
>> Thank you, Mayor
>> Pat.
>> Thank you, Mayor Commissioner. Uh, just
get busy busy getting ready for the
weekend in the summer. We got the
flowers, the flags, the banners are up.
The 40 pots will be on the beach and the
bay this weekend. Uh couple odds ends
tomorrow and we'll be ready. Also, the
paper shredding event that we had was
supposed to be this uh Saturday the
23rd, but it was moved to May 30 9 to
121 North Benson Avenue. That's all I
got.
>> Thank you, Palama.
>> Hello, mayor and commissioners. Uh the
building department has remained very
busy with permit activity and summer
rental license applications.
This month alone, we have process
roughly 90 seasonal rental license
applications so far. We also sent out a
contractor reminder email earlier this
week on behalf of code enforcement
regarding dumpsters job site
cleanliness, dust control, and general
site maintenance as we head into
Memorial Day weekend. Um lastly, um last
week towns throughout the state using
the SDL permitting system experienced a
major outage. Our office was without
access to the system for several days,
which created a bit of a backlog with
permits and inspections, but our staff
worked hard to manually coordinate uh
the critical inspections and keep things
moving as best as we could. Um SDL is
now back up and running and we continue
working through applications and
catching up on processing while uh
trying to keep disruption to the public
and contractors as minimal as possible.
And that's all that I have tonight.
>> Thank you. Roger.
>> Thank you, mayor commissioners. To add
on to that, yes, we had to revert back
to old technology by using cell phones,
fax machines, and and email, but it
worked out. uh
July 20th the new NJ reel impact rules
go into effect. They're in effect now
but they that's the the grace period
ends July 20th. So we're going to be
getting together with bringing Bner um
Summers Point and other towns Longport
to discuss how we're going to handle the
permitting process. It's getting to the
point now where if a neighbor wants to
put a fence in, they have to get a
permit or a certificate from the state
before they get a permit from us, which
sounds ludicrous, but that's that's what
we have to deal with right now.
Hopefully, that will go away at some
point in time. And uh
what you're probably going to see if
that goes into effect, you're probably
going to see a lot of people doing work
without permits. So, you know, if it
rains, a fence usually grows up in a
front yard somewhere. But, uh, we'll
probably see more of that. Hopefully, we
get a better handle of what's
anticipated and expected from the state
in regard to us because what's going to
happen is homeowners are going to be
coming to us and we're going to guide
them towards hiring an engineer to do
the work cuz we're not going to be able
to do that for them, but it's going to
be very ownorous. So, I'll keep
everybody in the loop on that. And
that's pretty much it for now. Thank
you. Thank you, Roger. Chief Hankinson.
>> Thank you, mayor, commissioners. First
of all, as many of you know, and the
solicitor mentioned on Thursday, May
14th, a 9-year-old juvenile was involved
in a motor vehicle accident. The vehicle
he was driving is classified as an
electric pocket bike, and that vehicle
is not authorized for public roads.
Again, we're in that middle period with
the new ebike reg uh regulations which
come out on July 19th uh 2026. In fact,
we have actually gone as far as we've
printed up littleformational cards. And
although, excuse me, I'm turning around.
Please, if everybody would take one of
these cards, take them, hand them out to
your family and friends. It gives you an
update on what is expected with the new
ebike regulations and of course the
current ebike regulations. And again, I
would like to emphasize to the parents
of the juveniles the dangers of these
electric electric bikes. And I really do
implore them not to purchase these
bikes. But if they do, remember,
especially on July 19th, you have to be
at least 15 years old and possess an
appropriate and valid license to operate
any type of ebike. However, we are still
awaiting guidance from the state
regarding the licensing and
registration. So again, I can push it. I
can talk about it. And the state still
has some things they have to do in the
next 6 to 8 weeks for those individuals
who want to register their ebikes and
they want to ensure them. But again, our
biggest push right now is to the the
young adult, the young kids 15 years
older. And like I said, um it's even
bigger with the parents with these bikes
to make sure, you know, to know the
dangers of these bikes. I also have, and
this is really something important to
me, on Monday, June 15th, 2026 at 11:30,
the police department is hosting World
Elder Abuse Awareness Day at the
Marjgery and Lewis Catz Jewish Community
Center at 501 North Jerome Avenue. We're
going to have presentations from the FBI
regarding protecting seniors from scams
and frauds. The Atlantic County Office
on Aging on resources and support for
seniors, the Atlantic County
Prosecutor's Office on elder abuse
issues and prosecution of cases
affecting seniors. This event stems from
a large increase that we've seen over
the last 6 months with scams regarding
our our seniors. Like I said, it's a
there's a lot going on. There's a lot of
fraud out there. They're getting very
complex in what they're doing and we
have seen a huge uptick and a lot of
money being lost by our seniors and it's
our hope that this information we can
provide to our seniors is to keep them
safe and keep them secure in their
community. So again, it's a big event. I
have a handout behind me too. We're
going to post it all over social media.
I would like to have a huge we're going
to do it countywide. So I would like to
have a really good turnout on June 15th
for the seminar. Also, just to let
everybody know, all the paid parking
areas will be in effect tomorrow,
Friday, May 22nd, 2026. Traffic
maintenance will be installing all the
signage for the paid parking tomorrow as
well. The areas include Amherst Avenue
from Washington to Kage, the municipal
lot on the unit block of North
Washington Avenue, the municipal lot at
200 North Benson, and the new municipal
lot at 791 Ventner Avenue. All parking
will be done through our vendor park
mobile on the mobile app. This is the
same app that's used in Ventner,
Atlantic City, and most communities in
the area. Um, so again, all that will be
good to go tomorrow per the ordinance.
Also, our special law enforcement
officers class one will begin tomorrow,
and they will they will be enforcing the
parking regulations amongst other
things. The relief cabanas have been
installed along Ammerst Avenue Bayfront
thanks to public works. Like I said,
they always do a great job on anything
we ask. And again, I always say a
reminder to lock your cars and homes.
Just because you're on vacation doesn't
mean crime takes a vacation. We see an
uptick in people that don't lock their
cars or lock their homes. So again, take
that little ounce of prevention. And as
I always say, when we're coming into
Memorial Day weekend and this time of
year, if you don't like a lot of people,
a lot of cars, a lot of kids, a lot of
dogs, a lot of everything, it's going to
be a tough weekend for you. So for the
next 3 months, please be patient and
enjoy everything we have to offer. We
just had to take a little bit more time
doing everything we like around here.
That's all I have. Thank you, Chief Pat.
>> Good evening. Along with uh assisting
some of the aforementioned items already
mentioned u by the others here, um I've
dealt with multiple in-house issues
related to investigations and
disciplinary matters, legal meetings
with the GIF attorney. I
>> the sound system. The sound system is
not on in the room.
I couldn't hear Pat.
>> Hello.
>> It's It's just not on.
So Pat, if you could just speak
>> loud enough so you could
>> Roger's on duty.
>> All right.
So, uh, I I I had a I attended the
dredging meeting, uh, contract
negotiations with the beach and
captains, uh, corrections related to our
contract, uh, with the MCA
in the upcoming year. Uh, DCA
verifications related to the CFO
position. Uh, final transitions related
to finance, uh, where we had people move
in and move out. Uh the capital budget
meeting was held. Um we got some capital
budget requests processing some and
summer and review of POS submitted for
payment processing approval for seasons
position seasonal positions and
lifeguards and I worked on the uh
ordinance help work for the ordinance on
pop-ups. Um, just a real quick uh thing.
There's going to be a uh resolution for
a correction to the MCEA
uh to be added on the floor tonight.
That's going to be in a little bit. Um,
we had negotiated a a salary that didn't
quite make it when we uh did the
publication. So, we want to make sure
that that's out there and corrected. Um,
it's on page 41. Um, and then of course
I also wanted to um commend Ed, but he
left before I could. Um, he did a great
job uh getting the Washington Avenue
2-way. The hardest part about that whole
thing was keeping quiet about it till we
got the actual approvals. So, we didn't
get anybody's hopes up. So, uh, thank
you very much. And that's all I have for
tonight. Thank you, Pat. Johanna,
>> I have nothing to report except
primaries or June 2nd.
>> Thank you. All right. So, I have just
have two quick things. Uh this uh
weekend we were supposed to have a
memorial bench dedication and pickle
ball tournament in honor of Dan
Gotautle. Uh because of the weather that
has been pushed to next Saturday at 4:30
at the pickle ball courts at Union
Avenue uh for anyone that was planning
to attend. And uh also just on behalf of
the city um want to congratulate Gavin
Horn Kathy's son for his graduation from
University of Delaware. That's why she
was she is not able to to attend today.
So, want to congratulate Gavin and and
the Horn family for that. Um, also just
like to take this opportunity a couple
times a year I I give a uh you know
update on public comment just so uh
people that haven't been at previous
meetings or uh haven't heard it before
are aware. Um and uh this one's going to
be a little different because after the
last meeting I got some feedback that I
hadn't heard before. So um prior to
being elected as you know I know many of
you were attending the meetings for uh
many years prior to that but uh you'll
remember there was a a 3minut clock up
here people were given an opportunity to
speak held to 3 minutes it was again
truly a public comment uh period not a
question and answer back and forth with
the department heads in the commission
and when I was elected uh I chose to
eliminate that clock um and I I still
believe that was the right move. But um
the back and forth dialogue we're having
um I after the last meeting I had
multiple people reach out to me that
they were unable to speak at the last
meeting. Um the constant back and forth
you know regarding one or two issues um
really prevented them the opportunity to
speak. So I kind of want to use this
opportunity to remind everybody that
public com
back if you have direct questions
related um to for one of our department
heads or the commission I encourage you
to grab them after the meeting email set
up the personal meetings. Um, I find
that very effective when I when I meet
with people and um I know um you know
Kathy I'll you know I hate to single you
out but I know you last meeting you had
a question and the chief turned and said
I'll talk to you right after the
meeting. You know I think that's that's
the appropriate thing to do and um I
encourage that. Um and I also do like to
clarify that there are three sections of
public comment. So I do know that that
sometimes gets confusing and uh it is by
design. So the one that will open up
right after I'm done speaking is just
for items discussed in this meeting. So
this is our the city's workshop meeting.
It's really a uh interdep departmental
meeting that we have because the
commission is not allowed to meet with
the department heads outside of a public
meeting. So this is really the only
chance myself and the commissioners have
a chance to together hear things that
the department heads have. Uh we you
know talk to them individually. We meet
with them regularly, but this is the
first time that we we're able to have
that dialogue in the same room. Uh we
then once we begin our commission
meeting, we have a public comment for
resolutions and ordinance adoption. So
that's intended for um you know, we vote
on resolutions and ordinances and it
gives the the public an opportunity to
speak on their feelings on these,
whether they support them, whether they
don't. um maybe trying to influence a
decision of of one of one of us and um
again that has been effective in the
past and we've gotten um uh you know
Commissioner Bloomberg I think has at
times asked for us to table a resolution
so we can have further discussion and
it's been effective uh when when we get
that com that comment u forward. So, so
we appreciate that. And then the final
comment is uh just general public
comment at the end of the meeting. And
again, that can be on any topic. Doesn't
have to be, you know, it can be
citywide. It can be something that
affects a resident personally. And
again, we we appreciate it. And we'll
we'll direct people to the to the right
person to to resolve their issues. Um,
and I do want to say that we do the
public comment we take seriously. If you
look at all my my notes, and I'm sure
Commissioner Blumberg and Commissioner
Horn will say the same. We take notes uh
as we hear the comments, I I write
names, I write addresses, I write the
comments so that we can then I can then
go back to our department heads or um or
administrator and say, you know, we have
to address this. Um and you know, it it
was brought up today, Washington Avenue.
That's a perfect example of how public
comment led to a change. Uh we had um a
few people a few residents uh speak uh
in opposition to that. Uh we held
meetings and um you know Ed Dennis as
Pat said was was an integral part of
that and we went back to the Department
of Transportation and we went back and
forth many times and um there were
multiple meetings with residents where
we we got the outcome that that we
believe is is good for the um for the
entire city of Margate. So, uh, you
know, another example, um, Sher of often
times will ask Ed in his engineering
report if we're using pvious asphalt for
certain projects. Um, there's been
numerous times where Ed said no. And
then in a following meeting, as he gives
his engineering report, we've changed
that as we've had discussions. So, um,
we do value your your comments and I
encourage everybody to, uh, continue to
step forward. I also encourage you to
email us, call us, set up meetings. Um,
personally, I had a business owner
approach me two weeks ago with a with a
problem and uh ask when the next meeting
was. He wanted to come up and speak and
I said, "Well, you know, why don't you
tell me what the problem is?" And within
an hour, we had the problem resolved.
So, um, there is this uh this belief
that only things can only get done here,
but that is not that is not true. So we
encourage you to reach out to us when
you when you see a problem, when you
have a problem, something that's
affecting you so that we can uh give it
the attention it deserves uh as quickly
as possible. So with that uh I will open
up public comment on workshop. So if
anyone has any comments on any of the
items we discussed here today uh please
step forward.
>> Good evening. I guess this doesn't work,
right?
>> Well, I'm recording it.
>> It's been recording. I just want to say
good even a couple of points that I just
wanted to bring up that were brought up
in workshop today. First of all, the the
issue of Washington Avenue being
two-way. The business community was very
very pleased to hear that uh the two-way
was again granted for Washington Avenue.
It had a tremendous it would have had a
tremendous impact on a number of the
restaurants and parking lots that were
down on the end of Washington Avenue.
They were quite elated when they heard
that once again that uh that it was not
going to be made into a one-way project
for everybody in that area down there.
Uh I don't know if you want me to get
into you. I feel a little rugged here,
mayor, because I was hoping to get a
couple of answers and now you're asking
me to just make comment uh on the
ordinance that's being um discussed and
voted on tonight as far as the
merkantale licenses are concerned
because on the final version there were
some changes and I had some questions
about that and am I to not discuss that
and or how do you want to deal with
that? Uh so I believe that would be more
appropriate for the next public comment
when we're discussing that and again
when it's rel related to something on
the agenda. Uh I think that's that's
fair. The the idea really is again if
somebody says you know chief can you
give me clarification what time was that
event? We're not going to say see me
after the meeting. Uh it's it's really
just designed to to not have public
hearings on individual issues every
meeting.
>> Got it. Got it. So I'll just bring it
back later. Thank you, Ed.
I
>> just have a couple questions.
>> Can you please state your name for the
record?
>> Herbosac 108 North Adams Avenue,
Margate, New Jersey.
First, whoever contracted
and then paid for the audio system in
this room should be fired. That's how
bad it is. It's been bad for two years
now. Either that or the speakers don't
know how to speak in front of the
microphone. Number two is
I wanted to say something about
Remington and Vernick, but this is the
second week in a row I came and after
the presentation was made, he's out of
here.
I think they should be here to listen to
everything the city has to say or the
people have to say to the city.
My street was not paved the last time
the city had an allout paving project
about seven years ago.
Since that time on Adams Avenue,
they've had 11 sewer openings and 11
parts of it have been patched and are
slowly sinking. Subsequently, even this
year, the city's been painting and doing
some streets. They've been putting lines
down where you can park your car, where
you can park can't park your car.
Remington has overlooked
my street again.
They went from Washington
to Jefferson.
No Adams. So I have pictures and I
invite the people from Remington who I
called six times and promised they would
call back. I got the phone numbers from
the city hall and they never call back.
They say they will, but they never call
back. I guess we're not paying them
enough money to be our engineers.
I think my street needs repaving and I
need someone to look into it as soon as
possible.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Herb. Yeah, Pat, if you could
maybe just touch base with Herb after
the meeting to
>> address that contact issue, please.
Any other public comment on workshop?
Is there a motion to close public
comment?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg? Yes.
>> Is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbber.
>> Yes.
>> All right.
>> We will begin momentarily.
>> What time?
>> 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
Bolton board in the municipal building,
the municipal website, and filed in the
office of the municipal clerk. Please
turn off all electronic devices.
>> 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 role.
>> Mayor Collins
>> here.
>> Commissioner Blumbber,
>> I am here.
>> Is there a motion for the approval of
the May 7th, 2026 regular and workshop
meeting minutes?
>> I'll make that motion. Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes.
>> We will now open up public comment for
resolutions and ordinance adoption if
anyone has any comment on the items on
the agenda. Mr. Burgerer,
>> happy to come back. Thank you.
>> Yeah, this is on the uh the new
ordinance on the uh for the M.
>> Can you state your name one more time,
please?
>> Uh Ed Burger, president of Margate
Business Association on Amharst Avenue,
9402.
I I had a couple questions about the
final rewrite on the ordinance and I was
hoping that I might be able to get some
feedback. U the first question I had was
um well first first the comment you know
Pat did a great job I think on trying to
get some feedback from the individual
businesses as it related to trying to
deal with the issues that were arising
from this whole gyms and athletics on
the beach and and on on public property.
And you know, uh, once the issue, um,
with the field was actually solidified,
uh, the city reached out to the
individual businesses and made them the
offer to be able to put some sort of
similar event together to help
counteract the impact that that might
have. And I think that that was a great
gesture on the on the city's part to do
that. The followup on that, which
eventually unfortunately because of the
bad weather this weekend, still tips the
scales in one favor because one of these
organizations was offered uh an
additional area indoors to be able to
conduct this event. But I mean, this I
I'm viewing this as a one-time thing and
and and trying to focus more on how this
ordinance is going to impact the
business community moving forward.
The questions I had, the first one was
is uh if there are going to be if
they're going to allow businesses to run
athletic events on the beach. Uh my
understanding at this point is is that
they would have to get a traveling
merkante license and a merkante license
or would it just be a facilities use
permit and a traveling merkantal
license? What what exactly is required
there?
Can you guys hear me this way or do I
need to speak?
>> Yeah, it works. Okay. Um, the traveling
is for store to store the beach permit.
Um, and hopefully it's clear in the
ordinance. Um, and I apologize if it
isn't. If we need I've looked at this a
100 times and I'm dizzy from looking at
it already. So, clarification is as much
for me as anybody else.
>> So, um, it would be a used facility um
or the beach uh facility. I believe I
don't have the news or
>> so I believe anything on the beach will
run through the wreck department and the
wreck would uh require the proper
paperwork whether it be use of facility
or use of public grounds being the beach
>> and and are there an unlimited number of
these available? That's where I where I
was going with this really is is are
there an unlimited number of these
available if everybody anyone who
applies gets one or is the city going to
designate for example three specific
areas on the beach that'll be utilized
in the summertime that people can you
know have some sort of competitive bid
for if that arises or is there going to
be a kettle bell session at every you
know bulkhead at every street you know
>> there is no limit defined but that being
said it will be at the discretion of the
recctor director to make a determination
as to whether, you know, we're not going
to allow 30 people at different groups
on, you know, every street end to do it.
So there there will be some discretion
used uh obviously to make sure that
we're not taking over the public space.
>> Yeah. I I I think from from the business
standpoint, we feel that if there were a
limited number of these available that
what that would do would not only drive
up if there if it turned into a bidding
process, which it may, that it would not
only drive up the bid, which would be
beneficial to the city, but it would
also uh benefit those individual
businesses that were bidding on it to
generate revenue by having more people
attend it. So if there is an evolution
of this then I would think that
designating specific areas might be a
prudent move to make moving forward as
opposed to just having it you know the
wild wild west of everybody who wants to
run it and then you would have people
would feel that there may be some
impropriy where it was being cut off. So
that was the first uh the first
question. So, real quick, under 183-11,
use of facilities section A mean any
organized exercise, class, or organized
activity on any city property to include
school property, parking lots, and
fields must apply for a use facilities
permit. Use for the use of said location
through the city's recreation
department. A fee for said activity or
use will be established at an 8020 split
with the city collecting 20% of any fee
charged for the activity. Then under
section B, any organized exercise class
or activity on the beach must apply for
a use of facility beach permit through
the city recreation department. Fees are
established as $250 for up to 10
classes. Um then $250 for each
additional 10 classes. Um use permits
will be good from May 1st to Labor Day.
>> Yeah. I my the way I interpreted that is
that if some for each of the 10 classes
they would pay the $250, but it it was
an unlimited number that would be
available and I think it would be
prudent for the recck department to
limit zone specific zones and and use
them in in that fashion.
>> Okay. uh the the followup on that which
I objected to earlier was was the the
80/20 split which I just I think that
the fee should be certainly sufficient
and that I I don't foresee that the city
being in a revenue share partnership
with what will eventually turn out to be
vendors that are outside the city is is
uh I don't like the optics on it from a
business standpoint and uh I think that
because you could virtually sidestep the
necessity of going before the zoning
boarding getting a merkante license by
getting a facilities use permit and
going into partnership with the city
that it it it's it's an endun and I I
don't think that that the ordinance
should allow that. So that was the
secondary part of it. The uh the the
final question that I have on the
overall issue and and let me again
repeat what I said earlier when we first
started discussing this. I think it's
great that the city is is finally
getting to the point where we're
defining what we're able and not able to
do because it eliminates a lot of the
gray areas. None of it really comes into
play unless there's an enforcement plan
in place for this. So, is there an
enforcement plan, you know, beyond in
the past where we really have been
unfortunately flying by the seat of our
pants on this thing? And it's it's not
in a lot of cases until either these
pop-ups actually pop up and one of us
drives past them or one of us sees a
pre-promotion the day before, you know,
on social media that some kid is going
to sell, you know, college stuff from
their mom's driveway, you know, uh is
there any plan for code enforcement to
check and make sure that these permits
are in place to make sure that the
paperwork is being taken care of.
>> So, I think the short answer is yes. And
I think if you can discuss with Pat
offline, um he can give you go through
the specifics and how we're going to do
that, but it is yes. And it's going to
be obviously a um growing pains for us
as well as we get feedback from you, but
we'll make sure we make it clear to the
public how to how to address those
issues. Can can I just get some
indication since it's Thursday before
Memorial Day weekend and and I could
always I I'm already in a position where
I could inform you of four different
events that are unsanctioned by the city
that are going to occur this weekend.
Where do I go?
>> It's a code enforcement issue. So, we go
to code enforcement.
>> You you can come to me right after the
meeting. I'll report it to code
enforcement. Make sure that they take
care of it this weekend.
>> Okay. Thanks. Thank you.
>> Ed, before you go, I have a question.
Yeah.
>> And I don't mean to put you on the spot,
but I will. Is it your recommendation
that we vote this ordinance down at this
time and re revisit it?
>> No. Uh, no more. It's not.
>> Okay.
>> No. My recommendation is to pass the
ordinance. I think it's got I think it's
got tremendous value. I think that it
needs to be massaged and I think that
through its execution, it needs to be
refined the same way. And and again, if
for example, if it require if the
recreation department needs to give the
approval to give a spec to approve one
of these permits on the beach and and
through dialogue, it's determined that
it would be a great idea to have one of
these exercise programs, you know, one
at the north end of town, one at the
south end of town, and one in the
middle. And those are the ones that
they're going to approve and then be bid
on. You know, I don't think that's
necessarily has to be a part of the
ordinance. I think it needs to be part
of the execution. So, no, my my
recommendation would be to vote for it,
but to do that with the understanding
that, you know, it's it's a work in
progress.
>> Thank you. So,
>> thank you, Ed.
>> Thank you.
>> And I I do want to say, you know, Ed and
I have been working on this together for
10 years when I was on the board of the
MBA and uh it's been an ongoing issue
over the last year. We've had plenty of
meetings and dialogue, you know, not
just myself and the business community,
but but Ed with um with Pat and the
chief, and it's it's been ongoing. Um we
believe this uh ordinance is good. Do I
know that it's going to be great? Not
yet. And as Ed said, I think we're going
to it's going to take um us to
understand how to enforce it. Um you
know, we changed a lot of rules. How is
this how's this really going to impact
the community and and how are we going
to be able to handle it? So, I think um
I believe somebody came up to me after
the last meeting when it was introduced
and said um what if it needs to be
changed? Well, if it needs to be
changed, we amend the ordinance and we
have we have the ability to do that. So,
I think we have an open mind. Um the
business community has an open mind that
we think this is a step in the right
direction and we will continue to look
at it to make sure it is written the way
it should be and adapt it as we need to.
So, um, again, Ed, thanks for all of
your input on that.
Do we have any other public comment on
resolutions and ordinance adoption?
>> Is there a motion to close public
comment on resolutions and ordinance
adoption?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Johanna, will you proceed, please?
May I have a motion to adopt ordinance
number 6-2026,
an ordinance amending chapter 257,
vehicle and traffic of the code of the
city of Margate City, county of
Atlantic, and state of New Jersey?
>> I'll make that motion. Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbber.
>> Yes. May I have a motion for ordinance
number 7-2026,
an ordinance amending chapter 183,
Merkantile Licensing of the Code of the
City of Margate City, County of
Atlantic, State of New Jersey?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> May I have a motion for resolution
number 114 2026 authorizing bill payment
and claims? I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg.
>> Yes.
>> May I have a motion authorizing payment
to Kmar Home Center resolution number
115 2026?
>> I would ask that we table that, please.
>> Okay. The motion is to table. Um, Mayor
Collins.
>> Yes.
>> I'll second that.
>> You'll second it. Okay.
>> Mayor Collins,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> yes.
>> May I have a motion for the consent
agenda which consists of resolution
number
116 2026 through resolution number 128
2026.
>> I'll make that motion. Second.
>> Mayor Collins.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbber.
>> Yes. And my from the floor we have a
resolution
as soon as I locate it
number 129
that
I am requesting A motion for resolution
number 129, 2026, approval
accepting the corrected
MCEA labor agreement January 1st, 2026
through December 31st, 2026.
>> I'll make that motion. Second,
>> Mayor Collins,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg,
>> yes. So, I did I I forgot I want to add
one more thing. Um today we completed
the hanging of our veterans banners. Uh
the ones that uh that have currently
been ordered and that we have have on
hand. So I encourage everybody to uh
take a stroll down Washington Avenue and
down the prominade uh all the way to
Coolage. Um Pat, do you have the exact
number where we're at now? I believe
it's close to 90
banners we have uh for our Margate
heroes. Um, and the ones with, you know,
medals and accommodations, they're
listed on the banners and, uh, it's
quite remarkable. Um, you know, the
members of this community and what they
did. So, I just want to recognize all of
them. Um, and, you know, thank all of
our veterans for for their service and
again encourage everybody to to take a
look and and look at those banners and
read read the names and and what they've
done. It's it's quite a sight. So, thank
you,
>> Johanna. Uh before we move on, can you
clarify the dates on resolution
129, the start and the end date?
I think you read uh
>> through 20 through December 20 31st,
2026.
>> Mhm.
>> Should that be through December 1st,
2029?
>> Yes, it would.
>> Okay. So So if we could just clarify
that.
>> Okay. Um would like to correct the
record that the dates for
this resolution
129 2026 approval accepting the
corrected MCA labor agreement is January
1st 2026 through December 31st 2029.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. We will now open up public
comment. If anyone has any comment on
any any topic of your choosing, please
step forward.
Jeff Hoffner, 5 South Monroe. Um, where
do I get started here? So, this is for
you, Mr. Mayor.
Sunrise to Kilibar. Was that outdoor or
indoor last year?
>> Jeff, as I said, I'm happy to have a
meeting and discuss everything. You
know, I sent I sent an email out twice
to you guys. I don't even get a
response. Received anything. Did you
receive the last email?
>> All emails I received and then Mr. Moran
said he met with you and resolved all
>> correct, but it's not resolved by no
means.
>> He's working towards a resolution.
>> I mean, where do we stand here? Is it I
don't want to listen to Tina Turner on a
Sunday afternoon 300 ft away cooking
burgers.
>> So I believe uh
>> Saturday, Sunday 1 to 4. I don't I
really don't. And
Pat, you can attest to what you
witnessed here
>> when I was when I was over
>> and that was
not as noisy as normal,
>> right? Friday Friday night. This past
Friday night I went out
all week. I was just checking out to see
what the noise level was.
>> Pat, could you turn your speaker on,
please?
>> Sorry.
>> You got me.
>> All right, cool.
>> Pretty close to M.
>> All right. So, anyway, um yeah, I did
witness that the base was something that
would definitely be um heard inside Mr.
Ha's house. Um I did speak with the
owners of Tequila um and their attorney
to try to resolve that. They're trying
to at this point from what they told me,
they're trying to find somebody to give
them guidance as far as an engineering
go engineer goes with a sound device at
a distance to see if they can make sure
that they adjust their sound levels to
where they need to. Um, I spoke to uh uh
Mr. Hilner today um and he had not
retained somebody as of yet, but was
working on it. Um he had he had called
several people that weren't available um
that weren't able to come out. So, he
was still looking to find a vendor um at
the last at the last uh conversation I
had with him.
>> Yeah, you could have Sony Music come out
there, their engineer, that's not going
to do it. There's no acoustical
containment in there whatsoever through
the ceiling.
You can go to Steven Cookies Oyster
Bars. Noisy as heck. You can't hear it
outside. We can go right on down the
line.
Sophia's Tomatoes on a Friday night,
Saturday night,
>> Johnny's.
>> Now, this past Saturday night, I did go
there, but the wind was blowing a
certain way,
>> right?
>> You couldn't hear anything, not even the
bass. As a matter of fact, I actually
was wondering if they actually had music
that night. Um, but that was again, it
was the wind.
>> That's the first time they must have
seen you get out of the car or
something. That's the first time in a
year and a half. And it's the first time
>> since we've been coming here that
somebody finally came out and witnessed
this. Why' it take a year and a half?
I mean, uh,
>> we've been dealing with this and the
chief's been dealing with it all for a
long time,
and his officers are great, but they
have no direction.
>> As I have said before, and I know we've
had this, my officers will go there all
the time. We will issue summones
>> as the day is long.
>> I understand. and you have to have a
little more bite.
>> And I understand like I said, we have
worked with the ABC. We have worked with
the other agencies. There are the ABC
comes down all the time. I don't want to
just uh pigeon hole say sunrise to kill.
>> I'm sure they go to all the places.
>> They go to all the places and there are
violations pending. I mean, there are
ABC violations pending. There's fines
that the police department has written
over the last year and a half. I have
spent many many hours I
>> I know I
>> on duty and off duty regarding this. So
again it does not fall on deaf ears with
me right
>> just so I can assure you of that and I
will work with all of our department
heads for some kind of resolution.
>> I appreciate it. It's it's a year and a
half.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you Jeeoff.
Hi, Liz O'Brien for South Monroe. Um,
so we've sent emails. We sent a lawyer's
letter two meetings ago. You asked for
it to be responded to. We haven't heard
anything back. That's over a month ago.
Um, so the letter has been here since
December.
No response. We come all the time saying
the same things over and over.
Very little is happening. Very, very
little. So, I understand the owners are
now they're working with another
engineer or another sound person or
something. Uh, but the problem still
exists. So, how about while we wait for
them to resolve the problem, we turn the
music off at 10:00.
We've been dealing with it for a year
and a half, two years, how many summers?
Um, we keep waiting for them to fix
their problem. We're just giving them
more and more opportunity to fix
something. Why don't we just turn the
music off until it's fixed and then they
can just turn the music on as loud as
they want, as late as they want if it's
not audible outside.
Um, the other thing is we had the
meeting here with the owners. Um, they
made a lot of promises.
You remember, you remember, um, Brian
Hilner still parks his car. We have
pictures of all
every day, probably most days, his truck
parked there. Over the weekend, it was
probably there for two hours, gone for a
couple hours, there for three hours,
gone. It's still his personal parking
spot.
Um, the trash still gets thrown out.
They said they were going to try to
train their employees to throw the
recycles away gently so it wasn't loud
in the middle of the night. I can play
you a video right now of 12:30 at night
of two guys just chucking bags of
bottles and cans into the dumpster.
Clank clank clank.
>> So, I have a question for you because I
was there um when I was there and I was
with Mr. Hoffna. The noisiest part about
that whole thing was them lifting up the
gate.
>> Lifting the gate. Yeah. I told I said
that at that point meeting also. I said
that is going to be too noisy.
>> Right. That was that was the that was
the loudest part of them putting the
stuff in the trash can.
>> So I didn't know.
>> I agree with you. That's a problem.
>> I'm sorry. You can't speak from there.
>> I agree with you. That's a problem. The
door it should be a different kind of a
door. The other thing is they don't
actually still they promised to not have
any trash visible.
that would alleviate the smell, the the
you know the fact that we have to see
it. Um this is what it looked like this
weekend.
So there's a lot of trash. I'm pretty
sure I sent this to you, Chief. Um I
still everything I've read, this is a
bottleneck here for emergency eress. If
three people are running down because
there's a fire a breast, only two are
making it past these obstacles and one
person's going to trip and fall and
probably be trampled.
I'm just showing you this is if they
have a fire that is a problem, a
legitimate issue. I think we can all
agree. So, this is how the trash the top
of the dumpster. I'm just zooming in
here. This is what it looks like. So,
this is so thin probably if you put your
finger through it or any animal or bird,
seagull could get through this thin bag
of looks like food trash.
This is how it was overnight. So, from
like 8:00 p.m. the night I don't even
know what this is. If it's a banana
peel, some disgusting tomatoes. I don't
know. This This is what is literally
right next to my tenants's car.
It This is going to smell. This is May
right now. Imagine this in August. This
is disgusting. This is what they
promised to not do. And literally within
a week of them promising that they will
not have any visible trash, here we are.
So that's my pictures for the day. Um,
still parking in the loading zone, still
leaving the trash area open, still
having too much trash.
Um,
minor point, but they said there'd be no
smoking. Eric sat here and said how
disgusting it is to smoke and how there
should be no smoking. And they promised
to tell all their employees there would
be no more smoking. There's guys smoking
out there all the time, every day. So,
in fact, it's the same guy. I could
probably
There's a couple people, but one guy
mainly. Um, they're just they haven't
done anything. We had the meeting.
We came. We spent our time. So much time
we have spent
about this. I'm so sick of talking about
it and having nothing happen.
Please answers. Please, please answer.
Can we just turn off the music to start
there at 10:00 until they resolve their
noise issue?
>> Yes. So, again, as
as we've been, you know, trying to
resolve this, Pat's been having meetings
with with all of you. Um, a lot of these
refer to, you know, some of them are
zoning issues, some are code
enforcement.
>> That's why we like to do it at this
meeting because you're all here,
>> right? But the the best way to do it is
to to meet with
>> So, I should go to eight different
meetings.
>> No, I mean, if you have a if you have a
a zoning concern, I suggest you meet
with Commissioner Blumberg and and
Roger. If you have a um a trash
something issue, suggest you meet with
Pat and myself and then uh the chief and
uh Commissioner No, I just told you most
of my issues. So,
>> yeah. And I and I agree. And we take
these and I I go to go to Pat often and
I go to Pat and we we do the best to
address.
>> If I can just add one of those things
that we did um when we had that meeting
was we tried to promote that you guys
speak to each other to try to resolve
things and it's my understanding like
there's no communication between them
and you guys at all. Has there has there
been any
>> I have an issue with that. I So, Chief,
we talked we went back and forth. I sent
these pictures. cuz I appreciate you
went right over. You took care of it. It
was all clear after you left. Every time
I've done that, you've left and it's all
clear. But I will say again, I came to
the planning board meeting before it was
approved. I told everybody there were
this was a packed house. I told I
explained
in quantity and numbers how much trash
they generated now and now we're adding
89 people and how much more volume they
would need. I think I came up with that
they were going to need a they have two
dumpsters, two 5year dumpsters. They
were going to need three. I was exactly
right cuz they don't have it's everybody
agrees now they don't have a big enough
trash area and
nothing was done about it then. Sorry, I
just totally lost my train of thought.
Um I don't want to So I voted no on this
project, but I don't get a vote that
counts. So, I think they
I don't I don't want to be the one
policing. I didn't want this in the
first place.
Chief Adams, you said, you know, I I
understand from the meeting that you
guys had that you should be reaching out
to the owners before me. This is an
emergency. I'm not an emergency person.
I'm not a first responder. If somebody
trips and falls, it's not going to be on
me. I've told you guys about this for
years now, or months at least. I don't
know how long I've been bringing these
kind of pictures, but I don't want to be
the police of my neighbors.
I I sat here and told everybody, "This
isn't a big enough area. It's not a big
enough area. Here's the here's the
result.
Why should I now have to talk to the
owner when this happens? It shouldn't be
on me."
>> And and they've made lots of promises.
Who's holding them to these promises?
You said it was a gentleman's agreement.
Who's the gentleman? when we sat and had
that discussion, ma'am, like there was
there was an understanding between
everyone that you guys would have
contact with them and discuss it with
them. Um, and now you're saying that you
don't think that that should be correct.
>> So, every day I have to text Brian, move
your car, text Dana, there's trash in
the I have to do that.
>> We discussed that at the meeting. It was
my understanding that this was going to
be something that you guys were going to
try to work on getting an amicable
relationship and that you got you would
contact them when there was a problem
and they would try to resolve it at that
point like that was what we walked
>> I agree with you but at that meeting
>> we laid out all the problems I don't
want to go talk about all the old pro
they should just fix those pro they made
promises they said we will not have
visible trash we will not have visible
trash this
is not They're not doing their part. I
don't want to have to call them every
time they're not doing their job. They
made a promise. They should I'm going to
I will reach out if it's something new
and something that they haven't already
promised to do. But I'm not going to
keep calling them every how every day.
How often should I call them? Every day
they do something. They break a promise
that they made at that meeting. I'm not
going to keep calling them. So the other
thing is that meeting when you agreed to
it then you
>> No, no, I did not agree to that. I was
told everybody walked away from there
Mr. have it that they were going to try
to resolve it amongst each other first.
You guys exchange telephone numbers.
>> Pat, so every time I see trash outside
of the dumpster, you want me to call
Dana?
>> How about one time? At least once.
>> Okay, I'll call Dana one time. That is
not going to solve this problem. They're
not people of their word.
>> They're not doing anything that they
said they would may be the case, but it
would be like again like we had that
meeting in order to try to promote this.
It's not happening. And I'm not saying
that it will, and I'm not saying it's
going to resolve the issue. Are
>> you putting it back on me to do?
>> I'm not putting it back on you.
>> I have to do something. I have to call
Dana or I have to call Brian.
>> We you we've had this meeting. You
indicated that, you know, you you act
like we're not trying to do anything. We
tried to promote this and like, you
know, give them the opportunity to fail.
>> They gave their they gave you the
number.
>> They're failing. We als I have pictures.
They're failing.
>> Then call them and tell them you're
failing. I I this is
>> I really think that's going to solve the
problem.
>> I just want to kind of reemphasize the
this back and forth that we're doing. So
I encourage So none of the commission
were at those meetings. It's there it's
it was a you know not more than one
could be at those meetings. If there
needs to be a follow-up meeting Pat that
you have to have with this group of
people, I encourage you invite one of
the three of us and and we come and and
we can uh try to take this a step
further. I don't think we need to be at
the meeting. You heard the promises. Why
don't you have a meeting with them and
just tell them hold up your part of the
bargain.
I
>> I'm I'm attempting to do that. I I've
been calling them and talking to them.
And what
>> I don't know what we could what we could
add to the meeting. We're just going to
say the same things we say all the time.
>> That's fine. If you guys do not wish to
have a meeting, that
>> I mean, I'll go. Don't pull it on me
like I'm not. I wouldn't discourage you
if you guys decide over the course of
the next two weeks to to attend a
meeting, have one of the three of us
present that we'd be happy to to join as
well.
>> You could all come. I invite everybody.
If you guys come, I'll goally.
>> Okay. So,
whoever wants to.
>> Mike, can I ask again? Have you or Kathy
had any discussions with Brian and Dana
directly about the issues?
>> No. I mean, I can't speak for
Commissioner, but
>> would would it would it make sense for
you to reach out to Brian and talk to
him?
>> I can I can attempt that. Yes.
>> Great. Thank you.
>> Sure.
>> Just one last question. So, after all of
this, I mean, we've been coming here for
how long? How many meetings? We have a
lot of different issues. The noise seems
to always be the biggest problem. Um, I
think if the noise was resolved, a lot
of the other things would go away as
well. Um, so after the meeting here on
May 6th, it was um I think last weekend,
Jeff took a video um of the noise. He
said, "Oh my god, I just got home. It's
so crazy loud. You wouldn't believe it."
I think he left you a message, a
voicemail. You said you could hear the
music over the voicemail. was so loud
from Jeff's house across the street and
all the windows were closed and the roof
louvers were closed and it was still
that loud that you could hear it on his
voicemail. So when Jeff called the
police, the police came out.
I can't even believe this. I'm saying
these words. They were given a warning.
So am I to understand that they need a
warning still? They they they sat at
this table with us. They definitely know
there's a noise problem without you talk
without anybody. They absolutely know
there's a problem with the noise.
Why in the world would they need another
warning? Why is there not a consequence?
Anyone?
>> I'd be happy to address that. And every
time we always give them the opportunity
as we do every business, every time we
get a noise complaint to try to we try
to get it to an acceptable level. And if
it doesn't get to that, my officers do
issue the noise summons. I said, "Mr.
Hoffner, you can attest to that. Even
the citizens have issued summones in the
past and can be subpoenaed." Again, I I
sometimes take
umbrage to the effect that if my police
department's not doing anything, I am
working the hardest in this city to
solve this problem. And on a weekly
basis, I hear this every meeting about
the ineffectiveness of my police
department. And you have no idea how
that hurts me as the administrator of my
department because I have done
everything for the last year and a half
in attempts to solve this problem. So my
officers do everything and guidance
under me like I said and we wouldn't
just again sometimes it could be a
little bit discretionary. It could it
might not be that loud from where they
are but again the fact that we haven't
done anything. I am the only department
that has done something 16 noise
ordinances. We have been there all the
time. I have a whole file about the
noise. I have taken every complaint. I
understand and I hear your complaints.
Again, this is a problem that we all are
trying to solve together and I am more
than willing to help.
>> I'm totally not insulting you or your
department. I think you guys are doing a
tremendous job and I think your hands
are tied. I think the city needs to give
you more power to do something because
these people do not need any more
warnings. They know exactly what they're
doing and they're getting away with it
every single night.
So they just keep doing it. That's
what's happening.
>> Am I wrong?
>> Again, listen, the they are by law
allowed to have music past 10. We can't
tell them they can't have
>> audible across the street.
>> Correct. So that's again the issue that
that is
>> you should listen to his voicemail that
Jeff left him.
>> You know, again, we talk about it. It
has to be below a certain decel level.
That's that's something
>> a warning is ludicrous right now. It's
why they keep doing what they're doing
because you're not giving the police the
power to do something further. They need
a consequence that isn't nothing.
>> But again, Liz, this isn't the public
safety aspect of this. They're doing a
tremendous job. It's not a public safety
issue. It's a zoning whether it's
exceeds that or not. It's not a public
safety issue. So, that is something that
they've been trying to address. And I I
I get that the public doesn't understand
that because it does seem always to fall
on the police because this these issues
happen when there's a lot of It's the
police that go and break it up and turn
off, you know, it seems like the police
do that often.
>> Um,
>> okay. So, who would be able to do that?
>> Unlawful and then there are some things
that are violations of of the ordinance.
So,
>> they're not feeling any consequences,
right? A warning is nothing to them.
That's why they just keep doing it every
single night. There's no consequence.
>> Thank you. I guess I'm done.
Jeff Hoffner, 5 South Monroe,
Roberts. I've been at Roberts plenty of
times when the officers unplugged this
week's uh speaker at 10 p.m. Unplugged
it. So, it's done. This continues on our
street blocks and blocks away. It's a
continuous thing.
I believe his hands are tied.
Why can't it be 10 p.m. until you put a
hard ceiling in there?
I agree with the Liz. Everything she
said right on target.
>> All I can say is we're trying our best
to try to resign.
>> I mean, it's been a year and a half. I
mean, how much more do we have to try?
We got to go through another summer,
another Friday, Saturday night.
>> There are legal steps that we have to
take.
>> Pat, please turn your speaker on.
>> There are legal steps that we have to
stay. We have to to stay with it. We We
can't just go in there and shut them
down.
>> You pull if they pull the plug on
Robert's speaker, it's Robert's. They're
they're done at 10 o'clock. That's I've
seen it. officer's there 10 of
pull the cord done. I
>> I can't comment on that. All I can say
is that we have certain steps we have to
follow. Um
and we're trying to do that. I'm trying
to trying to get them to comply as we go
along. Um and as this continues, we're
going to keep trying to get them to
comply.
>> How long do we have to continue for?
>> I'm trying as fast as I can. I can only
go as far as only as quick as as it
allows as the system allows.
Okay.
Hi, uh Janine Deerro, 6 South Monroe. Um
I'm I'm going to make this real short.
I'm not going to stand up here forever
because I'm going to send everything in
an email. I have emailed several
occasions. I have never received a
response from anyone. I'm just um
stating that. Um so we did have a
meeting with the owners. The attorney
spoke for them most of the time. What
came out of that meeting is that yes,
they understand that there's a noise
problem and they were there was no bones
about it. There were no solutions to the
noise problem. Our suggestions were
10:00 turn the music off. not happening
because now because they got the windows
and the louver roof, they are now from
10 to 1 or 2 a.m. considered an indoor
bar according to zoning. Um, Roger
clarified that for us and the attorney
also made the declaration that now it's
an indoor facility from 10 to 1 or 2
a.m. So now all day long they are an
outdoor venue which is in all the
planning documents. Outdoor venue till
10:00. Magically at 10:00 they're going
to close the windows. the louvered roof
where uh when it is closed, the music is
still exacerbated out of the top and you
can hear it just as loud. It's just like
a funnel going up. Um so I need
clarification. I'm going to send it to
Roger in a in a written letter. Uh Roger
had said that um
it is now indoor between 10 and 1 or 2
or whatever the heck time they feel like
staying open to. So I have a big problem
with that. I don't know how they can get
the best of both of the world here. So
to me, last summer they got away with
it. They were should have been shut down
at 10, music off as is every other open
venue and they are an open venue until
those windows are shut permanently and
the roof is a permanent roof. And that's
really all I have to say and I'm going
to send everybody an email. Thank you.
>> Thank you,
>> Liz O'Brien for South. I just had one
other thought. So, they said they're
going to close the windows in the roof
at 10:00. What if they don't? What if
it's so hot, it's August, the air isn't
keeping up, and they have to let the
heat out, so they open the louver roof
and open a couple of the windows. What
happens? Is the music have to be off?
>> I believe the music, if either of those
are off, it the music has to be off
either.
>> So, if there's a single window open or
the roof open, the music has to be off
after 10:00. I believe that.
>> Roger, you want to you want to handle
that?
>> It's indoor space whether the windows
are open or closed now. Now that they
have windows,
>> that's not what you said earlier.
>> Who?
>> Well, at the meeting it's 10:00. If the
windows
>> gave a time constraint when it's indoor
and outdoor, it's either indoor space or
it's outdoor space. Was outdoor space
without the windows. Now it's indoor
space. I use the analogy that if you
open a window in your living room, does
that make your living room outdoor
space? No.
>> These windows are the size of the
opening that they had before.
>> So that's different than what Pat said.
Pat at the two meeting or the last
meeting said, and I just listened to
this recording over and over to make
sure I understood that if the windows
and the louvers are closed, it's
considered indoor.
>> That's correct.
>> If they're open, it's considered
outdoor.
>> That's correct.
>> Yeah,
>> that was my understanding of what of
what the resolution was.
>> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that's
clear. So if the windows or the roof or
any part of them are open after 10:00,
the music has to be off.
>> Correct. Or they have to be shut,
>> right? Okay. Thank you.
>> Good evening everybody. Uh my name is
Willie Jackavine of 403 North Elevant
Avenue. Want to take the opportunity uh
I know there's been a lot of talk in the
media uh around town about this topic.
Uh but I just wanted to speaking on
behalf of some of the parental school uh
guilds that support the schools and some
of the youth sport programs that support
the schools. We have, you know, we have
couple Brian Dana Hilner that uh they're
very philanthropic. Anything we've
asked, they've been there to help. Uh
they're very reasonable people. I think
uh they've exhibited that in in in the
changes that they made physically to the
building. Uh I know we have these
wonderful municipal services. We're all
blessed to be in this town. Uh across
the board, everyone represented here. Uh
and even the ones that aren't here, we
have all of these great services in this
town filled with professionals and
neighbors that just want to see a great
town. And you know, I'm proud to raise
my son here. I'm glad my parents raised
me here. They went through a situation.
They live right across from the old
Union Avenue school. It's worn a lot of
hats in the last 70 years that my
parents have had the house, right? Uh,
you know, and the town does adjust and
change, but I think we got to give Brian
Dana a chance just to fulfill the stuff
that they're doing. Uh, they're making
every effort and I think they're, you
know, sometimes we just got to let
things work a little bit uh to get to a
problem. And I'm not trying to take
anything away from people that live up
that street. I get it. You have, you
know, that not telling you how to feel.
I don't want to tell anybody's feelings,
but I just want to speak on behalf of
some organizations that you have good
people that are very contribute a lot to
this town and uh you know, we're
appreciative to have them and they got a
wonderful business there. A lot of
wonderful businesses in this town and uh
you just hopefully we can get to a nice
accord where everybody is comfortable.
Thank you. Thank you.
Kathy Heitzman, 22 South Adams Avenue. I
have a question about another issue,
surprisingly enough. What is going on
with Mr. Buglevo
and his 12 apartments that are supposed
that he was found guilty of having in
lie of sex? Can you comment on that?
>> I don't know that. I mean, Scott would
have the best answer, but I think in
brief it's we're really in a holding
pattern because uh we were granted
summary judgment. There was an appeal. I
think they're they're just going back
with the judge now as far as uh what the
next steps are.
>> That sound
>> it's still in the courts. We won first
round our judgment motion of
reconsideration. We won.
>> Uh an issue was raised about a
disqualification
uh for the for the judge which I believe
June 3rd will be that took Oh, it's
tomorrow. Will be tomorrow. That'll be
decided tomorrow. And then we've already
been in discussions as to enforcement to
shut them down. Uh I know that's going
to be a fight, too. No doubt about it.
But it's the legal system. We're in
superior court. We've been winning all
the rounds. So, uh
>> should this be the final step or you
don't?
>> I hope so, Kath, but I don't think so.
I'm pretty sure they're going to fight
this and appeal it probably through the
summer. It's going to be a legal battle.
It's been a legal battle and uh
ultimately it'll be six residential
units,
>> right?
>> And there's going to be the issue of
moving out tenants. Um there's the issue
of stopping him from ringing or renting
any of the units. I believe court's
addressing that. Probably not tomorrow.
But um
>> will he also be penalized for how he
hurt all of our taxpayers
>> by having children instead of six? I
mean
>> when you say penalized, what do we do?
Like find him?
>> Yeah,
>> we have fined him, I believe. Have we
find him? No.
>> Okay.
>> He should have to pay restitution.
>> Well, that's my position.
>> Yes, I I want him to pay every dime.
Will that happen? Probably not, but I
that's what we're seeking. I'm on your
>> courts don't do that normally, but we're
we're looking for that.
>> Okay.
>> We want to have every dime uh paid back.
So, we'll see. But they probably now
once we have this final ruling tomorrow.
Originally, I think it was June 3rd, but
now it's tomorrow. Uh we're probably
going to start finding them
>> tomorrow.
>> The oral arguments,
>> the arguments tomorrow, right? That
doesn't necessarily mean the court will
make a decision tomorrow,
>> but it's a long torturous torturous
process.
But we're getting there.
>> Okay. And thank you for the south the
north Washington Avenue.
>> There you go.
>> Happy customer like that two-way.
>> Good evening. Maryanne Cleur, 25 North
Madison. I just have a question. and
I've been coming to the meetings and I
asked the occupancy and the parking
situation. So it seems like the city is
buying parking area in other areas. Now
we have approximately
180 people I think to occupancy at the
tequila bar and there's no parking. So,
with that being said, I have because I
work at night, I have a sticker that I
went to renew today that I thought
because I live in the area where they
told their staff to park that I could
get renewed, but now I found out, and
I'm not disparaging the police, that a
sticker that I had
was I thought a block away from my
house, up to a block away from my house.
But now I was told today that it can
only be on Madison Avenue and there's no
2-hour parking on Madison Avenue. But if
I come home at night and they did let
people have this
occupancy that could be how many cars
with no parking except the owner gets
privilege and I can't get the
opportunity if I come home and it's
flooded we which I addressed already and
I come home and I don't have a parking
spot to park on Ventner Avenue so I can
wake up and remove my car when they
leave
But I I'm only allowed to have who do I
speak to over like maybe getting
leniency since
>> I what I need my business.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
I mean he was nice to me. I'm
not complaining about it but I
>> Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you
everyone.
Dennis Gonioski,
7702 Amherst Avenue. Question. Uh, we
have not had any financial reports.
Do we have a CFO or do we not have one?
>> We do.
>> You do. That person's name Stover.
>> Correct.
>> Okay. Why is that person not here?
In the past, we had a chief financial
officer give us a report at each
meetings and there has not been one. We
had one
three three meetings ago, I think he
gave way. But no, but you're doing a
budget and we're not aware of it. So,
when are we going to get a report
from this new chief financial officer?
So the we we went through the the budget
hearing and we went through the budget.
No changes to the budget since then.
That was last meeting. We approved the
budget I believe.
>> Yeah. So at the last meeting
>> last meeting
>> we had our full budget presentation at
the last meeting.
>> You gave a full in one meeting when we
were looking for that one person gave
that complete this or do is there
anything you handed out from that
meeting or No,
>> the budget documents are online.
>> So there's nothing handed out at the
meeting. It's online.
>> Uh I don't know if we had copies present
or That's how they do it now.
>> Yeah.
>> In the
>> my copy was online,
>> but in the past we got copies here.
>> It's the changes
that everyone has made is going
everything's online.
>> When was that re was it related to last
meeting or meetings before?
Because we used to get a document here
from the previous CFO.
>> Right. And our auditor this time said
everything's online. There is nothing
printed. Nothing printed. Okay. Is there
any pending lawsuits that we have
against the uh Margate city,
>> Scott? I don't know.
>> I couldn't hear you. What did you say?
>> Do we have any pending lawsuits against
Margate City?
>> Sure. We have lawsuits, workers comp
suits. We have uh
>> Do we have one from a previous CFO?
>> We have that. We have a first lawsuit.
Yes.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Is there a motion to close public
comment?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.
>> Is there a motion to adjurnn?
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Second.
>> Mayor Collins?
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Blumbberg?
>> Yes.